WO2005034297A1 - Battery connector - Google Patents

Battery connector Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2005034297A1
WO2005034297A1 PCT/US2004/031160 US2004031160W WO2005034297A1 WO 2005034297 A1 WO2005034297 A1 WO 2005034297A1 US 2004031160 W US2004031160 W US 2004031160W WO 2005034297 A1 WO2005034297 A1 WO 2005034297A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
contact
battery
plunger
circuit board
hole
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/031160
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Lei Zhao
Original Assignee
Molex Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Molex Incorporated filed Critical Molex Incorporated
Publication of WO2005034297A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005034297A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02Contact members
    • H01R13/22Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
    • H01R13/2407Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means
    • H01R13/2421Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means using coil springs
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R11/00Individual connecting elements providing two or more spaced connecting locations for conductive members which are, or may be, thereby interconnected, e.g. end pieces for wires or cables supported by the wire or cable and having means for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal, or conductive member, blocks of binding posts
    • H01R11/11End pieces or tapping pieces for wires, supported by the wire and for facilitating electrical connection to some other wire, terminal or conductive member
    • H01R11/28End pieces consisting of a ferrule or sleeve
    • H01R11/281End pieces consisting of a ferrule or sleeve for connections to batteries
    • H01R11/282End pieces consisting of a ferrule or sleeve for connections to batteries comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70Coupling devices
    • H01R12/71Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/712Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit
    • H01R12/714Coupling devices for rigid printing circuits or like structures co-operating with the surface of the printed circuit or with a coupling device exclusively provided on the surface of the printed circuit with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/405Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting
    • H01R13/41Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting by frictional grip in grommet, panel or base

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a battery connector for electrically coupling the conductors on a printed circuit board to the contacts of a battery.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a battery connector, generally designated 12, according to the prior art.
  • the battery connector is used in a variety of electrical devices, such as a mobile phone, for electrically coupling the conductors 14 on a printed circuit board 16 to the contacts 18 of a battery 20.
  • the battery connector includes a dielectric housing 22 having a plurality of terminal-receiving slots 24 arranged in a generally parallel pattern for receiving a plurality of elongated terminals 26 which are stamped and formed of sheet metal material.
  • Each terminal 26 includes a solder tail portion 26a for connection, as by soldering, to one of the conductors 14 on printed circuit board 16.
  • Each terminal also includes a contact portion 26b projecting upwardly and out of the respective slot 24 for pressure connection to one of the contacts 18 of battery 20.
  • FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of a single row of battery contacts 18 which extend along a line 28 for connection by a linear array of the contact portions 26b of the terminals. It can be understood that size limitations are encountered when using such linear arrays of contacts. The size of the battery contacts cannot be constantly decreased to increase the pitch or density of the connector terminals, or else there is a risk that the terminal contact portions will move off of and disconnect from the battery contacts due to shaking, impacts or deformation of the terminals over long periods of use. Bad electrical connections are encountered which result in a loss of function of the electrical device such as the mobile phone. FIG.
  • FIG. 3 shows a battery connector and battery as disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 91207217. Like reference numerals have been applied in FIG. 3 corresponding to like components described above in relation to the prior art embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that contacts 18 of battery 20 have been arranged in a staggered array versus the linear array of FIG. 2. While this reduces the distance between contact portions 26b of terminals 26, the stamped and formed terminals still are elongated and occupy a rather large area of the surface of printed circuit board 16.
  • contact portions 26b of the elongated terminals 26 tend to move sideways which requires contacts 18 on battery 28 to be rather large sizes so that the contact portions of the terminals are ensured to maintain engagement with the contacts on the battery during prolonged usage and deformation of the stamped and formed contact portions of the terminals.
  • the present invention is directed to solving these various problems.
  • the battery connector includes a dielectric housing having at least three through holes. At least one hole is in a first line, and at least two holes are in a second line spaced from the first line. The one hole is staggered between the two holes.
  • a plunger-type contact assembly is mounted in each through hole in the housing. The assembly includes a conductive base end for electrical connection to a respective conductor on the printed circuit board. A reciprocally mounted contact plunger electrically engages a respective contact on the battery.
  • each through hole in the housing includes a first opening facing the battery and a second opening facing the printed circuit board.
  • An inside diameter of the first opening is less than an inside diameter of the through hole to define a stop.
  • the contact plunger of each contact assembly has a front contact end of a diameter to extend through the first opening for engaging the respective battery contact and an enlarged rear end for engaging the stop.
  • the conductive base end of each contact assembly extends through the second opening of the respective through hole for engaging the respective circuit board conductor.
  • the conductive base end is generally cup-shaped in cross-section for receiving one end of the spring. An opposite end of the spring biasingly engages the contact plunger.
  • the spring comprises a coil spring.
  • Each contact assembly further includes a conductive sleeve within which the coil spring is disposed. One end of the conductive sleeve is disposed within the cup-shaped conductive base end, and an opposite end of the conductive sleeve reciprocally mounts the enlarged rear end of the contact plunger.
  • the conductive base end of each plunger-type contact assembly comprises a metal housing mounting the spring and including an open front end having a restricted stop.
  • the contact plunger includes a front contact end of a diameter to extend through the open front end of the metal housing for engaging the respective battery contact.
  • An enlarged rear end of the contact plunger engages the restricted stop.
  • the metal housing has a closed rear end for engaging the respective circuit board conductor.
  • the spring of the second embodiment comprises a coil spring.
  • FIGS. 1-3 depict the prior art described in the Background, above;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery connector according to a first embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with a printed circuit board and a battery shown in phantom;
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the battery connector of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the battery connector of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the staggered array of battery contacts in conjunction with the corresponding array of contact plungers of the connector in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 6, but of a battery connector having a different array of contact plungers;
  • FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, but according to the configuration of the connector shown in FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 10 is a vertical section through a battery connector according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGS. 4-6 a first embodiment of a battery connector, generally designated 30, according to the invention is shown for electrically coupling the conductors 32 (Fig.
  • the connector includes a unitary dielectric housing 40 having at least three through holes 42 (Fig. 5). At least one hole is in a first line “LI” (Fig. 6) and at least two holes are in a second line “L2" which is generally parallel to and spaced from the first line. The one hole is staggered from the two holes as indicated by the triangulated lines "L3".
  • each through hole 42 includes a first or top opening 42a which faces the battery and a second or bottom opening 42b which faces printed circuit board 34. An inside diameter of the top opening is less than the inside diameter of the through hole to define a stop 44.
  • Each through hole has an enlarged section 42c for purposes to be described hereinafter.
  • a plunger-type contact assembly is mounted in each through hole 42.
  • Each contact assembly includes a conductive base, generally designated 48.
  • the base is generally cup-shaped to include a bottom wall 48a and side walls 48b.
  • Bottom wall 48a is in engagement with a respective one of the conductors 32 of printed circuit board 34.
  • Side walls 48b are in the enlarged section 42c of the through hole.
  • Each plunger-type contact assembly 46 includes a reciprocally mounted contact plunger, generally designated 50, which includes a front contact end 50a for engaging a respective one of the contacts 36 of battery 38.
  • the contact plunger 50 includes an enlarged rear end 50b for engaging stop 44 of the housing to define the outer extreme limit of reciprocal movement of the contact plunger.
  • Each plunger-type contact assembly 46 further includes a conductive sleeve 52 which is positioned within the cup-shaped conductive base 48 against the inside surfaces of side walls 48b of the base, the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 is reciprocally mounted within the forward end of sleeve 52.
  • a coil spring 54 is positioned within the sleeve. The coil spring is under compression and engages bottom wall 48a of conductive base 48 at one end of the spring, and the opposite end of the spring engages the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 to bias the contact plunger forwardly toward the respective contact 36 of battery 38.
  • contact plungers 50 are in a staggered or triangulated array for engaging a corresponding triangular array of the battery contacts 36.
  • the overall dimensions of connector housing 40 are considerably reduced which, in turn, reduces the space or real estate occupied on the surface of printed circuit board 34 as seen in FIG. 4.
  • the plunger-type contact assemblies function in a narrow axial envelope, versus the elongated configurations caused by the stamped and formed, elongated contacts of the prior art.
  • FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein housing 40 has a plurality of through holes 42 which are in a staggered array as described above in relation to FIGS. 6-9. Again, a plunger-type contact assembly, generally designated 48A, is mounted in each through hole of the housing. Each contact assembly again includes a reciprocally mounted contact plunger 50 having a contact end 50a and an enlarged rear end 50b.
  • each plunger- type contact assembly comprises a metal housing 60 which mounts coil spring 54 and within which the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 is reciprocally mounted.
  • Each metal housing 60 has a closed rear end 60a which is electrically connected, as by soldering, to a respective one of the conductors 32 on printed circuit board 34.
  • a rear end of coil spring 54 abuts against the inside of closed end 60a of housing 60, while the front end of the coil spring engages the enlarged rear end 50b of the contact plunger.
  • Metal housing 60 has a restricted open front end 60b within which the front contact end 50a of the contact plunger reciprocally moves.
  • the restricted open end defines a stop 60b against which the enlarged rear end 50b of the contact plunger abuts.
  • the plunger-type contact assemblies 46 A of the embodiment of FIG. 10 provide a narrow envelope in a direction generally perpendicular to the printed circuit board which, in turn, reduces the space occupied by battery connector 30 on the circuit board. This allows the contacts of the battery connector to be closely spaced to increase the density of the connector.
  • the axially reciprocal contact plungers of both embodiments do not move transversely to any significant extent, versus the contacts of the prior art, which allows the battery contacts 36 to be more closely spaced because the battery contacts do not have to be enlarged to accommodate any movement of the contact plungers.

Abstract

A battery connector is provided for electrically coupling the conductors on a printed circuit board to the contacts of a battery. The connector includes a dielectric housing having at least three through holes. At least one hole is in a first line, and at least two holes are in a second line spaced from the first line. The one hole is staggered between the two holes. A plunger-type contact assembly is mounted in each through hole in the housing. The assembly includes a conductive base end for electrical connection to a respective conductor on the printed circuit board. A reciprocally mounted contact plunger electrically engages a respective contact on the battery. The contact plunger is spring loaded to maintain the plunger against the respective battery contact under pressure. Therefore, the battery contacts and the circuit board conductors can be disposed in a high density staggered array.

Description

BATTERY CONNECTOR
Field of the Invention; This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to a battery connector for electrically coupling the conductors on a printed circuit board to the contacts of a battery.
Background of the Invention: FIGS. 1 and 2 show a battery connector, generally designated 12, according to the prior art. The battery connector is used in a variety of electrical devices, such as a mobile phone, for electrically coupling the conductors 14 on a printed circuit board 16 to the contacts 18 of a battery 20. The battery connector includes a dielectric housing 22 having a plurality of terminal-receiving slots 24 arranged in a generally parallel pattern for receiving a plurality of elongated terminals 26 which are stamped and formed of sheet metal material. Each terminal 26 includes a solder tail portion 26a for connection, as by soldering, to one of the conductors 14 on printed circuit board 16. Each terminal also includes a contact portion 26b projecting upwardly and out of the respective slot 24 for pressure connection to one of the contacts 18 of battery 20. FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of a single row of battery contacts 18 which extend along a line 28 for connection by a linear array of the contact portions 26b of the terminals. It can be understood that size limitations are encountered when using such linear arrays of contacts. The size of the battery contacts cannot be constantly decreased to increase the pitch or density of the connector terminals, or else there is a risk that the terminal contact portions will move off of and disconnect from the battery contacts due to shaking, impacts or deformation of the terminals over long periods of use. Bad electrical connections are encountered which result in a loss of function of the electrical device such as the mobile phone. FIG. 3 shows a battery connector and battery as disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 91207217. Like reference numerals have been applied in FIG. 3 corresponding to like components described above in relation to the prior art embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. It can be seen in FIG. 3 that contacts 18 of battery 20 have been arranged in a staggered array versus the linear array of FIG. 2. While this reduces the distance between contact portions 26b of terminals 26, the stamped and formed terminals still are elongated and occupy a rather large area of the surface of printed circuit board 16. In addition, contact portions 26b of the elongated terminals 26 tend to move sideways which requires contacts 18 on battery 28 to be rather large sizes so that the contact portions of the terminals are ensured to maintain engagement with the contacts on the battery during prolonged usage and deformation of the stamped and formed contact portions of the terminals. The present invention is directed to solving these various problems.
Summary of the Invention: An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved battery connector for electrically coupling the conductors on a printed circuit board to the contacts of a battery. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the battery connector includes a dielectric housing having at least three through holes. At least one hole is in a first line, and at least two holes are in a second line spaced from the first line. The one hole is staggered between the two holes. A plunger-type contact assembly is mounted in each through hole in the housing. The assembly includes a conductive base end for electrical connection to a respective conductor on the printed circuit board. A reciprocally mounted contact plunger electrically engages a respective contact on the battery. The contact plunger is spring loaded to maintain the plunger against the respective battery contact under pressure. Therefore, the battery contacts and the circuit board conductors can be disposed in a high density staggered array because there are no elongated terminals taking up space on the printed circuit board. According to one embodiment of the invention, each through hole in the housing includes a first opening facing the battery and a second opening facing the printed circuit board. An inside diameter of the first opening is less than an inside diameter of the through hole to define a stop. The contact plunger of each contact assembly has a front contact end of a diameter to extend through the first opening for engaging the respective battery contact and an enlarged rear end for engaging the stop. The conductive base end of each contact assembly extends through the second opening of the respective through hole for engaging the respective circuit board conductor. As disclosed herein, the conductive base end is generally cup-shaped in cross-section for receiving one end of the spring. An opposite end of the spring biasingly engages the contact plunger. The spring comprises a coil spring. Each contact assembly further includes a conductive sleeve within which the coil spring is disposed. One end of the conductive sleeve is disposed within the cup-shaped conductive base end, and an opposite end of the conductive sleeve reciprocally mounts the enlarged rear end of the contact plunger. According to another embodiment of the invention, the conductive base end of each plunger-type contact assembly comprises a metal housing mounting the spring and including an open front end having a restricted stop. The contact plunger includes a front contact end of a diameter to extend through the open front end of the metal housing for engaging the respective battery contact. An enlarged rear end of the contact plunger engages the restricted stop. The metal housing has a closed rear end for engaging the respective circuit board conductor. Again, the spring of the second embodiment comprises a coil spring. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings: The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which: FIGS. 1-3 depict the prior art described in the Background, above; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery connector according to a first embodiment of the invention, in conjunction with a printed circuit board and a battery shown in phantom; FIG. 5 is a vertical section through the battery connector of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the battery connector of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic illustration of the staggered array of battery contacts in conjunction with the corresponding array of contact plungers of the connector in FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to that of FIG. 6, but of a battery connector having a different array of contact plungers; FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7, but according to the configuration of the connector shown in FIG. 8; and FIG. 10 is a vertical section through a battery connector according to a further embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments: Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to FIGS. 4-6, a first embodiment of a battery connector, generally designated 30, according to the invention is shown for electrically coupling the conductors 32 (Fig. 5) on a printed circuit board 34 to the contacts 36 on a battery 38. The connector includes a unitary dielectric housing 40 having at least three through holes 42 (Fig. 5). At least one hole is in a first line "LI" (Fig. 6) and at least two holes are in a second line "L2" which is generally parallel to and spaced from the first line. The one hole is staggered from the two holes as indicated by the triangulated lines "L3". Referring to FIG. 5, each through hole 42 includes a first or top opening 42a which faces the battery and a second or bottom opening 42b which faces printed circuit board 34. An inside diameter of the top opening is less than the inside diameter of the through hole to define a stop 44. Each through hole has an enlarged section 42c for purposes to be described hereinafter. A plunger-type contact assembly, generally designated 46, is mounted in each through hole 42. Each contact assembly includes a conductive base, generally designated 48. The base is generally cup-shaped to include a bottom wall 48a and side walls 48b. Bottom wall 48a is in engagement with a respective one of the conductors 32 of printed circuit board 34. Side walls 48b are in the enlarged section 42c of the through hole. Each plunger-type contact assembly 46 includes a reciprocally mounted contact plunger, generally designated 50, which includes a front contact end 50a for engaging a respective one of the contacts 36 of battery 38. The contact plunger 50 includes an enlarged rear end 50b for engaging stop 44 of the housing to define the outer extreme limit of reciprocal movement of the contact plunger. Each plunger-type contact assembly 46 further includes a conductive sleeve 52 which is positioned within the cup-shaped conductive base 48 against the inside surfaces of side walls 48b of the base, the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 is reciprocally mounted within the forward end of sleeve 52. A coil spring 54 is positioned within the sleeve. The coil spring is under compression and engages bottom wall 48a of conductive base 48 at one end of the spring, and the opposite end of the spring engages the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 to bias the contact plunger forwardly toward the respective contact 36 of battery 38. Referring to FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIG. 6, it can be seen that contact plungers 50 are in a staggered or triangulated array for engaging a corresponding triangular array of the battery contacts 36. By using a staggered array of contact points between the contact plungers of the battery connector and the contacts of the battery, in conjunction with the plunger-type contact assemblies, the overall dimensions of connector housing 40 are considerably reduced which, in turn, reduces the space or real estate occupied on the surface of printed circuit board 34 as seen in FIG. 4. In other words, the plunger-type contact assemblies function in a narrow axial envelope, versus the elongated configurations caused by the stamped and formed, elongated contacts of the prior art. FIGS. 8 and 9 simply show that battery connector 30 can be enlarged as desired by adding more plunger-type contact assemblies having contact plungers 50. In essence, the contact assemblies are added along either of the lines "LI" or "L2" in a continuing staggered array. Again, the overall envelope of the battery connector is kept to a minimum to minimize the space occupied by the connector on the printed circuit board. FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein housing 40 has a plurality of through holes 42 which are in a staggered array as described above in relation to FIGS. 6-9. Again, a plunger-type contact assembly, generally designated 48A, is mounted in each through hole of the housing. Each contact assembly again includes a reciprocally mounted contact plunger 50 having a contact end 50a and an enlarged rear end 50b. A coil spring 54 biases the contact plunger to its extended position, as shown. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 10, the conductive base end of each plunger- type contact assembly comprises a metal housing 60 which mounts coil spring 54 and within which the enlarged rear end 50b of contact plunger 50 is reciprocally mounted. Each metal housing 60 has a closed rear end 60a which is electrically connected, as by soldering, to a respective one of the conductors 32 on printed circuit board 34. A rear end of coil spring 54 abuts against the inside of closed end 60a of housing 60, while the front end of the coil spring engages the enlarged rear end 50b of the contact plunger. Metal housing 60 has a restricted open front end 60b within which the front contact end 50a of the contact plunger reciprocally moves. The restricted open end defines a stop 60b against which the enlarged rear end 50b of the contact plunger abuts. As in the first embodiment, the plunger-type contact assemblies 46 A of the embodiment of FIG. 10 provide a narrow envelope in a direction generally perpendicular to the printed circuit board which, in turn, reduces the space occupied by battery connector 30 on the circuit board. This allows the contacts of the battery connector to be closely spaced to increase the density of the connector. The axially reciprocal contact plungers of both embodiments do not move transversely to any significant extent, versus the contacts of the prior art, which allows the battery contacts 36 to be more closely spaced because the battery contacts do not have to be enlarged to accommodate any movement of the contact plungers. Therefore, again, the combination of the plunger-type contact assemblies and the staggered array of contact plungers and battery contacts provide these many advantages over the prior art. It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is: 1. A battery connector for electrically coupling the conductors on a printed circuit board to the contacts of a battery, comprising: a dielectric housing having at least three through holes, with at least one hole being in a first line and at least two holes being in a second line spaced from the first line, the one hole being staggered between the two holes; and a plunger-type contact assembly mounted in each through hole in the housing and including a conductive base end for electrical connection to a respective conductor on the printed circuit board, a reciprocally mounted contact plunger for electrical connection to a respective contact of the battery, and a spring for spring loading the contact plunger to maintain the plunger against the respective battery contact under pressure; whereby the battery contacts and the circuit board conductors can be disposed in a high density staggered array.
2. The battery connector of claim 1 wherein each through hole in the housing includes a first opening facing the battery and a second opening facing the printed circuit board, an inside diameter of the first opening being less than an inside diameter of the through hole to define a stop, the contact plunger of each contact assembly having a front contact end of a diameter to extend through the first opening for engaging the respective battery contact and an enlarged rear end for engaging the stop.
3. The battery connector of claim 2 wherein the conductive base end of each contact assembly extends through the second opening of the respective through hole for engaging the respective circuit board conductor.
4. The battery connector of claim 3 wherein said conductive base end is generally cup-shaped in cross-section for receiving one end of said spring, an opposite end of the spring biasingly engaging the contact plunger.
5. The battery connector of claim 4 wherein said spring comprises a coil spring.
6. The battery connector of claim 5 wherein each contact assembly includes a conductive sleeve within which the coil spring is disposed, one end of the conductive sleeve being disposed within the cup-shaped conductive base end and an opposite end of the conductive sleeve reciprocally mounting the enlarged rear end of the contact plunger.
7. The battery connector of claim 1 wherein the conductive base end of each plunger-type contact assembly comprises a metal housing mounting said spring and including an open front end having a restricted stop, and the contact plunger includes a front contact end of a diameter to extend through said open front end for engaging the respective battery contact and an enlarged rear end for engaging the restricted stop.
8. The battery connector of claim 7 wherein said metal housing has a closed rear end for engaging the respective circuit board conductor.
9. The battery connector of claim 7 wherein said spring comprises a coil spring.
PCT/US2004/031160 2003-09-30 2004-09-23 Battery connector WO2005034297A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN 03237726 CN2681381Y (en) 2003-09-30 2003-09-30 Battery connector
CN0032377266 2003-09-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005034297A1 true WO2005034297A1 (en) 2005-04-14

Family

ID=34398365

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/031160 WO2005034297A1 (en) 2003-09-30 2004-09-23 Battery connector

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN2681381Y (en)
WO (1) WO2005034297A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103066220A (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-24 黄泓雯 Lithium battery and connector thereof
TWI427841B (en) * 2011-10-18 2014-02-21 Hongwen Hwang Li battery and connector thereof
WO2020055511A1 (en) * 2018-09-14 2020-03-19 Gopro, Inc. Electrical connectivity between detachable components

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108321635A (en) * 2017-01-16 2018-07-24 富士康(昆山)电脑接插件有限公司 Magnetic-extraction connector combines

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5641315A (en) * 1995-11-16 1997-06-24 Everett Charles Technologies, Inc. Telescoping spring probe
US6074219A (en) * 1998-07-13 2000-06-13 Unisys Corporation Electromechanical subassembly including a carrier with springy contacts that exert large and small contact forces
US6247939B1 (en) * 2000-08-14 2001-06-19 Unisys Corporation Connector for making multiple pressed co-axial connections having an air dielectric
EP1253674A2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-10-30 Yokowo Co., Ltd. Spring connector
EP1329991A1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2003-07-23 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Press contact clamping connector and its connection structure

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5641315A (en) * 1995-11-16 1997-06-24 Everett Charles Technologies, Inc. Telescoping spring probe
US6074219A (en) * 1998-07-13 2000-06-13 Unisys Corporation Electromechanical subassembly including a carrier with springy contacts that exert large and small contact forces
US6247939B1 (en) * 2000-08-14 2001-06-19 Unisys Corporation Connector for making multiple pressed co-axial connections having an air dielectric
EP1329991A1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2003-07-23 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Press contact clamping connector and its connection structure
EP1253674A2 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-10-30 Yokowo Co., Ltd. Spring connector

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI427841B (en) * 2011-10-18 2014-02-21 Hongwen Hwang Li battery and connector thereof
CN103066220A (en) * 2011-10-19 2013-04-24 黄泓雯 Lithium battery and connector thereof
WO2020055511A1 (en) * 2018-09-14 2020-03-19 Gopro, Inc. Electrical connectivity between detachable components
US11601575B2 (en) 2018-09-14 2023-03-07 Gopro, Inc. Electrical connectivity between detachable components

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN2681381Y (en) 2005-02-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5288247A (en) Grounding shroud for an electrical connector
US4225209A (en) Electrical connector receptacle
US7008266B2 (en) Mini DIN connector having a reduced height above a printed circuit board
US8033870B2 (en) Electrical connector having contact terminal with cutout receiving deprressed contact arm
US6783405B1 (en) Terminal for electric connector for communication apparatus
US6652329B1 (en) Terminals for an electrical socket
US7008237B1 (en) Electrical connector having protecting protrusions
US7223125B2 (en) Electrical connector with retaining shell
US6592407B2 (en) High-speed card edge connector
US7033226B1 (en) Audio receptacle connector
US6589077B1 (en) Electrical connector with self-retaining board locks
US20090149080A1 (en) Audio jack connector
US6475005B2 (en) Electrical card connector
US6957987B2 (en) Socket connector for integrated circuit
US7670173B2 (en) Modular jack with improved grounding member
US6855010B1 (en) Terminal for electric connector for communication apparatus
US6790073B2 (en) Low profile flexible cable connector assembly
US6168448B1 (en) Audio jack connector
US6371811B1 (en) Vertical-type universal serial bus connector having a low profile on a printed circuit board
US6190183B1 (en) Electrical connector
US6471535B1 (en) Electrical socket
US7775832B2 (en) Holding structure of a contact member for an electrical connector
US6589068B2 (en) Electrical connector connecting one or more flexible printed circuits
EP0499436B1 (en) Fish hook hold-downs
US7097517B2 (en) Socket connector for integrated circuit

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase