CA1113170A

CA1113170A - Battery connector

Info

Publication number: CA1113170A
Application number: CA338,557A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gordon E. Kaye
Original assignee: PR Mallory and Co Inc
Current assignee: Duracell Inc USA
Priority date: 1978-10-30
Filing date: 1979-10-26
Publication date: 1981-11-24
Also published as: NL7907907A; IT7926885A0; FR2440632A1; AU523373B2; SE7908926L; IT1124812B; JPS5560269A; AU5186779A; DE2943070A1; US4186983A; DK456379A; IL58434A0; GB2037500A; BE879686A

Abstract

BATTERY CONNECTOR

ABSTRACT

A connector for use in electrically connecting a battery, having substantially planar terminals on a wall thereof, to an electrical device. The connector comprises a housing partially containing conductive means which extend from the housing to contact the battery terminals and the electrical device. The connector further includes resilient gripping means on the housing which cooperatively engages holding means on the battery with a snap on connection.

Description

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This invention relates to connectors which mechanically hold and electrically connect batteries to electrical devices.
More particularly this invention relates to connectors for use with.batteries having planar terminals such as those described in U.S. design patents nos. 243,615; 243,616; 243,617, and 243,618.
Seyeral types of connectors, which eLectrically connect a battery to an electrical device and which mechanically hold the battery, have been used in the past. The most typical of such connectors is adapted for use with the common cylindrical battexy having opposin~ terminals at the'end walls thereo~ Such battery connectors generally have a cradle or br~cket configuration whereby they substantially enclose the ~entire battexy in oxder that both terminals be electrically contact'ed. ~s a result cradle or bracket connectors are generally bulk and th.ey are'usually integral with the electrical devices in ordex to minimize excess~ye volume utilization.
Another type of battery connector uses the'cooperative association of the battery terminals and the terminal contacting mem bexs of the connector to pxovide mechanical as ~ell as eIectrical connection. An example of such.battery connector is a cable with a plu~ which is inserted into an associated batter'y having socket termin~ls. ~nother of such type of battery connector is one which is used with the com~on rectangular 9 volt battery having extending male and ~emale terminals. The connec-tor used therewith has extending male and female me~bers ~hich are snap fitted to the'female'and male'terminals- respectively of the associated battex~, Thou~h such:connectors are relatively compact they have sevexal shortcomings. Since the terminals or términal contacting members themseIves provide'the mechanical connection, mechanical stress placed upon the'reIativeIy small , , ' ~3~71) terminals or terminal contacting members may result in mechanical disengagement, by breakage or relaxation of the male/female connection, with lost electrical connec-tion. Furthermore, since these connectors can only be used when the terminals have either male or female configurations, batteries having asexual planar terminals, such as those in the aforementioned design patents, cannot be used therewith. Additionally, the 9 volt connector allows exposed terminal connections whereby detrimental short circuiting becomes a distinct possibility.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact snap-on battery connector for use with a battery 'naving cooperative holding means and substan-tially planar terminals on a wall thereof whereby an elec-trical device connected with said connector may be powered by the connected battery.
According to the above object, from a broad aspect, this invention provides a connector adapted to be connected to a battery having substantially planar terminals on a wall thereof and to an electrical device to provide electrical connection between the electrical device and the battery. The connector comprises a housing and conductive means adapted to electrically contact the battery terminals and the electrical device. The conduc-tive means is partially contained within the housing and partially extends from the housing for electrical connec-tion to the electrical device.~ l~he conductive means further partially extends from the housing at a region of the housing adapted to be directly adjacent the battery wall when the connecto~ is connected to the battery. The ~- 2 -.~

connector further comprises resilient connection means to grip the battery. The connection means extends from the periphery of the housing region with the connection means being adapted to snap over the battery wall and cooperatively grip corresponding holding means on the battery with the holding means being located adjacent to the periphery of the battery wall.
This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly seen from the following description as well as the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of the battery connector of the ~resent invention while being removed from or placed onto a battery, -Figure 2 is a top plan view of the upper portion of the connector housing, Figure 3 is a cross-section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2, ~:
Figure 3a is a front end view taken along line 3a-3a of Figure 3, Figure 3b is a cross-section taken along line : 3b-3b of Figure 3;
Figure 3c is a rear end view taken along line 3c-3c of Figure 3, Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the upper portion of the battery connector, - 2a -~;317~

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the battery connector;
Figure 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 6a is a front end view taken along line 6a-6a of Figure 6;
Figure 6b is a cross section view taken along line 6b-6b of Figure 6;
Figure 6c is a rear end view taken along line 6c-6c of Figure 6;
Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the lower portion of the battery connector;
Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken through the center of the battery connector portions of Figures 3 and 6 in final assembly and with internal components in place; and Figure 9 is an isometric view of one of the terminal engag-ing members shown in Figure 8.
Generally the present invention comprises a compact con-nector for electrical connection between a battery having sub-stantially planar terminals on a wall thereof and an electrical device. The connector comprises a housing which partially con-tains the conductive connection between the battery and the electrical device. Conductive terminal.contacting members extend from a region of the connector housing directly adjacent to the terminal wall of the battery, when the battery is connected to the connector, and conductively contact the battery terminals.
The conductive contacting members are electrically engaged to conductive wires, or the like, within the connector housing.
The conductive wires extend from the housing to an electrical ., . , , ., , ., . . , ,,. ,, . , -. .. - ,,,. . : . - - .
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device whereby full electrical cornection between battery and electrical device is effected. The connector, in order to maintain the electrical connection, grips the battery with resilient members which are supported from the housing of the connector. The resilient members snap over the terminal wall of the battery and cooperatively grip corresponding mem-bers on the battery located adjacent to the periphery of the terminal wall of the battery.
Preferably the connector further includes fulcrum means such as an extension of the connector housing whereby the con-nector may be easily removed from the battery.
Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a connector 10 made in accordance with the present invention, which is elec-trically connected to an electrical device (not shown) by con-ductive wires 19a and l9b. The connector 10 is comprised of upper and lower portions 13 and 14 respectively which form a housing having aperture 16 through which the conductive wires l9a and l9b,contained within the housin~ partially extend for connection to the electrical device. The housing further par- --tially contains conductive terminal contacting members 17a and 17b with such members electrically engaging wires l9b and l9a respectively within the housing. Terminal contacting members 17a and 17b partially extend from the housing through apertures 18a and 18b respectively in floor section 200 of lower portion 14.
When battery 50 and connector 10 are connected, as shown, floor ~ection 200 is directly adjacent the terminal w~l 59 ~ the battery 50 with apertures 18a and 18b being directly adjacent battery terminals 52 and 51 respectively. Terminal contacting members 17a and 17b extending through apertures 18a and 18b electrically ~$~3~7~
contact battery terminals 52 and 51 respectively whereby full electrical continuity between battery 50 and the electrical device is effected.
Integral with upper and lower portions 13 and 14 of con-nector lQ are protruding portions lla and llb res~pectively which, when conneCtQr 10 is connected to a battery, protrude'beyond the plane of a side wall of the battery. Protruding portions lla;and llb are cofitting and when mated form extension member hayin~ aperture 16~ fro~ which conductive ~ires l9a and l9b extend Extension ~embe'r 11~ because it protrudes beyond the'pl~ne'of the side of the'battery~ functions as a ~ulcrum to pxov-~de leverage whereby battery connector 10 may be'easily ~'e~oYed ~ro~ the battery by digi~al pressure on the'lower surface of pr~truding poxtion llb Th~ugh in the pre$ent e~bodiment extension member 11 operates as a fulcrum for ease in removal of the connector othex means for ease in remov~1 are possible.
Examples of other remoyal means include knurled surfaces and indentations on the connectox~s outer surface which allow for greater digital manipulation.
Lower portion 14, of battery connector 10, includes `
peripheral skirt section 14a which engages and holds the terminal wall59 of battery 50 therein. Opposing elongated beads 12b and 12a~
Cmore clearly seen in Figures 6b and 7) on the'interiox wall of skixt sectiQn 14a~ during engagement of the battery connector with the battery, snap over beads 57 and 54 respectively on the housing of the`battery 50 and are securely held thereafter within groove regions 56 and 55. Bevelled ed~es 15a-d at the peripheral ends of skirt section 14a guide the terminal end of battery 50 into said skirt section 14a for pXQper engagemen~ External short circuiting-is also prevented by said skirt section.
Though connector 10 is shown in Figure 1 as providing elec-trical engagement with battexy terminals 51 and 52~ the connector 317~

may, because of the symmetry of the terminals, engage terminals 53 (of the same polarity as terminal 51) and 52 if the connector is reversed. Correct polarity is maintained with terminal contac-ting member 17a of the connector 10 always being associated with central battery terminal 52. Should battery 50 have but two termi-nals, proper polar engagement should be observed (incorrect engage-ment will not be detrimental to either the battery or the electri-cal device but will simply be non-operational).
In referring to the interior configuration of battery connector 10 in greater detail, Figures 2 - 4 depict the configuration of upper portion 13 and Figures 5 - 7 depict the configuration of lower portion 14.
Upper portion 13 is comprised of cover plate 100 having a gen-erally rectangular shape roughly corresponding to the areal dimen-sions of the terminal end of an associated battery. Integral with cover plate 100 at one thereof is tapering protruding portion lla.
Also integral with cover plate 100 are downwa~dly extending perpen-dicular members 21 and 22 and peripheral raised rim 26 which cir-cumscribes the perimeter of cover plate 100 and protruding portion lla. The lower surface of protruding portion lla includes raised rectangular plateau area 25 with transverse ridge 24 thereon and channels 28 and 29 which are defined between raised rim 26 and two sides of plateau area 25.
Lower portion 14 is comprised of rectangular floor section 200, of similar areal dimensions as cover plate 100, with apertures 18a and 18b therein. Skirt section 14a integrally depends from the lower surface of floor section 200 around its periphery and is sized to accommodate a connected battery. Integral with floor section 200 at an end thereo is tapering protruding portion llb. Also integral with floor section 200 are upwardly extending perpendicular `
members 31 and 32 and peripheral raised rim 47. Rectangular _~ _ ~, . . .

depressed regions 35 and 33 in the upper surface of floor secton 200, are adjacent the rears of members 31 and 32 respectively.
Areas 37 and 37a separate'depressed regions 35 and 33 and apertures 18aand 18b. Peripheral raised rim 47 substantially circumscribes the perimeter of floor sectiQn 20Q and protruding portion llb with an intexruption at the tapered end of portion llb. Raised rim 47 includes ridge 36 thereon wh`ich is set back from the'outer edge of said rim by ledge 46 and which substantially extends along the entire length of said xim. The upper surface of protruding portion llb includes raised plateau area 45 defined within and spanning the interruption of raised rim 47. Ridges 34 and 44 span plateau area 45 across said interruption.
Upper and lower por*ions 13 and 14 of battexy connector 10 in Fi~ures 3 and 6 (cross sectional vie~)- are cooperatively associ~ted or mated as shown in the cross sectional view of the co~pleted connector in Figure 8. ~ housing is formed by such mating with the upper portion 13, shown in Figures 2-4, as a cover for lowex portion 14~ shown in Figures 5-7. The'housing fixedly contains conductive terminal contacting members 17a and 17b eIectrically engaged with conductive wires 19b and l9a.
Terminal contacting members 17a and 17b are'of identical construction but with'associated conductive'wires l9b and l9a connected therewith res'pectively from opposite sides as shown in phantom in Figure 5.
In Figure ~, terminal contacting member 17a ~or equivalent member 17b) shown removed from connector lO, comprises a unitary metal strip havin~ downwardly extending portion 76 (176~, with serrated edge,' for contact with a terminal of a connected battery~
Plateau area 72 (172~ is set at a right an~le to portion 7~

76(176) with plateau area 72(172) descending into lower plateau area 73(173) via small angled connection 77(177). Lower plateau area 73(173) thereafter extends into oppositely angled rear flange section 74(174) having a cantilevered cutout 75(175) for fixedly retaining wire l9b (19a) therebetween.
As seen in Figure 8 terminal contact~ng members 17a and 17b are seated on lower connector portion 14 with flange sections 74 and 174 thereof respectively buttressed against upwardly extending members 31 and 32 of lower portion 14.
Lower plateaus 73 and 173 of ~ember 17a and 17b fit into rectangular depressed regions 35 and 33 of lower portion 14 (Figs. 5 and 6). Plateau areas 37 and 37a of lower portion 14 (Fi~. 6) support plateau areas 72 and 172 of terminal contacting members 17a and 17b respectiveIy. Downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 of contacting member 17a and 17b~ extend through apertures 18a and 18b respectively in lower portion 14 for electrical contact with terminals of a connected battery.
The upward movement of downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 and plateau areas 72 and 172, when a battery is connected therewith is indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 8. Angled connections 77 and 177 of members 17a and 17b respectively serve as fulcrums about which plateaus 72 and 172 and downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 can rotate upwardly. Such - upward move~ent is arrested when downwardly extending portions 76 and 176 contact the peripheral edges of apertures 18a and 18b in floor section 200. With further movement restricted positi~e contact with the battery is thereby achieved.

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In Figure 8, the completed cQnnectoX lO co~prises upper and lower portions 13 and 14 mated by cooperativel`y assoclated mem-bers thereof. Thus, peripheral raised rim 26 of upper portion 13 fits onto peripheral ledge 46 of lower portion 14 with ridge 36 verticallY engaging the inner region defined by peripheral raised rim 26. End sections 28 and 39 of ridge 36 fit within channels 29 and 28 of lower portion 14. Downwardly extending members 21 and 22 of upper portion 13 extend to rectanqular depressed regions 35 and 33 o~ lower portion 14 (Figs. 5 and 6) respectively and compress terminal contacting ~embers 17a and 17b against the bottom ~alls of such regions respectively. Up-wardly extending members 31 and 32 (Figs. 5 " 6a-b~ of lower portion 14 fit flush a~ainst the innex su~face of cover member 100 (Fig. 4) to provide enclosed axeas between ~embers 31, 21 and 32, 22. Conductive ~ixes 19a and l9b (shown in phantom in Fig. 5) are held and buttressed within said enclosed areas by terminal contacting members 17a and 17b respectively between cantilevered cut-outs 75 and 175 and rear angled flanges 74 and 174 respectively thereof. Ridge 24 on plateau 25 of protruding portion lla (Figs. 3, 3a, and 4~ and ridges 34 and 44 on protruding portion llb (Figs. 5,6,6a) serve to compressively hold conductive wires l9a and l9b in place. When upper and lo~er portions 13 and 14 are cooperatively associated as in Fi~ure 8, the beads shown atop ridge 36 and extending members 32 and 31, of lower poxtion 14 (Figs. 5,6,6a-c) axe ultrasonically sealed against the associated surfaces of upper section 13 to provide a sealed connector, ~idges 24,34, and 44 are also thereby ultrasonically sealed to the insulation of wires l9a and l9b to effect greater stationary holdin~ of said ~ires. Though ultrasonic sealing ~3170 is preferxed, other methods of sealin~ such as heat sealing and mechanical connections may also be utilized.
Materials used in constructing the battery connector hous;ing are generally those havin~ insulative and sealin~
properties with the battery gripping members therebf also having a deg.ree of resiliency whereb~ a snap connect~on with-'a battery is possible Examples of m~terials having the requisite properties including resiliency include plastics~such as ABS, p~lypropylene, polyeth.ylene,' nylon, polys~vtrene~ and the like.
The most useful material for the terminal contacting members is nickeI plated steeI because of its stxuctuxal strength and resiliency. However, other metals, such as phosphorus bronze r beryllium coppex~ and.stainless steel may be'used as well.
The fore~oing embbdiment is presented for the purpose of illustxatin~ the invention ~nd its attendant advantages. It is under'stood that changes and variations in structure can be made w.ithQu* departing from the~scope o$ the'present invention as defined in the following claims, ;

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A connector, adapted to be connected to a battery having substantially planar terminals on a wall thereof and to an electrical device to provide electrical connection between said electrical device and said battery; said connector comprises a housing and conductive means adapted to electrically contact said battery terminals and said electrical device, said conductive means being partially contained within said housing and partially extending from said housing for electrical connection to said electrical device and said conductive means further partially extending from said housing at a region of said housing adapted to be directly adjacent said battery wall when said connector is connected to said battery, said connector further comprising resilient connection means to grip said battery, said connection means extending from the periphery of said housing region with said connection means being adapted to snap over said battery wall and cooperatively grip corresponding holding means on said battery with said holding means being located adjacent to the periphery of said battery wall.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said conductive means comprises two conductive wires electrically and mechanically connected to two conductive metallic strips respectively within said housing wherein said conductive wires partially extend from said housing for connection with said electrical device and wherein said metallic strips partially extend from said housing fox resilient electrical contact with said battery terminals.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said housing further includes two opposing surfaces therein with at least one ridge on said surfaces with said conductive wires extending between said surfaces in a direction transverse to said ridge and being fixedly held between said surfaces,

4. The connector of claim 2 wherein said housing further includes two opposing surfaces therein with at least 3 substantially aligned members substantially perpendicular to said surfaces and extending between said surfaces: with at least one of said members depending from each of said surfaces and at least two of said members depending from a first of said surfaces wherein a segment of each of said two conductive metallic strips is interposed and compressively held between the second of said surfaces and each of said members depending from the first of said surfaces respectively.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said second surface includes two depressed regions with said segments of said metallic strips being contained within said depressed regions respectively.

6. The connector of claim 4 wherein each of said metallic strips includes a flanged end with a cantilevered cutout with each of said conductive wires held between said cutouts and flanged ends respectively and wherein each of said flanged ends with con-ductive wire is positioned between and buttressed against a member depending from each of said surfaces and a member depending from one of said surfaces.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein said resilient connection means comprises a circumferential skirt with beads on opposing portions of the inner surface of said skirt and wherein said holding means comprises beads on opposing sides of said battery with the beads on said connector and the beads on said battery being aligned whereby said connector beads snap over and are held by said battery beads.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a portion thereof which extends beyond the plane of a side wall of said battery whereby said portion functions as a fulcrum in removing said connector from said battery.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein said exending portion has an aperture therein with said conductive means extending through said aperture for electrical connection with said electrical device.