JP2003208944A - Card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a card connector a complete housing type wherein a constitution has a low cost and reliability of information transfer is enhanced. <P>SOLUTION: This connector is provided with a toggle spring 130 to drive the connector main body 5 moved exceeding a prescribed amount from an insertion and removing position of a card 200 into the insertion direction of the card, a press member 123 movably installed on a slider 120 to integrally move with the connector main body, a slide member 140 to slide and move in the insertion direction by pressing of a press member, a drive spring 150 to always drive a slide member in the eject direction of the card, a lock member 162 to lock-retain the slide member when the connector main body is positioned at a prescribed position before reaching a position to make the card have a housing state and a solenoid 160 to release this lock retention, and a cam groove 119 to move the press member so that the press member and the slide member are made to be separated when the connector main body reaches the prescribed position and so that the press member abuts on the slide member again when the connector main body is positioned at the housing position of the card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card connector for transmitting information by connecting a mounted memory card to an electronic device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A card connector is a device for connecting a memory card having a semiconductor memory device or the like and capable of recording a large amount of information to an electronic device or the like, and has various forms depending on the shape and size of the card. Things are known. There is a conventional card connector that completely accommodates the inserted memory card that is carried to the back of the case.In this type of card connector, the inserted memory card is removed from the connector during information transmission. The safety is high and there is no fear of accidentally destroying the recorded data by moving the memory card during information transmission.

Among such completely-housed card connectors, many are known in which an electric motor is used to house and eject a card. Since the electric motor can freely change the rotation direction, there is an advantage that the card storing operation and the card discharging operation can be easily performed. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-60253 discloses a card in which a toggle spring is used to store and eject a card.

[0004]

However, as described above, the structure using the electric motor for accommodating and ejecting the card has a complicated structure, consumes a large amount of power, and requires a high cost for manufacture and use. There was a problem.
In addition, the type in which the card is stored and discharged using the toggle spring disclosed in the above publication does not consume electric power, so there is an advantage that maintenance cost such as electric power does not occur, but when the card is discharged, the toggle spring is used as a card. There was a problem that a large lever operation for reversing to the discharge side was required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a card of a low cost structure which can be a completely accommodating type having high reliability for information transmission and which can be easily ejected. It is intended to provide a connector.

[0006]

In order to achieve such an object, the card connector according to the present invention holds a card on which information is recorded so that it can be inserted and removed and exchanges information with the card. A case in which the connector body is slidably supported between a "first position" at which the card is inserted and removed and a "second position" at which the inserted card is placed in a housed state; One end is connected to the connector main body and the other end is connected to the case, and the connector main body is urged in the card ejection direction until the connector main body moves in the card insertion direction from the “first position” by a predetermined amount. A toggle spring that is in the "first state" and switches to the "second state" in which the connector body is biased in the card insertion direction after the connector body has moved in the card insertion direction by more than the predetermined amount. A pressing member movably provided on a slider that moves integrally with the connector main body, and when the connector main body slides in the card insertion direction, the pressing member presses and slides in the card insertion direction. The slide member, the urging spring that constantly urges the slide member in the card ejecting direction, and the connector body that is urged in the card inserting direction by the toggle spring are located at a predetermined position before reaching the "second position". When the connector body reaches the above-mentioned predetermined position, the lock means for locking and holding the slide member with respect to the case when the connector body reaches the predetermined position, the pressing member and the slide member are separated from each other, and the connector body is located in the "second position". Sometimes a cam groove for moving the pressing member so that the pressing member again contacts the slide member, and a lock releasing means for releasing the lock holding by the locking means. And the connector body located at the "second position" has a structure in which the slide member is urged toward the card discharge side by the urging spring when the lock release of the slide member is released by the lock release means. The toggle spring is pressed toward the discharge side,
The state is switched from the "state" to the "first state" to move to the "first position".

When a card is inserted into such a card connector, the card enters the connector body located in the "first position". As the card is pushed further in, the toggle spring switches from the "first state" to the "second state", so that the connector body is pulled into the case and moves to the "second position". As described above, until the connector body is moved to the “second position” after the card is inserted, the slide member is pressed by the pressing member provided on the slider that moves integrally with the connector body. Although it moves in the card insertion direction, this slide member is locked and held by the lock means before the connector main body reaches the "second position". In addition, after the slide member is locked and held by the lock means in this manner, the pressing member is guided by the cam groove and separated from the slide member, and only the connector body moves to the “second position”. Then, when the connector body is located at the "second position", the pressing member again comes into contact with and contacts the slide member. When the card is discharged, the lock release means releases the lock holding of the slide member, but the slide member is urged by the urging spring to move in the card discharge direction. At this time, the slide member presses the pressing member to move it in the card ejection direction, so that the toggle spring switches from the "second state" to the "first state" and moves the connector body to the "first position". Let This allows the card to be pulled out.

According to the card connector of the present invention, the connector body for holding the card on which information is recorded is not fixed to the case but is slidably supported in the insertion / removal direction of the card. It is a complete accommodation type that moves inward of the case as it is pushed into the case and exchanges information while the card is accommodated in the case. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the card is accidentally pulled out during the exchange of information or a shock is given to the card to damage the data. Further, when the lock holding operation of the slide member is released, the connector main body moves in the case while holding the card to eject the card, so that the card can be taken out very easily. When ejecting the card, not only the biasing spring but also the toggle spring that has switched from the "second state" to the "first state" biases the connector body toward the card ejection side. Move vigorously to reach the "first position". This causes the card to project to the front of the case, making it easier to pull out the card. Further, in such a configuration, since the electric motor is not used, the configuration is simple and no power is consumed, so that the cost required for manufacturing and using is low.

Here, it is preferable that the lock releasing means is configured to release the lock holding of the slide member by using an electrically driven means. With such a structure, the lock holding release operation of the slide member becomes very easy.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of a card connector 1 according to the present invention,
1A, 1B and 1C are a plan view, a front view and a right side view of the card connector 1, and FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the card connector 1. As shown in these figures, the present card connector 1 includes a case 100 including a case main body 110 having an opening 110a (see FIG. 2) on the lower surface and an upper cover 180 detachably attached to the upper part of the case main body 110. The connector body 5 is housed and installed in the inside.

First, the structure of the connector body 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the single connector body 5 as seen obliquely from the front.
It is shown together with a memory card (hereinafter, referred to as a “card”) 200 to be mounted on the. Connector body 5
Is a housing 7 including a rectangular base member 10 and a cover member 80 which is detachably attached to the upper portion of the base member 10, and contacts (first contact 40 and a first contact 40 to be described later) installed inside the housing 7. 2 contacts 50) and switch members (first switch member 60 and second switch member 70 described later).

The card 200 has a structure in which an IC chip (not shown) is embedded in a flat card base 201 made of resin or the like, and a plurality of flat plates connected to the IC chips are formed on the back surface of the card base 201. The terminals 202, 202, ... Are arranged in an aligned state. Below, for convenience of explanation,
The insertion direction of the card 200 (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1A) is the front-back direction of the connector body 5, the width direction of the card 200 is the left-right direction of the connector body 5, and the insertion direction of the card 200 (FIG. 1A). In the direction of arrow A) in the rear of the connector body 5 and the card 200 to be inserted in the direction of arrow A
The right side when viewed in the direction of is defined as the right side of the connector body 5.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector body 5 as seen from the arrow IV-IV in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connector body 5 with the cover member 80 removed. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector main body 5 viewed from the arrow VI-VI in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector main body 5 viewed from the arrow VII-VII in FIG. 5, and FIG. View VI
9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector body 5 as viewed from II-VIII, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector main body 5 viewed from the arrow IX-IX in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the base member 10 of the housing 7 includes a bottom wall 21 and left and right rear walls 22, 22 formed to extend upward at the rear end of the bottom wall 21 (the left end on the paper surface in FIG. 5). It has an opening between the left and right rear walls 22, 22 and left and right side walls 23, 24 formed to extend upward at the left and right ends of the bottom wall 21.

As shown in FIG. 5, a central trapezoidal shape having a lower surface 80a of the cover member 80 and an upper surface at a predetermined distance is provided at each of the left central portion of the bottom wall 21 and the inner portions of the left and right side walls 23, 24. A portion 25 and left and right lateral trapezoidal portions 26 and 27 are formed. The upper surfaces of the side stand portions 26, 27 and the lower surface 80a of the cover member 80 have guide grooves 28, 29 for smoothly inserting the card 200 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). 200 is these guide grooves 2
The housing 7 is guided by the right and left ends by 8, 29.
From the front (right side of the paper surface in FIG. 5) of the card receiving space 13, that is, the central trapezoidal portion 25 and the lateral trapezoidal portions 26, 2
7 and the lower surface 80a of the cover member 80.

As shown in FIG. 5, the left and right side walls 23 and 24 have notches 30 and 3 for attaching the cover member 80.
1 is provided on each side, and the left and right side walls 2 are also provided.
Fixing brackets 14 and 15 are attached to 3 and 24, respectively (see also FIG. 3 for the fixing bracket 14 on the left side). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, positioning projections 16 and 17 projecting downward are provided on the lower left front side and the right rear side of the lower surface of the base member 10.

As shown in FIG. 5, the central trapezoidal portion 25 has four
First groove 32 for mounting individual first contacts 40
(4 places), 2nd groove 33 (4 places) and 3rd groove 34 (4 places) for attaching four 2nd contacts 50
Are provided in parallel with each other and extend in the front-rear direction. The first groove 32 is located in the rear half of the central trapezoidal portion 25, and the second groove 33 is located in the front half of the central trapezoidal portion 25. They are arranged side by side. Further, the third groove 34 is located on the right side (above the plane of the drawing in FIG. 5) of both the grooves 32 and 33 arranged side by side. Further, a first space 35 and a second space 36 for attaching the first switch member 60 and the second switch member 70 to the central trapezoidal portion 25 are provided on the rear left side of the central trapezoidal portion 25 extending in the front-rear direction. Has been.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the first groove 32 has an upper groove 32a and a lower groove 32b located below the upper groove 32a and narrower in width than the upper groove 32a. The lower part of the lower groove 32b (only a part on the rear end side) is provided with a first contact mounting groove 32c having a width wider than that of the lower groove 32b. Further, the second groove 33 is, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower groove 32b of the first groove 32.
The second contact mounting groove 33a is formed to have the same depth as that of the second contact mounting groove 33a, which has a width wider than that of the second groove 33 (see FIG. 4). ).
The third groove 34 has the same depth as the upper groove 32 a of the first groove 32.

The first contact 40 is, as shown in FIG.
Fixed part 4 press-fitted and fixed in the first contact mounting groove 32c
1, a lead portion 42 that is bent rearward and downward from the fixing portion 41 and extends rearward of the bottom wall 21, a connecting portion 43 that is formed by obliquely extending forward and upward from the fixing portion 41, and the connecting portion 43. And a V-shaped arm portion 44 to be connected. In addition,
The V-shaped arm portion 44 includes a first arm portion 46 that obliquely extends forward and upward from a base portion 45 and a second arm portion 47 that obliquely extends rearward and upward from the base portion 45. A contact portion 48 formed at the tip of 46 is connected to the connecting portion 43 (the second arm portion 47 is located above the fixed portion 41).

As shown in FIG. 9, the first contact 4
The lower part of the fixed part 41 and the connecting part 43 of 0 is the lower groove 32b.
In addition, the upper portion of the connecting portion 43 and the V-shaped arm portion 44 are formed in the upper groove 3
2a, respectively. Here, the upper portion of the first contact 40 above the fixed portion 41 is elastically deformable, but the width of the base portion 45 is formed narrower than the width of the upper groove 32a and wider than the width of the lower groove 32b. The downward displacement is restrained by contacting the bottom surface 32d of the upper groove 32a. Further, the contact portion 48 is located below the card receiving space 13, and the pressing portion 47 a formed by bending the tip end of the second arm 47 substantially horizontally is located inside the card receiving space 13. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second contact 50 has a fixing portion 51 press-fitted and fixed in the second contact mounting groove 33a and a bottom wall 2 which is bent forward and downward from the fixing portion 51.
1, a lead portion 52 that extends forward, a connecting portion 53 that extends backward from the fixed portion 51 and folds back, and further extends obliquely forward and upward, and a V-shaped arm portion 5 that connects to the connecting portion 53.
4 and are configured. The V-shaped arm 54
Includes a first arm portion 56 extending obliquely forward and upward from the base portion 55 and a second arm portion 57 extending diagonally upward and rearward from the base portion 55, and is formed at the tip of the first arm portion 56. The contact portion 58 is connected to the connecting portion 53 (the first arm portion 56 is located above and behind the fixing portion 51).

As shown in FIG. 5, this second contact 5
The first arm portion 56 of the V-shaped arm portion 54 of 0 extends from the contact portion 58 toward the base portion 55 by bending to the right (above the sheet surface in FIG. 5). Therefore, the fixed portion 5 of the second contact 50
1 and the connecting portion 53 in the second groove 33, the first arm portion 56 in the second
The base 55 and the second arm 57 are housed in the third groove 34, straddling the groove 33 and the third groove 34, respectively. Here, the second contact 50 is elastically deformable at a portion above the fixed portion 51, but the base portion 55 has a bottom surface 3 of the third groove 34.
The downward displacement is restrained by abutting against 4a. Also,
The contact portion 58 is located below the card receiving space 13,
The pressing portion 57 a formed by bending the tip of the second arm portion 57 substantially horizontally is located in the card receiving space 13.

As described above, the contact portion 58 and the fixed portion 51 of the second contact 50 are connected to the contact portion 48 of the first contact 40.
And the first arm portion 56 of the second contact 50 is bent rightward while being disposed so as to be located in front of the fixed portion 41, and the second arm portion 47 of the first contact 40 and the second contact portion 50 of the second contact 50 are bent. Since the second arm portions 57 are arranged parallel to each other and alternately arranged in the left-right direction, the first contact 40
The contact portion 48 of the second contact 50 and the contact portion 58 of the second contact 50 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, while the contacts 40, 5
It is possible to arrange the zero pressing portions 47a and 57a side by side in the left-right direction (see FIG. 5).

The first switch member 60 is provided so as to straddle the first space 35 and the second space 36 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, and as shown in FIG. 10 (the housing 7 in FIG. 10). (The illustration of the base member 10 is omitted),
The fixed portion 61 press-fitted and fixed in the first switch member mounting groove 35a formed in the lower portion of the first space 35, and the lead portion 6 that is bent rearward and downward from the fixed portion 61 and extends rearward of the bottom wall 21.
2, a first arm portion 63 that extends horizontally forward from the fixed portion 61, is folded back upward, and extends horizontally rearward;
A second arm portion 64 formed obliquely extending rearward and upward from the rear end of the arm portion 63, and extending downward from the upper end of the second arm portion 64 and extending leftward (to the second switch member 70 side). It has the formed 3rd arm part 65 and the contact part 66 formed by extending horizontally forward from the lower end of the part extended to the left of the 3rd arm part 65. A notch 37 that opens upward is provided at the rear of the first space 35 and the second space 36, and the second arm 64 projects upward from the notch 37 and is positioned in the card receiving space 13. However, the contact portion 66 is located in the second space 36.

The second switch member 70 is provided in the second space 36 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
6, a fixed portion 71 press-fitted and fixed in the second switch member mounting groove 36a formed in the lower portion, a lead portion 72 bent rearward and downward from the fixed portion 71, and extending rearward of the bottom wall 21, and a fixed portion 71. It has an arm portion 73 that extends horizontally forward from the upper portion, is folded back upward and extends horizontally rearward, and a contact portion 74 that is formed in a convex shape on the upper surface of the arm portion 73. The contact portion 74 of the second switch member 70 is located below the contact portion 66 of the first switch member 60.

The cover member 80 is formed in a flat plate shape as shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of arm portions 81, 81. ... is provided. These arms 8
Inwardly bent hooks (not shown) are formed at the lower ends of the bases 1, 81, ..., And the cover member 80 is covered from above the base member 10 to cut the hooks of the base member 10. By hooking on the notches 30 and 31,
The cover member 80 can be detachably attached to the base member 10.

The connector body 5 thus constructed is
Lead portions 42, 5 of the first and second contacts 40, 50
The lead portions 62 and 72 of the second and first and second switch members 60 and 70 are surface-mounted on the pattern of the board B (see FIGS. 11 and 12). At this time, the above-mentioned positioning projections 16 provided so as to project downward from the lower surface of the base member 10,
17 is inserted into a positioning hole (not shown) provided in the board B to perform positioning on the board B.
4, 15 are fixed on the board B by soldering or the like.

11 and 12 are plan views showing a state in which the upper cover 180 is removed from the card connector 1.
FIG. 11 shows a state in which the connector body 5 is in the “first position” which is the insertion / removal position of the card 200 (the position where the card 200 is inserted / removed), and FIG. The position of each position is shown.

The case 100 for accommodating and holding the connector body 5 in the card connector 1 is, as described above, a case body 110 for slidably supporting the connector body 5 in the insertion / removal direction of the card 200, and this case body 11
An upper cover 180 that is detachably attached to the upper part of 0
Composed of and. The case body 110 is shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the base 111 is provided with left and right side walls 112 and 113 extending in the front-rear direction of the case 100 on both left and right sides of the base 111, and the rear portion of the base 111 extends in the left-right direction. The wall 115 is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the plate supporting portions 112a, 1a are protruded inward from the center portion of the left and right side walls 112, 113 to the rear portion so as to project inward of the base 111.
13a are formed, and these plate support portions 112 are formed.
A plate-shaped slider 120 is formed on the upper surface side of the a and 113 a so as to extend in the front-back direction of the case 100.
00 in the front-rear direction (vertical direction of the paper surface in FIGS. 11 and 12).

At the front portions of the left and right side walls 112 and 113, card guide portions 112b and 113b are provided so as to project inward of the base 111. Further, the front ends of these card guide portions 112b and 113b are bridged at a front edge portion 114 that extends in the left-right direction of the case 100.

On the upper surface side of the slider 120, the connector body 5 integrated with the board B is attached, so that the connector body 5 is integrated with the slider 120 in the case 100 in the insertion / removal direction of the card 200 ( It is slidable in the front-back direction of the connector body 5. Wiring H (for example, FPC) extending from the rear part of substrate B
Is exposed to the rear of the case 100 through a wiring through hole 115a (see FIG. 2) provided in the rear wall 115 of the base 111. Stoppers 112c and 113c are formed at the rear portions of the left and right side walls 112 and 113, and the rear edge portions of the connector main body 5 fixed to the slider 120 that slides in the insertion direction of the card 200 (to the rear of the case 100) are formed by these stoppers. When the stoppers 112c and 113c come into contact with the stopper 100 from the front of the case 100, the connector body 5 is inserted into the card 200.
Is located in the "second position" in which the container is placed in the accommodated state.

On the upper surface side of the slider 120 to which the connector body 5 is attached, the plate side toggle spring supporting projection 12 is provided.
1 is provided so as to project upward, and the arm portion 131 on one end side of the toggle spring 130 is rotatably attached to the plate side toggle spring support projection 121. The arm portion 132 on the other end side of the toggle spring 130 has a base 111.
Is locked to a base-side toggle spring support projection 116 provided so as to project upward on the upper surface side of the slider 120. Therefore, in the slider 120, the connector body 5 is the "first position" where the card 200 is inserted and removed. From the toggle spring 130 until the card 2 moves a predetermined amount in the insertion direction of the card 200
00, the connector main body 5 exceeds the predetermined amount and receives the urging force in the discharging direction (the front of the case 100).
After being moved in the discharging direction (to the rear of the case 100), the toggle spring 130 whose posture has been changed receives a biasing force in the inserting direction of the card 200. Hereinafter, the state of the toggle spring 130 in which the slider 120 is biased in the ejection direction of the card 200 is referred to as a “first state” (state shown in FIG. 11), and the slider 120 is inserted into the card 200. Toggle spring 13 that is in a position to bias in the direction
The state of 0 is called a "second state" (state shown in FIG. 12).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 11, and 12, a slide member 140 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the lower surface of the slider 120 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the case 100. At the rear end of the case 100 of the slide member 140, a protrusion 148 that has a slope 148a that spreads from the rear end side to the front end side of the case 100 and protrudes to the right is formed. 14
At the front end portion of the case 100 of 0, three projecting portions formed by extending to the right of the case 100 (the first projecting portion 141, the second projecting portion 142, and the third projecting portion 1 from the front end side of the case 100).
43) are provided (see also FIG. 2).

An urging spring mounting projection 117 formed on the right side of the base 111 and protruding upward is provided with an urging spring 150 composed of a coil spring, and the arm 151 on one end side of the urging spring 150. Is in contact with the biasing spring locking projection 118 extending upward from the base 111 from the front side of the case 100. Biasing spring 150
The arm portion 152 on the other end side of the
The slide member 140 is housed in the spring end housing groove 145 formed between the projecting portion 142 and the third projecting portion 143. Therefore, the slide member 140 is always biased by the biasing spring 150 to keep the case 100 at all times.
Is in the state of being urged toward the front of the card, that is, in the ejection direction of the card 200.

A solenoid 160 is provided on the right side of the rear end of the base 111 so as to extend in the left-right direction of the case 100. Inside the solenoid 160, a piston 161 movably supported in the left-right direction of the case 100 is provided. It is provided. The piston 161 is constantly urged to the left side of the case 100 by a spring (not shown).
When 60 is energized and magnetized, it is attracted to the right of the case 100 by the electromagnetic force generated thereby. The wiring 165 for supplying electric power to the solenoid 160 extends to the right of the base 111, and the wiring 1
A connector 166 (see FIG. 2) connected to a power supply unit (not shown) is attached to the end of 65.

A block-shaped lock member 162 is attached to the end portion of the piston 161 (the end portion on the left side of the case 100), and the lower surface side of the lock member 162 slides as shown in FIG. An inclined surface portion 162a is formed at the rear end of the member 140 so as to face the inclined surface portion 148a of the protrusion 148. Where the solenoid 160
The piston 161 is not attracted to the right of the case 100 when the power is not applied to the slide member 140 in this state.
When it slides to the rear of 0 (see FIG. 13A), the slope 148a of the slide member 140 contacts the slope 162a of the lock member 162 from the front side of the case 100 (FIG. 13B). reference). When the slide member 140 further slides rearward of the case 100, the lock member 162 (that is, the piston 161) moves to the case 100.
Is pushed to the right (left of the paper in Fig. 13) (Fig. 1
3 (C)), the slope portion 148a of the slide member 140
When the piston 100 goes too far behind the case 100 and is separated from the sloped portion 162a of the lock member 162, the piston 161 moves to the left side of the case 100 (right side of the paper in FIG. 13) and returns to the original position. As a result, the protrusion 148 of the slide member 140 is formed in the recess 16 formed in the lock member 162.
2b (see FIG. 13D).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the limit switch 1 has a switch piece 171 provided on the rear end side of the slider 120 so as to project to the rear of the case 100.
70 is attached. This limit switch 17
In the switch piece 171, the slider 120 has the case 10
0 Slide to the rear and move the connector body 5 to the card 20
When the "second position" in which 0 is accommodated is reached, the switch contact surface 115b formed on the rear wall 115 of the case body 110 is contacted from the front of the case 100.

When the card 200 is attached to the card connector 1 having such a structure, first, the card 200 is provided with a gap S (FIG. 1) between the front edge 114 provided on the front part of the case body 110 and the upper cover 180. (See (B)). As a result, the card 200 is moved to the card guide 112b,
The left and right ends are guided by the 113b and the upper cover 180 and proceed in the inner direction (backward) of the case 100, and inside the connector body 5 from the guide grooves 28 and 29 formed in the housing 7 of the connector body 5 in the case 100. Enter the card receiving space 13).

After the card 200 is inserted into the card receiving space 13 of the connector body 5, the card 200 is pushed further in, so that the end portion of the card 200 (the end portion located on the rear end side of the case 100) is opened to the housing. 7 rear wall 22,
22 abuts the end portion 20 of the card 200
Immediately before 0a abuts the rear walls 22, 22, the end portion 200a of the card 200 has the first and second contacts 40,
After contacting the pressing portions 47a and 57a of the case 50 from the front of the case 100 (see FIGS. 14A and 15A), these are pushed down (pressed). As a result, the V-shaped arm portions 44 and 54 of both contacts 40 and 50 are connected to the base portions 45 and 55.
, The contact portions 48, 58 are pushed upward and come into contact with the terminals 202, 202, ... Of the card 200 from below (see FIGS. 14B and 15B). The terminals 202, 202, ...
Even after the contact with the contact 8, the contact 40, 50 moves a little backward as the card 200 is pushed.
A wiping effect is exerted between the contact portions 48, 58 and the terminals 202, 202, ..., Preventing poor contact.

Further, the pressing portions 47 of the contacts 40 and 50 which are pushed down by the end portion 200a of the card 200.
a and 57a are the end portions of the card 200 as a reaction.
Push 0a upward. Therefore, the card 200 is pressed against the lower surface 80a of the cover member 80 and is held in the card receiving space 13 (see FIGS. 14B and 15B). In this state, the card 200 will not easily fall out of the connector body 5.

Immediately before the end 200a of the card 200 comes into contact with the rear walls 22 of the housing 7, the end 200a of the card 200 comes into contact with the second arm 64 of the first switch member 60 from the front. After that (see FIG. 16A), this is pushed downward. As a result, the contact portion 66 of the first switch member 60 moves downward, and the card 200
When the end portion 200a of the first contacting portion contacts the rear wall 22, 22, the contact portion 74 of the second switch member 70 comes into contact with the contact portion 74 from above (see FIG. 16B). As a result, the power of the connector main body 5 is turned on, and the card 200 and the connector main body 5 are electrically connected to each other through the terminals 202, 202, ... And both contacts 40, 50.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a pressing member 122 that is movable in the left-right direction of the case 100 is provided on the front end side of the slider 120 (below the paper surface in FIGS. 11 and 12). The pressing member 122 is formed with a pressing portion 123 protruding below the slider 120. The pressing portion 123 is the base 1 of the case body 110.
11 is located in the cam groove 119 formed on the upper surface,
The slider 120 moves in and out of the card 200 (case 10
0 slides back and forth), the cam groove 1
It moves on the slider 120 in the left-right direction according to the shape of 19.

As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 17, the cam groove 119 has a circular portion composed of points P1 to P2 to P3 to P4 to P5 to P1 and a linear portion composed of P4 to P6. ing. When the connector main body 5 is at the position where the card 200 is inserted into and removed from the card connector 1, that is, at the “first position”, the pressing portion 1 of the pressing member 122.
23 is located at the point P1 in the cam groove 119 (the state shown in FIG. 17), and the end 200a of the card 200 inserted from the front of the case 100 contacts the rear walls 22, 22 of the connector main body 5, When the slider 120 integrated with the connector body 5 starts to slide rearward of the case 100, the pressing portion 123 comes into contact with the wall surface 119a located immediately behind the point P1 in the cam groove 119, and then the cam groove 119. According to the shape of FIG.
To point P2 inside.

The pressing portion 123 contacts the front edge of the first projecting portion 141 of the slide member 140 from the front of the case 100 when reaching the point P2 in the cam groove 119 (see FIG. 1).
8 (A)), the slide member 140 is pressed to the rear of the case 100. Therefore, the slide member 140 slides rearward of the case 100 as the card 200 is pushed into the case 100 (the connector body 5 and the slider 120 move rearward of the case 100).

Even after the pressing portion 123 reaches the point P3 in the cam groove 119, when the card 200 is further pushed into the case 100 and the slider 120 moves rearward in the case 100, the toggle spring 130 is moved to the position shown in FIG. Show "First
State "to the" second state "shown in FIG. The toggle spring 130 biases the slider 120 forward of the case 100 when in the “first state”,
A person who inserts the card 200 feels a resistance that the card 200 is pushed back in the ejection direction.
After switching 0 to the "second state", toggle spring 1
Since the slider 30 biases the slider 120 toward the front of the case 100, the resistance is eliminated, and the connector body 5
Moves so as to be naturally drawn inward of the case 100 while holding the card 200. Then, the connector main body 5 is stopped at the position where the rear edge of the connector main body 5 contacts the stoppers 112c and 113c to bring the card 200 into the accommodated state, that is, the “second position”.

Here, the toggle spring 130 is switched from the "first state" to the "second state" by the slider 1
The pressing portion 123 of 20 is moving from the point P3 to the point P4 in the cam groove 119, and the protrusion 148 of the slide member 140 is in the recess 162b of the lock member 162 attached to the end of the piston 161 during this period. It enters (state shown in FIG. 16D). Toggle spring 13
When 0 is switched to the “second state” and the slider 120 is biased rearward of the case 100, the pressing portion 1
23 is a point P3 to a point P in the cam groove 119.
4, further moving to the point P6, while the pressing portion 123 moves from the point P3 to the point P4,
It is separated from the front edge of the first protrusion 141 of the slide member 140 (see FIG. 18B). After that, when the pressing portion 123 reaches the point P6, the connector main body 5 is located in the “second position”, but at this time, the pressing portion 123 is located at the front edge of the second protruding portion 142 of the slide member 140 and the case 100 of the case 100. It abuts from the front (see FIG. 18C and FIG. 12).

As described above, at the moment when the pressing portion 123 is separated from the front edge of the first protruding portion 141, the slide member 14
0 does not receive the pressing force to the rear of the case 100 by the pressing portion 123, so the case 100 by the biasing spring 150 is
Only the forward biasing force will be received. However, since the protrusion 148 of the slide member 140 has entered the recess 162b of the lock member 162 before the pressing portion 123 is separated from the front edge of the first protrusion 141 (described above), the slide member 140 is urged. Even if it receives the urging force of the spring 150, it does not move to the front of the case 100, and the state where it is locked and held at that position is maintained.

Further, as described above, the switch piece 171 of the limit switch 170 is located on the switch contact surface formed on the rear wall 115 when the connector body 5 is in the "second position" for accommodating the card 200. 115b (see FIG. 12), which causes the limit switch 1
The output from 70 switches from the OFF signal to the ON signal,
Information exchange between the card 200 and the card connector 1 is started via a control device (not shown).

After the exchange of information between the card 200 and the card connector 1 is completed, the card 200 is ejected. The ejection operation of the card 200 is an operation of energizing the solenoid 160 by operating an ejection switch (not shown). The energization of the solenoid 160 magnetizes the solenoid 160 and causes the piston 161 to move to the case 1.
00 is sucked to the right. Thereby, the lock member 162
Moves to the right of the case 100, and the protrusion 148 of the slide member 140 is released from the state of being locked in the recess 162b of the lock member 162.
Receives the biasing force of the biasing spring 150 and slides forward of the case 100. At this time, the second protrusion 142 of the slide member 140 presses the pressing portion 123 of the slider 120 to the front of the case 100, so that the slider 120 moves to the front of the case 100 together with the slide member 140 (see FIG. 18D). ).

Here, the biasing spring 150 causes the slider 120 to move.
The spring forces of the two springs 150 and 130 are set so that the biasing force that biases the slider 100 toward the front of the case 100 is larger than the force that causes the toggle spring 130 to bias the slider 120 toward the rear of the case 100. Therefore, the toggle spring 130 switches from the “second state” to the “first state” while the slider 120 moves forward of the case 100, and after the toggle spring 130 switches to the “first state”. The slider 120 receives not only the biasing force of the biasing member 150, but also the biasing force of the toggle spring 130.
Slide to the front of 0. Then, the slider 120
The front edge 120a (see FIG. 2) of the case 100 on the front edge 110b (see FIG. 2) of the opening 110a of the case body 110.
Connector body 5 is a card 2
It is located in the "first position" where the 00 is inserted and removed. When the slider 120 moves forward of the case 100 in this way, the pressing portion 123 of the pressing member 122 mounted on the slider 120 moves inside the cam groove 119 at a point P.
From point 6 go through point P4 and continue straight to point P
After moving to 5, it moves to the front left of the case 100 (lower left of the paper surface in FIG. 17) according to the shape of the cam groove 119 to reach the point P1.

Here, during the movement of the pressing portion 123 from the point P4 to the point P5 in the cam groove 119 as the slider 120 moves toward the front of the case 100, the slide member 140 has the projection 149 (formed on the lower surface of the central portion). 2) is the front edge 1 of the opening 110a of the case body 110.
10b (see FIG. 2) comes into contact with the case 100 from the rear side and cannot move to the front side of the case 100 any further. Therefore, while the slider 120 is moving forward in the case 100, the pressing portion 123 is moved toward the slide member 14.
Only the pressing portion 123 (that is, the slider 120) moves away from the second protruding portion 142 of No. 0, and moves to the front of the case 100 (see FIG. 18E). As a result, each member in the case 100 returns to the state before the card 200 is inserted and attached.

The case 100 of such a slider 120
By moving to the front, the connector main body 5 holds the card 200 and the front of the case 100, that is, the card 20.
Since it moves in the discharging direction of 0, when the connector main body 5 reaches the “first position” for inserting and removing the card 200, the card 200 is in a state of protruding from the front of the case 100 (see FIG. 11), It can be pulled out from the card connector 1. When the card 200 is removed from the card connector 1, both contacts 4
0, 50 and both switch members 60, 70 are released from the forced elastically deformed state and returned to the state before the insertion of the card 200. That is, both contact portions 48 and 58 are located below the card receiving space 13, and both pressing portions 47a and 57a are located inside the card receiving space 13. Also, the first and second
The contact portions 66 and 74 of the switch members 60 and 70 are separated from each other, and the power source of the connector body 5 is turned off.

Thus, the card connector 1 according to the present invention
According to the above, the connector body 5 holding the card 220 on which information is recorded is not fixed to the case 100, but
The card 200 is slidably supported in the insertion / removal direction of the card 200, and is slidably supported in the insertion / removal direction of the card 200. ), And the card 200 is a complete accommodation type for exchanging information in a state where the card 200 is accommodated in the case 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the card 200 is accidentally pulled out during the exchange of information or the card 200 is shocked to damage the data. Also, the slide member 1
When the operation of releasing the lock holding of 40 is performed, the connector body 5 moves in the case 100 while holding the card 200 to eject the card 200.
Removing the card 200 is also very easy.

When the card 200 is ejected, not only the biasing spring 150, but also the toggle spring 130 that has been switched from the second state to the first state can be used to connect the connector body 5 to the card 20.
Since the connector body 5 is biased toward the discharge side of 0,
It moves vigorously in 00 to reach the first position. As a result, the card 200 projects toward the front of the case 100, and the card 200 can be easily pulled out. Further, in such a configuration, since the electric motor is not used, the configuration is simple and no power is consumed, so that the cost required for manufacturing and using is low.

Although the embodiments of the card connector according to the present invention have been described so far, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, a predetermined position before the connector main body 5 biased by the toggle spring 130 in the insertion direction of the card 200 reaches the “second position” in which the card 200 is accommodated (here, the pressing portion 123 is the slide member 14).
The lock means that locks and holds the slide member 140 with respect to the case 100 when the slide member 140 is located at a position (spaced apart from the second protrusion 142 of 0) is the protrusion 148 formed on the slide member 140 in the above-described embodiment. Lock member 1
62 and the piston 161 to which the lock member 162 is attached and is always urged to the left side of the case 100, this is an example, and other configurations may be used.

Further, as the lock releasing means for operating the piston 161 to which the lock member 162 is attached to release the lock holding of the slide member, the solenoid for electrically driving the piston is used in the above-described embodiment. However, this is an example, and the piston 161 may be manually operated directly or manually via a link or the like without using the solenoid.

[0056]

As described above, according to the card connector of the present invention, the connector body for holding the card on which information is recorded is not fixed to the case but is slidable in the insertion / removal direction of the card. The card is a fully-contained type that moves inward of the case when the card is pushed into the case and exchanges information while the card is accommodated in the case. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the card is accidentally pulled out during the exchange of information or a shock is given to the card to damage the data. Further, when the lock holding operation of the slide member is released, the connector main body moves in the case while holding the card to eject the card, so that the card can be taken out very easily. When ejecting the card, not only the biasing spring but also the toggle spring that has switched from the "second state" to the "first state" biases the connector body toward the card ejection side. Move vigorously to reach the "first position". This causes the card to project to the front of the case, making it easier to pull out the card. Further, in such a configuration, since the electric motor is not used, the configuration is simple and no power is consumed, so that the cost required for manufacturing and using is low.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a card connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A), (B), and (C) are a plan view, a front view, and a right side view, respectively. is there.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of this card connector.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a single connector body together with a card.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector body viewed from the arrow IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connector body with a cover member removed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector body viewed from the arrow VI-VI in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector body viewed from the arrow VII-VII in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the connector body viewed from the arrow VIII-VIII in FIG.

9 is a cross-sectional view of the connector body viewed from the arrow IX-IX in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing first and second switch members.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state where the upper cover is removed from the card connector, showing a state in which the card is in a position where it is inserted into and removed from the card connector.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a state in which an upper cover is removed from the card connector, showing a state where the card is accommodated in the card connector.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the protrusion of the slide member is locked by the lock member in the order of (A) to (D),
It is seen from the lower surface side of the card connector.

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view showing a state of elastic deformation of the first contact accompanying insertion of the card, (A) showing a state where the tip of the card is in contact with the pressing portion of the first contact,
(B) shows a state in which the first contact is elastically deformed and the contact portion comes into contact with the planar contact of the card.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view showing a state of elastic deformation of the second contact due to insertion of a card, (A) showing a state where the tip of the card is in contact with the pressing portion of the second contact,
(B) shows a state in which the second contact elastically deforms and the contact portion comes into contact with the planar contact of the card.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the first and second switch members are elastically deformed as a card is inserted, and FIG. 16A shows a state in which the tip of the card is in contact with the first switch member;
(B) shows a state in which the first switch member is elastically deformed and the contact portion of the first switch member abuts and contacts the contact portion of the second switch member.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing a cam groove formed on the upper surface of the base of the case body.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the pressing portion of the slider and the slider in the order of (A) to (E).

[Explanation of symbols]

1 card connector 5 Connector body 7 housing 10 Base member 13 Card receiving space 80 Cover member 100 cases 110 case body 111 base 119 cam groove 120 slider 130 toggle spring 140 Slide member 148 protrusion 150 bias spring 160 solenoid 161 piston 162 Lock part 162b depression 180 Top cover 200 memory card 202 flat contact B board

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connector main body for holding a card on which information is recorded so that the card can be inserted and removed, and exchanging information with the card, and a first position where the card is inserted and removed. A case for slidably supporting the connector main body between the second position for accommodating the card and one end connected to the connector main body and the other end connected to the case; The first body for urging the connector body in the card ejection direction until a predetermined amount moves in the card insertion direction from the first position.
A toggle spring that switches to a second state in which the connector body is urged in the card insertion direction after the connector body has moved in the card insertion direction by more than the predetermined amount. A pressing member movably provided on a slider that moves integrally with the main body, and when the connector main body slides in the card insertion direction, the connector is pressed by the pressing member in the card insertion direction. A slide member that slides, a biasing spring that constantly biases the slide member in the card ejection direction, and the connector body that is biased in the card insertion direction by the toggle spring to the second position. Locking means for locking and holding the slide member with respect to the case when positioned at a predetermined position before reaching; When the position is reached, the pressing member and the slide member are separated from each other, and when the connector body is located at the second position, the pressing member is moved so as to come into contact with the slide member again. The connector main body located at the second position has a cam groove for allowing the lock holding by the locking means to be released, and the lock holding of the slide member is released by the lock releasing means. When pressed, the slide member is urged toward the card ejection side by the urging spring and is pressed toward the card ejection side, and the toggle spring is switched from the second state to the first state. A card connector, wherein the card connector is adapted to move to the first position. 2. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the lock releasing means is configured to release the lock holding of the slide member by using an electrically driven means.