JP2007227258A - Card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an IC card connector capable of preventing a short-circuiting phenomenon or wrong insertion of an IC card, in one capable of alternatively mounting two IC cards. <P>SOLUTION: The card connector is provided with a cover member, a connector main body forming a card-containing space together with the cover member, a plurality of contacts for a first IC card, a plurality of contacts for a second IC card, a pair of lock metal fittings, a tray capable of freely turning or moving against the connector main body, an ejector member, and an operating member. The tray is slanted to cover the contacts corresponding to the first IC card and the contacts corresponding to the second IC card when it is at a first position where the IC card is not mounted. As it rotates from the first position to be at a second position knocked down horizontally, it gets electrically connected to the contacts corresponding to the first IC card, and as it moves from the first position and rotates, it is electrically connected to the contacts corresponding to the second IC card at a third position knocked down horizontally. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a card connector, and more particularly to a card connector that can be mounted with two types of IC cards having slightly different sizes, slightly different outlines, and different numbers of pads as external contacts.

  In electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs (personal digital assistance) or cameras, memory sticks (trademark) and MMC (multi media card) cards (trademarks) in which a central processing unit or a memory integrated circuit is built-in are generally used. ) And SD (secure digital) cards are mounted on electronic devices via card connectors, and various functions are expanded.

  Such IC cards are different in size and shape from each other, and mounting them to electronic devices through individually corresponding card connectors leads to an increase in the size of the card connector, and the recent downsizing and thinning of electronic devices. It goes against the process.

  Thus, for example, as shown in Patent Document 1, a card connector has been proposed that can selectively mount one of a plurality of types of IC cards having different shapes. In such an alternative card connector, when an IC card with a large size is mounted, the contact direction and height are changed or a slider is used so that the contact corresponding to the IC card with a small size is not damaged. And so as to cover the contacts.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-106769

  As described above, along with the downsizing and thinning of electronic devices, the downsizing and thinning of IC cards are also progressing rapidly. With such miniaturization and thinning of the IC card, the size and shape of the IC card are not so different. In a card connector that allows an IC card that is not so different in size and shape to be mounted in an alternative, the connector array arranged in front and back according to the size approaches, so that the configuration adopted in the conventional alternative is Problems that could not be solved have arisen. For example, changing the height of the contact is not desirable because it discards the possibility of miniaturization and thinning of the connector due to the thinning of the IC card. In addition, changing the direction of the contact may damage the contact of the IC card that the tip of the IC card does not correspond to because the connector row is close, and even if a slider is used, the IC that the slider does not support Damage the card slider.

  Furthermore, when an IC card with a small number of pads is mounted in order to alternatively mount an IC card with a different number of pads, which is an external contact point that contacts the contact, with an IC card that is not so different in size and shape. There is a risk that a contact with an IC card having a large number of pads will come into contact with the electronic device circuit, causing a short circuit phenomenon.

  In addition, by making it possible to mount an IC card that is not very different in size and shape, it is easy to cause an erroneous insertion of the IC card, such as inserting it into the card connector with the IC card turned upside down.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an IC card to be mounted in a card connector that allows two types of IC cards that have almost no difference in size and shape and that have different numbers of pads that contact contacts to be mounted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an I card connector that has a configuration that does not damage a non-corresponding contact or cause a short circuit through the contact, and that can prevent erroneous insertion of an IC card.

  In order to achieve the above object, a card connector according to the present invention includes a first IC card and a second IC card having a slightly shorter length, a slightly larger width and a slightly larger thickness than the first IC card. A card connector capable of selectively mounting two types of IC cards, comprising: a cover member; and a connector main body forming a card accommodation space capable of accommodating both of the two types of IC cards with the cover member; The plurality of contacts arranged in the first contact row corresponding to the first IC card and the plurality of contacts arranged in the second contact row corresponding to the second IC card supported by the connector body. A contact, a pair of lock fittings supported by the connector body, and a tray provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the connector body and movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the connector body. And an eject member that is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the connector main body and is biased in the card ejection direction by a spring member, and an operating member that moves integrally with the eject member. The lock fitting releases the tray lock only when the second IC card is inserted and allows the tray to move, and the tray is in the first position where no IC card is mounted. The first IC card is tilted to cover at least the contact portion of the contact in the second contact row, rotated from the first position, and pushed in the second position, so that the first IC card is in contact with the first contact. It is possible to make electrical contact with the contacts in the row, and the second IC card is moved from the first position, rotated, and pushed, and the second IC card is moved to the second contour. It characterized in that is possible to preparative column contact and the electrical contact.

  In the present invention, more specifically, the tray includes a slit formed in the middle portion thereof corresponding to the plurality of contacts of the second contact row.

  In the present invention, when the tray is in the first position, the contacts of the second contact row are located below the front end portion.

  Further, according to the present invention, the tray is provided with a first locking wall and a second locking wall, which are opposed to each other with a distance corresponding to the width of the second IC card at the rear ends of the left and right sides. The pair of lock fittings are locked to the two locking walls facing each other.

  Further, in the present invention, the tray is orthogonal to the first side wall provided in front of the first locking wall and spaced apart from the first locking wall, and the first side wall, The second IC card includes a first abutting wall with which the tip of the second IC card abuts, and is further provided in front of the second locking wall and spaced apart from the second locking wall. And a second side wall that is continuous with the second abutting wall and faces the first side wall, and the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is the second IC. The first side wall and the second side wall are arranged on the tray so as to have the same width as the front end portion of the card, and the distance between the first contact wall and the second side wall is the first side. The first abutting wall is arranged so as to be the same as the width of the tip of the IC card.

  The present invention includes a tray that can be rotated and moved as each IC card is inserted in a card connector in which two IC cards can be mounted alternatively. Then, by rotating and moving the tray, it is possible to selectively cause the contact corresponding to the IC card to be mounted to appear in the card accommodation space. Therefore, with the insertion of the IC card, the IC card pad is prevented from coming into contact with a non-corresponding contact and causing a short circuit of the circuit on the electronic device side. Further, a contact that does not correspond to the tip of the IC card to be inserted collides with the contact, and the contact is not damaged.

  Further, regarding the structure of the tray, by devising the structure using the size and shape of the IC card, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous insertion of two similar IC cards.

  Similarly, using the size and shape of the two IC cards, the ejection mechanism can be operated smoothly, and the IC card can be prevented from being detached when it is mounted.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a card connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the card connector shown in FIG. 1, (a) is a schematic plan view, and (b) is a schematic side view as seen from the IC card insertion side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 4A and 4B show two types of IC cards to be mounted on the card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of a micro SD card, and FIG. 4B is a schematic plan view of an MMC micro (card). FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the card connector with the cover member removed in the card connector shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outline of a tray employed in the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector taken along line AA in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the micro SD card is mounted. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector taken along line AA in FIG. 2, showing a state in which the MMC micro (card) is mounted. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a card connector similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which the micro SD card is erroneously inserted. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a card connector similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which the MMC micro (card) is erroneously inserted.

  As used herein, the terms “front”, “back”, “right” and “left” refer to “left”, “right” and “bottom” in the plan view of the card connector shown in FIG. And “up”.

  1 to 3 show the appearance of a card connector 1 according to the present invention. The card connector 1 is installed on a wiring board (not shown) in an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a camera. The card connector 1 includes a micro SD (secure digital) card 100 as a first card and an MMC (multi media card) micro 200 as a second card, as shown in FIGS. Are selectively mountable one by one.

  The IC card 100 or 200 can be detachably accommodated in the card accommodation space 5 through the card insertion slot 8. More specifically, a pad (see FIGS. 9 and 10) which is an external contact of the IC card 100 or 200 to be inserted is in contact with a contact 50 or 60 corresponding to the pad provided on the card connector 1. Thus, the IC card 100 or 200 is electrically connected to the electronic device.

The micro SD card 100 has dimensions of a length L ₁₁ of 15 mm, a width W ₁₁ of 11 mm, a thickness T ₁ of 0.7 mm (see FIG. 7), and eight pads 106 (see FIG. 7) as external contacts on the back surface. 9)). As shown in FIG. 4A, the micro SD card 100 has a notch 102 on the left side (upper side in FIG. 4A) of the card 100, as shown in FIG. The length L ₁₂ and the width W ₁₃ of the notch 102 are related to the structure of the tray 20 described later. By notch 102 is provided, the width _{W 12} of the front end portion of the micro SD card 100 is formed smaller by _{W 13} than the width _{W 11.}

The MMC micro 200 has dimensions of a length L ₂₁ of 14 mm, a width W ₂₁ of 12 mm, and a thickness T ₂ of 1.1 mm (see FIG. 8), and ten pads 206 (see FIG. 10) as external contacts on the back surface. Reference). As shown in FIG. 4B, the tip of the MMC micro 200 has a notch 202 formed on the right side (lower side in FIG. 4B) of the card 200, contrary to the micro SD card. The length L ₂₂ and the width W _{23 of the} notch 202 are also related to the structure of the tray 20 described later. By notch 202 is provided, the width _{W 22} of the front end portion of the MMC micro 200 is formed smaller by _{W 23} than the width _{W 21.}

  As shown in FIG. 1, the card connector 1 generally includes a connector body 10 made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin and a cover member 40 made of a metal plate. By assembling the connector main body 10 and the cover member 40, a card accommodation space 5 for accommodating an IC card is formed, and a card insertion slot 8 is formed behind the card accommodation space 5. For example, the contact main body 10 and the cover member 40 are engaged with the claw portions formed on the left and right side walls 12 and 13 as the first side walls of the connector main body 10 in the opening formed on the side wall of the cover member. Thus, they can be assembled together.

  The contact body 10 includes a bottom wall 11, a left side wall 12, a right side wall 13, and a front side wall 14 so as to form a card accommodation space 5. The left and right side walls 12 and 13 and the front side wall 14 have substantially the same height, but the front portion 13b from the right side wall 13 to the front side wall 14 is formed one step lower.

  As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the bottom wall 11 has a first contact row for the micro SD card 100 as the first IC card and an MMC micro 200 as the second IC card in order from the front. A second contact row for is installed.

  In the first contact row, a plurality (eight in this embodiment) of contacts 50 corresponding to the pads 106 of the first IC card 100 are arranged in parallel with the left and right side walls 12 and 13. Each contact 50 of the first contact row includes a contact portion 51 that contacts the pad 106 of the first IC card 100, an elastic deformation portion 52 that allows the contact portion 51 to be displaced in the vertical direction, a fixing portion 53, And a terminal portion 54 connected to an external contact of the electronic device. The contact portion 51 of the contact 50 protrudes backward into the card housing space 5 and is supported by the bottom wall 11 in a cantilever manner via an elastic deformation portion 52.

  The contact 50 is fixed and supported on the connector body 1 by press-fitting a fixing portion 52 into a hole formed between the bottom wall 11 and the front side wall 14. Although not shown in the drawing to absorb the vertical displacement of the contact portion 51 of the contact 50, a groove or a through hole is formed in the corresponding bottom wall 11. Further, the terminal portion 54 of the contact 50 protrudes forward from the front side wall 14 and is connected to an external contact of the electronic device by soldering or the like.

  In the second contact row, a plurality of (in this embodiment, 10) contacts 60 corresponding to the pads 206 of the second IC card 200 are parallel to the left and right side walls 12 and 13, like the contacts 50. Is arranged. Each contact 60 of the second contact row includes a contact portion 61 that contacts the pad 206 of the second IC card 200, an elastic deformation portion 62 that allows the contact portion 61 to be displaced in the vertical direction, a fixing portion 63, And a terminal portion 64 connected to an external contact of the electronic device. The contact portion 61 of the contact 60 protrudes forward into the card accommodation space 5 and is supported in a cantilever shape via an elastic deformation portion 62.

  The contact 60 is fixed and supported by the connector body 1 by press-fitting a fixing portion 62 into a groove formed at the rear of the bottom wall 11. As can be understood from FIG. 3, the contacts 60 in the second contact row are disposed so as to face the contacts 50 in the first contact row. Moreover, in order to absorb the displacement of the contact portion 61 of the contact 60 in the vertical direction, a groove or a through hole is formed in the corresponding bottom wall 11 (not shown). Further, the terminal portion 64 of the contact 60 protrudes rearward from the rear edge portion 11a of the bottom wall 11 and is connected to an external contact of the electronic device by soldering or the like.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 5, behind the left and right side walls 12 and 13, a pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 are supported with the card storage space 5 interposed therebetween.

  One lock fitting 17 supported by the left side wall 12 includes a curved portion 17a that engages with a first locking wall 25 of the tray 20 described later, an elastic deformation portion 17b, and a fixing portion 17c that is fixed to the left side wall 12. Have The curved portion 17a of the lock fitting 17 protrudes into the card housing space 5 from the first locking wall 25, and can be displaced outward (upward in FIG. 5) via the elastic deformation portion 17b. The engagement with the first locking wall 25 is configured to be released.

  The other lock fitting 18 that forms a pair with the lock fitting 17 is supported by the right side wall 13. The lock fitting 18 includes a curved portion 18 a that engages with a second locking wall 26 of the tray 20 described later, an elastic deformation portion 18 b, and a fixing portion 18 c that is fixed to the right side wall 13. The curved portion 18a of the lock fitting 18 protrudes into the card housing space 5 from the second locking wall 26, and can be displaced outward (lower side in FIG. 5) via the elastic deformation portion 18b. Thus, the engagement with the second locking wall 26 can be released.

  What is important here is that, in the card connector 1 of the present invention, the curved portions 17a and 18a of the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 are simultaneously released from the corresponding first locking wall 25 and second locking wall 26, respectively. Note that the tray 20 is not movable unless it is released. That is, the tray 20 cannot move in a state where only one of them is released.

Thus, each of the intervals of the curved portions 17a and 18a of the pair of lock fitting 17 and 18, smaller than the width _{W 21} of the second card 200, is substantially equal to or greater than the width _{W 11} of the first card 100 Designed as such. The pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 do not necessarily have a symmetrical shape and a symmetrical arrangement position with respect to the shape and the arrangement position. As described above, before the IC card to be inserted comes into contact with the tray 20 and moves the tray 20, the curved portions 17 a and 18 a of the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 are connected to the first locking wall 25. As long as it is configured to be released simultaneously from the second locking wall 26, it may have any shape and arrangement position.

  In the present embodiment, the rear edge portion 11 a of the bottom wall 11 is located in front of the rear edge portions of the left and right side walls 12 and 13. That is, the rear edge portion 11a of the bottom wall 11 is formed so as to recede forward from the rear edge portions of the left and right side walls 12 and 13 so that the card insertion slot 8 has a concave shape. With this configuration, the IC card can be smoothly inserted without the tip of the IC card hitting the terminal portion 64 of the contact 60. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the rear edge portion 11a of the bottom wall 11 and the rear edge portions of the left and right side walls 12 and 13 may be formed flush with each other.

  The card connector 1 further includes a tray 20 disposed between the left and right side walls 12 and 13 of the connector body. The tray 20 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The tray 20 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the bottom wall 11 and movable in the front-rear direction within the card storage space 5. The tray 20 normally covers the plurality of contacts 50 in the first contact row and the plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row. Then, by rotation and / or movement of the tray 20, one of the contacts 50 in the first contact row and the contacts 60 in the second contact row is projected into the card housing space 5, and the other is kept covered. Thus, the contact can be brought into contact with the corresponding IC card pad.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tray 20 roughly includes a bottom wall 21, a left side wall 22 as a first side wall, a right side wall 23 as a second side wall, a first abutting wall 24, a second abutting wall. A contact wall 27 and a pair of locking walls 25 and 26 are included.

  The bottom wall 21 is generally rectangular in plan view, and has a rear base end portion 32, a front end portion 31, and a plurality of slits 30 at an intermediate portion therebetween. The rear base end portion 32 engages with step portions 12 a and 13 a formed on the left and right side walls 12 and 13 of the connector body 10, respectively. Each of the plurality of slits 30 is formed corresponding to each of the plurality of contacts 60 arranged in the second contact row. Each slit 30 also extends in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other and penetrates the bottom wall 21.

  In the present embodiment, a pair of leg portions 33 and 34 project from the left and right sides of the rear base end portion 32 of the bottom wall 21 so as to be flush with the bottom wall 21. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the rear end edges 33a and 34a of the pair of leg portions 33 and 34 engage with the step portions 12a and 13a of the connector main body 10, respectively. This structure is adapted to the structure of the connector body 10 and is not limited to this structure.

  In addition, grooves 36 corresponding to the plurality of contacts 50 arranged in the first contact row are formed in the front end portion 31 of the bottom wall 21. The depth of the groove 36 is appropriately set according to the length of the contact 50.

  A step 35 is formed in front of the left side of the bottom wall 21, and a left side wall 22 as a first side wall is erected with a predetermined length behind the step 35, and is further spaced from the left side wall 22. A first locking wall 25 is erected at the rear end of the left side. The left side wall 22 and the first locking wall 25 as the first side wall are the same plane on the inner surfaces 22a and 25a of the left side wall 22 and the first locking wall 25, that is, the surface on the card receiving space 5 side. The second IC card 200 is guided. Moreover, the space | interval between the left side wall 22 as a 1st side wall and the 1st locking wall 25 is set so that the curved part 17a of the lock | rock metal fitting 17 can enter / exit at least.

  In the present embodiment, the first locking wall 25 is provided on the first leg portion 33 of the pair of leg portions 33 and 34 protruding rearward from the left and right rear end portions 32 of the bottom wall 21. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the left side of the bottom wall 21 has a portion where the left side wall 22 as the first side wall is erected on an eject member 70 which will be described later, and a first leg 33 is formed. The portion is in contact with the left side wall 12 of the connector main body 10.

The step portion 35 formed in front of the left side of the bottom wall 21 is orthogonal to the left side of the bottom wall 21, and the first contact wall 24 is erected along the step portion 35. The first abutting wall 24 is continuous with the left side wall 22, and the tip of the second IC card 200 abuts on the rear surface 24b. Further, the right end surface 24 a of the first contact surface 24 guides the notch 102 of the first IC card 100. Therefore, the first abutting wall 24 has a distance between a plane including the right end surface 24a of the first abutting wall 24 and an inner surface 23a of the right side wall 23 described later of the first IC card 100. It is formed to be substantially equal to the width W ₁₂ of the tip portion. Note that the length of the step portion 35 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the length of the first contact wall 24.

A step portion 37 is formed in front of the right side of the bottom wall 21, and a right side wall 23 as a second side wall having the same width as the step portion 37 stands from the step portion 37 to the rear with a predetermined length. It is installed. A second abutting wall 27 is erected on the rear side of the right side wall 23 in succession to the right side wall 23 as the second side wall. The second contact wall 27 is formed so that the inner surface 27 a of the second contact wall 27, that is, the surface facing the card storage space 5 is flush with the inner surface 23 a of the right wall 23. Therefore, the inner surface 23a of the right side wall 23 as the second side wall and the inner surface 27a of the second contact wall 27 form a continuous and identical plane. The inner surface 23 a of the right side wall 23 and the inner surface 27 a of the second contact wall 27 guide the notches 202 of the first IC card 100 and the second IC card 200. From this, the position of the rear end surface 27b of the second contact wall 27 is a plane including the rear end surface 24b of the first contact surface 24 and a plane including the rear end surface 27b of the second contact surface 27. the distance between is determined to be less than or substantially equal to the cut-out length L ₂₂ of the second IC card 200.

On the rear end of the right side of the bottom wall 21, that is, on the second leg portion 34, a second engagement that is paired with the first engagement wall 25 at a distance from the second contact wall 27. A wall 26 is formed. The inner surface 26 a of the second locking wall 26, that is, the surface facing the card storage space 5 guides the second IC card 200. Therefore, the position of the inner surface 26a of the second locking wall 26 is such that the distance between the plane including the inner surface 26a and the surface including the inner surfaces 23a and 27a of the right side wall 23 and the second contact wall 27, respectively. It is determined so as to be approximately equal to the notch width W ₂₃ of the second card 200.

As can be understood from the above description, the interval between the second locking wall 26 and the first locking wall 25 is substantially equal to the width W ₂₁ of the second card 200. Therefore, the distance between the surface including the inner surfaces 23 a and 27 a of the right side wall 23 and the second abutting wall 27 and the surface including the inner surface 25 a of the first locking wall 25 is the distance of the second IC card 200. substantially equal to the width _{W 22} of the tip portion. Furthermore, the distance between the second contact wall 27 and the second locking wall 26 is set so that at least the curved portion 18a of the lock fitting 18 can enter and exit. However, the curved portion 18 a is arranged so as to protrude into the card accommodation space 5 from the second locking wall 26, but not protrude from the second contact wall 27. Note that the length of the stepped portion 37 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width of the right side wall 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the right side of the bottom wall 21 has a portion where the right side wall 23 is erected and a portion where the second leg portion 34 is formed on the right side wall 13 of the connector body 10. It touches.

  Further, when at least one of the curved portions 17a and 18a of the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 is engaged with the corresponding first locking wall 25 and second locking wall 26, the movement of the tray 20 is performed. Is prevented, and the curved portions 17a and 18a making a pair are simultaneously detached from the locking walls 25 and 26, thereby allowing the tray 20 to move.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the tray 20 having such a configuration is in the first position when the IC card is not attached. More specifically, the first position is such that the rear edges 33 a and 34 a of the legs 33 and 34 of the tray 20 engage with the step portions 12 a and 13 a formed on the bottom wall 11 of the connector body 10. In this position, the front of the tray 20 is inclined with respect to the bottom wall 11 of the connector body 10. As understood from this, the side wall, the locking wall, and the contact wall formed on the left side and the right side of the bottom wall 21 of the tray 20 do not interfere with the cover member 40 in the inclined first position. It is set appropriately so as to become lower as it goes forward.

  When the tray 20 is in the first position, the contact portions 51 and 61 of the plurality of contacts 50 of the first contact row and the plurality of contacts 60 of the second contact row are both the front end portions 31 of the tray 20. Located below. However, the contact portions 51 of the plurality of contacts 50 in the first contact row are located directly below the plurality of grooves 36 formed in the front end portion 31 of the tray 20. The tray 20 holds the inclined position by lifting the front end portion 31 of the bottom wall 21 of the tray 20 by the elastic force of the plurality of contacts 60 of the second contact row.

  The card connector 1 further includes an ejection mechanism. The eject mechanism is a mechanism that holds the IC card to be mounted in the mounting position and facilitates removal of the IC card from the card connector. The eject mechanism in the present embodiment is basically a push-push type similar to the conventional eject mechanism.

  The eject mechanism according to the present invention generally includes an eject member 70 and an actuating member 80 disposed along the left side wall 12 of the connector main body 10. The eject mechanism has a cam lever (not shown) whose one end moves along a lever guide groove 72 formed in the eject member 70 and a coil spring 75 as a spring member that urges the eject member 70 in the card ejection direction, that is, rearward. Is further provided.

  The eject member 70 is made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin. The eject member 70 has a heart cam 71 and a lever guide groove 72 surrounding the heart cam 71 formed on the upper surface thereof, and is formed to be movable in the front-rear direction along the left side wall 12 of the connector body 10.

  The actuating member 80 is orthogonal to the eject member 70 and extends across the card housing space 5 to the front portion 13 a of the right side wall 13 of the connector main body 10. The actuating member 80 is preferably made of metal because of strength. However, the actuating member 80 may be integrally formed of the same synthetic resin as that of the eject member 70 as long as the design permits (see, for example, Example 2).

  In the present embodiment, one end of the metal actuating member 80 is attached to the eject member 70 so as to be integrated with the synthetic resin eject member 70. For example, the actuating member 80 may be connected to and integrated with the eject member by fixing one end of the actuating member 80 to a projecting body (not shown) that projects orthogonally from the eject member 70. The other end of the actuating member 80 is a free end, and is supported so as to be movable on the front portion 13a of the right side wall 13. As described above, the front portion 13a of the right side wall on which the other end portion of the operating member 80 is movably supported is formed to be lower than the height of the right side wall 13 by the approximate thickness of the operating member 80.

  One end of the actuating member 80 as a connecting portion with the eject member 70 is the first contact portion 24 of the tray 20 when the IC card is not inserted, that is, when the tray 20 is in the first position. It arrange | positions so that it may touch the front of. The other end of the operating member 80 is disposed so as to contact the front end of the right side wall 23 of the tray 20 when no IC card is inserted. The actuating member 80 also includes a guide piece 86 that protrudes rearward. The guide piece 86 has a length substantially equal to the width of the front end portion 31 of the tray 20. Therefore, as clearly shown in FIG. 3, the guide piece 86 of the operating member 80 is disposed so as to cover the front end portion 31 of the tray 20 when the IC card is not inserted. Further, the height of the guide piece 86 is set so that the leading end of the first IC card 100 can be held when the first IC card 100 is mounted as will be described later. . Further, the guide piece 86 is preferably designed to be as long as possible in order to hold the tip of the first IC card 100. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front end of the first abutting wall 24 extends to a position that is flush with a plane including the rear surface 24b. However, the front end of the guide piece 86 may be positioned forward from a plane including the rear surface 24b of the first contact wall 24.

  The operating member 80 is formed with a contact piece 82 as clearly shown in FIG. The abutment pieces 82 are formed by being cut and raised from the actuating member 80 in the form of double doors. Therefore, an opening 81 is formed in the operating member 80. When the first IC card 100 is mounted, the tip of the IC card 100 comes into contact with the contact piece 82. In the present embodiment, the contact pieces 82 are cut and raised in pairs in a double-spread form, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the contact piece 82 may be cut and raised in a single-open shape, or a plurality of contact pieces 82 may be formed at appropriate intervals.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the actuating member 80 in the present embodiment includes a plurality of protrusions 84 whose cross section is arcuate on the upper surface. The protrusion 84 is for smooth movement of the operating member 80 in the front-rear direction, and the protrusion 84 may be omitted as long as friction between the cover member 40 and the operating member 80 can be reduced. .

  In the card connector 1 having the above configuration, the mounting of the IC cards 100 and 200 and the erroneous insertion prevention mechanism will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 7 to 10. FIG.

  3 and 5 show the card connector 1 in a state where no IC card is attached.

  In the state where the IC card is not mounted, the rear end edges 33a and 34a of the first leg portion 33 and the second leg portion 34 of the tray 20 abut against the step portions 12a and 13a of the connector main body 10, respectively. In addition, the front end portion 31 is lifted by the contact 60 and is in the first position inclined in contact with the guide piece 86 of the operating member 80. At this time, the contact 50 is located directly below the groove 36 formed in the front end portion 31.

  The eject member 70 is in the first position urged rearward by the coil spring 75. Furthermore, the actuating member 80 integral with the eject member 70 is also in the first position shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 7 shows a state in which the micro SD card 100 as the first IC card is attached to the card connector 1.

  The first IC card 100 is inserted into the card accommodation space 5 from the card insertion slot 8 with the correct posture shown in FIG. In this case, the first IC card 100 is eventually guided to the second contact wall 27 of the tray 20 and the inner surfaces 27a and 23a of the right side wall 23. At this time, since the first IC card 100 has a small width, the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 cannot be released simultaneously.

  Therefore, the first IC card 100 moves forward in the card accommodating space 5 while pushing the inclined tray 20 forward at this position. The first IC card 100 rotates the tray 20 counterclockwise at the first position and pushes it down until it is substantially horizontal. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the tray 20 reaches the second position and displaces the plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row located below the front end portion 31 downward. When the tray 20 is in the second position, the tray 20 does not necessarily have to be horizontal, and may be slightly inclined.

  As the tray 20 rotates to a substantially horizontal position and reaches the pushed-down second position, the plurality of contacts 50 in the first contact row pass through the corresponding plurality of grooves 36 formed in the tray 20. Appear relatively in the card storage space 5 above the tray 20.

  In this state, when the first IC card 100 is further advanced forward, the tip of the first IC card 100 enters under the guide piece 86 of the operating member 80 and comes into contact with the contact piece 82. Thereby, as the first IC card 100 further advances, the operating member 80 advances, and the eject member 70 is also pushed forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 75 together. At this time, the first IC card 100 can be advanced without hitting the first abutting wall 24 of the tray 20 because the notch 102 is provided.

  When advancement of the first IC card 100 becomes impossible, when the pushing force of the first IC card 100 is released, one end of the cam lever is locked in the recess of the heart cam 71, so that the eject member 70 and the actuating member 80 is held in the second position shown in FIG. At this time, the pad 106 of the first IC card 100 is in electrical contact with the plurality of contacts 50 in the first contact row at a predetermined contact pressure. Further, the first IC card 100 is held at the mounting position shown in FIG. 7 by being pressed against the guide piece 86 of the operating member 80 via the contact pressure of the plurality of contacts 50 to the pad 106. The removal of the IC card 100 is prevented. Note that the tray 20 still remains in the second position.

  When removing the first IC card 100 from the state of FIG. 7, the first IC card 100 is pushed in, and one end of the cam lever is released from the recess of the heart cam 71. When the locking state of the eject member 70 is released as described above, when the pushing into the first IC card 100 is released, the eject member 70 and the actuating member 80 are moved to the second position by the urging force (return force) of the coil spring 75. To the original first position. Thus, the first IC card 100 can also be easily taken out from the card insertion slot 8. By removing the first IC card 100, the tray 20 is also returned to the initial first position.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which the MMC micro 200 as the second IC card is attached to the card connector 1.

  The second IC card 200 is inserted into the card accommodation space 5 from the card insertion slot 8 with the correct posture shown in FIG. In this case, the second IC card 200 is guided to the first locking wall 17 of the tray 20. At this time, since the notch 202 is provided at the tip of the second IC card 200, the left lock fitting 17 is detached from the first locking wall 25, but the right lock fitting 18 is Since the two locking walls 26 are not detached, the tray 20 remains locked.

  When the second IC card 200 further advances, the notch 202 is guided to the second contact wall 27, and at the same time, the rear of the notch 202 of the second IC card 200 becomes the second locking wall 25. Guided. In this state, when the second IC card 200 is further pushed into the card housing space 5, the right lock fitting 18 is also detached from the second locking wall 26. As a result, the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 are released from the corresponding first locking wall 25 and second locking wall 26 at the same time, and the tray 20 is released from the locked state. When the lock is released, the tray 20 advances together with the advancement of the second IC card 200 due to the frictional force between the tray 20 and the second IC card 200. As the tray 20 advances, the contact portions of the plurality of contacts 50 in the first contact row enter under the front end portion 31 of the tray 20, and the contact portions 61 of the plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row become , And enters directly below the plurality of slits 30 of the tray 20.

  When the second IC card 200 is further pushed in this state, the tip of the second IC card 200 comes into contact with the first contact wall 24 of the tray 20. The first abutting wall 24 of the tray 20 is in contact with the actuating member 80, and the tip of the second IC card 200 also abuts on the tip of the guide piece 86 of the actuating member 80. The member 70 moves forward.

  When the second IC card 200 further moves forward, the tray 20 moves forward and rotates counterclockwise due to the thickness of the second IC card 200, and is pushed down until it becomes substantially horizontal. As shown, the third position is reached. When the tray 20 reaches the third position, the plurality of contacts 50 of the first contact row are displaced downward because they are located below the front end portion 31 of the tray 20. The plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row appear relatively in the card storage space 5 above the bottom wall 21 of the tray 20 through the slit 30.

  When the second IC card 200 can no longer be moved forward and the pushing force of the second IC card 200 is released, one end of the cam lever is brought into the recess of the heart cam 71 as in the case of the first IC card 100. The eject member 70 and the actuating member 80 are held in the second position shown in FIG. At this time, the pads 206 of the second IC card 200 are in electrical contact with the plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row at a predetermined contact pressure. Further, the second IC card 200 is held at the mounting position shown in FIG. 8 by being pressed against the cover member 40 through the contact pressure of the contacts 60 to the pads 106, and the IC card 200 is Omission is prevented.

  When removing the second IC card 200 from the state shown in FIG. 8, the eject member 80 is unlocked by pushing the second IC card 200, as in the case of the first IC card 100. As a result, the ejecting member 70 and the actuating member 80 are returned from the second position to the initial first position by the biasing force (returning force) of the coil spring 75. As a result, the second IC card 200 can also be easily removed from the card insertion slot 8. By removing the second IC card 200, the tray 20 also returns to the initial first position.

  Next, the word insertion prevention mechanism will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, for example, a case is assumed in which the first IC card 100 is inserted in the reverse direction and the reverse side.

The first IC card 100 is inserted into the card housing space 5 of the card connector 1 from the card insertion slot 8 with the rear end of the first IC card 100 facing forward. To do. At this time, the first IC card 100 is eventually guided to the second contact wall 27 of the tray 20 and the inner surfaces 27a and 23a of the right side wall 23 in the same manner as when inserted in the correct posture. In addition, since the width W ₁₁ of the first IC card 100 is set to be smaller than the interval between the curved portions 17 a and 18 a of the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18, the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 is connected to the second portion of the tray 20. The first locking wall 25 and the second locking wall 26 cannot be detached simultaneously. Therefore, the tray 20 remains locked.

By the way, the distance between the second contact wall 27 and the right side wall 23 of the tray 20 and the second contact wall 24 is substantially the same as the width W ₁₂ at the front end of the first IC card 100. Therefore, when the first IC card 100 is further inserted, the rear end of the first IC card 100 cannot pass between the first contact wall 24 and the right side wall 23, and the tray 20 It abuts on the first abutment wall 24. As described above, since the tray 20 remains locked, the first IC card 100 can no longer move forward, and the first IC card 100 can be completely attached to the card connector 1. Can not. Therefore, as long as it is inserted with the rear end of the first IC card 100 facing forward, erroneous insertion of the first IC card 100 is prevented.

  Further, although not shown in the figure, even when the first IC card 100 is inserted with the front end left as it is from the correct posture of FIG. It will be understood that complete installation of the first IC card 100 is prevented.

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, a case is assumed in which the second IC card 200 is inserted in the reverse direction and the reverse side.

The second IC card 200 is inserted into the card receiving space 5 of the card connector 1 from the card insertion slot 8 with the rear end of the second IC card 200 facing forward. To do. At this time, the second IC card 200 is guided to the first locking wall 25 and the second locking wall 26. Further, since the width W ₂₁ of the second IC card 200 is set to be larger than the interval between the curved portions 17 a and 18 a of the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18, the pair of lock fittings 17 and 18 is connected to the second portion of the tray 20. The first locking wall 25 and the second locking wall 26 are simultaneously detached. Accordingly, the tray 20 is unlocked.

Incidentally, the distance between the left side wall 22 and the first locking wall 25 of the tray 20 and the second contact wall 27 and the right side wall 23 is substantially the same as the width W _{22 at} the tip of the second IC card 200. . Therefore, when the second IC card 200 is further inserted, the rear end of the second IC card 200 comes into contact with the rear end surface 27 a of the second contact wall 27. As described above, since the tray 20 is unlocked, the second IC card 200 pushes the tray 20 forward through the second contact wall 27 of the tray 20. At the same time, the operating member 80 is pushed through the right side wall 23 of the tray 20, and the pushing force of the second IC card 200 acts on the eject member 70. However, this pushing force acts as a rotational force that rotates the eject member 70 clockwise with respect to the eject member 70 at a position far from the eject member 70. Therefore, the eject member 70 generates a frictional force with the left side wall of the connector main body 10 and is prevented from smoothly moving forward. Suppose that the eject member 70 and the actuating member 80 can move to the second position. Even in this case, since the rear end of the second IC card 200 is in contact with the rear end surface 27b of the second contact wall 27, the front end of the second IC card 200 is the original first end. It protrudes from the distance difference card insertion slot 8 between the contact wall 24 and the first contact wall 24. Therefore, in any case, the second IC card 200 cannot be completely attached to the card connector 1. Therefore, as long as the second IC card 200 is inserted with the rear end of the second IC card 200 in front, erroneous insertion of the second IC card 200 is prevented.

  Although not shown in the figure, when the second IC card 200 is inserted from the correct posture shown in FIG. 4B with the tip kept as it is, the tray 20 is locked due to the presence of the notch 202. Eventually, the second IC card 200 abuts against the second abutment wall 27 and further insertion is prevented.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a card connector according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the card connector according to the present embodiment with the cover member removed. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11 taken along the same position as FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11 taken along the same position as in FIG. 7, showing a state in which a micro SD card is mounted. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11 taken along the same position as FIG. 8, showing a state in which the MMC micro (card) is mounted.

  Also in this embodiment, the IC cards attached to the card connector 501 are the same micro SD card 100 as the first IC card and the MMC micro 200 as the second IC card as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, the card connector 501 in the present embodiment is greatly different in the structure of the operating member 580 that is interlocked with the ejector member 570 constituting the eject mechanism. Accordingly, the configuration of components related to the operating member 580, such as the arrangement of the connector main body 510, the tray 520, and the contacts 550 and 560, has been changed. However, the card connector 501 basically has the same configuration and function as the card connector 1 of the first embodiment, even if there are some differences.

  As described above, the card connector 501 in this embodiment is basically the same as the card connector 1 of the first embodiment, and generally includes a connector main body 510, a pair of lock fittings 517 and 518, a tray 520, a cover. A member 540, a plurality of contacts 550 arranged in a first contact row corresponding to the first IC card, a plurality of contacts 560 arranged in a second contact row corresponding to the second IC card, and an eject member 570 And an actuating member 580.

  The connector body 510 includes a bottom wall 511, a left side wall 512, a right side wall 513, and a front side wall 514 formed along the periphery of the bottom wall 511, and the rear side is open. The connector main body 510 is combined with the cover member 540 to form a card accommodation space 505 for accommodating an IC card. In the present embodiment, the left side wall 512 of the connector main body 510 is formed only on the rear side, but may be formed over the entire left side of the bottom wall 511 as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the portion where the left side wall 512 is not formed is covered with the side wall of the cover member 540, and there is no particular problem. Further, in the front side of the right side wall 513, a lower step for guiding the operating member is omitted.

  The plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row for the first IC card 100 and the plurality of contacts 560 in the second contact row for the first IC card 200 are the bottom wall 511 as in the first embodiment. Are arranged before and after. The shapes and installation modes of the contacts 550 and 560 are not particularly different from those of the first embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in order to absorb the displacement of the plurality of contacts 550 of the first contact row and the plurality of contacts 560 of the second contact row, the connector main body 510 corresponding to the plurality of contacts 550 and 560. Through-holes 515 and 516 are formed in the bottom wall 511. With this configuration, the height of the card connector 501 can be reduced.

  The connector main body 510 is provided with a pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 with the card accommodation space 5 interposed therebetween. The lock fittings 517 and 518 engage with a first locking wall 525 and a second locking wall 526 of the tray 520 described later, respectively, and prevent the tray 520 from moving forward. Also in this embodiment, the tray 520 cannot move unless both the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 are released simultaneously. The functions to be provided by the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 are exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

  The lock fittings 517 and 518 have curved portions 517a and 518a, elastic deformation portions 517b and 518b, and fixing portions 517c and 518c, respectively.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the lock fittings 517 and 518 that make a pair have different shapes and different fixing positions to the connector main body 510.

  The left side lock fitting 517 is fixed to the left side wall 512 via a fixing portion 517 c at the rear end of the left side wall 512. In addition, the lock fitting 517 has an elastically deformable portion 517 extending from the fixing portion 517c of the lock fitting 517, and is bent in a substantially U shape, and is a curved portion extending from the elastically deforming portion 517b toward the fixing portion 517c. The distal end portion of 517a is configured to engage with the front surface of the first locking wall 525. Further, in this engaged state, the lock fitting 517 is configured such that the curved portion 517a of the lock fitting 517 protrudes from the inner surface 525a of the first locking wall 525 to the card storage space 505 side.

  On the other hand, the right side lock fitting 518 is fixed to the right side wall 513 through a fixing portion 518c at a substantially middle portion of the right side wall 513. Further, the lock fitting 518 has an elastic deformation portion 518b extending from the fixing portion 518c of the lock fitting 517 bent in a substantially U shape with respect to the fixing portion 518c, and extends backward from the elastic deformation portion 518b. The distal end portion of the existing curved portion 518 a is configured to engage with the front surface of the second locking wall 526. Further, in this engaged state, the lock fitting 518 is configured such that the curved portion 518a of the lock fitting 518 protrudes from the inner surface 526a of the second locking wall 526 toward the card storage space 505.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the installation positions of the curved portions 517a and 518a of the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 are different. That is, the curved portion 517a of the left lock fitting 517 is positioned in front of the curved portion 518a of the right lock fitting 518. Longitudinal distance between the curved portion 518a of the curved portion 517a and the right locking bracket 518 of the left lock fitting 517 set substantially equal to the first length _{L 22} of the notch 202 of the IC card 200. With this configuration, the curved portion 517a of the left lock fitting 517 is detached from the first locking wall 525 and the curved portion 518a of the right lock fitting 518 is detached from the second locking wall 526. Happens at the same time.

  As will be described later, when the second IC card 200 is inserted, the right lock fitting 518 is released, and the left lock fitting 517 is then released while maintaining this state. At this point, the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 are released simultaneously.

  The tray 520 includes a bottom wall 521, a left side wall 522 as a first side wall, a right side wall 523 as a second side wall, a first contact wall 524, and a pair of locking walls 525 and 526. In this embodiment, the components corresponding to the second contact wall 27 in the first embodiment are formed integrally with the right side wall 523 as the second side wall, as is apparent from FIG. Yes.

  The bottom wall 521 of the tray 520 has a substantially rectangular shape, and has a plurality of slits 530 at a middle portion between the rear base end portion 532 and the front end portion 531. Each of the plurality of slits 530 is formed corresponding to each of the plurality of contacts 560 of the second contact row. Each slit 530 extends in the front-rear direction in parallel to each other and penetrates the bottom wall 521.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the front end portion 531 of the bottom wall 521 has a front end surface 534a aligned with the rear surface 524b of the first contact wall 524. That is, the front end surface 534a of the front end portion 531 is in the same plane as the rear surface 524b of the first contact surface 524. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the IC card is not inserted, the front end portion of the front end portion 531 is, as clearly shown in FIG. 12, similar to the first embodiment, the second contact row. The contact portion 561 of the contact 560 is configured to be covered. However, the front end portion 531 of the tray 520 is not configured to cover the contact portion 551 of the contact 550 of the first contact row.

  Also in the present embodiment, a pair of leg portions 533 and 534 that are flush with the bottom wall 521 are formed protruding from the left and right of the rear base end portion 532 of the bottom wall 521. The rear end portions of the pair of leg portions 533 and 534 engage with step portions 512a and 513a provided in the connector main body 510 when the IC card is not attached.

  In front of the left side of the bottom wall 521, a left side wall 522 as a first side wall having a predetermined length is erected along the left side, and further, the left side rear end, that is, the left leg is spaced from the left side wall 522. A first locking wall 525 is erected on the portion 533. Also in the present embodiment, the left side wall 522 and the first locking wall 525 as the first side wall are formed such that the respective inner surfaces 522a and 525a are on the same plane. Further, the interval between the left side wall 522 and the first locking wall 525 is set so that the curved portion 517a of the lock fitting 517 can enter and exit.

  A first abutting wall 524 that extends at a right angle to the left side wall 522 serving as a first side wall is provided upright at the tip of the front end portion 531 of the bottom wall 521. The first abutting wall 524 is continuous with the left side wall 522 as in the first embodiment, and the tip of the second IC card 200 abuts on the rear surface 524b. The right end surface 524a of the first contact surface 524 guides the notch 102 of the first IC card 100. As can be understood from the above description, in this embodiment, the front end surface of the front end portion 531 of the bottom wall 521 is flush with the rear end surface 524a of the first contact wall 524. The step portion 35 in the first embodiment does not exist.

In front of the right side of the bottom wall 521, a right side wall 523 as a second side wall is erected with a predetermined length. An inner surface 523 a of the right side wall 523 guides the notches 202 of the first IC card 100 and the second IC card 200. In the present embodiment, the right side wall 523 is integrally formed including the second contact wall 27 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the position of the rear end surface 523b of the right side wall 523 is such that the distance between the plane including the rear surface 524a of the first contact surface 524 and the plane including the rear end surface 523b of the right wall 523 is the notch of the second IC card 200. or substantially equal to the length L ₂₂ which is set to be less than.

  On the rear end of the right side of the bottom wall 521, that is, on the right leg 534, a second engagement paired with the first locking wall 525 is spaced from the right side wall 523 as the second side wall. A stop wall 526 is erected. The distance between the right side wall 523 and the second locking wall 526 is set so that at least the curved portion 518a of the lock fitting 518 can enter and exit. The inner surface 526 a of the second locking wall 526 guides the second IC card 200.

  The relative positional relationship between the left side wall 522, the first locking wall 525, the right side wall 523, the second locking wall 526, the first abutting wall 524 and the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 is as follows. Since this is the same as the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the tray 520 having such a configuration is in the first position when no IC card is attached. Specifically, when the tray 520 is in the first position, the rear end edges of the left and right legs 533 and 534 of the tray 520 are engaged with the step portions 512a and 513a formed on the bottom wall 511 of the connector body 510. Are inclined so that the front of the tray 520 becomes higher.

  In the present embodiment, when the tray 520 is in the first position, the contact portions 561 of the plurality of contacts 560 in the second contact row are located below the front end portion 531 of the tray 520 as described above. The tray 520 holds the inclined first position by lifting the front end portion 531 of the tray 520 by the elastic force of the plurality of contacts 560 of the second contact row.

  The eject member 570 constituting the eject mechanism in the present embodiment includes a heart cam and a lever guide groove surrounding the heart cam, and is biased rearward by a coil spring 575 in the same manner as the eject member 70 in the first embodiment. . Further, one end of the cam lever 573 whose other end is rotatably supported by the left side wall 512 of the connector main body 510 moves along the lever guide groove, so that the eject member 570 is moved from the first position to the second position. Guide to position or from second position to first position.

  The actuating member 580 constituting the eject mechanism is orthogonal to the eject member 570 and extends across the card accommodation space 505 to the right side wall 513. In this embodiment, the actuating member 580 is integrally formed from the same electrically insulating synthetic resin as the eject member, and the length of the actuating member 580 in the left-right direction is substantially equal to the width of the tray 520. As shown clearly in FIGS. 12 to 13, the actuating member 580 has a substantially L-shaped cross section, the contact surface 582 with which the tip of the first IC card 100 contacts and the first IC card 100. It has a support surface 581 on which the tip is supported. When the tray 520 is in the first position, the support surface 581 is formed to be substantially the same as or slightly below the upper surface of the front end portion 531 of the tray 520, as shown in FIG. .

  The actuating member 580 is formed such that the rear end surface of the support surface 581 is substantially in the same plane as the front end surface of the front end portion 531 of the tray 520. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, an inclined surface 583 is formed at the front lower side of the operating member 580, and when the IC card is not inserted, the contact portions of the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row. It contacts or faces 551.

  One end portion of the actuating member 580 as a portion extending from the eject member 570 is opposed to the first contact portion 524 of the tray 520 when the tray 520 is in the first position, as in the first embodiment. And the rear surface of one end of the operating member 580 is disposed so as to contact the front surface of the first contact wall 524. Further, the free end as the other end portion of the operating member 580 faces the right side wall 523 of the tray 520. In this embodiment, the free end of the actuating member 580 is configured to be supported by the bottom wall 511 of the connector body 510 as shown in FIG. However, similarly to the first embodiment, it may be configured to be supported by the right side wall 513 of the connector main body 510.

  In the card connector 501 having the above configuration, the mounting of the IC cards 100 and 200 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 shows the card connector 501 in a state where no IC card is attached.

  In the state where the IC card is not mounted, the tray 520 has the rear end edges of the first leg portion 533 and the second leg portion 534 in contact with the step portions 512a and 513a of the connector main body 510, and the front side. The distal end 531 is in the inclined first position, which is lifted by the contact 560 and faces the actuating member 80. At this time, the contact 550 is positioned in front of the inclined surface 583 of the operating member 580 so as to contact the inclined surface 583.

  Further, the eject member 570 is in the first position urged rearward by the coil spring 575. Further, the operating member 80 integral with the eject member 570 is also in the first position shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 shows a state in which the micro SD card 100 as the first IC card is attached to the card connector 501.

  The first IC card 100 is inserted into the card storage space 505 from the card insertion slot 508 with the correct posture. In this case, the first IC card 100 is eventually guided to the inner surface 523a of the right side wall 523 of the tray 520. At this time, since the first IC card 100 has a small width, the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 cannot be simultaneously released.

  Therefore, the first IC card 100 moves forward in the card accommodation space 505 while pushing the inclined tray 520 forward at this position. The first IC card 100 rotates the tray 520 counterclockwise from the first position and pushes it down until it is substantially horizontal. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the tray 520 reaches the second position, allows the first IC card 100 to advance, and the second contact row located below the front end portion 531. The plurality of contacts 60 are displaced downward. Also in this embodiment, the tray 520 is not necessarily horizontal when in the second position, and may be slightly inclined.

  In this state, the first IC card 100 is advanced further forward. At this time, since the first IC card 100 is provided with the notch 102, the first IC card 100 can move forward without hitting the first contact wall 524 of the tray 520. As the first IC card 100 advances, the tip of the first IC card 100 comes into contact with the contact surface 582 of the operating member 580.

  As the first IC card 100 further advances, the actuating member 580 also advances to displace the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row downward, and the actuating member 580 gets over the plurality of contacts 550. As a result, the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row appear in the card accommodation space 505 relatively behind the operation member 580 and are electrically connected to the pads 106 that are external contacts of the first IC card 100. It becomes possible to contact. Further, the eject member 570 is also pushed forward against the urging force of the coil spring 575 via the operation member 580.

  When the first IC card 100 cannot be moved forward and the pushing force of the first IC card 100 is released, one end of the cam lever is locked in the recess of the heart cam as in the first embodiment. The eject member 570 and the actuating member 580 are held at the second position shown in FIG. At this time, the pads 106 of the first IC card 100 are in electrical contact with the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row with a predetermined contact pressure. Further, the first IC card 100 is held at the mounting position shown in FIG. 13 by being pressed against the cover member 540 through the contact pressure of the plurality of contacts 550 to the pad 106, and the IC card 100 is Omission is prevented. Note that the tray 520 still remains in the second position.

  When removing the first IC card 100 from the state of FIG. 13, the first IC card 100 is pushed in, and one end of the cam lever is released from the recess of the heart cam. When the ejected member 570 is released from the locked state and released from being pushed into the first IC card 100, the ejecting member 570 and the actuating member 580 are moved to the second position by the biasing force (returning force) of the coil spring 575. To the original first position. As a result, the first IC card 100 can also be easily removed from the card insertion slot 508. By removing the first IC card 100, the tray 520 is also returned to the initial first position.

  FIG. 14 shows a state in which the MMC micro 200 as the second IC card is attached to the card connector 1.

  The second IC card 200 is inserted into the card storage space 505 from the card insertion slot 508 with the correct posture. In this case, the second IC card 200 is guided to the first locking wall 17 of the tray 520.

  When the second IC card 200 further moves forward, the notch 202 is guided to the right side wall 523 as the second side wall, and at the same time, the rear of the notch 202 of the second IC card 200 is the second locking. Guided to wall 25. At this time, since the pair of lock fittings 517 and 518 are arranged so that both the lock fittings 517 and 518 are shifted forward and backward by the length of the cutout 202 even if the cutout 202 exists in the second IC card. The corresponding first locking wall 525 and second locking wall 526 can be detached simultaneously. Accordingly, the tray 520 is released from the locked state.

  In this state, when the second IC card 200 is further pushed into the card storage space 505, the tray 520 causes the frictional force between the tray 520 and the second IC card 200 to cause the second IC card 200. As you move forward, move forward together.

  When the second IC card 200 is further pushed in this state, the tip of the second IC card 200 comes into contact with the first contact wall 524 of the tray 520. The first abutting wall 24 of the tray 520 is in contact with the operating member 580, and the front end of the second IC card 200 is also in contact with the rear end surface of the support surface 581 of the operating member 580. And the eject member 570 also advances. As the tray 520 and the actuating member 580 move forward, the contact portions 561 of the plurality of contacts 560 in the second contact row enter directly below the plurality of slits 530 of the tray 520. Further, the contact portions 551 of the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row pass through the lower surface of the operating member 80 and enter under the front end portion 531 of the tray 520.

  As the second IC card 200 further moves forward, the tray 20 moves forward and rotates counterclockwise due to the thickness of the second IC card 200, and is pushed down until it becomes substantially horizontal. As shown, the third position is reached. When the tray 520 reaches the third position, the plurality of contacts 550 in the first contact row are displaced downward because they are located below the front end portion 531 of the tray 520. Further, the plurality of contacts 60 in the second contact row appear relatively in the card storage space 505 above the bottom wall 511 of the tray 520 through the slit 530.

  When the second IC card 200 can no longer move forward, if the pushing force of the second IC card 200 is released, one end of the cam lever is engaged with the recess of the heart cam as in the case of the first IC card 100. The eject member 570 and the actuating member 580 are held in the second position shown in FIG. At this time, the pads 206 of the second IC card 200 are in electrical contact with the plurality of contacts 560 in the second contact row at a predetermined contact pressure. Further, the second IC card 200 is pressed against the cover member 540 through the contact pressure of the plurality of contacts 560 to the pad 106, and as shown in FIG. 14, as in the case of the first IC card 100. While being held in the mounting position, the IC card 200 is prevented from coming off.

  When removing the second IC card 200 from the state of FIG. 14, the eject member 580 is unlocked by pushing the second IC card 200 as in the case of the first IC card 100. As a result, the eject member 570 and the actuating member 580 are returned from the second position to the initial first position by the biasing force (returning force) of the coil spring 575. As a result, the second IC card 200 can also be easily removed from the card insertion slot 8. By removing the second IC card 200, the tray 520 is also returned to the original first position.

  Note that the IC card erroneous insertion prevention mechanism is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the card connector according to the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the card connector is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the card connector according to the present invention has the size and shape of the IC card to be mounted. Accordingly, changes can be made as appropriate.

It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the card connector which concerns on this invention. The card connector shown in FIG. 1 is shown, (a) is a schematic plan view, and (b) is a schematic side view seen from the IC card insertion side. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2. 2A and 2B show two types of IC cards to be mounted on the card connector according to the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view of a micro SD card, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the card connector with a cover member removed in the card connector shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view which shows the outline | summary of the tray employ | adopted as this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the card connector which follows the AA line in FIG. 2 which shows the state with which the micro SD card was mounted | worn. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the card connector which follows the AA line in FIG. 2 which shows the state by which MMC micro was mounted | worn. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a card connector similar to that in FIG. 5, showing a state where a micro SD card is erroneously inserted. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a card connector similar to FIG. 5, showing a state in which an MMC micro has been erroneously inserted. It is a card connector which concerns on another this Example of this invention, Comprising: It is a perspective view of the state from which the cover member was removed. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11, taken along the same position as in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11 in a state where a micro SD card is mounted, taken along the same position as FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the card connector shown in FIG. 11 in a state where the MMC micro is mounted, taken along the same position as FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card connector 5 Card accommodation space 8 Card insertion slot 10 Connector main body 17 Lock metal fitting 18 (A pair with the lock metal fitting 17) Lock metal fitting 20 Tray 24 First contact wall 25 First locking wall 26 Second engagement Stop wall 27 Second contact wall 30 Slit 36 Groove 40 Cover member 50 Contact 60 in first contact row 70 Contact 70 in second contact row Eject member 80 Actuating member 82 Contact piece 100 First IC card (micro SD card)
200 Second IC card (MMC micro)

Claims (8)

A card connector that can selectively mount two types of IC cards: a first IC card and a second IC card that is slightly shorter, slightly larger, and slightly thicker than the first IC card. Because
A cover member;
A connector main body forming a card accommodation space capable of accommodating both of the two types of IC cards with the cover member;
A plurality of contacts arranged in a first contact row corresponding to the first IC card and a plurality of contacts arranged in a second contact row corresponding to the second IC card supported by the connector body When,
A pair of lock fittings supported by the connector body;
A tray that is rotatable with respect to the connector body and is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the connector body;
An eject member that is movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the connector body, and is biased in the card discharge direction by a spring member;
An actuating member that moves integrally with the eject member;
With
The pair of lock fittings unlocks the tray only when the second IC card is inserted, and allows the tray to move.
The tray is inclined so as to cover at least the contact portion of the contact of the second contact row when the tray is in the first position where the IC card is not mounted, and the second rotated and pushed down from the first position. The third IC position allows the first IC card to be in electrical contact with the contacts in the first contact row, moved from the first position, rotated, and pushed down. The card connector is characterized in that the second IC card can be brought into electrical contact with the contacts in the second contact row.   2. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the tray includes a slit formed at an intermediate portion thereof corresponding to the plurality of contacts of the second contact row.   3. The card connector according to claim 2, wherein when the tray is in the first position, the contacts of the second contact row are located under the front end portion.   The tray includes a first locking wall and a second locking wall which are installed at opposite rear ends of the left and right sides, separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the width of the second IC card. The card connector according to claim 3, wherein the pair of lock fittings are locked to the two locking walls facing each other. The tray has a first side wall provided in front of the first locking wall and spaced apart from the first locking wall, and is orthogonal to the first side wall. Including a first abutment wall against which the tip abuts,
The tray further includes a second abutting wall provided in front of the second locking wall and spaced apart from the second locking wall, and the second abutting wall. Including a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall;
The first side wall and the second side wall are arranged on the tray so that the distance between the first side wall and the second side wall is the same as the width of the tip of the second IC card,
The first abutting wall is arranged so that the distance between the first abutting wall and the second side wall is the same as the width of the front end portion of the first IC card. The card connector according to claim 4.   The first IC card includes a notch having a predetermined length at the front end, and the second IC card has a notch having a predetermined length at the front end and opposite to the first IC card. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the card connector is included.   The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is formed integrally with the eject member. The card connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the actuating member is separate from the eject member and is integrated with the eject member.

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