U.S. patent application number 12/134694 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-22 for rcard connector.
Invention is credited to Toru Nishioka, Kazuki Satoh, Toru Wagatsuma.
Application Number | 20090023318 12/134694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40265196 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090023318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nishioka; Toru ; et
al. |
January 22, 2009 |
RCARD CONNECTOR
Abstract
Provided is a card connector including a first contact which is
connected to a first card (card B), a second contact which is
disposed toward an insertion port of the card from the first
contact so as to be connected to a second card (card C), and a
protection plate which protects the second contact from the contact
with the first card. A guide piece which guides the bottom surface
of the first card is formed in a housing in which the first and
second cards are selectively mounted, and a support surface which
is disposed in a position toward the insertion port and on the
upper side from the guide piece is formed on the protection plate.
The first card is inserted in a state where the leading end thereof
is inclined more downward than the rear end thereof.
Inventors: |
Nishioka; Toru; (Miyagi-ken,
JP) ; Satoh; Kazuki; (Miyagi-ken, JP) ;
Wagatsuma; Toru; (Miyagi-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
40265196 |
Appl. No.: |
12/134694 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 2201/26 20130101;
G06K 7/0034 20130101; H01R 27/00 20130101; H01R 13/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/159 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/62 20060101
H01R013/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2007 |
JP |
2007-187433 |
Claims
1. A card connector for a card, comprising: a housing having a card
mounting space where at least first and second cards can be
selectively mounted; an insertion port for the cards formed at one
end of the housing; a first contact connected to a contact portion
of the first card; a second contact disposed toward the insertion
port from the first contact so as to be connected to a contact
portion of the second card; and a protection plate protecting the
second contact from the contact with the first card, wherein a
first bottom-surface guide portion guiding the bottom surface of
the first card during the insertion of the first card is formed in
the housing, and a second bottom-surface guide portion disposed in
a position toward the insertion port and on the upper side from the
first bottom-surface guide portion to guide the bottom surface of
the first card during the insertion of the first card is formed in
the protection plate such that the first card is inserted in a
state where the leading end of the first card is inclined more
downward than the rear end thereof.
2. The card connector according to claim 1, further comprising: a
card guide member guiding the top surface of the first card during
the insertion, wherein a first side-surface guide portion guiding
one side surface of the first card during the insertion is formed
in the housing, and a second side-surface guide portion guiding the
other side surface of the first card during the insertion is formed
on the card guide member.
3. The card connector according to claim 2, further comprising: a
partition plate that partitions the card mounting space, wherein a
first top-surface guide portion guiding the top surface of the
first card during the insertion is formed on the card guide member,
and a second top-surface guide portion guiding the top surface of
the first card during the insertion is formed on the partition
plate.
4. The card connector according to claim 3, wherein an abutting
portion abutting on the first card when the first card is inserted
into any space other than the card mounting space corresponding to
the first card is formed in a position toward the insertion port
from the second contact in the partition plate.
5. The card connector according to claim 3, further comprising: a
biasing member that biases the partition plate, wherein the first
card receives a biasing force of the biasing member through the
partition plate so as to come in contact with the first
contact.
6. The card connector according to claim 5, wherein the partition
plate has a transmission portion formed thereon, the transmission
portion transmitting the biasing force of the biasing member to the
second card.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application contains subject matter related to
Japanese Patent Application JP2007-17433 filed in the Japanese
Patent Office on Jul. 18, 2007, the entire contents of which being
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a card connector in which
plural types of cards can be mounted.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the related art, a card connector has been proposed,
which can selectively mount an SD card and a Memory Stick DUO.TM.,
of which the lengths are substantially the same and the widths and
thicknesses are different from each other (for example, refer to
Japanese Patent Application JP2004-206963). In this card connector,
a partition plate of a sliding member is disposed between contacts
corresponding to those cards such that one card is contacted with
the contact corresponding to the upper side of the partition plate
and the other card is contacted with the contact corresponding to
the lower side of the partition plate.
[0006] In the card connector in the related art, however, when an
xD-Picture.TM. card, which has a height and size, is applied, the
Memory Stick DUO card comes in contact with a contact for the
xD-Picture card. In particular, a conversion adapter for the Memory
Stick DUO card uses a metal plate that is exposed to the surface of
a housing. Therefore, when the metal plate comes in contact with
the contact for the xD-Picture card, an external circuit may be
short-circuited.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to an aspect of the invention, a car connector
includes a housing having a card mounting space where at least
first and second cards can be selectively mounted; an insertion
port for the cards formed at one end of the housing; a first
contact connected to a contact portion of the first card; a second
contact disposed toward the insertion port from the first contact
so as to be connected to a contact portion of the second card; and
a protection plate protecting the second contact from the contact
with the first card. A first bottom-surface guide portion guiding
the bottom surface of the first card during the insertion of the
first card is formed in the housing. A second bottom-surface guide
portion, which is disposed in a position toward the insertion port
and on the upper side from the first bottom-surface guide portion
to guide the bottom surface of the first card during the insertion
of the first card, is formed in the protection plate such that the
first card is inserted in a state where the leading end of the
first card is inclined more downward than the rear end thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to an
embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector shown in FIGS. 2 and
3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partition plate of the
connector according to this embodiment, seen from the upper
side;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a top view of the partition plate of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the partition plate of the
connector according to this embodiment, seen from the lower
side;
[0019] FIGS. 12A to 12C are perspective view, front view, and top
view of a shutter member of a shutter mechanism of the connector
according to this embodiment;
[0020] FIGS. 13A to 13D are perspective view, top view, bottom
view, and perspective view of an actuator member of the shutter
mechanism of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0021] FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views for explaining the
operation of the shutter mechanism of the connector according to
this embodiment;
[0022] FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective view and top view of the
protection plate of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a discharge mechanism of
the connector according to this embodiment, when seen from the
upper side;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism of
the connector according to this embodiment, when seen from the
lower side;
[0025] FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and bottom views of the discharge
mechanism of the connector according to this embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism of
the connector according to this embodiment, when seen from the
upper side;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a front view of the connector, showing a case
where a card A is inserted into the connector;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the connector, showing a
case where the card A is inserted into the connector;
[0029] FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 21;
[0030] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the connector, showing a
case where the card A is mounted on the connector;
[0031] FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 22;
[0032] FIG. 25 is a perspective view for explaining the operation
when a detection mechanism detects the state of a writing
prevention function of the card A, in the connector according to
this embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 26 is a perspective view for explaining the operation
when a detection mechanism detects the state of a writing
prevention function of the card A, in the connector according to
this embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 27 is a front view of the connector according to this
embodiment, showing a case where a card B is inserted into the
connector;
[0035] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the connector according to
this embodiment, showing a case where the card B is inserted into
the connector;
[0036] FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 28;
[0037] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the connector according to
this embodiment, showing a case where the card B is mounted on the
connector;
[0038] FIG. 31 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 30;
[0039] FIG. 32 is a front view of the connector according to this
embodiment, showing a case where a card C is inserted into the
connector;
[0040] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the connector according to
this embodiment, showing a case where the card C is inserted into
the connector;
[0041] FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 33;
[0042] FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the connector according to
this embodiment, showing a case where the card C is mounted on the
connector; and
[0043] FIG. 36 is a sectional view of the connector in the state
shown in FIG. 35.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to the drawings. A card connector (hereinafter,
simply referred to as `connector`) according to an embodiment can
selectively mount plural types of cards, while a reduction in
height of the connector is achieved. The connector according to the
embodiment is constructed in such a manner that five types of cards
including a SD (Secure Digital) card, an MMC (Multi Media Card), a
Memory Stick Duo (trademark) card, a Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card,
and an xD-Picture (trademark) card can be mounted therein.
[0045] The MMC card has almost the same shape as the SD card except
that the thickness thereof is slightly smaller than the SD card.
Therefore, the MMC card is mounted in the same manner in the
connector according to this embodiment. Further, the Memory Stick
Duo card and the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card have the same shape
except the construction of a contact pad that comes in contact with
the contacts. Therefore, the Memory Stick Duo card and the Memory
Stick PRO-HG Duo card are mounted in the same manner in the
connector according to this embodiment. In the following
descriptions, the SD card and the MMC card are referred to as `card
A`, the Memory Stick Duo card and the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card
are referred to as `card B`, and the xD-Picture card is referred to
as `card C`.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector 1 according to
the embodiment. In the following descriptions, the lower side of
FIG. 1 is referred to as `front side of connector 1` or simply
referred to as `front side`, and the upper side of FIG. 1 is
referred to as `rear side of connector 1` or simply referred to as
`rear side`. Further, the right side of FIG. 1 is referred to as
`right side of connector 1` or simply referred to as `right side`,
and the left side of FIG. 1 is referred to as `left side of
connector 1` or simply referred to as `left side`.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 according to this
embodiment includes a housing 2 formed by molding an insulating
material such as synthetic resin and a cover member 3 formed by
performing a punching process and a bending process on a metallic
thin plate. The housing 2 is formed in a flat rectangular
parallelepiped shape as a whole and has a space of which the upper
and front sides are opened. The cover member 3 has a shape
corresponding to the upper opening portion of the housing 2 and
covers the upper side of the housing 2. As the housing 2 and the
cover member 3 are assembled into each other, the connector 1 has a
shape of which only the front side is opened, and an insertion port
4 is constructed in the opening portion. Further, the cover member
3 may be formed by molding an insulating material such as synthetic
resin.
[0048] The cover member 3 has a notch portion 301 formed in the
central portion thereof at the front side such that a card mounted
through the card insertion port 4 can be easily pulled out.
Further, the cover member 3 has a plurality of biasing pieces 302
formed on the top surface thereof. The biasing pieces 302 are
slightly bent downward so as to bias a partition plate 6 disposed
inside the connector 1 and a locking member 703 of a sliding member
701 from the upper side. Further, the cover member 3 has a
plurality of opening portions 303 formed on the side surface
thereof, the opening portions 303 are engaged with engagement
pieces 203 of the housing 2, which will be described below.
Further, the cover member 3 has a pair of engagement pieces 304
formed on the front side thereof, the engagement pieces 304 being
engaged with concave portions 205 of the housing 2, which will be
described below. The cover member 3 is fixed to the housing 2 by
engaging the engagement pieces 304 with the concave portions 205 of
the housing 2 and engaging the engagement pieces 203 of the housing
2 with the plurality of openings 303.
[0049] Hereinafter, the internal construction of the connector 1
according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a
perspective view for explaining the internal construction of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view for
explaining the internal construction of the connector 1 according
to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector 1 shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIGS. 2 to 4 show a case where the cover member 3
is removed from the connector 1 shown in FIG. 1.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 2 has a predetermined space
formed therein. In the space, a card mounting space in which plural
types of cards can be mounted is constructed. In the space, there
are provided contacts corresponding to plural types of cards, a
shutter mechanism 5 which shields an insertion path of the cards in
the card mounting space, a partition plate 6 which partitions the
card mounting space, a discharge mechanism 7 which discharges
plural types of cards, and a detection mechanism 8 which detects
whether a specific card is mounted or not.
[0051] In the space within the housing 2, the shutter mechanism 5
is disposed in a slightly inner position (rear side) from the card
insertion port 4. Further, the partition plate 6 is disposed in a
further inner position (rear side) from the shutter mechanism 5.
Further, the discharge mechanism 7 is disposed in a right-side
position from the partition plate 6, and a portion of the detection
mechanism 8 is disposed in a left-side position from the partition
plate 6. Further, a portion of the detection mechanism 8 is also
disposed in a lower-side position from the discharge mechanism 7,
as will be described below in detail. The contacts corresponding to
plural types of cards are properly disposed on the insertion path
of a card from the card insertion port 4.
[0052] The housing 2 has a base portion 201 composing the bottom
surface of the connector 1 and a side wall portion 202 which is
vertically erected from the base portion 201 at the side end of the
connector 1. In the base portion 201, the contacts corresponding to
plural types of cards are provided, and a construction for
protecting the contacts is formed, as will be described below in
detail.
[0053] On the outer surface of the side wall portion 202, the
plurality of engagement pieces 203 are formed, which are engaged
with the opening portions 303 of the cover member 3. Further, a
hole 204 for supporting a shaft 503 of the shutter mechanism 5,
which will be described below, is formed in a front-side position
of the connector 1. Further, the concave portions 205 for housing
the engagement pieces 304 of the cover member 3 is formed on the
front surface portion of the side wall portion 202. The inner
surface of the front surface portion of the side wall portion 202
defines a portion of the card insertion port 4 and is mainly
composed of a first guide portion 206 which guides the insertion of
the card A and a second guide portion 207 which guides the
insertion of the card C.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the first guide portion 206 is formed on
the upper end side of the side wall portion 202. When the card A is
inserted, the first guide portion 206 guides the side and bottom
surfaces of the card A. Further, a portion of the first guide
portion 206 abuts on the left side surface of the card B and serves
to guide the insertion of the card B. Meanwhile, the second guide
portion 207 is formed on the lower side from the first guide
portion 206. When the card C is inserted, the second guide portion
207 guides the top, side, and bottom surfaces of the card C.
[0055] The left side wall portion 202 is formed in a shape of which
a front-side portion projects in the left side. In the inner space
of the projecting portion, portions of the shutter mechanism 5 and
the partition plate 6 are housed. Further, the left side wall
portion 202 has two housing portions 208 formed therein, in which
the detection mechanism 8 for detecting the insertion of the card A
and the state of a writing prevention function is housed. The
housing portions 208 are disposed in parallel along the insertion
direction of the card in the connector 1 and house the detection
mechanism 8 in a state where a portion of the detection mechanism 8
is exposed to the inside.
[0056] On the inner surface of the rear surface portion of the
right side wall portion 202, a holding piece 209 is formed, which
holds one end of a compression spring composing a portion of the
discharge mechanism 7. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the compression spring is
omitted. The holding piece 209 has a cylindrical shape as a whole
and extends by a predetermined length toward the front side of the
connector 1. Further, a locking hole 210 which locks one end of the
locking member 703 composing a portion of the discharge mechanism 7
is formed in the rear surface portion. The locking hole 210 is
constructed in such a manner that one end of the locking member 703
is inserted from the upper side.
[0057] At the rear end of the base portion 201, a contact unit 211
composing the rear wall portion of the housing 2 is disposed. The
contact unit 211 is bonded and fixed to the base portion 201. On
the front surface of the contact unit 211, a plurality of contacts
212 for the card A (hereinafter, referred to as `contacts for card
A`) are provided so as to be aligned in the left and right
direction of the connector 1.
[0058] The base ends of the contacts 212 for the card A are fixed
to the main body of the contact unit, and the leading ends thereof
extend slightly upward on the front side of the connector 1 and can
swing upward and downward in a predetermined range. The rightmost
contact 212 for the card A is disposed so as to slightly project
toward the front side. The leading ends of the contacts 212 for the
card A are bend downward, and are constructed so as to come in
contact with a contact pad of the card A in the vicinity of the
bent portions. As will be described below in detail, the leading
ends of the contacts 212 for the card A (excluding the rightmost
contact) are disposed in positions where they are housed in opening
portions 603 formed in the partition plate 6. Further, one ends of
the contacts 212 for the card A are led out from the rear side of
the contact unit 211 to the outside of the connector 1 such that
signals can be input to and output from the card A.
[0059] On the upper side of the front surface of the contact unit
211, a plurality of projecting pieces 213 projecting to the front
side of the connector 1 are provided. The projecting pieces 213 are
provided on the upper side of the contacts 212 for the card A where
the contacts 212 for the card A are not present. The projecting
pieces 213 serve to restrict the partition plate 6 from moving
upward from a predetermined position at the rear end of the
partition plate 6.
[0060] The shutter mechanism 5 includes a shutter member 501 and an
actuator member 502. The shutter member 501 extends across the
entire region of the connector 1 in the side-to-side direction of
the connector 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the shutter member 501 is
disposed so as to face the upper-side region of the card insertion
port 4. Further, the shutter member 501 composes a card guide
member. The shutter member 501 has a shaft 503 formed therein, the
shaft 503 extending to the side direction of the connector 1. As
the shaft 503 is inserted into the hole 204 of the housing 2, the
shutter member 501 is rotatably supported by the housing 2. With
the shaft 503 being set to a rotation supporting point, the shutter
member 501 rotates in such a manner that the upper portion thereof
falls down toward the rear side of the connector 1. Then, the
insertion path of the card A is opened. The shaft 503 disposed in
the left side has a coil spring 504 attached thereto, the coil
spring 504 applying a biasing force which restores the shutter
member 501 to the original position shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The
shutter member 501 is constructed so as to rotate against the
biasing force of the coil spring 504, as the card A is
inserted.
[0061] The actuator member 502 is disposed toward the card
insertion port 4 (front side) from the shutter member 501. The
actuator member 502 is disposed in such a state that a portion of
the side surface thereof projects into the insertion path of the
card A. The portion of the side surface of the actuator member 502,
which projects into the insertion path of the card A, abuts on the
card A, and the actuator member 502 is constructed so as to rotate
toward the rear side of the connector 1. When the actuator member
502 rotates toward the rear side of the connector 1, the actuator
member 502 retreats from the insertion path of the card A. The
rotating shaft of the actuator member 502 has a coil spring 505
attached thereto (refer to FIG. 4), the coil spring 505 applying a
biasing force which restores the actuator member 502 to the
original position shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. The actuator member 502 is
constructed so as to rotate against the biasing force of the coil
spring 505, as the card A is inserted.
[0062] The partition plate 6 is constructed so as to slightly swing
upward and downward into the card mounting space, depending on the
type of a card inserted into the connector 1. The partition plate 6
has a plane shape as a whole and has a length corresponding to a
distance from the vicinity of the rear side of the shutter
mechanism 5 to the lower-side region of the projecting piece 213 of
the contact unit 211. The partition plate 6 has an arm portion 601
formed at the front end thereof, the arm portion 601 being formed
in a shape which spreads in the side direction of the connector 1
and having a length corresponding to the entire region of the inner
space of the housing 2 in the side-to-side direction. On the top
surface of the arm portion 601, the biasing pieces 302 of the cover
member 3 are loaded in such a state that the partition plate 6 is
slightly biased toward the lower side.
[0063] The discharge mechanism 7 includes the sliding member 701, a
compression spring (not shown) 702, and the locking member 703. The
sliding member 701 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape which
extends in the front and rear direction of the connector 1 and is
constructed so as to slide in the front and rear direction along
the right side wall portion 202 of the housing 2. As will be
described below in detail, the discharge mechanism 7 serves to move
a card from a predetermined mounting position in the connector 1 to
a discharge position, when a user performs a pressing operation on
the card.
[0064] As described above, the rear end of the compression spring
702 is held by the holding piece 209 of the housing 2, and the
front end thereof is held by a holding piece (not shown) provided
on the bottom surface of the sliding member 701 such that a biasing
force for biasing the sliding member 701 toward the front side is
applied. The locking member 703 has a shape of which the front and
rear ends are bent downward. As described above, a rear-side end of
the locking member 703 is inserted into the locking hole 210 of the
housing 2 such that a front-side end thereof is engaged with a
guide groove 711 formed on the top surface of the sliding member
701. The locking member 703 serves to restrict the sliding member
701 from moving toward the front side, against the biasing force of
the compression spring 702. On the locking member 703, the biasing
piece 302 of the cover member 3 is loaded in such a manner that the
locking member 703 is slightly biased downward so as to be engaged
with the guide groove 711.
[0065] The detection mechanism 8 includes a plate-shaped portion
801, an abutting portion 802, and a contact portion (not shown)
803. The plate-shaped portion 801 is housed in the housing portion
208 of the housing 2. The abutting portion 802 is provided on the
inner surface of the plate-shaped portion 801 in such a state that
a portion thereof is exposed to the insertion path of the card A.
As will be described below in detail, the contact portion 803
includes a fixed contact portion 803a disposed on the lower side of
the plate-shaped portion 801 and a movable contact portion 803b
which is swingably fixed to the bottom surface portion of the
plate-shaped portion 801. The movable contact portion 803b is
constructed of a torsion spring. Depending on whether the card A is
inserted or not, the abutting portion 802 is displaced to change
the angle of the plate-shaped portion 801 such that the conduction
state and the non-conduction state between the movable contact
portion 803b and the fixed contact portion 803a are switched.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a perspective view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIG.
6 is a top view for explaining the internal construction of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a case
where the partition plate 6 is removed from the connector 1 shown
in FIG. 2.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of contacts 214 and 215 for
the card B (hereinafter, referred to as `contacts for card B`) are
provided in the vicinities of the center of the base portion 201 of
the housing 2 so as to be aligned in the side-to-side direction of
the connector 1. The contacts 214 for the card B are provided on
the lower side of the contacts 212 for the card A. The base ends of
the contacts 214 for the card B are fixed to the base portion 201,
and the leading ends thereof extend slightly upward on the front
side of the connector 1 so as to swing upward and downward in a
predetermined range. Similar to the contacts 212 for the card A,
the leading ends of the contacts 214 for the card B are bent
downward in such a manner that the vicinities of the bent portions
come in contact with a contact pad of the card B.
[0068] As such, the contacts 212 for the card A and the contacts
214 for the card B are provided at two stages in the card mounting
space such that some of the contacts 212 and 214 overlap each
other, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the limited card mounting
space within the connector 1 is effectively utilized.
[0069] Meanwhile, the contacts 215 for the card B are provided in
front-side positions from the contacts 214 for the card B. The base
ends of the contacts 215 for the card B are fixed to the base
portion 201, and the leading ends thereof extend slightly upward on
the rear side of the connector 1 so as to swing upward and downward
in a predetermined range. Similar to the contacts 212 for the card
A, the leading ends of the contacts 215 for the card B are bent
downward in such a manner that the vicinities of the bent portions
come in contact with the contact pad of the card B. Further, one
ends of the contacts 214 and 215 for the card B are led out from
the rear side of the base portion 201 to the outside of the
connector 1 such that signals can be input to and output from the
card B.
[0070] The contacts 214 for the card B are contacts corresponding
to the Memory Stick Duo card, and the contacts 215 for the card B
are contacts corresponding to the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card. The
Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo card has a contact pad with the contacts,
which is partially divided, different from the Memory Stick Duo
card. In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the contacts
215 for the card B are separately provided.
[0071] In the base portion 201 of the housing 2, a plurality of
contacts 216 for the card C (hereinafter, referred to as `contacts
for card C`) are provided so as to be aligned in the side-to-side
direction of the connector 1. The contacts 216 for the card C are
provided in slightly rear positions from the shutter mechanism 5 on
the front side of the contacts 215 for the card B. The base ends of
the contacts 216 for the card C are fixed to the base portion 201,
and the leading ends thereof extend slightly upward on the rear
side of the connector 1 so as to swing upward and downward within a
predetermined range. Similar to the contacts 212 for the card A,
the leading ends of the contacts 216 for the card C are bent
downward in such a manner that the vicinities of the bent portions
come in contact with a contact pad of the card C. Further, one ends
of the contacts 216 for the card C are led out from the front side
of the base portion 201 to the outside of the connector 1 such that
signals can be input to and output from the card C.
[0072] In the vicinity of the contacts 216 for the card C, a
protection plate 217 for protecting the contacts 216 for the card C
is disposed. The protection plate 217 is constructed of a
rectangular plate-shaped member, which extends in the side-to-side
direction of the connector 1. The front end of the protection plate
217 is held by the base portion 201. Further, the protection plate
217 is pushed up by a support piece disposed on the lower side such
that the leading end thereof in the rear side can slightly swing
upward and downward, as the card C is inserted. The protection
plate 217 has a plurality of groove portions 218 in which the
plurality of contacts 216 for the card C are housed. When the card
C is not inserted, the contacts 216 for the card C are protected by
housing the contacts 216 for the card C in the respective groove
portions 218.
[0073] FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining the internal
construction of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIG.
8 is a top view for explaining the internal construction of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a case
where the contact unit 211, the shutter member 501, the protection
plate 217, and the discharge mechanism 7 are removed from the
connector 1 shown in FIG. 5.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of projecting pieces 219 for
protecting the contacts 214 for the card B are provided between the
contacts 214 for the card B and the contacts 215 for the card B in
the base portion 201 of the housing 2 so as to be aligned in the
side-to-side direction of the connector 1. The plurality of
projecting pieces 219 protects the contacts 214 for the card B such
that the contacts 214 are not buckled by the card B when the card B
is inserted.
[0075] On the left side of the projecting piece 219 disposed in the
leftmost side, a projecting piece 220 for preventing the card B
from being inserted in a reverse direction is provided. When the
card B is inserted in a proper direction, the projecting piece 220
is housed in a concave portion formed on the bottom surface of the
card B. Meanwhile, when the card B is inserted in the reverse
direction, the projecting piece 210 abuts on the leading end of the
card B, thereby preventing the card B from being inserted in the
reverse direction. When the card A is inserted into the connector
1, the projecting piece 220 enters an opening portion 605 formed in
the partition plate 6. Therefore, as the card A is inserted, the
card A is not restricted from moving toward the lower side of the
partition plate 6.
[0076] In the base portion 201 of the housing 2, a support piece
221 for supporting the protection plate 217 is provided. The
support piece 221 is provided on the left side of the contact 216
for the card C which is disposed in the leftmost side. Similar to
the contacts 216 for the card C, the base end of the support piece
221 is fixed to the base portion 201, and the leading end thereof
extends slightly upward on the rear side of the connector 1. The
support piece 221 is constructed of a metal piece which is larger
than the contacts 216 for the card C and is disposed in a slightly
upper position from the contacts 216 for the card C.
[0077] On the lower side of the discharge mechanism 7, a fixed
contact portion 222 composing a portion of the detection mechanism
8 which detects the mounting state of plural types of cards is
provided. The detection mechanism 8 having the fixed contact
portion 222 detects the mounting state of plural types of cards
depending on a conduction state and a non-conduction state based on
the contact state between the fixed contact portion 222 and a
movable contact portion 721 of the sliding member 701 which will be
described below.
[0078] Between specific contacts 215 for the card B, a plurality of
guide pieces 223 are respectively provided, which guide the bottom
surface of the card B when the card B is inserted and mounted. When
the contacts 215 for the card B are pressed downward in accordance
with the insertion of the card B, the guide pieces 223 abut on the
bottom surface of the card B. Further, the plurality of guide
pieces 223 compose a first bottom-surface guide portion which
guides the bottom surface of the card B during the insertion.
[0079] Now, the construction of main components of the connector 1
according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS. 9 to 11 are
diagrams for explaining the construction of the partition plate 6
of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 12 to 14 are
diagrams for explaining the construction of the shutter mechanism 5
of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 15 is a
diagram for explaining the construction of the protection plate 217
of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIGS. 16 to 19 are
diagrams for explaining the construction of the discharge mechanism
7 of the connector 1 according to this embodiment.
[0080] First, the construction of the partition plate 6 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the partition plate 6 of the connector 1
according to this embodiment, seen from the upper side. FIG. 10 is
a top view of the partition plate 6 of the connector 1 according to
this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the partition
plate 6 of the connector 1 according to this embodiment, seen from
the lower side.
[0081] At the rear end of the top surface of the partition plate 6,
a plurality of concave portions 602 are formed in positions
corresponding to the contacts 212 for the card A, as shown in FIGS.
9 to 11. The concave portions 602 are constructed so as to house
the vicinities of the base ends of the contacts 212 for the card A.
Further, a plurality of opening portions 603 are formed in
front-side positions from the concave portions 602. The opening
portions 603 are formed in positions corresponding to the leading
ends of the contacts 212 for the card A, and are constructed so as
to house the leading ends which approach the opening portions 603
as the cards B and C are mounted.
[0082] Further, a plurality of projecting pieces 604 are formed in
front-side positions from specific opening portions 603. When the
card A is inserted in a wrong direction (reverse direction), or
when a different card is inserted, the projecting pieces 604 abut
on the leading end of the card in the insertion direction, thereby
projecting the contacts 212 for the card A. As the contacts 212 for
the card A are protected by the projecting pieces 604 provided on
the partition plate 6, the contacts for the card A are reliably
protected, without an increase in size of the connector 1 caused
when a separate member is provided.
[0083] The opening portion 605 is formed in a front-side position
from the projecting piece 604 disposed in the rightmost side. The
opening portion 605 is constructed so as to house the projecting
piece 220 formed in the base portion 201 of the housing 2 when the
partition plate 6 moves downward.
[0084] The arm portion 601 has a locking piece 601a which slightly
extends toward the front side. The locking piece 601a is loaded on
a support portion 501d of the shutter member 501, which will be
described below, in a state where a card is not mounted in the
connector 1 (hereinafter, referred to as `initial state`). When the
shutter member 501 is rotated in accordance with the insertion of
the card A, the locking piece 601a descends from the support
portion 501d so as to move downward. Meanwhile, when the card A is
discharged, the locking piece 601a is loaded on the support portion
501d.
[0085] Meanwhile, the bottom surface of the partition plate 6
composes a first top-surface guide portion which guides the top
surface of the card B. At the front end of the bottom surface of
the partition plate 6, a pair of projecting pieces 606 which
project downward are formed, as shown in FIG. 11. The projecting
piece 606 is formed in the vicinity of the side end of the arm
portion 601 and has a predetermined length along the front and rear
direction of the connector 1. When the card C is inserted, the
projecting pieces 606 abut on the card C so as to move the
partition plate 6 toward the upper side, and serves as a
transmission member which transmits a biasing force, caused by the
biasing pieces 302 of the cover member 3, to the card B. Further,
the projecting pieces 606 have a tapered surface formed at the
front ends thereof such that the card C easily enters under the
partition plate 6.
[0086] In a left position of the connector 1 which is slightly
separated from the projecting piece 606 disposed in the right side,
a projecting piece 607 which projects downward is formed. The
projecting piece 607 serves to prevent the card B from being
inserted into a wrong position. Specifically, when the card B is
inserted so as to deviate from a proper position toward the right
side, the projecting piece 607 abuts on the leading end of the card
B, thereby preventing the damage of the card B which is caused by
the contact with the contacts 214 and 215 for the card B when the
card B is inserted into a wrong position.
[0087] Next, the construction of the shutter mechanism 5 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS.
12A to 12C are respectively perspective view, front view, and top
view of the shutter member 501 of the shutter mechanism 5 of the
connector i according to this embodiment. FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and
13D are respectively perspective view, top view, bottom view, and
perspective view of the actuator member 502 of the shutter
mechanism 5 of the connector 1 according to this embodiment.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C, the shutter member 501 has a
shutter main body 501a extending to the side of the connector 1.
Further, the shaft 503 is provided in a lower and front position in
the side end of the shutter main body 501a. The shutter main body
501a has a notch portion 501b formed in the bottom surface thereof,
and the shutter main body 501a has a notch portion 501c formed in
the front surface thereof. The width of the notch portion 501b is
set to that of the side surface of the card B, and the notch
portion 501b serves as a guide portion when the card B is inserted.
In particular, the bottom surface of the notch portion 501c
composes the first top-surface guide portion which guides the top
surface of the card B when the card B is inserted. Meanwhile, the
width of the notch portion 501c is set to that of the side surface
of the card A, and the notch portion 501c serves as a guide portion
when the card A is inserted.
[0089] The support portion 501d which slightly projects toward the
rear side is provided on either side of the shutter main body 501a.
The support portion 501d has a plane portion which is horizontally
disposed in the initial state, and the rear end of the plane
portion supports the locking piece 601a of the partition plate 6.
The support portion 501d has a wall portion 501e provided on the
front side thereof, the wall portion 501e extending upward from the
plane portion. The wall portion 501e disposed in the left side
locks one end of the coil spring 504 attached to the shaft 503.
Further, the wall portion 501e disposed in the left side has a
projecting piece 501f provided thereon, the projecting piece 501f
projecting on the front and lower sides of the connector 1. The
projecting piece 501f is engaged with a concave portion 502d of the
actuator member 502, which will be described below, so as to
restrict the rotation of the shutter member 501. Further, the
shutter main body 501a has an engagement piece 501g formed thereon,
the engagement piece 501g projecting toward the rear side in the
initial state. When the shutter main body 501a is rotated in
accordance with the insertion of the card A, the engagement piece
501g is engaged with an opening portion 217b of the protection
plate 217, which will be described below.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 13, the actuator member 502 includes an
actuator main body 502a having a rotating shaft 502b which is
eccentrically provided on the bottom surface thereof. The actuator
main body 502a has an abutting surface 502c provided on the side
surface thereof, the abutting surface 502c abutting on the leading
end of the card A. The abutting surface 502c has a leading end
which projects into the insertion path of the card A. On the bottom
surface of the actuator main body 502a, a concave portion 502d is
formed in a position on the rear side of the abutting surface 502c.
When the actuator member 502 and the shutter member 501 are rotated
in accordance with the insertion of the card A, the concave portion
502d can house the projecting piece 501f of the shutter member 501.
Further, a locking piece 502e which locks one end of the coil
spring 505 is formed on the bottom surface of the actuator main
body 502a. Further, between the locking piece 502e and the concave
portion 502d, a restriction portion 502f is provided, which faces
the projecting piece 501f of the shutter member 501 in a state
where a card is not inserted, and restricts the rotation of the
shutter member 501.
[0091] Now, the operation of the shutter mechanism 5 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIGS.
14A and 14B are perspective views for explaining the operation of
the shutter mechanism 5 of the connector 1 according to this
embodiment. FIG. 14A shows a state where the card A is not inserted
into the connector 1, and FIG. 14B shows a state where the card A
is inserted into the connector 1.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 14A, a portion of the abutting surface 502c
of the actuator member 502 projects into the insertion path of the
card A in a state where the card A is not inserted into the
connector 1. At this time, the concave portion 502d is directed to
the slightly right side from the rear side of the connector 1.
Meanwhile, the notch portion 501c of the shutter member 501 is
directed to the card insertion port 4. At this time, the projecting
portion 501f of the shutter member 501 faces the restriction
portion 502f of the actuator member 502 such that the rotation of
the shutter member 501 is restricted.
[0093] When the card A is inserted from the state shown in FIG.
14A, the leading end of the card A abuts on the abutting surface
502c, and the actuator main body 502a is rotated in an arrow
direction shown in FIG. 14A. At this time, the concave portion 502d
is directed toward the rear side of the connector 1. Further, since
the restriction portion 502f retreats from the position of the
projecting piece 501f of the shutter member 501, the shutter member
501 is rotated. Meanwhile, the leading end of the card A abuts on
the notch portion 501c of the shutter member 501. Further, the
shutter member 501 is rotated so as to fall down to the rear side,
with the shaft 503 being set to a supporting point, and the notch
portion 501c is directed to the upper side. At this time, the
projecting piece 501f of the shutter member 501 moves upward in
accordance with the rotation of the shutter member 501 so as to be
engaged with the concave portion 502d of the actuator member 502,
as shown in FIG. 14B.
[0094] When the card A is mounted, the card A is loaded on the
notch portion 501c. Therefore, the shutter member 501 maintains the
state shown in FIG. 14B. Accordingly, the projecting piece 501f
maintains a state where it is engaged with the concave portion
502d. As long as the card A is not discharged from the connector 1,
the shutter member 501 does not return to the state shown in FIG.
14A.
[0095] Next, the construction of the protection plate 217 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG.
15A is a perspective view of the protection plate 217 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a top
view of the protection plate 217 of the connector 1 according to
this embodiment.
[0096] As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the protection plate 217 has
a shaft portion 217a in either front end thereof, the shaft portion
217a extending to the side of the connector 1. As the shaft portion
217a is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the side wall
portion 202 of the housing 2, the protection plate 217 is supported
by the housing 2 such that the rear end thereof can slightly swing.
Further, a rectangular opening portion 217b is formed on the front
side of the grooves 218 formed in the protection plate 217. The
opening portion 217b is disposed in a position at which it can
house the engagement piece 501g formed in the shutter main body
501a when the shutter main body 501a is rotated in accordance with
the insertion of the card A.
[0097] When a card is not inserted, the protection plate 217 is
supported by the support piece 221 provided on the housing 2 in a
state where the protection plate 217 is inclined as shown in FIG.
15A. On the top surface of the protection plate 217, a support
surface 217c is formed in the vicinity of the rear end of the
protection plate 217. In a state where a card is not inserted, the
inclination angle of the support surface 217c is set to be slightly
smaller than that of the other surface of the protection plate 217.
The support surface 217c serves as a second bottom-surface guide
portion which guides the bottom surface of the card B while the
card B is inserted.
[0098] Next, the construction of the discharge mechanism 7 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 16
is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism 7 of the connector
1 according to this embodiment, when seen from the upper side. FIG.
17 is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism 7 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, when seen from the lower
side. FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and bottom views of the discharge
mechanism 7 of the connector 1 according to this embodiment. FIG.
19 is a perspective view of the discharge mechanism 7 of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, when seen from the upper
side. FIG. 19 shows a state of the discharge mechanism 7 when a
card is mounted. In FIGS. 16 to 19, the compression spring 702
composing the discharge mechanism 7 is omitted.
[0099] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the sliding member 701 includes
a first abutting portion 704 which abuts on the right leading end
of the card A, a second abutting portion 705 which abuts on the
right leading end of the card B, and a third abutting portion 706
which abuts on the right leading end of the card C. The first
abutting portion 704 is provided on the upper side portion of the
sliding member 701, and the second and third abutting portions 705
and 706 are provided on the lower side portion of the sliding
member 701.
[0100] The first abutting portion 704 is disposed in a card
mounting space corresponding to the card A, and the second and
third abutting portions 705 and 706 are disposed in card mounting
spaces corresponding to the cards B and C, respectively. In other
words, since the sliding member 701 is disposed across the card
mounting space corresponding to the card A and the card mounting
spaces corresponding to the cards B and C, the cards A, B, and C
can be discharged by the single sliding member 701.
[0101] The first abutting portion 704 is constructed of an inclined
surface in accordance with the shape of the leading end of the card
A, and the second and third abutting portions 705 and 706 are
constructed of a plane surface perpendicular to the insertion
direction of the card. The first to third abutting portions 704 to
706 of the sliding member 701 abut on the cards A to C,
respectively, and the sliding member 701 can slide in the front and
rear direction of the connector 1 as a user inserts the respective
cards.
[0102] On the front side of the first abutting portion 704, a plane
portion 707 supporting a portion of the bottom surface of the card
A is provided. The plane portion 707 has a projecting piece 708
erected on the left end thereof, the projecting piece 708
protecting the contact for the card A which is disposed in the
rightmost side of the contact unit 211. On the right side of the
plane portion 707, a groove portion 709 which is opened to the
upper side is formed. In the groove portion 709, a locking piece
710 is mounted, which locks the card A inserted into the connector
1. The locking piece 710 has a convex portion 710a provided in the
front-side portion of the sliding member 701, the convex portion
710a projecting toward the left side. The convex portion 710a is
engaged with a concave portion formed in the right side surface of
the card A so as to lock the card A inserted into the connector 1.
Accordingly, the card A mounted in the connector 1 is prevented
from coming off.
[0103] On the top surface of the sliding member 701, a loop-shaped
guide groove 711 is formed on the rear side of the first abutting
portion 704. In the center of the guide groove 711, a heart-shaped
cam 712 is provided. As shown in FIG. 18A, the guide groove 711
includes first and second guide grooves 713 and 714, which are
disposed in both sides of the heart-shaped cam 712, a recessed
groove 716 having a locking portion 715 which locks the locking
member 703, and a linear guide groove 717. The locking member 703
advances along the guide groove 711 in a predetermined direction in
accordance with the insertion operation of the card. Further, on
the guide path of the locking member 703 in the guide groove 711, a
step portion is formed, which prevents the locking member 703 from
advancing in the reverse direction.
[0104] In such a guide groove 711, when a card is not mounted, the
locking member 703 is disposed at the rear end of the linear guide
groove 717, as shown in FIG. 18A. When a card is inserted, the
locking member 703 advances into the first guide groove 713 through
the guide groove 717 as the sliding member 701 moves toward the
rear side. Further, when the card is pushed to a position at which
the locking member 703 reaches the front end of the first guide
groove 713, the locking member 703 advances into the recessed
groove 716 so as to be locked to the locking portion 715, as shown
in FIG. 19.
[0105] When the card is further pushed after the locking member 703
is locked to the locking portion 715, the locking member 703
advances into the second guide groove 714 from the recessed groove
716. Then, the locking member 703 advances from the second guide
groove 714 into the linear guide groove 717 so as to be disposed at
the rear end of the guide groove 717.
[0106] On the lower side of the second abutting portion 705, a
locking piece 718 which locks the card B inserted into the
connector 1 is attached. The locking piece 718 is formed of an
elongated plate-shaped member. The front-side end of the locking
piece 718 has a shape which is folded toward the rear side in the
connector 1. In the leading end of the locking piece 718 directed
to the rear side, a convex portion 718a is formed, which slightly
projects upward. The convex portion 718a is engaged with a concave
portion formed on the bottom surface of the card B so as to lock
the card B inserted into the connector 1. Accordingly, the card B
mounted in the connector 1 is prevented from coming off.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 17, the sliding member 701 has a concave
portion 719 formed on the bottom surface thereof, the concave
portion 719 housing a compression spring 702. On the front side of
the concave portion 719, a holding piece 720 is provided, which
holds one end of the compression spring 702. The holding piece 720
has a cylindrical shape as a whole and extends by a predetermined
length toward the rear side of the connector 1. On the left side of
the concave portion 719 on the rear side of the sliding member 701,
a groove portion 721 is formed. In the groove portion 721, a
movable contact portion 722 is mounted. The movable contact portion
722 is constructed of a torsion spring. Both ends of the torsion
spring are set so as to project slightly downward from the bottom
surface of the sliding member 701. The projecting portions come in
contact with the fixed contact portion 222 provided in the housing
2, depending on the position of the sliding member 701.
[0108] Next, an operation when the respective cards are mounted on
the connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
FIGS. 20 to 26 are diagrams for explaining an operation when the
card A is mounted on the connector 1 according to this embodiment.
FIGS. 27 to 31 are diagrams for explaining an operation when the
card B is mounted on the connector 1 according to this embodiment.
FIGS. 32 to 36 are diagrams for explaining an operation when the
card C is mounted on the connector 1 according to this embodiment.
In FIGS. 20 to 36, the cover member 3 is omitted for convenience of
description.
[0109] First, the operation when the card A is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 20
is a front view of the connector 1, showing a case where the card A
is inserted into the connector 1. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of
the connector 1, showing a case where the card A is inserted into
the connector 1. FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the connector 1 in
the state shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the
connector 1, showing a case where the card A is mounted on the
connector 1. FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the connector 1 in the
state shown in FIG. 22. Before the card A is inserted, the
connector 1 is set in the state shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 20, when the card A is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, the card A is pushed into
the connector 1 in a state where the side and bottom surfaces of
the card A are fitted in the first guide portion 206 provided in
the housing 2. While the card A is pushed into the connector 1, the
leading end of the card A abuts on the abutting surface 502c of the
actuator member 502 and the shutter member 501. Accordingly, the
actuator member 502 is rotated in the rear side, and the shutter
member 501 is rotated so as to fall down to the rear side. As this
time, the abutting surface 502c of the actuator member 502 is set
to face the left side surface of the card A, as shown in FIG.
21.
[0111] When the card A is pushed in such a manner, the card A
advances on the upper side of the partition plate 6 toward the rear
side of the connector 1 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. In this case,
the partition plate 6 moves slightly downward in such a manner that
the bottom surface thereof slightly presses down the contacts 214
and 215 for the card B. As the bottom surface of the partition
plate 6 slightly presses down the contacts 214 and 215 for the card
B in accordance with the insertion of the card A, the limited space
within the connector 1 is effectively utilized.
[0112] Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the right leading end of the
card A abuts on the first abutting surface 704 of the sliding
member 701 in an upper position from the partition plate 6, and the
convex portion 710a of the projecting piece 710 of the sliding
member 701 is engaged with the concave portion formed on the right
side surface of the card A. As the convex portion 710a is engaged
with the concave portion of the card A, the position of the card A
with respect to the sliding member 701 is determined. After that,
the sliding member 701 and the card A move together. Further, when
the leading end of the card A abuts on the first abutting surface
704, the front-side end of the locking member 703 is disposed in
the vicinity of the rear end of the linear guide groove 717 of the
guide groove 711.
[0113] When the card A is further pushed from the state shown in
FIGS. 21 and 22, the contacts 212 for the card A enter under the
bottom surface of the card A so as to come in contact with the
contact pad formed on the bottom surface of the leading end of the
card A, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. FIGS. 23 and 24 show a case
where the card A is pushed to the rearmost position of the
connector 1, and the hand is separated from the card A. In this
state, the front-side end of the locking member 703 is locked to
the locking portion 715.
[0114] When the sliding member 701 moves toward the rear side in
accordance with the insertion of the card A, the detection
mechanism 8 of the connector 1 according to this embodiment, which
is provided on the lower side of the sliding member 701, detects
the mounting state of the card A. Specifically, the detection
mechanism 8 detects the mounting of the card A on the basis of the
position of the movable contact portion 722 mounted on the bottom
surface of the sliding member 701 with respect to the fixed contact
portion 222 provided in the housing 2.
[0115] In the detection mechanism 8, when the sliding member 701
moves to the position shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the movable contact
portion 722 and the fixed contact portion 222 are contacted with
each other such that the conduction state therebetween is set.
Meanwhile, before the sliding member 701 reaches the position shown
in FIGS. 23 and 24, the movable contact portion 722 and the fixed
contact portion 222 are not contacted with each other such that the
non-conduction state therebetween is set. The detection mechanism 8
detects the mounting state of the card A depending on the
conduction state and the non-conduction state between the movable
contact portion 722 and the fixed contact portion 222. As such,
since the detection mechanism 8 is composed of the fixed contact
portion 222 provided in the housing 2 and the movable contact
portion 722 provided in the sliding member 701, it is possible to
reliably detect the mounting of the card A without an increase in
the number of components. Further, the mounting state of the cards
B and C is detected in the same manner.
[0116] In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the
detection mechanism 8 provided on the left side of the partition
plate 6 detects whether the card A is mounted or not and the state
of the writing prevention function of the card A. Here, the
operation when the detection mechanism 8 detects the state of the
writing prevention function of the card A will be described.
[0117] FIGS. 25 and 26 are perspective views for explaining the
operation when the detection mechanism 8 detects the state of the
writing prevention function of the card A, in the connector 1
according to this embodiment. In FIGS. 25 and 26, a portion of the
housing 2 is omitted for convenience of description. FIG. 25 shows
the connector 1 in the state shown in FIG. 21, and FIG. 26 shows
the connector 1 in the state shown in FIG. 23. FIGS. 25 and 26 show
a state where the writing prevention function of the card A is
turned on (where writing is locked). That is, FIGS. 25 and 26 show
a case where a writing prevention switch SW is switched to a front
side position of the connector 1.
[0118] The state of the writing prevention function of the card A
is detected by the detection mechanism 8 disposed on the front side
of the connector 1. As shown in FIG. 25, the left leading end of
the card A abuts on the abutting portion 802 in a state where the
writing prevention switch SW does not reach the detection mechanism
8. Further, as the rear end of the abutting portion 802 is pushed
down, the rear side of the plate-shaped portion 801 is inclined
downward. In this case, both ends of the movable contact portion
803b come in contact with the fixed contact portion 803a such that
the fixed contact portion 803a and the movable contact portion 803b
are electrically connected. When the card A is positioned in a
predetermined mounting position, the writing prevention switch SW
abuts on the abutting portion 802. When the fixed contact portion
803a and the movable contact portion 803b are electrically
connected to each other, it is recognized that the writing
prevention function is turned off.
[0119] When the card A is further pushed from this state, the
writing prevention switch SW reaches the position of the detection
mechanism 8, but does not abut on the abutting portion 802, as
shown in FIG. 26. Since the abutting portion 802 is not pushed
down, the plate-shaped portion 801 is biased upward by a biasing
force of the movable contact portion 803b so as to be horizontally
aligned. In this case, a rear-side end of the movable contact
portion 803b is separated from the fixed contact portion 803a such
that the non-conduction state between the fixed contact portion
803a and the movable contact portion 803b is set. When the card A
is positioned at a predetermined mounting position, the writing
prevention switch SW does not abut on the abutting portion 802.
When the fixed contact portion 803a and the movable contact portion
803b are not electrically connected, it is recognized that the
writing prevention function is turned on.
[0120] In a state where the writing prevention function of the card
A is turned off (when the writing is not locked), the writing
prevention switch SW is switched to a position on the rear side of
the connector 1. In this case, when the card A is mounted on the
connector 1, the writing prevention switch SW abuts on the abutting
portion 802, and the abutting portion 802 is pushed down.
Therefore, both ends of the movable contact portion 803b come in
contact with the fixed contact portion 803a such that the fixed
contact portion 803a and the movable contact portion 803b are
electrically connected. Accordingly, in this case, it is recognized
that the writing prevention function is turned off. Further, the
detection of whether the card A is mounted or not is performed in
the same manner by the detection mechanism 8 disposed on the rear
side of the connector 1, using the leading end of the card A.
[0121] Next, the operation when the card B is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 27
is a front view of the connector 1 according to this embodiment,
showing a case where the card B is inserted into the connector 1.
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the connector 1 according to this
embodiment, showing a case where the card B is inserted into the
connector 1. FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the connector 1 in the
state shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, showing a case where the
card B is mounted on the connector 1. FIG. 31 is a sectional view
of the connector 1 in the state shown in FIG. 30. Before the card B
is inserted, the connector 1 is set in the state shown in FIGS. 2
to 4.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 27, when the card B is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, the card B is pushed into
the connector 1 in a state where the top surface of the card B is
fitted in the notch portion 501b provided in the shutter member
501. In this case, the leading end of the card B does not abut on
the abutting surface 502c of the actuator member 502 and the
shutter member 501, different from the case where the card A is
inserted. Therefore, the actuator member 502 and the shutter member
501 are not rotated. Further, when the card B is inserted, the left
side surface of the card B is abutted on the end of the first guide
portion 206 disposed in the left side such that the card B can be
easily fitted in the notch portion 501b.
[0123] The end of the first guide portion 206 disposed on the left
side of the inserted card B composes the first side-surface guide
portion which guides the side surface of the card B, and the right
end of the notch portion 501b of the shutter member 501 composes
the second side-surface guide portion which guides the side surface
of the card B. Since the first and second guide portions guide the
side surface of the card B, the contact pad of the card B can be
reliably connected to the contacts 214 and 215 for the card B,
without deviating from the side direction.
[0124] When the card B is pushed in such a manner, the card B
advances on the lower side of the partition plate 6 toward the rear
side of the connector 1, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29. In this case,
the partition plate 6 moves slightly upward so as to slightly push
up the contacts 212 for the card A in the rear-side portion of the
opening portion 603. In this case, the leading end of the contacts
212 for the card A are housed in the opening portions 603 of the
partition plate 6. As the contacts for the card A are housed in the
opening portions 603, the leading ends of the contacts 212 for the
card A are prevented from being damaged.
[0125] As shown in FIG. 28, the right leading end of the card B
abuts on the second abutting surface 705 of the sliding member 701
in a position of the lower side of the partition plate 6, and the
convex portion 222a of the locking piece 222 provided on the lower
side of the sliding member 701 is engaged with the concave portion
formed on the bottom surface of the card B. As the convex portion
222a is engaged with the concave portion of the card B, the sliding
member 701 and the card B move together afterwards. Further, when
the leading end of the card B abuts on the second abutting surface
705, the front-side end of the locking member 703 is disposed in
the vicinity of the rear end of the linear guide groove 717 of the
guide groove 711.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 29, when the card B is inserted, the top
surface of the card B is guided by the bottom surface of the notch
portion 501b provided in the shutter member 501 and the bottom
surface of the partition plate 6, and the bottom surface of the
card B is guided by the support surface 217c of the protection
plate 217 provided in the housing 2. Further, when the bottom
surface of the card B is pushed downward, the guide piece 223
provided in the housing 2 guides the bottom surface of the card B.
The positional relationship among them is where the leading end of
the card B is supported in a state where it is inclined slightly
downward. Therefore, the card B is pushed into the connector 1 in a
state where the leading end of the card B is inclined downward.
[0127] When the card B is further pushed from the state shown in
FIGS. 28 and 29, the contacts 214 and 215 for the card B enter
under the bottom surface of the card B so as to come in contact
with the contact pad formed on the bottom surface of the leading
end of the card B, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 31. At this time, since
a biasing force of the biasing piece 302 of the cover member 3 is
applied to the card B through the partition plate 6, it is possible
to increase the contact pressure between the contact pad of the
card B and the contacts 214 and 215 for the card B. FIGS. 30 and 31
show a state where the card B is pushed to the rearmost position of
the connector 1 and the hand is separated from the card B. In this
state, the front-side end of the locking member 703 is locked to
the locking member 715. Even when the card B is mounted in such a
manner, the card B is held in a state where the leading end thereof
is inclined downward, similar to the case where the card B is
inserted. Even in a state where the card B is held in such a
manner, the top surface of the card B is guided by the bottom
surface of the notch portion 501b of the shutter member 501 and the
bottom surface of the partition plate 6 such that the connection
stability between the contact pad of the card B and the contacts
214 and 215 for the card B is secured.
[0128] Next, the operation when the card C is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 32
is a front view of the connector 1 according to this embodiment,
showing a case where the card C is inserted into the connector 1.
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the connector 1 according to this
embodiment, showing a case where the card C is inserted into the
connector 1. FIG. 34 is a sectional view of the connector 1 in the
state shown in FIG. 33. FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, showing a case where the
card C is mounted on the connector 1. FIG. 36 is a sectional view
of the connector 1 in the state shown in FIG. 35. Before the card C
is inserted, the connector 1 is set in the state shown in FIGS. 2
to 4.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 32, when the card C is mounted on the
connector 1 according to this embodiment, the card. C is pushed
into the connector 1 in a state where the side and bottom surfaces
of the card C are fitted in the second guide portion 207 provided
in the housing 2. In this case, the leading end of the card C does
not abut on the abutting surface 502c of the actuator member 502
and the shutter member 501, different from the case where the card
A is inserted. Therefore, the actuator member 502 and the shutter
member 501 are not rotated.
[0130] When the card C is pushed into the connector 1, the leading
end of the card C enters under the pair of projecting pieces 606
provided on the partition plate 6 so as to lift the partition plate
6, as shown in FIG. 33. Then, the leading end of the card C
advances on the lower side of the partition plate 6 toward the rear
side of the connector 1. In this case, the partition plate 6 moves
slightly upward so as to slightly push up the contacts 212 for the
card A in the rear side portion of the opening portions 603,
similar to the case where the card B is inserted. At this time, the
leading ends of the contacts 212 for the card A are housed in the
opening portions 603 of the partition plate 6. As the contacts for
the card A are housed in the opening portion 603, the leading ends
of the contacts 212 for the card A are prevented from being
damaged, similar to the case where the card B is inserted.
[0131] Further, the bottom surface of the leading end of the card C
comes in contact with the protection plate 217 provided in the
housing 2 so as to slightly push down the rear end of the
protection plate 217 against the biasing force of the support piece
221 which supports the protection plate 217 from the lower side.
Accordingly, the contacts 216 for the card C approach the card C
inside the groove portion 218 formed in the protection plate
217.
[0132] Further, the right leading end of the card C abuts on the
third abutting portion 706 of the sliding member 701 in a position
of the lower side of the partition plate 6. Further, when the
leading end of the card C abuts the third abutting portion 706, the
front-side end of the locking member 703 is disposed in the
vicinity of the rear end of the linear guide groove 717 of the
guide groove 711.
[0133] When the card C is further pushed from the state shown in
FIGS. 33 and 34, the bottom surface of the card C further pushes
down the protection plate 217, as shown in FIGS. 35 and 36.
Accordingly, the contacts 216 for the card C are exposed from the
groove portion 218 of the protection plate 217. Then, the exposed
contacts 216 for the card C enter under the bottom surface of the
card C so as to come in contact with the contact pad formed on the
bottom surface of the leading end of the card C. At this time,
since the biasing force of the biasing piece 302 of the cover
member 3 is applied to the card C through the projecting piece 606
of the partition plate 6, it is possible to increase the contact
pressure between the contact pad of the card C and the contacts 216
for the card C. FIGS. 35 and 36 show a state where the card C is
pushed to the rearmost position of the connector 1 and the hand is
separated from the card C. In this state, the front-side end of the
locking member 703 is locked to the locking portion 715.
[0134] In the connector 1 according to this embodiment, the first
bottom-surface guide portion, which guides the bottom surface of
the card B during the insertion, is formed in the housing 2, and
the second bottom-surface guide portion, which is disposed in a
position toward the insertion port 4 and on the upper side from the
first bottom-surface guide portion and guides the bottom surface of
the card B during the insertion, is formed in the protection plate
217. In a state where the leading end of the card B is inclined
more downward than the rear end, the card B is inserted. Since the
card B is inserted in such a state where the leading end of the
card B is inclined more downward than the rear end, a space can be
formed on the lower side of the rear end of the card B. As the
contacts 216 for the card C are disposed in the space, a reduction
in height of the connector can be achieved. Further, the card B can
be mounted without coming in contact with the contacts for the card
C.
[0135] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alternations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
of the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *