JP4238001B2

JP4238001B2 - Card connector device

Info

Publication number: JP4238001B2
Application number: JP2002289504A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 正宣田中
Original assignee: Alps Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2002-10-02
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-02
Also published as: TWI276254B; JP2004086829A; TW200414612A; KR20040002631A; KR100515173B1; CN1472846A; CN1278456C

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明はカード用コネクタ装置に係わり、特にパーソナルコンピュータ等の記憶媒体に用いられるＩＣカードや、デジタルカメラ等の電子機器に使用されるカード等に書き込み、または読み出し可能なカード用コネクタ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
パーソナルコンピュータ（以後ＰＣと称する）等の機器の増設記録装置としてＩＣカードに必要な情報を書き込み、あるいは読み出しを行うためにカード用コネクタ装置が一般的に用いられている。このような従来のカード用コネクタ装置として、図１３に示すように、所定の厚さのハウジング５１が配設され、このハウジング５１は、中央部に図示左右方向に貫通する貫通孔５２が形成されている。
また、貫通孔５２に挿入して装着可能な板状のカード部材５３と、ハウジング５１の貫通孔５２に着脱自在に保持されるＦＰＣ（フレキシブルプリント基板）５４とが配設されている。
そして、カード部材５３の下面には、後述する端子部材５５のカード用接点部５５ｃが接触可能な接点部（図示せず）が形成され、ＦＰＣ５４には、複数の配線パターン（図示せず）と、この配線パターンに接続する複数の導体部５４ａが、図示下面側に露出して形成されている。
【０００３】
また、貫通孔５２の図示左側の後端部寄りには、複数の端子部材５５が取り付けられている。この端子部材５５は、金属板を折り曲げて形成され、垂直状に延びる中央板５５ａと、この中央板５５ａの下部からハウジング５１の後端部方向に延びて上方へ屈曲され、ハウジング５１の図示右側の前端部方向に延びて略Ｕ字状に形成されたＦＰＣ用接触部５５ｂと、中央板５５ａの上部からハウジング５１の前端部方向に延びて下方に延出した後に上方に延びて略Ｌ字状に形成されたカード接触部５５ｃとを有して構成されている。
【０００４】
このような従来のカード用コネクタ装置は、ＰＣ等の機器（図示せず）側のＦＰＣ５４を、ハウジング５１の後端部側の貫通孔５２から挿入する。
すると、挿入されるＦＰＣ５４で、ＦＰＣ接触部５５ｂが下方に弾性変形すると共に、導体部５４ａがＦＰＣ接触部５５ｂに接触する。
そして、更にＦＰＣ５４を貫通孔５２内に挿入すると、ＦＰＣ５４は所定位置で停止して、ＦＰＣ接触部５５ｂと貫通孔５２の上壁との間にＦＰＣ５４の先端部が弾性狭持され、ＦＰＣ５４が端子部材５５に接触して導通するようになっている。
【０００５】
また、ハウジング５１の図示右側の前端部側から貫通孔５２内に挿入したカード部材５３を端子部材５５側に移動させると、スライド部材（図示せず）も共に移動する。
そして、カード部材５３が端子部材５５のカード用接触部５５ｃを上方に押し上げて弾性変形させ、カード部材５３の接点部（図示せず）がカード用接触部５５ｃに接触して導通するようになっている。
このような従来のカード用コネクタ装置は、ＰＣ等の機器側のＦＰＣ５４をハウジング５１の貫通孔５２に差し込むだけで、ＦＰＣ５４と端子部材５５とを電気的導通させることができ、ＰＣ等の装置側に従来のカード用コネクタ装置を取り付ける時の組立作業効率が良かった。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−２６６９８１号公報
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上述したような従来のカード用コネクタ装置におけるＦＰＣ５４は、端子部材５５のＦＰＣ用接触部５５ｂの弾性力だけで、貫通孔５２から抜け止めされているので、端子部材５５の弾性力が弱いとＦＰＣ５４が抜け易くなり導通が不安定になるおそれがあった。
また、、端子部材５５の弾性力を強くすると、ＦＰＣ５４の挿入性が悪くなって作業性が低下するという問題があった。
【０００８】
本発明は前述したような問題点に鑑みてなされたもので、ＦＰＣのハウジングへの装着が容易で、且つ装着したＦＰＣをハウジングから抜け止めしてロック可能なロック部材を配設したカード用コネクタ装置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】
上記課題を解決するための第１の解決手段として本発明のカード用コネクタ装置は、複数の接触部を有するカード部材を前端部側から挿入して内部のカード収納部に装着可能なハウジングと、前記カード収納部に挿入して装着した前記カード部材の前記接触部に一端部側が接触可能な前記カード収納部内に配設した複数の端子部材とを備え、前記ハウジングの後端部側には、前記端子部材の他端部側に接触可能なＦＰＣ（フレキシブルプリント基板）を挿入可能なＦＰＣ挿入部を形成し、前記端子部材には、前記一端部側に前記カード部材の前記接触部が接触可能なカード用接触部を形成すると共に、前記他端部側に前記ＦＰＣが接触可能な前記ＦＰＣ用接触部を形成し、更に、前記ＦＰＣ挿入部から挿入した前記ＦＰＣを前記ＦＰＣ用接触部に圧接して抜け止め可能なロック部材を配設し、前記端子部材には、前記他端部側に前記ＦＰＣ挿入部から挿入した前記ＦＰＣの端部を差し込み可能な差込口を形成し、この差込口は、一方側に形成した前記ＦＰＣ用接触部と、このＦＰＣ用接触部と対向する他方側に形成したロック部材支持部とに挟まれて形成され、前記ロック部材には、前記端子部材の前記ロック部材支持部が嵌合可能な嵌合溝が形成され、この嵌合溝は、前記差込口に差し込んだ前記ＦＰＣを前記ＦＰＣ用接触部に圧接可能なＦＰＣ圧接部と、このＦＰＣ圧接部と対向する側に形成したガイド壁とに挟まれて形成され、前記ガイド壁と前記ＦＰＣ圧接部とは、所定間隔で形成した複数の連結壁で連結されていることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
また、上記課題を解決するための第２の解決手段として、前記ロック部材は、前記ＦＰＣの挿入方向と同方向にスライド移動可能に前記ハウジングに係合支持されて、前記ＦＰＣ挿入部に挿入した前記ＦＰＣを非ロック状態とする第１の姿勢から、前記ＦＰＣの挿入方向と同方向に前記ロック部材を前記スライド移動させて第２の姿勢とすることにより、前記ＦＰＣが前記ＦＰＣ用接触部に圧接されてロック状態となることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
また、上記課題を解決するための第３の解決手段として、前記差込口に前記ＦＰＣを差し込んだ状態で前記ロック部材を前記端子部材の前記ロック部材支持部に沿って前記スライド移動させるようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
また、上記課題を解決するための第４の解決手段として、前記嵌合溝は、前記複数の連結壁で仕切られてそれぞれが独立形成され、前記各嵌合溝に前記各端子部材をそれぞれ嵌合させるようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
また、上記課題を解決するための第５の解決手段として、前記ロック部材には、前記ハウジングに係止可能な係止部を形成し、前記ハウジングには、前記係止部が係合可能な係合部を形成し、前記係止部を前記係合部に係合させて、前記ロック部材を前記ハウジングに係合支持するようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
また、上記課題を解決するための第６の解決手段として、前記端子部材は、導電性を有する板材からなり、前記一端部側に延びて形成された板厚方向に弾性変形可能な腕部を有し、この腕部に前記カード用接触部を形成すると共に、前記他端部側に延びる基部を有し、この基部の幅方向の互いに対向する一側辺から前記基部の幅方向と直交する方向に延出させてＦＰＣ固定部を形成し、このＦＰＣ固定部に前記差込口を挟んで互いに対向する前記ロック部材支持部と前記ＦＰＣ用接触部とを形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１６】
また、上記課題を解決するための第７の解決手段として、前記端子部材は、前記腕部寄りの前記基部から前記ＦＰＣ固定部の前記延出方向と同方向に延出させて端子固定部を形成し、この端子固定部を前記ハウジングに形成した圧入孔に圧入することにより、前記端子部材を前記ハウジングに固着するようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１７】
また、上記課題を解決するための第８の解決手段として、前記端子部材は、弾性を有する金属板からなり、前記ＦＰＣ固定部を前記基部の幅方向と直交する方向に折り曲げ形成すると共に、前記ＦＰＣ固定部の一部を打ち抜いて前記差込口を形成したことを特徴とする。
【００１８】
また、上記課題を解決するための第９の解決手段として、前記ＦＰＣ用接触部は、前記差込口側に突出させて鈎状の抜け止め部を形成し、この抜け止め部に前記ＦＰＣを前記圧接するようにしたことを特徴とする。
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態のカード用コネクタ装置を図１〜図１２に基づいて説明する。図１は本発明のカード用コネクタ装置の上面図であり、図２は本発明に係わるハウジングの上面図であり、図３〜図６は発明に係わるロック部材を説明する図であり、図７、８は本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する要部断面図であり、図９は本発明に係わる端子部材の斜視図であり、図１０〜図１２は本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する図である。
【００２０】
まず、本発明の１実施の形態のカード用コネクタ装置１は、図２に示すように、樹脂材料等の絶縁材で形成されて外形が略矩形状のハウジング２が配設されている。このハウジング２は、図示左側の前端部側から図示右側の後端部側の途中までにカード収納部３が形成され、このカード収納部３には、内部にＩＣ（集積回路）を収納して、記録媒体として一般に使用されている公知のカード部材（図示せず）が収納可能になっている。
【００２１】
前記カード収納部３には、図２に示すように、底面３ａの左右両内壁面に段差部３ｂが形成されており、この段差部３ｂによってカード部材（図示せず）が所定の収納位置に案内されるようになっている。
また、カード収納部３の底面３ａは略Ｕ字状に切り欠きされた開口部２ａが形成され、この開口部２ａの図示右側でカード収納部３の奥側には、複数の端子部材４が並設されている。
このそれぞれの端子部材４の先端部に形成したカード用接触部４ｂが位置する部分のカード収納部３には、カード用接触部４ｂを囲むように突出壁３ｃが形成されており、この突出壁３ｃによってカード挿入部３内部に異物が挿入された場合、あるいはカード部材を逆挿入した場合に端子部材４のカード用接触部４ｂが破損することを防止している。
【００２２】
また、ハウジング２は、図示右側の後端部側に、後述するＦＰＣ１１を挿入可能なＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂが形成された底壁２ｃが設けられ、この底壁２ｃは、図７に示すように、右側の後端部側が鈎状に形成されている。
また、ＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂとカード収納部３との間のハウジング２には、後述する端子部材４を取り付けるときの端子位置決め部２ｄが突出形成され、この端子位置決め部２ｄには、後述する端子部材４の端子固定部６を圧入して端子部材４をハウジング２に固着可能な穴状の圧入孔２ｅが貫通形成されている。
【００２３】
また、図１０に示すハウジング２の下面側には、ＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂ側の底壁２ｃの側面に、後述するロック部材７の係止部７ｆが係合可能な鈎状の係合部２ｆが突出形成されている。
また、図２に示すハウジング２のカード収納部３には、図示上下外周側に互い対向して側壁２ｇ、２ｇが形成されている。
このそれぞれの側壁２ｇ、２ｇには、後述するカバー１０をスナップ係止するための複数の係止部２ｈが突出形成されている。
【００２４】
また、端子位置決め部２ｄに形成した複数の圧入孔２ｅには、それぞれの端子部材４が圧入されて固着されている。この端子部材４は、図９に示すように、所定の間隔を有して互いに絶縁されて並設されている。
また、端子部材４は、導電性を有すると共に弾性を有する板材、例えば金属板からなり、図示左方向の一端部側に延びて形成された、板厚方向に弾性変形可能な腕部４ａが設けられている。
この腕部４ａの先端部には、カード部材（図示せず）の接触部が接触可能なカード用接触部４ｂが、湾曲状に突出形成されている。
【００２５】
また、端子部材４は、腕部４ａの根本部分が階段状に折り曲げられて、ハウジング２の端子位置決め部２ｄに位置決め可能な位置決め部４ｃが形成されている。
この位置決め部４ｃを、ハウジング２の端子位置決め部２ｄに位置合わせした状態で、後述する端子固定部６を圧入孔２ｅに圧入可能になっている。
また、端子部材４は、位置決め部４ｃから図示右方向の他端部側に延びて所定の幅寸法の基部４ｄを形成し、この基部４ｄの互いに対向する幅方向の一側辺から、基部４ｄと直交する方向の直角状に延出させて、平坦状のＦＰＣ固定部５が形成されている。
前記端子部材４は、弾性を有する金属板で形成しているので、基部４ｄの幅方向と直交する方向にプレス等で直角状に折り曲げてＦＰＣ固定部５を形成している。
【００２６】
前記ＦＰＣ固定部５は、後述するＦＰＣ１１を差込可能な差込口５ａが打ち抜き形成され、この差込口５ａは、所定の幅寸法で略Ｕ字状に形成されている。
前記差込口５ａは、一方側（図示下方）に形成したＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂと、このＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂと対向する他方側（図示上方）に形成したロック部材支持部５ｃとに挟まれて形成されている。
また、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂは、先端部側に差込口５ａ側に突出する鈎状の抜け止め部５ｄが形成されている。
前記ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂは、図示上下方向の幅寸法が板厚寸法より大きく形成されると共に、ロック部材支持部５ｃの幅寸法より小さく形成されて、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂを形成した先端部側が図示上下方向に弾性変形可能になっている。
【００２７】
そして、図７に示すように、端子部材４のＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂの下部に位置する底壁２ｃの内底面がテーパ状に形成されて、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂと底壁２ｃとの間に傾斜状の隙間が形成されている。
また、端子部材４は、腕部４ａ寄りの基部４ｄの一部を、ＦＰＣ固定部５と同方向に折り曲げて、端子固定部６が形成され、この端子固定部６は、両側部が山形状のギザギザ状に形成されている。
前記端子固定部６をハウジング２に形成した圧入孔２ｄに圧入することにより、端子部材４をハウジング２に固着可能になっている。
【００２８】
また、端子部材４は、差込口５ａの抜け止め部５ｄを形成した部分の開口寸法が、後述するロック部材７のＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂの厚さと、後述するＦＰＣ１１の板厚とを加算した寸法よりマイナスした寸法に形成されている。
そのために、差込口５ａにロック部材７のＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂとＦＰＣ１１の端部とを差し込むと、ＦＰＣ１１の端部がＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂに形成した抜け止め部５ｄの圧接されて、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂが弾性変形するようになっている。
【００２９】
また、図７に示すように、端子部材４のロック部材支持部５ｃに沿って矢印Ａ、Ｂ方向にスライド移動可能なロック部材７が配設されている。このロック部材７は樹脂材料からなり、ロック部材支持部５ｃが遊嵌可能な嵌合溝７ａが形成されている。前記ロック部材７は、嵌合溝７ａを挟んで図示下方側に、差込口５ａに差し込んだ後述するＦＰＣ１１をＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂの抜け止め部５ｄに圧接可能なＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂが形成され、このＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂと対向する図示上方側に板状のガイド壁７ｃが形成されている。
そして、ロック部材７を矢印Ａ、Ｂ方向に移動させることにより、ガイド壁７ｃが端子部材４の基部４ｄの上面をスライド移動するようになっている。
また、ロック部材７は、嵌合溝７ａを挟んで互いに対向するＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂとガイド壁７ｃとの図７に示す右側端部が、壁部７ｄによって連結されて一体化されている。
【００３０】
このようなロック部材７の上面視の形状は、図３に示すように、ＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂとガイド壁７ｃが縦長状に形成され、壁部７ｄがガイド壁７ｃより更に縦長に形成されて、ガイド壁７ｃの図示上下端部から壁部７ｄが突出して形成されている。この上下方向に突出する壁部７ｄ、７ｄからは、壁部７ｄと直交する方向で図示左方向に突出する一対の係止腕７ｅ、７ｅが形成されている。この一対の係止腕７ｅ、７ｅは、先端部に鈎状の係止部７ｆが形成されている。
また、図３、４に示すガイド壁７ｃの２箇所には、縦方向の壁部７ｄと直交する横方向に略長方形の一対のスリット孔７ｇ、７ｇが貫通形成されており、このスリット孔７ｇに後述するカバー１０の係合片１０ｄ係合可能になっている。
前記ロック部材７は、図９、８に示すように、係止部７ｆがハウジング２の係合部２ｆにスナップ係合されて、ハウジング２に係合支持されている。
【００３１】
このように、ハウジング２に係合支持されたロック部材７は、嵌合溝７ａを端子部材４のロック部材支持部５ｃに位置合わせして、矢印Ａ方向に挿入すると、ロック部材支持部５ｃに沿って移動して、ＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂが差込口５ａ内に挿入されると共に、差込口５ａに先に差し込まれている後述するＦＰＣ１１が、図８に示すように、抜け止め部５ｄに圧接されて、後述するＦＰＣ１１の導体パターン１１ｃが端子部材４に電気的に導通するようになっている。
また、ロック部材７のＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂを差込口５ａに差し込んで、ＦＰＣ１１を抜け止め部５ｄに圧接すると、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂが、下方の底壁２ｃとの間の隙間側に弾性変形するようになっている。
また、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂは、図示上下方向の幅寸法が板厚寸法より幅広に形成されているので、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂが幅方向の下方側に弾性変形する時の弾性力は、板厚方向に弾性変形する時の弾性力より大きくすることができる。
【００３２】
また、図２に示すハウジング２の図示下方の側壁２ｇ近傍の底面３ａ上には、カード収納部３に装着したカード部材（図示せず）を排出可能なスライド部材８が配設され、このスライド部材８はコイルバネ９に弾性付勢されて、図示左右方向にスライド自在になっている。
また、ハウジング２は、カード収納部３の上方を覆う金属板からなるカバー１０が配設されており、このカバー１０は、図１に示すように、２個の矩形状の開口部１０ａと、カード収納部３に挿入したカード部材の上面に当接可能な舌片部１０ｂ、１０ｃとが形成されている。
【００３３】
また、カバー１０は、図示右端部側に一対の係合片１０ｄ、１０ｄが折り曲げ形成され、この係合片１０ｄ、１０ｄが、ロック部材７のスリット孔７ｇに係合可能になっている。
このようなカバー１０は、図１に示す上下の側板１０ｅ、１０ｅがハウジング２の側壁２ｇに沿って折り曲げられて、ハウジング２を挟むようになっている。
また、側板１０ｅの一部を外向きに折り曲げて、ＰＣ等の機器側の基板（図示せず）に取り付けるための取付部１０ｆが形成されている。
そして、側板１０ｅに形成した係止孔（図示せず）を側壁２ｇの係止部２ｈにスナップ係合させることにより、カバー１をハウジング２に装着することができる。
【００３４】
このような構成の本発明のカード用コネクタ装置１は、パーソナルコンピュータ（以後ＰＣと称する）等の機器（図示せず）側に取り付けて、機器側のＦＰＣ（フレキシブルプリント基板）１１の端部を、ＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂから端子部材４の差込口５ａに差し込む。この状態でロック部材７を矢印Ａ方向にスライド移動させることにより、ＦＰＣ１１がＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂの抜け止め部５ｄに圧接されて、差込口５ａから抜け止めされるようになっている。
前記ＦＰＣ１１は、図１、図７、に示すように、所定厚さのフィルム状の基材１１ａを有し、この基材１１ａの一端部側で一方の面（図示上面）には、基材１１ａの一端部側の変形を防止するために変形防止部材１１ｂが設けられ、他方の面には複数の回路パターン（図示せず）に接続された複数の導体パターン１１ｃが形成されている。
【００３５】
そして、本発明のカード用コネクタ装置１へのＦＰＣ１１の装着方法を説明すると、まず、ＦＰＣ１１を装着する前のロック部材７は、係止部７ｆをハウジング２の係合部２ｆに係合支持した状態で、矢印Ｂ方向に移動させると、図１２に示すように、係止部７ｆが係合部２ｆに当接する共に、図７に示すように、カバー部材１０の係合片１０ｄがロック部材７のスリット溝７ｇの一方の内壁に当接して、ロック部材７の矢印Ｂ方向への移動がストップする。
このような、図７、図１２に示すロック部材７の状態を第１の姿勢とし、このロック材７が第１の姿勢の時に、ＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂから差込口５ａに挿入されるＦＰＣ１１は、図７の２点鎖線で示すように、動きが自由な非ロック状態となっている。
【００３６】
次に、図７に示す２点鎖線の位置までＦＰＣ１１を挿入し、第１の姿勢のロック部材７を、端子部材４のロック部材支持部５ｃに沿って矢印Ａ方向にスライド移動させると、ロック部材７のＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂがＦＰＣ１１を抜け止め部５ｄに圧接する。この時のロック部材７は、第２の姿勢となって、矢印Ａ方向への移動がストップすると共に、差込口５ａ内で圧入状態となっているので、矢印Ｂ方向への動きも規制されている。
また、ロック部材７が第２の姿勢の時のＦＰＣ１１は、差込口５ａから抜け止めされてロック状態となっている。
また、第２の姿勢に位置した時のロック部材７の係止部７ｆは、図１１に示すように、ハウジング２の係合部２ｆから離れた状態になる。
【００３７】
そして、ロック部材７が第２の姿勢になると、ＦＰＣ１１の導体パターン１１ｃがＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂの抜け止め部５ｄに圧接されて、ＦＰＣ１１の導体パターンと端子部材４とが接触して電気的に導通すると共に、ＦＰＣ１１がハウジング２から抜け止めされる。
即ち、ロック部材７は、ＦＰＣ１１の矢印Ａの挿入方向と同方向にスライド移動可能にハウジング２に係止され、ＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂに挿入したＦＰＣ１１を非ロック状態とする第１の姿勢から、矢印Ａ方向にスライド移動させて第２の姿勢にすることにより、ＦＰＣ用接触部５ｂにＦＰＣ１１が圧接されて、ＦＰＣ１１がロック状態となる。
【００３８】
このような本発明のカード用コネクタ装置は、ＦＰＣ１１の導体パターン１１ｃと端子部材４とを確実に接触させて電気的に導通することができるので、半田付けしなくともＦＰＣ１１を取り付けることができ作業性が良い。
また、ロック部材７が第２の姿勢にある限り、ＦＰＣ１１は抜け止めされているので、ＦＰＣ１１を誤って矢印Ｂ方向に引っ張ったとしても、ハウジング２から抜け出すことがない。
【００３９】
また、ＰＣ等に機器側の修理等で、ＦＰＣ１１をハウジング２から抜き取るには、第２の姿勢にあるロック部材７を矢印Ｂ方向に引っ張って、第１の姿勢にすることにより、ＦＰＣ１１が非ロック状態となり、容易にＦＰＣ挿入部２ｂからＦＰＣ１１を取り出すことができる。
また、ロック部材７の嵌合溝７ａを挟んで互いに対向するＦＰＣ圧接部７ｂとガイド壁７ｃとは、連結壁７ｈで連結されているので、図５に示す長手方向におけるロック部材７の機械的強度をアップさせることができる。
そのために、ロック部材７を第２の姿勢にしてＦＰＣ１１をロック状態としたときに、縦長状のロック部材７にネジレ等の変形が発生することがないので、ＦＰＣ１１の複数の導体パターン１１ｃと複数の端子部材４とを、バラツキ無く接触させることができる。
【００４０】
また、ロック部材７の嵌合溝７ａは、図５、６に示すように、複数の連結壁７ｈで仕切られてそれぞれが独立しており、このそれぞれが独立した嵌合溝７ａに、互いに隣り合う複数の端子部材４の基部４ｄとロック部材支持部５ｃが嵌合するようになっている。
そのために、互いに隣り合う端子部材４は、ロック部材７の連結壁７ｈで仕切られて、確実に隣同士を絶縁することができる。
【００４１】
また、本発明の実施の形態の説明では、端子部材４を金属板で説明したが、端子部材４は導電性があって、弾性があるものであれば何でも良く、例えば、導電材料を練り込みした高剛性のエンジンアリングプラスチックでも良い。
このようなエンジンアリングプラスチックからなる端子部材４は、成形加工で図９に示すような形状にすることができ、製造が容易である。
【００４２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明のカード用コネクタ装置は、ＦＰＣ挿入部から挿入した前記ＦＰＣを前記ＦＰＣ用接触部に圧接して抜け止め可能なロック部材を配設したので、ハウジング内部の端子部材とＦＰＣとの接触を強固にすることができると共に、ＦＰＣを確実に抜け止めすることができる。
そのために、ＦＰＣと複数の端子部材とを半田付けすることなく電気的に導通させることができ、ＦＰＣの取り付け作業性が良いカード用コネクタ装置を提供できる。
【００４３】
また、ＦＰＣ挿入部に挿入したＦＰＣを非ロック状態とする第１の姿勢から、スライド移動させて第２の姿勢とすることにより、ＦＰＣがＦＰＣ用接触部に圧接されてロック状態となるので、ロック部材をスライド移動させるだけで、ＦＰＣをハウジングから抜け止めすることができ、ＦＰＣの取付作業性を更に良くすることができる。。
【００４４】
また、差込口にＦＰＣを差し込んだ状態でロック部材を端子部材のロック部材支持部に沿ってスライド移動させるようにしたので、スライド操作が容易なロック部材とすることができる。
【００４５】
また、ロック部材に形成した嵌合溝を挟んで形成したガイド壁とＦＰＣ圧接部とは、所定間隔で形成した複数の連結壁で連結されているので、連結壁が補強材の役目をし、ロック部材によるロックを行う際、ＦＰＣ圧接部の変形を防止できる。従って、ＦＰＣをＦＰＣ接触部に強く押しつけることができ、ＦＰＣと端子部材との接触を確実に行うことができる。
【００４６】
また、嵌合溝は、前記複数の連結壁で仕切られてそれぞれが独立形成され、前記各嵌合溝に、前記各端子部材を嵌合させるようにしたので、嵌合溝に嵌合させた互いに隣り合う端子部材は、連結壁で仕切られて、互いに隣り合う端子部材を確実に絶縁することができる。
【００４７】
また、ロック部材には、ハウジングに係止可能な係止部を形成し、ハウジングには、係止部が係合可能な係合部を形成し、係止部を係合部に係合させて、ロック部材をハウジングに係合支持するようにしたので、ロック部材はハウジングに一体化されており、組立性の良いカード用コネクタ装置を提供できる。
【００４８】
また、記端子部材は、ＦＰＣ固定部に差込口を挟んで互いに対向するロック部材支持部とＦＰＣ用接触部とを形成したので、ＦＰＣ用接触部を端子部材の板厚より厚くすることができ、ＦＰＣが圧接するＦＰＣ用接触部の圧接力を大きくすることができ、端子部材とＦＰＣとの接触圧をバラツキ無く安定させることができる。
【００４９】
また、端子部材に形成した端子固定部をハウジングに形成した圧入孔に圧入することにより、端子部材をハウジングに固着するようにしたので、ハウジングへの端子部材の取付が容易であり組立性が良い。
【００５０】
また、端子部材は、弾性を有する金属板からなり、ＦＰＣ固定部を基部の幅方向と直交する方向に折り曲げ形成すると共に、ＦＰＣ固定部の一部を打ち抜いて差込口を形成したので、端子部材をプレス等で打ち抜き形成することができ、端子部材を低コストにすることができる。
【００５１】
また、ＦＰＣ用接触部は、差込口側に突出させて鈎状の抜け止め部を形成し、この抜け止め部にＦＰＣを圧接するようにしたので、抜け止め部がＦＰＣに喰い込むようになって、更に確実にＦＰＣを抜け止めすることができる。
【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上面図である。
【図２】発明に係わるハウジングの上面図である。
【図３】発明に係わるロック部材を説明する図である。
【図４】発明に係わるロック部材を説明する図である。
【図５】発明に係わるロック部材を説明する図である。
【図６】発明に係わるロック部材を説明する図である。
【図７】本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する要部断面図である。
【図８】本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する要部断面図である。
【図９】本発明に係わる端子部材の斜視図である。
【図１０】本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する図である。
【図１１】本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する図である。
【図１２】本発明に係わるロック部材の動作を説明する図である。
【図１３】従来のカード用コネクタ装置を説明する要部断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１本発明のカード用コネクタ装置
２ハウジング
２ａ切り欠き部
２ｂＦＰＣ挿入部
３カード収納部
４端子部材
４ａ腕部
４ｂカード用接触部
４ｄ基部
５ＦＰＣ固定部
５ａ差込口
５ｂＦＰＣ用接触部
５ｃロック部材支持部
５ｄ抜け止め部
６端子固定部
７ロック部材
７ａ嵌合溝
７ｂＦＰＣ圧接部
７ｃガイド壁
７ｄ壁部
７ｅ係止腕
７ｆ係止部
７ｇスリット孔
７ｈ連結壁
１１ＦＰＣ
１１ｃ導体パターン[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card connector device, and more particularly to a card connector device that can write to or read from an IC card used in a storage medium such as a personal computer, a card used in an electronic device such as a digital camera, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A card connector device is generally used to write or read information necessary for an IC card as an additional recording device for a device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). As such a conventional card connector device, as shown in FIG. 13, a housing 51 having a predetermined thickness is disposed, and the housing 51 is formed with a through-hole 52 penetrating in the left-right direction in the figure. ing.
Further, a plate-like card member 53 that can be inserted into the through hole 52 and mounted, and an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 54 that is detachably held in the through hole 52 of the housing 51 are disposed.
A contact portion (not shown) that can contact a card contact portion 55c of a terminal member 55, which will be described later, is formed on the lower surface of the card member 53. The FPC 54 has a plurality of wiring patterns (not shown). A plurality of conductor portions 54a connected to the wiring pattern are exposed on the lower surface side in the figure.
[0003]
A plurality of terminal members 55 are attached to the left end of the through hole 52 near the rear end in the drawing. The terminal member 55 is formed by bending a metal plate, and extends vertically from a central plate 55a that extends vertically and extends upward from the lower portion of the central plate 55a toward the rear end of the housing 51. An FPC contact portion 55b formed in a substantially U shape extending in the front end direction of the housing 51, and extending downward from the upper portion of the central plate 55a in the direction of the front end portion of the housing 51, and then extending upward and substantially L-shaped. And a card contact portion 55c formed in a shape.
[0004]
In such a conventional card connector device, an FPC 54 on the side of a device such as a PC (not shown) is inserted from the through hole 52 on the rear end side of the housing 51.
Then, the FPC contact portion 55b is elastically deformed downward by the inserted FPC 54, and the conductor portion 54a contacts the FPC contact portion 55b.
When the FPC 54 is further inserted into the through hole 52, the FPC 54 stops at a predetermined position, and the tip end portion of the FPC 54 is elastically held between the FPC contact portion 55b and the upper wall of the through hole 52, and the FPC 54 is connected to the terminal. The member 55 is brought into contact and conducted.
[0005]
Further, when the card member 53 inserted into the through hole 52 from the front end portion on the right side of the housing 51 is moved to the terminal member 55 side, the slide member (not shown) is also moved.
Then, the card member 53 pushes the card contact portion 55c of the terminal member 55 upward to be elastically deformed, and a contact portion (not shown) of the card member 53 comes into contact with the card contact portion 55c and becomes conductive. ing.
Such a conventional card connector device can electrically connect the FPC 54 and the terminal member 55 only by inserting the FPC 54 on the device side such as a PC into the through hole 52 of the housing 51. The assembly work efficiency when attaching the conventional card connector device to was good.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-266981 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the FPC 54 in the conventional card connector device as described above is prevented from coming off from the through hole 52 only by the elastic force of the FPC contact portion 55b of the terminal member 55, the elastic force of the terminal member 55 is weak. And the FPC 54 is easily removed, and there is a possibility that the conduction becomes unstable.
Further, when the elastic force of the terminal member 55 is increased, there is a problem that the insertion property of the FPC 54 is deteriorated and workability is lowered.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is a card connector in which an FPC can be easily attached to a housing, and a lock member that can be locked by locking the attached FPC from the housing is provided. An object is to provide an apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a first means for solving the above problems, a card connector device according to the present invention includes a housing in which a card member having a plurality of contact portions can be inserted from the front end side and can be attached to an internal card storage portion, A plurality of terminal members disposed in the card housing portion, one end side of which can be contacted with the contact portion of the card member inserted and mounted in the card housing portion, on the rear end portion side of the housing, An FPC insertion portion is formed into which an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) that can contact the other end portion of the terminal member can be inserted, and the contact portion of the card member can contact the terminal member on the one end portion side. Forming a contact portion for a card, forming the contact portion for FPC that can contact the FPC on the other end side, and further inserting the FPC inserted from the FPC insertion portion into the contact portion for FPC In pressure contact with the arranged the lock member can be prevented from slipping out The terminal member is formed with an insertion port into which the end portion of the FPC inserted from the FPC insertion portion can be inserted on the other end side, and the insertion port is formed on one side for the FPC. It is formed by being sandwiched between a contact portion and a lock member support portion formed on the other side opposite to the FPC contact portion. The lock member can be fitted with the lock member support portion of the terminal member. A fitting groove is formed, and the fitting groove includes an FPC pressure contact portion capable of pressing the FPC inserted into the insertion port against the FPC contact portion, and a guide wall formed on a side facing the FPC pressure contact portion. The guide wall and the FPC pressure contact portion are connected by a plurality of connecting walls formed at a predetermined interval. It is characterized by that.
[0010]
Further, as a second solving means for solving the above problem, the lock member is engaged and supported by the housing so as to be slidable in the same direction as the FPC insertion direction, and is inserted into the FPC insertion portion. From the first posture in which the FPC is in an unlocked state, the FPC is moved to the FPC contact portion by sliding the lock member in the same direction as the FPC insertion direction to the second posture. It is characterized by being brought into a locked state by being pressed.
[0011]
As a third solution to solve the above problem, ,in front The lock member is slid along the lock member support portion of the terminal member in a state where the FPC is inserted into the insertion port.
[0013]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 4 As a means for solving this problem, the fitting grooves are partitioned by the plurality of connecting walls and are independently formed, and the terminal members are fitted into the fitting grooves, respectively.
[0014]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 5 As a means for solving the problem, the locking member is formed with a locking portion that can be locked to the housing, and the housing is formed with an engaging portion that can be engaged with the locking portion, and the locking portion. The lock member is engaged with and supported by the housing by engaging with the engaging portion.
[0015]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 6 As a means for solving the problem, the terminal member is made of a conductive plate material, and has an arm portion elastically deformed in the plate thickness direction formed to extend toward the one end portion side, and the card contact with the arm portion. A base portion extending toward the other end portion, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the base portion from one opposite side in the width direction of the base portion to form an FPC fixing portion The FPC fixing portion is formed with the lock member support portion and the FPC contact portion facing each other with the insertion port interposed therebetween.
[0016]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 7 As a means for solving the problem, the terminal member extends from the base portion near the arm portion in the same direction as the extending direction of the FPC fixing portion to form a terminal fixing portion, and the terminal fixing portion is attached to the housing. The terminal member is fixed to the housing by press-fitting into the formed press-fitting hole.
[0017]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 8 The terminal member is made of a metal plate having elasticity, and the FPC fixing portion is bent in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the base portion, and a part of the FPC fixing portion is punched out to form the difference. It is characterized by forming a slot.
[0018]
In addition, the first to solve the above problems 9 As a means for solving the problem, the FPC contact portion protrudes toward the insertion port side to form a hook-shaped retaining portion, and the FPC is press-contacted to the retaining portion. .
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a top view of a card connector device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3 to 6 are diagrams illustrating a locking member according to the present invention. 8 are cross-sectional views for explaining the operation of the lock member according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the terminal member according to the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 12 are operations of the lock member according to the present invention. FIG.
[0020]
First, as shown in FIG. 2, a card connector device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a housing 2 formed of an insulating material such as a resin material and having a substantially rectangular outer shape. The housing 2 is formed with a card storage portion 3 from the front end portion on the left side of the drawing to the middle of the rear end portion on the right side of the drawing. The card storage portion 3 stores an IC (integrated circuit) therein. A known card member (not shown) generally used as a recording medium can be stored.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 2, the card storage portion 3 is formed with step portions 3b on the left and right inner wall surfaces of the bottom surface 3a, and a card member (not shown) is placed at a predetermined storage position by the step portions 3b. Guided.
The bottom surface 3a of the card storage unit 3 is formed with an opening 2a cut out in a substantially U shape, and a plurality of terminal members 4 are provided on the right side of the opening 2a in the drawing on the back side of the card storage unit 3. It is installed side by side.
A protruding wall 3c is formed so as to surround the card contact portion 4b in the portion of the card storage portion 3 where the card contact portion 4b formed at the tip of each terminal member 4 is located. 3c prevents the card contact portion 4b of the terminal member 4 from being damaged when a foreign object is inserted into the card insertion portion 3 or when the card member is reversely inserted.
[0022]
Further, the housing 2 is provided with a bottom wall 2c in which an FPC insertion portion 2b into which an FPC 11 described later can be inserted is formed on the rear end side on the right side of the figure, and this bottom wall 2c is formed as shown in FIG. The rear end portion on the right side is formed in a bowl shape.
The housing 2 between the FPC insertion portion 2b and the card storage portion 3 is formed with a terminal positioning portion 2d for attaching a terminal member 4 to be described later, and the terminal positioning portion 2d has a terminal member to be described later. A hole-shaped press-fitting hole 2 e that can press-fit the terminal fixing portion 4 and fix the terminal member 4 to the housing 2 is formed therethrough.
[0023]
Further, on the lower surface side of the housing 2 shown in FIG. 10, a hook-like engaging portion 2 f is engageable with a side surface of the bottom wall 2 c on the FPC insertion portion 2 b side so that a locking portion 7 f of a lock member 7 described later can be engaged. Protrusions are formed.
Further, side walls 2g and 2g are formed in the card storage portion 3 of the housing 2 shown in FIG.
Each side wall 2g, 2g is formed with a plurality of locking portions 2h for snap-locking a cover 10 described later.
[0024]
Each terminal member 4 is press-fitted and fixed in the plurality of press-fitting holes 2e formed in the terminal positioning portion 2d. As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal members 4 are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval.
The terminal member 4 is made of a plate material having conductivity and elasticity, for example, a metal plate, and is provided with an arm portion 4a that is formed to extend toward one end side in the left direction in the figure and elastically deformable in the plate thickness direction. It has been.
A card contact portion 4b that can contact a contact portion of a card member (not shown) is formed in a curved shape at the tip of the arm portion 4a.
[0025]
In addition, the terminal member 4 is formed with a positioning portion 4 c that can be positioned on the terminal positioning portion 2 d of the housing 2 by bending the base portion of the arm portion 4 a in a step shape.
With the positioning portion 4c aligned with the terminal positioning portion 2d of the housing 2, a terminal fixing portion 6 described later can be press-fitted into the press-fitting hole 2e.
Further, the terminal member 4 extends from the positioning portion 4c to the other end portion in the right direction in the figure to form a base portion 4d having a predetermined width dimension, and the base portion 4d is formed from one side of the base portion 4d facing each other in the width direction. A flat FPC fixing portion 5 is formed so as to extend in a right angle shape in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
Since the terminal member 4 is formed of an elastic metal plate, the FPC fixing portion 5 is formed by being bent at a right angle by a press or the like in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the base portion 4d.
[0026]
The FPC fixing portion 5 is formed by punching an insertion port 5a into which an FPC 11 (to be described later) can be inserted. The insertion port 5a is formed in a substantially U shape with a predetermined width.
The insertion port 5a is sandwiched between an FPC contact portion 5b formed on one side (lower side in the drawing) and a lock member support portion 5c formed on the other side (upper side in the drawing) opposite to the FPC contact portion 5b. Is formed.
Further, the FPC contact portion 5b is formed with a hook-shaped retaining portion 5d that protrudes toward the insertion port 5a on the distal end side.
The FPC contact portion 5b is formed such that the vertical dimension in the figure is larger than the plate thickness dimension and smaller than the width dimension of the lock member support portion 5c, and the tip end side where the FPC contact portion 5b is formed It can be elastically deformed in the illustrated vertical direction.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 7, the inner bottom surface of the bottom wall 2c located at the lower part of the FPC contact portion 5b of the terminal member 4 is formed in a taper shape between the FPC contact portion 5b and the bottom wall 2c. An inclined gap is formed.
Further, the terminal member 4 is formed by bending a part of the base portion 4d near the arm portion 4a in the same direction as the FPC fixing portion 5 to form a terminal fixing portion 6. The terminal fixing portion 6 has a mountain shape on both sides. It is formed in a jagged shape.
By pressing the terminal fixing portion 6 into a press-fitting hole 2 d formed in the housing 2, the terminal member 4 can be fixed to the housing 2.
[0028]
In addition, the terminal member 4 has a dimension in which the opening dimension of the portion where the retaining portion 5d of the insertion port 5a is formed is the sum of the thickness of the FPC press contact portion 7b of the lock member 7 described later and the plate thickness of the FPC 11 described later. It is formed in a more negative dimension.
For this purpose, when the FPC pressure contact portion 7b of the lock member 7 and the end portion of the FPC 11 are inserted into the insertion port 5a, the end portion of the FPC 11 is pressed against the retaining portion 5d formed on the FPC contact portion 5b. The contact portion 5b is elastically deformed.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a lock member 7 slidable in the directions of arrows A and B along the lock member support portion 5 c of the terminal member 4 is disposed. The lock member 7 is made of a resin material, and a fitting groove 7a in which the lock member support portion 5c can be loosely fitted is formed. The lock member 7 is formed with an FPC pressure contact portion 7b on the lower side of the figure with the fitting groove 7a interposed therebetween, which can press-contact an FPC 11 (described later) inserted into the insertion port 5a with a retaining portion 5d of the FPC contact portion 5b. A plate-like guide wall 7c is formed on the upper side in the figure facing the FPC pressure contact portion 7b.
Then, by moving the lock member 7 in the directions of arrows A and B, the guide wall 7 c slides on the upper surface of the base portion 4 d of the terminal member 4.
Further, the right end portion of the lock member 7 shown in FIG. 7 of the FPC pressure contact portion 7b and the guide wall 7c facing each other across the fitting groove 7a is connected and integrated by the wall portion 7d.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the shape of the lock member 7 as viewed from above is such that the FPC pressure contact portion 7b and the guide wall 7c are formed in a vertically long shape, and the wall portion 7d is formed in a vertically long shape from the guide wall 7c. A wall portion 7d protrudes from the upper and lower ends of the guide wall 7c. A pair of locking arms 7e, 7e projecting leftward in the figure in a direction orthogonal to the wall 7d is formed from the wall portions 7d, 7d projecting in the vertical direction. The pair of locking arms 7e and 7e has a hook-shaped locking portion 7f formed at the tip.
3 and 4, a pair of substantially rectangular slit holes 7g, 7g are formed penetratingly formed at two locations on the guide wall 7c shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the slit hole 7g. The engagement piece 10d of the cover 10 described later can be engaged.
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 8, the locking member 7 is engaged and supported by the housing 2 by snapping the engaging portion 7 f to the engaging portion 2 f of the housing 2.
[0031]
Thus, the lock member 7 engaged and supported by the housing 2 aligns the fitting groove 7a with the lock member support portion 5c of the terminal member 4 and inserts it in the arrow A direction. The FPC press contact portion 7b is inserted into the insertion port 5a, and the FPC 11 described later inserted into the insertion port 5a is inserted into the retaining portion 5d as shown in FIG. The conductor pattern 11c of the FPC 11 described later is electrically connected to the terminal member 4 by being pressed.
When the FPC pressure contact portion 7b of the lock member 7 is inserted into the insertion port 5a and the FPC 11 is pressed against the retaining portion 5d, the FPC contact portion 5b is elastically deformed toward the gap between the bottom wall 2c and the bottom. It is supposed to be.
In addition, since the FPC contact portion 5b is formed so that the vertical dimension in the figure is wider than the plate thickness dimension, the elastic force when the FPC contact portion 5b is elastically deformed downward in the width direction is It can be larger than the elastic force when elastically deforming in the thickness direction.
[0032]
A slide member 8 capable of discharging a card member (not shown) attached to the card storage unit 3 is disposed on the bottom surface 3a near the side wall 2g below the housing 2 shown in FIG. The member 8 is elastically biased by the coil spring 9 and is slidable in the horizontal direction in the figure.
In addition, the housing 2 is provided with a cover 10 made of a metal plate that covers the upper portion of the card storage portion 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 10 includes two rectangular openings 10 a, Tongue pieces 10b and 10c are formed which can contact the upper surface of the card member inserted into the card storage unit 3.
[0033]
Further, the cover 10 is formed by bending a pair of engaging pieces 10 d and 10 d on the right end side in the figure, and the engaging pieces 10 d and 10 d can be engaged with the slit hole 7 g of the lock member 7.
In such a cover 10, the upper and lower side plates 10 e and 10 e shown in FIG. 1 are bent along the side wall 2 g of the housing 2 to sandwich the housing 2.
Further, a mounting portion 10f for bending a part of the side plate 10e outward and mounting it on a board (not shown) on the side of a device such as a PC is formed.
The cover 1 can be mounted on the housing 2 by snap-engaging a locking hole (not shown) formed in the side plate 10e with the locking portion 2h of the side wall 2g.
[0034]
The card connector device 1 of the present invention having such a configuration is attached to a device (not shown) such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), and the end of an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 11 on the device side is attached. The FPC insertion portion 2b is inserted into the insertion port 5a of the terminal member 4. By sliding the lock member 7 in the direction of arrow A in this state, the FPC 11 is brought into pressure contact with the retaining portion 5d of the FPC contact portion 5b and is prevented from slipping out from the insertion port 5a.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 7, the FPC 11 has a film-like base material 11 a having a predetermined thickness. A deformation preventing member 11b is provided to prevent deformation of one end portion of 11a, and a plurality of conductor patterns 11c connected to a plurality of circuit patterns (not shown) are formed on the other surface.
[0035]
Then, the mounting method of the FPC 11 to the card connector device 1 of the present invention will be described. First, the locking member 7 before mounting the FPC 11 engages and supports the engaging portion 7f with the engaging portion 2f of the housing 2. When moved in the direction of arrow B in this state, as shown in FIG. 12, the engaging portion 7f abuts on the engaging portion 2f, and as shown in FIG. 7, the engaging piece 10d of the cover member 10 is locked. 7 abuts against one inner wall of the slit groove 7g, and the movement of the lock member 7 in the direction of arrow B stops.
The state of the lock member 7 shown in FIGS. 7 and 12 is set to the first posture, and when the lock member 7 is in the first posture, the FPC 11 inserted from the FPC insertion portion 2b into the insertion port 5a is As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, the movement is in an unlocked state.
[0036]
Next, when the FPC 11 is inserted to the position of the two-dot chain line shown in FIG. 7 and the lock member 7 in the first posture is slid along the lock member support portion 5c of the terminal member 4 in the arrow A direction, The FPC pressure contact portion 7b of the member 7 presses the FPC 11 against the retaining portion 5d. At this time, the lock member 7 is in the second posture, the movement in the direction of the arrow A is stopped, and the movement in the direction of the arrow B is also restricted because the lock member 7 is press-fitted in the insertion port 5a. ing.
Further, when the lock member 7 is in the second posture, the FPC 11 is prevented from being removed from the insertion port 5a and is in a locked state.
Further, when the locking member 7 is positioned in the second posture, the engaging portion 7f of the locking member 7 is separated from the engaging portion 2f of the housing 2 as shown in FIG.
[0037]
When the lock member 7 is in the second position, the conductor pattern 11c of the FPC 11 is pressed against the retaining portion 5d of the FPC contact portion 5b, and the conductor pattern of the FPC 11 and the terminal member 4 come into contact with each other electrically. While conducting, the FPC 11 is prevented from being detached from the housing 2.
That is, the lock member 7 is locked to the housing 2 so as to be slidable in the same direction as the arrow A of the FPC 11 and from the first posture in which the FPC 11 inserted into the FPC insertion portion 2b is unlocked. By sliding in the A direction to the second posture, the FPC 11 is pressed against the FPC contact portion 5b, and the FPC 11 is locked.
[0038]
Such a card connector device according to the present invention can be brought into electrical contact with the conductor pattern 11c of the FPC 11 and the terminal member 4 reliably, so that the FPC 11 can be attached without soldering. Good sex.
Further, as long as the lock member 7 is in the second posture, the FPC 11 is prevented from coming off, so that even if the FPC 11 is accidentally pulled in the direction of the arrow B, it will not come out of the housing 2.
[0039]
Further, in order to remove the FPC 11 from the housing 2 due to equipment repair or the like on the PC or the like, the FPC 11 can be removed by pulling the lock member 7 in the second position in the arrow B direction to the first position. The FPC 11 can be easily taken out from the FPC insertion portion 2b.
Further, since the FPC press contact portion 7b and the guide wall 7c facing each other across the fitting groove 7a of the lock member 7 are connected by the connecting wall 7h, the mechanical force of the lock member 7 in the longitudinal direction shown in FIG. Strength can be increased.
Therefore, when the lock member 7 is in the second posture and the FPC 11 is in the locked state, the vertically long lock member 7 is not deformed such as torsion, so that the plurality of conductor patterns 11c of the FPC 11 and the plurality of conductor patterns 11c The terminal member 4 can be contacted without variation.
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fitting groove 7a of the lock member 7 is partitioned by a plurality of connecting walls 7h, and each is independent, and each of the fitting grooves 7a is adjacent to the independent fitting groove 7a. The base portions 4d of the matching terminal members 4 and the lock member support portions 5c are fitted.
Therefore, the terminal members 4 adjacent to each other are partitioned by the connecting wall 7h of the lock member 7, and the adjacent members can be reliably insulated from each other.
[0041]
In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal member 4 is described as a metal plate. However, the terminal member 4 may be anything as long as it has conductivity and elasticity, for example, kneading a conductive material. High-rigidity engine-arranged plastic may be used.
The terminal member 4 made of such an engine-arranged plastic can be formed into a shape as shown in FIG. 9 by molding and is easy to manufacture.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the card connector device according to the present invention, the lock member that can prevent the FPC inserted from the FPC insertion portion from coming into pressure contact with the FPC contact portion is disposed. And the FPC can be firmly contacted, and the FPC can be reliably prevented from coming off.
Therefore, the FPC and the plurality of terminal members can be electrically connected to each other without soldering, and a card connector device with good FPC mounting workability can be provided.
[0043]
In addition, since the FPC inserted into the FPC insertion portion is slid from the first posture in which the FPC is unlocked to the second posture, the FPC is brought into pressure contact with the FPC contact portion and is in a locked state. By merely sliding the lock member, the FPC can be prevented from being detached from the housing, and the FPC mounting workability can be further improved. .
[0044]
In addition, since the lock member is slid along the lock member support portion of the terminal member with the FPC inserted into the insertion port, the lock member can be easily slid.
[0045]
Further, since the guide wall formed with the fitting groove formed in the lock member and the FPC pressure contact portion are connected by a plurality of connecting walls formed at a predetermined interval, the connecting wall serves as a reinforcing material, When locking by the lock member, deformation of the FPC pressure contact portion can be prevented. Therefore, the FPC can be strongly pressed against the FPC contact portion, and the contact between the FPC and the terminal member can be reliably performed.
[0046]
In addition, the fitting groove is partitioned by the plurality of connecting walls, and each is formed independently, and the terminal members are fitted into the fitting grooves, so that the fitting grooves are fitted. The terminal members adjacent to each other can be partitioned by the connecting wall, so that the terminal members adjacent to each other can be reliably insulated.
[0047]
Further, the locking member is formed with a locking portion that can be locked to the housing, the housing is formed with an engaging portion that can be engaged with the locking portion, and the locking portion is engaged with the engaging portion. Since the lock member is engaged with and supported by the housing, the lock member is integrated with the housing, and a card connector device with good assemblability can be provided.
[0048]
In addition, since the terminal member is formed with the lock member support portion and the FPC contact portion facing each other with the insertion port interposed in the FPC fixing portion, the FPC contact portion can be made thicker than the plate thickness of the terminal member. In addition, it is possible to increase the pressure contact force of the FPC contact portion where the FPC is pressure contacted, and to stabilize the contact pressure between the terminal member and the FPC without variation.
[0049]
Further, since the terminal member is fixed to the housing by press-fitting the terminal fixing portion formed in the terminal member into the press-fitting hole formed in the housing, the terminal member can be easily attached to the housing and the assemblability is good. .
[0050]
In addition, the terminal member is made of an elastic metal plate, and the FPC fixing portion is bent in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the base portion, and a part of the FPC fixing portion is punched to form an insertion port. The member can be formed by punching with a press or the like, and the terminal member can be made low in cost.
[0051]
In addition, the FPC contact portion protrudes toward the insertion port side to form a hook-shaped retaining portion, and the FPC is pressed against this retaining portion so that the retaining portion bites into the FPC. Thus, the FPC can be more reliably prevented from coming off.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a top view of a card connector device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of a housing according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a locking member according to the invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a locking member according to the invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a locking member according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a lock member according to the invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of relevant parts for explaining the operation of the lock member according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the lock member according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a terminal member according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the operation of the locking member according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a view for explaining the operation of the locking member according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the locking member according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining a conventional card connector device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Card Connector Device of the Present Invention
2 Housing
2a Notch
2b FPC insertion part
3 Card compartment
4 Terminal material
4a Arm
4b Card contact area
4d base
5 FPC fixing part
5a outlet
5b Contact area for FPC
5c Lock member support
5d retaining part
6 Terminal fixing part
7 Locking member
7a Fitting groove
7b FPC pressure weld
7c guide wall
7d wall
7e Locking arm
7f Locking part
7g slit hole
7h Connecting wall
11 FPC
11c Conductor pattern

Claims

A card member having a plurality of contact portions is inserted from the front end portion side and can be attached to an internal card storage portion, and one end portion contacts the contact portion of the card member inserted and attached to the card storage portion. A plurality of terminal members arranged in the card storage unit possible,
An FPC insertion portion into which an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) that can contact the other end portion of the terminal member is inserted is formed on the rear end portion side of the housing, and the terminal member has an end portion on the one end portion side. A card contact portion that can be contacted by the contact portion of the card member is formed, and the FPC contact portion that can be contacted by the FPC is formed on the other end side, and further inserted from the FPC insertion portion. A locking member capable of preventing the FPC from coming into contact with the FPC contact portion is provided ;
The terminal member is formed with an insertion port into which the end portion of the FPC inserted from the FPC insertion portion can be inserted on the other end side, and the insertion port is the contact for FPC formed on one side. Part and a lock member support part formed on the other side opposite to the FPC contact part,
The lock member is formed with a fitting groove into which the lock member support portion of the terminal member can be fitted, and the fitting groove presses the FPC inserted into the insertion port into the FPC contact portion. It is formed by being sandwiched between a possible FPC pressure contact portion and a guide wall formed on the side facing the FPC pressure contact portion, and the guide wall and the FPC pressure contact portion are connected by a plurality of connection walls formed at predetermined intervals. card connector apparatus characterized by being.

The lock member is engaged and supported by the housing so as to be slidable in the same direction as the FPC insertion direction, and the FPC inserted into the FPC insertion portion is in a non-locked state from the first posture. 2. The FPC is brought into a locked state by being pressed against the FPC contact portion by sliding the lock member in the same direction as the insertion direction of the FPC to a second posture. 3. Card connector device.

Said locking member said terminal member of the locking member support card connector apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that so as to the sliding movement along with the state of inserting the FPC before Symbol outlet .

4. The card according to claim 3 , wherein the fitting grooves are partitioned by the plurality of connecting walls and are independently formed, and the terminal members are fitted into the fitting grooves, respectively. Connector device.

The locking member is formed with a locking portion that can be locked to the housing, the housing is formed with an engaging portion that can be engaged with the locking portion, and the locking portion is connected to the engaging portion. is engaged with, the card connector device according to any one of the locking member to claim 2 to 4, characterized in that it has to engage supported on the housing.

The terminal member is made of a conductive plate material, and has an arm portion that is elastically deformable in the thickness direction formed extending to the one end portion side, and the card contact portion is formed on the arm portion. The base has a base extending to the other end side, and an FPC fixing portion is formed by extending in a direction orthogonal to the width direction of the base from the mutually opposing sides in the width direction of the base. the facing each other across the insertion opening in the block member support portion and the card connector device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the formation of the said FPC contact section for.

The terminal member is extended from the base portion near the arm portion in the same direction as the extending direction of the FPC fixing portion to form a terminal fixing portion, and the terminal fixing portion is formed in a press-fitting hole formed in the housing. 7. The card connector device according to claim 6 , wherein the terminal member is fixed to the housing by press-fitting.

The terminal member is made of a metal plate having elasticity, and the FPC fixing portion is bent in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the base portion, and a part of the FPC fixing portion is punched to form the insertion port. 8. The card connector device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein:

The FPC contact portions is protruded on the insertion port side to form a hook-shaped retaining portion, claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the FPC was such that the pressure contact with the stopper portion the omission The card connector device according to any one of the above.