EP1227546A1

EP1227546A1 - Card connector, mounting board including the same, and electronic device including them

Info

Publication number: EP1227546A1
Application number: EP00935653A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kosuke Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha YAGI; Manabu Mitsubishi Denki K.K. HASEGAWA; Koichi Mitsubishi Denki K.K. AKAMATSU
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2000-06-12
Filing date: 2000-06-12
Publication date: 2002-07-31
Also published as: CN1369122A; WO2001097334A1

Abstract

In order to minimize loss of a packaging area on a main surface of a substrate, a card connector (1) comprises a card connection part detachably storing a card (500), a leg part (101) provided to hold the said card connection part on a position separated from a main surface of a substrate (700) and have a clearance between the said card connection part and the said main surface in a region defined by projecting the said card connection part on the said main surface and a terminal part (200) for electrically connecting the said card (500) to a connected terminal provided on the said substrate (700). The said card connection part includes a card storage part (300) and a base part (100), and the said card storage part (300) is rotatably fixed to the said base part (100).

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a card connector employed for a portable telephone or the like, and more particularly, it relates to an SIM (subscriber identity module) card connector. The present invention also relates to a packaged substrate including this card connector. The present invention further relates to an electronic apparatus such as a portable telephone including the card connector.

Background Art

As shown in Fig. 18, a card connector such as an SIM connector employed for a portable telephone or the like comprises terminals 250 for ensuring conduction between a card and a substrate 700, a storage box 120 and a lid 310 for holding the card. These elements are directly packaged on the substrate 700. The storage box 120 including the terminals 250 is employed for storing the card. The lid 310 includes an operating lever 800 for detaching the card.
The conventional card connector (mainly an SIM connector) is directly packaged on the substrate 700, and hence the packaging space is narrowed to limit the degree of freedom in electrical design.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the aforementioned situation, and an object thereof is to ensure a degree of freedom in electrical design also in a portable telephone or the like employing a card.
A card connector according to the present invention comprises a card connection part detachably storing a card, a leg part provided to hold the said card connection part on a position separated from a main surface of a substrate and have a clearance between the said card connection part and the said main surface in a region defined by projecting the said card connection part on the said main surface and a terminal part for electrically connecting the said card to a connected terminal provided on the said substrate. When this structure is employed, the card connector can be packaged on the main surface of the substrate without narrowing a packaging area for other components, for implementing useful electrical design.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said card connection part includes a card storage part and a base part, the said base part is held by the said leg part on a position separated from the said main surface, and the said card storage part is rotatably fixed to the said base part. When this structure is employed, the user can readily detach the card by raising the card storage part from the base part and rotating the same to a direction for facilitating detachment of the card.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the card connector further comprises a holder for holding the said card connection part on the position separated from the said main surface, the said holder includes the said leg part and has a holder opening, and the said card connection part is detachable with respect to the said holder. When this structure is employed, the card connection part can be so detached that a defective can be readily exchanged and the degree of freedom in operation is further improved in detachment of the card. In particular, other components can be readily packaged on or rebuilt into the main surface located under the card through the holder opening while detaching the card connection part.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said card connection part and the said holder are connected with each other through a pressure-connection terminal. When this structure is employed, the card connection part and the holder can be readily connected with each other.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said leg part includes a coupling part fixable to the said substrate through engagement with the said substrate. When this structure is employed, the card connection part is reliably fixed to the substrate, not to drop from the substrate.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said coupling part has a pawl for fixing the said leg part to the said substrate in a state inserted in a hole provided in the said substrate. When this structure is employed, the coupling part can be fixed to the substrate with a simple structure.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said coupling part includes the said terminal part, and the said terminal part electrically connects the said card and the said substrate with each other through engagement of the said coupling part with the said substrate. When this structure is employed, the card can be efficiently electrically connected to the substrate simultaneously with fixation of the card connection part to the substrate through the coupling part.
Preferably in the aforementioned embodiment, the said coupling part is a connector to be connected with an opposite connector provided on the said main surface substantially from the normal direction of the said main surface. When this structure employed, the card connection part can be attached by connecting the coupling part to the main surface of the substrate substantially from the normal direction, so that the card connection part can be readily attached/detached.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said coupling part is a connector to be connected with an opposite connector provided on an end of the said substrate by holding the opposite connector. When this structure is employed, the card connection part can be attached by connecting the coupling part to hold the end of the substrate with requirement for only the minimum area of the main surface of the substrate, so that the limited space of the substrate can be effectively utilized.
Preferably in the aforementioned invention, the said card connection part includes a rib, provided on a box arranged on a separated position above the said substrate, having a shape corresponding to the said card, and the said leg part is means for holding the said box and the said main surface apart from each other. When this structure is employed, the card connection part can be formed without providing a new component for the card connection part while no space for connecting the card connection part may be ensured on the main surface of the substrate, whereby the limited area of the main surface of the substrate can be effectively applied to another use.
A packaged substrate according to the present invention includes the aforementioned card connector. When this structure is employed, the limited space of the main surface of the substrate can be effectively utilized for packaging components, whereby the packaged substrate can be miniaturized and improved in density.
An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the aforementioned card connector. When this structure is employed, the card connector can be packaged on the substrate having a limited area while efficiently packaging other components, whereby the overall electronic apparatus can be miniaturized and improved in density.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a card connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 2A to 2D are a front elevational view, a plan view, a rear elevational view and a side elevational view of a housing of the card connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 3A to 3D are a front elevational view, a plan view, a rear elevational view and a side elevational view of a lid of the card connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 4A and 4B are a side elevational view and a plan view of a terminal of the card connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the card connector according to the first embodiment of the present invention built into a portable telephone.
Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a card connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an exemplary card connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of another exemplary card connector according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a card connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 10A to 10D are explanatory diagrams of a case of a card connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 11A to 11C are a front elevational view, a plan view and a side elevational view of a base of the card connector according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of the card connector according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
Figs. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing a used state of a card connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 illustrates a part B in Fig. 15 in an enlarged manner.
Figs. 17A to 17C are explanatory diagrams of a packaged substrate and a case according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing a conventional card connector packaged on a substrate.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

First Embodiment

A card connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. This card connector 1 consists of an insulating material, and comprises a part consisting of a lid 300 storing a card 500 and a housing 100 for holding the lid 300 as a card connection part detachably storing the card 500. The card connector 1 further comprises terminals 200 for ensuring conduction between the card 500 and a substrate 700. The terminals 200 include spacer parts 201 for keeping a distance between the substrate 700 and the card connection part. This card connector 1 comprises ribs 101 on the back surface of the housing 100 as legs for preventing the terminals 200 from deformation caused by external force.
As shown in Figs. 2A to 2D, a concave portion (convex portion when engaged with a concave portion of the lid 300) 102 to be engaged with a convex potion of the lid 300 and the reinforcing ribs 101 for preventing the terminals 200 from deformation are provided on the housing 100 of the card connector 1, and the reinforcing ribs 101 are so provided that projection areas with respect to the substrate 700 are reduced to the utmost in order to minimize loss of the area of the main surface allowing packaging.
As shown in Figs. 3A to 3D, the lid 300 is provided with a convex portion (concave portion as the case may be) 301 for engagement with the housing 100, and this convex or concave portion 301 is fitted with the concave or convex portion 102 of the said housing 100 thereby engaging the housing 100 and the lid 300 with each other.
As shown in Figs. 4A and 4B, each terminal 200 is provided with the spacer part 201 for ensuring the distance between the substrate 700 and the card connection part.
As shown in Fig. 5, a box 400 is provided with an opening 410 for receiving/discharging the card 500 on the upper surface of the card connector 1, so that the lid 300 can be rotated while packaging the housing 100 on the substrate 700 to be directed outward from the box 400 for facilitating attachment/detachment of the card 500.
Thus, the card connection part of the card connector 1 is held in a state floating from the main surface of the substrate 700, whereby the card connector 1 can be packaged on the main surface of the substrate 700 without narrowing a packaging area for other components, for implementing useful electrical design.
While the lid 300 is rotatable in this embodiment, the card connection part may alternatively be held in a state floating from the substrate 700 by leg parts in an unrotatable lid shown in Fig. 14.

Second Embodiment

A card connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 6. This card connector comprises spacer ribs 103 integrated with pawls for engagement with a substrate 700 as means for ensuring a distance between a card connection part and the substrate 700, and terminal parts are formed by pressure-connection terminals 260 connectable by pressure. Thus, this card connector is detachable from the substrate 700.

Third Embodiment

A card connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. In this card connector, a connector 210 to be connected with an opposite connector 212 provided on a main surface of a substrate 700 may be provided on the back surface of a housing 100 in place of the terminals 200 (see Figs. 4A and 4B) in the first embodiment as shown in Fig. 7, so that the card connector is detachable in this case.
Alternatively, a connector 220 may be connected to an opposite connector 222 provided on an end of a substrate 700 by holding the end of the substrate 700, as shown in Fig. 8.
Thus, the card connector can be connected while minimizing area loss on the main surface of the substrate 700, so that the area of the main surface of the substrate 700 can be effectively applied to another use.

Fourth Embodiment

A card connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 9. A housing 100 and a lid 300 forming a card connection part may be fixed through a holder 600 having a holder opening 610, and conduction is made by pad-shaped pressure connection terminals 240 provided on the housing 100 and the holder 600 respectively in this case. Thus, connection is readily and reliably performed.

Fifth Embodiment

A card connector according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 10A to 12B. Referring to Figs. 10A to 10D showing a case 110 provided with a concave portion 105 for hinge engagement, the number of components can be reduced when the case 110 is employed as a substitute for the housing 100 and the lid 300. Figs. 11A to 11C illustrate a base 130 provided with a hole 106 for hinge engagement, which is coupled to the concave portion 105 for hinge engagement by receiving a hinge shaft 104.
Figs. 12A and 12B illustrate the card connector formed by coupling the case 110 and the base 130 with each other through the hinge shaft 104, and the case 110 is rotatable about the hinge shaft 104. In this case, conduction is made by terminals 200 provided on an FPC (flexible printed circuit) 230. Thus, other components can be packaged on, rebuilt into or exchanged on a main surface of a substrate located under the card connector by rotating a card connection part about the hinge shaft 104 after the card connector is packaged on the substrate.

Sixth Embodiment

A card connector according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 13A and 13B. As shown in Figs. 13A and 13B, ribs 421 for fixing a card may be provided on a card inlet of a box 400 for defining a card storage part. In this case, the box 400 partially forms the card connector, and hence no independent card connector is required dissimilarly to the first to fifth embodiments. A card connection part can be formed without providing a new component for the card connection part and no space for connecting the card connection part may be ensured on a main surface of a substrate, whereby the limited area of the main surface of the substrate can be effectively applied to another use. Further, a portable terminal can be totally reduced in thickness.

Seventh Embodiment

An electronic apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Fig. 14. This electronic apparatus is a portable telephone, which is arranged to expose a card connector 1 when a back lid is open and a battery part is detached as shown in Fig. 14. A lid 300 forming a card connection part of the card connector 1 is upwardly rotatable outwardly from the portable telephone, so that a card is detached by raising the lid 300.
While the embodiment shown in Fig. 14 employs the card connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the card connector according to any other embodiment may alternatively be employed. Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in Fig. 14. The card connector 1 is packaged on a substrate 700, which in turn is stored in the portable telephone as a packaged substrate. Fig. 16 shows a part B in Fig. 15 in an enlarged manner. A base part 100 of the card connector 1 is held on a position separated from the main surface of the substrate 700 by leg parts 101, so that other components can be packaged on a region of the main surface of the substrate 700 hidden under the card connection part by packaging the card connector 1. Therefore, electronic components 750 are packaged in a clearance between the card connection part and the main surface, as shown in Fig. 16.

Eighth Embodiment

A packaged substrate according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to Figs. 17A to 17C. A card connector 1 according to the present invention is packaged on the packaged substrate shown in Fig. 17B. While the embodiment shown in Fig. 17B employs the card connector 1 according to the first embodiment, the card connector according to any other embodiment may alternatively be employed. While Fig. 17B omits illustration of most components, a number of electronic components 751 are packaged on the surface of the substrate 700 in practice, in addition to the card connector 1. Electronic components 750 are packaged also on a region hidden under the card connection part of the card connector 1 as shown in Fig. 16, as a matter of course. A liquid crystal display element 760 is packaged on a surface of the substrate 700 opposite to the card connector 1. The packaged substrate shown in Fig. 17 is stored to be held between a rear case 410 shown in Fig. 17A and a front case 420 shown in Fig. 17C, thereby forming the portable telephone shown in Fig. 14.
The aforementioned embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The range of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claim for patent, and includes all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the scope of claim for patent.

Industrial Applicability

As hereinabove described, the card connector according to the present invention is useful for packaging a larger number of components through a limited area of a main surface of a substrate.

Claims

A card connector comprising:

a card connection part detachably storing a card (500);

a leg part (101) provided to hold said card connection part on a position separated from a main surface of a substrate (700) and have a clearance between said card connection part and said main surface in a region defined by projecting said card connection part on said main surface; and

a terminal part (200) for electrically connecting said card (500) to a connected terminal provided on said substrate (700).
The card connector according to claim 1, wherein said card connection part includes a card storage part (300) and a base part (100), said base part (100) is held by said leg part (101) on a position separated from said main surface, and said card storage part (300) is rotatably fixed to said base part (100).
The card connector according to claim 1, further comprising a holder (600) for holding said card connection part on said position separated from said main surface, wherein said holder (600) includes said leg part (101) and has a holder opening (610), and said card connection part is detachable with respect to said holder (600).
The card connector according to claim 3, wherein said card connection part and said holder (600) are connected with each other through a pressure-connection terminal (240).
The card connector according to claim 1, wherein said leg part (101, 210, 220) includes a coupling part (103, 210, 220) fixable to said substrate (700) through engagement with said substrate (700).
The card connector according to claim 5, wherein said coupling part (103) has a pawl for fixing said leg part (101) to said substrate (700) in a state inserted in a hole provided in said substrate (700).
The card connector according to claim 5, wherein said coupling part (210, 220) includes said terminal part (200), and said terminal part (200) electrically connects said card (500) and said substrate (700) with each other through engagement of said coupling part (210, 220) with said substrate (700).
The card connector according to claim 7, wherein said coupling part is a connector (210) to be connected with an opposite connector (212) provided on said main surface substantially from the normal direction of said main surface.
The card connector according to claim 7, wherein said coupling part is a connector (220) to be connected with an opposite connector (222) provided on an end of said substrate (700) by holding said opposite connector.
The card connector according to claim 1, wherein said card connection part includes a rib (421), provided on a box (400) arranged on a separated position above said substrate (700), having a shape corresponding to said card (500), and said leg part is means for holding said box (400) and said main surface apart from each other.
A packaged substrate including the card connector according to claim 1.
An electronic apparatus including the card connector according to claim 1.