JP3806690B2

JP3806690B2 - Card connector

Info

Publication number: JP3806690B2
Application number: JP2002356340A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 徹今井
Original assignee: Hosiden Corp
Current assignee: Hosiden Corp
Priority date: 2002-12-09
Filing date: 2002-12-09
Publication date: 2006-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-09
Also published as: JP2004192841A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、カードコネクタ、特に、カードを装着したカバーのボディに対するロック状態の解除が、ボディに取り付けられた押引き可能な操作レバーの操作を通じて行われるようになっているカードコネクタに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、ボディに横軸周りに開閉動可能に連結されたカバーにカードが着脱可能であり、カードが装着されたカバーをその閉位置で位置決めするロック手段を備え、そのロック手段の解除が、ボディに取り付けた操作レバーの押込み操作を通じて行われるものがあり、このものは、操作レバーがボディの側部で前後に押引き移動するようになっている（特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
また、本願出願人が特願２００２−１７５６５６号公報によって先に提案したカードコネクタでは、ボディを横切る方向に操作レバーが配備されていて、その操作レバーの押込み操作によって、ロック手段により閉位置で位置決めされたカバーの位置決め状態が解除されるようになっている。
【０００４】
これらのように従来例や本願出願人による先行出願に係るカードコネクタでは、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除するのに、操作レバーを一方向に移動させることが不可欠であったため、ロック状態を解除するときの操作レバーの操作方向についての選択権がユーザになく、ユーザはメーカ側が決定した操作レバーの操作方向に従わざるを得なかった。
【０００５】
【特許文献１】
実開平５−４３４８２号公報
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、ポータブルＭＤなどに用いられる小形カードコネクタでは、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除するときの操作レバーの操作方向がメーカ側で決定されてしまっていると、そのことがユーザにとっての使い勝手を低下させていることがある。また、ユーザ自身がカバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除するときの操作レバーの操作方向を好みによって押込み方向や引出し方向に変更したいという場合もある。
【０００７】
本考案は以上の状況の下でなされたものであり、操作レバーを押込み方向に操作した場合でも引込み方向に操作した場合でも、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除することのできるという双方向操作性を備えたカードコネクタを提供することを目的とする。
【０００８】
また、本考案は、本願出願人による先行出願に係るカードコネクタに比べてその部品点数を増加させずに上記双方向操作性を備えたカードコネクタを提供することを目的とする。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明に係るカードコネクタは、ボディに横軸周りに開閉動可能に連結されてカードが着脱されるカバーが、開動方向に弾発付勢するばね力に抗して閉じられたときにそのカバーに装着されているカードの電極が上記ボディに設けられたコンタクトに接触するようになっていると共に、そのカバーを閉位置に位置決めするロック手段を備え、そのロック手段によるカバーの閉位置での位置決め状態を解除するロック解除手段が、上記ボディに取り付けられた押引き可能な操作レバーを有する。この構成であれば、カードを装着したカバーを閉じると、そのカバーがロック手段によって閉位置に位置決めされるため、カードの電極がボディ側のコンタクトに接触して両者が電気的接続される。また、ロック解除手段の操作レバーを操作することによってロック手段によるカバーの閉位置での位置決め状態を解除すると、カバーがそれを開動方向に弾発付勢しているばね力によって開き、カバーからカードを排出することが可能になる。
【００１０】
本発明では、上記ロック手段が、上記カバーに設けられた被係合部と、上記ボディに取り付けられてばね力で付勢されることにより上記被係合部に係合される係合部材とを備え、上記ロック解除手段が、上記操作レバーと、この操作レバーが中立位置から押込み及び引出しのいずれの方向に操作されたときにも上記係合部材をばね力に抗して上記被係合部から離脱させるカム機構とを備え、かつ、そのカム機構は、上記係合部材を付勢しているばね力によって上記操作レバーを中立位置に向けて付勢する機能を備えている。
【００１１】
この構成であれば、操作レバーに押込み及び引出し方向のいずれの方向の操作力も加わっていないときには、係合部材を付勢しているばね力により操作レバーがカム機構を介して中立位置に保持されている。そして、操作レバーが中立位置から押込み及び引出しのいずれかの方向に操作されると、カム機構が係合部材をばね力に抗して被係合部から離脱させる。このため、操作レバーを押込み方向に操作した場合でも引込み方向に操作した場合でも、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態が解除されるという双方向操作性が発揮される。
【００１２】
本発明では、上記カム機構が、上記操作レバーと上記係合部材とに各別に振り分けて具備されかつその操作レバーの中立位置で互いに嵌合する谷形の第１カム面と山形の第２カム面とを有していると共に、第１カム面が、上記操作レバーの中立位置で互いに嵌合している状態から上記操作レバーの押込み方向及び引出し方向に相対移動したときに、上記第２カム面が第１カム面と摺動して上記被係合部に対する上記係合部材の離脱方向に相対移動して上記係合部材をばね力に抗して上記被係合部から離脱させるようになっていることが望ましい。この構成であれば、谷形の第１カム面と山形の第２カム面とを操作レバーと係合部材とに各別に振り分けて具備させておくだけの簡単な構成で上記した操作レバーの双方向操作性が得られるようになる。
【００１３】
本発明において、第１カム面及び第２カム面のそれぞれは、上記被係合部に対する上記係合部材の離脱方向に延びる仮想直線に対する勾配が等しい２つの傾斜面（対称傾斜面という）を備えていても、上記被係合部に対する上記係合部材の離脱方向に延びる仮想直線に対する勾配が異なる２つの傾斜面（非対称傾斜面）を備えていてもよい。これらの場合、上記操作レバーの中立位置で互いに嵌合している状態では第１カム面の２つの傾斜面と第２カム面の２つの傾斜面とが重なり合うようになっているという構成を採用することが可能である。
【００１４】
そして、操作レバーの中立位置で互いに嵌合している状態での第１カム面の２つの傾斜面と第２カム面の２つの傾斜面との関係を上記のような重なり合う関係に規定しておくと、第１カム面及び第２カム面が対称傾斜面である場合には、操作レバーが押込み方向に操作された場合と引出し方向に操作された場合とで係合部材の移動幅が同一になるのに対し、第１カム面及び第２カム面が非対称傾斜面である場合には、操作レバーが押込み方向に操作された場合と引出し方向に操作された場合とで係合部材の移動幅が異なる。このことにより、閉位置で位置決めされたカバーのロック状態を解除するときの操作レバーの押込みストロークと引出しストロークとを同じストロークにしたりそれらを異なるストロークにしたりしてロック解除のタイミングを変更することが可能になる。
【００１５】
本発明では、上記第１カム面が上記ボディの内部に配備された上記操作レバーのレバー主部に設けられていると共に、そのレバー主部の第１カム面形成箇所に、第１カム面の２つの傾斜面の相互間に亘る板状梁部と、その板片部と第１カム面の２つの傾斜面とによって囲まれた凹所とが備わり、上記係合部材に具備された上記第２カム面が、少なくとも上記操作レバーが中立位置に位置しているときに上記凹所に収容されるようになっているという構成を採用することが望ましい。この構成であれば、当該カードコネクタの小形化によってレバー主部を備えた操作レバーの小形化が図られ、しかも、谷形の第１カム面がそのような小形の操作レバーのレバー主部に設けられているとしても、レバー主部の第１カム面形成箇所が板状梁部によって補強されるために、レバー主部が第１カム面の形成箇所で折損したり折れ曲がったりするおそれがなくなる。併せて、第１カム面の２つの傾斜面を非連続に形成した場合でも、それら２つの傾斜面をレバー主部の１箇所に形成することができて第１カム面の１部品化による部品のコンパクト化を達成しやすくなる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
図１は本発明に係るカードコネクタの概略部分側面図、図２は同カードコネクタのカバー３の要部と係合部材５とを示した分解斜視図、図３は操作レバー７の平面図、図４は作用説明図、図５は他の状態での作用説明図、図６は図４のＶＩ−ＶＩ線に沿う部分の拡大断面図、図７はカバー３を閉動させている状態を一部破断して示した説明図、図８はカバー３が閉位置で位置決めされた状態を一部破断して示した説明図である。
【００１７】
図１のように、このカードコネクタでは、偏平なボディ１に具備された横軸１２にカバー３の前端部をその軸孔３１を介して回動可能に連結してあり、横軸１２を支点としてカバー３が矢印Ａのように開閉動可能になっている。また、ボディ１には、開扉用ばね１３が備わっていて、カバー３を図１の仮想線のように閉じたときには、そのばね１３が撓んでカバー３を開動方向に弾発付勢するようになっている。さらに、カバー３の開動は、そのカバー３の前端３２がボディ１に備わっている受部１４に当たることによって規制されるようになっている。
【００１８】
図２のように、カバー３の左右両側に、図示していないカードを装着する際に用いられるガイド溝３２が備わっていて、このガイド溝３２にカードを挿入することによってそのカードをカバー３に装着すると、そのカードがカバー３に重なり状に配備され、しかも、カバー３を閉じると、そのカードに備わっている電極（不図示）がボディ１に設けられたコンタクト（不図示）に弾接して両者が電気的接続される。
【００１９】
カバー３において、左右のガイド溝３２，３２のそれぞれの外側に被係合部としての孔部３３，３３が備わり、それらの孔部３３，３３の下側に湾曲した摺動面３４，３４が備わっている。図２において、５は係合部材で、この係合部材５は、長い帯状の板金材をコ字形に折り曲げることにより形成されていて、その両端部で前向きに突出された左右の突片部５１，５１の先端面が湾曲した摺動面５２，５２として形成されて上記してカバー３側の摺動面３４，３４に対応している。
【００２０】
図４〜図６のように、ボディ１の前端部には、前壁１４とこの前壁１４に平行で前壁１４よりも背低のリブ状の仕切り壁１５とが備わり、それらの前壁１４と仕切り壁１５との間に、上記係合部材５の横行部５３と、この横行部５３の前側に位置する操作レバー７のレバー主部７１と、横行部５３の後側に位置するばね体５５とが配備されている。上記レバー主部７１はボディ１の内部を横切る方向に延びる横長形状に形成されていて、その一端がボディ１の片側の側壁１６に具備された挿通孔１６ａに挿通されてボディ１の側方に突出されていて、その突出部分に把手１７が設けられている。また、この操作レバー７の横行ストロークを規制するストッパ１８，１９がボディ１側に設けられていて、操作レバー７が押し込まれたときには左側のストッパ１８にレバー主部７１が突き当たってその押込み限界位置が規制されるのに対し、操作レバー７が引き出されたときには右側のストッパ１９にレバー主部７１が突き当たってその引出し限界位置が規制されるようになっている。上記ばね体５５は、係合部材５の横行部５３を左右対称位置で前方に常時弾発付勢している。そして、図４又は図７で判るように、カバー３が開いているときには、ばね体５５によって前方へ弾発付勢された係合部材５の突片部５１が上記仕切り壁１５の前側に突き出ていて、その突片部５１の摺動面５２が、カバー３側の摺動面３４に対向している。したがって、図７の矢印Ｃのようにカバー３を閉じていくと、その途中でカバー３側の摺動面３４が同図のように突片部５１の摺動面５２に当り、その後、摺動面３４が突片部５１を押して係合部材５をばね体５５の付勢に抗して後退させながら突片部５１を乗り越える。こうして摺動面３４が突片部５１を乗り越えると、図８のように、ばね体５５の付勢によって係合部材５の突片部５１がカバー３側の孔部３３に嵌まり込んでその突片部５１がカバー３の閉位置に位置決めする。これがロック状態である。このことより、カバー３側の孔部３３によって形成されている被係合部と、ばね体５５と、係合部材５とによって、カバー３を閉位置に位置決めするロック手段が形成されている。
【００２１】
次に、ロック手段によるカバー３の閉位置での位置決め状態を解除するためのロック解除手段について説明する。
【００２２】
ロック解除手段は、上記操作レバー７とカム機構８とを備えている。図３〜図５に示したように、カム機構８は、操作レバー７のレバー主部７１に設けられた谷形の第１カム面８１と、係合部材５側に具備された山形の第２カム面８７とを備えている。図３で判るように、第１カム面８１は、分断されて非連続の左右一対の平坦な傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂでなる。そして、レバー主部７１の第１カム面形成箇所に、第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂの相互間に亘る板状梁部７２と、その板状梁部７２と第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂとによって囲まれた凹所７３とが備わっている。すなわち、細長帯状に形成されているレバー主部７１の第１カム面形成箇所では、レバー主部７１の長手方向中央部付近が凹入形状に形成されていて、その凹入形状に形成された空間の前壁面が左右２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂとされ、しかも、その空間を形作っている底壁部分が上記板状梁部７２となっている。これに対し、第２カム面８７は、係合部材５の横行部５３の中央部に具備された合成樹脂製のカム体８８の山形の前端面により形成されていて、その頂部を境にして左右２つに区画された平坦な傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂでなる。また、このカム体８８は、傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂの形成箇所に図６に示した段付状の凹入部８９を有し、この凹入部８９に、上記レバー主部７１の板状梁部７２を収容している。
【００２３】
そして、第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂは、前後方向の仮想直線Ｌに対する勾配、すなわちカバー３側の被係合部としての孔部３３（図２、図７、図８参照）に対する係合部材５の突片部５１の離脱方向Ａ（図５参照）に延びる仮想直線Ｌに対する勾配θ１，θ２が等しくなっている。同様に、第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂも上記仮想直線Ｌに対する勾配θ３，θ４が等しくなっていて、しかも、それらの勾配θ３，θ４のそれぞれは、第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂの上記勾配θ１，θ２とそれぞれ等しくなっている。さらに、上記各勾配θ１，θ２，θ３，θ４は、山形の第２カム面８７が谷形の第１カム面８１に嵌合し、ばね体５５の弾発付勢力で係合部材５が前方に付勢されていて、操作レバー７に操作力が加わっていない状態では、ばね体５５によって付勢されている第２カム面８７が第１カム面８１を押し付けて第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂが第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂに重なり合うようになっている。そして、このときに操作レバー７が中立位置に保持される。
【００２４】
以上の構成を備えたカードコネクタにおいて、図８のようにカバー３が閉位置で位置決めされてロック状態になっているときに、たとえば図５の矢印Ｐのように把手１７を介して操作レバー７が横に引き出されると、第１カム面８１の左側の傾斜面８１ａが第２カム面８７の左側の傾斜面８７ａとスライドしてカム体８８を前方へ押すので、そのカム体８８と共に係合部材５がばね体５５の付勢に抗して前方へ移動し、それに伴って突出部５１がカバー３側の孔部３３から離脱してロック状態が解除される。こうしてロック状態が解除されると、図１で説明した開閉用ばね１３の付勢によってカバー３が跳ね上がって開くので、そのカバー３に装着されているカードを抜き出して排出することができる。図示していないけれども、図８のロック状態から、たとえば把手１７を介して操作レバー７が横に押し込まれると、第１カム面８１の右側の傾斜面８１ｂが第２カム面８７の右側の傾斜面８７ｂとスライドしてカム体８８を前方へ押すので、上記と同様の動作が行われてロック状態が解除されることになり、開閉用ばね１３の付勢によってカバー３が開いてそのカバー３に装着されているカードを抜き出して排出することができるようになる。なお、操作レバー７の押込み方向のストロークはストッパ１８によって規制され、引出し方向のストロークはストッパ１９によって規制されるので、操作レバー７の押引き操作時にその操作レバー７が係合部材５の突片部５１に突き当たったりすることが防止される。
【００２５】
この実施形態では、上記した勾配θ１とθ２とを等しくして第１カム面８１の左右２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂを対称形状にし、かつ、上記した勾配θ３とθ４とを等しくして第２カム面８７の左右２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂを対称形状に形成し、操作レバー７の中立位置で互いに嵌合している第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂと第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂとの関係を互いに重なり合う関係に規定しているので、操作レバー７が押込み方向に操作された場合と引出し方向に操作された場合とで係合部材５の移動幅が同一になる。そのため、操作レバー７を押し込んだ場合と引き込んだ場合とでロック解除のタイミングが一様になる。
【００２６】
この点に関し、操作レバー７を押し込んだ場合と引き込んだ場合とでロック解除のタイミングを異ならせることも可能であり、その事例を図９に示してある。
【００２７】
図９は他の実施形態に係るカードコネクタの作用説明図であり、図４で説明した状態に対応している。この事例では、第１カム面８１の左右２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂを被対称形状にし、第２カム面８７の左右２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂも被対称形状にしてある。したがって、上記した仮想直線Ｌに対する第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂの勾配θ１，θ２が異なっている。同様に、第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂの仮想直線Ｌに対する勾配θ３，θ４も異なっている。しかも、θ１とθ３が等しく、θ２とθ４が等しくなっている。
【００２８】
このものによっても、山形の第２カム面８７が谷形の第１カム面８１に嵌合し、ばね体５５の弾発付勢力で係合部材５が前方に付勢されていて、操作レバー７に操作力が加わっていない状態では、ばね体５５によって付勢されている第２カム面８７が第１カム面８１を押し付けて第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂが第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂに重なり合い、それによって操作レバー７が中立位置に保持される。
【００２９】
そして、カバー３が閉位置で位置決めされてロック状態になっているときに、操作レバー７が横に引き出されると、第１カム面８１の左側の傾斜面８１ａが第２カム面８７の左側の傾斜面８７ａとスライドしてカム体８８を前方へ押すので、そのカム体８８と共に係合部材５がばね体５５の付勢に抗して前方へ移動し、それに伴って突出部５１がカバー３側の孔部３３から離脱してロック状態が解除される。こうしてロック状態が解除されると、図１で説明した開閉用ばね１３の付勢によってカバー３が跳ね上がって開くので、そのカバー３に装着されているカードを抜き出して排出することができる。これとは逆に、把手１７を介して操作レバー７が横に押し込まれると、第１カム面８１の右側の傾斜面８１ｂが第２カム面８７の右側の傾斜面８７ｂとスライドしてカム体８８を前方へ押すので、上記と同様の動作が行われてロック状態が解除されることになり、開閉用ばね１３の付勢によってカバー３が開いてそのカバー３に装着されているカードを抜き出して排出することができるようになる。
【００３０】
特に、この実施形態では、上記した勾配θ１とθ２とを異ならせて第１カム面８１の左右２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂを非対称形状にし、かつ、上記した勾配θ３とθ４とを異ならせて第２カム面８７の左右２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂを非対称形状に形成し、操作レバー７の中立位置で互いに嵌合している第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂと第２カム面８７の２つの傾斜面８７ａ，８７ｂとの関係を互いに重なり合う関係に規定しているので、操作レバー７が押込み方向に操作された場合と引出し方向に操作された場合とで係合部材５の移動幅が異なる。そのため、操作レバー７を押し込んだ場合と引き込んだ場合とでロック解除のタイミングが異なるようになる。
【００３１】
以上のように、この発明では、カム機構の第１カム面８１や第２カム面８７の形状を対称形状にしたり、非対称形状にしたりすることによって、操作レバー７を押し込んだ場合や引き込んだ場合でのロック解除のタイミングが一様になったり異なったりする。そのため、第１カム面８１や第２カム面８７の形状を変更するだけで、ロック解除のタイミングについての仕様を、ユーザの好みや当該カードコネクタが組み付けられるセット機器の形状などに合わせやすくなるという利点がある。
【００３２】
また、上記した各実施形態では、当該カードコネクタの小形化によってレバー主部７１を備えた操作レバー７の小形化が図られ、しかも、谷形の第１カム面８１がそのような小形の操作レバー７のレバー主部７１に設けられているとしても、レバー主部７１の第１カム面形成箇所が板状梁部７２によって補強されるために、レバー主部７１が第１カム面８１の形成箇所で折損したり折れ曲がったりするおそれがなくなる。併せて、第１カム面８１の２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂを図例のように非連続に形成した場合でも、それら２つの傾斜面８１ａ，８１ｂをレバー主部７１の１箇所に形成することができて第１カム面８１の１部品化による部品のコンパクト化を達成しやすくなる。
【００３３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明に係るカードコネクタは、操作レバーを押込み方向に操作した場合でも引込み方向に操作した場合でも、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除することができるという双方向操作性を備えているので、カバーの閉位置でのロック状態を解除するときの操作レバーの操作方向についての選択権がメーカ側にだけ存在するという従来の事態が改善され、ユーザが所望により操作レバーの押込み操作でロック解除するようにしたり、操作レバーの引出し操作でロック解除するようにしたりすることが可能になり、それだけ使い勝手が向上する。また、本願出願人による先行出願に係るカードコネクタに比べてその部品点数を増加させずに上記双方向操作性を備えたカードコネクタを提供することが可能になるので、カードコネクタに本願発明を適用することによって部品点数が増加してコスト高になるといった事態が起こらない。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係るカードコネクタの概略部分側面図である。
【図２】同カードコネクタのカバーの要部と係合部材とを示した分解斜視図である。
【図３】操作レバーの平面図である。
【図４】作用説明図である。
【図５】他の状態での作用説明図である。
【図６】図４のＶＩ−ＶＩ線に沿う部分の拡大断面図である。
【図７】カバーを閉動させている状態を一部破断して示した説明図である。
【図８】カバーが閉位置で位置決めされた状態を一部破断して示した説明図である。
【図９】他の実施形態に係るカードコネクタの作用説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１ボディ
３カバー
５係合部材
７操作レバー
８カム機構
１２横軸
３３孔部（被係合部）
７１レバー主部
７２板状梁部
７３凹所
８１第１カム面
８１ａ，８１ｂ，８７ａ，８７ｂ傾斜面
８７第２カム面
θ１，θ２，θ３，θ４勾配
Ｌ仮想直線[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card connector, and more particularly to a card connector in which a locked state of a cover on which a card is mounted is released through an operation of a push / pull operation lever attached to the body.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a card can be attached to and detached from a cover that is connected to the body so that it can be opened and closed around the horizontal axis, and has a locking means for positioning the cover with the card in its closed position. There is one that is performed through a pushing operation of an operating lever attached to the body, and this is configured such that the operating lever moves back and forth on the side of the body (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
Further, in the card connector previously proposed by the applicant of the present application according to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-175656, an operation lever is provided in a direction crossing the body, and is positioned in a closed position by a locking means by pushing the operation lever. The positioned state of the cover is released.
[0004]
As described above, in the card connector according to the conventional example or the prior application by the applicant of the present application, it is indispensable to move the operation lever in one direction to release the locked state in the closed position of the cover. The user does not have the right to select the operation direction of the operation lever when releasing the operation, and the user has to follow the operation direction of the operation lever determined by the manufacturer.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-43482 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a small card connector used for a portable MD or the like, if the operating direction of the operating lever for releasing the locked state at the closed position of the cover is determined by the manufacturer, this is convenient for the user. May be reduced. In addition, there is a case where the user himself / herself wants to change the operation direction of the operation lever when releasing the locked state at the closed position of the cover to the push-in direction or the pull-out direction as desired.
[0007]
The present invention has been made under the above circumstances, and is capable of releasing the locked state in the closed position of the cover regardless of whether the operation lever is operated in the pushing direction or the retracting direction. An object is to provide a card connector having operability.
[0008]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a card connector having the above-described bidirectional operability without increasing the number of parts compared to the card connector according to the prior application filed by the applicant of the present application.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The card connector according to the present invention includes a cover that is connected to a body so as to be movable around a horizontal axis so that the card can be attached and detached when the cover is closed against a spring force that elastically biases in the opening direction. The card electrode mounted on the card is in contact with the contact provided on the body, and has a lock means for positioning the cover in the closed position, and the cover is positioned in the closed position by the lock means. The unlocking means for releasing the state has a pushable / pullable operating lever attached to the body. With this configuration, when the cover on which the card is mounted is closed, the cover is positioned at the closed position by the locking means, so that the electrode of the card contacts the contact on the body side and the two are electrically connected. Also, when the operating state of the lock release means is released, the cover is opened by the spring force that elastically biases the cover in the opening direction when the cover is released from the closed position. Can be discharged.
[0010]
In the present invention, the locking means includes an engaged portion provided on the cover, and an engaging member that is attached to the body and is engaged with the engaged portion by being biased by a spring force. The unlocking means includes the operating lever and the engaged member against the spring force when the operating lever is operated from the neutral position in either the pushing or withdrawing direction. And a cam mechanism for urging the operation lever toward the neutral position by a spring force that urges the engagement member.
[0011]
With this configuration, when no operating force in either the push-in or pull-out direction is applied to the operating lever, the operating lever is held at the neutral position via the cam mechanism by the spring force biasing the engaging member. ing. When the operating lever is operated from the neutral position in either the push-in direction or the pull-out direction, the cam mechanism disengages the engaging member from the engaged portion against the spring force. For this reason, even when the operating lever is operated in the push-in direction or in the retracted direction, the bidirectional operability that the locked state at the closed position of the cover is released is exhibited.
[0012]
In the present invention, the cam mechanism is provided separately for the operation lever and the engagement member, and the valley-shaped first cam surface and the mountain-shaped second cam that are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever. The second cam when the first cam surface is relatively moved in the pushing direction and the drawing direction of the operation lever from the state where the first cam surface is fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever. The surface slides on the first cam surface and moves relative to the engaged member in the disengagement direction with respect to the engaged portion so that the engaging member is separated from the engaged portion against a spring force. It is desirable that With this configuration, both the above-described operation levers can be configured with a simple configuration in which the valley-shaped first cam surface and the mountain-shaped second cam surface are separately provided to the operation lever and the engaging member. Directional operability can be obtained.
[0013]
In the present invention, each of the first cam surface and the second cam surface includes two inclined surfaces (referred to as symmetrical inclined surfaces) having the same gradient with respect to a virtual straight line extending in the direction in which the engaging member is detached from the engaged portion. However, two inclined surfaces (asymmetric inclined surfaces) having different gradients with respect to a virtual straight line extending in the disengagement direction of the engaging member with respect to the engaged portion may be provided. In these cases, a configuration is adopted in which the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface and the two inclined surfaces of the second cam surface overlap each other in a state where they are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever. Is possible.
[0014]
Then, the relationship between the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface and the two inclined surfaces of the second cam surface in a state where they are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever is defined as the overlapping relationship as described above. In other words, when the first cam surface and the second cam surface are symmetrically inclined surfaces, the movement width of the engaging member is the same when the operation lever is operated in the push-in direction and when it is operated in the pull-out direction. On the other hand, when the first cam surface and the second cam surface are asymmetric inclined surfaces, the engagement member moves depending on whether the operation lever is operated in the push-in direction or the pull-out direction. The width is different. This makes it possible to change the unlocking timing by making the push-in stroke and the drawing-out stroke of the operating lever the same when releasing the locked state of the cover positioned at the closed position or making them different strokes. It becomes possible.
[0015]
In the present invention, the first cam surface is provided in a lever main portion of the operation lever provided in the body, and the first cam surface is formed on the first cam surface forming portion of the lever main portion. A plate-like beam portion extending between the two inclined surfaces, and a recess surrounded by the plate piece portion and the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface; It is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the two cam surfaces are accommodated in the recess when at least the operation lever is located at the neutral position. With this configuration, the card connector can be downsized to reduce the size of the operating lever provided with the lever main portion, and the valley-shaped first cam surface can be connected to the lever main portion of the small operating lever. Even if it is provided, since the first cam surface forming portion of the lever main portion is reinforced by the plate-like beam portion, there is no possibility that the lever main portion is broken or bent at the first cam surface forming portion. . In addition, even when the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface are formed discontinuously, the two inclined surfaces can be formed in one place of the lever main portion, and the component by making the first cam surface into one component It is easy to achieve compactness.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 is a schematic partial side view of a card connector according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an essential part of a cover 3 of the card connector and an engaging member 5, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operating lever 7. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation in another state, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a partially broken view illustrating a state in which the cover 3 is positioned at the closed position.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, in this card connector, the front end of the cover 3 is rotatably connected to the horizontal shaft 12 provided in the flat body 1 through the shaft hole 31. The cover 3 can be opened and closed as indicated by an arrow A. Further, the body 1 is provided with a door opening spring 13, and when the cover 3 is closed as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 1, the spring 13 is bent so that the cover 3 is elastically biased in the opening direction. It has become. Furthermore, the opening movement of the cover 3 is restricted by the front end 32 of the cover 3 coming into contact with the receiving portion 14 provided in the body 1.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, guide grooves 32 used when a card (not shown) is mounted are provided on both the left and right sides of the cover 3, and the card is inserted into the cover 3 by inserting the card into the guide groove 32. When the card is mounted, the card is arranged in an overlapping manner on the cover 3, and when the cover 3 is closed, an electrode (not shown) provided on the card elastically contacts a contact (not shown) provided on the body 1. Both are electrically connected.
[0019]
In the cover 3, holes 33, 33 as engaged portions are provided on the outer sides of the left and right guide grooves 32, 32, and curved sliding surfaces 34, 34 are formed below the holes 33, 33. It is equipped. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 5 denotes an engaging member, and this engaging member 5 is formed by bending a long strip-shaped sheet metal material into a U-shape, and left and right protruding piece portions 51 protruding forward at both ends thereof. , 51 are formed as curved sliding surfaces 52, 52 and correspond to the sliding surfaces 34, 34 on the cover 3 side as described above.
[0020]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the front end of the body 1 is provided with a front wall 14 and a rib-like partition wall 15 parallel to the front wall 14 and lower than the front wall 14. 14 and the partition wall 15, the transverse portion 53 of the engaging member 5, the lever main portion 71 of the operation lever 7 located on the front side of the transverse portion 53, and the spring located on the rear side of the transverse portion 53 A body 55 is provided. The lever main portion 71 is formed in a horizontally long shape extending in a direction crossing the inside of the body 1, and one end of the lever main portion 71 is inserted into an insertion hole 16 a provided on one side wall 16 of the body 1 to the side of the body 1. It protrudes and the handle 17 is provided in the protrusion part. Further, stoppers 18 and 19 for restricting the transverse stroke of the operating lever 7 are provided on the body 1 side. When the operating lever 7 is pushed in, the lever main portion 71 hits the left stopper 18 and the pushing limit position is reached. On the other hand, when the operation lever 7 is pulled out, the lever main portion 71 abuts against the stopper 19 on the right side, and the pull-out limit position is restricted. The spring body 55 constantly urges the traversing portion 53 of the engaging member 5 forward at a symmetrical position. As shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 7, when the cover 3 is open, the protruding piece 51 of the engaging member 5 that is elastically biased forward by the spring body 55 protrudes to the front side of the partition wall 15. The sliding surface 52 of the projecting piece 51 is opposed to the sliding surface 34 on the cover 3 side. Therefore, when the cover 3 is closed as indicated by the arrow C in FIG. 7, the sliding surface 34 on the cover 3 side hits the sliding surface 52 of the projecting piece 51 as shown in FIG. The moving surface 34 pushes over the projecting piece 51 and moves over the projecting piece 51 while retracting the engaging member 5 against the bias of the spring body 55. Thus, when the sliding surface 34 gets over the protruding piece 51, the protruding piece 51 of the engaging member 5 is fitted into the hole 33 on the cover 3 side by the bias of the spring body 55 as shown in FIG. The projecting piece 51 is positioned at the closed position of the cover 3. This is the locked state. Thus, the engaged portion formed by the hole 33 on the cover 3 side, the spring body 55, and the engaging member 5 form a locking means for positioning the cover 3 in the closed position.
[0021]
Next, the lock release means for releasing the positioning state of the cover 3 in the closed position by the lock means will be described.
[0022]
The unlocking means includes the operation lever 7 and the cam mechanism 8. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cam mechanism 8 includes a valley-shaped first cam surface 81 provided in the lever main portion 71 of the operation lever 7 and a mountain-shaped first cam surface provided on the engagement member 5 side. 2 cam surfaces 87. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first cam surface 81 is divided into a pair of non-continuous left and right flat inclined surfaces 81a and 81b. Then, at the first cam surface forming portion of the lever main portion 71, a plate beam 72 extending between the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81, the plate beam 72 and the first cam. A recess 73 surrounded by two inclined surfaces 81 a and 81 b of the surface 81 is provided. That is, in the first cam surface formation portion of the lever main portion 71 formed in the shape of an elongated strip, the vicinity of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lever main portion 71 is formed in a concave shape, and the concave main portion 71 is formed in the concave shape. The front wall surface of the space is the two left and right inclined surfaces 81a and 81b, and the bottom wall portion forming the space is the plate-like beam portion 72. On the other hand, the second cam surface 87 is formed by a chevron-shaped front end surface of a synthetic resin cam body 88 provided at the central portion of the transverse portion 53 of the engaging member 5, with the top portion as a boundary. It consists of flat inclined surfaces 87a and 87b divided into two on the left and right. Further, the cam body 88 has a stepped recess 89 shown in FIG. 6 at the positions where the inclined surfaces 87 a and 87 b are formed, and the plate beam 72 of the lever main portion 71 is formed in the recess 89. Is housed.
[0023]
The two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 are inclined with respect to the imaginary straight line L in the front-rear direction, that is, the hole 33 as an engaged portion on the cover 3 side (see FIGS. 2, 7, and 8). The gradients θ1 and θ2 with respect to the imaginary straight line L extending in the detaching direction A (see FIG. 5) of the projecting piece 51 of the engaging member 5 with respect to Similarly, the two inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of the second cam surface 87 have the same gradients θ3 and θ4 with respect to the imaginary straight line L, and each of the gradients θ3 and θ4 is the same as that of the first cam surface 81. The gradients θ1 and θ2 of the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b are equal to each other. Further, in each of the gradients θ1, θ2, θ3, and θ4, the mountain-shaped second cam surface 87 is fitted to the valley-shaped first cam surface 81, and the engagement member 5 is moved forward by the elastic urging force of the spring body 55. The second cam surface 87 urged by the spring body 55 presses the first cam surface 81 in a state in which no operating force is applied to the operation lever 7 and the second cam surface 87 is The two inclined surfaces 87 a and 87 b overlap the two inclined surfaces 81 a and 81 b of the first cam surface 81. At this time, the operation lever 7 is held in the neutral position.
[0024]
In the card connector having the above configuration, when the cover 3 is positioned at the closed position and is in the locked state as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the operation lever 7 via the handle 17 as shown by the arrow P in FIG. Is pulled sideways, the left inclined surface 81a of the first cam surface 81 slides on the left inclined surface 87a of the second cam surface 87 and pushes the cam body 88 forward, so that it engages with the cam body 88. The member 5 moves forward against the urging force of the spring body 55, and accordingly, the protruding portion 51 is detached from the hole 33 on the cover 3 side, and the locked state is released. When the locked state is released in this way, the cover 3 jumps up and opens due to the bias of the opening and closing spring 13 described in FIG. 1, so that the card attached to the cover 3 can be extracted and discharged. Although not shown, when the operating lever 7 is pushed sideways through the handle 17 from the locked state of FIG. 8, the right inclined surface 81 b of the first cam surface 81 is inclined to the right of the second cam surface 87. Since the cam body 88 is pushed forward by sliding with the surface 87b, the same operation as described above is performed and the locked state is released, and the cover 3 is opened by the urging of the opening and closing spring 13, and the cover 3 The card attached to the card can be extracted and ejected. Since the stroke in the pushing direction of the operating lever 7 is restricted by the stopper 18 and the stroke in the pulling direction is restricted by the stopper 19, when the operating lever 7 is pushed and pulled, the operating lever 7 is a protruding piece of the engaging member 5. It is prevented from hitting the portion 51.
[0025]
In this embodiment, the gradients θ1 and θ2 described above are made equal to make the two left and right inclined surfaces 81a, 81b of the first cam surface 81 symmetrical, and the gradients θ3 and θ4 described above are made equal. Two inclined surfaces 81a, 81b and a second cam surface of the first cam surface 81, which are formed symmetrically on the left and right inclined surfaces 87a, 87b of the cam surface 87 and are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operating lever 7. Since the relationship between the two inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of 87 is defined as an overlapping relationship, the engagement member 5 moves depending on whether the operation lever 7 is operated in the push-in direction or the pull-out direction. The width is the same. Therefore, the unlocking timing is uniform between when the operating lever 7 is pushed in and when it is pulled in.
[0026]
In this regard, the unlock timing can be made different depending on whether the operation lever 7 is pushed in or retracted, and an example of this is shown in FIG.
[0027]
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of a card connector according to another embodiment, and corresponds to the state described in FIG. In this example, the left and right inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 are symmetrically shaped, and the left and right inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of the second cam surface 87 are also symmetrically shaped. Therefore, the gradients θ1 and θ2 of the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 with respect to the imaginary straight line L are different. Similarly, the gradients θ3 and θ4 of the two inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of the second cam surface 87 with respect to the virtual straight line L are also different. Moreover, θ1 and θ3 are equal, and θ2 and θ4 are equal.
[0028]
Also according to this, the mountain-shaped second cam surface 87 is fitted to the valley-shaped first cam surface 81, and the engagement member 5 is urged forward by the elastic urging force of the spring body 55. 7, the second cam surface 87 biased by the spring body 55 presses the first cam surface 81, and the two inclined surfaces 87 a and 87 b of the second cam surface 87 are the first. It overlaps with the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the cam surface 81, whereby the operation lever 7 is held in the neutral position.
[0029]
When the operation lever 7 is pulled out sideways when the cover 3 is positioned at the closed position and is in the locked state, the left inclined surface 81a of the first cam surface 81 becomes the left side of the second cam surface 87. Since the cam body 88 is pushed forward by sliding with the inclined surface 87 a, the engaging member 5 moves forward against the bias of the spring body 55 together with the cam body 88, and accordingly the protruding portion 51 is covered with the cover 3. It is detached from the side hole 33 and the locked state is released. When the locked state is released in this way, the cover 3 jumps up and opens due to the bias of the opening and closing spring 13 described in FIG. 1, so that the card attached to the cover 3 can be extracted and discharged. On the contrary, when the operation lever 7 is pushed sideways through the handle 17, the right inclined surface 81b of the first cam surface 81 slides with the right inclined surface 87b of the second cam surface 87, and the cam body. Since 88 is pushed forward, the same operation as described above is performed and the locked state is released, and the cover 3 is opened by the bias of the opening and closing spring 13, and the card mounted on the cover 3 is removed. Can be discharged.
[0030]
In particular, in this embodiment, the gradients θ1 and θ2 described above are made different so that the left and right inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 are asymmetrical, and the gradients θ3 and θ4 described above are made different. The two left and right inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of the second cam surface 87 are formed in an asymmetric shape, and the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 and the second inclined surfaces are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever 7. Since the relationship between the two inclined surfaces 87a and 87b of the cam surface 87 is defined as an overlapping relationship with each other, the engagement member 5 depends on whether the operation lever 7 is operated in the push-in direction or the pull-out direction. The movement width of is different. Therefore, the unlock timing differs depending on whether the operation lever 7 is pushed in or pulled out.
[0031]
As described above, in the present invention, when the operation lever 7 is pushed in or retracted by making the first cam surface 81 or the second cam surface 87 of the cam mechanism symmetrical or asymmetrical. The timing of unlocking at will be uniform or different. Therefore, simply changing the shape of the first cam surface 81 and the second cam surface 87 makes it easy to match the specifications for the unlock timing to the user's preference and the shape of the set device to which the card connector is assembled. There are advantages.
[0032]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the operation lever 7 provided with the lever main portion 71 can be reduced in size by downsizing the card connector, and the valley-shaped first cam surface 81 has such a small operation. Even if the lever main portion 71 of the lever 7 is provided, the lever main portion 71 is formed on the first cam surface 81 because the first cam surface forming portion of the lever main portion 71 is reinforced by the plate-like beam portion 72. There is no risk of breaking or bending at the formation site. In addition, even when the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b of the first cam surface 81 are discontinuously formed as shown in the figure, the two inclined surfaces 81a and 81b are formed at one position of the lever main portion 71. This makes it easier to achieve a compact part by making the first cam surface 81 into one part.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the card connector according to the present invention has a bidirectional operability in which the locked state in the closed position of the cover can be released regardless of whether the operation lever is operated in the pushing direction or the pulling direction. Therefore, the conventional situation that only the manufacturer has the right to select the operating direction of the operating lever when releasing the locked state in the closed position of the cover is improved, and the user can It becomes possible to release the lock by pushing operation and to release the lock by pulling out the operation lever, and the usability is improved accordingly. Further, the present invention can be applied to a card connector because it is possible to provide a card connector having the above bidirectional operability without increasing the number of parts as compared with the card connector according to the prior application filed by the present applicant. As a result, the number of parts increases and the cost does not increase.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic partial side view of a card connector according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a cover of the card connector and an engaging member.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation lever.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram in another state.
6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion along line VI-VI in FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a partially broken state in which the cover is closed.
FIG. 8 is a partially broken view showing a state where a cover is positioned at a closed position.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of a card connector according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body 3 Cover 5 Engagement member 7 Operation lever 8 Cam mechanism 12 Horizontal shaft 33 Hole (engaged part)
71 Lever main portion 72 Plate beam portion 73 Recess 81 First cam surfaces 81a, 81b, 87a, 87b Inclined surface 87 Second cam surfaces θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4 Gradient L Virtual straight line

Claims

The electrode of the card that is attached to the cover when the cover, which is connected to the body so that it can be opened and closed around the horizontal axis and is attached to and detached from the body, is closed against the spring force that elastically biases it in the opening direction. A lock means for positioning the cover in the closed position, and a lock release means for releasing the position of the cover in the closed position by the lock means. In the card connector having an operation lever that can be pushed and pulled attached to the body,
The locking means includes an engaged portion provided on the cover, and an engaging member that is attached to the body and is engaged with the engaged portion by being biased by a spring force.
The unlocking means is disengaged from the engaged portion against the spring force when the operating lever and the operating lever are operated in either the pushing or withdrawing direction from the neutral position. And a cam mechanism having a function of urging the operating lever toward a neutral position by a spring force urging the engaging member. connector.

The cam mechanism has a trough-shaped first cam surface and a chevron-shaped second cam surface that are separately provided on the operation lever and the engaging member and fit to each other at a neutral position of the operation lever. In addition, when the first cam surface is relatively moved in the pushing direction and the pulling direction of the operation lever from the state where the first cam surfaces are fitted to each other at the neutral position of the operation lever, the second cam surface is the first cam surface. A sliding movement with a cam surface causes a relative movement of the engagement member with respect to the engaged portion in a disengagement direction to disengage the engagement member from the engaged portion against a spring force. Item 1. A card connector according to item 1.

Each of the first cam surface and the second cam surface includes two inclined surfaces having the same gradient with respect to an imaginary straight line extending in the disengagement direction of the engagement member with respect to the engaged portion, and at a neutral position of the operation lever. The card connector according to claim 2, wherein the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface and the two inclined surfaces of the second cam surface are overlapped with each other in a state of being fitted to each other.

Each of the first cam surface and the second cam surface includes two inclined surfaces having different gradients with respect to an imaginary straight line extending in the disengagement direction of the engagement member with respect to the engaged portion, and at a neutral position of the operation lever. The card connector according to claim 2, wherein the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface and the two inclined surfaces of the second cam surface are overlapped with each other in a state of being fitted to each other.

The first cam surface is provided in a lever main portion of the operation lever provided in the body, and two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface are formed at a first cam surface forming portion of the lever main portion. And a recess surrounded by the plate piece portion and the two inclined surfaces of the first cam surface, and the second cam surface provided on the engagement member includes: 5. The card connector according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least the operation lever is received in the recess when the operation lever is in a neutral position.