JP2000012167A - Connector for ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the operation of a detecting switch and thin the connector, by elastically pressing the IC card inserted into a containing part toward an upper face plate side of a covering member by a terminal, and by operating a switch operating member by the IC card to operate the detecting switch. SOLUTION: When the IC card is inserted into a containing part 6 in the direction A, it is elastically pressed against the under surface of a covering member 4 by a terminal, and it is guided by the under surface as a reference plane to be inserted. Then, a contact part of the IC card is brought into contact with the terminal, it is further inserted with this contact state being kept, then an actuator part 5b of a switch operating member 5 is pressed by the upper surface of the IC card, and a center portion of an operating part 5d is brought into contact with and pressed against a raised portion of the covering member 4. Therefore, a locking piece 5e is moved in the direction getting away from a locking part 4g, under the condition that a locking piece 5f is locked on a locking part 4h. Thereby, the operating part 5d makes inclining motion, and when the insertion finishes, an operating part 3c of a detecting switch 3 is pressed, to detect the insertion.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for an IC card which is mounted on a device to be used by inserting and removing an IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional IC card connector is shown in FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 20, a housing 31 formed of a synthetic resin molded product is provided with a lower plate portion 31b having a hole 31a.
A rear wall 31c provided at a rear portion of the lower surface plate portion 31b;
And a side wall 31d provided on both sides of the lower surface plate portion 31b. In addition, the plurality of terminals 32 made of a metal spring plate
In a state of being aligned in two rows, it is mounted on the lower surface plate portion 31b of the housing 31 by embedding or the like.

The detection switch 33, which is a push switch, includes an insulating case 33a containing a contact mechanism (not shown), a terminal 33b attached to the case 33a, and an operation for operating the contact mechanism. It has a portion 33c. The detection switch 33 composed of such a push switch is suitable for a relatively poor outdoor environment
This detection switch 33 is mounted on the housing 31 in a state where the operation unit 33c is exposed on the upper surface of the lower plate portion 31b, and is used for a switch having a long service life that can be used over 10,000 times.

A switch operating member 34 made of a band-shaped spring plate has a base 34a and a U-shaped operating portion 34b provided at one end of the base 34a. The base portion 34a is fixedly attached to the upper surface of the lower plate portion 31b with the portion 34b abutting on the operation portion 33c of the detection switch 33. Further, the cover member 35 made of a synthetic resin molded product is
5a, and a rear wall 35b provided at a rear portion of the upper plate portion 35a.
The cover member 35 is attached to the housing 31 in a state where the cover member 35 is disposed so as to cover the upper portion of the housing 31.

The cover member 35 is connected to the housing 31.
18 and 19, an accommodating portion 36 is formed between the cover member 35 and the housing 31 as well as the terminal 32 and the switch operating member 34, as shown in FIGS.
Are located in the accommodating portion 36, and an IC card connector is formed by such a configuration.
Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the rectangular IC card C
The lower surface has a plurality of contact portions C1 arranged in two rows.

[0006] As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, when the IC card C is inserted into the IC card connector accommodating portion 36 in the direction of arrow A, the IC card C is pressed by the terminals 32 onto the lower surface of the cover member 35. Then, the lower surface of the cover member 35 is inserted using the lower surface as a guide with the lower surface as a reference surface. In the IC card C, first, the contact portion C1 contacts the terminal 32, and then, in this contact state, as shown in FIG.
Is pressed on the operating part 34b. Then, the operation part 34b moves from the position of the dotted line to the position of the solid line, and the detection switch 33
Is pressed, the contact of the detection switch 33 is switched to detect that the IC card C is inserted. Then, when the insertion of the IC card C is completed, as shown in FIG.
The operation of the detection switch 33 is performed in a state where the 3c and the IC card C overlap in the vertical direction.

As described above, the device is operated while the IC card C is inserted, and the IC card C can be easily removed by pulling out the IC card C. Then, when the IC card C is removed, the terminal 32 and the switch operating member 34 return to their original states due to their own spring properties, and the operation unit 33c of the detection switch 33 also returns to the original state, and the contact point returns to the original state. Switching is performed.

[0008]

In the conventional IC card connector, since the switch operating member 34 is provided on the housing 31 side, when the IC card C is inserted with the cover member 35 as a reference plane, the IC When the thickness of the card C varies and the IC card C is thin, the switch operating member 3
4, the operation of the detection switch 33 cannot be performed, and the stable operation of the detection switch 33 cannot be performed. Further, the IC card C directly pushes the operating portion 34b of the switch operating member 34 and presses the operating portion 33c of the detection switch 33 with the operating portion 34b.
3c and the IC card C must be arranged so as to overlap in the up-down direction.
There is a problem that it is unsuitable for a device requiring a thin shape.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems As a first means for solving the above problems, a housing made of an insulating material having terminals that can be connected to and separated from an IC card, and a detection switch disposed on the housing side are provided. A cover member that is combined with the housing and forms a receiving portion of the IC card with the housing, and a switch actuating member that is disposed on an upper plate portion of the cover member and operates the detection switch; A configuration in which the IC card inserted into the housing is resiliently pressed by the terminal toward the upper plate side of the cover member, and the switch operating member is operated by the IC card to operate the detection switch. did. As a second solution, the switch actuating member is formed of a spring plate, and the switch actuating member includes an actuator unit that can be brought into contact with and separated from the IC card, and an actuating unit that operates the detection switch. And the actuator and the actuator are individually operable. Further, as a third solution means, when the IC card is inserted into the housing portion, the operating portion of the switch operating member performs a tilting operation with respect to the upper surface plate portion to operate the detection switch. The configuration is as described above.

[0010] As a fourth solution, the switch operating member is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the actuator portion and the operating portion at one end side, and a central portion of the operating portion abuts on the cover member. The detection section is operated at the other end of the operation section by displacing the connection section in this state. As a fifth solution, the switch operating member is provided inside the cover member. As a sixth solution, the detection switch has an operation unit, and the operation unit is located behind the IC card inserted into the housing unit. As a seventh solution, the detection switch is formed by a push switch, and the contact of the push switch is switched by moving the operation unit.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The IC card connector of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a housing according to the IC card connector of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a cover member according to the IC card connector of the present invention, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of the cover member, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view of the switch operating member of the IC card connector of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a view of the IC card connector of the present invention. 12 to 15 are explanatory views showing the operation of the detection switch of the IC card connector of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a plan view of the IC card.

Next, the I of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
To explain the C card connector, a housing 1 made of a synthetic resin molded product has a lower plate portion 1b having a hole 1a.
And a rear wall 1c provided at the rear of the lower plate 1b, and side walls 1d provided on both sides of the lower plate 1b. The plurality of terminals 2 made of a metal spring plate are arranged in two rows, and are buried or the like, and the lower surface plate portion 1 of the housing 1 is buried.
b.

The detection switch 3 composed of a push switch comprises an insulating case 3a having a built-in contact mechanism (not shown), and a terminal 3b attached to the case 3a.
And an operation section 3c for operating the contact mechanism section. The detection switch 3 composed of such a push switch is used in a relatively poor outdoor environment or a device having a long service life that can withstand more than 100,000 uses. As shown in the figure, at the rearmost portion of the housing 1, the operating portion 3c is attached to the housing 1 in a state of being exposed on the upper surface of the lower plate portion 1b. The detection switch 3 can apply various types of push switches.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the cover member 4 made of a synthetic resin molded product includes an upper plate 4a, a rear wall 4b provided at the rear of the upper plate 4a, and an upper plate 4a. Part 4
a, and a holding portion 4d provided at a rear portion of the upper surface plate portion 4a. The holding portion 4d is formed on the lower surface side of the cover member 4 by providing deep recesses 4e on both sides and extends in the front-rear direction. A locking portion 4g formed by the formed hole and a raised portion 4g.
f and a locking portion 4h formed by a hole provided at the rear of the f.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the switch operating member 5 made of a metal spring plate has a rectangular base portion 5. As shown in FIG.
a, a pair of actuator parts 5b cut and raised from the base 5a, and a U-shaped hole provided at the center of the base 5a, and one end thereof is connected to the base 5a by the connection part 5c. And a tongue-shaped operating portion 5 having the other end free.
d, locking pieces 5e, 5f provided on the front and rear portions of the base 5a.
And And this switch operating member 5
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, the locking pieces 5 e and 5 f are connected to the cover member 4 while the switch operating member 5 is bent in a U-shape.
When the operating portions 5d are in contact with the raised portions 4f, the base portions 4a on both sides are installed in the recessed portions 4e when the operating portions 5d are in contact with the raised portions 4g and 4h.

The cover member 4 incorporating the switch operating member 5 is attached to the housing 1 by means of appropriate means in a state where it is arranged so as to cover the upper part of the housing 1. And the cover member 4
Is combined with the housing 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing portion 6 is provided between the cover member 4 and the housing 1.
And the terminal 2 is located in the housing portion 6, but the operation portion 3c of the detection switch 3 is disengaged from the housing portion 6 to the rear, and the free end of the operating portion 5d is provided on the upper surface of the operation portion 3c. The parts are in contact with each other, and an IC card connector is formed by such a configuration. As shown in FIG. 16, the rectangular IC card C has a plurality of contact portions C1 arranged in two rows on the lower surface thereof.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 12, when the IC card C is inserted into the housing 6 of the IC card connector from the direction of arrow A, the IC card C
Is pressed against the lower surface of the cover member 4, and is inserted using the lower surface of the cover member 4 as a reference surface and using the lower surface as a guide.
In the IC card C, first, in the state shown in FIG. Next, in this contact state, the IC card C
Is further inserted, as shown in FIG.
Of the switch operating member 5 by the upper surface of
Press b.

Then, since the actuator portion 5b is pushed with the central portion of the operating portion 5d abutting on the protruding portion 4f, the base portion 5b is locked with the locking piece 5f locked on the locking portion 4h.
a, the connecting portion 5c shifts upward, that is, the locking piece 5e.
Moves in a direction away from the locking portion 4g,
The operating portion 5d performs a tilting operation along the raised portion 4f inclined with the raised portion 4f as a support point. And IC card C
When the insertion of the detection switch 3 is completed, as shown in FIG. 15, the operating portion 5d of the switch operating member 5 performs a large tilting operation with respect to the upper surface plate portion 4a. When the user presses the section 3c, the contact of the detection switch 3 is switched to detect that the IC card C has been inserted. As described above, when the actuator unit 5b and the operating unit 5d operate individually and the insertion of the IC card C is completed, as shown in FIG. 6 and located within the range of the height of the housing portion 6.

As described above, the device is operated while the IC card C is inserted, and the IC card C can be easily removed by pulling out the IC card C. When the IC card C is removed, the terminal 2 and the switch actuating member 5 return to their original states due to their own spring properties, and the operation section 3c of the detection switch 3
Also returns to the original state, and the contact is switched to the original state. That is, since the switch operating member 5 is released from being pressed by the IC card C on the actuator portion 5b, the base portion 5a and the operating portion 5d return to the original state as shown in FIG.

[0020]

According to the connector for an IC card of the present invention, the switch operating member 5 for operating the detection switch 3 is provided on the upper plate portion 4a side of the cover member 4 which is the insertion reference surface of the IC card C. The switch operating member 5 can reliably operate without being affected by the variation in the thickness of the card C, and an IC card connector that can reliably operate the detection switch 3 can be provided. Further, the switch operating member 5 is provided with an actuator section 5b and an operating section 5d, and the actuator section 5b and the operating section 5d are individually operated, so that the operating section is smaller than the moving amount of the actuator section 5b. The movement amount of 5d can be increased, and therefore, an IC card connector that can reliably operate the detection switch 3 can be provided. In addition, since the operation portion 5d of the switch operation member 5 performs the tilting operation with respect to the upper surface plate portion 4a of the cover member 4 to operate the detection switch 3, the switch operation member 5 having a thin and large movement amount is provided. An IC card connector can be provided.

The switch operating member 5 has a simple structure because one end of the actuator portion 5b and one end of the operating portion 5d are connected by a connecting portion 5c, and the detection switch 3 is operated at the other end of the operating portion 5d. Thus, it is possible to provide an IC card connector including the switch operating member 5 having a large moving amount. Further, by disposing the switch operating member 5 inside the cover member 4, the switch operating member 5 is not damaged by external force, and a compact IC card connector can be provided. Further, by locating the operation section 3c of the detection switch 3 behind the IC card C accommodated in the accommodation section 6, the operation section 3c can be at the same height as the accommodation section 6, and therefore, can be detected in the thickness direction. Switch 3 installation can be reduced,
A thin IC card connector can be provided. Also, by forming the detection switch 3 with a push switch,
It is possible to provide an IC card connector suitable for an environment and a long life while allowing the housing 1 to have a degree of freedom in its mounting position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a housing according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a cover member according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a main part of a cover member according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a switch operating member according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a switch operating member according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which a switch operating member is attached to a cover member according to the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the detection switch of the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the detection switch of the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the detection switch of the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the detection switch of the IC card connector of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an IC card.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a conventional IC card connector.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a main part of a conventional IC card connector.

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a conventional IC card connector.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a housing according to a conventional IC card connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 housing 1a hole 1b lower surface plate portion 1c rear wall 1d side wall 2 terminal 3 detection switch 3a case 3b terminal portion 3c operation portion 4 cover member 4a upper surface plate portion 4b rear wall 4c side wall 4d holding portion 4e recessed portion 4f raised portion 4g locking Part 4h Locking part 5 Switch operating member 5a Base 5b Actuator 5c Connecting part 5d Operating part 5e Locking piece 5f Locking piece 6 Housing C IC card C1 Contact

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A housing made of an insulating material having terminals that can be brought into contact with and separated from an IC card, a detection switch disposed on the housing side, and a housing for combining the IC card with the housing. A cover member to be configured, and a switch actuating member disposed on an upper plate portion of the cover member for operating the detection switch, wherein the IC card inserted into the housing portion is disposed above the cover member by the terminal. An IC card connector characterized in that the IC card connector is resiliently pressed toward the face plate portion and the switch operating member is operated by the IC card to operate the detection switch. 2. The switch actuating member is formed of a spring plate, and the switch actuating member is provided with an actuator unit that can be brought into contact with and separated from the IC card and an actuating unit that operates the detection switch. 2. The IC card connector according to claim 1, wherein the unit and the actuator unit are individually operable. 3. When the IC card is inserted into the housing section, the operating section of the switch operating member performs a tilting operation with respect to the upper surface plate section to operate the detection switch. 3. The IC card connector according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The switch operating member includes a connecting portion that connects the actuator portion and the operating portion at one end, and the connecting portion is provided in a state where a central portion of the operating portion is in contact with the cover member. 4. The IC card connector according to claim 3, wherein the detection switch is operated on the other end side of the operation section by shifting the operation switch. 5. The switch operation member according to claim 1, wherein the switch actuating member is disposed inside the cover member.
Or the connector for IC card according to 3 or 4. 6. The detection switch according to claim 1, wherein the detection switch has an operation unit, and the operation unit is located behind the IC card inserted into the storage unit. 3. The IC card connector according to 3, 4, or 5. 7. The IC card connector according to claim 6, wherein the detection switch is formed by a push switch, and the contact of the push switch is switched by moving the operation unit.