Card connector

A card connector (10) may receive first and second cards includes a housing (11) having an insertion opening for receiving cards (51a and 51b), a plurality of first connection terminals (15a) disposed in the housing and configured to engage pads of the first card (51a) and a plurality of second connection terminals (15b) disposed in said housing and configured to engage pads of the second card (51b). A guide member (21) is movably attached to the housing (11) at a position between the second connection terminals (15b) and the insertion opening and is adapted to engage an inserted card and direct the card to one of a first path and a second path to properly position the first and second cards upon insertion into the card connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to a card connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, electronic devices, such as personal computers, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, video cameras, music players, game machines, and vehicle navigation devices, include card connectors so as to enable use of various types of memory cards, such as subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, multi-media cards (MMCs), secure digital (SD) cards, mini SD cards, xD picture cards, memory sticks, memory sticks Duo, and smart media.

With recent downsizing of electronic equipment, memory cards likewise tend to be rapidly reduced in size. Therefore, there has been proposed a so-called two-in-one type card connector which can receive not only a memory card of an ordinary size but also a memory card of a reduced size (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2004-311416 and Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3105276).

FIG. 19is a view showing a conventional card connector as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3105276. InFIG. 19, reference numeral302denotes a large memory card, and303denotes a small memory card. The card connector includes a housing304, a terminal set305mounted on the housing304, and a shell310attached to the housing304to cover the upper surface of the housing304. The terminal set305includes first connection terminals306which come into connection with pads of the large memory card302, a second connection terminals307which come into connection with pads of the small memory card303and lever members308which elastically grasp the side surfaces of the large memory card302or the small memory card303from the opposite sides thereof. The housing304also includes an urging member311which comes into contact with the upper surface of the large memory card302or the small memory card303and urges it downward.

The card connector has an opening at its front end. The large memory card302and the small memory card303are selectively inserted and loaded into the card connector via the opening. In the loaded state, the rear ends of the large memory card302and the small memory card303project the same distance from the opening. The pads disposed in the vicinity of the front end of the large memory card302come into contact with the first connection terminals306located at a deeper position within the card connector. The pads disposed in the vicinity of the front end of the small memory card303come into contact with the second connection terminals307located at a position near the opening of the card connector.

By virtue of the above-described configuration, the large memory card302and the small memory card303can be selectively loaded into the card connector.

However, since the conventional card connector does not include an identification-guide mechanism for identifying the type of an inserted memory card and guiding the memory card to a position corresponding to the card type, the memory card may be inserted to an improper position within the card connector with a resultant failure to establish proper electrical connection between the memory card and the card connector, or with resultant damage to the components of the card connector. Further, since the conventional card connector does not include a push-push mechanism which enables an operator to push a memory card for removal from the card connector as well as to insert the memory card into the card connector, the conventional connector is unsatisfactory in terms of convenience of use.

Although the conventional two-in-one type card connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-311416 has an identification-guide mechanism and a push-push mechanism, the connector includes a large number of components, resulting in a complex structure, and increased size and weight. Therefore, mounting such a card connector on a small electronic device is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of conventional card connectors and to provide a card connector which includes a swing plate member for identifying the type of a card and directing the card to an upper or lower side, and a vertically-movable plate member which serves as a bottom wall of a passageway for the upwardly directed card or a top wall of a passageway for the downwardly directed card, which has a simplified structure, which can reduce cost and size, and which enables easy and reliable loading of cards of a plurality of types.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a card connector comprising an insertion opening through which one of a first card and a second card, which have different outer dimensions, is selectively inserted into the card connector; a housing for accommodating the first card and the second card; first connection terminals disposed at a position away from the insertion opening and coming into contact with card-side connection terminals of the first card; second connection terminals disposed at a position between the first connection terminals and the insertion opening and coming into contact with card-side connection terminals of the second card; a card guide mechanism including an urging member for urging the inserted first or second card in a direction opposite the insertion direction and adapted to stop the inserted first or second card at a lock position, and, when the inserted first or second card moves in the insertion direction to an end point as a result of a push operation of pushing the inserted first or second card in the insertion direction, move the inserted first or second card by urging force of the urging member from the end point in the direction opposite the insertion direction to thereby eject the first or second card; a swing plate member swingably attached to the housing at a position between the second connection terminals and the insertion opening and adapted to determine whether an inserted card is the first card or the second card and direct the card to an upper side or a lower side; and a vertically-movable plate member vertically movably attached to the housing at a position opposite the insertion opening with respect to the swing plate member and adapted to serve as a bottom wall of a passageway for the first card or a top wall of a passageway for the second card.

Preferably, the swing plate member includes stoppers for disabling, at an initial position, the swing plate member from swinging, the stopper being released upon insertion of the first card into the insertion opening and enabling the swing plate member to swing.

Preferably, the swing plate member is urged by an urging member to return to the initial position.

Preferably, the swing plate member includes a plate-shaped gate portion extending downward toward a direction opposite the insertion opening of the housing in an initial position, and moving upward and becoming parallel to the insertion direction when the swing plate member swings from the initial position.

Preferably, the swing plate member swings about a swing center defined with respect to the insertion direction; the stopper is located on one side of the swing center toward the insertion opening; and the gate portion is located on the other side of the swing center opposite the insertion opening.

Preferably, when a front end of the first card with respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with the gate portion, the swing plate member swings from the initial position, so that the gate portion moves upward and serves as the top wall of the passageway for the first card; and when a front end of the second card with respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with the gate portion, the swing plate member does not swing from the initial position, so that the gate portion guides the second card in a downwardly inclined direction.

Preferably, the vertically-movable plate member includes an urging member for urging the vertically-movable plate member upward; and a plate-shaped pressure-receiving portion, wherein in an initial state, the vertically-movable plate member is urged by the urging member, so that the pressure-receiving portion serves as the top wall of the passageway for the second card.

Preferably, the pressure-receiving portion is located above the second connection terminals.

Preferably, when a chamfer portion formed at a lower edge of the front end of the first card with respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with an end edge of the pressure-receiving portion on the side toward the insertion opening, the vertically-movable plate member moves downward, so that the pressure-receiving portion serves as the bottom wall of the passageway for the first card.

Preferably, when the swing plate member is swung as a result of insertion of the first card, an end edge of the swing plate member opposite the insertion opening moves upward, so that a vertical clearance smaller than the thickness of the first card is produced between the end edge of the swing plate member and an end edge of the vertically-movable plate member on the side toward the insertion opening.

The card connector according to the present invention includes a swing plate member for identifying the type of a card and directing the card to an upper or lower side, and a vertically-movable plate member which serves as a bottom wall of a passageway for the upwardly directed card or a top wall of a passageway for the downwardly directed card. Therefore, the card connector of the present invention has a simplified structure so that cost and size can be reduced. In addition, the card connector of the present invention enables easy and reliable loading of cards of a plurality of types.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will next be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

InFIGS. 1 to 6, reference10denotes a card connector according to the present embodiment, which is mounted on a surface of a circuit board14attached to an unillustrated electronic device. One of a first card51aand a second card51b, which will be described later, is selectively loaded into the interior of the card connector10, whereby the first card51aor the second card51bis attached to the electronic device via the card connector10. The card connector10is of a so-called two-in-one type, and enables exclusive loading of the first card51aor the second card51b. The electronic device may be any type of device, such as a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a PDA, a digital camera, a video camera, a music player, a game machine, or a vehicle navigation device.

The first card51aand the second card51bmay be any type of IC card; for example, an SIM card, MMC, SD card, mini SD card, xD picture card, memory stick, memory stick Duo, or smart media. However, in the present embodiment, descriptions will be given under the assumption that the first card51ais a memory stick, and the second card51bis a memory stick Duo. The memory stick has outer dimensions of 50 mm (length)×21.5 mm (width)×2.8 mm (thickness). The memory stick Duo has outer dimensions of 31 mm (length)×20 mm (width)×1.6 mm (thickness). In this case, the first card51ais larger in outer dimensions than the second card51b; specifically, the first card51ais considerably larger in length and thickness than the second card51b, and is slightly larger in width than the second card51b. The first card51aand the second card51bare identical with each other in terms of the number and arrangement of card-side connection terminals; i.e., contact pads disposed on a reverse face in the vicinity of a front end with respect to an insertion direction. Notably, when the first card51aand the second card51bare collectively described, they are referred to as the “card51.”

In the description of the present embodiment, terms for expressing direction, such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear, are for explaining the structure and action of portions of the card connector10. However, these terms represent respective directions for the case where the card connector10is used in an orientation shown in the drawings, and must be construed to represent corresponding different directions when the orientation of the card connector10is changed.

As shown inFIG. 1, the card connector10has a housing11integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin and accommodating the card51, and a shell12formed from a plate of an electrically conductive material such as metal and through machining processes such as punching and bending. The shell12is attached to the upper side of the housing11. The card connector10has a generally flat, parallelepiped shape, and is attached to the electronic device. The card51is inserted into the card connector10from the front (from the lower right side inFIG. 1). A shutter plate13for closing the insertion opening, into which the card51is inserted, is rotatably attached to the shell12via a rotation shaft13a. An unillustrated shutter spring formed of, for example, a spiral torque spring is disposed on the rotation shaft13a, so that the shutter spring urges the shutter plate13to close the insertion opening. When the card51is inserted into the card connector10, a force with which a user inserts the card51into the insertion opening with his/her finger, etc. exceeds the urging force of the shutter spring, so that the shutter plate13rotates about the rotation shaft13aand exposes the insertion opening.

FIGS. 2 and 3show the card connector10, with the shell12removed for facilitating comprehension. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a changer (guide or swing plate member)21, an inner shell (vertically-movable plate member)31, and terminals (connector-side connection terminals)15are attached to the housing11. The changer21is adapted to identify the first card51aand the second card51band direct these cards to an upper side and a lower side, respectively. The inner shell31is adapted to serve as a bottom wall of a passageway for the first card51adirected to the upper side, or a top wall of a passageway for the second card51bdirected to the lower side.

As shown inFIG. 4, the housing11has a bottom wall11ahaving a generally U-shaped cutaway extending from the front edge (the lower right side inFIG. 4) thereof; a rear wall11bthat extends along the rear edge of the bottom wall11aand extends upright from the bottom wall11a; a first side wall11cextending along one side edge of the bottom wall11ain the front-rear direction; and a second side wall11eextending along the opposite side edge of the bottom wall11ain the front-rear direction. The bottom wall11a, the rear wall11b, the first side wall11c, and the second side wall11e, in cooperation with the shell12, define a card accommodation space of the card connector10for receiving a portion of the card51including at least a front end thereof.

The thickness of the bottom wall11aat a rear half portion is larger than that at a front half portion, so that the upper surface of the rear half portion is higher than the upper surface of the front half portion. A plurality of terminal-mounting grooves11fare formed on the upper surface of the rear half portion of the bottom wall11asuch that the grooves extend in the front-rear direction. Further, a plurality of terminal-mounting holes11gare formed in the rear wall11bsuch that the holes penetrate the rear wall11bin the front-rear direction. Each of the terminal-mounting grooves11fcommunicates with the corresponding terminal-mounting hole11g. The terminals15are attached such that the body portion of one terminal15is received in one terminal-mounting groove11f, and the base or root portion of the terminal15is inserted into the corresponding terminal-mounting hole11g.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, each of the terminals15is an elongated strip-shaped member formed from a metal plate, and the rear end of the base portion is formed into a solder tail portion15c, which projects rearward from the rear wall11b. The solder tail portions15cof the terminals15are electrically connected, by means of soldering, to counterpart terminal members; i.e., signal traces, contact pads, or terminals formed on the circuit board14. The body portions of the terminal15extend frontward from the rear wall11b, and second contact portions (second connection terminals)15bare formed at the distal ends of the body portions such that the second contact portions15bextend obliquely upward and toward the front edge and project upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall11a. The second contact portions15bare located above the front half portion of the bottom wall11aand come into contact with card-side contact terminals of the second card51b. Each of the second contact portions15bfunctions as a cantilever having elasticity, so that the second contact portions15bare elastically pressed against the card-side contact terminals of the second card51bfor reliable contact.

First contact portions (first connection terminals)15aare formed at portions of the body portions near the rear wall11bsuch that the first contact portions15aextend obliquely upward and toward the rear wall11b. The first contact portions15aare each formed through a process of cutting a central portion of the elongated body portion to form a tongue-shaped portion and bending the tongue-shaped portion into the from of a cantilever whose base end is connected to the body portion and whose distal end is free. The body portion extends continuously across the first contact portion15awithout being cut. Each of the first contact portions15afunctions as a cantilever having elasticity, so that the first contact portions15aare elastically pressed against the card-side contact terminals of the first card51afor reliable contact.

Contact portion accommodation holes11hare formed in the front half portion of the bottom wall11aat positions under the corresponding second contact portions15b. Second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sproject upward from the front half portion of the bottom wall11aat positions immediately before the contact portion accommodation holes11hwith respect to the insertion direction. If the second card51bis inserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11scome into contact with the second card51band prevent its advance movement, so that the second contact portions15bare not damaged. Further, first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, which project upward, are formed at positions immediately before the first contact portions15awith respect to the insertion direction, such that the mis-insertion preventing projections11rextend across the terminal-mounting grooves11f. If the first card51ais inserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rcome into contact with the first card51aand prevent its advance movement, so that the first contact portions15aare not damaged. Notably, the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rand the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sare not necessary required to be formed to correspond to all the terminals15.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a cam slider41, which serves as a guide member of a card guide mechanism for guiding the card51when inserted into the card connector10, is attached to the first side wall11csuch that it can slide in the front-rear direction. The card connector10is of a so-called push-in push-out type or push-push type which requires an operation of pushing the card51inward when the card51is to be inserted into the card connector10and when the card51is to be removed from the card connector10. An urging member45and a pin member44are attached to the first side wall11c. The urging member45is formed of a coil spring and adapted to urge the cam slider41forward. The pin member44comes into contact with the cam slider41so as to stop forward movement thereof. The opposite ends of the urging member45are respectively engaged with the cam slider41and an engagement portion lid formed on the first side wall11c.

As shown inFIG. 5, the changer21is a member which is integrally formed from a metal plate through machining processes such as punching and bending, and has a generally rectangular, flat-plate-shaped gate portion22. In the illustrated example, the gate portion22has an opening22aformed mainly for the purpose of weight reduction. However, the opening22amay be omitted. As shown inFIG. 2, in the initial state after attachment to the housing11, the gate portion22extends obliquely downward toward the rear wall11bof the housing11.

Frontward extending first and second arm members (swing arms)23aand23bare connected to the left and right sides of a rear end (left end inFIG. 5) of the gate portion22. The first and second arm members23aand23bare formed to extend along respective planes perpendicular to a plane formed by the gate portion22. The first arm member23ahas a first arm engagement portion24aformed at its distal end for engagement with a first changer support shaft11kformed on the first side wall11cof the housing11. The second arm member23bhas a second arm engagement portion24bformed at its distal end for engagement with an unillustrated second changer support shaft formed on the second side wall11eof the housing11. The first arm engagement portion24aassumes the form of an annular member having a center hole, and is rotatably fitted on the first changer support shaft11k. The second arm engagement portion24bassumes the form of an annular member with a lower portion thereof cut and removed, and is rotatably fitted on the second changer support shaft. Thus, the changer21is attached to the housing11to be swingably about the first changer support shaft11kand the second changer support shaft. Notably, as shown inFIG. 2, a changer spring27formed of, for example, a spiral torque spring is disposed on the first changer support shaft11k. In the initial state, the changer spring27urges the changer21to remain at its initial position, where the gate portion22inclines downward toward the rear wall11b.

Moreover, first and second elongated stopper support members25aand25bare connected to the first and second arm portions23aand23b, respectively, and extend forward therefrom. First and second stopper projections (stoppers)26aand26bare formed on the first and second stopper support members25aand25b, respectively, to be located in the vicinity of distal ends thereof. The first and second stopper projections26aand26bproject downward from the body portions of the first and second stopper support members25aand25b, and project inward so as to come closer to each other. Therefore, the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bis smaller than the distance between the body portions of the first and second stopper support members25aand25b. Moreover, in the initial state after attachment to the housing11, as shown inFIG. 3, the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bis smaller than the width of the first card51aand greater than the width of the second card51b. Since the first and second stopper support members25aand25beach function as a cantilever having elasticity, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bcan elastically displace in the width direction of the first card51a, whereby the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bcan be expanded.

Since the first and second stopper projections26aand26bare located forward of the first and second arm engagement portions24aand24b, when the changer21swings, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bmove in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the rear end of the gate portion22. Specifically, when the rear end of the gate portion22moves upward from the initial position as shown inFIG. 2, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bmove downward from the initial position as shown inFIG. 2. Notably, the distance between the centers of the first and second arm engagement portions24aand24band the rear end edge of the gate portion22is approximately equal to the distance between the centers of the first and second arm engagement portions24aand24band the distal end edges of the first and second arm members23aand23b. That is, the changer21swings about a central position with respect to the insertion direction. Therefore, when the changer21swings, the rear end edge of the gate portion22vertically moves by the same amount as the distal end edges of the first and second arm members23aand23b. Accordingly, the vertical dimension (thickness) of the card connector10, which accommodates the changer21, can be reduced.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the housing11includes first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11n, which extend along the first and second side walls11cand11efrom the front edge toward the rear, except for regions corresponding to card introduction taper portions11oand11zat the front ends. The first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nguide the reverse face of the first card51a. The first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nare thinner than the rear half portion of the bottom wall11abut thicker than the front half portion of the bottom wall11a, so that their upper surfaces are lower than the upper surface of the rear half portion of the bottom wall11abut higher than the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11a.

First and second stopper accommodation recesses (stopper dugouts)11pand11qare formed on the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11n, respectively. As shown inFIG. 3, the first and second stopper accommodation recesses11pand11qhave respective openings of shapes corresponding to the transverse cross sections of the first and second stopper projections26aand26b. The openings are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the first and second stopper projections26aand26bwhen the space therebetween is expanded by the first card51a. Therefore, in the initial state, since the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bis narrow, when the changer21is swung so as to move the rear end of the gate portion22upward, the lower surfaces of the first and second stopper projections26aand26bcome into engagement with the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11n, and cannot move further downward, whereby the swinging motion of the changer21is stopped.

However, when the wide first card51ais inserted into the card connector10and passed between the first and second stopper projections26aand26b, the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bin contact with the opposite side faces of the first card51ais expanded, so that the first and second stopper projections26aand26bmove to positions above the first and second stopper accommodation recesses11pand11q. When the changer21is swung so as to move the rear end of the gate portion22upward in this state, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bmove downward while being accommodated within the first and second stopper accommodation recesses11pand11q, respectively. Therefore, the swinging of the changer21is not stopped, whereby the rear end of the gate portion22can be moved upward.

Moreover, first and second card-side-face guide walls11tand11uare formed upright on the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nsuch that these guide walls extend from the front edges toward the rear. The space between the first and second card-side-face guide walls11tand11uis approximately equal to or slightly greater than the width of the first card51a, so that these guides walls guide the opposite side faces of the first card51a. Although the body portions of the first and second stopper support members25aand25bare disposed on the outer side of the first and second card-side-face guide walls11tand11u, respectively, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bof the first and second stopper support members25aand25bin the initial state project inward from cut portions11α and11β formed in the vicinity of the ends of the first and second card-side-face guide walls11tand11u, respectively.

Notably, mutually facing side surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nserve as first and second card-side-face guide portions11vand11wextending from the front edge toward the rear. The space between the first and second card-side-face guide portions11vand11wis smaller than the width of the first card51a, but is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the width of the second card51b, so that the first and second card-side-face guide portions11vand11wguide the opposite side faces of the second card51b.

As shown inFIG. 6, the inner shell31is a member which is integrally formed from a metal plate through machining processes such as punching and bending, and has a generally rectangular, flat-plate-shaped pressure-receiving portion32. In the illustrated example, the pressure-receiving portion32has an opening32aformed mainly for the purpose of weight reduction. However, the opening32amay be omitted. First and second upright side wall portions33aand33bextend from the opposite side ends of the pressure-receiving portion32. In a state in which the inner shell31is attached to the housing11, the outer side surfaces of the first and second side wall portions33aand33bof the inner shell31come into sliding contact with the inner side surfaces of the first and second side walls11cand11eof the housing11.

Moreover, first and second distal end wall portions33cand33dextend outward from the distal ends (right ends inFIG. 6) of the first and second side wall portions33aand33b. Notably, as shown inFIG. 4, first and second inner-shell guide portions11xand11yare formed upright on the first and second side walls11cand11eof the housing11such that the guide portions face the distal end side. In a state in which the inner shell31is attached to the housing11, the rear side surfaces of the first and second distal end wall portions33cand33dof the inner shell31are in sliding contact with the first and second inner-shell guide portions11xand11yof the housing11, respectively.

Further, first and second engagement portions35aand35bextend outward from the upper ends of the first and second side wall portions33aand33b. Distal ends of the first and second engagement portions35aand35bare bent downward so that the first and second engagement portions35aand35bhave inverted-U-like and J-like cross sections, respectively. As shown inFIG. 4, the first and second side walls11cand11eof the housing11have first and second inner-shell engagement portions11iand11jhaving cutaway portions formed on the upper ends thereof. In a state in which the inner shell31is attached to the housing11, the first and second engagement portions35aand35bof the inner shell31come into engagement with the first and second inner-shell engagement portions11iand11jof the housing11.

Moreover, first and second elongated plate spring portions (inner-shell urging members)34aand34bextend in a lower front direction from the lower ends of the first and second distal end wall portions33cand33d. The first and second plate spring portions34aand34beach function as a cantilever having elasticity, and their distal ends (fee ends) project downward from the pressure-receiving portion32and come into contact with the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11a. Therefore, in the initial state in which the inner shell31is attached to the housing11as shown inFIG. 2, the inner shell31is urged upward and raised by means of the first and second plate spring portions34aand34b, and the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32is separated from the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11a. In the initial state, the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32is located at a height approximately equal to that of the rear end edge of the gate portion22of the changer21. Further, with respect to the front-rear direction, the clearance between the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32and the rear end edge of the gate portion22is very small. Moreover, although not illustrated, the lower surfaces of the first and second engagement portions35aand35bare separated from the upper ends of the cutaway portions of the first and second inner-shell engagement portions11iand11j.

In the initial state, the distance between the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32and the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11ais smaller than the thickness of the first card51a, and is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the second card51b. Therefore, the second card51bcan be inserted into the space between the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32in the initial state and the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11a. In this case, the pressure-receiving portion32functions as the top wall of a passageway into which the second card51bis inserted. Notably, since upward movement of the inner shell31is restricted by means of the shell12attached to the housing11, the inner shell31never moves upward from the position shown inFIG. 2. That is, in the initial state, the inner shell31is located at the uppermost position.

Since the inner shell31is urged upward and raised by means of the first and second plate spring portions34aand34b, when a downward force greater than the total urging force of the first and second plate spring portions34aand34bis applied to the inner shell31, the inner shell31moves downward. When the inner shell31is located at the lowest position, the distance between the top surface of the pressure-receiving portion32and the lower surface of the top wall portion of the shell12is approximately equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the first card51a. Therefore, the first card51acan be inserted into the space between the top surface of the pressure-receiving portion32moved downward and the lower surface of the top wall portion of the shell12. In this case, the pressure-receiving portion32functions as the bottom wall of a passageway into which the first card51ais inserted. Notably, since the distance between the first and second side wall portions33aand33bis approximately equal to or slightly greater than the width of the first card51a, the first and second side wall portions33aand33bcan function as guides for the opposite side faces of the first card51a.

The structure of the cam slider41will now be described in detail.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the cam slider of the card connector according to the embodiment as viewed from the upper side;FIG. 8is a perspective view of the cam slider of the card connector according to the embodiment as viewed from the lower side; andFIG. 9is a perspective view of a lock terminal of the card connector according to the embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 7, the cam slider41includes a slider member42integrally formed from an insulating material such as synthetic resin; and an elongated lock terminal43formed of a metal plate. The slider member42includes a thick first block portion42aand a second block portion42cthinner than the first block portion42aformed at the rear end (upper right end inFIG. 7) of an elongated rectangular body portion extending in the front-rear direction.

The first block portion42ahas a first butting portion (first engagement portion)42b, which is a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the body portion and is composed of a first surface section which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion and faces frontward (lower left inFIG. 7) and a second surface section which extends obliquely frontward from the first surface section. The first butting portion42bhas a shape corresponding to the shape of the left-hand corner of the front end of the first card51awith respect to the insertion direction. The front and side surfaces of the left-hand front corner of the first card51ainserted into the card connector10come into engagement with the first butting portion42b.

The second block portion42chas a first-card mis-insertion prevention portion (mis-insertion prevention surface)42d, which is a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the body portion and composed of a surface which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion and faces frontward. If the first card51ais inserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward and the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rof the housing11fail to prevent advance movement of the first card51a, the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dprevents the advance movement of the first card51a, so that the first contact portions15aare not damaged. Notably, the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dsufficiently provides the function of preventing the advance movement of the first card51ainserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, in a state in which the rear end of the slider member42comes into engagement with the rear wall11bof the housing11and the slider member42becomes unable to move further rearward. Further, since a recess having a shape corresponding to the second block portion42cis formed on the reverse face of the first card51aat the left-hand front corner thereof, when the first card51ais inserted with a proper orientation, the second block portion42cis received within the recess.

Moreover, the slider member42has a projection portion42eprojecting forward from the front end of the body portion. The slider member42has a second butting portion (second engagement portion)42fat a cutaway portion formed on the side of the projection portion42e. The second butting portion42fis a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the body portion and is composed of a surface which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion and faces frontward. The second butting portion42freceives (comes into engagement with) a lower portion of the front surface of the left-hand corner of the front end of the second card51bwith respect to the insertion direction. The slider member42also has a third butting portion (second engagement portion)42hat the distal end of the projection portion42e. The third butting portion42his a side surface perpendicular to the upper surface of the body portion and is composed of a surface which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion and faces frontward. The third butting portion42hreceives (comes into engagement with) a deeper side surface of a recess formed on the reverse face of the second card51bat the left-hand front corner of the second card51b.

The third butting portion42hfunctions as a second-card mis-insertion prevention portion as well. If the second card51bis inserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward and the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sof the housing11fail to prevent advance movement of the second card51b, the third butting portion42hprevents the advance movement of the second card51b, so that the second contact portions15bare not damaged. Notably, the third butting portion42hsufficiently provides the function of preventing the advance movement of the second card51binserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, in a state in which the rear end of the slider member42comes into engagement with the rear wall11bof the housing11and the slider member42becomes unable to move further rearward.

Furthermore, the slider member42includes a cam block portion42iwhich is formed at the rear end of the body portion to be located on the side of the first block42a. The cam block42ihas a cam groove42qformed on the top surface thereof. The cam block42icooperates with the pin member44in engagement with the cam groove42qso as to impart push-push motion to the slider member42, which moves together with the card51. Notably, the pin member44is engaged with the cam groove42qat its one end, and is engaged with the rear wall11bof the housing11at its other end. Since a cam mechanism for realizing the push-push motion, such as the cam block portion42i, is conventionally known, its description is omitted. Further, an engagement portion42pis formed on the front end of the cam block portion42i, and one end of an urging member45is engaged with the engagement portion42p.

As shown inFIG. 9, the lock terminal43includes an elongated body portion43aextending in the front-rear direction; a cantilever-shaped first lever portion43bextending frontward from the rear end of the body portion43a; and a cantilever-shaped second lever portion43cextending frontward from the front end of the body portion43a. The first lever portion43bis bent to become substantially perpendicular to the body portion43aand parallel to the upper surface of the body portion of the slider member42. A first locking portion43dis formed at the front end of the first lever portion43bsuch that the first locking portion43dprojects upward. A second locking portion43eis formed at the front end of the second lever portion43csuch that the second locking portion43eprojects inward or sideward and assumes a curved shape. The first lever portion43band the second lever portion43ceach function as a cantilever having elasticity, and therefore, the first locking portion43dand the second locking portion43ecan be elastically displaced. First and second press-fitting projections43gand43fproject upward from the rear end and side surface of the first lever portion43bfor engagement with the slider member42.

As shown inFIG. 8, a lock-terminal accommodation recess42kis formed on the reverse surface of the slider member42. The lock terminal43is attached to the slider member42in such a manner that a portion of the body portion43aand the first lever portion43bare received within the lock-terminal accommodation recess42k. First and second press-fitting recesses42mand42nare formed on the first block portion42aand the second block portion42c, respectively, of the slider member42. The lock terminal43is secured to the slider member42through press-fitting of the first and second press-fitting projections43gand43finto the first and second press-fitting recesses42mand42n. Moreover, a lock opening42jis formed in the body portion of the slider member42, and the first locking portion43dis accommodated within the lock opening42jsuch that the first locking portion43dprojects upward from the upper surface of the body portion.

Since the first locking portion43dis urged by means of elastic force of the first lever portion43b, the first locking portion43dcan be elastically displaced in the vertical direction. Thus, the first locking portion43dcan come to engagement with the engagement recess formed on the reverse face of the first card51aat the left side end in the vicinity of the front end with respect to the insertion direction, when the first card51ais inserted into the card connector10. Notably, the engagement recess has an opening which extends continuously from the reverse face to the left side face of the first card51a; and the upwardly projecting first locking portion43denters the engagement recess from the opening on the reverse face of the first card51a, and comes into engagement therewith. Notably, the first locking portion43dcomes into engagement with the engagement recess in a state in which the front and side surfaces of the left-hand front corner of the first card51ais in engagement with the first butting portion42b. By virtue of this configuration, the cam slider41can move in the front-rear direction together with the first card51a, while holding the first card51a.

Since the second locking portion43eis urged by means of elastic force of the second lever portion43c, the second locking portion43ecan be elastically displaced in the horizontal direction. Thus, the second locking portion43ecan come into engagement with the engagement recess formed on the reverse face of the second card51bat the left side end in the vicinity of the front end with respect to the insertion direction, when the second card51bis inserted into the card connector10. Notably, the engagement recess has an opening which extends continuously from the reverse face to the left side face of the second card51b; and the sideward projecting second locking portion43eenters the engagement recess from the opening on the left side face of the second card51b, and comes into engagement therewith. Notably, the second locking portion43ecomes into engagement with the engagement recess in a state in which a lower portion of the front surface of the left-hand front corner of the second card51bis in engagement with the second butting portion42fand the deeper side surface of the recess formed on the reverse face of the second card51bat the left-hand front corner thereof is in engagement with the third butting portion42h. By virtue of this configuration, the cam slider41can move in the front-rear direction together with the second card51b, while holding the second card51b.

The urging member45whose one end is coupled with the cam slider41urges the cam slider41in the direction opposite the insertion direction of the card51; i.e., toward the front. When the card51moves in the insertion direction and reaches the end point as a result of a push operation of pushing the card51in the insertion direction, the cam slider41moves the card51from the end point in the direction opposite the insertion direction by means of the urging force of the urging member45.

During a push operation for loading the card51into the card connector10, upon receipt of force which the user applies to the card51with his/her finger or the like, the cam slider41moves, together with the card51, within the card connector10toward the rear wall11bthereof. When the cam slider41reaches the end portion, which is the most advanced position, the cam slider41enters the fully stroked state. Subsequently, when the force applied to the card51by the user is removed, the cam slider41and the card51move in a direction away from the rear wall11b; i.e., toward the insertion opening of the card connector10, while receiving the repulsive force of the urging member45. The cam slider41and the card51then stop at a lock position where the card51is held within the card connector10in a locked state. With this operation, the card51is loaded at a predetermined position within the card connector10.

Further, during a push operation for ejecting the card51from the card connector10, upon receipt of force which the user applies to the card51with his/her finger or the like, the cam slider41moves, together with the card51, within the card connector10from the lock position toward the rear wall11b. When the cam slider41reaches the end portion, which is the most advanced position, the cam slider41enters the fully stroked state. Subsequently, when the force applied to the card51by the user is removed, the cam slider41and the card51move toward the insertion opening of the card connector10, while receiving the repulsive force of the urging member45. The cam slider41and the card51pass through the lock position and further move in the direction opposite the insertion direction of the card51. With this operation, the card51is ejected from the card connector10.

In these push operations, the cam slider41behaves in the same way for both the case where the card51is the first card51aand the case where the card51is the second card51b. That is, the cam slider41is a device common to the first card51aand the second card51b.

Meanwhile, in the lock position, it is desired to strengthen the function of the cam slider41for holding the card51to thereby prevent the loaded card51from shifting from the lock position; i.e., to lock the card51.

In the case where the card51is the first card51a, the function of the cam slider41for holding the first card51acan be strengthened by increasing the elasticity of the first lever portion43bto thereby increase the engagement force with which the first locking portion43dcomes into engagement with the engagement recess of the first card51a. The elasticity of the first lever portion43bcan be increased by shortening the free length of the first lever portion43b. In view of this, desirably, a member for partially restricting downward displacement of the first lever portion43bis provided on the housing11at a position which corresponds to the reverse side of the first lever portion43bwhen the cam slider41is located at the lock position. For example, it is desired to dispose a projection or a like member which comes into engagement with the reverse side of an intermediate portion of the first lever portion43b.

In the case where the card51is the second card51b, the function of the cam slider41for holding the second card51bcan be strengthened by increasing the elasticity of the second lever portion43cto thereby increase the engagement force with which the second locking portion43ecomes into engagement with the engagement recess of the second card51b. The elasticity of the second lever portion43ccan be increased by shortening the free length of the second lever portion43c. In view of this, desirably, a member for partially restricting leftward displacement of the second lever portion43cis provided on the housing11at a position which corresponds to the reverse side of the second lever portion43cwhen the cam slider41is located at the lock position. For example, it is desired to dispose a projection or a like member which comes into engagement with the reverse side of an intermediate portion of the second lever portion43c.

By virtue of the above-described configuration, the function of the cam slider41for holding the card51can be strengthened, whereby the card51is held in a locked state. Notably, even when the card51is in the locked state, the first locking portion43dand the second locking portion43ecan be displaced. Therefore, the user attempts to pull the card51toward the insertion opening of the card connector10with a force stronger than that in the ordinary case, the card51is released from the locked state. That is, the card connector10allows forced removal of the card51. Further, when the cam slider41is located at a position other than the lock position, the cam slider41holds the card51with a certain holding force at all times. That is, the cam slider41has a provisionally holding function. Therefore, even when the card51is ejected from the card connector10as a result of the push operation for ejection from the card connector10, the card51is held by the cam slider41, so that the card51does not shoot out from the insertion opening of the card connector10. Notably, since the ejected card51is held with weak force, when the user removes the card51from the card connector10with his/her finger or the like, the user can easily remove the card51without applying strong force.

In the present embodiment, the lock terminal43is configured such that the first lever portion43bis bent to become approximately perpendicular to the body portion43a; the first lever portion43band the second lever portion43cextend on two planes which perpendicularly intersect each other; and the direction of projection and displacement of the first locking portion43dperpendicularly intersects the direction of projection and displacement of the second locking portion43e. However, the lock terminal43may be configured such that the first lever portion43band the second lever portion43cextend on two parallel planes; and the direction of projection and displacement of the first locking portion43dis the same as the direction of projection and displacement of the second locking portion43e. In the present embodiment, the lock terminal43is a member formed separately from the slider member42. However, the lock member43may be formed integrally with the slider member42. For example, the slider member42and the lock member43can be formed as a single member by use of metal or synthetic resin.

Next, operations of the card connector10having the above-described structure will be described. First, an operation of inserting the first card51ainto the card connector10will be described.

FIG. 10is a side view of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a large card is ready for insertion;FIGS. 11 to 13are side views of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the large card is being inserted; andFIG. 14is a plan view of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which loading of the large card is completed.

FIGS. 10 to 14show a state where the shell12is removed in order to facilitate description.FIGS. 10 to 13show partially-sectioned views of the card connector10.FIG. 10shows a state in which the first card51ais positioned in front of the insertion opening of the card connector10immediately before insertion of the first card51a. Notably, in the illustrated example, the first card51ais assumed to be properly oriented with respect to the card connector10; i.e., the first card51ais held neither upside down nor with from its rear end directed forward. That is, the first card51ais oriented such that unillustrated card-side connection terminals are located on the lower surface in the vicinity of the right end inFIG. 10. As can be seen fromFIG. 10, a first chamfer portion52ais formed along the lower edge of the front end of the first card51awith respect to the insertion direction. In the illustrated example, the first chamfer portion52ais an inclined flat surface which obliquely extends downward toward the rear from the front end of the first card51aand which extends in the width direction of the first card51a. The first chamfer portion52amay be any surface, for example, a curved surface, which is called “R-surface”, so long as the surface smoothes the corner of the lower edge of the front end of the first card51awith respect to the insertion direction.

In this case, the card connector10is in the initial state. Therefore, the shutter plate13(not shown inFIG. 10) is urged by the shutter spring to close the insertion opening; the gate portion22of the changer21is urged by the changer spring27to remain at the initial position where the gate portion22inclines downward toward the rear wall11bof the housing11; and the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31is urged by the first and second plate spring portions34aand34bto remain at the initial position where the pressure-receiving portion32is raised to a vertical position equal to that of the rear end edge of the gate portion22.

FIG. 11shows the state after the first card51ahas been moved toward the rear end11bof the card connector10so as to insert a front end portion of the first card51ainto the card accommodation space of the card connector10through the insertion opening. In this state, the front end of the first card51ais located immediately before the distal end edge of the gate portion22of the changer21. Further, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bof the changer21come into contact with the opposite side faces of the first card51a, so that the space between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bis widened, and the first and second stopper projections26aand26bmove to positions above the first and second stopper accommodation recesses11pand11qformed on the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11n, respectively, of the housing11. That is, the stoppers are released. Notably, the reverse face of the first card51acomes into contact with the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nand are guided thereby; and the opposite side faces of the first card51aare guided by the first and second card-side-face guide walls11tand11u.

When the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the upper edge of the front end of the first card51acomes into contact with the downwardly inclined gate portion22, and pushes the gate portion22upward. In this case, since the stoppers are released so as to enable the changer21to swing, when the pushing force applied from the first card51ato the gate portion22exceeds the urging force of the changer spring27, the changer21swings, and the gate potion22moves upward, whereby the first card51ais allowed to pass under the gate portion22. Notably, since the reverse face of the first card51aare guided by the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11n, even when the first card51areceives reaction force from the gate portion22, the first card51adoes not move downward. With the swing motion of the changer21, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bare moved downward, while being accommodated within the first and second stopper accommodation recesses11pand11q. At this time, the gate portion22restricts upward movement of the first card51aand urges the first card51afrom above.

When the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the first chamfer portion52aof the front end of the first card51acomes into contact with the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31. At least the upper end of the first chambered portion52ais located higher than the pressure-receiving portion32at the initial position. When the first card51ais moved in the state in which the first chamfer portion52ais in contact with the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32, a downward pushing force is applied to the pressure-receiving portion32because the first chamfer portion52ainclines downward toward the rear. Notably, since the upper face of the first card51ais in contact with the reverse surface of the gate portion22and is guided thereby, even when the first card51areceives reaction force from the pressure-receiving portion32, the first card51adoes not move upward. When the pushing force applied from the first card51ato the pressure-receiving portion32exceeds the total urging force of the first and second plate spring portions34aand34b, as shown inFIG. 12, the pressure-receiving portion32moves downward, whereby the first card51ais allowed to pass above the pressure-receiving portion32. That is, the clearance between the rear end edge of the gate portion22and the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32as measured in the thickness direction of the first card51ais smaller than the thickness of the first card51a. This configuration prevents mis-insertion, as described later.

When the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, as shown inFIG. 13, the reverse face of the first card51acomes into contact with the upper surface of the pressure-receiving portion32moved downward, and is guided thereby. In this case, a clearance is produced between the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32and the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11aof the housing11, and the second contact portions15bare located in the clearance. However, since the inner shell31is located at the lowest position, and the first and second engagement portions35aand35bare in engagement with the first and second inner-shell engagement portions11iand11jof the housing11, the pressure-receiving portion32does not move further downward. Therefore, the second contact portions15bare not strongly pushed downward by the pressure-receiving portion32or the first card51a. Further, since the pressure-receiving portion32intervenes between the first card51aand the second contact portions15b, the second contact portions15bdo not come into contact with the reverse face of the first card51awhen the first card51apass above the pressure-receiving portion32. Therefore, the second contact portions15bare prevented from interfering with the reverse face of the first card51a, and the second contact portions15bare not damaged.

When the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the front and side surfaces of the left-hand front corner of the first card51acome into engagement with the first butting portion42bof the cam slider41, and the engagement recess formed on the reverse face of the first card51aat the left side end in the vicinity of the front end thereof comes into engagement with the first locking portion43dof the cam slider41. As a result, the first card51ais provisionally held by the cam slider41, and moves together with the cam slider41. In this case, the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rare disposed immediately before the first contact portions15aof the bottom wall11a. However, since the first chamfer portion52a, which is provided at the front end of the first card51aand is inclined downward toward the rear, comes into engagement with the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, the first card51acan smoothly ride on the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, so that the first card51acan move without receiving any resistance.

When the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the cam slider41moves together with the first card51a, reaches the end point (most advanced position), and enters the fully stroked state.

When the force applied to the first card51afor moving the first card51atoward the rear wall11bof the card connector10is removed, the cam slider41and the first card51areceives a repulsive force from the urging member45, and moves in the direction away from the rear wall11b; i.e., toward the insertion opening of the card connector10. The cam slider41and the first card51then stop at the lock position where the first card51ais held within the card connector10in a locked state. With this operation, as shown inFIG. 14, the first card51ais loaded at a predetermined position within the card connector10. In the state in which the first card51ais loaded within the card connector10, the first contact portions15aof the terminals15come into contact with and are electrically connected with the card-side connection terminals of the first card51adisposed on the reverse face thereof in the vicinity of the front end thereof. Further, since the cam slider41is in the lock position, the first card51ais being locked by the cam slider41, so that movement of the first card51ain the front-rear direction is prevented.

As described above, when the first card51ais inserted into the card accommodation space of the card connector10, the changer21determines that the inserted card51is the first card51ahaving larger outer dimensions, and swings so as to direct the first card51ato the upper side of the card accommodation space and cause the first card51ato pass through a passageway above the inner shell31. In this case, the inner shell31severs as the bottom wall of the upper passageway to thereby define the passageway for the first card51aand prevent damage to the second contact portions15b.

When the first card51aloaded into the card connector10is to be removed, the first card51ais moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10. As a result, the cam slider41moves together with the first card51a, reaches the end point (most advanced position), and enters the fully stroked state.

When the force applied to the first card51afor moving the first card51atoward the rear wall11bof the card connector10is removed, the cam slider41and the first card51areceives a repulsive force from the urging member45, and moves toward the insertion opening of the card connector10. The cam slider41stops when it returns to the initial position shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. In this case, since the first card51ais held by the cam slider41, the first card51astops together with the cam slider41, and does not shoot out of the card connector10because of inertia. Notably, since the first card51ais held by the cam slider41with weak force, the user can easily remove the card51from the card connector10by pulling the first card51atoward the insertion opening with his/her finger or the like, without applying strong force to the first card51a.

In this case, as the first card51amoves toward the insertion opening, the changer21and the inner shell31operate in an order reverse to that in the case where the first card51ais inserted, and return to their initial positions. Notably, even when the user forcedly pulls the first card51a, which has been loaded into the card connector10and locked by the cam slider41, out of the card connector10with a force stronger than that in the ordinary case, that is, even when the forced removal of the first card51ais performed, as the first card51amoves toward the insertion opening, the changer21and the inner shell31operate in an order reverse to that in the case where the first card51ais inserted, and return to their initial positions.

Next, there will be described the case where the first card51ais inserted upside down or with its rear end directed forward; i.e., the case of mis-insertion. Notably, descriptions regarding operations identical with those in the case where the first card51aproperly oriented as described above is inserted will be omitted.

Even in the case where the first card51ais inserted upside down or with its rear end directed forward, when the first card51ais moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the changer21swings, and the gate portion22moves upward, so that the first card51acan pass under the gate portion22. However, when the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, a surface of the first card51a, other than the first chamfer portion52a; that is, a vertical surface of the first card51acomes into engagement with the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31. Therefore, advancement of the first card51ais prohibited by the pressure-receiving portion32, and the first card51acannot move toward the rear wall11banymore, so that neither the first contact portions15anor the second contact portions15bare damaged. In this case, even when the insertion force applied to the first card51ais strong, the entire inner shell31receives the force from the first card51awith respect to the front-rear direction. Therefore, the pressure-receiving portion32functions as a robust mis-insertion prevention member. In this manner, the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31functions as a mis-insertion prevention member, whereby mis-insertion of the first card51ais prevented. Notably, a central portion of the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32with respect to the width direction is cut to form a curved recess extending toward the rear wall11b, to thereby form a curved end side32b. This curved end side32bis formed in consideration of a possibility that when the pressure-receiving portion32deforms and projects upward or downward; that is, when it warps, the central portion of the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32does not properly come into engagement with the first card51a.

In some cases, because of a certain cause, the pressure-receiving portion32may move downward, and the first card51amay pass above the pressure-receiving portion32. In this case as well, the pressure-receiving portion32intervenes between the first card51aand the second contact portions15b. Therefore, the second contact portions15bare not damaged when the first card51apasses above the pressure-receiving portion32. However, when the first card51ais further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, a surface of the first card51a, other than the first chamfer portion52a; that is, a vertical surface of the first card51acomes into engagement with the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rdisposed immediately before the first contact portions15aof the bottom wall11a. Therefore, advancement of the first card51ais prohibited by the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, and the first card51acannot move toward the rear wall11banymore, so that neither the first contact portions15anor the second contact portions15bare damaged. In this manner, the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11rfunctions as a mis-insertion prevention member, whereby mis insertion of the first card51ais prevented.

In some cases, because of a certain cause, the first card51amay ride over the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, and may move further. However, in this case, the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dof the cam slider41prevents advancement of the first card51a, so that the first contact portions15aare not damaged. In this manner, the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dfunctions as a mis-insertion prevention member, whereby mis insertion of the first card51ais prevented. Notably, the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dsufficiently provides the function of prohibiting the advancement of the first card51ainserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, in a state in which the rear end of the cam slider41comes into engagement with the rear wall11bof the housing11and becomes unable to move further rearward.

As described above, the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31, the first-card mis-insertion preventing projections11r, and the first-card mis-insertion prevention portion42dof the cam slider41provide the function of prohibiting mis insertion of the first card51a. Therefore, advancement of the first card51aincorrectly inserted can be prohibited without fail.

Next, an operation of inserting the second card51binto the card connector10will be described.

FIG. 15is a side view of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which a small card is ready for insertion;FIGS. 16 and 17are side views of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the small card is being inserted; andFIG. 18is a side view of the card connector according to the embodiment, showing a state in which loading of the small card is completed.

FIGS. 15 and 18show a state where the shell12is removed in order to facilitate description.FIGS. 15 to 18show partially-sectioned views of the card connector10. Notably, in the illustrated example, the second card51bis assumed to be properly oriented with respect to the card connector10; i.e., the second card51bis held neither upside down nor with from its rear end directed forward. That is, the second card51bis oriented such that unillustrated card-side connection terminals are located on the lower surface in the vicinity of the right end inFIG. 15. As can be seen fromFIG. 15, a second chamfer portion52bis formed along the lower edge of the front end of the second card51bwith respect to the insertion-direction. In the illustrated example, the second chamfer portion52bis an inclined flat surface which obliquely extends downward toward the rear from the front end of the second card51band which extends in the width direction of the second card51b. The second chamfer portion52bmay be any surface, for example, a curved surface, which is called “R-surface”, so long as the surface smoothes the corner of the lower edge of the front end of the second card51bwith respect to the insertion direction.

In this case, the card connector10is in the initial state, as in the above-described case shown inFIG. 10. Therefore, the shutter plate13is urged by the shutter spring to close the insertion opening; the gate portion22of the changer21is urged by the changer spring27to remain at the initial position where the gate portion22inclines downward toward the rear wall11bof the housing11; and the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31is urged by the first and second plate spring portions34aand34bto remain at the initial position where the pressure-receiving portion32is raised to a vertical position equal to that of the rear end edge of the gate portion22.

FIG. 16shows the state after the second card51bhas been moved toward the rear end11bof the card connector10so as to insert a front end portion of the second card51binto the card accommodation space of the card connector10through the insertion opening. In this state, the front end of the second card51bis located immediately before the distal end edge of the gate portion22of the changer21. Further, the width of the second card51bis smaller than the distance between the first and second stopper projections26aand26bin the initial state. Therefore, the first and second stopper projections26aand26bof the changer21do not come into contact with the opposite side faces of the second card51b, so that the first and second stopper projections26aand26bremain in the initial state. That is, the stoppers are not released. Notably, the reverse face of the second card51bcomes into contact with the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11aand is guided thereby; and the opposite side faces of the second card51bare guided by the first and second card-side-face guide portions11vand11w.

When the second card51bis further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, without coming into engagement with the gate portion22, the front end of the second card51bis located at a location below the rear end edge of the gate portion22and immediately before the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31, as shown inFIG. 17. Since the distance between the rear end edge of the gate portion22in the initial state and the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11ais approximately equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the second card51b, the second card51bcan move without coming into engagement with the gate portion22. Further, the distance between the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31in the initial state and the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11ais approximately equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the second card51b.

However, in the case where the second card51bis caused to move at a relatively high position within the card accommodation space in a state in which the reverse face of the second card51bdoes not come into engagement with the upper surface of the front half portion of the bottom wall11a, the upper edge of the front end of the second card51bcomes into contact with the downwardly inclined gate portion22, and pushes the gate portion22upward. However, since the first and second stopper projections26aand26bof the changer21are still in the initial state and the stoppers are not released, even when the gate portion22is pushed upward, the gate portion22cannot move upward (because the lower surfaces of the first and second stopper projections26aand26bcome into engagement with the upper surfaces of the first and second card-reverse-face guide portions11mand11nand cannot move downward any more). Therefore, when the second card51bis further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the second card51b, whose front-end upper edge is in engagement with the downwardly inclined gate portion22, is caused to move downward along the reverse surface of the gate portion22, and reach the position shown inFIG. 17. That is, the second card51bis guided by the gate portion22to obliquely move downward.

When the second card51bis further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, since the pressure-receiving portion32of the inner shell31is located higher than the upper face of the second card51b, the second card51benters the space below the pressure-receiving portion32. Since the clearance between the rear end edge of the gate portion22and the distal end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32is very small, even when the second card51bis guided by the gate portion22to obliquely move downward, the second card51bcan smoothly enter the space below the pressure-receiving portion32. When the second card51bpasses through the space below the pressure-receiving portion32, the pressure-receiving portion32may receive an upward pushing force from the second card51b, because the upper face of the second card51bis in contact with the reverse surface of the pressure-receiving portion32and is guided thereby. However, since upward movement of the inner shell31is restricted by the shell12attached to the housing11, the inner shell31does not move upward from the position in the initial state.

When the second card51bis further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, a lower portion of the front surface of the left-hand front corner of the second card51band the deeper side surface of the recess formed in the reverse face of the second card51bat the left-hand front corner thereof come into engagement with the second butting portion42fand the third butting portion42h, respectively, of the cam slider41, and the engagement recess formed on the reverse face of the second card51bat the left side end in the vicinity of the front end thereof comes into engagement with the second locking portion43eof the cam slider41. As a result, the second card51bis provisionally held by the cam slider41, and moves together with the cam slider41. In this case, the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sare disposed immediately before the second contact portions15bof the bottom wall11a. However, since the second chamfer portion52b, which is provided at the front end of the second card51band is inclined downward toward the rear, comes into engagement with the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11s, the second card51bcan smoothly ride on the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11s, so that the second card51bcan move without receiving any resistance.

When the second card51bis further moved-toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the cam slider41moves together with the second card51b, reaches the end point (most advanced position), and enters the fully stroked state.

When the force applied to the second card51bfor moving the second card51btoward the rear wall11bof the card connector10is removed, the cam slider41and the second card51breceives a repulsive force from the urging member45, and moves in the direction away from the rear wall11b; i.e., toward the insertion opening of the card connector10. The cam slider41and the second card51bthen stop at the lock position where the second card51bis held within the card connector10in a locked state. With this operation, as shown inFIG. 18, the second card51bis loaded at a predetermined position within the card connector10. Further, since the cam slider41is in the lock position, the second card51bis being locked by the cam slider41, so that movement of the second card51bin the front-rear direction is prevented.

In the state in which the second card51bis loaded within the card connector10, the second contact portions15bof the terminals15come into contact with and are electrically connected with the card-side connection terminals of the second card51bdisposed on the reverse face thereof in the vicinity of the front end thereof. In this case, the second contact portions15beach function as a cantilever having elasticity, and are elastically pressed against the card-side connection terminals of the second card51b. Notably, the pressure under which the second contact portions15bcome into contact with the card-side connection terminals; i.e., contact pressure, is received by the pressure-receiving portion32, with which the upper face of the second card51is engaged. Therefore, the second contact portions15band the card-side connection terminals can reliably maintain contact therebetween.

Notably, the distance between the front end of the card connector10and the rear end of the second card51bin the lock position; i.e., the amount of projection of the second card51bfrom the insertion opening of the card connector10is equal to the amount of projection of the first card51afrom the insertion opening of the card connector10in the state in which the first card51is located at the lock position. In other words, when loaded into the card connector10, the front end of the first card51ahaving larger outer dimensions reaches the deepest position within the card accommodation space, and the front end of the second card51bhaving smaller outer dimensions does not reach the deepest point within the card accommodation space, and stops at an intermediate position before the deepest position.

As described above, when the second card51bis inserted into the card accommodation space of the card connector10, the changer21determines that the inserted card51is the second card51bhaving smaller outer dimensions, and does not swing so as to direct the second card51bto the lower side of the card accommodation space and cause the second card51bto pass through a passageway under the inner shell31. In this case, the inner shell31severs as the top wall of the lower passageway to thereby define the passageway for the second card51b, receives the contact pressure of the second contact portions15b, and maintains contact between the second contact portions15band the card-side connection terminals.

When the second card51bloaded into the card connector10is to be removed, the second card51bis moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10. As a result, the cam slider41moves together with the second card51b, reaches the end point (most advanced position), and enters the fully stroked state.

When the force applied to the second card51bfor moving the second card51btoward the rear wall11bof the card connector10is removed, the cam slider41and the second card51breceives a repulsive force from the urging member45, and moves toward the insertion opening of the card connector10. The cam slider41stops when it returns to the initial position shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. In this case, since the second card51bis held by the cam slider41, the second card51bstops together with the cam slider41, and does not shoot out of the card connector10because of inertia. Notably, since the second card51bis held by the cam slider41with weak force, the user can easily remove the card51from the card connector10by pulling the second card51btoward the insertion opening with his/her finger or the like, without applying strong force to the second card51b.

In this case, as the second card51bmoves toward the insertion opening, the changer21and the inner shell31are maintained at their initial positions. Notably, even when the user forcedly pulls the second card51b, which has been loaded into the card connector10and locked by the cam slider41, out of the card connector10with a force stronger than that in the ordinary case, that is, even when the forced removal of the second card51bis performed, the changer21and the inner shell31are maintained at their initial positions.

Next, there will be described the case where the second card51bis inserted upside down or with its rear end directed forward; i.e., the case of mis-insertion. Notably, descriptions regarding operations identical with those in the case where the second card51bproperly oriented as described above is inserted will be omitted.

Even in the case where the second card51bis inserted upside down or with its rear end directed forward, when the second card51bis moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, the second card51bcan pass under the gate portion22, and enter the space under the pressure-receiving portion32. However, when the second card51bis further moved toward the rear wall11bof the card connector10, a surface of the second card51b, other than the second chamfer portion52b; that is, a vertical surface of the second card51bcomes into engagement with the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sdisposed immediately before the second contact portions15bof the bottom wall11a. Therefore, advancement of the second card51bis prohibited by the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11s, and the second card51bcannot move toward the rear wall11banymore, so that the second contact portions15bare not damaged. In this manner, the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sfunctions as a mis-insertion prevention member, whereby mis-insertion of the second card51bis prevented.

In some cases, because of a certain cause, the second card51bmay ride over the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11s, and may move further. However, in this case, the third butting portion42hof the cam slider41prevents advancement of the second card51b, so that the second contact portions15bare not damaged. In this manner, the third butting portion42hfunctions as a second mis-insertion prevention member, whereby mis-insertion of the second card51bis prevented. Notably, the third butting portion42hsufficiently provides the function of prohibiting the advancement of the second card51binserted upside down or with from its rear end directed forward, in a state in which the rear end of the cam slider41comes into engagement with the rear wall11bof the housing11and becomes impossible to move rearward.

As described above, the second-card mis-insertion preventing projections11sand the third butting portion42hof the cam slider41provide the function of prohibiting mis insertion of the second card51b. Therefore, advancement of the second card51bincorrectly inserted is prohibited without fail.

As described above, the card connector10according to the present embodiment includes the changer21swingably attached to the housing11at a position between the second connection terminals15band the insertion opening and adapted to determine whether the inserted card is the first card51aor the second card51band direct the same to an upper side or a lower side; and the inner shell31vertically movably attached to the housing11at a position opposite the insertion opening with respect to the changer21and adapted to serve as a bottom wall of a passageway for the first card51aor a top wall of a passageway for the second card51b.

The changer21includes the first and second stopper projections26aand26bfor disabling, at an initial position, the changer21from swinging. The first and second stopper projections26aand26bare released upon insertion of the first card51ainto the insertion opening and enable the changer21to swing.

The changer21is urged by the changer spring27, serving as an urging member, to return to the initial position.

The changer21includes the plate-shaped gate portion22, which extend downward toward a direction opposite the insertion opening in the initial state. The changer21moves upward and becomes parallel to the insertion direction when the changer21swings from the initial position.

The changer21swings about a swing center defined with respect to the insertion direction; the first and second stopper projections26aand26bare located on one side of the swing center toward the insertion opening; and the gate portion22is located on the other side of the swing center opposite the insertion opening.

When a front end of the first card51awith respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with the gate portion22, the changer21swings from the initial position, so that the gate portion22moves upward and serves as the top wall of the passageway for the first card51a; and when a front end of the second card51bwith respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with the gate portion22, the changer21does not swing from the initial position, so that the gate portion22guides the second card51bin a downwardly inclined direction.

The inner shell31includes the first and second plate spring portions34aand34b, serving as an urging member, for urging the inner shell31upward; and a plate-shaped pressure-receiving portion32, wherein in an initial state, the inner shell31is urged by the first and second plate spring portions34aand34b, so that the pressure-receiving portion32serves as the top wall of the passageway for the second card51b.

The pressure-receiving portion32is located above the second connection terminals15b.

When the first chamfer portion52aformed at a lower edge of a front end of the first card51awith respect to the insertion direction comes into contact with an end edge of the pressure-receiving portion32on the side toward the insertion opening, the inner shell31moves downward, so that the pressure-receiving portion32serves as the bottom wall of the passageway for the first card51a.

Therefore, the structure of the card connector10can be simplified, cost can be reduced, and can be downsized. For example, each of the changer21and the inner shell31is formed integrally or as a single member, the number of parts is small, the structure is simple, assembly is easy, and cost can be reduced. Further, cards51of a plurality of types; i.e., the first card51aand the second card51b, can be loaded into the card connector10easily and with certainty. Moreover, even when the changer21and the inner shell31operate, no parts project from the card connector10. Therefore, the mounting volume required to mount the card connector10into an electronic device does not change even when the card51is loaded.

Since the changer21and the inner shell31are urged to return to their initial states. When the card51is inserted again after removal thereof, irrespective of whether the card51has been ejected properly or forcedly removed, the changer21can determine whether the inserted card is the first card51aor the second card51band direct the same to the proper side without fail. Therefore, the first card51aand the second card51bare not directed to incorrect directions.

The flat gate portion22and the first and second stopper projections26aand26bare formed integrally with the changer21. The operation of disabling and enabling the swing motion of the changer21, and the operation of determining whether the inserted card is the first card51aor the second card51band directing the same to the upper or lower side can be interlocked without fail.

In the above-described embodiment, the first card51aand the second card51bare a Memory Stick® and a Memory Stick Duo®, respectively. It is clear for a person skilled in the art that the first card51aand the second card51bmay be other types of cards. For example, the present invention can be applied to the case where the first card51aand the second card51bare a SD® card and a mini SD® card, respectively, through proper adjustment of the shapes, dimensions, arrangements of various members described in the above-described embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.