KR100479397B1 - Electronic card with shield cover having tabs where each tab engages with recess of corresponding shield cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic card has a printed circuit board sandwiched between two card shields 7 and 8 having corners. The tab 9 on the edge of one shield engages the recess 10 on the corner of the other shield. The combined card shields 7, 8 provide a sufficiently high level of strength that exceeds the applicable bending and torsion resistance specifications. Thus, suitable strength is provided. Also included is an input / output connector 2 that is shielded over its entire length and grounded without a separate ground contact. The tabs include an arcuate member having a middle inclined protrusion that engages with the ledge of another shield near the recess.

Description

ELECTRONIC CARD WITH SHIELD COVER HAVING TABS WHERE EACH TAB ENGAGES WITH RECESS OF CORRESPONDING SHIELD COVER}

The present invention relates to an electronic card, and more particularly to an outer shell of such cards.

Electronic cards are widely used to add the capacity and / or functionality of personal computers. Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) has standardized such cards and classified them as Type I, Type II and Type III.

Previously, the cards used cover shields latched and / or adhesively fixed to the intermediate frame and laser welded or ultrasonically welded covers. More recent cards use metal shields that are fixed directly to one another without a frame. However, problems follow in maintaining such a structure sufficiently firm to resist bending, bending and tensile forces expected to occur during normal use. Therefore, there is a need for an electronic card that solves the above problems.

1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic card of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card shown in FIG.

3 is an enlarged view of the circle III region of FIG.

4A-4F are schematic diagrams illustrating various ways in which tabs and recesses in the card shown in FIG. 1 may be engaged within the scope of the present invention.

5A and 5B are exploded perspective views of the input / output connector and accompanying common grounding components used for the card shown in FIG. 1, respectively, and a view of the input / output connector in which the common grounding components are engaged.

6A and 6B are exploded views of other input / output connectors, respectively, and a view of another input / output connector to which the grounding parts are engaged.

7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative shielded input / output receptacle.

8 is a perspective view of another shield member that may be used with the input / output receptacle shown in FIG.

9 is an exploded perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the card of the present invention.

10 is a bottom perspective view of the card of FIG.

Fig. 11 is a top perspective view of the card shield used for the card shown in Fig. 9;

12 is a detail view of the area in circle XII of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a detail of the area in circle XIII of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the input / output connector used for the card connector shown in FIG.

Figure 15 is a cross sectional view through an engaged latch.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view through XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view through XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 15; FIG.

Figure 18 is a plan view of a shield used for another preferred embodiment of the card of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the shield shown in FIG. 18; FIG.

20 is an end view of the shield shown in FIG. 18;

Fig. 21 is an end view of the entire card using the shield shown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a plan view of a shield used for another preferred embodiment of the card of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the shield shown in FIG. 22; FIG.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the shield shown in FIG. 22; FIG.

Figure 25 is a plan view of a shield used in another preferred embodiment of the card of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a side view of the shield shown in FIG. 22; FIG.

FIG. 27 is an end view of the shield shown in FIG. 22; FIG.

FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view of the shield shown in FIG. 18; FIG.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of an area within circle XXIX in FIG. 28;

30 is a blank from which the shield shown in FIG. 18 can be manufactured.

FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the area in circle XXXI of FIG.

The electronic card of the present invention includes a printed circuit board assembly and conductive card shields having corners, the printed circuit board assembly being interposed between the card shields. At least one of the corners is flat, and the shield also has a first flange extending along a first corner adjacent to the flat corner, a second flange extending along a second corner adjacent to the flat corner, and the flat A third flange at the corner, wherein the first, second, third flange forms a continuous flange around the flat corner to shield the printed circuit board.

The invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1-3, the PCB assembly comprises a metalized receptacle input and output connector 1 at one end of the substrate and a 68 pos MICRO TRIBEAM ^™ receptacle connector 2 at the other end. This connector 2 has two coding keys 3, 4 incorporated in the sides of the plastic housing and at the same time upright ridges 5 on the top and bottom of the housing. On the two coding keys of the connector 2 on the ends and the upper and lower surfaces, two recesses 6 are located. The input and output receptacles are described in detail below.

The upper and lower card shields 7, 8 are identically stamped with sheet metal, for example stainless steel. Over the substantial length of the shield, the upstanding tabs 9 are preferably spaced apart on one side, preferably at intervals of 3 mm, and on the other side, the appropriate recesses 10 are arranged at the same position and period. In addition, two fixing tabs 11 are located on the front side 13 of the shield, and a vertically curved extension on the rear side of the shield so as to be flush with the front of the metal shield of the connector plug opening of the input / output connector 1. (12) is located. Such vertical bends enhance the aesthetics, prevent the opening between the input and output connectors and the shield, and properly position the PCB assembly axially while preventing what is known as the "smile" effect of the card.

When the two card shield halves 7, 8 are positioned and moved towards each other on one side of the PCB assembly, the tabs 9 positioned along the side and the fixed tab 11 are positioned opposite each other. Interacting with the sets 10 and 6 respectively results in the final card assembly 14 shown in FIG.

Normally, if only one tab 9 interacts with a properly positioned recess 10, the card assembly structure (see FIG. 2) will not be damaged in spite of the mechanical bending / tension received during use. The strength to hold is low. Thus, sufficient strength of the assembly can be obtained by constantly spacing a relatively large number of tabs and recesses along the assembly length on both sides of the assembly. In general, there can be, and usually is, a true position mismatch between the tabs and the recesses due to stamping tolerances. As a result, the two card shields can be mutually frictionally fitted by the recesses 6 of the plastic housing of the MTB connector 2. These individual frictional forces can be improved by appropriately selecting the relative dimensions / shape of the cooperating taps / recesses to form a mechanical structure. For example, considering the cross section A of the tab 9 in Fig. 4A, if the tab is longer than the recess, the tab is twisted (Fig. 4E), or the tab is curved (Fig. 4D), as shown in Fig. 4D, 4f), frictional engagement may occur between the tab and the recesses. 4B and 4G and 4C and 4H also provide several options for latching the tab in the recess, where a latch 9a positioned or formed centrally on one end of the tab by a sheared portion. ) Latches the tab in the recess in the fully engaged state. The purpose of the latch structure is to resist mechanical forces and to preserve the assembly intact. Yet another object is to provide substantially flat metal sides of the card assembly such that the PCMCIA card can properly contact the ground contact of a device slot (not shown) that needs to be fitted.

The input and output connectors are shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, in which the two metal springs with rear inner latches 23, 24 and legs 21, 22 having ends 25, 26 are rear (PCB side). The plastic is shown removed at the ends of the upper and lower plastic walls 20 so that they can enter from. In the final assembled state, the latches 23 and 24 contact the metal shielding plugs (not shown) of one assembled input and output plug connector, and the ends 25 and 26 are metal upper and lower shields 7 and 8. Pressurized to complete the entire ground connection of the system. These two metal spring members are connected to the ground track on the PCB at the two connector ends by rivets as in the initial design.

6A and 6B, another embodiment is shown in which one metal piece is inserted at the top relative to the top and bottom plastic walls of the receptacle input and output connector. The advantage of this configuration is that not only one component is required, but also that the metal shield extends over the entire length of the connector so that there is no potential drop between the two ground positions located at the connector ends. In this design, the inner protruding latches 23, 24 are finally connected to the mating plug input and output shield (not shown) facing the central plastic insert 13. The outer latches 27 on the other side of the input / output connector contact the upper and lower shields 7, 8, and the corners 25, 26 are also positioned against the corners of the card shields.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8, an improved input / output receptacle shield is shown in combination with the surrogate for the card shield 7 in the initial design. The top and shields are shown as two separate halves, each with a symmetrical segment of the latch retention opening 12 facing towards each other. This design change is provided not only in the metal plate with the latch retention openings, but also in the metal wall over the remaining width of the card except for the area required for the SMT legs of the terminals at the rear end 28 of the input and output receptacle. This feature is more apparent in Figure 4, which shows the rear side from the PCB side view of the input / output receptacle. In this design the rear end 28 (FIG. 8) provides a means for EMC / ESD shielding between PCB electronic circuit input and output connectors on the side of the card assembly when fastened on a similar wall extending from the bottom shield.

9-16, the PCB assembly includes a metallized receptacle input / output connector 101 at one end of the substrate and a 68 pos MTB receptacle connector 102 at the other end of the substrate. This MTB connector 102 has two coding keys 103, 104 incorporated into the sides of the plastic housing, and at the same time upright ridges 105 on the top and bottom of the housing. On the two coding keys of the MTB connector 102 the top and bottom surfaces are also located on the input and output connector ends and the two recesses 106. The input and output receptacles are described in detail below.

The upper and lower card shields 107 and 108 are sheet metals, for example stainless steel. Over a substantial length of the shield, the upright tabs 109 are periodically located on one side, for example every 3 mm, and on the other side the appropriate recesses 110 are located at the same position and period. In addition, a fixing tab 111 is positioned on the front side 113 of the shield, and the rear side of the shield is bent at a right angle at the same height as the front of the metal shield of the connector plug opening of the input / output connector 101 in the final card assembly state. Extension 112 is located. Such vertical bends enhance the aesthetics of the card while allowing axial positioning of the PCB assembly in the proper longitudinal direction.

As the two card shield halves 107, 108 are positioned and moved towards each other to cover the PCB assembly, the tabs 109 located along the side interact with the recess 110 and the securing tabs 111 ) Interact with the recesses 144 located on opposite sides of the upper shield through the slot 100 to complete the final card assembly.

The periodicity of the tabs and recesses across the assembly length on both sides is sufficient to ensure the required strength of the assembly. As mentioned above, stamping tolerances usually result in true position mismatch between the tab and the recess. This configuration passes through the two recesses 106 to enter the front recesses 144 by the side tabs 109 entering the side recesses 110 and the opposite shield of the plastic housing of the connector 102. The two front fixing tabs 111 allow the two card shields to at least mutually frictionally fit. These individual frictional forces can be improved by appropriate selection of the relative dimensions / shapes of the tabs / recesses that interact together to form the mechanical structure.

9, 10 and 14, an improved input / output receptacle shield is shown in combination with the surrogate for the card shield 107 in the initial design. Here, the top and shields are shown as two separate halves each having symmetrical segments of the latch retention opening 112 facing each other. This design not only provides a metal plate with latch holding openings, but also provides a metal wall over the remaining width of the card except for the area required for the SMT legs of the terminals at the rear end 128 of the input and output receptacle.

11 and 12 show modifications of the securing tabs, where the tabs 109 are upright arches 130 with rigid sides 131 opposite the chamfer 132 with the spring latch extending outwardly. It includes. With particular reference to FIG. 13, recesses 110 are formed in a ledge 137. The ends of the recesses 110 have inwardly inclined edges 135, 136 with respect to the point 138. 15-17, the latch 133 engages the bottom surface of the ledge 134 in the recess 110. As shown in FIGS.

The two card shields of this embodiment are preferably made of 0.2 mm stainless steel and have a number of mechanical snap fit fasteners. After assembling the two shields together, these fasteners make the card surprisingly remarkably hard and robust against bending and twisting. These fasteners also provide a good electrical connection for grounding between the two card shields due to the number of contacts, and also because no intermediate load bearing surfaces are used, the card is optimally shielded against EMI. These fasteners include a plurality of tabs 109 that engage with the recesses 110. As can be seen in the figures (parts of FIGS. 15 and 16), each tab 109 and latch 133 is, for example, at an angle (of FIG. 15) to better engage the recess 110. Incline inward in the vertical plane. Each tab 109 includes a spring portion 132 integrated with a latch 133, which latches 133 engage within the ledge 134 below the area of each recess 110. This latch 133 holds two card shields from the opening after assembly. During engagement, the tab 109 is susceptible to elastic bending and torsional forces over two rigid sides from the end of the latch 133.

In addition, each tab 109 includes two rigid sides 131 with some play at both ends of the recess 110. The total number of rigid sides 131 and recess ends provide high shear strength to the mechanical connection between the two card shields, resulting in high rigidity against bending and torsion. In addition, the two card shields are the same and hermaphrodite, ie each shield comprises both male and female fastening elements.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 12-14, during engagement, the chamfers 132 first contact the leading edges 135, 136 to guide the tab 109 to the distal position beyond point 138 to latch 133. ) Beneath the edge 134. Point 138 functions as a latch to hold the tab in position in the recess and provides an audible "snap" that indicates proper latching. The relative dimensions of the chamfer 132 and ledges 135 and 136 are designed to accommodate manufacturing (stamping) tolerances.

The latch mechanism is designed in such a way that there is an initial play between the latch and the ledge 134 in the vertical direction away by the second spring function of the ends 137 of the ledge. When these ends have a bending angle of less than 90 °, the ends must first be contacted in assembling the two card shields, and then they must be pressed together slightly before the latch 133 is engaged. Then, the latch mechanism has no additional play.

Preferably the total cumulative length of the spring, such as the tabs, will be at least 10% of the shield length, and more preferably 50% of the shield length.

With particular reference to Figure 9, it can be seen that there is a slot 106 at each end of the connector 102 so that the tab 111 can pass through the connector to engage the recess 144 in the opposing card shield. Thus, there is a complete metal-to-metal contact so that there is no need to engage the plastic of the connector 102. In particular, if only two card shields 107, 108 are engaged without using the connectors 101, 102, the card case accordingly becomes rigid.

18-21, an embodiment is shown in which the input / output receptacle is not used. Otherwise, this embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in Figs. That is, this embodiment has the same tab 245 that engages the same recess 254 and also has a space 240 for an MTB connector (not shown). 20 and 21 in particular, the rear coupling tabs and recesses are arranged at the sides, and adjacent panels 241 and 242 are centrally coupled. 22-24, another embodiment similar to the above embodiment is shown except that a single 15-position input / output connector 343 is used. Tab 309 and recess 310 are the same as described above. In this embodiment, the connecting tab 345 and recess 354 are located outwardly adjacent the input / output connector on the front end of the card, and the tab 311 and the recess 344 interact on the MTV connector side. .

25-27, another embodiment using two input / output connectors 446, 447 is shown. Otherwise, this embodiment is essentially the same as those described above. At the rear end of this card it is seen that the tab and recess 448 are located between the input / output connectors and the rear side of the card.

28 and 29, the entire metal corners of the above-described embodiments consist of a folded metal wall 529. As shown in FIG. Referring to Figures 30 and 31, these curved corners are made from a blank with intermediate projections 450 and lateral projections 451 and 452 that can be folded into segments outwardly to produce the desired rounding effect. It will be appreciated that it can be prepared. Those skilled in the art will understand the constituent advantages of this overall metal corner in terms of EMI / ESD shielding or similar full metal shielding without the use of plastic or open air. This feature is also aesthetically beneficial as there are no sharp edges.

It will be appreciated that card connectors are provided that allow for optimum shear strength and rigidity against bending and torsion.

Although the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various shapes, other similar embodiments may be used without departing from the invention and modifications and additions may be made to the embodiment described above to carry out the same functions of the invention. Should be understood. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited to any one embodiment, but should be considered within the scope of the disclosure in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

An electronic card comprising a printed circuit board assembly and conductive card shields having corners, the printed circuit board assembly being interposed between the card shields, At least one of the corners is flat, The shield also includes a first flange extending along a first corner adjacent to the flat corner, a second flange extending along a second corner adjacent to the flat corner, and a third flange at the flat corner, And the first, second, and third flanges form a continuous flange around a flat corner to shield the printed circuit board. The electronic card of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third flanges are L-shaped. The electronic card of claim 1, wherein at least two of the corners are flat. A conductive shield that is matchable with another conductive shield to form a shield assembly for the electronic card, the shield being Plane, A flange extending along at least one edge of the planar portion, The flange has a first portion extending across the planar portion, A second portion extending from the first portion and aligned parallel to the planar portion and configured to face a second portion of a flange on the corresponding other shield; And a tapered recess formed in the second portion to receive a tab on the second portion of the flange of the other shield to secure the shields to each other. 5. The shield of claim 4, wherein the second portion of the flange has a tip portion adjacent the first portion and a distal end opposite the first portion, the recess tapering from the tip portion to the distal end portion. 6. The shield of claim 5, wherein the tapered recesses comprise a plurality of tapered recesses extending along the flange. 7. The shield of claim 6, wherein the flange extends along the entire length of the edge. 7. The shield of claim 6, wherein the flange extends along at least two edges.