Patent Description:
Growing user demand has been driving constant performance optimization of electronic devices. As known to all, an electronic device generally comes with a card tray for holding a smart card (for example, a SIM card or a T card). The smart card can be loaded to or removed from the electronic device by installing or removing the card tray.

The electronic device in the related art is provided with an ejection mechanism and a detection mechanism. The detection mechanism can detect states (an installed state and a removed state) of the card tray, and the ejection mechanism ejects the card tray out so that the card tray is removed subsequently. However, at present, the ejection mechanism and the detection mechanism are located by the side of the card tray and occupy a large on-board space of a circuit board. This leads to a low on-board space utilization of the circuit board, thereby hindering further integration of the electronic device.

<CIT> discloses a card connector, which includes a terminal module and a card eject module matched with the terminal module. The terminal module includes a terminal assembly and a housing assembly matched with the terminal assembly. The terminal assembly includes an insulator and a plurality of conductive terminals fixed to the insulator, the terminal module is provided with an accommodating space and forms a plug-in interface, and the card eject module is located at the position of the plug-in interface of the terminal module.

<CIT> discloses a laminated three-in-one card socket connector. It includes an iron shell assembly with an upper cover structure, a card holder that is pluggable and arranged in the iron shell assembly, and T card connection terminals and the SIM card connection terminal set located on the upper and lower sides of the card tray are provided with a T card slot on the upper surface, and a first SIM card slot and a second SIM card distributed in parallel on the lower surface.

<CIT> discloses a laminated card holder, which includes a casing and a plastic body. The casing is disposed outside the plastic body, wherein the plastic body is provided with a card space, and further comprises a card sleeve that can be inserted and inserted into the card space. The card sleeve is provided with a SIM card area on which two SIM cards can be stacked.

<CIT> discloses a card connector, which includes: a main body formed with a receiving space; a plurality of terminals attached to the main body; a card ejecting mechanism comprising: a levering member pivoted adjacent to the rear of the receiving space; and an electrically conductive actuator movable inward and outward, configured to rotate the levering member.

This application discloses a card holder apparatus and an electronic device according to the appended set of claims, so as to solve the problem in the related art that an ejection mechanism and a detection mechanism in an electronic device occupy a large on-board space of a circuit board.

To solve the problem, this application proposes the following technical solutions.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application discloses a card tray and card holder apparatus. The apparatus is applied to an electronic device, and includes a card pressing cover, a detection and ejection mechanism, a circuit board, a card tray, and a card holder, where:.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application discloses an electronic device, including the card tray and card holder apparatus provided in the first aspect.

The technical solutions used in this invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:
The card tray and card holder apparatus disclosed in this application is an improvement based on the related art. The detection and ejection mechanism is disposed on the card pressing cover. This ensures proper functioning of the detection and ejection mechanism and avoids the mechanism from being directly disposed on a circuit board, thereby avoiding occupying the on-board space of the circuit board. This can resolve the prior-art problem of low on-board space utilization of the circuit board caused by the card tray and card holder apparatus occupying a large on-board space.

To describe the technical solution in the embodiments of this application or BACKGROUND more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments or the background. Apparently, a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions of this application with reference to specific embodiments of this application and corresponding drawings. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some rather than all the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts fall within the protection scope of this application.

The technical solutions disclosed in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Refer to <FIG>. The embodiments of this application disclose a card tray and card holder apparatus. The card tray and card holder apparatus disclosed is applied to an electronic device.

The card tray and card holder apparatus according to the embodiments of this application includes a card pressing cover <NUM>, a detection and ejection mechanism <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a card tray <NUM>, and a card holder <NUM>.

The electronic device typically includes a housing, and the housing can provide space for installing the card tray and card holder apparatus and protect the card tray and card holder apparatus. The circuit board <NUM> is typically fastened in the housing. The circuit board <NUM> is a base of the card tray and card holder apparatus, with the card pressing cover <NUM>, the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM>, the card tray <NUM>, and the card holder <NUM> directly or indirectly installed on the circuit board <NUM>. Optionally, the circuit board <NUM> may be a main board of the electronic device, a sub-board of the electronic device, or another circuit board in the electronic device, which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

The card holder <NUM> is electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM>, thereby implementing power supply connection and communication connection with the circuit board <NUM>. The card holder <NUM> may be directly fastened to the circuit board <NUM> by using a surface installing process; or certainly, the card holder <NUM> may be disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM> and indirectly fastened to the circuit board <NUM> via the card pressing cover <NUM>; or certainly, the card holder <NUM> may be electrically connected to the circuit board <NUM> indirectly via the card pressing cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the card pressing cover <NUM> is fastened to the circuit board <NUM>, and the card pressing cover <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> together form the backbone of the card tray and card holder apparatus. The card pressing cover <NUM> may be fastened to the circuit board <NUM> by bonding, clamping, welding, connection using connecting pieces (for example, rivets or threaded connectors), or the like. A specific manner for fastening the card pressing cover <NUM> to the circuit board <NUM> is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

A first accommodating space is formed by the card pressing cover <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, and the card tray <NUM> and the card holder <NUM> are both disposed in the first accommodating space. The card tray <NUM> is configured to hold a smart card <NUM>, for example, a SIM card. The card tray <NUM> can be moved in and out of the first accommodating space, so that the smart card <NUM> can be loaded or removed. In a case that the card tray <NUM> is in the first accommodating space, the card tray <NUM> carrying the smart card <NUM> is held in the first accommodating space. The card pressing cover <NUM> can also press the smart card <NUM> against the card tray <NUM>, so that the smart card <NUM> can be in more reliable electrical contact with the card holder <NUM>, ensuring cooperation stability. In an embodiment of this application, the card tray <NUM> includes a detection matching portion <NUM> and a lever matching portion <NUM>.

The card tray <NUM> may be in an installed state or a removed state. In the installed state, the card tray <NUM> is held in the first accommodating space, and the smart card <NUM> in the card holder <NUM> can be in electrical contact with the card holder <NUM>, so that a communication connection between the smart card <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM> is implemented using the card holder <NUM>. In this case, the smart card <NUM> is loaded using the card tray <NUM>. When the card tray <NUM> is in the removed state, at least part of the card tray <NUM> is moved out of the first accommodating space. In this case, a user can remove the card tray <NUM> so as to remove the smart card <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the card tray <NUM> may hold one or more smart cards <NUM>, and one or more card holders <NUM> may be provided. Each card holder <NUM> can accommodate one smart card <NUM>, so that each smart card <NUM> can communicate with the circuit board <NUM> through a separate card holder <NUM>. Certainly, the embodiments of this application do not limit a mapping between the smart card <NUM> and the card holder <NUM> in terms of quantity.

The detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> is configured to eject the card tray <NUM> for removing the card tray <NUM>, and detect whether the card tray <NUM> is installed in place or detect a card tray state. In the embodiment of this application, the card tray state includes the installed state and the removed state.

In an embodiment of this application, the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM>. Optionally, the circuit board <NUM>, the card pressing cover <NUM>, and the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> are arranged sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board <NUM>. Alternatively, the circuit board <NUM>, the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM>, and the card pressing cover <NUM> are arranged sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board <NUM>.

The detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> is fastened to the card pressing cover <NUM>, so as to be indirectly fastened to the circuit board <NUM> via the card pressing cover <NUM> for completing installing. In this case, without being directly disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> does not occupy the on-board space of the circuit board <NUM>.

The detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> includes a lever <NUM> and a detection portion <NUM>. The lever <NUM> is configured to drive the card tray <NUM> to move, allowing for removing of the card tray <NUM>. The detection portion <NUM> cooperates with the detection matching portion <NUM> and is configured to detect the card tray state.

The lever <NUM> is rotatably disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM> and therefore can rotate with respect to the card pressing cover <NUM>. In an optional solution, the lever <NUM> is rotatably connected to the card pressing cover <NUM> directly. In another optional solution, the lever <NUM> may be directly rotatably disposed on a protective cover <NUM> described later, so as to be indirectly disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM> via the protective cover <NUM>.

The electronic device is provided with an ejector pin hole, typically on the housing of the electronic device. A first end portion of the lever <NUM> is disposed opposite the ejector pin hole. The ejector pin hole allows an ejector pin <NUM> to pass through to push the first end portion of the lever <NUM>, so as to drive the lever <NUM> to rotate. A second end portion of the lever <NUM> is disposed opposite the lever matching portion <NUM>. The second end portion of the lever <NUM> is able to rotate with the lever <NUM> in a first direction and come into contact with the lever matching portion <NUM>, so that the second end portion of the lever <NUM> is able to push the lever matching portion <NUM>. In this way, the entire card tray <NUM> is pushed, driving at least part of the card tray <NUM> to move out of the first accommodating space. Pushed by the second end portion of the lever <NUM>, the card tray <NUM> holding the smart card <NUM> is moved out of the housing for the purpose of removing.

Similarly, while the card tray <NUM> is being installed, the user will press the card tray <NUM>, and the lever matching portion <NUM> will come into contact the second end portion of the lever <NUM>, so that the second end portion drives the lever <NUM> to rotate in a second direction and return to its original position. It should be noted that the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

In an embodiment of this application, the detection portion <NUM> is disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM>. The detection portion <NUM> is arranged corresponding to the detection matching portion <NUM> and therefore can cooperate with the detection matching portion <NUM> to detect the card tray state. It should be noted that the card tray state herein includes the installed state and the removed state.

The card tray and card holder apparatus according to the embodiment of this application is an improvement based on the related art. The detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM>. This ensures proper functioning of the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> and avoids the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> from being directly disposed on the circuit board <NUM>, thereby avoiding occupation of the on-board space of the circuit board <NUM>. In this case, the prior-art problem of low on-board space utilization of the circuit board <NUM> caused by the card tray and card holder apparatus occupying a large on-board space is solved.

As described above, the card pressing cover <NUM> can press the smart card <NUM> tightly so that the smart card <NUM> is in closer electrical contact with the card holder <NUM>. In an optional solution, the card pressing cover <NUM> includes an elastic bending and pressing portion <NUM>. The elastic bending and pressing portion <NUM> bends towards the first accommodating space, able to press the smart card <NUM> on the card tray <NUM> tightly after the card tray <NUM> is installed in place, making the electrical connection between the smart card <NUM> and the card holder <NUM> more stable. Optionally, a plurality of elastic bending and pressing portions <NUM> are provided and arrayed on the card pressing cover <NUM>, specifically arrayed in the cover body <NUM> described later.

Certainly, the card pressing cover <NUM> may also secure the card tray <NUM> and the smart card <NUM>, so that the card tray <NUM> can be more reliably held in the first accommodating space without the action of external force. In an optional solution, the card pressing cover <NUM> may include a clasping spring arm <NUM>, the clasping spring arm <NUM> may include an elastic protrusion, and the card tray <NUM> may be provided with a positioning notch 400b1. In the process of installing the card tray <NUM> into the first accommodating space, the clasping spring arm <NUM> is elastically deformed, which in turn makes the elastic protrusion elastically fit into the positioning notch 400b1 and finally implements fixation of the card tray <NUM> in the first accommodating space. In the process of removing the card tray <NUM>, further removing of the card tray <NUM> can be implemented by controlling the card tray <NUM> to move towards the direction of removing to cause the elastic protrusion to separate from the positioning notch 400b1.

During the process of installing the card tray <NUM>, the user presses the card tray <NUM> holding the smart card <NUM> into the housing through a slot on the housing. During this process, under the external force from the user, the card tray <NUM> raises the elastic protrusion until the positioning notch 400b1 moves to a position opposite the elastic protrusion. Eventually, the elastic protrusion is elastically fit into the positioning notch 400b1, implementing the installing of the card tray <NUM> into the first accommodating space. At the same time, the detection portion <NUM> cooperates with the detection matching portion <NUM> to determine that the card tray <NUM> is installed in place.

In the process of removing the card tray <NUM>, the user threads the ejector pin <NUM> through the ejector pin hole to press the first end portion of the lever <NUM>, thereby causing the lever <NUM> to rotate. The first end portion of the lever <NUM> rotates in a direction leaving the ejector pin hole. Since the second end portion of the lever <NUM> is disposed opposite the rod matching portion <NUM>, and a rotation pivot of the lever <NUM> is located between the two end portions, the second end portion can rotate in a direction approaching the slot during the rotation of the lever <NUM> to push the lever matching portion <NUM>, eventually causing at least part of the card tray <NUM> to be pushed out of the housing via the slot. During this process, the pushing force applied by the lever <NUM> to the lever matching portion <NUM> can overcome the elastic force between the elastic protrusion and the positioning notch 400b1, so that the card tray <NUM> moves out of the housing. Finally, the user can remove the card tray <NUM>. When the card tray <NUM> is moving out of the housing, the detection portion <NUM> cooperates with the detection matching portion <NUM> to determine that the card tray <NUM> is in the removed state.

In an embodiment of this application, typically the card pressing cover <NUM> is welded to the circuit board <NUM>. Therefore, the card pressing cover <NUM> may be provided with a welding fillet <NUM>. The welding fillet <NUM> fits into the circuit board <NUM> to increase the welding area, thereby improving the assembly stability.

In an optional solution, the circuit board <NUM> may be provided with a positioning hole <NUM>, and the card pressing cover <NUM> may include a plug positioning portion <NUM>. The plug positioning portion <NUM> is mated with the positioning hole <NUM>, which can further avoid the possible displacement of the card pressing cover <NUM> during the welding process, thereby further improving the assembly quality.

For easy installing of the card tray <NUM>, the card pressing cover <NUM> may include a guided bending portion <NUM>. The guiding bent portion <NUM> can guide the card tray <NUM>, allowing the card tray <NUM> to slide into the first accommodating space more easily, thereby facilitating assembly.

In an embodiment of this application, the card pressing cover <NUM> may be provided with a second observation hole <NUM>. A plurality of second observation holes <NUM> may be provided and are arrayed, allowing an operator to observe the assembly status in the first accommodating space through the second observation holes <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the card pressing cover <NUM> may include a cover body <NUM> and a connecting shaft <NUM> disposed on the cover body <NUM>. The lever <NUM> is provided with a rotation matching hole <NUM>, and the connecting shaft <NUM> rotatably fits into the rotation matching hole <NUM>. In an optional solution, the connecting shaft <NUM> may be a cylindrical connecting shaft, the rotation matching hole <NUM> may be a round hole, and the cylindrical connecting shaft and the round hole fit with each other rotatably. Refer to <FIG>. For ease of assembly, in an optional solution, an end portion of the connecting shaft <NUM> may be designed with a chamfered right angle or rounded corner.

In another optional solution, a cross section of the connecting shaft <NUM> may be of an elongate shape, and the rotation matching hole <NUM> may be a slot hole. The connecting shaft <NUM> rotatably fits into the rotation matching hole <NUM> within a preset angle range. In this case, the slot hole cooperates with the connecting shaft <NUM> with the elongate-shaped cross section, allowing the lever <NUM> to rotate within the limited preset angle range. Therefore, the lever <NUM> can rotate by an angle as required for installing and removing the card tray <NUM>. In addition, the rotation matching hole <NUM> being a slot hole has slight influence on the strength of the lever <NUM>. Optionally, the cross section of the connecting shaft <NUM> is a rectangle. It should be noted that the cross section of the connecting shaft <NUM> refers to a cross section obtained in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the connecting shaft <NUM>. The elongate shape has length and width dimensions, where the length dimension is greater than the width dimension.

Optionally, the preset angle range may be <NUM>°, <NUM>°, or the like. Those skilled in the art can determine the preset angle range according to the rotation range of the lever <NUM> required for removing the card tray <NUM>, and the embodiment of this application does not limit the specific value of the preset angle range.

The connecting shaft <NUM> may be fastened to the cover body <NUM> by assembly. For example, the connecting shaft <NUM> can be fastened to the cover body <NUM> by welding, interference-fit clamping, or the like. Certainly, the connecting shaft <NUM> may alternatively be integrally formed with the cover body <NUM>, which spares the need of assembling. Specifically, the connecting shaft <NUM> and the cover body <NUM> may be formed by injection molding, bending process, or cutting process, which is not limited in this application.

In an optional solution, the connecting shaft <NUM> may be a sheet structure formed by bending the cover body <NUM>. This means that the connecting shaft <NUM> may be formed by tearing from the blank used to form the cover body <NUM>. Certainly, in this case, on the cover body <NUM>, a torn hole is formed in the area where the connecting shaft <NUM> is formed. Without the need of providing a separate connecting shaft <NUM>, such structure is easy to form and saves materials.

In a further technical solution, the card tray and card holder apparatus according to the embodiment of this application may further include a protective cover <NUM>. The protective cover <NUM> is disposed on the card pressing cover <NUM>. The protective cover <NUM> and the card pressing cover <NUM> form a second accommodating space. The lever <NUM> may be disposed in the second accommodating space. The second accommodating space may be used to protect the lever <NUM> and prevent external components from interfering with the movement of the lever <NUM>. Certainly, at least part of the detection portion <NUM> may be disposed in the second accommodating space for protection purposes.

The lever <NUM> may include a curved flange <NUM>, and the curved flange <NUM> is located on the edge of the lever <NUM> facing away from the lever matching portion <NUM>. The protective cover <NUM> may include an inner supporting side wall <NUM>. The inner supporting side wall <NUM> abuts against the card pressing cover <NUM> and is located on a side of the lever <NUM> facing away from the ejector pin hole. The curved flange <NUM> is in rolling fit with the inner supporting side wall <NUM>. The curved flange <NUM> serves as the pivot of rotation of the lever <NUM>, allowing the lever <NUM> to rotate around the connecting shaft <NUM> more easily and facilitating the application of pushing force during rotation of the lever <NUM>. During the process of removing the card tray <NUM>, the inner supporting side wall <NUM> can also limit the position of the lever <NUM>, thereby restricting the rotation range of the lever <NUM> and avoiding excess and undesired rotation of the lever <NUM>.

The protective cover <NUM> may further include an outer supporting side wall <NUM>. The outer supporting side wall <NUM> abuts against the card pressing cover <NUM>. The outer supporting side wall <NUM> is located on a side of the lever <NUM> facing the lever matching portion <NUM>. When the lever <NUM> rotates in a second direction, the outer supporting side wall <NUM> limits the position of the lever <NUM>, where the first direction is opposite to the second direction. During the process of installing the card tray <NUM>, the lever matching portion <NUM> pushes the second end portion of the lever <NUM> to drive the lever <NUM> to rotate back (that is, rotating in the second direction). The outer supporting side wall <NUM> can limit the position of the lever <NUM>, thereby preventing the lever <NUM> from rotating back excessively. In this way, the first end portion of the lever <NUM> can be prevented from missing the ejector pin hole due to excessive rotation.

In the card tray and card holder apparatus according to the embodiment of this application, an end portion of the card pressing cover <NUM> closer to the lever <NUM> is provided with a first escape opening <NUM>, the first end portion of the lever <NUM> is provided with a first thickening portion <NUM>, and the first thickening portion <NUM> is located in a first escape opening <NUM>. The first thickening portion <NUM> can enlarge the area of the second end portion of the lever <NUM> in cooperation with the lever matching portion <NUM>, so that the lever <NUM> can push the lever matching portion <NUM> more effectively. This prevents the second end portion of the lever <NUM> and the lever matching portion <NUM> from being deformed or jammed due to the reduced contact area.

As described above, the detection portion <NUM> is configured to detect the card tray state, where the card tray state includes the installed state and the removed state. In an embodiment of this application, there may be various types of detection portions <NUM>. The detection portion <NUM> may be an optical detection portion or an electrical detection portion. For example, in a case that the detection portion <NUM> is an optical detection portion, the detection portion <NUM> can determine the card tray state by acquiring images from the detection cooperation portion <NUM>.

In an optional solution, when the card tray <NUM> is in the installed state, the detection matching portion <NUM> is in contact with the detection portion <NUM>. When the card tray <NUM> is in the removed state, the detection matching portion <NUM> is separated from the detection portion <NUM>. In this case, the state of the card tray <NUM> is determined by checking whether the detection portion <NUM> is in contact with the detection matching portion <NUM>, so as to check whether the card tray <NUM> is installed in place. For example, the detection portion <NUM> may be a self-capacitance plate. When the detection matching portion <NUM> is separated from the detection portion <NUM>, the capacitance value of the detection portion <NUM> is a first capacitance value; when the detection matching portion <NUM> is in contact with the detection portion <NUM>, the capacitance value of the detection portion <NUM> is a second capacitance value. The first capacitance value is unequal to the second capacitance value. During the detection process, the card tray state can be determined based on the capacitance value.

In a further technical solution, the detection portion <NUM> may include a detection spring piece <NUM> and a detection terminal <NUM>. One end of the detection spring piece <NUM> is connected to the protective cover <NUM> or the card pressing cover <NUM> and the other end of the detection spring piece <NUM> is an electrical connection end. The detection terminal <NUM> is disposed on the protective cover <NUM> or the card pressing cover <NUM>. When the card tray <NUM> is in a first state, the detection matching portion <NUM> is in contact with the detection spring piece <NUM> and drives the electrical connection end to be separated from the detection terminal <NUM>; and when the card tray <NUM> is in a second state, the detection matching portion <NUM> is separated from the detection spring piece <NUM>, and the electrical connection end is in electrical contact with the detection terminal <NUM>. One of the first state and the second state is the removed state, and the other one is the installed state.

For example, the detection spring piece <NUM> may be a grounding spring piece. In this case, the detection terminal <NUM> can be connected to a signal source. In a case that the detection terminal <NUM> is in contact with the electrical connection end, the detection terminal <NUM> is grounded using the detection spring piece <NUM>, and the electronic device can detect that the signal from the detection terminal <NUM> is a low level. In a case that the detection terminal <NUM> is separated from the electrical connection end, the detection terminal <NUM> is not grounded using the electrical connection end, and the electric device can detect that the signal from the detection terminal <NUM> is a high level. During the specific detection process, the electronic device can determine the card tray state by checking whether the level signal of the detection terminal <NUM> is a high-level signal or a low-level signal. It should be noted that the low-level signal and high-level signal herein are relative concepts, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific values of the low-level signal and high-level signal.

In an optional solution, the first state is the removed state, and the second state is the installed state. In this case, during the process of removing the card tray <NUM>, as the card tray <NUM> gradually moves out of the first accommodating space, the detection matching portion <NUM> gradually comes in contact with the detection spring piece <NUM>, thereby driving the detection spring piece <NUM> to separate from the detection terminal <NUM>. As a result, the electrical connection between the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM> is broken, and such state is identified as the removed state by circuit detection. During the process of installing the card tray <NUM>, as the card tray <NUM> gradually moves into the first accommodating space, the detection matching portion <NUM> is gradually separated from the detection spring piece <NUM>, and the detection spring piece <NUM> resumes contact with the detection terminal <NUM> under the elastic restoring force. In this case, the detection spring piece <NUM> is electrically connected to the detection terminal <NUM>, and such state is identified as the installed state by circuit detection.

In another optional solution, the first state is the installed state, and the second state is the removed state. In this case, during the process of removing the card tray <NUM>, as the card tray <NUM> gradually moves out of the first accommodating space, the detection matching portion <NUM> is gradually separated from the detection spring piece <NUM>, and the detection spring piece <NUM> resumes contact with the detection terminal <NUM> under the elastic restoring force. As a result, the detection spring piece <NUM> is electrically connected to the detection terminal <NUM>, and such state is identified as the installed state by circuit detection. During the process of installing the card tray <NUM>, as the card tray <NUM> gradually moves into the first accommodating space, the detection matching portion <NUM> gradually comes in contact with the detection spring piece <NUM>, thereby driving the detection spring piece <NUM> to deform and separate from the detection terminal <NUM>. As a result, the electrical connection between the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM> is broken, and such state is identified as the removed state by circuit detection.

In an embodiment of this application, at least one of the card pressing cover <NUM> and the protective cover <NUM> may be provided with an anti-dust hole <NUM>. The anti-dust hole <NUM> is provided opposite the detection portion <NUM> and communicates with the second accommodating space. As described above, the detection portion <NUM> includes the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM>. During the process of removing and installing the card tray <NUM>, the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM> switch between the contacted and separated states. To prevent constant contact between the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM> caused by foreign matters such as dust deposited therebetween, the anti-dust hole <NUM> can be made in communication with the second accommodating space and disposed opposite the detection portion <NUM>. This allows the dust between the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM> to be cleared out of the second accommodating space, thereby avoiding deposition of dust.

An insulation portion <NUM> may be fastened in the second accommodating space. Optionally, the insulation portion <NUM> may be a plastic part injection-molded on the protective cover <NUM>. The detection terminal <NUM> is fastened to the insulation portion <NUM>, and the detection terminal <NUM> is insulatively connected to the protective cover <NUM> via the insulation portion <NUM>. In a further technical solution, the protective cover <NUM> may include a first positioning flange <NUM> and a second positioning flange <NUM>. The first positioning flange <NUM> and the second positioning flange <NUM> may intersect, and specifically, the first positioning flange <NUM> may be perpendicular to the second positioning flange <NUM>. The plastic part may be injection-molded on the first positioning flange <NUM> and the second positioning flange <NUM>, thereby improving the stability of connection with the protective cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the card pressing cover <NUM> may be provided with a second escape opening <NUM>, and at least part of the detection spring piece <NUM> extends into the second escape opening <NUM>. In this case, at least part of the detection spring piece <NUM> can be accommodated in the second escape opening <NUM>, so that the detection spring piece <NUM> can better fit into the card pressing cover <NUM>.

In a further technical solution, the detection spring piece <NUM> may be provided with a second thickening portion <NUM>, and at least part of the second thickening portion <NUM> extends into the second escape opening <NUM>. At least part of the second thickening portion <NUM> can be accommodated in the second escape opening <NUM>, and therefore the foregoing structure can easily increase the contact area of the detection spring piece <NUM>, without changing the overall size of the electronic device. This allows for more stable cooperation between the detection spring piece <NUM> and the detection terminal <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the detection spring piece <NUM> may be integrally formed with the protective cover <NUM>, the detection spring piece <NUM> may be integrally formed with the card pressing cover <NUM>, or the detection spring piece <NUM> may be installed to the protective cover <NUM> or the card pressing cover <NUM>. The integrally formed structure described above has the advantage of easy installing.

In a further optional solution, the card pressing cover <NUM> or the protective cover <NUM> may be provided with a first observation hole <NUM> corresponding to the detection portion <NUM>. The first observation hole <NUM> allows an operator to observe the cooperation from the detection portion <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the lever <NUM> may come with a plurality of structures. In an optional solution, the lever <NUM> includes a main body <NUM> and a bending portion <NUM> disposed at an end portion of the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> is in rotatable fit with the card pressing cover <NUM>, the main body <NUM> is located on a first side of the card pressing cover <NUM>, and the bending portion <NUM> is located on a second side of the card pressing cover <NUM>. The first side and the second side are two adjacent sides of the card pressing cover <NUM>, a stacking direction of the main body <NUM> on the card pressing cover <NUM> is a thickness direction of the card tray <NUM>, and the bending portion <NUM> is disposed opposite the ejector pin hole. In this case, the bending portion <NUM> is closer to the card tray <NUM> in the thickness direction of the electronic device, thereby alleviating the problem of uneven pressure on the card tray <NUM> when the bending portion <NUM> is being pushed by an ejector pin <NUM>.

In a further technical solution, the main body <NUM> may be a first sheet structure, and a thickness direction of the first sheet structure is the same as a stacking direction of the detection and ejection mechanism <NUM> on the card pressing cover <NUM>. This helps reduce the thickness of the card tray and card holder apparatus, facilitating thinner design of the electronic device.

In a further technical solution, the bending portion <NUM> may be a second sheet structure, and a thickness direction of the second sheet structure is the same as a moving direction of the card tray <NUM>. In this case, the larger area on the bending portion <NUM> is opposite the ejector pin <NUM>, allowing the ejector pin <NUM> to drive the lever <NUM> more stably.

As described above, removing of the card tray <NUM> requires the user to press the first end portion of the lever <NUM> by using the ejector pin <NUM>. When the user threads the ejector pin <NUM> through the ejector pin hole to press the first end portion of the lever <NUM>, the end portion of the ejector pin <NUM> in contact with the lever <NUM> is likely to slip and damage another component of the electronic device. In view of this, in an optional solution, a surface, facing the ejector pin hole, of the first end portion of the lever <NUM> is provided with a limiting recess <NUM>. The opening of the limiting recess <NUM> faces the ejector pin hole, and the bottom wall of the limiting recess <NUM> facing the opening serves as the acting surface of the ejector pin. When the ejector pin pushes the first end portion of the lever <NUM> to rotate, the end portion of the ejector pin <NUM> in contact with the lever <NUM> can extend into the limiting recess <NUM>. Limited by the limiting recess <NUM>, the ejector pin <NUM> can be prevented from slipping and causing adverse consequences.

Certainly, the electronic device according to the embodiment of this application can also use other ways to solve the possible damage caused by the ejector pin <NUM>. In another optional solution, the surface, facing the ejector pin hole, of the first end portion of the lever <NUM> may be provided with an anti-slip structure. Specifically, the anti-slip structure may be a frosted surface or have anti-slip textures. In this case, the anti-slip structure can increase the coefficient of friction between the lever <NUM> and the end portion of the ejector pin <NUM>, reducing the slip probability of the end portion of the ejector pin <NUM>.

In an embodiment of this application, the card tray <NUM> may come with a variety of structures. Specifically, the detection matching portion <NUM> and the lever matching portion <NUM> may each be a protrusion formed on the card tray <NUM>. In other words, the detection matching portion <NUM> is a first protrusion and the lever matching portion <NUM> is a second protrusion.

In a further technical solution, the card tray <NUM> may include a card tray cap 400a and a card tray body 400b. The card tray body 400b is provided with a card slot for accommodating a smart card, a side of the card tray cap 400a facing the card tray body 400b is provided with a bar-shaped boss 400c protruding from the opening of the card slot, and the bar-shaped boss 400c includes the detection matching portion <NUM> and the lever matching portion <NUM>. Such arrangement helps simplify the structures of the detection matching portion <NUM> and the lever matching portion <NUM>.

Based on the card tray and card holder apparatus disclosed in the embodiments of this application, an embodiment of this application discloses an electronic device, and the disclosed electronic device includes the card tray and card holder apparatus described in the foregoing embodiments.

In the embodiment of this application, a housing includes an inner chamber, a slot, and an ejector pin hole. Both the slot and the ejector pin hole communicate with the inner chamber. The ejector pin hole allows the ejector pin <NUM> to pass through for removing the card tray <NUM>. The slot allows the card tray <NUM> to pass through, so as to implement installing and removing of the card tray <NUM>.

The housing typically includes a middle frame. Both the slot and the ejector pin hole may be provided on the middle frame. During use of the electronic device (such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer), the middle frame usually does not face the user. Therefore, providing the slot and the ejector pin hole on the middle frame can improve the appearance of the electronic device and enhance the visual experience of users.

The electronic device disclosed in this embodiment of this application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an e-book reader, a wearable device, a game console, or another type of device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of this application.

Claim 1:
A card tray and card holder apparatus, applied to an electronic device, wherein the card tray and card holder apparatus comprises a card pressing cover (<NUM>), a detection and ejection mechanism (<NUM>), a circuit board (<NUM>), a card tray (<NUM>), and a card holder (<NUM>), wherein
the card pressing cover (<NUM>) is fastened to the circuit board (<NUM>), a first accommodating space is formed by the card pressing cover (<NUM>) and the circuit board (<NUM>), and the card tray (<NUM>) and the card holder (<NUM>) are both disposed in the first accommodating space;
characterized in that the card tray (<NUM>) comprises a detection matching portion (<NUM>) and a lever matching portion (<NUM>);
the detection and ejection mechanism (<NUM>) is disposed on the card pressing cover (<NUM>), and the detection and ejection mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a lever (<NUM>) and a detection portion (<NUM>), wherein the lever (<NUM>) is rotatably disposed on the card pressing cover (<NUM>), the detection portion (<NUM>) is disposed on the card pressing cover (<NUM>), a first end portion of the lever (<NUM>) is disposed opposite an ejector pin hole of the electronic device, and a second end portion of the lever (<NUM>) is disposed opposite the lever matching portion (<NUM>), wherein the second end portion of the lever (<NUM>) is able to rotate with the lever (<NUM>) in a first direction and come into contact with the lever matching portion (<NUM>), so as to drive at least part of the card tray (<NUM>) to move out of the first accommodating space;
the detection portion (<NUM>) cooperates with the detection matching portion (<NUM>), and the detection portion (<NUM>) is configured to detect a card tray state, wherein the card tray state comprises an installed state and a removed state, and
at least the portion between the first end portion and the second end portion of the lever (<NUM>) is disposed on a region of the card-pressing cover body (<NUM>).