Card connector

A card connector adapted for receiving an electrical card therein includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals disposed to the insulating housing, a lower shielding shell and an upper shielding shell. The insulating housing has two flanks of which each defines a receiving groove penetrating through a bottom thereof, and a perforation penetrating through a top thereof and communicating with the receiving groove. The lower shielding shell covered under the insulating housing has two lateral plates. A top of each lateral plate is bent sideward to form a second buckling piece located in the receiving groove. The upper shielding shell covered on the insulating housing has a top plate of which each side edge protrudes downward to form an L-shaped first buckling piece passing through the corresponding perforation to buckle the second buckling piece of the lower shielding shell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a card connector, and more particularly to a card connector having a shielding shell.

2. The Related Art

A conventional card connector adapted for receiving an electrical card therein and electrically connecting with a circuit board includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals, an ejection mechanism assembled to the insulating housing, and a shielding shell. The insulating housing has a top wall, two side walls protruding downward from two opposite sides of the top wall, and a rear wall connecting with the two side walls and the top wall. Two outer surfaces of the two side walls respectively define a plurality of buckling blocks. The shielding shell has a top plate, and two lateral plates protruding downward from two opposite sides of the top plate. The two lateral plates are die-cut outward to form two soldering plates, and respectively define a plurality of fastening holes matched with the buckling blocks of the insulating housing. When the card connector is assembled, the terminals are disposed in the insulating housing with soldering portions thereof projecting out of the insulating housing to be soldered with the circuit board. The shielding shell encloses the insulating housing together with the terminals and the ejection mechanism with the buckling blocks being buckled in the fastening holes and the soldering plates being soldered with the circuit board.

However, according to the aforesaid description, it can be known that the shielding shell is fastened to the insulating housing only by virtue of buckling the buckling blocks of the insulating housing in the fastening holes of the shielding shell. Thereby, when the electrical card is inserted into the card connector improperly or the electrical card is shaken, the shielding shell is apt to fall off from the insulating housing. As a result, the card connector has an unstable structure and a useful life of the card connector is shortened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a card connector adapted for receiving an electrical card therein includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals, a lower shielding shell and an upper shielding shell. The insulating housing has a top wall, two side walls protruding downward from two opposite sides of the top wall, and a rear wall connecting with rear ends of the side walls and the top wall. An inserting space is surrounded among the top wall, the two side walls and the rear wall for receiving the electrical card therein. Two outer surfaces of the two side walls oppositely protrude outward to form two flanks of which each defines a receiving groove penetrating through a bottom thereof, and a perforation penetrating through a top thereof and communicating with the receiving groove. The terminals are disposed to the insulating housing. The lower shielding shell covered under the insulating housing has a bottom plate, and two lateral plates protruding upward from two opposite sides of the bottom plate. A top of each lateral plate is bent sideward to form a second buckling piece located in the receiving groove of the insulating housing. The upper shielding shell covered on the insulating housing has a top plate of which each side edge protrudes downward to form an L-shaped first buckling piece passing through the corresponding perforation of the insulating housing to buckle the second buckling piece of the lower shielding shell.

As described above, the two outer surfaces of the two side walls of the insulating housing oppositely protrude outward to form the two flanks of which each defines the receiving groove penetrating through the bottom thereof, and the perforation penetrating through the top thereof and communicating with the receiving groove, the lower shielding shell is covered under the insulating housing with the second buckling pieces of the lower shielding shell being located in the receiving grooves of the insulating housing, and the upper shielding shell is covered on the insulating housing with the first buckling pieces of the upper shielding shell passing through the corresponding perforations of the insulating housing to buckle the second buckling pieces of the lower shielding shell so as to integrate the upper shielding shell together with the lower shielding shell and the insulating housing tightly for effectively preventing the upper shielding shell and the lower shielding shell falling off from the insulating housing when the electrical card is inserted into the card connector improperly or the electrical card is shaken. As a result, the card connector has a stable structure and a useful life of the card connector is extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 5, a card connector100in accordance with the present invention is shown. The card connector100adapted for receiving an electrical card (not shown) therein and electrically connecting with a circuit board60includes an insulating housing10, a plurality of terminals (not labeled), a lower shielding shell30and an upper shielding shell40.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the insulating housing10has a top wall11of a substantial rectangular shape, two side walls12protruding downward from two opposite sides of the top wall11, and a rear wall13connecting with rear ends of the side walls12and the top wall11. An inserting space14is surrounded among the top wall11, the two side walls12and the rear wall13for receiving the electrical card therein. A rear of the top wall11defines a window101vertically penetrating therethrough. A bottom of one side wall12defines an inverted-U shaped first switch terminal groove121with one end thereof opened freely to communicate with the inserting space14, and a second switch terminal groove122located in front of the first switch terminal groove121. An outer sidewall of the first switch terminal groove121defines a first gap1211communicating between the first switch terminal groove121and an outside of the insulating housing10. Two opposite sides of a bottom sidewall of the first switch terminal groove121define two first inserting holes (not shown). A rear end of the second switch terminal groove122is opened freely to communicate with the inserting space14. An outer sidewall of the second switch terminal groove122defines a second gap1221communicating between the second switch terminal groove122and the outside of the insulating housing10. Two opposite sides of a bottom sidewall of the second switch terminal groove122define two second inserting holes (not shown). A step-shaped opening123from a top view is defined between the first switch terminal groove121and the second switch terminal groove122of the insulating housing10, and communicates with the inserting space14of the insulating housing10. Outer surfaces of the rear wall13and the two side walls12of the insulating housing10define a plurality of restricting portions124.

Each outer surface of the side wall12of the insulating housing10further protrudes outward to form at least one propping block15with a fastening portion152lumped at a free end thereof. Two bottoms of the two propping blocks15respectively connecting with the two outer surfaces of the two side walls12protrude downward to form two locating pillars151. Two fronts of the two outer surfaces of the two side walls12oppositely protrude outward to form two flanks17of which each defines a receiving groove171penetrating through a bottom thereof, and a rectangular perforation172penetrating through a top thereof and communicating with the receiving groove171.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the terminals include a plurality of signal terminals21, a first switch terminal22and a second switch terminal23. The first switch terminal22has a first fastening arm221of a lying-U shape. A front end of one side of the first fastening arm221is inclined towards the other side of the first fastening arm221, and then extends forward to form a first contact arm222of which a top protrudes upward to form a first blocking arm224. Two opposite sides of the first fastening arm221protrude upward to form two first inserting strips225. A top of a rear end of the other side of the first fastening arm221is connected with a substantial Z-shaped first soldering arm223from a front view. The second switch terminal23has an elongated second fastening arm231. A rear end of the second fastening arm231is curved rearward to form a second contact arm232of which a top protrudes upward to form a second blocking arm234. Two portions of the second fastening arm231protrude upward to form two second inserting strips235. A front end of a top of the second fastening arm231is connected with a substantial Z-shaped second soldering arm233from the front view. The second soldering arm233is located between the two second inserting strips235.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the lower shielding shell30has a bottom plate31, two lateral plates32protruding upward from two opposite sides of the bottom plate31, and a rear plate33connecting with the two lateral plates32and the bottom plate31. A periphery of the lower shielding shell30defines a plurality of restricting holes34. Two front ends of two tops of the two lateral plates32are oppositely bent sideward to form two second buckling pieces35.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the upper shielding shell40has a top plate41. Two fronts of two opposite side edges of the top plate41protrude downward and then forward to form two L-shaped first buckling pieces44. Each side edge of the top plate41is elongated sideward and then bent downward to form at least one first soldering plate45. Two portions of each side edge of the top plate41are bent downward to form two clamping plates42. One side of each clamping plate42is punched inward to form an elastic strip421. Each side edge of the top plate41is elongated sideward and then bent downward to form at least one locking plate43where a fastening hole431is opened. The first buckling piece44, the first soldering plate45, the clamping plate42and the locking plate43are defined in each side edge of the top plate41at intervals. A rear edge of the top plate41is bent downward and then rearward to form at least two second soldering plates46.

Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3andFIG. 4, in assembly, the terminals are disposed to the insulating housing10. Specifically, each of the signal terminals21is integrally molded in the insulating housing10with one end thereof projecting into the inserting space14of the insulating housing10through the window101of the insulating housing10and the other end thereof projecting out of the insulating housing10through the rear wall13. The second fastening arm231of the second switch terminal23is disposed in the second switch terminal groove122of the insulating housing10with the second inserting strips235being inserted into the second inserting holes. The second soldering arm233of the second switch terminal23projects out of the second switch terminal groove122of the insulating housing10through the second gap1221. The second contact arm232of the second switch terminal23projects into the inserting space14of the insulating housing10through the rear end of the second switch terminal groove122which communicates with the inserting space14with the second blocking arm234of the second switch terminal23abutting against an inner sidewall of a front step of the opening123. The first fastening arm221of the first switch terminal22is disposed in the first switch terminal groove121of the insulating housing10with the first inserting strips225being inserted into the first inserting holes. The first soldering arm223of the first switch terminal22projects out of the first switch terminal groove121through the first gap1211. The first contact arm222of the first switch terminal22is inclined towards the second contact arm232of the second switch terminal23and projects out of the first switch terminal groove121of the insulating housing10through the one end of the first switch terminal groove121which communicates with the inserting space14with the first blocking arm224abutting against an inner sidewall of a rear step of the opening123.

Referring toFIG. 3, preferably, the card connector100further includes an ejection mechanism50for facilitating the electrical card being ejected out of the card connector100. The ejection mechanism50is mounted to one side of a bottom of the top wall11adjacent to the other side wall12. The ejection mechanism50includes a sliding block51, an elastic element52, a guiding element53and an auxiliary piece54. The sliding block51is disposed to a front of the one side of the bottom of the top wall11adjacent to the other side wall12. A rear of the one side of the bottom of the top wall11defines a heart-shaped sliding groove16. A blocking block (not labeled) is disposed in the sliding groove16. The guiding element53has a fastening portion (not shown) fastened to the sliding block51and a sliding portion (not labeled) slidably disposed in the sliding groove16. The elastic element52is disposed between the sliding block51and the rear wall13. The auxiliary piece54is disposed in the sliding block51with a portion thereof projecting into the inserting space14of the insulating housing10.

Referring toFIGS. 1-4, the lower shielding shell30is covered under the insulating housing10. The lower shielding shell30is fastened to the insulating housing10firmly by virtue of restricting the restricting portions124in the restricting holes34. The second buckling pieces35of the lower shielding shell30are located in the receiving grooves171of the flanks17of the insulating housing10. The upper shielding shell40is covered on the insulating housing10. The upper shielding shell40is fastened to the insulating housing10firmly by virtue of making the clamping plates42attached to the two lateral plates32of the lower shielding shell30with the elastic strips421resisting against outer surfaces of the two lateral plates32of the lower shielding shell30, and making the locking plate43against the propping block15with the fastening portion152being fastened in fastening hole431. The first buckling pieces44of the upper shielding shell40pass through the corresponding perforations172of the flanks17of the insulating housing10to buckle the second buckling pieces35of the lower shielding shell30so as to integrate the upper shielding shell40together with the lower shielding shell30and the insulating housing10tightly for effectively preventing the upper shielding shell40and the lower shielding shell30falling off from the insulating housing10when the electrical card is inserted into the card connector100improperly or the electrical card is shaken. The first soldering plate45and the second soldering plate46of the upper shielding shell40are propped up by the two side walls12of the insulating housing10.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5, in use, the card connector100is mounted to the circuit board60to electrically connect with the circuit board60. A middle of one end of the circuit board60is cut off to define an assembling groove (not shown). The circuit board60defines a plurality of inserting slots (not shown) located at two opposite sides of the assembling groove, and a plurality of soldering pads (not shown) located in rear of the assembling groove. The card connector100partially passes through the assembling groove of the circuit board60. The locating pillars151of the propping blocks15are mounted on the circuit board60. The ends of the signal terminals21projecting out of the insulating housing10through the rear wall13are soldered on the circuit board60, and the first soldering arm223of the first switch terminal22and the second soldering arm233of the second switch terminal23are soldered on the circuit board60to electrically connect the card connector100with the circuit board60. The first soldering plates45of the upper shielding shell40are inserted into the inserting slots of the circuit board60and soldered with the circuit board60, and the second soldering plates46of the upper shielding shell40are soldered with the soldering pads of the circuit board60so as to make the card connector100mounted to the circuit board60firmly.

Referring toFIGS. 1-5again, when the electrical card is inserted into the inserting space14of the insulating housing10of the card connector100, the electrical card pushes the sliding block51of the ejection mechanism50rearward to bring along the sliding portion of the guiding element53to slide in the sliding groove16until the sliding portion of the guiding element53is blocked by the blocking block of the ejection mechanism50. The elastic element52shows a compressing status. The portion of the auxiliary piece54projecting into the inserting space14resists against the electrical card to restrain the electrical card in the inserting space14of the insulating housing10of the card connector100. At this moment, the electrical card is fully inserted into the inserting space14of the card connector100, the second contact arm232of the second switch terminal23presses against the first contact arm222of the first switch terminal22to electrically connect the second contact arm232of the second switch terminal23with the first contact arm222of the first switch terminal22. The one ends of the signal terminals21electrically contact with the electrical card to realize an electrical connection between the electrical card and the card connector100. When the electrical card is ejected out of the inserting space14of the insulating housing10of the card connector100, push the electrical card rearward again to make the sliding portion of the guiding element53slide out of the sliding groove16. The elastic element52is rebounded to an original status to make the sliding block51push the electrical card out of the inserting space14of the card connector100. In the meanwhile, the second contact arm232of the second switch terminal23is apart from the first contact arm222of the first switch terminal22.

As described above, the two fronts of the two outer surfaces of the two side walls12of the insulating housing10oppositely protrude outward to form the two flanks17of which defines the receiving groove171penetrating through the bottom thereof, and the perforation172penetrating through the top thereof and communicating with the receiving groove171, the lower shielding shell30is covered under the insulating housing10with the second buckling pieces35of the lower shielding shell30being located in the receiving grooves171of the insulating housing10, and the upper shielding shell40is covered on the insulating housing10with the first buckling pieces44of the upper shielding shell40passing through the corresponding perforations172of the insulating housing10to buckle the second buckling pieces35of the lower shielding shell30so as to integrate the upper shielding shell40together with the lower shielding shell30and the insulating housing10tightly for effectively preventing the upper shielding shell40and the lower shielding shell30falling off from the insulating housing10when the electrical card is inserted into the card connector100improperly or the electrical card is shaken. As a result, the card connector100has a stable structure and a useful life of the card connector100is extended.