JP2006210274A - Ic card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To regulate the inserting operation of a predetermined IC card to an improper card holding part without using a conventional shutter member, and moreover, without being influenced by the size of the IC card. <P>SOLUTION: An IC card connector includes guide blocks 44 and 48 which guide an SD card SMC or an XD card XMC to a first part or a second part in the card holding part, lock springs 46 and 50 which control attitudes of the guide blocks 44 and 48 in response to attachment and detachment operations of the SD card SMC or the XD card XMC, and a guide return spring 54. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an IC card connector capable of selectively mounting one of a plurality of IC cards having different shapes.

  In an electronic device, a SIM (subscriber identity module) card, an MMC (multi media card) card (trademark), an SD (secure digital) card, a memory stick, which generally include a central processing unit (CPU) or an integrated circuit for memory Various functions are expanded by attaching an IC card such as (trademark) to each device via an IC card connector.

  In addition, in order to mount and use a plurality of IC cards having different shapes in one electronic device, in an IC card connector, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a common IC card can be attached and detached. There has been proposed a composite card accommodating portion having a slot provided on a common plane (see FIG. 45).

  In the IC card connector having such a composite card housing portion, the card housing portions are sequentially formed in a line along the IC card attaching / detaching direction. Each card accommodating portion is individually provided with a contact terminal group corresponding to the contact pad of each IC card. In such a configuration, an erroneous insertion operation by a user into a card housing portion different from the regular card housing portion of the IC card, or damage to the contact terminal group not used by the IC card at the time of the insertion operation is avoided. However, it is necessary to allow the IC card to be smoothly attached and detached.

  As a necessary countermeasure, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a shutter member that restricts an erroneous insertion operation of a predetermined IC card is provided in the vicinity of a common slot. When each IC card is mounted via a common slot provided on one side of the card housing portion, the shutter member is, for example, a wrong type of IC card to be mounted in the card housing portion closer to the slot. It is assumed that the insertion operation into the card accommodating portion is restricted. The shutter member extends across the card housing portion so as to extend substantially orthogonal to the IC card attaching / detaching direction. A narrow opening through which a relatively narrow IC card can pass is formed below the shutter member. Both end portions of the shutter member are rotatably supported.

  In such a configuration, for example, when the card accommodating portion for the relatively narrow IC card is formed at a position close to the common slot, when the relatively narrow IC card is mounted through the slot, the shutter member The IC card is mounted in the card accommodating portion through the narrow opening below the. In other words, the operation of inserting the card into the card housing for a relatively wide IC card is restricted by the shutter member that is locked.

  On the other hand, when a relatively wide IC card is mounted, immediately after the tip of the IC card passes through the slot, the shutter member is unlocked and rotated so that the shutter member is pushed down. At the same time, the IC card passes over the shutter member and is mounted in a card housing for a relatively wide IC card.

JP 2004-193111 A

  As described above, when a shutter member that restricts the insertion operation of a predetermined IC card is provided, particularly when the total length in the longitudinal direction of both IC cards is relatively short, the eject mechanism for discharging each IC card is provided. When it is required to be provided in the IC card connector, it may be difficult to provide the eject mechanism while ensuring a space in which the shutter member rotates in the card accommodating portion. Further, as the size of the IC card connector and the IC card is further reduced, the space in which the shutter member as described above can be arranged in the IC card connector tends to be reduced.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention is an IC card connector capable of selectively mounting a plurality of IC cards having different shapes, and without using a shutter member as in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide an IC card connector capable of restricting an insertion operation of a predetermined IC card into a wrong card accommodating portion without being influenced by the size of the card.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an IC card connector according to the present invention has a card slot in which a plurality of types of IC cards having different shapes can be selectively attached and detached, and each of the electrode portions of the plurality of types of IC cards. It has a plurality of contact terminal groups to be electrically connected, and is provided on an IC card housing portion for housing an IC card and a side wall portion forming the IC card housing portion so as to be rotatable along the mounting / demounting direction of the IC card. When one IC card of a plurality of types of IC cards is mounted in the IC card housing portion through the card slot, the IC card faces the side wall portion of the IC card so that the advancing end faces one contact terminal group. The first position for guiding the portion is taken, and the other one of the plurality of types of IC cards is inserted into the IC card through the card slot. A different type of IC card and a card guiding member that takes a second position for guiding the portion facing the side wall so that the advancing end of the IC card faces the other contact terminal group when mounted in the housing And a position control mechanism that allows the card guiding member to take the first position or the second position in accordance with the attachment and detachment of each.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the IC card connector according to the present invention, the card guiding member is provided on the side wall portion forming the IC card housing portion so as to be rotatable along the attaching / detaching direction of the IC card, When one IC card of a plurality of types of IC cards is attached to the IC card housing portion through the card slot, the portion facing the side wall portion of the IC card so that the advancing end of the IC card faces one contact terminal group When the other IC card of the plurality of types of IC cards is mounted in the IC card housing portion through the card slot, the advancing end of the IC card becomes the other contact terminal group. Since the second position where the portion facing the side wall portion is guided so as to face is taken, the advancing end of the IC card is surely guided to one contact terminal group. Is, without using the conventional kind of shutter members, moreover, without being dependent on the size of the IC card, it can be restricted insert operation to the wrong card accommodation portion of a given IC card.

  2 and 3 show the appearance of an example of an IC card connector according to the present invention.

  The IC card connector shown in FIG. 2 is arranged on a wiring board (not shown) in an electronic device such as a printer, a mobile phone, a PDA, or a digital camera. Further, as will be described later, there are three types of IC card connectors such as an SD (secure digital) card, an MMC (multi media card) card (trademark), and an xD-Picture Card (trademark) (hereinafter referred to as XD card). Each IC card can be selectively mounted one by one.

  An IC card connector is, for example, a connection between an electrode portion of each IC card that is detachably accommodated in a direction indicated by an arrow and a substrate for signal input / output disposed inside a predetermined electronic device. The terminal portion is electrically connected.

  A plurality of contact pads are formed on one surface portion corresponding to the arrangement of contact terminals, which will be described later, at the tip of the SD card SMC (see FIG. 19) whose one corner is chamfered. In addition, a notch part mca and a notch part mcb, which will be described later, are formed on both sides thereof so as to face each other. A write protect button WB is movably provided in a notch mcb having a wider notch than the notch of the notch mca. The MMC card not shown has the same overall length and width as the SD card SMC except for its thickness and the number of contact pads. The MMC card is slightly thinner than the SD card SMC and has a smaller number of contact pads.

  The XD card XMC (see FIG. 21) has a plurality of contact pads on one surface corresponding to the arrangement of contact terminals described later, and a notch mcb on one side thereof. The width of the XD card XMC is slightly larger than the width of the SD card SMC. The total length and thickness of the XD card XMC are considerably shorter and thinner than the total length and thickness of the SD card SMC.

  The IC card connector includes a base member 12 on which a plurality of contact terminals and the like for electrical connection to the SD card SMC, MMC card, and XD card XMC to be accommodated, and a card accommodating portion in cooperation with the base member 12. The cover member 10 is formed.

  The cover member 10 having a gate-shaped cross-sectional shape is formed of a thin metal material. As shown in FIG. 2, engaging holes 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, which are engaged with claws of the base member 12 to be described later, are formed on one of the side surfaces of the cover member 10, respectively. Correspondingly formed. As shown in FIG. 3, engaging holes 10e, 10f, 10g, and 10h that engage with the claw portions of the base member 12 are formed on the other side surface portion of the cover member 10 to face each other. Has been.

  Therefore, the cover member 10 is fixed to the base member 12 by engaging the respective engagement holes 10a to 10h with the respective claw portions of the base member 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pressing spring 10CL for movably supporting a cam lever in an ejection mechanism described later is provided at the right end portion of the upper surface connecting both side surface portions of the cover member 10. The base end portion of the holding spring 10CL having elasticity is formed integrally with the cover member 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of holes 10 </ b> H are formed on the upper surface of the cover member 10 at a predetermined interval corresponding to a contact terminal group described later.

  Brake pieces 10DS are respectively provided in the plurality of holes 10H. A base end portion of the elastic brake piece 10DS is formed integrally with the cover member 10. The brake piece 10DS is formed, for example, by punching a part of the cover member 10 inward by press working. The brake piece 10DS has a bent portion that selectively slidably contacts the surface of the card.

  The card accommodating portion in the base member 12 is integrally formed of, for example, a molded resin material. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper and lower portions and the contact terminal fixing portion side, which will be described later, are on the opposite side. The end is open. Accordingly, when the entire base member 12 is covered by the cover member 10 described above, one common card in which the SD card SMC, the MMC card, and the XD card XMC are selectively inserted into one end of the card housing portion. A slot 40 (see FIG. 2) is formed. The card accommodating portion is a composite card accommodating portion including a first portion for accommodating the XD card XMC formed on the side close to the card slot 40 and a second portion for accommodating the SD card SMC or the MMC card. It is said. The second part is formed so as to overlap with the upper part of the first part. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the card slot 40 includes a pair of side wall end portions 12TR for guiding both side portions of the SD card SMC or MMC card, and both sides of the XD card XMC formed immediately below the side wall end portion 12TR. It is formed to be surrounded by a pair of groove portions 12UR that guide the portion, the cover member 10, and the bottom portion of the base member 12.

  The second portion of the card accommodation portion is the contact terminal fixing wall portion 12WB in which the side walls 12WR and 12WL forming the both sides thereof, the contact terminal 18ai (i = 1 to 9), the ground contact 18G and the like are arranged. And is formed by.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, claw portions 12Ra, 12Rb, 12Rc, 12Rd, 12Re, 12Rf, 12Rg, and 12Rh are formed on the outer surfaces of the side wall 12WR and the side wall 12WL, respectively. An opening is formed substantially in the center at the bottom that continues to the side walls 12WR and 12WL.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the contact terminal fixing wall portion 12WB of the base member 12 is provided with a plurality of contact terminals 18ai (i = 1 to 9). For example, the nine contact terminals 18ai are arranged substantially parallel to the side walls 12WR and 12WL at a predetermined mutual interval.

  The contact terminal 18ai is elastically connected to the contact portion (electrode portion) of the SD card SMC or MMC card and is electrically connected to the contact portion 18a, and is electrically fixed by soldering to the electrode portion of the wiring board. A soldered terminal portion, a contact portion thereof and the soldered terminal portion are connected to each other, and a fixed portion fixed to the base member 12 is included.

  A fixing portion of the contact terminal 18ai made of a thin metal material, for example, phosphor bronze for a spring, has a through hole 12wb formed in the contact terminal fixing wall portion 12WB in a groove formed in a bottom portion connected to the contact terminal fixing wall portion 12WB. It is fixed to the base member 12 by being press-fitted from the side opposite to the insertion direction of the SD card SMC etc. (see FIG. 5).

  A guide wall 12BW for guiding the SD card SMC is formed around each groove into which the fixed portion of the contact terminal 18ai is press-fitted. Guide wall 12BW is engaged with a plurality of grooves formed in SD card SMC. A gap is formed between the adjacent guide walls 12BW. In the gap, each partition of the SD card SMC to be inserted and a comb-like piece 36ai of an eject member described later are movably engaged.

  In FIG. 7, no gap is formed between the two guide walls 12BW at the left end. A detection contact unit 30 for detecting the above-mentioned write protect button is provided between the leftmost guide wall 12BW and the side wall 12WL. A ground contact 18G is provided adjacent to the rightmost contact terminal 18ai.

  The first portion of the card accommodating portion is formed by side walls 12WR and 12WL that form both sides thereof, and a bottom portion that connects the side walls 12WR and 12WL. A plurality of contact terminals 16ai (i = 1 to 20) are provided between the inner peripheral surface 12LR continuous to each groove 12UR of the side wall 12WR and the inner peripheral surface 12LR continuous to each groove 12UR of the side wall 12WL. The contact terminals 16ai are arranged substantially parallel to the side walls 12WR and 12WL at a predetermined mutual interval. The contact terminal 16ai is arranged at a predetermined distance from the contact terminal 18ai and the guide wall 12BW.

  The contact terminal 16ai is elastic and has a contact part that contacts and is electrically connected to a contact pad (electrode part) of the XD card XMC, and soldering that is soldered and fixed to the electrode part of the wiring board. The terminal portion is configured to include a fixing portion that connects the contact portion and the soldered terminal portion to each other and is fixed to the base member 12.

  A fixing portion of the contact terminal 16ai made of a thin plate metal material, for example, phosphor bronze for a spring, is press-fitted into a groove formed in the bottom portion of the base member 12 from the insertion direction side of the XD card XMC. It is fixed to. The soldered terminal portion of the contact terminal 16 ai protrudes from the end of the bottom portion toward the card slot 40.

  The SD card SMC, MMC card, or XD card XMC is held in the first part or the second part of the card accommodation part and selectively directed outward from the card accommodation part on the inner side of the side wall 12WR. An ejection mechanism for discharging is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the eject mechanism is supported so as to be movable relative to the base member 12 in accordance with the operation of attaching / detaching the SD card SMC, and the SD card SMC or MMC card is An ejector member 20 that selectively holds, an ejector member 36 that is formed integrally with the ejector member 20 and selectively holds the XD card XMC, and an inner peripheral portion of the base member 12 and an end portion of the ejector member 20 are interposed between each other. A coil spring 22 that urges the ejector member 20 in the ejecting direction of the SD card SMC, etc., and an inner peripheral portion of the base member 12 and an end portion of the ejector member 36, and the ejector member 36 is inserted into the XD card. Coil spring 32 that urges the XMC in the discharging direction and the SD card SMC, MMC card, or XD card XMC And selectively each IC card common ejector member controller 24 for holding or releasing control to the base member 12 the ejector member 20 and 36 according to the operation, is configured to include a.

  One end of the coil spring 28 is supported by the inner peripheral portion of the base member 12, and the other end of the coil spring 28 is connected to the ejector member 20.

  The ejector member 20 is formed of, for example, a resin material, and is supported on the base member 12 by the inner peripheral portion of the base member 12 so as to be slidable along the attaching / detaching direction of the SD card SMC or the like.

  In addition, the ejector member 20 has an engaged portion that is engaged with a tip portion of the inserted SD card SMC or the like. The engaged portion includes a card receiving portion 20R that supports one corner and a side surface portion at the front end portion of the SD card SMC, etc., a slope portion 20I that is connected to the card receiving portion 20R and supports the slope portion, and an SD card SMC. The arm portion 20L is connected to the inclined surface portion 20I so as to be substantially orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction of the SD card SMC and holds the front end surface of the SD card SMC or the like.

  A leaf spring 52 having a curved portion that engages with the cutout portion mca of the inserted SD card SMC is provided in an extending portion that is continuous with the card receiving portion 20R and extends toward the card slot 40 side. A support surface for guiding and supporting the side surface of the SD card SMC or the like in cooperation with the extended portion is formed on the inner side portion of the side wall 12WL so as to face the extended portion.

  The arm portion 20L is formed with a plurality of grooves that are engaged with the guide walls 12BW described above when the ejector member 20 is moved. Comb-like portions 36ai of the ejector member 36 are integrally connected to the partition walls between the grooves.

  The ejector member 36 is formed with a predetermined distance from the ejector member 20 toward the card slot 40 side. The ejector member 36 is formed in a substantially groove shape so as to surround and hold the front end portion of the XD card XMC.

  On the side of the ejector member 36 facing the arm portion 20L of the ejector member 20, a plurality of comb-like portions 36ai (i = 1 to 5) extend corresponding to the partition walls of the arm portion 20L described above. . In addition, a holding portion 36R that holds the tip of the inserted XD card XMC is formed on the side facing the contact terminal 16ai in the portion having the comb-like portion 36ai.

  Thereby, when the SD card SMC or the like is inserted into the second portion of the card accommodating portion, the tip of the SD card SMC or the like is pushed while contacting the inclined surface portion 20I and the arm portion 20L, and the ejector member 20 is moved a predetermined distance, Moved. At that time, the curved portion of the leaf spring 52 is engaged with the notch mca of the SD card SMC. On the other hand, when the SD card SMC or the like is ejected from the second portion of the card accommodating portion, the ejector member 20 is moved toward the card slot 40 and the SD card SMC or the like is forcibly pulled out from the eject member 20. Thus, the SD card SMC or the like is taken out.

  Further, when the XD card XMC is inserted into the first portion of the card accommodating portion, the tip of the XD card XMC is pushed while being in contact with the holding portion 36R of the ejector member 36, and the ejector member 36 is moved by a predetermined distance. . On the other hand, when the XD card XMC is ejected from the first portion of the card accommodating portion, the ejector member 36 is moved toward the card slot 40, and the XD card XMC is forcibly pulled out from the eject member 36. The XD card XMC is taken out.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the eject member control unit 24 includes a substantially heart-shaped cam element (heart cam) 24C integrally formed on the side wall 12WR side of the ejector member 20, and a plurality of cam members formed around the heart cam 24C. A lever guide groove 24G composed of a stepped portion, and a cam member 26 having a substantially portal shape whose one end is coupled to the hole of the contact terminal fixing wall 12WB and the other end is slid along the lever guide groove 24G. And the presser spring 10CL (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the cover member 10 described above.

  The presser spring 10CL biases the cam lever 26 so that the bent end of the cam lever 26 is in sliding contact with the guide surface of the lever guide groove 24G.

  The heart cam 24C formed of resin has a substantially V-shaped cam surface with which one end of the cam lever 26 is selectively engaged.

  The lever guide groove 24G, for example, branches from one side of the heart cam 24C linearly along the side wall 12WR and the other side of the heart cam 24C from the middle of the first guide groove. After extending obliquely toward the side wall 12WR, the second guide groove extending parallel to the first guide groove, one end of the first guide groove facing the cam surface, and the second guide groove A third guide groove is formed between the one end and the portion facing the cam surface.

  Thus, one end of the cam lever 26 is guided through the first guide groove, the third guide groove, and the second guide groove sequentially following the operation of the eject member 20 or 36. Become.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an SD card SMC or the like inserted through the card slot 40 is placed in the vicinity of the pair of side wall end portions 12TR forming a part of the card slot 40. Guide blocks 44 and 48 as guide members for guiding to the first or second portion of the housing portion are provided. Further, adjacent to the guide blocks 44 and 48, the lock springs 46 and 50 for bringing the postures of the guide blocks 44 and 48 into the locked state or the unlocked state at predetermined positions, respectively, and the postures of the guide blocks 44 and 48 at the initial positions. A guide return spring 54 for biasing the guide blocks 44 and 48 is provided so as to return them.

  The guide block 44 provided on the side wall 12WR side is a guide surface that guides the surface on which the electrode portion is formed in the SD card SMC or XD card XMC that is slidably contacted as shown in FIGS. 44F, a recess 44E in which one end of the guide return spring 54 is locked at one end connected to the guide surface 44F, and a hole 44h into which the support shaft 22 fixed to the side wall 12WR of the base member 12 is inserted. is doing.

  As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1, the guide block 44 is surrounded by a flat portion 12T between the rib 42 formed integrally with the side wall 12WR and the side wall end portion 12TR and continuous with the inner peripheral portion 12LR. It is provided in the part. The guide block 44 is rotatably provided by a predetermined angle by the support shaft 22.

  The guide surface 44F is formed to be substantially orthogonal to both side surfaces facing the side wall 12WR and to face the cover member 10. On the guide surface 44F, a projection 44G that guides the side surface of the XD card XMC that is in sliding contact is formed. As shown in FIG. 12, a protrusion 44 </ b> S that is selectively engaged with the engagement portion 46 </ b> S at one end of the lock spring 46 is formed on one end of the guide block 44 that faces the recess 44 </ b> E. Yes.

  The guide block 48 provided on the side wall 12WL side is a guide surface that guides the surface on which the electrode part is formed in the SD card SMC or XD card XMC that is slidably contacted as shown in FIGS. 48F, a recess 48E in which one end of the guide return spring 54 is locked at one end connected to the guide surface 48F, and a hole 48h into which the support shaft 22 fixed to the side wall 12WL of the base member 12 is inserted. is doing.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the guide block 48 is a portion surrounded by a flat portion 12T connected to the inner peripheral portion 12LR between the rib 42 formed integrally with the side wall 12WL and the above-described side wall end portion 12TR. Is provided. The guide block 48 is provided so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle by the support shaft 22.

  The guide surface 48F is formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to both side surfaces facing the side wall 12WL and to face the cover member 10. The guide surface 48F is formed with a protrusion 48G that guides the side surface of the XD card XMC that is in sliding contact. The protrusion 48G is provided at a position facing the protrusion 44G of the guide block 44. A protrusion 48 </ b> S that is selectively engaged with an engaging portion (not shown) at one end of the lock spring 50 is formed on one end of the guide block 48 that faces the recess 48 </ b> E.

  Since the lock springs 46 and 50 have the same structure, the lock spring 46 will be described, and the description of the lock spring 50 will be omitted.

  For example, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 11, the lock spring 46 selectively engages with a fixed portion press-fitted in a recess formed inside the side wall 12WR and a protrusion 44S of the guide block 44. It has a joint part 46S and is composed of a movable part that is connected to the fixed part and can be elastically displaced. FIG. 11 shows the unlocked state of the lock spring 46.

  The movable portion is formed with a curved portion 46B that is continuous with the engaging portion 46S and curved in a direction away from the inside of the side wall 12WR. The distance between the curved portions 46B and 50B of the lock springs 46 and 50 is set to a value that is slightly larger than the width of the SD card SMC or a value that is substantially the same as the width thereof.

  Each guide return spring 54 is disposed in a recess 12k formed immediately below the groove 12UR of the side wall 12WR and 12WL of the base member 12. One end of a guide return spring 54, which is a leaf spring, is fixed in the recess 12k, and the other end of the guide return spring 54 is locked in a recess 48E of the guide block 44. Thereby, the guide return spring 54 is biased so as to return the position of the recess 48E of the guide block 44 to the initial position shown in FIG. Therefore, the position control mechanism for the guide blocks 44 and 48 is formed by the guide return spring 54 and the lock springs 46 and 50.

  Further, since the guide return spring 54 is disposed in the recess 12k, the IC card connector can be reduced in size and thickness without narrowing the card accommodating portion.

  When the curved portion 46B of the lock spring 46 is pressed in the direction approaching the side wall 12WR by the side surface portion of the inserted XD card XMC, the engaging portion 46S has the protrusion 44S of the guide block 44 as shown in FIG. Will be separated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide block 44 brought into the unlocked state is brought down so that the guide surface 44 </ b> F coincides with the surface of the groove 12 UR and the right-angle surface 42 g of the rib 42.

  On the other hand, when the curved portion 46B of the lock spring 46 is not pressed, the engaging portion 46S holds the protrusion 44S of the guide block 44 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the guide block 44 in the locked state has its guide surface 44F intersecting the surface of the groove 12UR and the right-angle surface 42g of the rib 42 at a predetermined angle and away from a plane parallel to the contact terminal 16ai to the contact terminal 18ai. It will come. The operation in the guide block 48 is the same as the operation in the guide block 44.

  In such a configuration, when the SD card SMC or the MMC card is mounted, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, first, the leading end of the SD card SMC passes through the card slot 40 to the first portion in the above-described card accommodating portion. Inserted into the second part. At that time, both side portions of the SD card SMC pass between the lock spring 46 and the lock spring 50 without pushing the curved portions 46B and 50B of the lock springs 46 and 50 apart. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, both side portions of the SD card SMC are guided by the pair of side wall end portions 12TR, respectively, and the guide block 44 in a locked state is inclined upward by a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction. It is guided to 48 guide surfaces 44F and 48F. Therefore, it is forcibly avoided that the SD card SMC or the like is erroneously attached to the first portion of the card accommodating portion without using a shutter member as in the prior art. At this time, since the SD card SMC is prevented from being erroneously inserted into the first portion, there is no possibility of damaging the contact terminal 16ai.

  Next, after the inserted SD card SMC is pressed against the urging force of the coil springs 28 and 32 together with the eject member 20 while the tip portion of the SD card SMC is held by the arm portion 20L of the eject member 20, When the pressing force is released, one end of the cam lever 26 is detached from the first guide groove and engaged with the cam surface of the third guide groove.

At that time, the eject member control unit 24 puts the ejector member 20 into a holding state. As a result, the SD card SMC is held in the second portion of the card accommodating portion, and the contact pad of the SD card SMC and the contact terminal 18ai are brought into contact with each other and electrically connected.
On the other hand, when the SD card SMC is removed, first, the inserted SD card SMC is slightly pushed further. At this time, when the eject member 20 is advanced, one end portion of the cam lever 26 is released from the cam surface and is released and moved to the second guide groove, so that it is retracted by the urging force of the coil springs 28 and 32. I'm damned. Then, the end portion of the SD card SMC exposed to the outside is further pulled in the card ejection direction, whereby the SD card SMC is taken out.

  Furthermore, when mounting the XD card XMC, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, first, the tip end portion of the XD card XMC is inserted through the card slot 40 toward the first portion in the above-described card accommodating portion. . At that time, both side surface portions of the XD card XMC are guided by the groove portion 12UR, spread the curved portions 46B and 50B of the lock springs 46 and 50, and pass between the lock spring 46 and the lock spring 50. Thus, as shown in FIG. 23, the guide blocks 44 and 48 in the locked state tilted upward by a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction are changed to the unlocked state as shown in FIGS. Become.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, when the XD card XMC is further inserted, the guide blocks 44 and 48 are pressed by the tips of the XD card XMC, so that the guide surfaces of the guide blocks 44 and 48 are guided. 44F and 48F are tilted against the urging force of the guide return spring 54 so as to be substantially parallel to the flat portion 12T.

  Therefore, it is forcibly avoided that the XD card XMC is erroneously attached to the second portion of the card accommodating portion without using a conventional shutter member.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the coil springs 28 and 32 are attached together with the eject member 36 in a state where the tip of the inserted XD card XMC is held by the holding portion 36R of the eject member 36. When the pressing force is released after being pressed against the force, one end of the cam lever 26 is detached from the first guide groove and engaged with the cam surface of the third guide groove.

At that time, the eject member control unit 24 puts the ejector member 36 into a holding state. As a result, the XD card XMC is held in the first portion of the card accommodating portion, and the contact pad of the XD card XMC and the contact terminal 16ai are brought into contact with each other and electrically connected.
On the other hand, when the XD card SMC is removed, first, the inserted XD card SMC is further pushed in slightly. At this time, when the eject member 36 is moved forward, one end portion of the cam lever 26 is released from the cam surface and is released and moved to the second guide groove, so that it is moved back by the biasing force of the coil springs 28 and 32. I'm damned. Then, the end portion of the XD card XMC exposed to the outside is further pulled in the card ejection direction, whereby the XD card XMC is taken out.

  In the above-described example, an example of the present invention is applied to an IC card connector to which an SD card or the like is mounted. However, the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, another IC card, for example, Of course, the present invention may be applied to an IC card connector to which a Memory Stick (trademark) or a miniSD card (trademark) is attached.

It is a perspective view which expands and shows the principal part in an example of the IC card connector which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of the IC card connector which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of an example of the IC card connector which concerns on this invention. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view shown in the state which removed the cover member. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a perspective view shown in the state which removed the cover member. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a perspective view shown in the state which removed the cover member. In FIG. 4, it is a top view shown in the state which removed the ejection mechanism. It is the front view seen from the direction which the arrow shows in FIG. It is the elements on larger scale in FIG. It is sectional drawing shown along the XX line in FIG. In FIG. 7, it is the elements on larger scale which show the unlocked state of a lock spring. FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 7. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of one guide block. It is a top view in FIG. It is a front view in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the other guide block. It is a top view in FIG. It is a front view in FIG. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view with which description of mounting | wearing operation | movement of SD card is provided. It is the elements on larger scale in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the XXI-XXI line in FIG. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view with which description of the mounting | wearing operation | movement of a XD card is provided. FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 22. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view with which description of the mounting | wearing operation | movement of a XD card is provided. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the XXV-XXV line in FIG. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view with which description of the mounting | wearing operation | movement of a XD card is provided. It is a fragmentary sectional view shown along the XXVII-XXVII line in FIG. In the example shown by FIG. 2, it is a top view with which description of the mounting | wearing operation | movement of a XD card is provided. It is a partial enlarged plan view in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

12 Base member 16ai, 18ai Contact terminal 20, 36 Eject member 44, 48 Guide block 46, 50 Lock spring 54 Guide return spring SMC SD card XMC XD card

Claims (6)

A plurality of types of IC cards having different shapes have a card slot that can be selectively attached and detached, and a plurality of contact terminal groups that electrically connect electrode portions of the plurality of types of IC cards. An IC card housing section for housing;
A side wall forming the IC card housing portion is provided so as to be rotatable along a direction in which the IC card is attached / detached, and one of the plurality of types of IC cards is housed in the IC card through the card slot. When the IC card is mounted, the IC card is in a first position for guiding a portion of the IC card facing the side wall so that the advancing end of the IC card faces one contact terminal group, and the plurality of types When the other IC card of the IC cards is inserted into the IC card housing portion through the card slot, the portion facing the side wall portion is guided so that the advancing end of the IC card faces the other contact terminal group A card guiding member that takes the state of the second position
A position control mechanism for causing the card guiding member to take the first position or the second position in accordance with attachment / detachment of the different types of IC cards;
An IC card connector comprising:   2. The IC card connector according to claim 1, wherein the width of the one IC card is smaller than the width of the other IC card.   The position control mechanism portion selectively engages with one end of the card guiding member to lock the card guiding member in the first position, or is separated from the one end of the card guiding member. A lock spring that unlocks the card guide member, and a guide return that engages the other end of the card guide member and biases the card guide member in one direction so as to return the card guide member to the first position. The IC card connector according to claim 1, further comprising a spring. 2. The IC card connector according to claim 1, further comprising an eject mechanism unit that selectively ejects at least one of a plurality of types of IC cards having different shapes from the IC card accommodation unit.   4. The IC card connector according to claim 3, wherein the guide return spring is disposed in a recess formed under a groove portion of a side wall portion that forms the IC card housing portion. The card guiding member has a guiding surface for guiding the plurality of IC cards, and when the card guiding member is in the unlocked state, the guiding surface is formed in a groove portion of a side wall portion that forms the IC card housing portion. 4. The IC card connector according to claim 3, wherein the IC card connector substantially coincides with a virtual extension surface of the surface.

Images