PCMCIA connection device

Abstract: A PCMCIA memory card connection device (2) is shown comprising a support frame (4) in which is slidably mounted a chariot (6) driven by an electric motor (18) via a worm gear (20) cooperating in a screw thread (22) of a lateral guide (24) of the chariot (6). A PCMCIA memory card (8) is insertable into the connection device (2) and connectable to a connector (32) mounted on a transverse bar (30) between lateral guides (24,28 of the chariot (6). Full insertion of the card (8) against the connector (32) is detected by a micro switch (72) mounted on the transverse bar (30) of the chariot (6), whereby the electric motor (18) is then actuated and draws back the chariots (6) to a position where the memory card is well within the computing device (12) and protected from electromagnetic interference by the faraday cage thereof.

Description: This invention relates to a connection device for making electrical connection between a memory card and an electronic apparatus such as a computer, the device having a mechanism for drawing the memory card into the apparatus when in use. Memory cards are electronic components usually comprising a substrate card with electronic chips and circuitry thereon, the memory card being pluggable to a computer and acting as a module for storing programs, providing memory space, releasing the identity of the user, and other such applications. The increasing compactness of electronic components and assembly thereof has led to increasing the number of applications and therefore the use of memory cards. In order to facilitate widespread use of memory cards, certain standards have been developed, for example the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard that defines, inter alia, the connection interface and external dimensions of the cards. To this date, there are three standard PCMCIA cards, type 1, type 2 and type 3. Connection of memory cards to computing equipment has been effectuated by loading the card into a spring loaded inserter/ejector mechanism and manually pushing the card into the computing equipment, whereby an end of the card projects out of a face of the computer. Due to the high speed data transmission in the electrical circuitry of the memory card, there is a radiation of electromagnetic noise which could effect other computing equipment in it's proximity. Additionally, electrostatic or electromagnetic disturbances from the exterior of the computer could create undesirable noise for the memory card. In order to overcome this problem, one could load the memory card on a caddy and push the caddy into the machine such that the card is fully enclosed by the exterior walls of the computer which have a conductive layer acting as a faraday cage, the card therefore protected from external electromagnetic and electrostatic interference. There would however be a portion of this caddy projecting out of the computer face, which is not ergonomic and preferably avoided, as the caddy may get damaged, especially when the caddy is in the card receiving position. The known manual inserter/ejectors, must also be manually operated to eject the memory card from the computer. The latter is less desirable than a means electronically controlled by the computer in order to avoid inadvertent extraction of the card whilst it is being used, or to avoid stealing of the card by an unauthorized user, this being much simpler to control electronically. US-A-5 033 972 discloses a PCMCIA card reader according to the preamble of Claim 1. Whilst not concerned with PCMCIA cards, EP-A-232 115 describes a device for reading and writing data stored on a magnetic and/or integrated circuit card as external memory. The device comprises a casing which is formed with a slot in one end wall thereof for manual insertion of a card, whereupon a drive mechanism operates to convey the partly inserted card into contact with a connector block for reading/writing. It is an object of this invention to provide a connection device for connecting a PCMCIA memory card to an electronic apparatus that draws the card into the apparatus such that it is protected by the faraday cage thereof for eliminating electromagnetic and electrostatic interference therewith. The invention consists in a PCMCIA memory card connection device for receiving a memory card in an electronic apparatus for electrical connection therewith, comprising a memory card support frame and a chariot slidably mounted in the support frame, characterised in that the chariot has a memory card connector for electrical connection with the memory card, and an electrical motor mechanism for moving the chariot, and the memory card connector includes pin terminals for electrical connection with receptacle contacts of the memory card and is arranged so that the card can be fully mated with the connector by manual insertion of the card into the device, whereupon the motor mechanism is operable to move the card from a first position in which it projects from the electronic apparatus, where fully mated with the connector, to a second position within the apparatus. The connection device may also be provided with a second chariot slidably received in the support frame for connection to a plurality of standardized card, e.g. simultaneous connection to PCMCIA type 1 and type 2, or connection to PCMCIA type 3. Preferred embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a top view of a memory card connection device having a memory card connected thereto in a first position for receiving the card; Figure 2 is a top view of the connection device of Figure 1 but with the card in a fully inserted second position; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through lines 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front end view of the connection device in the direction of arrow 4 of Figure 1; Figure 5a is a top view of another embodiment receiving two memory cards whereby both memory cards are fully connected thereto; Figure 5b is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 5a showing only one of the two card connection devices (the lower one); Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through lines 6-6 of Figure 5b. Figure 7 is a front end view of the embodiment of Figure 5a with two memory cards (PCMCIA type 1 and 2) simultaneously received therein; Figure 8 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 5b with a single memory card received therein; and Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of microswitches through line 9-9 of Figure 5a. Referring first to Figures 1-4, a single memory card connection device 2 comprises a support frame 4 within which is mounted a slidable chariot 6 for receiving a first memory card 8 within an electronic apparatus having a printed circuit board 10 and an outer electrically conductive shell 12. The memory card connection device 2 is mounted on the printed circuit board 10 and electrically connected thereto via a flat flexible cable 14 folded over in a U-bend 15. The memory card connection device 2 further comprises a motor mechanism 16 for slidably moving the chariot 6 within the support frame 4, the motor mechanism 16 comprising an electrical motor 18 mounted to the support frame 4, and a worm gear 20 engaged in a thread 22 in a lateral guide 24 of the chariot 6. The support frame 4 comprises side walls 26 for laterally guiding the chariot 6, whereby lateral guides 24 and 28 of the chariot 6 are contiguous the respective side walls 26 of the frame 4. Joining the lateral guides 24, 28, is a transverse bar 30 to which a memory card connector 32 is mounted, the connector 32 having pin terminals therein for connection with receptacle contacts of the card 8, the pin terminals being also interconnected with the flat flexible cable 14. A front edge 36 of the printed circuit board 10 is spaced from the electronic apparatus outer shell 12 and card guides 38 are positioned therebetween on either side of the card 8 for accurate guiding thereof into the connection device 2. The card 8 as shown in Figures 1-4 has electronic circuitry therein and is standardized according to the PCMCIA type 3 standard which defines the connection interface and exterior dimensions of the card 8. The thickness of the type 3 card is approximately 10.5 mm and there are other standard PCMCIA cards according to type 1 and type 2 standards which relate to the cards 8' and 8'' shown in Figure 6 and have thicknesses of 3.3mm and 5mm respectively, the sum of which is slightly less than the thickness of the type 3 card. As shown in Figure 4, the cards of type 1, 2 and 3 have lateral guide protrusions 48 respectively which are disposed in the same positions with respect to receptacle connectors 50, 52, 54 respectively thereof. The latter means that if a connector is matable with a type 3 card, it will also be matable with a type 1 or a type 2 card. Referring back to Figure 1, the chariot 6 is shown in a forwardmost position whereby the lateral guides 24, 28 abut a front wall 60 of the support frame 4, the front wall 60 having an opening 62 for receiving the card type 3 therethrough between the lateral guides 24, 28 which have lateral grooves 64 therein engageable around the guide protrusion 48 of the card. The chariot 6 and a housing 66 of the connector 32 for receiving the pin terminals therein, can be integrally moulded with the chariot 6 for reducing the number of parts. The latter solution would provide a cost-effective design. Loading of the memory card 8 to the electronic apparatus will now be described. In the card receiving position, the chariot 6 abuts the front wall 60 of the support frame 4 as shown in Figure 1. The memory card 8 can then be inserted through the outer wall 12 of the electronic apparatus, laterally guided by the guides 38 that also ensure that the card 8 is correctly orientated by cooperation with the lateral protrusions 48. Manual insertion of the card 8 is continued until the connector 50 of the card is fully mated with the connector 32 of the connection device 2. This requires a considerable force in comparison to inserting and sliding forces of the card 8 which is only opposed by frictional forces of the cooperating guides. Due to the use of the worm gear 20 to drive the chariot 6, the gear acts as a stop member due to the irreversibility hereof, holding the chariot in it's forward position. Once the card 8 is properly connected to the chariot 6, electronic circuitry of the computer detects full insertion due to a micro switch 72 fixed to the transverse bar 30 of the chariot and being engageable against the card. Indication of full insertion starts the motor 18 which pulls the chariot 6 into a rearmost position proximate a rear wall of the support frame whereby the card 8 is withdrawn well into the electronic apparatus, at a sufficient distance from the external conductive surface 12 to be uninfluenced by the card receiving hole therein and subject to the full effect of the faraday cage for protecting the memory card from external electromagnetic noise. Additionally, as the card 8 is well retracted into the machine, it is much less prone to damage during transport or otherwise. The worm gear 20 has the advantage of reducing the torque of the electrical motor required to draw back the carriage 6, and a very small motor 18 can therefore be used which helps to maintain the design very compact. Initial manual insertion of the card 8 also keeps the motor size very small as a much larger motor would be needed to overcome the mating forces between the card and the connection device 2, whereby some sort of gripping means on the card would also be necessary, which are however not provided for in the PCMCIA standard. Full insertion of the card into the machine by an electrical motor, also means that the motor is actuated to push out the card, whereby this can be electronically controlled to ensure that no inadvertent extraction of the card is effectuated without necessary steps being taken, e.g. closing files or programs related thereto. The flat flexible cable 14 is bent over in a U-shape extension which allows the cable to roll backwards and forwards about the U-bend 15 during movement of the chariot 6. The cable 14 is relatively rigid in its plane, thereby not needing lateral guiding other than connection to the connectors at either end. Referring now to Figures 5-8, another embodiment 2' is shown comprising two chariots 6', 6'' for connection to, for example, PCMCIA memory cards 8', 8" of type 1 and type 2 respectively, whereby the chariots 6' and 6'' are mountable one above the other and are similar in construction to the chariots 6 of the embodiment of Figures 1-4. There are however some differences, in particular to connectors 32', 32'' of the chariots 6', 6'' which have a lower profile than the embodiment of Figures 1-4. Both chariots 6' and 6'' are driven by separate motors 18', 18'' which are mounted proximate opposing side walls 26', 27' of the support frame 4'. The connection device 2' is likewise mounted on a printed circuit board 10' and connection thereto is made via flat flexible cables 14', 14'' interconnecting the memory cards 8', 8'' to respective connectors 70', 70'' mounted on the printed circuit board 10'. As the chariots 6', 6'' are individually controlled by the motors 18', 18'' the first and second cards 8', 8'' can be individually loaded or extracted from the electronic apparatus as desired. Full insertion of type 1 and type 2 cards 8', 8'' is detected by microswitches 72', 72'' respectively positioned in the connectors 70', 70''. A further microswitch 73''' is positioned on top of the lower chariot 6', between the chariots 6' and 6'', for detecting connection of a type 3 card 8. The PCMCIA type 3 card 8 could also be inserted into this embodiment 2' whereby the guide protrusions 48 of the type 3 card are in the same position as the guide protrusions of the PCMCIA type 1 card 8' in relation to the card receptacle connector portions 50, 50', the type 3 card 8 therefore being connectable to the lower chariot 6'. In this case, the electronic command of the motors 18', 18'' would recognize that a type 3 card is inserted, e.g. because both micro switches 72', 72''' of the first chariot 6' would be actuated, thereby commanding the withdrawal of both chariots 6', 6'' in order to allow insertion of the type 3 card into the connection device 2'. Positioning of the motors 18', 18'' on substantially the same level does not substantially increase the space requirements of the connection device 2' and is therefore a compact design. The embodiment of Figures 6-8 therefore advantageously allows connection of memory cards according to either the type 3 PCMCIA standard or the simultaneously type 1 and type 2 PCMCIA standards. Advantageously therefore, due to the use of an electrical motor mechanism, the memory cards can be drawn fully into the faraday cage of a computer for protection thereof and in particular for protection against electromagnetic and electrostatic interference from the exterior of the computing device. The long chariot guides provide stable guiding of the sliding chariot within the support frame, whereby a connector is advantageously mounted thereto, providing electrical connection to the memory cards without waiting for full insertion thereof into the connection device. The latter additionally avoids having a large electrical motor to drive the chariot as the contact forces do not have to be overcome thereby, but only the frictional forces of the sliding chariot. The connector housing can also be integrally moulded with the chariot for a compact and cost-effective design. Use of the worm gear to drive the chariot, provides also a stop function to hold the chariot in position due to the irreversibility of the worm gear. The connection device as described hereinabove is therefore compact, has few parts and is cost-effective yet reliable.

Claims: A PCMCIA memory card connection device (2) for receiving a memory card (8,8',8") in an electronic apparatus for electrical connection therewith, comprising a memory card support frame (4,4') and a chariot (6,6',6") slidably mounted in the support frame, characterised in that the chariot has a memory card connector (32,32',32") for electrical connection with the memory card, and an electrical motor mechanism (18,18') for moving the chariot, and the memory card connector (32,32',32") includes pin terminals for electrical connection with receptacle contacts of the memory card (8,8',8") and is arranged so that the card can be fully mated with the connector by manual insertion of the card into the device, whereupon the motor mechanism is operable to move the card from a first position in which it projects from the electronic apparatus, where fully mated with the connector, to a second position within the apparatus. The connection device of claim 1, wherein the slidable chariot (6,6') comprises lateral guide bars (24,28,24',28') and a transverse bar (30,30') extending therebetween, the guide bars (24,28,24',28') being cooperable with the support frame (4,4') for guiding of the chariot (6,6'). The connection device of claim 2, wherein the lateral guide bars (24,28,24',28') are parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the transverse bar (30, 30'). The connection device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the connector (32,32') is mounted on the transverse bar (30,30'). The connection device of claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the lateral guide bars (24,28,24',28') are spaced apart such that they can receive the card (8,8') therebetween. The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the electrical motor mechanism (16,16') comprises a worm gear (20,20') for sliding of the chariot (6,6'). The connection device of claim 6, wherein the worm gear (20,20') engages in a complementary thread (22,22') in one of the lateral guide bars (24,24') of the chariot (6,6'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the motor mechanism comprises an electrical motor (18,18') mounted to the support frame (4,4'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the chariot (6,6') is guided by outer side walls (26,27,26',27') of the support frame (4,4'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the motor mechanism (16,16') is disposed substantially in line with one of the lateral guide bars (24,24') of the chariot (6,6'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the connector (32,32') is connected to a flat flexible conducting cable (14,14') bendable into a U-shape (15,15') for following the movement of the chariot (6,6'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the support frame (4,4') is mountable to a printed circuit board (10,10') of the electronic apparatus. The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein the chariot (6,6') is integrally moulded to a housing (66,66') of the connector (32,32'). The connection device of any preceding claim, including a second slidable chariot (6") mounted above the first-mentioned chariot (6') and functioning in a similar manner thereto for receiving a second memory card (8"). The connection device of claim 14, wherein the second chariot (6") is movable by a second electrical motor mechanism (16") similar to the first-mentioned electrical motor mechanism (16'), the first and second motor mechanisms (16',16") being mounted proximate opposing sides (26',27') of the support frame (4'). The connection device of any preceding claim, wherein a switch (72,72',72",72"') is mounted on the or each chariot (6,6',6") for detecting completion of mating of the memory card (8,8',8") to the memory card connector (32,32',32") of the chariot.

Inventors: NONY PIERRE JEAN OCTAVE, VILOTEAU FREDERIC NICOLAS, NONY, PIERRE JEAN OCTAVE, VILOTEAU, FREDERIC NICOLAS
Applicants: WHITAKER CORP, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G06K13
IPC codes: G06K13, H01R13, G06K17, H01R12