Abstract:
A memory card connector ( 34 ) includes an insulative housing ( 36 ) having a terminalmounting section ( 36   a ) which mounts a plurality of conductive terminals ( 44 ) having contact portions ( 44   a ) for engaging appropriate contacts on a memory card ( 60 ). The housing at least in part defines a card-receiving cavity ( 40 ) for receiving the memory card. A card eject mechanism ( 46 ) includes a slider ( 50 ) movably mounted on the housing. The slider is engageable with the memory card for movement therewith into and out of the cavity between an inserted connection position and a withdrawal position. The card eject mechanism includes an ejection spring ( 56 ) to bias the slider and memory card in an ejection direction toward the withdrawal position. A catch means ( 70 ) is provided for catching the memory card in its movement in the ejection direction and preventing the memory card from moving under inertia beyond the withdrawal position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     Memory cards are known in the art and contain intelligence in the form of a memory circuit or other electronic program. Some form of 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 connector readily accommodates insertion and removal of the card to provide quick access to the information and program on the card. The card connector includes terminals for yieldingly engaging the contact array of the memory card.  
         [0002]     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 may be used in applications such as mobile or cellular telephones which are actuated and permit data access after identifying an identification code stored on a SIM (subscriber identification module) card. The SIM card has a conductive face with an array of contacts, and the mobile phone has a SIM card connector with terminals for electrical connection with the contacts of the SIM card to ensure the subscriber identification confirmation.  
         [0003]     A typical memory card connector includes some form of dielectric housing, which is covered by a metal shell. The metal shell may be stamped and formed of sheet metal material and formed substantially into a box-shape. The metal shell and the housing combine to define a card-receiving cavity. One end of the cavity is open to form a card-insertion opening. The dielectric housing may be generally L-shaped or U-shaped and includes a rear terminal-mounting section at the rear of the cavity, and at least one longitudinal side wall section extends forwardly from one or both ends of the rear section at one or both sides of the cavity. The metal shell has a top plate substantially covering the dielectric housing, with side plates extending downwardly over the side wall sections of the housing. One or both of the side wall sections of the housing define the sides of the card-receiving cavity.  
         [0004]     Some card connectors include a card eject mechanism whereby the memory card is simply inserted into the connector, and the eject mechanism is used to facilitate removal of the card from the connector. Some eject mechanisms include slider members which engage the memory card for movement therewith into and out of the connector. Latches, cams, eject devices and other operative components then are operatively associated with the slider rather than the memory card itself. One type of card eject mechanism includes a heart-shaped cam slot in the slider, with a pin member operatively biased into the heart-shaped cam slot, and with a spring member to normally bias the slider in a direction of withdrawal of the memory card. This type of card eject mechanism is called a “push/push type” ejector in that the memory card first is pushed into the cavity of the connector to a latched operative position, and a second push on the card is effective to release the card and allow the spring to eject the card from its latched position. Such mechanisms are shown in prior art publications Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2002-252047 and 2002-319451.  
         [0005]     The push/push type and other types of eject mechanisms which use spring members to eject the card from its latched position cause various problems. For instance, it is quite difficult to maintain a proper spring constant in the spring member. If the ejection spring is relatively weak, the ejection and removal of the memory card is difficult and unsatisfactory. On the contrary, if the ejection spring is too strong, the card and slide member are driven quickly in the ejection direction, and the memory card actually can jump out of the card connector and fall to the floor. The present invention is directed to solving these problems by providing an anti-over-running mechanism to prevent the memory card from coming out of the connector even when using an ejection spring which is strong enough to eject the card with a short, sharp movement.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An object, therefore, of the invention is to provide a new and improved memory card connector of the character described.  
         [0007]     In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the memory card connector includes an insulative housing having a terminal-mounting section, which mounts a plurality of conductive terminals having contact portions for engaging appropriate contacts on a memory card. The housing at least in part defines a card-receiving cavity for receiving the memory card. A card eject mechanism includes a slider movably mounted on the housing. the slider is engageable with the memory card for movement therewith intoand out of the cavity between an inserted connection position and a withdrawal position. The card eject mechanism includes an ejection spring to bias the slider and memory card in an ejection direction toward the withdrawal position. A catch means is provided for catching the memory card in its movement in the ejection direction and preventing the memory card from moving under inertia beyond the withdrawal position.  
         [0008]     According to one aspect of the invention, the cavity has a front insertion opening, and the catch means is located near the opening. The catch means comprises a catch member on the connector engageable with a recess in the memory card. As disclosed herein, the catch member comprises a cantilevered leaf spring.  
         [0009]     According to another aspect of the invention, the terminal-mounting section of the housing is a rear section, and at least one side wall section of the housing extends forwardly from one end of the rear section. Both the card eject mechanism and the catch means are located on the side wall section of the housing.  
         [0010]     According to a further aspect of the invention, a metal shell is mounted on the housing and combines therewith to define the cavity. The metal shell is stamped and formed from sheet metal material, and the catch means comprises a cantilevered leaf spring stamped and formed from the shell at one side thereof near the front insertion opening of the cavity.  
         [0011]     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  
       [0012]     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:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a memory card connector according to the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the connector;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the connector, looking at the opening to the card-receiving cavity;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a fragmented vertical section taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ,  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a fragmented top plan view of a front corner of the metal shell of the connector, showing a mechanism to prevent the memory card from over-running its withdrawal position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a vertical section taken generally along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged, fragmented, exploded perspective view of the slider of the card eject mechanism along with a slide lock member and an ejection control member;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the slider, looking at the opposite side thereof in relation to  FIG. 7 , and in conjunction with a corner of a memory card;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the connector, with a memory card inserted thereinto and in its inserted connection position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the condition of the catch means for preventing over-running of the memory card, when the card is in its inserted connection position of  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 11 and 12  are views similar to that of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , respectively, but showing the catch means catching the memory card and preventing over-running thereof; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 5 , but of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Referring to the drawings in greater detail, and first to  FIGS. 1-4 , the invention is embodied in a memory card connector, generally designated  34 , which includes an insulative housing, generally designated  36 , substantially covered by a stamped and formed metal shell, generally designated  38 . The housing and the shell combine to form a card-receiving cavity  40  which has a front insertion opening  42  to permit insertion of a memory card into the cavity in the direction of arrow “D” ( FIG. 1 ) and withdrawal of the memory card from the cavity into the direction of arrow “E”. Housing  36  may be molded of dielectric material such as plastic or the like, and metal shell  38  may be stamped and formed out of sheet metal material such as stainless steel or the like.  
         [0026]     Insulative housing  36  of connector  34  is generally U-shaped and includes a rear terminal-mounting section  36   a  and a pair of side wall sections  36   b  and  36   c  extending forwardly from opposite ends of the rear section. The rear section includes an integral floor  36   d  ( FIG. 3 ), which spans the side walls sections at the bottom of cavity  40 .  
         [0027]     A plurality of conductive terminals, generally designated  44 , are mounted on the rear section of the housing on floor  36   d . The terminals have contact portions  44   a  which project forwardly into cavity  40 , above floor  36   d , for engaging appropriate contacts on the memory card.  
         [0028]     Metal shell  38  of connector  34  includes a top wall  38   a  and a pair of opposite longitudinal side walls  38   b  and  38   c . The top wall of the metal shell, basically, forms the top of cavity  40 .  
         [0029]     A card eject mechanism, generally designated  46 , and a slider control mechanism, generally designated  48 , are mounted along side wall section  36   b  of housing  36  and side wall  38   b  of metal shell  38 .  FIG. 7  shows various components of card eject mechanism  46  and slider control mechanism  48  in their general positional orientation within the connector. Specifically, the card eject mechanism includes a slider, generally designated  50 , and the slider control mechanism includes a slide lock member, generally designated  52 , and an ejection control member, generally designated  54 . A coil spring, generally designated  56 , is positioned partially into a bore  58  in the rear end of slider  50  to constantly bias the slider forwardly in the withdrawal direction indicated by arrow “E”.  
         [0030]     Slider  50  is a one-piece structure unitarily molded of dielectric material such as plastic or the like, similar to insulative housing  36 . The slider has a central, partition wall  50   a  which runs front-to-rear of the slider. A downwardly sloped step  50   b  is formed along the outside of partition wall  50   a  and leads to an upwardly sloped surface  50   c  that leads to a lock shoulder  50   d  at the front of the slider. The lock shoulder is generally perpendicular to the direction of sliding movement of the slider.  
         [0031]     As best seen in  FIG. 8 , a lateral enlargement  50   e  projects inwardly from an inner surface  50   f  of partition  50   a  of slider  50 . The lateral enlargement has a chamfered corner  37  for abutting a polarizing corner  58  ( FIG. 8 ) of a memory card, generally designated  60  and described hereinafter. A flexible, cantilevered engagement arm  50   h  projects forwardly of lateral enlargement  50   e  and is spaced from inner surface  50   f  of partition wall  50   a . The engagement arm has an upwardly projecting hook  50   i  at the distal end thereof.  
         [0032]     Still referring to  FIG. 8 , memory card  60  has a leading end or edge  60   a , a side edge  60   b , a top surface  60   c  and an engagement recess  60   d  in the side edge. When the memory card is inserted into the cavity of connector  34 , hook  50   i  at the distal end of engagement arm  50   h  of slider  50  “snaps” into recess  60   d  at the side edge of the memory card, automatically as polarizing corner  58  of the memory card engages chamfered corner  50   g  of the slider. The slider and the memory card then move into and out of the connector as a unitary assembly.  
         [0033]     Referring back to  FIG. 7 , slide lock member  52  includes a cantilevered spring arm  52   a , which is stamped and formed out of top wall  38   a  of metal shell  38 . The distal end of the cantilevered spring arm is curved downwardly, as at  52   b , and terminates in a lock portion or hook  52   c . A lateral or offset portion  52   d  of the spring arm forms an upwardly curved hook  52   e . Lock hook  52   c  engages lock shoulder  50   d  of slider  50 . This occurs automatically as the slider and the memory card are moved to their fully inserted connection position.  
         [0034]     Ejection control member  54  is stamped and formed of metal material and is located outside longitudinal side wall  38   b  of metal shell  38 . The ejection control member has a step-like ridge formed on its upper edge  54   a  to define a bottom flat section  54   b , a top flat section  54   c  and a sloped section  54   d  extending between the bottom and top flat sections. A manually engageable thumb portion  54   e  is formed at one end of the ejection control member, and a spring attachment portion  54   f  ( FIG. 1 ) is formed at the opposite end of the ejection control member.  
         [0035]     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a coil spring  64  is attached between spring attachment portion  54   f  of the ejection control member and a spring engagement flange  66  which is stamped and formed out of side wall  38   b  of metal shell  38  to project outwardly therefrom. As best seen in  FIG. 2 , ejection control member  54  is slidably mounted to longitudinal side wall  38   b  of the metal shell by mounting flanges  68  which also are stamped and formed/raised from side wall  38   b  of the metal shell. When the ejection control member moves rearwardly in the card-insertion direction, coil spring  64  is stretched. When the pushing force is removed, the coil spring returns the ejection control member back to its initial stress-free position shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0036]     Details of the operation of card eject mechanism  46  and slider control mechanism  48  can be derived from co-pending application Serial No. ______ (Docket No. A4-206) which was filed contemporaneously herewith and which is incorporated herein by reference. Suffice it to say that when no memory card is inserted into connector  34 , slider  50  of card eject mechanism  46  is biased forwardly by coil spring  56  to an ejection or withdrawal position. Ejection control member  54  is biased by coil spring  64  to an inoperative position shown in  FIG. 1 . Lock hook  52   c  of slide lock member  52  engages surface  50   c  of slider  50  while upwardly curved hook  52   e  of the slide lock member confronts sloped edge Section  34   d  of ejection control member  54 . When memory card  60  is pushed inwardly in the direction of arrow “D” to its fully inserted connection position shown in  FIG. 9 , hook  50   i  ( FIG. 8 ) on engagement arm  50   h  of slider  50  snaps into recess  60   b  of the memory card and the card and slider move together into the connector to the inserted position of  FIG. 9 , compressing coil spring  56  of the card eject mechanism. As the slider moves rearwardly, lock hook  50   c  of slide lock member  52  snaps into locking engagement with lock shoulder  50   d  of the slider, whereby the slider and the memory card are locked and held in the inserted position of  FIG. 9 . In this position, coil spring  64  of the slider control mechanism is stretched.  
         [0037]     Before proceeding with an explanation of the ejection process of memory card  60 , reference is made back to  FIGS. 5 and 6  which show a catch means, generally designated  70 , for preventing over-running of the memory card when it is moved in an ejection direction as indicated by arrow “E” in  FIG. 1 . In other words, as stated in the Background, above, it would be desirable to stop the memory card at a withdrawal position (see  FIG. 11 ) so that the card does not move forwardly and fall out of the connector under the influence of inertia caused by spring  56  of card eject mechanism  46  or any other ejection biasing means when slider  50  stops at its withdrawal position.  
         [0038]     More particularly, catch means  70  provides an anti-over-running mechanism in the form of a cantilevered leaf spring, which is stamped and formed out of top wall  38   a  of metal shell  38 . The leaf spring is connected to the top wall of the metal shell at a base  72  and is bent downwardly so that the leaf spring generally lies in a plane perpendicular to the top wall of the shell. The leaf spring is cantilevered from base  72  to a free end  74 . The free end of the leaf spring is formed with an inwardly directed V-shaped hook  76 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , leaf spring  70  is near the front insertion opening  42  of cavity  40 .  
         [0039]     When memory card  60  is pushed into connector  34  in the direction of arrow “D” as shown in  FIG. 10 , recess  60   d  (which engages the slider of the eject mechanism) rides over hook  76  while side edge  60   b  of memory card  60  pushes on the hook and biases leaf spring  70  outwardly in the direction of arrow  80 . This “cocks” or stores energy in the leaf spring.  
         [0040]     The eject mechanism is released and the memory card is ejected by pushing on the manually engageable thumb portion  54   e  of ejection control member  54  in the insertion direction. Inward movement of the ejection control member causes the upwardly curved hook  50   d  of slide lock member  52  to ride upwardly along sloped edge section  54   d  of ejection control member  54 . This causes lock hook  52   c  of the slide lock member to move out of locking engagement with lock shoulder  50   d  of slider  50  as the upwardly curved hook  52   a  of the slide lock member moves onto the top flat section  54   c  of ejection control member  54  to maintain cantilevered spring arm  52   a  of the slide lock member in a raised condition. As a result, slider  50  is unlocked and the slider, along with memory card  60 , are ejected under the influence of coil spring  56  of the card eject mechanism, i.e., biasing the card back to its final position.  
         [0041]     When the eject mechanism is released and ejection spring  56  moves memory card  60  in the ejection direction indicated by arrow “E” in  FIG. 12 , recess  60   d  in side edge  60   b  of the memory card will confront hook  76  on leaf spring  70 , and the cocked leaf spring will force the hook into the recess as shown in  FIG. 12  to catch the memory card and prevent the memory card from moving further in the ejection direction. In essence, the interengagement of hook  76  within recess  60   d  stops the memory card so that the card does not move further in the ejection direction and fall out of the connector under the influence of the ejection spring or simply under the influence of inertia when slider  50  of the eject mechanism is stopped.  FIG. 11  shows the full connector with memory card  60  in its position stopped by the catch means of the invention formed by leaf spring  70  and its hook  76 . The double-headed arrow “F” in  FIG. 11  indicates the distance that a memory card may travel from the point where it releases from slider  50  to the point where it catches on hook  76  of leaf spring  70 . This distance can vary depending on the location of hook  76 , as will be seen below.  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the catch means provided by leaf spring  70  and hook  76  again are stamped and formed out of top wall  38   a  of metal shell  38 . However, in this embodiment, the leaf spring is directed forwardly in the ejection direction rather than rearwardly in the insertion direction as shown in the first embodiment of  FIGS. 5, 6 ,  10  and  12 . This brings hook  76  closer to the front insertion opening  42  of the connector. The positioning of hook  76  should take in consideration how the inertia of the memory card in its insertion movement is decreased by friction between the card and the surrounding components of the connector, such as the metal shell and the insulative housing, so that it is assured that recess  60   d  of the memory card will not bypass the V-shaped hook  76  of the leaf spring without being caught. Still another alternative embodiment (not shown) would be to stamp and form leaf spring  70  so that the leaf spring remains in the plane of top wall  38   a  of the metal shell and hook  76  is directed downwardly or inwardly into cavity  40 . In this embodiment, the hook would confront surface  60   c    FIG. 8 ) of the memory card instead of confronting the longitudinal side edge  60   b  of the card.  
         [0043]     Finally, it should be understood that the card anti-over-running catch means of the invention is equally applicable for use with other card eject mechanisms than that shown herein. For instance, the catch means could be used quite advantageously with a push/push mechanism wherein a “heart”-shaped cam slot is provided in the slide member of the eject mechanism and operatively associated with a cam pin, as it known in the art. The catch means of the invention again would prevent the eject spring of the push/push eject mechanism from pushing the memory card out of the connector or the memory card from falling from the connector under its own inertia.  
         [0044]     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.