Interconnect assembly

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to latch-spring assemblies and more particularly to latch-spring assemblies for coupling battery and communication device sub-assemblies.

[0002] Portable communication devices, such as two-way radios, cell phones and the like, are typically powered from battery packs. The interconnection between the battery pack and portable communication device is a critical design parameter, particularly for products intended for use in the public safety environment where reliable contact must to be maintained under a variety of conditions including variations in temperature and when dropped. A misassembled interconnection between the battery pack and portable communication device may create loading issues resulting in disengagement or intermittent contact between the battery and device. Thus, it is particularly important that battery contact be maintained with a reliable interconnect mechanism. Additionally, a simplified interconnection is desirable in terms of manufacturing the mechanism, ease of assembly, and cost.

[0003] Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have an improved interconnect mechanism, particular an interconnect mechanism that can be used to overcome the issues associated with coupling a battery to a portable communication device.

[0016] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0018] In accordance with various embodiments to be described herein, there is provided an improved interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly includes a spring member and a latch which operably couple to a predetermined form factor of a housing. Each component will be described in terms of its form, function and integration within the overall interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly is easy to assemble and provides a reliable interface with minimal cost and only three main components. The interconnect assembly provides a spring-latch that can be used to couple one sub-assembly to another, for example a battery pack housing to a portable communication device housing.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a partially exploded view of an interconnect assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The main elements of the assembly comprise a spring member 200, a latch 400 and a housing 600, each having a predetermined form factor. Each element and its interconnection within the assembly will be described throughout the accompanying views. Referring briefly to FIG. 10, there is shown a completed assembly view of the interconnect assembly 100 in which the spring member 200, latch 400 and housing 600 are operably coupled together to form a latch-spring 1000 which can be used to interconnect the housing 600 to another assembly. For the purposes of description, housing 600 is shown as a battery pack housing which will use the latch-spring 1000 to couple to another assembly, such as a portable communication device (not shown). The interconnect assembly 100 can also be applied to other products (other than battery/radio) having assemblies or sub-assemblies needing interconnection. More than one interconnect assembly can be used, depending on the size and weight of the sub-assemblies requiring interconnection. For the purposes of this example, two assemblies are used on either side of housing 600—although only one is shown.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates spring member 200 in accordance with an embodiment. Spring member 200 is an integrally formed piece part having a first, substantially planar, portion 202 and a second, deflected, portion 204 connected via an elbow 206. Spring member 200 may be formed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to sheet metal or plastic. FIG. 3 shows a breakaway view of the substantially planar portion 202 of spring member 200. The substantially planar portion 202 is formed of a forked portion comprising two prongs 208 and a slot 210. The slot 210 is formed between a base section of the two prongs 208 and elbow 206. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the deflected portion 204 includes a cantilevered beam 212 with interference fit tabs 214 extending therefrom in the opposite direction. Deflected portion 204 extends from the elbow 206 into cantilevered beam 212 over three level changes or bends 216, 218 and 220 formed in the sheet metal.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates latch 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention while FIG. 5 illustrates the spring member 200 coupled to the latch 400. The view of FIG. 5 is shown to illustrate how the spring member 200 and latch interconnect when coupled to the housing 600 (shown later). Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, latch 400 is an integrally formed piece part, such as molded or machined polymer material or metal material, or other suitably rigid structural material. The latch comprises an interior wall 402 and exterior wall 404. The interior wall 402 of latch 400 includes two hooks 406 and two foot members 408. Alternatively, for single latch or symmetrical latch applications a single foot member could be used if desired.

[0022] The interior wall 402 of latch 400 is contoured with level changes 416, 418, and 420 which, in conjunction with the hooks 406, receive, align and co-locate with spring member 200. Level change 418 of latch 400 permits the interference fit tabs 214 of spring member 200 to engage within hooks 406 at bend 218. Level change 420 of latch 400 co-locates with bend 220 of spring member 200. Level change 416 of latch 400 provides a step feature which minimizes vertical motion of spring member 200. When spring member 200 is seated within latch 400, the hooks 406 engage the interference fit tabs 214 of the spring member. When coupled to the housing 600, the hooks 406, interference fit tabs 214 and cantilevered beam 212 provide compression and pivoting motion ability for overall assembly.

[0023] FIGS. 6, 7 8 and 9 illustrate partial views of the engagement of the spring member and latch to the housing 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows housing 600 having a protrusion 602, pockets 604 and vertical channels 610 formed on side surface 606. Housing 600 is preferably formed of a molded polymer material similar material to that of latch 400. For the purposes of description, right and left side surfaces 606, 608 will be described but only the right side surface 606 will be shown in detail. A similar protrusion (not shown) is found on a left side surface 608. An orientation of x, y, and z axes 650 is used to describe the relative motion in the assembly process for the latch-spring assembly 1000. Spring member 200 is slid along right side surface 606 in a downward (−y) direction towards protrusion 602 as latch 400 is moved towards the right side surface 606 in a horizontal (+x) motion directing the insertion of foot members 408 into pockets 604 of housing 600.

[0024] FIG. 6 also shows exterior wall 404 of latch 400 including rib features 440 and indentation area 442, however these features are not necessary for coupling the latch to the housing 600. Rather the indentation area 442 is used once the completed latch-spring assembly 1000 is locked and ready to receive a device, for example a battery back housing the completed assembly to engage a communication device. The rib features 440 facilitate finger grip on the latch 400 when in use.

[0025] The first and second pockets 604 can be the same size or two different sizes. When a two latch application is used where orientation might be a parameter of interest, then first and second pockets 604 on the right side of the housing 600 are formed of different sizes and are the mirror image of third and fourth pockets formed on the left side surface 608. The foot members 408 of latch 400 are formed to align with their respective pockets when different sizes and mirror imaging is used. For the two latch embodiment, second surface 608 receives a second spring member and latch (not shown) using downward (−y) direction of the spring member and opposing horizontal (−x) motion for positioning the latch. For embodiments in which only a single spring-latch is needed or embodiments where orientation is not of concern, then the pockets and foot members may be of a symmetrical form factor. While the vertical channels 610 are shown at different heights for left/right orientation purposes, the vertical channels 610 could also be of the same height for single latch or symmetric multiple-latch applications.

[0026] Across x-y and z orientation, the first and second pockets 604 constrain movement of the (right) latch 400 in y and z directions, and the protrusion 602 constrains movement of the spring member 200 in upward and downward (+/−y) directions.

[0027] On the left side surface 608 third and fourth pockets (not shown) constrain movement of the left battery latch in y and z directions, and the second protrusion constrains movement of the second spring member in the y direction.

[0028] FIG. 7 shows spring member 200 as substantially planar portion 202 moves downward (−y) against side surface 606 such that at least one of the interference fit tabs 214 of the deflected portion 204 enters into vertical channel 610 of housing 600 as seen at 702. At least one vertical channel 610 guides and holds the spring member 200 in place prior to installation of the latch 400. This view facilitates the visualization of the spring member 200 with first, substantially planar, portion 202 and second, deflected, portion 204 connected via an elbow 206 relative to the housing 600. As seen in FIG. 7 the spring member 200 has, as yet, not come to be seated in its final position, but can be pushed further down. This interim positioning of the spring member 200 facilitates the assembly process in that there is a considerable amount of leeway as to the location of the spring member within vertical channel 610 in the vertical (y) direction. However, while the spring member 200 can be pushed further down vertical channel 610, it should not, at this point, be pushed so far down as to allow the protrusion 602 to capture slot 210. As the spring member 200 moves further into channels 610 the interference fit tabs 214 continue to constrain movement of the spring member 200 across a horizontal axis (x and/or z directions) while the latch is being installed.

[0029] As assembly continues, the foot members of latch 400 are inserted (+x) into the pockets 604 of the housing 600 as seen in FIG. 8. The spring member 200 can now be pushed downward (−y) into place such that the slot 210 is captured by protrusion 602 of housing 600 (as shown in cut-away view of FIG. 9) while interference fit tabs 214 are captured by latch hooks 406 (as was shown in FIG. 5). The completed latch-spring assembly 1000 in locked position is shown in FIG. 10.

[0030] In the completed latch-spring assembly 1000, protrusion 602 constrains movement of the spring member 200 in upward and downward (+/−y) directions. The elbow portion 206 of spring member 200 sits upon the first and second pockets (between hooks 406 as was shown in FIG. 5), the pockets minimizing movement of the assembly in the downward (−y) direction of an x-y-z orientation. For applications in which only one spring-latch is used or in which symmetric orientation can be used, a single foot member having a common form factor can be utilized.

[0031] For a two-latch embodiment in which left and right orientation is preferred, the left side surface 608 of housing 600 includes a second protrusion permitting alignment and engagement of a second spring member's interference fit tabs into hooks of a second latch. Again, the protrusion constrains movement of the spring member in upward and downward (+/−y) directions. For the left side surface 608 application, the second spring member's elbow portion and the hooks of the left battery latch sit upon third and forth pockets thereby minimizing movement of the assembly in the negative-y direction of an x-y-z orientation. The second protrusion constrains movement of the second spring member in the upward and downward (+/−y) direction. For designs in which orientation is desirable, the foot members are made of different form factors and the pockets are formed to accommodate those form factors. The right and left latches are mirror imaged thus providing the right and left orientation.

[0032] Referring to the completed assembly of FIG. 10, the latch spring-assembly 1000 is locked and can now be compressed by a user along exterior wall 404 at indentation area 442 or along upper portion of rib features 440 to pivotally engage and disengage other assemblies to the housing 600. The latch-spring assembly 1000 can be assembled in accordance with the steps of steps FIG. 11. The assembly begins at 1102 by positioning the spring member 200 such that the spring member is constrained to the housing 600 across horizontal directions (−x, +x) via interference fit tabs 214. Step 1102 is accomplished by inserting the interference fit tabs 214 within vertical channels (610). The latch is then installed by inserting foot members 408 of the latch into pockets 604 formed within the housing 600 at 1104. The result of steps 1102 and 1104 are seen in FIG. 8 which shows the constrained spring member 200 and latch 400 just prior to locking of the overall assembly. Lastly, at step 1106 locking of the spring member 200 is achieved by fully inserting the spring member such that latch hooks 406 capture the interference fit tabs 214 (as was seen in FIG. 5) while the housing protrusion 602 captures slot 210 of spring member (as was seen in FIG. 9). The completed latch-spring assembly 1000, shown in FIG. 10, is thus locked and ready to use to interconnect the housing 600 to another sub-assembly. For example, the latch-spring assembly 1000 can be used to engage and disengage a battery pack to another assembly, such as a portable communication device.

[0033] An interconnect assembly formed in accordance with the embodiments facilitates assembly of a reliable latch-spring with only three components. The assembly can be completed without the use of specialized tools or complex manufacturing assembly processes. A simple sliding of the spring member 200 against the housing 600 having the predetermined form factor (vertical channel, protrusion and pocket), insertion of the latch 400 into the housing, and a final push of the spring member between the latch and the housing achieves the completed locked mechanism. The interconnect assembly formed in accordance with the embodiments is particularly beneficial to a battery pack housing application where the latch-spring assembly provides a reliable interconnect that can be used to couple a communication device to the battery pack to maintain reliable contact. The latch-spring assembly can be used on other types of housings that can be molded to have the protrusion, pockets and channel features for retaining the spring member and latch.

[0034] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

[0035] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0036] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0037] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.