JP2011150922A - Card connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card connector which hardly brings about instantaneous breaking-off at a contact part between a connection member of the card connector and a contact pad of an electronic card, even if shocks and vibration are added. <P>SOLUTION: The card connector 10 is fixed on a circuit board 30 with terminals 112, 122, and 131. The terminals 112, 122, and 131 respectively have curved parts 112a, 122a, and 131a. The card connector 10 has a space against the circuit board 30 while it is fixed with solder, and floats in midair through the terminals 112, 122, and 131. Breaking-off of contact parts between connection members 11, 12 of the card connector 10 and the contact pads 201 of the electronic card 20 hardly occurs since energy of shocks and vibration entered into an electronic equipment is absorbed and attenuated with spring elasticity of the curved parts 112a, 122a, and 131a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a card connector mounted on a circuit board. More specifically, the present invention relates to a card connector that is mounted on a circuit board that is unlikely to cause electrical disconnection between contact portions of a connection member of a card connector and a contact pad of an electronic card when an impact or vibration is applied.

An electronic card incorporating an electronic element such as an IC control circuit or a memory device is widely used. An electronic card integrates with an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a digital camera, or an electronic dictionary to expand the function of the device or dramatically increase the amount of digital information recorded.

The electronic card has a plurality of contact pads on the front surface or the back surface. When the electronic card is loaded into a card connector built in the electronic device, the spring piece portion constituting the connection member abuts the contact pad at the contact portion. A part of the electronic equipment is configured. At this time, the contact portion of the connection member comes into contact with the contact pad with an urging force corresponding to the amount of elastic deformation of the spring piece portion.

Many electronic devices having a system for loading these electronic cards are small and convenient to carry around, and are expected to be used in a state where impact or vibration is always applied. In some cases, a strong impact due to dropping may be applied.

Such an impact or vibration may be applied to an electronic device beyond a certain limit. The impact is transmitted to the housing, vibrates the circuit board, and propagates to the contact portion between the connection member and the contact pad. During this time, when the impact force propagates without decreasing, the continuous connection state between the connection member and the contact pad is cut, and eventually the electric circuit is cut off at this portion.

Such an electrical disconnection impairs the function of the original electronic device even if it is an instant (hereinafter referred to as an instantaneous disconnection), and breaks the guarantee of normal operation.

There are known techniques that have been devised in various ways to avoid the situation described above. For example, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, in a card connector composed of a main body, a cover, and a connection member, a spring piece portion constituting the connection member has a slit in the vertical direction to constitute a plurality of spring piece units. ing. These spring piece units have different shapes, weights, and the like, and are set to have different natural frequencies depending on the differences.

According to this technique, the plurality of spring piece units of the connecting member have different natural frequencies, and as a result, even when the circuit board is bent and vibrates, there is no possibility of instantaneous interruption at the contact portion. is there. In other words, there is almost no possibility that a plurality of spring piece units having different natural frequencies will be in a resonance state at the same time (because it is very small). It does not jump up, and it is possible to avoid a situation in which the connection state of the contact portion is broken even at the moment.
JP 2002-216914 A

Certainly, the structure provided with a plurality of spring piece units with a vertical slit in the spring piece portion described in Patent Document 1 has a natural frequency that is different from each other, so that even when vibration is applied, the contact point portion. An advantageous effect such as no instantaneous interruption is expected. However, in this structure, when a large impact energy is applied instantaneously that may occur when the electronic device is dropped, the expected effect of preventing instantaneous interruption cannot be expected.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and even when a large impact or vibration is applied to an electronic device, a momentary disconnection hardly occurs in the connection between the connection member of the card connector and the contact pad of the electronic card. An object is to provide a card connector.

The present invention employs the following means in order to solve the above problems.

(1) An insulative main body that houses a flat electronic card having an electronic element incorporated therein and a contact pad for electromechanical connection on the front or back surface, and a cover that covers at least a part of the main body A terminal portion that has a spring piece portion disposed on the main body that contacts a contact pad of the electronic card accommodated at one end and is electrically and mechanically connected to a terminal pad portion of the circuit board at the other end. A card connector comprising: a plurality of conductive connection members having a means for attenuating vibration energy by elastically deforming between the connection between the terminal portion and the terminal pad portion. It is.

According to the above means, the energy of the impact or vibration applied to the electronic device is directly transmitted to the circuit board fixed to the housing, but the card connector connected to the circuit board is attenuated by the energy attenuating means. Later vibration energy will be transmitted. Since the large impact energy initially applied is attenuated and transmitted to the card connector, the large deflection of the circuit board caused by the impact propagates at the contact portion between the connection member constituting the spring piece and the contact pad of the electronic card. do not do.

Here, the vibration energy attenuating means is a means for attenuating vibration energy generated by impact or vibration applied to a casing of an electronic device or a circuit board integrated with the casing to converge the bending of the circuit board. It is. The vibration energy attenuating means may have various configurations. For example, a leaf spring obtained by processing a metal flat plate may be used, or a characteristic of a coil in which a rigid metal is spirally wound may be used. An elastic body such as an elastomer material made of natural rubber material or synthetic resin material may be used.

Preferably, in the present invention, (2) a card connector including at least one reinforcing piece for reinforcing mechanical connection between the card connector and the circuit board on a bottom surface of the card connector, The reinforcing piece is the card connector according to (1) having means for damping vibration energy by elastic deformation.

According to the above means, the card connector includes at least one reinforcing piece. The reinforcing piece may be provided on the bottom surface of the main body of the card connector or may be provided on the cover. The reinforcing piece is installed at an appropriate portion when the terminal portion of the connecting member alone is insufficient in strength. In particular, when the terminal portions are concentrated on one side of the connector, the necessary number is installed at a position where stability can be secured because the strength is unstable. Since the reinforcing piece reinforces the connection force with the circuit board and includes vibration energy attenuation means, a circuit generated by an impact at the contact point between the spring piece part constituting the connecting member and the contact pad of the electronic card Large deflections of the substrate do not propagate.

Since the reinforcing piece does not require conductivity, various configurations can be considered beyond the terminal portion. For example, a leaf spring obtained by processing a metal flat plate as in the terminal portion may be used, or the characteristics of a coil in which a rigid metal is spirally wound may be used, or a synthetic or natural rubber material or synthetic resin material may be used. It is also possible to use an elastic body itself such as an elastomer material, and the degree of freedom is increased because it is not necessary to consider conductivity in the material selection.

The card connector according to (1) or (2), wherein (3) the vibration energy attenuating means is formed integrally with the connection member.

According to the above means, the vibration energy attenuating means is formed integrally with the connection member, and therefore the whole can be created by applying necessary deformation to the connection member cut out from the metal flat plate into a developed shape.

Preferably, in the present invention, (4) the card connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the vibration energy attenuating means is obtained by processing a metal flat plate into a curved shape.

According to the above means, the vibration energy attenuating means is obtained by processing a metal flat plate into a curved shape. The curved metal flat plate can vibrate in the direction to open and close the bay mouth. The vibration energy due to the bending of the circuit board is absorbed by this spring vibration. The spring vibration attenuates while repeating the absorbed vibration energy as heat energy, and finally converges to the original state. Since the large vibration energy initially applied is attenuated and transmitted to the card connector, the large deflection of the circuit board caused by the impact is propagated at the contact portion between the spring piece portion constituting the connecting member and the contact pad of the electronic card. do not do.

The card connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein (5) the vibration energy damping means is a coil spring.

According to the above means, the vibration energy damping means comprises a coil spring. A coil spring is a spirally wound metal material having rigidity, and exhibits spring elasticity by expanding and contracting from an equilibrium position. The metal may be steel, a copper-based alloy having rigidity such as phosphor bronze or beryllium copper, or another metal-based alloy.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, (6) the card connector according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the vibration energy attenuating means is an elastomer.

According to the above means, the vibration energy attenuating means is made of an elastomer. Elastomer is an elastic material that effectively absorbs and attenuates vibration energy. The elastomer may be synthetic rubber, natural rubber, or synthetic resin. The elastomer may be made conductive by filling the matrix with conductive metal particles or carbon particles.

A card connector according to the present invention includes a spring piece portion that constitutes a connection member provided in the card connector that has an impact or vibration applied to the electronic device without affecting the insertion and removal operations of the electronic card, and a contact pad of the electronic card. Propagation of the electrical circuit is effectively prevented by preventing it from propagating to the contact part.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the card connector mounted in the circuit board of 1st Embodiment, and the electronic card with which this is mounted | worn. It is a figure of the card connector main body which assembled | attached the connection member and reinforcement piece of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is a side view, (C) is seen from diagonally downward. It is an external perspective view. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the figure which attached the cover to the card connector main body which assembled | attached the connection member and reinforcement piece of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is a side view, (C) is diagonal It is the external appearance perspective view seen from the downward direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view of the electronic card of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally downward. It is a figure of the shorter connection member of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is a side view. It is a figure of the long connection member of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is a side view. It is a figure of the reinforcement piece of 1st Embodiment, (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally upward, (B) is a side view. It is an external appearance perspective view which mounted | worn the electronic card to the card connector mounted in the circuit board of 1st Embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is a figure of a card connector in case the vibration damping means of 2nd Embodiment is a coil. (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally downward, (B) is a side view. It is a figure of a card connector in case the vibration damping means of 3rd Embodiment is an elastomer. (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally downward, (B) is a side view. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the connection member of 2nd Embodiment and 3rd Embodiment from diagonally upward. (A) is the shorter connection member, (B) is the longer connection member, and (C) is the pedestal. 3 is a side view of an embodiment in which the card connector 10 is in closer contact with the circuit board 30 (in a state where the gap is small). FIG.

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

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a card connector mounted on the circuit board of the first embodiment and an electronic card loaded in the card connector. FIGS. 2A and 2B are views of the card connector main body in which the connecting member and the reinforcing piece of the first embodiment are assembled. FIG. 2A is an external perspective view seen from obliquely above, FIG. 2B is a side view, and FIG. It is the external appearance perspective view seen from. 3A and 3B are diagrams in which a cover is attached to the card connector main body in which the connecting member and the reinforcing piece of the first embodiment are assembled. FIG. 3A is an external perspective view seen from obliquely above, FIG. 3B is a side view, and FIG. ) Is an external perspective view seen obliquely from below. 4A and 4B are external views of the electronic card according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is an external perspective view seen from obliquely above, and FIG. 4B is an external perspective view seen obliquely from below. 5A and 5B are views of the shorter connection member of the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 5A is an external perspective view seen from obliquely above, and FIG. 5B is a side view. 6A and 6B are views of the longer connection member of the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is an external perspective view seen from obliquely above, and FIG. 6B is a side view. 7A and 7B are views of the reinforcing piece according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 7A is an external perspective view seen obliquely from above, and FIG. 7B is a side view. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view in which an electronic card is mounted on the card connector mounted on the circuit board of the first embodiment. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG.

<Electronic card>
The electronic card will be described with reference to FIGS. The electronic card 20 is a card type electronic device in which electronic elements such as an IC control circuit or a memory device are sealed with a synthetic resin (not shown). The external appearance is a flat synthetic resin molded body provided with contact pads 201 for external connection on one side or both sides ((B) of FIG. 4).

The description of the first embodiment is a case where a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is used as an electronic card. However, the present invention is not limited to a card connector for a SIM card, but includes an SD card, an MMC, and a smart media. (Trademark), memory sticks and other electronic cards. By the way, the SIM card is mainly used in a portable telephone device, and processes data related to personal information to expand the function of the electronic device. Since there is a strong risk of damaging the data fixed to the SIM card when the SIM card is removed while the power is on, a SIM card storage space is provided under the battery storage space to develop such a state. This is often avoided from the structural aspect.

<Card connector>
Next, the card connector will be described with reference to FIGS. The card connector 10 is a thin box and has an opening 103 on one side. The box has a main body 101 and a cover 102, and an accommodation space 104 for accommodating the electronic card 20 is formed inside. The electronic card 20 is inserted from the opening 103 and loaded into the accommodation space 104. The main body 101 is formed by injection molding an insulating synthetic resin. In the first embodiment, LCP (Liquid Crystal Plastic) is used in consideration of heat resistance. The cover 102 is obtained by adding a deformation such as bending or drilling to a rolled metal sheet having conductivity. In the first embodiment, a material having a plate thickness of 0.12 mm is used for SUS301 in consideration of strength and toughness. Thus, the metal material is used for the cover 102 mainly to ensure the strength.

<Connection between card connector and circuit board>
The connection between the card connector and the circuit board will be described with reference to FIGS. On the back surface of the card connector 10 (the surface facing the circuit board 30), the terminal portions 112 and 122 of the connection members 11 and 12 are arranged. The terminal portions 112 and 122 are portions that are fixed to the corresponding terminal pad portions of the circuit board 30 with solder and are responsible for electromechanical connection. The terminal portions 112 and 122 are regularly arranged on one side surface of the bottom surface of the card connector 10. The arrangement is such that the terminal portion 122 is arranged next to the terminal portion 112.

A reinforcing piece 13 is provided on the bottom surface of the card connector 10. The reinforcing piece 13 reinforces the fixing of the card connector 10 to the circuit board 30. In the first embodiment, two reinforcing pieces 13 are provided and are located in the vicinity of the corner portion away from one end of the bottom surface where the terminal portions 112 and 122 are regularly arranged. Since the reinforcing piece 13 is installed at this position, the card connector 10 of the first embodiment is fixed to the circuit board 30 in a stable state.

The card connector 10 is fixed at a predetermined position on the circuit board 30. Fixing is fixing by soldering by a reflow method. Fastening is the connection between the terminal portions 112 and 122 of the connection members 11 and 12 and the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30, and the terminal portion 131 of the reinforcing piece 13 and the reinforcing piece pad portion 302 of the circuit board 30. Depending on the connection between.

<Connecting member>
The connection member will be described with reference to FIGS. Connection members 11 and 12 are assembled to the card connector 10. Although the basic structures of the connecting member 11 and the connecting member 12 are common, the entire length of the connecting member 11 is set slightly shorter than that of the connecting member 12 due to the difference in the assembled position. The connecting members 11 and 12 are obtained by cutting a rolled metal plate having conductivity into a developed shape and adding deformation such as bending. In the first embodiment, a material having a plate thickness of 0.12 mm made of copper alloy C5210 is used in consideration of conductivity and spring property, and a gold plating process is applied to the upper layer of the nickel base.

The connection member 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. The connecting member 11 includes a fixing portion 111 so as to be fixed to the synthetic resin main body 101 of the card connector 10. The fixed portion 111 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the contact portion 110 extends from one end, and the terminal portion 112 extends from the other end.

The contact portion 110 includes a spring piece portion 110a that is elastic by cutting and rolling a copper alloy rolled material, a base portion 110b that is connected to a base end portion of the cut and raised portion, and a connecting portion 110c. The base portion 110 b is connected to a linear connecting portion 110 c extending from the end of the fixed portion 111. Cut-and-raise is a direction in which the cut-and-raised tip is directed toward the fixed portion 111. This direction is a result of preventing the occurrence of a catch in consideration of the insertion operation of the electronic card. The amount of cutting and raising is a large factor that determines the pressing force of the spring piece 110a. The tip of the spring piece 110a has a slightly rounded contact portion so as to form a good contact. This terminal shape is a result in consideration of the insertion / extraction operability of the electronic card 20.

The terminal portion 112 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30. The connection method is fixing by solder. The terminal portion 112 is characterized by an elastic structure obtained by processing a rectangular piece into a curved shape. This elastic structure includes a curved portion 112a and a connecting portion 112b constituting a flat portion at the tip. The curved portion 112a is a portion that constitutes a main portion for absorbing and attenuating shock or vibration by elastic deformation. The connecting portion 112b is a portion that is fixed to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30 with solder.

The fixing portion 111 is a fixing portion for fixing the connection member 11 to the main body 101 of the card connector 10. In the first embodiment, it is fixed by a simultaneous molding method. According to this method, it can be fixed relatively easily without taking a space.

The connecting member 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The connecting member 12 is longer than the connecting member 11 because of the difference in the assembly position. The connecting member 12 is obtained by adding a deformation such as bending or cutting to a rolled copper alloy sheet cut into a developed shape. The connecting member 12 includes a fixing portion 121 so as to be fixed to the synthetic resin main body 101 of the card connector 10. The fixed part 121 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the contact part 120 extends from one end, and the terminal part 122 extends from the other end.

The contact portion 120 includes a spring piece portion 120a that is elastic by cutting and cutting a copper alloy rolled material, a base portion 120b that is connected to the base end portion of the cut and raised portion, and a connecting portion 120c. The base portion 120b is connected to a linear connecting portion 120c extending from the fixed portion 121. The cut-and-raised direction is a direction in which the cut-and-raised tip is directed to the fixed portion 121. This direction is a result of preventing the occurrence of a catch in consideration of the insertion operation of the electronic card. The amount of cutting and raising is a large factor that determines the pressing force of the spring piece 120a. The tip of the spring piece 120a has a slightly rounded contact portion so as to form a good contact. This terminal shape is a result in consideration of the insertion / extraction operability of the electronic card.

The terminal portion 122 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30. The connection method is fixing by solder. The terminal portion 122 is characterized by an elastic structure obtained by processing a rectangular piece into a curved shape. This elastic structure has a curved portion 122a and a connecting portion 122b constituting a flat portion at the tip. The curved portion 122a is a portion constituting a main portion for absorbing and attenuating shock or vibration by elastic deformation. The connecting portion 122b is a portion that is fixed to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30 with solder.

The fixing part 121 is a fixing part for fixing the connecting member 12 to the main body 101 of the card connector 10. In the first embodiment, it is fixed by a simultaneous molding method. According to this method, it can be fixed relatively easily without taking a space.

<Reinforcing pieces>
The reinforcing piece 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7. The reinforcing piece 13 reinforces the fixation between the card connector 10 and the circuit board 30. The reinforcing piece 13 is obtained by adding a deformation such as bending or cutting to a rolled sheet made of a copper alloy cut into a developed shape. The reinforcing piece 13 includes a fixing portion 130 so as to be fixed to the synthetic resin main body 101 of the card connector 10. The fixing part 130 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the terminal part 131 extends from one end.

The terminal portion 131 is a portion that is mechanically connected to the reinforcing piece pad portion 302 of the circuit board 30. The connection method is fixing by solder. The terminal portion 131 is characterized by an elastic structure obtained by processing a rectangular piece into a curved shape. This elastic structure includes a curved portion 131a and a connecting portion 131b constituting a flat portion at the tip. The curved portion 131a is a portion constituting a main portion for absorbing and attenuating energy of impact or vibration by elastic deformation. The connecting portion 131b is a portion that is fixed to the reinforcing piece pad portion 302 of the circuit board 30 with solder.

The fixing portion 130 is a fixing portion for fixing the reinforcing piece 13 to the main body 101 of the card connector 10. In the first embodiment, the main body 101 is fixed by the simultaneous molding method. According to this method, it can be fixed relatively easily without taking a space.

<Absorption and damping action>
With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the vibration energy absorption and damping actions of the first embodiment will be described. The card connector 10 is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit board 30 by the terminal portions 112 and 122 of the connection members 11 and 12, and mechanical connection means by the reinforcing piece 13 is used for the purpose of reinforcing the connection of the connection members 11 and 12. I have. Therefore, the connection of the card connector 10 to the circuit board 30 is constituted by the terminal portions 112 and 122 of the connection members 11 and 12 and the terminal portion 131 of the reinforcing piece 13, and the card connector 10 is a circuit in other portions. A gap S is formed from the surface of the substrate 30 and floats in the air. As a result, an impact or vibration applied to the electronic device propagates to the circuit board 30 and then propagates to the card connector 10 via the connection members 11 and 12 and the reinforcing piece 13.

Here, the terminal portions 112 and 122 of the connection members 11 and 12 and the terminal portion 131 of the reinforcing piece 13 are formed by processing a metal plate material, and a curved portion 112 a having a predetermined curvature between the connection with the circuit board 30. , 122a and 131a. Since the curved portions 112a, 122a, and 131a have a spring structure and exhibit elastic characteristics, the force input by impact or vibration is absorbed by the elasticity of the spring structure. That is, the curved portions 112a, 122a, and 131a absorb the energy of impact or vibration input by the opening / closing operation of the portion having a substantially U shape.

The energy absorbed by the bending portions 112a, 122a, and 131a is converted into heat as a resistance component by repeating the opening and closing operation of the substantially U-shaped portion that is spring-deformed, so that the absorbed energy is attenuated and eventually bends. The vibrations of the portions 112a, 122a, and 131a converge to the original equilibrium position. The shock or vibration applied to the electronic device is effectively damped by the absorption and damping action of the vibration energy of the bending portions 112a, 122a, and 131a. As a result, the vibration energy after being attenuated is transmitted to the card connector 10 on the circuit board 30.

Since the contact pressure between the contact members 11 and 12 of the card connector 10 and the contact pad 201 of the electronic card 20 is obtained by the biasing force generated by the spring property of the connection members 11 and 12, the level generated by the damped vibration energy. The contact part does not break off against the vibration of. In other words, the present invention maintains a continuous connection by converting and transmitting to the magnitude of the amplitude of the spring even when an impact or vibration that is large enough to cause a momentary interruption is applied to the electronic device. , Achieved improved connection reliability.

Second Embodiment Coil Spring
With reference to FIGS. 10 and 12, the case where the vibration energy damping means is a coil spring will be described. FIG. 10 is a diagram of a card connector when the vibration energy attenuation means is a coil spring. (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally downward, (B) is a side view. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the connecting member and the pedestal as viewed obliquely from above. (A) is a shorter connection member, (B) is a longer connection member, and (C) is an external perspective view of a pedestal. In the drawings, portions common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. Moreover, in order to avoid duplication, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described.

The connection member 311 will be described with reference to FIG. As in the first embodiment, the connecting member 311 is obtained by adding deformation such as bending or cutting to a rolled sheet made of copper alloy cut into a developed shape. The connecting member 311 includes a fixing portion 3111 for fixing the connecting member 311 to the synthetic resin main body 101 of the card connector 10. The fixed portion 3111 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the contact portion 3110 extends from one end, and the terminal portion 3112 extends from the other end. The terminal portion 3112 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30. The terminal portion 3112 extends from the end of the fixed portion 3111. The terminal portion 3112 includes a flat connection portion 3112a for connecting the coil 500 of the vibration energy attenuation means.

The connection member 312 will be described with reference to FIG. The connecting member 312 is longer than the connecting member 311 due to the difference in the assembly position. As in the first embodiment, the connecting member 312 is obtained by adding a deformation such as bending or cutting to a rolled copper alloy sheet cut into a developed shape. The connecting member 312 includes a fixing portion 3121 so as to be fixed to the synthetic resin main body 101 of the card connector 10. The fixed portion 3121 has a substantially rectangular shape, and the contact portion 3120 extends from one end, and the terminal portion 3122 extends from the other end. The terminal portion 3122 is a portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal pad portion 301 of the circuit board 30. The connection method is fixing by solder. The terminal portion 3122 extends from the end of the fixed portion 3121. The terminal portion 3122 includes a flat connection portion 3122a for connecting the coil 500 of the vibration energy attenuation means.

The pedestal 313 will be described with reference to FIG. The pedestal 313 is installed on the bottom surface of the main body 101. The pedestal 313 is a substantially rectangular piece obtained by processing a metal flat plate. In the present embodiment, the copper alloy C5210 is used similarly to the connection members 11 and 12. The pedestal 313 is a pedestal for installing the coil spring 501 and includes fixed portions 3130 at both ends of the installation portion. The fixing portion 3130 is simultaneously molded at the time of injection molding of the synthetic resin main body 101 and fixed at a predetermined position.

The coil spring will be described with reference to FIG. The coil spring 500 includes a coil spring body 500a and a connection flat plate 500b. The coil spring 501 includes a coil spring main body 501a and a connection flat plate 501b. The coil spring bodies 500a and 501a have a structure in which conductive metal fine wires are wound spirally. The connection flat plates 500b and 501b are formed pieces obtained by punching a conductive metal flat plate into a square shape. The coil spring bodies 500a and 501a electrically and mechanically connect the connecting flat plates 500b and 501b to both ends. The connection method may be a welding method or a method using a conductive synthetic adhesive.

As shown in FIG. 10, the coil spring 500 is attached to the flat connection portions 3112 and 3122 of the connection members 311 and 312. The mounting method may be a welding method, a method using a conductive synthetic adhesive, or a fixing method using solder. The coil spring 500 mounted by such a method has conductivity over its entire length. The assembly may be performed before the contact terminals 311 and 312 are assembled to the main body 101 of the card connector 10 or after the assembly.

As shown in FIG. 10, the coil spring 501 is attached to a base 313 installed at a predetermined position on the bottom surface (the surface facing the circuit board) of the main body 101 of the card connector 10. The mounting method may be a welding method, a method using a synthetic adhesive, or a fixing method using solder. Since the coil spring 501 is not a part constituting an electric circuit, conductivity is not required for the connection method.

With reference to FIG. 10, the effect | action of the vibration energy attenuation | damping by a coil spring is demonstrated. The card connector 10 floats in the air with respect to the circuit board 30 via the coil springs 500 and 501. The impact or vibration applied to the electronic device is transmitted to the housing and causes the circuit board 30 to vibrate. However, the vibration energy of the circuit board 30 is absorbed and attenuated by the coil springs 500 and 501 and transmitted to the card connector 10. As a result, the connection between the contact portions 3110 and 3120 of the connection members 311 and 312 and the contact portion 201 of the contact pad 201 of the electronic card 20 is not disconnected.

<Third Embodiment Elastomer>
With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the case where the vibration energy attenuating means is an elastomer will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram of a card connector when the vibration energy attenuation means is an elastomer. (A) is the external appearance perspective view seen from diagonally downward, (B) is a side view. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view of the connecting member and the pedestal as viewed obliquely from above. (A) is a shorter connection member, (B) is a longer connection member, and (C) is an external perspective view of a pedestal. In the drawings, portions common to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. Moreover, in order to avoid duplication, only the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described.

The connection members 311 and 312 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

The elastomer will be described with reference to FIG. Elastomers 600 and 601 are rubbery elastic materials, and include synthetic rubber, natural rubber, and synthetic resin. Elastomers 600 and 601 have a dice shape. The elastomers 600 and 601 may be cut out from a large lump or may be formed into a final shape by molding. The elastomer 600 includes an elastomer body 600a and a metal layer 600b. The elastomer 601 includes an elastomer main body 601a and a metal layer 601b. The metal layers 600b are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the elastomer body 600a. The metal layers 601b are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the elastomer body 601a. For the metal layers 600b and 601b, a metal vapor deposition layer may be formed by CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), and a plating layer may be formed on the surface thereof. When forming the metal vapor-deposited layer, it is desirable to perform a base treatment such as an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) layer. The elastomer body 600a may be improved so as to exhibit conductivity by filling the matrix with conductive metal fine particles, metal filler, carbon fine particles, or the like. Silver particles, copper particles and the like are typical conductive materials as the metal fine particles.

As shown in FIG. 11, the elastomer 600 is attached to the flat connection portions 3112 and 3122 of the contact terminals 311 and 312. The mounting method of the elastomer 600 may be a welding method, a method using a conductive synthetic adhesive, or a fixing method using solder. The elastomer 600 mounted in this way has conductivity over its entire length. The assembly time may be performed before the connection members 311 and 312 are assembled to the main body 101 of the card connector 10 or may be performed after the connection.

As shown in FIG. 11, the elastomer 601 is mounted on a pedestal 313 installed at a predetermined position on the back surface (the surface facing the circuit board 30) of the main body 101 of the card connector 10. The mounting method may be a welding method, a method using a synthetic adhesive, or a fixing method using solder. Since the elastomer 601 is not a part of the electric circuit, conductivity is not required for the connection method.

With reference to FIG. 11, the vibration energy damping action by the elastomers 600 and 601 will be described. The card connector 10 floats in the air with respect to the circuit board 30 via the elastomers 600 and 601. The impact or vibration applied to the electronic device is transmitted to the housing and causes the circuit board 30 to vibrate. However, the vibration energy of the circuit board 30 is absorbed and attenuated by the connection medium elastomers 600 and 601 and transmitted to the card connector 10. As a result, the connection between the contact portions 3110 and 3120 of the contact terminals 311 and 312 and the contact portion 201 of the contact pad 201 of the electronic card 20 is not disconnected.

<effect>
The embodiment detailed above has the following effects.
When an impact or vibration is applied to the electronic device, the vibration energy attenuating means acts and the impact force is effectively attenuated, so that the electrical and mechanical connection at the contact portion between the card connector and the electronic card is not easily broken. .

Since the contact pressure of the spring piece portion of the connecting member is not increased, the electrical / mechanical connection at the contact portion between the card connector and the electronic card is hardly cut off without affecting the operability of inserting / removing the electronic card.

The vibration energy attenuating means can be assembled without increasing the projected area and width of the card connector.

A card connector having vibration energy attenuation means can be produced without significantly increasing the number of parts and man-hours.

<Another example>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various design change and correction can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. In the first to third embodiments of the present embodiment, specific examples in which various vibration energy attenuating means are provided are shown in the drawings. In this case, the card connector floated in the gap S with respect to the circuit board. However, in consideration of the reduction in the height of today's electronic devices, the card connector is closer to the circuit board (the gap is small). An example is shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the vibration energy attenuating means is the case of the metal flat plate terminal portions 112, 122, and 131, but it may be the case of the coils 500 and 501, and the case of the elastomers 600 and 601. Even in such a configuration, the above-described effects can be substantially achieved.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the installation position of the reinforcing piece is the bottom surface of the card connector main body, but the metallic cover may be provided with the reinforcing piece. In that case, spring strength may be formed on the reinforcing piece to absorb and attenuate vibration energy. Further, a means for providing a pedestal on the cover and installing a coil spring or an elastomer may be provided. Even in such a configuration, the above-described effects can be substantially achieved.

10 Card Connector 101 Body 102 Cover 11 Connection Member (Shorter)
110 Contact part 111 Fixing part 112 Terminal part 12 Connection member (longer one)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Contact part 121 Fixed part 122 Terminal part 13 Reinforcement piece 130 Fixed part 131 Terminal part 20 Electronic card 201 Contact pad 30 Circuit board

Claims (6)

An insulative main body that houses an electronic element inside, and houses a flat-plate electronic card with a contact pad for electromechanical connection on the front or back surface;
A cover covering at least a part of the main body;
At one end, it has a spring piece portion arranged on the main body, which comes into contact with the contact pad of the stored electronic card,
At the other end, it has a terminal portion that is electrically and mechanically connected to the terminal pad portion of the circuit board.
A plurality of conductive connecting members;
A card connector comprising:
A card connector comprising means for attenuating vibration energy by elastic deformation between the terminal portion and the terminal pad portion. A card connector comprising at least one reinforcing piece on the bottom surface of the card connector for reinforcing mechanical connection between the card connector and the circuit board,
2. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing piece has means for damping vibration energy by elastic deformation. 3. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein vibration energy attenuating means is formed integrally with the connecting member. 4. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the vibration energy attenuating means is formed by bending a metal flat plate into a curved shape. 4. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the vibration energy damping means is a coil spring. 4. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the vibration energy attenuating means is an elastomer.

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