JP7821982B2 - Capacitor, capacitor module, and method of manufacturing the capacitor module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a capacitor, a capacitor module, and a method for manufacturing a capacitor module.

A case-molded capacitor is known in which a bus bar is connected to each electrode on both end faces of the capacitor element, the capacitor element with the connected bus bars is housed in a case, and the case is filled with a filling resin (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Covering the capacitor element with the case and filling resin prevents moisture from entering the capacitor element.

Traditionally, for such capacitors, the number of capacitor elements, busbar shape, case shape, etc. are designed and manufactured according to the required specifications for each product.

That is, a capacitor element unit is created by arranging the number of capacitor elements determined by the design and connecting all of the capacitor elements with bus bars shaped according to the number. The capacitor element unit is then housed in a case having a shape and size corresponding to the capacitor element unit, and a liquid-phase filling resin is injected into the case. The filling resin then hardens, covering the capacitor element unit with the filling resin and the case.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-103777

With conventional capacitors, the parts and manufacturing processes vary greatly for each product, which can lead to significant losses when switching between manufacturing processes and the effort required to prepare and manage the jigs used in manufacturing.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a capacitor, a capacitor module, and a method for manufacturing a capacitor module that can reduce switching losses in the manufacturing process and improve productivity.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to a capacitor. The capacitor according to this aspect includes a capacitor element having electrodes, a bus bar connected to the electrodes, a holding member that holds the bus bar, and an exterior housing in which the entire capacitor element and a portion of the bus bar are embedded . Here, the holding member has a connecting portion that is exposed from the exterior housing and is configured to connect to another capacitor.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a capacitor module , which is configured by connecting a plurality of capacitors according to the first aspect.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a capacitor module, the method comprising the steps of : housing a capacitor element unit formed by connecting bus bars held by a holding member having connecting portions to electrodes of capacitor elements in a molding member; injecting a liquid resin into the molding member so that the entire capacitor element is immersed in the resin and the connecting portions are exposed from the resin; hardening the injected resin to create a capacitor in which the hardened resin serves as an exterior body covering the capacitor element unit with the connecting portions exposed; preparing a plurality of the capacitors; and connecting the plurality of capacitors to each other via the connecting portions.

The present invention can reduce switching losses in manufacturing processes and improve productivity.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become clearer from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the embodiment shown below is merely an example of how the present invention may be put into practice, and the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capacitor module according to an embodiment. 2A and 2B are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a first capacitor element unit constituting a first capacitor according to an embodiment. Figure 3(a) is a plan view of a first holding member holding a pair of bus bars in accordance with an embodiment, and Figures 3(b) and 3(c) are cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A' and B-B' of Figure 3(a), respectively. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a second capacitor element unit constituting a second capacitor according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for manufacturing a capacitor module according to an embodiment. 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams for explaining a method for manufacturing a capacitor module according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a capacitor module according to a modified example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration for holding a pair of bus bars on a first holding member according to a modified example. 9A and 9B are plan views of a first holding member and a second holding member, respectively, that hold bus bars according to a modified example. 10(a) and 10(b) are plan views of a capacitor module according to a modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion according to the modified example. FIG. 12( a ) is a plan view of a fixing portion provided with a connecting portion according to a modified example, and FIG. 12( b ) is a plan view of a second holding member holding a bus bar according to a modified example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions are indicated in each drawing as appropriate. Note that the directions shown in the drawings indicate only the relative directions of the capacitor module and do not indicate absolute directions. Also, for convenience of explanation, some components may be given names that follow the directions shown in the drawings, such as the "bottom portion" and "front side portion."

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the capacitor module 1. Figures 2(a) and (b) are, respectively, a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the first capacitor element unit C1 constituting the first capacitor 10A. Figure 3(a) is a plan view of the first holding member 300A holding a pair of bus bars 200, and Figures 3(b) and (b) are, respectively, an A-A' cross-sectional view and a B-B' cross-sectional view of Figure 3(a). Figures 4(a) and (b) are, respectively, a perspective view and an exploded perspective view of the second capacitor element unit C2 constituting the second capacitor 10B.

Referring to FIG. 1, the capacitor module 1 includes a plurality of capacitors, for example, two first capacitors 10A and two second capacitors 10B. The plurality of first capacitors 10A are connected in the left-right direction, with a second capacitor 10B connected to each of the first capacitors 10A at the left and right ends. The two second capacitors 10B on the left and right are oriented in opposite front-to-back directions. The number of first capacitors 10A is determined according to the required specifications, such as capacitance. Therefore, depending on the required specifications, the capacitor module 1 may be configured to include only two second capacitors 10B, without including a first capacitor 10A.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3(c), the first capacitor 10A comprises a capacitor element 100, a pair of bus bars 200, a first holding member 300A, and an outer casing 400. The capacitor element 100, the pair of bus bars 200, and the first holding member 300A form a first capacitor element unit C1.

Capacitor element 100 is formed by stacking two metallized films, each consisting of a dielectric film with aluminum vapor-deposited on it, and then rolling or laminating the stacked metallized films and pressing them into a flat shape. Capacitor element 100 is formed in a shape similar to a flat, elongated cylinder, and has a pair of end faces 101 and a peripheral surface 102. Electrodes 110 are formed on both end faces 101 of capacitor element 100 by spraying a metal such as zinc.

In this embodiment, the capacitor element 100 is formed from a metallized film in which aluminum is vapor-deposited onto a dielectric film, but it may also be formed from a metallized film in which other metals, such as zinc or magnesium, are vapor-deposited. Alternatively, the capacitor element 100 may be formed from a metallized film in which multiple of these metals are vapor-deposited, or from a metallized film in which an alloy of these metals is vapor-deposited.

The pair of bus bars 200 are formed into a predetermined shape by cutting and bending a conductive material plate, such as a copper plate, as appropriate. Each bus bar 200 is composed of an electrode terminal portion 210 having a rectangular plate shape extending in the left-right direction, a connection terminal portion 220 having a rectangular plate shape extending in the up-down direction, and a relay portion 230 having a rectangular plate shape extending in the front-rear direction and connecting the electrode terminal portion 210 and the connection terminal portion 220.

Each bus bar 200 is a terminal member electrically connected to each electrode 110, and its electrode terminal portion 210 is joined to each electrode 110 of the capacitor element 100 by a joining method such as soldering.

The first retaining member 300A is formed from a thermoplastic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and includes a main body portion 310, a first connecting portion 320, and a second connecting portion 330.

The main body 310 has a rectangular plate shape. Rectangular openings 311 are formed at the four corners of the main body 310. As shown in Figure 3(b), the inner wall surfaces of the four openings 311 are tapered on the front, back, left, and right sides, and the diameter of each opening increases from the bottom surface of the main body 310 to the top surface, i.e., in the upward direction (away from the capacitor element 100).

The first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are formed to rise from the opposing left and right ends of the main body portion 310, respectively. The first connecting portion 320 has a recess 321 on the front side of its upper end, and an engagement piece 322 that protrudes to the left, and an engagement protrusion 323 that protrudes upward on the rear side of its upper end. The second connecting portion 330 has a recess 331 on the rear side of its upper end, and an engagement piece 332 that protrudes to the right, and an engagement protrusion 333 that protrudes upward on the front side of its upper end. The engagement piece 322 and engagement protrusion 323 of the first connecting portion 320 and the engagement piece 332 and engagement protrusion 333 of the second connecting portion 330 have the same configuration, and the two recesses 321, 331 have shapes that correspond to the two engagement protrusions 323, 333.

The first holding member 300A is positioned above and adjacent to the capacitor element 100 so as to face the peripheral surface 102 of the capacitor element 100, and holds the pair of bus bars 200. That is, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the pair of bus bars 200 are insert-molded into the first holding member 300A so that the base portions of the connection terminal portions 220 are embedded in the main body portion 310, and are held so as not to move in the up-down, front-back, or left-right directions. The connection terminal portions 220 protrude upward from the main body portion 310. In this way, by holding the pair of bus bars 200 in the first holding member 300A, good dimensional accuracy between the two connection terminal portions 220 is ensured.

The exterior body 400 is formed from a thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The exterior body 400 covers the entire capacitor element 100, the pair of bus bars 200, and a portion of the first holding member 300A. The connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200 and the first connecting portion 320 and second connecting portion 330 of the first holding member 300A are exposed to the outside from the top surface 400a, which is one surface of the exterior body 400.

1, 4(a) and 4(b), the second capacitor 10B, like the first capacitor 10A, comprises a capacitor element 100, a pair of bus bars 200, and an outer casing 400. Furthermore, the second capacitor 10B comprises a second holding member 300B instead of the first holding member 300A. The capacitor element 100, the pair of bus bars 200 and the second holding member 300B constitute a second capacitor element unit C2.

Similar to the first holding member 300A, the second holding member 300B is positioned above and close to the capacitor element 100 so as to face the peripheral surface 102 of the capacitor element 100, and holds a pair of bus bars 200.

Like the first holding member 300A, the second holding member 300B includes a main body portion 310 and a first connecting portion 320. Furthermore, the second holding member 300B includes a fixing portion 340 instead of the second connecting portion 330.

The fixing portion 340 has a semi-oval plate shape. A circular hole 341 is formed in the fixing portion 340. A metal collar 342 is embedded in the hole 341 for reinforcement.

In the second capacitor 10B, the connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200 and the first connecting portion 320 of the second holding member 300B are exposed to the outside from the upper surface 400a of the outer casing 400, and the fixing portion 340 of the second holding member 300B is exposed from the side surface 400b of the outer casing 400.

In addition, as shown in Figure 1, in the second holding member 300B of the second capacitor 10B on the left side, which is oriented in the opposite direction from front to back, the first connecting portion 320 has the same configuration as the second connecting portion 330 and functions as the second connecting portion 330.

By connecting the first connecting portion 320 of one first capacitor 10A to the second connecting portion 330 of the other first capacitor 10A, multiple (two in FIG. 1 ) first capacitors 10A are connected in the left-right direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the upper surface 400a of the exterior body 400 where the connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200 are exposed. At this time, the engaging protrusion 323 of the first connecting portion 320 fits into the recess 331 of the engaging piece 332 of the second connecting portion 330, thereby engaging the engaging protrusion 323 with the engaging piece 332, and the engaging protrusion 333 of the second connecting portion 330 fits into the recess 321 of the engaging piece 322 of the first connecting portion 320, thereby engaging the engaging protrusion 333 with the engaging piece 322. This restricts the movement of the multiple first capacitors 10A in the up-down and front-to-back directions. The positions of the first capacitors 10A in the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are determined.

Similarly, the second connecting portion 330 of the first capacitor 10A on the right end and the first connecting portion 320 of the second capacitor 10B on the right end are connected, thereby connecting the first capacitor 10A and the second capacitor 10B in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 320 of the first capacitor 10A on the left end and the first connecting portion 320 (functioning as the second connecting portion 330) of the second capacitor 10B on the left end are connected, thereby connecting the first capacitor 10A and the second capacitor 10B in the left-right direction. The positions of the first capacitor 10A and the second capacitor 10B in the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions are determined.

The multiple first capacitors 10A and two second capacitors 10B are secured by adhesive between the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330, and by wrapping cable ties 500 around the side surfaces (periphery) of the connected, unified exterior body 400. Note that the method for securing the first capacitors 10A and the second capacitors 10B is not limited to the above method. For example, a method may be adopted in which the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are secured with adhesive, and the side surfaces of two adjacent exterior bodies 400 are secured with adhesive, without using cable ties 500. Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which the first capacitors 10A and the second capacitors 10B are secured with adhesive only, without using adhesive, without using adhesive. Furthermore, for example, adhesive tape may be wrapped around the side surfaces (periphery) of the unified exterior body 400, instead of cable ties 500.

Figures 5, 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams for explaining the manufacturing method of the capacitor module 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the capacitor module manufacturing process, and Figures 6(a) and 6(b) are diagrams for explaining the flow of the exterior body forming process.

The manufacturing process for the capacitor module 1 includes a capacitor manufacturing process and a module assembly process. In the capacitor manufacturing process, a first capacitor 10A and a second capacitor 10B are produced. In the module assembly process, the capacitor module 1 is assembled by connecting multiple first capacitors 10A and second capacitors 10B produced in the capacitor manufacturing process.

The capacitor manufacturing process consists of an element unit formation process and an exterior body formation process. First, the element unit formation process is carried out. A pair of bus bars 200 held by the first holding member 300A are connected to both electrodes 110 of the capacitor element 100 to form a first capacitor element unit C1. Furthermore, a pair of bus bars 200 held by the second holding member 300B are connected to both electrodes 110 of the capacitor element 100 to form a second capacitor element unit C2.

Next, the outer casing forming process is carried out. In the outer casing forming process, a casting container 2A for the first capacitor 10A and a casting container 2B for the second capacitor 10B are used as mold members. The casting containers 2A and 2B are made of metal and have a roughly rectangular box shape with an open top, which corresponds to the shape of the outer casing 400. A recess 21 corresponding to the fixing portion 340 of the second holding member 300B is formed at the upper end of the casting container 2B.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), the first capacitor element unit C1 is placed in the casting container 2A. At this time, the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are fixed by a fixing jig (not shown), and the first capacitor element unit C1 is positioned relative to the casting container 2A. Next, a liquid-phase thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin, is poured into the casting container 2A. The capacitor element 100, the electrode terminal portions 210 and relay portions 230 of the pair of bus bars 200, and the main body portion 310 of the first holding member 300A are immersed in the liquid-phase thermosetting resin. The thermosetting resin in the casting container 2A is then heated. This hardens the thermosetting resin to form the outer casing 400, and the first capacitor 10A is produced, with the first capacitor element unit C1 covered by the outer casing 400. The first connecting portion 320, the second connecting portion 330, and the two connection terminal portions 220 are exposed to the outside from the outer casing 400.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the second capacitor element unit C2 is placed in the casting container 2B. At this time, the first connecting portion 320 is fixed by a fixing jig (not shown), and the base end portion of the fixing portion 340 fits into the recess 21, thereby positioning the second capacitor element unit C2 with respect to the casting container 2B. The fixing portion 340 protrudes outside the casting container 2B. After the fixing portion 340 is inserted, the recess 21 is sealed with a sealing member 22. A liquid thermosetting resin is injected into the casting container 2B and heated. This hardens the thermosetting resin to form the outer casing 400, and the second capacitor 10B is produced in which the second capacitor element unit C2 is covered by the outer casing 400. The first connecting portion 320, the fixing portion 340, and the two connection terminal portions 220 are exposed from the outer casing 400.

Four openings 311 are formed in the main body 310 of the first holding member 300A and the second holding member 300B, and the liquid thermosetting resin flows through these openings 311 when it is injected into the casting vessels 2A and 2B. This makes it easier for the thermosetting resin to spread throughout the casting vessels 2A and 2B, allowing the outer casing 400 to be molded smoothly.

Next, the module assembly process is carried out. Multiple first capacitors 10A and two second capacitors 10B on the left and right are connected by first connecting portions 320 and second connecting portions 330, and fixed in place with adhesive or cable ties 500.

In this way, the capacitor module 1 is completed as shown in Figure 1.

The capacitor module 1 can be mounted on an external device, such as an inverter device for driving an electric motor in an electric vehicle. The capacitor module 1 is fixed to the external device by screwing the left and right fixing portions 340 of the second capacitor 10B through the holes 341. A pair of external bus bars from the external device are then connected to the connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200 of the multiple first capacitors 10A and second capacitors 10B.

<Effects of the embodiment>
As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

The capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) comprise a capacitor element 100 having electrodes 110, a bus bar 200 connected to the electrodes 110, a holding member (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) that holds the bus bar 200, and an exterior body 400 that covers the entire capacitor element 100 and part of the bus bar 200 and holding member. The holding member has connecting portions (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) that are exposed from the exterior body 400 and are connected to holding members of other capacitors.

The capacitor module 1 is formed by connecting multiple capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) of the above configuration.

The capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) and capacitor module 1 of this embodiment allow multiple capacitors to be connected using their connecting portions (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) to create a capacitor module 1 having a number of capacitor elements 100 according to the required specifications. This allows a common capacitor to be used for capacitor modules 1 having different numbers of capacitor elements 100, making it possible to standardize capacitor-related parts and manufacturing processes, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, improved productivity may enable product costs to be reduced.

Furthermore, the connecting portions (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) connect the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) that hold a pair of bus bars 200 in adjacent capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B), thereby improving the dimensional accuracy between the bus bars 200 of adjacent capacitors in the capacitor module 1.

Furthermore, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are configured such that the capacitor element 100 has a pair of end faces 101 and a peripheral surface 102, an electrode 110 is formed on each end face 101, a bus bar 200 is provided for each electrode 110, and a holding member (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) is arranged to face the peripheral surface 102.

With this configuration, the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) are positioned between the two electrodes 110, making it easy for the holding members to hold the two bus bars 200 extending from the two electrodes 110.

Furthermore, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) have an outer casing 400 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a bus bar 200 having a connection terminal portion 220 to which an external terminal is connected outside the outer casing 400, with a portion of the bus bar 200 exposed from one surface (top surface 400a) of the outer casing 400, and a connecting portion (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) configured to be connected to other capacitors in a direction parallel to the one surface.

With this configuration, in the capacitor module 1, the connection terminal portions 220 of each capacitor (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are arranged on the same surface, making it easier to connect external terminals to the connection terminal portions 220.

Furthermore, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are configured such that the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) are formed from a resin material, the capacitor element 100 has a pair of end faces 101, electrodes 110 are formed on each end face 101, and bus bars 200 are provided for each electrode 110 and are insert molded into the holding members.

This configuration enables the dimensional accuracy between the two bus bars 200 held by the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) in the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) to be improved.

Furthermore, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are configured so that the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) have openings 311 that penetrate the holding members in the direction in which the holding members and the capacitor element 100 are aligned.

This configuration increases the contact area between the surfaces of the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) and the exterior body 400 along the alignment direction, thereby strengthening the bonding force between the holding members and the exterior body 400 in the alignment direction. This makes it less likely that damage will occur to the exterior body 400, even if a large force is applied to the holding members through the connecting portions (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) in the alignment direction, particularly in the direction in which the holding members move away from the capacitor element 100.

Furthermore, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are configured so that the inner wall surface of the opening 311 has a taper such that the diameter of the opening 311 increases in the direction away from the capacitor element 100.

With this configuration, an anchor effect is created by the resin that has penetrated into the opening 311, making it even less likely that damage will occur to the outer casing 400 when a large force in the direction of separation is applied to the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B).

Furthermore, the capacitor (second capacitor 10B) is configured so that the holding member (second holding member 300B) is provided with a fixing portion 340 that can be fixed to an external device.

With this configuration, the capacitor module 1 can be fixed to an external device using the fixing portion 340. Moreover, because the fixing portion 340 is provided on the holding member (second holding member 300B) that holds the bus bar 200, the positional accuracy of the bus bar 200 relative to the fixing portion 340 can be improved.

Furthermore, the capacitor module 1 is manufactured by placing capacitor element units C1 and C2, formed by connecting bus bars 200 held by holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) having connecting portions (first connecting portion 320, second connecting portion 330) to the electrodes 110 of the capacitor element 100, in mold members (casting containers 2A and 2B), injecting liquid-phase resin (thermosetting resin) into the mold members so that the entire capacitor element 100 is immersed in the resin and the connecting portions are exposed from the resin, hardening the injected resin, and creating capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) in which the hardened resin serves as an outer casing 400 to cover the capacitor element units C1 and C2 with their connecting portions exposed, and then connecting multiple capacitors together using the connecting portions.

This manufacturing method allows a common capacitor to be used for capacitor modules 1 containing different numbers of capacitor elements 100, making it possible to standardize capacitor-related parts and manufacturing processes, thereby improving productivity. Furthermore, improved productivity can potentially reduce product costs.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications to the application examples of the present invention are possible in addition to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, capacitor 10B) are configured such that the entire body 310 of the holding member (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) is embedded inside the exterior body 400. However, as shown in FIG. 7 , capacitors 10A, 10B may be configured such that a portion of the body 310 of holding members 300A, 300B, i.e., the upper side, is exposed from the exterior body 400. In this configuration, the openings 311 formed in the body 310 increase the contact area between the holding members 300A, 300B and the exterior body 400, and the tapered openings 311 provide an anchor effect, thereby preventing damage to capacitors 10A, 10B, such as the holding members 300A, 300B becoming detached from the upper end portion of the exterior body 400.

In the above embodiment, the pair of bus bars 200 are insert-molded into the main body 310 of the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) to be held by the holding members 300A, 300B. However, the configuration for holding the pair of bus bars 200 in the holding members 300A, 300B is not limited to insert molding. For example, the pair of bus bars 200 may be attached to the holding members 300A, 300B using a predetermined attachment structure.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing a configuration for holding a pair of bus bars 200 on a first holding member 300A according to a modified example. Circular holes 231 are formed in the relay portion 230 of the pair of bus bars 200. Two slit-shaped holes 312 corresponding to the connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars are formed in the main body portion 310 of the first holding member 300A. Circular protrusions 313 corresponding to the holes 231 of the pair of bus bars 200 are also formed in the main body portion 310. The connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200 are passed through the holes 312 from the underside of the main body portion 310. Furthermore, the protrusions 313 of the main body portion 310 are fitted into the holes 231 of the pair of bus bars 200. This holds the pair of bus bars 200 on the first holding member 300A. The second holding member 300B also has a configuration similar to that of the first holding member 300A.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in the first capacitor 10A, the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are provided at one set of two opposing ends (left and right ends, front and rear ends) of the first holding member 300A. Furthermore, in the second capacitor 10B, the first connecting portion 320 is provided at the end (left end) opposite the end (right end) at which the fixing portion 340 is provided.

However, as shown in FIG. 9(a), the first capacitor 10A may have first and second connecting portions 320 and 330 at two pairs of opposing ends of the first holding member 300A. Also, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the second capacitor 10B may have first and second connecting portions 320 and 330 at two ends (front and rear ends) of the second holding member 300B that do not face the end (right end) where the fixing portion 340 is provided. In this case, for example, by connecting the first capacitor 10A and the second capacitor 10B in the front-to-rear direction as shown in FIG. 10(a), a capacitor module 1 can be created in which the orientation of the capacitors 10A and 10B, i.e., the orientation of the connection terminal portions 220 of the pair of bus bars 200, differs from that of the above embodiment. Furthermore, by connecting the first capacitor 10A and the second capacitor 10B in the front-to-rear and left-to-right directions as shown in FIG. 10(b), a capacitor module 1 in which the capacitors 10A and 10B are arranged in multiple rows can be created. In this way, capacitor modules 1 with different arrangements of capacitors 10A and 10B can be produced according to the required specifications.

Furthermore, the configurations of the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are not limited to those described in the above embodiment and may be any configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first connecting portion 320 may include a flange portion 326 having a plurality (two) of protrusions 325, and the second connecting portion 330 may include a flange portion 336 having a plurality (two) of holes 335. In this configuration, the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 are connected by overlapping the two flange portions 326, 336 so that the protrusions 325 are inserted into the holes 335. Furthermore, the first connecting portion 320 and the second connecting portion 330 may be fixed not only in the front-rear and left-right directions but also in the up-down direction by applying heat to the protrusions 325 and compressing them toward the holes 335.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fixing portion 340 is integrally formed with the main body portion 310 of the second holding member 300B. However, the fixing portion 340 may be formed separately from the main body portion 310 of the second holding member 300B and then coupled to the main body portion 310. For example, as shown in FIG. 12(a), a connecting portion 345 is provided on the fixing portion 340. The connecting portion 345 has the same configuration as the first connecting portion 320 and includes an engaging piece 347 having a recess 346 and an engaging protrusion 348. As shown in FIG. 12(b), the connecting portion 345 of the fixing portion 340 is connected to the second connecting portion 330 of the first holding member 300A and fixed with an adhesive or the like, thereby forming a second holding member 300B having an integral fixing portion 340.

The timing at which the fixing portion 340 is attached to the first holding member 300A to form the second holding member 300B may be any timing (step) during the process of manufacturing the capacitor module 1. For example, the formation timing may be before the capacitor manufacturing process of FIG. 5, at the end of the element unit formation step in the capacitor manufacturing process, or after the exterior body formation step in the capacitor manufacturing process. Alternatively, it may be at the end of the module assembly process of FIG. 5.

The configuration of Figure 12(a) above may also be applied to the second holding member 300B shown in Figure 9(b). In this case, the fixing portion 340 may be connected to one of the two second connecting portions 330 provided on the first holding member 300A depending on the specifications of the capacitor module 1.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, openings 311 are provided at the four corners of the main body 310 of the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B). However, the number, position, size, and shape of the openings provided in the main body 310 may be any number. Furthermore, the main body 310 may not have any openings.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a taper is provided on the inner wall surface of the opening 311, but a taper does not have to be provided.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the capacitor module 1 is composed of a plurality of first capacitors 10A and second capacitors 10B. However, if the fixing portion 340 is not required when attaching to an external device, the capacitor module 1 may be composed of only a plurality of first capacitors 10A.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second holding member 300B is provided with one fixing portion 340 at the right end of the main body portion 310. However, the position and number of fixing portions 340 may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the shape of the fixing portion 340 may be any shape as long as it can be fixed to an external device.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one connection terminal portion 220 is provided on the bus bar 200. The number of connection terminal portions 220 may be changed as appropriate. Also, the electrode terminal portion 210 may include a connection pin, and the connection pin may be connected to the electrode 110 of the capacitor element 100 by soldering or the like. In this way, the configuration (shape) of the bus bar 200 may be changed as appropriate.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each capacitor (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) includes one capacitor element 100. However, each of these capacitors 10A and 10B may include multiple capacitor elements 100.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the exterior body 400 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the exterior body 400 may be formed in another shape, for example, an elongated cylindrical shape similar to the shape of the capacitor element 100.
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) are configured such that the holding members (first holding member 300A, second holding member 300B) face the peripheral surface 102 of the capacitor element 100. However, the capacitors 10A, 10B may be configured such that the holding members 300A, 300B face the end surface 101 of the capacitor element 100.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the capacitor element 100 is formed by stacking two metallized films with aluminum vapor-deposited on a dielectric film and then rolling or laminating the stacked metallized films. However, these capacitor elements 100 may also be formed by stacking a metallized film with aluminum vapor-deposited on both sides of a dielectric film and an insulating film, and then rolling or laminating the resulting film.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the capacitors (first capacitor 10A, second capacitor 10B) were film capacitors. However, capacitors 10A and 10B may be capacitors other than film capacitors.

In addition, various modifications of the embodiments of the present invention are possible as appropriate within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims.

In addition, in the description of the above embodiment, terms indicating directions such as "upper" and "lower" indicate relative directions that depend only on the relative positional relationship of the constituent parts, and do not indicate absolute directions such as vertical or horizontal.

The present invention is useful for capacitors used in various electronic devices, electrical devices, industrial equipment, vehicle electrical equipment, etc.

1 Capacitor module 2A Casting container (mold member)
2B Casting container (mold member)
10A First Capacitor (Capacitor)
10B Second capacitor (capacitor)
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Capacitor element 101 End surface 102 Peripheral surface 110 Electrode 200 Bus bar 220 Connection terminal portion 300A First holding member (holding member)
300B First holding member (holding member)
311 Opening 320 First connecting part (connecting part)
330 Second connection part (connection part)
340 Fixed part 400 Exterior body 400a Top surface (one side)

Claims (9)

a capacitor element having electrodes;
a bus bar connected to the electrode;
a holding member for holding the bus bar;
an exterior body in which the entire capacitor element and a part of the bus bar are embedded ,
the holding member has a connecting portion that is partly embedded in the exterior body and is exposed from the exterior body,
The coupling portion is configured to couple to another capacitor.
A capacitor characterized by: a capacitor element having electrodes;
a bus bar connected to the electrode;
a holding member for holding the bus bar;
an exterior body that covers the entire capacitor element, a portion of the bus bar, and a portion of the holding member,
the holding member has a connecting portion exposed from the exterior body,
The coupling portion is configured to couple to another capacitor ;
The holding member has an opening that penetrates the holding member in a direction in which the holding member and the capacitor element are aligned.
A capacitor characterized by: 3. The capacitor according to claim 2 ,
an inner wall surface of the opening has a tapered shape in which the diameter of the opening increases in a direction away from the capacitor element;
A capacitor characterized by: The capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
the capacitor element has a pair of end faces and a peripheral surface;
The electrodes are formed on each of the end surfaces,
The bus bars are provided for the respective electrodes,
The holding member is disposed so as to face the peripheral surface.
A capacitor characterized by: The capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The exterior body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape,
the bus bar has a connection terminal portion that is exposed from one surface of the exterior body and configured to be connected to an external terminal outside the exterior body,
the connecting portion is configured to connect to the other capacitor in a direction parallel to the one surface of the exterior body.
A capacitor characterized by: The capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
the holding member is formed of a resin material,
The capacitor element has a pair of end faces,
The electrodes are formed on each of the end surfaces,
the bus bars are provided for the respective electrodes and are insert-molded into the holding member;
A capacitor characterized by: The capacitor according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The holding member is provided with a fixing portion that can be fixed to an external device.
A capacitor characterized by: A capacitor module constructed by connecting a plurality of the capacitors described in any one of claims 1 to 7. a step of housing a capacitor element unit formed by connecting the bus bars held by a holding member having a connecting portion to the electrodes of the capacitor element in a molding member;
a step of injecting a liquid resin into the mold member so that the entire capacitor element is immersed in the resin and the connecting portion is exposed from the resin;
a step of hardening the injected resin to form a capacitor in which the hardened resin serves as an exterior body to cover the capacitor element unit with the connecting portion exposed;
preparing a plurality of the capacitors;
and connecting the plurality of capacitors to each other by the connecting portions.