JP2007034563A - Adapter for card - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an adapter for a card, capable of preventing the side of the card mounted for a long period from generating gaps. <P>SOLUTION: The adapter provides a housing 10 having a width dimension applicable to a card mounting section of a connector and giving access to a surface side where a contact section 3 of the card 1 to be mounted is formed, and a metal frame body 11 which is embedded in the housing 10 and has both side sections 11b and 11c with width dimension equal to the width dimension of the card 1 and permits insertion of the card 1. The housing 10 is arranged on the outside of both side sections 11b and 11c of the metal frame body 11, and has sidewalls 10e and 10f respectively interconnected with both side sections 11b and 11c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a card adapter that is inserted into a connector device in a state in which a card having a contact portion used for signal transmission / reception is mounted.

  There exists a thing shown by patent document 1 as this type of prior art. This prior art includes an adapter body, that is, a housing having a width dimension equivalent to that of a card directly mounted on the connector apparatus, that is, a width dimension adapted to the card insertion portion of the connector apparatus. The card attached to the housing is smaller than the card directly attached to the connector device, and is set to a size of, for example, 1/2 or less. In addition, the card includes a connection terminal used for signal transmission / reception, that is, a contact portion, and a resin frame that holds the contact portion and forms an outer shell.

The housing is formed such that when the card is inserted, the surface side on which the contact portion of the card is formed is opened. The slot portion of the housing, that is, the card insertion portion is formed in a concave shape, and the lower surface is formed of a non-magnetic metal thin plate to ensure strength.
JP 2000-276573 A

  In the above-described prior art, rigidity is ensured by forming the lower surface of the card insertion portion of the housing with a non-magnetic metal thin plate. However, when the card is repeatedly mounted on the housing, the side portion of the card is made of resin. There is a concern that it contacts the side edge of the housing every time it is mounted, and the side edge of the housing is sag. When such a sag occurs, a gap is formed between the side edge of the housing and the side portion of the card attached to the housing, and the card attached due to this gap may fall out of the housing. In other words, it is difficult to say that the prior art is sufficient in terms of durability.

  The present invention has been made from the above-described prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a card adapter that can prevent a gap from being generated in a side portion of a loaded card over a long period of time. .

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention includes a housing having a width dimension suitable for a card insertion portion of a connector device and having a surface side on which a contact portion of a card to be mounted is formed, and the housing. A metal frame body that has both sides that form a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the card, and that allows the card to be inserted, and the housing is located outside the both sides of the metal frame body. It has the side wall arrange | positioned by this and it is connected with each of both sides.

  According to the present invention configured as described above, when the card is mounted in the housing, the card can be mounted such that the side portion of the card is brought into contact with both side portions of the metal frame embedded in the housing. That is, since the side portion of the metal frame can be interposed between the card and the resin housing, the side portion of the card and the side portion of the housing are not in contact with each other, and the card is repeatedly attached to the housing. At this time, there is no possibility that the housing will sag due to the contact of the card. Therefore, there is no gap between the side portion of the card, that is, the side portion of the card and the side portion of the metal frame for a long period of time, thereby preventing the card from falling out of the housing for a long period of time. And the card can be stably held in the housing. In addition, since the housing has side walls on both outer sides of the metal frame, by appropriately setting the shape of these side walls, the width of the housing can be adapted to the card insertion portion of the connector device. Can be set easily.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above invention, a connecting portion for connecting each of the side walls is provided. The present invention configured as described above can suppress the bending deformation of the metal frame by the connecting portions connecting the both side walls, and can maintain the original shape of the metal frame for a long period of time.

  In the invention described above, the present invention is characterized in that the connecting portion is a part of the housing. According to the present invention configured as described above, the connection portion can be formed without providing a special member, and the configuration can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, a notch is provided on the card slot side of the metal frame. According to the present invention configured as described above, when a card attached to the housing is pulled out, the card can be easily pulled out by inserting a finger into the notch.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above invention, a resin portion that covers the surface is formed on the surface of the metal frame that forms a surface facing the card to be inserted. According to the present invention configured as described above, when the card is inserted into the housing, the card comes into contact with the resin portion, so that the card can be smoothly inserted. Wear can be suppressed. Moreover, the resin part can prevent a short circuit between the card and the metal frame.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a gap from being generated in the side portion of the card that has been mounted over a long period of time, thereby preventing the card from falling off the housing. That is, the card can be stably held in the housing for a long period of time, and excellent durability can be ensured as compared with the conventional case. Further, by providing both side walls on the outside of the metal frame, the width of the housing can be easily set to a width that matches the card insertion portion of the connector device.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the card adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Cards used in this embodiment]
1A and 1B are diagrams showing a card used in an embodiment of a card adapter according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG. 1B is a side view.

  The memory card used in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1, that is, the card 1 has a depth dimension equivalent to that of a card (not shown) that is directly attached to a connector device (not shown), for example, and is compared with the above-mentioned card (not shown). The width dimension is set small.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the card 1 includes a plurality of contact portions 3 that are used for transmission / reception of signals by contacting a connection terminal of a connector device (not shown) on a back side portion 2 located on the back side. . Further, a taper portion 4a is formed in the back end portion 4 along the width direction, and curved surface portions 4b are formed at both ends of the taper portion 4a. The end surface 4c of the back end 4 is a flat surface as shown in FIG. Further, a concave portion 5 and a notch portion 6 are formed on the side portion of the card 1.

[Configuration of this embodiment]
2A and 2B are diagrams showing the configuration of the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a side view, FIG. 2C is a front view, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a back view showing a state in which the bottom portion of the metal frame is removed when the card is mounted in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view as seen from the arrow B in FIG. The card adapter according to the present embodiment includes a housing 10 and a metal frame 11 embedded in the housing 10.

[Structure of housing]
As shown in FIG. 2, a housing 10 provided in the present embodiment is made of resin, has a width dimension that fits a card insertion portion of a connector device (not shown), and is a card 1 shown in FIG. The surface side on which the contact portion 3 is formed is open. That is, the upper side of the front view shown in FIG.

  An insertion slot 10a for the card 1 is formed on the front side of the housing 10, and the back end 4 of the card 1 described above is formed on the back end 10b as shown in FIG. 2 (d). An escape portion 10c to be inserted is formed. An outer end surface 10d of the rear end portion 10b of the housing 10 is formed as a flat surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the housing 10 is disposed outside both side portions 11b and 11c of a metal frame 11, which will be described later, and side walls 10e connected to the both side portions 11b and 11c, respectively. 10f. The above-mentioned rear end portion 10b of the housing 10 constitutes a connecting portion that connects the side wall 10e and the side wall 10f.

  Moreover, the guide part 10g which guides the notch part 6 of the card | curd 1 mentioned above is provided. On the surface of a later-described metal frame 11 facing the card 1 to be inserted, a resin portion 10h that covers this surface is formed. The resin portion 10h is formed by a part of resin when the housing 10 is manufactured, for example.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the rear end of the card 1 is inserted into the housing 10 when the rear end 4 of the card 1 is inserted into the escape portion 10c of the rear end 10b. Stopper portions 10i and 10j for restricting the movement of the card 1 are formed so that the end surface 4c of the portion 4 and the outer end surface 10d of the rear end portion 10b of the housing 10 form the same plane. As shown in FIG. 4, the stopper portion 10 i is formed in a curved shape that fits the curved surface portion 4 b of the back side end portion 4 of the card 1, and the stopper portion 10 j is formed on the back side end portion 4 of the card 1. It is formed in a tapered shape that fits the tapered portion 4a.

[Composition of metal frame]
As shown in FIG. 2 (c), the metal frame 11 embedded in the housing 10 described above has a bottom 11a exposed to the outside. Moreover, it has both side part 11b, 11c standingly arranged from the bottom part 11a, and the overhang | projection part 11d, 11e extended and formed toward the inner side of the horizontal direction from each of these side parts 11b, 11c. The metal frame 11 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section by the bottom part 11a, the side parts 11b and 11c, and the projecting parts 11d and 11e. Both side portions 11b and 11c of the metal frame 11 described above are set so as to form a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the card 1, and on the above-described resin portion 10h between the both side portions 11b and 11c, A card 1 is inserted.

  Further, a guide portion for guiding both side portions of the card 1 is constituted by the both side portions 11 b and 11 c of the metal frame 11. The movement of the metal frame 11 in the width direction of the card, that is, the lateral direction of FIG. 2A is restricted by the side portions 11b and 11c, and the bottom 11a and the overhanging portion 11d of the metal frame 11 are restricted. 11e regulates the movement of the card 1 in the thickness direction, that is, in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. As described above, the side portions 11b and 11c, the bottom portion 11a, and the projecting portions 11d and 11e of the metal frame 11 constitute a restricting means for restricting the movement of the card 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the metal frame 11 includes an engaging portion 11 f that constitutes another restricting means that restricts the movement of the card 1 attached to the housing 10. The engaging portion 11f is formed, for example, by bending a part of the metal frame 11, and engages with the concave portion 5 formed on the side portion of the card 1 so that the card insertion / removal direction, that is, (a) of FIG. ) A first engagement piece 11f1 that restricts movement in the front-rear direction of the figure, and a second engagement piece that restricts movement in the thickness direction of the card 1, that is, the direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 11f2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first engagement piece 11f1 and the second engagement piece 11f2 are arranged along a thickness direction of the mounted card 1 at a predetermined portion of the side portion 11b of the metal frame 11. A part of the metal frame 11 is divided into upper and lower portions by providing a plurality of slits 11h.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the metal frame 11 is a housing 10 to which the card 1 shown in FIG. The identification part 11g to identify is provided. That is, the metal frame 11 includes an identification unit 11g that enables the card type attached to the connector device to be identified by the connector device.

  This identification part 11g is formed of a part of the metal frame 11 as shown in FIG. In other words, the metal frame 11 is formed so as to extend further in the lateral direction from the projecting portion 11e of the metal frame 11, and can contact a predetermined connection terminal of a connector device (not shown). When the predetermined connection terminal of the connector device (not shown) and the identification unit 11g come into contact with each other, the connector device can identify that the card 1 is an adapter.

  In addition, FIG. 9 is a back view which shows another example of the identification part 11g with which this embodiment is equipped. As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom part 11a of the metal frame 11 is covered with a resin in the same manner as the surface thereof, and the metal frame 11 part is exposed except for only a part of the resin. The identification part 11g may be formed. Further, the identification part 11 g formed on the bottom part 11 a of the metal frame 11 may be formed of a metal plate separate from the metal frame 11.

  Further, in the above description, the identification portion 11g is formed to extend from the overhang portion 11e. However, the identification portion 11g may be extended from the overhang portion 11d, and the second engagement piece 11f2 is formed in a flat plate shape. You may make it also serve as the identification part 11g.

  Moreover, this embodiment is provided with the notch part 11i in the insertion port side of the card | curd 1 of the metal frame 11 as shown in FIG. This is such that when the card 1 mounted in the housing 10 is pulled out of the housing 1, a finger can be placed on the card 1.

[Attaching a card to this embodiment]
6 is a plan view showing when the card is inserted into the present embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where the card is mounted on the present embodiment, (a) a plan view, (b) a side view, (C) is a front view, (d) is a rear view, and FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a state in which a card is mounted in this embodiment.

  In order to mount the card 1 in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the back end 4 of the card 1 is inserted from the insertion port 10a of the housing 10, and the card 1 is pushed in the back direction. When the card 1 is pushed, the back end 4 of the card 1 is inserted into the relief 10c of the back end 10b of the housing 10, and the taper 4a of the back end 4 of the card 1 is shown in FIG. ) It is locked to the tapered stopper portion 10j of the housing 10 shown in the drawing, and the curved surface portion 4b of the back end 4 of the card 1 is locked to the curved stopper portion 10i of the housing 10.

  As described above, when the card 1 is inserted into the housing 10, both sides of the card 1 are guided to both sides 11 b and 11 c of the metal frame 11, and the notch 6 of the card 1 is provided with the housing 10. Guide part 10g.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the card 1 is mounted in the housing 10, the end surface 4 c of the back end 4 of the card 1 and the outer end surface 10 d of the back end 10 b of the housing 10 are on the same plane. Form. Further, the movement of the card 1 is regulated by the both side portions 11b and 11c, the bottom portion 11a, and the projecting portions 11d and 11e of the metal frame 11, and the first engagement with the concave portion 5 formed on the side portion of the card 1. The mating piece 11f1 is engaged, the second engaging piece 11f2 is positioned on the surface of the card 1, and the movement of the card 1 is also restricted by the first engaging piece 11f1 and the second engaging piece 11f2. .

  When inserting the housing 10 with the card 1 mounted into a card insertion slot of a connector device (not shown), for example, as indicated by an arrow 12 in FIG. Is supposed to be inserted.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the card adapter of this embodiment configured as described above, even when the depth dimension of the card 1 attached to the housing 10 is equal to the depth dimension of the card not shown that is directly attached to the connector device not shown. When the card 1 is mounted on the housing 10, the back end 4 of the card 1 is inserted into the relief 10c of the back end 10b of the housing 10, so that the movement of the card 1 is caused by the relief 10c. Can be regulated. As a result, the card 1 can be stably held in the housing 10, and an excellent card holding function can be secured.

  Further, when the card 1 is mounted on the housing 10, the taper portion 4 a and the curved surface portion 4 b of the card 1 are respectively engaged with the stopper portion 10 j and the stopper portion 10 i formed at the back end portion 10 b of the housing 10. Until the card 1 is inserted into the housing 10, the card 1 can be easily and accurately positioned with respect to the housing 10, and the card 1 can be easily mounted.

  Further, the card type attached to the connector device (not shown) can be identified by the connector device via the identification unit 11g. That is, when the housing 10 in which the card 1 is mounted is inserted into a connector device (not shown), the one inserted by the identification portion 11g formed in the metal frame 11 is the housing 10 into which the card 1 is inserted. It is identified by a connector device (not shown). In other words, depending on the presence or absence of the identification unit 11g, it is determined whether the card attached to the connector device is the card 1 attached to the housing 10 or another card directly attached to the connector device. The device can be identified. Thereby, it is possible to realize a specific signal processing for each different card mounted on the connector device, and an excellent information processing function can be secured.

  Moreover, since the identification part 11g is formed by the both sides 11b and 11c, or the bottom part 11a, which are a part of the metal frame 11, there is no need for a special member for forming the identification part 11g, and a simple configuration. This contributes to a reduction in production costs.

  Further, since the side portions 11b and 11c of the metal frame 11 can be interposed between the card 1 and the resin housing 10, the side portion of the card 1 and the side portion of the housing 10 are not in contact with each other. When the card 1 is mounted on the housing 10 to be performed, there is no possibility that the housing 10 will sag due to the contact of the card 1. Therefore, there is no gap in the side portion of the card 1 over a long period. Further, the movement of the card 1 mounted in the housing 10 is restricted by the side portions 11b and 11c, the bottom portion 11a, and the projecting portions 11d and 11e of the metal frame 11, and the movement is also performed by the engaging portion 11f. Be regulated. As a result, the card 1 can be prevented from falling off the housing 10 over a long period of time, and the card 1 can be stably held in the housing 10 to ensure excellent durability.

  Further, the engaging portion 11f including the first engaging piece 11f1 and the second engaging piece 11f2 is also provided with a special member in the same manner as the both side portions 11b and 11c of the metal frame 11 or the overhanging portions 11d and 11e. And can be easily provided by a part of the metal frame 11, which contributes to a reduction in production costs.

  Further, the card 1 mounted in the housing 10 is restricted from moving in the width direction of the card 1 by both side portions 11b and 11c of the metal frame 11, and is restricted from moving in the card insertion / removal direction by the first engagement piece 11f1. Since the movement of the card 1 in the thickness direction is restricted by the bottom 11a, the overhanging portions 11d and 11e of the metal member 11, and the second engagement piece 11f2, the card 1 can be more securely held stably in the housing 10. Can do.

  In addition, a part of the metal frame 11 at a predetermined portion of the metal frame 11 can be divided into upper and lower parts to easily provide the first engagement piece 11f1 and the second engagement piece 11f2. The installation space for the first engagement piece 11f1 and the second engagement piece 11f2 can be reduced.

  Further, since the housing 10 has side walls 10e and 10f on the outer sides of both side portions 11b and 11c of the metal frame 11, the width dimension of the housing 10 can be set by appropriately setting the shapes of the side walls 10e and 10f. Can be easily set to a width dimension suitable for a card insertion portion of a connector device (not shown).

  Moreover, since the connection part which consists of the back side edge part 10b which connects both the side walls 10e and 10f of the housing 10 is provided, the bending deformation of the metal frame 11 can be suppressed by this back side edge part 10b, and metal The original shape of the frame 11 can be maintained over a long period of time.

  Moreover, since the connection part which connects the both side walls 10e and 10f of the housing 10 is comprised by the back | inner side edge part 10b which is a part of the housing 10, a connection part can be formed without providing a special member, and simple. This also contributes to a reduction in production costs.

  Further, when the card 1 mounted on the housing 10 is pulled out, the card 1 can be easily pulled out by inserting a finger into the cutout portion 11i of the metal frame 11, which is easy to use.

  Further, when the card 1 is inserted into the housing 10, the card 1 comes into contact with the resin portion 10h, so that the card 1 can be smoothly inserted, and the card 1 accompanying the repeated mounting of the card 1 into the housing 10 is realized. Wear and tear can be suppressed. Moreover, the resin part 10h can prevent the card 1 and the metal frame 11 from being short-circuited.

It is a figure which shows the card | curd used for one Embodiment of the adapter for cards which concerns on this invention, (a) A figure is a top view, (b) A figure is a side view. It is a figure which shows the structure of this embodiment, (a) A figure is a top view, (b) A figure is a side view, (c) A figure is a front view, (d) A figure is a rear view. It is a back view of this embodiment. It is a back view which shows the state except the bottom part of the metal frame when the card | curd was mounted | worn by this embodiment. It is the B arrow enlarged view of the figure (a) of FIG. It is a top view which shows the time of card insertion to this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state in which the card | curd was mounted | worn in this embodiment, (a) A figure is a top view, (b) A figure is a side view, (c) A figure is a front view, (d) A figure is a rear view. It is a reverse view which shows the state with which the card | curd was mounted | worn in this embodiment. It is a back view which shows another example of the identification part with which this embodiment is equipped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card 2 Back side part 3 Contact part 4 Back side edge part 4a Tapered part 4b Curved surface part 4c End surface 5 Recessed part 6 Notch part 10 Housing 10a Insertion port 10b Back side edge part 10c Escape part 10d Outer end face 10e Side wall 10f Side wall 10g Guide Part 10h Resin part 10i Stopper part 10j Stopper part 11 Metal frame 11a Bottom part (regulating means)
11b Side (regulating means)
11c Side (regulation means)
11d Overhanging part (regulation means)
11e Overhang part (regulation means)
11f Engagement part (regulation means)
11f1 1st engagement piece 11f2 2nd engagement piece 11g Identification part 11h Slit 11i Notch part 12 Arrow

Claims (5)

The housing has a width dimension suitable for the card insertion portion of the connector device, and has a housing that is open on the surface side on which the contact portion of the card to be mounted is formed,
A metal frame embedded in the housing, having both side portions for forming a width dimension substantially equal to the width dimension of the card, and allowing insertion of the card;
An adapter for a card, wherein the housing has side walls that are arranged outside both side portions of the metal frame and are connected to both side portions. In the invention of claim 1,
A card adapter comprising a connecting portion for connecting each of the side walls. In the invention of claim 2,
The card adapter, wherein the connecting portion is a part of the housing. In the invention of claim 1,
A card adapter comprising a cutout portion on the card insertion port side of the metal frame. In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A card adapter characterized in that a resin portion covering the surface is formed on the surface of the metal frame forming a surface facing the card to be inserted.

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