Patent Publication Number: US-2006014436-A1

Title: Memory card connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors and, particularly, to memory card connector that can receive different types of memory cards inserted into different receiving spaces of the connector.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Memory cards are known in the art and contain intelligence in the form of a memory circuit or other electronic program. A card reader reads the information or memory stored on the card. Such cards are used in many applications in today&#39;s electronic society, including video cameras, digital still cameras, smartphones, PDA&#39;s, music players, ATMs, cable television decoders, toys, games, PC adapters, multi-media cards and other electronic applications. Typically, a memory card includes a contact or terminal array for connection through a card connector to a card reader system and then to external equipment. The card connector readily accommodates insertion and removal of the card to provide quick access to the data and program on the card. The card connector includes terminals for yieldingly engaging the contact array of the memory card. The memory card, itself, writes or reads via the connector and can transmit between electrical appliances, such as a word processor, personal computer, personal data assistant or the like. The card connector most often is mounted on a printed circuit board.  
      Memory cards commonly are used because of their data storage capability and portability. Different manufacturers produce different types of cards, including the SM (Smart Media) card, the XD (eXtreme Digital) card, the SD (Secured Digital) card, and the MS (Memory Stick) card. For many years, different card connectors have been designed for receiving the different types of memory cards, with each connector only allowing insertion of a single type of card. Due to space limitations in electronic apparatus, it was impractical or impossible to install different types of connectors for all of the different types of memory cards. Therefore, memory card connectors were designed for accommodating multiple types of cards. The multi-card connectors have a plurality of card-insertion spaces with a plurality of respective openings at the front face of the card connector. Each different type of memory card is supposed to be inserted into only one of the card-receiving spaces whereby the contacts on the memory card engage a specific terminal array on the connector.  
      Multi-card connectors as described above have proved successful because the electronic apparatus does not have to offer additional space for a plurality of different memory card connectors. Unfortunately, problems have been encountered by attempts to insert a given memory card into a wrong card-insertion space. In addition, two types of memory cards might be inserted simultaneously into two insertion spaces. As a result, the multi-card connector is unable to determine which memory card should be accessed, and the user is confused as to which memory card the data is from. Consequently, the use of multi-card connectors have been unreliable, inconvenient and present a number of problems. The present invention is directed to solving these problems and satisfying a need for a memory card connector that can receive different types of memory cards but only in their proper card-insertion spaces in the card connector.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved memory card connector of the character described.  
      In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a memory card connector includes an insulating housing defining a first card-insertion space and a second card-insertion space for receiving first and second memory cards, respectively. A stop means is movably mounted on the housing and are engageable by the first memory card when inserted into the first space for movement into the second space to prevent the second memory card from being inserted thereinto. The stop means is engageable by the second memory card when inserted into the second space for movement into the first space to prevent the first memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
      According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the stop means comprises a one-piece stop component movably mounted on the housing and including a first engagement surface engageable by the first memory card when inserted into the first space and a second engagement surface engageable by the second memory card when inserted into the second space. The first and second engagement surfaces are located to perform dual functions of defining first and second stop surfaces abuttable by a respective one of the first and second memory cards when the other memory card is inserted into its respective space. As disclosed herein, the insulating housing is generally flat in a horizontal plane. The one-piece stop component is mounted on the housing for vertical movement relative thereto generally perpendicular to the plane.  
      According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the stop means comprises a two-piece stop assembly including first and second, relatively movable stop elements. The first stop element has a first engagement surface engageable by the first memory card when inserted into the first space. The second stop element has a second engagement surface engageable by the second memory card when inserted into the second space. The first and second stop elements have mutually engageable biasing surfaces, whereby one stop element moves the other stop element into stopping position in response to the one stop element being engaged by its respective memory card. The first stop element has a first stop surface abuttable by the first memory card when the second memory card is inserted into the second space. The second stop element has a second stop surface abuttable by the second memory card when the first memory card is inserted into the first space. Again, the insulating housing is generally flat in a horizontal plane. The first stop element is mounted on the housing for vertical movement relative thereto generally perpendicular to the plane. The second stop element is mounted on the housing for horizontal movement relative thereto generally parallel to the plane.  
      Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and the advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a memory card connector according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the cover and the stop component lifted off of the base housing;  
       FIG. 2  is a view somewhat similar to  FIG. 1 , with the cover reoriented and the stop component mounted in the base housing;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connector in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in assembled condition;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the base housing of the connector;  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the stop component;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the stop component, looking at the bottom of the component as viewed in  FIG. 5 ;  
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged front elevational view of the connector, with a first type of memory card inserted thereinto;  
       FIG. 7A  is a vertical section taken generally along line  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 7 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 7 , with the connector receiving a second type of memory card;  
       FIG. 8A  is a vertical section taken generally along line  8 A- 8 A of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , with the connector receiving a third type of memory card;  
       FIG. 10  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 7, 8  and  9 , with the connector receiving a fourth type of memory card;  
       FIGS. 11-14  are views similar to that of  FIGS. 1-4 , but of a second embodiment of the invention;  
       FIGS. 15 and 16  are enlarged perspective views, taken at different angles, of the two interengageable stop elements of the second embodiment, in disengaged condition;  
       FIGS. 17 and 18  are views similar to that of  FIGS. 15 and 16 , respectively, but with the two interengageable stop elements in engagement;  
       FIG. 19  is a further enlarged elevational view of the two stop elements interengaged;  
       FIG. 20  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 14 , but with the two stop elements mounted in the base housing;  
       FIG. 21  is a front elevational view of the connector according to the second embodiment, receiving a first type of memory card;  
       FIGS. 22-24  are views similar to that of  FIGS. 17-19 , but showing the position of the first stop element when engaged by the first type of memory card;  
       FIG. 25  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 20 , with the stop elements in positions as engaged by a second type of memory card;  
       FIG. 26  is a front elevational view of the connector according to the second embodiment, receiving a second type of memory card;  
       FIG. 27  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 26 , with the connector receiving a third type of memory card; and  
       FIG. 28  is a view similar to that of  FIGS. 26 and 27 , with the connector receiving a fourth type of memory card.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to the drawings in greater detail, a first embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-10 , and a second embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 11-28 . Both embodiments are shown in the drawings for mounting a printed circuit board on the top of the connector(s) to facilitate an illustration of the terminal connections, it being understood that the card connector(s) most likely would be mounted on top of the printed circuit board. The connectors of both embodiments are designed for receiving multiple or different types of memory cards. Generally, both embodiments include stop means for preventing a given memory card from being inserted into a wrong card-insertion space of the connector. With those understandings, such terms as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upper”, “lower” and the like herein and in the claims hereof are not meant to be limiting in any way. Such terms are used to provide a clear and concise understanding of the invention as viewed in the drawings, it being understood that the connectors of both embodiments are omni-directional in use.  
      With those understandings, reference is made first to  FIGS. 1-3  wherein a first embodiment of a memory card connector is generally designated  30 . The connector includes a two-part housing  32  formed by a cover, generally designated  34 , and a base housing, generally designated  36 . Both the cover and the base housing are fabricated of dielectric material, such as plastic or the like, and are secured in assembled condition as shown in  FIG. 3 , as by ultrasonic welding, fastening elements or the like. When so assembled, the two-part housing defines a first or upper card-receiving space  38  and a second or lower card-receiving space  40 . The spaces combine to form an overall receiving cavity  41  having an insertion opening  42  between the cover and the base housing.  
      Card connector  30  mounts four sets of conductive terminals for four different types of memory cards. A first set of terminals, generally designated  44 , are mounted on cover  34  and have contact portions for engaging the contacts of an SM (Smart Media) type memory card. A second set of terminals, generally designated  46 , are mounted on base housing  36  and have contact portions for engaging the contacts of an XD (Extreme Digital) type memory card. A third set of terminals, generally designated  48 , are mounted on base housing  36  and have contact portions for engaging the contacts of an SD (Secured Digital) type memory card. A fourth set of terminals, generally designated  50 , are mounted on base housing  36  for engaging the contacts of an MS (Memory Stick) type memory card. All of the terminals have tail portions for connection to appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board. It should be understood that the numbers and types of terminals may have different designs for accommodating different types of memory cards and are not restricted by the description of the invention herein. In addition, a pair of protection terminals  52  may be mounted on cover  34 , and a pair of guide plates  54  may be mounted on base housing  36  for guiding memory cards into cavity  41 .  
      It can be seen from  FIGS. 1-3  that the overall memory card connector  30 , as well as cover  34  and base housing  36 , are generally flat in a horizontal plane. When the connector is mounted on the printed circuit board, the flat plane of the connector is generally parallel to the printed circuit board.  
      The first embodiment of the invention centers around a single or one-piece stop component, generally designated  56 , which is mounted downwardly into base housing  36  at the front left-hand corner thereof as viewed in the drawings. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the mounting cavity  57  into which the stop component is mounted, is shown inside a front wall  58  of the base housing and is restricted between an inner wall  60  and a restriction post  62 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6  in conjunction with  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , the one-piece stop component  56  includes a vertically extending positioning rib  56   a  at the rear of the component. When the stop component is mounted into mounting cavity  57  ( FIG. 4 ) of base housing  36 , rib  56   a  is sandwiched between restriction post  62  and inner wall  60  of the base housing. When so assembled, the stop component is slidably movable relative to the base housing in a vertical direction generally perpendicular to the flat horizontal plane of the base housing and the connector. After the stop component is mounted in the base housing, cover  34  is secured to the base housing as described above.  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 1, 5  and  6 , the one-piece stop component  56  includes a first engagement surface  56   b , a second engagement surface  56   c  and a third engagement surface  56   d . All three engagement surfaces are at an angle and generally face toward the insertion direction of the memory cards. In other words, the engagement surfaces face insertion opening  42 . The first engagement surface  56   b  is engageable by the first or SM type memory card. The second engagement surface  56   c  is engageable by the second or XD type memory card. The third engagement surface  56   d  is engageable by the third or SD type memory card. In general, when one of the memory cards is inserted into its respective insertion space  38  or  40 , the engagement of that card with its respective engagement surface  56   b - 56   d  will move stop component  56  into the opposite insertion space  38  or  40  and prevent a memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
      More particularly,  FIGS. 7 and 7 A show a first or SM type memory card  66  inserted into the upper card-receiving space  38  until the contacts on the card engage the first set of terminals  44  mounted on cover  34 . As the SM card is inserted, the leading edge thereof engages the first engagement surface  56   b  of stop component  56  and slidably moves the stop component downwardly in the direction of arrow “A” into the lower card-receiving space  40  and, in essence, blocks the lower card-receiving space so that no memory card can be inserted thereinto.  
      On the other hand,  FIGS. 8 and 8 A show a second or XD type memory card  68  inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40  whereupon the contacts on the XD card engage the second set of terminals  46 . During insertion, the leading edge of the XD card engages the second engagement surface  56   c  of stop component  56  and biases the stop component upwardly in the direction of arrow “B” ( FIG. 8A ). With the XD type memory card inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40 , stop component  56  now blocks the upper card-receiving space  38  to prevent any memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
       FIG. 9  shows a third or SD type memory card  70  inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40  for engaging the third set of terminals  48  ( FIG. 1 ). During insertion, the leading edge of the SD type memory card engages the third engagement surface  56   d  of stop component  56  and, like the XD card  68  in  FIGS. 8 and 8 A, drives the stop component upwardly into the upper card-receiving space  38  and prevents any memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
       FIG. 10  shows the fourth or MS type memory card  72  inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40 . It can be seen that the MS type card is quite thick or high when inserted into the connector and, thereby, restricts the upper card-receiving space  38  that no other type of memory card can be inserted into the upper space.  
       FIGS. 11-28  show a second embodiment of the invention incorporated in a memory card connector, generally designated  30 A. The connector, itself, is very similar to connector  30 . The principal differences between the two embodiments reside in the one-piece stop component  56  of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1-10 ) has been changed to a two-piece stop assembly, generally designated  56 A in  FIGS. 11-28 . Both embodiments of the one-piece stop component  56  and the two-piece stop assembly  56 A still provide stop means movably mounted on the connector housing to prevent a memory card of a given type from being inserted into a wrong card-receiving space in the connector.  
      Therefore, like reference numerals have been applied in  FIGS. 11-28  corresponding to like components described above in regard to the first embodiment and shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The descriptions of those components will not be repeated. Suffice it to say, the second embodiment of memory card connector  30 A includes a two-part housing  32  including a cover  34  and a base housing  36 , along with a first set of terminals  44 , a second set of terminals  46 , a third set of terminals  48  and a fourth set of terminals  50  for engaging the contacts on SM, XD, SD and MS types of memory cards, respectively. Connector  30 A includes a first or upper card-receiving space  38  and a second or lower card-receiving space  40 .  
      As best seen in  FIG. 14 , a first cavity part  74  and a second cavity part  76  are formed in the front left-hand corner of base housing  36  behind front wall  58  and adjacent inner wall  60 . A restriction post  78  and a restriction wall  80  project upwardly within the cavity parts.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 15-19 , stop assembly  56 A includes a first stop element, generally designated  82 , and a second stop element, generally designated  84 . Each stop element is a one-piece structure, which may be molded of plastic material or the like. The first stop element includes a vertically depending guide post  82   a  which is positioned within a horizontally elongated guide hole  84   a  of the second stop element whereby the two stop elements are interengaged but are relatively movable in both vertical and horizontal directions.  
      The first stop element  82  of stop assembly  56 A includes a vertically extending positioning rib  82   b  and a lower block  82   c , both at the back side of the stop element. Lower block  82   c  is slidably disposed in a bottom cutout  80   a  of restriction wall  80 . The first stop element has a first engagement surface  82   d  which faces forwardly toward insertion opening  42 . A biasing surface  82   e , having a chamfered surface portion  82   f , faces the second stop element  84 .  
      The second stop element  84  has a front positioning block  84   a  and a rear positioning block  84   b . The second stop element has a second engagement surface  84   c  and a third engagement surface  84   d  both of which face forwardly toward insertion opening  42 . Finally, the second stop element includes a biasing surface  84   e , having a chamfered portion  84   f , which face the biasing surface  82   e  and chamfered portion  82   f  of the first stop element  82  as is best seen in  FIG. 19 .  
      When the first and second stop elements  82  and  84 , respectively, of stop assembly  56 A are mounted within base housing  36 , the stop elements are mounted inside the first and second cavity parts  74  and  76 , respectively ( FIG. 14 ). Specifically, the first stop element  82  is mounted within the first cavity part  74  by slidably disposing positioning rib  82   b  between restriction post  78  and restriction wall  80 . Positioning boss  82   c  is disposed in a bottom cutout of restriction wall  80 . When so mounted, the first stop element can move relative to base housing  36  and the second stop element  84  in a vertical direction. The second stop element is mounted within the second cavity part  76  for relative horizontal movement due to the elongation of guide hole  84   a . Front positioning block  84   a  of the second stop element is slidably disposed within a front guiding slot  86  of the base housing, while the rear positioning block  84   b  is slidably disposed within a rear guiding slot  87  of the base housing so that the second stop element can move toward and away from the first stop element in a horizontal direction. In other words, the first stop element  82  relatively moves in a vertical direction due to the vertical elongation of guide post  82   a , and the second stop element  84  relatively moves in a horizontal direction due to the elongation of guide hole  84   a.    
      In operation of the second embodiment,  FIG. 21  shows a first or SM type memory card  66  inserted into the upper card-receiving space  38  similar to  FIG. 7  of the first embodiment. During insertion, the leading edge of the SM card will engage engagement surface  82   d  of the first stop element  82  and drive the stop element downwardly whereupon biasing surface  82   e  and chamfered portion  82   f  of the first stop element engage biasing surface  84   e  and chamfered portion  84   f  of the second stop element  84  and pushes the second stop element horizontally into the bottom card-receiving space  40  in the direction of arrow “C”. This prevents any memory card from being inserted into the bottom space as the engagement surface  84   c  and  84   d  of the second stop element now form stop surfaces that block the insertion of any memory card into the bottom space.  
      On the other hand,  FIG. 26  shows a second or XD type memory card  68  ( FIG. 26 ) (as well as  FIGS. 22-25 ) inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40 . During insertion, the leading edge of the XD card engages the second engagement surface  84   c  of the second stop element  84  and pushes biasing surface  84   e  and chamfered portion  84   f  against biasing surface  82   e  and chamfered portion  82   f  of the first stop element  82 . This biases the first stop element upwardly in the direction of arrow “D” ( FIG. 26 ) into the top card-receiving space  38  to block or stop the insertion of any memory card thereinto.  
      Similarly, and referring to  FIG. 27  (as well as  FIGS. 22-25 ), when a third or SD type memory card  70  is inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40 , the stop assembly functions quite similarly to the above description of insertion of the XD card. Specifically, the leading edge of the SD card engages the third engagement surface  84   d  of the second stop element  84  and pushes the stop element horizontally which, in turn, raises the first stop element  82  upwardly in the direction of arrow “D” into blocking condition within the upper space  28 . It can be seen in both  FIGS. 26 and 27  that the engagement surface  82   d  of the first stop element performs a dual function of now becoming a stop surface blocking the upper space  38  to prevent any memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
      In summation, when an SM card  66  is inserted into the upper space  38 , the first stop element  82  is pushed downwardly which, in turn, pushes the second stop element  84  inwardly in the direction of arrow “C” ( FIG. 21 ) to block the lower space  40 . When an XD or SD type memory card is inserted into the lower space  40 , the card pushes the second stop element  84  horizontally outwardly which, in turn, pushes the first stop element  82  vertically upwardly in the direction of arrows “D” ( FIGS. 26 and 27 ) to block insertion of any memory card into the upper space.  
      Finally,  FIG. 28 , like  FIG. 10  of the first embodiment, shows a fourth or MS type memory card  72  inserted into the lower card-receiving space  40 . Again, the MS card is so thick or high that it projects into upper space  38  and prevents any memory card from being inserted thereinto.  
      It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.