JPH11219756A - Connector for card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small connector capable of preventing a user's erroneous by suppressing pressing of a button in a non-inserting time of a card, and of reducing a dimension in a card width direction of an injection mechanism. SOLUTION: In this connector, a function of an injection mechanism is improved to be a double pushing system which is able to lock a button 90 by operating a stopper 82 when the button 90 is pressed by a user in a non-inserting time of a card by providing the stopper 82 on an injection bar 80 as an injector. Moreover, a heart type cam 73 is disposed at a side wall surface of a housing cover (box) 70 accomodating the button 90, the injection bar 80, and the locking/ transmitting mechanism. The cam 73 which is interposed between the button 90 and the injection bar 80 to locks the button 90 at the initial position in cooperation with the stopper 82, and which operates as a cam mechanism included in a locking/transmitting mechanism that transmits movement of the button 90 to the injection bar 80.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card connector having an eject mechanism for performing a button push type eject operation, and more particularly to a small card connector having an eject mechanism for performing a double push type eject operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a card connector having an eject mechanism of this kind, there is one having an external configuration as shown in FIG. 11, for example. This card connector 1
'Is P as the other party's connection object (the other party's connector)
The card 200 such as a C card can be fitted and removed in the direction shown by the arrow, and an eject mechanism connected to the release lever 40 works when the card 200 is released.

FIG. 12 shows such a card connector 1.
Eject mechanism (eject unit) which is the main part of ´
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the eject mechanism in a state in which the card is not inserted and a back side in a state in which the card is not inserted.

This eject mechanism is connected to a button 90 which is movable in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10 (the direction in which the card 200 is fitted / removed) and a lever 40 which is movable in the direction of the arrow and which is released. A combination of an eject bar 80 and a locking / transmission mechanism interposed between the button 90 and the eject bar 80 to lock the button 90 at a predetermined position and to transmit the movement of the button 90 to the eject bar 80. By being housed in the case 60 and the cover (inside the housing), the unit is configured as a unit.

The locking / transmission mechanism includes a spring 110 having an insertion portion 111 at one end and a cam insertion portion 112 at the other end, and the insertion portion 111 attached to the button 90. Contact plate 1 attached to spring 110 and intermittently contacting eject bar 80
20 and a cam insertion portion 112 at the other end of the spring 110
And a heart-shaped cam 7 serving as a cam mechanism for contacting the contact plate 120 with the eject bar 80 when the button 90 moves to the predetermined position.
It consists of three.

[0006]

In the case of the above-described eject mechanism of the card connector, the eject mechanism is not provided with a function for suppressing the movement of the eject bar, and the button is operated regardless of whether the card is inserted or not. Is operated by a pressing operation, so that an erroneous operation in which a user presses a button when a card is not inserted cannot be avoided.

In addition, since the heart-shaped cam in the eject mechanism is disposed horizontally with respect to the card connector main body, the size of the eject mechanism in the horizontal direction (the width direction of the card) becomes large. There is also the problem of being difficult to measure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. The technical problem of the present invention is to prevent a button from being pressed when a card is not inserted, thereby preventing erroneous operation by a user and an eject mechanism. It is an object of the present invention to provide a small-sized card connector capable of reducing the size in the card width direction.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a plurality of contacts for connecting a card as a mating connector are provided, and the card is moved in a direction of contacting / separating from the plurality of contacts. A frame fitted to the card through the fitting opening so as to be moved forward and backward in the direction of contact / removal with the frame, and moving the card in a direction for releasing the card from the plurality of contacts by a predetermined advancing operation. In a card connector including an ejector, a button for operating the ejector by a pressing operation, and a cam mechanism for restricting the operation of the ejector in accordance with the pressing operation of the button, the ejector does not work when inserted into the card insertion opening. A button for performing a pressing operation of the button and acting when the card is not inserted into the fitting slot to suppress the pressing operation of the button. The card connector having a mechanism can be obtained.

According to the present invention, in the card connector, the ejector is an eject bar which is connected to the release lever and has a stopper which is locked by the cam mechanism and functions as a stopper mechanism. A card interposed between the button and the eject bar, cooperating with the stopper to lock the button at the initial position, and transmitting the movement of the button to the eject bar for a card included in the locking / transmission mechanism. A connector is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in the card connector, the locking / transmitting mechanism has a plug portion on one end and a cam plug portion on the other end, and the plug portion is connected to a button. A spring to be attached, a contact plate attached to the spring and intermittently abutting the eject bar, and a cam insertion portion which is locked at a predetermined position and abuts when the button moves to the predetermined position. A heart-shaped cam as a cam mechanism for bringing the plate into contact with the eject bar, and the heart-shaped cam is provided on a side wall surface of a housing for housing a combination of a button, an eject bar, and a locking / transmission mechanism. A card connector arranged perpendicularly to the extending surface of the fitting port is obtained.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A card connector according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a card connector 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention including a card 200. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the basic configuration of the card connector 1. FIG.

The card connector 1 is constituted by combining a frame (frame) 20, a plate 30, a release lever 40, and an ejection mechanism (ejection unit) 50.

The frame 20 is made of an insulating material, and the card 2 as a mating connector is used.
The guide groove 21 for guiding the card 200 is provided facing the longitudinal direction of the card 200, and a release lever 40 is provided. A rotating shaft 22 for mounting the mounting mechanism, an ejecting mounting portion 23 for mounting the ejecting mechanism 50, and a step portion 24 formed for mounting the plate 30, and the conductive contacts 11 and 12 are provided. A predetermined number of terminal components are arranged in parallel. The contact 1 on the frame 20
When viewed from the sides 1 and 12, the direction of the arrow in FIG.

The plate 30 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate, and includes a bent portion 31 mounted on the step portion 24 of the frame 20, a lever engaging portion 33 engaged with the release lever 40, And a frame 32 having an abutting portion 32 abutting against the end face of the card 200, and allowing the bent portion 31 to engage with the step portion 24 so as to advance and retreat in the direction of the arrow (the direction in which the card 200 is fitted to and removed from the frame 20). Card 2 which is mounted on the frame 20 and inserted into the frame 20
The abutment portion 32 comes into contact with 00.

The release lever 40 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The release lever 40 has a shaft hole 41 into which the rotating shaft 22 of the frame 20 enters, a plate engaging portion 42 engaging with the plate 30, and an eject mechanism 50. Is connected to the plate 30 at one end and connected to the eject mechanism 50 at the other end so as to be rotatable with respect to the frame 20. .

The ground terminals 101 and 102 are for releasing unnecessary current inside the card 200 to the outside, and are attached to the front end of the frame 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the eject mechanism 50 at a button initial position, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view similarly showing the eject mechanism 50 at a button protruding position. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the eject mechanism 50 from the front side, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view similarly showing an exploded detailed structure of the eject mechanism 50 from the back side.

Referring to the drawings, the eject mechanism 50 here includes a button 90 movable along the fitting / removing direction of the card 200, a coil spring 100 for urging the button 90, and a fitting of the card 200. It has an eject bar 80 connected to the other end of the release lever 40, a plug 111 at one end, and a cam plug 112 at the other end. A spring 110 having an insertion portion 111 attached to the button 90, a contact plate 120 attached to the spring 110 and intermittently contacting the eject bar 80, and a cam insertion portion 11
2 and a heart-shaped cam 73 serving as a cam mechanism for contacting the contact plate 120 with the eject bar 80 when the button 90 moves to the predetermined position. The unit is configured as a unit. Here, the spring 110, the contact plate 120, and the heart-shaped cam 73 are interposed between the button 90 and the eject bar 80 to lock the button 90 at a predetermined position, and to move the button 90 to the eject bar. Lock that transmits to 80
It becomes a transmission mechanism.

More specifically, the case 60 has a substantially "work-shaped" cross-section having a fixing groove 61 on one side and a button slide groove 62 on the other side with the middle wall interposed therebetween.
The fixing groove 61 is fixed to the frame 20 by being fitted into the ejection mounting portion 23 of the frame 20, and
The button slide groove 62 is adapted to receive the button 90 and the eject bar 80 movably in the fitting / removing direction of the card 200, and furthermore, cover fixing grooves 63 are provided at both outer ends of the upper and lower plate surfaces. Are formed respectively.

The cover 70 has a heart-shaped cam 73 formed on the inner side surface of the middle part, a coil spring locking angle 71 for locking the coil spring 100, and a fixing groove 63 mounted in the cover fixing groove 63. The cover 70 is fixed to the case 60 when the fixing claw 72 enters the cover fixing groove 63 of the case 60.
In this state, the button 90 is prevented from falling off from the button slide groove 62.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a heart-shaped cam 73 provided on the cover 70 in a partially enlarged manner. The heart-shaped cam 73 is provided on the inside of the side wall surface of the cover 70 (simply, the side wall surface of the housing for accommodating the button 90, the eject bar 80, and the locking / transmission mechanism in combination). Of the mating opening (card 200
(Including the fitting / removing directions of the above), and the three-dimensional shape is described below.

That is, the heart-shaped cam 73 includes a first step 73b which forms a step with respect to a concave portion 73a formed on one side of the heart-shaped lower contour, and a first step 73b formed around the first step 73b. A second step 73e, which is adjacent to the wall 73c and the first inclined portion 73d on one side and forms a step with respect to one periphery of the recess 73a, is formed around the second step 73e. A first groove 73g extending toward the opposite side while forming a wall surface 73f and a heart-shaped upper contour, and a fourth step adjacent to the other direction side and forming a step with respect to the periphery of the concave portion 73a. 73l, a fourth wall 73m and a fourth inclined portion 73n formed on the periphery thereof, and a third step 73i which is separated on the opposite side and forms a step with respect to the periphery around the recess 73a. A third wall formed around it A third inclined portion 73k extending as the other of the heart-shaped lower contours toward 3j and the fourth step 73l, and a second inclined portion 73g extending from the first groove 73g toward the third step 73i. And the inclined portion 73h.

The heart-shaped cam 73 includes a spring 11
It has a function of receiving the 0 cam insertion portion 112, sending the cam insertion portion 112 in one direction, and locking at a predetermined position.

The button 90 is connected to an eject bar 8 described later.
0 is operated by pressing operation, and one end side is a pressing side end portion 92 having a flange portion which is a portion pressed by a finger, and the other end side extends from the pressing side end portion 92 to form a step 94. A spring fixing hole 91 for fixing the button insertion portion 111 is provided in this one portion, and a coil spring storage groove 93 for storing the coil spring 100 is formed in this one portion. . Further, a locking angle 93 a for a coil spring is provided at the bottom of the coil spring storage groove 93. Here, the coil spring 100 is assembled between the coil spring locking angle 71 provided on the cover 70 and the coil spring locking angle 93 a provided on the button 90, so that the pressing-side end 92 of the button 90 is moved. An urging force is generated in a direction to protrude from a predetermined wall surface (for example, a wall surface of a housing of an electronic device (not shown)).

The eject bar 80 is provided with the release lever 40.
, A stopper 82 locked by the cam mechanism of the heart-shaped cam 73 to function as a stopper mechanism, and a side surface portion 83. The connecting portion 81 is connected to the ejecting lever 40 by the ejecting lever 40. By connecting to the release lever 43, the slide lever 40 is connected to the release lever 40, and in this state, the slide hole formed by the case 60 and the cover 70 is moved to move forward and backward. The pressing side end portion 83a of the side surface portion 83 is a portion pressed by a contact plate 120 described later, and the stopper 82 is a portion for restricting the rotation of the contact plate 120.

The spring 110 is made of an elastic metal rod. One end is bent as a button insertion portion 111 and the other end is bent as a cam insertion portion 112. The cam insertion portion 112 is inserted into the groove of the heart-shaped cam 73 and is urged toward the groove bottom when the card connector 1 is assembled as a card connector 1.

The contact plate 120 has a forked portion 121, an end portion 122, and a spring hole 123. When assembled as the card connector 1, the spring 110 enters the forked portion 121 and the spring hole 1.
The cam insertion portion 112 of the spring 110 enters the inside 23, and the contact plate 120 is attached to the spring 110 in this state.

In short, in the card connector 1 having such a configuration, the frame 20 moves the card 200 in the direction of contacting / separating from the plurality of contacts 11 and 12 for connecting the card 200. 200 is fitted through the fitting opening. Eject bar 80
Is an ejector which is provided on the frame 20 so as to be able to move forward and backward in the direction of contact / removal, and which moves the card 200 in a direction for releasing the card 200 from the plurality of contacts 11 and 12 by a predetermined advancing operation. A stopper 82 is provided as a stopper mechanism that allows the pressing operation of the button 90 to be performed without operating when the card 200 is inserted, and that operates when the card 200 is not inserted into the fitting opening to suppress the pressing operation of the button 90.

In the card connector 1, the heart-shaped cam 73 serving as a cam mechanism regulates the operation of the eject bar 80 accompanying the pressing operation of the button 90, and is interposed between the button 90 and the eject bar 80. The stopper 90 cooperates with the stopper 82 to lock the button 90 at the initial position, and transmits a movement of the button 90 to the eject bar 80 (a spring 110, a contact plate 120, and a heart-shaped cam 73). Consisting of).

The operation of the card connector 1 having such a configuration will be briefly described below. First, when the card 200 is inserted into the card connector 1, the end face of the card 200 comes into contact with the abutting portion 32 of the plate 30, and the plate 30 moves together with the card 200. At this time, the plate engagement portion 42 of the release lever 40 moves in the same direction as the plate 30 by the lever engagement portion 33 of the plate 30, and as a result, the release lever 40 is centered on the rotation shaft 22 of the frame 20. To rotate. Therefore, the ejecting connection portion 43 of the release lever 40 moves in the direction in which the card 200 is fitted to the card connector 1 or in the direction opposite to the release direction.

On the other hand, the card 200 is connected to the card connector 1.
When the ejecting mechanism 43 is pushed in the fitting direction by pressing the button 90 of the ejecting mechanism 50 in the fitting direction, the ejecting lever 40 is released.
Is rotated about the rotation shaft 22, the release lever 40
Move the plate 30 in the release direction via the lever engaging portion 33 of the plate 30, and as a result, the abutment portion 32 of the plate 30
To release the card 200 from the frame 20.

FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (h) are side views of the main parts shown to explain the operation of the eject mechanism 50 with respect to the heart-shaped cam 73 step by step. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of the eject mechanism 50 in a card-inserted state by a cross-section on the back side, and FIG. 10 is also the same. It is a perspective view.

The operation of the card connector 1 will be described in detail with reference to these drawings. First, when the pressing side end 92 of the button 90 is at the first position slightly protruding from the predetermined wall surface, the coil spring 100 Spring 1 by the spring force of
The ten cam insertion portions 112 are the concave portions 73 of the heart-shaped cam 73.
a and is locked at a position corresponding to the first position of the button 90.

When the card 200 is inserted in this state,
The state shown in FIGS. 8A and 9 is obtained. That is, in this case, the eject bar 80 is pushed toward the pressing side end portion 92 of the button 90 by the rotation of the release lever 40 and the stopper 82 is positioned beside the heart-shaped cam 73, so The plate 120 can move in the groove of the heart-shaped cam 73 in a certain direction via the spring 110,
This allows the button 90 to be pressed freely.

When the button 90 is pushed in from this state, the spring 110 is pushed together with the button 90, and at this time, the heart-shaped cam 73 operates to rotate around the button insertion portion 111. When the button 90 is pressed, the cam insertion portion 112 in the heart-shaped cam 73 has the first step groove 73b, so that the first
Moves along the first wall surface 73c in the inclined portion 73d of
The rider rides on the first inclined portion 73d, reaches the second wall surface 73f beyond the second step 73e, and reaches the second position where the pressing-side end portion 92 of the button 90 projects least from the predetermined wall surface. The state of the contact plate 120 when the button is pressed is as shown in FIG.

Next, when the force for pushing the button 90 is loosened, the button 90 is pushed back by the repulsive force of the coil spring 100. At this time, the cam insertion portion 112 of the spring 110 is inserted into the first groove of the heart-shaped cam 73. The button 90 moves through the inside 73g, reaches the third step 73i via the second inclined portion 73h, and is locked at the third position where the pressing-side end 92 of the button 90 projects most from the predetermined wall surface. As a result, the button 90 is in a protruding state, and the button 90 is locked at the third position. The state of the contact plate 120 here is as shown in FIGS.

When the button 90 is pushed again when the button 90 is in the third position as described above, the cam insertion portion 112 of the spring 110 is turned into the third inclined portion 73k.
When the button 90 is pushed in, the eject bar 80 is pushed in because the end portion 122 of the contact plate 120 comes into contact with and engages with the end portion of the side surface portion 83 of the eject bar 80.

Further, when the eject bar 80 is inserted through the button 90, the release lever 40 rotates and the plate 30 moves in the release direction.
Leave 0. The state of the contact plate 120 here is as shown in FIG. 8 (g) and FIG.

Subsequently, when the finger is released from the button 90 in this state, the cam insertion portion 112 of the spring 110 enters the concave portion 73a by the urging force of the coil spring 100, whereby the button 90 returns to the first position and returns to the first position. Locked in position. Even if the button 90 is pressed in this state, since the stopper 82 of the eject bar 80 covers the groove in the traveling direction of the heart-shaped cam 73, the contact plate 120 that moves along with the spring 110 moves the stopper 82 of the eject bar 80. As a result, the button 90 cannot be depressed, so that the above-described eject operation becomes impossible. Here, the state of the contact plate 120 is restored as shown in FIG. 8 (h).

Here, when the connection object 200 is inserted again, the plate 30 is pushed in, the release lever 40 is rotated to move the eject bar 80 in the release direction, and the stopper 82 of the eject bar 80 is moved to the heart-shaped cam. By passing the groove 73, the same condition as the first position is obtained. In this state, the eject operation can be performed by pressing the button 90.

In the card connector 1 having such a structure, the position of the button 90 does not change even when the card 200 is inserted, and the button 9 is used when the card 200 is to be removed.
When the button 90 is pressed and released, the button 90 protrudes, and the card 200 is released by pressing the protruding button 90 again. After release, the button 90 returns to the first position.

When the card 90 is inserted in this manner, the button 90 is pushed out by pushing the button 90. However, even when the button 90 is pushed in when the card 200 is not inserted, the stopper 82 of the eject bar 80 causes the heart-shaped cam. Spring 1 because it covers the groove in the traveling direction of 73
Since the abutment plate 120 that moves accompanying the abutment 10 abuts against the stopper 82 of the eject bar 80, the button 90 does not operate and the button 90 does not project.

Therefore, in the card connector 1, the double-push eject mechanism 50 is provided to restrict the movement of the button 90 when the card 200 is not inserted and to suppress the pressing operation. By disposing the eject mechanism 50 on the side wall (standing wall) surface of the case 60, the size of the eject mechanism 50 in the width direction of the card 200 can be reduced, so that the overall structure can be reduced.

[0046]

As described above, according to the card connector of the present invention, the function of the eject mechanism is improved and the eject bar serving as the ejector is provided with the stopper functioning as the stopper mechanism, and the stopper operates when the card is not inserted. In addition to the double push type that locks the button, the cam mechanism is provided on the side wall of the housing, so that the button pressing operation when the card is not inserted can be suppressed and the user can prevent erroneous operation At the same time, the size of the eject mechanism in the card width direction is reduced, so that the overall structure is reduced in size, and the eject mechanism can be easily attached at the time of assembly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a card connector according to an embodiment of the present invention including a card.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a basic configuration of the card connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an eject mechanism, which is a main part of the card connector shown in FIG. 1, at an initial button position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an eject mechanism, which is a main part of the card connector shown in FIG. 1, at a button protruding position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a detailed configuration of the eject mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the detailed configuration of the eject mechanism shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a heart-shaped cam provided on a cover of the eject mechanism shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6;

8 (a) to 8 (h) are side views of main parts shown to explain the operation of the eject mechanism shown in FIG. 5 or 6 with respect to the heart-shaped cam in each step.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the basic configuration of the eject mechanism shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of the ejection mechanism shown in FIG. 5 or FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a conventional card connector including a card.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an ejection mechanism as a main part of the card connector shown in FIG.

13 is a perspective view showing a basic configuration of an eject mechanism as a main part of the card connector shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Card connector 20 Frame 21 Guide groove 22 Rotating shaft 23 Eject mounting part 24 Step part 30 Plate 31 Bend part 32 Striking part 33 Lever engaging part 40 Release lever 41 Shaft hole 42 Plate engaging member Joint part 43 Ejecting connection part 50 Eject mechanism (eject unit) 60 Case 61 Fixing groove 62 Button sliding storage groove 63 Cover fixing groove 70 Cover 71, 93a Coil spring locking angle 72 Fixing claw 73 Heart-shaped cam 80 Eject bar Reference Signs List 81 connecting portion 82 stopper 83 side surface portion 83a, 92 pressing side end portion 90 button 91 spring fixing hole 93 coil spring storing groove 100 coil spring 101, 102 ground terminal 110 spring 111 button insertion portion 112 cam insertion portion 120 contact plate 121 two Part 122 end 123 spring hole 200 cards

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of contacts for connecting a card as a mating connector are provided, and the card is fitted through a fitting opening so as to move the card in a direction of coming into contact with and detaching from the plurality of contacts. A frame body, an ejector that is provided on the frame body so as to be able to advance and retreat in the contact and detachment directions, and that moves the card in a direction of detaching the card from the plurality of contacts by a predetermined advancing operation; and pressing the ejector. In a card connector provided with a button operated by an operation and a cam mechanism for restricting the operation of the ejector accompanying the pressing operation of the button, the ejector does not operate when the card is inserted into the fitting opening, and the ejector does not operate. A button is pressed, and when the card is not inserted into the fitting port, the button is pressed to suppress the button. A connector for a card having a stopper mechanism. 2. The card connector according to claim 1, wherein the ejector is an eject bar which is connected to a release lever and has a stopper which is locked by the cam mechanism and serves as the stopper mechanism. A cam mechanism is interposed between the button and the eject bar to lock the button at an initial position in cooperation with the stopper, and transmits a movement of the button to the eject bar. A card connector characterized by being included in the above. 3. The card connector according to claim 2, wherein the locking / transmission mechanism has a plug portion at one end and a cam plug portion at the other end, and the plug portion is connected to the button. A spring to be attached, a contact plate attached to the spring and intermittently contacting the eject bar, and the cam insertion portion is locked at a predetermined position, and the button is moved to the predetermined position. A heart-shaped cam as the cam mechanism for bringing the contact plate into contact with the eject bar, and the heart-shaped cam is a combination of the button, the eject bar, and the locking / transmitting mechanism. A card connector, wherein the card connector is provided on a side wall surface of a housing for housing in a direction perpendicular to an extending surface of the fitting opening.