JP2002042931A - Connector for memory card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively insert memory cards of different shape. SOLUTION: This connector 11 for the memory card comprises a housing 12, an insertion port 14 opened to the front face of the housing 12, an insertion part 16 formed to communicate with the insertion port 14, plurality of first connector pins 18 provided at the upper part of the insertion part 16, and a plurality of second connector pins 20 provided at the lower part of the insertion part 16. The insertion port 14 has an SD memory card insertion port 26 and an SM memory card insertion port 28. The SD memory card insertion port 26 and SM memory card insertion port 28 have a common space 30 where two kinds of hatching shown by oblique lines of different angles intersect in Figure 2. A recessed part 29 formed on the left side of the insertion port 14 is fitted with a guide member 32 for guiding the inserted position of the SM memory card 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a memory card connector into which memory cards having different shapes are selectively inserted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a semiconductor memory (RAM) is incorporated as a recording medium for storing image data picked up by a digital camera or for storing digital music data reproduced by a portable music player. Memory cards are being developed. In this type of memory card, a semiconductor memory (RAM) is housed in a package having a thin appearance, and a plurality of terminals electrically connected to an end of the package are arranged in parallel. .

[0003] The memory card is formed in a size and a shape determined for each type. Conventionally used memory cards include, for example, SD memory cards and SM memory cards.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views for explaining the shape of the SD memory card 1, wherein FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG.
(C) is a side view. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the shape of the SM memory card 2, wherein FIG.
(B) is a bottom view, and (C) is a side view.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C,
In the SD memory card 1, a semiconductor memory (RAM) is housed inside a resin package body 1a. A plurality of grooves 1b are formed at the insertion-side end of the package body 1a, and a terminal 1c is provided in each groove 1b.
Further, on both sides of the package body 1a, steps 1d and 1e and recesses 1f and 1g for guiding insertion are provided. At the corner of the insertion side end of the package body 1a, an inclined portion 1h for regulating the insertion direction is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C,
In the SM memory card 2, a semiconductor memory (RAM) is housed inside a package body 2a made of resin. SM
The package body 2a of the memory card 2 is formed in a plate shape thinner than the SD memory card 1 and has an upper surface 2b.
Are provided with terminals 2c formed in a predetermined pattern. Also, at the corner of the insertion side end of the package body 2a,
An inclined portion 2d for regulating the insertion direction is provided.

[0007] As described above, the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 having different thickness, width, length, and appearance are mounted on dedicated memory card connectors.

Here, the memory card connector into which the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 are inserted will be described.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views for explaining the shape of the memory card connector into which the SD memory card 1 is inserted, wherein FIG. 9A is a front view and FIG. 9B is a plan view. FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the memory card connector into which the SM memory card 2 is inserted, wherein FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, SD
The SD memory card connector 3 into which the memory card 1 is inserted has an insertion portion 3a having a size corresponding to the width and thickness of the SD memory card 1, and is provided at an end of the insertion portion 3a in the insertion direction. Are provided with connector pins 3b arranged at predetermined intervals so that the terminals 1c of the SD memory card 1 come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, S
The SD memory card connector 4 into which the M memory card 2 is inserted has an insertion portion 4a having a size corresponding to the width and thickness of the SM memory card 2, and an end of the insertion portion 4a in the insertion direction. Are mounted with connector pins 4b arranged at predetermined intervals so that the terminals 2c of the SM memory card 2 come into contact with the connector pins 4b.

[0012]

However, the memory card connectors 3 and 4 have the insertion portions 3a and 4a formed in dimensions and shapes individually corresponding to the SD memory card 1 or the SM memory card 2 having different shapes. Has been
It was difficult to make them compatible. Therefore, for example, when both the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 can be used, it is necessary to attach both the SD memory card connector 3 and the SD memory card connector 4.

However, when both the SD memory card connector 3 and the SD memory card connector 4 are attached to one device, there is a problem in that the installation space for the connectors becomes large and it is not possible to cope with downsizing of the device.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a memory card connector which solves the above problems.

[0015]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following features.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the insertion portion (1
6) Memory cards (1, 2) with different shapes in the same location
Is provided with a plurality of insertion portions (16), into which a plurality of memory cards (1, 2) can be mounted, and the size of the device can be reduced by reducing the installation space. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the insertion portion (1
6) includes a first insertion part (22) into which the first memory card (1) is inserted and a second insertion part (24) into which the second memory card (2) is inserted. Insertion space (3
0), two types of memory cards having different dimensions and shapes can be selectively inserted, and the simultaneous insertion of two types of memory cards (1, 2) can be prevented. Furthermore, the installation space can be saved, and the apparatus can be downsized.

The invention according to claim 3 guides the insertion of a memory card (1 or 2) inserted into one of the first insertion portion (22) and the second insertion portion (24). And a guide member (32) that is displaced to allow insertion of the memory card (2 or 1) inserted into either the first insertion portion (22) or the second insertion portion (24). When one memory card (2) is inserted, it can be prevented from contacting the other memory card connector pin (20). Furthermore, while guiding the insertion of one memory card (2) that is thin and weak, the memory card (1) is displaced when another memory card (1) having a thickness and high strength is inserted. ) Does not hinder insertion, so that it is possible to cope with a configuration in which memory cards (1, 2) having different strengths are selectively inserted.

The reference numerals in parentheses () are provided for easy understanding, are merely examples, and are not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing one embodiment of a connector for a memory card according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front view of the connector for a memory card, and FIG. 1B is a plan view of the connector for a memory card.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the memory card connector 11 is formed so as to communicate with the housing 12, an insertion opening 14 formed in the front surface of the housing 12, and the insertion opening 14. And a plurality of first connector pins 18 provided above the insertion portion 16 and a plurality of second connector pins 20 provided below the insertion portion 16.

The insertion portion 16 of the memory card connector 11 is provided with the above-mentioned SD memory card 1 (FIG. 7A).
(See (C) through (C)), and a second insertion portion 24 into which the above-mentioned SM memory card 2 (see FIGS. 8 (A) through (C)) is inserted. ing.

FIG. 2 shows the first insertion portion 22 and the second insertion portion 2.
It is a front view which shows the area with 4 by hatching.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion port 14
SD memory card insertion slot 26 according to the thickness and width dimensions of D memory card 1 and SM memory card insertion slot 2 according to the thickness dimension and width dimension of SM memory card 2
8 is provided. The SD memory card insertion slot 26 is S
It has a smaller width and a larger thickness than the M memory card insertion slot 28.

On the other hand, the SM memory card insertion slot 2
8 has a larger width and a smaller thickness than the SD memory card insertion slot 26. The SD memory card insertion slot 26 has a stepped portion 26 corresponding to the stepped portions 1d and 1e of the SD memory card 1 so as to be able to pass through.
a and 26b are provided. At the left end of the insertion slot 14, a recess 29 into which the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 are inserted is provided.

The SD memory card insertion slot 26 and the SM memory card insertion slot 28 are shown in FIG.
A space 30 where two types of hatching indicated by diagonal lines of different angles intersect is used as a shared space. Similarly, the space 30 where the hatching intersects is shared between the first insertion portion 22 and the second insertion portion 24. Space.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the left end of the insertion slot 14 in an enlarged manner. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the mounting state of the guide member 32. FIG.
(B) is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounting portion of the guide member 32.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (A) and 4 (B), the recess 29 formed on the left side of the insertion slot 14 has an SM.
Guide member 32 for guiding the insertion position of memory card 2
Is attached. Since the SM memory card 2 is formed in a thin plate shape, it is necessary to support both sides. Therefore, the right side of the SM memory card 2 is guided and inserted into the SM memory card insertion slot 28, and the left side of the SM memory card 2 is supported and inserted by the guide member 32.

The guide member 32 is made of a leaf spring.
When the SD memory card 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 14,
The D memory card 1 is pressed by the left end and deforms to the side and retracts from the insertion slot 14. As a result, the SD memory card 1 is mounted on the first insertion portion 22 and the terminal 1c contacts the second connector pin 20 to enable reading and writing of data.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the guide member 32. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the guide member 32.
(A) is a front view, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (A) to 6 (C), the guide member 32 has a press-fit portion 32a which is press-fitted into a mounting hole 34 provided on the front surface of the housing 12, and a guide portion 32a of the press-fit portion 32a. A contact portion 32b bent from the tip and inclined at an angle α, a bent portion 32c curved at the tip of the contact portion 32b, and a mounting hole 34 protruding from both sides of the press-fit portion 32a.
And a projection 32d that cuts into the hole.

When the press-fit portion 32a is press-fitted into the mounting hole 34, the guide member 32 is inserted into the insertion port 14 as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B) as shown in FIGS. Is mounted so as to protrude into a concave portion 29 formed on the left side of the. The upper end 32e of the contact portion 32b functions as a guide for guiding the insertion position of the SM memory card 2.

Therefore, when the SM memory card 2 is inserted into the second insertion portion 24, the right side of the SM memory card 2 is guided by the SD memory card insertion slot 26, and the lower surface of the left side of the SM memory card 2 is guided by the guide. Contact part 32 of member 32
The insertion position is guided by sliding on the upper end 32e of b.
Therefore, the SM memory card 2 is formed in a relatively thin plate shape and is easily bent, but is mounted on the second insertion portion 24 while being supported by the contact portion 32b of the guide member 32, and the terminal 2c is inserted. It contacts a second connector pin 18 provided on the upper part of the part 16.

When the SD memory card 1 is inserted into the insertion slot 14, the left end of the SD memory card 1 presses the contact portion 32 b of the guide member 32 to elastically deform the concave portion 29. Therefore, the contact portion 3 of the guide member 32
2b is deformed so that the bent portion 32c approaches the press-fit portion 32a and retracts from the insertion port 14. As a result, the SD memory card 1 is mounted on the first insertion portion 22 by pushing back the contact portion 32b of the guide member 32, and the terminal 1c is inserted into the insertion portion 1b.
6 contacts a plurality of second connector pins 20 provided at the lower part of the connector 6.

As described above, the memory card connector 11
The first insertion portion 22 and the second insertion portion 24
Therefore, the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 can be mounted, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced by reducing the installation space. Moreover, the first insertion portion 22 into which the SD memory card 1 is inserted
And the second insertion portion 24 into which the SM memory card 2 is inserted, because the space 30 is shared as a common insertion space, so that two types of memory cards 1 and 2 having different dimensions and shapes are used.
Can be selectively inserted, and the simultaneous insertion of two types of memory cards 1 and 2 can be prevented.

The SM inserted into the second insertion section 24
A guide member 32 that guides the insertion of the memory card 2 and is displaced to allow the insertion of the SD memory card 1 inserted into the first insertion portion 22 is provided.
When one memory card is inserted, it can be prevented from contacting the connector pins for the other memory card. Further, it guides the insertion of the thin and weak SM memory card 2 and does not disturb the insertion of the memory cards 1 and 2 when the thick and strong SD memory card 1 is inserted. So memory cards 1 with different strength
2 can be selectively inserted.

In the above embodiment, the SD memory card 1 and the SM memory card 2 having the shapes as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 have been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, it can be applied to

[0039]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of insertion portions into which memory cards having different shapes are inserted are provided at the same portion of the insertion portion, a plurality of memory cards are provided. The device can be mounted, and the size of the device can be reduced by saving the installation space.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the first insertion portion into which the first memory card is inserted and the second insertion portion into which the second memory card is inserted are partially inserted. Since the space is shared, two types of memory cards having different dimensions and shapes can be selectively inserted, and simultaneous insertion of two types of memory cards can be prevented. Furthermore, the installation space can be saved, and the apparatus can be downsized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, while guiding the insertion of the memory card inserted into either the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion, the first insertion portion or the second insertion portion is guided. Since a guide member that is displaced to allow insertion of a memory card inserted into one of the other insertion portions is provided, when one memory card is inserted,
The contact with the other memory card connector pin can be prevented. In addition, it guides the insertion of one thin and weak memory card, and does not hinder the insertion of the memory card by displacing when inserting another thick and strong memory card. It is possible to cope with a configuration in which different memory cards are selectively inserted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an embodiment of a memory card connector according to the present invention, wherein (A) is a front view of the memory card connector, and (B) is a plan view of the memory card connector.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing areas of a first insertion portion 22 and a second insertion portion 24 by hatching.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing a left end portion of the insertion slot 14; 4A and 4B are views showing a mounting state of the guide member 32, FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the memory card connector 11, and FIG.
FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounting portion of the guide member 32.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an attached state of a guide member 32, (A) is a perspective view of a memory card connector 11,
FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view showing a mounting portion of the guide member 32.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a guide member 32. 6A and 6B are views for explaining the configuration of the guide member 32, where FIG. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a side view, and FIG. 6C is a plan view.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the guide member 32, wherein FIG. 6A is a front view, FIG. 6B is a side view, and FIG. 6C is a plan view.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the SD memory card 1, wherein FIG. 7A is a front view, FIG. 7B is a bottom view, and FIG. 7C is a side view.

8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the SM memory card 2, wherein FIG. 8A is a front view, FIG. 8B is a bottom view, and FIG. 8C is a side view.

9A and 9B are views for explaining the shape of a memory card connector into which the SD memory card 1 is inserted, wherein FIG. 9A is a front view and FIG. 9B is a plan view.

10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the shape of the memory card connector into which the SM memory card 2 is inserted, and FIG.
Is a front view, and (B) is a plan view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 SD memory card 2 SM memory card 11 Memory card connector 12 Housing 14 Insertion port 16 Insertion section 18 First connector pin 20 Second connector pin 22 First insertion section 24 Second insertion section 26 For SD memory card Insertion slot 28 SM memory card insertion slot 30 Space 32 Guide member 32a Press-fit portion 32b Contact portion

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01R 23/02 D (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Okazaki 1297 Motoyoshida-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki Mitsuminyu Tech Co., Ltd. Terms (reference) 5B058 CA03 CA13 CA14 KA12 5E023 AA04 AA16 AA21 BB19 BB22 CC02 GG07 HH01 HH18 HH20 HH30

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A memory card connector having an insertion portion into which a memory card is inserted, wherein a plurality of insertion portions into which memory cards having different shapes are inserted are provided at the same location of the insertion portion. Card connector. 2. The first memory device according to claim 2, wherein the insertion portion is formed to share an insertion space with a first insertion portion into which a first memory card is inserted, and a part of the first insertion portion. The memory card connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a second insertion portion into which the card is inserted. 3. The insertion section guides insertion of a memory card inserted into one of the first insertion section and the second insertion section, and further includes the first insertion section or the second insertion section. 3. The memory card connector according to claim 2, further comprising a guide member that is displaced so as to allow insertion of a memory card inserted into one of the other insertion portions.