JP2003022871A - Connector device for card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector device for a card that can ensure reliable loading of a card in a header part, and after the loading of the card, smooth backward movement of the header part. SOLUTION: A holding member 3 for holding in an ejection position of the card the header part 4, disposed movably at the ejection position and a loading position of the card in the insertion direction on a housing 1 is provided with a regulating portion 3a, engaged with the header part 4 to regulate a movement of the header part 4 in the insertion direction of the card, and a pressing portion 3b pressed by a side edge of the card 9 inserted in the header part 4, so as to move the regulating portion 3a in the direction to disengage it from the engaging portion of the header part 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a PC card used as a storage medium such as a personal computer,
The present invention relates to a structure of a card connector device used for a small memory card used as a storage medium of an electronic device such as a digital camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A card connector device is generally used as an additional recording device for electronic devices such as personal computers and digital cameras. As a storage medium of this card connector device, a PC card or a memory card has been widely used.

Originally, this PC card or memory card is inserted into a card connector device to write and read necessary information. In recent years, however, a small memory card is used as a simple storage medium. It has been considered that the I / O related device is not used but is used as a communication device or the like.

In this case, since it is necessary to wirelessly connect between digital devices such as a personal computer and a digital camera, it is necessary to incorporate an antenna section for exchanging signals in the conventional memory card. In recent years, a type of memory card with a built-in antenna has been developed.

When the memory card having the built-in antenna is used by inserting it into the card connector device,
It is necessary to use a part (antenna part) of the memory card by projecting it from the main body case of the card connector device into which the memory card is inserted. However, even when not in use, a part of the memory card protrudes from the main body case, so there is a problem that it becomes an obstacle when carrying or carrying a digital device. The header part into which the memory card is inserted is configured to be movable between the use position (protruding position) and the storage position. When not in use, the header part is moved to the storage position and a part of the memory card (antenna part) There has been proposed a structure that prevents the protrusion from the main body case.

[0006]

However, in the structure of the above-mentioned conventional card connector device, when the card is inserted into the header part of the card connector device, the header part is simply movable. Since the header part is movable, when the contact terminal part of the card comes into contact with the contact piece of the connector terminal of the header part, the insertion resistance (contact pressure) received from the contact piece completely inserts the card into the header part. There was a problem that the header part moved to the back (the insertion direction of the card) before moving.

For this reason, if the spring pressure of the urging member for urging the header portion in the card ejection direction is set to be larger than the contact pressure received from the contact piece, the urging member is required to move the header portion. There is a problem that a pressing force larger than the spring pressure is required, which makes it difficult to insert the card smoothly.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned problems can be solved, and the card can be securely inserted into the header portion, and the header portion can be smoothly moved inward after the insertion of the card. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector device for use.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, as a first means, a housing having a storage portion for a card, and a discharge position and an insertion position of this housing in a card insertion direction are moved. A header portion in which contact pieces that are arranged so as to be in contact with contact terminal portions of a card to be inserted are juxtaposed, a biasing member that biases the header portion to a card ejection position, and the header portion A holding member that holds the header portion at the discharge position, the holding member being urged toward the header portion side and rotatably supported by the housing, and the holding member engaging with the header portion. Then, the restricting portion that restricts the header portion from moving in the card insertion direction and the side edge portion of the card that is inserted into the header portion are pressed to release the restricting portion from the engaging portion of the header portion. Person And characterized by forming a pressing portion which moves into.

As a second means, the holding member is composed of a leaf spring having a spring property, and the pressing portion engaging with the side edge portion of the card is formed of an insulating member. .

As a third means, the header portion has a first insertion position and a second insertion position along the insertion direction of the card.
Is movably disposed at the insertion position of the header part, and the header part is provided in the housing at the first insertion position.
Locking means for holding the second insertion position and the second insertion position are formed.

As a fourth means, the locking means includes a cam groove formed in the housing, one end of which is swingably supported by the header portion and the other end of which slides in the cam groove. The cam groove has a heart-shaped cam portion that locks the other end portion of the engagement pin in correspondence with the first insertion position and the second insertion position, respectively. It is characterized by being formed by connecting.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention are shown below in FIGS. 1 is a plan view of the card connector device, FIG. 2 is a front view of the same, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same, and FIG.
Is a plan view of the card, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the same, FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the header portion, FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the header portion when the card is inserted, and FIG. 8 is a header portion held when the card is inserted. 9 is a plan view of the connector device in a state, FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the same, FIG. 10 is a plan view of the connector device in a state in which the holding of the header portion is released when the card is inserted, FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a state where the header part is moved when the card is inserted, FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the same, and FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the same, and FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state where the card is inserted in the second insertion position (storage position),
FIG. 17 is a vertical sectional view of the same.

1 to 3, the housing 1 is
It is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin into a rectangular box shape having front and rear openings. A bottomed storage portion 1a is provided in the center of the housing 1, and side plate portions 1b and 1c facing each other are formed on both sides of the storage portion 1a. A header portion 4 described later is movably disposed in the storage portion 1a. Further, the housing 1 is formed with a card insertion portion 1d which is continuous with the storage portion 1a and extends to the front surface, and a step portion 1e is formed at a connecting portion between the card insertion portion 1d and the storage portion 1a. The lever step 1e serves as a stopper that restricts the forward movement of the header portion 4.

One of the side plate portions 1b of the housing 1
The heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g each having a lock portion for holding the header portion 4 described below at the card insertion position are vertically connected to each other on the rear side of the. On the front side of the side plate portion 1b, one end is engaged with the header portion 4, and the other end portion of the coil spring 2 which is an urging member for urging the header portion 4 toward the card ejection position is engaged. A spring locking portion 1h for stopping is provided.

The heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g include groove portions 1i and 1j which are continuous in a heart shape and are annular, and the groove portions 1i and 1j.
Lock cams 1k and 1l provided at the center of 1j
And the other end of the engaging pin 7 to be described later has the groove portion 1
By sliding i, 1j and engaging with the lock cams 1k, 1l, the header portion 4 described later is held at the card insertion position. In this case, the header portion 4 has a first insertion position when the card antenna portion is projected and used, and a second insertion position when the card antenna portion is stored when not in use. The heart-shaped cam portions 1f, 1 are required to be held at the two insertion positions.
g is formed by connecting two in the vertical direction.

A holding member 3 for holding a later-described header portion 4 at a card ejection position is formed on the other side plate portion 1c of the housing 1. The holding member 3 is formed of a metal leaf spring having a spring property, and one end of the holding member 3 is rotatably supported by the housing 1.

Further, on the other end side of the holding member 3, there is formed a regulating portion 3a composed of a standing piece, and the regulating portion 3a abuts on the front end portion of the header portion 4 and the header portion 4 is formed.
Restricts the card from moving in the card insertion direction. In addition, a pressing portion 3b formed of an insulating member formed to project in a mountain shape is integrally formed in the vicinity of the restriction portion 3a by a method such as insert molding of an insulating material such as synthetic resin. The pressing portion 3b is pressed by the side edge portion of the card 9 described later, which is inserted into the header portion 4,
The restricting portion 3a is moved in a direction in which it is released from the engaging portion with the header portion 4.

The holding member 3 is formed of a leaf spring having a spring property, and the pressing portion 3b is engaged with the side edge portion of the card 9.
Is formed of an insulating member, the holding member 3
The configuration is simple, and even when using a card with a ground (ground section) around the card,
It is possible to prevent the pressing portion 3b from short-circuiting with the ground.

The header portion 4 is formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin into a square shape having an opening at the front. The header portion 4 is provided with a card housing portion 4a into which a card 9 is inserted, and a plurality of connector terminals 5 made of a conductive metal material are arranged side by side on the rear end side of the card housing portion 4a. ing.

The plurality of connector terminals 5 are composed of a flat plate-shaped base portion, and a connecting piece 5a and a contact piece 5b which are formed by bending the base portion in a substantially Z-shape in a direction opposite to each other. In the connector terminal 5, the connection piece 5a formed on one end side is arranged so as to project outward from the bottom surface portion at the rear of the header portion 4. This connection piece 5a
A flexible substrate 10 made of a film-shaped polyimide resin or the like is connected to the flexible substrate 10. The other end of the flexible board 10 is soldered and fixed to a circuit pattern on an external circuit board such as an electronic device to transmit a signal.

Further, the contact piece 5b formed on the other end side of the base portion of the connector terminal 5 is arranged so as to project from the rear end side of the header portion 4 into the card accommodating portion 4a. ing. Further, a contact portion 5c connected to a contact terminal portion 9a of the card 9 described later is formed on the tip side of the contact piece 5b.

A positioning piece 6 made of a metal leaf spring having a spring property is fixed to one side of the card storage portion 4a. A protrusion 6a is formed on the free end side of the positioning piece 6, and the protrusion 6a is biased in the card accommodating portion 4a by its own spring property. This projecting portion 6a is the card accommodating portion 4
The card 9 is held in the card accommodating portion 4a by engaging with a positioning recess 9c provided on the side surface of a card 9 to be described later, which is inserted in a.

A slit window portion 4b connected to the card accommodating portion 4a is provided at a front end portion of the header portion 4 opposite to the fixing position of the positioning piece 6 on the other side. When the card 9 is inserted into the card storage portion 4a, the card 9
The side edge portion of is exposed from the cut window portion 4b. Further, the pressing portion 3b provided on the holding member 3 is arranged to face the outside of the cut window portion 4b.

An arm portion 4c protruding toward the side plate portion 1b of the housing 1 is formed on one side of the header portion 4. The housing 1 is attached to the arm portion 4c.
A spring locking portion 4d is provided to which one end side of the coil spring 2 locked to the spring locking portion 1h is locked, and the header portion 4 is biased to the card ejection position by the coil spring 2. . Further, one end portion of an engagement pin 7 formed by bending a metal wire rod on the arm portion 4c and slidably contacting the groove portions 1i, 1j of the heart-shaped cam portions 1f, 1g provided on the side plate portion 1b. Is rotatably supported.
Further, a leaf spring 8 made of a metal plate for urging the other end of the engagement pin 7 toward the groove portions 1i, 1j of the heart-shaped cam portions 1f, 1g is attached to the arm portion 4c.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the card 9 has an integrated circuit (IC) housed therein and is widely used as a recording medium. A plurality of contact terminal portions 9a are formed on one surface of one surface of the card 9, and the contact terminal portions 9a are housed in the housing portion 1c of the housing 1 so that the header portion 4 is a card. By contacting the plurality of contact pieces 5b arranged in the housing portion 4a, various information processing with an electronic device connected to the outside is performed.

A notch 9b formed of an inclined surface is formed at one end of the card 9, and the card 9 is positioned on one side of the card 9 at a constant distance from the notch 9b. A recess 9c for use is formed. When the card 9 is inserted into the header portion 4, the recess 9c
By engaging the protruding portion 6a of the positioning piece 6 with each other, the card 9 is held in the card accommodating portion 4a of the header portion 4.

On the rear end side of the card 9, the card is not used as a mere storage medium by receiving a wireless signal from the outside or transmitting a wireless signal from the electronic device. , An I / O-related mounted antenna unit 9d for use as a communication device or the like is built-in, and the antenna unit 9d is formed in the longitudinal direction as much as a normal card by the amount of the antenna unit 9d formed. It has been formed for a long time.

Next, the operation when the card 9 is inserted into the housing 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 17. In the initial state in which the card 9 is not inserted, the header portion 4 is biased by the coil spring 2 in the card ejection direction, and the front end portion on the card insertion side is accommodated in the card insertion portion 1d of the housing 1. Movement of the card in the ejection direction is restricted by the step portion 1e provided at the connecting portion with the portion 1a. Also, in this state,
The front end portion of the header 4 has a restriction portion 3 a of the holding member 3.
It is also regulated by the regulations, and the movement of the card in the insertion direction is also regulated. (Figs. 1 and 6)

From this state, when the card 9 is inserted from the opening side of the card insertion portion 1d of the housing 1, the card 9 is inserted into the card accommodating portion 4a of the header portion 4 and one end portion of the card 9 is inserted. The notch 9b is brought into sliding contact with the protrusion 6a of the positioning piece 6, and the card 9 moves in the insertion direction against the biasing force. Then, the contact terminal portion 9a of the card 9 comes into contact with the connector terminal 5 of the header portion 4 to be connected to the contact piece 5b. (Figs. 8 and 9)

In this case, in the header portion 4, the card 9 is completely inserted into the header portion 4 by the insertion resistance due to the contact pressure between the contact portion 5c of the contact piece 5b and the contact terminal portion 9a of the card 9. Although the header portion 4 tries to move in the card insertion direction before the card is moved, the header portion 4 is restricted from moving in the card insertion direction by the restriction portion 3a of the holding member 3. 9 is completely inserted into the header portion 4, and the positioning recess 9c engages with the protrusion 6a of the positioning piece 6 so that the contact terminal portion 9a and the contact portion 5c of the contact piece 5b are separated from each other. It will be connected securely. (Fig. 7, Fig. 1
0, Fig. 11)

When the card 9 is inserted into the header portion 4, the slit window portion 4 provided at the front end portion of the header portion 4
The side edge of the card 9 projects from b. At this time, the pressing portion 3b of the holding member 3 arranged so as to face the cut window portion 4b is pressed by the side edge portion of the card 9, and the restriction portion 3a is attached to the header portion 4. Since it comes off from the front end portion, the holding of the header portion 4 is released. (Figure 10, Figure 11)

When the card 9 is further inserted from this state, the header portion 4 moves in the insertion direction together with the card 9 against the biasing force of the coil spring 2. At this time, the other end of the engagement pin 7, which is rotatably supported by the arm 4c of the header 4, slides in the groove 1i of the heart-shaped cam 1f and moves inward. . (Figure 12, Figure 13)

As described above, since the movement of the header portion 4 in the insertion direction of the card is restricted by the restriction portion 3a of the holding member 3, the card 9 can be securely inserted into the header portion 4. Will be possible. Further, as the card 9 is inserted, the pressing portion 3b of the holding member 3 is pushed by the side edge portion of the card 9 to release the restriction portion 3a,
After inserting the card 9 into the header 4, the header can be smoothly moved inward. Further, since the header portion 4 does not need to be biased in advance in the card ejection direction with a strong biasing force by providing the restriction portion 3a, the biasing force of the coil spring 2 can be set weakly. , It can be inserted smoothly when inserting the card.

When the card 9 is moved inward, when the other end of the engaging pin 7 reaches the upper portion of the groove 1i, the card 9 is engaged with the lock cam 1k, and the header portion 4 is inserted into the card. It is held at the first insertion position (use position) which is the position. When the card 9 is inserted into the first insertion position, the antenna portion 9d provided on the rear end side of the card 9 is projected from the card insertion portion 1d of the housing 1. The wireless signal is transmitted and received with the outside. (Figs. 14 and 15)

When the card 9 is pushed further inward from the first insertion position (use position), the other end portion of the engagement pin 7 engaged with the lock cam 1k becomes the lock cam 1k. And the groove portion 1j of the heart-shaped cam portion 1g connected to the heart-shaped cam portion 1f is slidably brought into contact with the heart-shaped cam portion 1f and moved further inward. Then, when the other end of the engaging pin 7 reaches the upper part of the groove 1j, the engaging pin 7 engages with the lock cam 11 and the header 4 is inserted into a second insertion position (card insertion position). It will be held in the storage position). When the card 9 is inserted into the second insertion position, the antenna portion 9d provided on the rear end side of the card 9
Is housed in the card insertion portion 1d of the housing 1, and it is possible to prevent the antenna portion 9d of the card 9 from protruding from the housing 1 when it is not used and becoming an obstacle during transportation or carrying. Has become. (Fig. 1
6, Fig. 17)

In this way, the header portion 4 is arranged in the first insertion position (use position) along the card insertion direction.
And the second insertion position (storage position), respectively. According to the above configuration, the header portion 4 moved in the insertion direction when the card 9 is inserted is used. It can be securely held in the storage position.

Further, holding means for holding the header portion 4 at the first and second insertion positions is provided with the heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g formed in the housing 1, and one end portion thereof is the header. The heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g are swingably supported by the portion 4 and the other end portion of the heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g is in sliding contact with the heart-shaped cam portions 1f and 1g.
By connecting and forming 1g, the header part 4 can be easily locked in the use position and the storage position, and the header part 4 can be reciprocated between the use position and the storage position. The card can be projected when used and can be stored when not used.

Again, when the card 9 is projected from the second insertion position (storage position) to the first insertion position (use position), the card 9 is once pushed in the insertion direction from this state. By doing so, the other end of the engagement pin 7 is disengaged from the lock cam 11 and moves in the circulation direction of the groove 1j. Then, the engagement pin 7 moves toward the heart-shaped cam portion 1f by the biasing force of the coil spring 2 and engages with the lock cam 1k, whereby
The card 9 is held at the first insertion position (use position). (Figs. 14 and 15)

Next, in order to eject the card 9 from the insertion position of the housing 1, the card 9 is once pushed in the insertion direction so that the other end of the engagement pin 7 is removed from the lock cam 1k. It separates and moves in the circulation direction of the groove portion 1i. Then, the header portion 4 moves in the card ejection direction by the urging force of the coil spring 2,
Along with this, the card 9 is also moved in the ejection direction and ejected to the ejection position. (FIGS. 10 and 11) From this state, the card 9 can be removed from the housing 1 by pulling out the card 9 with a hand or the like.

According to the structure of the above-described embodiment, the holding portion holds the header portion 4 movably arranged at the ejection position and the insertion position of the housing 1 in the card insertion direction at the card ejection position. The member 3 is pressed by the restriction portion 3a that engages with the header portion 4 and restricts the movement of the header portion 4 in the card insertion direction, and the side edge portion of the card 9 that is inserted into the header portion 4. Since the pressing portion 3b is formed to move the restriction portion 3a from the engaging portion of the header portion 4 in the releasing direction, the card 9 inserted into the header portion 4 can be securely attached to the header. The header portion 4 can be attached to the portion 4 and
Since it is not necessary to increase the urging force of the coil spring 2 that urges the header portion 4 in the card ejection direction, after the card 9 is inserted into the header portion 4, the header portion 4 can be smoothly moved in the card insertion direction. It has become possible.

[0042]

As described above, the card connector device of the present invention is provided with a housing having a card accommodating portion, and is movably arranged at a discharge position and an insertion position of the housing in the card insertion direction. , A header portion in which contact pieces that come into contact with the contact terminal portion of the card to be inserted are juxtaposed, a biasing member that biases the header portion to the card ejection position, and holds the header portion at the card ejection position A holding member, the holding member is biased toward the header portion and is rotatably supported by the housing, and the holding member has
The restriction part that engages with the header part and restricts the movement of the header part in the card insertion direction, and the restriction part is released from the engagement part of the header part by being pressed by the side edge part of the card inserted into the header part Since the pressing portion that moves in the direction of the card is formed, the card to be inserted into the header can be securely inserted into the header, and a coil spring that biases the header in the card ejection direction is attached. Since it is not necessary to increase the force, it is possible to smoothly move the header section in the card insertion direction after the card is inserted into the header section.

Further, the holding member is made of a leaf spring having a spring property, and the pressing portion which engages with the side edge portion of the card is formed of an insulating member, so that the structure of the holding member is simplified and the card Even when a card around which a ground (grounding portion) is provided is used, it is possible to prevent the pressing portion from short-circuiting with the ground.

Further, the header part is movably arranged in the first insertion position and the second insertion position along the card insertion direction, and the housing is provided with the first header part. Since the locking means for holding the insertion position of the card and the second insertion position are formed, the header part that is moved in the insertion direction when the card is inserted is securely held in the use position and the storage position. can do.

The locking means is composed of a cam groove formed in the housing and an engagement pin whose one end is swingably supported by the header part and whose other end slides in the cam groove. , The first insertion position and the heart-shaped cam portion that locks the other end of the engagement pin corresponding to the second insertion position are connected to form the header portion as the use position. Since it can be easily locked in the storage position and the header part can be reciprocally moved between the use position and the storage position, the card has a simple structure and can be stored when not in use. Is possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the same card connector device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the same card connector device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a card of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view showing the same card of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a header portion of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a header portion of the present invention when a card is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the connector device according to the present invention in a state where the header portion is held when the card is inserted.

9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the connector device in a state where the holding of the header portion is released when the card of the present invention is inserted.

11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the connector device in which the header portion is moving when the card of the present invention is inserted.

13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the connector device in a state where the card of the present invention is inserted in the first insertion position (use position).

15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the connector device of the present invention with the card inserted in the second insertion position (storage position).

17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 housing 1a Storage section 1b, 1c side plate part 1d card insertion part 1e step 1f, 1g Heart-shaped cam 1h Spring locking part 1i, 1j groove 1k, 1l lock cam 2 coil spring 3 holding member 3a Regulation Department 3b Pressing part 4 header section 4a Card housing 4b Cut window 4c arm part 4d Spring locking part 5 connector terminals 5a connection piece 5b Contact piece 5c contact part 6 Positioning piece 6a protrusion 7 Engagement pin 8 leaf springs 9 cards 9a Contact terminal part 9b Notch 9c recess 9d antenna part 10 Flexible substrate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A housing having a card storage portion,
A header part, which is movably arranged at a discharge position and an insertion position in the card insertion direction of the housing, and in which contact pieces that are in contact with contact terminal parts of the card to be inserted are arranged in parallel, and the header part of the card An urging member for urging to the ejection position and a holding member for holding the header portion at the ejection position of the card are provided, and the holding member is urged toward the header portion side and rotatably supported by the housing. At the same time, the holding member, a restricting portion that engages with the header portion and restricts the header portion from moving in the card insertion direction,
A card connector device, comprising: a pressing portion that is pressed by a side edge portion of a card that is inserted into the header portion and that moves the restricting portion in a direction in which the regulating portion is released from the engaging portion of the header portion. 2. The card according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is formed of a leaf spring having a spring property, and the pressing portion that engages with a side edge portion of the card is formed of an insulating member. Connector device. 3. The header part is movably arranged in a first insertion position and a second insertion position along a card insertion direction, and the housing has the header part. 3. The card connector device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means for holding each of the first insertion position and the second insertion position. 4. The lock means includes a cam groove formed in the housing, and an engagement pin having one end swingably supported by the header portion and the other end sliding in the cam groove. The cam groove is formed by connecting heart-shaped cam portions that respectively lock the other end portions of the engagement pins corresponding to the first insertion position and the second insertion position. 4. The card connector device according to claim 3, wherein.