Construction for preventing erroneous assembling of battery terminals, a battery and a set of terminals

• US 6,398,595 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2001
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Shiraki, Kazuyuki, Itou, Keiichi, Matsunaga, Hideki, Wakata, Shigekazu, Wakui, Masanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US09/801,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 439/755, 439/766, 439/883, 439/801, 439/771, 439/756, 439/522, 439/907, 439/287, 429/1, 429/121
• US Class Current: 439/755
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/282 comprising means for facilitating engagement or disengagement, e.g. quick release terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/283 Bolt, screw or threaded ferrule parallel to the battery post
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/289 characterised by the shape or the structure of the battery post
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/642 by position or shape of contact members

Abstract

A battery (B) includes electrodes (11a, 11b) and engaging portions (10a, 10b) formed by recessing portions of the battery (B) around the electrodes (11a, 11b), and recesses (14a, 14b, 23a, 23b) are formed in side surfaces of the engaging portions (10a, 10b). The recesses (14a, 14b, 23a, 23b) are symmetrically arranged in the left and right engaging portions (10a, 10b). Transversely symmetrical identification pieces (19a, 19b) project from the leading ends of terminals (15a, 15b). In the case of a correct correspondence of the electrodes (11a, 11b) and the terminals (15a, 15b), the identification pieces (19a, 19b) fit into the recesses (14a, 14b, 23a, 23b), enabling assembling of the terminals (15a, 15b) with the electrodes (11a, 11b). In the case of an incorrect correspondence, the identification pieces (19a, 19b) cannot be fitted into the recesses (14a, 14b, 23a, 23b) and interfere with the upper surface of the battery (B), making assembling impossible.

Claims

1. A construction for preventing erroneous assembling of two battery terminals and to correctly assemble the terminals with a corresponding (−

)-electrode and (+)-electrode of a battery, wherein the terminals and the electrodes comprise identification means for enabling assembling only in the case of a correct correspondence of the terminals and the electrodes while preventing assembly the terminals with the electrodes in the case of an incorrect correspondence, wherein the identification means of the electrodes comprises a threaded shaft on a first of the electrodes and a nut on a second of the electrodes, and the identification means of the terminal comprise a nut in the terminal corresponding to the first electrode having the threaded shaft, such that the nut can be screwed on the threaded shaft, and a threaded shaft on the terminal corresponding to the second electrode having the nut, the threaded shaft being engageable with the nut of the second electrode.

2. A construction for preventing erroneous assembly of two battery terminals and to correctly assemble the terminals with a corresponding (−

)-electrode and (+)-electrode of a battery, wherein the terminals and the electrodes comprise identification means for enabling assembling only in the case of a correct correspondence of the terminals and the electrodes while preventing assembly the terminals with the electrodes in the case of an incorrect correpondence, wherein the identification means of the electrodes comprises a pair of threaded shafts having larger and smaller diameters respectively and a key receiving portion formed near the electrode having the larger threaded shaft, and the identification means of the terminals comprises insertion holes having larger and smaller diameters for enabling insertion of the threaded shafts and a key which is formed on the terminal having the larger insertion hole, the key being dimensioned to fit into the key receiving portion and preventing assembly of the terminal having the larger insertion hole with the electrode by interfering with a part of the battery if this terminal is connected with the electrode portion not corresponding thereto.

3. A construction for preventing erroneous assembly of two battery terminals and to correctly assemble the terminals with a corresponding (−

)-electrode and (+)-electrode of a battery, the electrodes each comprising a threaded shaft, and the terminals being fastened to the threaded shafts by nuts, the terminals and the electrodes comprising identification means for enabling assembling only in the case of a correct correspondence of the terminals and the electrodes while preventing assembly the terminal with the electrodes in the case of an incorrect correspondence, the identification means comprising identification pieces symmetrically formed on both terminals and contact pieces formed by bending edges of the identification pieces, the contact pieces being located forward with respect to rotating directions of the terminals during fastening with the nuts, identification recesses being formed near the electrodes in the battery and in which the identification pieces can be fit, wherein, in the case of correct correspondence between the terminals and the electrodes, the identification pieces fit into the identification recesses and prevent rotation of the terminals by contact of the contact pieces with walls of the identification recesses during fastening with the nuts.

4. A construction according to claim 3, wherein a cover made of a synthetic resin is mounted on the terminal, and the identification piece of the terminal projects out of the cover.