# US 10,770,709 B2 · Connection module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,770,709 B2 - Document ID: US10770709B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/335,482 - Filed: 2017-09-15 - Published: 2019-07-18 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-30 - Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Nobuyuki Matsumura; Shinichi Takase; Yusuke Suzuki; Atsushi Yamanaka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10770709B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/50: Current conducting connections for cells or batteries - H01M 50/176: for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/181 takes precedence) - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/507: comprising an arrangement of two or more busbars within a container structure, e.g. busbar modules - H01M 50/522: Inorganic material - H01M 50/528: Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection - H01M 50/55: on the same side of the cell - H01M 50/553: Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells - H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A connection module includes: a plurality of bus bars that connect positive and negative electrode terminals of adjacent power storage elements of a plurality of power storage elements; and a sheet member that holds the plurality of bus bars arranged in an alignment direction of the plurality of power storage elements. The sheet member includes: a plurality of hold portions that hold the bus bars; and extension and contraction portion that is positioned between adjacent hold portions and has an extension and contraction distance equal to or longer than an electrode pitch tolerance between the positive and negative electrode terminals of the adjacent power storage elements in the alignment direction of the plurality of power storage elements. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection module to be attached to a power storage element group in which a plurality of power storage elements with positive and negative electrode terminals are aligned, the connection module comprising: a plurality of bus bars that connect the positive and negative electrode terminals of adjacent power storage elements of the plurality of power storage elements; and a sheet member that holds the plurality of bus bars arranged in an alignment direction of the plurality of power storage elements, wherein the sheet member includes: a plurality of holders that hold the bus bars; and an extension and contraction structure that is positioned between adjacent holders and has an extension and contraction distance equal to or longer than an electrode pitch tolerance between the positive and negative electrode terminals of the adjacent power storage elements in the alignment direction, the extension and contraction structure being extendable and contractible from a state of the extension and contraction structure that is without extension and contraction, wherein each of the bus bars has a protrusion portion that protrudes from one end as seen in a width direction, and each of the bus bars is held by a holder of the holders via the protrusion portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion portions of the bus bars have through holes, the holders have hold holes at positions corresponding to the through holes, and the bus bars are fixed to the holders by fixing fasteners that penetrate the through holes and the hold holes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the extension and contraction structure is formed integrally with the holders and has one or more U shapes in a planar view, and the extension and contraction structure has two ends that are positioned at an opening of the one or more U shapes and connected to each one end of the adjacent holders as seen in the alignment direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, further comprising a support member that is provided on a side of the plurality of bus bars opposed to a side held by the sheet member and supports the bus bars in a movable manner in the alignment direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The connection module according to claim 4, wherein the support member is formed by another sheet member identical in structure to the sheet member, and each of the bus bars has another protrusion portion and another through hole corresponding to the other sheet member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The connection module according to claim 4, wherein the support member is formed by a guide rail having a guide portion to retain the bus bars in the movable manner, and each of the bus bars has a retainer pawl to be retained in the guide portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the extension and contraction structure is extendable and contractible within a plane of the sheet member. ### Claim 8 A connection module to be attached to a power storage element group in which a plurality of power storage elements with positive and negative electrode terminals are aligned, the connection module comprising: a plurality of bus bars that connect the positive and negative electrode terminals of adjacent power storage elements of the plurality of power storage elements; a sheet member that holds the plurality of bus bars arranged in an alignment direction of the plurality of power storage elements; and a support member that is provided on a side of the plurality of bus bars opposed to a side held by the sheet member and supports the bus bars in a movable manner in the alignment direction, wherein the sheet member includes: a plurality of hold portions that hold the bus bars; and an extension and contraction portion that is positioned between adjacent hold portions and has an extension and contraction distance equal to or longer than an electrode pitch tolerance between the positive and negative electrode terminals of the adjacent power storage elements in the alignment direction.