JP2015225748A - Tray for card and connector for card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent wrong insertion of a tray for card to a connector for card.SOLUTION: A tray 1 for card inserted into the insertion space S1 of a connector 2 for card includes a front plate 11, more than one side plates 12 extending from the front plate 11 in the insertion direction, and a rear plate 13 connecting two arbitrary tips of the side plate 12. At least one side plate 12 has a groove 12d extending in the insertion direction, and when inserted into the connector 2 for card in the correct posture, the groove 12d engages with a protrusion piece 152 on the connector 2 for card side and guides insertion into the connector 2 for card. When inserted into the connector 2 for card upside down, the tip of the side plate 12 abuts against the insertion port S2 edge of the insertion space S1 or the protrusion piece 152, thus regulating wrong insertion into the connector 2 for card.

Description

  The present invention relates to a card tray and a card connector.

  Conventionally, in electronic devices such as personal computers, mobile phones, smartphones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), digital cameras, video cameras, music players, game consoles, vehicle navigation devices, SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards, MMC ( R) (Multi Media Card), SD (R) (Secure Digital) card, miniSD (R) card, xD Picture Card (R) (xD-Picture card), Memory Stick (R), Memory Stick Duo (R), To use various memory cards such as SmartMedia (R), Trans-Flash (R) memory card, Micro SD (R) card, etc. A connector is provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Memory cards usually have multiple connection pads on the bottom, and when inserted in the correct orientation into the card connector, the memory card connection pads come into contact with the connection terminals in the card connector, but are turned upside down. When inserted into the card connector in a posture, insertion is restricted. This is because the memory card itself has an asymmetric shape for preventing erroneous insertion, and the insertion space for the card connector is designed so as to prevent erroneous insertion using the asymmetric shape.

JP 2006-294570 A

  In recent years, with the rapid miniaturization of electronic devices, memory cards and card connectors tend to be rapidly miniaturized. For this reason, it is becoming difficult for the user to hold the memory card with his / her fingers or to insert it properly into the card connector. Therefore, a card connector has been proposed in which a memory card is set in advance on a card tray and the card tray is inserted. According to such a card connector, not only can the memory card be easily inserted, but also the shape of the memory card can be easily changed. Furthermore, a plurality of memory cards can be set in the card tray and the card can be used. It can also be simultaneously inserted into the connector.

  However, in the conventional card connector for inserting the card tray, the asymmetrical shape of the memory card is used to prevent erroneous setting of the card tray, but the card tray can be erroneously inserted in an upside down posture. There was sex.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a card tray and a card connector that can prevent erroneous insertion of the card tray into the card connector.

  The present invention has been proposed to achieve the above object, and the card tray of the present invention is a card tray to be inserted into an insertion space of a card connector, and includes a front plate portion and the front plate. Two or more side plate portions extending in the insertion direction and a back plate portion connecting any two tip portions of the side plate portion, and at least one of the side plate portions extends in the insertion direction. And when the card connector is inserted in a correct posture, the groove engages with a protruding piece on the card connector side to guide insertion into the card connector. When it is about to be inserted into the connector in an upside down orientation, the tip of the side plate portion abuts against the insertion port edge of the insertion space or the protruding piece to restrict erroneous insertion into the card connector.

  The card connector of the present invention is a card connector having an insertion space for inserting the card tray described above, a housing for housing the card tray, and a housing attached to the housing, A cover member that covers at least a portion, and the cover member or the housing has one or more protruding pieces that protrude into the insertion space, and the protrusion when the card tray is inserted in a correct posture. When a piece engages with the groove on the card tray side to guide insertion of the card tray, and the card tray is about to be inserted in an upside down posture, an insertion port edge of the insertion space or The protruding piece abuts against the tip of the card tray and restricts erroneous insertion of the card tray.

  According to the card tray and the card connector of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the card tray from being erroneously inserted into the card connector.

It is a perspective view which shows the operation | movement which inserts the tray for cards in the correct attitude | position in the connector for cards in embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the operation | movement which inserts the card | curd tray in the correct attitude | position in the card | curd connector in the embodiment of this invention from another angle. (A)-(h) is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation pattern of the tray for cards. It is a perspective view which shows the connector for cards which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the connector for cards concerning the embodiment of the present invention from another angle. (A) is AA sectional drawing of FIG. 2 which shows the operation | movement which inserts a card | curd tray in the correct attitude | position in the card connector in embodiment of this invention, (b) is a card connector in card connector in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation | movement which inserts the tray for trays in the upside down attitude | position. It is a BB schematic sectional drawing of FIG. 2 of the tray for cards which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[Basic configuration of card tray and card connector]
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, basic configurations of a card tray and a card connector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an operation of inserting a card tray into a card connector in a correct posture in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of inserting the card tray into a card connector in a correct posture in the embodiment of the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at operation | movement from another angle.
As shown in these drawings, the card tray 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an insertion space S1 (for a card connector 2 attached to an electronic device (not shown) in a state in which the memory card 3 is accommodated). Inserted into the insertion slot S2). That is, the memory card 3 is accommodated in the card tray 1 and attached to the electronic device via the card connector 2. The electronic device is, for example, a personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a digital camera, a video camera, a music player, a game machine, a vehicle navigation device, or the like, but may be any type of device.

  The memory card 3 is, for example, a SIM card, a MicroSIM card, an MMC (R), an SD (R) card, a miniSD (R) card, an xD picture card (R), a memory stick (R), a memory stick Duo (R ), Smart media (R), Trans-Flash (R) memory card, etc., which may be any type of memory card, but in this embodiment, a micro SD (microSD) (R) card It is assumed that

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the memory card 3 has an overall plate shape, and a plurality of electrode pads (not shown) are arranged on the lower surface thereof. In addition, an oblique cutout portion 3a is formed at the middle edge of one of the left and right side edges of the memory card 3 (for example, the middle edge of the right edge).

  In the present embodiment, the upper, lower, left, right, front, rear, etc. directions are used to explain the configuration and operation of each part of the card tray 1, the card connector 2, and the memory card 3. The expression is relative rather than absolute, and is appropriate when the card tray 1, the card connector 2, the memory card 3 or their parts are in the orientation shown in the figure, but for the card When the posture of the tray 1, the card connector 2, the memory card 3 or their components changes, it should be interpreted according to the change of the posture.

  As the card tray 1, a metal member integrally formed by punching or bending a metal plate material, or a resin member integrally injection-molded using a mold is used. The card tray 1 according to the present embodiment includes a front plate portion 11, left and right side plate portions 12 extending in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) from the left and right end portions of the front plate portion 11, and tip portions of the left and right side plate portions 12. The rear plate portion 13 that connects the (rear ends) is integrally provided, and the memory card 3 is accommodated between the left and right side plate portions 12.

  The front plate portion 11 has a shape capable of closing a through-hole (not shown) formed in the insertion slot S2 of the card connector 2 or the housing of the electronic device on which the card connector 2 is mounted. One end (for example, the right end) is formed with a hole 11a for inserting a pin-shaped tray ejecting operation tool when the tray is ejected, and the rear surface of the front plate 11 is accommodated in the card tray 1. A front end positioning portion 11b for positioning the front end edge of the memory card 3 is provided.

  The left and right side plate portions 12 have stepped side edge positioning portions 12 a for positioning the side edges and the lower surface of the memory card 3 accommodated in the card tray 1. Also, an intermediate positioning portion 12b for positioning the intermediate edge (notch portion 3a) of the memory card 3 accommodated in the card tray 1 is formed on either the left or right side plate portion 12 (for example, the right side plate portion 12). ing. Then, when positioning the intermediate edge of the memory card 3, the intermediate positioning part 12 b positions the notch 3 a formed in the middle of one of the left and right side edges of the memory card 3. Thus, the memory card 3 is prevented from being accommodated in the card tray 1 in an incorrect posture such as an upside down posture. Note that an opening is formed between the left and right side plate portions 12, and the electrode pads of the memory card 3 accommodated in the card tray 1 are exposed downward through the opening, and are connected to the terminals 161 of the card connector 2. Contact is possible.

  Also, either the left or right side plate portion 12 (for example, the right side plate portion 12) has a groove-shaped notch 12c on the outer side. The notch 12c functions as an engagement groove for retaining the card tray 1 inserted to the proper insertion position on the card connector 2 side when the card tray 1 is inserted into the card connector 2. To do.

(A)-(h) of FIG. 3 is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation pattern of the tray for cards.
As shown in these drawings, the card tray 1 is not limited to one that accommodates one memory card 3, and includes one that accommodates a plurality of memory cards 3. The plurality of memory cards 3 to be accommodated are not limited to those having the same size (standard), and may include memory cards 3 having different sizes (standard).

  For example, FIG. 3A shows a card tray 1A that accommodates one memory card 3A having a predetermined size. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, memories having the same size are used. Card trays 1B and 1C that accommodate a plurality of cards 3A so as to be arranged in the left-right direction may be used. In this case, three or more side plate portions 12 extend from the front plate portion 11, and tip portions thereof are connected by the back plate portion 13.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3D, a card tray 1D that accommodates a plurality of memory cards 3A and 3B having different front and rear dimensions so as to be arranged in the left-right direction may be used. In this case, the front end position of the card tray 1D (front and rear positions of the back plate portion 13) may be uneven.

  Further, like the card tray 1E shown in FIG. 3E, a plurality of memory cards 3B of the same size are accommodated so as to be arranged in the front-rear direction, or for the cards shown in FIGS. A plurality of memory cards 3B having the same size such as the trays 1F and 1G are accommodated so as to be arranged in the front-rear and left-right directions, or a plurality of memories having different sizes such as the card tray 1H shown in FIG. A plurality of cards 3B and 3C may be accommodated in the front-rear direction. In this case, the storage positions of the memory cards 3 </ b> B and 3 </ b> C arranged in front and rear can be partitioned by the middle plate portion 14 that connects the intermediate portions of the side plate portions 12.

  Next, the card connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

4 is a perspective view showing the card connector according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the card connector according to the embodiment of the present invention as seen from a different angle.
As shown in these drawings, the card connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 111 integrally formed of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin, and a metal plate material that is punched and bent. The cover member 151 is integrally formed by processing and attached to the upper side of the housing 111. An insertion space S1 is formed between the housing 111 and the cover member 151, one of which is opened as an insertion port S2. The card tray 1 described above is inserted into the insertion space S1.

  The housing 111 includes a plurality of terminals 161 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the electrode pad arrangement of the memory card 3. These terminals 161 are connected to the circuit pattern of the circuit board 4 when the card connector 2 is mounted on the circuit board 4 (see FIG. 6) of the electronic device. That is, when the card tray 1 containing the memory card 3 is inserted into the card connector 2, the electrode pads of the memory card 3 come into contact with the terminals 161 extending into the insertion space S1, and the circuit pattern of the circuit board 4 is changed. Conducted.

  In addition, the inserted card tray 1 is held in a retaining shape at one side (for example, the right side) of the card connector 2 and a part of the card tray 1 is inserted in accordance with a predetermined removal operation. A tray take-out mechanism (not shown) for extruding from the mouth S2 is provided. That is, when the card tray 1 is inserted into the card connector 2, the tray take-out mechanism engages with the notch 12 c of the card tray 1, so that the inserted card tray 1 is placed at the normal insertion position. Hold the stopper. In addition, when the card tray 1 is inserted, the tray take-out mechanism is inserted when a pin-like tray take-out operation tool is inserted from the hole 11a of the card tray 1 and the operation piece 112 of the tray take-out mechanism is operated. The engagement with the notch 12c is released by force, and a part of the card tray 1 is pushed out from the insertion slot S2. Thereby, it becomes possible to take out the card tray 1 from the card connector 2 with fingers. The tray take-out mechanism is not particularly limited, and a known tray take-out mechanism called an eject bar type, lever type, or push-push type may be used.

[Characteristic configuration of card tray and card connector]
Next, characteristic configurations of the card tray 1 and the card connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2 showing an operation of inserting the card tray into the card connector in the correct posture in the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2 of the card tray according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2 as viewed from the left side when cut up and down at the position A-A in FIG. These are the figures which looked at the state cut | disconnected up and down in the position of BB of FIG. 2 from the insertion direction of the card | curd tray.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, the card tray 1 has a groove 12 d that extends in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) on the upper surface of the side plate portion 12. In the present embodiment, the grooves 12 d are formed in the left and right side plate portions 12, but the grooves 12 d may be formed in only one of the side plate portions 12. As shown in FIG. 3, in the card tray 1 including three or more side plate portions 12, grooves 12 d may be formed in the three or more side plate portions 12.

  The groove 12d is formed to have a predetermined length dimension in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) starting from the front end (rear end) of the side plate part 12, but in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) of the side plate part 12. It is preferable that the groove 12d is formed over almost the entire region. The reason will be described later.

  On the other hand, the cover member 151 of the card connector 2 has one or more protruding pieces 152 protruding into the insertion space S1. The number of the protrusion pieces 152 is set corresponding to the number of the grooves 12d provided on the card tray 1, and the left and right positions of the protrusion pieces 152 are also set corresponding to the positions of the grooves 12d provided on the card tray 1. The

  According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the card tray 1 is inserted into the insertion space S1 of the card connector 2 in the correct posture, the protruding piece 152 on the card connector 2 side is provided. Can engage with the groove 12d on the card tray 1 side to guide insertion of the card tray 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the card tray 1 is about to be inserted into the insertion space S1 of the card connector 2 in the upside down posture, the engagement between the protruding piece 152 and the groove 12d is established. Therefore, erroneous insertion of the card tray 1 can be restricted.

  The protruding piece 152 can be provided on the back side of the insertion space S1, but is preferably provided in the vicinity of the insertion port S2 as in the present embodiment. The reason is that almost all insertion strokes from the start of insertion of the card tray 1 to the completion of insertion are obtained by the combination with the card tray 1 in which the groove 12d is formed over almost the entire front and rear direction (insertion direction) of the side plate portion 12. This is because the insertion of the card tray 1 can be guided by engaging the protruding piece 152 and the groove 12d. Further, when the leading end of the card tray 1 (side plate portion 12) is brought into contact with the protruding piece 152 at the time of erroneous insertion, the erroneous insertion of the card tray 1 is restricted in the vicinity of the insertion slot S2, and the terminal due to the erroneous insertion. There is an advantage that breakage or the like of 161 can be prevented.

  The protruding piece 152 of the present embodiment is formed by cutting and raising a part of the cover member 151. According to such a forming method, the protruding piece 152 can be provided at a low cost. When the protruding piece 152 is cut and raised, it is preferable to cut and raise the protruding piece 152 along a folding line 153 that faces the insertion direction of the card tray 1. The reason is that, even when a load in the insertion direction is received from the card tray 1, the protruding piece 152 is not easily deformed. In this embodiment, the protruding piece 152 is simply cut and raised, but an L-shaped or folded bent portion may be formed at the tip of the protruding piece 152. In this way, regardless of the thickness dimension of the cover member 151, there is an advantage that not only the right and left widths can be secured in the protruding piece 152 but also the strength of the protruding piece 152 can be reinforced.

  In this embodiment, the protruding piece 152 is provided on the upper side (cover member 151) of the insertion space S1, but the protruding piece may be provided on the lower side (housing 111) of the insertion space S1. In this case, the groove that engages with the protruding piece is formed on the lower surface of the side plate portion 12 in the card tray 1.

  Furthermore, the card tray 1 and the card connector 2 of the present embodiment have the following configuration for the purpose of preventing erroneous insertion of the card tray 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the card tray 1 of the present embodiment, the lower surface of the back plate portion 13 that connects the distal end portions of the side plate portions 12 is positioned above the lower end surface of at least one side plate portion 12. . In the present embodiment, since the lower surfaces of the left and right side plate portions 12 are positioned at the same level in the entire front-rear direction (insertion direction), the lower surface position of the back plate portion 13 is set so as to be positioned higher than that. Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, a reverse concave relief space S <b> 3 is formed on the lower surface of the front end of the card tray 1, with the left and right sides surrounded by the side plate portion 12 and the upper side surrounded by the back plate portion 13.

  On the other hand, the card connector 2 has a protrusion 113 that protrudes into the insertion space S <b> 1 on the floor surface of the housing 111. The protruding portion 113 is provided at a position facing the lower surface of the back plate portion 13 of the card tray 1 inserted into the insertion space S1 in the left-right width direction of the insertion space S1, and the protruding height thereof is the clearance space S3. It is set lower than the height. In addition, although the protrusion part 113 of this embodiment is provided along the inner surface of the right and left side board part 12 so that it may function also as the insertion guide of the tray 1 for cards, the number of the protrusion parts 113 is the same. One may be sufficient and three or more may be sufficient. Moreover, although the protrusion part 113 of this embodiment is extended from the vicinity of the insertion port S2 in the insertion space S1 to the intermediate position in the insertion direction of the insertion space S1, it should just be provided at least in the vicinity of the insertion port S2. .

  According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the card tray 1 is inserted into the insertion space S1 of the card connector 2 in the correct posture, the back plate portion of the card tray 1 is used. 13 passes above the protruding portion 113 provided on the floor portion of the insertion space S1, so that the insertion of the card tray 1 is allowed. However, as shown in FIG. 6B, the card tray 1 Is about to be inserted into the insertion space S1 of the card connector 2 in the upside down orientation, the upper surface of the back plate portion 13 of the card tray 1 rides on the protruding portion 113, whereby the side plate portion 12 of the card tray 1 is placed. The leading end protrudes upward from the insertion slot S2 and comes into contact with the upper edge of the insertion slot S2 (the front end of the cover member 151), so that erroneous insertion of the card tray 1 into the card connector 2 is restricted.

  According to the embodiment described above, the card tray 1 is inserted into the insertion space S1 of the card connector 2, and includes a front plate portion 11 and two or more extending from the front plate portion 11 in the insertion direction. Side plate portion 12 and a back plate portion 13 connecting any two front end portions of the side plate portion 12, and at least one of the side plate portions 12 has a groove 12 d extending in the insertion direction, for card use. When inserted into the connector 2 in the correct posture, the groove 12d engages with the protruding piece 152 on the card connector 2 side to guide the insertion into the card connector 2, and is inserted into the card connector 2 in an upside down posture. When trying to do so, the distal end portion of the side plate portion 12 can abut against the edge of the insertion port S2 of the insertion space S1 or the protruding piece 152 to restrict erroneous insertion into the card connector 2.

  Further, in the card tray 1 of the present embodiment, since the grooves 12d are provided in two of the plurality of side plate portions 12, the two grooves 12d are engaged with the protruding pieces 152 on the card connector 2 side, respectively. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a stable insertion guide as compared with the case where the insertion guide for the card tray 1 is provided by one groove 12d.

  Further, in the card tray 1 of the present embodiment, since the groove 12d is provided over almost the entire area of the side plate portion 12 in the insertion direction, almost all insertion strokes from the start of insertion of the card tray 1 to the completion of insertion. , The insertion of the card tray 1 can be guided by engaging the protruding piece 152 and the groove 12d.

  In addition, the card connector 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the housing 111 that houses the card tray 1 and the cover member 151 that is attached to the housing 111 and covers at least a part of the insertion space S1. When the cover member 151 or the housing 111 has one or more projecting pieces 152 projecting into the insertion space S1, and the card tray 1 is inserted in the correct posture, the projecting piece 152 is a groove 12d on the card tray 1 side. When the card tray 1 is about to be inserted in an upside down orientation, the insertion slot S2 edge of the insertion space S1 or the protruding piece 152 is inserted into the card tray 1. The card tray 1 can be prevented from being erroneously inserted by abutting against the front end of the card.

  Further, in the card connector 2 of the present embodiment, since the two protrusion pieces 152 are provided, one protrusion is provided when the two protrusion pieces 152 are respectively engaged with the grooves 12d on the card tray 1 side. Compared with the case where the card tray 1 is inserted and guided by the piece 152, a stable insertion guide can be performed.

  Further, in the card connector 2 of the present embodiment, since the projecting piece 152 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion port S2 of the insertion space S1, a groove 12d is formed over substantially the entire front and rear direction (insertion direction) of the side plate portion 12. In combination with the card tray 1 thus formed, the insertion of the card tray 1 is guided by engaging the protrusion 152 and the groove 12d in almost all insertion strokes from the start of insertion of the card tray 1 to the completion of insertion. be able to.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Card tray, 11 ... Front plate part, 12 ... Side plate part, 12d ... Groove, 13 ... Back plate part, 2 ... Card connector, 111 ... Housing, 113 ... Projection part, 151 ... Cover member, 152 ... Projection Pieces 161 ... terminals 3 ... memory card 4 ... circuit board S1 ... insertion space S2 ... insertion port S3 ... escape space

Claims (6)

A card tray to be inserted into a card connector insertion space,
The front plate,
Two or more side plate portions extending in the insertion direction from the front plate portion;
A back plate portion connecting any two tip portions of the side plate portion,
At least one of the side plate portions has a groove extending in the insertion direction;
When inserted into the card connector in a correct posture, the groove engages with a protruding piece on the card connector side to guide insertion into the card connector,
When the card connector is to be inserted in an upside down posture, the tip of the side plate abuts against the insertion port edge of the insertion space or the protruding piece to cause erroneous insertion into the card connector. Card tray characterized by regulation.   The card tray according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided in two of the plurality of side plate portions.   The card tray according to claim 1, wherein the groove is provided over substantially the entire region of the side plate portion in the insertion direction. A card connector comprising an insertion space into which the card tray according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is inserted,
A housing for accommodating the card tray;
A cover member attached to the housing and covering at least a part of the insertion space;
The cover member or the housing has one or more protruding pieces protruding into the insertion space,
When the card tray is inserted in a correct posture, the protruding piece engages with a groove on the card tray side to guide insertion of the card tray,
When the card tray is about to be inserted upside down, the insertion port edge of the insertion space or the protruding piece comes into contact with the tip of the card tray to prevent erroneous insertion of the card tray. A card connector.   The card connector according to claim 4, wherein two protrusion pieces are provided.   The card connector according to claim 4, wherein the protruding piece is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening of the insertion space.