JP2008198444A - Card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card connector equipped with a card detecting switch which does not easily malfunction by vibration and impact. <P>SOLUTION: This connector 10 is equipped with a housing 2 and a cover 3. The housing 2 has a recessed part 21 for a card 1 to be inserted and pulled out. The cover 3 covers the recessed part 21 of the housing 2. A card detecting switch 8 is composed of a contact plate 81 and a plate 82 to be contacted, and is disposed on a facing wall 21c facing the opening 22 of the recessed part 21. The contact plate 81 has a base end part 81a fixed to the facing wall 21c, and a bent piece 81b which abuts on the tip fringe of the card 1 by extending from the base end part 81a. The part 82 to be contacted has a base end part 82a fixed to the facing wall 21c, and a contact part 82b disposed close to the tip of the bent piece 81b. The cover 3 has a blade spring 31 forming a braking means to suppress action of the bent piece 81b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a card connector. In particular, the present invention relates to a card connector structure including a switch for detecting that a memory card such as an SD (Secure Digital) card is inserted.

  A memory card, which is a card-type storage device, employs a flash memory as a storage medium. A memory card is very small and consumes little electric power for reading and writing data. For example, it is widely used as a recording medium for portable information devices such as mobile phones with cameras and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance).

  Compared to disk-type storage devices such as a flexible disk (FD) and a magneto-optical disk (MO), this memory card has a small storage capacity and is considered to be expensive. However, due to the mass production effect accompanying the recent technological progress and the spread of devices using memory cards, the maximum storage capacity is about 128 MB, and the price is low.

  Furthermore, memory cards have the advantage of not requiring a drive device such as FD and MO to read and write data, so they are suitable for digital cameras, laptop computers, and portable music players where power consumption and portability are important. Is preferred.

  As such a memory card connector, there has been invented a memory card connector that can prevent the memory card from inadvertently popping out of the connector and has a simpler locking mechanism (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  The memory card connector of Patent Document 1 is attached to a housing so that a cover is covered. The card holding part has a card insertion slot into which a memory card is inserted. A plurality of cantilever contacts that are in electrical contact with the connection terminals on the surface of the memory card are arranged to face the card insertion slot. The compression coil spring urges the swing slider in the anti-insertion direction. The swing slider includes a first claw that comes into contact with the insertion-side corner of the memory card and a second claw that enters and exits a recess formed on the side surface of the memory card. Then, the swing slider is engaged with or released from the recess of the memory card following the locus of the heart-shaped cam groove.

  Further, the memory card connector of Patent Document 1 is provided with a card detection switch on one guide wall side of the card holding portion. The card detection switch electrically detects that the memory card is in the mounting position. The card detection switch includes a contact plate and a contacted plate.

  The bent portion of the contact plate protrudes from one guide wall side. When the memory card is in the mounting position, it is pushed by the side surface of the memory card, and the tip of the bent portion of the contact plate comes into contact with the contacted plate. That is, the contact plate and the contacted plate are electrically connected.

When the memory card is removed from the card connector, the bent portion of the contact plate is restored and the contact plate and the contacted plate are electrically cut off. The terminal ends of the contact plate and the contact plate are electrically connected to a card detection circuit of a printed board on which the connector is mounted.
JP-A-2005-71666

  Since the card connector according to Patent Document 1 is arranged so that the bent portion of the contact plate protrudes from one guide wall side (side wall) of the card holding portion, when the card is ejected, the posture of the card is changed. There is concern about tilting. By disposing the bent portion of the contact plate on the opposing wall of the card holding portion facing the card insertion direction so as to face the leading edge of the card, the concern that the posture of the card is inclined is eliminated.

  By arranging the card detection switch on the opposing wall of the card holding part, it is possible to assist the contact plate, which is an elastic body, to eject the card. Also, by placing the card detection switch on the opposing wall of the card holding part, the bending part of the contact plate opens, and the tip of the contact plate slides on the contacted plate, so-called self-cleaning sliding length. There is a merit that it can be long.

  Generally, such a card detection switch is arranged so that the tip (contact) of the contact plate is close to the contacted plate. When the card is mounted, the tip of the contact plate immediately contacts the contacted plate, and the card mounting state is detected.

  However, if vibration or impact is applied to an electronic device having such a card detection switch, the tip of the contact plate may come into contact with the contacted plate even though the card is not mounted. There is a so-called false detection problem.

  If the tip of the contact plate is sufficiently spaced from the contact plate so that the tip of the contact plate does not easily contact the contact plate due to vibration or impact, the outer shape of the card connector in the insertion direction becomes large. In addition, the amount of bending of the contact plate is increased, which may affect the life of the contact plate. Although the tip of the contact plate is disposed close to the contacted plate, a card connector including a card detection switch that does not easily come into contact with the contacted plate due to vibration or impact is required. The above can be said to be the subject of the present invention.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a card connector including a card detection switch in which the tip of a contact plate does not easily come into contact with a contacted plate due to vibration or impact. To do.

  The inventor is a card connector that includes a housing and a cover that covers the housing. By providing the cover with braking means for suppressing the operation of the contact plate of the card detection switch, inadvertent operation of the contact plate is prevented. Based on this, the inventors have invented a card connector having the following new card detection switch.

  (1) A card connector comprising: a plate-like housing having a recess that forms an opening into which a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape is inserted and removed; and a cover that covers the recess. The card connector faces the opening of the recess. A card detection switch is provided on the opposing wall and includes a contact plate and a contacted plate. The contact plate is fixed to the opposing wall, and extends from the base end to extend the front end of the card. A bent piece abutting against an edge, and the contact plate includes a base end portion fixed to the opposing wall, and a contact portion disposed in proximity to a distal end of the bent piece, and the cover Is a card connector having braking means for suppressing the movement of the bent piece.

  The card connector according to the invention of (1) includes a plate-shaped housing and a cover. The housing has a recess that forms an opening through which a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape is inserted and removed. The cover covers the recess of the housing. The card connector according to the invention of (1) includes a card detection switch disposed on the opposing wall facing the opening of the recess. The card detection switch includes a contact plate and a contacted plate.

  The contact plate has a proximal end portion and a bent piece. The base end portion of the contact plate is fixed to the opposing wall. The bent piece extends from the base end portion and comes into contact with the leading edge of the card. The plate to be contacted has a base end portion and a contact portion. The base end portion of the contact plate is fixed to the facing wall. The contact portion is disposed close to the tip of the bent piece. The cover has a braking means for suppressing the movement of the bent piece.

  Here, the housing has an insulating property. The insulating housing may be a housing made of a non-conductive material, and a synthetic resin can be molded to obtain an insulating housing having a desired shape.

  The housing has a pair of opposing side walls and an opposing wall that is orthogonal to the pair of side walls and that faces the leading edge of the card, and the card is inserted into and removed from the thin rectangular parallelepiped space surrounded by the pair of side walls and the opposing wall. Can be defined. Moreover, a thin rectangular parallelepiped space can be used as the card holding portion.

  For example, this card connector may be provided with a slider that can be moved back and forth with respect to the housing, and one side wall may use the side wall of the slider and the other side wall may be formed in the housing. The recess is covered with a cover, so that a rectangular opening into which the card is inserted is formed facing the opposing wall. Here, the distance between the pair of side walls facing each other is slightly wider than the width of the card, and the posture (tilt) of the card is regulated by the pair of side walls.

  The cover is made of a thin metal plate, and a cover having a desired shape can be obtained by molding the developed thin metal plate. The cover is preferably made of a conductive thin metal plate, and a shielding effect is obtained when the cover covers the housing.

  In the cover, both wings may be bent at a right angle, a rectangular hole may be formed in these bent pieces, and the cover may be locked to a lance protruding on both side surfaces of the housing. Moreover, the lead part soldered to the printed board may be provided on the cover, the bonding strength with the printed board can be reinforced, and the cover can be grounded to the ground of the printed board. Here, a leaf spring serving as a braking means to be described later can be provided on the surface of the cover facing the recess.

  A card detection switch that electrically detects that the card is in the mounting position is disposed on the opposing wall of the recess. The card detection switch may be composed of a contact plate and a contact plate. When the card is in the mounting position, the contact plate is displaced by being pushed by the card and the contact plate and the contact plate are electrically connected. It becomes a state. When the card is removed, the contact plate returns and the contact plate and the contacted plate are electrically cut off. In this way, the presence or absence of a card is detected.

  Each base end portion of the contact plate and the contact plate can be fixed to the opposing wall by press-fitting, and can also be fixed to the opposing wall by molding integrally with the housing. The contact plate and the contacted plate may be formed by bending a developed metal plate to obtain a desired shape. The contact plate and the contacted plate are preferably conductive metal plates. For example, a copper alloy or the like is applied, but the contact plate and the contacted plate are not limited to the copper alloy.

  The contact plate may be an elastically deformable leaf spring whose spring acts as a cantilever and has a bent piece extending from the base end. The bent piece may be formed in an L shape and is disposed so as to protrude toward the opening of the recess. The plate to be contacted may be an elastically deformable leaf spring in which the spring functions as a cantilever, and has a contact portion that extends from the base end portion and is disposed close to the distal end of the bent piece. The contact plate may be formed in an L shape and may be arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the card is inserted.

  When the card is inserted, the leading edge of the card comes into contact with the top of the bent piece. When the card is further inserted, since the base end portion of the contact plate is fixedly supported, a bending moment acts on the bent piece, and the tip of the bent piece is displaced toward the contact portion. The tip of the bent piece may be curved in an arc shape, and the tip of the bent piece slides to self-clean the contact portion. In the mounted state of the card, the tip of the bent piece urges the contact portion with a predetermined pressure, so that the contact plate and the contacted plate are electrically connected.

  When the card is removed, the leading edge of the card separates from the top of the bent piece. The tip of the bent piece is separated from the contact portion, and the contact plate and the contacted plate are electrically cut off. Each base end portion of the contact plate and the contact plate may be provided with a lead portion, and each lead portion can be soldered to the surface of the printed board on which the card connector is mounted. The electronic device including the card connector may be provided with a card detection circuit, and the card detection by the card detection switch can be electrically confirmed.

  In the card connector according to the invention of (1), by providing the cover with braking means for suppressing the operation of the contact plate of the card detection switch, inadvertent operation of the contact plate due to vibration or impact is prevented. It can also be said that the tip of the contact plate can be prevented from inadvertently shorting to the contact portion of the contacted plate.

  (2) The braking means is arranged so as to be inclined from the cover toward the opposing wall side of the bottom surface of the concave portion, the base end side is fixed to the cover, and the distal end side biases the bent piece to suppress the movement of the bent piece. The card connector according to (1), which is a spring.

  In the card connector according to the invention of (2), the base end portion of the leaf spring serving as the braking means may be fixed to the cover, and the distal end side of the leaf spring is inclined from the cover toward the opposing wall side of the bottom surface of the recess. Be placed. The front end side of the leaf spring is biased so as to suppress the movement of the bent piece.

  The leaf spring may be an elastically deformable leaf piece in which the spring functions as a cantilever. When the card is inserted, the leaf spring is pushed by the leading edge of the card, and the leading end of the leaf spring is separated from the bottom surface of the recess. Move (deform) in the direction of When the card is close to the contact plate, the tip side of the leaf spring is separated from the bent piece, and the contact plate can contact the contacted plate. When the card is removed, the front end side of the leaf spring can be elastically restored in the direction toward the bottom surface of the recess.

  In the card connector according to the invention of (2), the braking means for suppressing the movement of the bent piece of the contact plate is a leaf spring that functions depending on whether the card is inserted or removed.

  (3) The card connector according to (2), wherein the cover integrally forms the leaf spring.

  For example, the developed thin metal plate may be punched in advance so that the contour of the leaf spring is formed except for the base end of the leaf spring, and then the leaf spring is bent. Thus, the cover can be integrally formed with the leaf spring. A composite mold in which the punching process and the bending process are performed together may be used.

  In the card connector according to the invention of (3), the leaf spring that suppresses the operation of the bent piece of the contact plate is integrally formed with the cover, which can contribute to reducing the manufacturing cost of the card connector.

  In the card connector according to the present invention, by providing the cover with a braking means for suppressing the operation of the contact plate of the card detection switch, inadvertent operation of the contact plate due to vibration or impact is prevented. It can also be said that the tip of the contact plate can be prevented from inadvertently shorting to the contact portion of the contacted plate.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a card connector (hereinafter abbreviated as a connector) according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the connector according to the embodiment, and the connector is viewed from a different direction from FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector according to the embodiment, in which the cover is removed.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective external view of the slider provided in the connector according to the embodiment, and the slider is viewed from the back side. FIG. 5 is a perspective external view of a cover provided in the connector according to the embodiment, and the cover is viewed from the back side. FIG. 6 is a perspective external view of the connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is mounted. FIG. 7 is a side view of the slider provided in the connector according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective external view of the main part of the connector according to the embodiment, with a part of the cover being broken. FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective external view of the main part of the connector according to the embodiment, showing the slider in cross section. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a principal part of the connector according to the embodiment, showing a series of state changes of the slider.

  FIG. 11 is a vertical plan view of the connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is inserted. FIG. 12 is a vertical plan view of the connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is further inserted from FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a vertical plan view of the connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is mounted.

  First, the configuration of the connector according to the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1 or 2, the connector 10 includes a plate-shaped housing 2 and a cover 3. The housing 2 has a recess 21 that forms an opening 22 into which the card 1 is inserted and removed. The cover 3 covers the recess 21 of the housing 2. The housing 2 is formed in a rectangular shape with an insulating synthetic resin material. The cover 3 is formed of a metal plate, and both wings are bent in an L shape.

  1 to 3, the connector 10 includes a slider 4, a leaf spring 5, and a compression coil spring 6. The slider 4 is disposed on one wing of the recess 21 so as to advance and retreat in a direction parallel to the card 1 insertion / extraction direction. The slider 4 has a heart-shaped cam groove 42 formed on the surface. The leaf spring 5 has a proximal end fixed to the slider 4 and a distal end protruding toward the opening 22 of the recess 21. The compression coil spring 6 is held by the housing 2 and urges the slider 4 in the direction in which the card 1 is ejected.

  Further, in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the slider 4 has an engagement piece 41 that protrudes from the one wing side of the recess 21 into the recess 21 and abuts the oblique side 1 a formed on the side of the card 1. The leaf spring 5 has a semicircular claw 51 at the front end thereof that enters and exits from a surface side of a substantially rectangular recess 1b adjacent to the oblique side 1a of the card 1 and elastically engages with the recess 1b.

  In FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the connector 10 has a cover 3 attached to the housing 2 to form an opening 22 into which the card 1 is inserted, thereby forming a thin rectangular parallelepiped card holding portion (see FIG. 6). . In addition, eight contacts 7 are arranged in parallel in the recess 21 of the housing 2. The plurality of contacts 7 are in electrical and mechanical contact with a plurality of connection terminals (not shown) formed on the surface of the card 1.

  In FIG. 3, the contact 7 may be a cantilever contact whose spring works as a cantilever, and is composed of an elastic arm and a fixed arm. The elastic arm protrudes from the bottom surface of the recess 21 and is provided with a contact 71 that contacts a connection terminal (not shown) formed on the card 1 (see FIG. 1). The fixed arm is held in the recess 21. Moreover, the lead part 72 is formed in the edge part of a fixed arm, and the connector 10 can be made into a surface mounting connector by soldering the lead part 72 to the printed circuit board 1p (refer FIG. 2).

  In FIG. 3, the housing 2 includes a pair of opposing side walls 21 a and 21 b and an opposing wall 21 c that is orthogonal to the pair of side walls 21 a and 21 b and faces the leading edge of the card 1. One side wall 21a substantially utilizes the side wall 41a of the slider. A thin rectangular parallelepiped space surrounded by the pair of side walls 41a and 21b and the opposing wall 21c can be used as the recess 21. Then, by covering the recess 21 with the cover 3, a rectangular opening 22 into which the card 1 is inserted is formed so as to face the facing wall 21c. The distance between the pair of opposite side walls 41a and 21b is slightly larger than the width of the card 1, the posture of the card 1 is regulated by the pair of side walls 41a and 21b, and the connection terminal of the card 1 and the contact 7 are correctly aligned. it can.

  In FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the cover 3 has both wings bent at a right angle. A plurality of rectangular holes 3a are formed in these bent pieces. The cover 3 is assembled by engaging the rectangular holes 3a with the lances 2r protruding from both side surfaces of the housing 2 (see FIG. 6). The cover 3 is provided with lead portions 3r that are soldered to the printed circuit board 1p (see FIG. 2). A leaf spring 31 and a leaf spring 32 described later are provided on the surface 30 of the cover 3 facing the recess 21.

  1 to 3, the slider 4 is disposed on one wing of the recess 21. A card detection switch 8 that electrically detects that the card 1 is in the mounting position is disposed on the opposing wall 21 c of the recess 21. The card detection switch 8 includes a contact plate 81 and a contacted plate 82. When the card 1 is in the mounting position, the contact plate 81 is displaced by being pushed by the card 1, and the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are electrically connected. When the card 1 is removed, the contact plate 81 returns and the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are electrically disconnected. In this way, the presence or absence of a card is detected.

  In FIG. 3, the contact plate 81 has a base end portion 81 a fixed to the facing wall 21 c and a bent piece 81 b extending from the base end portion 81 a and coming into contact with the front end edge of the card 1. The to-be-contacted plate 82 has a base end portion 82a that is fixed to the facing wall 21c and a contact portion 82b that is disposed close to the tip of the bent piece 81b. And the cover 3 has the leaf | plate spring 31 used as the braking means which suppresses operation | movement of the bending piece 81b (refer FIG.1 and FIG.2).

  1 to 3, the base end portions 81 a and 82 a of the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are fixed to the opposing wall 21 c by molding integrally with the housing 2. The contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are formed by bending a developed conductive metal plate.

  In FIG. 3, the contact plate 81 is an elastically deformable leaf spring in which the action of the spring is a cantilever beam, and has a bent piece 81b extending from the base end portion 81a. The bent piece 81 b is formed in an L shape and is disposed so as to protrude toward the opening 22 of the recess 21. The contacted plate 82 may be an elastically deformable leaf spring whose spring acts as a cantilever, and has a contact portion 82b that extends from the base end portion 82a and is disposed close to the distal end of the bent piece 81b. Yes. The contact plate 82 may be formed in an L shape and is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the card 1 is inserted.

  In FIG. 3, the base end portions 81a and 82a of the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are provided with lead portions 81r and 82r, respectively. The lead portions 81r and 82r can be soldered to the surface of the printed board 1p on which the connector 10 is mounted (see FIG. 1).

  In FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, a groove 23 for movably guiding the slider 4 is provided on one wing of the housing 2. The slider 4 is restricted by the groove 23 and can advance and retract in a direction parallel to the card 1 insertion / extraction direction. The slider 4 is only allowed to move forward and backward.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 4 is formed with a first cylindrical protrusion 4 a that protrudes in parallel with the groove 23 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). On the other hand, the housing 2 is formed with a second cylindrical protrusion 2a that faces the first cylindrical protrusion 4a and protrudes in parallel with the groove 23 (see FIG. 1 or 2). As shown in FIG. 3, by mounting both coil ends of the compression coil spring 6 between the first and second cylindrical protrusions 4a and 2a, a force is applied to the slider 4 in the direction in which the card 1 is ejected. (See FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). In a state where the card 1 is not inserted, the slider 4 is urged by the compression coil spring 6 and stops on the opening 22 side of the recess 21 (see FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a groove 23 and a passage 24 communicating with the groove 23. The groove 23 guides the slider 4 to be movable. In the passage 24, the tip edge of the leaf spring 5 moves close to the passage 24 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). And the bottom face of the channel | path 24 has the rectangular opening 25 opened from the opening side of the recessed part 21 on the way to the back | inner side, and is sealed from this way to the termination | terminus.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the groove 23 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape so that a part of the plane of the housing 2 is depressed. The slider 4 is accommodated in the groove 23 so as to be able to advance and retract (see FIG. 3). The bottom surface of the recess 21 of the housing 2 forms a step, and one side surface of the groove 23 is formed. The engaging piece 41 moves along one side surface of the groove 23. The passage 24 includes a part of the recess 21, and a rectangular passage 24 that is depressed from the bottom surface of the recess 21 is formed. The passage 24 is formed in parallel with the groove 23, and one end communicates with the opening 22 of the recess 21 and the other end communicates with the groove 23.

  In FIG. 5, the leaf | plate spring 31 used as the braking means which suppresses operation | movement of the bending piece 81b of the contact plate 81 is provided in the cover 3 (refer FIG. 11). A base end portion of the leaf spring 31 is fixed to the cover 3. The front end side of the leaf spring 31 is inclined from the cover 3 toward the opposing wall 21 c side of the bottom surface of the recess 21. The distal end side of the leaf spring 31 is biased so as to suppress the movement of the bent piece 81b (see FIG. 11).

  In FIG. 5, the base end portion of the leaf spring 32 is fixed to the cover 3. The tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 protrudes slightly and is connected to a heart-shaped cam groove 42 formed in the surface of the slider 4 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). The tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 can follow the heart-shaped cam groove 42. The leaf spring 32 may be a cantilever beam. The distal end portion 32a of the leaf spring 32 is driven by a heart-shaped cam groove 42, whereby a bending moment acts and elastically deforms.

  In FIG. 5, the cover 3 is formed by integrally molding two leaf springs 31 and 32. For example, the cover 3 is formed by a developed thin metal plate. The developed thin metal plate is punched in advance so that the contours of the leaf spring 31 and the leaf spring 32 are formed except for the base end portions of the leaf spring 31 and the leaf spring 32. Next, the leaf spring 31 and the leaf spring 32 are bent so that the cover 3 can integrally form the leaf spring 31 and the leaf spring 32. The cover 3 may be formed using a composite mold in which the punching process and the bending process are performed together.

  1 or 2, the slider 4 and the leaf spring 32 constitute a cam device in which the cam and the follower are relatively displaced. The cam groove 42 is a planar curve that draws a heart-shaped locus (see FIG. 3), and the bottom surface of the cam groove 42 is formed flat. The tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 provided on the cover 3 is elastically deformed so as to swing following the locus of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. (See FIG. 5). Here, the cam device constituted by the slider 4 and the leaf spring 32 can define the stop position of the slider 4.

  In FIG. 3, the heart-shaped cam groove 42 depicts a trajectory of the going stroke from the starting point A1 and a trajectory of the returning stroke returning to the starting point A1. The trajectory of the heart-shaped cam groove 42 depicts an irreversible continuous trajectory in which the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 does not reverse in the entire stroke even though the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 partially reverses. . The heart-shaped cam groove 42 is formed with a V-shaped groove A2 that is recessed in a V shape at a branch point between the locus of the going stroke and the locus of the returning stroke.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 7, the leaf spring 5 is fixed by being press-fitted into the slider 4 at the base end side. And it arrange | positions so that the front end side of the leaf | plate spring 5 may protrude toward the opening 22 of the recessed part 21 (refer FIG. 3). The leaf spring 5 and the slider 4 move forward and backward together. The leaf spring 5 may be a cantilever beam, and the leaf spring 5 is elastically deformed when a load acts on the semicircular claw 51 formed at the tip of the leaf spring 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the card 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the distal end side where the connection terminal (not shown) is arranged is narrower than the proximal end side. The leading end side of the card 1 forms a hypotenuse 1a whose one side surface is open at an obtuse angle among the parallel side surfaces, and is continuous with one side surface of both side surfaces parallel to the base end side. The front end side of the card 1 has a shape in which one corner is cut out like a single blade. A substantially square recess 1 b is adjacent to the oblique side 1 a of the card 1.

  Next, the operation and action of the connector according to the present invention will be described. When the card 1 is inserted into the recess 21 from the state shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, the hypotenuse 1a of the card 1 comes into contact with the semicircular claw 51 (see FIG. 8). Further, when the card 1 is inserted, the semicircular claw 51 is pushed down while sliding with the hypotenuse 1a. Then, in a state where the hypotenuse 1a is in contact with the tip edge of the engagement piece 41, the semicircular claw 51 slides on the surface of the card 1 and protrudes into the recess 1b of the card 1 (see FIG. 8). Note that the front end edge of the engagement piece 41 is formed with a slope having the same slope as the oblique side 1 a of the card 1. Subsequently, when the card 1 is pushed, the slider 4 moves in the depth direction of the recess 21 (see FIG. 3).

  In FIG. 6, with the card 1 pushed all the way back, the tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 is locked in the V-shaped groove A 2, and the slider 4 is locked to the housing 2 at the card 1 mounting position. (See FIG. 10D). At the card 1 mounting position shown in FIG. 10D, the semicircular claw 51 at the tip of the leaf spring 5 is elastically locked to the concave portion 1b of the card 1, so that the card 1 is securely mounted. (See FIG. 9).

  When the card 1 is pressed once from the mounted state of the card 1 shown in FIG. 9, the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 is released from the V-shaped groove A2 and moves in the return stroke (see FIG. 10E). Then, urged by the compression coil spring 6, the slider 4 moves the card 1 to the opening 22 side of the recess 21. When the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 relatively returns to the starting point A1 of the heart-shaped cam groove 42, the slider 4 stops (see FIG. 3). Here, although inertia force acts on the card 1, since the semicircular claw 51 is elastically locked to the concave portion 1b of the card 1, it is possible to reliably prevent the card 1 from being accidentally popped out. Then, the card 1 can be detached from the connector 10 by pulling out the card 1 with a relatively strong force.

  Next, the relative movement between the slider 4 having the heart-shaped cam groove 42 and the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10A is a state diagram before the card 1 is attached to the connector 10, and the tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 is located at the starting point A 1 of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. FIG. 10B is a state diagram in which the card 1 is inserted into the connector 10 and the slider 4 is moving. The tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 abuts against one inclined surface of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. ing.

  FIG. 10C is a state diagram in which the card 1 is further inserted, and the distal end portion 32 a of the leaf spring 32 is displaced along one inclined surface of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. In the state diagram shown in FIG. 10C, the leaf spring 32 is bent to the maximum. FIG. 10D is a state diagram in which the card 1 is pushed all the way back, and the leaf spring 32 is elastically restored so that the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 can be locked in the V-shaped groove A2. That is, the mounting state of the card 1 can be locked (maintained). In this locked state, the compression coil spring 6 acts to assist (see FIG. 3).

  FIG. 10E is a state diagram in which the tip end portion 32a of the leaf spring 32 is released from the V-shaped groove A2 by pressing the card 1 once after the card 1 is mounted. In the state diagram of FIG. 10D, the tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 leaves a surplus force that elastically returns to the return stroke of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. When the distal end portion 32a of the leaf spring 32 is released from the V-shaped groove A2, the distal end portion 32a of the leaf spring 32 moves in the return stroke of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. In addition, in the state of FIG.10 (E), the leaf | plate spring 32 is not elastically deformed.

  FIG. 10 (F) is a state diagram in which the slider 4 is being returned by being biased by the compression coil spring 6. The tip 32 a of the leaf spring 32 is displaced along the other slope of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. The leaf spring 32 is elastically deformed along the other slope of the heart-shaped cam groove 42. FIG. 10G is a state diagram in which the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 is relatively returned to the starting point A1 along the heart-shaped cam groove 42. FIG. In the state of FIG. 10G, the slider 4 is biased by the compression coil spring 6 and is stopped. The leaf spring 32 is elastically restored and returned to the initial state that is the same as the state of FIG.

  Thus, the slider 4 and the leaf spring 32 constitute a cam device in which the cam and the driven node are relatively displaced. The locus of the heart-shaped cam groove 42 is an irreversible continuous locus in which the tip 32a of the leaf spring 32 does not reverse in the entire stroke.

  In the card connector according to the present invention, a leaf spring piece having a semicircular claw is provided on the slider, and the semicircular claw is fitted into a rectangular recess formed on the card, thereby preventing the card from being accidentally popped out. Can be prevented and the card mounting state can be reliably maintained. Since a metal plate spring is used as a card braking (braking) means, the card has excellent wear resistance.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface of the passage 24 is opened from the opening 22 side to the back side of the recess 21 and is sealed from this way to the end. In FIG. 9, when the bottom surface of the passage 24 is opened, the tip edge of the semicircular claw 51 can be bent toward the opening 25. On the other hand, when the bottom surface of the passage 24 is blocked, the tip edge of the semicircular claw 51 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the passage 24 and is difficult to bend.

  Thus, the connector according to the present invention is configured with a path in which the leading edge of the leaf spring moves in the vicinity, so that the card can be securely inserted in the mounted state without the semicircular claw being easily bent. Hold. On the other hand, when ejecting the card, as described above, the card can be prevented from popping out more reliably, and the card can be pulled out with a weaker force compared to the mounted state of the card.

  Further, the card connector according to the present invention can contribute to reducing the manufacturing cost of the card connector because the leaf spring connected to the heart-shaped cam groove is integrally formed with the cover.

  In the embodiment, the connector according to the present invention discloses a card connector into which a microSD card is inserted / removed. However, the connector is not limited to a microSD card, and can be applied to a card object having a hypotenuse and a recess. In addition, the connector according to the present invention may be a surface mount connector that is solder-bonded to the surface of the printed circuit board, and since the heart-shaped cam groove is formed on the surface of the slider, the mounting height is low (low profile). ). Furthermore, the connector according to the present invention has fewer components and can contribute to a reduction in manufacturing costs.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the connector 10 according to the present invention suppresses the operation of the contact plate 81 because the distal end side of the leaf spring 31 urges the bent piece 81b of the contact plate 81. Inadvertent operation of the contact plate 81 due to vibration or impact is prevented (see FIGS. 3 and 6). The tip of the contact plate 81 can be prevented from being inadvertently short-circuited to the contact portion 82b of the contacted plate 82 (see FIG. 3).

  In FIG. 3, when the card 1 is inserted into the recess 21, the leading edge of the card 1 comes into contact with the top of the bent piece 81b (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 13). When the card 1 is further inserted, since the base end portion 81a of the contact plate 81 is fixedly supported, a bending moment acts on the bending piece 81b, and the tip of the bending piece 81b is displaced toward the contact portion. The tip of the bent piece 81b is curved in an arc shape, and the tip of the bent piece 81b slides to self-clean the contact portion 82b. In the mounted state of the card 1, the tip of the bent piece 81b urges the contact portion 82b with a predetermined pressure, and the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are electrically connected.

  In FIG. 3, when the card 1 is removed, the leading edge of the card 1 is separated from the top of the bent piece 81b. The tip of the bent piece 81b is separated from the contact portion 82b, and the contact plate 81 and the contacted plate 82 are electrically cut off.

  In FIG. 12, when the card 1 is inserted into the recess 21, it is pushed by the leading edge of the card 1, and the leading end side of the leaf spring 31 is deformed in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recess 21. In FIG. 13, when the card 1 is close to the contact plate 81, the distal end side of the leaf spring 31 is separated from the bent piece 81b, and the contact plate 81 can contact the contacted plate 82 (see FIG. 3). When the card 1 is removed, the distal end side of the leaf spring 31 can be elastically restored in the direction toward the bottom surface of the recess 21 (see FIG. 11).

  Thus, in the card connector according to the present invention, the braking means for suppressing the movement of the bent piece of the contact plate is a leaf spring that functions depending on whether or not the card is inserted or removed.

  In the card connector according to the present invention, by providing the cover with a braking means for suppressing the operation of the contact plate of the card detection switch, inadvertent operation of the contact plate due to vibration or impact is prevented. It can prevent that the front-end | tip of a contact plate short-circuits to the contact part of a to-be-contacted plate carelessly.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of a card connector according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the card connector according to the embodiment, looking at the connector from a different direction from FIG. 1. It is a top view of the card connector by the said embodiment, and is a state figure which removed the cover. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view of a slider provided in the card connector according to the embodiment, and the slider is viewed from the back side. FIG. 3 is a perspective external view of a cover provided in the card connector according to the embodiment, and the cover is viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view of the card connector according to the embodiment, in which a card is mounted. It is a side view of the slider of the card connector according to the embodiment. It is the perspective appearance figure which expanded the principal part of the connector for cards by the above-mentioned embodiment, and has broken a part of cover. It is the perspective appearance figure which expanded the principal part of the connector for cards by the above-mentioned embodiment, and has shown the slider in the section. It is a principal part top view of the card connector by the said embodiment, and has shown a series of state changes of a slider. FIG. 4 is a vertical plan view of the card connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is inserted. FIG. 12 is a vertical plan view of the card connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is further inserted from FIG. 11. FIG. 3 is a vertical plan view of the card connector according to the embodiment, and is a state diagram in which a card is mounted.

Explanation of symbols

1 Card 2 Housing 3 Cover 10 Connector (Card Connector)
21 recess 21c opposing wall 22 opening 31 leaf spring (braking means)
81 Contact plate 81a Base end (base end of contact plate)
81b Bent piece 82 Contact plate 82a Base end (base end of contact plate)
82b contact area

Claims (3)

A card connector comprising a plate-like housing having a recess that forms an opening into which a card formed in a substantially rectangular shape is inserted and removed, and a cover that covers the recess,
The card detection switch is disposed on the facing wall facing the opening of the recess, and includes a contact plate and a contact plate,
The contact plate has a base end portion fixed to the facing wall, and a bent piece extending from the base end portion and abutting on a front end edge of the card,
The contact plate has a base end portion fixed to the opposing wall, and a contact portion disposed in proximity to a distal end of the bent piece,
The cover is a card connector having a braking means for suppressing the movement of the bent piece.   The braking means is a leaf spring that is inclined from the cover toward the opposing wall side of the bottom surface of the recess, the base end side is fixed to the cover, and the distal end side is urged so as to suppress the movement of the bent piece. The card connector according to claim 1.   The card connector according to claim 2, wherein the cover is integrally formed with the leaf spring.

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