JP5669133B2 - Card connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a card connector, and more particularly to miniaturization of a card connector.

  In digital cameras and digital video cameras, captured images are often stored in a generally rectangular and plate-like recording medium called a memory card (hereinafter referred to as a card). The card connector is used for housing the card and electrically connecting the electronic device on which the card connector is mounted to the card.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as digital cameras have been increasingly miniaturized products, and in order to be mounted on miniaturized products, card connectors are also required to be miniaturized.

  As a card connector, a card connector described in Patent Document 1 below is known. The card connector described in Patent Document 1 has a discharge mechanism for discharging a mounted card.

  Hereinafter, the card connector described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the card connector described in Patent Document 1. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a structure of the assembled state of the card connector described in Patent Document 1, FIG. 13 (a) shows an appearance, and FIG. 13 (b) shows a cover member from FIG. 13 (a). It is the figure which removed and showed the internal structure. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section 14-14 of FIG. Illustrations other than the case member C and the slide member SL are omitted. FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the lock member LP, and shows a state seen from above in FIG. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic shape of the cam groove CM. FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the urging member SP, the slide member SL, and the case member C, and schematically shows a cross section 17-17 in FIG. In FIG. 17, illustrations other than the urging member SP, the slide member SL, and the case member C are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the card connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a case member C having a storage portion into which a card (not shown) is inserted, and a cover member that covers the upper surface of the case member C. A connector terminal TM disposed on one end side of the storage portion and capable of contacting the external contact portion of the card; a slide member SL movable in the card insertion and ejection direction along with the card insertion and ejection; A biasing member SP that biases the slide member SL in the ejection direction, and a cam groove CM and a lock member LP that hold the slide member SL in the card insertion position against the biasing force of the biasing member SP are provided. . Further, a holding member KP that holds the card on the slide member SL is provided.

  In the card connector described in Patent Document 1, the slide member SL is disposed along the side wall SW of the case member C as shown in FIG.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, one end of the lock member LP is disposed in the cam groove CM, and the contact position with the cam groove CM changes as the slide member SL moves. Guide walls GW are formed on both sides of the cam groove CM. The overall shape of the cam groove CM is as shown in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a state in which one end of the lock member LP is disposed at any location of the linear shape portion CM1 of the cam groove CM.

  As the card is inserted and ejected, the contact position between the cam groove CM and the lock member LP changes from the SE point in FIG. 16 to the arrow Z direction and returns to the SE point.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the urging member SP is arranged in a state in which a part thereof is housed in a recess SL1 provided on the bottom surface of the slide member SL, and the card connector can be efficiently arranged by arranging components. Contributes to downsizing.

  Further, the holding member KP is arranged in the DS region of FIG. 16 which is originally a dead space, and contributes to the miniaturization of the card connector by the efficient arrangement of the component parts.

JP 2005-352548 A

  The card connector described in Patent Document 1 has no particular problem in the function as a card connector, but the external size is too large to be mounted on a recent downsized electronic device. An external size closer to the external size of the card is required. This is the same as reducing the outer size after securing the card storage part. To reduce the outer size, the structure can be simplified and the individual functions can be reduced to the extent that the function as a card connector is not hindered. There is a problem that parts must be reduced in size and thickness.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a small card connector.

The card connector of the present invention is capable of electrical connection with an opening and a housing having at least a storage portion that can store a card inserted from the opening, and an electrode disposed in the housing and provided on the card. and contacts, are arranged along the side wall in the width direction of the housing portion, and the slider and the slider for moving the card in the discharge direction discharging mechanism comprises a biasing member for biasing said discharge direction, wherein A cam portion formed on the slider; and a lock member whose one end swings along the cam portion as the slider moves. The cam portion and the lock member are engaged with each other to attach the biasing member. A lock mechanism that holds the slider at a position corresponding to a predetermined arrangement position of the card against a force, and the cam portion is a cam surface with which one end portion of the lock member abuts A guide wall for guiding the lock member at a side of the cam surface; and the guide wall is at least a part of a portion facing the side wall in the width direction on the side where the slider is disposed in the storage portion. A step portion in the direction along the discharge direction on the side wall of the housing, a notch in the lower portion of the slider, and the step portion on the lower side of the slider. The slider partly slides on the stepped portion .

As a result, a step portion is provided on the side wall of the housing, a notch is provided at the lower portion of the slider, and the step portion is disposed on the lower side of the slider, thereby reducing the size in the width direction. Furthermore, by making a part of the guide wall of the cam surface facing the side wall an open part, the lateral width of the cam part can be reduced by one guide wall compared to the conventional one, and the lateral width of the slider can be reduced. . Thereby, the width dimension of the card connector can be reduced, and a connector that can be further reduced in the width direction can be formed.

Further, in the card connector of the present invention, the cam surface includes a start / end path part, a forward path part and a return path part continuous from the start / end path part, and a lock part continuous with the forward path part and the return path part, The start / end path portion has a linear shape, the forward path portion and the start / end path portion are formed to intersect the discharge direction, and the return path portion has a linear shape so as to be in a straight line with the start / end path portion. it is, by the movement of the slider with the discharge from the insertion of the card, contact position between the locking member and the cam surface is changed from the start and end channel portion to the locking portion along said forward portion, Then, it has the characteristic that it changes from the said lock part to the said start / end path part along the said return path part.

  As described above, when the slider moves due to the urging force of the urging member, the contact position between the lock member and the cam surface changes linearly from the return path portion to the start / end path portion, so the lock member collides with the guide wall at a high speed. The card can be smoothly ejected with little possibility. That is, when the slider self-resets by the urging force of the urging member after the lock is released, the moving speed of the slider becomes faster than when operated by hand. For this reason, if the contact position between the lock member and the cam surface changes through a curved path, the lock member easily collides with the guide wall at high speed, and it is difficult to smoothly eject the card. On the other hand, if the contact position of the lock member and the cam surface is linearly changed from the return path portion to the start / end path portion, the lock member is less likely to collide with the guide wall at a high speed and the card is smoothly inserted. It becomes possible to discharge. In addition, if the route from the start / end route passes through the return route, passes through the lock portion, passes through the forward route portion, and returns to the start / end route portion, the lock member is relative to the place where the forward route portion switches to the start / end route portion. The guide wall will move in the direction of opening, but by making the path back from the return path part to the beginning and end path part, the guide wall will not go in the opened direction, and it will be more stable. The lock member and the cam portion are engaged to perform a stable operation.

  Further, the card connector of the present invention has a feature that it has a lock urging member that urges the lock member in a direction away from the side wall where the slider is close.

  As a result, by urging the lock member in the direction in which the slider moves away from the side wall in the width direction in the adjacent storage portion, it becomes possible to arrange the lock member on the cam surface more stably. Yes.

Also, in close proximity to the side wall in a width direction of the housing of the card connector of the present invention arranged one end of the locking member, wherein said side wall in the width direction of the housing slider at one end of said locking member It has the feature that it arrange | positions closely by the space | interval narrower than a width dimension.

  As a result, even if the locking member passes through the opening and is about to fall off from the cam surface, it is guided by the side wall of the housing, so that the minimum locking mechanism function can be satisfied, and the card connector This has the effect of preventing the function of the device from being impaired.

  The housing of the card connector according to the present invention includes a resin case member whose surface facing the surface having the contact is open, and a metal cover member that covers the open surface side of the case member. And the side wall in the width direction of the housing adjacent to one end of the lock member that swings along the cam surface has the side wall of the case member.

  Thus, by providing the side wall of the case member in the vicinity of the position where the one end that swings along the cam surface of the lock member is arranged, when the lock member is incorporated into the case member in which the slider is incorporated in the assembly process. Further, it is possible to prevent the one end of the lock member disposed on the cam surface, in which a part of the guide wall is opened, from freely rotating, and to improve the assemblability.

  Further, the metal cover member of the card connector of the present invention is characterized in that a notch corresponding to the side wall of the case member is provided.

  Thereby, even if a side wall is provided on the case member, the width dimension of the card connector can be reduced.

  Further, the side wall in the width direction of the housing of the card connector according to the present invention has a feature that the side wall of the case member and the side wall of the cover member are included.

  This prevents the side wall from being deformed by receiving the lock member even on the metal side wall when the tip of the lock member collides with the side wall of the housing vigorously due to the urging force of the urging member. The effect of preventing the function of the connector from being impaired is exhibited.

  The card connector of the present invention is characterized in that the start / end path part and the return path part of the cam part are arranged above the step part.

  As a result, the lateral width of the cam portion can be reduced by one guide wall compared to the conventional case, the lateral width of the slider can be reduced, and a portion of the slider is disposed on the side wall of the case member, thereby The width dimension of the member can be shortened by the thickness of the side wall of the case member, and a card connector with a smaller width dimension can be provided.

  The card connector according to the present invention is characterized in that a holding member for holding the card on the slider is provided alongside the start / end path portion with the guide wall interposed therebetween.

  As a result, if neither the start / end path part nor the forward path part or the return path part was arranged in a straight line, an area that was not wide enough to arrange other components on both sides of the start / end path part was created. By arranging the section and the return path in a straight line, a space equivalent to the area formed on both sides of the start and end path is secured beside the start and end path section, and the holding member is arranged, so an efficient configuration Parts can be arranged, which is effective for downsizing the product in the width direction.

  Further, the card connector of the present invention has a biasing member disposition portion on the surface of the slider facing the inner bottom surface of the storage portion, and a part of the biasing member is disposed on the biasing member disposition portion and the It has the characteristic of arrange | positioning between the inner bottom faces of a storage part.

  As a result, space can be saved by arranging the components efficiently, which is effective in reducing the size of the product. Moreover, there exists an effect that the operation stroke of a biasing member can be taken longer by providing a biasing member arrangement | positioning part and arrange | positioning a biasing member.

  The card connector of the present invention is characterized in that the cover member and the lock urging member are integrally formed.

  Thereby, by integrating the cover member and the lock urging member, the component configuration can be simplified and the space can be saved, and the product can be reduced in size.

The card connector of the present invention is provided with a step portion on the side wall, a notch is provided at the lower portion of the slider, and the step portion is disposed on the lower side of the slider to reduce the width direction, and further , the lateral width of the cam portion is reduced. The width of the slider can be reduced by reducing the width of the guide wall by one. As a result, the width dimension of the card connector can be reduced, and a connector that can be made smaller in the width direction can be formed.

It is a perspective view which shows the connector for cards of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connector for cards of this embodiment. 3 is a perspective view showing a case member 21. FIG. It is a figure which shows the cover member. It is a perspective view which shows the slider 31 and the holding member 5. FIG. It is a top view showing a cam surface 31f. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a positional relationship between a case member 21 and a slider 31. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the positional relationship of the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f. It is a figure which shows contact | abutting with the lock | rock urging | biasing part 22a and the lock pin 41. FIG. It is a figure which shows the holding method of the card | curd 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining insertion of the card | curd 1. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the connector for cards of patent document 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the assembly state of the connector for cards of patent document 1. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the cross section 13-13 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement of a lock member LP in Patent Document 1. It is a figure which shows the schematic shape of the cam groove CM in patent document 1. FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the cross section 17-17 of FIG.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, an outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a card connector of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the card connector of the present embodiment. In the description, unless otherwise specified, the expressions of top / bottom / left / right and front back are as shown in FIG. 1. The top / bottom direction corresponds to the top / bottom direction of FIG. 1, and the front / back direction is the left side of FIG. In the following description, the left-right direction is the direction viewed from the left side of FIG.

  The card connector according to the present embodiment has a housing 2 that can store a commercially available card 1 as shown in FIG. 1 and a card 1 that is stored in the card connector as shown in FIG. And a lock mechanism 4 that holds the card 1 in a predetermined position by holding the discharge mechanism 3 in a predetermined position. By storing the commercially available card 1 in the housing 2, data can be read and written between the electronic device (such as a digital camera) to which the card connector of the present embodiment is attached and the card 1. .

  The housing 2 includes a case member 21 having a contact 21 a that can be electrically connected to the card 1, and a cover member 22 that forms a storage portion 60 together with the case member 21, and a slider 31 described later in the storage portion 60; The card 1 can be stored.

  The ejection mechanism 3 is movable in the insertion direction of the card 1 and the ejection direction of the card 1. The card 1 abuts on the card 1 when the card 1 is inserted, and abuts on the card 1 when the card 1 is ejected. And a return spring (biasing member) 32 for urging the slider 31 in the card 1 ejection direction.

  The slider 31 is integrally formed with a holding member 5 that prevents the card 1 from falling off.

  The lock mechanism 4 is a mechanism for restricting / releasing the discharge operation of the discharge mechanism 3, and includes a lock pin (lock member) 41 held by the housing 2 and a cam portion 31 a formed on the slider 31. . As the card 1 is inserted, the slider 31 moves, and the slider 31 is locked at a predetermined position by a predetermined engagement between the lock pin 41 and the cam portion 31a at a predetermined position with respect to the housing 2. Thereafter, when the card is further pushed in, the slider 31 moves and the predetermined engagement between the lock pin 41 and the cam portion 31a is released.

  Next, components of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6 and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the case member 21. 4 is a view showing the cover member 22, FIG. 4 (a) is a perspective view of the cover member 22 as viewed from above, and FIG. 4 (b) is a lock urging force in the arrow X direction of FIG. 4 (a). It is a figure which shows the state which looked at the part 22a. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the slider 31. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the slider 31 as viewed from above, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the slider 31 as viewed from below. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the shape of the cam portion 31 a formed on the slider 31.

  The case member 21 is formed of a substantially synthetic resin material, and is formed in a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with the upper surface opened as shown in FIG. The side walls are provided with a left side wall 21f, a back side wall 21g, and a right side wall 21h. Inside, a card storage area 21b that can store the card 1 and a discharge mechanism storage part 21d that can store the main part of the discharge mechanism 3 are provided. Is formed. The front side is open, and a card insertion slot 21c for inserting the card 1 is formed. The case member 21 includes a contact 21a.

  A discharge mechanism storage portion 21d capable of storing the discharge mechanism 3 and the lock mechanism 4 is formed along the right side wall 21h on the right side when viewed from the card insertion slot 21c side. The discharge mechanism storage portion 21d is provided side by side with the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d. The area is provided with a card storage area 21b in which the inserted card 1 and a part of the ejection mechanism 3 can be stored. A low wall-shaped partition 21j is provided at the boundary between the discharge mechanism storage 21d and the card storage area 21b.

  In addition, a lock member holding portion 21i capable of holding a part of the lock mechanism 4 is provided on the front side of the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d.

  On the inner bottom surface on the back side wall 21g side of the card storage area 21b, a plurality of contacts 21a that can be electrically connected to the electrode portion of the card 1 are provided so as to protrude.

  Further, the right side wall 21h provided with the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d is provided with a step portion 21k formed lower than the other side walls. Further, a part of the right side wall 21h protrudes upward, and a thin wall-like stopper portion 21e that can abut on the lock pin 41 disposed in the discharge mechanism housing portion 21d is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the cover member 22 is formed in a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by bending a metal plate and opening the lower surface. The side wall is formed only in three directions except the front side, and is open without the side wall on the front side. When viewed from above, a lock urging portion (lock urging member) 22a for urging the lock pin 41 toward the cam portion 31a is provided in front of the right side of the upper surface. Further, a notch portion 22b corresponding to the stopper portion 21e of the case member 21 is provided near the center of the right side surface.

  The lock urging portion 22a is formed in a cantilever shape and protrudes downward. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when viewed from the arrow X side, the lock urging portion 22a protrudes in a shape in which the right side is lowered.

  Further, a notch portion 22b is provided at a position corresponding to the stopper portion 21e of the case member 21, and the stopper portion 21e and the notch portion 22b are formed so as to be flush with each other when assembled.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the slider 31 is made of a synthetic resin material in an L shape. A cam portion 31a used to lock the slider 31 at a predetermined position is formed from the near side of the upper surface of the base portion 31b having a rectangular parallelepiped shape to the vicinity of the center portion, and an arm portion capable of contacting the card 1 on the other end side. 31c protrudes. The arm portion 31c is formed to protrude from the back side of the left side surface of the base portion 31b.

  On the back surface of the surface on which the cam portion 31a is formed, an urging member arrangement portion 31d having a concave shape in which the return spring 32 can be arranged is formed.

  The arm portion 31 c is formed with a contact portion 31 e that is similar to the shape in the vicinity of the tip in the insertion direction of the card 1 and that can contact the card 1.

  The cam portion 31a is formed of a cam surface 31f formed with an undulating shape that guides the lock pin 41 in a specified direction, and a guide wall 31g that guides the lock pin 41 onto the cam surface 31f. The cam surface 31f is roughly formed in a shape as shown in FIG. 6, and includes a start / end path portion 31h, a forward path portion 31i, a return path portion 31l, and a lock portion 31k.

  The start / end path part 31h and the return path part 31l are each formed in a straight line, and one end and one end of each are connected and arranged in a straight line. Further, the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l arranged in a straight line are formed close to the right side surface of the base portion 31b, the guide wall 31g on the side close to the right side surface is not provided, and the start / end path portion 31h. And the open part of the return path part 31l is provided continuously and forms the open part 31m.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the guide walls GW are disposed on both sides of the conventional cam groove CM, whereas the cam portion 31a of the present embodiment is provided with the opening portion 31m. As compared with the conventional slide member SL, the slider 31 can reduce the lateral dimension by the thickness of the guide wall 31g.

  The forward path portion 31i is formed in a substantially arc shape, and one end is connected to the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l at a connection point between the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l. Moreover, it connects so that the angle formed by the outward path part 31i and the return path part 31l may become an acute angle, and it is formed in the direction parallel to the return path part 31l from the middle part.

  The lock portion 31k is formed in a substantially V shape, and one end is connected to the side where the forward path portion 31i is not connected to the start / end path portion 31h, and the other end is connected to the side where the return path portion 31l is not connected to the start / end path portion 31h. It is connected. The substantially V-shaped apex is formed on the corner formed by the forward path portion 31i and the return path portion 31l.

  A holding member 5 that holds the inserted card 1 on the slider 31 is integrally formed on the left side surface of the base portion 31 b of the slider 31. The holding member 5 is formed by bending a rectangular metal plate, one end in the longitudinal direction is locked to the arm portion 31c, and a hook portion 5a bent into a convex shape protrudes from the other end of the arm portion 31c. It protrudes in the direction (left direction). The hook portion 5a protrudes in the same direction as the direction in which the arm portion 31c protrudes, and is arranged so as to be movable in the direction opposite to the protruding direction and the protruding direction by elasticity.

  When the person inserts the card 1, the holding member 5 contacts the contact portion 31 e and moves the slider 31 against the urging force of the return spring 32. A shape and spring that holds the card 1 on the slider 31 so that stable movement and electrical continuity can be obtained when the contact 21a is electrically connected, and can be easily detached from the card 1 at the time of ejection. The pressure is set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 5 is provided side by side in the start / end path portion 31h with the guide wall 31g interposed therebetween. The area where the holding member 5 is arranged is an area formed by arranging the start / end path part 31h and the return path part 31l on the right side surface of the base part 31b as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. The connector is also arranged at the same position. The horizontal dimension of the slider 31 is reduced by the thickness of the guide wall as compared with the conventional card connector, and the holding member 5 is disposed in an area that is originally a dead space in the same manner as the conventional card connector. As a result, it is possible to efficiently arrange the component parts, and further contribute to miniaturization of the card connector.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the return spring 32 is formed of a metal wire in a coil shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lock pin 41 is formed in a shape in which both ends are bent at right angles in the same direction with a straight metal wire.

  Next, the structure of the card connector of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 7 to 9, 14 and 15. FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the slider 31 and the case member 21 when viewed from the front side surface. In FIG. 7, illustrations other than the slider 31, the case member 21, and the cover member 22 are omitted. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the positional relationship between the lock pin 41, the slider 31, and the cover member 22, and FIG. 8A is a view of the positional relationship between the lock pin 41 and the guide wall 31g in this embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 8B is a view of the positional relationship between the lock pin 41 and the stopper portion 21e in this embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 8C shows a cross section 8-8 of FIG. 1B in this embodiment, and is a view showing a positional relationship with the lock pin 41, the cover member 22, and the stopper portion 21e. FIG. 9 is a relationship diagram showing the positional relationship between the lock urging portion 22a and the lock pin 41. As shown in FIG.

  The return spring 32 is housed in the biasing member placement portion 31 d of the slider 31 and is placed together with the slider 31 in the discharge mechanism housing portion 21 d of the case member 21. At that time, the slider 31 is guided by the partition portion 21j provided at the boundary between the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d and the card storage region 21b and the right side wall 21h of the case member 21, and is movable along the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d. Placed in. The slider 31 is urged in the card discharge direction by the urging force of the return spring 32, so that the card 1 can be discharged.

Further, the right side wall 21h of the case member 21 is provided with a step portion 21k formed lower than the other side walls, and is arranged so as to sink under the slider 31 as shown in FIG.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 14, the slide member SL is arranged along the inside of the side wall SW of the case member C. However, as shown in FIG. By arranging the stepped portion 21k on the side wall 21h, the width dimension of the card connector can be reduced by the thickness dimension of the side wall SW in FIG. 14, which contributes to the miniaturization of the card connector.

  Furthermore, as described above, the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l of the slider 31 are formed close to the right side of the surface on which the arm portion 31c is formed. Is formed, and the opening 31m is provided. The width of the slider 31 is reduced by the thickness of the guide wall as compared with the conventional case, and the width of the case member 21 that houses the slider 31 is also determined in the width direction. It becomes possible to reduce the thickness of the wall. This further contributes to reducing the width of the card connector.

  Further, the start / end path part 31h and the return path part 31l of the cam part 31a are arranged above the step part 21k.

  Accordingly, the lateral width of the slider 31 can be reduced by the thickness of the guide wall as compared with the conventional case, and the width of the case member can be shortened by the thickness of the side wall of the case member. There is a synergistic effect in providing.

  The return spring 32 disposed in the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d is sandwiched between the slider 31 and the inner wall of the discharge mechanism storage portion 21d of the case member 21, and biases the slider 31 toward the card insertion slot 21c (discharge direction). Thus, the slider 31 can discharge the stored card 1 in the discharge direction.

  Further, the return spring 32 is housed and arranged in the biasing member arrangement portion 31d provided in a concave shape on the slider 31, thereby enabling efficient arrangement of components and contributing to downsizing of the card connector. The operating stroke of the return spring 32 can be made longer, which contributes to improved operability.

  In this manner, the width dimension of the slider 31 is reduced by the thickness of the guide wall, and the stepped portion 21k is provided on the right side wall 21h and disposed below the slider 31, thereby reducing the width dimension of the case member 21 to the thickness of the right side wall 21h. The card connector can be reduced in size as compared with the conventional configuration by using the configuration of the present embodiment in which the holding member 5 and the return spring 32 are efficiently arranged by being contracted by that amount.

  Next, one end of the lock pin 41 is held by the lock member holding portion 21i of the discharge mechanism housing portion 21d, and the other end is disposed so as to be swingable on the start / end path portion 31h of the cam surface 31f. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, only one of the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l is provided with a guide wall 31g, and the other is an open portion 31m. Therefore, when the lock pin 41 is swung due to a large vibration or the like, there is a possibility that one end of the lock pin 41 moves in a direction away from the cam surface 31f.

  In the product state, one end of the lock pin 41 that can swing is guided by the guide wall 31g and swings on the cam surface 31f as the slider 31 moves. A stopper portion 21e is provided on the right side of the rocking end of the lock pin 41 (on the opening portion 31m side of the cam portion 31a). Regardless of the movement position, the lock pin 41 always faces the stopper portion 21e. Therefore, even if a large vibration is applied and one end of the lock pin 41 moves in a direction away from the cam surface 31f against the urging force of the lock urging portion 22a, the lock pin 41 contacts the stopper portion 21e, It does not come off from the cam surface 31f. Thereby, even if one side of the cam part 31a is the open part 31m, it does not fall off from the start / end path part 31h and the return path part 31l, and operability equivalent to that of the conventional product can be ensured.

  Next, a case where one end of the lock pin 41 is incorporated into the cam portion 31a will be described. If one end of the lock pin 41 is incorporated in a state where it is positioned on the forward path portion 31i or the lock portion 31k provided with the guide walls 31g on both sides, the slider 31 is urged in a direction against the urging force of the return spring 32. Assembling work is required, workability is deteriorated, and a special assembling apparatus is required. For this reason, at the time of product assembly, the lock pin 41 is assembled at the position of the start / end point 31j. At this time, if the stopper portion 21e of the present embodiment is not provided, the lock pin 41 may come off from the cam surface 31f due to assembly work or vibration of the assembly machine. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the stopper portion 21e is brought close to the slider 31 at an interval narrower than the width dimension of the lock pin 41 in the vicinity where the swingable end of the lock pin 41 is disposed. Therefore, even if the lock pin 41 is assembled at the position of the start / end point 31j, the rocking width of the lock pin 41 can be suppressed, and the assembling workability of the lock member LP can be improved by providing the guide walls GW on both sides of the cam surface CF. It can be equivalent to the conventional example provided.

  In addition, after arrange | positioning the discharge mechanism 3 and the lock mechanism 4 in the case member 21, the cover member 22 is covered on the case member 21 and latched so that the lock urging | biasing part 22a and the lock pin 41 may contact | abut. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, a storage portion 60 and an opening 70 are formed, and a card connector is obtained.

  Further, the cover urging portion 22a and the lock pin 41 can be brought into contact with each other by covering the cover member 22 on the case member 21 and engaging the cover member 22 with the case member 21. Since the lock urging portion 22a is arranged in an inclined state as shown in FIG. 9, when the lock urging portion 22a comes into contact with the lock pin 41, the lock urging portion 22a is urged in the direction in which the guide wall 31g is present. As a result, in a normal use state, the lock pin 41 can swing without falling off from the start / end path portion 31h and the return path portion 31l, and operability equivalent to the conventional one can be obtained.

  The stopper portion 21e is disposed outside the stepped portion 21k of the case member 21, but a cutout portion 22b is provided in a portion of the cover member 22 corresponding to the stopper portion 21e, and the cover member 22 is attached to the case member. The stopper 21e and the cover member 22 are configured to be substantially flush with each other when the cover 21 is put on the cover 21. Thereby, despite the fact that the stopper portion 21e is arranged on the outer side of the side wall, it is possible to cope without increasing the width dimension of the product, which contributes to miniaturization of the product.

  Further, the positional relationship among the cover member 22, the stopper portion 21e, and one end portion capable of swinging the lock pin 41 is as shown in FIG. 8C showing a cross section 8-8 in FIG. Although the lock pin 41 swings along the cam surface 31f as the slider 31 moves, the lock pin 41 itself does not move. 21e is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the lock pin 41 is urged in a direction in which the guide wall 31g is present by contacting the lock urging portion 22a. Therefore, the lock pin 41 and the stopper portion 21e do not come into contact with each other.

  If the lock pin 41 swings and collides with the stopper portion 21e due to some trouble such as receiving an impact from the outside, as shown in FIG. The side wall of the adjacent housing 2 is composed of the side wall of the cover member 22 and the stopper portion 21e of the case member 21, and the cover member 22 made of a metal material is close to the upper portion of the stopper portion 21e. Simultaneously collides with the cover member 22.

  When the lock pin 41 also collides with the cover member 22 made of a metal plate, the stopper portion 21e is not easily deformed or broken due to the impact of the collision of the lock pin 41, and the lock pin 41 is prevented from contacting the stopper portion 21e due to some trouble. Even in the event of a collision, it contributes to ensuring stable operation.

  Next, the operation when the card 1 is inserted and ejected from the opening 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the holding member 5 and the card 1, FIG. 10 (a) is a diagram showing the positional relationship at the initial insertion of the card 1, and FIG. 10 (b) is the position in the card 1 insertion process. FIG. 10C is a diagram showing a positional relationship when the card 1 is held.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing the insertion position of the card 1, FIG. 11 (a) is a view showing a position in a state where the card 1 is locked, and FIG. 11 (b) is a position during insertion or ejection of the card 1. FIG. For illustration, the figure which removed the cover member 22 is shown.

  First, the state of the holding member 5 and the slider 31 will be mainly described. When the card 1 is inserted in the contact 21a direction (backward direction) from the opening 70 as shown in FIG. 1B, the card 1 is integrated with the slider 31 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. It abuts on the hook portion 5a of the formed holding member 5. When the card 1 is further inserted deeper, the urging force of the return spring 32 (see FIG. 2) is set to be stronger than the elastic force of the holding member 5, the slider 31 does not move, and the holding member 5 does not touch the card 1. It bends in the direction of arrow B while touching.

  When the card 1 is further inserted in the back direction, the card 1 comes into contact with a contact portion 31e (see FIG. 5A) formed on the arm portion 31c of the slider 31, and as shown in FIG. The portion 5a engages with a recess provided in the card 1, and the card 1 is held by the slider 31 and is difficult to drop off.

  When the card 1 is further pressed, as shown in FIG. 11 (a), the card 1 presses the slider 31 and further moves in the back direction, and is locked at a predetermined position by the lock mechanism 4, and the card 1 and the contact 21a are electrically connected. Connected. When the card 1 is taken out, the lock is released by pressing the card 1 in the back direction again, and it returns to the initial position of the slider 31 shown in FIG. Then, the card 1 is removed against the elastic force of the holding member 5.

Next, the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f, which changes as the slider 31 moves, will be described with reference to FIG.
In the initial state, the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f is at the start / end point 31j which is the opposite end of the start / end path 31h connected to the forward path 31i, and presses the slider 31 in the back direction. Then, along with the movement of the slider 31, it changes in the direction of arrow C along the start / end path portion 31h. At that time, since it is pressed downward by the lock urging portion 22a, it moves in a state of elastic contact with the cam surface 31f.

  When changing to position a, there is a step between position a and position j, and since position j is higher, lock pin 41 abuts against the step and cannot change in the direction of position j, but in the direction of arrow D. Only changes. Then, it moves to the position b along the outward path part 31i. Although there is a step between position b and position c, since position c is lower, the contact position changes only in the direction of arrow E, and is thereafter the end position of the insertion operation along lock portion 31k. The contact position changes up to position d.

  Since it is pushed to the end position of the insertion operation, when the pressure applied to the card 1 is released, the slider 31 moves forward by the urging force of the return spring 32. Accordingly, the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f changes from the position d to the position c. Since there is a step between position b and position c, and position b is at a higher position, lock pin 41 contacts the step and cannot change in the direction of position c, and the contact position is only in the direction of arrow F. Change.

  Thereafter, the position changes to position e. Although there is a step between position e and position f, since position f is at a lower position, it changes only in the direction of arrow G and moves to position f. Then, it is blocked by the guide wall 31g and cannot change from the position f to the position e. A state where the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f is at the position f is a locked state (predetermined engagement).

  Next, an operation when the card 1 is removed from the connector device of this embodiment will be described. When the card 1 is pressed back again, the contact position starts to change again. Since the position e is higher than the position e and the position f, the lock pin 41 contacts the step and cannot change in the direction of the position e, and the contact position changes only in the arrow H direction. When the position changes to the position g, there is a step between the position g and the position i. However, since the position i is at a lower position, the position i changes only in the direction of the arrow I. Will change.

  Since it is pushed to the end position of the unlocking operation, when the pressure applied to the card 1 is released, the slider 31 moves forward due to the urging force of the return spring 32, and the contact position changes in the direction of arrow J accordingly. To do. Since the position i is lower in the position g and the position i, the position i changes only in the direction of the arrow J and changes to the position j. Although there is a step between the position j and the position a, since the position a is lower, the contact position changes only in the direction of the arrow J and returns to the start / end point 31j.

  By the way, when the card 1 is inserted, it is inserted by a human hand, so the moving speed of the slider 31 is not fast. However, when the card 1 is ejected, it moves by the biasing force of the return spring 32. And get faster.

  Since the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f is the above-described circulation path, the lock pin 41 and the cam when the slider 31 is moved by the biasing force of the return spring 32 after the lock state is released. The contact position with the surface 31f changes linearly. Conventionally, since the rotation is the reverse of the above-described circulation path, the guide wall 31g and the lock pin 41 are located at a curved position of the forward path portion 31i in the present embodiment or at a position where the forward path portion 31i and the start / end path portion 31h intersect. Is moving while colliding with the urging force of the return spring 32, a smooth return operation can be performed.

  Further, since the return operation is performed linearly, the lock pin 41 is less likely to collide with the stopper portion 21e and the lock urging portion 22a due to the urging force of the return spring 32, and the operation due to damage of the stopper portion 21e and the lock urging portion 22a. In addition to the effect of preventing the above-mentioned problem, it is less likely to drop off from the cam surface 31f by not moving relatively toward the opening portion 31m, and the effect of performing a more stable return operation can be achieved.

  As described above, a notch is provided in the lower portion of the slider 31, and the slider 31 is disposed on the lower side of the slider 31 so as to slide on the stepped portion 21k of the right side wall to reduce the size in the width direction. Then, a part of the guide wall 31g that has been formed naturally is eliminated, and the width dimension of the component parts is reduced to reduce the width direction dimension of the product, and the return spring 32 and the holding member 5 are efficiently arranged in the dead space. Thus, a synergistic effect is provided for providing a small card connector.

  Further, by providing the lock urging portion 22a and the stopper portion 21e and changing the contact position between the lock pin 41 and the cam surface 31f as described above, the operability equivalent to the conventional one can be obtained and the assembling ability equivalent to the conventional one can be obtained. Can be obtained.

  By doing in this way, the card connector of this embodiment can provide a smaller card connector than the conventional one, with the operability and the assembling performance being equal to or higher than the conventional one.

  As described above, the card connector according to the embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Card 2 Housing 3 Ejection mechanism 4 Lock mechanism 5 Holding member 5a Hook part 21 Case member 21a Contact 21b Card storage area 21c Card insertion slot 21d Ejection mechanism storage part 21e Stopper part 21f Left side wall 21g Back side wall 21h Right side wall 21i Lock member Holding portion 21j Partition 21k Stepped portion 22 Cover member 22a Lock urging portion (lock urging member)
22b Notch part 31 Slider 31a Cam part 31b Base part 31c Arm part 31d Biasing member arrangement part 31e Abutting part 31f Cam surface 31g Guide wall 31h First and last path part 31i Outward part 31j Start / end point 31k Lock part 31l Return part 31m Open part 32m Return spring (biasing member)
41 Lock pin (lock member)
60 storage part 70 opening

Claims (11)

A housing having at least an opening and a storage portion capable of storing a card inserted from the opening; and a contact disposed in the housing and capable of being electrically connected to an electrode provided on the card;
Are arranged along the side wall in the width direction of the housing portion, and a discharge mechanism of the slider and the slider for moving the card in the ejecting direction comprises a biasing member for biasing said discharge direction,
A cam portion formed on the slider, and a lock member whose one end swings along the cam portion as the slider moves, the cam portion and the lock member are engaged, and the biasing member A lock mechanism that holds the slider at a position corresponding to a predetermined arrangement position of the card against an urging force;
The cam portion includes a cam surface with which one end of the lock member abuts and a guide wall that guides the lock member at a side of the cam surface,
The guide wall, and an open portion which is opened at least a part of the portion facing the side wall in the width direction of the side where the slider within the housing portion is disposed,
A step portion is provided on the side wall of the housing in a direction along the discharge direction, a notch is provided at a lower portion of the slider, and the step portion is disposed below the slider, so that a part of the slider is A card connector characterized by sliding on a stepped portion . The cam surface is composed of a start / end path part, a forward path part and a return path part continuous from the start / end path part, and a lock part continuous with the forward path part and the return path part,
The start / end path portion has a linear shape, the forward path portion and the start / end path portion are formed to intersect the discharge direction, and the return path portion has a linear shape so as to be in a straight line with the start / end path portion. And
By the movement of the slider with the discharge from the insertion of the card, contact position between the locking member and the cam surface is changed from the start and end channel portion to the locking portion along said forward portion, then the lock 2. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the card connector changes along the return path portion to the start / end path portion. The card connector according to claim 2 , further comprising a lock urging member that urges the lock member in a direction away from the side wall adjacent to the slider. Close to the width direction of the side wall of the housing is disposed an end portion of the locking member, wherein the width direction of the side wall of the housing slider close at intervals narrower than the width of the one end of the locking member The card connector according to claim 3 , wherein the card connector is arranged. The housing includes a synthetic resin case member whose surface opposite to the surface having the contact is opened, and a metal cover member that covers the opened surface side of the case member, and the cam surface 5. The card connector according to claim 3 , wherein the side wall in the width direction of the housing adjacent to one end of the lock member that swings along the wall has the side wall of the case member. .   The card connector according to claim 5, wherein the cover member is provided with a notch corresponding to a side wall of the case member. The card connector according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the side walls in the width direction of the housing and having a side wall of the cover member and the side wall of the case member. 8. The card connector according to claim 5 , wherein the start / end path portion and the return path portion of the cam portion are disposed above the stepped portion. The card connector according to claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the holding member for holding the card to the slider is parallel in the start and end channel portion across the guide walls. A biasing member placement portion is provided on a surface of the slider facing the inner bottom surface of the storage portion, and a part of the biasing member is disposed between the biasing member placement portion and the inner bottom surface of the storage portion. the card connector according to claims 5 to 9, characterized in that is. The card connector according to claims 5 to 10 and the cover member and the locking biasing member is characterized by being formed integrally.