Battery connector assembly

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a battery connector assembly, and more particularly to a battery connector assembly with easy and stable positioning of terminals to a housing thereof.

[0003] It is well known that mobile phones or other portable electronic appliances often use rechargeable batteries as power sources. A conventional battery connector has a housing and a plurality of terminals received in passageways of the housing. Each passageway has two sidewalls. The terminals are fastened to a printed circuit board (PCB) by tabulate locking tabs, and the locking tabs abut against the sidewalls of the passageways, thus the terminals are retained in the housing. Each terminal has a resilient contacting region to contact with a contacting face of the battery.

[0004] However, as the locking tabs of the prior art only prevent the relative movement between the housing and the terminals in downward direction, the terminals could not be retained securely in the housing by locking tabs, so that a reliable connection could not be formed between the terminals and corresponding contacts of the mobile phones.

[0005] Hence, an improved battery connector assembly with improved terminals is needed to overcome the forgoing shortcomings.

[0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide a battery connector assembly, wherein terminals of the battery connector assembly could be secured in a housing stably.

[0007] A battery connector assembly according to the present invention includes an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals. The housing has a first and second sidewalls, a first and second inner walls and three passageways defined by the sidewalls and inner walls. A clasp is formed on each of the inner walls. The terminals are inserted molded with an insulative insert part, wherein each pitch between every two terminals is equal. Each of the terminals has a connection portion and a contacting portion with a convexity located on the contacting portion. The insert part has two latches, and each latch has a barb. The barbs are located face-to-face.

[0008] In assembly, the terminals are received in the passageways of the housing with the contacting portion projecting beyond the housing. The latches of the insert part abut against the inner walls with barbs engaging with the clasps of the inner walls.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a battery connector assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the battery connector assembly of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the battery connector assembly of FIG. 2;

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a battery connector assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the battery connector assembly of FIG. 4; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the battery connector assembly of FIG. 5.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery connector assembly 5 of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention has an elongate insulative housing 1 and a plurality of terminals 2. The housing 1 has a contacting wall 10, a rear wall (not labeled), a first sidewall 11, a second sidewall 12, a first inner wall 13 and a second inner wall 14. A first passageway 101, a second passageway 102 and a third passageway 103 are respectively defined by the contacting wall 10, the first and second sidewalls 11, 12, the first and second inner walls 13, 14 and the rear wall. A first notch 110 and a second notch 120 are respectively defined in the bottom edges of the first and second sidewalls 11, 12. A first opening 130 and a second opening 140 are respectively defined in bottom edges of the first and second inner walls 13, 14. A first clasp (not shown) is formed on the first inner wall 13 adjacent to the first opening 130 in the first passageway 101, and a second clasp 141 is formed on the second inner wall 14 adjacent to the second opening 140 in the third passageway 103. A slot (not labeled) is defined respectively between passageways 101, 102, 103 in the contacting wall 10 adjacent to the bottom edge of the contacting wall 10.

[0017] The terminals 2 are inserted molded with an elongate insulative insert part 20. The pitches between every two terminals 2 are equal. Each of the terminals 2 has a solder portion (not labeled), a S-shape spring portion 21, a contacting portion 23, a locating portion 24 extending at a free end of the contacting portion 23 and a connection portion 22 connecting the spring portion 21 and the contacting portion 23. The solder portions are molded in the insert part 20. Bottom surfaces 25 of the solder portions and a bottom surface 205 of the insert part 20 are on a same plane. A convexity 230 is located on the contacting portion 23 of each terminal 2. A first latch 201 and a second latch 203 are formed on the insert part 20 respectively between every two terminals 2. A first barb 202 and a second barb 204 are formed respectively on upper portions of the first and second latches 201, 203 and the first and second barbs 202, 204 are formed face-to-face. The thickness of the insert part 20 equals to the depth of the notches 110, 120 and the openings 130, 140. The width of the insert part 20 is a little narrower than the length of the notches 110, 120 and the openings 130, 140.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in assembly, the terminals 2 are received respectively in the first passageway 101, the second passageway 102 and the third passageway 103. The contacting portion 23 projects beyond the contacting wall 10. The locating portion 24 abuts against the inner surface of the contacting wall 10. The insert part 20 is received in the first and second notches 110, 120 and the first and second openings 130, 140. The first and second latches 201, 203 are coupled respectively to the first and second openings 130, 140 of the first and second inner walls 13, 14, and the first and second barbs 202, 204 abut respectively against the first clasp and the second clasp 141 thereby securing the insert part 20 to the housing 1, thus a proper and firm engagement is formed between the terminals 2 and the housing 1. The bottom surface 205 of the insert part 20 and the bottom edges of the sidewalls 11, 12 and the inner walls 13, 14 are on a same plane after the terminals 2 are retained in the housing 1, thus a reliable connection is formed between the solder portion of the terminals 2 and a printed circuit board (PCB, not shown).

[0019] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the present invention. A battery connector assembly 5aof this embodiment has a housing 1aand a plurality of terminals 2a.The housing 1aof this embodiment is similar to the housing of the embodiment mentioned above. The terminals 2aare inserted molded with an insulative insert part 20a.Each of the terminals 2ahas a solder portion (not labeled), a connection portion 22aand a contacting portion 23a.A convexity 230ais located on the contacting portion 23aof each terminal 2a.Bottom surfaces 25aof the solder portions of the terminals 2aand a bottom surface 205aof the insert part 20aare on a same plane. The remaining parts of the insert part 20aare identical to those of the embodiment mentioned above and thus a detail description is omitted herein.

[0020] The terminals 2, 2aof the battery connector assembly 5, 5aaccording to the present invention are received in the housing 1, 1aby cooperation of the first clasp (not shown), the second clasp 141, the first latch 201, 201a,the second latch 203, 203aand the barbs 202, 204, thus the terminals 2, 2acould be deposited in the housing 1, 1asteadily and a reliable connection could be formed between terminals 2, 2aof the battery connector assembly 5, 5aand corresponding terminals of a mobile phone (not shown).

[0021] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous, characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosed is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.