Title of Invention

BATTERY FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

Abstract

A battery for a mobile communication terminal comprises a cell, a protection circuit assembly connected to the cell for stabilizing a current, etc. when 5 3 charge and a discharge are performed in the cell, a protection cover for covering the protection circuit assembly; and a coupling unit for partially coupling the cell to the protection cover. An assembly of the cell and the protection cover constituting the battery is facilitated thus to enhance an assembly productivity. Furthermore, since a coupled state of the battery is firmly maintained, the battery is prevented 10 from being damaged when the battery falls down or an external impact is applied to the battery. Accordingly, a reliability of the battery is enhanced.

Full Text

BATTERY FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery for a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a battery for a mobile communication terminal capable of facilitating an assembly of a cell and other components constituting a battery and capable of firmly maintaining a coupled state therebetween. 2. Description of the Background Art A mobile communication terminal is a communication device for transmitting/receiving voice to/from another party anywhere while being carried by a user. The mobile communication terminal is detachably provided with a battery for supplying power. The battery is a second cell, and is re-used after being charged by a charger when it is discharged. Generally, a lithium cell is used as the mobile communication terminal. The lithium cell is operated as follows. First, a lithium ion is generated from an anode formed of a lithium oxide by an oxidation. Then, the lithium ion is moved by an electrolyte thus to be deoxidized at a cathode formed of carbon, etc. by a deoxidization, thereby generating electric energy. The mobile communication terminal is operated by the generated electric energy. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of a battery in accordance with the conventional art, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery having no cover member in accordance with the conventional art. i As shown, the battery comprises a cell 100 having a hexahedron shape and containing an electrolyte, etc. therein, a protection circuit assembly 200 connected to one side of the cell 100 for stabilizing a current when a charge and a discharge are performed in the cell 100, a protection cover 300 for covering the protection circuit assembly 200. The cell 100 is formed of an aluminum material, and inside thereof is in a hermetic state. Ports 210 constituting the protection circuit assembly 200 are respectively connected to ports of the cell 100. The protection cover 300 is formed of a nylon-based resin. The protection circuit assembly 200 and the protection cover 300 are coupled to the cell 100 as follows. As shown in FIG 3, the protection circuit assembly 200 is attached to one side surface of the cell 100 by a spot welding or a laser welding, and a nylon-based resin is molded with a low temperature and a low pressure in order to cover the protection circuit assembly 200. The molded resin serving as the protection cover 300 is attached to the cell 100. However, in the conventional art, since the protection cover 300 is attached to the cell 100 formed of aluminum by an insert molding, the cell 10 and the protection cover 300 are separated from each other when an external impact is applied thereto. Therefore, a gap between the cell 100 and the protection cover 300 is generated. Another example of the method for coupling the protection circuit assembly 200 and the cover 300 to the cell 100 will be explained. As shown in FIG 4, a nylon-based resin is insert-molded to form the protection cover 300 so that the protection circuit assembly 200 can be positioned therein. The protection cover 2 300 is attached to one side surface of the cell 100 by a bonding process. However, the conventional structure has the following problems. First, it is difficult to bond the protection cover 300 having the protection circuit assembly 200 therein to the cell 100. Also, since the protection cover 300 formed of a nylon- based resin is hardened by a bonding material, it is easily damaged when the battery falls down or an external impact is applied thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery for a mobile communication terminal capable of facilitating an assembly of a cell and other components constituting a battery and capable of firmly maintaining a coupled state therebetween. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a battery for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a cell; a protection circuit assembly connected to the cell for stabilizing a current when a charge and a discharge are performed in the cell 100; a protection cover for covering the protection circuit assembly; and a coupling unit for partially coupling the cell to the protection cover. The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 3 The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery for a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the conventional art; FIG 2 is a perspective view showing a protection circuit assembly of the battery for a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the conventional art; FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views respectively showing a coupling structure of the battery for a mobile communication terminal in accordance with the conventional art; FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively a perspective view and a disassembled perspective view showing a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG 7 is a sectional view showing an assembly of the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention; FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a plane view showing a connection port unit constituting the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a coupling structure of a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 11 and 12 are respectively a perspective view and a disassembled 4 perspective view showing a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FiG. 13 is a sectional view showing an assembly of the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention; and FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a coupling structure of a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached drawings. FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively a perspective view and a disassembled perspective view showing a battery for a mobile communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention comprises a cell 400, a protection circuit assembly 500 connected to the cell 400 for stabilizing a current when a charge and a discharge are performed in the cell 400, a protection cover 600 for covering the protection circuit assembly 500, and a coupling unit 700 for partially coupling the cell 400 to the protection cover 600. Preferably, the cell 400 has a hexahedron shape, formed of an aluminum, and contains an electrolyte, etc. therein. Ports 410 are provided at one side of the cell 400. 5 The protection circuit assembly 500 and the protection cover 600 are integrally formed by an insert molding. Preferably, the protection cover 600 is formed of a nylon-based resin. The protection circuit assembly 500 is provided with ports 510 connected to the ports 410 of the cell 400. The coupling unit 700 comprises a plurality of hooks 420 protruding from one side of the cell 400, and fixing holes 610 formed at one side of the protection cover 600 for fixing the hooks 420 of the cell 400 by locking. A bracket 440 having a certain length and thickness is protruding from one side of a body 430 of the cell 400. Preferably, the hooks 420 are formed at the bracket 440 with a certain gap. Preferably, the bracket 440 is formed as a closed curved line for covering the ports 410 of the cell 400 at a side where the ports 410 of the cell 400 are formed. The hooks 420 are formed at an outer side surface of the bracket 440. An extended portion 630 having a length corresponding to a length of the bracket 440 is formed at one side of a body 620 of the protection cover 600. The fixing holes 610 are penetratingly-formed at the extended portion 630 with a certain gap. As shown in FIG 7, when the protection cover 600 is coupled to the cell 400, the bracket 440 is inserted into the extended portion 630 so that the extended portion 630 of the protection cover 600 can cover the bracket 440, and the hooks 420 are respectively fitted into the fixing holes 610. Under a state that the protection cover 600 has been coupled to the cell 400, a connection port unit 800 for connecting the ports 510 of the protection circuit assembly 500 integrally formed with the protection cover 600 to the ports 410 of the cell 400 is provided between the protection circuit assembly 500 and 6 the cell 400. As one example of the connection port unit 800, as shown in FIG 8, the connection port unit 800 is a conductive elastic member respectively attached to the ports 410 of the cell 400. The conductive elastic member is formed as an elastic plate having a certain area is bent. One side of the conductive elastic member is respectively attached to the ports 410 of the cell 400. The conductive elastic member can be respectively attached to the ports 510 of the protection circuit assembly 500. As another example of the connection port unit 800, as shown in FIG. 9, the connection port unit 800 comprises a conductive compression member 810 attached to the port 410 of the cell 400, and a conductive fit member 820 attached to the port 510 of the protection circuit assembly 500 thus to be fitted into the conductive compression member 810. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the battery for a mobile communication terminal comprises a plurality of hooks 640 protrudingly-formed at an inner side surface of the extended portion 630 of the protection cover 600, and a plurality of fixing holes 450 penetratingly- formed at the bracket 440 of the cell 400 for fixing the hooks 640 by locking. The protection cover 600 and the cell 400 are coupled to each other as the hooks 640 formed at the extended portion 630 of the protection cover 600 are fitted into the stopping holes 450 formed at the bracket 440 of the cell 400. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the battery for a mobile communication terminal comprises a cell 400, a protection circuit assembly 500, a protection cover 600, and a coupling unit 700 for partially coupling the cell 400 to the protection cover 600. The coupling unit 7 700 comprises through holes 650 formed at one side of the protection cover 600, screw holes 460 formed at one side of the cell 400, and coupling screws 710 respectively inserted into the through holes 650 of the protection cover 600 thus to be respectively coupled to the screw holes 460 of the cell 400. The protection circuit assembly 500 and the protection cover 600 are integrally formed by an insert molding. Preferably, the protection cover 600 is formed of a nylon-based resin. The protection circuit assembly 500 is provided with ports 510 connected to the ports 410 of the cell 400. A bracket 440 having a certain length and thickness is protruding from one side of a body 430 of the cell 400. Preferably, the plural screw holes 460 are formed at the bracket 440 with a certain gap. Preferably, the bracket 440 is formed as a closed curved line for covering the ports 410 of the cell 400 at a side where the ports 410 of the cell 400 are formed. An extended portion 630 having a length corresponding to a length of the bracket 440 is formed at one side of a body 620 of the protection cover 600. The through holes 650 are penetratingly-formed at the extended portion 630 with a certain gap. As shown in FIG. 13, when the protection cover 600 is coupled to the cell 400, the bracket 440 is inserted into the extended portion 630 so that the extended portion 630 of the protection cover 600 can cover the bracket 440. Accordingly, the through holes 650 of the protection cover 600 are coupled to the screw holes 460 of the cell 400. Then, the coupling screws 710 are respectively coupled to the through holes 650 of the protection cover 600 and the screw holes 460 of the cell 400 corresponding to each other. Under a state that the protection cover 600 has been coupled to the cell 8 400, a connection port unit 800 for connecting the ports 510 of the protection circuit assembly 500 integrally formed with the protection cover 600 to the ports 410 of the cell 400 is provided between the protection circuit assembly 500 and the cell 400. The connection port unit 800 has the same construction as the aforementioned one. According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, an extension portion 660 is formed at one side of the body 620 of the protection cover 600, and a plurality of screw holes 670 are formed at the extension portion 660 with a certain gap. A bracket 470 having a certain length and thickness corresponding to a length and thickness of the extension portion 660 is formed at one side of the body 430 of the cell 400. Through holes 480 having the number corresponding to the number of the screw holes 670 are formed at the bracket 470 of the cell 400. When the extension portion 660 of the protection cover 600 is coupled to the bracket 470 of the cell 400, the extension portion 660 of the protection cover 600 is inserted into the bracket 470 of the cell 400. Under the state that the through holes 480 formed at the bracket 470 of the cell 400 are made to correspond to the screw holes 670 formed at the extension portion 660 of the protection cover 600, the coupling screws 710 are respectively coupled to the through holes 480 and the screw holes 670 corresponding to each other. In the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, the protection circuit assembly 500 and the protection cover 600 may be separated from each other. That is, the protection circuit assembly 500 and the protection cover 600 are not integrally formed by an insert molding, but the protection cover 600 is formed to 9 have a shape for covering the protection circuit assembly 500. The protection circuit assembly 500 is attached to the cell 400 by a welding, etc., and the protection cover 600 is coupled to the eel! 400 so as to cover the protection circuit assembly 500. The protection circuit assembly 500 is coupled to the cell 400 as the ports 510 thereof are coupled to the ports 410 of the cell 400. The protection cover 600 and the cell 400 are coupled to each other by the aforementioned structure. Hereinafter, an operation of the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be explained. The battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is detachably mounted at a body of the mobile communication terminal. Electric energy generated from the cell 40 of the battery is stably supplied to the terminal body through the protection circuit assembly 500. When the battery has been discharged, the battery is detached from the terminal body and then is charged. The charged battery is mounted at the terminal body thus to be re-used. In the first and second embodiments of the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, the cell 400 and the protection cover 600 are coupled to each other as the hooks 420 and 640 are coupled to the stopping holes 450 and 610 are coupled to one another, thereby facilitating an assembly operation. Also, the coupled state between the cell 400 and the protection cover 600 can be firmly maintained. In the third and fourth embodiments of the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, the cell 400 and the protection cover 600 are coupled to each other as the plurality of coupling screws 710 are coupled to one another, thereby facilitating an assembly operation. Also, 10 the coupled state between the cell 400 and the protection cover 600 can be firmly maintained. As aforementioned, in the battery for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, an assembly of the cell and the protection cover constituting the battery is facilitated thus to enhance an assembly productivity. Furthermore, since the coupled state of the battery is firmly maintained, the battery is prevented from being damaged when the battery falls down or an external impact is applied to the battery. Accordingly, a reliability of the battery for a mobile communication terminal is enhanced. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 11 WE CLAIM: 1. A battery for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a cell; a protection circuit assembly connected to the cell for stabilizing a current when a charge and a discharge are performed in the cell; a protection cover for covering the protection circuit assembly; and a coupling unit for partially coupling the cell to the protection cover. 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the protection circuit assembly and the protection cover are integrally formed. 3. The battery of claim 2, wherein a port of the protection circuit assembly integrally formed with the protection cover is connected to a port of the cell by a connection port unit. 4. The battery of claim 3, wherein the connection port unit is attached to the port of the protection circuit assembly or the port of the cell, and is formed as a conductive elastic member having an elastic force. 5. The battery of claim 3, wherein the connection port unit comprises: a conducive compression member attached to the port of the cell; and a conductive fit member attached to the port of the protection circuit assembly thus to be fitted into the conductive compression member. . 12 6. The battery of claim 1, wherein the protection circuit assembly and the protection cover are separated from each other. 7. The battery of claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises: a plurality of fixing holes formed at one side of the protection cover; and a plurality of hooks protruding from one side of the cell thus to be fixed to the fixing holes. 8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the hooks are formed at a bracket with a certain gap, the bracket formed at one side of the cell with a certain length and thickness. 9. The battery of claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises: a plurality of fixing holes formed at one side of the cell; and a plurality of hooks protruding from one side of the protection cover thus to be fixed to the fixing holes. 10. The battery of claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises: through holes formed at one side of the protection cover; screw holes formed at one side of the cell; and coupling screws respectively inserted into the through holes of the protection cover thus to be respectively coupled to the screw holes of the cell. 11. The battery of claim 10, wherein the screw holes are formed at a bracket with a certain gap, the bracket formed at one side of the cell with a certain 13 length and thickness. 12. The battery of claim 1, wherein the coupling unit comprises: through holes formed at one side of the cell; screw holes formed at one side of the protection cover; and coupling screws respectively inserted into the through holes of the cell thus to be respectively coupled to the screw holes of the protection cover A battery for a mobile communication terminal comprises a cell, a protection circuit assembly connected to the cell for stabilizing a current, etc. when 5 3 charge and a discharge are performed in the cell, a protection cover for covering the protection circuit assembly; and a coupling unit for partially coupling the cell to the protection cover. An assembly of the cell and the protection cover constituting the battery is facilitated thus to enhance an assembly productivity. Furthermore, since a coupled state of the battery is firmly maintained, the battery is prevented 10 from being damaged when the battery falls down or an external impact is applied to the battery. Accordingly, a reliability of the battery is enhanced.

Documents:

00994-kol-2005-abstract.pdf

00994-kol-2005-claims.pdf

00994-kol-2005-description complete.pdf

00994-kol-2005-drawings.pdf

00994-kol-2005-form 1.pdf

00994-kol-2005-form 2.pdf

00994-kol-2005-form 3.pdf

00994-kol-2005-form 5.pdf

994-KOL-2005-(01-07-2013)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

994-KOL-2005-(15-12-2011)-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

994-KOL-2005-(15-12-2011)-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

994-KOL-2005-ABSTRACT.pdf

994-KOL-2005-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

994-KOL-2005-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

994-KOL-2005-CORRESPONDENCE 1.3.pdf

994-KOL-2005-CORRESPONDENCE.1.2.pdf

994-KOL-2005-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

994-KOL-2005-DRAWINGS.pdf

994-KOL-2005-FORM 1.pdf

994-KOL-2005-FORM 2.pdf

994-KOL-2005-FORM 3.1.1.pdf

994-KOL-2005-OTHERS.pdf

994-KOL-2005-PA.pdf

994-KOL-2005-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

994-KOL-2005-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

994-KOL-2005-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf