WO2011044413A2 - Connecteur de carte - Google Patents

Connecteur de carte Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2011044413A2
WO2011044413A2 PCT/US2010/051906 US2010051906W WO2011044413A2 WO 2011044413 A2 WO2011044413 A2 WO 2011044413A2 US 2010051906 W US2010051906 W US 2010051906W WO 2011044413 A2 WO2011044413 A2 WO 2011044413A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
card
housing
cover member
movable cover
accommodation space
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/051906
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2011044413A3 (fr
Inventor
Ayako Ida
Mitsuhiro Tomita
Original Assignee
Molex Incorporated
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Molex Incorporated filed Critical Molex Incorporated
Priority to CN2010900012413U priority Critical patent/CN202564553U/zh
Publication of WO2011044413A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011044413A2/fr
Publication of WO2011044413A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011044413A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/7094—Coupling devices with switch operated by engagement of PCB

Definitions

  • the Present Application relates, generally, to a card connector. Further, the Present Application relates to a card connector disposed in an electronic device, such as a personal computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, a video camera, a music player, a game machine or a car navigation device.
  • the device is provided with a card connector intended to use any number of memory cards.
  • Fig. 10 illustrates a conventional cover covering the detection switch of a card connector.
  • a card connector has a detection switch 871 that enters a conduction state when a memory card 901 is inserted into the card connector, thus detecting insertion of the memory card 901 into the card connector.
  • the detection switch 871 includes a movable switch member 841, and first and second conductive contact pieces 872, 873 having restoring properties.
  • an extreme end of the memory card 901 makes tight contact with a sloped surface 843 of the switch member 841 so that the switch member 841 is pressed downwardly.
  • the first contact piece 872 comes into contact with the second contact piece 873, whereby the detection switch 871 enters a conduction state.
  • the detection switch 871 further includes a cover 861, formed by bending a metallic plate.
  • the second contact piece 873 is integral with the cover 861.
  • an opening 862 is formed in the cover 861, and the switch member 841 is arranged so as to project upwardly through the opening 862.
  • the switch member 841 is mounted so as to be freely pivotable about a pivot shaft 842.
  • the card connector Since the card connector is generally mounted on a surface of a board, although the possibility of foreign material entering into the space through a board-side surface (i.e., the lower surface in Fig. 10), closed by the board is very low, there is a possibility that foreign material may enter the space through a counter board-side surface (i.e., the upper surface in Fig. 10). Furthermore, when the card insertion port is opened on the outer surface of a casing of an electronic device or apparatus, the possibility that the foreign material, entering the main body through the card insertion port or the foreign material adhering onto the surface of the memory card 901 enters into the space, is very high.
  • the card connector can be produced by a simple assembling process to have a simple and small structure at a low cost with high reliability thereof.
  • a card connector comprising: a housing configured to accommodate therein a card which is provided with terminal members; connection terminals mounted in the housing and configured to be capable of coming into contact with the terminal members of the card; a cover member mounted on the housing so as to form a card accommodation space between the cover member and the housing; a detection switch configured to detect that the terminal members of the card inserted into the card accommodation space are in contact with the connection terminals; a switch accommodation space formed in the housing and configured to accommodate therein the detection switch; and a movable cover member arranged in the housing so as to close a connection opening which communicates the card accommodation space and the switch accommodation space with each other.
  • the card connector has such a configuration that it further comprises a stopper sealing portion configured to be capable of sealing a gap between the housing and the movable cover member when the movable cover member is positioned at a first position wherein the movable cover member is not in abutting contact with the card inserted into the card accommodation space; and a transitional sealing portion configured to be capable of sealing the gap between the housing and the movable cover member when the movable cover member is positioned at a second position wherein the movable cover member is displaced by the card having been completely inserted into the card accommodation space, and when the movable cover member is positioned between the first position and the second position.
  • the card connector has such a configuration that the movable cover member is provided with a body portion configured to cover at least a portion of a perimeter of the detection switch and a button portion configured to be projected outward from the body portion and capable of coming into the card accommodation space through the connection opening; and the stopper sealing portion is arranged on both sides of the button portion, and the transitional sealing portion is arranged on both sides of the button portion.
  • the card connector has such a configuration that a plurality of transitional sealing portions is arranged at least one side of the button portion.
  • the card connector has such a configuration that it further comprises a card guide mechanism which is provided with an urging member configured to urge the card in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the card, and is configured to hold the card at a lock position thereof to thereby maintain a state where the terminal members of the card are in contact with the connection terminals, and when the card is moved in the insertion direction to reach a termination point thereof by a pushing operation to push the card being held at the lock position in the insertion direction, to thereby move the card in the direction opposite to the insertion direction from the termination point by an urging force of the urging member to be ejected therefrom, and the movable cover member is arranged on an opposite side of the card guide mechanism and configured to be displaced by moving toward and away from a side end of the card inserted into the card accommodation space, thus actuating the detection switch.
  • a card guide mechanism which is provided with an urging member configured to urge the card in a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the card, and is configured to hold the card at
  • the card connector has such a configuration that the movable cover member is capable of being pivoted relative to the housing or sliding in a width direction of the housing.
  • the card connector has such a configuration that the switch accommodation space accommodating therein the detection switch which is arranged along the inner wall surface of the card accommodation space is covered by the movable cover member that blocks at least a space between the card accommodation space and the switch accommodation space. Owing to the described configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent foreign material from adhering onto a detection switch and enable the detection switch to detect a card accurately. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a card connector which can be produced by a simple assembling process to have a simple and small structure at a low cost with high reliability thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
  • FIGs. 1A and IB are perspective views illustrating a card connector of the Present Application, in which Fig. 1A is an exploded view and Fig. IB illustrates where a shell of the card connector is removed;
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B are top plan views of Fig. IB, in which Fig. 2A is a general view and Fig. 2B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 2A;
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are bottom plan views illustrating the card connector of Figs. 1A and IB, in which Fig. 3A is a general view and Fig. 3B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 3A;
  • Fig. 4 is a top plan view illustrating the card connector of Figs. 1A and IB;
  • FIGs. 5A and 5B are top plan views illustrating where the shell is removed when a card is inserted halfway into the card connector of Figs. 1 A and IB, in which Fig. 5A is a general view and Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 5A;
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B are bottom plan views illustrating the state where the card is inserted halfway into the card connector of Figs. 1A and IB, in which Fig. 6A is a general view and Fig. 6B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 6A;
  • FIGs. 7 A and 7B are perspective views illustrating a card connector of the Present Application, in which Fig. 7 A is an exploded view and Fig. 7B illustrates where a shell of the card connector is removed;
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B are top plan views of Fig. 7B, in which Fig. 8A is a general view and Fig. 8B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 8A;
  • FIGs. 9 A and 9B are top plan views illustrating where the shell is removed when a card is inserted halfway into the card connector of Figs. 7A and 7B, in which Fig. 9A is a general view and Fig. 9B is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 9A; and
  • Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a conventional cover covering a detection switch of a card connector. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • directional representations i.e., up, down, left, right, front, rear and the like, used for explaining the structure and movement of the various elements of the Present Application, are relative. These representations are appropriate when the elements are in the position shown in the Figures. If the description of the position of the elements changes, however, it is assumed that these representations are to be changed accordingly.
  • a card connector according to the Present Application is attached to an electronic device (not illustrated).
  • a card 101 (described later) is inserted in the card connector 1, and mounted on the electronic device or apparatus through intervention of the card connector 1.
  • the card connector 1 is provided with a housing 11, integrally formed of an insulating material, and a shell 61 as a cover member, integrally formed by punching and bending a plate member formed of a conductive material, mounted on the top of the housing 11.
  • the shell 61 is mounted to the housing 11 to cover at least a portion of an upper portion of the housing 11.
  • a card accommodation space in which at least a portion of the card 101 is accommodated, is formed between the shell 61 and the housing 11.
  • the card connector 1 has a generally flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, is attached to the electronic device, and in which the card 101 is inserted into the card accommodation space from a front side thereof (the upper side in Figs. 2A and 2B - Fig. 4).
  • the card 101 is inserted into the card connector 1, wherein a surface on which a plurality of contact pads serving as terminal members are exposed to the outside, is directed toward the housing 11.
  • the housing 11 is provided with a bottom wall portion 11a, having a front end portion thereof (the upper side in Fig. 2A) serving as a front side in relation to an insertion direction of the card 101, having an arch-like shape and an innermost wall portion 1 lb that stands upward from the bottom wall portion 11a and extends along an edge at the innermost side (the lower side in Fig. 2A) of an innermost portion of the bottom wall portion 11a.
  • the innermost wall portion 1 lb is provided with a plurality of non-illustrated terminal fitting holes, formed so as to pass in a front-rear direction (the up-down direction in Fig.
  • the bottom wall portion 11a is provided, in an upper surface thereof, with a plurality of terminal fitting grooves l ie, formed to extend in the front-rear direction, and in which the terminals 51 are received.
  • the terminals 51 extend towards the front end portion of the housing 11, formed with contact portions 51b which are formed at the vicinity of extreme ends thereof so as to project upward from the terminal fitting grooves l ie.
  • the contact portions 51b are brought into electrical contact with contact pads arranged on a downwardly directed surface of the card 101.
  • solder tail portions 51c extend backward (downward in Fig. 2A) from the bases of the body portions 51a of the terminals 51, project backward from the rear-side edge of the bottom wall portion 11a and are electrically connected to counterpart terminal members formed on a board of the electronic device by means of soldering or the like.
  • the housing 11 includes a first side wall portion 11c, having an L-shaped cross section and extending in the front-rear direction along one lateral edge of the bottom wall portion 11a, and a second side wall portion l id, extending in the front-rear direction along the other lateral edge of the bottom wall portion 11a.
  • the perimeter of the card accommodation space is defined by the bottom wall portion 11a, the innermost wall portion l ib, the first side wall portion 11c, the second side wall portion l id, and a top plate portion 62 of the shell 61.
  • the card connector 1 is a push-in/push-out type connector, more commonly known as a push-push type connector, requiring an operation of pushing the card 101 both when the card 101 is inserted into the card connector 1 and when the card 101 is ejected therefrom. Such an operation is the same as an alternate action (a position retention type or a push-on/push-off type) regarding push button switches. For this reason, a slide member 21 of a card guide mechanism for guiding the card 101 inserted into the card connector 1 is fitted to the second side wall portion l id, slidable in the front-rear direction; i.e., in the insertion direction of the card 101.
  • the slide member 21 is provided with a first engagement portion 21a and a second engagement portion 21b, for holding the card 101 and which projected from inner side surfaces thereof.
  • the engagement portions 21a, 21b engage with non-illustrated concave engagement portions formed on an outer surface of the card 101.
  • the slide member 21 moves in the front-rear direction together with the card 101 in a state where the card 101 is held by the engagement portions 21a, 21b.
  • one end of an urging member 81 formed of a coil spring, is attached to an end surface of the slide member 21, disposed close to the rear side of the card 101.
  • the other end of the urging member 81 is attached to a latching portion 1 If of the innermost wall portion l ib.
  • a cam groove 22 is formed in an upper surface of the slide member 21, and a free end of an elongated pin member 82 is engaged with the cam groove 22. Moreover, the other end of the pin member 82 is fixed and latched to an upper surface of a latching portion 1 If of the housing 11 so as to be pivotably coupled thereto. Furthermore, by the cooperation of the pin member 82 and the cam groove 22, the slide member 21 that moves together with the card 101 can perform the push-push operation.
  • the card guide mechanism moves the card 101 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction from the termination point by an urging force of the urging member 81 so that the card 101 is ejected.
  • the pin member 82 is held by being urged downward from an upper side by a plate spring 63 of the shell 61.
  • the plate spring 63 is formed by bending a portion of the top plate portion 62 of the shell 61 so as to be able to apply a pressing force toward the bottom wall portion 11a of the housing 11.
  • the pin member 82 is disposed between the plate spring 63 and the slide member 21 or the housing 11 so as to be held in a state where it is not separated from the slide member 21 or the housing 11.
  • a stopper portion l lg is formed on the second side wall portion l id.
  • a detection switch is arranged on a side (the right side in Fig. 2A) of the housing 11 opposite the card guide mechanism so as to detect that the card 101 is fitted into the card connector 1 and the contact pads of the card 101 are in contact with the terminals 51.
  • a switch holding portion 12 is integral with an innermost portion of the first side wall portion 11c.
  • a first contact member 52 and a second contact member 53 that form the detection switch are attached to a switch accommodation space 12a that is formed in the switch holding portion 12.
  • the detection switch is not necessarily arranged on the first side wall portion 11c but may be arranged on the innermost wall portion 1 lb, for example. That is to say, the detection switch according to the present embodiment is not necessarily arranged on the side wall of the housing 11 but may be arranged on any portion as long as it is arranged along the inner wall surface of the card accommodation space. In this specification, the case where the detection switch is arranged on the first side wall portion 11c will be described, for the convenience sake of explanation.
  • the first contact member 52 includes an attachment portion 52a that is attached to the switch holding portion 12, a cantilever- like body portion 52b that is connected to the attachment portion 52a at a base end thereof and extends toward the front side, and a contact portion 52d that is connected to a free end of the body portion 52b.
  • the first contact member 52 further includes a projecting portion 52e that is connected to an extreme end of the contact portion 52d and configured to be bent in a loop shape to be projected toward the second side wall portion l id, and a solder tail portion 52c that is connected to the attachment portion 52a to be projected outward from the housing 11.
  • the second contact member 53 includes an attachment portion 53a that is attached to the switch holding portion 12, and a cantilever-like body portion 53b that is connected to the attachment portion 53a at a base end thereof and extends toward the rear side.
  • the second contact member 53 further includes a contact portion 53d that is connected to a free end of the body portion 53b, and a solder tail portion 53c that is connected to the attachment portion 53a to be projected outward from the housing 11.
  • the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53 is disposed at a further outer side than the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52, and moreover, is separated from the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52.
  • the detection switch is in a non-conduction state, that is, in an OFF state.
  • solder tail portion 52c of the first contact member 52 and the solder tail portion 53c of the second contact member 53 are projected backward from the outer-side edge of the switch holding portion 12 and are electrically connected to signal lines, contact pads, terminals, and the like, formed on a board such as a wiring board of the electronic device or apparatus, that is, to counterpart terminal members, by means of soldering or the like.
  • the card accommodation space positioned between the first side wall portion 11c and the second side wall portion l id and the switch accommodation space 12a are communicated with each other by a connection opening 12b that is formed so as to pass through the inner wall surface of the first side wall portion 11c.
  • a movable cover member 41 that is configured to be movable relative to the housing 11 is arranged so as to close the connection opening 12b.
  • the movable cover member 41 is a member that is configured to cover a portion of the top plate portion 12c of the switch accommodation space 12a located in the vicinity of the card accommodation space and a side surface of the top plate portion 12c disposed close to the card accommodation space.
  • the movable cover member 41 includes a body portion 43 that covers at least a portion of the perimeter of the detection switch, a pivoting portion 42 that is formed at one end (front end in the example illustrated in the figures) of the body portion 43, and a button portion 44 that is configured to be projected from the body portion 43 and be capable of being received into the card accommodation space through the connection opening 12b.
  • the interior of the body portion 43 is a hollow space, and a switch actuation portion 46 that makes abutting contact with the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 is arranged in the hollow space.
  • the movable cover member 41 is configured to be pivotable relative to the housing 11 about the pivoting portion 42.
  • the switch actuation portion 46 is urged toward the center in the width direction of the housing 11 by the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 having restoring properties. Therefore, the whole body of the movable cover member 41 is positioned at a first position wherein it is positioned in the vicinity of the center of the width direction of the housing 11 as illustrated in Figs. 1A and IB and Figs. 2A and 2B.
  • the button portion 44 is pressed by the card 101, so that the whole body of the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11 to reach a second position which is not illustrated.
  • a first positioning portion 43b which is a surface of the body portion 43 being projected further toward the innermost side than the button portion 44 and located in the vicinity of the card accommodation space is brought into abutting contact with and pressed by a first housing- side protrusive portion 12g that is configured to be projected outward from an innermost- side end of the connection opening 12b of the switch holding portion 12.
  • a second positioning portion 43c which is a surface of the body portion 43 being positioned closer to the front side than the button portion 44 and located in the vicinity of the card accommodation space is brought into abutting contact with and pressed by a second housing-side protrusive portion 12d that is configured to be projected outward from a front-side end of the connection opening 12b of the switch holding portion 12.
  • an outer surface of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g in the width direction of the housing 11 functions as a first housing-side stopper sealing portion
  • the first positioning portion 43b functions as a first cover-side stopper sealing portion
  • an outer surface of the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d in the width direction of the housing 11 functions as a second housing- side stopper sealing portion
  • the second positioning portion 43c functions as a second cover-side stopper sealing portion.
  • the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g, the first positioning portion 43b, the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d, and the second positioning portion 43c function as stopper sealing portions, thus sealing a gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the innermost and front sides of the connection opening 12b, that is, on the innermost and front sides of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b.
  • the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are reliably blocked. Therefore, foreign material such as dust in the card accommodation space will not enter into the switch accommodation space 12a, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent foreign material from adhering onto the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 and the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53.
  • the button portion 44 has an approximately triangular shape or a mountain-like shape as viewed in a top view thereof.
  • the button portion 44 includes an apex portion 44d that is projected the outermost toward the center in the width direction of the housing 11, and a front-side sloped surface portion 44a that extends obliquely toward the front side from the apex portion 44d,
  • the button portion 44 further includes an innermost- side sloped surface portion 44b that extends obliquely toward the innermost side from the apex portion 44d and functions as a first cover-side transitional sealing portion, and a front-side wall surface portion 44c that connects a front- side end of the front- side sloped surface portion 44a and an innermost- side end of the second positioning portion 43c and functions as a second cover-side transitional sealing portion.
  • a portion of the innermost-side sloped surface portion 44b positioned in the vicinity of the outer end in the width direction of the housing 11 opposes an extreme end (the upper end in Fig. 2A) of the first housing- side protrusive portion 12g functioning as a first housing- side transitional sealing portion.
  • a portion of the front-side wall surface portion 44c positioned in the vicinity of the outer end in the width direction of the housing 11 opposes an extreme end (the lower end in Fig. 2A) of the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d functioning as a second housing- side transitional sealing portion.
  • a front end surface 43a of the body portion 43 positioned in the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the housing 11 functions as a third cover-side transitional sealing portion and opposes an innermost-side inner wall surface 12e of the switch accommodation space 12a functioning as a third housing-side transitional sealing portion.
  • the extreme ends of the innermost- side sloped surface portion 44b and the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g, the extreme ends of the front-side wall surface portion 44c and the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d, the front end surface 43a, and the innermost-side inner wall surface 12e function as a transitional sealing portion, thus sealing the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the innermost and front sides of the connection opening 12b, that is, on the innermost and front sides of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b.
  • the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are reliably blocked.
  • the shell 61 has a generally rectangular top plate portion 62, a plate spring 63 that is formed in the top plate portion 62, and a plurality of side plate portions 64 that is erected from a plurality of locations of the lateral edges of the top plate portion 62.
  • Each of the side plate portions 64 is provided with a plurality of latching openings 65.
  • solder tail portions 67 extends outward from the lower ends of the side plate portions 64.
  • the solder tail portions 67 are connected to the connection pads and the like, formed on a board such as a wiring board of the electronic device or apparatus by means of soldering or the like, whereby the card connector 1 can be firmly fixed to the board.
  • the shell 61 can function as a ground line of the card connector 1.
  • the shell 61 is configured to cover the upper surface and the side surfaces on the outer side in the width direction of the switch holding portion 12 in a state of being attached to the housing 11 and close the upper surface of the switch accommodation space 12a and the side surfaces thereof on the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11.
  • the switch accommodation space 12a is
  • the bottom opening portion 12f can be closed by the board. Therefore, when the card connector 1 is mounted on the board, the switch accommodation space 12a is substantially blocked from the exterior space of the card connector 1. Therefore, foreign material such as dust in the atmosphere will not enter into the switch accommodation space 12a, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent foreign material from adhering onto the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 and the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53.
  • the card 101 is a generally rectangular flat plate-like member and has a plurality of contact pads, serving as terminal members, which are arranged on one surface thereof.
  • the card 101 is inserted into the card accommodation space of the card connector 1 in an attitude wherein the surface having the contact pads arranged thereon opposes the bottom wall portion 11a of the housing 11, and the other surface thereof without the contact pads arranged thereon opposes the top plate portion 62 of the shell 61. With this operation, the card 101 is moved into the housing 11 with one side end thereof being guided along the first side wall portion 11c of the housing 11 while the other side end thereof being guided along the second side wall portion 1 Id of the housing 11.
  • the contact pads of the card 101 are not yet moved enough to reach the contact portions 51b of the terminals 51, and the card 101 is not yet moved enough to reach the button portion 44 of the movable cover member 41. Therefore, the first contact member 52 and the second contact member 53 are not in contact with each other, and the detection switch is in an OFF state.
  • the slide member 21 and the card 101 are forced to move while resisting against the repulsive force. Then, the slide member 21 and the card 101 reach a termination point where they advance the furthest, thereby entering into a full-stroke state.
  • the contact pads are brought into contact with and electrically connected to the contact portions 51b of the terminals 51.
  • a portion of a side end of the card 101 opposing the first side wall portion 1 lc and positioned in the vicinity of the front end in the insertion direction is brought into abutting contact with the button portion 44 of the movable cover member 41, whereby the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11.
  • the movable cover member 41 is pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction in the Figs. 5A and 5B about the pivoting portion 42.
  • the switch actuation portion 46 of the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11, thus pressing the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 to be moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11.
  • the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 is brought into contact with the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53, and the first contact member 52 is electrically connected to the second contact member 53.
  • the detection switch enters an ON state, and it is detected that the card 101 is properly inserted into the card connector 1.
  • the card 101 since the card 101 is held at the lock position, the card 101 enters into a state where data can be transmitted and received between the card 101 and calculation means or the like of the electronic device or apparatus equipped with a board having the card connector 1 mounted thereon. Furthermore, when the card 101 is held at the lock position, the contact pads of the card 101 are brought into contact with and electrically connected to the contact portions 51b of the terminals 51. In addition, since the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 is in contact with the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53, the detection switch is in an ON state.
  • the card 101 When the card 101 is at the termination point and the lock position, the card 101 is positioned closer to the innermost side than the position illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B, that is, positioned in the vicinity of the innermost wall portion 1 lb. Moreover, the movable cover member 41 is further moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11 than the position illustrated in Figs. 5 A and 5B to reach the second position.
  • the innermost- side sloped surface portion 44b preferably has a circular arc shape having its center on the pivoting portion 42 as viewed in a top view thereof.
  • the innermost-side sloped surface portion 44b may be straight-line shaped in a top view thereof as long as a small distance can be maintained between the innermost- side sloped surface portion 44b and the extreme end of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B.
  • the extreme ends seal the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the front side of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b, whereby the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are blocked.
  • the front- side sloped surface portion 44c preferably has a circular arc shape having its center on the pivoting portion 42 as viewed in a top view thereof.
  • the front-side sloped surface portion 44c may be straight-line shaped in a top view thereof as long as a small distance can be maintained between the front- side sloped surface portion 44c and the extreme end of the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B.
  • the innermost- side inner wall surface 12e of the switch accommodation space 12a preferably has a circular arc shape having its center on the pivoting portion 42 as viewed in a top view thereof.
  • the innermost-side inner wall surface 12e may be straight-line shaped in a top view thereof as long as a small distance can be maintained between the innermost-side inner wall surface 12e of the switch accommodation space 12a and at least a portion of the front end surface 43 a of the body portion 43 positioned in the vicinity of the center in the width direction of the housing 11 as illustrated in Figs. 5A and 5B.
  • a plurality of transitional sealing portions are arranged on the innermost side of the button portion 44. This is because foreign material is more likely to enter through the innermost side of the button portion 44 than the front side of the button portion 44.
  • foreign material such as dust existing in the card accommodation space advances together with the card 101.
  • Figs. 5A and 5B when the card 101 comes into abutting contact with the button portion 44 of the movable cover member 41, the volume of the card accommodation space positioned on the front side of the card 101 is considerably compressed, thus increasing a density of foreign material existing therein.
  • the plurality of transitional sealing portions which is arranged in a gap between the switch holding portion 12 and the movable cover member 41 so as to connect the card accommodation space and the switch accommodation space 12a together functions as a so-called labyrinth seal as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to effectively seal the gap and reliably block the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space.
  • the first stopper sealing portion on the front side of the button portion 44 becomes unable to perform its function when the front end of the card 101 passes therethrough, it is possible to prevent sufficiently entrance of foreign material even when a single transitional sealing portion, specifically only the second transitional sealing portion is arranged on the front side of the button portion 44. Nevertheless, a plurality of transitional sealing portions may be arranged on the front side of the button portion 44 as required.
  • the contact pads are separated from the contact portions 51b of the terminals 51, and they are in a non-conduction state. Moreover, a side end of the card 101 opposing the first side wall portion 11c is separated from the button portion 44 of the movable cover member 41. Then, the first contact member 52 restores its original shape by its own restoring properties to return to a position as illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B. Thus, the first contact member 52 and the second contact member 53 return to a non- contacting state, and thus the detection switch enters an OFF state.
  • the switch actuation portion 46 is pressed by the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52, whereby the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the center in the width direction of the housing 11 to return to a position as illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B. That is to say, the movable cover member 41 returns to the first position from the second position.
  • the card connector 1 includes the housing 11 configured to accommodate therein the card 101 which is provided with the contact pads; the terminals 51 mounted in the housing 11 and configured to be capable of coming into contact with the contact pads of the card 101; and the shell 61 mounted on the housing 11 so as to form a card accommodation space between the shell 61 and the housing 11.
  • the card connector 1 further includes: the detection switch configured to detect that the contact pads of the card 101 inserted into the card accommodation space are in contact with the terminals 51; the switch accommodation space 12a formed in the housing 11 and configured to accommodate therein the detection switch; and the movable cover member 41 arranged in the housing 11 so as to close the connection opening 12b which communicates the card accommodation space and the switch accommodation space 12a with each other.
  • the card connector 101 can be produced by a simple assembling process to have a simple and small structure at a low cost with high reliability thereof.
  • the card connector 101 further includes the stopper sealing portion configured to be capable of sealing the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 when the movable cover member 41 is positioned at the first position wherein the movable cover member 41 is not in abutting contact with the card 101 inserted into the card accommodation space. Furthermore, the card connector 101 further includes the transitional sealing portion configured to be capable of sealing the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 when the movable cover member 41 is positioned at the second position wherein the movable cover member 41 is displaced by the card 101 having been completely inserted into the card accommodation space, and when the movable cover member 41 is positioned between the first position and the second position.
  • the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 is sealed even when the movable cover member 41 ceases its movement as well as when the movable cover member 41 is displaced by the card 101. Therefore, foreign material will not enter into the switch accommodation space 12a, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent foreign material from adhering onto the detection switch.
  • the movable cover member 41 is provided with the body portion 43 configured to cover at least a portion of the perimeter of the detection switch and the button portion 44 configured to be projected outward from the body portion 43 and capable of coming into the card accommodation space through the connection opening 12b.
  • the stopper sealing portion is arranged on both sides of the button portion 44, and the transitional sealing portion is arranged on both sides of the button portion 44. Owing to such a configuration, since the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 is sealed on both sides of the button portion 44 that is configured to be capable of coming into the card accommodation space through the connection opening 12b, it is possible to prevent effectively entrance of foreign material into the switch accommodation space 12a.
  • a plurality of transitional sealing portions is arranged at least on one side of the button portion 44.
  • the plurality of transitional sealing portions functions as a labyrinth seal, it is possible to reliably block the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space.
  • the movable cover member 41 is a member similar to the first embodiment, which is arranged so as to close the connection opening 12b and configured to be movable relative to the housing 11, and which covers a portion of the top plate portion 12c of the switch accommodation space 12a positioned in the vicinity of the card accommodation space and a side surface close to the card accommodation space.
  • the movable cover member 41 is mounted so as to slide in the width direction of the housing 11, and is provided with the body portion 43 and the button portion 44 that is projected from the body portion 43 into the card accommodation space, but is not provided with the pivoting portion 42.
  • the interior of the body portion 43 is a hollow space similar to the first embodiment, and the switch actuation portion 46 that makes abutting contact with the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 is arranged in the hollow space.
  • the structure of the detection switch is the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • the switch actuation portion 46 is urged toward the center in the width direction of the housing 11 by the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 having restoring properties. Therefore, the whole body of the movable cover member 41 is positioned at the first position wherein it is positioned in the vicinity of the center of the width direction of the housing 11 as illustrated in Figs. 7A and 7B, and Figs. 8A and 8B.
  • the button portion 44 is pressed by the card 101, so that the whole body of the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11 to reach the second position which is not illustrated.
  • the first positioning portion 43b which is a surface of the body portion 43 being projected further toward the innermost side than the button portion 44 and located in the vicinity of the card
  • first housing-side protrusive portion 12g that is configured to be projected outward from an innermost- side end of the connection opening 12b of the switch holding portion 12.
  • first housing-side protrusive portion 12g is formed such that the extreme end thereof (the upper end in Fig. 8 A) is even with the inner wall surface of the innermost wall portion l ib, the extreme end of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g may be projected further toward the front side than the inner wall surface of the innermost wall portion l ib.
  • the second positioning portion 43c which is a surface of the body portion 43 being positioned closer to the front side than the button portion 44 and located in the vicinity of the card accommodation space is brought into abutting contact with and pressed by the second housing - side protrusive portion 12d that is configured to be projected outward from a front-side end of the connection opening 12b of the switch holding portion 12.
  • an outer surface of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g in the width direction of the housing 11 functions as a first housing-side stopper sealing portion
  • the first positioning portion 43b functions as a first cover-side stopper sealing portion
  • an outer surface of the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d in the width direction of the housing 11 functions as a second housing- side stopper sealing portion
  • the second positioning portion 43c functions as a second cover- side stopper sealing portion.
  • the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g, the first positioning portion 43b, the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d, and the second positioning portion 43c function as first and second stopper sealing portions, respectively, thus sealing a gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the innermost and front sides of the connection opening 12b, that is, on the innermost and front sides of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b.
  • the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are reliably blocked. Therefore, foreign material such as dust in the card accommodation space will not enter into the switch accommodation space 12a, and thus it is possible to reliably prevent foreign material from adhering onto the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 and the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53.
  • the button portion 44 has an approximately trapezoidal shape or a terrace-like shape as viewed in a top view thereof.
  • the button portion 44 includes a flat apex portion 44d that is projected toward the center in the width direction of the housing 11 so as to extend in the insertion/ejection direction (the up-down direction in Fig.
  • the button portion 44 further includes an innermost- side wall surface portion 44e that extends in the width direction of the housing 11 at the innermost- side end of the apex portion 44d and functions as a first cover- side transitional sealing portion, and a front- side wall surface portion 44c that connects a front- side end of the front- side sloped surface portion 44a and an innermost-side end of the second positioning portion 43c.
  • the innermost-side wall surface portion 44e opposes the extreme end of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g functioning as the first housing-side transitional sealing portion, and the front-side wall surface portion 44c opposes the extreme end (the lower end in Fig. 8A) of the second housing-side protrusive portion 12d.
  • the front end surface 43a of the body portion 43 functions as a third cover-side transitional sealing portion and opposes the innermost- side inner wall surface 12e of the switch accommodation space 12a functioning as the third housing-side transitional sealing portion.
  • a rear end surface 43d of the body portion 43 functions as the second cover- side transitional sealing portion and opposes a front-side inner wall surface 12h of the switch accommodation space 12a functioning as the second housing-side transitional sealing portion.
  • the extreme ends of the innermost- side wall surface portion 44e and the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g, the rear end surface 43d, the front-side inner wall surface 12h, the front end surface 43a, and the innermost- side inner wall surface 12e function as a transitional sealing portion, thus sealing the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the innermost and front sides of the connection opening 12b, that is, on the innermost and front sides of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b.
  • the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are reliably blocked.
  • the switch actuation portion 46 of the movable cover member 41 is moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11, thus pressing the projecting portion 52e of the first contact member 52 to be moved toward the outer side in the width direction of the housing 11. For this reason, the contact portion 52d of the first contact member 52 is brought into contact with the contact portion 53d of the second contact member 53, and the first contact member 52 is electrically connected to the second contact member 53. In this way, the detection switch enters an ON state, and it is detected that the card 101 is properly inserted into the card connector 1.
  • the extreme ends of the innermost-side wall surface portion 44e and the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g are surely positioned to oppose each other even when the movable cover member 41 is positioned at the second position. Owing to such a configuration, the extreme ends seal the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the innermost side of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b, whereby the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are blocked.
  • the rear end surface 43d serving as the second cover- side transitional sealing portion and the front-side inner wall surface 12h serving as the second housing-side transitional sealing portion oppose each other at a small distance, thus functioning as a second transitional sealing portion.
  • the extreme ends seal the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 on the front side of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b, whereby the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are blocked.
  • the front end surface 43a serving as the third cover-side transitional sealing portion and the innermost-side inner wall surface 12e of the switch accommodation space 12a serving as the third housing-side transitional sealing portion oppose each other at a small distance, thus functioning as a third transitional sealing portion.
  • these portions seal the gap between the housing 11 and the movable cover member 41 in collaboration with the first transitional sealing portion on the innermost side of the button portion 44 closing the connection opening 12b, whereby the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space are blocked.
  • a plurality of transitional sealing portions are arranged on the innermost side of the button portion 44.
  • the plurality of transitional sealing portions functions as a so-called labyrinth seal as a whole. Therefore, it is possible to reliably block the switch accommodation space 12a and the card accommodation space.
  • a single transitional sealing portion specifically only the second transitional sealing portion is arranged on the front side of the button portion 44
  • a plurality of transitional sealing portions may be arranged on the front side of the button portion 44 as required.
  • the innermost- side wall surface portion 44e serving as the first cover-side transitional sealing portion and the extreme end of the first housing-side protrusive portion 12g serving as the first housing- side transitional sealing portion are flat- surface shaped and oppose each other on a wide range of areas. Therefore, the sealing function of the first transitional sealing portion is better than that of the first embodiment.
  • the rear end surface 43d serving as the second cover-side transitional sealing portion and the front- side inner wall surface 12h serving as the second housing- side transitional sealing portion are also flat-surface shaped and oppose each other on a wide range of areas. Therefore, the sealing function of the second transitional sealing portion is better than that of the first embodiment.
  • the front end surface 43a serving as the third cover-side transitional sealing portion and the innermost- side inner wall surface 12e serving as the third housing-side transitional sealing portion are also flat-surface shaped and oppose each other on a wide range of areas. Therefore, the sealing function of the third transitional sealing portion is better than that of the first embodiment. Since the operation of ejecting the card 101 from the card connector 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, redundant description thereof will be omitted.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un connecteur de carte. Le connecteur de carte est configuré de manière à ce qu'un espace de logement de commutateur abritant un commutateur de détection disposé le long de la surface d'une paroi intérieure d'un espace de logement de carte soit recouvert par un couvercle amovible verrouillant au moins l'espace entre l'espace de logement de carte et l'espace de logement de commutateur. De ce fait, il est possible d'empêcher de manière fiable l'adhésion de corps étrangers sur le commutateur de détection et de permettre au commutateur de détection de détecter une carte avec précision. De plus, on peut réaliser le connecteur de carte par un processus simple d'assemblage, afin d'obtenir une structure simple et de petite taille, à faible coût et très fiable.
PCT/US2010/051906 2009-10-08 2010-10-08 Connecteur de carte WO2011044413A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2010900012413U CN202564553U (zh) 2009-10-08 2010-10-08 卡连接器

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009234165A JP4897026B2 (ja) 2009-10-08 2009-10-08 カード用コネクタ
JP2009-234165 2009-10-08

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WO2011044413A2 true WO2011044413A2 (fr) 2011-04-14
WO2011044413A3 WO2011044413A3 (fr) 2011-11-17

Family

ID=43857400

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2010/051906 WO2011044413A2 (fr) 2009-10-08 2010-10-08 Connecteur de carte

Country Status (4)

Country Link
JP (1) JP4897026B2 (fr)
CN (1) CN202564553U (fr)
TW (1) TWM411017U (fr)
WO (1) WO2011044413A2 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060063422A1 (en) * 2004-09-21 2006-03-23 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical card connector with improved detect means
US20070032108A1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2007-02-08 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Card connector
US20090061670A1 (en) * 2007-08-28 2009-03-05 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical card connector

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57115129A (en) * 1981-01-07 1982-07-17 Hokusan Kk Killing of stalk and leaf of plant
JP2003031315A (ja) * 2001-07-05 2003-01-31 Molex Inc カードコネクタ
JP2003142207A (ja) * 2001-11-05 2003-05-16 Kel Corp カードコネクタ
JP2006202651A (ja) * 2005-01-21 2006-08-03 Alps Electric Co Ltd スイッチ装置
JP4202337B2 (ja) * 2005-05-09 2008-12-24 モレックス インコーポレーテッド カード用コネクタ
JP2009164003A (ja) * 2008-01-08 2009-07-23 Alps Electric Co Ltd カードコネクタ

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060063422A1 (en) * 2004-09-21 2006-03-23 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical card connector with improved detect means
US20070032108A1 (en) * 2005-08-05 2007-02-08 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Card connector
US20090061670A1 (en) * 2007-08-28 2009-03-05 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Electrical card connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2011082049A (ja) 2011-04-21
JP4897026B2 (ja) 2012-03-14
WO2011044413A3 (fr) 2011-11-17
CN202564553U (zh) 2012-11-28
TWM411017U (en) 2011-09-01

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