Connector

A card connector is disclosed for connecting a memory card. The card connector includes a connecting section for receiving a mating section of a memory card, a guide section that extends from a side of the connecting section for guiding a memory card so that a mating section of the memory card mates with the connecting section, and a that is tab received in the guide section and has a base section, an elastic section that extends from a side of the base section for elastically pressing against a memory card, and a grounding section below the base section for providing electrostatic discharge grounding.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, a card connector1according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used to connect a card9. The card9is an integrated circuit (IC) having a memory configured therein, for example a CF card or a CFast card. The card9has a mating section, which can be used to mate with a connecting section (as described below) of the card connector1, so that the card connector1and the card9are electrically connected.

The card connector1includes: an insulating housing5; a connecting section3, provided on one side of the housing5and used for engaging and connecting with the mating section of the card9; and a pair of guide sections4and5, extending laterally from two sides of the connecting section3. The guide sections4and5are used to guide the mating section of the card9to the connecting section3of the card connector1.

Slots41,43and51,53are provided in lateral inner surfaces of the guide sections4and5, respectively, and guide slots47,57are provided below the slots41,43and51,53, respectively. Furthermore, elongate openings45,55are provided in the upper surfaces of the guide sections4and5, respectively. Holes42,52are provided in lower surfaces of the guide sections4and5, respectively, and are substantially located below a portion between the slots41,43and51,53, respectively. Besides, grooves44,54are provided in the lateral outer surfaces of the guide sections4and5, respectively, and can be in communication with the elongate openings45,55and the holes42,52.

Each of guide sections4,5of the card connector1in the present invention has a tab6provided therein. As shown inFIGS. 4aand4b, the tab6can be made of a conductive metal material, and has a base section61, two elastic sections62and63, and a grounding section64. Each of the elastic sections62and63of the tab6is an arm integrally extending substantially horizontally from each side of the base section61and is bent to form a ridge (as shown inFIG. 4b). The grounding section64of the tab6is located below the base section61, and can be formed substantially perpendicular to and integrally with the base section61. The base section61of the tab6has a tongue-like protrusion65.

As shown inFIG. 1, the tab6can be vertically inserted into the guide sections4,5of the card connector1through the elongate openings45,55on the guide sections4,5of the card connector1, respectively. When the tab6is vertically inserted into the guide sections4,5of the card connector1, the grounding section64formed substantially perpendicular to the base section61can reach the holes42,52of the guide sections4,5through the grooves44,54of the guide sections4,5. Furthermore, after the tab6is inserted into the guide sections4,5of the card connector1, the tongue-like protrusion of the tab6can press against the backside inner wall (located in the guide sections4,5, not shown) of the portion between the slots41,43and51,53, so as to ensure that the tab6is well fixed in the guide sections4,5.

As shown inFIGS. 2aand2b, when the tab6is fixed in the guide sections4,5, the elastic sections62and63of the tab6are exposed to the slots41,43and51,53, and the ridges of the elastic sections62,63face the slots41,43and51,53, so that the elastic sections62and63slightly extend out of the slots41,43and51,53. Besides, when the tab6is fixed in the guide sections4,5, the grounding section64of each tab6is exposed and slightly protrudes from the holes42,52respectively.

As shown inFIG. 3, when the card9is inserted into the card connector1, the connecting section of the card9faces the connecting section3of the card connector1, lateral sides of the card are inserted into the guide slots47and57of the guide sections4and5of the card connector1, and the card9is moved towards the connecting section3of the card connector1along the direction indicated by the arrow.

When the card9is inserted into the card connector1, the elastic sections62and63of each tab6contact the two lateral sides of the card9and are pressed by the two lateral sides of the card9, so as to be flexibly bent. In this way, the elastic sections62and63that are pressed and bent can provide a resilient elastic force to press against the two lateral sides of the card9.

Each tab6is vertically inserted into the guide sections4,5of the card connector, and thus provides a maximum retention force during the insertion and extraction of the card9. Moreover, when the card9is inserted into the card connector1, the elastic sections62and63of the tab6provide an elastic force which is towards the lateral sides of the card9and presses against the card9, so that the card9can be securely clamped. The ESD grounding efficacy can be achieved by the grounding section64of the tab6.

The above embodiments can be modified in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, for example, the manner of fixing each tab in the guide section of the card connector, the appearance and form of the elastic section of the tab, or the like, may be modified. Alternatively, the guide section may have more than one slot, or the tab6may be formed by separate members. Such modifications would not depart from the spirit and important characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments listed above are illustrative and not limitative in any way, and all variations fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they conform to the meaning and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS