Surface battery clip

• US 6,722,916 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Buccinna, Frank, Zaltz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US09/943,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20020142648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 439/500, 439/504, 439/627, 439/73, 361/760, 361/761, 361/767, 361/768, 361/769
• US Class Current: 439/500
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/216 adapted for button or coin cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/57 surface mounting terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/718 Contact members provided on the PCB without an insulating housing contacts for abutting H01R12/714
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/325 by abutting or pinching, i.e. without alloying process; mechanical auxiliary parts therefor adaptations of leads inserted in holes for press-fit connections H05K3/308
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An electronic component is provided that includes a printed circuit board having first and second battery contacts. A battery clip having a bottom portion is connected to the first battery contact. The battery clip also includes a top portion spaced from the printed circuit board with a tab extending from the top portion in a downward direction toward the printed circuit board. A coin cell battery is arranged between the battery clip and the second battery contact. The present invention battery clip biases the battery into engagement with the second battery contacts with the tab. The second battery contacts may be provided by a solder bump or a printed circuit preferably arranged in a criss-cross waffle shaped pattern. The battery clip is secured to the first battery contacts preferably by applying a solder paste that is heated to electrically join the battery clip to the first battery contacts.

Claims

1. An electronic component comprising:

a printed circuit board including first and second battery contacts;

a battery clip having a bottom pardon connected to said first battery contact, and a top portion spaced from said printed circuit board with a tab including a first portion extending from said top portion in a downward direction toward said printed circuit board, said tab including a second portion extending from said first portion upwardly away from said printed circuit board; and

a coin cell battery arranged between said battery clip and said second battery contact with said tab biasing said battery into engagement with said second battery contact.

2. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein said second battery contact is a solder bump.

3. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein said second battery contact is a criss-cross printed circuit.

4. The electronic component according to claim 1, including a plurality of tabs extending radially from top portion in a downward direction toward said printed circuit board.

5. The electronic component according to claim 1, further including a plurality of first battery contacts wherein said bottom portion includes a plurality of pads extending therefrom soldered to said first battery contacts.

6. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein said battery clip is generally U-shaped including spaced apart legs having end portions angled away from one another with said spaced apart legs engaging opposing sides of said battery.

7. The electronic component according to claim 6, wherein said battery clip is metallic and said end portions and said tab are iii electrical connection with one another.

8. The electronic component according to claim 1, wherein said tab includes a flat portion generally parallel with said printed circuit board extending between said top portion and said first portion with said flat portion adapted to be attached to a vacuum source during manipulation of said battery clip.

9. A battery clip comprising;

a generally U-shaped portion defining top and bottom portions, said U-shaped portion including spaced apart legs defining an opening adapted to receive a coin cell battery; and

a tab extending from said top portion toward said opening, said tab including a first portion extending in a downward direction toward said bottom portion and a second portion extending from said first portion upwardly away from said bottom portion.

10. The battery clip according to claim 9, wherein said tab includes a plurality of tabs extending radially from top portion in a downward direction toward said bottom portion.

11. The battery clip according to claim 9, wherein said bottom portion includes a plurality of pads extending generally perpendicular therefrom.

12. The battery clip according to claim 9, wherein said legs include end portions angled away from one another.

13. The battery clip according to claim 12, wherein said end portions and said at least one tab are in electrical connection with one another.

14. The battery clip according to claim 12, wherein said battery clip is metallic.

15. The battery clip according to claim 9, wherein said tab includes a flat portion generally perpendicular to said top portion extending between said top portion and said first portion with said fiat portion adapted to be attached to a vacuum source during manipulation of said battery clip.

16. A method of attaching a battery to a printed circuit board comprising the steps of:

a) providing a printed circuit board having first and second battery contacts;

b) securing a battery clip to the first battery contacts;

c) providing a tab extending downwardly from the battery clip toward the printed circuit board;

d) inserting a coin cell into the battery clip subsequent to performing step b); and

e) biasing the coin cell with the tab into engagement with the second battery contact.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein step a) includes the second battery contact formed by a solder bump.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein step a) includes the second battery contact formed by a crisscross printed circuit.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein step b) includes applying a solder paste between a pad extending from said battery clip and the first battery contact.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the battery clip includes a plurality of pads extending therefrom.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein step c) includes providing a plurality of tabs extending downwardly therefrom toward the printed circuit board.

22. The method according to claim 16, wherein step c) includes a first portion extending downwardly from the battery clip toward the printed circuit board and a second portion extending upwardly away from the printed circuit board facilitating the insertion of the coin cell into the battery clip.