JP2005301604A - Conversion adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conversion adapter for simplifying a data transmission path continuing from a storage medium to a connector in a slot, and for improving the reliability of data transmission. <P>SOLUTION: This conversion adapter 501 is configured to change the size of a first storage medium 101 having a connector 101b in order to mount the first storage medium 101 on a slot for a second storage medium whose size is different from the size of the first storage medium 101. This conversion adapter 501 is provided with a storage part 501b for storing the first storage medium 101 in order to directly connect the connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 to a connector in the slot and a lock member 501g for fixing the first storage medium 101 in a status that the first storage medium 101 is stored in the storage part 501b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a conversion adapter that converts a size or the like so that a storage medium is mounted in a slot having a different standard.

  In recent years, storage media such as semiconductor storage media, magnetic storage media, and optical disk storage media have exploded and their types have been diversified.

  Such a storage medium is normally used by being mounted in a slot dedicated to a storage medium of an electronic device. However, as the types of storage media are diversified as described above, they are mounted in slots dedicated to storage media of different standards. There is a growing demand for using a conversion adapter or the like to enable use between storage media of different standards, and to improve versatility when using storage media.

  Conventionally, it is known that a CF card (storage medium) that cannot be mounted in a PC card slot (storage medium) can be mounted in the PC card slot using a CF card PCMCIA adapter ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a PCMCIA adapter for a CF card disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 denotes a CF card, and a connector 1001a is provided on a side surface thereof. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a PCMCIA adapter (hereinafter referred to as a conversion adapter), which has an accommodating portion 1002a for accommodating a CF card 1001. The housing portion 1002a has a first connector 1002b for fitting and electrically connecting with the connector 1001a of the CF card 1001. When the CF card 1001 is completely accommodated in the accommodating portion 1002a, the connector 1001a of the CF card 1001 and the first connector 1002b of the adapter 1002 are fitted to each other and are electrically connected. .

  A second connector 1002c corresponding to the PC card interface is provided on the opposite side of the conversion adapter 1002 from the housing portion 1002a. The first connector 1002b and the second connector 1002c are electrically connected via an internal circuit. Therefore, the CF card 1001 accommodated in the accommodating portion 1002a of the conversion adapter 1002 can be connected to the outside by the second connector 1002c. For example, when it is desired to use the CF card 1001 in a notebook personal computer (personal computer) having only a PC card slot without a CF card slot, as described above, the CF card 1001 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 1002a of the conversion adapter 1002. And can be used directly by being mounted in a PC card slot.

As described above, there are many storage media that use the conversion adapter 1002 or the like to supplement the difference shape with other storage media and can be mounted in other storage medium dedicated slots.
JP 11-251919 A

  However, in recent years, HDD (hard disk drive) interfaces are shifting from parallel to serial.

  In conventional parallel communication, the data transmission speed is much slower than serial transmission, and even if there is an intermediate inclusion such as a conversion adapter, data transmission is performed without much consideration of impedance matching of the circuit in the intermediate inclusion. Was able to.

  However, in serial communication, since high-speed data transmission of 1 Gb / s or more is performed, data cannot be correctly transmitted unless impedance matching of the data transmission circuit is taken into consideration.

  Against such a background, in the conventional conversion adapter 1002 as shown in FIG. 10, the CF card 1001 is electrically connected to the CF interface and the PC card interface (not shown) and the first. Since electrical connection is made with electronic devices etc. via the connector 1002b and the second connector 1002c, noise is applied from physical joints such as connector contacts and circuit patterns, and the reliability of data transmission is significantly reduced. There was a problem to do.

  There is also a problem that impedance matching, which is essential when performing high-speed data transfer of 1 Gb / s or more, is very difficult.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to simplify the data transmission path from the storage medium to the connector in the slot, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission. It is to provide a conversion adapter that can be improved.

  In order to achieve the above object, the conversion adapter of the present invention provides the first storage medium having a connector for mounting the first storage medium in a slot for a second storage medium having a different size from the first storage medium. A conversion adapter that converts the size of one storage medium, and a storage unit that stores the first storage medium so that a connector of the first storage medium and a connector in the slot are directly connected; And a fixing member that fixes the first storage medium in a state in which the first storage medium is accommodated in the accommodating portion.

  According to the present invention, when the conversion adapter containing the first storage medium is attached to the second storage medium slot, the connector of the first storage medium is connected to the connector in the second storage medium slot. Since the interface conversion circuit interposed in the middle is unnecessary, the configuration can be simplified. Since the first storage medium is fixed in a state of being accommodated in the accommodating portion by the fixing member, when removing the conversion adapter from the second storage medium slot, the first storage medium, the conversion adapter, Is not released, and only the first storage medium is not left in the second storage medium slot.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the conversion adapter of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A feature of the present invention is that the size of the first storage medium is converted in order to mount the first storage medium having a connector in a slot for a second storage medium having a different size from the first storage medium. A conversion adapter for accommodating the first storage medium so that a connector of the first storage medium and a connector in the slot are directly connected; and the first storage medium includes the first storage medium And a fixing member that fixes the first storage medium in a state of being accommodated in the accommodating portion.

  In addition, a feature of the present invention is that the fixing member is a locking member that fits into a notch formed in the first storage medium.

  In addition, a feature of the present invention is that the fixing member is a lock member that fits into a recess formed on a side surface of the first storage medium.

  In addition, a feature of the present invention is that the lock member is movable in a direction orthogonal to a mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot.

  In addition, a feature of the present invention is that the lock member is rotatable in a direction orthogonal to a mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot.

Furthermore, a feature of the present invention is that the housing portion is provided at a front portion in the mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot. Form)
First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first storage medium detachably accommodated in the conversion adapter according to the present embodiment and a second storage medium larger in size than the first storage medium. In the figure, 101 is a first storage medium, and 102 is a second storage medium.

  The first storage medium 101 has a planar rectangular casing 101a. A connector 101b is provided at the center of the front surface of the casing 101a. Further, guide grooves 101c and 101d are provided on both outer side surfaces of the housing 101a. In addition, lock grooves (notches and recesses) 101e and 101f are provided at the center positions on both outer side surfaces of the housing 101a.

  Further, the second storage medium 102 has a planar rectangular casing 102 a that is larger than the casing 101 a of the first storage medium 101. A connector 102b is provided at the center of the front surface of the housing 102a. Further, guide grooves 102c and 102d are provided on both side surfaces of the housing 102a.

  The connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 and the connector 102b of the second storage medium 102 have the same configuration and are detachably fitted to connectors provided in an electronic device (not shown) or the like, so that electrical Will be connected.

  The first and second storage media 101 and 102 have hard disks (not shown), and are electrically connected to electronic devices such as PCs (personal computers) via connectors 101b and 102b. It is configured to be able to exchange data.

  Next, an electronic device to which the second storage medium 102 can be detachably attached will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the second storage medium 102 and an electronic device to which the second storage medium 102 can be detachably attached. In FIG. It is attached.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes an electronic device, which has a planar rectangular casing 201a. The housing 201a has a second storage medium slot (hereinafter referred to as a slot) 201b, and the slot 201b has an opening 201c on the front surface thereof. Then, the second storage medium 102 can be detachably attached to the slot 201b by sliding the second storage medium 102 from the opening 201c along the directions of arrows A and B in the figure. It has become.

  In addition, guide rails 201d and 201e are provided on both inner side surfaces of the housing 201a. When the second storage medium 102 is slid from the opening 201c along the directions of arrows A and B in the drawing, the guide rails 201d and 201e of the electronic device 201 are respectively guided by the guide grooves of the second storage medium 102. 102c and 102d are guided, and the second storage medium 102 is regulated so as to move correctly in the slot 201b of the electronic device 201.

  Accordingly, the guide grooves 102c and 102d of the second storage medium 102 constitute the restricted means, and the guide rails 201d and 201e of the electronic device 201 constitute the restricting means.

  In addition, inside the bottom surface of the housing 201a of the electronic device 201, a connector 201f and a substrate 201g are provided in the slot 201b. The connector 201f is mounted on the board 201g while maintaining electrical coupling. When the connector 102b of the second storage medium 102 and the connector 201f in the slot 201b of the electronic device 201 are fitted, the board 201g is mounted. And the second storage medium 102 are electrically connected.

  The second storage medium 102 has a connector 102b in the mounting direction in the slot 201b, that is, in the center of the front surface in the direction of arrow A in the figure. When the second storage medium 102 is correctly installed in the slot 201b of the electronic device 201, the connector 201f in the slot 201b of the electronic device 201 and the connector 102b of the second storage medium 102 are fitted, Electrically connected.

  Next, an electronic device to which the first storage medium 101 can be detachably attached will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the first storage medium 101 and an electronic apparatus to which the first storage medium 101 can be detachably attached. In FIG. It is attached.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes an electronic device, which has a planar rectangular casing 301a. A central portion of the front surface of the housing 301a has a first storage medium slot (hereinafter referred to as a slot) 301b whose front surface is open. Then, the first storage medium 101 can be detachably attached to the slot 301b by sliding the first storage medium 101 from the opening along the directions of arrows C and D in the figure. ing.

  Further, guide rails 301c and 301d are provided on both inner side surfaces of the slot 301b. Then, when the first storage medium 101 is slid along the directions of arrows C and D in the figure, the guide rails 301c and 301d of the electronic device 301 respectively pass through the guide grooves 101c and 101d of the first storage medium 101. The first storage medium 101 is regulated so as to move correctly in the slot 301b of the electronic device 301.

  A connector 301e is provided in the interior of the slot 301b. When the first storage medium 101 is inserted to a predetermined position inside the slot 301b, the connector 101b (see FIG. 1) of the first storage medium 101 is engaged with the connector 301e inside the slot 301b, and the first The storage medium 101 and the electronic device 301 are electrically connected, and data can be exchanged.

  The length in the thickness direction in the vicinity of the slot 301b of the electronic device 301 and the guide grooves 101c and 101d of the first storage medium 101 has a relationship of a> a ′> b> b ′. This prevents the storage medium 101 from being mounted upside down in the slot 301b.

  In addition, since the guide grooves 101c and 101d extending from the front to the rear of the first storage medium 101 are cut in the middle, the first storage medium 101 is accidentally inserted backward and inserted into the slot 301b. The front end surfaces of the guide rails 301c and 301d of the slot 301b contact the rear surface A of the housing 101a of the first storage medium 101 so that the first storage medium 101 is not inserted into the slot 301b.

  Next, a lock mechanism for locking the first storage medium 101 in a state where it is mounted in the slot 301b will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a lock mechanism for locking the first storage medium 101 in a state in which the first storage medium 101 is mounted in the slot 301b. In FIG. 4, portions unnecessary for description are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a lock member (fixing member) 401 for preventing the first storage medium 101 from being detached is provided in the slot 301b. The lock member 401 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 401a and is biased leftward in FIG. 4 by a biasing means (not shown). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, when the first storage medium 101 advances in the C direction, the lock member 401 is pushed by a part of the first storage medium 101 and rotates in the right direction. As shown in b), the lock member 401 advances while contacting the side surface. Thereafter, when the lock member 401 reaches the position of the lock groove 101f of the housing 101a of the first storage medium 101, the lock member 401 is engaged with the lock groove 101f by the action of the urging means.

  As described above, when the lock member 401 is engaged with the lock groove 101f, the first storage medium 101 mounted in the slot 301b is inadvertently moved in the D direction and detached from the slot 301b. Can be prevented.

  As described in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first storage medium 101 prevents erroneous insertion into the slot 301b by the guide grooves 101c and 101d, and the first storage medium 101 by the lock grooves 101e and 101f. Can be prevented from leaving the slot 301b.

  Next, the conversion adapter according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the conversion adapter and the second storage medium 102 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes a conversion adapter (hereinafter referred to as an adapter) according to the present embodiment, which has a planar rectangular casing 501a. This casing 501a is the second one shown in FIG. The outer dimensions of the storage medium 102 are the same as those of the housing 102a. The adapter 501 has an accommodating portion 501b that is large enough to accommodate the second storage medium 102. The accommodating portion 501b has a U-shape in a plane, and a convex portion 501c is provided on one inner side surface thereof. In addition, a lock member 501g that is movably guided in the directions of arrows E and F and biased in the direction of arrow E by bosses 501d and 501e is provided on the other inner side surface of the accommodating portion 501b. The lock member 501g has a knob 501h, and the knob 501h can be picked to slide the lock member 501g in the directions of arrows E and F. Further, guide grooves 501j and 501k are provided on both outer side surfaces of the housing 501a. These guide grooves 501j and 501k are adapted to engage with guide rails 301c and 301d on both sides inside the slot 201b of the electronic device 201.

  After the first storage medium 101 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 501b with the lock member 501g slid in the direction of arrow F, when the finger is released from the knob 501h, the lock member 501g becomes the housing of the first storage medium 101. The first storage medium 101 is pressed in the direction of arrow E by engaging with the guide groove 101c and the lock groove 101f of 101a. The pressed first storage medium 101 moves in the direction of arrow E, and the convex portion 501c engages with the guide groove 101c and the lock groove 101e. Eventually, the movement of the first storage medium 101 stops at the position where the convex portion 501c contacts the guide groove 101c and the lock groove 101e, and the storage of the first storage medium 101 into the storage portion 501b is completed.

  The lock member 501g has a substantially T shape, engages with both the guide groove 101c and the lock groove 101e of the housing 101a of the first storage medium 101, presses the convex portion 501c, and the convex portion 501c. The first storage medium 101 is sandwiched between the lock member 501g and the lock member 501g, thereby restricting the first storage medium 101 from being detached from the adapter 501. At the same time, positioning is performed so that the first storage medium 101 and the connector 101 b are accommodated in a predetermined position of the adapter 501.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the storage of the first storage medium 101 in the storage unit 501b is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the position of the connector 101 b of the first storage medium 101 is the position of the connector 101 b shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the first storage medium 101 is stored in the storage portion 501 b of the adapter 501. And the relative position to the outer shape are set to be the same.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the adapter 501 housing the first storage medium 101 is attached to the electronic device 201.

  When the adapter 501 is mounted in the second storage medium slot 201b of the electronic device 201, the guide grooves 501j and 501k of the housing 501a of the adapter 501 engage with the guide rails 201d and 201e in the slot 201b of the electronic device 201. To be guided.

  Since the connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 accommodated in the accommodation portion 501b of the adapter 501 is disposed at a predetermined position, the adapter 501 with the first storage medium 101 attached is connected to the second of the electronic device 201. When inserted into the storage medium slot 201b, the connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 and the connector 201f of the electronic device 201 are fitted, and the substrate 201g and the first storage medium 101 are electrically connected. When the first storage medium 101 is detached from the slot 201b of the electronic device 201, the side surface of the adapter 501 is grasped and pulled out of the slot 201b.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the first storage medium 101 is sandwiched between the convex portion 501c and the lock member 501g and is fixed so as not to be displaced in the front-rear and left-right directions. Never leave.

  As described above, the adapter 501 according to the present embodiment is a case where the adapter 501 is used to mount the first storage medium 101 in the second storage medium slot 201 of the electronic device 201. However, since the connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 is directly engaged with the connector 201f in the second storage medium slot 201 for electrical connection, the configuration of the data transmission path is simplified.

  In addition, since an intermediate interposer for converting the interface between the connector 101b of the first storage medium 101 and the connector 201f of the second storage medium slot 201 is not required in the adapter 501, the reliability of high-speed data transmission Improves.

  In addition, since the intermediate intervening circuit in the conventional technique is not required, the cost can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the conversion adapter and the second storage medium according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. It is attached.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a conversion adapter (hereinafter referred to as an adapter) according to the present embodiment, and has a planar rectangular casing 801. The housing 801a is provided with an accommodation portion 801b that can accommodate the first storage medium 101 with a margin. The housing portion 801b is provided with a lid 801d that is rotatably supported by a shaft 801c. The lid 801d regulates the accommodated first storage medium 101 so as not to be detached upward. The lid 801d is provided with bosses 801e and 801f for engaging the lock grooves 101e and 101f of the first storage medium 101 accommodated to determine the position of the first storage medium 101. Further, the lid 801d has holes 801g and 801h for restricting the position of the lid 801d. When the lid 801d falls in the closing direction, the bosses 801j and 801k arranged on both sides of the housing portion 801b are formed in the holes 801g and 801h. Each is engaged, and the lid 801d is set at a predetermined position. The lid 801d is provided with screw fixing holes 801m and 801n. Further, holes 801o and 801p for screwing are also provided on both sides of the accommodating portion 801b. Further, guide grooves 801q and 801r are provided on both outer side surfaces of the housing 801a. These guide grooves 801q and 801r are adapted to engage with guide rails 301c and 301d on both sides inside the slot 201b of the electronic device 201.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the first storage medium 101 is accommodated in the adapter 801.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the lid 801d is closed, the bosses 801j and 801k are engaged with the holes 8801g and 801h of the lid 801d, respectively, and the lid 801d is positioned. The lid 801d is fixed to the adapter 801 with screws 901a and 901b.

  In this state, the lower surface of the lid 801d is in contact with the upper surface of the first storage medium 101 and is restricted so that the first storage medium 101 does not move up and down. Further, the lower surface of the first storage medium 101 is in contact with the upper surface of the housing portion 801b (see FIG. 8), and the first storage medium 101 and the connector 101b are positioned at a predetermined height.

  Further, the bosses 801m and 801n of the lid 801d shown in FIG. 8 are engaged with the lock grooves 101e and 101f of the housing 101a of the first storage medium 101, whereby the first storage medium 101 is moved in the front-rear and left-right directions. The first storage medium 101 and the connector 102 b are positioned at predetermined positions of the adapter 801 while being restricted so as not to move.

  The housing 801a of the adapter 801 according to the present embodiment has the same outer dimensions as the housing 102a of the second storage medium 102 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment described above, and a connector is disposed. The location is also at the same position as the connector 101 b of the first storage medium 101.

  Therefore, the adapter 801 according to the present embodiment is detachably mounted in the slot 501b of the electronic device 501 shown in FIG. 7 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, so that the first storage medium 101 The connector 101b and the connector 201f of the electronic device 201 are in an electrically connected state.

  The adapter 801 according to the present embodiment also has the same effect as that of the first embodiment described above.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st storage medium used by inserting in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and the 2nd storage medium larger in size than this 1st storage medium. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the storage medium and electronic device which are used by inserting in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the storage medium and electronic device which are used by inserting in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the storage medium and lock member which are used by inserting in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state just before accommodating the 2nd storage medium in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which accommodated the 2nd storage medium in the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounted | wore the electronic device with the conversion adapter which concerns on 1st Embodiment of the state shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state just before accommodating the 2nd storage medium in the conversion adapter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the storage medium and the conversion adapter which show the state which accommodated the 2nd storage medium in the conversion adapter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional conversion adapter and a storage medium.

Explanation of symbols

101 First storage medium 101a Case 101b Connector 101c Guide groove 101d Guide groove 102 Second storage medium 102a Case 102b Connector 102c Guide groove 102d Guide groove 102e Lock groove 102f Lock groove 201 Electronic device 201a Case 201b Second Storage medium slot 201c Opening 201d Guide rail 201e Guide rail 201f Connector 201g Substrate 301 Electronic device 301a Housing 301b Second storage medium slot 301c Guide rail 301d Guide rail 301e Connector 401 Lock member 401a Shaft 501 Conversion adapter 501a Housing 501b Housing portion 501c Convex portion 501d Boss 501e Boss 501g Lock member 501h Knob 501j Guide groove 501k Guide groove 801 Conversion adapter 801a Housing 801b Housing 801c Shaft 801d Lid 801e Boss 801f Boss 801g Hole 801h Hole 801j Boss 801k Boss 801m Screw-fastening hole 801n Screw-fastening hole 801o Screw-fastening hole 801p Screw-fastening hole

Claims (6)

A conversion adapter that converts the size of the first storage medium so that the first storage medium having a connector is inserted into a slot for a second storage medium having a different size from the first storage medium. ,
An accommodating portion for accommodating the first storage medium so that the connector of the first storage medium and the connector in the slot are directly connected;
A conversion adapter, comprising: a fixing member that fixes the first storage medium in a state where the first storage medium is stored in the storage unit.   The conversion adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is a lock member that fits into a notch formed in the first storage medium.   The conversion adapter according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member is a lock member that fits into a recess formed in a side surface of the first storage medium.   4. The conversion adapter according to claim 2, wherein the lock member is movable in a direction orthogonal to a mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot.   The conversion adapter according to claim 2, wherein the lock member is rotatable in a direction orthogonal to a mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot.   2. The conversion adapter according to claim 1, wherein the accommodating portion is provided at a front portion in a mounting direction when the conversion adapter is mounted in the second storage medium slot.

Images