JP2007042539A - Memory card adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory card adapter capable of electrically connecting arbitrary contacts other than a grounding contact out a plurality of built-in contacts, in a memory card adapter allowing a small memory card to be used in a card connector for a memory card larger than it. <P>SOLUTION: Conductive paths for electrically connecting a plurality of arbitrary specific contacts 60d, 60i are formed on an insulator 50 for holding a plurality of contacts 60a-60k in an insulated state. The insulator 50 sandwiches an insulating material 51 between the plurality of contacts 60a-60k and a metal plate 70; the plurality of contacts 60a-60k and the metal plate 70 are respectively fixed to the insulating material 51; and the conductive paths are formed by electrically connecting the plurality of arbitrary specific contacts 60d, 60i to the metal plate 70. Electrical connection between the plurality of specific contacts 60d, 60i and the metal plate 70 is implemented by using through-holes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a memory card adapter that enables a small memory card to be used with a card connector for a larger memory card.

  Conventionally, as a small-sized memory card of an SD card (24 × 32 × 2.1 mm: length × width × thickness), a mini SD card (20 × 21.5 × 1.4 mm: length × width) as shown in FIG. X thickness) 200 is provided.

  In FIG. 10, eleven contacts 204a to 204k are orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the thickness direction on the back side of the front end (hereinafter referred to as "rear side") when the mini SD card 200 is inserted in the normal insertion posture. Are arranged in parallel (hereinafter referred to as “left-right direction”). Further, a notch 201 is formed by dropping one corner on the rear side of the mini SD card 200, and the surface side at the rear end of the mini SD card 200 whose width is narrowed by the notch 201. Steps 202 facing upward are provided on the left and right side edges of the card, and the notch 201 and the step 202 are inserted into the card connector in a manner other than the normal insertion posture of the mini-SD card 200. , Insertion with the front and back reversed). Further, locking notches 203 are provided on the left and right sides of the front side of the wide portion in front of the notch 202 of the mini SD card 200, and the card connector side lock when the mini SD card 200 is attached to the card connector. The member is locked to the locking notch 203 to prevent the mini SD card 200 from falling off. The eleven contacts 204a-k of the mini-SD card 200 are arranged in order from the left to the right as viewed from the back side. The four contacts 204a, b, j, and k are for data, the third contact 204c is for commands, the second and fourth contacts 204d and 204d are for ground, and the seventh contact 204g is for power. The eighth contact 204h is for the clock. The two contacts 204e and f of No. 5 and 6 are added as spares in the mini SD card 200, and the number of effective contacts is nine, corresponding to the number of contacts of the SD card.

  By the way, recently, a micro SD card (11 × 15 × 1 mm: length × width × thickness) 300 as shown in FIG. Has been.

  In FIG. 11, a cutout 301 is formed on one side of the micro SD card 300 by dropping one corner. In addition, a locking notch 302 is provided on one side of the micro SD card 300 on the side of the notch 301 in the wide portion in front of the notch 301. Further, eight contacts 303a to 303h are juxtaposed in the left-right direction on the rear side of the rear end of the micro SD card 300. The eight contacts 303a-h of the micro SD card 300 are arranged in order from the left to the right as viewed from the back side, and the first to eighth contacts 303a-h are the first, second, seventh, eighth. The four contacts 303a, b, g, and h are for data, the third contact 303c is for commands, the fourth contact 303d is for power, the fifth contact 303e is for clocks, and the sixth contact 303f is ground. It is for. That is, the micro SD card 300 has one ground contact, and the number of contacts is reduced from nine of the SD card and the mini SD card 200 (however, the mini SD card 200 has an effective number of contacts) to eight.

  As described above, the micro SD card 300 is smaller in size than the conventional mini SD card 200 and has a smaller number of contacts. Therefore, in order to use the card connector for the conventional mini SD card, the memory for that purpose is used. A card adapter is required. And this kind of memory card adapter is disclosed by patent document 1, for example.

  The conventional memory card adapter that enables the use of a micro SD card with a card connector for a mini SD card is a mini SD card type adapter body that is formed in an external dimension corresponding to the mini SD card specification and is mounted with a micro SD card. In the adapter body, 11 fixed terminals for electrical connection with the 11 contacts of the card connector and 8 contacts for electrical connection with the 8 contacts of the micro SD card are provided. The movable terminals are provided separately, and the eight movable terminals are electrically connected to the corresponding eight fixed terminals via the circuit board provided inside the adapter body, and the two fixed terminals for ground are connected to each other. Were configured to be electrically connected.

  As described above, the conventional memory card adapter has a built-in circuit board and includes two types of terminals: a terminal connected to a card connector for a large memory card and a terminal connected to a small memory card. There is a problem that the number of points is large, the structure is complicated, and the manufacturing cost is high. In addition, since there is a circuit board from the front end to the rear end inside the adapter body, it is not possible to use metal components for the adapter body components, and it is not possible to take measures to prevent electrostatic breakdown. It was.

In the memory card adapter, one of the components of the adapter body is made of metal, and the metal part is electrically connected to a plurality of ground contacts built in the adapter body to take measures to prevent electrostatic breakdown. The technique is disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. If this conventionally known technology is adopted, a circuit board is built in like a conventional memory card adapter, and there are two types of terminals: a terminal connected to a card connector for a large memory card and a terminal connected to a small memory card. Since it is not necessary to provide the terminals separately, the number of parts is small, the structure is simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Utility Model Registration No. 3110839 JP 2004-272704 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that one of the components of the adapter body is made of metal, a connection terminal is formed integrally with the metal component, and the connection terminal is brought into contact with a plurality of specific contacts. A plurality of specific contacts are electrically connected. In this case, since the connection is made through metal parts constituting the adapter body, only the ground contact can be connected, and any contact can be electrically connected. The point is that you cannot connect to.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a memory card adapter that enables a small memory card to be used with a card connector for a larger memory card, and corresponds to the specifications of a large memory card. Equipped with a large-sized memory card adapter body that mounts a small memory card that has an external dimension and incorporates multiple contacts. Electrically connect multiple specific contacts to an insulator that holds multiple contacts in an insulated state. A conduction path is formed.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the insulator sandwiches an insulator between the plurality of contacts and the metal plate, and the plurality of contacts and the metal plate are respectively fixed to the insulator, A point where a plurality of specific contacts are electrically connected to the metal plate to form a conduction path is added.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the electrical connection between the plurality of specific contacts and the metal plate is metal plating on the inner surface of the through hole penetrating the specific contact, the insulator, and the metal plate. Alternatively, a point is added by filling the through hole with a conductive filler or press-fitting a conductive metal member into the through hole.

  The invention described in claim 4 is obtained by adding the point that the plurality of specific contacts are ground contacts to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plate spring-like elastically displaceable connection terminal is integrally formed on a conductive cover in which the adapter body is composed of an insulating base. The connection terminal is brought into contact with the metal plate, and the ground contacts and the points where the ground contact and the cover are electrically connected are added.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, an insulating spacer is provided on the metal plate side of the insulator, the insulator is sandwiched between the cover and the base via the spacer, and the spacer is sandwiched between the spacer and the spacer. A point in which a folded portion and a connection terminal are provided is added to the inside of the formed accommodation hole.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the insulator that holds the plurality of contacts in an insulated state is formed with a conduction path that electrically connects the plurality of specific contacts, so that among the plurality of contacts built in the adapter body The plurality of specific contacts can be reliably electrically connected while ensuring contact reliability in the absence of extra space inside the adapter body.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the insulator sandwiches an insulator between the plurality of contacts and the metal plate, the plurality of contacts and the metal plate are respectively fixed to the insulator, and the plurality of specific contacts are respectively By electrically connecting to the metal plate and forming a conduction path, it also serves as a reinforcing plate for the insulator, and by pulling the metal plate that increases the rigidity of the adapter, it can electrically connect any multiple specific contacts. It can be done easily.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the electrical connection between the plurality of specific contacts and the metal plate is performed by plating the inner surface of the through hole penetrating the specific contact, the insulator, and the metal plate (through hole), or penetrating. In order to fill the hole with a conductive filler or press-fit a conductive metal member into the through hole, electrical connection between a plurality of specific contacts and the metal plate is made within the thickness of the insulator. Even in the case where there is no room in the space in the thickness direction in the adapter main body with a small thickness, it is possible to electrically connect a plurality of specific contacts.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of specific contacts are ground contacts, it is possible to eliminate a contact serving as a floating ground in the adapter.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the leaf spring-like elastically displaceable connection terminal is integrally formed on the conductive cover that constitutes the adapter body with the insulating base, and the connection terminal is formed on the metal plate. By making contact and electrically connecting the ground contacts to each other and between the ground contact and the cover, it is possible to eliminate the floating ground contact in the adapter and to provide the adapter with an electrostatic breakdown prevention function. Can do. Moreover, since the connection terminal contacts the ground contact due to its own elasticity, even if the dimensional error of the adapter component itself, the dimensional error of the assembly, or deformation due to external force or heat applied to the adapter during use, While absorbing this, the contact with the ground contact can be self-held, and high contact reliability can be ensured. Therefore, the electrostatic breakdown preventing function of the adapter can be reliably maintained.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the insulating spacer to be superimposed on the metal plate side of the insulator is provided, the insulator is sandwiched between the cover and the base via the spacer, and the accommodation hole formed in the spacer is provided. Since the folded portion and the connection terminal are arranged inside, even if a compressive load in the thickness direction is applied to the adapter body when the adapter is used, the folded portion and the connection terminal are crushed by the compressive load due to the spacer. Therefore, the function of the connection terminal can be reliably maintained and exhibited without being plastically deformed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a memory card adapter according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The memory card adapter 100 according to the present embodiment has a micro SD card 300 which is a small memory card and can be used with a card connector for a mini SD card 200 which is a card connector for a larger memory card. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the micro SD card 300 is mounted to have the same external dimensions (vertical, horizontal, and thickness dimensions) as the mini SD card 200 so as to correspond to the mini SD card specification. Mini SD card type adapter body 1, insulator 50 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 </ b> A and 7 </ b> B incorporated in adapter body 1, spacer as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 80 and the lock member 90.

  The adapter body 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an insulating base 10 made of a synthetic resin material as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 (A) and 5 (B), and FIGS. A) It is composed of two parts of a conductive cover 30 made of a metal plate as shown in (B).

  The base 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 (A) and 5 (B) includes a substantially rectangular bottom plate 11 with one corner on the rear side dropped, and a bottom plate 11 whose width is not narrowed by corner dropping. A reinforcing rib 12 that is vertically and horizontally erected on both the left and right side areas in the wide portion on the front side, and a side wall 13 that is erected along the peripheral edge on the rear side of the bottom plate 11 whose width is narrowed by corner dropping are integrally provided. A card accommodation space 14 for accommodating the micro SD card 300 is defined between the ribs 12, and an insulator accommodation space 15 is continuously defined behind the card accommodation space 14. A large contact exposure window 16 is formed in the bottom surface of the insulator housing space 15. A lock member accommodation space 17 is defined adjacent to one side of the card accommodation space 14, and the lock member accommodation space 17 communicates with the card accommodation space 14 through a communication port 18.

  The base 10 has a notch 201, a step 202, a notch 19 on the adapter 100 corresponding to the lock notch 203, a step 20, and a lock notch 21 of the mini SD card 200, respectively. Is provided. A plurality of cover engaging claws 22 are provided on the left and right outer surfaces of the wide portion of the base 10, and cover engaging grooves 23 are provided on the left and right inner portions of the wide portion of the base 10.

  The cover 30 shown in FIGS. 4, 6 (A) and (B) extends downward from the rectangular main portion 31 covering the upper surface of the front wide portion of the base 10 and the left and right side edges of the main portion 31. A first extending portion 32 covering the left and right outer surfaces of the front wide portion of the base 10 and an upper surface of the insulator accommodating space 15 of the base 10 extending from the rear edge of the main portion 31 to the rear side. The second extending portion 33 narrower than the main portion 31 to be covered, the first engaging claws 34 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the base of the second extending portion 33, and the tip of the second extending portion 33 A second engaging claw 35 extending downward from the left and right side portions of the side edge of the second extending portion 33, and a second end portion extending from the substantially central portion of the side edge at the tip of the second extending portion 33 in a U shape. The folded piece 36 facing the inner surface side of the extended portion 33, and the second extended portion 33 by connecting an intermediate portion to the end of the folded piece 36. Are formed integrally with the elastically displaceable connection terminal 37 is a plate spring that extends in the horizontal direction (a contact arrangement direction) on the inner surface side. The first extending portion 32 is provided with a plurality of base engaging holes 38.

  The insulator 50 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 </ b> A and 7 </ b> B serves as the 11 contacts 60 a to 60 k that are the same as the mini SD card 200 and the reinforcing plate of the insulator 50 in order to correspond to the mini SD card specification. A single metal plate 70 sandwiches a thin insulating plate 51 made of a single synthetic resin material in a rectangular shape that fits in the insulator housing space 15 and has the same shape as the metal plate 70.

  Each of the eleven contacts 60a to 60k is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and is arranged and fixed in the left-right direction on the back surface of the insulating plate 50a. The metal plate 70 is formed in substantially the same shape as the insulating plate 51 and is bonded and fixed to the surface of the insulating plate 51. The eleven contacts 60a to 60k and the metal plate 70 are integrally fixed to the designated position by bonding, welding, and insert molding to the insulating plate 51, respectively.

  The eleven contacts 60a-k are arranged in order from the left to the right as viewed from the back side, and the first to eleventh contacts 60a-k are arranged in order, and the four contacts 60a, 1, 2, 10, 11 b, j, k are for data, 3rd contact 60c is for command, 2nd contact 60d, 4th and 9th are for ground, 2nd contact 60e, 5th, 6th is spare, 7 No. contacts 60g are for the power source and No. 8 contacts 60h are for the clock, and are arranged in the same arrangement as the contacts 204a to 204k of the mini-SD card 200. The front side of the eight contacts 60a to 60c and 60g to k excluding the fourth ground contact 60d of the eleven contacts 60a to 60k and the two spare contacts 60e and f of the fifth and sixth contacts. The contact spring pieces 64a to 64h are extended in a cantilever shape through a narrow continuous portion 63, and are provided integrally with each other. The eight contact spring pieces 64a to 64h are arranged in order of the first to eighth contact spring pieces 64a to 64h from the left to the right when viewed from the back side. The contact spring pieces 64a, b, g, and h are for data, the third contact spring piece 64c is for commands, the fourth contact spring piece 64d is for power supply, and the fifth contact spring piece 64e is for clock. The numbered contact spring piece 64f is for grounding. That is, the arrangement is the same as the contacts 303 a to h of the micro SD card 300. The eight contact spring pieces 64a to 64h are protruded forward and inclined toward the front side of the insulator 50. As with the mini SD card 200, the fourth ground contact 60d and the seventh power contact 60g are rear end positions as compared with the other nine contacts 60a-c, 60e, f, 60h-k. 4 protrudes rearward (in the adapter insertion direction) and is displaced so that it comes into contact with the contacts on the card connector side prior to the other nine contacts 60a-c, 60e, f, 60h-k. , 9 is provided with a step (difference in protrusion) between the rear end positions of the two ground contacts 60d, i (see FIGS. 2 and 7B).

  Then, through holes 52 and 53 are provided at the joint positions of the two ground contacts 60d and i in the insulator 50, respectively, and the two ground contacts 60d and i are connected to the metal plate 70 via the through holes 52 and 53, respectively. Electrical connection is made, and a conduction path is formed which includes the through holes 52 and 53 and the metal plate 70 for electrically connecting the two ground contacts 60d and i to the insulator 50 (maintaining the same potential). .

  The through holes 52 and 53 are obtained by applying conductive metal plating to the inner surface of a small-diameter through hole that penetrates the ground contacts 60d and i, the insulating plate 51, and the metal plate 70. The two ground contacts 60d, i are electrically connected to the metal plate 70 by filling the through hole with a conductive filler or press-fitting a conductive metal member into the through hole. You may connect to.

  The spacer 80 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 overlaps the metal plate 70 of the insulator 50 and sets the thickness dimension of the insulator 50 to the depth dimension of the insulator housing space 15 of the base 10. The insulator 50 that can be fitted into the housing space 15 is formed of a substantially rectangular insulating plate made of a single synthetic resin material having substantially the same shape. The spacer 80 accommodates a cover engagement groove 82 for press-fitting the second engagement claw 35 of the cover 30, a folded piece 36 and a connection terminal 37 of the cover 30, as shown in FIG. Further, both ends of the connection terminal 37 are brought into contact with the metal plate 70 of the insulator 50 from above to electrically connect the two ground contacts 60d, i to each other and the ground contacts 60d, i to the cover 30 ( An accommodation hole 83 for maintaining the same potential is formed.

  The locking member 90 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is made of a thin metal plate spring, and has a card engaging portion 91 on the free end side. The lock member 90 may be provided integrally with the base 10 with resin.

  In assembling the memory card adapter 100 of the present embodiment, the insulator 50 is fitted into the insulator housing space 15 of the base 10, and the 11 contacts 60 a to 60 k of the insulator 50 are connected to the back surface of the base 10 through the contact exposure window 16 of the base 10. The eight contact spring pieces 64 a to 64 h of the insulator 50 are protruded from the rear portion of the card accommodating space 11 of the base 10. That is, after the insulator 50 is incorporated into the base 10, the spacer 80 is fitted over the insulator 50 in the insulator accommodation space 15 of the base 10. Further, the lock member 90 is incorporated in the lock member housing space 17 of the base 10, the rear side of the lock member 90 is fixed to the base 10, and the card engaging portion 91 on the free end side (front side) of the lock member 90 is connected to the communication port. It is made to protrude into the card accommodation space 14 through 18 (state shown in FIG. 3). Next, the first engagement claw 34 of the cover 30 is inserted into the cover engagement groove 23 of the base 10, and the second engagement claw 35 of the cover 30 is inserted into the cover engagement groove 82 of the spacer 80. The cover 30 is attached to the base 10 from above while the folded piece 36 and the connection terminal 37 of the cover 30 are fitted into the hole 83, and the reinforcing rib 12, the card accommodation space 14, and the lock member 90 in the front wide portion of the base 10. Is integrally covered with the main portion 31 of the cover 30 and the second extending portion of the cover 30 is formed on the upper surface of the spacer 80 fitted in the insulator accommodating space 15 of the base 10. 33, the insulator 50 and the spacer 80 in a superposed state are placed between the bottom plate 11 of the base 10 and the second extending portion 33 of the cover 30. Scissors, also covers the right and left outer side faces of the front wide portion of the base 10 in the first elongated portions 32 of the cover 30, fitting the cover engaging claw 22 of the base 10 to the base engagement holes 38 of the cover 30. Finally, the lower edge of each base engagement hole 38 in the first extending portion 32 of the cover 30 is caulked inward, and the cover 30 is fixed to the base 10 in the above-mentioned attached state, thereby completing the assembly. . The base 10 and the spacer 80 may be joined using a method such as heat, ultrasonic welding, or adhesion.

  In the assembled state, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external dimensions (vertical, horizontal, and thickness dimensions) are substantially the same as those of the mini SD card 200 corresponding to the mini SD card specification. Similarly to the mini-SD card 200, eleven contacts 60a to 60k are juxtaposed in the left-right direction on the rear side of the rear end and exposed, and a notch 19 is formed by dropping one corner of the rear. Are formed on the right and left side edges of the surface side at the rear side end portion narrowed by the notch 19, and an upper step 20 is provided on the front side of the wide portion in front of the notch 19. Lock notches 21 are provided on the left and right sides, and can be attached to a card connector for the mini SD card 200.

  Further, the card insertion slot 2 is opened on the front surface, the card accommodation space 11 communicates with the card insertion slot 2, and eight contact spring pieces 64a to 64h are arranged in the left-right direction at the rear part (back part) of the card accommodation space 11. The micro SD card 300 can be mounted in the card accommodation space 11 from the card insertion slot 2 and the eight contact spring pieces 64a are connected to the eight contacts 303a to h of the mounted micro SD card 300. The free ends of ~ h can be contacted.

  Furthermore, substantially the entire surface and the front half of the left and right side surfaces are made of a metal surface, and the other back surface and side surfaces are made of a resin surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the connection terminal 37 formed integrally with the cover 30 constituting the metal surface is disposed inside the accommodation hole 83 formed in the built-in spacer 80 together with the folded piece 36, and is formed on the lower surface of the spacer 80. The metal plate 70 of the insulator 50 that is sandwiched is pressed against and touches the metal plate 70 from above. Since the insulator 50 is electrically connected to the two ground contacts 60d, i through a conduction path made up of the through holes 52, 53 and the metal plate 70, the insulator 50 is brought into contact with the metal plate 70 by contact with the insulator 50. The two non-adjacent ground contacts 60d and i among the contacts 60a to 60k are electrically connected to each other and the ground contacts 60d and i and the cover 30 are electrically connected. Note that the joint surface between the base 10 and the main portion 31 of the cover 30 and the first extension portion 32 and the joint surface between the spacer 80 and the second extension portion 33 of the cover 30 have a plate thickness of the cover 30 from the peripheral outer surface. The outer surface of the main portion 31 and the first extending portion 32 of the cover 30 and the outer surface of the base 10 around the surface, and the outer surface of the second extending portion 33 of the cover 30 and the surrounding spacer 80 are surfaces. It is supposed to be one.

  When the micro SD card 300 is attached to the memory card adapter 100 assembled as described above, the micro SD card 300 is inserted through the card insertion slot 2 in a normal insertion posture with the front-rear direction and the front-back direction oriented in a normal direction. When inserted into the card storage space 14, the micro SD card 300 is inserted into the card storage space 14 while pushing the card engagement portion 91 of the lock member 90 against the spring force at the side portion where the locking notch 302 is provided. Eight contact spring pieces inserted into the back and provided on the rear side of the rear end of the micro SD card 300 are arranged in parallel at the rear of the card housing space 14. 64a-h is contacted and electrically connected. When the micro SD card 300 is further inserted into the card accommodation space 14, the rear end of the micro SD card 300 abuts against the front side surface of the spacer 80 standing at the rear end of the card accommodation space 14, and more. The card engagement portion 91 of the lock member 90 faces the lock notch 302 of the micro SD card 300, and the card engagement portion 91 engages with the lock notch 302 by a spring force. This prevents the micro SD card 300 from falling off.

  When pulling out the micro SD card 300 attached to the memory card adapter 100, holding the front end of the micro SD card 300 and pulling the micro SD card 300 forward against the spring force of the lock member 90, The engagement between the lock notch 302 of the micro SD card 300 and the card engaging portion 91 of the lock member 90 is released, and the micro SD card 300 can be easily removed from the memory card adapter 100.

  Since the micro SD card 300 attached to the memory card adapter 100 is electrically connected to the corresponding eight contacts 60a to 60c and 60g to k, the eight contacts 303a to 303h are connected to the memory card. By attaching the adapter 100 to the card connector for the mini SD card 200, the eight contacts 303a to h of the micro SD card 300 can be connected to the card connector via the eight contacts 60a to 60c and 60g to k. It is electrically connected to the corresponding 8 contacts. As a result, the micro SD card 300 can be used with the card connector for the mini SD card 200 similarly to the mini SD card 200. Further, the two non-adjacent ground contacts 60d, i among the 11 contacts 60a to 60k and the ground contacts 60d, i and the cover 30 are electrically connected, so that they float in the adapter 100. The ground contact serving as the ground can be eliminated, and the adapter 100 can have an electrostatic breakdown preventing function.

  In the present embodiment, the two ground contacts 60d, i are electrically connected through a conduction path formed in the insulator 50 as an arbitrary specific contact. However, the conduction path is also electrically connected to a plurality of other contacts as well. It can be connected to. Further, although the insulator 50 in which the metal plate 70 is integrally formed is shown, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal plate 70 is electrically connected to, for example, two ground contacts 60d and i through the through holes 52 and 53. The first block 71 connected to the second block 72, the second block 72 electrically connecting the second data contact 60 b via the through hole 54, and the sixth spare contact 60 f electrically connected via the through hole 55. An insulator 50 ′ may be provided which is divided into a third block 73 to be connected and a plurality of the same potential blocks are formed. In this case, the first block 71 is brought into contact with the connection terminal 37 formed integrally with the cover 30 and used for preventing electrostatic breakdown.

  As described above, the insulator 50 that holds the plurality of contacts 60a to 60k in an insulated state is formed with the conduction path that electrically connects the plurality of specific contacts 60d, i, thereby providing a plurality of built-in adapter main body 1. A plurality of specific contacts 60d, i among the contacts 60a to 60k can be reliably electrically connected while ensuring contact reliability while there is no surplus space inside the adapter body 1.

  Moreover, the insulator 50 has the insulator 51 sandwiched between the plurality of contacts 60a to 60k and the metal plate 70, and the plurality of contacts 60a to 60k and the metal plate 70 are fixed to the insulator 51, respectively. Each of the contacts 60d and i is electrically connected to the metal plate 70 to form a conduction path, thereby serving also as a reinforcing plate of the insulator 50, and by pulling through the metal plate 70 for increasing the rigidity of the adapter 100 A plurality of specific contacts 60d, i can be easily electrically connected.

  The electrical connection between the plurality of specific contacts 60d, i and the metal plate 70 is performed by plating the inner surface of the through hole penetrating the specific contacts 60d, i, the insulator 51, and the metal plate 70 (through hole), or In order to fill the through hole with a conductive filler or press-fit a conductive metal member into the through hole, electrical connection between the plurality of specific contacts 60d, i and the metal plate 70 is performed. Even if there is not enough room in the thickness direction in the adapter main body 1 having a small thickness, the electrical connection of a plurality of specific contacts 60d, i can be performed within the thickness of the insulator 50. It can be carried out.

  Since the plurality of specific contacts 60d, i are ground contacts 60d, i, it is possible to eliminate a contact that becomes a floating ground in the adapter 100.

  A plate spring-like elastically displaceable connection terminal 37 is integrally formed on a conductive cover 30 comprising the adapter main body 1 with an insulating base 10, and the connection terminal 37 is brought into contact with a metal plate 70 to be grounded. By electrically connecting the contacts 60d, i for the ground and the contacts 60d, i for the ground and the cover 30, it is possible to eliminate the contact as a floating ground in the adapter 100 and prevent the adapter 100 from electrostatic breakdown. Can have a function. In addition, since the connection terminal 37 contacts the ground contacts 60d, i due to its own elasticity, the connection terminal 37 is caused by a dimensional error of the components of the adapter 100 itself, a dimensional error of assembly, an external force or heat applied to the adapter 100 during use. Even if deformation occurs, it is possible to self-hold contact with the ground contacts 60d, i while absorbing it, and to ensure high contact reliability. Therefore, the electrostatic breakdown preventing function of the adapter 100 can be reliably maintained.

  An insulating spacer 80 is provided on the metal plate 70 side of the insulator 50, and the insulator 50 is sandwiched between the cover 30 and the base 10 via the spacer 80, and the inside of the accommodation hole 83 formed in the spacer 80. Since the folded portion 36 and the connection terminal 37 are disposed on the adapter body 1, even if a compressive load in the thickness direction is applied to the adapter main body 1 when the adapter is used, the folded portion 36 and the connection terminal 37 are provided with the spacer 80 due to the spacer 80. The function of the connection terminal 37 can be reliably maintained and exhibited without being crushed by the compressive load and plastically deforming.

  As mentioned above, although this embodiment showed an example of the suitable embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to it but can be variously modified within the range which does not deviate from the gist. For example, the present invention can be suitably applied to other types of memory card adapters other than the memory card adapter that enables the micro SD card 300 to be used with a card connector for the SD card.

It is the external view which looked at the adapter for memory cards of this embodiment from the surface side. It is the external view which looked at the adapter from the back side. It is the external view which looked at the same adapter of a metal cover removal state from the surface side. It is a structural view of the disassembled state of the adapter. (A) The external view which looked at the base from the surface side, (B) The external view which looked at the base from the back surface side. (A) The external view which looked at the cover from the surface side, (B) The external view which looked at the cover from the back side. (A) The external view which looked at the insulator from the surface side, (B) The external view which looked at the insulator from the back surface side. It is sectional drawing of the same adapter which shows the electrical connection structure of the contacts for grounds, and the contact for grounds, and a cover. (A) The external view which looked at the insulator of a deformation | transformation structure from the surface side, (B) The external view which looked at the insulator of a deformation structure from the back surface side. (A) Front view of mini SD card, (B) Side view of mini SD card, (c) Back view of mini SD card. (A) Front view of micro SD card, (B) Side view of micro SD card, (C) Back view of micro SD card.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Adapter main body 10 Base 30 Cover 36 Folding part 37 Connection terminal 50 Insulator 51 Insulation board (insulator)
52, 53 Through hole 60a-k Contact 70 Metal plate 80 Spacer 83 Housing hole 100 Adapter for memory card 200 Mini SD card (large memory card)
300 Micro SD card (small memory card)

Claims (6)

  In a memory card adapter that enables a small memory card to be used with a card connector for a larger memory card, a small memory card that has an external dimension corresponding to the specifications of a large memory card and has multiple contacts built-in. A memory card adapter comprising: a large memory card type adapter main body to be mounted; and an insulator for holding a plurality of contacts in an insulated state, wherein a conduction path for electrically connecting the plurality of specific contacts is formed.   The insulator has an insulator sandwiched between a plurality of contacts and a metal plate, the plurality of contacts and the metal plate are fixed to the insulator, respectively, and the plurality of specific contacts are electrically connected to the metal plate, respectively. 2. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein a passage is formed.   For electrical connection between multiple specific contacts and metal plate, metal plating is applied to the inner surface of the through hole that penetrates the specific contact, insulator, or metal plate, or a conductive filler is filled in or penetrates the through hole. The memory card adapter according to claim 2, which is performed by press-fitting a conductive metal member into the hole.   4. The memory card adapter according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of specific contacts are ground contacts.   An elastically displaceable connection terminal is integrally formed on a conductive cover that consists of an adapter base and an insulating base, and the connection terminal is brought into contact with a metal plate. 5. The memory card adapter according to claim 4, wherein the contact and the cover are electrically connected.   A laminated insulating spacer is provided on the metal plate side of the insulator, the insulator is sandwiched between the cover and the base via the spacer, and a folded portion and a connection terminal are disposed inside the accommodation hole formed in the spacer. The memory card adapter according to claim 5.

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