# US 12,113,243 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 12,113,243 B2 - Document ID: US12113243B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/296,067 - Filed: 2019-11-01 - Published: 2022-01-20 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-22 - Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Printed Circuits, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd.; Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; Sumitomo Electric Printed Circuits, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Hideo Takahashi; Shinichi Takase; Hiroki Shimoda; Kouichi Nagamine; Masayuki Ueda; Yoshifumi Uchita; Takayuki Tsumagari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12113243B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/519: comprising printed circuit boards [PCB] - H01M 10/425: {Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing (printed circuits H05K1/00)} - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/50: Current conducting connections for cells or batteries - H01M 50/502: Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing - H01M 50/503: characterised by the shape of the interconnectors - H05K 1/0263: {High current adaptations, e.g. printed high current conductors or using auxiliary non-printed means; Fine and coarse circuit patterns on one circuit board (H05K1/0293 takes precedence)} - H05K 1/189: characterised by the use of flexible or folded printed circuits - H05K 2201/10037: Printed or non-printed battery - H05K 2201/10272: Busbars, i.e. thick metal bars mounted on the printed circuit board [PCB] as high-current conductors - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A connection module includes a FPC and bus bars connected to the FPC and connecting the electrode terminals of power storage elements that are adjacent to each other. The FPC includes a first wiring portion, a second bus bar mount portion, and a third bus bar mount portion to which the bus bars are connected. The FPC further includes a second expandable/contractable portion and a third expandable/contractable portion. The second expandable/contractable portion is continuous from the second bus bar mount portion and allowed to be expanded and contracted in a direction to be closer to and farther away from the first wiring portion and the third bus bar mount portion. The third expandable/contractable portion is continuous from the third bus bar mount portion and allowed to be expanded and contracted in a direction to be closer to and farther away from the second bus bar mount portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection module to be mounted on a power storage element group including power storage elements having electrode terminals and connecting the power storage elements, the connection module comprising: a flexible printed circuit board; connection members connected to the flexible printed circuit board and connecting the electrode terminals of the power storage elements that are adjacent to each other, wherein the flexible printed circuit board includes connection member mount portions to which the connection members are connected, and an expandable/contractable portion that is continuous from one connection member mount portion out of the connection member mount portions and allowed to be expanded and contracted in a direction to be closer to and farther away from another connection member mount portion out of the connection member mount portions that is adjacent to the one connection member mount portion, and wherein the flexible printed circuit board has a slit provided between the one connection member mount portion and the expandable/contractable portion; and a holding member that holds the connection members and the flexible printed circuit board, wherein the holding member includes a rib that is inserted into the slit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the expandable/contractable portion is bent along fold lines extending parallel to each other and has a waveform including projection portions and recess portions alternately. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connection module according to claim 2, wherein the holding member includes holding units that hold the connection member mount portions, respectively, and a connecting portion that connects the holding units that are adjacent to each other such that the holding units adjacent to each other are movable in a direction to be closer to and farther away from each other, and wherein the rib is provided on at least one of the holding units. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connection module according to claim 3, wherein each of the holding units includes a mount portion on which the flexible printed circuit board is disposed and a retaining portion that sandwiches and holds the expandable/contractable portion with the mount portion, and a distance between the mount portion and the retaining portion is greater than a thickness of the flexible printed circuit board. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connection module according to claim 1, wherein the holding member includes holding units that hold the connection member mount portions, respectively, and a connecting portion that connects the holding units that are adjacent to each other such that the holding units adjacent to each other are movable in a direction to be closer to and farther away from each other, and wherein the rib is provided on at least one of the holding units. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connection module according to claim 5, wherein each of the holding units includes a mount portion on which the flexible printed circuit board is disposed and a retaining portion that sandwiches and holds the expandable/contractable portion with the mount portion, and a distance between the mount portion and the retaining portion is greater than a thickness of the flexible printed circuit board.