Patent Publication Number: US-2012044625-A1

Title: Card module and method for manufacturing card module

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a card module and a method for manufacturing the card module. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, card modules are used as external data storage media. An SD (Secure Digital) card having a semiconductor memory (e.g., flash memory) installed therein or an MMC (Multi-Media Card) are examples of the card modules. By connecting the card module to a card slot provided to an electronic device such as a personal computer or a digital camera, data can be stored in the card module and data can be read out from the card module. Because the card module has a thin and small shape, the card module is widely used for various purposes. 
     Not only is the wide use of the card module desired but also the increase of storage capacity of the card module and the improvement of performance of the card module are desired. However, because of the thin and small size of the card module, the number of electronic devices and the size of electronic devices that can be mounted on the card module are limited. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may provide a card module and a method for manufacturing the card module that substantially eliminate one or more of the problems caused by the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
     Features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings, or may be learned by practice of the invention according to the teachings provided in the description. Objects as well as other features and advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained by a card module and a method for manufacturing the card module particularly pointed out in the specification in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a card module including a top case, a bottom case engaged with the top case, a substrate being positioned between the top case and the bottom case and including a first connection terminal, an electronic device provided in a space formed by engaging the top case and the bottom case, and a terminal substrate including a first surface on which a second connection terminal is formed, a second surface on which an electrode terminal is formed, and a through-hole in which a connection electrode is formed, wherein the first connection terminal is connected to the second connection terminal, wherein the second connection terminal and the electrode terminal are connected via the connection electrode. 
     Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a card module according to a related art example; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of a card module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  2 X 1 - 2 X 2  in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic diagrams for describing a method for manufacturing a card module according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic diagrams for describing a terminal substrate of a card module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are schematic diagrams for describing another method for manufacturing a card module according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate and a terminal substrate according to a first example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a terminal substrate according to the first example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate and a terminal substrate according to a second example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a terminal substrate according to the second example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate and a terminal substrate according to a third example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a terminal substrate according to the third example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate and a terminal substrate according to a fourth example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a terminal substrate according to the fourth example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate and a terminal substrate according to a fifth example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a terminal substrate according to the fifth example of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a substrate of a card module according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are schematic diagrams for describing a method for manufacturing a card module according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a substrate of another card module according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of another card module according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  14 X 1 - 14 X 2  in  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of yet another card module according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  15 X 1 - 15 X 2  in  FIG. 15A ; 
         FIG. 16A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of a card module according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  16 X 1 - 16 X 2  in  FIG. 2A ; and 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  are schematic diagrams for describing another method for manufacturing a card module according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, arrows X 1 -X 2  indicate horizontal directions of the below-described card modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  1000 ; arrows Y 1 -Y 2  indicate vertical directions of the below-described card modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  1000 ; arrows Z 1 -Z 2  indicate the depth directions of the below-described card modules  100 ,  200 ,  300 , and  1000 . 
     First Embodiment 
     First, a card module  1000  according to a related art example is described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     The card module  1000  includes a top case  1010 , a bottom case  1020 , and a substrate  1030  provided between the top case  1010  and the bottom case  1020 . Further, an electronic device (not illustrated) is allowed to be installed on the substrate  1030  in a space  1050  in-between the top case  1010  and the bottom case  1020 . 
     The substrate  1030  includes plural connection terminals (electrode terminals)  1031  provided on a portion of a front surface of the substrate  1030  for connecting to a corresponding electrode terminal(s) of a card slot (not illustrated). The substrate  1030  is mounted on the bottom case  1020  in a manner exposing the portion of the surface of the substrate  1030  on which the connection terminals  1031  are provided. It is to be noted that the connection terminal  1031  is to be connected to the electronic device (not illustrated) provided in the space  1050  via the substrate  1030 . 
     Specifications such as the size and the length of the card module  1000  are defined so that the card module  1000  can be connected to a card slot (not illustrated). For example, the thickness of the card module  1000  is approximately 2.1 mm. Further, the distance from an outer surface of the top case  1010  to the surface of the connection terminal  1031  of the substrate  1030  is approximately 1.4 mm. In order to mount a maximum amount of electronic devices or the largest possible electronic device on the card module  1000 , it is necessary to increase the size of the space  1050 . Therefore, a portion of the bottom case  1020  corresponding to an area of the space  1050  is formed with a small thickness. Accordingly, the substrate  1030  is mounted in a manner contacting an inner (surface) side of the bottom case  1032  inside the space  1050  and bent in a manner extending towards the area where the connection terminal  1031  is to be provided. 
     Accordingly, a portion of the space  1050  corresponding to a bent (inclined) area  1032  of the substrate  1030  has a height “A” which is less than a height “B” of a portion of the space  1050  corresponding to a flat area  1033  of the substrate  1030 . Therefore, even if an electronic device or the like can be mounted on the flat area  1033  of the substrate  1030 , it may be difficult for the electronic device or the like to be mounted on the bent area  1032  due to the difference of height in the space  1050 . Thus, the amount of electronic devices and the size of electronic devices that can be installed inside the card module are limited. 
     (Card Module) 
     Next, a card module  100  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the card module  100  includes a top case  10 , a bottom case  20  engaged with the top case  10 , and a substrate  30  provided between the top case  10  and the bottom case  20 . The substrate  30  is mounted in contact with an inner surface of the top case  10  without any bending of the substrate  30 . One end part of the substrate  30  is connected to a terminal substrate  40  including an electrode terminal  42  for connecting to an electrode terminal (not illustrated) of a card slot  110 . The terminal substrate  40  is formed of, for example, polyimide or glass epoxy. The terminal substrate  40  has one surface on which a connection terminal  41  is formed and another surface on which the electrode terminal  42  is formed. The connection terminal  41  and the electrode terminal  42  are connected to a connection electrode  51  formed in the through-hole  43 . The terminal substrate  40  has a first end  40   a  being positioned towards a side of the card module from which the card module is inserted (e.g., inserted towards direction Z 1  of  FIG. 2A ) to a card slot  110  and the through-hole  43  being positioned towards a second end  40   b  of the terminal substrate  40  located opposite from the first end  40   a  (see, for example,  FIG. 2A ). The connection terminal  41 , the electrode terminal  42 , and the connection electrode  51  may be formed with the same material or with one or more different materials. Furthermore, the connection terminal  41 , the electrode terminal  42 , and the connection electrode  51  may be formed substantially at the same time or formed separately in different steps. The terminal substrate  40  is electrically connected to the substrate  30 , for example, by soldering the connection terminal  41  to the below-described connection terminal  32  ( 32   a - 32   e ) of the substrate  30 . The bottom case  20  is formed in a manner exposing the electrode terminal  42 . 
     A space  50  is defined by an area surrounded by the top case  10  and the bottom case  20 . As described above, the substrate  30  is mounted in contact with the inner surface of the top case  10  without any bending of the substrate  30 . Accordingly, the space  50  has a height C which is substantially constant throughout the inside of the space  50 . Accordingly, compared to the above-described card module  1000  of the related art example, a greater number of electronic devices and larger electronic devices can be mounted to the card module  100  of this embodiment of the present invention. Thus, in order to make the most of the space  50  of the card module  100 , it is preferable to mount the substrate  30  in contact with the inner surface of the top case  10  and install an electronic device(s)  31  on a surface of the substrate  30  facing the space  50 .  FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of the card module  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module  100  taken along a dash-dot line  2 X 1 - 2 X 2  in  FIG. 2A . 
     (Method for Manufacturing Card Module) 
     Next, a method for manufacturing a card module  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a sheet substrate  60 , which can be cut into one or more separate substrates  30 , is prepared. Then, one or more terminal substrates  40  and one or more electronic devices  31  are placed on the sheet substrate  60  and soldered to the sheet substrate  60  by using reflow. Then, the sheet substrate  60  is cut into one or more separate substrates  30 . Each of the substrates  30 , which is cut off from the sheet substrate  60 , is provided between a corresponding top case  10  and a corresponding bottom case  20 . Thereby, one or more card modules  100  can be obtained. Because the soldering process using reflow is performed at a single time for connecting the substrates  30  and the terminal substrates  40  and connecting the substrates  30  and the electronic devices  31 , the cost for manufacturing the card module  100  can be reduced. That is, the manufacturing cost of the card module  100  can be reduced by soldering the substrates  30  to the terminal substrate  40  substantially at the same time of soldering the electronic devices  31  to the substrates  30 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the sheet substrate  70  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal substrate  40  cut out from the sheet substrate  70  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the terminal substrate  40  includes the electrode terminal  42  and a land part  44  connected to the electrode terminal  42 . By forming a through-hole  43  in the land part  44 , the electrode terminal  42  is connected to a connection terminal  41  provided on a back surface of the terminal substrate  40 . It is preferable to form the through-hole  43  on a predetermined side of the terminal substrate  40 , so that the through-hole  43  is positioned on a side of the card module  100  farther from a card slot  110  when the card module  100  is inserted into the card slot  110 . In other words, it is preferable for the position of the through-hole  43  of the card module  100  to be positioned more inward (e.g., towards direction Z 2  of  FIG. 2B ) compared to the electrode terminal  42 . Because the connection electrode  51  inside the through-hole  43  is formed of, for example, plating, the connection electrode  51  is substantially susceptible to stress or the like. Accordingly, it is preferable for the connection electrode  51  of the through-hole  43  to avoid contact with the electrode terminal (not illustrated) of the card slot  110  as much as possible. By providing the connection electrode  51  in a manner avoiding contact with the electrode terminal (not illustrated) of the card slot  110 , reliable electric connection can be achieved between the card module  100  and the card slot  110 . As long as the through-hole  43  is provided in a position avoiding contact with an electrode terminal (not illustrated) of the card slot  110 , the position of the through-hole  43  is not limited in particular. For example, the through-hole  43  may be positioned in an area where the electrode terminal  42  is to be formed. 
     The connection electrode  51  may be formed inside the through-hole  43  by performing the following method. For example, by forming an opening (which is to become the through-hole  43 ) at the land part  44  formed on the first and back surface of the terminal substrate  40  and performing a metal plating method, the connection terminal  51  can be formed inside the through-hole  43 . 
     Next, another method for manufacturing a card module  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , a sheet substrate  80 , which can be cut into one or more separate terminal substrates (electrode terminals)  40 , is prepared. Then, the sheet substrate  80  is placed on plural substrates  30 . Each of the substrates  30  has an electronic device  31  mounted thereon. Then, the sheet substrate  80  and the plural substrates  30  are soldered together by using reflow. Then, the sheet substrate  80  is cut into one or more separate substrates  30 . Then, each of the substrates  30  cut off from the sheet substrate  80  is provided between a corresponding top case  10  and a corresponding bottom case  20 . Thereby, one or more card modules  100  can be obtained. With this method, the soldering process using reflow is performed. The first soldering process is performed when mounting the electronic device  31  on the substrate  30 . The second soldering process is performed when mounting the terminal substrates  40  on the sheet substrate  80 . 
     (Terminal Substrate) 
     Next, the substrate  30  ( 30   a - 30   e ) and the terminal substrate  40  ( 40   a - 40   e ) used in the card module  100  according to the first embodiment of the present invention are described. In the below-described  FIGS. 6A-10B , components such as the land part  44  are omitted for the sake of convenience. 
       FIG. 6A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate  30   a  and a terminal substrate  40   a  according to a first example of the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the terminal substrate  40   a  according to the first example of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the first example illustrated in  FIG. 6B , a connection terminal  41   a  and a dummy connection terminal (also referred to as “first position matching connection terminal”)  45   a  are formed on one surface of a terminal substrate  40   a . The connection terminal  41   a  is electrically connected to an electrode terminal  42  formed on the other surface of the terminal substrate  40   a  via a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B ). A connection terminal  32   a  and a dummy connection terminal (also referred to as “second position matching terminal”)  33   a  are provided in a portion of the substrate  30   a  to be connected to the terminal substrate  40   a . The connection terminal  32   a  is connected to the connection terminal  41   a  of the terminal substrate  40   a . The dummy connection terminal  33   a  is connected to the dummy connection terminal  45   a.    
       FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate  30   b  and a terminal substrate  40   b  according to a second example of the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the terminal substrate  40   b  according to the second example of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the second example illustrated in  FIG. 7B , a connection terminal  41   b  and a dummy connection terminal  45   b  are provided on a first surface of the terminal substrate  40   b . The connection terminal  41   b  is electrically connected to the electrode terminal  42  formed on the other surface of the terminal substrate  40   b  via a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ). A connection terminal  32   b  and a dummy connection terminal  33   b  are provided in a portion of the substrate  30   b  to be connected to the terminal substrate  40   b . The connection terminal  32   b  is connected to the connection terminal  41   b  of the terminal substrate  40   b . The dummy connection terminal  33   b  is connected to the dummy connection terminal  45   b.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the connection terminal  41   a  and the dummy connection terminal  45   a  formed in the terminal substrate  40   a  have a circle shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the connection terminal  41   b  and the dummy connection terminal  45   b  formed in the terminal substrate  45  have a quadrangle shape. Nevertheless, the connection terminals  41   a ,  41   b  and the dummy connection terminals  45   a ,  45   b  may have other shapes as long as the connection terminals  41   a ,  41   b  and the dummy connection terminals  45   a ,  45   b  can be connected to corresponding connection terminals  32   a ,  32   b  and corresponding dummy connection terminals  33   a ,  33   b  formed in the substrate  30   a ,  30   b.    
       FIG. 8A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate  30   c  and a terminal substrate  40   c  according to a third example of the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the terminal substrate  40   c  according to the third example of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the third example illustrated in  FIG. 8B , a connection terminal  41   c  is provided on a first surface of the terminal substrate  40   c . The connection terminal  41   c  is electrically connected to the electrode terminal  42  formed on the other surface of the terminal substrate  40   c  via a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ). The connection terminal  41   c  includes a first connection terminal part  41   c   1  and a second connection terminal part  41   c   2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the distance from one end part of the first connection terminal part  41   c   1  to the other end part of the first connection terminal part  41   c   1  in the transverse direction of the terminal substrate  40   c  and the distance from one end part of the second connection terminal part  41   c   2  to the other end part of the second connection terminal part  41  are different. Thus, the first and second connection terminal parts  41   c   1 ,  41   c   2  having different lengths are alternately arranged on the terminal substrate  40   c . The connection terminal  41   c  is formed in a manner that the first and second connection terminal parts  41   c   1 ,  41   c   2  are prevented from being electrically connected. Therefore, the second connection terminal part  41   c   2  includes a lead electrode  46   c  for connecting to a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B ) of the terminal substrate  40   c . A connection terminal  32   c  is provided in a part of the substrate  30   c  corresponding to the position of the connection terminal  41   c , so that the connection terminal  32   c  can be connected to a corresponding connection terminal  41   c.    
       FIG. 9A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate  30   d  and a terminal substrate  40   d  according to a fourth example of the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the terminal substrate  40   d  according to the fourth example of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the fourth example illustrated in  FIG. 9B , a connection terminal  41   d  and a dummy connection terminal  45   d  are provided on a first surface of the terminal substrate  40   d . The connection terminal  41   d  is electrically connected to an electrode terminal  42  provided on a second surface of the terminal substrate  40   d  via a connection electrode (not illustrated) formed in a part  47   d  of a through-hole (hereinafter referred to as “through-hole part  47   d ”). A connection terminal  32   d , a dummy connection terminal  33   d , and a through-hole electrode connection terminal (also referred to as “position matching connection terminal”)  34   d , which are to be connected to the terminal substrate  40 , are provided in the substrate  30   d  in correspondence with the terminal substrate  40 . The through-hole electrode connection terminal  34   d  is for adjusting (matching) the positions of the substrate  30   d  and the terminal substrate  40   d . The terminal substrate  40   d  and the substrate  30   d  are connected after adjusting (matching) the position between the through-hole part  47   d  and the through-hole electrode connection terminal  34   d  corresponding to the through-hole part  47   d . In the case of connecting the terminal substrate  40   d  and the substrate  30   d , the connection terminal  32   d  is connected to the dummy connection terminal  45   d , and the dummy connection terminal  33   d  is connected to the dummy connection terminal  45   d . It is preferable to form the through-hole electrode connection terminal  34   d  with the same material as, for example, the dummy connection terminal  33   d . By forming the through-hole electrode connection terminal  34   d  with the same material as the dummy connection terminal  45   d  or the like, manufacturing costs can be prevented from increasing. 
     In one example for manufacturing the terminal substrate  40   d , plural through-holes  43  are formed in a sheet substrate  80  to be used for forming plural terminal substrates  40   d . Then, connection electrodes  51  are formed in the through-holes  43  by performing electroplating on the sheet substrate  80 . By forming the connection electrodes  51  in the through-holes  43 , electric connection can be achieved on both sides (surfaces) of the terminal substrates  40   d . Then, by cutting the sheet substrate  80  along the lines that run through the center of the through-holes  43 , plural terminal substrates  40   d  can be obtained.  FIG. 9B  illustrates an example of one of the terminal substrates  40   d  obtained by cutting the sheet substrate  80 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a top perspective view illustrating a substrate  30   e  and a terminal substrate  40   e  according to a fifth example of the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the terminal substrate  40   e  according to the fifth example of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the fifth example illustrated in  FIG. 10B , a connection terminal  41   e  is formed in a first surface of the terminal substrate  40   e . The connection terminal  41   e  is electrically connected to an electrode terminal  42  formed on a second surface of the terminal substrate  40   e  (formed on an opposite side with respect to the first surface) via a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ). The connection terminal  41   e  includes a first connection terminal part  41   e   1  and a second connection terminal part  41   e   2 . The first and second connection terminal parts  41   e   1 ,  41   e   2  having different lengths are alternately arranged on the terminal substrate  40   e . The connection terminal  41  is formed in a manner that the first and second connection terminal parts  41   e   1 ,  41   e   2  are prevented from being electrically connected. Therefore, the second connection terminal part  41   e   2  includes a lead electrode  46   e  for connecting to a connection electrode  51  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) formed in a through-hole  43  (not illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B ) of the terminal substrate  40   e.    
     Further, position matching electrode terminals  48   e  and  49   e  are formed on an end part of each side of the terminal substrate  40   e  in a longitudinal direction of the terminal substrate  40   e . The position matching electrode terminals  48   e ,  49   e  are used for position matching (adjustment) between the terminal substrate  40   e  and the substrate  30   e . The terminal substrate  40   e  and the substrate  30   e  are connected to each other after adjusting the positions of the position matching electrode terminals  48   e ,  49   e  in correspondence with position electrode terminals  35   e ,  36   e  of the substrate  30   e . A connection terminal  32   e  is provided in the substrate  30   e  in correspondence with the position of the connection terminal  41   e . Accordingly, the terminal substrate  40   e  and the substrate  30   e  are connected by connecting the connection terminal  32   e  to the connection terminal  41   e . It is preferable to form the position matching electrode terminals  35   e ,  36   e ,  48   e ,  49   e  with the same material as, for example, the connection terminal  41   e , the connection terminal  32   e , or both the connection terminal  41   e  and the connection terminal  32   e . Thus, manufacturing costs of the card module  100  can be prevented from increasing by forming the position matching electrode terminals  35   e ,  36   e ,  48   e ,  49   e  with the same material as, for example, the connection terminal  41   e , the connection terminal  32   e , or both the connection terminal  41   e  and the connection terminal  32   e.    
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a card module  200  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described. In this embodiment, an electrode terminal is formed on a substrate without using a terminal substrate. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , an electronic device  31  and an electrode terminal  240 , being provided on the substrate  30 , are connected to each other. The electrode terminal  240  is formed by, for example, performing gold plating on a metal material (e.g., stainless steel or a copper alloy) having a conductive property. 
     Next, a method for manufacturing a card module  200  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is described. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , a sheet substrate  60 , which can be cut into one or more separate substrates  30 , is prepared. Then, electrode components  250  having plural electrode terminals  240  formed thereon and electronic devices  31  are placed on the sheet substrate  60  and soldered to the sheet substrate  60  by using reflow. Then, the sheet substrate  60  is cut into one or more separate substrates  30 . The electrode component  250  includes an electrode terminal frame part  241  that connects the plural electrode terminals  240  with each other. In the case of cutting the sheet substrate  60  into separate substrates  30 , the plural electrode terminals  240  and the electrode terminal frame part  241  are cut substantially at the same time. Then, each of the substrates  30 , which is cut off from the sheet substrate  60 , is provided between a corresponding top case  10  and a corresponding bottom case  20 . Thereby, one or more card modules  200  can be obtained. Because the soldering process using reflow is performed at a single time for connecting the substrates  30  and the electrode components  250  and connecting the substrates  30  and the electronic devices  31 , the cost for manufacturing the card module  200  can be reduced. That is, the manufacturing cost of the card module  200  can be reduced by soldering the substrates  30  to the electronic components  250  substantially at the same time of soldering the electronic devices  31  to the substrates  30 . As one example for manufacturing the electrode component  250 , there is a method of mold-cutting a metal plate (e.g., stainless steel plate) into a shape of the electrode component  250  and performing a gold plating process on the mold-cut metal plate. 
     Alternatively, it may be preferable for an electrode terminal formed on the substrate  30  to have a spring-like (resilient) property. Accordingly, a spring electrode terminal  260  having a spring-like (resilient) property and a U-letter shape may be used as an alternative of the above-described electrode terminal  240 .  FIG. 14A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of another card module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 14B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  14 X 1 - 14 X 2  in  FIG. 14A . As illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14A ,  14 B, the spring electrode terminal  260  may be formed in a position of the electrode terminal  240  illustrated in  FIG. 11 . In the case of using the spring electrode terminal  260 , the spring electrode terminal  260  is provided in a predetermined position so that the spring electrode terminal  260  is connected to the bottom case  20  in a manner where at least a surface of the spring electrode terminal  260  facing the bottom case  20  is exposed. Accordingly, owing to the spring-like property of the spring electrode terminal  260 , the card module  200  can be positively connected to an electrode terminal (not illustrated) of a card slot  110 . 
     Alternatively, instead of forming the spring electrode terminal  260  on the substrate  30  in an exposed state (as illustrated in  FIGS. 14A and 14B ), the spring electrode terminal  260  may be formed on the substrate  30  in a manner contacting a back surface of an electrode terminal  270  provided in a bottom case  220 .  FIG. 15A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a back surface of yet another card module according to the second embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the card module taken along a dash-dot line  15 X 1 - 15 X 2  in  FIG. 15A . As illustrated in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the bottom case  220 , which is formed of a resin material, may be integrally formed (i.e. form a united body) with the electrode terminal  270  by insert molding. Accordingly, in this alternative example of the second embodiment, the card module  200  has the spring electrode terminal  260  of the substrate  30  contacting the back surface of the electrode terminal  270 . 
     Other than the above, the configuration of the card module  200  of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the card module  100  of the first embodiment. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next, a card module  300  according to a third embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to  FIGS. 16A and 16B . FIG.  16 A is a bottom view of the card module  300  according to the third embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view taken along a dot-dash line  16 X 1 - 16 X 2  of  FIG. 16A . 
     The card module  300  includes a top case  310 , a bottom case  320 , and a substrate  330  provided between the top case  310  and the bottom case  320 . The substrate  330  is provided in a manner contacting an inner surface of the bottom case  320  without being bent. An external connection terminal  340  is connected to one end part of the substrate  330 . The external connection terminal  340  is formed by processing a metal material or a metal substrate. In this embodiment, a part of the external connection terminal  340  is bent, so that the bent part can be connected to the substrate  330 . The bottom case  320  is formed in a manner that the external connection terminal  340  is exposed. 
     The space  350  is formed in an area surrounded by the top case  310  and the bottom case  320 . The top case  310  and the bottom case  320  are engaged with each other in a manner that the electronic device  31  mounted on the substrate  330  is installed inside the space  350 . In order to make the most of the space  350 , it is preferable to provide the substrate  330  in contact with the inner surface (in this embodiment, inner bottom surface) of the bottom case  320  and mount the electronic device  31  on the inner bottom surface of the substrate  330  facing the space  350 . 
     Next, another method for manufacturing a card module  300  according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described with  FIGS. 17A-17C . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17A , the electronic device  31  is mounted on the substrate  330 , for example, by soldering with reflow. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17B , the external connection terminal  340  is connected to a corresponding connection terminal  32  (see, for example,  FIG. 17A ) of the substrate  330 , for example, by soldering. More specifically, for example, an electrode component  350  including plural of the external connection terminals  340  connected to an electrode terminal frame part  341  is prepared. Then, the plural external connection terminals  340  are soldered to corresponding connection terminals  32  of the substrate  330  provided at an end part of the substrate  330 . Then, the electrode terminal frame part  341 , which is connected to the plural external connection terminals  340 , is cut off from the substrate  330 . Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 17C , the substrate  330  is placed between the top case  310  and the bottom case  320 . Then, the top case  310  and the bottom case  320  are engaged with each other in a manner having the substrate  330  provided therebetween. Thereby, the card module  300  can be obtained. 
     Other than the above, the configuration of the card module  300  of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the card module  100  of the first embodiment. 
     Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The present application is based on Japanese Priority Application No. 2010-186531 filed on Aug. 23, 2010, with the Japanese Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.