JPWO2006025406A1 - Computer card adapter device and computer card system provided with the adapter device - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter device comprising a connector that is connected when inserted into a slot of a computer and a connector that is connected when a computer card is inserted into the slot. A coupling mechanism for coupling the housing and the antenna is provided so that two positions of the second position displaced in the thickness direction from the opening of the slot can be taken.

Description

  The present invention relates to an adapter device for adapting a computer card of a different standard to a card slot of a computer, and more particularly to an adapter device having a built-in wireless communication circuit and an antenna.

  Conventionally, as disclosed in JP-A-8-279027 (Patent Document 1), a wireless communication card capable of performing wireless communication without impairing portability by providing an antenna so as to be stowable is disclosed.

Also, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-122863 (Patent Document 2), a PC card adapter is disclosed in which a small PC card can be mounted in a large card slot.
JP-A-8-279027 Further, there is also provided a PC card adapter in which a wireless communication circuit and an antenna are mounted on the PC card adapter itself as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-122863. Such a PC card adapter is shown in FIG. The PC card adapter 100 is for allowing a compact flash (registered trademark: hereinafter omitted) standard card to be inserted into a PC card standard computer slot. A slot 102 and a connector 103 for inserting a compact flash standard card are provided. The antenna 105 is provided on the opening 106 of the slot 102.

  In the conventional PC card adapter 100 shown in FIG. 9, a compact flash standard PC card is inserted from the opening 106. On the other hand, since the antenna 105 must be provided at a position that does not hinder the insertion of the PC card, the antenna 105 is provided at a position shifted in the thickness direction while avoiding the opening 106 of the PC card as shown in the figure. However, such an antenna configuration has a problem that portability is impaired because the thickness of a part of the card adapter 100 is greatly increased.

  The present invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional adapter device, and an antenna can be arranged at a predetermined position so as not to impair portability, and insertion of a PC card, It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer card adapter device that does not impair operability even during removal, and a computer card system using the same.

  In order to solve the above problems, a computer card adapter device according to the present invention is a computer card adapter device that has a card-like casing and is used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer, and the adapter device comprises: A first connector for interfacing with the computer, provided at an end of the casing in the insertion direction of the card slot, and provided at an end of the casing in a direction opposite to the insertion direction; A slot having an opening for insertion, a second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at an end of the casing serving as an end in the insertion direction of the slot, and the insertion direction of the casing And an antenna provided in the vicinity of the end in the opposite direction.

  The computer card adapter device according to the present invention is a computer card adapter device that has a card-like housing and is used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer. A first connector for interfacing with the computer provided at an insertion direction end of the card slot; and provided at an end opposite to the insertion direction of the housing for inserting a computer card. A slot having an opening; a second connector for interfacing with the computer card; and a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the casing. An antenna provided in the vicinity of the end of the first portion, and a first position where the antenna substantially covers at least the opening of the slot; As it can take two positions of the second position displaced from the opening of the slot in the thickness direction of the adapter device, characterized by comprising a coupling mechanism for coupling the said housing antenna.

  The computer card adapter device according to the present invention is a computer card adapter device that has a card-like housing and is used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer. A first connector for interfacing with the computer provided at an insertion direction end of the card slot; and provided at an end opposite to the insertion direction of the housing for inserting a computer card. A slot having an opening; a second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the antenna main body portion; and the antenna main body portion. An antenna comprising a base portion extending from the one end of the antenna body together with the antenna body portion so as to form an approximately L shape; A first position in which the antenna has a longitudinal axis at least substantially parallel to and close to a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the opening so as to cover at least the opening of the slot; The base of the antenna and the insertion direction of the housing are such that a longitudinal axis can take two positions, a second position displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device. And a rotatable coupling mechanism provided in the vicinity of the end in the opposite direction.

  The computer card adapter device according to the present invention is a computer card adapter device that has a card-like housing and is used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer. A first connector for interfacing with the computer provided at an insertion direction end of the card slot; and provided at an end opposite to the insertion direction of the housing for inserting a computer card. A slot having an opening; a second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the antenna main body portion; and the antenna main body portion. An antenna having a base extending from the both ends of the antenna so as to form a substantially L shape together with the antenna main body, and the antenna A first position in which the tenor is disposed so that at least the longitudinal axis of the antenna covers the opening of the slot and is substantially parallel to and close to the central axis of the longitudinal direction of the opening; The base of the antenna and the insertion direction of the housing are opposite so that a direction axis can take two positions, a second position displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device. And a rotatable coupling mechanism provided in the vicinity of the end portion in the direction.

  In this computer card adapter device, the coupling mechanism is constituted by a first part provided in the base of the antenna and a second part provided in the housing, and the first part and the second part. The rotational axis of this part may be arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening.

  The computer card adapter device according to the present invention is a computer card adapter device that has a card-like housing and is used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer. A first connector for interfacing with the computer provided at an insertion direction end of the card slot; and provided at an end opposite to the insertion direction of the housing for inserting a computer card. A slot having an opening; a second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the second connector for interfacing with the computer card; the antenna main body portion; and the antenna main body portion. The one end of the antenna body is pivotably coupled around the first pivot axis, and in one state, the antenna body portion An antenna having a base portion extending so as to be substantially L-shaped, and the longitudinal axis of the antenna is at least a central axis in the longitudinal direction of the opening so that the antenna covers at least the opening of the slot There are two positions: a first position arranged substantially parallel and close to each other, and a second position where the longitudinal axis of the antenna is displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device. A first part provided at the base of the antenna, and a second part provided in the vicinity of the end of the housing in the direction opposite to the insertion direction. A second rotation shaft for coupling the portion and the second portion is provided with a rotatable coupling mechanism disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening.

  In this computer card adapter device, the coupling mechanism may be further provided with a rotation shaft disposed substantially parallel to the insertion direction.

  The above-described computer card adapter device may include a wireless communication circuit connected to the antenna in the housing.

  A computer card that can be inserted into the slot of the adapter device of the computer card described above can be inserted into the slot of the adapter device to constitute a computer card system.

  At this time, the computer card system may be configured by inserting a computer card having a wireless communication circuit into the slot.

It is a top view of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a side view of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is the top view and side view of an antenna which comprise the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is coupling | bonding explanatory drawing of the antenna and arm part of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a perspective view of the adapter apparatus by this invention. 1 is a plan view of a computer card system according to the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the adapter apparatus by this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a PHS wireless data communication apparatus constituting a computer card system according to the present invention. It is a top view of the conventional adapter apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the adapter apparatus by this invention in detail. It is a top view of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a side view of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the antenna support part of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is BB sectional drawing of the antenna support part of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the antenna support part of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is connection explanatory drawing of the conduction terminal of the adapter apparatus by this invention, and a circuit board. It is a perspective view of the other Example of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a side view of the other Example of the adapter apparatus by this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the other Example of the adapter apparatus by this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an adapter device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the adapter device 1 has a flat housing 10 and has a shape in which two arm portions 12 and 13 are arranged in a U-shape from the main body portion 11.

  A space formed by the main body 11 and the two arms 12 and 13 constitutes a slot 14 for inserting a compact flash standard PC card. The arrow y direction is the insertion direction of the PC card, and rail-like irregularities are formed on the surfaces 12a and 13a constituting the slots 14 of the arm portions 12 and 13, and are formed on the side surface of the PC card (not shown). The PC card can be slid in the direction of the arrow y while supporting the PC card by fitting with the unevenness. A connector 15 for electrically connecting to the PC card is provided on the surface 11 a of the main body 11 constituting the slot 14. The PC card is provided with a connector that couples with the connector 15. Reference numeral 17 denotes a cover for protecting the connector 15 when the PC card is not inserted into the slot 14 and moves in the y direction simultaneously with the insertion of the PC card. At this time, the connection terminal of the connector 15 is exposed and the PC is exposed. It is designed to be connected to the card side connector.

  The arrow Y direction is a direction in which the adapter device 1 is inserted into a slot of a computer (not shown). A connector 16 for electrically connecting to the computer is provided at the end 11b of the main body 11 in the arrow Y direction. A connector for coupling with the connector 16 is provided in the slot of the computer.

  The adapter device 1 configured as described above has an external shape defined by the PC card standard, and the width W1, that is, the length in the arrow X direction is 54 mm, and the thickness T, that is, the arrow Z direction as shown in FIG. The length is 5 mm. The shape of the slot 14 is also determined by the PC card standard and the compact flash standard, and the width W2 is 42.8 mm. The lengths of the arm portions 12 and 13 in the y direction are determined by design.

  An antenna 2 is provided at an end 12b of the arm 12 opposite to the arrow y direction.

  The details of the coupling structure between the end 12b and the antenna 2 are shown in FIG. 3A is a plan view and FIG. 3B is a side view. The antenna 2 includes an antenna main body 21 and a base portion 22, and both of them are coupled around a rotation shaft 23 so as to be rotatable in a direction A in the figure. The antenna body 21 and the base portion 22 can take a substantially L-shaped posture as shown in the figure. A shaft hole 27 is provided in the X direction at a position away from the rotation shaft 23 of the base 22. In the figure, the rotation shaft 23 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the shaft hole 27. The base portion 22 is provided with a rotation portion 28 between the rotation shaft 23 and the shaft hole 27. The rotating portion 28 is configured to rotate in a direction B around the axis of the base portion 22.

  On the other hand, the end 12b of the arm 12 is provided with a shaft hole 25, and the rotation shaft 24 made of a pin fits into the shaft hole 25 and the shaft hole 27 of the base 22 so that the base 22 is in the direction C in the figure. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation shaft 24 is coupled to be rotatable.

  A storage groove 13c for receiving an end portion 26 of the antenna body 21 in the direction opposite to the rotation shaft 23 is provided at the end portion 13b of the arm portion 13 of the adapter device 1 of FIG.

  A plan view in which the antenna 2 and the arm portion 12 are coupled is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation shaft 24 of the base portion 22 is rotatably coupled to the shaft hole 25 of the end portion 12b.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view in which the antenna 2 and the arm portion 12 are coupled. The antenna 2 is electrically connected to an electronic circuit provided in the main body 11, and the user can turn to a position suitable for reception as shown in FIG.

  In the plan view of FIG. 1, the retracted state of the antenna 2 is shown. In this state, as shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the antenna main body 21 is substantially within the thickness T of the main body 11. The end 26 of the antenna body is fixed so that it fits in the storage groove 13c of the arm 13 and does not move easily.

  Since the antenna 2 is coupled to the arm portion 12 by two axes 23 and 24 orthogonal to each other, the antenna 2 can take a free position. First, when the antenna body 21 is rotated in the Aa direction around the rotation shaft 23, the end portion 26 of the antenna body 21 can be removed from the storage groove 13c. In this state, by rotating the antenna body 21 around the rotation axis 24 in the Cc direction, the antenna body 21 can be moved from the storage position P1 to the position P2 in FIG. It becomes possible.

  In this state, the PC card is inserted into the slot 14. The figure which inserted the PC card 3 in the adapter apparatus 1 of this invention is FIG. The PC card 3 includes a main body portion 31 and an exposed portion 32. Since the thickness of the main body 31 is determined by the standard, it is at the same level as the upper and lower surfaces of the adapter device 1 when inserted into the adapter device 1. On the other hand, the exposed part 32 is a part defined as an extended part in the standard, and the dimension can be determined relatively freely. In many cases, a wireless data communication card incorporates an antenna at this portion, and in that case, the thickness is often increased and protruded upward. Even with such a PC card 3, if the mounting position of the antenna 2 is arranged at an appropriate position, it can be prevented from interfering with the exposed portion 32 as shown in FIG. By moving the antenna 2 to the position P2 in FIG. 2, the insertion and removal of the PC card 3 does not particularly disturb the antenna 2, and the operability is not impaired.

When used, the antenna 2 is arranged at an appropriate position in a good reception state. Since the antenna 2 can take a relatively free posture by the rotation shaft, it can be arranged at a position such as P3 in FIG. 6, for example. Since the PC card is inserted into the slot of the computer and used, it is often in an unfavorable posture for receiving radio waves, but the antenna can be placed in a free posture to improve reception performance. You can also.
Further, if each pivot shaft of the antenna 2 is provided with a click mechanism, for example, substantially fixed at the positions P1 and P2, the antenna 2 is fixed at the position P2 even when the PC card 3 is inserted. There is no loss of portability.

  The adapter device 1 incorporates a circuit that uses the antenna 2. FIG. 7 is a block diagram when a wireless LAN data communication apparatus is built in as an example.

  The configuration of the adapter device 1 incorporating the wireless LAN data communication device is as follows. First, a wireless LAN data communication apparatus is configured by the wireless LAN wireless unit 32 and the wireless LAN baseband unit 33. A PC card interface unit 34 is connected to the wireless LAN baseband unit 33, and a connector 16 is further connected. The wireless LAN baseband unit 33 includes a CPU 35 and a ROM / RAM 36. The wireless LAN baseband unit 33 demodulates radio waves received from the wireless LAN radio unit 32 to reproduce received data, and modulates transmission data to generate radio waves from the wireless LAN radio unit 32. Send it. The transmitted / received data is transmitted / received to / from a computer (not shown) connected to the connector 16 via the PC card interface unit 34 and the connector 16. Further, the connector 15 is connected to the PC card interface unit 34, and the data exchanged with the compact flash PC card 3 connected thereto is transmitted to and received from a computer (not shown) connected to the connector 16. It also has functions as a device.

  As an example of the PC card 3 inserted into the connector 15, FIG. 8 shows an example of a PHS data communication card. The configuration of the PC card 3 incorporating the PHS data communication device is as follows. First, the PHS radio unit 42 and the PHS baseband unit 43 constitute a PHS telephone. A PC card interface unit 44 and a connector 45 are connected to the PHS baseband unit 43. The PHS baseband unit 43 includes a CPU 46 and a ROM / RAM 47, demodulates the radio wave received from the PHS radio unit 42 to reproduce the received data, and modulates transmission data to transmit the radio wave from the PHS radio unit 42. The transmitted / received data is transmitted / received to / from an external device connected to the connector 45 via the PC card interface unit 44 and the connector 45. These components are mounted in a compact flash-shaped housing.

  If the PC card 3 with the built-in PHS data communication device configured as described above is inserted into the adapter device 1 with the built-in wireless LAN data communication device to constitute a computer card system, the computer card system does not impair portability and operability. It can be.

  The wireless function built in the adapter device 1 is not limited to the wireless LAN data communication device. A device functionally coupled to the antenna 2 can be built in. Further, the wireless function built in the PC card 3 is not limited to the PHS data communication device, and other devices can be built in.

  Next, a more detailed embodiment of the adapter device 1 of the present invention is shown in FIG.

10 is a perspective view showing the adapter device shown in FIG. 5 in more detail, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the adapter device shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a side view of the adapter device shown in FIG. The antenna 2, the arms 12, 13, the ends 12b, 13b, the storage groove 13c, and the antenna end 26 have the same configuration as in FIG.
13 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna support 101 taken along line AA shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the antenna support 101 taken along line BB shown in FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the antenna support 101.

  A metal element 103 is built in the antenna cover 102 and functions as an antenna. The antenna cover 102 and the element 103 are connected to the hinge 104. At this time, the element 103 is connected to the metal hinge 104 so as to be electrically connected. The hinge 104 engages with the hinge 105, and is locked together with the cap 106 and the cap 107 by a pin 108 and a pin 109 so as to freely rotate. A spring 110 and a metal ball 111 are built in the hinge 104, and both perform electrical continuity between the metal hinge 104 and the hinge 105. The locking portion 105a of the hinge 105 is press-fitted into the engaging portion 112a of the hinge 112 and locked to be rotatable. Like the hinge 104, the spring 112 and the metal ball 114 are built in the hinge 112, and the metal hinge 105 and the hinge 112 are electrically connected. The hinge 112 is pivotally locked to the end 12b together with the conductive terminal 116 and the wave washer 117 by a pin 115. At this time, the wave washer 117 and the conductive terminal 116 are brought into contact with the hinge 112 to press-fit the pin 115 into the hinge 112, and the hinge 112 and the conductive terminal 116 are electrically connected by the wave washer 117. The conducting terminal 116 is soldered directly to the circuit board in the housing 10 at the other end 116a. Alternatively, the other end portion 116a of the conduction terminal 116 is formed in a spring shape as shown in FIG. 16, and is brought into contact with the circuit board 118 in the housing 10 for electrical conduction.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

  The antenna 202 is formed in a U-shape, and is engaged with the end portions 212a and 213a of the adapter device 210 by the engaging portions 203 and 204 so as to be rotatable.

FIG. 18 is a side view of another embodiment.
Since the antenna 202 is pivotably coupled to the arm portions 212 and 213, the antenna 202 can be in a free position such as P4 and P5 as shown in FIG. At this time, when the antenna 202 is rotated, a click mechanism is provided at the positions of P4 and P5 and is substantially fixed. When the antenna 202 is rotated in the D direction, the antenna 202 can be moved from the storage position P4 to the position P5 in FIG. 18, and the antenna 202 can be shifted in the thickness direction of the main body 211. In this state, a PC card is inserted into the slot 214.

  FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment.

  The antenna 202 includes an antenna element 251 sandwiched between antenna covers 252 and 253. The end portion 251 a of the antenna element 251 is electrically connected to the antenna core wire 255 in the arm portion 212 by a caulking pin 254. The antenna core wire 255 is connected to a circuit board (not shown) in the main body 211 of the housing 210.

  The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is construed in a limited manner. must not. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  According to the present invention, when the PC card is inserted, the antenna can be displaced and arranged in the thickness direction of the computer card. Therefore, the thickness of the adapter device when carried is not increased, and the portability is not impaired.

  If the antenna is displaced in the thickness direction, the computer card can be inserted / removed from the slot without hindrance, and the operability is not impaired.

Claims (11)

An adapter device for a computer card having a card-like housing and used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer,
A first connector provided at an end of the housing in the insertion direction of the card slot for interfacing with the computer;
A slot provided at an end opposite to the insertion direction of the housing, and having an opening for inserting a computer card;
A second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at the end of the housing that is the end of the slot in the insertion direction;
An adapter device for a computer card, comprising: an antenna provided in the vicinity of an end of the housing in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. An adapter device for a computer card having a card-like housing and used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer,
A first connector provided at an end of the housing in the insertion direction of the card slot for interfacing with the computer;
A slot provided at an end of the housing opposite to the insertion direction and having an opening for inserting a computer card;
A second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at the end of the housing that is the end of the slot in the insertion direction;
An antenna provided in the vicinity of the end of the housing in the direction opposite to the insertion direction;
The housing has at least two positions: a first position that substantially covers the opening of the slot and a second position that is displaced from the opening of the slot in the thickness direction of the adapter device. And a coupling mechanism for coupling the antenna to the antenna device. An adapter device for a computer card having a card-like housing and used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer,
A first connector provided at an end of the housing in the insertion direction of the card slot for interfacing with the computer;
A slot provided at an end of the housing opposite to the insertion direction and having an opening for inserting a computer card;
A second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at the end of the housing that is the end of the slot in the insertion direction;
An antenna comprising a rod-shaped antenna main body and a base extending from one end of the antenna main body so as to form a substantially L shape together with the antenna main body;
A first position in which the antenna has a longitudinal axis at least approximately parallel to and close to a longitudinal central axis of the opening so as to cover at least the opening of the slot; and The base of the antenna and the insertion direction of the housing are such that the longitudinal axis can take two positions, a second position displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device. An adapter device for a computer card, comprising: a rotatable coupling mechanism provided in the vicinity of an end in the opposite direction. An adapter device for a computer card having a card-like housing and used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer,
A first connector provided at an end of the housing in the insertion direction of the card slot for interfacing with the computer;
A slot provided at an end of the housing opposite to the insertion direction and having an opening for inserting a computer card;
A second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at the end of the housing that is the end of the slot in the insertion direction;
An antenna comprising a rod-shaped antenna main body, and a base extending from both ends of the antenna main body so as to form a substantially L shape together with the antenna main body;
A first position in which the antenna has a longitudinal axis at least approximately parallel to and close to a longitudinal central axis of the opening so as to cover at least the opening of the slot; and The base of the antenna and the insertion direction of the housing are such that the longitudinal axis can take two positions, a second position displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device. An adapter device for a computer card, comprising: a rotatable coupling mechanism provided in the vicinity of an end in the opposite direction. The coupling mechanism includes a first portion provided at a base portion of the antenna;
A second part provided in the housing;
5. The computer card adapter device according to claim 3, wherein the rotation shafts of the first part and the second part are arranged substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening. An adapter device for a computer card having a card-like housing and used by being inserted into a card slot of a computer,
A first connector provided at an end of the housing in the insertion direction of the card slot for interfacing with the computer;
A slot provided at an end of the housing opposite to the insertion direction and having an opening for inserting a computer card;
A second connector for interfacing with the computer card, provided at the end of the housing that is the end of the slot in the insertion direction;
A rod-shaped antenna main body is coupled to one end of the antenna main body so as to be rotatable around the first rotation axis, and extends in an approximately L shape together with the antenna main body in one state. An antenna with a base;
A first position in which the antenna has a longitudinal axis at least approximately parallel to and close to a longitudinal central axis of the opening so as to cover at least the opening of the slot; and A first portion provided at the base of the antenna such that a longitudinal axis can take two positions, a second position displaced in parallel from the first position in the thickness direction of the adapter device; A second portion provided in the vicinity of the end of the housing in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, and a second rotation shaft to which the first portion and the second portion are coupled is An adapter device for a computer card, comprising: a rotatable coupling mechanism disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the opening.   7. The computer card adapter device according to claim 6, wherein the coupling mechanism further includes a rotation shaft disposed substantially parallel to the insertion direction.   8. The computer card adapter device according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication circuit disposed in the housing and connected to the antenna.   9. A computer card system, wherein a computer card that can be inserted into the slot is inserted into the slot of the adapter device for a computer card according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   The computer card system according to claim 9, wherein the computer card includes a wireless communication circuit.   The information processing system according to claim 10, comprising the computer card system.

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