JP6875202B2

JP6875202B2 - connector

Info

Publication number: JP6875202B2
Application number: JP2017111712A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 和浩丸野
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2017-06-06
Filing date: 2017-06-06
Publication date: 2021-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-06
Also published as: JP2018206635A

Description

本発明は、コネクタに関する。 The present invention relates to a connector.

複数の電池セルが組み合わせられた電池モジュールが従来用いられている。電池モジュールの一例としては、特許文献１に記載されたようなものがある。 A battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are combined has been conventionally used. As an example of the battery module, there is one as described in Patent Document 1.

上述のような電池モジュールは、複数個が直列または並列に接続されて用いられることがある。隣り合う電池モジュールは、従来、導電性のある接続部品がねじなどにより各電池モジュールに固定されることで、電気的に接続される。 A plurality of battery modules as described above may be used by being connected in series or in parallel. Conventionally, adjacent battery modules are electrically connected by fixing conductive connecting parts to each battery module with screws or the like.

電池セルは、各々、所定の寸法公差を満たして製造されている。しかしながら、電池モジュールを構成している複数の電池セルが、必ずしも、互いの誤差を打ち消しあう組み合わせとなっているとは限らない。これにより、電池セルの組み合わせによっては、電池モジュールの寸法の誤差が大きくなる場合がある。また、隣り合う電池モジュールの寸法の誤差が、互いの誤差を打ち消しあう関係にあるとは限らない。例えば、隣り合う電池モジュールの寸法が、ともに寸法公差の最大値（または最小値）をとっているというような場合、寸法の誤差の累積により、上述の接続部品が許容できる誤差範囲を超える可能性がある。 Each battery cell is manufactured to meet a predetermined dimensional tolerance. However, the plurality of battery cells constituting the battery module are not always in a combination that cancels each other's errors. As a result, depending on the combination of battery cells, the dimensional error of the battery module may increase. Further, the dimensional errors of adjacent battery modules do not always cancel each other out. For example, if the dimensions of adjacent battery modules both have the maximum (or minimum) dimensional tolerance, the accumulation of dimensional errors may exceed the error range that the above-mentioned connecting components can tolerate. There is.

隣り合う電池モジュールが、許容可能な誤差範囲を超える組み合わせとなった場合には、組み付け可能になるように組み合わせを変更する作業が発生する。 If the adjacent battery modules have a combination that exceeds the permissible error range, work is required to change the combination so that the combination can be assembled.

特開２００９−４８９７３号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-48973

そこで、本発明は、寸法公差の累積をより積極的に吸収する構成のコネクタを提供することを目的とする。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a configuration that more positively absorbs the accumulation of dimensional tolerances.

上記目的を達成する為の第１の手段として、本発明に係るコネクタは、隣り合う電池モジュールを電気的に接続するものであって、第１接続部と第２接続部とを備える。第１接続部は、前記電池モジュールの一側面に設けられ、当該電池モジュールの隣り合い方向に直交する方向を着脱方向とする。第２接続部は、前記隣り合い方向に伸縮自在であって、両端部が、隣り合う前記電池モジュールの前記第１接続部に、着脱自在である。 As a first means for achieving the above object, the connector according to the present invention electrically connects adjacent battery modules, and includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion. The first connection portion is provided on one side surface of the battery module, and the direction orthogonal to the adjacent direction of the battery module is the attachment / detachment direction. The second connection portion is expandable and contractible in the adjacent direction, and both ends thereof are detachable from the first connection portion of the adjacent battery modules.

第２の手段として、前記第２接続部は、例えば、一対のＬ字型部材と、当該Ｌ字型部材の間に設けられて両者をつなぐＩ字型部材とを備える。 As a second means, the second connecting portion includes, for example, a pair of L-shaped members and an I-shaped member provided between the L-shaped members and connecting the two.

また、第３の手段として、前記第２接続部は、例えば、前記Ｌ字型部材の一端部が、前記Ｉ字型部材の各端部に、第１の長さ範囲内でスライド自在に接続されることにより、伸縮自在である。 Further, as a third means, in the second connecting portion, for example, one end of the L-shaped member is slidably connected to each end of the I-shaped member within the first length range. By being made, it can be expanded and contracted.

また、第４の手段として、前記Ｌ字型部材の他端部は、前記第１接続部に、第２の長さ範囲内でスライド自在に接続されることが望ましい。 Further, as a fourth means, it is desirable that the other end of the L-shaped member is slidably connected to the first connecting portion within a second length range.

また、第５の手段として、前記第１接続部は、前記第２接続部が差し込まれる凹部と、当該凹部の開口部周りに設けられた斜面であって前記第２接続部を前記凹部へ導く案内部と、を有することが望ましい。 Further, as a fifth means, the first connection portion is a recess into which the second connection portion is inserted and a slope provided around the opening of the recess, and guides the second connection portion to the recess. It is desirable to have a guide unit.

本発明に係るコネクタによれば、隣り合う電池モジュールが寸法の誤差を打ち消しあう関係になく誤差が累積する組み合わせであっても、伸縮することで対応可能である。したがって、電池モジュールの組み合わせを調整する作業が不要となるため、作業効率を向上させることができる。また、誤差吸収により、コネクタおよび電池モジュールのいずれの部材にも、無理がかからない。 According to the connector according to the present invention, even a combination in which adjacent battery modules cancel each other out dimensional errors and the errors are accumulated can be dealt with by expanding and contracting. Therefore, the work of adjusting the combination of battery modules becomes unnecessary, and the work efficiency can be improved. Further, due to the error absorption, neither the connector nor the battery module member is overloaded.

また、第４の手段によれば、第１接続部と第２接続部との着脱方向に沿う寸法誤差にも対応することができる。 Further, according to the fourth means, it is possible to deal with a dimensional error along the attachment / detachment direction between the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

また、第５の手段によれば、第１接続部に第２接続部を差し込むだけで接続できるので、従来のねじ止めによる接続に比べて、組み付け容易で作業が短時間で完了するので、作業効率をさらに向上させることができる。 Further, according to the fifth means, since the connection can be made only by inserting the second connection portion into the first connection portion, it is easier to assemble and the work is completed in a short time as compared with the conventional screw-fastening connection. The efficiency can be further improved.

図１は、本発明の実施形態における電池パックの構成の一例を概略的に示す外観斜視図である。FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、第２接続部の一例の外観を示す斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an example of the second connection portion. 図３は、第２接続部の一例の構成を示す分解斜視図である。FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of an example of the second connection portion. 図４は、コネクタの接続構造を示す断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of the connector.

以下に、本発明の実施形態を、図面を参照して説明する。説明を簡便にするため、図１中に、直交座標系を示す。以下、Ｚ軸方向は高さ方向、Ｙ軸方向は奥行き方向、Ｘ軸方向は幅方向とすることがある。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of simplicity, the Cartesian coordinate system is shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the Z-axis direction may be the height direction, the Y-axis direction may be the depth direction, and the X-axis direction may be the width direction.

図１は、電池パック１の構成の一例を概略的に示す外観斜視図である。電池パック１は、電池モジュール１１，１２がコネクタ２０で接続されたものである。 FIG. 1 is an external perspective view schematically showing an example of the configuration of the battery pack 1. The battery pack 1 has battery modules 11 and 12 connected by a connector 20.

電池モジュール１１，１２は、各々、複数の電池セル（不図示）を内蔵している。電池セルは、例えば板状である。また、電池セルは、例えば図１中のＹ軸方向に、厚さ方向に重ねて接続されている。電池セル間は、例えば、バスバーモジュールによって接続されている。 Each of the battery modules 11 and 12 has a plurality of battery cells (not shown) built-in. The battery cell has, for example, a plate shape. Further, the battery cells are connected so as to be stacked in the thickness direction in the Y-axis direction in FIG. 1, for example. The battery cells are connected by, for example, a bus bar module.

このような電池モジュール１１，１２が、図１中のＸ軸方向に隣り合わせられて、コネクタ２０により接続される。コネクタ２０は、例えば、バスバーモジュールを構成するいずれかのバスバーと電気的に接続し、これにより、電池モジュール１１，１２間を電気的接続する。 Such battery modules 11 and 12 are adjacent to each other in the X-axis direction in FIG. 1 and are connected by a connector 20. The connector 20 is electrically connected to, for example, any of the bus bars constituting the bus bar module, thereby electrically connecting the battery modules 11 and 12.

コネクタ２０は、電池モジュール１１，１２の一側面１１ａ，１２ａに設けられている。コネクタ２０は、２つの第１部材２１，２２と、第２部材２３と、２つの第３部材２４，２５と、を備える。第３部材２４，２５は、第１接続部の一例である。第１部材２１，２２と第２部材２３とは、第２接続部の一例を構成する。図２は、第２接続部２６の外観を示す斜視図である。 The connector 20 is provided on one side surface 11a, 12a of the battery modules 11, 12. The connector 20 includes two first members 21 and 22, a second member 23, and two third members 24 and 25. The third members 24 and 25 are examples of the first connecting portion. The first members 21 and 22 and the second member 23 form an example of the second connecting portion. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the second connecting portion 26.

第１部材２１，２２は、一対のＬ字型部材であり、つまり、長手方向の中途で略９０°に屈曲した形状を有する部材である。第２部材２３はＩ字型部材であり、第１部材２１，２２の間に設けられて両者をつなぐ。 The first members 21 and 22 are a pair of L-shaped members, that is, members having a shape bent at approximately 90 ° in the middle of the longitudinal direction. The second member 23 is an I-shaped member, which is provided between the first members 21 and 22 and connects the two.

第３部材２４，２５は、電池モジュール１１，１２の側面１１ａ，１２ａに、固定的に設けられている。第３部材２４，２５は、箱型であって、上向き（Ｚ軸正方向）に開口した差込口２４ａ，２５ａを有する。これらの差込口２４ａ，２５ａに対して、第２接続部２６の両端部２１２ａ，２２２ａが、着脱自在である。着脱方向はＺ軸方向である。第３部材２４，２５は、差込口２４ａ，２５ａから差し込まれた第１部材２１，２２と電気的に接続する接点部材（不図示）を内蔵している。 The third members 24 and 25 are fixedly provided on the side surfaces 11a and 12a of the battery modules 11 and 12. The third members 24 and 25 are box-shaped and have insertion ports 24a and 25a that are open upward (in the positive direction of the Z axis). Both ends 212a and 222a of the second connecting portion 26 are detachable with respect to these insertion ports 24a and 25a. The attachment / detachment direction is the Z-axis direction. The third members 24 and 25 have built-in contact members (not shown) that are electrically connected to the first members 21 and 22 inserted from the insertion ports 24a and 25a.

図３は、第２接続部２６の分解斜視図である。図４は、コネクタ２０の接続構造を示す断面図である。第１部材２１，２２の構造は同様であるので、以下、第１部材２１（２２）として、第１部材２１の説明と併せて第１部材２２についても説明する。また、第３部材２４，２５の構造は同様であるので、以下、第３部材２４（２５）として、第３部材２４の説明と併せて第３部材２５についても説明する。 FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the second connecting portion 26. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connection structure of the connector 20. Since the structures of the first members 21 and 22 are the same, the first member 22 will be described below as the first member 21 (22) together with the description of the first member 21. Further, since the structures of the third members 24 and 25 are the same, the third member 25 will be described below as the third member 24 (25) together with the description of the third member 24.

第１部材２１（２２）は、接続部２１１（２２１）と、接続部２１２（２２２）と、屈曲部２１３（２２３）と、を有する。接続部２１１（２２１）は、第２部材２３に接続する部分である。接続部２１２（２２２）は、第３部材２４（２５）に接続する部分である。屈曲部２１３（２２３）は、両接続部２１１，２１２（２２１，２２２）を、両者の長手方向が略９０°に交わる向きにつなぐ部分である。 The first member 21 (22) has a connecting portion 211 (221), a connecting portion 212 (222), and a bent portion 213 (223). The connecting portion 211 (221) is a portion connected to the second member 23. The connecting portion 212 (222) is a portion connected to the third member 24 (25). The bent portion 213 (223) is a portion that connects both connecting portions 211,212 (221,222) in a direction in which the longitudinal directions of the two intersect at approximately 90 °.

第１部材２１（２２）は、ハウジング５１内に、嵌合凹部５２，５３を有する。嵌合凹部５２は、接続部２１１（２２１）の一端部２１１ａ（２２１ａ）に開口していて、第２部材２３に対応する形状で、第２部材２３が差し込まれる。嵌合凹部５３は、接続部２１２（２２２）の一端部２１２ａ（２２２ａ）に開口していて、第３部材２４（２５）に対応する形状である。 The first member 21 (22) has fitting recesses 52 and 53 in the housing 51. The fitting recess 52 is open to one end portion 211a (221a) of the connecting portion 211 (221), and the second member 23 is inserted in a shape corresponding to the second member 23. The fitting recess 53 is open to one end 212a (222a) of the connecting portion 212 (222) and has a shape corresponding to the third member 24 (25).

第１部材２１（２２）は、ハウジング５１内に、導電性部材５４を備えている。導電性部材５４は、第３部材２４（２５）と第２部材２３との通電を媒介する。導電性部材５４は、Ｌ字型の棒状の部材であって、ハウジング５１内に、例えばインサート成形により、組み込まれている。導電性部材５４の一端部は嵌合凹部５２内に、他端部は嵌合凹部５３内に、露出している。 The first member 21 (22) includes a conductive member 54 in the housing 51. The conductive member 54 mediates the energization of the third member 24 (25) and the second member 23. The conductive member 54 is an L-shaped rod-shaped member, and is incorporated in the housing 51, for example, by insert molding. One end of the conductive member 54 is exposed in the fitting recess 52, and the other end is exposed in the fitting recess 53.

第２部材２３は、概ね、薄い角柱状の形状をなしていて、図３中のＸＹ平面に平行な一対の広い面２３１と、ＺＸ平面に平行な一対の細い面２３２と、ＹＺ平面に平行な一対の狭い面２３３と、を有している。 The second member 23 has a generally thin prismatic shape, and has a pair of wide surfaces 231 parallel to the XY plane in FIG. 3, a pair of thin surfaces 232 parallel to the ZX plane, and parallel to the YZ plane. It has a pair of narrow surfaces 233 and the like.

第１部材２１（２２）の接続部２１１（２２１）は、第２部材２３の各端部に対応する形状を有していて、長手方向（図３中のＸ軸方向）に直交する仮想断面が、いわゆる角丸形状をなしている。第２部材２３は、狭い面２３３から嵌合凹部５２に差し込まれる。 The connecting portion 211 (221) of the first member 21 (22) has a shape corresponding to each end portion of the second member 23, and has a virtual cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 3). However, it has a so-called rounded corner shape. The second member 23 is inserted into the fitting recess 52 from the narrow surface 233.

第２部材２３が有する一対の広い面２３１のうち上向きの方には、一対の突部２３４が設けられていて、一対の細い面２３２の各々には、一対の突部２３５が設けられている。その一方、第１部材２１（２２）の接続部２１１（２２１）には、長孔２１４，２１５（２２４，２２５）が形成されている。長孔２１４，２１５（２２４，２２５）は、図３中のＸ軸方向に長い孔である。当該長孔２１４，２１５（２２４，２２５）に、突部２３４，２３５がスライド自在に嵌り込むことにより、第１部材２１（２２）と第２部材２３との相対位置が、長孔の長手方向に沿って第１の長さ範囲内で変更可能となる。これにより、第２接続部２６が、第１の長さ範囲内で伸縮自在な構成となる。ここで、上述の第１の長さは、例えば、電池モジュール１１，１２が取り得る寸法誤差の最大値程度である。 A pair of protrusions 234 are provided on the upward side of the pair of wide surfaces 231 of the second member 23, and a pair of protrusions 235 are provided on each of the pair of thin surfaces 232. .. On the other hand, elongated holes 214,215 (224,225) are formed in the connecting portion 211 (221) of the first member 21 (22). The elongated holes 214,215 (224,225) are elongated holes in the X-axis direction in FIG. By slidably fitting the protrusions 234 and 235 into the elongated holes 214 and 215 (224,225), the relative positions of the first member 21 (22) and the second member 23 are set in the longitudinal direction of the elongated holes. It can be changed within the first length range along the line. As a result, the second connecting portion 26 has a structure that can be expanded and contracted within the first length range. Here, the above-mentioned first length is, for example, about the maximum value of the dimensional error that the battery modules 11 and 12 can take.

長孔２１４，２１５（２２４，２２５）は、板バネ状の弾性部２１６，２１７（２２６，２２７）に設けられている。弾性部２１６，２１７（２２６，２２７）は、接続部２１１（２２１）における端部２１１ａ（２２１ａ）から第１の長さ範囲に、長孔２１４，２１５（２２４，２２５）を挟んで設けられた一対の溝の間の部分が、接続部２１１（２２１）の他の部分よりも薄く形成されて、板バネとしての機能を有する部分である。 The elongated holes 214,215 (224,225) are provided in the leaf spring-shaped elastic portions 216, 217 (226, 227). The elastic portions 216, 217 (226, 227) are provided so as to sandwich the elongated holes 214,215 (224,225) in the first length range from the end portions 211a (221a) of the connecting portion 211 (221). The portion between the pair of grooves is formed thinner than the other portion of the connecting portion 211 (221) and has a function as a leaf spring.

突部２３４，２３５は、第２部材２３の端部側から中央部側に向かって高くなる（面２３１，２３２から離れてゆく）斜面２３４ａ，２３５ａと、面２３１，２３２に直交する垂直面２３４ｂ，２３５ｂとを有する。 The protrusions 234 and 235 have slopes 234a and 235a that rise from the end side to the center side of the second member 23 (moving away from the surfaces 231,232) and vertical surfaces 234b orthogonal to the surfaces 231,232. , 235b and.

次に、主に図４を参照して、第１部材２１，２２と第２部材２３との接続、および、第１部材２１，２２と第３部材２４，２５との接続について、説明する。ここで、第１部材２１と第２部材２３との接続と、第１部材２２と第２部材２３との接続とは、同じであるので、前者についてのみ説明し、後者の説明を省略する。同様に、第１部材２１と第３部材２４との接続と、第１部材２２と第３部材２５との接続とは、同じであるので、前者についてのみ説明し、後者の説明を省略する。 Next, the connection between the first members 21 and 22 and the second member 23 and the connection between the first members 21 and 22 and the third members 24 and 25 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. Here, since the connection between the first member 21 and the second member 23 and the connection between the first member 22 and the second member 23 are the same, only the former will be described and the latter description will be omitted. Similarly, since the connection between the first member 21 and the third member 24 and the connection between the first member 22 and the third member 25 are the same, only the former will be described and the latter description will be omitted.

弾性部２１６は、第１部材２１に第２部材２３が差し込まれる際、相対的に移動するにしたがって、斜面２３４ａに沿って弾性的に外向きに変形する。そして、長孔２１４の端２１４ｂに垂直面２３４ｂが達すると、弾性部２１６が常態に戻り、長孔２１４内に突部２３４が収まる。なお、長孔２１４の端２１４ａと端２１４ｂとは、第２部材２３の面２３３が嵌合凹部５２の突き当りに至っても、斜面２３４ａが端２１４ａに至らない程度に離れている。 When the second member 23 is inserted into the first member 21, the elastic portion 216 elastically deforms outward along the slope 234a as it moves relatively. Then, when the vertical surface 234b reaches the end 214b of the elongated hole 214, the elastic portion 216 returns to the normal state, and the protruding portion 234 fits in the elongated hole 214. The ends 214a and the ends 214b of the elongated holes 214 are separated from each other to the extent that the slope 234a does not reach the ends 214a even when the surface 233 of the second member 23 reaches the end of the fitting recess 52.

上述の動作は、弾性部２１７と突部２３５との間でも同様であり、さらに、弾性部２２６，２２７と突部２３４，２３５との間でも同様である。 The above-mentioned operation is the same between the elastic portion 217 and the protrusion 235, and further is the same between the elastic portions 226 and 227 and the protrusions 234 and 235.

ここで、第２部材２３は、導電性を有する材料で形成された心材３１がハウジング３２で包まれて形成されている。心材３１とハウジング３２とは、係合部３３によって、位置不動とされている。上述の突部２３４，２３５は、ハウジング３２に形成されている。 Here, the second member 23 is formed by wrapping a core material 31 made of a conductive material in a housing 32. The core member 31 and the housing 32 are immovable by the engaging portion 33. The protrusions 234 and 235 described above are formed in the housing 32.

第２部材２３は、心材３１の内部に、接点部材３４，３５を備えている。接点部材３４，３５は、心材３１と導電性部材５４との通電を媒介する。接点部材３４は板バネ状であって、導電性部材５４を押圧し、接点部材３５との間に挟む。 The second member 23 includes contact members 34 and 35 inside the core member 31. The contact members 34 and 35 mediate the energization between the core member 31 and the conductive member 54. The contact member 34 has a leaf spring shape, presses the conductive member 54, and sandwiches the contact member 34 with the contact member 35.

第２部材２３は、ハウジング３２の両端部に、導電性部材５４が差し込まれる貫通孔３６を有し、さらに、貫通孔３６の周囲に、案内斜面３７を備えている。案内斜面３７は、いわゆる漏斗のように機能して、導電性部材５４の先端部を、貫通孔３６へと導く。 The second member 23 has through holes 36 into which the conductive members 54 are inserted at both ends of the housing 32, and further, a guide slope 37 is provided around the through holes 36. The guide slope 37 functions like a so-called funnel and guides the tip of the conductive member 54 to the through hole 36.

第３部材２４は、ハウジング２４１内に、嵌合凸部２４２と、凹部２４３と、案内斜面２４４と、面取り２４５と、を有する。 The third member 24 has a fitting convex portion 242, a concave portion 243, a guide slope 244, and a chamfer 245 in the housing 241.

凹部２４３は、接続部２１２が差し込まれる部分である。嵌合凸部２４２は、嵌合凹部５３内に嵌り込む部分であって、凹部２４３内に突出して設けられている。この嵌合凸部２４２には、導電性部材５４が差し込まれる。嵌合凸部２４２は、前出のバスバーに電気的に接続する端子を内蔵している。当該端子に、嵌合凸部２４２に差し込まれた導電性部材５４が、通電可能に接する。 The recess 243 is a portion into which the connecting portion 212 is inserted. The fitting convex portion 242 is a portion that fits into the fitting concave portion 53, and is provided so as to project into the concave portion 243. A conductive member 54 is inserted into the fitting convex portion 242. The fitting protrusion 242 has a built-in terminal that is electrically connected to the bus bar described above. The conductive member 54 inserted into the fitting convex portion 242 comes into contact with the terminal so as to be energized.

案内斜面２４４は、案内部の一例であって、凹部２４３の開口部周りに設けられていて、接続部２１２の端部２１２ａを凹部２４３へ導く。ここで、案内斜面２４４のＸ軸方向の寸法は、電池モジュール１１，１２が取り得る寸法誤差の最大値程度である。 The guide slope 244 is an example of the guide portion, and is provided around the opening of the recess 243, and guides the end portion 212a of the connection portion 212 to the recess 243. Here, the dimension of the guide slope 244 in the X-axis direction is about the maximum value of the dimensional error that the battery modules 11 and 12 can take.

なお、凹部２４３、嵌合凸部２４２および嵌合凹部５３は、いずれも、各部が取り得る寸法誤差を吸収可能に長めに形成されていて、これにより、第２の長さ範囲内でスライド自在である。ここで、上述の第２の長さは、例えば、導電性部材５４の嵌合凹部５３内に露出する部分が取り得る寸法誤差の最大値と、嵌合凸部２４２が内蔵する端子が取り得る寸法や位置の誤差の最大値と、の合計値程度である。 The concave portion 243, the fitting convex portion 242, and the fitting concave portion 53 are all formed to be long enough to absorb dimensional errors that can be taken by each portion, whereby the concave portion 243, the fitting convex portion 242, and the fitting concave portion 53 are slidable within the second length range. Is. Here, the above-mentioned second length can be, for example, the maximum value of the dimensional error that can be taken by the portion exposed in the fitting recess 53 of the conductive member 54 and the terminal built in the fitting convex portion 242. It is about the total value of the maximum value of the dimensional and position error.

以上の構成により、第２接続部２６がＸ軸方向に伸縮可能となる。これにより、接続部２１２，２２２間の間隔が適宜変更可能であるので、電池モジュール１１，１２に公差が累積されたような寸法誤差があったとしても、当該誤差を積極的に吸収することができる。よって、そのような場合でも、本実施形態のコネクタ２０によれば、第２接続部２６の接続部２１２，２２２を、第１接続部である第３部材２４，２５に、問題なく接続することができる。 With the above configuration, the second connecting portion 26 can be expanded and contracted in the X-axis direction. As a result, the spacing between the connecting portions 212 and 222 can be changed as appropriate, so even if there is a dimensional error such as accumulated tolerances in the battery modules 11 and 12, the error can be positively absorbed. it can. Therefore, even in such a case, according to the connector 20 of the present embodiment, the connecting portions 212 and 222 of the second connecting portion 26 can be connected to the third members 24 and 25 which are the first connecting portions without any problem. Can be done.

なお、本実施形態において、電池モジュール１１，１２が内蔵する電池セルは板状であるとして説明したが、実施にあたってはこれに限らず、例えば、電池セルは円柱状のもので、長さ方向を図１中のＺ軸方向に向け、太さ方向に隣り合わせられていてもよい。 In the present embodiment, the battery cells built in the battery modules 11 and 12 have been described as having a plate shape, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the battery cells are cylindrical and have a length direction. They may be adjacent to each other in the thickness direction toward the Z-axis direction in FIG.

また、本実施形態において、第２接続部２６は、Ｌ字型部材である一対の第１部材２１，２２と、Ｉ字型部材である第２部材２３とが構成しているが、実施にあたってはこれに限らない。 Further, in the present embodiment, the second connecting portion 26 is composed of a pair of first members 21 and 22 which are L-shaped members and a second member 23 which is an I-shaped member. Is not limited to this.

また、本実施形態において、第１部材２１，２２と第２部材２３とがスライド自在であることにより第２接続部２６を伸縮自在としているが、実施にあたってはこれに限らない。 Further, in the present embodiment, the first member 21 and 22 and the second member 23 are slidable so that the second connecting portion 26 can be expanded and contracted, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

また、本実施形態において、第３部材２４，２５が有する差込口２４ａ，２５ａは、上向きに開口しているが、実施にあたってはこれに限らず、例えば、差込口２４ａ，２５ａが、側面１１ａ，１２ａの法線方向（図１中のＹ軸負方向）に開口していてもよい。 Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion ports 24a and 25a of the third members 24 and 25 are open upward, but the implementation is not limited to this, and for example, the insertion ports 24a and 25a are side surfaces. It may be opened in the normal direction of 11a and 12a (the negative direction of the Y axis in FIG. 1).

以上、本発明の実施形態について図面を用いて詳述してきたが、上記実施形態は単なる例示にすぎないものであり、本発明は、上述した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜、変形、改良等が可能である。その他、上述した実施形態における各構成要素の材質、形状、寸法、数、配置箇所等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。 Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the above embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and is appropriately modified. , Improvement, etc. are possible. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

１…電池パック、
１１，１２…電池モジュール、１１ａ，１２ａ…側面（一側面）、
２０…コネクタ、
２１，２２…第１部材（Ｌ字型部材）、
２１１（２２１）…接続部、２１１ａ（２２１ａ）…端部、
２１２（２２２）…接続部、２１２ａ（２２２ａ）…端部、
２１３（２２３）…屈曲部、
２１４（２２４）…長孔、２１４ａ，２１４ｂ…端、
２１５（２２５）…長孔、
２１６（２２６）…弾性部、
２１７（２２７）…弾性部、
２３…第２部材（Ｉ字型部材）、
２３４…突部、２３４ａ…斜面、２３４ｂ…垂直面、
２３５…突部、２３５ａ…斜面、２３５ｂ…垂直面、
２４，２５…第３部材（第１接続部）、２４ａ，２５ａ…差込口、
２４１…ハウジング、２４２…嵌合凸部、２４３…凹部、
２４４…案内斜面（案内部）、
２６…第２接続部、
３１…心材、３２…ハウジング、３３…係合部、３４…接点部材、３５…接点部材、
３６…貫通孔、３７…案内斜面、
５１…ハウジング、５２，５３…嵌合凹部、５４…導電性部材。 1 ... Battery pack,
11, 12 ... Battery module, 11a, 12a ... Side surface (one side surface),
20 ... Connector,
21,22 ... First member (L-shaped member),
211 (221) ... connection, 211a (221a) ... end,
212 (222) ... connection, 212a (222a) ... end,
213 (223) ... Bending part,
214 (224) ... long holes, 214a, 214b ... ends,
215 (225) ... long hole,
216 (226) ... Elastic part,
217 (227) ... Elastic part,
23 ... Second member (I-shaped member),
234 ... Projection, 234a ... Slope, 234b ... Vertical surface,
235 ... Projection, 235a ... Slope, 235b ... Vertical surface,
24, 25 ... Third member (first connection part), 24a, 25a ... Outlet,
241 ... Housing, 242 ... Fitting convex part, 243 ... Concave part,
244 ... Guidance slope (guidance section),
26 ... 2nd connection,
31 ... core material, 32 ... housing, 33 ... engaging part, 34 ... contact member, 35 ... contact member,
36 ... Through hole, 37 ... Guide slope,
51 ... Housing, 52, 53 ... Fitting recess, 54 ... Conductive member.

Claims

A connector that electrically connects adjacent battery modules.
A first connection portion provided on one side surface of the battery module and having a direction orthogonal to the adjacent direction of the battery module as an attachment / detachment direction.
A second connection portion that is expandable and contractible in the adjacent direction and has both ends detachable from the first connection portion of the adjacent battery modules.
Connector with.

The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion includes a pair of L-shaped members and an I-shaped member provided between the L-shaped members and connecting the two.

The second connecting portion is expandable and contractible by having one end of the L-shaped member slidably connected to each end of the I-shaped member within the first length range. 2. The connector according to claim 2.

The connector according to claim 3, wherein the other end of the L-shaped member is slidably connected to the first connecting portion within a second length range.

The first connection portion has a recess into which the second connection portion is inserted, and a slope provided around the opening of the recess and a guide portion for guiding the second connection portion to the recess. The connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4.