MEMORY CARD CONNECTOR WITH A MEMORY CARD EJECTOR MECHANISM

Abstract: The present invention provides a memory card connector in which attachment of an ejector member can be accomplished in a simple manner. The ejector member (50) used in the memory card connector (10) includes attachment structures (54) which are used to attach the ejector member to a frame (30) of the connector. Each of these mounting structures (54) includes a groove (55) and a recess (56) which communicates with the groove. A cantilever arm (58) is formed inside each recess (56). Cantilever arm (58) includes a surface (81). Claws (37), which extend from the frame (30), are accommodated inside the recesses (56). Afterward, when the ejector member (50) is caused to slide, the arms (58) bend so that the claws are guided by the surfaces (81) and introduced into the grooves (55).

Description: MEMORY CARD CONNECTOR WITH A MEMORY CARD EJECTOR MECHANISM The present invention relates to a memory card connector to which a memory card such as a PC card or the like used in small dat -processing devices such as notebook-type personal computers or the like is connected. More specifically, the present invention relates to a memory card connector which is equipped with a memory card ejector mechanism including an ejector member. In recent years, memory cards in the form of PC cards, which contain modems or flash memories, have begun to be used in notebook-type personal computers and other portable data-processing devices. In the case of such memory cards, functions not possessed by the data- processing device in question can be added by connecting memory cards with specified functions required by the user to a memory card connector provided in the data-processing device. Ordinarily, such memory card connector is equipped with an ejector mechanism which facilitates ejection of the memory card from the memory card connector. One example of a memory card connector of this type is described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6- 41188. The disclosed memory card connector has a base part which consists mainly of an insulating material, and on which electrical contacts are disposed, a metal frame, and an ejector mechanism which ejects the memory card by acting in conjunction with a lever which is disposed so that the lever can pivot with respect to the base part. Guide grooves are formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the ejector member. Claws formed on a portion of the metal frame enter the guide grooves from above and below, thereby holding the ejector member so that the ejector member can slide forward and backward with respect to the frame. When the ejector member is caused to slide to the rear, the lever member is caused to pivot; as a result, the memory card is pushed out and ejected from the memory card connector. Furthermore, projections are formed at specified positions inside the guide grooves, and these projections are constructed so that they limit the relative positions of the claws with respect to the ejector member. Specifically, when the ejector member is initially attached, the projections are pushed in over the claws; afterward, the claws form stoppers in conjunction with the projections, so that the sliding range of the ejector member is limited. In order to allow for mass production, it is desirable that memory card connectors of this type have a structure which is suitable for automated assembly by means of automated equipment. Furthermore, even in cases where automated assembly is not desired, assembly which can be performed more simply and in a shorter time is desirable. Furthermore, it is desirable that the ejector mechanism used in memory card connectors of this type should be a mechanism with high mechanical reliability, so that ejection of the memory card can be reliably performed numerous times. In addition, memory card connectors of this type are constructed by combining parts which have various functions; however, in order to simplify assembly and lower manufacturing costs, it is desirable that such memory card connectors have a simple construction with relatively few parts. In the case of the memory card connector disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Publication mentioned above, it is necessary to align the claws and guide grooves and insert the claws into the guide grooves from the memory card insertion side with respect to the frame body. Accordingly, alignment is difficult and the construction of the memory card connector is unsuitable for automated assembly. Furthermore, considerable effort is required even in the case of assembly by hand. Moreover, in the case of the memory card connector disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Publication, the sliding range of the ejector member is limited by the joint action of the projections and claws; however, this construction does not always have a high degree of reliability, and there is danger that the stopper function will fail as a result of repeated sliding. The present invention is directed to a memory card connector which is to be electrically connected with a memory card, equipped with an ejector member which slides linearly along a side wall of a frame that accommodates the memory card, the ejector member is guided by a plurality of claws that protrude from the side wall, the ejector member is equipped with a plurality of attachment structures which are formed so that the attachment structures correspond to the positions of the claws, the attachment structures each has a groove which extends in the direction of length of the ejector member, and a recess which communicates with the groove and which opens at the side surface facing the frame so that the recess can receive the corresponding claw, and the recess has a wall surface that guides the received claw into the groove. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A is a top plan view of a memory card connector of the present invention. Figure IB is a side elevational view of the memory card connector of Figure 1A. Figure 2A is a top plan view of a frame for the memory card connector of Figure 1A. Figure 2B is a side elevational view of the frame of Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2C-2C of Figure 2A. Figure 3A is a part enlarged view showing an ejector member mounting section. Figure 3B is a part enlarged side view showing a reinforcing member supporting section. Figure 3C is a part enlarged top view of Figure 3B. Figure 4A is a side view of an ejection member. Figure 4B is a top plan view of Figure 4A. Figure 5A is a part enlargement showing part of the frame and the ejector member at a first stage of attachment. Figure 5B is a view similar to Figure 5A showing the initial engagement between the frame and the ejector member. Figure 5C is a view similar to Figure 5B showing the ejector member mounted onto the frame. Figure 6 is a part enlarged view showing the lever engagement section of the ejector member engaging with an end portion of the lever. Figures 7A and 7B are side and top plan views, respectively, of an alternative embodimenr of an ejector member. Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are views similar to Figures 5A, 5B and 5C showing the stages of mounting the ejector member of Figures 7A and 7B to the frame. Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the lever engagement section of the ejector member of Figure 7B engaging with an end portion of the lever. Figure 10A is a top plan view showing the reinforcing member for use on the memory card connector. Figure 10B is a front view of Figure 10A. Figure IOC is a side view of Figure 10B. Figure IOD is a cross-sectional view taken along line IOD-IOD of Figure 10B. Figure 11A is a part enlarged side view showing the reinforcing member mounted on a guide arm of the memory card connector. Figure 11B is a part enlarged top plan view of Figure 11A. A memory card connector 10 constitutes a first embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figures 1A and IB. The memory card connector 10 includes a metal frame 30, an electrical connector 20, a plastic ejector member 50, which is attached to the frame 30 so that the ejector member 50 can slide along a side wail 31 of the frame 30, and an ejection lever 60, which is disposed so that the lever 60 can pivot and slide with respect to the frame 30 and which operates in conjunction with the ejector member 50 to eject an inserted memory card. The lever 60 includes a memory card push-out projection 62, and it is constructed so that when the ejector member 50 is caused to slide in the direction indicated by arrow F in Figure 1A, the lever 60 moves from position A to position B, thus causing the push-out projection 62 to push the memory card partly out of the memory card connector. Furthermore, in Figure 1A, the reference numbers indicating various parts of the lever 60 show the lever in position B. The connector 20 has a plurality of electrical contacts 21 (not all of which are shown) which are used to make an electrical connection with a memory card that is inserted via the frame 30, and a plastic housing 22 which accommodates these contacts. The metal frame 30 is shown in greater detail in Figures 2A-2C. As shown in Figure 2A, the frame 30 comprises a main support member 33 which is disposed in the position of the connector 20, and a pair of guide arms 32a and 32b which extend from both ends of the main support member 33, thus forming a U-shape. The guide arms 32a and 32b include a plurality of memory card guides 28 which have the form of beams supported at both ends. Furthermore, a reinforcing supporting section 34, which includes a pair of claws 35a, 35b, is disposed in the vicinity of the outer end of each of the guide arms 32a and 32b. The construction of the reinforcing supporting section 34 and the attachment of a reinforcing member 100 to the reinforcing supporting section 34 will be described later. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2A through 2C, an ejector member holding section 38, which is formed from pairs of claws 37 that face each other, is disposed on the side wall 31. In addition, a pivoting shaft 39 for the lever 60 is formed on the main support member 33 by being punched out from the metal plate. Referring again to Figure lA, a slot bl, the shape of which is substantially that of a slender oval, is formed in the lever 60, and slot 61 is positioned over the pivoting shaft 39. Since the slot 61 is formed in the shape of a slender oval, the lever 60 can move relative to the pivoting shaft 39 when the lever 60 pivots. In other words, as the pivoting of the lever 60 progresses, the position of the fulcrum of the lever 60 varies, so that a smooth ejection of the memory card is accomplished, thereby resulting in a sufficient amount of the memory card to be ejected, even in the case of a slight sliding movement of the ejector member 50. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1A and Figure 2A, a stop projection 40, which limits the pivoting and sliding of the lever 60 in one direction is formed on the frame 30 by being punched out therefrcm. Moreover, as shown in Figure 1A, the lever 60 has an arcuate projection 63; when the lever 60 pivots, the projection 63 engages wall 44 of frame 30, thereby limiting the pivoting and sliding of the lever 60 in the other direction. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2B, an engagement hole 41 which engages with a projection 25 formed on the housing 22 is formed in the side wall 31 of the frame 30 (see Figure IB) . Although not shown, an engagement hole is also formed in the opposite side wall 36. In addition, as shown in Figure 2B, a cantilever beam engagement member 42 is formed in the vicinity of the rear end of the side wall 31 of the frame 30. Engagement member 42 extends upward in the direction of height of the frame 30. The engagement member 42 enters a slot 24 formed in the plastic housing 22 of the connector 20, and engages with this slot (see Figure 1A) . As shown in Figure 2B, the frame 30 is equipped with a retention leg 43 which is used to support the memory card connector 10 by attaching the memory card connector 10 to a base plate (not shown) . Furthermore, a positioning member 71, which is used to position the memory card connector 10 in an appropriate position with respect to the base plate is formed forward of the retention leg 43. Figure 3A shows an enlargement of an ejector member mounting section 38 including spaced pairs of claws 37 which face each other (see Figure 2B) . Each of the claws 37 has a substantially horizontal part 45 which extends outward, and a vertical part 46 which extends toward the other claw of the pair. Illustrated in Figures 3B and C is an enlarged view of the reinforcing member supporting section 34 including a pair of offset claws 35a, 35b. Each of the claws 35 has a substantially similar shape as the claw 37. The claws 35a, 35b of the reinforcing member supporting section 34 are formed by stamping and forming a part of the sidewalls 31, thereby providing openings 29a, 29b in the sidewalls 31 at these locations. Each reinforcing member supporting section 34 further has an inwardly-directed projection 47 which is punched out toward the inside, and a columnar plate 47 which is formed by being bent back toward the inside from the top surface 48 of the frame 30. The ejector member 50, as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, is an integral molding of plastic, and includes an operating section 51, an attachment or mounting section 52 used for mounting to the ejector member mounting section 38 of the frame 30, and a lever engagement section 53 used for engagement with the lever 60. The operating section 51, mounting section 52 and lever engagement section 53 are positioned substantially on a straight line, and the operating section 51 is formed with a relatively large width so that the operating section 51 can easily be operated with a finger. The mounting section 52 has mounting structures 54 which are formed in two places on the upper side and two places located in symmetrical positions on the bottom side. Each mounting structure 54 has a groove 55 which extends in the direction of the length of the ejector member 50, and a space 56 which communicates with the rear end of the groove 55, i.e., the end of the groove 55 located closest to the lever engagement section 53. Each space 56 is formed so that the space 56 is open on the side facing the frame 30, i.e., so that the space 56 is open at the side 57. Furthermore, a cantilever arm 58, which extends in the direction of length of the ejector member 50, is formed inside each space 56. Each of these arms 58 extends from the rear end of the entrance opening of the corresponding space 56 in the same plane as the side 57; then, at an intermediate position, each arm 58 turns inward and then extends further toward the end 59 of the groove 55, terminating in the vicinity of this end 59, thereby forming a stepped shape. Accordingly, each arm 58 includes an end edge 80 which faces the groove 55, and a surface 81 which faces outward inside the space 56. The action of these arms 58 will be described later. As shown in Figures 4A and 6, the lever engagement section 53 has a fixed part 82, and a pair of cantilever gripping members 83 which are positioned along opposite sides of the fixed part 82, i.e., the top side and the bottom side of the fixed part 82. The gripping members 83 extend rearward in the direction of length along the fixed part 82. Slots 84 which accommodate an end portion 64 of the lever 60 (see Figures 1A and 6) are formed between the gripping members 83 and the fixed part 82. Projections 85 which face the fixed part 82 are formed near the tip ends of the gripping members 83. Each projection 85 has an inclined surface 86 and a stop surface 87 which is substantially perpendicular to the corresponding slot 84. Next, the attachment of the ejector member 50 to the frame 30 will be described with reference to the action of the mounting structures 54 shown in Figures 5A-5C. First, the side wall 57 of the ejector member 50 is caused to face the side wall 31 of the frame 30, and the ejector member 50 is positioned substantially parallel to the frame 30 so that the claws 37 are aligned with the surfaces 81 of the arms 58 inside the spaces 56 (see Figure 5A) . Next, the ejector member 50 is moved toward the frame 30 while being maintained in a parallel position; as a result, the claws 37 engage the surfaces 81 and push them inwardly with an appropriate force so that the arms 58 are caused to bend (see Figure 5B) . Afterward, the ejector member 50 is caused to slide forward relative to the frame 30, i.e., is caused to slide in the direction indicated by arrow X in Figure 5B; as a result, the claws 37 enter the grooves 55 as shown in Figure 5C. At this time, the arms 58 return to an unbent or normal state; as a result, the end edges 80 of the arms 58 are positioned in the vicinity of the ends 59 of the grooves 55, so that the claws 37 are prevented from slipping out. While the ejector member 50 is being caused to slide in the direction indicated by the arrow X, the ejector member 50 and the lever 60 are also engaged. When the mounting structures 54 of the ejector member 50 are in the state shown in Figure 5B, the lever 60 is maintained in position B shown in Figure 1A. The end portion 64 of the lever 60 is constructed so that the end portion 64 is in the same position as the upper slot 84 of the lever engagement section 53 of the ejector member 50. When the ejector member 50 is caused to slide in the direction indicated by arrow X, the end portion 64 first engages the inclined surface 86 of the projection 85 of the upper gripping member 83. As this sliding movement progresses further, the gripping member 83 is lifted upward by the end portion 64 as shown in Figure 6. When the end portion 64 passes the position of the projection 85, the gripping member 83 returns to its normal state. The surface of the projection 85 on the opposite side of ths projection 85 from the inclined surface 86 is a stop surface 87 which is substantially perpendicular to the gripping member 83. Accordingly, even if the end portion 64 is pressed against the stop surface 87, there is no bending of the gripping member 83, and the end portion 64 is therefore held in place inside the slot 84. With this, the engagement of the ejector member 50 and the lever 60 is completed. An ejector member 150 constituting a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figures 7- 9. The differences between the ejector member 150 and the ejector member 50 are in the shapes of the mounting or attachment structures 154 of the mounting section 152 and lever engagement section 153. Each of the attachment structures 154 has a groove 155, which extends in the direction of length of the ejector member 150, and a space 156, which communicates with the groove 155 at the outer end of the groove 155. As is shown in Figures 7A and 7B, space 156 is formed so that the space 156 is open at the side 157. However, there is no cantilever arm 58 of the type shown in the ejector member 50. Among the surfaces which delineate the space 156, the surface 181 which is positioned further inward than the side 157 is formed so that surface 181 is in substantially the same plane as the wall 170 which delineates the inner wall of groove 155. The lever engagement section 153, like the lever engagement section 53, has a fixed part 182, and a pair of cantilever gripping members 183 which are positioned along opposite sides of the fixed part 182, i.e., the top side and the bottom side of the fixed part 182. However, the shape of the fixed part 182 differs from that of the fixed part 82. As is shown in Figure 7A, the outer end 188 of the fixed part 182 is formed with a narrow width, so that inclined surfaces 189 and spaces 184 are formed. The attachment of the ejector member 150 will be described with reference to the mounting or attachment structures 154 shown in Figures 8A-8C. First, the side 157 of the ejector member 150 is caused to face the side 31 of the frame 30, and the ejector member 150 is positioned substantially parallel to the frame 30 so that the claws 37 are aligned with the walls 181 inside the spaces 156 (see Figure 8A) . Next, the ejector member 150 is moved toward the frame 30 while being maintained in a parallel position; as a result, the claws 37 contact the walls 181 and are stopped as shown in Figure 8B. Afterward, the ejector member 150 is caused to move forward relative to the frame 30, i.e., is caused to move in the direction indicated by arrow X in Figure 8B; as a result, the claws 37 are introduced into the grooves 155 as shown in Figure 8C. The lever engagement section 153 acts substantially similar to the lever engagement section 53. That is, the upper flexible gripping member 183 latches to the end portion 64 of the lever 60 in the upper slot 184 along the stationary portion 182. Functional differences are caused by the slope 189 and the front end 188. That is, as the end portion 64 of the lever 60 abuts against the projection 185 of the gripping member 183, it is movable slightly, as best shown in Figure 9, thereby assuring relatively smooth engagement with the end portion 64 of lever 60. As shown in Figure 2A, the frame 30 has a substantially U-shape formed by the main support member 33 and guide arms 32a and 32b. Accordingly, the guide arms 32a and 32b tend to be displaced by bending. In order to prevent this, a reinforcing member 100 is attached near the outer ends of the guide arms 32a and 32b to reinforcing sections 34 as shown in Figure 1A. As a result of the presence of reinforcing member 100, the rigidity of the frame 30 is increased, and the guide arms 32a and 32b can be maintained at dimensions suitable for guiding the insertion of the memory card within the memory card connector. The detailed shape of the reinforcing member 100 is shown in Figures 10A-10D, wherein the reinforcing member 100 has a planar section 101, side walj sections 102, which are formed by bending the planar section 101 upwardly at both ends, and retention legs 103, which are used for fastening to a base plate, and which are formed by punching out portions of the planar section 101 and bending these portions in the opposite direction from the side wall sections 102. Openings 104 are formed in the portions of the planar section 101 where the retention legs 103 are punched out. The retention legs 103 have engagement members 110 which engage with openings in the base plate, and stop members 112 equipped with engagement surfaces 111 which are used to achieve positioning in the direction of height by engaging the surface of the base plate. As shown in Figure 10A, one end portion of each side wall section 102 is bent in a U-shape, and is turned inward so that the end portion extends toward the opposite end of the side wall section 102. Each side wall section 102 has a grounding arm 105, which constitutes a first cantilever beam, and an engagement arm 106, which constitutes a second cantilever beam that engages with the reinforcing supporting section 34 of the frame 30. As is shown in Figures 10C and 10D, the engagement arms 106 extend in the opposite direction from the grounding arms 105, and the grounding arms 105 are positioned to the inside of the engagement arms 106. Furthermore, recesses 107 are formed in the opposite ends of the side wall sections 102 from the ends to which the grounding arms 105 are connected. The attachment of the reinforcing member 100 to the frame 30 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2A, 2B, 3B, 3C, 10-lOD, 11A and 11B. Figures 11A and 11B show the end of the guide arm 32a; however, the end of the guide arm 32b also has a similar construction. The reinforcing member 100 is attached by being caused to slide in the direction indicated by arrow X in Figure 11A from the end edge of the guide arm 32a. Here, the side wall section 102 of the reinforcing member 100 is positioned outside the side wall 31, and is positioned so that side wall section 102 is supported the claws 35a and 35b. In the state of completed attachment shown in Figures 11A and 11B, the engagement arm 106 of the side wall section 102 engages with the opening 29b as shown in Figure 11A, so that the reinforcing member 100 is prevented from slipping out. In this case, the claw 35a is accommodated in the recess 107. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11B, the inwardly-directed projection 47 and columnar plate 49 shown in Figure 3B are positioned on the back surface side of the grounding arm 105. Both of these parts function as anti-over-stress members for the grounding arm 105, and prevent flattening <.f the grounding arm 105 during insertion of the memory car . Since the reinforcing member 100 has integrally- formed retention legs and grounding arms, the following merit is also obtained: namely, the number of parts required in the memory card connector can be reduced. The memory card connector of the present invention and the ejector member used thereby provide a construction which allows relatively easy attachment of the ejector member and is especially suitable for automated assembly. This construction also provides a high degree of mechanical reliability for ejection of the memory card. Furthermore, the manufacturing costs are also relatively low.

Claims: CLAIMS l. A memory card connector comprising a frame (30) having a support member (33) and guide arms (32a, 36b) along which a memory card is guided, an ejection lever (60) pivotally mounted on the support member for ejecting the memory card from the connector, an ejector member (50) movably mounted along one of the guide arms and connected to the ejection lever to operate the ejection lever to eject the memory card from the connector, characterized in that the one of the guide arms (32a, 32b) includes an ejector member mounting section (38) , the ejector member (50, 150) includes a mounting section (52, 152) having mounting structures (54, 154) for slidable engagement with the ejector member mounting section (38) thereby mounting the ej ctor member on the frame (30) . 2. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ejector member mounting section (38) includes opposing claws (37) . 3. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opposing claws (37) have horizontal (45) and vertical (46) sections. 4. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting structures (54) each include a groove (55, 155) extending along an inside surface of the ejector member (50, 150) in communication with a recess (56, 156), and a surface (81, 181) in said recess for engagement by the vertical sections (46) of said claws (37) as said claws are moved into the recesses (56, 156) whereafter said ejector member (50, 150) is moved relative to said frame (30) causing vertical sections (46) to move into the grooves (55, 155) thereby mounting said ejector member onto said frame (30) and being movable relative thereto. 5. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein said surface (81) is part of a cantilever arm (58! extending along said recess (56) . 6. A memory card connector as claimed in claim , wherein said surface (181) is part of an inner wall of said groove (155) and said recess (156) . 7. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ejector member (50, 150) includes a lever engagement section (53, 153) for engagement with an end portion (64) of said ejection lever (60) . 8. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guide arms (32a, 32b) have reinforcing supporting sections (34) , a reinforcing member (100) having a planar section (101) provided with side wall sections (102) mounted in said reinforcing supporting sections (34) . 9. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein said side wall sections (102) have grounding arms (105) extending inwardly along said guide arms (32a, 32b) . 10. A memory card connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame (30) has retention legs (43, 103) for mounting the connector to a base plate.

Inventors: FUTATSUGI TAKASHI, KUSUHARA TOSHITAKA, SEKINE HIROYUKI, FUTATSUGI, TAKASHI, KUSUHARA, TOSHITAKA, SEKINE, HIROYUKI
Applicants: FUTATSUGI TAKASHI, KUSUHARA TOSHITAKA, SEKINE HIROYUKI, WHITAKER CORP, FUTATSUGI, TAKASHI, KUSUHARA, TOSHITAKA, SEKINE, HIROYUKI, THE WHITAKER CORPORATION
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H05K5
IPC codes: G06K13, H01R12, H01R13, H01R43, H05K5