JPH0661660A - Modular connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a modular connector requiring no thickened part by providing a cover at one end of a hole made through a planar member and a lock/ release mechanism for the cover. CONSTITUTION:A cover 30 for a hole 36 made through a planar member 34 is housed in the hole 36 under closed state while allowing insertion of a modular jack into the hole 36 to be engaged in place under open state. Since a modular connector 26 is constituted of the planar member 34, it can be employed in such as an IC card where the thickness is limited. A lock/release mechanism carried on a shaft 31 holds open cover state or closed cover state thus protecting the cover 30 against breakdown and enhancing availability while allowing one action opening/closing of the cover 30.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvements in modular connectors used for connecting modems and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thin electronic circuit assemblies such as IC cards have been widely used. When a circuit such as a modem is incorporated in such an assembly, it is necessary to use a modular connector for connection with a line or the like.

FIG. 11 shows an example configuration of a conventional IC card. IC card 1 shown in this figure
Reference numeral 0 is an IC card having a built-in modem inside, and has a structure in which a modular connector 12 is arranged at one end for connecting the modem to the outside. By inserting the modular jack 14 into the modular connector 12 and mounting the IC card 10 on an external device such as a personal computer, the IC card 10 can be used as a modem.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic shape of the modular jack 14 connected to the IC card 10 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 shows a schematic shape of the modular connector 12. In particular, FIG. 13A shows the front surface of the modular connector 12, and FIG. 13B shows the AA cross section of the modular connector 12.

The modular connector 12 has, as its basic functions, a function of restricting the insertion direction of the modular jack 14 in one direction, a function of stopping pushing of the modular jack 14 in the insertion direction, and a movement in a return direction with respect to the insertion direction. Has a function of stopping the operation, a function of locking the modular jack 14 at a predetermined position, and a function of electrically connecting to the modular jack 14. In the modular connector 12 shown in FIG. 13, first, the function of restricting the insertion direction of the modular connector 14 in one direction is realized by the inner wall 16 thereof. The pressing function in the insertion direction is realized by the bottom portion 18, and the function of stopping the return is realized by the locking portion 22 that engages with the rod 20 of the modular jack 14. The function of electrical connection is realized as the electrodes 24 arranged inside the modular connector 12.

[0006]

However, when the modular connector having such a structure is to be used in a part or place having a limited thickness such as an IC card, the thickness of the modular connector becomes a problem. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the thickness of the portion where the modular connector is to be provided must be increased, resulting in a complicated shape, inconvenience in handling, and an increase in manufacturing cost.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a modular connector which does not need to be provided with a portion having an increased thickness when it is provided at a place having a limited thickness. The purpose is to

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the modular connector of the present invention prevents the front end of the modular jack from being abutted against the bottom portion and regulates the insertion direction of the modular jack by the inner wall. And a flat plate-shaped member in which an electrode portion is arranged inside the hole so that the hole is formed and is connected to the electrode of the modular jack when the modular jack is inserted into the hole. A cover that is provided so as to be housed inside the hole and that functions as a lid that can be opened and closed by rotating the axis, and a state in which the cover is open and closed, and the cover surface is kept closed. Open and close the cover so that pressing the switch moves to the open state, and pressing the cover surface in the open state changes it to the closed state. A lock / release mechanism for locking the modular jack when the cover is open and the modular jack is inserted into the hole and its tip abuts the bottom of the hole. It is characterized by having.

[0009]

In the present invention, the function of pressing the modular jack in the insertion direction is realized by the hole provided in the flat member, especially the bottom part thereof. Moreover, the insertion direction of the modular jack is regulated by the inner wall thereof, and the electric connection function with the modular jack is realized by the electrode portion arranged inside the hole. In addition, the cover functioning as the lid of the hole realizes the function of locking the modular jack at a predetermined position. The cover is housed inside the hole in the closed state, and the modular jack can be inserted into the hole in the opened state, and the modular jack is locked. Therefore, in the present invention, since the modular connector is formed using the flat plate-shaped member,
It becomes possible to provide this in a place such as an IC card where the thickness is limited. In addition, the lock / release mechanism holds the open / closed state, preventing damage to the cover.
Usability is improved and the cover can be opened and closed with one action.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. 1 and 2 show the usage of the modular connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. Especially Figure 1
FIG. 1A shows the upper surface of the IC card before the modular jack is attached to the modular connector according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows the side surface. Also, in FIG. 2, external devices (personal computer, word processor, etc.)
The state of the IC card after the modular jack is attached in the state of being mounted in FIG.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the modular connector 26 according to this embodiment is provided at one end of an IC card 28. The modular connector 26 is flattened by a configuration described later, and therefore, when the cover 30 is closed, the modular connector 26 shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it has a flat plate shape. At that time, the thickness of the modular connector 26 is substantially the same as that of the IC card 28.

When a circuit built in the IC card 28, for example, a modem is used, the IC card 28
To the external device 32. At this time, it is necessary to open the cover 30 of the modular connector 26 in order to connect a modem built in the IC card 28 to a telephone line or the like. When the cover 30 of the modular connector 26 is open, the modular jack 14 can be attached to the modular connector 26.

The modular connector 26 according to this embodiment, which can be constructed in such a thin structure and can be provided in a place where the thickness of the IC card 28 or the like is limited, is shown in FIG.
It is realized by the configuration as shown in FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the modular connector 26 according to the present embodiment with the cover 30 open, FIG. 3B shows the front face thereof, and FIG. 4A shows the cover 30. 4B shows a cross section taken along the line BB in the closed state, and FIG. 5 shows a cross section taken along the line BB in the state where the modular jack 14 is attached with the cover 30 opened. There is.

As shown in these figures, the modular connector 26 according to this embodiment has a hole 36 in a flat plate member 34.
And the cover 30 is provided at one end of the hole 36. The modular connector 26 is formed integrally with an IC card 28, and a metal plate 38 extending from the IC card 28 is arranged on the front and back sides of the IC card 28, and the metal plate 38 is used for exterior packaging.

The cover 30 has a rotary shaft 31 formed on the cover 30 and a holding portion 3 formed on a flat plate member 34.
When it is housed in 5 and held by the metal plate 38, it rotates around the X mark in the drawing and functions as a lid that can open and close the hole 36. The bottom 18 of the hole 36 has a function of pressing the modular jack 14, the inner wall 16 has a function of restricting the insertion direction, the locking portion 22 of the cover 30 has a function of locking the modular jack 14, and the electrode 24 has a modular jack. The respective electrical connection functions with 14 are realized. With the cover 30 open, the modular jack 14 can be inserted as shown in FIG.
When the modular connector 26 is not used, it can be closed by closing it as shown in FIG.
0 does not get in the way, and there is little possibility of damage. 3 to 5, reference numeral 40 denotes a substrate inside the IC card 28, which is connected to the electrode 24 of the modular connector 26 by soldering or the like.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the modular connector 26 can be thinned, it can be used for a member having a limited thickness as shown as the IC card 28 in FIG. 1, and the thickness is further expanded. It is not necessary to provide the part which did. As a result, the shape of the IC card or the like is simplified, the handling is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
In addition, in this embodiment, the vicinity of the tip of the modular jack 14 does not project to the back surface of the IC card 28 when the modular jack 14 is inserted into the modular connector 26. Therefore, the IC card 28 can be mounted on the back side of the IC card 28 at a location where there is no dimensional allowance.

The second feature of this embodiment is that the cover 3 is used.
The point is that the cover 30 can be opened and closed by one action by pressing the upper surface of 0. 6 to 8 show the structure of the mechanism for opening and closing the cover 30.

First, FIG. 6 shows the shape of the cover 30. As shown in this figure, shafts 31 are drawn out on both sides of the cover 30. As described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the shaft 31 is a portion that is housed in the holding portion of the flat plate-shaped member 34 and is covered with the metal plate 38. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the inside cannot be seen because it is covered with the metal plate 38, but in this figure,
The planar shape including the inside under the metal plate 38 is shown.

First, a spring 42 is fitted on the tip of the shaft 31 that is pulled out to the right of the cover 30. Spring 42
After being fitted to the cover 30, the is housed in the housing groove 46 of the flat plate-shaped member 34 as shown in FIG. 7. Spring 42
Is fixed to the rib 48 and the other end is fixed to the shaft 31. The storage groove 46 is covered with the metal plate 38.

Therefore, for example, when a force is applied in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 (a), the spring 42 is wound, so that a rotational torque in a direction repelling the force is generated in the cover 30. Become.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the cover 30
A horizontal movement pin 44 is fitted to the shaft 31 on the left side of the. The hole formed in the center of the horizontal moving pin 44 and the tip portion of the shaft 31 into which the horizontal moving pin 44 is fitted are shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the shape is substantially rectangular, and therefore the horizontal movement pin 44 rotates as the shaft 31 rotates. A pin 50 is formed on the circumference of the horizontally moving pin 44, and when the shaft 31 is housed in the housing groove 52 as shown in FIG. 9, the pin 50 is formed by the guide groove 54 on the inner wall of the housing groove 52. Be guided. The storage groove 52 shown in FIG. 9 is covered with the metal plate 38 like the storage groove 46 shown in FIG. 7, and thus is invisible from the outside in the finished product state.

FIG. 10 shows the guide groove 54 in this embodiment.
Is shown as an exploded view. As shown in this figure, the guide groove 54 forms one closed circuit, and the pin 50 is operated by pressing the cover 30 or the like.
Transitions are made in the order of arrows between the positions indicated by and in the figure. The pin 50 is located at the open position of the cover 30 and at the closed position of the cover 30.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover 30
When the pin is open, the pin 50 is at the upper end of the guide groove 54,
That is, it is located at the position. Translation pin 44
Rotates with the rotation of the shaft 31, so that when a force is applied to the cover 30 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3A, the pin 50 moves downward along the guide groove 54. Further, since the parallel movement pin 44 is fitted to the shaft 31 so as to be horizontally movable in the extension direction of the shaft 31, when the pin 50 reaches the lower side 56 of the guide groove 54, the pin 50 is moved to the position shown in FIG. Move to the right side in the middle.

When the user operating the cover 30 releases his hand when the pin 50 reaches the position of, the cover 30 is released.
Tries to open the lid by the urging force of the spring 42. Pin 5
0 moves from the position of in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow in the figure, and reaches the side 58 at some point. When you reach the side 58,
The rotation of the translation pin 44 is hindered, and the translation pin 44 translates along the extension direction of the shaft 31 so that the pin 50 reaches the position. The cover 30 is in a closed state as shown in FIG.

Further, in the closed state, the user can see FIG.
(A) It is assumed that the cover 30 is pressed in the direction indicated by the middle arrow. Then, the pin 50 at the position moves in the direction indicated by the solid arrow, reaches the side 60 of the guide groove 54 at a certain point, and moves in parallel along the side 60. When the user stops pressing the pin 50 at the lower end of the guide groove 54, that is, at the position of, the shaft 3 is pressed by the urging force of the spring 42.
1 starts rotating. In this state, there is nothing that hinders the movement of the pin 50, and the pin 50 moves upward in the guide of the guide groove 54 as it is. When the pin 50 reaches the upper side 62 of the guide groove 54, the pin 50 returns to the position in which the pin 50 has moved in parallel along the side 62. In this state, the cover 30 is in the open state shown in FIG.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the cover 30
When closing the cover 3 until the pin 50 reaches the position
It is sufficient to push down the upper surface of 0, and when opening the cover 30, it is sufficient to push down the upper surface of the cover 30 so that the pin 50 reaches the position of. That is, the opening / closing operation of the cover 30 can be performed by one action, and usability is improved.

Since the cover 30 is held open when the pin 50 is at the position, it is not necessary to support the cover 30 with fingers when inserting and mounting the modular jack 14, and from this aspect. Also improves usability. On the contrary, when the pin 50 is in the position of, since the cover 30 is held in the closed state, an accident such as the cover 30 jumping out of the hole 36 of the flat plate-like member 34 and being damaged may occur during transportation or the like. Absent. Further, when the cover 30 is to be opened, it is necessary to raise the cover 30 with a finger in the configuration where the lock / release mechanism is not present.
At that time, there is a possibility that the shaft 31 and the like will be destroyed due to application of unnecessary force. In this embodiment, since the lid can be opened and closed by one action as described above, that is, by simply pressing the surface of the cover 30 with a finger, unnecessary force is prevented from being applied, and the modular connector 26 with few malfunctions.
Will be obtained.

In the above description, the modular connector 26 is provided at the center of one end of the IC card 28.
This may be provided in any part.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since a hole is formed in the flat plate-like member, and a cover that is housed inside the hole in the closed state and that can be opened and closed to lock the modular jack in the opened state is provided,
The modular connector can be made thin, and a modular connector suitable for an IC card or the like can be realized. As a result, it is easy to handle and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Also, the lock / release mechanism holds the cover so that it can be opened and closed with one action, so that a modular connector with less damage and improved usability can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an IC card having a modular connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, particularly a state before a modular jack is attached, and FIG. 1 (a) is a top view and FIG.
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an I having a modular connector according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the state after mounting in a C card, especially an external device, and attaching a modular jack.

FIG. 3 shows the modular connector according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the state which opened the cover, and FIG.3 (a) is B-
Sectional view B and FIG. 3B are front views.

FIG. 4 shows the modular connector according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the state which closed the cover, and FIG.4 (a) is B-
Sectional view B, and FIG. 4B are front views.

FIG. 5 shows the modular connector according to the present embodiment,
It is a BB sectional view showing the state where a modular jack was attached.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the shape of a cover in this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the right end of the shaft of the cover incorporated in the flat plate-shaped member in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of the left end of the shaft of the cover with the horizontal movement pin attached in this embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the left end of the shaft of the cover in the state of being incorporated in the flat plate-shaped member in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a development view for explaining the development shape of the guide groove and the position transition of the pin in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an IC card having a modular connector according to a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is an external view showing a schematic shape of a modular jack.

13 is a diagram showing a schematic shape of a modular connector according to a conventional example, FIG. 13 (a) is a front view, and FIG.
(B) is AA sectional drawing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Modular Jack 16 Inner Wall 18 Bottom 22 Locking Part 24 Electrode 26 Modular Connector 28 IC Card 30 Cover 31 Rotating Shaft 32 External Device 34 Flat Plate Member 35 Holding Part 36 Hole 42 Spring 44 Horizontal Moving Pin 46, 52 Storage Groove 48 Rib 50 Pin 54 Guide groove

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A modular jack having a hole formed therein so as to press the tip of the modular jack by abutting against the bottom portion and regulate an insertion direction of the modular jack by an inner wall, and when the modular jack is inserted into the hole. A plate-shaped member in which an electrode portion is arranged inside the hole so as to be connected to the electrode, and the hole can be opened and closed by rotating the shaft provided so as to be housed inside the hole in a closed state. A cover that functions as a lid, and a lock / release that holds the open and closed states of the cover and that opens and closes the cover so that the cover surface is pressed to move to the open state. The modular jack is inserted into the hole when the cover is open and the tip of the modular jack is in contact with the bottom of the hole. When I,
A modular connector having a locking portion for locking the modular jack.