JP2003050974A - Memory card connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory card connection device which has an automatic inserting and ejecting function and further has superior versatility, convenience, and expandability. SOLUTION: The memory card connection device comprises a movable tray 8 where memory cards 100 and 200 are held, a housing 1 having an entrance exit 16 for the movable tray 8, 1st and 2nd card connectors 3 and 4 which are set in the housing 21, and a tray driving part 7 which drives the movable tray 8. The movable tray 8 is provided with a holding part for an MS card 100 which is composed of: a mount part 53a, an MS card restriction part 55, an MS card abutting part 56, and MS card engagement parts 57 and 58; and another holding part for an SD card 200 which is composed of a mount part 53b, an SD card restriction part 59, an SD card abutting part 60, and an SD card engagement part 61. Those holding parts can be arranged one over the other or in the same plane without overlapping with each other.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory card connecting device having a tray for automatically pulling in and ejecting a memory card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a memory card has been used for an electronic device such as a personal computer, a video camera, an electronic camera or a mobile phone which uses a memory card having a semiconductor chip built in and a card-shaped outline as an external storage device. A memory card connection device is provided for electrically connecting the provided external connection terminal to a circuit provided in the electronic device. In addition, in this type of memory card connecting device that has been conventionally known, a device that manually inserts and ejects a memory card, and a device that manually inserts a memory card and ejects the memory card return springs and the like. Some of them are automatically performed by using the other, and some of them are automatically performed by using a power source such as a motor to insert (pull in) and eject the memory card.

In a memory card connecting device of a type in which a memory card is automatically inserted and ejected by using a power source, a feed roller is rotationally driven by a motor and acts between the feed roller and the memory card. It is generally used to transfer a memory card in a desired direction by frictional force.

By the way, regardless of the insertion / ejection means of the memory card, the memory card connection device is provided with a group of contacts made of elastic metal pieces corresponding in number to the external connection terminals provided in the memory card. Since each contact forming the contact group is elastically contacted with the external connection terminal provided in the memory card, the external connection terminal is connected to the circuit provided in the electronic device. , The force required to insert the memory card into the memory card connection device is the front side of the memory card (the edge side of the insertion side into the memory card connection device) after contacting the contact,
It becomes the largest until the contactor reaches a predetermined position on the external connection terminal.

Therefore, in the roller-type memory card connecting device with the automatic insertion / ejection function in which the insertion / ejection of the memory card is performed by the feed roller, after the front side of the memory card contacts the contact, the feed roller and the memory card are connected. It is easy to cause a slip between the memory card and the memory card, and it is not easy to insert the memory card smoothly, or a contact failure may occur between the external connection terminal and the contactor provided in the memory card. Such inconvenience becomes particularly noticeable when the feed roller is deteriorated or when the surface of the feed roller is contaminated with dust or oil. In addition, in a roller-type memory card connection device with an automatic insertion / ejection function, it is necessary to generate a large frictional force between the feed roller and the memory card, so the diameter of the feed roller must be increased. Inevitably, there is also a problem that the memory card connection device tends to increase in size.

In order to eliminate the deficiency of the roller type memory card connection device with the automatic insertion / ejection function, the memory card is placed on the movable tray, and the movable tray on which the memory card is mounted is provided with the contact group. The development of a tray-type memory card connecting device that is drawn into the housing to electrically connect the contacts forming the contact group to the external connection terminals provided on the memory card is under study.

[0007]

As is well known, there are a plurality of standards for memory cards, and a plurality of types of memory cards having different shapes are provided on the market.

However, the conventional memory card connection device is provided with only one contact group regardless of the insertion / ejection means of the memory card, and one type of memory card suitable for the contact group. Since only one card can be mounted, it cannot be applied to a memory card that does not fit the set contact group, and there is a problem of lacking versatility.

Further, since only one memory card can be mounted, when handling a large amount of data or transferring data between memory cards, the insertion / removal of the memory card into / from the memory card connecting device is repeated many times. There is a problem in that it is indispensable and lacks in convenience of use and in extensibility of functions.

Therefore, in developing a tray type memory card connecting device, it is desired to be able to mount a plurality of memory cards in order to enhance the versatility, convenience and expandability of the device.

The present invention has been made in order to meet such a demand, and an object thereof is to provide a memory card connecting device with an automatic insertion / ejection function which is excellent in versatility, convenience and expandability. It is in.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a memory card connection device, comprising:
A movable tray holding the memory card, a housing having an entrance / exit of the movable tray, a contact group set in the housing, and driving the movable tray to move the memory card to the contact group. And a tray drive section for transferring to a discharge position outside the housing, and the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holding sections capable of holding a plurality of memory cards. Is set with a plurality of contact groups connected to each of the plurality of memory cards held in the plurality of card holding sections, and the movable tray is pulled to the connection position in the housing by the tray drive section. At this time, each external connection terminal of the memory card held in the card holding portion and each contact forming the contact group are electrically connected.

As described above, a plurality of card holding portions capable of holding a plurality of memory cards are formed on the movable tray, and the plurality of memory cards held by the plurality of card holding portions are respectively formed in the housing. When a plurality of contact groups to be connected are set, the types of applicable memory cards can be increased, for example, by forming the plurality of card holders into shapes capable of holding different types of memory cards. Therefore, the versatility of the memory card connection device can be improved. In addition, by enabling a plurality of memory cards to be connected to a plurality of contact groups at the same time, handling of a large amount of data and transfer of data between memory cards are facilitated. Sex and expandability of functions can also be enhanced. Furthermore, if the movable tray is provided with a memory card holding unit,
The force applied from the tray drive unit can be reliably transmitted to the memory card held in each holding unit, and the intermittent connection between the external connection terminal provided in the memory card and each contactor forming the contactor group is ensured. Therefore, the connection reliability of the memory card connection device can be improved.

Secondly, the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holding portions capable of holding a plurality of memory cards having different shapes at the same time.

As described above, by forming a plurality of card holders capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of memory cards having different shapes on the movable tray, it is possible to increase the types of applicable memory cards. The versatility of the device can be improved. In addition, multiple memory cards with different shapes can be connected to multiple contact groups at the same time, which facilitates handling of large-capacity data and data transfer between memory cards of different standards. The convenience and expandability of the function of the connection device can be enhanced.

Thirdly, the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holding portions capable of holding a plurality of memory cards of the same shape at the same time.

As described above, when a plurality of card holding portions capable of holding a plurality of memory cards of the same shape at the same time are formed on the movable tray, the plurality of memory cards of the same shape are simultaneously connected to the plurality of contact groups. Therefore, handling of a large amount of data and data transfer between memory cards of the same standard are facilitated, and the convenience and expandability of functions of the memory card connection device can be enhanced.

Fourthly, the plurality of card holders are arranged side by side in the same plane on the movable tray, and the plurality of memory cards mounted on the respective card holders do not overlap each other. It is configured to be held on a movable tray.

In this way, a plurality of card holders are arranged side by side in the same plane on the movable tray, and a plurality of memory cards mounted in the respective card holders are held on the movable tray without overlapping each other. With such a configuration, the memory card connecting device is not made thicker, and thus it is possible to obtain a thin memory card connecting device excellent in versatility, convenience and expandability of functions.

Fifth, the plurality of card holders are arranged side by side in different planes on the movable tray, and the plurality of memory cards mounted on the respective card holders are overlapped with each other to be movable. It is configured to be held on the tray.

As described above, the plurality of card holding portions are arranged side by side in different planes on the movable tray, and the plurality of memory cards mounted in the respective plurality of card holding portions overlap each other so that the movable tray is movable. Since the memory card connecting device is not upsized, the memory card connecting device can be downsized and excellent in versatility, convenience, and expandability of functions.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the structure of a memory card applied to a memory card connection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view seen from the external connection terminal forming surface side of a memory card called an MS card and a side view seen from the front side, and FIG. 2 is an external connection terminal of a memory card called an SD card. It is the top view seen from the formation side and the side view seen from the front side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MS card 100 is
The planar shape is an elongated shape in which the length L of the right side 100c and the left side 100d is twice or more the width W of the front side 100a and the rear side 100b.
When viewed from the formation surface side of 01, an arc-shaped notch 102 for preventing incorrect insertion is formed in the right front corner portion, and both left and right sides 1
Arc-shaped and rectangular recesses 103 and 104 are formed near the front side 100a of 00c and 100d. Ten external connection terminals 101 are arranged along the front side 100a of the MS card 100, and each is electrically connected to a semiconductor chip (not shown) embedded in the card body. The power supply from the external device to the semiconductor chip and the transmission / reception of signals between the external device and the semiconductor chip are performed through the external connection terminal 101 and a contact of a card connector described later.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the SD card 20
0 indicates that the planar shape is the length L of the right side 200c and the left side 200d with respect to the width W of the front side 200a and the rear side 200b.
Is formed in a rectangular shape having a size of about 1.35 times, and when viewed from the side where the external connection terminal 201 is formed, an oblique side 202 for preventing misinsertion is formed at the left front corner, and both right and left sides 200c are formed. , 200d are provided with stepped portions 203 for preventing erroneous insertion. Nine external connection terminals 201 are arranged along the front side 200a of the memory card 200, and each is electrically connected to a semiconductor chip (not shown) embedded in the card body. The power supply from the external device to the semiconductor chip and the transmission / reception of signals between the external device and the semiconductor chip are performed through the external connection terminal 201 and a contact of a card connector described later.

The first embodiment of the memory card connection device according to the present invention will be described below by taking a memory card connection device to which both the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 are applicable as an example, based on FIGS. 3 and 4. explain. Note that FIG.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment when a card is ejected, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

As is apparent from these figures, the memory card connection device of this example has a housing 1, a circuit board 2 set in the housing 1, and a first board set on the circuit board 2. First and second card connectors 3, 4 and first and second
The switches 5 and 6, the tray drive unit 7 set in the housing 1, and the movable tray 78 driven by the tray drive unit 7 are mainly configured.

The housing 1 is formed in a box shape having a bottom plate 11, side plates 12 and 13, a back plate 14 and a top plate 15, and has the bottom plate 11, the side plates 12 and 13 and the top plate 15. An entrance 16 of the movable tray 7 is formed at one end of the housing 1. A boss 17 for mounting the circuit board 2 is provided on a substantially central portion of an upper surface of the bottom plate 11 so as to project upward, and the circuit board 2 is provided with a screw 1 on the boss 17.
It is concluded with 8. A holding plate 19 for stably holding the movable tray 7 is provided on the upper side of the side plates 12 and 13 so as to project inward, and the side plate 1 is provided.
Mounting portions 20 having screw holes 20a for mounting the housing 1 to an external device (not shown) are provided on the lower sides of the outer peripheral surfaces 2 and 13 so as to project outward. Further, a guide pin 21 for guiding the movable tray 7 is attached near the entrance 16 of the side plate 12. Case 1 has guide pins 2
Except for No. 1, it is formed by a molded body of synthetic resin.

The first card connector 3 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, a header part 3b in which a number of contacts 3a corresponding to the number of external connection terminals 101 provided in the MS card 100 are planted in an array corresponding to the array of the external connection terminals 101, and an MS card The two guide frames 3c and 3d are arranged in parallel with each other at intervals allowing 100 to be inserted, and are formed in a U shape in a plan view. The guide frames 3c and 3d are directed to the inlet / outlet 16 side. Mounted on the circuit board 2. The plurality of contacts 3a are connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) formed on the circuit board 2. The header portion 3b and the guide frames 3c and 3d are integrally formed of a molded body of synthetic resin, and the contactor 3a is formed of a conductive material having excellent elasticity such as phosphor bronze.

On the other hand, in the second card connector 4, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the number of the contacts 4a corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 201 provided in the SD card 200 are the external connection terminals 201. Header section 4b which is planted in an array corresponding to the array of two, and two guide frames 4c, 4 which are arranged parallel to each other with an interval allowing insertion of the SD card 200.
It is formed on the circuit board 2 so that the guide frames 4c and 4d are directed to the inlet / outlet port 16 side. The plurality of contacts 4a are connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) formed on the circuit board 2. The header portion 4b and the guide frames 4c and 4d are integrally formed by a molded body of synthetic resin, and the contactor 4a is formed by a conductive material having excellent elasticity such as phosphor bronze.

As the first and second card connectors 3 and 4, general-purpose products which have been conventionally applied to a memory card connecting device or the like can be used.

The first switch 5 is arranged on the insertion path of the movable tray 8. When the movable tray 8 is slightly pushed in from the ejecting position, the first switch 5 detects this and the motor provided in the tray drive section 7 detects it. To start. On the other hand, the second switch 6 is provided on the insertion path of the movable tray 8, and the movable tray 8 is provided on the external connection terminal 101 provided on the MS card 100 and the first card connector 3. The electrical connection with the contactor 3a thus completed is completed, and the external connection terminal 201 provided on the SD card 200 and the second
When it is transferred to a predetermined position where the electrical connection with the contactor 4a provided in the card connector 4 is completed, this is detected and the drive of the motor provided in the tray drive unit 7 is stopped. The first and second switches 5 and 6 are connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) formed on the circuit board 2.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tray drive unit 6 includes a motor 31, a worm gear 32 fixed to the main shaft of the motor 31, and a first spur gear meshed with the worm gear 32. 33, a second spur gear 34 formed concentrically with the first spur gear 33, a third spur gear 35 meshed with the second spur gear 34, and a third spur gear 35.
Fourth spur gear 36 meshed with the spur gear 35 and the fifth spur gear 37 meshed with the fourth spur gear 36.
And a sixth spur gear (rack drive pinion) 38 formed concentrically with the fifth spur gear 37, which are set on the bottom plate 11 of the housing 1.

The movable tray 7 comprises a tray body 41, a first switch operating portion 42 and a rack forming portion 43 which are formed integrally with the tray body 41.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tray main body 41 is formed into a quadrangle having a planar shape that can be accommodated in the housing 1, and a central portion in the thickness direction thereof is
A holding plate 53 having steps 51 and 52 is formed, and the second switch 6 is provided on a lower side surface of the holding plate 53.
A second switch operating portion 54 for operating the is formed.

The uppermost surface 53a of the holding plate 53 is a surface on which the MS card 100 is placed, and the MS card 1 is provided around the MS card 100.
00, the MS card restricting portion 55 that restricts the positions of the left and right sides 100c and 100d, and the rear side 10 of the MS card 100.
An MS card contact portion 56 that contacts 0b is formed. Further, in the case where the latter half of the MS card 100 is held by the MS card restricting portion 55 and the MS card contact portion 56, the inside of the concave portions 103, 104 is located in the portion where the concave portions 103, 104 of the MS card 100 are arranged. MS card engaging portions 57 and 58 that are slightly slightly engaged are formed.
Then, the MS card restricting portion 55, the MS card contact portion 56, and the MS card engaging portions 57 and 58 are
A holding unit for the S card 100 is configured.

Further, the middle stage of the holding plate 53, that is, the lower stage surface 53b of the step 51 is a mounting surface of the SD card 200, and around the SD card 200, the left and right sides 2 of the SD card 200 are surrounded.
SD card regulation unit 5 that regulates the positions of 00c and 200d
9 and SD that contacts the rear side 200b of the SD card 200
A card contact portion 60 is formed. Also, the SD
When the latter half portion of the SD card 200 is held by the card restricting portion 59 and the SD card contact portion 60, a frame shape surrounding the first half portion of the SD card 200 is arranged in a portion where the first half portion of the SD card 200 is arranged. SD card engaging part 61
Are formed. The SD card restricting portion 59, the SD card contact portion 60, and the SD card engaging portion 61 constitute a holding portion for the SD card 200. A boundary portion between the mounting surface 53b of the SD card 200 and the SD card restriction portion 59 engages with a step portion 203 formed on the left and right sides 200c and 200d of the SD card 200 for preventing incorrect insertion. A ridge 62 for forming
On the inner surface of the frame-shaped SD card engaging portion 61, an erroneous insertion preventing protrusion 63 corresponding to the erroneous insertion preventing oblique side 202 formed on the SD card 200 is formed.

Further, the lower step of the holding plate 53, that is, the lower step surface 53c of the step 52 is formed on the circuit board 2 and the second step.
Is a guide surface for guiding the insertion of the card connector 4, and a space 64 formed by the guide surface 53c and the lower surface of the SD card 200 held by the holding portion forms the circuit board 2 and the second board. This is the insertion space for the card connector 4. On the other hand, the insertion space 65 of the circuit board 2 and the first card connector 3 is formed by the space between the two MS card engaging portions 57 and 58.

In addition, a notch 66 for facilitating gripping of the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 mounted on the tray body 41 is provided at the central end of the holding plate 53.
Are formed.

The first switch operating portion 42 and the rack forming portion 43 are provided in parallel with each other with a space allowing insertion through the doorway 16 into the housing 1. An inclined surface 67 for smoothly engaging with the first switch 5 is formed on the inner surface of the tip end portion of the first switch operating portion 42, and the sixth flat surface is formed inside the rack forming portion 43. A rack 68 capable of meshing with the gear (rack drive pinion) 38 is engraved.

The operation of the memory card connection device according to the above embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.
5 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment when a card is connected, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

In the ejected state of the MS card 100 and the SD card 200, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tray body 41 is projected from the inside of the housing 1, and the first and second switches 5, 6 are provided. Are not engaged with the first switch operating portion 42 and the second switch operating portion 54, and the motor 31
Is in a stopped state.

From this state, the user can use the SD card 20.
0 front side 200a toward the second card connector 4 side,
Moreover, with the external connection terminal 201 facing downward, the mounting surface 53b, the SD card restriction portion 59, and the SD card contact portion 60 are described.
The SD card 200 is held in the holding portion of the SD card 200 configured by the SD card engaging portion 61 and the SD card engaging portion 61. Also, the user sets the front side 100a of the MS card 100 to the first side.
Facing the card connector 3 side of the external connection terminal 10
1 downward, the mounting surface 53a, the MS card restricting portion 55, the MS card contact portion 56, and the MS card engaging portion 5
The MS card 100 is held in the holding portion of the MS card 100 configured with 7, 58. Of course, the tray body 41 always has an MS card 100 and an SD card 200.
You don't have to hold both cards, and you only need to hold one of them if you want.

When the SD card 200 is inserted upside down into the holding portion of the SD card 200,
The tray main body 41 is provided in the step portion 203 formed on the left and right sides 200c and 200d of the SD card 200 for preventing incorrect insertion.
The ridges 62 formed on the SD card 200 are not engaged and the SD card 200
The SD card 200 is prevented from being erroneously inserted because the SD card 200 cannot be mounted in a normal state. Also, SD card 20
When the SD card 200 is inserted into the holding unit of 0 in the state of being turned upside down, the front corner portion without the hypotenuse 202 of the SD card 200 is formed on the inner surface of the SD card engaging portion 61 to prevent erroneous insertion. Since the SD card 200 cannot be mounted in a normal state by colliding with the protrusion 63, the SD
The erroneous insertion of the card 200 is prevented. On the other hand, when the MS card 100 is inserted into the holding portion of the MS card 100 in the upside-down state and the front-rear state, the recesses 103 and 104 for preventing erroneous insertion formed on the left and right sides of the MS card 100. The MS card engaging portions 57 and 58 formed on the tray main body 41 are not engaged inside, and the MS card 100
Since it cannot be mounted in a normal state, erroneous insertion of the MS card 100 is prevented.

When the user presses the movable tray 8 toward the housing 1 after completing the mounting of the required memory card on the movable tray 7, the slope 67 formed at the tip of the first switch operating portion 42 becomes the first. Abutting the operating part of the switch 5 of
The contact of the first switch 5 is switched to the ON state to start the motor 31, and the rack 68 meshes with the sixth spur gear (rack drive pinion) 38. Therefore, the movable tray 8 is pulled into the housing 1, and as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contactor 3 a provided in the first card connector 3 and the external connection terminal 101 provided in the MS card 100. Are electrically connected to each other, and the contactor 4a provided in the second card connector 4 and the SD card 200
Is electrically connected to the external connection terminal 201 provided in the. At this time, the second switch operating portion 54 formed on the tray body 41 is brought into contact with the operating portion of the second switch 6,
The contact of the second switch 6 is switched to the off state and the motor 31 stops. This enables power supply and data transmission / reception between the external device and the MS card 100, and power supply and data transmission / reception between the external device and the SD card 200.

When the user reverses the motor 31 after the transmission / reception of the required data is completed, the movable tray 8 is ejected from the inside of the housing 1 through the process reverse to the above. After this state is reached, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the MS card 100
Since the rear end of the SD card 200 is exposed to the outside through the notch 66 formed in the tray main body 41, the user grasps the rear end of the MS card 100 or the SD card 200 and lifts it up. The MS card 100 or the SD card 200 can be taken out from the movable tray 8.

In the memory card connection device of this example, the movable tray 8 holds the MS card 100 including the mounting surface 53a, the MS card restricting portion 55, the MS card contact portion 56, and the MS card engaging portions 57 and 58. And a mounting surface 53b, an SD card restricting portion 59, an SD card contact portion 60, and an SD card engaging portion 61, and a holding portion for the SD card 200 is formed. Since the first card connector 3 to be connected and the second card connector 4 to be connected to the SD card 200 are set, both the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 can be supported, and the memory card connecting device can be used. The versatility of can be improved. In addition, a plurality of memory cards 100, 200
Can be connected to the card connectors 3 and 4 at the same time,
It becomes easy to handle a large amount of data and transfer data between memory cards, and the convenience and expandability of the functions of the memory card connection device can be improved. Further, the movable tray 8 is provided with a holding portion for each memory card 100, 200 having an MS card contact portion 56, MS card engagement portions 57, 58, an SD card contact portion 60, and an SD card engagement portion 61. Therefore, the force applied from the tray drive unit 7 is surely held in each holding unit of each memory card 100, 2
00, each memory card 100, 2
External connection terminals 101 and 201 provided on the first and second card connectors 3 and 4 and the contactor 3 provided on the first and second card connectors 3 and 4.
The connection and disconnection with a and 3b can be reliably performed, and the connection reliability of the memory card connection device can be improved. In addition, in the memory card connection device of this example, the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 are vertically overlapped on the two card holding portions formed on the movable tray 8 with their long side axis lines aligned with each other. Since the memory card connection devices are mounted together, the planar shape of the memory card connection device does not become large, and the memory card connection device that is compact and has excellent versatility, convenience, and expandability of functions can be obtained.

Next, a second embodiment of the memory card connection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the second embodiment when a card is connected.

In the memory card connection device of this example, as is apparent from FIG. 7, the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 are vertically stacked on the movable tray 8 with their long side axis lines orthogonal to each other. It is characterized in that it was attached by wearing. The other configurations are the same as those of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

The memory card connecting device of the present example has the same effects as the memory card connecting device according to the first embodiment, and the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 are arranged on the movable tray 8 so that the axes of the long sides thereof are aligned with each other. The first and second card connectors 3 and 4 can be easily arranged because they are mounted so that they are vertically overlapped with each other.

Next, a third embodiment of the memory card connection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the third embodiment when a card is connected.

As is apparent from FIG. 8, the memory card connection device of this example has a holding portion for the MS card 100 and a holding portion for the SD card 200 arranged in parallel on the same plane of the movable tray 8 and each card is It is characterized in that the MS card 100 and the SD card 200 mounted on the holder are not overlapped with each other. Since other configurations are the same as those of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment,
The description is omitted.

The memory card connection device of this example has the same effects as the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment, and the MS card 100 mounted in each card holder.
Since the SD card 200 and the SD card 200 are prevented from overlapping with each other, it is possible to prevent the memory card connection device from becoming thick, and to make the memory card connection device thin and have excellent versatility, convenience, and expandability of functions. Is obtained.

In each of the above embodiments, the MS
Although the case where the card 100 and the SD card 200 are mounted has been described as an example, the type of the memory card is not limited at all, and the memory card of any type can be mounted. In addition, not only different types of memory cards can be attached, but a plurality of memory cards of the same type can be attached. Of course, the number of memory cards that can be mounted is not limited to two, and an arbitrary number of three or more memory cards can be mounted.
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where two memory cards can be simultaneously installed has been described as an example, but when one memory card is installed, another memory card cannot be installed. It can also be configured to be.

Further, in each of the embodiments, the card connectors 3 and 4 having the header portion and the two guide frames are provided in the housing 1, but the card connectors 3 and 4 are provided.
The configuration of is not limited to this, and a card connector of any configuration can be provided. Further, it is not always necessary to provide a card connector, and it is sufficient to provide a required number of contact groups in a required arrangement.

[0055]

According to the present invention, a plurality of card holding portions capable of holding a plurality of memory cards are formed on a movable tray, and a plurality of memory cards held by the plurality of card holding portions are provided in a housing. Since a plurality of contact groups connected to each of them are set, the types of applicable memory cards are increased by, for example, forming a plurality of card holders into shapes capable of holding different types of memory cards. Therefore, the versatility of the memory card connection device can be improved. Also, by enabling multiple memory cards to be connected to multiple contact groups at the same time, handling of a large amount of data and data transfer between memory cards can be facilitated, and the convenience of the memory card connection device can be improved. Also, the expandability of functions can be enhanced. further,
Since the movable tray is provided with the holding portion for the memory card, the force applied from the tray driving portion can be surely transmitted to the memory card held in each holding portion, and the external connection terminal and the contactor provided in the memory card. It is possible to reliably connect and disconnect with each of the contacts forming the group, and it is possible to enhance the connection reliability of the memory card connection device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view seen from the side of an external connection terminal formation of an MS card and a side view seen from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a plan view seen from the side of the external connection terminal forming surface of the SD card and a side view seen from the front side.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment when a card is ejected.

4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the first embodiment when a card is connected.

6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the second embodiment when a card is connected.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the memory card connection device according to the third embodiment when a card is connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 case 2 circuit board 3,4 card connector (contact group) 5,6 switch 7 Tray drive 8 movable tray 16 doorway 53a MS card mounting surface 53b SD card mounting surface 100 MS card (memory card) 200 SD card (memory card)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A movable tray holding a memory card, a housing having an entrance / exit of the movable tray, a group of contacts set in the housing, and driving the movable tray to load the memory card. A tray drive unit for transferring to a connection position with a contact group or a discharge position outside the housing, wherein the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holding units capable of holding a plurality of memory cards; A plurality of contact groups connected to each of the plurality of memory cards held by the plurality of card holding units are set in the housing, and the movable tray is connected to the inside of the housing by the tray drive unit. The memory card connection, wherein each external connection terminal of the memory card held by the card holding portion and each contact forming the contact group are electrically connected when pulled up to Continuation equipment. 2. The memory card connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holders capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of memory cards having different shapes. 3. The memory card connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the movable tray is formed with a plurality of card holders capable of simultaneously holding a plurality of memory cards having the same shape. 4. The movable tray is provided with the plurality of card holders arranged side by side in the same plane on the movable tray, and the plurality of memory cards mounted on the respective card holders do not overlap each other. The memory card connection device according to claim 1, wherein the memory card connection device is stored in the memory card connection device. 5. The plurality of card holders are juxtaposed in different planes on the movable tray, and a plurality of memory cards mounted on the respective card holders are overlapped with each other on the movable tray. The memory card connection device according to claim 1, wherein the memory card connection device is held.