U.S. patent application number 13/303224 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-23 for card insert/eject mechanism having a position-limiting plate engaging a sliding block.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIMULA TECHNOLOGY INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Chien-Yeh LEE, Yi-Ming LEE. Invention is credited to Chien-Yeh LEE, Yi-Ming LEE.
Application Number | 20130130527 13/303224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48427362 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130130527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Yi-Ming ; et
al. |
May 23, 2013 |
CARD INSERT/EJECT MECHANISM HAVING A POSITION-LIMITING PLATE
ENGAGING A SLIDING BLOCK
Abstract
The present invention is to provide a card insert/eject
mechanism, which includes an insulating seat formed with a
receiving space and a track groove; a metal housing covering the
receiving space and track groove and having a position-limiting
resilient plate at a bottom surface thereof; a sliding block
slidable along the track groove and laterally provided with a
pushing portion that extends into the receiving space thereby, when
an electronic card pushes the pushing portion, the sliding block is
moved against rear end of the insulating seat; a resilient element
provided in the track groove for applying a force to rear end of
the sliding block; and a release bar disposed in the track groove
for releasing the position-limiting resilient plate and enabling
the sliding block to push the electronic card out of the receiving
space, so as to effectively solve the insecure card engagement
problem in conventional push-push connectors.
Inventors: |
LEE; Yi-Ming; (Kwei Shan
Hsiang, TW) ; LEE; Chien-Yeh; (Kwei Shan Hsiang,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LEE; Yi-Ming
LEE; Chien-Yeh |
Kwei Shan Hsiang
Kwei Shan Hsiang |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
SIMULA TECHNOLOGY INC.
Kwei Shan Hsiang
TW
|
Family ID: |
48427362 |
Appl. No.: |
13/303224 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/159 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/635 20130101;
G06K 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/159 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/62 20060101
H01R013/62 |
Claims
1. A card insert/eject mechanism of a card connector, applicable to
a card connector of an electronic device, the card insert/eject
mechanism comprising: an insulating seat formed with a receiving
space and a track groove, the insulating seat having an inner
bottom surface which corresponds in position to the receiving space
and is provided with a plurality of signal terminals, the track
groove being adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving space; a
metal housing connected to the insulating seat to form a single
piece, wherein the metal housing covers a top of the receiving
space and a top of the track groove such that the receiving space
and the track groove form a card insertion slot and a bar hole at a
front end of the insulating seat respectively, the metal housing
having a bottom surface provided with a position-limiting resilient
plate, the position-limiting resilient plate extending into the
track groove; a sliding block provided in and slidable along the
track groove, the sliding block having a top surface formed with a
position-limiting recess for receiving the position-limiting
resilient plate in such a way that an end of the position-limiting
resilient plate presses against an inner surface of the
position-limiting recess, the sliding block being laterally
provided with a pushing portion extending into the receiving space
so that, when an electronic card is inserted into the card
insertion slot, the pushing portion is pushed by an end of the
electronic card and thus moves the sliding block away from the bar
hole, causing the end of the position-limiting resilient plate to
disengage from the position-limiting recess and press against a
front end of the sliding block; a resilient element provided in the
track groove and configured for applying a force to a rear end of
the sliding block, thereby biasing the sliding block toward the bar
hole; and a release bar provided in and slidable along the track
groove, the release bar having an end adjacent to the bar hole and
an opposite end adjacent to the front end of the sliding block,
wherein the release bar, when pushed, applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate such that the end of the
position-limiting resilient plate does not press against the front
end of the sliding block.
2. The card insert/eject mechanism of claim 1, wherein the sliding
block further has a lifting portion, the lifting portion being
formed by an end of the position-limiting recess that is adjacent
to the bar hole so that, when the sliding block is pushed by the
electronic card, the lifting portion applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate, and once the electronic card is
completely inserted in the receiving space, the position-limiting
resilient plate presses against a front end of the lifting
portion.
3. The card insert/eject mechanism of claim 2, wherein the release
bar has a greater height than the lifting portion.
4. A card insert/eject mechanism of a card connector, applicable to
a card connector of an electronic device, the card insert/eject
mechanism comprising: an insulating seat formed with a receiving
space and a track groove, the insulating seat having an inner
bottom surface which corresponds in position to the receiving space
and is provided with a plurality of signal terminals, the track
groove being adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving space; a
metal housing connected to the insulating seat to form a single
piece, wherein the metal housing covers a top of the receiving
space and a top of the track groove such that the receiving space
and the track groove form a card insertion slot and a bar hole at a
front end of the insulating seat respectively, the metal housing
having a bottom surface provided with a position-limiting resilient
plate, the position-limiting resilient plate extending into the
track groove; a tray receivable in the receiving space and having
an end configured to be pulled out of the receiving space through
the card insertion slot, the tray further having a bottom surface
formed with a card cavity for holding an electronic card and a top
surface formed with a position-limiting recess, the
position-limiting recess having an inner surface against which an
end of the position-limiting resilient plate can press, the
position-limiting recess being protrudingly provided with a lifting
portion for applying a force to the position-limiting resilient
plate; a sliding block provided in and slidable along the track
groove, the sliding block having a pushing portion extending into
the receiving space so that, when the tray is inserted into the
card insertion slot, the pushing portion is pushed by the tray and
thus moves the sliding block away from the bar hole, causing the
end of the position-limiting resilient plate to press against a
front end of the lifting portion; a resilient element provided in
the track groove and configured for applying a force to a rear end
of the sliding block, thereby biasing the sliding block toward the
bar hole; and a release bar provided in and slidable along the
track groove, the release bar having a first end adjacent to the
bar hole and a second end adjacent to a front end of the sliding
block, wherein the release bar, when pushed, applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate such that the end of the
position-limiting resilient plate does not press against the front
end of the lifting portion.
5. The card insert/eject mechanism of claim 4, wherein the second
end of the release bar can be pressed against the front end of the
sliding block so that, when the release bar applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate to release the tray, the sliding
block is moved toward the front end of the insulating seat and
pressed against the release bar, thus allowing the lifting portion
to apply a force to the position-limiting resilient plate to enable
ejection of the tray from the receiving space.
6. The card insert/eject mechanism of claim 5, wherein the release
bar further has a recessed portion for receiving the
position-limiting resilient plat in such a way that the end of the
position-limiting resilient plate presses against the recessed
portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a card connector, more
particularly to a card connector having a card insert/eject
mechanism installed therein, so as to enhance structural strength
thereof, solve the problem of insecure card engagement typical of
conventional push-push connectors, and dispense with an
easy-to-get-stuck and easy-to-get-loose positioning pin commonly
used in the conventional push-push connectors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] With the rapid development of information technology and of
the electronic industry, consumer electronics are now evolving from
one generation to the next on a regular basis. Some notable
examples of such electronic products are digital still cameras,
digital recorders, smart phones, digital game consoles, laptop
computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital file
players. These electronic products are available not only in a
variety of types but also at more and more affordable prices, so
that consumers can take advantage of, and enjoy the tremendous
convenience brought by, the plethora of functions of such
products.
[0003] The constantly evolving consumer electronics have also
brought about a "digital" way of life. In particular, with the
maturing of applicable techniques, it has been common practice to
record, store, and transfer text-based information, image-based
information, audio signals, or information having specific
functions (e.g., user identification) in digital format. Currently,
electronic cards such as memory cards and SIM (Subscriber Identity
Module) cards are widely used in the afore-mentioned consumer
electronics as an information storage medium to facilitate exchange
of digital information between electronic products. In order for an
electronic device to access the information stored in an electronic
card, the electronic device must be equipped with a card connector
or connected with an external card reader so as to realize proper
electrical connection between the electronic card and the
electronic device. As electronic devices nowadays are made
increasingly smaller and lighter, miniaturization of electronic
cards and card connectors is a must. Also, the card connector of an
electronic device is typically configured as a card insertion slot
to facilitate connection with electronic cards. This is because a
slot-type card connector allows a user to insert an electronic card
into an electronic device without having to open the housing of the
electronic device. What needs to be solved next is how to
facilitate the removal of an electronic card inserted in such a
card connector.
[0004] Please refer to FIG. 1 for a schematic structural diagram of
a conventional push-push connector. This connector includes an
insulating seat 11, a sliding block 13, a resilient element 14, and
a positioning pin 15. The insulating seat 11 is formed with a
receiving space 111, a track groove 112, and a positioning track
114. The insulating seat 11 has an inner bottom surface
corresponding in position to the receiving space 111 and provided
with a plurality of signal terminals 113. The track groove 112 is
adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving space 111 and proximate
to the rear end of the insulating seat 11. The positioning track
114 is located at the front end of the track groove 112 and
configured as a generally heart-shaped annular track, wherein the
annular track consists of several track sections that have
different heights and slopes. The sliding block 13 is disposed in
and slidable along the track groove 112 and is laterally provided
with a pushing portion 131 that extends into the receiving space
111. When an electronic card C (e.g., a SIM card) is inserted into
the receiving space 111, the pushing portion 131 is pushed by one
end of the electronic card C, and the sliding block 13 is thus
pushed toward the rear end of the insulating seat 11.
[0005] The positioning pin 15 has one end connected to the sliding
block 13 and can be driven by the sliding block 13 toward the rear
end of the insulating seat 11. The other end of the positioning pin
15 forms a positioning portion 151 which is curved toward and
movable along the positioning track 114. While the sliding block 13
is being pushed, the positioning portion 151 can press against
different parts of the positioning track 114 to enable card
insertion or ejection.
[0006] However, the card insert/eject mechanism of the push-push
connector described above still has its drawbacks. First of all,
the card insert/eject mechanism has low structural strength. More
specifically, the connection between the connector and the
electronic card inserted therein is not secure enough. The
electronic card may be automatically ejected when the connector is
subjected to external impact. Should it happen without the user
knowing it, the electronic card may simply get lost. Moreover, the
positioning pin, when moved along the positioning track, is very
likely to get stuck in the track or come loose, thus hindering card
insertion or ejection. As the connector is installed in an
electronic device and is open to the outside only through the card
insertion slot, it is difficult to perform maintenance work on the
connector. In fact, the electronic device must be opened in order
to troubleshoot the connector, which is extremely inconvenient.
Therefore, the issue to be addressed by the present invention is to
provide a card connector of higher structural strength so that not
only can an electronic card be securely connected to the card
connector but also the card connector itself is less prone to
malfunction.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In view of the various drawbacks of the card insert/eject
mechanism of the conventional card connectors, the inventor of the
present invention put years of practical experience into research
and design and finally succeeded in developing a card insert/eject
mechanism for use in a card connector. The card insert/eject
mechanism disclosed herein allows a user to connect an electronic
card firmly to a card connector and features a simple structure
that minimizes the chances of malfunction.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a card
insert/eject mechanism of a card connector, wherein the mechanism
is applicable to a card connector of an electronic device (e.g., a
smart phone) and includes an insulating seat, a metal housing, a
sliding block, a resilient element, and a release bar. The
insulating seat is formed with a receiving space and a track
groove. The insulating seat has an inner bottom surface
corresponding in position to the receiving space and provided with
a plurality of signal terminals. The track groove is adjacent to a
lateral side of the receiving space. The metal housing is connected
to the insulating seat to form a single piece while covering the
top of the receiving space and the top of the track groove; thus,
the receiving space and the track groove form a card insertion slot
and a bar hole at the front end of the insulating seat
respectively. The bottom surface of the metal housing is provided
with a position-limiting resilient plate that extends into the
track groove.
[0009] The sliding block is provided in and slidable along the
track groove. The top surface of the sliding block is formed with a
position-limiting recess for receiving the position-limiting
resilient plate. More particularly, once received in the
position-limiting recess, the position-limiting resilient plate has
one end pressing against the inner surface of the position-limiting
recess and thereby fixes the sliding block in a released state. The
sliding block is also laterally provided with a pushing portion
that extends into the receiving space. When an electronic card
(e.g., a SIM card) is inserted into the receiving space via the
card insertion slot, the pushing portion is pushed by one end of
the electronic card, and the sliding block is thus driven out of
the released state and moved toward the rear end of the insulating
seat. When the contacts on the electronic card are respectively and
electrically connected to the signal terminals, the aforesaid end
of the position-limiting resilient plate presses against the front
end of the sliding block to secure the sliding block in a card
inserted state.
[0010] The resilient element is provided in the track groove and
applies a force to the rear end of the sliding block to bias the
sliding block toward the front end of the insulating seat. The
release bar is disposed in the track groove and has one end
adjacent to the bar hole and the other end adjacent to the front
end of the sliding block. When the release bar is pushed toward the
sliding block, the end of the release bar that is adjacent to the
sliding block pushes the position-limiting resilient plate.
Consequently, the aforesaid end of the position-limiting resilient
plate is disengaged from the front end of the sliding block,
allowing the resilient element to move the sliding block toward the
front end of the insulating seat. Thus, the electronic card is
pushed out of the receiving space by the pushing portion of the
sliding block.
[0011] The foregoing card insert/eject mechanism has high
structural strength, solves the problem of insecure card engagement
typical of the conventional push-push connectors, and dispenses
with the easy-to-get-stuck and easy-to-get-loose positioning pin
commonly used in the conventional connectors.
[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide the
foregoing card insert/eject mechanism, wherein the sliding block
further has a lifting portion formed by an end of the
position-limiting recess that is adjacent to the bar hole. While
the sliding block is pushed by the electronic card, the lifting
portion applies a force to the position-limiting resilient plate.
Once the electronic card is inserted in place, the
position-limiting resilient plate presses against the front end of
the lifting portion.
[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide the foregoing card insert/eject mechanism, wherein the
release bar has a greater height than the lifting portion. Thus,
when the release bar is pushed into the track groove, the release
bar pushes and lifts the position-limiting resilient plate, thereby
bringing the position-limiting resilient plate to a disengaged
state, in which the sliding block is movable toward the front end
of the insulating seat. While the release bar is moved toward the
front end of the insulating seat along with the sliding block, the
position-limiting resilient plate presses against the top surface
of the lifting portion. Once the lifting portion is moved to the
front end of the position-limiting resilient plate, the
position-limiting resilient plate resiliently resumes its original
position and presses against the inner surface of the
position-limiting recess.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
card insert/eject mechanism of a card connector, wherein the
mechanism is applicable to a card connector of an electronic device
and includes an insulating seat, a metal housing, a sliding block,
a tray, a resilient element, and a release bar. The insulating seat
is formed with a receiving space and a track groove. The insulating
seat has an inner bottom surface corresponding in position to the
receiving space and provided with a plurality of signal terminals.
The track groove is adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving
space. The metal housing is connected to the insulating seat to
form a single piece while covering the top of the receiving space
and the top of the track groove; thus, the receiving space and the
track groove form a card insertion slot and a bar hole at the front
end of the insulating seat respectively. The bottom surface of the
metal housing is provided with a position-limiting resilient plate
extending into the track groove.
[0015] The sliding block is provided in and slidable along the
track groove. The sliding block has a pushing portion that extends
into the receiving space. The tray is receivable in the receiving
space and has one end configured to be pulled out of the receiving
space through the card insertion slot. When the tray is inserted
into the receiving space via the card insertion slot, the tray
pushes the pushing portion and thereby moves the sliding block
toward the rear end of the insulating seat. The bottom surface of
the tray is formed with a card cavity for holding an electronic
card. The top surface of the tray is formed with a
position-limiting recess. The position-limiting recess is located
on a lateral side of the tray that is adjacent to the track groove.
In addition, the position-limiting recess is protrudingly provided
with a lifting portion. When the position-limiting resilient plate
has one end pressing against the inner surface of the
position-limiting recess, the sliding block is fixed in a released
state. When the tray is inserted into the receiving space through
the card insertion slot, the lifting portion applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate such that the position-limiting
resilient plate is deformed and presses against the top surface of
the lifting portion. Once the tray is inserted in place, i.e., to a
position where the electronic card received in the card cavity is
electrically connected to all the signal terminals, the
position-limiting resilient plate resiliently resumes its original
position and presses against the front end of the lifting portion.
Thus, the tray is secured in a card inserted state.
[0016] The resilient element is provided in the track groove and
applies a force to the rear end of the sliding block to bias the
sliding block toward the front end of the insulating seat. Hence,
driven by the resilient element, the pushing portion can push the
tray out of the receiving space. The release bar, which is disposed
in the track groove, has one end adjacent to the bar hole and the
other end adjacent to the front end of the sliding block. When the
release bar is pushed toward the sliding block, the release bar
pushes the position-limiting resilient plate and thereby disengages
the aforesaid end thereof from the front end of the lifting
portion, allowing the resilient element to push sliding block
against the release bar. Consequently, the tray is driven toward
the front end of the insulating seat, causing the position-limiting
resilient plate to press against the top surface of the lifting
portion again. As soon as the external force applied to the release
bar is removed, the resilient element pushes the sliding block,
which in turn pushes the release bar and the tray. Thus, the tray
is pushed out of the receiving space, and the user can now remove
the electronic card from the card cavity. In the two-stage
releasing process described above, the resilient force of the
resilient element is kept from being released all at once;
therefore, the tray will not throw the electronic card out of the
card cavity as may otherwise occur if the tray, under full force of
the resilient element, dashes out through the card insertion
slot.
[0017] The card insertion slots of some conventional card
connectors are directly exposed on the surface of an electronic
device and may therefore compromise the appearance of the
electronic device. Besides, dust may easily enter a conventional
card connector through the card insertion slot if there is no
electronic card inserted therein. To solve these two problems, some
manufacturers designed a cover for covering, and thereby preventing
the entry of dust into, a card insertion slot while giving an
integrated look to an electronic device having the card insertion
slot. Nevertheless, the opening and closing of such a cover can be
difficult and annoying, simply considering the fact that both
electronic devices and electronic cards are made increasingly
smaller. By contrast, the card connector proposed by the present
invention can be so designed that the tray and the release bar
match the exterior of an electronic device and therefore will not
impair the overall look of the electronic device. In addition, the
tray, once pushed in place, can keep off dust regardless of whether
there is an electronic card in the tray. The configurations of the
tray and the release bar also make easy the insertion and ejection
of electronic cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The structure as well as a preferred mode of use, further
objects, and advantages of the present invention will be best
understood by referring to the following detailed description of
some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a conventional push-push
connector;
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an assembled perspective view of the first
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the operation of the first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, as divided into three consecutive
steps;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 7 shows the operation of the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention, as divided into three
consecutive steps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention discloses a card insert/eject
mechanism of a card connector. More particularly, the card
insert/eject mechanism is applicable to a card connector of an
electronic device. Referring to FIG. 2, a mechanism according to
the first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an
insulating seat 21, a metal housing 22, a sliding block 23, a
resilient element 24, and a release bar 25. The insulating seat 21
is formed with a receiving space 211 and a track groove 212. A
plurality of signal terminals 213 are distributed over an inner
bottom surface of the insulating seat 21 that corresponds in
position to the receiving space 211. The track groove 212 is
adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving space 211. The metal
housing 22 is connected to the insulating seat 21 to form a single
piece and thereby cover the top of the receiving space 211 and the
top of the track groove 212; consequently, the receiving space 211
and the track groove 212 form a card insertion slot O1 and a bar
hole O2 at the front end of the insulating seat 21 respectively
(see FIG. 3). The metal housing 22 is provided with a
position-limiting resilient plate 221 on the bottom surface, and
the position-limiting resilient plate 221 extends into the track
groove 212. However, the configuration and location of the
position-limiting resilient plate 221 are not limited to those
disclosed herein and may be modified as needed. For instance, the
position-limiting resilient plate 221 may have a structure similar
to the signal terminals 213 and be provided on an inner bottom
surface of the insulating seat 21 that corresponds in position to
the track groove 212, with all those components interacting with
the position-limiting resilient plate 221 being modified
accordingly. All equivalent changes easily conceivable by a person
skilled in the art should fall within the scope of the present
invention.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the sliding block 23 is disposed in the
track groove 212 and can slide along the track groove 212. The top
surface of the sliding block 23 is formed with a position-limiting
recess 233. The position-limiting recess 233 is configured for
receiving the position-limiting resilient plate 221 in such a way
that the position-limiting resilient plate 221 has one end pressing
against the inner surface of the position-limiting recess 233,
thereby fixing the sliding block 23 in a released state.
Nevertheless, the configuration of the position-limiting recess 233
is not limited to that described above. The position-limiting
recess 233 is no more than a space for receiving the
position-limiting resilient plate 221, and it does not matter
whether the position-limiting resilient plate 221, when received in
the position-limiting recess 233, has one end pressing against the
inner surface of the position-limiting recess 233. Furthermore, the
position-limiting recess 233 is merely a space lower than its
surroundings, and it is not required that the rear end of the
position-limiting recess 233 (i.e., the end portion closer to the
rear end of the insulating seat 21) be higher than the
position-limiting recess 233 as in the present embodiment.
Therefore, equivalent changes can be made as appropriate, and all
equivalent modifications readily conceivable by a person of skill
in the art should fall within the scope of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the end of the position-limiting recess 233
that is closer to the release bar 25 forms a lifting portion 2S for
applying a force to the position-limiting resilient plate 221. The
sliding block 23 is also laterally provided with a pushing portion
231. The pushing portion 231 extends into the receiving space 211
so that, when an electronic card C (e.g., a memory card) is
inserted into the receiving space 211 through the card insertion
slot O1 (see FIG. 3), the pushing portion 231 is pushed by one end
of the electronic card C. Thus, the sliding block 23 is driven out
of the released state and moved toward the rear end of the
insulating seat 21. Once the contacts of the electronic card C are
respectively and electrically connected to the signal terminals
213, the aforesaid end of the position-limiting resilient plate 221
presses against the front end of the lifting portion 2S and thereby
fixes the sliding block 23 in a card inserted state.
[0028] Referring again to FIG. 2, the resilient element 24 is
provided in the track groove 212 and applies a force to the rear
end of the sliding block 23 to bias the sliding block 23 toward the
front end of the insulating seat 21. The release bar 25, which is
also provided in the track groove 212, has one end adjacent to the
bar hole O2 (see FIG. 3) and an opposite end adjacent to the front
end of the sliding block 23.
[0029] The card inserting and ejecting processes of this embodiment
are detailed as follows with reference to FIG. 4, which shows the
consecutive movements and relative positions of the components in
the track groove 212. In the top drawing of FIG. 4, the sliding
block 23 is in the released state (i.e., a card ejected state), and
the position-limiting resilient plate 221, bending downward,
presses against the inner surface of the position-limiting recess
233. The lifting portion 2S in this state lies under the
position-limiting resilient plate 221. When pushed by the
electronic card C (see FIG. 3), the sliding block 23 is slid toward
the rear end of the insulating seat 21. As a result, the lifting
portion 2S applies a force to the position-limiting resilient plate
221, and the position-limiting resilient plate 221 is lifted (i.e.,
deflected upward) through elastic deformation. Meanwhile, the
resilient element 24 is compressed by the sliding block 23 and
applies a reaction force thereto to slide the sliding block 23
toward the front end of the insulating seat 21. Reference is now
made to the middle drawing of FIG. 4, in which the sliding block 23
is in the card inserted state. Once the lifting portion 2S moves
completely past the position-limiting resilient plate 221 and
therefore stops supporting the position-limiting resilient plate
221 from below, the position-limiting resilient plate 221
resiliently resumes its original position and presses against the
front end of the lifting portion 2S. Because of that, the sliding
block 23 is prevented from sliding toward the front end of the
insulating seat 21 under the action of the resilient element 24,
and the connector as a whole is fixed securely in the card inserted
state. Referring to the bottom drawing of FIG. 4, when it is
desired to remove the electronic card C, the user may apply a force
to the release bar 25 to slide the release bar 25 toward the
sliding block 23. During the sliding process, the end of the
release bar 25 that is adjacent to the sliding block 23 applies a
force to the position-limiting resilient plate 221 to disengage the
aforesaid end of the position-limiting resilient plate 221 from the
front end of the lifting portion 2S. Then, the release bar 25 and
the lifting portion 2S apply forces to the position-limiting
resilient plate 221 sequentially. Once the release bar 25 slides
toward the front end of the insulating seat 21 and moves to a
position where the release bar 25 can support the position-limiting
resilient plate 221 no more, the position-limiting resilient plate
221 presses against the lifting portion 2S and is kept in a
disengaged state, allowing the resilient element 24 to push the
sliding block 23 and thereby eject the electronic card C. As soon
as the lifting portion 2S stops applying any force to the
position-limiting resilient plate 221, the position-limiting
resilient plate 221 resiliently resumes its original position and
once again presses on the inner surface of the position-limiting
recess 233. Thus, the connector is brought back to the card ejected
state.
[0030] The mechanism described above features high structural
strength and can solve the problems of the conventional push-push
connectors, such as insecure card engagement and the positioning
pin's getting stuck or coming loose.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a card insert/eject mechanism according to the
second preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the
mechanism is applicable to a card connector of an electronic device
and includes an insulating seat 31, a metal housing 32, a sliding
block 33, a tray 36, a resilient element 34, and a release bar 35.
The insulating seat 31 is formed with a receiving space 311 and a
track groove 312. An inner bottom surface of the insulating seat 31
that corresponds in position to the receiving space 311 is provided
with a plurality of signal terminals 313. The track groove 312 is
adjacent to a lateral side of the receiving space 311. The metal
housing 32 is connected to the insulating seat 31 to form a single
unit, wherein the metal housing 32 covers the top of the receiving
space 311 and the top of the track groove 312 such that the
receiving space 311 and the track groove 312 form a card insertion
slot O3 and a bar hole O4 at the front end of the insulating seat
31 respectively (see FIG. 6). In addition, the bottom surface of
the metal housing 32 is provided with a position-limiting resilient
plate 321 that extends into the track groove 312.
[0032] The sliding block 33 is disposed in and slidable along the
track groove 312 and has a pushing portion 331 extending into the
receiving space 311. The tray 36 can be received in the receiving
space 311 and has one end configured for being pulled out of the
receiving space 311 through the card insertion slot O3 (see FIG.
6). When inserted into the receiving space 311 via the card
insertion slot O3, the tray 36 pushes the pushing portion 331 and
thereby moves the sliding block 33 toward the rear end of the
insulating seat 31. The bottom surface of the tray 36 is formed
with a card cavity 361 for holding an electronic card C, while the
top surface of the tray 36 is formed with a position-limiting
recess 362. The position-limiting recess 362 is situated on a
lateral side of the tray 36 that is adjacent to the track groove
312. The position-limiting recess 362 is also protrudingly provided
with a lifting portion 3S. When the position-limiting resilient
plate 321 has one end pressing against the inner surface of the
position-limiting recess 362, the sliding block 33 is fixed in a
released state. When the tray 36 is inserted into the receiving
space 311 through the card insertion slot O3 (see FIG. 6), the
lifting portion 3S applies a force to and thereby deforms the
position-limiting resilient plate 321. As a result, the
position-limiting resilient plate 321 presses against the top
surface of the lifting portion 3S. Once the tray 36 is inserted in
place, i.e., to a position where the electronic card C received in
the card cavity 361 is electrically connected to all the terminals
313, the position-limiting resilient plate 321 resiliently resumes
its original position and is engaged with the front end of the
lifting portion 3S, thereby fixing the tray 36 in a card inserted
state.
[0033] The resilient element 34 is provided in the track groove 312
and applies a force to the rear end of the sliding block 33,
thereby biasing the sliding block 33 toward the front end of the
insulating seat 31 and allowing the tray 36 to be pushed out of the
receiving space 311 by the pushing portion 331. The release bar 35
is located in the track groove 312 and has one end adjacent to the
bar hole O4 (see FIG. 6) and an opposite end adjacent to the front
end of the sliding block 33. The release bar 35 further has a
recessed portion 351 for receiving the position-limiting resilient
plate 321. Before the release bar 35 is pushed, the aforesaid end
of the position-limiting resilient plate 321 presses against the
recessed portion 351. When the release bar 35 is pushed toward the
sliding block 33, the release bar 35 pushes the position-limiting
resilient plate 321 and thereby disengages the aforesaid end
thereof from the front end of the lifting portion 3S. Now, the
sliding block 33 is movable by the resilient element 34 and can in
turn drive the tray 36 toward the front end of the insulating seat
31 until the position-limiting resilient plate 321 presses on the
top surface of the lifting portion 3S again. As soon as the
external force applied to the release bar 35 is removed, the
resilient element 34 pushes the sliding block 33 and thereby pushes
the release bar 35 and the tray 36; in consequence, the tray 36 is
ejected from the receiving space 311 so as for the user to remove
the electronic card C from the card cavity 361.
[0034] A detailed description of the card inserting and ejecting
processes of this embodiment is provided below with reference to
FIG. 7, which shows the consecutive movements and relative
positions of the components in the track groove 312. In the top
drawing of FIG. 7, the sliding block 33 is in the released state.
When the tray 36 is inserted from the front end of the insulating
seat 31, the lifting portion 3S applies a force to the
position-limiting resilient plate 321 to elastically deform and
thereby lift the position-limiting resilient plate 321. In this
embodiment, the lifting portion 3S further pushes the sliding block
33 such that the sliding block 33 is slid toward the rear end of
the insulating seat 31 and compresses the resilient element 34. In
return, the resilient element 34 applies a reaction force to the
sliding block 33 and drives the sliding block 33 toward the front
end of the insulating seat 31. In the process, the
position-limiting recess 362 passes under the position-limiting
resilient plate 321 and the sliding block 33 without pushing them;
in other words, the position-limiting recess 362 only provides the
support required for the stability of the entire structure. Now
refer to the middle drawing of FIG. 7 in which the sliding block 33
is in the card inserted state. When the lifting portion 3S moves
completely past the position-limiting resilient plate 321 and
therefore stops supporting the position-limiting resilient plate
321 from below, the position-limiting resilient plate 321
resiliently resumes its original position and presses against the
front end of the lifting portion 3S. At the same time, the lifting
portion 3S is pressed against the sliding block 33, so the sliding
block 33 will not slide toward the front end of the insulating seat
31 under the action of the resilient element 34. As a result, the
connector as a whole is securely fixed in the card inserted state.
Referring to the bottom drawing of FIG. 7, when it is desired to
take out the electronic card C (see FIG. 5), the user may apply a
force to the release bar 35 to slide the release bar 35 toward the
sliding block 33. In this embodiment, the end of the release bar 35
that is adjacent to the sliding block 33 will not be directly
brought into contact with the sliding block 33 by pushing the
release bar 35. While sliding toward the sliding block 33, the
release bar 35 applies a force to the position-limiting resilient
plate 321 to disengage the aforesaid end thereof from the front end
of the lifting portion 3S. Then, under the action of the resilient
element 34, the sliding block 33 is pressed against the release bar
35 and pushes the lifting portion 3S. Because of that, the
aforesaid end of the position-limiting resilient plate 321 presses
against the top surface of the lifting portion 3S once more, and
the release bar 35 and the lifting portion 3S apply forces to the
position-limiting resilient plate 321 in turn. Once the release bar
35 slides toward the front end of the insulating seat 31 and
reaches a position where the release bar 35 can no longer support
the position-limiting resilient plate 321, the position-limiting
resilient plate 321 presses against the lifting portion 3S and is
kept in the disengaged state. As a result, the tray 36 is driven
indirectly by the resilient element 34 to slide toward the front
end of the insulating seat 31. The user can grip the front end of
the tray 36 and pull the tray 36 out when the sliding block 33
stops pushing the lifting portion 3S. The position-limiting
resilient plate 321 will resiliently resume its original position
and thereby bring the connector back to the card ejected state as
soon as the lifting portion 3S stops applying any force to the
position-limiting resilient plate 321.
[0035] It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are
only some preferred embodiments of the present invention and are
not restrictive of the technical features of the present invention.
All variations or modifications easily conceivable by a person
skilled in the art should be encompassed by the appended
claims.
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