JP3967889B2

JP3967889B2 - Card connector device

Info

Publication number: JP3967889B2
Application number: JP2001123512A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正宣田中
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-20
Filing date: 2001-04-20
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-20
Also published as: JP2002319453A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、カードを抜き差しして使用される機器に装着されるカード用コネクタ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来のこの種のカード用コネクタ装置は、例えば、図２８に示すように、前端及び上端を開放したカード収容部５１を有するハウジング５２に金属製のカバー５３がカード収容部５１の開放上端を塞ぐように取り付けられて４角箱状に形成され、複数本の端子５４が前端部をカード収容部５１内に位置させてハウジング５２の後端部に支持されており、これら端子５４の後端部がハウジング５２から突出されている。
【０００３】
また、カバー５３には、その上板を一対の突片を残すように切り欠くことによって孔部５５が形成され、この一対の突片がカード収容部５１内部に向かって折り曲げられて第１，第２の弾性片５６，５７を形成している。
【０００４】
このカード用コネクタ装置は、回路基板（図示せず）に搭載されて、その回路基板の配線パターンに複数本の端子５４の後端部を半田付けして使用され、カード収容部５１内にその開放前端から差し込まれたカード（図示省略）の上面を第１，第２の弾性片５６，５７が押圧して、上記カードの底面に設けられた複数の接点に複数本の端子５４の先端部を押し付け、上記カードの接点と上記回路基板の配線パターンとを複数本の端子５４により電気的に接続させて、上記カードに対して情報の記録または再生を行うことができるようになっている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上述した従来のカード用コネクタ装置にあっては、第１，第２の弾性片５６，５７の押圧力によって上記カードをカード収容部５１内部に保持する構造となっているため、落下等により外部から衝撃力が加わった場合に上記カードがカード収容部５１から抜け落ちて上記カードに対する情報の記録再生ができなくなる虞があった。又、ロック状態で抜けない様に押圧力を上げることでも実現可能だが、この場合、カードの挿入・取出し抵抗が過大になりユーザーが扱いにくい物となる。
【０００６】
この問題はカード収容部５１の相対向する内側壁の一方からカード収容部５１内に出退可能に突出する係止部材を設け、この係止部材を上記カードの一側部に形成された凹部に嵌入させて、上記カードをカード収容部５１内に係止することで解決できるが、このようにすると、係止部材によって上記カードが係止された状態で上記カードをカード収容部５１から誤って抜き出そうとしたときに、上記カードに亀裂や欠け等の破損が生ずる、又はコネクターが破壊されることとなる。
【０００７】
本発明はこのような従来技術の事情に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、カードをカード収容部内に係止して不用意にカードがカード収容部から抜け落ちるのを防止するとともに、誤操作によってカードがカード収容部から抜き出された場合でもカード又はコネクタの破損を確実に防止することができるカード用コネクタ装置を提供することにある。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明のカード用コネクタ装置は、カード収容部を有するハウジングと、このハウジングに支持されて前記カード収容部に差し込まれたカードに押圧されて前進位置から後退位置へ移動するスライド部材と、このスライド部材を後退位置から前進位置へ付勢する復帰ばねと、前記スライド部材を前記復帰ばねの付勢力に抗して後退位置にロックするロック手段とを備え、前記スライド部材には前記カードの側部に形成された凹部に係合する弾性変形可能な係止部材を取り付け、前記ハウジングには前記スライド部材の前後移動に連動して前記係止部材を前記カードの凹部から離脱する方向へ弾性変形させる制御手段を設け、前記スライド部材が後退位置にあるときに前記係止部材は前記カードの凹部に係合して前記カードを抜け止めし、前記スライド部材が前進位置に移動すると前記係止部材は弾性変形して前記カードの凹部から離脱可能で前記カードが抜き取り可能になり、前記スライド部材は前記カードに係合して前記復帰ばねの付勢力による後退位置から前進位置への移動に伴って前記カードを前記カード収容部から排出させる排出手段として機能し、前記スライド部材が後退位置から前進位置に到達したときに、前記制御手段によって前記スライド部材の移動領域に移動した前記係止部材が前記凹部と半分だけ係合して前記カードの飛び出しを抑制することを最も主要な特徴としている。
【０００９】
また、上記構成において、前記制御手段は前後方向に対して前進位置側から後退位置側に向かって傾斜した傾斜面で形成され、前記係止部材は板ばね材で前後方向に延びて形成されて、前記凹部に嵌入される係止部と、この係止部に連設されて前記スライド部材に支持される支持部と、前記係止部に設けられ前記傾斜面に摺接する摺接部とを有する構成とした。
【００１１】
また、上記構成において、前記ハウジングに形成されたハート型カムと、前記スライド部材に取り付けられ、前記ハート型カムに沿って可動する係合ピンとで、前記ロック手段を構成した。
【００１２】
さらに、上記構成において、前記スライド部材の後端部には、前記カード収容部に延出し、前記カードに押圧されて前記スライド部材を前進位置から後退位置へ移動させるとともに、前記復帰ばねの付勢力による前記スライド部材の後退位置から前進位置への移動に伴って前記カードを押圧して前記カード収容部から排出させる延設部が形成され、前記カード収容部の後端面には、前記延設部を受け入れるための許容部が設けられている構成とした。
【００１３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の一実施形態を図１〜図２７に基づいて説明する。
【００１４】
このカード用コネクタ装置は、前端及び上端を開放したカード収容部５を有するハウジング１と、カード収容部５の開放上端を塞ぐようにハウジング１に取り付けられた金属製のカバー１２と、ハウジング１に支持されてカード収容部５の一側部に沿って前後移動可能とされたスライド部材１８と、弾性変形可能に形成されてスライド部材１８に取り付けられた係止部材３０等で構成されている。
【００１５】
このカード用コネクタ装置に用いられるカード４１は公知のもので、ＩＣ等の電子部品を硬質プラスチック製のケースに収納して形成され、図６及び図７に示すように、先端一隅にテーパ部４２が形成され、底面にはその先端部に複数の接点４３が一定間隔で並設されている。また、カード４１には一側部に凹部４４が、また、他側部に凹部４５がそれぞれ形成され、凹部４５にカード４１への情報の書き込みを許可または禁止の状態にするための移動片４６が前後方向にスライド自在に装着されている。
【００１６】
次に、このカード用コネクタ装置を構成する各部材の具体的構成について順次説明する。
【００１７】
ハウジング１は、ＰＢＴ（ポリブチレンテレフタレート）等の絶縁合成樹脂材で平板状に成形されてなるもので、図１〜図５に示すように、一側部にガイド部２が設けられ、他側部にもう一つのガイド部３が前後方向（矢印Ｘ，Ｙ方向）に延びるように形成されて、後端部には起立壁４が立設されている。そして、ガイド部２，３間がカード収容部５とされ、複数本の端子６が前端部をカード収容部５内に位置させ後端部を外側へ突出させて起立壁４にインサート成形又は圧入によって支持されており、起立壁４の内壁面でカード収容部５の後端面が形成され、この後端面に後述する延設部２０を受け入れるための許容部７が切欠形成されている。
【００１８】
また、ハウジング１には、ガイド部２，３の内側にカード４１の底面と当接する凸状の受け部８，９が各々前後方向に延びるように形成され、図８に示すように、ガイド部２の後方に回り込むように膨らんだ一方の受け部８の膨出部分にハート型カム１０が設けられ、このハート型カム１０は主ガイド溝１０ａとこの主ガイド溝１０ａから分岐された往路ガイド溝１０ｂ及び復路ガイド溝１０ｃとこれら往路・復路ガイド溝１０ｂ，１０ｃによって画成された係止突起１０ｄとで形成されている。
【００１９】
さらに、ハウジング１には、ハート型カム１０の後方に長孔１１が受け部８に沿って前後方向に延びるように穿設され、長孔１１にはその内壁面に前後方向に対して後方向（矢印Ｙ方向）に向かうに従いカード収容部５に近づくように傾斜した傾斜面１１ａが形成されており、この傾斜面１１ａは係止部材３０を弾性変形させる制御手段としての働きをする。
【００２０】
カバー１２は、ステンレス等の金属平板を折り曲げ加工してなるもので、図１〜図５に示すように、上板１３とこの上板１３に連設された一対の側板１４とで形成されており、一対の側板１４の前端下部に突出片１４ａが一体に形成されている。また、上板１３には、その両側部及び中央部がそれぞれ突片を残すように切り欠かれて孔部１３ａ，１３ｂ，１３ｃが形成され、これら３つの突片がカード収容部５内部に向かって曲折されて第１，第２，第３の弾性片１５，１６，１７とされている。
【００２１】
スライド部材１８は、ハウジング１と同様ＰＢＴ等の絶縁合成樹脂材で成形されてなるもので、図９〜図１３に示すように、前後方向（矢印Ｘ，Ｙ方向）に延びる直方体状の基部１９と、この基部１９の後端部に一体に設けられた延設部２０とで形成されている。基部１９には、前後方向に延びる支持溝２１とこの支持溝２１の後端部に連続する貫通孔２２とが設けられており、延設部２０には、その下面にガイド突起２３が突設されている。また、基部１９の上面に後方向（矢印Ｙ方向）に向かうに従い先細るＶ字溝２４が形成され、このＶ字溝２４の後端部に小孔２５が穿設されおり、基部１９の下面には後端が開放されたばね収納部２６が前後方向に延びるように形成され、保持突起２６ａがばね収納部２６の前端内壁面に設けられているとともに、ばね収納部２６と貫通孔２２との間にもう一つのガイド突起２７が形成されている。
【００２２】
そして、図１４に示すように、このスライド部材１８は、基部１９と一方のガイド突起２３との間に受け部８を嵌め込んで、他方のガイド突起２７を長孔１１の傾斜面１１ａと対向する内壁面に摺接させることによって、延設部２０をカード収容部５に延出させた状態で、これら内壁面と受け部８とに案内されてカード収容部５の一側部に沿って前後移動可能にハウジング１に支持されており、図２０に示すように、スライド部材１８には、金属線材の前後両端を下方に曲折形成してなる係合ピン２８が後端部２８ａを小孔２５に嵌挿させて回動自在に取り付けられ、係合ピン２８が前端部２８ｂをハート型カム１０内に挿入させてスライド部材１８の前後移動に伴いハート型カム１０に沿って可動するようになっている。
【００２３】
また、ばね収容部２６には円筒状の復帰ばね２９が前端部を保持突起２６ａに嵌挿させて収納保持され、この復帰ばね２９の後端部が起立壁４の内壁面を弾発することによってスライド部材１８を前方向（矢印Ｘ方向）へ付勢し、これによりスライド部材１８が図２０に示す前進位置にあるときに、係合ピン２８の前端部２８ｂがハート型カム１０の主ガイド溝１０ａの前端部に位置し、図８に示す領域Ａに配置された状態となっている。
【００２４】
係止部材３０は、前後方向に延びる金属製の板ばね材からなるもので、図１５及び図１６に示すように、その後端部を曲折して形成された係止部３１と、この係止部３１に連設された支持部３２と、係止部３１の下縁に延設された摺接部３３とで形成されている。そして、図１７〜図１９に示すように、この係止部材３０は、支持部３２を支持溝２１に強嵌合で挿入させて、係止部３１と摺接部３３とをそれぞれ貫通孔２２から突出させた状態でスライド部材１８に取り付けられており、図２０に示すように、摺接部３３と傾斜面１１ａとの摺接によって係止部材３０が係止部３１と支持部３２との連結部分を支点として弾性変形することにより、スライド部材３０が前進位置にあるときに、係止部３１が貫通孔２２内に引き込まれてスライド部材１８の移動領域に退避した状態となっている。
【００２５】
本実施形態に係るカード用コネクタ装置は上記したように構成されており、次に、その動作について説明する。
【００２６】
このカード用コネクタ装置は、回路基板（図示せず）に搭載されて、その回路基板の配線パターンに複数本の端子６の後端部を半田付けして使用され、カード４１をカード収容部５内にその開放前端より差し込むと、カード４１がガイド部２，３に案内されてカード収容部５内に導入され、図２１に示すように、テーパ部４２とカード４１の一側部とに押圧されて係止部材３０が係止部３１と支持部３２との連結部分を支点として弾性変形することによって係止部３１が貫通孔２２内に逃がされる。
【００２７】
カード４１をカード収容部５内にさらに差し込むと、カード４１によって第１，第２の弾性片１５，１６が自身の弾性に抗して上方に押し上げられて、図２５に示すように、第１，第２の弾性片１５，１６がカード４１の上面に乗り上がり、カード４１の先端部及びテーパ部４２がスライド部材１８の延設部２０に突き当たる。このとき、図２２に示すように、凹部４４が係止部３１に到達してカード４１の一側部による押圧が解除され、係止部材３０の弾性復帰力によって係止部３１が凹部４４に半分だけ係合する。
【００２８】
この状態でさらにカード４１をカード収容部５内に差し込むと、カード４１の先端部に延設部２０が押圧されてスライド部材１８が前進位置から後方向（矢印Ｙ方向）へ移動する。この際、係合ピン２８の前端部２８ｂが図８に示す主ガイド溝１０ａの領域Ａから領域Ｂ及び往路ガイド溝１０ｂの領域Ｃ，Ｄをこの順に経て領域Ｅに至り、図２３に示すように、係合ピン２８の前端部２８ｂが係止突起１０ｄに係止されることによって、スライド部材１８が復帰ばね２９の前方向（矢印Ｘ方向）への付勢力に抗して後退位置にロックされる。
【００２９】
また、スライド部材１８が前進位置から後方向へ移動する過程で、摺接部３３と傾斜面１１ａとの摺接によって係止部材３０の弾性変形が除々に解除され、図２３に示すように、スライド部材１８が後退位置にロックされたときには、係止部材３０が自身の弾性によって元の状態に復元し、係止部３１が凹部４４に嵌入してカード４１をカード収容部５に係止する。
【００３０】
また、スライド部材１８が前進位置から後退位置へ移動するこの過程で、カード４１によって第３の弾性片１７が自身の弾性に抗して上方に押し上げられて、図２６に示すように、第３の弾性片１７がカード４１の上面に乗り上がり、スライド部材１８が後退位置にロックされたときには、第３の弾性片１７がカード４１の上面の接点４３に対応する部分を押圧し、第１，第２の弾性片１５，１６と協力して接点４３を複数本の端子６に押し付けることにより、カード４１の接点４３が複数本の端子６とそれぞれ接続される。
【００３１】
このようにして複数本の端子６によってカード４１の接点４３と上記回路基板の配線パターンとが接続された後、このカード用コネクタ装置は、カード４１と上記回路基板との間で記録再生信号の授受が行われ、カード４１に対して情報の記録または再生を行うことができるようになっている。
【００３２】
尚、この状態で誤ってカード４１を抜き出そうとした場合には、図２４に示すように、係止部材３０が係止部３１と支持部３２との連結部分を支点として弾性変形することによって、係止部３１が凹部４４から離脱して貫通孔２２内に逃げスライド部材１８の移動領域に退避するため、係止部材３０の係止を速やかに解除することができ、この係止によるカード４１及びコネクタの破損が確実に防止される。
【００３３】
次に、カード４１をカード収容部５から排出する場合は、カード４１をカード収容部５内にさらに差し込むと、カード４１に延設部２０が押圧され、図２７に示すように、延設部２０が許容部７内に進入してスライド部材１８が後方向へ若干移動することによって、係合ピン２８の前端部２８ｂが図８に示す復路ガイド溝１１ｃの領域Ｆへ移動し、係合ピン２８と係止突起１０ｄとの係止が外れてスライド部材１８のロックが解除され、スライド部材１８が復帰ばね２８の付勢力で前方向（矢印Ｘ方向）へ移動する。この際、スライド部材１８は排出手段として機能し、その延設部２０が復帰ばね２９の付勢力でカード４１の先端部を押圧して、カード４１をカード収容部５から排出させる。
【００３４】
また、このとき、図８に示すように、係合ピン２８の前端部２８ｂは復路ガイド溝１１ｃの領域Ｆから領域Ｇ及び領域Ｂをこの順に通って移動し、スライド部材１８が前進位置に到達したときには元の領域Ａに位置する。
【００３５】
また、スライド部材１８の後退位置から前進位置への移動に連動して、摺接部３３と傾斜面１１ａとの摺接によって係止部材３０が除々に弾性変形し、スライド部材１８が前進位置に到達したときには、図２２に示したように、係止部３１が貫通孔２２内に引き込まれてスライド部材１８の移動領域に退避し係止部３１が凹部４４に半分だけ係合した状態となる。この係合により復帰ばね２９の付勢力によるカード４１の飛び出しが抑えられ、カード収容部５からのカード４１の飛び出し量を常に一定とすることができるため、飛び出し量のばらつきに起因するカード４１の損傷やこれに収納された前記電子部品の損傷を防止することができる。
【００３６】
そして、この状態でカード４１を引き抜くと、係止部材３０が半分だけ弾性変形することによって係止部３１と凹部４４との係合が解除され、図２１に示したように、係止部３１が貫通孔２２内に逃がされてカード収容部５からカード４１を容易に抜き出すことができる。
【００３７】
尚、この実施形態では、係止部材３０による係止と第１，第２，第３の弾性片１５，１６，１７の押圧力とによって、カード４１をカード収容部５に確実に保持する構造で説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、カード４１の上面を押圧する弾性片の個数やその配設位置については種々の変更が可能である。
【００３８】
また、この実施形態で示したカード用コネクタ装置にあっては、係止部材３０が図２１に示した如く弾性変形することから、凹部４４の形成されていないカードでも抜き差し可能であるため、凹部４４のあるカード４１と凹部４４のないカードとの２種類のカードに対して支障なく情報の記録または再生を行うことができる。
【００３９】
【発明の効果】
本発明は、以上説明したような形態で実施され、以下に記載されるような効果を奏する。
【００４０】
本発明のカード用コネクタ装置は、前端を開放したカード収容部を有するハウジングにスライド部材を前記カード収容部の一側部に沿って前後移動自在に支持し、このスライド部材にカードを係止する係止部材を取り付け、前記ハウジングには前記スライド部材の前後移動に連動して前記係止部材を弾性変形させる制御手段を設け、前記カードを前記カード収容部から誤って抜き出した際に、前記係止部材が弾性変形することによって前記凹部から離脱して前記スライド部材の移動領域に退避するようにしたので、外部からの衝撃力による前記カードの抜け落ちを防止できるとともに、誤って抜き出した際の前記カード及びコネクタの破損を確実に防止することができる。又、ロック時の抜けにくさ（耐衝撃）と排出時の挿入・取り出し易さを両立できる。
【００４１】
また、前記制御手段を傾斜面で形成し、前記係止部材を板ばね材で形成したので、これら制御手段及び係止部材の構造を簡素化することができ、前記機能を（品質を）を満たし、より安価なコネクタ装置を提供することができる。
【００４２】
また、前記スライド部材が前進位置に到達したときに、前記係止部材に備わる係止部が前記凹部と係合して前記カードの飛び出しを抑制するようにしたので、前記カードの排出時の飛び出し量を常時一定にすることができるため、飛び出し量の不安定さに起因する前記カードの損傷が防止でき、コネクタ装置の信頼性を向上させることができる。
【００４３】
また、ハート型カムとこのハート型カムに沿って可動する係合ピンとで、前記係止部材によって前記カードが係止されたときに、前記スライド部材をロックするロック手段を構成したので、前記スライド部材を簡単な構成で確実にロックすることができる。
【００４４】
さらに、前記スライド部材には、前記カードに押圧されて前記カード収容部の一側部に沿って前記スライド部材を移動させる延設部を設け、前記カード収容部の後端面には、前記延設部を受け入れるための許容部を形成したので、前記延設部と前記カード収容部の後端面との衝突を防止しつつ、前記スライド部材の移動方向におけるコネクタ装置の外形寸法を短縮することができるため、コネクタ装置の品質の安定化と小型化とを促進することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の斜視図である。
【図２】該カード用コネクタ装置の底面側から見た斜視図である。
【図３】該カード用コネクタ装置の平面図である。
【図４】該カード用コネクタ装置の右側面図である。
【図５】該カード用コネクタ装置の底面図である。
【図６】該カード用コネクタ装置に用いられるカードの平面図である。
【図７】その底面図である。
【図８】該カード用コネクタ装置に備えられるハウジングの要部拡大平面図である。
【図９】該カード用コネクタ装置に備えられるスライド部材の平面図である。
【図１０】該スライド部材の正面図である。
【図１１】該スライド部材の左側面図である。
【図１２】該スライド部材の底面図である。
【図１３】該スライド部材の背面図である。
【図１４】該スライド部材がハウジングに支持された状態を示す平面図である。
【図１５】該カード用コネクタ装置に備えられる係止部材の平面図である。
【図１６】該係止部材の右側面図である。
【図１７】該係止部材がスライド部材に取り付けられた状態を示す平面図である。
【図１８】その左側面図である。
【図１９】その底面図である。
【図２０】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置のカード未装着状態を示す説明図であって、Ａは上面側から見た状態を示し、Ｂは底面側から見た状態を示す。
【図２１】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置にカードが差し込まれる過程を示す説明図であって、Ａは上面側から見た状態を示し、Ｂは底面側から見た状態を示す。
【図２２】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置に差し込まれたカードの凹部に係止部材が係合した状態を示す説明図であって、Ａは上面側から見た状態を示し、Ｂは底面側から見た状態を示す。
【図２３】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置に差し込まれたカードの凹部に係止部材が嵌入した状態を示す説明図であって、Ａは上面側から見た状態を示し、Ｂは底面側から見た状態を示す。
【図２４】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置に差し込まれたカードが誤って引き抜かれる状態を示す説明図であって、Ａは上面側から見た状態を示し、Ｂは底面側から見た状態を示す。
【図２５】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の図２２の状態における平面図である。
【図２６】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の図２３の状態における平面図である。
【図２７】本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の図２６の状態から更にカードを差し込んだ平面図である。
【図２８】従来のカード用コネクタ装置の平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ハウジング
２，３ガイド部
４起立壁
５カード収容部
６端子
７許容部
８，９受け部
１０ハート型カム
１０ａ主ガイド溝
１０ｂ往路ガイド溝
１０ｃ復路ガイド溝
１０ｄ係止突起
１１長孔
１１ａ傾斜面
１２カバー
１３上板
１３ａ，１３ｂ，１３ｃ孔部
１４側板
１４ａ突出片
１５第１の弾性片
１６第２の弾性片
１７第３の弾性片
１８スライド部材
１９基部
２０延設部
２１支持溝
２２貫通孔
２３ガイド突起
２４Ｖ字溝
２５小孔
２６ばね収容部
２６ａ保持突起
２７ガイド突起
２８係合ピン
２８ａ後端部
２８ｂ前端部
２９復帰ばね
３０係止部材
３１係止部
３２支持部
３３摺接部
４１カード
４２テーパ部
４３接点
４４，４５凹部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card connector device to be attached to a device used by inserting and removing a card.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional card connector device of this type, for example, as shown in FIG. 28, a metal cover 53 covers an open upper end of the card accommodating portion 51 in a housing 52 having a card accommodating portion 51 whose front end and upper end are opened. The plurality of terminals 54 are supported by the rear end portions of the housing 52 with their front end portions positioned in the card housing portion 51, and the rear end portions of these terminals 54. Protrudes from the housing 52.
[0003]
Further, the cover 53 is formed with a hole 55 by notching the upper plate so as to leave a pair of projecting pieces, and the pair of projecting pieces are bent toward the inside of the card accommodating portion 51 to form the first and first holes. Second elastic pieces 56 and 57 are formed.
[0004]
This card connector device is mounted on a circuit board (not shown), and is used by soldering the rear ends of a plurality of terminals 54 to the wiring pattern of the circuit board. The first and second elastic pieces 56 and 57 press the upper surface of a card (not shown) inserted from the front end of the opening, and the tips of the plurality of terminals 54 are connected to the plurality of contacts provided on the bottom surface of the card. The card contacts and the circuit board wiring pattern are electrically connected by a plurality of terminals 54, so that information can be recorded or reproduced on the card.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional card connector device described above has a structure in which the card is held inside the card accommodating portion 51 by the pressing force of the first and second elastic pieces 56 and 57, so that it is dropped or the like. Thus, when an impact force is applied from the outside, the card may fall out of the card housing portion 51 and information recording / reproduction on the card may not be possible. It can also be achieved by increasing the pressing force so that it does not come out in the locked state, but in this case, the card insertion / removal resistance becomes excessive, making it difficult for the user to handle.
[0006]
The problem is that a locking member that protrudes from one of the opposing inner side walls of the card storage portion 51 into the card storage portion 51 is provided, and the locking member is a recess formed on one side of the card. It is possible to solve the problem by locking the card in the card housing portion 51, but in this case, the card is erroneously removed from the card housing portion 51 in a state where the card is locked by the locking member. When trying to remove the card, the card is damaged such as cracks or chips, or the connector is destroyed.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances of the prior art, and its purpose is to prevent the card from being inadvertently dropped out of the card accommodating portion by locking the card in the card accommodating portion, and by mistaken operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a card connector device that can reliably prevent damage to a card or a connector even when the card is pulled out from a card housing portion.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a card connector device according to the present invention comprises a housing having a card housing portion and a card supported by the housing and inserted into the card housing portion to be pushed from a forward position to a backward position. A slide member that moves; a return spring that urges the slide member from a retracted position to a forward position; and a lock means that locks the slide member in a retracted position against the urging force of the return spring, An elastically deformable locking member that engages with a recess formed in a side portion of the card is attached to the member, and the locking member is mounted on the housing in conjunction with the back-and-forth movement of the slide member. A control means for elastically deforming in a direction in which the slide member is disengaged, and when the slide member is in the retracted position, the locking member engages with the recess of the card and And retaining the card, the slide member is the locking member to be moved to the advanced position Ri can possible to name extraction the card disengaged from the recess of the card is elastically deformed, the slide member is engaged to the card When the slide member reaches the advance position from the retreat position, it functions as a discharge means for ejecting the card from the card accommodating portion with the movement from the retreat position to the advance position by the biasing force of the return spring. The most important feature is that the locking member, which has been moved to the moving region of the slide member by the control means, engages only half of the recess and prevents the card from popping out .
[0009]
Further, in the above configuration, the control means is formed by an inclined surface inclined from the forward position side toward the backward position side with respect to the front-rear direction, and the locking member is formed by a leaf spring material extending in the front-rear direction. A locking portion that is fitted into the recess, a support portion that is connected to the locking portion and is supported by the slide member, and a sliding contact portion that is provided on the locking portion and that slides on the inclined surface. It was set as the structure which has.
[0011]
In the above configuration, the locking means is configured by a heart-shaped cam formed on the housing and an engagement pin attached to the slide member and movable along the heart-shaped cam.
[0012]
Further, in the above configuration, the slide member has a rear end portion that extends to the card housing portion and is pressed by the card to move the slide member from the forward movement position to the backward movement position, and the biasing force of the return spring As the slide member moves from the retracted position to the advanced position, an extending portion is formed that presses the card and ejects the card from the card accommodating portion, and the extending portion is formed on the rear end surface of the card accommodating portion. It was set as the structure by which the allowance part for accepting was provided.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a card connector device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0014]
The card connector device includes a housing 1 having a card receiving portion 5 with an open front end and an upper end, a metal cover 12 attached to the housing 1 so as to close the open upper end of the card receiving portion 5, and a housing 1. The slide member 18 is supported and can be moved back and forth along one side of the card housing portion 5, and the locking member 30 is formed so as to be elastically deformable and attached to the slide member 18.
[0015]
A card 41 used in this card connector device is a well-known card, and is formed by housing an electronic component such as an IC in a hard plastic case. As shown in FIGS. And a plurality of contacts 43 are arranged in parallel at regular intervals at the tip of the bottom surface. The card 41 has a recess 44 on one side and a recess 45 on the other side, respectively, and a moving piece 46 for permitting or prohibiting writing of information to the card 41 in the recess 45. Is slidable in the front-rear direction.
[0016]
Next, a specific configuration of each member constituting the card connector device will be sequentially described.
[0017]
The housing 1 is formed in a flat plate shape with an insulating synthetic resin material such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate). As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, a guide portion 2 is provided on one side and the other side is provided. Another guide portion 3 is formed in the portion so as to extend in the front-rear direction (arrow X, Y direction), and a standing wall 4 is erected at the rear end portion. The space between the guide portions 2 and 3 is a card housing portion 5, and a plurality of terminals 6 are insert-molded or press-fitted into the standing wall 4 with the front end portion positioned in the card housing portion 5 and the rear end portion projected outward. The rear end surface of the card accommodating portion 5 is formed on the inner wall surface of the upright wall 4, and the allowance portion 7 for receiving the extended portion 20 described later is formed in the rear end surface.
[0018]
Further, the housing 1 is formed with convex receiving portions 8 and 9 that are in contact with the bottom surface of the card 41 inside the guide portions 2 and 3 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a heart-shaped cam 10 at the bulging portion of one receiving portion 8 that swells around the rear of the main guide groove 10a and the forward guide groove branched from the main guide groove 10a. 10b and the return path guide groove 10c and the locking projection 10d defined by the forward path / return path guide grooves 10b and 10c.
[0019]
Further, a long hole 11 is formed in the housing 1 at the rear of the heart-shaped cam 10 so as to extend in the front-rear direction along the receiving portion 8. An inclined surface 11a that is inclined so as to approach the card housing portion 5 as it goes in the direction of the arrow Y is formed, and this inclined surface 11a functions as a control means that elastically deforms the locking member 30.
[0020]
The cover 12 is formed by bending a metal flat plate made of stainless steel or the like, and is formed of an upper plate 13 and a pair of side plates 14 connected to the upper plate 13 as shown in FIGS. cage, projecting piece 14a is formed integrally with the front end lower portion of the pair of side plates 14. Further, the upper plate 13 is formed with holes 13 a, 13 b, and 13 c so that both side portions and the center portion thereof leave a protruding piece, and these three protruding pieces are directed toward the inside of the card accommodating portion 5. The first, second, and third elastic pieces 15, 16, and 17 are bent.
[0021]
The slide member 18 is formed of an insulating synthetic resin material such as PBT, like the housing 1, and has a rectangular parallelepiped base 19 extending in the front-rear direction (arrow X, Y direction) as shown in FIGS. And an extending portion 20 provided integrally with the rear end portion of the base portion 19. The base portion 19 is provided with a support groove 21 extending in the front-rear direction and a through hole 22 continuing to the rear end portion of the support groove 21, and the extension portion 20 has a guide protrusion 23 projecting from its lower surface. Has been. Further, a V-shaped groove 24 that tapers in the rear direction (arrow Y direction) is formed on the upper surface of the base portion 19, and a small hole 25 is formed in the rear end portion of the V-shaped groove 24. The spring housing portion 26 with the rear end opened is formed to extend in the front-rear direction, the holding projection 26 a is provided on the inner wall surface of the front end of the spring housing portion 26, and the spring housing portion 26 and the through hole 22 Another guide protrusion 27 is formed therebetween.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 14, the slide member 18 has the receiving portion 8 fitted between the base portion 19 and one guide projection 23, and the other guide projection 27 faces the inclined surface 11 a of the long hole 11. In a state where the extending portion 20 is extended to the card housing portion 5 by being brought into sliding contact with the inner wall surface to be guided, the inner wall surface and the receiving portion 8 are guided along one side portion of the card housing portion 5. As shown in FIG. 20, an engagement pin 28 formed by bending the front and rear ends of the metal wire downward is formed in the slide member 18 as a small hole in the rear end portion 28a. The engagement pin 28 is inserted into the heart-shaped cam 10 so that the front end portion 28b is inserted into the heart-shaped cam 10 so that it can move along the heart-shaped cam 10 as the slide member 18 moves back and forth. It has become.
[0023]
In addition, a cylindrical return spring 29 is accommodated and held in the spring accommodating portion 26 with the front end portion fitted into the holding projection 26a, and the rear end portion of the return spring 29 repels the inner wall surface of the standing wall 4. When the slide member 18 is urged forward (in the direction of the arrow X), and the slide member 18 is in the advanced position shown in FIG. 20, the front end portion 28 b of the engagement pin 28 is the main guide groove of the heart-shaped cam 10. It is in the state arrange | positioned in the area | region A shown in FIG.
[0024]
The locking member 30 is made of a metal leaf spring material extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the locking member 31 is formed by bending the rear end portion thereof, and the locking member 30. It is formed by a support portion 32 provided continuously with the portion 31 and a sliding contact portion 33 extending on the lower edge of the locking portion 31. Then, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the locking member 30 is configured such that the support portion 32 is inserted into the support groove 21 by strong fitting, and the locking portion 31 and the sliding contact portion 33 are respectively inserted into the through holes 22. As shown in FIG. 20, the locking member 30 is brought into contact with the locking portion 31 and the support portion 32 by sliding contact between the sliding contact portion 33 and the inclined surface 11a. By elastically deforming the connecting portion as a fulcrum, when the slide member 30 is in the forward position, the locking portion 31 is drawn into the through hole 22 and is retracted to the moving region of the slide member 18.
[0025]
The card connector device according to the present embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described.
[0026]
This card connector device is mounted on a circuit board (not shown) and used by soldering the rear ends of a plurality of terminals 6 to the wiring pattern of the circuit board. When the card 41 is inserted through the opening front end, the card 41 is guided by the guide portions 2 and 3 and is introduced into the card housing portion 5, and is pressed against the taper portion 42 and one side portion of the card 41 as shown in FIG. 21. Then, the locking member 30 is elastically deformed with the connecting portion between the locking portion 31 and the support portion 32 as a fulcrum, so that the locking portion 31 is released into the through hole 22.
[0027]
When the card 41 is further inserted into the card accommodating portion 5, the first and second elastic pieces 15 and 16 are pushed upward against the elasticity of the card 41 by the card 41. As shown in FIG. The second elastic pieces 15 and 16 run on the upper surface of the card 41, and the tip end portion and the taper portion 42 of the card 41 abut against the extending portion 20 of the slide member 18. At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, the concave portion 44 reaches the locking portion 31, the pressing by one side portion of the card 41 is released, and the locking portion 31 becomes the concave portion 44 by the elastic return force of the locking member 30. Engage only half.
[0028]
When the card 41 is further inserted into the card accommodating portion 5 in this state, the extending portion 20 is pressed against the tip end portion of the card 41, and the slide member 18 moves backward (in the arrow Y direction) from the advance position. At this time, the front end portion 28b of the engagement pin 28 passes from the region A of the main guide groove 10a shown in FIG. 8 to the region B and the regions C and D of the forward guide groove 10b in this order to reach the region E, as shown in FIG. Furthermore, the front end portion 28b of the engaging pin 28 is locked to the locking projection 10d, so that the slide member 18 is locked in the retracted position against the urging force of the return spring 29 in the forward direction (arrow X direction). Is done.
[0029]
Further, in the process in which the slide member 18 moves backward from the forward movement position, the elastic deformation of the locking member 30 is gradually released by the sliding contact between the sliding contact portion 33 and the inclined surface 11a, as shown in FIG. When the slide member 18 is locked in the retracted position, the locking member 30 is restored to its original state by its own elasticity, and the locking portion 31 is fitted into the concave portion 44 to lock the card 41 to the card accommodating portion 5. .
[0030]
In this process of moving the slide member 18 from the forward movement position to the backward movement position, the third elastic piece 17 is pushed up against the elasticity of the card 41 by the card 41, and as shown in FIG. When the elastic piece 17 rides on the upper surface of the card 41 and the slide member 18 is locked in the retracted position, the third elastic piece 17 presses the portion corresponding to the contact 43 on the upper surface of the card 41, and The contacts 43 of the card 41 are connected to the plurality of terminals 6 by pressing the contacts 43 against the plurality of terminals 6 in cooperation with the second elastic pieces 15 and 16.
[0031]
After the contact 43 of the card 41 and the wiring pattern of the circuit board are connected by the plurality of terminals 6 in this way, the card connector device is used for recording / reproducing signals between the card 41 and the circuit board. Exchange is performed, and information can be recorded on or reproduced from the card 41.
[0032]
If the card 41 is erroneously extracted in this state, the locking member 30 is elastically deformed with the connecting portion between the locking portion 31 and the support portion 32 as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. Thus, the locking portion 31 is detached from the recess 44 and escapes into the through hole 22 and retreats to the moving region of the slide member 18, so that the locking of the locking member 30 can be quickly released. Damage to the card 41 and the connector is reliably prevented.
[0033]
Next, when the card 41 is to be ejected from the card housing portion 5, when the card 41 is further inserted into the card housing portion 5, the extending portion 20 is pressed against the card 41, and as shown in FIG. When the slide member 18 slightly moves rearward as 20 enters the permissible portion 7, the front end portion 28b of the engagement pin 28 moves to the region F of the return path guide groove 11c shown in FIG. 28 and the locking projection 10d are unlocked, the lock of the slide member 18 is released, and the slide member 18 moves forward (in the direction of the arrow X) by the biasing force of the return spring 28. At this time, the slide member 18 functions as a discharge means, and the extended portion 20 presses the tip end portion of the card 41 by the urging force of the return spring 29, thereby discharging the card 41 from the card storage portion 5.
[0034]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the front end portion 28b of the engagement pin 28 moves from the region F of the return path guide groove 11c through the region G and the region B in this order, and the slide member 18 reaches the advance position. When it is done, it is located in the original area A.
[0035]
In conjunction with the movement of the slide member 18 from the retracted position to the advanced position, the locking member 30 is gradually elastically deformed by the sliding contact between the sliding contact portion 33 and the inclined surface 11a, and the slide member 18 is moved to the advanced position. When reaching, as shown in FIG. 22, the locking portion 31 is pulled into the through hole 22, retracted to the moving region of the slide member 18, and the locking portion 31 is engaged with the recess 44 by half. . By this engagement, the card 41 is prevented from popping out due to the urging force of the return spring 29 and the amount of card 41 popping out from the card housing portion 5 can be kept constant. It is possible to prevent damage and damage to the electronic component housed therein.
[0036]
When the card 41 is pulled out in this state, the locking member 30 is elastically deformed by half, whereby the engagement between the locking portion 31 and the concave portion 44 is released. As shown in FIG. Is escaped into the through hole 22 and the card 41 can be easily removed from the card accommodating portion 5.
[0037]
In this embodiment, the card 41 is securely held in the card housing portion 5 by the locking by the locking member 30 and the pressing force of the first, second, and third elastic pieces 15, 16, and 17. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various changes can be made to the number of elastic pieces that press the upper surface of the card 41 and the position of the elastic pieces.
[0038]
Further, in the card connector device shown in this embodiment, since the locking member 30 is elastically deformed as shown in FIG. 21, it is possible to insert / remove even a card in which the recess 44 is not formed. Information can be recorded or reproduced on two types of cards, that is, the card 41 with 44 and the card without the recess 44.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is implemented in the form as described above, and has the following effects.
[0040]
In the card connector device of the present invention, a slide member is supported on a housing having a card housing part with an open front end so as to be movable back and forth along one side of the card housing part, and the card is locked to the slide member. A locking member is attached, and the housing is provided with control means for elastically deforming the locking member in conjunction with the back-and-forth movement of the slide member, and when the card is accidentally pulled out from the card housing portion, the engagement member is provided. Since the stopper member is elastically deformed so as to be detached from the recess and retracted to the moving region of the slide member, it is possible to prevent the card from falling off due to an impact force from the outside, and when the card is accidentally extracted The card and the connector can be reliably prevented from being damaged. Moreover, it is possible to achieve both the difficulty of falling out when locking (shock resistance) and the ease of insertion and removal when discharging.
[0041]
Further, the control means is formed by inclined surfaces, since the locking member is formed of a plate spring material, the structure of these control means and the locking member can be simplified, the function (quality) It is possible to provide a connector device that satisfies and is less expensive.
[0042]
Further, when the slide member reaches the forward movement position, the locking portion provided on the locking member engages with the concave portion to suppress the card from popping out. Since the amount can always be constant, the card can be prevented from being damaged due to instability of the pop-out amount, and the reliability of the connector device can be improved.
[0043]
Further, since the heart-shaped cam and the engagement pin movable along the heart-shaped cam constitute a locking means for locking the slide member when the card is locked by the locking member, the slide The member can be reliably locked with a simple configuration.
[0044]
Further, the slide member is provided with an extending portion that is pressed by the card and moves the slide member along one side portion of the card accommodating portion, and the extending portion is provided on a rear end surface of the card accommodating portion. Since the allowance portion for receiving the portion is formed, the outer dimension of the connector device in the moving direction of the slide member can be shortened while preventing the extension portion and the rear end surface of the card housing portion from colliding with each other. Therefore, it is possible to promote stabilization of the quality and miniaturization of the connector device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card connector device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card connector device as viewed from the bottom side.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the card connector device.
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the card connector device.
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the card connector device.
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a card used in the card connector device.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view thereof.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a housing provided in the card connector device.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a slide member provided in the card connector device.
FIG. 10 is a front view of the slide member.
FIG. 11 is a left side view of the slide member.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the slide member.
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the slide member.
FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a state in which the slide member is supported by a housing.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of a locking member provided in the card connector device.
FIG. 16 is a right side view of the locking member.
FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a state in which the locking member is attached to the slide member.
FIG. 18 is a left side view thereof.
FIG. 19 is a bottom view thereof.
FIGS. 20A and 20B are explanatory views showing a card unmounted state of the card connector device of the present invention, wherein A shows a state viewed from the top surface side, and B shows a state viewed from the bottom surface side.
FIGS. 21A and 21B are explanatory views showing a process of inserting a card into the card connector device of the present invention, wherein A shows a state seen from the upper surface side, and B shows a state seen from the bottom surface side.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a locking member is engaged with a concave portion of a card inserted into the card connector device of the present invention, wherein A shows a state viewed from the top surface side, and B shows a bottom surface side. The state seen from.
FIGS. 23A and 23B are explanatory views showing a state in which the locking member is inserted into the concave portion of the card inserted into the card connector device of the present invention, where A shows the state viewed from the top surface side, and B shows the bottom surface side. Shows the state of viewing.
FIGS. 24A and 24B are explanatory views showing a state in which a card inserted into the card connector device of the present invention is pulled out by mistake, wherein A shows a state seen from the top surface side, and B shows a state seen from the bottom surface side. FIGS. Show.
25 is a plan view of the card connector device according to the present invention in the state shown in FIG. 22;
26 is a plan view of the card connector device of the present invention in the state shown in FIG. 23. FIG.
27 is a plan view in which a card is further inserted from the state shown in FIG. 26 of the card connector device of the present invention.
FIG. 28 is a plan view of a conventional card connector device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Housing 2, 3 Guide part 4 Standing wall 5 Card accommodating part 6 Terminal 7 Allowable part 8, 9 Receiving part 10 Heart type cam 10a Main guide groove 10b Outward guide groove 10c Return path guide groove 10d Locking protrusion 11 Long hole 11a Inclined surface 12 Cover 13 Upper plate 13a, 13b, 13c Hole 14 Side plate 14a Projection piece 15 First elastic piece 16 Second elastic piece 17 Third elastic piece 18 Slide member 19 Base 20 Extension portion 21 Support groove 22 Through hole 23 guide projection 24 V-shaped groove 25 small hole 26 spring accommodating portion 26a holding projection 27 guide projection 28 engaging pin 28a rear end portion 28b front end portion 29 return spring 30 locking member 31 locking portion 32 support portion 33 sliding contact portion 41 Card 42 Taper 43 Contact 44, 45 Recess

Claims

A housing having a card receiving portion; a slide member which is supported by the housing and pressed by the card inserted into the card receiving portion to move from the forward movement position to the backward movement position; and the slide member is attached from the backward movement position to the forward movement position. And a locking means for locking the slide member in a retracted position against a biasing force of the return spring, and the slide member engages with a recess formed on a side portion of the card. An elastically deformable locking member is attached, and control means for elastically deforming the locking member in a direction of detaching from the concave portion of the card in conjunction with the back-and-forth movement of the slide member is provided in the housing. When in the retracted position, the locking member engages with the recess of the card to prevent the card from coming off, and the slide member moves to the advanced position. Said locking member Ri is capable Na extraction the card is detachable from the recess of the card is elastically deformed, the slide member to an advanced position from the retracted position by the biasing force of the return spring engaged with the card Functioning as an ejecting means for ejecting the card from the card accommodating portion along with the movement of the slide member, and when the slide member has reached the advance position from the retracted position, the control means has moved to the moving area of the slide member. A card connector device characterized in that the locking member engages with the recess only half and suppresses the card from popping out .

The control means is formed of an inclined surface inclined from the forward position side to the backward position side with respect to the front-rear direction, and the locking member is formed by a leaf spring material extending in the front-rear direction, and is fitted into the recess. And a supporting portion that is connected to the locking portion and supported by the slide member, and a sliding contact portion that is provided on the locking portion and that slides on the inclined surface. The card connector device according to claim 1.

A heart-shaped cam formed on said housing, said attached to the slide member, according to claim 1 or 2 in an engaging pin movable along the heart-shaped cam, characterized by comprising constitute said locking means The card connector device described in 1.

At the rear end of the slide member, the slide member extends to the card accommodating portion and is pressed by the card to move the slide member from the advance position to the retract position, and the slide member is retracted by the urging force of the return spring. An extension part is formed for pressing the card and ejecting it from the card storage part as it moves from a position to a forward position, and a permitting part for receiving the extension part on the rear end surface of the card storage part card connector device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that is provided.