A bus assembly includes a planar first bus, a second bus including a first planar bus section on the first bus and a second planar bus section connected to the first planar bus section and offset from the first planar bus section, and a third bus comprising a third planar bus section disposed between the first bus and the second planar bus section, and a fourth planar bus section connected to the third planar bus section, offset from third planar bus section, and disposed on the first planar bus section.

Apparatus and method for a modular switchboard provide an adjustable length bus bridge for electrically connecting two adjacent switchboards, where the length of the bus bridge can be adjusted on site if needed. The bus bridge comprises a first set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another, and a second set of busbars, each being electrically insulated from one another. The first and second sets of busbars are arranged such that the busbars in the first set of busbars and the busbars in the second set of busbars are slidable relative to one another to adjust a length of the bus bridge. A longitudinal slot is formed in each busbar in either the first or the second set of busbars, or both, to accommodate a through bolt in the bus bridge when the first and second set of busbars slide relative to one another.

A conductive structure includes: a single-layer busbar that is formed in a plate shape and constitutes a conductive path; and a multi-layer busbar that is configured by laminating a plurality of busbars which are formed as plates thinner than the single-layer busbar and that is joined to an end of the single-layer busbar and constitutes the conductive path. The multi-layer busbar includes a main body portion in which at least some of the laminated plurality of busbars are capable of mutual displacement relative to the busbars adjacent thereto, and a joining end located at a end of the main body portion on the single-layer busbar side and in which the laminated plurality of busbars are incapable of mutual displacement relative to each other, the joining end being joined to the end of the single-layer busbar.

A laminated busbar assembly includes one or more busbars that are configured to be electrically coupled to a plurality of battery cells, one or more insulative layers arranged adjacent to the one or more busbars, and a steel layer arranged between the one or more busbars and the plurality of battery cells. The steel layer is configured to shield the one or more busbars from a thermal event associated with one or more battery cells of the plurality of battery cells. The thermal event may include a debris, hot gas, sparks, embers, or other emanations. Each of the battery cells each include a respective venting end, where electrical terminals are located, that face the steel layer. The laminated busbar is a stack of layers that can include two busbars that form a DC bus, with insulation arranged between the busbars and between the steel layer and the proximal busbar.

An automotive busbar includes a first rigid section and a second rigid section, each of the first and second rigid sections formed from a first conductive metallic material and having a first effective cross-sectional area, and a flexible section positioned between and interconnecting the first and second rigid sections, the flexible section made from a second conductive metallic material and having a second effective cross sectional area, and a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one of the top and bottom surface including a plurality of voids formed therein and spaced along the flexible section, wherein, the second effective cross-sectional area is less than the first effective cross-sectional area and the second conductive material has a higher conductivity than the first conductive material.

A flexible thin sheet-shaped electric wire includes: a body part having electrical insulation; and a conductor part that is arranged in the body part. Further, the conductor part includes a conductor body, and a fuse part that is formed in a part of the conductor body and of which a cross-sectional area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the conductor body. Still further, the body part includes a conductor region in which the conductor body is arranged and a fuse region in which the fuse part is arranged. The fuse part includes an enclosing part that is arranged to enclose the entire circumference of at least a part of the fuse region.

A flexible thin sheet-shaped electric wire includes: a body part having electrical insulation; and a conductor part that is arranged in the body part. Further, the conductor part includes a conductor body, and a fuse part that is formed in a part of the conductor body and of which a cross-sectional area is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the conductor body. Still further, the body part includes a conductor region in which the conductor body is arranged and a fuse region in which the fuse part is arranged. The fuse part includes an enclosing part that is arranged to enclose the entire circumference of at least a part of the fuse region.

A bus bar includes a first joint that is joined to an output terminal of a first battery, a second joint that is joined to an output terminal of a second battery, a heat absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and has a heat capacity larger than heat capacities of the first joint and the second joint, and a displacement absorber that is disposed between the first joint and the second joint and deforms in response to a relative displacement of the first battery and the second battery.

An exemplary busbar assembly includes a first layer, and a second layer having a portion that contacts the first layer and a portion that is spaced from the first layer to provide an opening between the first layer and the second layer. An exemplary method of managing thermal energy includes contacting a first layer and a second layer in a first area of a busbar, and separating, in a second area of the busbar, the first layer from the second layer to provide an opening between the first layer and the second layer.

A method for manufacturing a pipe type busbar includes: preparing a first tubular member made of a first material having a hollow formed therein; preparing a second tubular member having a hollow formed therein and made of a second material different from the first material; plating the first tubular member with a third material; and bonding one surface of the first tubular member and one surface of the second tubular member. The pipe type busbar manufactured thereby has the features capable of reducing a weight and a cost by a heterogeneous material, a pipe shape, and exposing a part of a copper material.