Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K13/00—Conveying record carriers from one station to another, e.g. from stack to punching mechanism
  • G06K13/02—Conveying record carriers from one station to another, e.g. from stack to punching mechanism the record carrier having longitudinal dimension comparable with transverse dimension, e.g. punched card
  • G06K13/08—Feeding or discharging cards
  • G06K13/085—Feeding or discharging cards using an arrangement for locking the inserted card
  • G06K13/0856—Feeding or discharging cards using an arrangement for locking the inserted card the locking arrangement comprising a notch in the card and a complementary locking means in the card reading station
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
  • G06K7/0013—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers
  • G06K7/0021—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
  • H01R13/02—Contact members
  • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an electrical connector for an electronic memory card with large storage capacity.
• the invention relates more particularly to an electrical connector for a memory card with integrated circuit (s) of contact of generally rectangular shape having on its lower main face a series of conductive pads and having, in one of its longitudinal edges, a blocking notch making it possible to ensure longitudinal blocking of the card by complementary blocking means received in the notch when the card is in the contact or operating position in a connector.
• integrated circuit s
• the invention thus relates to an electrical connector in particular for the connection of a card with a large storage capacity known as an "SD" card (Secure Digital), which is marketed by the company SANDISK.
• SD Secure Digital
• All the characteristics and performances of the SD card are defined by the documents issued by the SDCA (SD Card Association) whose address is 53 Muckelemi St. P.O. Box 189, San Juan Baustista, CA 95045-0189 - USA.
• This SD card belongs to the family of "MMC” cards (Multimedia Card), which are also marketed by the company SANDISK.
• the overall dimensions of the MMC and SD cards are identical with the notable exception of the thickness of the SD card which is increased, this increase corresponding to the increase in the memory capacities of such a card.
• the SD card also has in its right longitudinal edge 72, a notch 75 which allows, in certain applications, to ensure a blocking longitudinal of the SD card by additional means received in the blocking notch.
• the invention also relates to a connector for the connection of another card with a large storage capacity called a "MSD" card (Memory Stick Duo) sold by the company SONY.
• MSD Memory Stick Duo
• MSD card All the characteristics and performances of the MSD card are defined in the document published by the company Sony Corporation and entitled "Memory Stick Standard - Memory Stick Duo Format Specifications ver. 1 .0 - August 2001).
• the MSD card also includes in its left longitudinal edge a notch 75 which makes it possible to ensure longitudinal blocking of the card by complementary means received in the blocking notch.
• the other right longitudinal edge 72 does not include a write protection device, this function being provided by means, not shown, controlled by a switch carried by the card.
• the notch 75 of the MSD card does not extend over the entire height or thickness of the card, that is to say that it opens only in its lower face 76, and that it is blind towards the top.
• a first known design which is, for example, used in devices making it possible to carry out banking transactions, it is the device itself which, at the end of the transaction operations, ensures by motorized means the ejection of the card in a position such that it allows the user to grip the card.
• the card in the operating position significantly exceeds the receiving device, by several tens of millimeters, in order to allow the user to take the card by the rear portion of the latter which protrudes and extract it from the receiving device by exerting traction on the card in a longitudinal direction parallel to the plane of the card.
• the card is of reduced size, and in particular its length in the longitudinal direction, such an arrangement according to which the card protrudes only a few millimeters outside the receiving device makes the card gripped by the user particularly difficult, if not impossible.
• a receiving device for a card of the type comprising a box, one face of which delimits a window giving access to a carriage which comprises a compartment for receiving the card and which can slide between a rear rest position in which the card can be put in place in the compartment, or extracted from the latter, and a position before operation in which the slots conductive of the card cooperate with the free contact ends of electrical contact blades belonging to an electrical connector arranged in the housing.
• the locking means are of the type comprising a locking hook of which an end spout, when the carriage is in the vicinity of its operating position, cooperates with a locking cam formed opposite.
• a compact design of such an assembly for connecting a card and in particular of the type of a “MICROSIM” type card, has been proposed in document WO-A-00/70532. This design constitutes a first attempt to reduce the overall dimensions of the assembly in all its dimensions, with a view to facilitating its integration into electronic equipment of small dimensions such as a cellular telephone of the GSM type, or any other electronic equipment requiring memory card connection electronic such as a personal digital assistant or "PDA" (Personal Digital Assistant).
• PDA Personal Digital Assistant
• this document proposes an assembly in which the end beak of the locking hook of the locking device also called “push on - push off” device, extends in a direction parallel to the sliding plane of the card and of the carriage. , the locking cam being formed in a portion of the surface of the carriage perpendicular to the general plane of the card.
• the compact assembly proposed in this document does not include means for retaining the card in the position of use.
• the invention aims to propose an improved design of such a compact assembly for the connection of a card, in particular of the SD or MSD type, which comprises means for ejecting the card, which can be produced in the form a single assembly constituting the electrical connector proper for the connection of the card, while making it possible to ensure the blocking function of the card in the operating position, and this thanks to a particularly reduced number of components, and in any case without additional component compared to the design described and represented in the document WO-A- 00/70532.
• an electrical connector of the type comprising:
• a support of insulating material which delimits a housing for a memory card with integrated circuit (s) with contact of generally rectangular shape having on its lower main face a series of conductive pads each of which cooperates with a free contact end an electrical contact blade, arranged in the bottom of the support housing, and having, in one of its longitudinal edges, a notch for longitudinal locking of the card by complementary locking means received in the notch;
• a card ejection carriage which can slide longitudinally on the body between a rear rest position delimited by abutment means, towards which it is resiliently recalled and in which the card can be inserted or extracted, and a position before operation in which the electrical contact pads of the card cooperate with the electrical contact elements;
• the card blocking means comprise a blocking blade in the longitudinal position of the card which is provided to cooperate with the notch of the card when the carriage is in the position before operation;
• the blocking blade is an elastically deformable blade which extends longitudinally and the free end of which comprises a blocking spout which is oriented transversely towards the inside of the connector in the direction of the longitudinal edge of the card which comprises the blocking notch which cooperates with the notch of the card when the carriage is in the position before operation;
• the blocking blade is elastically deformable between a blocking state in which the blocking spout is in its transverse blocking position, and a deformed state in which the blocking spout is retracted transversely towards the outside, out of the blocking notch from the menu ;
• the blocking blade comprises means for controlling its deformation which, during the longitudinal movements of the carriage relative to the insulating support, cooperate with the insulating support to cause changes in the state of the blocking blade;
• the carriage comprises a branch which extends transversely inside the housing and which is
• the carriage is made in one piece of cut and folded sheet metal;
• the elastic return means comprise a longitudinal traction spring whose rear end is attached to the insulating support and whose front longitudinal end is attached to the carriage;
• the locking means of the carriage comprise a locking hook, one end beak of which extends transversely in a direction parallel to the sliding plane of the card and which, when the carriage is in the vicinity of its operating position, cooperates with a locking cam;
• the locking hook is carried by the carriage and the locking cam is formed in a surface portion of the insulating support; - The end beak of the locking hook extends transversely towards the interior of the housing and said surface portion of the insulating support extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the card;
• the connector comprises a metal cover for holding the card in the housing which extends above the upper face of the card and which has an elastic tab, made integrally with the cover, which elastically urges the hook permanently ;
• the cover comprises a contact blade, made integrally with the cover, which appears to a switch for detecting the state of a write protection device of an SD card;
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above and from the right rear three-quarter view which illustrates a connector according to the invention which is shown with an SD card at the start of insertion into the connector when it comes into contact with the branch carriage drive;
• - Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in which the connector is illustrated without its cover or metal cover;
• FIG. 3 is a large-scale view of a detail of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a right side view in elevation of the connector of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a partial top view of Figure 4.
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of Figure 4 in which the connector is shown with its cover;
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector along line 7-7 of Figure 6;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective rear three-quarter right of the insulating support of the connector
• FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 8.
• Figures 10 and 1 1 are views similar to those of Figures 8 and 9 from another perspective view of the insulating support;
• FIG. 12 is a top view on a large scale of part of the insulating support
• FIGS. 13 and 14 are sectional views along lines 13-13 and 14-14 of Figure 12;
• - Figure 15 is a perspective view from below and three-quarters front right of the connector cover;
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view from below of the cover from an opposite angle of view
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view from above and three-quarters rear right of the connector ejector carriage according to the invention.
• - Figure 18 is a perspective view from above and three-quarters rear left of the carriage; - Figures 19 to 23 are isometric views of the carriage;
• FIGS. 24 to 29 are views similar to those of Figures 2 to 7 in which the card is shown in the intermediate position, halfway, during its introduction into the connector;
• Figures 30 to 35 are views similar to those of Figures 24 to 29 in which the card is shown at the end of longitudinal introduction into abutment in the bottom of the connector housing, in a position corresponding to the carriage locking overtravel ;
• - Figures 36 to 42 are views similar to those of Figures 1 to 7 in which the card is shown in the locked operating position or contact;
• - Figures 43 to 48 are views similar to those of Figures 30 to 35 in which the card is shown in the overtravel position for unlocking the carriage;
• Figures 49 to 52 are views similar to those of Figures 25 to 28 in which the card is shown in its intermediate position during ejection from the connector;
• FIG. 53 is a schematic bottom view of an SD card
• Figures 54 to 57 are views similar to those of Figures 1, 2, 10 and a right rear three-quarter view of the insulating support which represent an alternative embodiment of the connector according to the invention in which the connecting lugs of the contact blades extend towards the rear of the insulating support;
• - Figures 58 and 59 are two detailed perspective views which illustrate an alternative embodiment of the cover 54;
• - Figure 60 is a schematic perspective view from above and three-quarters front left of an MSD type card;
• - Figure 61 is a perspective view from below and three-quarters front left of the MSD card of Figure 60; - Figures 62 to 84 and 85 to 87 are views similar to those of Figures 1 to 23 and 39 to 41 which illustrate a second embodiment of a connector according to the teachings of the invention; - Figures 88 to 90 are views similar to those of Figures 62, 76 and 77 which illustrate an alternative embodiment of the connector cover;
• Figures 91 to 94 are views similar to those of Figures 71, 73, 65 and 72 which illustrate an alternative embodiment of the carriage locking cam in order to obtain an unlocking overtravel.
• the electrical connector 50 essentially consists of an insulating support 52 made of plastic material generally in the form of a plate which is delimited by a flat and horizontal upper face 56 in which a card housing 58 is formed which is open vertically upwards. .
• the housing 58 is delimited vertically downwards by a bottom horizontal bottom wall 62 and it is open longitudinally rearwards to delimit, downwards and laterally, a slot for the longitudinal introduction of the front portion of a card to electronic memory which is for example a card C of the SD type shown in FIG. 53, or of the MMC type.
• the SD type C card of known design is of generally rectangular shape delimited longitudinally by a transverse edge of front end 66, by a rear end transverse edge 68 and by two parallel and opposite lateral edges left 70 and right 72.
• the front right angle corresponding to the intersection of edges 66 and 72 comprises a section 64 cut at 45 ° standardized for the coding of the portion and the orientation of the card C.
• the card C also has a horizontal upper face 74 and an opposite and parallel lower face 76 which is oriented towards the free contact ends 102 of the contact blades of the connector, and here downwards in the direction of the printed circuit board (not shown).
• the card C comprises, in the vicinity of its transverse edge of the front end 66, a series of conductive contact pads Pi which are oriented downwards in the direction of the printed circuit board which carries the connector on its upper face.
• the card C whether it is a conventional MMC card, or a card of the SD type comprising in its lateral edge 72 a locking notch 75, is thus capable of being inserted, in the longitudinal direction L1 indicated in FIG. 1, from back to front in the housing 58 until its front transverse edge 66 abuts against a front transverse edge at the bottom 78 which delimits the housing 58 towards the front.
• the opposite lateral edges 70 and 72 of the card C are guided in sliding in the housing 58 by parallel and opposite longitudinal edges 80 and 82 respectively which delimits the housing 58 transversely.
• the edges 80 and 82 have a staircase profile complementary to the profile of the edges 66 and 72 of the SD card (each of which comprises a step 71, 73) with a horizontal step 81, 83 on which "slides” the card inserted in the connector so as to be able to receive either an SD card as shown in the figures, or an MMC type card (not shown in position in the connector) which is then received “above "from steps 81, 83.
• the housing 58 proper in which the front portion of the card is received
• the body of the insulating support 52 has two opposite longitudinal extensions or arms 88 and 90 of great length which extend longitudinally backwards beyond the rear transverse face 84 to increase the length of the longitudinal guide edges 80 and 82.
• the angle of the housing 58 corresponding to the intersection of the transverse edge of the longitudinal edge 82 has a vertical face 98 inclined to 45 ° which is complementary to the shape and shape of the cutaway 64, as can be seen in FIG. 24 when the card C is inserted in the correct position.
• the insulating support 52 carries a series of contact elements 100, here nine in number, which are produced in the form of elastically deformable blades of which a free contact end 102 projects vertically above the plane of the bottom 62 to cooperate with the conductive pads visible from the underside 76 of the card C.
• each contact blade 100 has a free rear connection end 104 in the form of a tab which ends substantially at the right of the rear face 84, each connection tab 104 here being designed in the form of a tab to be welded to the surface of the upper side of the printed circuit board.
• the connector 50 comprises, in addition to the insulating support 52, a metal or metallized cover (or cover) 54 which extends in particular above the upper face 56 of the insulating support 52 with its part main in the form of an upper plate 60 which closes the housing 58 upwards.
• the metal cover 54 comprises, for its mounting on the insulating support 52, two parallel and opposite lateral flanges 120 and 122 which extend vertically downwards along corresponding portions 1 16 and 1 18 of the vertical and external longitudinal faces of the support insulator 52.
• the flanges 120 and 122 are shaped into slides, extending horizontally under the insulating support 52 by horizontal branches folded inwards 124 and 126 which are received in corresponding housings formed in the lower face 57 of the insulating support 52.
• the connector 50 illustrated in the figures comprises a device 250 for ejecting the card from the connector 50.
• the ejection device 250 essentially consists of a sliding carriage or slider 252, a ejection spring 254, a locking hook in the form of a jumper 256 and a complementary part 258 of the insulating support 52 comprising in particular a locking cam 265. More precisely, as can be seen in particular when considering the top view of the figure 12 of the insulating support 52, or the perspective view of FIGS.
• the part 258 of the insulating support forming an integral part of the ejection device 250 is a longitudinal portion arranged on the right beyond the edge 82 and of the arm 90, the total transverse width of the insulating support 52, and therefore of the connector 50, being for this purpose slightly increased by approximately 2 mm compared to that of a simple connector (i.e. without ejection device) of the type described and represented in French patent application no. 01 -03228 of March 9, 2001.
• the lateral part 258 is open laterally to the right, that is to say towards the outside of the insulating support 52 and it is generally delimited by a horizontal bottom 262.
• the part 258 is thus generally in the form of a recess which is delimited at its front longitudinal end by the right front corner 264 of the insulating support 252 in which the inclined face 98 is notably formed, and by the right rear corner 266 delimited by the rear transverse face 91 of the longitudinal arm 90 with the chamfer 94 for introducing the card.
• the two right front 264 and right rear 266 angles are delimited vertically upwards and downwards respectively by portions of the upper 56 and lower 57 faces of the insulating support 52.
• the block or angle 266 has a recess 268 in which is arranged a vertical cylindrical pin 270 for hooking the rear longitudinal hook-shaped end 253 of the spring 254 which is a tension coil spring whose body is cylindrical 255 is partly received in a longitudinal housing, in a hollow cylinder section 270, formed in the face 262.
• the part 258 comprises two vertical ribs for guiding in longitudinal sliding of the carriage 252.
• the first rear rib 275 of reduced transverse thickness extends longitudinally forwards from a front transverse facet 274 of the right rear block 266 and it is delimited towards the front by a transverse front end face 276.
• the second front rib 277 is of greater transverse thickness, that is to say that it is delimited laterally inwards by a vertical longitudinal face 280 which is coplanar with the inner vertical face 282 of the rib rear 275, and it is delimited laterally towards the outside by a vertical face 284 which is offset laterally towards the outside with respect to the vertical outside face 286 of the rib 275.
• the height of the two ribs 275 and 277 is substantially equal, the rear rib 275 being delimited by a rounded upper edge 290 while the wider front rib 277 is delimited by a horizontal upper face 292.
• the height of the rear rib 275 is slightly less than that of the front rib 277 to ensure that the lower edge 318 of the inner wing 310 of the carriage 252 slides in the groove 319 of the insulating support, bearing vertically in the bottom of the groove 319 in order to guarantee good sliding guidance with reduced friction.
• the part 258 is open transversely inwards towards the housing 58 and therefore towards the edge right side 72 of the card when it is in the connector.
• the bottom 262 has a longitudinal recess 296 which is delimited laterally towards the inside of the connector by a vertical edge 298 constituting a cam profile. More specifically, the cam profile 298 comprises a rear section of longitudinal orientation 300 which is an extension of the external lateral face 286 of the rear rib 275, then a rectilinear rectilinear central section forming a ramp 302, and finally a front section 304 of longitudinal orientation offset transversely inwards with respect to the rear section 300.
• the external lateral face 284 of the front rib 277 is a vertical and longitudinal flat face which is perpendicular to the general plane. of the card C and which extends longitudinally forwards, beyond the front rib 277 proper, to constitute the face in which the locking cam 265 is formed which is of known general design in the shape of a heart.
• the transverse inward offset of the outer face 284 in which the cam 265 is formed relative to the outer lateral face 1 18 of the insulating support 52 makes it possible to have a recess forming a housing for the locking jumper 256, this clearance being open vertically upwards and downwards and being limited longitudinally towards the rear by a transverse edge of the front end 306 of the part 258 of the support which is thinned in the vicinity of this edge 306 to constitute a longitudinal face 308 inclined downward relative to the horizontal upper face 262, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 9.
• the carriage 252 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 23.
• the carriage 252 is here produced in the form of a piece of cut and folded sheet metal.
• the jumper 252 is essentially constituted by an inner longitudinal vertical wing 310 and by a longitudinal and horizontal upper back 312.
• the carriage 252 has an external vertical wing 314 to give it an inverted U-shaped section whose width is complementary to the transverse thickness of rib 275.
• the upper back 312 is extended by a front outer vertical wing 316, offset laterally outward with respect to the rear outer wing 314, so as to have a cross section in inverted U shape complementary to the front rib 277 it overlaps.
• the lower longitudinal edge 318 of the inner wing 310 is continuous and is intended to be received in a longitudinal slot 319 of the insulating support formed in the step 83 and which extends along the inner faces of the rear ribs 275 and front 277 .
• the carriage 252 is delimited longitudinally towards the rear by the rear end transverse edge 322.
• the lower rear angle 323 of the wing 310 is capable of cooperating with the rear end 321 of the groove 319 to determine the rear rest position of the carriage 252 relative to the insulating support towards which it is resiliently biased by the spring of traction 254 whose front longitudinal end shaped as a hook 257 is received for this purpose in a notch 324 formed in the vicinity of the rear transverse edge 326 of the front external lateral wing 316 of the carriage 252.
• the inner lateral wing 310 extends substantially over the entire length of the carriage 252 and it is delimited longitudinally towards the front by a front end edge 328.
• the carriage 252 comprises a drive branch 330 which extends in a vertical plane inclined transversely inwards with respect to the plane of the wing 310 so as to be received inside the housing 58.
• the drive branch 330 is connected to the back 312 by a fold 331 at 90 °.
• the branch 330 is inclined here by about 45 °, that is to say according to the angle of inclination of the cut edge 64 and of the face 98 of the insulating support.
• the inclined face 98 of the insulating support 52 has a recess 99 which is dimensioned as will be explained below so as to be able to receive the drive branch 330 in the overtravel position towards the front of the carriage 252 and card C.
• the thickness of the sheet in which the carriage 252 is made is such that its back 312 which straddles the upper edges 290 and 292 of the ribs 275 and 277 is situated vertically slightly behind the horizontal upper face 56 of the insulating support, the carriage 252 being able to slide longitudinally relative to the insulating support 52 under the upper horizontal plate 60 of the cover 54 which extends horizontally above the back 312 of the carriage 252.
• the inner lateral wing 310 also includes a rectangular window 332 arranged substantially at mid-length which is designed to allow the passage of a beak 186 for blocking an SD card and which is effect likely to be received in the locking notch 75 of the right longitudinal edge 72 of the latter.
• the spout 186 is formed at the front longitudinal end of an elastic blocking blade 184 which is produced integrally by cutting and folding with the carriage 252.
• the blade 184 extends vertically and longitudinally forwards from the front transverse edge 334 of the rear external lateral wing 314 by forming an angle relative to the vertical plane of the latter, that is to say say that, in its so-called resting state, as can be seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, the blocking blade 184 extends generally transversely inwards with the blocking spout 186 which is perpendicular to the blade 184.
• the spout 186 extends through the window 332 to project transversely inward, about 0.6 mm beyond the side face 31 1 of the inner vertical wing 310 of the carriage 252.
• the lower edge 185 of the locking blade 184 includes a control finger 336 which extends vertically so, in the mounted position, to be received in the clearance 296 and able to cooperate by its internal vertical lateral face 338, with the cam profile 298, towards which it is permanently resiliently biased when the carriage 252 is in the mounted position.
• the guide point constituted by the control finger is therefore fixed longitudinally with respect to the carriage 252 and to the blade 184 with its locking spout 186, and it is movable longitudinally with respect to the cam profile 298 along which it moves in synchronism with card C.
• the front external lateral wing 316 has a hole 340 intended to receive the rear end strand 342 of the locking jumper 256.
• the jumper 256 is a folded wire element comprising a main section of longitudinal orientation 344 and two perpendicular strands rear 342 and front 346 which, in the mounted position of the jumper, extend transversely towards the interior so that the strand 342 is received in the hole 340 of the carriage 252 and so that the front strand 346, of greater length, is received in the heart-shaped locking cam 265.
• the cover 54 according to the invention differs essentially therefrom by the presence of an elastic tab 350 which is produced integrally with the cover 54
• the tab 350 extends longitudinally forward to extend opposite the cam 265 and to permanently resiliently urge the main longitudinal strand 344 of the hook 256, and this by means of two plies 352 and 354 in function of the longitudinal position of the hook 256 relative to the cover 54 with its blade 350 for holding the hook.
• the SD card includes a write protection device called "Write Protect” which is a notch 65 in which a cursor 69 can occupy two opposite longitudinal positions, rear when the protection is not activated and before when the protection is activated, and the connector includes a switch 140 for detecting the longitudinal position of this cursor.
• the switch 140 includes a contact blade 142 integrated into the metal cover and a movable detection blade 144 carried by the insulating support 52.
• the left lateral edge 120 of the cover 54 comprises the blade 142 which is connected to the electrical ground as the cover 54 is by its welded legs 132 and 134.
• the movable blade 144 is of generally longitudinal orientation and it comprises a foot before implantation and connection which is received in a complementary hole formed for this purpose in the insulating support 52 in the vicinity of the lateral edge 80.
• the foot comprises a connection tab 147 provided to be soldered or pitted in contact with an associated conductive track of the printed circuit board.
• the movable blade is extended towards the rear by an elastically deformable branch 148 which ends with a detection strand 150 curved towards the left edge 70 of the SD card, then by a contact tab 152 which is liable to come into contact electric with the internal surface portion facing the fixed contact blade 142 (see in particular Figure 56).
• the rest position corresponds to the rear position of the protective cursor 67 and the switch is in its normal "open” state, while it is closed when the cursor 67 is in the advanced position.
• This switch makes it possible, in association with the ejection means according to the invention, to detect that the card is no longer in the position of use, but that it is still partially present in the connector, that is to say that it has been "forgotten in the connector after the triggering of the automatic ejection means.
• the carriage 252 In the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, the carriage 252 is shown in its rear rest position towards which it is returned by the tension spring 254, this position being defined by the abutment of the angle 323 and of all the rear vertical edge, against the rear end 321 of the groove and against its vertical extension.
• the card C is shown in an intermediate position which it reaches during its introduction in the direction L1 and in which the cutaway 64 of its transverse edge of the front end 66 comes into contact against the rear face of the branch 330 for driving the carriage 252.
• This intermediate position is also a position of the card when it is ejected.
• the catch 75 for blocking the card C is opposite the window 332 and the blocking spout 186 belonging to the carriage 252, and the spout is in position retracted because the locking blade 184 is in elastic abutment against the external lateral face 286 of the rear rib 275 with the control finger 336 opposite the rear section 300 of the cam profile 298.
• the user pushes the card against the restoring force applied to it by the tension spring 254, the card driving the carriage 252 via the drive branch. 330 which receives the pushing force by the cutaway 64.
• the front transverse strand 346 of the locking hook 256 which is driven by the carriage 252, reaches the front end of the horizontal section T1 as can be seen in FIGS. 25, 26 and 28.
• the blocking spout 186 is always in the retracted position or the retracted position opposite the blocking notch 75 of the card because the blocking blade 184 is always in elastic support against the external lateral face 286 of the rear rib 275.
• the jumper or locking hook 256 is of course moved longitudinally forward, from left to right relative to the connector and therefore relative to the blade 350 which pushes the hook 256 transversely inward, the point of contact between the blade 350 and the main longitudinal strand 344 of the hook 256 now being formed by the fold 354.
• the insertion path of the card in the direction L1 can continue until its front transverse edge 66 abuts against the transverse bottom 78 of the insulating support 52.
• FIGS. 30 to 35 This maximum position for introducing the card C into the housing 58 against the return force which is applied to it by the spring 254 via the carriage 252, is illustrated in FIGS. 30 to 35. This position corresponds to the carriage locking overtravel.
• the front transverse strand 346 of the hook 256 traverses a second inclined section T2, then a third upper horizontal T3 of the cam profile 265, the longitudinal movement forwards, then forwards of the locking hook 256 being possible due to its articulation around a horizontal axis (relative to the carriage) thanks to its rear transverse strand 342 received in rotation in the hole 340 of the 'front wing 316 of the truck.
• the abutment of the edge 66 of the card against the bottom 78 is made possible by the recess 99 formed in the inclined face 98 of the insulating support 52 which receives the drive branch 330.
• the elastic blocking blade 184 which carries the blocking spout 186 flexes transversely, under the effect of its own elasticity, towards the inside of the connector in the direction from the edge 72 of the card because it is no longer bearing against the external lateral face 286 of the rear rib 275, its control finger 336 cooperating with the end of the cam profile 298 and in particular with the front section 304 of the latter .
• the blocking spout 186 thus extends into the blocking notch 75 as can be seen in particular in FIG. 33.
• the user releases the force which he previously applied to the rear transverse edge 68 of the card and the latter is then resiliently recalled, by means of the carriage 252 and its drive branch 330, under the action of the traction return spring 254.
• the card therefore moves back in the longitudinal direction L2, from front to back, to reach its locking position which is determined by the abutment, longitudinally towards the rear, of the front strand 346 of the locking hook 246 against the point of inflection or locking point PV of the cam 265 which corresponds to the intersection of two inclined sections T4 and T5, forming a lying V of the locking cam 265, of course following a course, vertically downwards and longitudinally towards the rear of the section T4 by the strand 346.
• the main longitudinal strand 344 of the locking hook 256 again extends in a substantially horizontal direction.
• the carriage 252 is permanently under tension due to the return force applied to it by the spring 254, thereby determining a precise longitudinal position and without play of the carriage 252 relative to the insulating support 52 of the connector 50, and therefore a corresponding position of the card in which its contact pads Pi are in contact with the ends 102 of the contact blades 100.
• the locking nose 186 is of course always received in the locking notch of the card under the action of the locking blade 184 with its control finger 346 bearing against the front section 304 of the cam profile.
• the blocking spout 186 constitutes a stop which cooperates with the transverse front edge of the notch 75 to oppose this extraction, the carriage 252 cannot move back as it is retained by the locking hook 256.
• the slight stroke made possible, towards the rear, due to the length of the notch 75, is such that the contact pads Pi of the card are always in contact with the contact ends 102 of the contact blades 100.
• the user To cause the card to be unlocked in order to obtain its ejection from the connector by the ejector carriage 252, and starting from the operating position shown in particular in FIGS. 39 to 42, the user must once again push on the face rear transverse 68 of the card in the direction L1 to bring the card C and the carriage 252 into the unlocked overtravel position illustrated in FIGS. 43 to 47. In this position, the card is again in abutment forward in the housing 58 with its transverse edge 66 in contact with the transverse bottom 78 of the insulating support 52.
• the abutment position may result from the coming into contact of the cutaway 64 with the face 98 of the insulating support 52.
• the position of the stop and of the branch 330 of the carriage 252 and the length of the hook 256 are such that, in the overtravel position, the strand 346 is located in front beyond the heart-shaped cam 265.
• the front strand 346 of the locking hook 256 traverses the section T5 of the cam 265 downwards and forwards so as to be found, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 45, opposite of the lower longitudinal and horizontal section T6 of the locking cam.
• the user need only release his pushing force on the rear transverse edge 68 of the card C, this the latter then being free to move back from the right to the left under the action of the spring 254 which is applied to it through the drive branch 330 which bears against its cutaway 64.
• the card moves back in the direction L2 in passing by the intermediate ejection position shown in FIGS. 48 to 52.
• the blocking spout 186 When passing from the unlocking overtravel position illustrated in FIGS. 45 to 47 to the intermediate ejection position illustrated in FIGS. 50 to 52, the blocking spout 186 is automatically retracted out of the blocking notch 75 due to the progressive cooperation of the finger 346 for controlling the change of state of the blocking blade 184 which cooperates with the central section in the form of a ramp 302 of the cam profile 298. This erasing of the blocking spout 186 is also ensured by the front edge of the rib rear 275 which acts on the blade 184.
• the spout 186 is quickly retracted out of the notch 75 and the recoil movement of the carriage 252 and the corresponding acceleration of the card C can cause its automatic ejection, whether or not accompanied by the carriage 252 with its drive branch 330 on the entire ejection stroke, the ejection stroke of the carriage 252 ending when the latter again occupies its rear rest position illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7. It will be noted that the intermediate ejection position shown in FIGS.
• the front transverse strand 346 of the locking hook 256 has reached the rear longitudinal end of the lower horizontal section T6 of the locking cam 265 and it is then in position to traverse the inclined rear strand T7 which opens into the section T1 in which the strand 346 re-enters at the end of the recoil stroke of the carriage 252 to return to the position illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6.
• the design according to the invention makes it possible to use the connector 50 with its ejection means 250 by introducing therein a “classic” MMC card, that is to say without a locking notch 75, the inner free end edge of the locking strand 186 then coming to bear against the solid side face of the right side edge 72 of the card, without preventing the card locking device from operating in the operating and ejecting position, the friction of the spout 186 against the edge 72 then constituting a card brake opposing any untimely backward movement of the card outside the housing 68 of the connector 50, for example under the effect of vibrations of the device equipped with the connector 50.
• this state does not prevent the re-introduction of a card in the operating position, whether it is a conventional MMC card or an SD card, because it is then cut 64 of the card which is inserted into the connector which cooperates with the spout 186 to cause the temporary erasure of the latter until it is again facing the locking notch 75 if the card inserted is a card type SD.
• the hook 256 rocks generally downwards around its rear strand 342, this tilting being made possible thanks to the clearance formed by the inclined upper facet 308 of the lateral extension 258 of the insulating support 52.
• FIGS. 54 and 57 corresponds to different embodiments of the connector described and represented in French patent application no. 01 -03228 of March 9, 2001 according to which the outputs 104 of the blades 102 extend longitudinally forward beyond the front transverse face 86 of the insulating support 52.
• the advantages of this design are mentioned in this document and they can advantageously be combined with those of the design of the ejection means 250 according to the invention including in the case where the assembly is turned vertically with the connecting tabs of the contact blades facing forward and the limit switch integrated in the cover at its front transverse edge.
• the flange 120 has a cutout or slot 360 in the general shape of a "T" into which the lower end 362 of a tool 364 can be introduced (see FIG. 59) to act as a lever in order to cause a slight elastic deformation of the cover 54 in this area.
• the carriage is produced in the form of a pusher whose rear longitudinal end is capable of receiving a maneuvering force which is applied to it longitudinally from back to front, in particular with a view to causing the ejection of the map.
• FIGS. 62 to 87 will now be described in which elements identical, analogous or similar to those described and represented with reference to FIGS. 1 to 52 are designated by the same reference numbers.
• the design of this second embodiment of a connector is here represented in association with a C card of MSD type (Sony), but it is not limited to this type of card and can in particular, as previously, be used in association with an SD type card (Sandisk). Due to the presence of the notch 75 formed in the left longitudinal edge 70 of the card, the assembly of the ejection and retaining means of the card C making it possible to perform the function of the "push-on, push-off" type. "are arranged laterally along the left longitudinal edge of the connector, that is to say that all of these means and the main associated elements of the connector are arranged according to a" mirror "type symmetry with respect to the same elements shown in Figures 1 to 52.
• This second embodiment differs essentially from the first, first of all by the design of the card carriage 252.
• the lower edge 185 of the locking blade 184 no longer has a control finger and the insulating support 52 no longer has a profile complementary cam with which the internal vertical lateral face of the control finger for the deformations of the locking blade 184 cooperated.
• the window 332 through which the blocking spout 186 is capable of moving is open vertically downwards and opens into the lower edge 318.
• the spout 186 is of reduced height in order to be able to penetrate into the locking notch 75 of the card C which is also of reduced height and there is provided a rib forming a stiffener 400 in the internal angle between the locking spout 186 and the end longitudinal front of the locking blade 184.
• the rib 275 is delimited towards the front by its transverse front end face 276 the intersection of which with the internal face determines a vertical edge of the front end 402 (see FIG. 70) which extends opposite. of the internal lateral and longitudinal face opposite 404 of the locking blade 184.
• This inner lateral face 404 is generally planar and of vertical orientation and it comprises, in the vicinity of its front longitudinal end (to which the locking spout 186 is arranged) a boss 406 which knows how to project transversely inward towards the plane vertical in which extends the lateral and longitudinal outer face 286 of the rear rib 275 whose intersection with the transverse front end face 276 determines the edge 402.
• the locking blade 184 bears transversely inwardly against the portion facing the wing 31 1, with the spout blocking 186 which projects transversely entirely through window 332.
• the area of the guide surface for the deformations of the locking blade 184 is generally proportional to the elastic deformation of the blade 184, that is to say proportional to the force exerted on it.
• Its value is zero in the locked or blocking position, corresponding to a zero force applied to the blade 184. Its value is maximum in the unlocked position, corresponding to a maximum force applied to the blade.
• this design allows a great simplification of the insulating support 52 insofar as the guide cam 296, 298 is eliminated, this also resulting in a better robustness of the tool. corresponding molding of the insulating support.
• the force exerted on the locking blade 184 is centered relative to the axis of the elastically deformable blade 184 and there is therefore no parasitic tilting torque which risks causing the blade to "twist", thereby providing perfect effectiveness of the blocking - unblocking function.
• the spacing, or transverse offset of the blocking spout 186 is equal to that of the front edge of the guide surface of the blade.
• the boss 406 which is provided at this effect on the locking blade 184, protrudes transversely by about 0.1 mm.
• the upper back 312 extends vertically downwards.
• a portion of outer lateral wing in the shape of a tab 410 which is intended to be permanently "in engagement" with the front rib 277 which comprises for this purpose, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 12A and 13A, a groove 412 for the passage and guiding of the tab 410.
• the branch 330 for driving the carriage 252 by the left lateral portion of the front transverse edge 66 of the card C is also modified, in particular to adapt to the design of the card MSD type.
• the branch 330 thus extends generally in a vertical transverse plane perpendicular to the plane of the inner wing 310 of the carriage 252 to which it is connected by a transverse and horizontal tab 414 connected to the wing 310 by a lower longitudinal fold 331.
• the branch 330 extends transversely inward over a sufficient length so as to guarantee that it extends at least partially opposite a rectilinear transverse portion of the front transverse edge 66 of the card, and this because the connection between the front edge 66 and the left longitudinal edge 70 is not a cutaway standardized at 45 °, but simply a convex curved connection area 64 .
• the horizontal tab 414 which connects the wing 310 to the drive branch 330 also includes a tab or branch 416, of transverse and vertical orientation which extends upwards from the tab 414 (like the branch 330) and which is a coding lug 416 which intervenes when the card C is inserted incorrectly.
• the height of the tab 416 is reduced compared to the total height of the drive branch 330 and it is such that, when the card is inserted in the correct position, the tab 416 is received in the clearance 418 formed under the card opposite the convex connection edge 64.
• the transverse edge of the card, front 66 or rear 68 which comes to cooperate directly with the rear face of the tab 416 to drive the carriage 252 which cannot then reach a front longitudinal position allowing it to be locked.
• the ejection spring causes (by means of the carriage 252 and the tab 416) an automatic "re-ejection", at least partial, from card C which therefore does not remain in the connector.
• the longitudinal position of the tab 416 is determined for this purpose to guarantee a minimal tensioning of the spring 254, but without locking the carriage by the hook 256.
• the rear face of the transverse coding tab 416 constitutes an area additional support, for the facing portion 420 of the card (see Figure 87) and thus constitutes an additional support surface for driving the carriage 252 by the card C which is added to the surface constituted by the rear face of the drive branch 330 with which the front transverse edge 66 of the card C cooperates.
• this design provides a complement to the mechanical stop, constituted by the rear transverse face 422 of the boxes or forms 424 (see FIG. 69) which protect the ends of the contact blades of the connector and which physically prevent the card from being completely inserted. if it is not inserted in the correct position to therefore also provide a re-ejection function of the card which has been thus incorrectly introduced.
• FIGS. 3 and 64 By comparing, for example, FIGS. 3 and 64, as well as FIGS. 4 and 65, it can be seen that it has also been possible to significantly reduce (0.5 mm) the total thickness of the insulating support by eliminating the portion of material which delimited vertically upwards the section T3 of the locking cam 265, that is to say the plastic blade delimited upwards previously by the upper face 56 of the insulating support 52.
• the total height or thickness of the connector is reduced and can be optimized as a function of the reduced height of the so-called MSD card which is of the order of 1.6 mm.
• the upper plate 60 of the cover 64 has two longitudinal bosses, arranged laterally 426 and a front transverse boss 428, which protrude vertically downwards and which are intended to cooperate with portions of the upper face of the MSD card determined by its manufacturer to press the card vertically downwards.
• the two longitudinal bosses 426 can be replaced by two elastic tabs 429 which project vertically downwards which are two braking blades of the card, the free ends 430 of which cooperate with a portion facing the upper face 74 of the card C, in the same zones as in the longitudinal bosses 426.
• the cover 54 which comprises, in its rear transverse edge chamfers facilitating the introduction of the card similar to those shown in particular in Figures 15 and 16.
• the connector 50 is of the type in which the electrical connection outlets of the contact blades 102 extend longitudinally towards the front, that is to say generally as in FIGS. 54 to 57, but they could of course also extend longitudinally rearwards as in Figures 1 to 52.
• an unlocking overtravel SC which is for example 0.5 mm greater than the locking stroke of the card, and this so that the extraction of the latter requires the user to use a specific tool, while the insertion of the card with locking is carried out by the user simply by pushing on the rear transverse edge 68 of the card with the end of his finger.
• the point P2 of intersection of the sections T5 and T6 is for this purpose offset longitudinally forward relative to the point P1 of intersection of the sections T3 and T4 of the unlocking overtravel SC.

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• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
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• Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

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• 2001
  • 2001-04-27 FR FR0105676A patent/FR2824189B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-04-25 WO PCT/FR2002/001418 patent/WO2002089040A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-04-25 EP EP02727691A patent/EP1382001A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-04-25 CN CNA028088379A patent/CN1505798A/zh active Pending
• 2003
  • 2003-10-17 US US10/688,402 patent/US6908322B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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