Battery receptacle connector

Details Battery receptacle connector Battery receptacle connector

1999-09-16

2001-01-09

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Alternatively connected

To receive contact from first direction or from second...

C439S733100, C439S857000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06171126

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery receptacle connector, and particularly to a battery receptacle connector having a plurality of terminals firmly fixed in a dielectric housing and electrically connecting with a mating plug connector from more than one direction.
A conventional battery receptacle connector electrically connects a battery to a note-book computer or other electronic instrument for transmitting a current. Thus, the battery receptacle connector requires a relative large contact area between the engaged male terminals and female terminals, and together with a substantial normal contact force thereby decreasing contact impedance and heat resulting from the mating process.
A related conventional battery receptacle connector is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 84210634. Each terminal of the conventional battery receptacle connector forms a projecting rectangle for increasing the contact area thereof, but only has a single contact surface. Thus, the conventional battery receptacle connector does not provide a sufficient normal contact force to ensure reliable current transmission. In addition, in the general case, the terminals of the battery receptacle connector are often subject to mechanical shock due to repeated insertions/withdrawals, and often have a large mating resistance. Therefore, the terminals must be firmly fixed to a dielectric housing to withstand deflection and mechanical shock while still providing a normal force to reduce electrical resistance. However, the terminals of the conventional battery receptacle connector are fixed to a dielectric housing by several projecting points formed on T-shaped legs of the terminals, which is insufficient to provide proper engagement.
Another pertinent battery receptacle connector is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application 83107591. Although terminals of the battery receptacle connector are firmly fixed to a dielectric housing, the terminals are engaged at a single contact point thereby providing insufficient contact area which does not promote proper battery receptacle connector performance.
Yet another conventional battery receptacle connector is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 83209060. Each terminal of the battery receptacle connector forms a double contact beam which clamps a mating terminal. However, the double contact beam is substantially a narrow cantilevered arm extending from the terminal, thereby exposing the terminals to large repeated insertions/withdrawals of the connector, and providing an insufficient normal contact force.
Therefore, conventional battery receptacle connectors can not satisfy the requirements of large contact area, sufficient normal contact force nor reliable positioning.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a battery receptacle connector having a plurality of terminals, each forming a double contact portion which can provide a double guiding insertion function for expanding the field of application of the battery receptacle connector.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery receptacle connector having a plurality of terminals forming a double contact portion which increases the contact area and normal contact force of the terminals for effectively decreasing contact impedance at the contact surfaces.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery receptacle connector having a plurality of terminals which can be fixed in a dielectric housing from more than one direction thereby preventing the terminals from being adversely affected by deflection or mechanical shock during connection.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a battery receptacle connector comprises an elongate dielectric housing and a plurality of terminals received in the housing. The housing defines a plurality of spaced terminal receiving grooves parallel to each other.
Each terminal comprises a base, a tail portion, positioning means comprising first and second positioning members, a pair of cantilevered arms, and mating means comprising first and second mating members. A free end of the first positioning member is shaped like an arrowhead. A pair of barbs is formed on a lateral edge of each second positioning member. The cantilevered arms of each terminal extend upwardly from and inwardly incline toward each other. The first mating members extend and incline outward from the cantilevered arms, while the second mating members extend from a junction of the cantilevered arms joined by the first mating members. The first and second mating members are substantially perpendicular to each other, thereby allowing the battery receptacle connector to engage with a mating plug connector in more than one direction. Furthermore, the first and second positioning members secure the terminals in the housing thereby preventing the terminals from being adversely affected by deflection or mechanical shock.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4655522 (1987-04-01), Beck, Jr. et al.
patent: 4717354 (1988-01-01), McCleerey
patent: 4820179 (1989-04-01), Saijo
patent: 5135418 (1992-08-01), Hatagishi et al.

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