JPH1070842A - Power supply - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power supply capable of saving a space and having a high safety for a power supply with many secondary batteries connected in series in which the secondary battery voltage is measured and monitored for each of a plurality of batteries for performing control by the voltage measured. SOLUTION: Connections between the module of the second batteries 1 and control means 2 used for a power supply equipment are performed at a harness 5 covering a plurality of flat conductors with insulating bodies clamped from both the sides. By doing this, the formation and wiring for optimum wiring paths can be performed by considering the connecting state of the module of the secondary battery 1 thereby providing a high power supply with easy assembling and space saving.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a relatively large-capacity power supply device for use in an electric vehicle or the like, using a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery as a power supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the improvement in performance and reliability of chargeable / dischargeable lead storage batteries and nickel-metal hydride storage batteries, equipment equipped with a power supply device using these secondary batteries has been increasing. For example, there are vehicles such as electric vehicles, electric scooters, and electric forklifts that run by using a secondary battery as a power source and driving a motor with the output of the secondary battery.

Conventionally, secondary batteries have been used in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and notebook personal computers. In such a small electronic device, the number of secondary batteries connected in series is about 1 to 5 and the current consumption is as small as about several amperes.

However, in the case of a power supply device using a secondary battery as a power source as described above, unlike a small electronic device, a large amount of power is required. The number is about ten to several hundreds, and the current consumption is often tens to hundreds of amperes.

When a large number of rechargeable batteries are connected in series and used under a large load as described above, in order to ensure safety when the rechargeable batteries are deteriorated and to accurately grasp the remaining capacity of the rechargeable batteries, It is necessary to measure and monitor the battery voltage of the secondary battery for each battery or a plurality of batteries, and to perform various controls using the measured voltage.

Hereinafter, the measurement of battery voltage in a power supply device using a secondary battery as a power supply will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a general power supply device using a secondary battery as a power supply. In FIG. 1, a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery 1 forms an assembly in which 120 nickel-metal hydride storage batteries are connected in series. 12 connected in series
The aggregate of zero secondary batteries 1 is divided into groups of twelve. Here it is 10 from 1A to 1J
Groups, each of which is called a module. The control means 2 receives the harnesses 3A to 3K connected to the respective modules as inputs and performs various control outputs according to information from the respective harnesses.

At this time, the eleven harnesses 3A to 3K connected to the ten modules input the voltage of each module of the secondary battery 1 to the control means 2 with two of them being one set. ing. That is, the signal indicating the voltage of the module 1A is the upper and lower harnesses 3A of the module 1A
And 3B by measuring the voltage difference. The signal indicating the voltage of the module 1B is obtained by measuring the voltage difference between the upper and lower harnesses 3B and 3C of the module 1B. Similarly, the voltages of all the modules up to 1J are connected to the adjacent harness 3
It is obtained using a voltage difference of 3K from A.

In the power supply device configured as described above,
Harness 3 for inputting the voltage of each module to control means 2
Conventional configurations from A to 3K are shown below.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a harness assembly in the conventional power supply device shown in FIG. In the figure, 1
Is a secondary battery which is a power supply of the power supply device, and 1A to 1J
Each of the ten modules connected in series up to 12 has a configuration in which twelve secondary batteries 1 are connected in series. The control means 2 inputs the voltage of the secondary battery 1 from the connector 2A,
Various controls of the power supply device are performed by the output from the connector 2B. The harnesses 3A to 3K are shown in FIG. In the figure, eleven connectors 4A to 4K connected to the modules 1A to 1J of the secondary battery 1 and one connector 4L connected to the connector 2A of the control means 2 are connected to the harnesses 3A to 3K. The inside of the harness 3 is formed of a conductor connecting the connectors 4A to 4K and the connector 4L.

In the configuration diagram of FIG. 8, the harnesses 3A to 3K are connected to the modules 1A to 1
9 and FIG. 10, the harness 3 in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided with 11 connectors 4 and harnesses 3 on the module side of the secondary battery 1. 4A and a harness 3A, and a connector 4B and a harness 3B, respectively. For rationalization and miniaturization, the connector 4L on the side of the control means 2 has the same function, and a single 4L harness 3A to 3K. Are connected.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the gap formed between the secondary batteries is used as a refrigerant path and is a space for blowing air from a fan (not shown). It plays the role of cooling to prevent too much harm.

[0013]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, a space for connecting a large number of connectors is provided in each harness, and after the connection, the space is provided by a fan or the like for blowing the fan. To prevent the harness from being cut off or blocking the refrigerant path, and to prevent these inconveniences, a space is required to bundle and secure the harness to the power supply where the secondary battery is placed. Met. Also, if the number of harnesses increases, it takes time to assemble due to entanglement, etc.
Since the work is complicated, erroneous wiring is likely to occur, and there is a possibility that a problem may occur in control of the power supply device.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. The present invention is space-saving so as to make effective use of a limited space, does not block a refrigerant path, is easy to assemble, and has a safety of equipment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply device that enhances performance.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a harness according to the present invention has a structure in which at least a part of a plurality of conductors is covered and integrated with an insulator, and a wiring which is substantially integrated with the assembly is provided. Since it is formed in advance so that it can be made, there is no need for a space for bundling and fixing the harness to the power supply unit, and erroneous wiring can be suppressed.

At this time, the harness is an assembly of secondary batteries provided with a refrigerant path for cooling the secondary batteries.
Since the molding is performed without blocking the coolant path and passing through the wiring path across the secondary battery, wiring can be performed without reducing the cooling effect of the secondary battery. Further, since the harness is bent at the corner portion of the secondary battery assembly in accordance with the corner angle, wiring such as bending at a right angle can be performed, and the effect of space saving can be enhanced.

The harness is not covered with an insulator in the conductor at the end on the side where the secondary battery is mounted, but is formed into a shape that is directly connected to the electrode terminals provided on the secondary battery. Since the battery can be connected without using a connector, further space saving and cost reduction can be achieved.

Further, in the harness, a narrow portion having a reduced cross-sectional area is provided in a part of the conductor. When a short circuit occurs between the harnesses, the narrow portion serves as a fuse and blows. The safety of the power supply device and equipment connected to the power supply device can be improved.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments of the present invention, components having the same configuration as the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a harness according to an embodiment of the present invention in a power supply device. In the figure, an assembly in which 120 secondary batteries 1 as power sources of a power supply device are connected in series is 1A to 1J.
Up to ten modules are connected in series. Each of the modules 1A to 1J has 12 rechargeable batteries 1 connected in series. The control means 2 receives various module voltages and performs various controls of the power supply device. In the present invention, a harness 5 is used to connect each module to the control means 2, and the harness 5 will be described in detail with reference to the external view of FIG. As shown in the figure, the harness 5 is connected to eleven connectors 4A to 4K connected to the modules 1A to 1J of the secondary battery 1 and one connector 4L connected to the control means 2. The flat conductors 6A to 6K are provided inside the harness 5, and conduction between the control means 2 and the electrode terminals of the secondary battery is performed in the flat conductors 6A to 6K. The harness 5 is preliminarily formed in a space-saving manner so as to be substantially integrated in consideration of the shape of the assembly of the secondary batteries 1 each including 10 modules, and is wired to the assembly of the secondary batteries 1. ing.

The shape of the harness 5 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and it may be formed by coating a single flat conductor or several flat conductors.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the harness 5. As shown in FIG.
Flat conductors 6A to 6K, each of which is a slightly flat plate-shaped conductor
Is uniformly covered with the resin 7 so that the harness 5 as a whole is integrated. Furthermore, one end of each of the flat conductors 6A to 6K is connected to each module 1 of the secondary battery 1.
Connectors 4A to 4K for connecting A to 1J are connected, and another end is connected to a connector 4L for connecting to the control means 2.

FIG. 3B shows the harness 5 and the module 1
A means for connecting to A. In the figure, the harness 5 is connected to an electrode 9 provided on the module 1A via a connector 8, and an electric wire 11 connected to the connector 8 is fixed to the electrode 9 of the module 1A by a nut 10. The harness 5 has a connector 12 at an end thereof.
The configuration is such that the voltage of the A electrode 9 is transmitted to the harness 5.

The harness 5 is formed in advance as shown in FIG. 1 so as to have an optimal wiring route that is substantially integrated, taking into consideration the shape of the secondary battery assembly in advance, and this is arranged in the secondary battery assembly. As a result, no extra space is taken, the refrigerant path is not closed, and erroneous wiring does not occur. Specifically, the harness is wired so as to walk over the secondary battery so as not to block the coolant path, and the portion corresponding to the corner of the secondary battery assembly is bent in advance so as to follow the corner. By doing so, the above-mentioned effect appears.

Further, since the harness 5 has sufficient strength as compared with the conventional harness, it is possible to bend and wire after molding, so that a three-dimensional molding like the harness 5 shown in FIG. In addition to the method of performing the above, after performing the planar molding as shown in FIG. 2, the rectangular shape may be bent at a right angle so as to pass through a substantially integrated optimal wiring path in consideration of the shape of the secondary battery assembly. Arbitrary wiring may be used.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention. When the assembly of the secondary batteries 1 is formed on one plane, wiring of the harness 13 can be performed as shown in FIG. In the figure, 1A to 1J differ in shape from the module shown in FIG. 1, but have the same function, and include therein 12 secondary batteries 1 connected in series. Reference numeral 2 denotes control means having the same function. FIG. 5 shows an external view of the harness 13 at this time. The harness 13 is on one plane, and the length of the harness 13 is changed according to the position of the connector provided on the module. Therefore, the possibility of erroneous wiring can be eliminated, and efficient wiring can be performed.

(Embodiment 3) Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the connection between the harness 14 and the module 1A shown in FIG. 6A, the harness 14 directly contacts the electrode 9 of the module 1A, and the nut 1
0 indicates a screwed configuration. As described above, the harness 14 shown in FIG. 6A does not use the connector 8 on the secondary battery side, the electric wire 11 and the connector 12 used in the harness 5 shown in FIG. is there.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the harness 14 shown in FIG. 6A. The end of the flat conductor 15 on the side where the secondary battery is attached is not covered with the resin 16, and is configured so that it can be directly screwed into the hole 17 formed in the flat conductor 15 through the electrode of the module.

With this configuration, no gap is required between the module and the harness 14 and the flat conductor 1
The hole 17 of 5 is located at a place where the electrode of each module can be passed, and it is possible to further reduce the space and to prevent erroneous wiring, which are the main purposes of using the harness 14.

(Embodiment 4) Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a harness 18 used in the power supply device of the present invention. The harness 18 has 11 flat conductors 19A to 19K.
And a resin 20 covering the flat conductors 19A to 19K. Each of the flat conductors 19A to 19K has a thickness smaller than that of another portion having a thickness of 10 μm to 0.3 mm and a width of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. The configuration is such that a narrow portion 21 is provided.

At the time of normal use of the power supply device, only a current of about 50 microamps flows through the harness 18 so that the harness 18 is not damaged. It is known that a large current of about 8 amperes may flow in the event of an abnormality such as 19 or a short circuit in the circuit or the like inside the control means 2.

Even in the case of such an abnormality, the provision of the narrow portion 21 as described above causes the narrow portion 21 to play the role of a fuse and to blow out, which may occur in the case of a conventional harness. Heat generation, fire spread, and damage to the power supply device can be easily prevented without adding a component such as a fuse, which is economical.

In each of the embodiments, the power source is only the secondary battery 1, but the same effect can be obtained in a power supply device using the secondary battery 1 in combination with another power source. Needless to say.

When the harness used in the present invention is used for a relatively large power supply device having 50 cells or more, the number of which is generally large, the effect is particularly remarkable.

[0035]

According to the present invention, since a harness is used in which a plurality of flat conductors are covered and integrated so as to be sandwiched between insulators from both sides, the state of the secondary battery assembly such as a refrigerant path and a corner portion is reduced. Molding can be performed through an optimum wiring route that is substantially integrated in consideration of the above, so that space can be saved and erroneous wiring can be prevented.

Further, by further connecting the end of the flat conductor directly to the secondary battery without covering the end of the harness on the side where the secondary battery is attached, further space saving can be achieved.

Furthermore, by providing a narrow portion in a part of the flat conductor of the harness with a smaller cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the other conductor portion, when a short-circuit between harnesses or the like occurs, the narrow portion becomes smaller than that of the fuse. Since the fuses play a role, the safety of the power supply device and the equipment connected to the power supply device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an assembly of a harness according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a harness according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the harness according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a connection diagram between the harness and the secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembled configuration diagram of a harness according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a harness according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

6A is a connection diagram of a harness and a secondary battery according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6B is a configuration diagram of the harness shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a harness according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a general power supply device.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional harness assembly.

FIG. 10 is an external view of a conventional harness.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Secondary battery 1A-1J Module 2 Control means 5, 13, 14, 18 Harness 4A-4L, 8, 12 Connector 6A-6K, 15, 19A-19K Flat conductor 7 Resin 21 Narrow part

Claims (5)

[Claims] An assembly of a plurality of secondary batteries connected in series, control means for controlling energization from the assembly of secondary batteries, and a harness for electrically connecting the assembly and the control means Wherein the harness is formed by integrating at least a part of a plurality of conductors with an insulator and forming wiring along the assembly beforehand. . 2. A harness is formed in an assembly of secondary batteries provided with a refrigerant path for cooling the secondary battery, through a wiring path passing through the secondary battery without blocking the refrigerant path. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the harness is formed by bending at a corner portion of the secondary battery assembly in accordance with the corner angle. 4. The harness is characterized in that the conductor at the end of the secondary battery mounting side is not covered with an insulator, and is formed into a shape that can be directly connected to an electrode terminal provided on the secondary battery. Item 7. The power supply according to Item 1. 5. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the harness is provided with a narrow portion having a reduced sectional area in a part of the conductor.