Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to an access terminal for a card socket provided to an electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal and, more specifically, to an access terminal for a card socket capable of multi-accessing one card terminal provided to a card. The access terminal for a card socket, of the present disclosure, provided in a housing of the card socket for an electronic device so as to access a card containing various pieces of information or data includes a main terminal, an auxiliary terminal, and a connection unit for connecting the main terminal and the auxiliary terminal. The main terminal is provided in numbers corresponding to the numbers of card terminals of the card so as to access the card terminals. The auxiliary terminal is connected to the main terminal and selectively accesses the same card terminal accessed by the main terminal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a national stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2015/006122, filed Jun. 17, 2015, which claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0073663, filed Jun. 17, 2014, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to an access terminal for a card socket furnished on an electronic apparatus such as a mobile telephony terminal. More specifically, this disclosure relates to an access terminal for a card socket that enables multiple access to a single card terminal. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Among the various cards furnished on a mobile telephony terminal, SIM cards are loaded with the majority of information needed for actuating the terminal; in particular, they are loaded with subscriber personal information such as passwords, as well as related encrypted data including the telephone number, network number, etc. Accordingly, mobile terminal are furnished with a SIM card socket in the main circuit board that is mounted within the terminal, and are designed so that the SIM card makes electrical contact with the SIM card socket. 
         [0004]    In the SIM card socket is furnished a access terminal where contact occurs with the card terminal furnished on the SIM card. The card terminal and the access terminal of the socket correspond one-to-one; as in Korean Registered Patent No. 0919948 (hereinafter “the reference”), a single access terminal is contacted to a single card terminal. 
         [0005]    According to the reference, in the housing there are furnished the same number of access terminals as are furnished on the SIM card; the contact point part of the access terminal protrudes up from the bottom surface of the housing to contact with the card terminal of the SIM card. 
         [0006]    If the same number of access terminals are furnished on the SIM card socket as on the card terminal furnished on the SIM card, as in the prior patent, if some access terminals furnished on the SIM card socket are damaged then the signals cannot be properly transmitted, leading unavoidably to a product defect. 
         [0007]    Patent Reference 1: Republic of Korea Registered Patent Gazette No. 0919948 (issued 2009 Oct. 1). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The disclosure resolves the foregoing problems of the prior art and provides an access terminal for a card socket that can reliably make contact with the card terminal, by virtue of having a plurality of contact points that can make a plurality of contacts with a single card terminal furnished on the card. 
         [0009]    The access terminal for a card socket of this disclosure is an access terminal that is furnished on the housing of a card socket of an electronic apparatus so as to make contact with a card that holds various data for information; it comprises main terminals that are furnished in a number corresponding to the card terminals furnished on the card so as to make contact with the card terminal; auxiliary terminals that optionally contact the same card terminal the main terminal contacts and the main terminal; and a connecting part that connects the main terminals and auxiliary terminals. 
         [0010]    The main terminals and auxiliary terminals have different lengths. 
         [0011]    On the connecting part, an elasticity reinforcement hole is formed to facilitate elastic deformation of the main and auxiliary terminals without plastic deformation. 
         [0012]    The main terminals and auxiliary terminals extend as a single unit forward from the connecting part; the elasticity reinforcement hole is formed obliquely to the left or right of the center of the connecting part, so that the distance to one edge from the center line L, which passes through the center of the elasticity reinforcement hole from front to back, is less than the width measured from the center line L to the edge of the other side. 
         [0013]    The portions of the connecting part to the left and right of the elasticity reinforcement hole become narrower toward the front. 
         [0014]    The elasticity reinforcement hole grows wider toward the front of the connecting part. 
         [0015]    One side of the portions of the connecting part to the left and right of the elasticity reinforcement hole, which has a lesser width measured from the center line L of the elasticity reinforcement hole, is located behind the one of the main and auxiliary terminals that is longer; the other side that has a greater width measured from the center line of the elasticity reinforcement hole is located behind the one of the main and auxiliary terminals that is shorter. 
         [0016]    The width of the terminal, from among the main and auxiliary terminals, that is shorter is less than the width of the terminal that is longer. 
         [0017]    When the card or card adapter is removed or inserted, as the auxiliary terminal first contacts the card or card adapter and descends, the auxiliary terminal also induces the main terminal, which is connected to it via the connecting part, to descend. 
         [0018]    The main terminal and access terminal comprise: an upward-inclined part having internal elasticity, extending from the connecting part and formed sloping obliquely toward the front end; and a downward-inclined part extending inclined obliquely downward from the front end of the upward-inclined part. 
         [0019]    The main and auxiliary terminals differ in length and in the height of the contact points. 
         [0020]    The contact point of the main terminal and the contact point of the auxiliary terminal are formed at different positions front-to-back. 
         [0021]    The auxiliary terminal is formed longer than the main terminal; the front end thereof is positioned lower than the front end of the main terminal on the housing. 
         [0022]    When mounted in the housing, the front end of the auxiliary terminal is positioned lower than the internal floor of the housing. 
         [0023]    The main and auxiliary terminals are formed separately from one another from the center of the front end of the connecting part. 
         [0024]    The main terminal is formed with a shape that narrows to left and right from the part that connects to the connecting part to the part preceding the contact point. 
         [0025]    The access terminal for a card socket according to this disclosure has the following effects. 
         [0026]    First, because a plurality of contact points with the card terminal are formed due to the access terminal corresponding to each card terminal furnished on the SIM card being divided into a main terminal and auxiliary terminal, even if the contact status is defective due e.g. to the main terminal being damaged, a defective connection between the access terminal and card terminal can be prevented due to the auxiliary terminal also being contact to the card terminal, thus enabling product reliability to be maintained. 
         [0027]    Second, plastic deformation of the access terminal may be prevented, and as a result product quality may be maintained over the long term, due to elastic deformation being facilitated when a SIM card is inserted into or removed from the card socket, due to the main and auxiliary terminals being formed with different lengths and widths, forming an elasticity reinforcement hole on the connecting part. 
         [0028]    Third, the insertion or removal of the card or card adapter may be facilitated, without catching on the terminal, because when the card or card adapter is removed or inserted, as the auxiliary terminal first contacts the card or card adapter and descends, the auxiliary terminal also induces the main terminal, which is connected to it via the connecting part, to descend. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing schematically the state in which a SIM card is inserted into a card socket using the access terminal for a card socket according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the card socket access terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a top view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a front view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates the relationship between the width of the respective terminals and widths of either side of the connecting part in  FIG. 3 , using arrows. 
           [0034]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are stress distribution diagrams of a trapezoidal beam and a rectangular beam, respectively. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the card adapter. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 8 through 11  are oblique views showing the process of removing a card adapter previously inserted in a socket wherein is furnished a access terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure from the socket. 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is an oblique view of the card socket access terminal according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is a top view of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  illustrates stress results exhibited by respective terminals in diverse shapes (Comparison Example 1, Comparison Example 2, Embodiment 1), having two terminals with different widths and lengths and a connecting part connecting the two terminals, which are subjected to forces of identical magnitudes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    Hereinbelow, access terminals for card sockets according to preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the attached diagrams. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a drawing showing schematically the state in which a SIM card is inserted into a card socket using the access terminal for a card socket according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. 
         [0042]    The card socket  1  comprises a housing  100 , access terminal  200 , and metal shell  300 . 
         [0043]    In the housing  100  is formed a terminal deformation hole  101  to enable elastic deformation when the access terminal  200  is depressed by the SIM card  2  when the SIM card  2  is inserted. 
         [0044]    The rear end of the access terminal  200  is embedded in the housing  100 ; the front end is exposed via the terminal deformation hole  101  of the housing  100  so as to contact the card terminal  2   a  of the SIM card  2 . The access terminal  200  comprises: a main terminal  210  that contacts the card terminal  2   a , furnished in a number corresponding to the number of card terminals  2   a  furnished on the SIM card  2 ; and an auxiliary terminal  220  connected to the main terminal  210  so that the connection with the card terminal  2   a  can be maintained even if the main terminal  210  is damaged. 
         [0045]    As shown in the drawing, because the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  make contact with the same card terminal  2   a  at the same time, the auxiliary terminal  220  maintains its connection with the card terminal  2   a  even if the main terminal  210  is damaged (and also maintaining the connection of the main terminal and card terminal even if the auxiliary terminal is damaged); however, configurations are not limited thereto, and it may also be configured so that only the main terminal  210  is contacted with the card terminal  2   a  and the auxiliary terminal  220  contacts the card terminal  2   a  only if the main terminal  210  is damaged. In addition, it is possible for the main terminals  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  to contact the card terminal  2   a  simultaneously, or for the main terminal  210  alone to make contact, depending on factors such as the difference in thickness of the inserted card. 
         [0046]    The contact point of the main terminal  210  and the contact point of the auxiliary terminal  220  are both located on top of the internal floor of the housing  100  so that they can make contact with the card terminal  2   a  before the SIM card  2  has been inserted. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the card socket access terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;  FIG. 3  is a top view of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 4  is a front view of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0048]    The access terminal  200  according to this embodiment comprises: a main terminal  210 , an auxiliary terminal  220 , a connecting part  230 , and an embedding part  240 . 
         [0049]    The main terminal  210  comprises: a first upward inclined part  211  that has internal elasticity due to being formed inclined upward obliquely toward the front end; a first downward-inclined part  212  extending inclined obliquely downward from the front end of the first upward-inclined part  211 ; and a first contact point  213  that is formed at the top end of the first upward-inclined part  211  so as to contact the card terminal  2   a . The first upward-inclined part  211  is not formed in a straight line, and is formed in a single upward curve to afford greater elasticity. 
         [0050]    The auxiliary terminal  220  comprises: a second upward inclined part  221  that has internal elasticity due to being formed inclined upward obliquely toward the front end; a second downward-inclined part  222  extending inclined obliquely downward from the front end of the second upward-inclined part  221 ; and a second contact point  223  that is formed at the top end of the second upward-inclined part  221  so as to contact the card terminal  2   a.    
         [0051]    The connecting part  230  connects the rear parts of the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220 , so that the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  are bifurcated from the center of the front end of the connecting part  230 . On the connecting part  230 , an elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is formed to increase the elasticity of the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220 . When the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  are deformed, due to this elasticity reinforcement hole  231  they will be smoothly elastically deformed rather than plastically deformed. 
         [0052]    The embedded part  240  extends from the rear of the connecting part  230  toward either side of the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220 , so that if the housing  100  and access terminal  200  are overmolded, the embedded part is embedded and fixed in place in the housing  100 . 
         [0053]    The second contact point  223  of the auxiliary terminal  220  is located in front of the first contact point  213  of the main terminal  210 ; its height is lower than that of the first contact point  213 . In addition, the auxiliary terminal  220  is formed longer than the main terminal  210 ; the front end of the auxiliary terminal  220  is located below the front end of the main terminal  210 . 
         [0054]    Reference numeral  250  is a reinforcing bead that is formed across the connecting part  230  and each terminal  210 ,  220  so as to reinforce the contact pressure of the respective terminal  210 ,  220 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 5  illustrates the relationship between the width of the respective terminals and widths of either side of the connecting part in  FIG. 3 , using arrows;  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are stress distribution diagrams of a trapezoidal beam and a rectangular beam, respectively. 
         [0056]    The length of the main terminal  210  is less than that of the auxiliary terminal  220  and the width is less than that of the auxiliary terminal  220 , so that the contact pressure of the two terminals  210 ,  220  may be kept the same or similar. By minimizing the difference in contact pressure of the two terminals  210 ,  220 , the difference in contact resistance (ah electrical feature) of the two terminals  210 ,  220  may be minimized. 
         [0057]    As shown in Mathematical Formula 1 below (cantilever sagging formula), load F applied to the beam (referred to as the contact pressure at the contact terminal) is inversely proportional to the cube root of the length L, and is proportional to the width b of the beam. 
         [0058]    Mathematical Formula 1 [Formula 1] 
         [0000]      δ= FL   3 /3 EI =4 FL   3   /Ebt   3  
 
         [0059]    (δ:sagging of beam, F: load applied to beam, L: length of beam, E: modulus of elasticity of ordinary structural steel, I: 2nd moment of cross-sectional area, b: width of beam, t: height of beam) 
         [0060]    Based on Formula 1 above, by varying the lengths of the two terminals  210 ,  220  and forming them with different widths, they may be given a similar or identical contact pressure. Note that the terminal contact pressure removes impurities or oxide films formed on the contact part of the terminal, and plays an important role in facilitating the conduction of electricity. If the contact pressure is lower than required, then even if there is physical contact, electricity will not flow or the contact resistance will be increased so that there is an unnecessarily great risk of heat (or fire). 
         [0061]    An elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is formed on the connecting part  230  in order to increase the elasticity of the terminals  210 ,  220 ; because the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is reduced in left-right width from the rear toward the front end of each terminal  210 ,  220 , the left-right width of the part located on the left or right side of the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is also reduced toward the front end of the respective terminal  210 ,  220 . The portions of the connecting part  230  formed on the left and right of the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  are formed trapezoidally, reducing in width towards the front end of the terminals  210 ,  220 . 
         [0062]    Note that as shown in  FIG. 6A , when viewed from above, a beam having a trapezoidal shape will have an overall uniform stress distribution, while as shown in  FIG. 6B , when viewed from above, a beam having a rectangular shape will have a non-uniform stress distribution. 
         [0063]    As can be seen from these stress distribution diagrams, in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, because the stress is uniformly distributed overall in the left and right parts of the connecting part  230 , the risk of plastic deformation may be eliminated. 
         [0064]    Additionally, because the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is formed obliquely to one side of the connecting part  230 , the width b 1  from the center line L that passes through the center of elasticity reinforcement hole  231  to one side of the connecting part  230  is greater than the width b 2  from the center line L 2  to the other side of the connecting part  230 . 
         [0065]    The difference in widths on either side of the connecting part  230  plays a great role in making the contact pressure of the two terminals  210 ,  220  similar or identical. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 5 , it is preferable that the side portion of the connecting part  230  that is narrow in width measured from the center line L of the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is formed at the rear of the auxiliary terminal  220 , which is the longer and wider of the two terminals  210 ,  220 , and the portion that is wider as measured from the center line L of the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  is formed behind the main terminal  210 , which is the shorter and narrower of the two terminals  210 ,  220 , because plastic deformation of the terminals  210 ,  220  is thereby reduced. 
         [0066]    In other words, plastic deformation of the terminals may be effectively prevented by means of a structure that has a trapezoidal shape with an elasticity reinforcement hole  231  formed on a connecting part  230 , and wherein the widths of the part of the connecting part  230  located to a given side of the elasticity reinforcement hole  231  are proportionally opposite to the widths of the two terminals  210 ,  220 . 
         [0067]    The main terminal  210  is also formed with narrowing left-right width from the point at which it bifurcates from the connecting part  230  to the part where the second contact point  223  is formed, enabling straightforward elastic deformation. To this end, the side located toward the auxiliary terminal  220  is formed at an incline. 
         [0068]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the card adapter;  FIGS. 8 through 11  are oblique views showing the process of removing a card adapter previously inserted in a socket wherein is furnished a access terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure from the socket. 
         [0069]    SIM cards are manufactured and used in diverse sizes, including mini SIM cards, micro SIM cards, and nano SIM cards. Because these cards differ in size, the sizes of the corresponding sockets must also vary accordingly. If respectively different sockets are thus furnished for each card, this becomes a factor increasing the unit cost of the product, so card adapters  3  have been developed and implemented that enable both large and small SIM cards to be used. Specifically, a large SIM card is simply used as-is without an adapter, while a small SIM card is coupled to the card adapter for use. 
         [0070]    When mobile telephony terminals are shipped, typically they are shipped with a card adapter coupled to the card socket. In addition, sometimes a SIM card is not coupled to the SIM card adapter when in use, and only the card adapter is coupled to the card socket. 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , on the card adapter  3  is furnished a card coupling hole  3 a for the SIM card to be inserted and coupled; because the access terminal is formed inclined in the direction of insertion, when the card adapter  3  is inserted into the card socket, the card adapter  3  can be smoothly inserted without being obstructed by the access terminal. However, if the card adapter  3  is removed from the card socket, the card coupling hole  3   a  of the card adapter  3  will catch on the end of the access terminal and prevent easy separation, and in addition, the access terminal may be deformed and damaged by excessive force being applied during removal. This disclosure is able to resolve these problems by furnishing an auxiliary terminal  220 . 
         [0072]    As seen in  FIG. 8 , according to this disclosure, when the access terminal  200  is mounted on the housing  100 , the front end of the main terminal  210  is located on the internal floor of the housing  100 , and the front end of the auxiliary terminal  220  is located below the internal floor of the housing  100 . 
         [0073]    When the card adapter  3  is coupled to the card socket  1 , the edge of the card coupling hole  3   a  is not contacted with the front end of the access terminal  200 . Even when it does make contact, it does not make contact with the main terminal  210 , but contacts the top surface of the front end part of the auxiliary terminal  220 . 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , if the card adapter  3  is pulled in order to remove it, the edge of the card coupling hole  3   a  first contacts the top surface of the front end of the auxiliary terminal  220  as the auxiliary terminal  220  is pushed downward. If the auxiliary terminal  220  is thus pushed downward, the main terminal  210 , which is connected as a single unit with the auxiliary terminal  220 , also descends, and the front end thereof descends below the floor of the internal surface of the housing  100 . Accordingly, the edge of the card coupling hole  3 a does not catch on the front end of the main terminal  210 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , if the card adapter  3  continues to be pulled, the area around the card coupling hole  3   a  presses against both the auxiliary terminal  220  and the main terminal  210 , thus facilitating separation from the card socket  1 . 
         [0076]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , if the card adapter  3  passes the access terminal  200  as it is being removed, the access terminal  200 , comprising the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220 , is restored to its original state by its own elasticity. 
         [0077]    In one embodiment of this disclosure, the front ends of the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  are located on the housing  100  pointing toward the rear, and there is consequently a risk of catching when the card adapter  3  is inserted; to address this, the auxiliary terminal  220  is formed so as to induce the main terminal  210  to descend. This role of the auxiliary terminal  220  may be applied in the same way even when the front ends of the main terminal  210  and auxiliary terminal  220  are facing the front of the housing  100 . In other words, the auxiliary terminal  220  may induce the main terminal  210 , to which it is connected via the connecting part  230 , to descend as the auxiliary terminal descends upon first contacting the card or card adapter  3  when the card or card adapter  3  is inserted or removed. 
         [0078]    Hereinbelow, the stresses exhibited by respective terminals in diverse shapes (Comparison Example 1, Comparison Example 2, Embodiment 1), having two terminals with different widths and lengths and a connecting part connecting the two terminals, are subjected to forces of identical magnitudes. The stress results are shown in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0079]    Comparison Example 1 is a terminal for use in a socket wherein the lengths and widths of the main and auxiliary terminals differ, and no elasticity reinforcement hole is formed on the connecting part; Comparison Example 2 is a terminal for use in a socket wherein the lengths and widths of the main and auxiliary terminals differ and an elasticity reinforcement hole is formed on the connecting part. The elasticity reinforcement hole in Comparison Example 2 is shown in the drawings as offset to the right (behind the main terminal). Embodiment 1 is a terminal for a socket according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure; the lengths and widths of the main and auxiliary terminals differ, and the elasticity reinforcement hole formed on the connecting part is offset to the left (behind the auxiliary terminal) in the drawings. 
         [0080]    Examining the trend in stress when the contact terminals are subjected to forces of identical magnitudes, the stresses are 837.138 MPa in Comparison Example 1 where there is no elasticity reinforcement hole, 819.296 MPa in Comparison Example 2 where the elasticity reinforcement hole is furnished but is offset toward the rear of the main terminal, and 802.222 MPa in Embodiment 1 where the elasticity reinforcement hole is offset toward the rear of the auxiliary terminal. 
         [0081]    Reviewing these results, Comparison Example 2 and Embodiment 1, which have an elasticity reinforcement hole, may be used as access terminals for sockets; of these, when Embodiment 1 is used, it increases the reliability of the contact and the lifespan of the terminal, so that it is the most preferable. 
         [0082]      FIG. 12  is an oblique view of the card socket access terminal according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure;  FIG. 13  is a top view of  FIG. 12 . 
         [0083]    The access terminal  400  according to this embodiment comprises: a main terminal  410 , an auxiliary terminal  420 , a connecting part  430 , and an embedding part  440 . 
         [0084]    In contrast to Embodiment 1, the card socket access terminal  400  according to this embodiment has a shape wherein the width of the main terminal  410  remains constant toward the front end. The auxiliary terminal  420  likewise, as in Embodiment 1, maintains a constant width toward the front end. 
         [0085]    In this embodiment, a separate elasticity reinforcement hole is not formed on the connecting part  430 ; the embedding part  440  is the same as the embedding part  240  of Embodiment 1. 
         [0086]    Hereinabove, a description has been given of the card socket access terminal of this disclosure, based on preferred embodiments; however, this disclosure is not limited to specific embodiments, and a person having ordinary skill in the art of the relevant field can modify these embodiments in various ways without departing from the scope disclosed in the claims. 
         [0087]    For example, in the presented embodiment of this disclosure, the main terminals and auxiliary terminals are furnished one-to-one, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and an auxiliary terminal could be furnished on either side of the main terminal. Further, the front end of the auxiliary terminals could also be connected if an auxiliary terminal were furnished on either side of the main terminal.