JPH11329633A - Connector for ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector for an IC card which can be miniaturized, in which a mounting space for electronic parts such as an IC on the wiring circuit board can be effectively secured while satisfying the condition that the connector and a wiring circuit board are mounted overlapping inside a space defined inside small-sized electronic equipment. SOLUTION: An IC card 3 is inserted onto a base 1 in which the front half of the card 3 is laterally disposed at the front ends of a pair of guide arms 2 under guidance of the guide arms 2. The rear half of the card 3 is inserted into an open space 4 defined between the guide arms 2. A contact streak piece of each of contact pins 5 planted in the base 1 is pressed against the lower surface of the front half of the IC card 3 inserted onto the base 1, to be elastically displaced downward. The resultant reaction brings the contact strip into contact with a plurality of electrode pads 9 of the IC card 3 under pressure. Moreover, a surface mounting terminal 10 of the contact pin 5 is connected to a wiring circuit board 11 within the region of the open space 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for an IC card which serves as a connection medium between an IC card inserted into an electronic device and a wiring circuit board in the electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art US Pat.
No. 27 has been developed as a connector for business card-sized IC cards having the same size as telephone cards and credit cards, and has specifications that are difficult to apply to small electronic devices such as mobile phones and cameras. doing.

An IC card applied to a small electronic device such as a mobile phone has a size only about half that of the credit card and the like. It is required to be installed in a very limited space in a small electronic device so as to overlap.

[0004] It is difficult for all of the conventional examples to satisfy this condition.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, an IC card connector and a printed circuit board are compactly inserted into a limited space of the above-mentioned small-sized electronic equipment, and the connection between the two and the IC mounted on the printed circuit board are provided. The present invention provides an IC card connector configured so that a mounting space such as the above can be effectively secured.

[0006]

This IC card connector has a small, substantially rectangular base, and extends in parallel from the rear end of the base toward the rear from both ends thereof.
It has a pair of guide arms for guiding the insertion of the C card,
An open space is formed between the two guide arms so as to open vertically.

A contact pin planting portion is provided integrally with the base along the rear side of the base which defines the open space,
A plurality of contact pins are planted in the contact planting part in a direction perpendicular to the IC card insertion direction.

Each of the contact pins has a contact strip extending forward and backward from the contact planting portion and capable of being elastically displaced up and down, and a surface protruding rearward from the contact planting portion and juxtaposed in the open space. It has mounting terminals.

In the IC card, the front half of the card is inserted into the base with the guide arms as guides, and the rear half of the card is inserted into the open space between the guide arms. The contact strip of each of the contact pins is pressed against the lower surface of the front half of the IC card inserted on the base and is elastically displaced downward, and a plurality of electrodes arranged on the lower surface of the front half of the IC card by the reaction force. It is configured to make pressure contact with a pad, and to further connect the surface mounting terminal of each contact pin to a printed circuit board in the open space.

The above-described IC card connector achieves the miniaturization of the connector by the above configuration, and satisfies the condition for mounting the connector and the wiring circuit board in a limited space in the small electronic device while superimposing the connector and the wiring circuit board. The pins and the printed circuit board can be properly connected, and a space for mounting electronic components such as an IC on the printed circuit board can be effectively secured.

[0011] At the front end of the contact pin planting portion, a partition separating the contact strip of each contact pin is integrally connected to the base, and an IC card is formed on the contact pin planting portion and / or the upper surface of the partition. To form a land surface for guiding the insertion.

In other words, the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion and / or the partition also serves as an IC card insertion guide surface. Preferably, the free end (front end) of the contact strip of each of the above contact pins
Protrudes forward from the front end surface of the partition wall and upwards from the upper surface of the partition wall, and forms a contact portion used for contact with the electrode pad of the IC card at the projected portion.

A contact pin displacement space is formed adjacent to the front end face of the partition, and when the contact portion comes into pressure contact with the electrode pad of the IC card, the contact portion resists the elasticity of the contact strip. The amount of displacement of the contact portion is ensured by being able to be displaced downward into the contact pin displacement space.

The contact pin displacement space is opened below the base, and the contact portion can be displaced into the open portion. Thereby, the amount of downward displacement of the contact portion is ensured while achieving a thin connector.

The contact strip of the contact was formed with a slit having a closed end at both ends over its length, and the elastic displacement fulcrum of the contact strip was set at a position including one end of the slit. As described above, even when the spring length of the contact strip is reduced and the plate thickness is reduced, it is possible to design such that the stress when the spring is displaced is low and an appropriate contact force is obtained, and a contact that is not easily buckled can be formed. . Also, this can shorten the contact strip,
It can contribute to downsizing of the base.

"First half" and "second half" of the above IC card
Does not mean only one half, but means each part when the entire length of the IC card is bisected at an arbitrary position.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The connector body has a substantially rectangular base 1 and a pair of guide arms 2 integrally formed of an insulating material.

The pair of guide arms 2 extend in parallel from both ends of the rear side of the base 1 and open vertically between the two guide arms to form an open space 4 opened forward. The IC card 3 is inserted from the rear open ends (free ends of both arms) of both guide arms 2.

Along the rear side of the base 1 defining the open space 4, a contact pin planting portion 6 is formed integrally with the base 1 using synthetic resin, and a plurality of contact pins 5 are planted in the planting portion 6. Then, they are arranged in parallel in a direction orthogonal to the IC card insertion direction.

Each of the contact pins 5 has an elongated contact strip 7 extending forward from the implanted portion 6.

The contact strip 7 is inclined so as to rise forward from the vicinity of the contact portion, that is, so as to rise forward, and has a contact portion projecting upward at its front end (free end). 8 The contact portion 8 is provided for contact with the electrode pad 9 of the IC card 3.

Each of the contact pins 5 is connected to the planted portion 6.
And has a surface mounting terminal 10 consisting of short pieces juxtaposed along the rear side of the base 1 and slightly juxtaposed rearward from the open space 4. The surface mount terminals 10 are means for connecting the contact pins 5 to the printed circuit board 11 in the open space 4.

The printed circuit board 11 and the IC card connector are placed so as to overlap each other in the electronic device, and the printed circuit board 11 spreads so as to close the lower surface of the open space 4. The electrode pads on the printed circuit board extending in the open space 4 and the surface mounting terminals 10 are connected via solder or the like.

As described above, the IC card 3 is guided by the two guide arms 2 so that the first half of the card is inserted into the base 1 and the second half of the card is opened between the two guide arms 2. Inserted into the space 4 and opposed to the printed circuit board 11 spreading in the open space 4;
An interval 12 is formed between the two 2 and 11, and the printed circuit board 11
Some of the electronic components mounted thereon may be located within this interval 12.

That is, the I mounted on the printed circuit board 11
All or a part of the electronic components such as C can be arranged in the inner area of the open space 4. Therefore, these electronic components are hidden by the IC card 3.

The contact strip 7 of each of the contact pins 5 is pressed against the lower surface of the front half of the IC card 3 inserted on the base 1 and elastically displaces downward.
Is brought into pressure contact with a plurality of electrode pads 9 arranged on the lower surface of the front half of the above. Therefore, the IC card 3 is provided via the contact pins 5.
And the printed circuit board 11 are electrically connected.

A partition 13 for separating the contact strips 7 of the contact pins 5 is integrally formed at the front end of the contact pin planting section 6 with a synthetic resin. Therefore, the contact planting portion 6 is integrally provided at the rear portion of the base 1 and the partition 13 is integrally provided at the front portion thereof.

The above-mentioned contact pin planting section 6 and partition wall 13
A land surface for guiding the insertion of the IC card 3 is formed on the upper surface of.

When the partition 13 is not provided, the land surface is formed on the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion 6.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show an IC provided with the above-mentioned partition 13.
6 to 8 show a card connector, and FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows an IC card connector not provided with
FIG. 2 shows an IC card connector common to the above examples.

The guide arm 2 in each of the above examples is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the IC card insertion direction, a bottom guide ruler 14 for guiding the lower surface of the left and right edges of the IC card 3 and a side guide ruler 15 for guiding the left and right end surfaces are provided. . Therefore, the bottom guide ruler 14 and the side guide ruler 15 are formed in an L shape in cross section.

The side guide ruler 15 in each of the above examples extends linearly along the left and right edges of the base 1 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the front half of the side guide ruler 15 is formed integrally with the base 1 so as to rise upward from both left and right edges of the base 1.

The upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 14, the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion 6, and the upper surface of the partition 13 are flush with each other to form a land surface for guiding the insertion of the IC card 3.

When the partition 13 is not provided, the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion 6 forms a land surface for guiding the insertion of the IC card 3.

The free end (front end) of the contact strip 7 forming the contact pin 5 projects from the upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 14. Therefore, it projects upward from the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion 6 and the upper surface of the partition wall 13, which are flush with the upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 14.

More specifically, when the partition 13 is provided, the free end (front end) of the contact strip 7 is connected to the partition 13.
At the same time as protruding forward from the front end surface of the contact pin and the upper surface of the contact pin planting portion 6 and the partition wall 13 and the bottom guide ruler 1.
4 and project upward from the upper surface of the IC card 3.
The contact portion 8 provided for pressure contact with the electrode pad 9 arranged on the lower surface of the first half of the first embodiment is formed.

When the partition 13 is not provided, the free end (front end) of the contact strip 7 projects forward from the front end face of the contact pin implant 6 and simultaneously the upper surface of the contact implant 6 is formed. The contact portion 8 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 14 and is provided at the protruding portion to be in pressure contact with the electrode pad 9 arranged on the lower surface of the front half of the IC card 3.

A displacement space 16 for the contact portion 8 of the contact pin 5 is formed adjacent to the front end face of the partition wall 13. In front of the base 1, the base 1 and the guide arm 2
A front regulation wall 17 facing the front side of the IC card 3 formed integrally with the IC card 3 is provided. The contact pin displacement space 16 is formed between the front regulation wall 17 and the base 1. I have.

In each of the cases where the partition wall 13 is provided on the front regulation wall 17 and where the partition wall 13 is not provided, a bottom guide ruler 18 for guiding the lower surface of the front edge of the IC card and a ruler 19 for contacting the front end surface of the IC card are provided. Can be provided. Therefore, the bottom guide ruler 18 and the front contact ruler 19 are integrally formed in an L-shape in the cross-sectional shape in the IC card insertion direction.

The upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 18, the upper surface of the bottom guide ruler 14, the upper surface of the contact pin planting section 6, and the upper surface of the partition wall 13 are in the same plane.

The contact portion 8 formed at the free end of the contact strip 7 of the contact pin 5 resists the elasticity of the contact strip 7 when pressed against the electrode pad 9 of the IC card 3, The contact pin displacement space 16 together with the piece 7
It is elastically displaced inward. Preferably, the contact pin displacement space 16 is opened below the base. Reference numeral 20 denotes a lower open portion of the contact pin displacement space 16.

The contact portion 8 can be displaced into the lower opening portion 20, whereby a sufficient amount of displacement of the contact portion 8 can be secured while reducing the thickness of the IC card connector.

The contact strip 7 of the contact pin 5 has a slit 21 opened over its length. Both ends of the slit 21 are closed ends, and elastic contact points 2 of the contact strips 7 and the contact portions 8 are provided at portions including one end of the slit 21.
Form 2

In other words, one end of the slit 21 reaches the vicinity of the contact pin planting portion 6 and the other end reaches the vicinity of the contact portion 8 or a position beyond the contact portion 8. Therefore, the contact portion 8 has a two-point contact structure separated by the slit 21.

The present invention includes a case where the slit 21 is provided and a case where the slit 21 is not provided. When the slit 21 is provided, the spring length of the contact strip 7 can be made as short as possible and the plate thickness can be made thin. Even in such a case, the contact strip 7 has a low stress and an appropriate contact force can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to design a contact pin which is not likely to be buckled and deformed. The downsizing of the connector can be advantageously achieved.

One end of the slit 21 reaches a position close to the front end face of the contact pin planting portion 6, and a portion where one end of the slit 21 exists is supported on the upper surface of the base 1, forming the fulcrum 22.

When the partition 13 is provided, the fulcrum 22 is supported on the bottom wall (base) between the partitions 13.

A top plate 23 is fitted over the base 1 so as to face the same. Preferably the top plate 2
3 is formed of a conductive plate made of metal.

The top plate 23 covers the base 1 and the contact pin displacement space 16 without covering the open space 4, and covers the contact strip 7 having the electrode pad 9 and the contact portion 8 in the front half of the card. Preferably, substantially the entire contact pin 5 including the surface mount terminal 10 is covered. The rear edge of the top plate 23 is bent upward in the open space 4 to form a card insertion guide portion 24.

As means for assembling the top plate 23 to the connector body, a front side plate 25 fitted to the front end of the top plate 23 on the outer surface of the front contact ruler 19 is provided.
And left and right side plates 26 fitted on the outer surface of the front half of the side guide ruler 15 are integrally connected, and engagement holes 27 formed in these side plates 25, 26 are patched to claws 28 protruding from the rulers 19, 15. Engage.

In this manner, the top plate 23 is seated on the upper surfaces of the side guide ruler 15 and the front contact ruler 19, and is fixed to these 15, 15 so that the base 1, the contact pin displacement space 16 and the top plate 23 To IC
A card insertion chamber 29 for receiving the first half of the card 3 is formed.

The top plate 23 is used for the IC card 3
The contact strip 7 of the contact pin 5
Receiving the upper surface of the IC card 3 which is pushed up by the reaction force, and preventing any further floating, and the contact portion 8 and the electrode pad 9
Maintain pressure contact with

[0053]

According to the present invention, the length of the IC card connector in the IC card insertion direction can be reduced.
The insertion of the card and the press contact with the contact pin accompanying the insertion are properly obtained.

The above-described IC card connector achieves the miniaturization of the connector by the above configuration, and satisfies the condition for mounting the connector and the wiring circuit board in a limited space in a small electronic device while superimposing the connector on the contact. The operation and effect can be expected such that the pins can be properly connected to the printed circuit board, and the space for mounting electronic components such as ICs on the printed circuit board can be effectively secured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an IC card and an IC card connector.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where the IC card is inserted into an IC card connector.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a first example of the IC card connector without a top plate.

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of an IC card connector showing a state before an IC card is inserted, and FIG. 4B is a view showing a state after an IC card is inserted.

5A is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG.
B is a cross-sectional view of the line, and C is a cross-sectional view of the line CC.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a second example of the IC card connector without a top plate.

FIG. 7A shows a state before the IC card is inserted, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the IC card connector showing a state after the card is inserted.

8 is a sectional view taken along line A'-A 'in FIG. 6, B is a sectional view taken along line B'-B', and C is a sectional view taken along line C'-C 'in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base 2 Guide arm 3 IC card 4 Open space 5 Contact pin 6 Contact pin planting part 7 Elastic strip 8 Contact part 9 Electrode pad 10 Surface mounting terminal 11 Wiring circuit board 13 Partition wall 16 Contact pin displacement space 20 Opening 21 Slit 22 fulcrum 23 top plate

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 3, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The front regulation wall 17 has a partition 1 on the base 1.
In each of the cases where IC 3 is provided and the case where IC 3 is not provided, IC
Bottom guide rulers 18 and I for guiding the lower surface of the card front edge
A ruler 19 for contacting the front end face of the C card can be provided. Therefore, the bottom guide ruler 18 and the front contact ruler 19 are integrally formed in an L-shape in the cross-sectional shape in the IC card insertion direction.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0049

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The top plate 23 covers the base 1 and the contact pin displacement space 16 without covering the open space 4, and covers the contact strip 7 having the electrode pad 9 and the contact portion 8 in the front half of the card. The top plate 23
Is bent upward in the open space 4 to form a card insertion guide portion 24.

Claims (6)

[Claims] A pair of guide arms for guiding the insertion of an IC card are extended in parallel from the rear ends of the base toward the rear and spaced apart from each other, and an open space is provided between the two guide arms to open vertically. A contact pin implant is formed integrally with the base along the rear side of the base that defines the open space, and a plurality of contact pins are arranged in parallel with the contact pin implant in a direction orthogonal to the IC card insertion direction. Each of the contact pins has a contact strip extending forward and backward from the contact pin implant portion and capable of being elastically displaced up and down, and is projected rearward from the contact pin implant portion to open the contact pin. It has surface mounting terminals juxtaposed in a space, and the IC card is inserted into the base with the front half of the card being guided by the two guide arms. At the same time, the rear half of the card is inserted into the open space between the two guide arms, and the contact strip of each contact pin is pressed by the lower surface of the front half of the IC card inserted on the base and elastically displaces downward. Then, the reaction force makes a pressure contact with a plurality of electrode pads arranged on the lower surface of the front half of the IC card, and the surface mounting terminals of the contact pins are connected to the printed circuit board in the open space. I characterized in that
Connector for C card. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a partition wall for separating the contact strip of each contact pin is integrally connected to a base at a front end of the contact pin mounting portion, and an IC is formed on an upper surface of the contact pin mounting portion and / or the partition wall. 2. The IC card connector according to claim 1, wherein a land surface for guiding insertion of the card is formed. 3. A free end (front end) of the contact strip of the contact pin protrudes forward from a front end face of the partition wall and protrudes upward from an upper surface of the partition wall, and the protruding portion contacts an electrode pad of an IC card. 3. The IC card connector according to claim 2, wherein a contact portion to be provided is formed. 4. A contact pin displacement space is formed adjacent to the front end face of the partition wall, and the contact portion resists the elasticity of the contact strip when the contact portion comes into pressure contact with the electrode pad of the IC card. 4. The IC card connector according to claim 1, wherein said connector is displaced downward into said contact pin displacement space. 5. The IC card connector according to claim 4, wherein said contact pin displacement space is opened below the base, and said contact portion is displaceable into said open portion. 6. A contact strip, wherein a slit having a closed end at both ends is formed over the length of the contact strip, and an elastic displacement fulcrum of the contact strip is set at a position including one end of the slit. Or the IC card connector according to 2 or 3 or 4 or 5.