Abstract:
The present invention relates to a connector assembly and a battery pack having the same. For this purpose, provided are a connector assembly with optimized size and mounting area of the connector assembly serving as a current-carrying medium of the battery pack, and improved bond strength between the connector terminal and the housing, and a battery pack having the same.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/151,153 filed on Feb. 9, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a battery pack. More specifically, the present invention relates to a connector assembly with an optimized connector size and improved bond strength between a connector terminal and a connector housing, and a battery pack having the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, there have been actively developed and produced compact and light portable electric/electronic devices such as cellular phones, notebook computers, camcorders, etc. Therefore, the portable electric/electronic devices are equipped with built-in battery packs, such that these devices can be operated even in places where additional power sources are not furnished. The battery packs recently employ chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries in terms of economic interests. Typical examples of the secondary batteries may include a nickel-cadmium (Ni—Cd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, a lithium (Li) battery and a lithium ion (Li-ion) secondary battery. In particular, the lithium ion secondary battery has a high drive voltage which is three times higher than that of the Ni—Cd or Ni-MH battery that is widely used as a power source for portable electronic devices. Further, the lithium ion secondary battery has a high energy density per unit weight. 
     Generally, the secondary batteries use a lithium oxide as a positive electrode active material and a carbonaceous material as a negative electrode active material, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries are classified into two groups, i.e. liquid electrolyte batteries and polymer electrolyte batteries, depending on the kinds of electrolytes. The batteries using liquid electrolytes are referred to as lithium ion batteries, whereas the batteries using polymer electrolytes are referred to as lithium polymer batteries. 
     The secondary battery is formed by the electrical connection of a protection circuit board to a bare cell including an electrode assembly and an electrolyte in a case. The bare cell performs charge and discharge of electricity via chemical reactions, and the protection circuit board prevents overcharge and overdischarge of the bare cell to thereby protect the bare cell. An assembled state of the bare cell and the protection circuit board is referred to as a core-pack. The protection circuit board of the core pack is provided with a connector. The connector transmits an electric current generated from the bare cell to the outside, upon discharge of the battery, and serves as a medium for carrying an electric current to the bare cell, upon charge of the battery. 
     The connector is then assembled into a connector housing to form a connector assembly. The resulting connector assembly is mounted on the protection circuit board. The connector of the connector assembly is electrically connected to the protection circuit board, and the connector housing provides electrical insulation of the connector from the outside. 
     However, a conventional connector assembly has shortcomings associated with size optimization upon coupling of the connector with the connector housing. That is, an increase in the mounting area of the connector leads to an increase in the overall size of the connector assembly. 
     Further, the conventional connector assembly suffers from disadvantages associated with separation of the connector from the connector housing. Conventionally, the connector has been simply inserted into an internal space of the connector housing upon fabrication of the connector assembly. That is, the conventional connector assembly is not provided with a structure necessary for maintaining the connection between the connector and the connector housing. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a connector assembly which is configured to optimize size of a connector assembly and also to secure a mounting area of a connector. 
     Further, embodiments of the present invention provide a connector assembly which is capable of maintaining the non-separable and solid connection of a connector from a connector housing. 
     Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide a battery pack having the aforesaid connector assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exterior perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an assembly view of a connector housing and a protection circuit board in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a connector terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a reverse perspective view of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a reverse perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a plan view of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an exterior perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an assembly view of a connector housing and a protection circuit board in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 15  is an assembly view of the a protection circuit board and bare cell in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an exterior perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 3  is an assembly view of a connector housing and a protection circuit board in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 4 ;  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a connector terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 7  is a reverse perspective view of  FIG. 4 ; and  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , a battery pack  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a bare cell  110  for generating an electric current, a protection circuit board  120  in electrical connection with the bare cell  110  to control charge/discharge of the bare cell  110 , a cover frame  140  disposed to protect the protection circuit board  120 , and a connector assembly serving as a current-carrying path between the bare cell  110  and the outside. The connector assembly includes one or more connector terminals  130  disposed on and electrically connected to the protection circuit board  120 , and a connector housing  150  in which the connector terminals  130  are placed. 
     The battery pack  100  further includes a holder case  160  disposed in a region of the bare cell  110  where the protection circuit board  120  is placed, and a label  170  for covering an outer surface of the bare cell  110 . 
     The bare cell  110  includes an electrode assembly which is formed by winding a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator disposed therebetween, and a can or like container for accommodating the electrode assembly and an electrolyte. Since the electrode assembly and the electrolyte are placed in the can or exterior member, the bare cell  110  may have a rectangular shape. Therefore, the bare cell  110  includes first and second sides  111 , 112  corresponding to wide-width, long-length lateral sides, third and fourth sides  113 , 114  formed contiguous with the first and second sides  111 , 112  and corresponding to narrow-width, long-length lateral sides, and fifth and sixth sides  115 , 116  formed on upper and lower ends of the first, second, third and fourth sides  111 , 112 , 113 , 114 . An electrode terminal  117  is drawn from the fifth side  115  of the bare cell  110 . The electrode terminal  117  may be one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, preferably a negative electrode terminal. When the electrode terminal  117  is a negative electrode terminal, an outer surface of the bare cell  110  has a polarity of the positive electrode. 
     The protection circuit board  120  includes a plate-like board body  121 . On one side of an upper surface of the board body  121  is disposed a protection circuit element  122  for protecting the bare cell  110  against overcharge/overdischarge of the battery. Further, the other side of an upper surface of the board body  121  is provided with several connection terminals  123  for transmitting an electric current coming from the bare cell  110  to the outside. Through-holes  124  are formed on right and left sides of the connection terminals  123 . The connector housing  150  is mounted into the through-holes  124 . 
     The protection circuit board  120  includes first and second lead plates  125 , 126  in electrical connection with negative and positive electrodes of the bare cell  110 . Between the protection circuit board  120  and the second lead plate  126  is provided a secondary protection device  127 , such as a PTC or the like. 
     The cover frame  140  includes a main cover  141  for covering the protection circuit board  120 , and first and second auxiliary covers  142 , 143  being integrally formed on respective ends of the main cover  141  and covering the first and second lead plates  125 , 126 , respectively. 
     The main cover  141  includes a first side  141   a  corresponding to an upper surface of the board body  121  of the protection circuit board  120 , and second and third sides  141   b , 141   c  corresponding to both sides of the board body  121 . A housing-placing groove  141   d  for the installation of the connector housing  150  is formed on the first side  141   a  and the second side  141   b  of the main cover  141 . Both sides of the housing-placing groove  141   d  are provided with fixing hooks  141   e . Fixing holes  141   f  are formed on the third side  141   c . The first and second auxiliary covers  142 , 143  are each integrally formed on both side ends of the main cover  141 . Both sides of the first and second auxiliary covers  142 , 143  are each provided with guide ribs  142   a , 143   a.    
     The connector terminals  130 , in one embodiment, include three connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C. The connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are conventionally composed of a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal and a data terminal for communication of battery information. However, there is no particular limit to the number of connector terminals. 
     Each of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C, in one embodiment, has the same configuration. Therefore, the structure of one connector terminal  130  will be illustrated by way of example. 
     The connector terminal  130  includes a connector body  131 , external contacts  132 , 132 ′, a board-mounting portion  133 , and housing-connecting portions  134 , 134 ′. 
     The connector body  131  includes a first side  131   a  and a second side  131   b  which are bent to be opposite to each other. The connector body  131  is formed to have a U-shaped cross section. 
     The external contacts  132 , 132 ′ are respectively formed inside the first side  131   a  and the second side  131   b . The external contacts  132 , 132 ′ protrude to face each other. Therefore, an external terminal is interposed between the external contacts  132 , 132 ′, resulting in connection between two contacts. 
     The board-mounting portion  133  is formed integrally with and perpendicular to a low end of the connector body  131 . The board-mounting portion  133  is formed to have an area corresponding to a mounting area of the connection terminals  123 . 
     The housing-connecting portions  134 , 134 ′ are formed at opposite side ends of the board-mounting portion  133 . The housing-connecting portions  134 , 134 ′ are respectively bent perpendicular to the board-mounting portion  133 . On opposite side walls of the housing-connecting portions  134 , 134 ′ are provided several irregularities  134   a , 134 ′ a.    
     The connector housing  150  includes a housing body  151 , several partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  dividing and defining an internal space of the housing body  151 , and board-connecting portions  158  formed on opposite sides of the housing body  151 . 
     The housing body  151 , in one embodiment, is of a rectangular shape having an internal space where a plurality of connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are placed. Three exposure holes  151   a  are formed at regular intervals on the housing body  151 . External contacts  132 A, 132 ′A, 132 B, 132 ′B, 132 C, 132 ′C of the three connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are each exposed to the outside through the exposure holes  151   a.    
     The partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  divide the housing body  151  into three spaces. Board-mounting portions  133 A, 133 B, 133 C of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are extended and positioned on the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , respectively. The partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  are provided with at least one or more fixing holes  156 , 157 . Into the fixing holes  156 , 157  are inserted the housing-connecting portions  134 , 134 ′ of the connector terminals  130 . 
     The board-connecting portions  158  are formed on both right and left sides of the housing body  131 . To the board-connecting portions  158  are attached connecting members  159 . The connecting members  159  are inserted into the through-holes  124  formed on both sides of the connection terminals  123  of the protection circuit board  120 . 
     Hereinafter, an assembly process of the connector assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
     A plurality of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are disposed in the internal space of the housing body  151 . External contacts  132 A, 132 ′A, 132 B, 132 ′B, 132 C, 132 ′C are exposed through the exposure holes  151   a  of the housing body  151 . 
     The board-mounting portions  133 A, 133 B, 133 C are extended to be disposed on the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , respectively. 
     The housing-connecting portions  134 A, 134 ′A, 134 B, 134 ′B, 134 C, 134 ′C are inserted into the fixing holes  156 , 157  which are each formed in the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 . Herein, the housing-connecting portion  134 A extends to be inserted into the partition wall  152 . Further, the housing-connecting portion  134 ′A together with the neighboring housing-connecting portion  134 B extends to be inserted into the same partition wall  153 . The housing-connecting portion  134 ′B together with the neighboring housing-connecting portion  134 C extends to be inserted into the same partition wall  154 . The housing-connecting portion  134 ′C extends to be inserted into the partition wall  155 . As such, the neighboring housing-connecting portions  134 ′A and  134 B share the partition wall  153 , and the housing-connecting portions  134 ′B and  134 C share the partition wall  154 . As a consequence, an occupying space of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C in the connector housing  150  is decreased. Accordingly, a size of the connector housing  150  can be reduced, thus making it possible to optimize a size of the connector assembly. 
     The housing-connecting portions  134 A, 134 ′A, 134 B, 134 ′B, 134 C, 134 ′C inserted into the fixing holes  156 , 157  of the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  are retained in the fixing holes  156 , 157  by means of the irregularities  134   a , 134 ′ a  formed on side walls of the individual housing-connecting portions. Accordingly, the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are fixed without separation to the connector housing  150 . 
     The holder case  160  allows for horizontal support of the protection circuit board  120  on one side of the bare cell  110 . The holder case  160  is of a plate shape. An upper surface  161  of the holder case  160  is formed to have a flat surface, whereas a lower surface  162  thereof is formed to have a curved surface. Right and left sides of the upper surface  161  of the holder case  160  are provided with fixing protrusions  164  which are fitted into the fixing grooves  121   a  of the protection circuit board  120 . Further, sides  163  of the holder case  160  are provided with fixing protrusions  165  which are engaged into the fixing holes  141   f  of the cover frame  140 . 
     The label  170  covers an outer surface of the bare cell  110 . The label  170  is attached to cover all the remaining sides of the bare cell  110 , with the exception of the fourth side  114  where the protection circuit board  120  is disposed. 
     Hereinafter, an assembly process of the battery pack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention as configured above will be described. 
     First, an electrode assembly, which is the winding structure of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator, and an electrolyte are placed in a can or like container to thereby fabricate the bare cell  110 . 
     The protection circuit board  120  is placed on the fourth side  114  of the bare cell  110 . In other words, the protection circuit board  120  is stably disposed on the fourth side  114  of the bare cell  110  by means of the holder case  160 . 
     After the placement of the protection circuit board  120  on one side of the bare cell  110 , the first lead plate  125  of the protection circuit board  120  is electrically connected to the electrode terminal  117  of the bare cell  110 . In this manner, the protection circuit board  120 , in one embodiment, is connected to a negative electrode of the bare cell  110 . The second lead plate  126  is electrically connected to an outer surface of the bare cell  110 . Accordingly, in one embodiment, the protection circuit board  120  is electrically connected to a positive electrode of the bare cell  110 . 
     A connector assembly is disposed on an upper surface of the protection circuit board  120 . 
     The board-mounting portions  133 A, 133 B, 133 C of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C in the connector assembly are respectively mounted onto the connection terminals  123  of the protection circuit board  120 . The mounting of the components is carried out using a reflow soldering process in which a cream solder is applied to the connection terminals  123  of the protection circuit board  120  and the board-mounting portions  133 A, 133 B, 133 C of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C are placed thereon, followed by passing the assembly through a soldering machine, whereby the cream solder is melted, thus resulting in mounting of the components. Upon mounting of the connector terminals  130 A, 130 B, 130 C, the connector housing  150  is also disposed on an upper surface of the protection circuit board  120 . That is, the connecting members  159  of the connector housing  150  are inserted into the through-holes  124  of the protection circuit board  120 . Then, the solder is flowed via the through-holes  124  to result in fixation of the connecting members  159  on the protection circuit board  120 . 
     Next, the cover frame  140  is assembled on an upper part of the protection circuit board  120 . The main cover  141  of the cover frame  140  is disposed on the fourth side  114  of the bare cell  110 . The first and second auxiliary covers  142 , 143  are disposed on the fifth and sixth sides  115 , 116  of the bare cell. 
     Finally, an outer surface of the bare cell  110  is covered with the label  170 . By means of the label  170 , the first and second lead plates  125 , 126  of the protection circuit board  120  are fixed to the bare cell  110  while they are insulated from the outside. In addition, the first and second auxiliary covers  142 , 143  of the cover frame  140  are fixed to the bare cell  110  by means of the label  170 . 
     Hereinafter, a connector assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a connector terminal in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 10  is a reverse perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 11  is a plan view of  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the connector assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes three connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C. Each of the connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C may have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, the structure of one connector  230  will be illustrated by way of example. Alternatively, one or more of the connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C may have a different configuration from the other connector terminals. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the connector terminal  230 B has a different configuration than the connector terminals  230 A, 230 C for optimizing a size of the connector assembly. 
     The connector terminal  230  includes a connector body  231 , external contacts  232 , 232 ′, board-mounting portions  233 , 233 ′, and housing-connecting portions  234 , 234 ′. 
     The connector body  231  includes V-shaped first and second bending portions  231   a  and  231   b  which are bent to be opposite to each other. The connector body  231  is formed to have a W-shaped cross section. 
     The external contacts  232 , 232 ′ are respectively formed inside the first bending portion  231   a  and the second bending portion  231   b . The external contacts  232 , 232 ′ protrude to face each other. Therefore, an external terminal is interposed between the external contacts  232 , 232 ′, resulting in connection between two contacts. 
     The board-mounting portion  233  extends from an end of the first bending portion  231   a  of the connector body  231 . The board-mounting portion  233 ′ extends from and is formed integrally with an end of the second bending portion  231   b.    
     The housing-connecting portion  234  is formed perpendicular to an end of the board-mounting portion  233 . The housing-connecting portion  234 ′ is formed perpendicular to an end of the board-mounting portion  233 ′. 
     Opposite side walls of the housing-connecting portions  234 , 234 ′ are provided with several irregularities  234   a.    
     The connector housing  150  includes a housing body  151 , several partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  dividing and defining an internal space of the housing body  151 , fixing holes  156 , 157  formed on the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , board-connecting portions  158  formed on opposite sides of the housing body  151 , and connecting members  159  being inserted into the board-connecting portions  158 . 
     Hereinafter, an assembly process of the connector assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention as configured above will be described. 
     A plurality of connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C are disposed in the internal space of the housing body  151 . External contacts  232 A, 232 ′A, 232 B, 232 ′B, 232 C, 232 ′C are exposed through the exposure holes  151   a  of the housing body  151 . 
     The board-mounting portions  233 A, 233 ′A, 233 B, 233 ′B, 233 C, 233 ′C extending from connector bodies  231 A, 231 B, 231 C are disposed on the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 . Here, the board-mounting portion  233 A extends to the partition wall  152 . Further, the board-mounting portions  233 ′A and  233 B extend to the partition wall  153 , whereas the board-mounting portions  233 ′B and  233 C extend to the partition wall  154 . The board-mounting portion  233 ′C extends to the partition wall  155 . 
     In this manner, the board-mounting portions  233 A, 233 ′A, 233 B, 233 ′B, 233 C, 233 ′C extend to the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155 , so that the housing-connecting portions  234 A, 234 ′A, 234 B, 234 ′B, 234 C, 234 ′C are inserted into the fixing holes  156 , 157 . 
     In the connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the board-mounting portions  233 ′A and  233 B share the partition wall  153 , and the board-mounting portions  233 ′B and  233 C share the partition wall  154 . As a consequence, an occupying space of the connector terminals in the connector housing  150  is decreased. Accordingly, a size of the connector housing  150  can be reduced, thus making it possible to achieve the size optimization of the connector assembly. 
     The housing-connecting portions  234 A, 234 ′A, 234 B, 234 ′B, 234 C, 234 ′C inserted into the fixing holes  156 , 157  of the partition walls  152 , 153 , 154 , 155  are fixed to the fixing holes  156 , 157  by means of irregularities  234   a  formed on side walls of the individual housing-connecting portions. According to such a configuration, separation of the connector terminals  230 A, 230 B, 230 C from the connector housing  150  is prevented. 
     Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 12  is an exterior perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a battery pack in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 14  is an assembly view of a connector housing and a protection circuit board in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  FIG. 15  is an assembly view of the a protection circuit board and bare cell in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 to 15 , a battery pack  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention includes a bare cell  110  for generating an electric current, a protection circuit board  320  in electrical connection with the bare cell  110  to control charge/discharge of the bare cell  110 , a cover frame  340  disposed to protect the protection circuit board  320 , and a connector assembly serving as a current-carrying path between the bare cell  110  and the outside. 
     The connector assembly includes a connector  130  which is disposed on and electrically connected to the protection circuit board  320 , and a connector housing  150  in which the connector  130  is placed. The battery pack  300  further includes a label  360  for covering an outer surface of the bare cell  110 . 
     Further, the battery pack comprising the bare cell  110 , the connector  130  and the connector housing  150  may be the same as those of the earlier-described embodiment of the present invention, that is, the battery pack  100 . Like numbers refer to like elements in previously described figures, so details thereof will be omitted hereinafter. 
     In the battery pack  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the protection circuit board  320  includes a plate-like board body  321 . On one side of an upper surface of the board body  321  is disposed a protection circuit element  322  for protecting the bare cell  110  against overcharge/overdischarge of the battery. An upper surface of the board body  321  is provided with several connection terminals  323  for transmitting an electric current from the bare cell  110  to the outside. Through-holes  324  are formed on right and left sides of the connection terminals  323 . The connector housing  150  is mounted into the through-holes  324 . The protection circuit board  320  includes first and second lead plates  325 ,  326  in electrical connection with negative and positive electrodes of the bare cell  110 . The first and second lead plates  325 ,  326  are welded to respective ends of an upper side of the bare cell  110 . The lower surface of the protection circuit board  320  is provided with a secondary protection device  327 , such as a PTC or the like. 
     In the battery pack  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the cover frame  340  includes a main cover  341  for covering the protection circuit board  320 , the main cover having the side  342  being integrally formed and surrounding the main cover  341 . The main cover  341  includes a housing-placing groove  343  for the installation of the connector housing  150  that is formed on the side  342  of the main cover  341 . 
     The battery pack  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is a “horizontal type battery pack,” and the battery pack  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is a “vertical type battery pack.” 
     As is apparent from the above description, embodiments of a battery pack in accordance with the present invention provide a connector assembly which is configured to optimize a size of a connector assembly while securing a mounting area of a connector. 
     Embodiments of a battery pack in accordance with the present invention provide a connector assembly which is capable of maintaining the non-separable and solid connection of a connector from a connector housing. 
     Further, embodiments of a battery pack in accordance with the present invention provide a battery pack having the aforesaid connector assembly.