Abstract:
A memory card connector adapted for selectively receiving one of a first and second types of cards therein. It includes a dielectric housing having a base and at least four surrounding walls disposed at circumference of the base. The base and the four surrounding walls define a recess therebetween in combination. A plurality of terminals is positioned in the recess of the dielectric housing. At least one resilient element is positioned in the recess of the dielectric housing. The resilient element is such that it can be elastically pressed downwardly by the first type of the card during insertion of said type of the card and thus is retracted in the base or urge against an edge of the second type of the card during insertion of the second card. The memory card connector of the present invention has a relatively small size and can selectively receive the first and second types of the cards.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a connector, and more particularly to a memory card connector adapted for selectively receiving anyone of two different memory cards. 
   2. The Related Art 
   In recent years, memory cards have become popular and a wide variety of memory cards have been used, which are different in outer shape, contact pad position or the like. The memory card connector is provided to be used in an electronic appliance to adapt a memory card. 
   Micro SD card (Micro Secure Digital Card) and M2 card (Memory Stick Micro Card) are widely used because of small size, large storage capacity and high speed of the data transmission. As the Micro SD card and the M2 card have different outer shapes and contact pad positions, in order to use the two kinds of memory cards in an electronic device, two ways are provided to solve the problem. One way is that a Micro SD memory card connector and a M2 memory card connector are independently disposed in the electronic device for respectively receiving the two kinds of memory cards. Another way is that two grooves are arranged abreast or stacked together in a memory card connector for respectively receiving the two kinds of memory cards. 
   However, We can easily find that the designs described above have inevitably increased the height or the size of the memory card connector and the difficulty of the assemblage, which are not conducive to the microminiaturization of the electronic device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a memory card connector which has a relatively small size and can selectively receive anyone of two different types of memory cards of different sizes and specifications. The memory card connector adapted for selectively receiving one of a first and second types of cards therein. It includes a dielectric housing having a base and at least four surrounding walls disposed at circumference of the base. The base and the four surrounding walls define a recess therebetween in combination. A plurality of terminals is positioned in the recess of the dielectric housing. At least one resilient element is positioned in the recess of the dielectric housing. The resilient element is such that it can be elastically pressed downwardly by the first type of the card during insertion of said type of the card and thus is retracted in the base or urge against an edge of the second type of the card during insertion of the second card. The memory card connector of the present invention has a relatively small size and can selectively receive anyone of two different types of memory cards of different sizes and specifications. 
   The second type of the memory card having a smaller size can be received in the memory card connector by one side of the memory card abutting against the resilient element. The first type of the memory card having a relatively larger size can be received in the memory card connector by pressing the resilient element downwardly. So the memory card connector of the present invention has a relatively smaller size and can receive selectively receive anyone of two different memory cards of different sizes and specifications. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a memory card connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the memory card connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is another perspective view of a dielectric housing of the memory card connector in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the memory card connector with a cover covering the dielectric housing; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 1  assembled with a Micro SD card therein; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 1  assembled with a M2 card therein; 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a memory card connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a first resilient element of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second resilient element of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 7  assembled with a Micro SD card therein; and 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the memory card connector shown in  FIG. 7  assembled with a M2 card therein. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a view illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a memory card connector  100  includes a dielectric housing  1 , a plurality of terminals  3  mounted in the dielectric housing  1 , a cover  2  pivotally mounted to the dielectric housing  1 , a first resilient element  4  and a second resilient element  5 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , the dielectric housing  1  is substantially of a rectangular configuration. The housing  1  includes a front wall  11 , a rear wall  12 , a left wall  13  and a right wall  14  all of which are interconnected sequentially with each other so as to define a base  10  therein between. It is noted that the base  10  is somewhat recessed relative to the walls described above such that a recess  15  is defined by the front wall  11 , the rear wall  12 , the left wall  13  and the right wall  14  as well as the base  10  in combination. Two rows of terminal slots  101  penetrate the base  10  along its thickness direction at the front and rear end thereof respectively. Moreover, the two rows of the terminal slots  101  also penetrate the front wall  11  and the rear wall  12  respectively for receiving the terminals  3  therein. A first receiving slot  102  and a second receiving slot  103  are respectively defined in the front end and the rear end of the base  10  and penetrate the base  10 . In addition, the first receiving slot  102  and the second receiving slot  103  are both parallel to the two rows of terminal slots  101 . A connecting slot  104  of an L-shape is defined in a bottom of the base  10  and under the left wall  13  and communicates with the first receiving slot  102 . One end, which is adjacent the rear wall  12 , of the left wall  13  protrudes towards the recess  15  to form a projection  105  of a rectangular shape. Similarly, each end of the right wall  14  also protrudes towards the recess  15  to form a projection  105  of a rectangular shape. A first notch  16  and a second notch  17  are formed in the outer side of the left wall  13  respectively. Similarly, a first notch  16  and a second notch  17  are also defined in the outer side of the right wall  14 . A pair of sliding grooves  18  is respectively formed on the outer sides of the left wall  13  and the right wall  14  near the rear wall  12 . A plurality of sockets  19  is formed in the bottom of the base  10  and below the left wall  13  and the right wall  14 . And one of the sockets  19  communicates with the connecting slot  104 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the cover  2  is made of the sheet metal material by the way of stamping. The cover  2  is pivotally mounted at the back end of the dielectric housing  1  (more concretely, the cover  2  is pivoted in the sliding grooves  18  defined at the left and right walls thereof). The cover  2  includes a top member  20  and a pair of side arms  21  extending downward from both lateral sides of the top member  20 . The top member  20  is pierced appropriately and then bent partially so as to form two pressing portions  22  which are substantially of an L-shape. The middle portion of each side arm  21  protrudes inwardly to form a first fixing plate  211  for engaging with the first notch  16  of the dielectric housing  1 . One end of each side arm  21  is cut partially and then bent inwardly to form a second fixing portion  212  for engaging with the second notch  17  of the dielectric housing  1 . By contrast, the other end of each side arm  21  protrudes inwardly to form a pivot  213  for pivotally engaging with the sliding groove  18 . 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the first resilient element  4  has a first holding portion  41  of a rectangular shape, a first contact portion  42  extended slantwise and upwardly from the first holding portion  41  and a first inserting portion  43  which is also extended perpendicularly and upwardly from the first holding portion  41 . The second resilient element  5  has a second holding portion  51  of a rectangular shape and a second contact portion  52  which is extended from the second holding portion  51  slantways and upwardly. The first resilient element  4  and the second resilient element  5  are disposed near the left wall  13  of the dielectric housing  1 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a plurality of fixing elements  6  is provided to fix the memory card connector  100  on an electronic device (not shown). Each of the fixing elements  6  has a fixing portion  61  and a second inserting portion  62  which runs perpendicularly upon one side of the fixing portion  61 . 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , during assembly, the terminals  3  are received in the corresponding terminal slots  101  of the dielectric housing  1 . The first holding portion  41  of the first resilient element  4  and the second holding portion  51  of the second resilient element  5  are respectively received in the first receiving slot  102  and the second receiving slot  103  of the dielectric housing  1 . The first contact portion  42  and the second contact portion  52  are positioned in the recess  15  of the dielectric housing  1 . The first inserting portion  43  is inserted into the connecting slot  104 . The distance between the peak of the first resilient element  4  and the base  10  is larger than that between the peak of the terminals  3  and the base  10 . The distance between the peak of the second element  5  and the base  10  is also larger than that between the peak of the terminals  3  and the base  10 . The second inserting portions  62  of the fixing elements  6  are respectively inserted into the corresponding sockets  19 . The two pivots  213  of the cover  2  are pivotally inserted into the two sliding grooves  18  respectively. When the cover  2  envelops the dielectric housing  1 , the first fixing plates  211  and the second fixing plates  212  of the cover  2  are respectively received in the first notches  16  and the second notches  17  of the dielectric housing  1 . 
   Please refer to  FIG. 5 , a Micro SD card  7  is received in the recess  15  of the dielectric housing  1 . Because the distance between the peak of the first resilient element  4  and the base  10  is larger than that of the peak of the terminals  3  and the base  10 , and the distance between the peak of the second element  5  and the base  10  is also larger than that of the peak of the terminals  3  and the base  10 , and due to the shape of the Micro SD card  7 , the first resilient element  4  and the second resilient element  5  abut against one side of the Micro SD card  7 , while the projections  105  formed in the right wall  14  abut against the opposite side of the Micro SD card  7 . Therefore, the Micro SD card  7  is fixed in the recess  15  and electrically connects with the terminals  3 . When the cover  2  covers the dielectric housing  1  and the Micro SD card  7 , the pressing portions  22  press against the Micro SD card  7  to ensure the electrical connection between the Micro SD card  7  and the terminals  3  steady. 
   Please refer to  FIG. 6 , a M2 card  8  having a plurality of gaps  81  on two opposite sides thereof is received in the recess  15  of the dielectric housing  1 . Due to the shape of the M2 card  8 , the first resilient element  4  and the second resilient element  5  is pressed down to the first receiving slot  102  and the second receiving slot  103  respectively. The projections  105  mate with the gaps  81  to fix the M2 card  8  in the recess  15 . When the cover  2  covers the dielectric housing  1  and the M2 card  8 , the pressing portions  22  press against the M2 card  8  to ensure the electrical connection of the M2 card  8  and the terminals  3  steady. 
     FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and in this embodiment the memory card connector  100  includes a dielectric housing  1 ′, a plurality of terminals  3 ′ mounted in the dielectric housing  1 ′, a cover  2 ′ pivotally mounted to the dielectric housing  1 ′, a first resilient element  4 ′ and a limiting element  5 ′. The terminals  3 ′ and the cover  2 ′ are the same as the terminals  3  and the cover  2  in the first embodiment. 
   The dielectric housing  1 ′ is similar to the dielectric housing  1  in the first embodiment. The dielectric housing has a base  10 ′. A front wall  11 ′, a rear wall  12 ′, a left wall  13 ′ and a right wall  14 ′ respectively extend upwardly from four sides of the base  10 ′ and a recess  15 ′ is defined by the walls and the base  10 ′ collectively. A first receiving slot  102 ′ is defined in the base  10 ′ and adjacent to the left wall  13 ′. Three slits (not shown) are formed in the base  10 ′ around the first receiving slot  102 ′. One end of the left wall  13 ′ near the rear wall  12 ′, and two ends of the right wall  14 ′ respectively protrude inward to form a projection  105 ′. A cavity  121 ′ is formed at the junction of the rear wall  12 ′ and the left wall  13 ′ and passes through the rear wall  12 ′ to communicate with the recess  15 ′. Two fixing slots (not shown) are respectively formed in two sidewalls of the cavity  121 ′. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the first resilient element  4 ′ has a holding portion  41 ′ of a rectangular shape fixed in the first receiving slot  102 ′. A contact portion  42 ′ slantwise extends upwardly from one side of the holding portion  41 ′ and three inserting portions  43 ′ perpendicularly extend upwardly from the rest three sides of the holding portion  41 ′ respectively. The inserting portions  43 ′ are received in the slits of the dielectric housing  1 ′ for fixing the holding portion  41 ′ in the base  10 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′. The contact portion  42 ′ extends into the recess  15 ′. The distance between the peak of the resilient element  4 ′ and the base  10 ′ is larger than that between the peak of the terminals  3 ′ and the base  10 ′. 
   Please refer to  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the limiting element  5 ′ is received in the cavity  121 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′. The limiting element  5 ′ includes a fixing member  51 ′, an elastic member  52 ′ and a sliding member  53 ′. The fixing member  51 ′ has a rectangular basic board  510 ′. A first retaining portion  511 ′ protrudes outward from one side of the basic board  510 ′ and a second retaining portion  512 ′ perpendicularly extends from the other side of the basic board  510 ′ opposite the first retaining portion  511 ′. The first retaining portion  511 ′ and the second retaining portion  512 ′ are respectively received in corresponding fixing slots formed in the cavity  121 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′ to fix the fixing member  51 ′ in the cavity  121 ′. Two rods  513 ′ project forward from the basic board  510 ′. 
   The sliding member  53 ′ includes a stopping portion  531 ′ and an extending portion  532 ′ extending forward from one end of the stopping portion  531 ′. The stopping portion  531 ′ is slidably received in the cavity  121 ′. The extending portion  532 ′ passes through the cavity  121 ′ and extends out of the cavity  121 ′ (more specifically runs into the recess  15 ). The extending portion  532 ′ has a first limiting side  5321 ′ and a second limiting side  5322 ′ both of which are substantially orthogonal to each other. Two blind holes  533 ′ are formed in the sliding member  53 ′ and pass through the stopping portion  531 ′ and a part of the extending portion  532 ′. 
   In this embodiment, the elastic member  52 ′ are two coils of springs. One end of each spring  52 ′ tightly surrounds the rod  513 ′, and the other end is received in the blind hole  533 ′. The extending portion  532 ′ of the sliding member  53 ′ is pushed in the recess  15 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′ due to the elasticity of the springs  52 ′. 
   Please refer to  FIG. 10 , a Micro SD card  7 ′ is received in the recess  15 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′. One side of the Micro SD card  7 ′ is restricted by the projections  105 ′ formed on the right wall  14 ′ and the opposite side of the Micro SD card is restricted by the first resilient element  4 ′ and the first limiting side  5321 ′ of the extending portion  532 ′ of the limiting element  5 ′. The cover  2 ′ is closed on the dielectric housing  1 ′ and ensures the electrical connection between the Micro SD card  7 ′ and the terminals  3 ′ securely. 
   Please refer to  FIG. 11 , a M2 card  8 ′ having a plurality of gaps  81 ′ on two opposite sides thereof is received in the recess  15 ′ of the dielectric housing  1 ′. When the M2 card  8 ′ is inserted the dielectric housing  1 ′, one end of the M2 card  8 ′ firstly pushes the second limiting side  5322 ′ of the extending portion  532 ′ of the sliding member  53 ′ for pushing the extending portion  532 ′ into the cavity  121 ′, and then the M2 card  8 ′ presses the contact portion  42 ′ of the first resilient element  4 ′ into the receiving slot  102 ′. The gaps  81 ′ respectively mate with the projections  105 ′. The cover  2 ′ is covered on the dielectric housing  1 ′ and ensures the electrical connection between the M2 card  8 ′ and the terminals  3 ′ securely. 
   The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.