JP2000207076A - Data input-output card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data input-output card which is easily disassembled and is excellent in workability and design with the engaging parts not seen externally about a data input-output card which is inserted into an information processor and used in an attachable and detachable way. SOLUTION: This data input-output card 1 has a surface metallic panel 9 and a rear face metallic panel 6 which face each other with a frame 7 between them so as to contain a substrate 3 held by the frame 7 and inputs and outputs data between an electronic part 2 mounted on the substrate 3 and an external information processor. Nail parts having at least one wall 10 projecting toward the panel 6 are formed on the panel 9, and opening parts 8 through which pressing members that apply power from the panel 6 side to the parts 10 are proceeded when the panel 9 is separated from the panel 6 or the frame 7 are formed in the panel 6 or the frame 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to data used detachably mounted on an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC") or a digital still camera for processing various information. Regarding input / output cards.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A PC is a typical example of a data input / output card.
Cards are known. PC cards include consumer audio devices, digital still devices, and personal computers that process various types of information such as voice and music, text, and image information.
It is used by being detachably attached to an information processing apparatus such as a camera, and is used for improving the processing capability of various processes performed by the information processing apparatus and for expanding processing functions.

[0003] PC cards are PCMCIA (Persona).
nal Computer Memory Card
International Associate
n) announced a unified standard (PC Card Stand)
ard) has been internationally standardized. PCMCI
Physical specifications (appearance) of PC card based on A standard
Is a card type having a length of 85.6 mm and a width of 54.0 mm, and is classified into type I, type II, and type III according to the difference in thickness. In addition, a two-piece connector having 68 pins is used as a connector of a PC card. The PC card is a P card provided on a portable PC or the like.
The connector is used by inserting the connector into the PC card slot of the C card interface.
It can be pulled out from the C card slot.

As described above, since the PC card can be easily attached and detached, and is small and excellent in portability, it is used not only for a semiconductor memory card as an auxiliary storage device but also for an auxiliary storage device having a hard disk device such as a magnetic disk. Device, modem function, LAN (Local Area Ne)
(workwork) function and the like, and network-related fields, and also as music cards for listening to music. Further, the application fields in which PC cards are used are also expanding, and are not limited to portable small PCs, but are used for music and image information processing devices such as digital audio equipment and digital still cameras, and are used for attaching and detaching. It has been used as a music and image storage device that is possible and excellent in portability, or as a data transfer device for transferring an image stored in a camera to a PC or the like. Further, the PC card has the easiness of handling such that a desired processing capability and function can be immediately obtained only by changing the PC card inserted into the PC card slot.

[0005] In recent years, with the development of high integration technology of semiconductor elements, information including consumer devices such as smaller PCs, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and portable audio devices has been developed. PCMCI developed for use in portable PCs
In addition to the conventional PC card based on the standard of A, there has been a demand for a smaller PC card. For this reason, the following small card standards have been proposed and are now appearing on the market as products.

First, CFA (Compact Fl)
association)
pac Flash (registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation) "
Which has an outer dimension of 36.4 (mm) × 42.8.
This is a small flash memory card of (mm) × 3.3 (mm) with a capacity of about 8 MB. Second, Matsushita Battery Industry Co., Ltd., Japan Electronics Industry Development Association (JEIDA:
Japan Electronic Industry
Development Associate
n), "Small PC C" proposed by PCMCIA
ard ", whose outer dimensions are 45.0 (mm) x
42.8 (mm) x 5.0 (mm), the length of the conventional P
It is about half the size of a C card. Third, Minia
true Card Implementers Fo
rum, PCMCIA "Miniature C
ard ", whose outer dimensions are 38 (mm) x 33
This is a small card of (mm) × 3.5 (mm).

Fourth, there is a “Memory Stick (trademark of Sony Corporation)” proposed by Sony Corporation, which has an outer dimension of 21.5 (mm) × 50 (mm) × 2.
Flash EE of 8 (mm) with a capacity of, for example, about 8 MB
It is a PROM card. In addition, a small PC card equipped with a hard disk drive using magnetic recording has been developed. In the present application, a small card having the functions described above and a PC including a similar card
Collectively called cards.

A data input / output card such as a PC card as described above generally includes at least one printed board, a frame supporting the printed board,
It consists of a frame and two metal panels sandwiching the substrate from above and below. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-12163
In the data input / output card disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6 (1994), several claws are formed on the front and rear panels, respectively. The claw portion includes a body portion extending substantially perpendicular to the panel surface on the back side of both panels, and a detent claw projecting substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the body portion. An engagement portion is formed at a position corresponding to the position of each claw portion. The engaging portion consists of an upper narrow hole portion and a lower wide hole portion. When the claw portion is inserted into the engaging portion, the detent claw reaches the wide hole portion and is opened, and is bent inwardly of the panel by its elasticity. It returns to the state of.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-309517 discloses a data input / output card in which a plurality of recesses are provided in a side rail of a frame. When the card needs to be disassembled, a suitable blade tool is inserted into the recess from the contact end or the lowermost end between the two cover members. As a result, the flange of one cover member is expanded outward and can be separated from the other cover member.

[0010]

As described above, since the external dimensions and the like of the data input / output card are standardized, the overall shape of each card is the same, but a part of the external form and the internal structure are not included. Are different. And
The data input / output card disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-121636 has a technical feature that the front and back panels are sufficiently fixed to the frame, and the card is disassembled by separating the front and back panels from the frame. No point is disclosed. Such a card has a problem that workability when disassembling the card for repairing or collecting the internal parts is poor.

On the other hand, the data input / output card disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-309517 is configured to be disassembled, but in the disclosed configuration, the front metal panel or the back metal panel is formed into a complicated flange-like structure. It has to be formed into a shape, and there is a problem that extra work is required in manufacturing. Also, since the engagement part is visible from the outside,
There is also a problem that it may be inadvertently disassembled. Furthermore, there is also a problem that the design is deteriorated because the engaging portion is exposed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a data input / output card which can be easily disassembled and has excellent workability. It is another object of the present invention to provide a data input / output card which does not show the engaging portion from the outside and is excellent in design.

[0013]

An object of the present invention has a frame for holding a board or a connector, and first and second panels arranged to face each other across the frame so as to enclose the board, A data input / output card for inputting / outputting data between an electronic device mounted on a substrate and an external information processing device, wherein at least one data input / output card is formed on a first panel and protrudes toward a second panel. When separating the first panel from the claw having two walls and the second panel or the frame, the pressing member for applying a force to the wall from the second panel side enters, so that the second panel or And an opening formed in the frame.

In the data input / output card according to the present invention, the opening is formed in a second panel or frame extending in a direction in which the wall projects. Also,
In the data input / output card according to the present invention, a detent claw formed on the claw portion for preventing the first panel from falling off from the second panel or the frame, and a detent claw formed on the frame to receive the detent claw. And a receiving portion. Further, the detent claw is formed by cutting and raising a part of a wall portion of the claw portion, has a fixed end on a second panel side, and has a free end on a first panel side. Features. And the receiving part has the inclined surface which inclines in the direction in which the free part of the detent claw returns to the wall part side.

The data input / output card according to the present invention is characterized in that the data input / output card further comprises a shield means for closing the opening. The shield means is a label attached to a second panel. Alternatively, the shielding means is a resin layer forming a frame.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A data input / output card according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned CF is used as a data input / output card.
"Compact Flash (CF)" proposed by A
Will be described as an example. First, a schematic configuration of the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the data input / output card according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the data input / output card according to the present embodiment. 1 to 6, the data input / output card is shown upside down from the front and back for normal use for convenience of explanation.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the data input / output card 1 includes a surface metal panel 9 constituting the upper part of the card,
The card includes a substrate 3 that provides a predetermined function to the card, a frame 7 that supports the substrate 3, and a back metal panel 6 that forms the bottom of the card. Eight wall portions 10 protruding toward the back metal panel 6 are formed on the periphery of the front metal panel 9. These eight wall portions 10 constitute a claw portion.

A plurality of electronic components 2 including semiconductor components are mounted on the substrate 3.
Are electrically connected to each other through the wirings formed in the wiring. The board 3 is provided with a connector 4 that is electrically connected to a PC (not shown) to input and output various information. Further, for example, a connector 5 for electrically connecting to a telephone line or a hub (HUB) is also attached. When the data input / output card 1 is a memory card, there is no need to transmit / receive information to / from a device other than the PC, so the connector 5 is not required.

The frame 7 is formed in a U-shape surrounding the periphery of the substrate 3. The frame 7 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and is formed integrally with the back metal panel 6 formed on the upper surface of the frame 7. In the frame 7, guide grooves 40 are formed on two side surfaces in the direction in which the data input / output card 1 is inserted into the card slot of the PC. Although not shown, a receiving portion for receiving eight wall portions 10 formed on the front metal panel 9 is formed on the inner surface side of the frame 7.

As shown by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and 2, eight openings 8 are formed in a peripheral portion of the back metal panel 6 formed integrally with the frame 7. These openings 8 are formed so as to extend in the protruding direction of eight wall portions 10 formed on the front metal panel 9. The opening 8 is provided to allow a pressing member (not shown) that applies a force to the wall 10 from the back metal panel 6 side to enter when the front metal panel 9 is separated from the back metal panel 6 and the frame 7. I have.
Further, the upper surface of the opening 8 is covered with a resin layer constituting the frame 7 so as to be invisible from the outside.

The front metal panel 9 is aligned with the frame 7 holding the substrate 3 so as to face the back metal panel 6 with the frame 3 interposed therebetween so as to include the substrate 3. The data input / output card 1 as shown in FIG. 2 is completed by inserting the eight wall portions 10 of the claws into the receiving portions of the frame 7 (not shown).

As described above, the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment is formed on the front metal panel 9,
At least one wall 10 protruding toward the back metal panel 6
The first feature resides in that a claw portion having an opening 8 and an opening 8 corresponding to the wall portion 10 are formed in the back metal panel 6. With this feature, the back metal panel 6 and the frame 7
When the front metal panel 9 is separated from the rear panel, a pressing member that applies a force to the wall 10 from the back metal panel 6 side is made to enter, so that the two can be easily separated.

Further, the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment has a second feature that the upper surface of the opening 8 is covered with a resin layer constituting the frame 7 so as to be invisible from the outside. are doing. With this feature, it is possible to hide that the data input / output card 1 can be easily disassembled, so that it is possible to prevent the user from inadvertently disassembling the card due to mischief or mischief. become. Further, since a plurality of openings do not appear on the outer surface of the card, a good appearance can be obtained from the viewpoint of design. Since the resin layer used for coating is thin, it can be easily pierced by pressing a pressing member.

Next, a third characteristic configuration of the data input / output card according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
(B) is a partial enlarged perspective view near the wall part 10 of the front metal panel 9. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, a detent claw 11 having a wall portion 10 has a detent claw 11 for preventing the front metal panel 9 from falling off from the back metal panel 6 or the frame 7.
Is provided. The detent claw 11 of the present embodiment is
The wall 1 is formed by cutting and raising a part of the wall 10 of the claw.
0 has a fixed end on the back metal panel 6 side, and the front metal panel 9
It has a free end on the side.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of the claw portion and the vicinity of the receiving portion of the frame 7 for fixing the claw portion will be described in detail. FIG. 3 shows a partial cross section near the frame 7 and one opening 8 taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 8 is formed at an end of the back metal panel 6, and the end of the back metal panel 6 including the opening 8 is fixedly connected to a frame 7 made of resin. The resin forming the frame 7 forms a thin coating layer 20 on the opening 8 to close the opening 8.

The frame 7 is provided with a wall 1 of a front metal panel 9.
A receiving portion 12 for fixing a claw portion composed of 0 and detent claw 11 is formed. The receiving portion 12 has a passage 14 through which the claw portion enters from below in the figure, and a space 1 having a width wider than the passage.
6. Further, the receiving portion 12 is formed with a receiving portion 18 for receiving the detent claw 11 of the claw portion in the space 16. The receiving portion 18 has an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction in which the free end of the detent claw 11 returns to the wall portion 10 side.

Accordingly, when the wall 10 and the detent pawl 11 are inserted into the passage 14 of the receiving part 12 to assemble the data input / output card 1, the free end of the detent pawl 11 is
And the detent claw 11 is released, and the detent claw 11
The free end comes into contact with the inclined surface of the receiving portion 18 and is fixed by the elasticity of the receiving portion 18.

Next, an operation of disassembling the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. From the frame 7 supporting the substrate 3 and the back metal panel 6 to the front metal panel 9
First, as shown in FIG. 3, the pressing member 42 having a two-stage structure with a sharp tip is advanced in the direction of arrow P in the figure to break through the coating layer 20. Next, the pressing member 4
2 enters the space 16 of the receiving portion 12 through the opening 8. As the pressing member 42 enters, the distal end portion 42a of the pressing member 42 presses the detent claw 11 from the fixed end side to the free end side. Therefore, the detent claw 11 is pushed down to the wall 10 side, and slides on the inclined surface of the receiving portion 18 to be separated from the receiving portion 18. When the pressing member 42 is further advanced, the step 42 b of the pressing member 42 comes into contact with the tip of the wall 10, and presses the wall 10 toward the passage 14.
Since the detent claw 11 is displaced from the receiving portion 18,
The claw portion is moved downward in the figure through the passage 14. By moving the claws in this manner, the front metal panel 9 can be easily removed from the frame 7 supporting the substrate 3 and the back metal panel 6. This is the third feature of the present embodiment.

The data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment has the first to third features described above.
Can be easily disassembled to ensure excellent workability, so that the engaging portion cannot be seen from the outside, and excellent design can be secured.

Next, a modification of the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
Shows a partial cross section similar to FIG. The end of the back metal panel 6 at the position shown in FIG. 4 differs from the structure shown in FIG. 3 in that it is not included in the resin frame 7 and is in contact with the side surface of the frame 7. Therefore, the opening 8 is connected to the frame 7
The opening 8 is covered with a coating layer 20 made of a resin as a material for forming the frame 7. Further, in the receiving portion 12 shown in FIG. 3, the passage 14 and the space 16 are open to the left in the drawing, but in the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a side wall portion 19 which forms a part of the frame 7 is formed. , Receiving part 12
It has a hole-shaped passage 14 and a space 16. 4, the front metal panel 9 can be attached to and detached from the frame 7 supporting the substrate 3 and the back metal panel 6 by the same operation.

Next, another modification of the data input / output card 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the frame 7 and the back metal panel 6 are integrally molded. The integrated structure of the frame 7 and the back metal panel 6 shown in FIG. 5 is different from the structure already described with reference to FIG. 1 in that the resin coating layer 20 is not provided above the eight openings 8. I have.
Therefore, in FIG. 5, the opening 8 is not closed and the opening is exposed. FIG. 6 shows a state in which a label 30 is attached to the upper surfaces of the frame 7 and the back metal panel 6 shown in FIG. The label 30 is formed to have a size enough to cover the eight openings 8. The label 30 can be printed with the product name of the data input / output card 1 and the name of the manufacturer. In this manner, the label 30 may be stuck to the upper surface of the frame 7 and the back metal panel 6 to cover the opening 8, as a matter of course. The label 30 can be easily disassembled, and excellent workability can be secured. An excellent design can be ensured without a visible joint portion.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the opening 8 is formed on the extension of the protruding direction of the wall 10 formed on the front metal panel 9, but the present invention is not limited to this. The opening 8 may be formed at a position slightly deviated in the protruding direction of the detent claw 11 from the protruding direction. In this case, the pressing member 42 is inclined from the
Pressing 1 allows more efficient and easy disassembly.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, a data input / output card which can be easily disassembled and has excellent workability can be realized. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a data input / output card which is excellent in design without engaging portions being visible from the outside.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a data input / output card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of a data input / output card according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the data input / output card according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of the data input / output card according to the embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the data input / output card according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a modification of the data input / output card according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 data input / output card 2 electronic component 3 board 4, 5 connector 6 back metal panel 7 frame 8 opening 9 front metal panel 10 wall 11 detent claw 12 receiving section 14 passage 16 space 18 receiving section 19 side wall section 20 coating layer 30 label 40 guide groove 42 pressing member

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A frame for holding a board or a connector, and first and second panels arranged to face each other with the frame interposed therebetween so as to include the board, and are mounted on the board. A data input / output card for inputting / outputting data between an electronic device and an external information processing device, wherein at least one wall portion is formed on the first panel and protrudes toward the second panel. When the first panel is separated from the second panel or the frame, a pressing member that applies a force to the wall from the second panel side enters the second panel or the second panel. A data input / output card, comprising: a panel as described above; or an opening formed in the frame. 2. The data input / output card according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed in the second direction along an extension of a direction in which the wall projects.
A data input / output card formed on the panel or the frame. 3. The data input / output card according to claim 1, wherein the data input / output card is formed on the claw portion to prevent the first panel from falling off the second panel or the frame. A data input / output card comprising: a detent claw; and a receiving portion formed on the frame for receiving the detent claw. 4. The data input / output card according to claim 3, wherein the detent claw is formed by cutting and raising a part of the wall portion of the claw portion, and a fixed end is provided on the second panel side. Has,
A data input / output card having a free end on the first panel side. 5. The data input / output card according to claim 4, wherein said receiving portion has an inclined surface which is inclined in a direction in which a free portion of said detent claw returns to said wall portion side. Characteristic data input / output card. 6. The data input / output card according to claim 1, further comprising a shield means for closing said opening. 7. The data input / output card according to claim 6, wherein said shield means is a label attached to said second panel. 8. The data input / output card according to claim 6, wherein said shield means is a resin layer forming said frame.