JP2007115519A - Connector unit and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector unit allowing an insertion position to be correctly recognized, and to provide an electronic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In this connector unit 21, a first housing space 27 extends toward a connector 26 from an opening 25. A second housing space 28 adjoins the first housing space 27. A visible member 33 is arranged in the second housing space 28. The visible member 33 faces the opening 25 from the second housing space 28. The visible member 33 can be thus viewed in the opening 25. The position of the first housing space 27 can be correctly recognized by the function of the visible member 33. For instance, the insertion position of a PC card equivalent to the cross-sectional shape of the first housing space 27 can be correctly recognized. Wrong contact between a terminal of the PC card and the connector 26 can surely be avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector unit for connecting a PC card such as an ExpressCard (hereinafter, “Express card”).

  PC cards such as express cards are widely known. The express card standard is formulated based on the industry group PCMCIA. The express card is inserted into a slot of a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “notebook personal computer”), for example. The terminal of the express card is connected to the connector in the notebook computer. The function of the notebook PC is expanded by the function of the express card. The width of such an express card is set to two types of 34 mm and 54 mm.

  The size of the slot of the notebook computer is divided according to the express card with a width of 54 mm. Therefore, it is difficult for the user of the notebook computer to recognize the insertion position of the 34 mm wide express card in the insertion slot. As a result, when a 34 mm wide express card is inserted into the wrong insertion position, the terminal of the express card mistakenly contacts the connector. The terminal will be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector unit and an electronic device that can accurately recognize the insertion position.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a connector, a first housing space extending from the opening toward the connector, and a second housing space extending from the opening adjacent to the first housing space are defined. A connector unit comprising a main body and a visual recognition member facing the opening from the second accommodation space is provided.

  In such a connector unit, the connector is accommodated in the first accommodation space. A second accommodation space is adjacent to the first accommodation space. The visual recognition member faces the opening from the second accommodation space. Thus, the visual recognition member can be visually recognized in the opening. The position of the first accommodation space can be accurately recognized by the function of the visual recognition member. For example, the insertion position of a PC card having a shape equal to the cross-sectional shape of the first receiving space can be accurately recognized. Incorrect contact between the terminal of the PC card and the connector is reliably avoided.

  Such a connector unit may further include a guide mechanism for guiding the movement of the visual recognition member along the boundary surface between the first and second accommodation spaces in the second accommodation space. The visual recognition member can move along the boundary surface based on the guidance of the guide mechanism. For example, even if a PC card having a shape equal to the shape of the opening is inserted from the opening, the PC card can be accommodated in the first and second accommodation spaces based on the movement of the visual recognition member. For example, different shape PC cards can be inserted into the connector unit.

  In the connector unit, the visual recognition member may define a guide surface along the boundary surface between the first and second accommodation spaces. For example, the movement of the PC card having the same cross-sectional shape as the first receiving space can be guided by the action of the guide surface. The terminal of the PC card can be connected to the connector from the correct direction. Damage to terminals and connectors can be avoided reliably.

  The connector unit may further include a guide mechanism for guiding the movement of the connector along the boundary surface between the first and second accommodation spaces in the first accommodation space. Such a guide mechanism allows the connector to move along the boundary surface. As a result, the connector can be placed as close as possible to the opening. The connector can be viewed in the opening. For example, the insertion position of the PC card can be recognized more accurately.

  The connector unit as described above may be incorporated in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a housing, a connector housed in a housing space of the housing, a first housing space extending from the opening partitioned in the housing toward the connector, and the opening adjacent to the first housing space. What is necessary is just to provide the main body which divides the 2nd accommodation space extended from, and the visual recognition member which faces an opening from the 2nd accommodation space.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a connector unit and an electronic apparatus that can accurately recognize the insertion position can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a specific example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, that is, a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, “notebook personal computer”) 11. The notebook computer 11 includes a first housing, that is, a main body housing 12, and a second housing, that is, a display housing 13 connected to the main body housing 12. The main body housing 12 and the display housing 13 may be made of a reinforced resin material such as polycarbonate.

  For example, a motherboard is incorporated in the main body housing 12. Electronic circuit elements such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory are mounted on the motherboard. The CPU executes various arithmetic processes based on, for example, software programs and data temporarily stored in the memory. Similarly, the software program and data may be stored in a mass storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) housed in the main body housing 12.

  Input devices such as a keyboard 14 and input buttons 15 are incorporated in the main body housing 12. The user of the notebook personal computer 11 can input various commands and data to the CPU by the functions of the input devices 14 and 15.

  A flat display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 16 is incorporated in the display housing 13. The display screen of the LCD panel 16 is exposed on the surface of the display housing 13. Various texts and graphics can be displayed on the display screen based on the arithmetic processing of the CPU.

  The display housing 13 is coupled to the main body housing 12 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 17 set at one end of the main body housing 12. In this way, the display housing 13 can be rotated relative to the main body housing 12. Based on such rotational movement, the display housing 13 can be superimposed on the main body housing 12.

  An opening for a PC card, that is, a slot 18 is formed in the main body casing 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the front end of the connector unit 21 faces the insertion slot 18. The connector unit 21 is housed in the housing space of the main body housing 12. A PC card such as an express card (ExpressCard) is inserted into the connector unit 21 from the insertion slot 18.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the appearance of the connector unit 21 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The connector unit 21 includes a main body 22. The main body 22 includes, for example, a printed circuit board 23 that is fixed to the bottom plate of the main body housing 12 and a cover 24 that is mounted on the printed circuit board 23. The printed circuit board 23 is connected to the aforementioned mother board.

  The cover 24 includes a pair of upright walls 24a and 24a that stand upright from the printed circuit board 23, and a top plate 24b that connects the upright walls 24a and 24a. The upright walls 24a and 24a spread in parallel. Thus, the printed circuit board 23 and the cover 24 define a PC card accommodation space. The front end of the accommodation space defines an opening for PC card, that is, an entrance 25. The entrance 25 is opposed to the insertion port 18 of the main body housing 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a PC card connection connector 26 is accommodated in the accommodating space of the main body 22. The connector 26 may be mounted on the printed board 23. The connector 26 is disposed on the printed board 23 behind the accommodation space. The protruding pieces and conductive terminals extending from the connector 26 may be soldered to the conductive pattern on the printed circuit board 23, for example.

  In the accommodation space of the main body 22, a pair of guide members 31, 31 extending in parallel from the entrance 25 toward the rear is accommodated. The guide member 31 extends along the inner wall surface of the upright wall 24a. A predetermined interval is secured between the guide members 31 and 31. This interval corresponds to the width of an express card having a width of 54 mm.

  The guide members 31 and 31 are formed with long grooves 32 and 32 on opposing surfaces facing each other. The long groove 32 may be formed over the entire length of the guide member 31 in the longitudinal direction. The long groove 32 receives the side edge of a 54 mm wide express card. The express card having a width of 54 mm can move in the accommodation space along the surface of the printed circuit board 23 by the action of the guide members 31 and 31.

  The accommodation space of the main body 22 is partitioned by a first accommodation space 27 extending from the entrance 25 toward the connector 26 and a second accommodation space 28 extending from the entrance 25 adjacent to the first accommodation space 27. Thus, a boundary surface 29 is defined between the first and first accommodation spaces 27 and 28. Here, the boundary surface 29 is defined parallel to the upright wall 24 a of the cover 24.

  The connector 26 described above is disposed at the rear end of the first accommodation space 27. On the other hand, for example, a box-shaped visual recognition member 33 is disposed at the front end of the second accommodation space 28. The visual recognition member 33 faces the entrance 25 from the second accommodation space 28. Thus, the visual recognition member 33 can be visually recognized in the entrance 25, that is, the insertion opening 18.

  The visual recognition member 33 defines a guide surface 34 along the boundary surface 29 on the side surface. The guide surface 34 faces the guide member 31 in the first accommodation space 27. A predetermined interval is secured between the guide member 31 and the guide surface 34. This interval corresponds to the width of an express card having a width of 34 mm. The express card having a width of 34 mm can move along the surface of the printed circuit board 23 in the first accommodation space 27 by the action of the long groove 32 and the guide surface 34 of the guide member 31.

  A guide mechanism 36 is connected to the visual recognition member 33. The guide mechanism 36 includes first and second box members 37 and 38 that are nested in the visual recognition member 33. The first box member 37 can be accommodated in the visual recognition member 33. Similarly, the second box member 38 can be accommodated in the first box member 37.

  The guide mechanism 36 includes a coil spring 39 connected to the visual recognition member 33. One end of the coil spring 39 is received by the front end of the visual recognition member 33, for example. On the other hand, the other end of the coil spring 39 is received by, for example, a support column 41 standing upright from the printed circuit board 23. The coil spring 39 passes through the first and second box members 37 and 38. A pushing force acts forward on the visual recognition member 33 toward the entrance 25 based on the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39.

  The guide mechanism 36 further includes a pair of rails 42 and 42 that are formed on the upper end surface of the visual recognition member 33 and extend parallel to each other. The rail 42 may extend in parallel to the guide member 31. The rail 42 defines the front end at a position that is retracted from the front end of the visual recognition member 33. Referring also to FIG. 5, the rail 42 is received in a long groove 43 formed on the inner wall surface of the top plate 24b. The long groove 43 should just extend from the position retracted from the front end of the top plate 24b to the rear end of the top plate 24b.

  Based on the guide of the rail 42 and the long groove 43, the visual recognition member 33 can move in the second accommodation space 28 along the boundary surface 29. Here, the visual recognition member 33 moves between the front end and the rear end of the second accommodation space 28 on the printed circuit board 23. As will be described later, the visual recognition member 33 sequentially accommodates the first and second box members 37 and 38 with the movement. As the visual recognition member 33 moves toward the support column 41, an elastic extension force is accumulated in the coil spring 28.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 6, a scene is assumed where an express card 45 having a width of 54 mm is inserted from the insertion port 18 of the main body housing 12. As is well known, the express card 45 defines a protrusion 46 having a width of 34 mm. The express card 45 is defined with a first front end surface 47 defined at the front end of the protrusion 46 and a second front end surface 48 that retreats from the first front end surface 47. A terminal (not shown) is disposed on the first front end face 47. The shape of the first front end face 47 substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the first accommodation space 27.

  The express card 45 is inserted into the insertion port 18, that is, the entrance 25 from the first front end surface 47. The protrusion 46 of the express card 45 enters the first accommodation space 27. As shown in FIG. 7, the side end of the protrusion 46 is guided by the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 and the guide surface 34 of the visual recognition member 33. In this way, the express card 45 moves along the surface of the printed circuit board 23. At the same time, the second front end face 48 is received by the front end face of the visual recognition member 33.

  When the express card 45 is further pushed, the express card 45 pushes the visual recognition member 33 toward the rear of the second accommodation space 28 at the first front end face 48. The side end of the express card 45 is guided in the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 in the second accommodation space 28. The rail 42 moves in the long groove 43. The visual recognition member 33 moves along the boundary surface 29 against the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39. An elastic extension force is accumulated in the coil spring 39.

  As the visual recognition member 33 moves along the boundary surface 29, the first box member 37 is accommodated in the visual recognition member 33. Similarly, the second box member 38 is accommodated in the first box member 37. When the express card 45 is further pushed in this way, the first and second box members 37 and 38 are accommodated in the visual recognition member 33 as shown in FIG. A terminal of the first front end face 47 is connected to the connector 26. Thus, the function of the notebook personal computer 11 is expanded.

  On the other hand, when the express card 45 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18, the connection between the terminal and the connector 26 is canceled. The express card 45 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18 while being guided by the long groove 32. At this time, the visual recognition member 33 is pushed forward toward the entrance 25 while being guided by the long groove 43 by the action of the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39.

  When the express card 45 is completely pulled out from the insertion slot 18, the visual recognition member 33 faces the entrance 25 from the second accommodation space 28. Thus, the visual recognition member 33 can be visually recognized in the insertion opening 18. Since the long groove 43 defines the front end at a position retreating from the front end of the top plate 24 b, the front end of the rail 42 is received by the front end of the long groove 43. As a result, dropping of the visual recognition member 33 from the entrance 25 to the external space is avoided.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a scene is assumed in which an express card 51 having a width of 34 mm is inserted from the insertion port 18 of the main body housing 12. A terminal (not shown) is disposed on the front end surface 52 of the express card 51. As is well known, the width of the express card 51 is set to 34 mm from the front end to the rear end. As described above, the shape of the front end surface 52 substantially matches the cross-sectional shape of the first accommodation space 27.

  The express card 51 is inserted into the insertion port 18, that is, the entrance 25 from the front end surface 52. As shown in FIG. 10, the express card 51 enters the first accommodation space 27. The express card 51 is guided to the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 and the guide surface 34 of the visual recognition member 33 in the first accommodation space 27. The express card 51 moves along the surface of the printed circuit board 23.

  When the express card 51 is further pushed in, the terminals of the front end face 52 are connected to the connector 26 as shown in FIG. Thus, the function of the notebook personal computer 11 can be expanded. Since the width of the express card 51 is set to 34 mm, contact with the front end surface of the visual recognition member 33 is avoided. Moreover, a pushing force acts forward on the visual recognition member 33 by the action of the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39. Thus, the movement of the visual recognition member 33 is avoided.

  On the other hand, when the express card 51 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18, the connection between the terminal and the connector 26 is canceled. The express card 51 is pulled out from the slot 18 while being guided by the long groove 32 and the guide surface 34. At this time, the movement of the visual recognition member 33 is avoided as described above. The visual recognition member 33 can always be visually recognized in the insertion slot 18.

  In the notebook computer 11 as described above, the visual recognition member 33 can be visually recognized in the insertion slot 18 when the express cards 45 and 51 are inserted. The position of the first accommodation space 27 can be accurately recognized by the function of the visual recognition member 33. That is, the insertion position of the protrusion 46 of the express card 45 or the express card 51 can be recognized accurately. Incorrect contact between the terminals of the express cards 45 and 51 and the connector 26 is reliably avoided.

  Moreover, the visual recognition member 33 can move toward the rear of the second accommodation space 28 along the boundary surface 29 based on the guidance of the guide mechanism 36. Even if the express card 45 having a width of 54 mm is inserted into the insertion slot 18, the express card 45 can be accommodated in the first and second accommodation spaces 27 and 28 based on the movement of the visual recognition member 33.

  In addition, a guide surface 34 is defined on the side surface of the visual recognition member 33. The protrusion 46 and the express card 51 of the express card 45 are guided by the function of the guide surface 34. The terminals of the express cards 45 and 51 can be connected to the connector 26 from the correct direction. Damage to the terminals and the connector 26 can be avoided reliably.

  FIG. 12 schematically shows the structure of a connector unit 21a according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this connector unit 21 a, the connector 26 is connected to the visual recognition member 33 by the connecting member 56. Here, the connecting member 56 may receive the rear end of the connector 26 and the rear end of the visual recognition member 33. In this way, the visual recognition member 33, that is, the connector 26 can move along the surface of the printed circuit board 23 based on the guide of the rail 42 and the long groove 43.

  Here, the long groove 43 of the top plate 24b defines the rear end at a position advanced from the rear end of the top plate 24b. Similarly, the rail 42 defines the rear end at a position advanced from the rear end of the visual recognition member 33. When the visual recognition member 33, that is, the connecting member 56 moves rearward, the rear end of the rail 42 is received by the rear end of the long groove 43. In this way, the movement of the visual recognition member 33, that is, the connector 26 is restricted at the front end and the rear end in the first accommodation space 27. Here, the connecting member 56, the rail 42, and the long groove 43 constitute a guide mechanism for the connector 26.

  The connector 26 is connected to the printed circuit board 23 based on the flexible printed circuit board 57. The flexible printed circuit board 57 may extend rearward from the rear end of the connecting member 56. A wiring pattern is drawn on the flexible printed circuit board 57. One end of the coil spring 39 is received on the rear end surface of the connecting member 56. The other end of the coil spring 39 is received by the column 41.

  Hook members 58 and 58 are disposed in front of the guide members 31 and 31. The hook member 58 is disposed between the insertion port 18 and the entrance 25. An elastic elastic member, that is, a coil spring 59 is connected to the hook member 58. The hook members 58 and 58 can be moved closer to and away from each other by the action of the elastic force of the coil spring 59. Such a hook member 58 may be connected to the inner wall surface of the main body housing 12, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the connection member 56 is moved based on the guide of the rail 42 and the long groove 43, the flexible printed circuit board 57 is bent. Connection is ensured between the connector 26 and the printed circuit board 23 in spite of the movement of the connecting member 56, that is, the connector 26 based on such bending. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to the configurations and structures equivalent to those in the first embodiment.

  Now, as described above, a case is assumed where an express card 45 having a width of 54 mm is inserted from the insertion port 18 of the main body housing 12. The express card 45 is inserted into the insertion port 18, that is, the entrance 25 from the first front end surface 47. The hook members 58 and 58 are displaced in a direction away from each other based on contact with both side ends of the express card 45. The coil spring 59 accumulates an elastic extension force. As shown in FIG. 14, the tip of the hook member 58 is received on both side ends of the express card 45.

  The express card 45 pushes the visual recognition member 33 rearward at the second front end face 48. Both ends of the express card 45 are guided by the long grooves 32 of the guide member 31. As the express card 45 moves, the hook member 58 slides on the side end surface of the express card 45. The rail 42 moves in the long groove 43. The connecting member 56 moves against the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39. The connector 26 moves along the boundary surface 29. An elastic extension force is accumulated in the coil spring 39.

  When the express card 45 is pushed further rearward, the rear end of the rail 42 is received by the rear end of the long groove 43. The movement of the connecting member 56 is restricted. As shown in FIG. 15, the terminal of the express card 45 is connected to the connector 26. Thus, the function of the notebook personal computer 11 can be expanded. At this time, the rear end of the express card 45 is received by the hook member 58 by the action of the elastic extension force of the coil spring 59. The express card 45 is prevented from dropping into the external space. At the same time, the movement of the connecting member 56 is restricted toward the front.

  On the other hand, when the express card 45 is pulled out, for example, a card discharge mechanism (not shown) is used. The card discharge mechanism may be connected to the hook member 58 described above. That is, when the card ejection mechanism operates, the hook members 58 are displaced away from each other. Based on such displacement, contact between the hook member 58 and the rear end of the express card 45 is avoided.

  At this time, the connecting member 56 is pushed forward toward the entrance 25 while being guided by the long groove 43 by the action of the elastic extension force of the coil spring 39. When the connecting member 56 is disposed at the front end of the accommodation space, the front end of the rail 42 is received by the front end of the guide groove 43. Movement of the connecting member 56 toward the front is restricted. At this time, when the express card 45 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18, the connection between the terminal and the connector 26 is canceled.

  On the other hand, when an express card 51 having a width of 34 mm is inserted from the insertion opening 18 of the main body housing 12, the express card 51 is inserted into the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 in the first accommodation space 27 as shown in FIG. 16. And guided to the guide surface 34. When the terminal of the express card 51 is connected to the connector 26, the rear end of the express card 51 is received by one hook member 58.

  According to the connector unit 21 a as described above, the connector 26 is connected to the visual recognition member 33 by the connecting member 56. Based on the movement of the connecting member 56, the connector 26 can move along the boundary surface 29. As a result, the connector 26 can be arranged as close as possible to the entrance 25. The connector 26 can be visually recognized in the entrance 22 or the insertion opening 18. The insertion position of the protrusion 46 of the express card 45 and the express card 51 can be recognized accurately.

  FIG. 17 schematically shows the structure of a connector unit 21b according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The connector unit 21b includes a first visual recognition member, that is, a first cover 61 disposed at the front end of the first accommodation space 27, and a second visual recognition member, that is, the second cover 62, disposed at the front end of the second accommodation space 28. Prepare. The first and second covers 61 and 62 face the entrance 25 from the accommodation space. The width of the first cover 61 is set to 34 mm, for example. The width of the second cover 62 is set to 20 mm, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the first and second covers 61 and 62 are attached to the top plate 24b so as to be swingable around a rotation shaft 63 defined at the front end of the top plate 24b, for example. The first and second covers 61 and 62 can swing individually. For example, a hinge mechanism (not shown) may be used to realize the swing. Thus, the first and second covers 61 and 62 are disposed along the entrance 25 to close the entrance 25, and are opened along the inner wall surface of the flat plate 24 b to open the entrance 25. Swings between.

  For example, a torsion coil spring (not shown) may be connected to the first and second covers 61 and 62. As is well known, the torsion coil spring exerts a driving force around the central axis of the coil, that is, the rotating shaft 63. Such a driving force causes the first and second covers 61 and 62 to swing from the open position toward the closed position. Here, the first and second covers 61 and 62 may be partially received by the inner wall surface of the main body housing 12. In addition, the same reference numerals are assigned to configurations and structures equivalent to those of the above-described embodiment.

  Now, a scene is assumed in which an express card 45 having a width of 54 mm is inserted from the insertion opening 18 of the main housing 12. Since the width of the protrusion 46 of the express card 45 is set to 34 mm, the first front end face 47 of the express card 45 pushes the first cover 61 open. As the protrusion 46 of the express card 45 is pushed into the first accommodation space 27, the first front end surface 47 swings the first cover 61 around the rotation shaft 63.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the first cover 61 swings from the closed position toward the open position. When the first cover 61 is received on the surface of the express card 45, the first cover 61 is positioned at the open position. The front end of the first accommodation space 27 is completely opened. One end of the express card 45 is received in the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 in the first accommodation space 27.

  Subsequently, the second front end surface 48 of the express card 45 pushes the second cover 62 open. As the express card 45 is pushed into the accommodation space, the second front end face 48 swings the second cover 62. The second cover 62 swings from the closed position toward the open position. When the second cover 62 is received on the surface of the express card 45, the second cover 62 is positioned at the open position. The front end of the second accommodation space 28 is completely opened. One end of the express card 45 is received in the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 of the second accommodation space 28.

  The express card 45 moves along the surface of the printed board 23 based on the guidance of the long groove 32. A terminal of the first front end face 47 is connected to the connector 26. Thus, the function of the notebook personal computer 11 can be expanded.

  On the other hand, when the express card 45 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18, the connection between the terminal and the connector 26 is canceled. The express card 45 is pulled out from the insertion slot 18 while being guided by the long grooves 32 and 32. When the express card 45 is pulled out to the external space, the first and second covers 61 and 62 swing from the open position toward the closed position by the action of the torsion coil spring. The first and second covers 61 and 62 are partially received by the inner wall surface of the main body housing 12.

  When an express card 51 having a width of 34 mm is inserted from the insertion opening 18 of the main body housing 12, the front end face 52 of the express card 51 pushes only the first cover 61 as shown in FIG. When the express card 51 is pushed into the first accommodation space 27, the first cover 61 is positioned at the open position based on the swing. One end of the express card 51 is guided in the long groove 32 of the guide member 31 in the first accommodation space 27. Thus, the terminal of the express card 51 is connected to the connector 26.

  In the connector unit 21b as described above, the first and second covers 61 and 62 can be visually recognized in the insertion slot 18 when the express cards 45 and 51 are inserted. Since the first cover 61 faces the front end of the first housing space 27, the position of the first housing space 27 can be accurately recognized by the action of the first and second covers 61 and 62. That is, the insertion position of the protrusion 46 of the express card 45 or the express card 51 can be recognized accurately. Incorrect contact between the terminals and the connector 26 is reliably avoided.

  In addition, in the 1st and 2nd covers 61 and 62, the mutually different coloring may be given to the surface which faces the insertion port 18 at least. The user of the notebook computer 11 can easily distinguish the first and second covers 61 and 62 based on different coloring. The positions of the first and second covers 61 and 62, that is, the insertion positions of the protrusions 46 of the express card 45 and the express card 51 can be recognized more accurately.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of a specific example of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, that is, a notebook personal computer. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows the structure of an insertion port roughly. It is a perspective view showing roughly the structure of the connector unit concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure in the accommodation space of a main body. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows a mode that the express card of 54 mm width is inserted from an insertion port roughly. It is a figure which shows a mode that an express card approachs accommodation space. It is a figure which shows a mode that the terminal and connector of an express card are connected within the accommodation space. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows a mode that the express card of 34 mm width is inserted from an insertion port roughly. It is a figure which shows a mode that an express card approachs accommodation space. It is a figure which shows a mode that the terminal and connector of an express card are connected within the accommodation space. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the connector unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that a flexible printed circuit board bent. It is a figure which shows a mode that an express card approachs accommodation space. It is a figure which shows a mode that the terminal and connector of an express card are connected within the accommodation space. It is a figure which shows a mode that the terminal and connector of an express card are connected within the accommodation space. It is a perspective view which shows roughly the structure of the connector unit which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a 1st and 2nd cover roughly. It is a figure which shows a mode that an express card approachs accommodation space. It is a figure which shows a mode that an express card approachs accommodation space.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Electronic device (notebook personal computer), 12 housing | casing (main body housing | casing), 18 opening (insertion opening), 21, 21a, 21b connector unit, 22 main body, 25 opening (entrance), 26 connector, 27 1st Housing space, 28 Second housing space, 29 Boundary surface, 33 Visual member, 34 Guide surface, 36 Guide mechanism, 61 Visual member (first cover), 62 Visual member (second cover)

Claims (5)

  A connector, a first housing space extending from the opening toward the connector, a main body defining a second housing space extending from the opening adjacent to the first housing space, and a visual recognition member facing the opening from the second housing space A connector unit comprising:   The connector unit according to claim 1, further comprising a guide mechanism that guides movement of the visual recognition member along a boundary surface of the first and second accommodation spaces in the second accommodation space. unit.   The connector unit according to claim 2, wherein the visual recognition member defines a guide surface along a boundary surface between the first and second accommodation spaces.   The connector unit according to claim 1, further comprising a guide mechanism that guides movement of the connector along a boundary surface between the first and second accommodation spaces in the first accommodation space. .   A housing, a connector housed in a housing space of the housing, a first housing space extending from the opening partitioned into the housing toward the connector, and a second extending from the opening adjacent to the first housing space An electronic apparatus comprising: a main body that defines a housing space; and a visual recognition member that faces the opening from the second housing space.

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