Card connector

Abstract

To provide a card connector capable of reducing the number of components required for distributing a card.SOLUTION: A card connector 1 contains: a housing H; a separation member 5 that contains a separation part 50; a first contact 6; second contacts 7 and 8; and an energization spring 9 that is integrally formed of a single member. The housing H contains an insertion concave part S into which a width narrowing card and a width expanding card WC can be selectively inserted. The separation member 5 can be deviated to a first position that separates a width narrowing card insertion space S1 into the insertion concave part S by the separation part 50 and a second position that separates a width expanding card insertion space S2. The energization spring 9 contains: a first driving part 96 that energizes the separation member 5 to the first position; an interference part 93 that can interfere only with the width expanding card WC; and a second driving part 97. The second driving part 97 deviates the separation member 5 to the second position in accordance with an interference of the interference part 93 and the width expanding card WC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13A-13D

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a card connector. [Background technology]

[0002] The card connector described in Patent Document 1 has the function of selectively mounting one of two cards, a large one and a small one, in the card storage space. The card connector includes a locking metal fitting that detects the width of a large card and moves from a first position to a second position, and an actuator that engages with the locking metal fitting and can rotate from the first position to the second position. The card connector also includes a partition member having at least a partition plate that can move from the first position to the second position, and a push-up spring that urges the partition member to the first position.

[0003] When a large card (wide card) is inserted, the large card moves the locking metal fitting from the first position to the second position. Further insertion of the large card rotates the actuator from the first position to the second position and moves the partition plate from the first position to the second position. This guides the large card to the top of the card storage space.

[0004] On the other hand, when a small-width card (narrow-width card) is inserted, the small-width card is pushed up by the push-up spring and guided to the lower part of the card storage space by the partition plate in the first position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4741018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The card connector described in Patent Document 1 requires a locking metal fitting, an actuator, a partition member, and a push-up spring to separate inserted cards into the upper and lower parts of the card storage space, resulting in a large number of parts.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a card connector that can reduce the number of parts required for card sorting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention provides a card connector (1; 1P; 1Q) including a housing (H), a partition member (5), a first contact (6), a second contact (7, 8), and a biasing spring (9; 9Q). The housing has an insertion direction (X1), a width direction (W), and a height direction (HT) as three orthogonal directions, and includes an insertion recess (S) into which a narrow card (NC) and a wide card (WC) wider than the narrow card can be selectively inserted in the insertion direction. The partition member includes a partition portion (50) that selectively partitions a narrow card insertion space (S1) and a wide card insertion space (S2) within the insertion recess. The partition member is supported by the housing and is displaceable in the height direction between a first position where the partition portion partitions the narrow card insertion space and a second position where the partition portion partitions the wide card insertion space. The first contact includes a first contact portion (63) capable of elastically contacting a conductor portion (NCg1) of the narrow card inserted into the narrow card insertion space. The second contact includes a second contact portion (73, 83) capable of elastically contacting a conductor portion (WCg1, WCg2) of the wide card inserted into the wide card insertion space. The biasing spring includes a first drive portion (96) that biases the partition member to the first position, an interference portion (93), and a second drive portion (97). The interference portion is disposed in the insertion recess at a position in the opposite direction (X2) of the insertion direction from the partition portion and is capable of interfering with only the wide card. The second drive portion displaces the partition member to the second position in association with the interference between the interference portion and the wide card. The biasing spring has elasticity in the height direction, is supported by the housing, and is integrally formed of a single member.

[0009] According to this configuration, before the wide card is inserted into the insertion recess, the partition member is biased to a first position by the first drive portion of the biasing spring, and the narrow card insertion space is partitioned by the partition portion of the partition member. The narrow card inserted into the insertion recess does not interfere with the interference portion of the biasing spring, and is inserted directly into the narrow card insertion space. Meanwhile, as the wide card inserted into the insertion recess interferes with the interference portion of the biasing spring, the second drive portion of the biasing spring displaces the partition member to a second position. As a result, the wide card insertion space is partitioned by the partition portion, and the wide card can be inserted into the partitioned wide card insertion space. The allocation of wide cards and narrow cards can be achieved with a small number of parts, such as the biasing spring and the partition member.

[0010] In addition, alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described below, but this does not, of course, mean that the present invention should be limited to those embodiments. The same applies hereinafter in this section.

[0011] In one embodiment, the interference portion extends in an extension direction (Y1) that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction when the wide card is not inserted. The partition member is configured to be displaced to the second position by the second drive portion by the time the end portion (WCe) of the wide card in the insertion direction passes the end portion (93b) of the interference portion in the insertion direction during insertion of the wide card. With this configuration, the wide card and the narrow card can be reliably sorted into the wide card insertion space and the narrow card insertion space.

[0012] In one embodiment, the device further includes an eject spring (12) for ejecting the wide card and the narrow card alternatively inserted into the insertion recess in the opposite direction from the insertion recess. When the wide card inserted into the insertion completion position of the wide card insertion space is urged to move in the opposite direction by the eject spring, the partition portion of the partition member urged by the urging spring can elastically slide into contact with the wide card.

[0013] According to this configuration, the partition portion of the partition member biased by the biasing spring applies frictional resistance to the wide card. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the wide card from accidentally popping out when ejected. Since the partition member has a function of preventing the wide card from accidentally popping out when ejected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts.

[0014] In one embodiment, the partition member further includes an eject spring (12) for ejecting the wide card and the narrow card selectively inserted into the insertion recess in the opposite direction from the insertion recess. The partition member includes a spring piece (60) that is capable of elastically sliding contact with the narrow card when the narrow card is urged to move in the opposite direction by the eject spring while in the first position.

[0015] According to this configuration, when the narrow card is ejected by the eject spring, the spring piece of the partition member applies frictional resistance to the narrow card. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the narrow card from accidentally popping out when ejected. Since the partition member has a function of preventing the narrow card from accidentally popping out when ejected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts.

[0016] In one embodiment, the partition member includes a side plate arm (54) extending from the partition portion in the insertion direction when the partition member is in the second position, a pivot center plate (55) rotatably supported by the housing and parallel to the side plate arm, and a connecting plate (57) connecting an extended end (54b) of the side plate arm and the pivot center plate in a U-shape. The partition member is integrally formed from a single sheet metal material and is pivotally displaceable about the pivot center plate between the first position and the second position. With this configuration, a configuration that functions as a pivot shaft can be easily realized by punching and bending the partition member integrally formed from a single sheet metal material.

[0017] In one embodiment, the partition section includes a first partition plate (51) that partitions the narrow card insertion space in a state parallel to the insertion direction as viewed from the width direction when the partition member is in the first position, and a second partition plate (52) that partitions the wide card insertion space in a state parallel to the insertion direction as viewed from the width direction when the partition member is in the second position. With this configuration, wide cards and narrow cards can be smoothly sorted using the first partition plate and the second partition plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first partition plate and the second partition plate are connected to each other via a U-shaped guide protrusion (53) that protrudes in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. The guide protrusion serves to guide the narrow card to the first partition plate when the partition member is in the first position. The guide protrusion serves to guide the wide card to the second partition plate when the partition member is in the second position. With this configuration, the guide protrusion that connects the first partition plate and the second partition plate can smoothly guide and sort the wide card and the narrow card.

[0019] In one embodiment, during insertion of a different thickness card (XWC) having a width that can interfere with the interference portion and a thickness (XWT) thinner than the thickness (WT) of the wide card, when the different thickness card interferes with the end of the interference portion, the guide protrusion can restrict the insertion of the different thickness card in a state in which the partition member is located at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position by the biasing spring. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the different thickness card from being erroneously inserted.

[0020] In one embodiment, the partition member includes a first engaged plate (58) extending outward in the width direction from the first partition plate and engageable with the second driving part, and a second engaged plate (59) extending outward in the width direction from the second partition plate and engageable with the first driving part. With this configuration, the first driving part of the biasing spring engages with the first engaged part extending from the first partition plate, and the second driving part of the biasing spring engages with the second engaged part extending from the second partition plate, so that the partition member can be operated smoothly in conjunction with the biasing spring.

[0021] In one embodiment, the device further includes an eject spring that ejects the wide card and the narrow card, which are alternatively inserted into the insertion recess, from the insertion recess in the opposite direction. The biasing spring (9Q) includes the first drive portion, the interference portion, and the second drive portion, and includes a first spring portion (SP1) having elasticity in the height direction, and a second spring portion (SP2) supported by the first spring portion and having elasticity in the width direction. The second spring portion is capable of elastically sliding contact with the side surfaces (NCc, NCd) of the narrow card when the narrow card is biased and moved in the opposite direction by the eject spring during ejection.

[0022] According to this configuration, when the narrow card is ejected by the eject spring, the second spring portion elastically slides against the side surface of the narrow card, thereby applying frictional resistance to the narrow card. This makes it possible to prevent the narrow card from accidentally popping out when ejected. Since the biasing spring has a function of preventing the wide card from accidentally popping out when ejected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts.

[0023] In one embodiment, the interference portion extends in an extension direction (Y1) that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction when the wide card is not inserted. The second spring portion includes an elastic bending portion (EB) that extends in the extension direction along an inner edge (93c) in the width direction of the interference portion, and a pressing contact portion (200) that can be pressed into contact with the side surface of the narrow card by the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion. With this configuration, the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion of the second spring portion can be used to elastically press the pressing contact portion into contact with the side surface of the narrow card.

[0024] In one embodiment, the second spring portion includes a first guide portion (201) extending from the pressure contact portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. The first guide portion is capable of guiding the side surface of the narrow card to the pressure contact portion when the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess. With this configuration, when the narrow card is inserted, the first guide portion can smoothly guide the side surface of the narrow card to the pressure contact portion of the second spring portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second spring portion extends in the extension direction along the outer edge (200d) in the width direction of the pressure contact portion, is inclined with respect to the width direction when viewed in the extension direction, and includes a second guide portion (202) connected to the interference portion via the elastic bending portion. When the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess in an oblique position, the second spring portion abuts against a side portion of the tip of the narrow card, thereby correctly guiding the narrow card to a normal position.

[0026] According to this configuration, when a narrow card is inserted at an angle, the second guide portion can guide the card to the correct position. Also, since the second spring portion of the biasing spring includes the second guide portion, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0027] In one embodiment, the biasing spring includes a rigid bending portion (RB) and a third guide portion (203). The rigid bending portion extends in the extension direction along the inner edge of the width direction of the interference portion and is spaced from the elastic bending portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. The third guide portion is connected to the interference portion via the rigid bending portion, extends in the extension direction spaced from the second guide portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, and is inclined with respect to the width direction when viewed in the extension direction. When the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess in an oblique position, the third guide portion abuts against the side portion of the tip of the narrow card, thereby being able to correctly guide the narrow card to the correct position.

[0028] According to this configuration, when a narrow card is inserted at an angle, the narrow card can be guided to the correct position by the third guiding portion. Also, since the biasing spring includes the third guiding portion, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0029] In the present invention, the number of parts required for sorting cards can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1A-1B] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a card connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the card connector from a different angle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card connector from diagonally below. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the card connector. [Figure 4A-4D]4A is a plan view of the narrow card, FIG. 4B is a side view of the narrow card, FIG. 4C is a front view of the narrow card, and FIG. 4D is a rear view of the narrow card. [Figure 5A-5D] 5A is a plan view of the wide card, FIG. 5B is a side view of the wide card, FIG. 5C is a front view of the wide card, and FIG. 5D is a rear view of the wide card. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second contact and the reinforcing plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first contact and a pair of biasing springs. [Figure 8A-8B] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a partition member, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of a portion of the partition member. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the card connector. [Figure 10A-10B] FIG. 10A is a front view of the card connector, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of the card connector. [Figure 11A-11B] FIG. 11A is a front view of the card connector when a narrow card is inserted, and FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the card connector when a narrow card is inserted. [Figure 12A-12B] FIG. 12A is a front view of the card connector when a wide card is inserted, and FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the card connector when a wide card is inserted. [Figure 13A-13D] 13A to 13D are cross-sectional views of the card connector sequentially illustrating the process of inserting a wide card. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the card connector when a card with a different thickness is inserted. [Figure 15A-15B] 15A and 15B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a card connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16A-16B] 16A and 16B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a card connector when a narrow card is inserted in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17A-17B]17A and 17B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a card connector when a wide card is inserted in the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first contact and a pair of biasing springs in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of a biasing spring in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an enlarged, partially cutaway front view of a card connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a biasing spring according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction. [Fig. 22A-22B] Fig. 22A is a front view of the card connector when a narrow card is not inserted in the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 22B is a front view of the card connector when a narrow card is inserted in the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0032] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a card connector 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the card connector 1 from another angle. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the card connector 1 from diagonally below. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the card connector 1.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 2, the card connector 1 comprises a metal frame 2, a housing H including a resin first housing 3 and a resin second housing 4, a partition member 5, a plurality of conductive first contacts 6, a plurality of conductive second front contacts 7, a plurality of conductive second rear contacts 8, and a biasing spring 9 (see Figure 3).

[0034] 3, the card connector 1 includes an ejector 10, a card detection switch 17, a terminal switch 18, and a write protect switch 19. The card connector 1 is a board connector mounted on the surface of a base member, such as a circuit board (not shown). Hereinafter, the second front contacts 7 and the second rear contacts 8 will be collectively referred to simply as the second contacts.

[0035] 1A, the housing H includes an insertion recess S into which a narrow card NC (see FIGS. 4A-4D) and a wide card WC that is wider than the narrow card NC (see FIGS. 5A-5D) can be alternatively inserted in an insertion direction X1 perpendicular to the width direction W. The housing H has three mutually perpendicular directions, the insertion direction X1, the width direction W, and the height direction HT.

[0036] Next, the narrow card NC and the wide card WC will be described. In the following, when the narrow card NC and the wide card WC are collectively referred to, they will simply be referred to as cards.

[0037] Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are respectively a plan view, a side view, a front view and a rear view of a narrow card NC, and Figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are respectively a plan view, a side view, a front view and a rear view of a wide card WC.

[0038] Both the narrow card NC and the wide card WC are memory cards. The narrow card NC is, for example, a CFexpress (registered trademark) type A card. The wide card WC is, for example, an SD card.

[0039] 4A-4D, the narrow card NC includes a front surface NCa, a back surface NCb, a pair of side surfaces NCc, NCd, a front end NCe, a rear end NCf, a conductor arrangement area NCg provided in a recess of the back surface NCb, and a locking recess NCh. In the conductor arrangement area NCg, a plurality of conductors NCg1 (see FIG. 11B) are exposed and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction W, and extend a predetermined length from a position adjacent to the front end NCe.

[0040] A pair of side surfaces NCc and NCd include a side surface recess NCk in the half portion on the back surface NCb side from the tip NCe to a position close to the rear end NCf. The pair of side surfaces NCc and NCd include a first width N1 (corresponding to the width of the narrow-width card NC) in the half portion on the front surface NCa side (wide-width portion) and a second width N2 in the half portion on the back surface NCb side (narrow-width portion). The second width N2 is smaller than the first width N1 (N1 > N2).

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5A - 5D, the wide-width card WC includes a front surface WCa, a back surface WCb, a pair of side surfaces WCc and WCd, a tip WCe, a rear end WCf, a conductor portion arrangement region WCg provided in a recess of the back surface WCb, and a locking recess WCh. In the conductor portion arrangement region WCg, a plurality of conductor portions WCg1, WCg2 (see FIG. 12B) are exposed and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction W and extend by a predetermined length from a position close to the tip WCe.

[0042] A pair of side surfaces WCc and WCd include a side surface recess WCk in the half portion on the back surface WCb side. The pair of side surfaces WCc and WCd include a first width W1 (corresponding to the width of the wide-width card WC) in the half portion on the front surface WCa side (wide-width portion) and a second width W2 in the half portion on the back surface WCb side (narrow-width portion). The second width W2 is smaller than the first width W1 (W1 > W2).

[0043] The first width W1, which is the width of the wide-width card WC, is wider than the first width N1, which is the width of the narrow-width card NC (W1 > N1). In this embodiment, the overall length WL (distance between the tip WCe and the rear end WCf) of the wide-width card WC is made longer than the overall length NL (distance between the tip NCe and the rear end NCf) of the narrow-width card NC (WL > NL). Also, the thickness WT (distance between the front surface WCa and the back surface WCb) of the wide-width card WC is made thinner than the thickness NT (distance between the front surface NCa and the back surface NCb) of the narrow-width card NC (WT < NT). However, the relationship of the overall lengths of the narrow-width card NC and the wide-width card WC may be either larger, and the relationship of the thicknesses of the narrow-width card NC and the wide-width card WC may be either larger.

[0044] Next, frame 2 will be described.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 2 includes an upper plate 21, a pair of side plates 22, a rear plate 23, a reinforcing tab 24, and a reinforcing tab 25. The upper plate 21 includes a front edge 21a, a rear edge 21b, and a pair of side edges 21c. The pair of side plates 22 extend perpendicularly from the pair of side edges 21c of the upper plate 21. The rear plate 23 extends perpendicularly from the rear edge 21b of the upper plate 21. The reinforcing tabs 24 are protrusions protruding from the lower edges of the side plates 22, and are solder-joined to the conductors on the surface 101 of the circuit board 100. The reinforcing tabs 25 are protrusions protruding from the lower edge of the rear plate 23, and are solder-joined to the conductors on the surface 101 of the circuit board 100.

[0046] Next, the first housing 3 will be described.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, the first housing 3 includes an upper wall 31, a pair of side walls 32, a rear wall 33, and a pair of front frames 34. Each front frame 34 includes a front side frame 35 extending from the upper wall 31, and a front bottom frame 36 extending inward in the width direction W from the front side frame 35. As shown in Fig. 10A, a pair of first guide paths G1 at the upper level, a pair of second guide paths G2 at the middle level, and a pair of third guide paths G3 at the lower level are arranged inside the pair of front frames 34. The first guide path G1, the second guide path G2, and the third guide path G3 are parallel to each other in the height direction.

[0048] The pair of first guide paths G1 in the upper stage face each other in the width direction W. The width between the pair of first guide paths G1 is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the second width W2 of the wide card WC in the reversed state. The width between the pair of second guide paths G2 in the middle stage is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the first width W1 of the wide card WC in the reversed state. The width of the pair of third guide paths G3 in the lower stage is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the first width N1 of the narrow card NC.

[0049] 10A, a recess 35a is formed on the outer surface of each front frame 35. A recess 36a is formed on the bottom surface of each front bottom frame 36. A corresponding angle-shaped front frame 44 of the second housing 4 is fitted into the recess 35a of each front frame 35 and the recess 36a of the front bottom frame 36.

[0050] Next, the second contact will be described.

[0051] 6 is a perspective view of the second front contact 7 and the second rear contact 8, and the reinforcing plates R1, R2, and R3. As shown in FIG. 6, the second front contact 7 includes a fixed piece portion 71, an elastic piece portion 72, a second contact portion 73, and a lead portion 74. The elastic piece portion 72 extends from the fixed piece portion 71 and is supported in a cantilever manner by the fixed piece portion 71. The second contact portion 73 is disposed at the apex of a downward convex portion disposed at the extended end of the elastic piece portion 72. The second contact portion 73 can elastically contact a conductor portion of a wide card WC inserted into the wide card insertion space S2.

[0052] The second rear contact 8 includes a fixed piece portion 81, an elastic piece portion 82, a second contact portion 83, and a lead portion 84. The elastic piece portion 82 extends from the fixed piece portion 81 and is supported in a cantilever manner by the fixed piece portion 81. The second contact portion 83 is disposed at the apex of a downward convex portion disposed at the extended end of the elastic piece portion 82. The second contact portion 83 is capable of elastically contacting a conductor portion of a wide card WC inserted into the wide card insertion space S2.

[0053] 3 and 10B, a portion (fixing piece portion 71) of the multiple second front contacts 7 and a portion (fixing piece portion 81) of the multiple second rear contacts 8 are embedded and fixed in the first housing 3 by insert molding. A portion of each of the reinforcing plates R1 to R3 is embedded and fixed in the first housing 3 by insert molding.

[0054] 10B, the second contact portion 73 of the elastic piece portion 72 of the second front contact 7 and the second contact portion 83 of the elastic piece portion 82 of the second rear contact 8 advance into the wide card insertion space S2 of the insertion recess S. The multiple second rear contacts 8 are arranged further in the insertion direction X1 (rear side) than the multiple second front contacts 7. As shown in FIG. 6, the second contact portions 73 of the multiple second front contacts 7 and the second contact portions 83 of the multiple second rear contacts 8 are arranged in a staggered manner with their positions shifted alternately in the insertion direction X1 when viewed along the width direction W.

[0055] Next, the second housing 4 will be described.

[0056] 3, the second housing 4 includes a first side wall 41, a second side wall 42, a rear wall 43, a pair of front frames 44, a pair of fixing holes 45, a pair of guide grooves 46, and an ejector accommodating space 47. The rear wall 43 connects the rear ends of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42. The pair of front frames 44 are connected to the front ends of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42, respectively. Each front frame 44 includes a front frame 48 connected to the front ends of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42, respectively, and a front bottom frame 49 extending inward in the width direction W from the front frame 48.

[0057] The pair of fixing holes 45 are formed to open at the front ends of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42, respectively. A fixing portion 90 of the biasing spring 9 is fixed to the pair of fixing holes 45 by insert molding. The pair of guide grooves 46 are formed in the upper surfaces of the first side wall 41 and the second side wall 42, respectively. The pair of guide grooves 46 function to guide the pair of side plate arms 54 of the partition member 5, respectively. The ejector accommodating space 47 is provided in the first side wall 41, and accommodates the ejector 10.

[0058] Next, the first contact 6 will be described.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the first contact 6 and a pair of biasing springs 9. As shown in Fig. 7, the multiple first contacts 6 are arranged at equal intervals in the width direction W. As shown in Fig. 10B, the first contact 6 includes a fixed piece portion 61, an elastic piece portion 62, a first contact portion 63, and a lead portion 64. The first contact 6 is supported by the second housing 4. The fixed piece portion 61 is embedded and fixed in the second housing 4 by insert molding.

[0060] The elastic piece 62 extends from the fixed piece 61 and is supported in a cantilever manner by the fixed piece 61. The first contact portion 63 is disposed at the top of an upwardly protruding portion disposed at the extended end of the elastic piece 62. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the narrow card NC is not inserted, the first contact portion 63 advances into the narrow card insertion space S1. As shown in FIG. 11B, the first contact portion 63 can elastically contact a conductor portion of the narrow card NC inserted into the narrow card insertion space S1.

[0061] Next, the partition member 5 will be described.

[0062] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the partition member 5 includes a partition portion 50 including a first partition plate 51 and a second partition plate 52, a pair of guide protrusions 53, a pair of side plate arms 54, a pair of pivot center plates 55, a pair of R-shaped connecting plates 56, a pair of U-shaped connecting plates 57, a pair of first engaged plates 58, a pair of second engaged plates 59, and a pair of spring pieces 60.

[0063] The partition portion 50 serves to selectively separate the narrow card insertion space S1 and the wide card insertion space S2 within the insertion recess S. The partition member 5 is supported by the housing H. The partition member 5 is displaceable in the height direction HT between a first position (see Figs. 10B and 11B; corresponding to an upper position) where the partition portion 50 separates the narrow card insertion space S1, and a second position (see Fig. 12B; corresponding to a lower position) where the partition portion 50 separates the wide card insertion space S2.

[0064] When the partition member 5 is in the first position, the first partition plate 51 separates the narrow card insertion space S1 in a state parallel to the insertion direction X1 when viewed from the width direction W as shown in Fig. 10B. When the partition member 5 is in the second position, the second partition plate 52 separates the wide card insertion space S2 in a state parallel to the insertion direction X1 when viewed from the width direction W as shown in Fig. 12B.

[0065] The pair of guide protrusions 53 connect the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 to each other. The pair of guide protrusions 53 are disposed apart in the width direction W, and protrude in a U-shape in the direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1. The pair of guide protrusions 53 guide a narrow card NC to the first partition plate 51 when the partition member 5 is in the first position (upper position). The pair of guide protrusions 53 also guide a wide card WC to the second partition plate 52 when the partition member 5 is in the second position (lower position).

[0066] The second partition plate 52 is a rectangular plate including a front edge 52a, a rear edge 52b, and a pair of side edges 52c. A corresponding side plate arm 54 is connected perpendicularly to the second partition plate 52 from the rear half of each side edge 52c via a corresponding R-shaped connecting plate 56. Each side plate arm 54 includes a base end 54a connected to the second partition plate 52 and an extended end 54b. The extended end 54b of each side plate arm 54 is connected to a corresponding pivot center plate 55 via a corresponding U-shaped connecting plate 57.

[0067] The rotation center plate 55 has a supported surface 55a which is a punched surface having an arc shape when viewed from the width direction W. As shown in Fig. 9, the housing H includes a fitting recess H1 which fits into and supports the supported surface 55a of the rotation center plate 55. The fitting recess H1 is formed by combining the recess 42a of the second side wall 42 of the second housing 4 and the recess 32a of the side wall 32 of the first housing 3.

[0068] The pivot plate 55 functions as a pivot shaft that is rotatably supported by the housing H. That is, the partition member 5 is pivotably displaceable about the pivot plate 55 between a first position (see FIG. 13A) and a second position (see FIG. 13C).

[0069] The first partition plate 51 is a rectangular plate including a front edge 51a, a rear edge 51b, and a pair of side edges 51c. The pair of guide protrusions 53 connect the front edge 51a of the first partition plate 51 and the front edge 52a of the second partition plate 52 to each other. As shown in Figs. 2 and 10B, a pair of spring pieces 60 (only one is shown in the figure) are cantilevered and extend from a recess provided in the rear edge 51b of the first partition plate 51. The pair of spring pieces 60 are spaced apart in the width direction W. A single spring piece 60 may be provided.

[0070] 11B, when the partition member 5 is in the first position, the spring piece 60 can elastically come into sliding contact with the surface NCa of the narrow card NC inserted into the narrow card insertion space S1. Therefore, when the partition member 5 is in the first position and the narrow card NC is urged to move in the eject direction (opposite direction X2) by the eject spring 12 during ejection, the spring piece 60 can elastically come into sliding contact with the narrow card NC.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 8A, a pair of first engaged plates 58 engageable with a pair of second driving portions 97 (see Fig. 10B) of the biasing spring 9 extend outward (outward in the width direction W) from the front half of a pair of side edges 51c of the first partition plate 51. In addition, a pair of second engaged plates 59 engageable with a pair of first driving portions 96 (see Fig. 10B) of the biasing spring 9 extend outward (outward in the width direction W) from the front half of a pair of side edges 52c of the second partition plate 52.

[0072] Next, the biasing spring 9 will be described.

[0073] 7, the biasing spring 9 includes a fixed portion 90, a protruding portion 91, a curved spring portion 92, an interference portion 93, an intervening portion 94, a peak portion 95, a first driving portion 96, and a second driving portion 97. The biasing spring 9 is supported by a housing H and is integrally formed from a single member.

[0074] The fixing portion 90 is fixed to the second housing 4 by insert molding. The fixing portion 90 is a long plate extending in the insertion direction X1, and is fixed to a fixing hole 45 of the second housing 4. The protruding portion 91 is an extension plate extending from the fixing portion 90 in a direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1.

[0075] The interference portion 93 is an inclined plate that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction X1 in the free state of the biasing spring 9. That is, when the wide card WC is not inserted, the interference portion 93 extends in an extension direction Y1 that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction X1 when viewed from the width direction W. The interference portion 93 is a rectangular plate that extends in the extension direction Y1 and the width direction W.

[0076] The curved spring portion 92 connects the protruding portion 91 and the interference portion 93 in a V-shape when viewed from the width direction W. The interference portion 93 includes a starting end 93a connected to the curved spring portion 92 and an ending end 93b connected to the intermediate portion 94. The curved spring portion 92 elastically supports the interference portion 93 in a cantilever manner. The curved spring portion 92 is preferably bent and formed after the fixing portion 90 is embedded and fixed in the second housing 4 by insert molding.

[0077] The intervening portion 94 is an intervening plate interposed between an end 93b of the interference portion 93 and the mountain portion 95. The mountain portion 95 includes a first inclined surface 95a on the interference portion 93 side, a second inclined surface 95b inclined in the opposite direction to the first inclined surface 95a, and a top portion 95c. When viewed from the width direction W, the interference portion 93, the intervening portion 94, the first inclined surface 95a, and the second inclined surface 95b are inclined relative to each other in a zigzag shape and connected in sequence.

[0078] A first driving unit 96 and a second driving unit 97 are disposed on the mountain portion 95. Specifically, the first driving unit 96 is disposed on the top portion 95c of the mountain portion 95. The second driving unit 97 is disposed on the back surface 95d of the first inclined surface 95a. Since the interposition portion 94 is connected in a bent manner to the end 93b of the interference portion 93, the entire mountain portion 95 on which the first driving unit 96 and the second driving unit 97 are disposed can be disposed at a low position. This allows the height of the card connector 1 to be kept low.

[0079] 10B, when a wide card WC is not inserted, the first driving unit 96 pushes up the second engaged plate 59 of the partition member 5 to bias and support the partition member 5 at the first position. The second driving unit 97 pushes down the first engaged plate 58 of the partition member 5 in response to interference between the wide card WC inserted into the insertion recess S and the interference unit 93, as shown in FIG. 13C, to displace the partition member 5 to the second position.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 10B, the interference portion 93 is disposed in the insertion recess S at a position in the opposite direction X2 of the insertion direction X1 from the partition portion 50. The interference portion 93 can interfere with only a wide card WC inserted into the insertion recess S. As shown in Fig. 10B, when viewed from the width direction W, the interference portion 93 is inclined so as to advance into the insertion recess S as it moves toward the insertion direction X1 when a wide card WC is not inserted.

[0081] In addition, when the wide card WC inserted into the insertion completion position (see Figure 13D) of the wide card insertion space S2 is urged and moved in the opposite direction X2 (eject direction) by the eject spring 12 (see Figure 3) (not shown), the second partition plate 52 (partition portion 50) of the partition member 5 urged by the urging spring 9 can elastically slide into contact with the surface WCa of the wide card WC.

[0082] Next, the ejector 10 will be described.

[0083] 3, the ejector 10 includes a slider 11, an eject spring 12, and a locking mechanism 13. The ejector 10 is a so-called push-push type ejector, and serves to eject a card inserted into the insertion recess S.

[0084] The slider 11 is supported by the housing H so as to be slidable in an insertion direction X1 and an opposite direction X2 (eject direction). The slider 11 includes a contact portion 11a that contacts an end portion (tips NCe, WCe) of the card on the insertion side. The eject spring 12 is, for example, a coil spring, and biases the slider 11 in the eject direction (opposite direction X2).

[0085] The locking mechanism 13 locks the slider 11 in a locked position when the card insertion is completed, against the biasing force of the eject spring 12. The locking mechanism 13 includes a heart cam groove 14 provided in the slider 11, and a cam pin 15. The cam pin 15 includes one end 15a rotatably supported by the second housing 4, and the other end 15b which engages with the heart cam groove 14.

[0086] When inserting a card, the leading edge of the card inserted into the insertion recess S abuts against the abutment portion 11a of the slider 11, and the slider 11 slides in the insertion direction X1 to the lock position when the card insertion is completed. On the other hand, when ejecting (discharging the card), the slider 11 slides in the eject direction and discharges the card via the abutment portion 11a.

[0087] According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10B, before the wide card WC is inserted into the insertion recess S, the partition member 5 is biased to the first position (upper position) by the first drive portion 96 of the biasing spring 9, and the narrow card insertion space S1 is partitioned by the partition portion 50 of the partition member 5. As shown in Fig. 11A, the narrow card NC inserted into the insertion recess S does not interfere with the interference portion 93 of the biasing spring 9, and is inserted directly into the narrow card insertion space S1 as shown in Fig. 11B.

[0088] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 13A, when the wide card WC starts to be inserted into the insertion recess S, as shown in Fig. 13B, it interferes with the interference portion 93 of the biasing spring 9, and the second drive portion 97 of the biasing spring 9 displaces the partition member 5 to the second position (lower position) (see Fig. 13C). As a result, the wide card insertion space S2 is partitioned by the partition portion 50, and the wide card WC can be inserted into the partitioned wide card insertion space S2 (see Fig. 13D). In this way, the sorting of the wide card WC and the narrow card NC can be achieved with a small number of parts, namely the biasing spring 9 and the partition member 5.

[0089] 10B, when viewed from the width direction W, the interference portion 93 is inclined so as to advance into the insertion recess S as the wide card WC is inserted in the insertion direction X1. As shown in FIG. 13C, during insertion of the wide card WC, the partition member 5 is displaced to the second position by the second drive portion 97 before the leading end WCe, which is the end of the wide card WC in the insertion direction X1, passes the trailing end 93b, which is the end of the interference portion 93 in the insertion direction X1. This allows the wide card WC and the narrow card NC to be reliably sorted into the wide card insertion space S2 and the narrow card insertion space S1.

[0090] Furthermore, when the wide card WC (see FIG. 13D) inserted to the insertion completion position of the wide card insertion space S2 is biased and moved in the opposite direction X2 (eject direction) by the eject spring 12 (see FIG. 3) (not shown), the second partition plate 52 (partition portion 50) of the partition member 5 biased by the bias spring 9 can elastically slide and come into contact with the wide card WC. This allows the second partition plate 52 (partition portion 50) of the partition member 5 biased by the bias spring 9 to apply frictional resistance to the wide card WC when ejected. This makes it possible to prevent the wide card WC from accidentally popping out when ejected. Since the partition member 5 has a function of preventing the wide card WC from accidentally popping out when ejected, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0091] Furthermore, when the narrow card NC is ejected (not shown) by the eject spring 12 (see FIG. 3), the spring piece 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 11B) of the partition member 5 applies frictional resistance to the narrow card NC. This makes it possible to prevent the narrow card NC from accidentally popping out when ejected. Furthermore, because the partition member 5 has the function of preventing the narrow card NC from accidentally popping out when ejected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts.

[0092] 8A and 8B, the partition member 5 includes a side plate arm 54 extending from the partition section 50 in the insertion direction X1 when the partition member 5 is in the second position (lower position), a rotation center plate 55 rotatably supported by the housing H and parallel to the side plate arm 54, and a connecting plate 57 connecting the extended end 54b of the side plate arm 54 and the rotation center plate 55 in a U-shape. The partition member 5 is integrally formed from a single sheet metal material and is rotatably displaceable around the rotation center plate 55 between a first position (see FIG. 13A) and a second position (see FIG. 13C). With this configuration, the partition member 5 integrally formed from a single sheet metal material can be easily configured to function as a rotation shaft by punching and bending.

[0093] 8A and 10B, the partition section 50 includes a first partition plate 51 and a second partition plate 52. When the partition member 5 is at the first position (see FIG. 13A, upper position), the first partition plate 51 partitions the narrow card insertion space S1 below the first partition plate 51 in a state parallel to the insertion direction X1 as viewed from the width direction W. When the partition member 5 is at the second position (see FIG. 13B, lower position), the second partition plate 52 partitions the wide card insertion space S2 above the second partition plate 52 in a state parallel to the insertion direction X1 as viewed from the width direction W. With this configuration, the wide cards WC and the narrow cards NC can be smoothly sorted using the second partition plate 52 and the first partition plate 51.

[0094] The second partition plate 52 and the first partition plate 51 are connected to each other via a U-shaped guide protrusion 53 that protrudes in the opposite direction X2 to the insertion direction X1. The guide protrusion 53 serves to guide narrow cards NC to the first partition plate 51 when the partition member 5 is in the first position (upper position). The guide protrusion 53 also serves to guide wide cards WC to the second partition plate 52 when the partition member 5 is in the second position (lower position). With this configuration, the guide protrusion 53 that connects the first partition plate 51 and the second partition plate 52 can smoothly guide and sort the wide cards WC and narrow cards NC.

[0095] 8A, the partition member 5 includes a first engaged plate 58 extending outward in the width direction W from the first partition plate 51 and engageable with the second driving portion 97, and a second engaged plate 59 extending outward in the width direction W from the second partition plate 52 and engageable with the first driving portion 96. According to this configuration, the second driving portion 97 of the urging spring 9 engages with the first engaged plate 58 extending from the first partition plate 51, and the first driving portion 96 of the urging spring 9 engages with the second engaged plate 59 extending from the second partition plate 52, so that the partition member 5 can be operated smoothly in conjunction with the urging spring 9.

[0096] 14 shows a state in which the different thickness card XWC, which has a width that can interfere with the interference portion 93 (this width may be the same as or different from the width of the wide card WC) and has a thickness XWT thinner than the thickness WT of the wide card WC, interferes with the end 93b of the interference portion 93 during insertion. At this time, with the partition member 5 positioned at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position (see FIG. 14) by the biasing spring 9, the guide protrusion 53 abuts against the end XWCe of the different thickness card XWC, thereby restricting further insertion of the different thickness card XWC. In other words, it is possible to prevent the different thickness card XWC from being erroneously inserted.

[0097] Figures 15A and 15B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a card connector 1P according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figures 16A and 16B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of the card connector 1P when a narrow card is inserted. Figures 17A and 17B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of the card connector 1P when a wide card is inserted.

[0098] The card connector 1P of the second embodiment in FIG. 15B differs from the card connector 1 of the first embodiment in FIG. 12B mainly in the following points. That is, in the second embodiment, when viewed from the width direction W, the partition member 5 and the biasing spring 9 are configured so that their up-down directions are reversed compared to those of the first embodiment. Also, the first position of the partition member 5 corresponds to the lower position, and the second position of the partition member 5 corresponds to the upper position. Also, the up-down relationship between the first contact 6 and the second contacts (the second front contact 7 and the second rear contact 8) is reversed. In the configuration of the card connector 1P of the second embodiment in FIG. 15A to FIG. 17B, components common to the configuration of the card connector 1 of the first embodiment in FIG. 10A to FIG. 12B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0099] 15A and 15B, when the partition member 5 is in the first position (lower position), a narrow card insertion space S1 is defined above the first partition plate 51. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, a narrow card NC is inserted into the narrow card insertion space S1 in a reverse state with the back surface NCb facing upward.

[0100] Although not shown, when the wide card WC is inserted, the wide card WC interferes with the interference portion 93 of the biasing spring 9, and the partition member 5 is driven and displaced to the second position (upper position, see FIGS. 17A and 17B). With the partition member 5 in the second position (upper position), a wide card insertion space S2 is defined below the second partition plate 52. The wide card WC is inserted into the wide card insertion space S2 with its obverse surface WCa facing upward.

[0101] The second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment, such as reducing the number of parts required for sorting cards.

[0102] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a first contact 6 and a pair of biasing springs 9Q in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the biasing spring 9Q. Fig. 20 is a partially cutaway enlarged front view of a card connector 1Q in the third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the biasing spring 9Q in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction Y1. Fig. 22A is a front view of the card connector 1Q when a narrow card NC is not inserted. Fig. 22B is a front view of the card connector 1Q when a narrow card NC is inserted.

[0103] The third embodiment in Figures 18 and 19 differs from the first embodiment in Figure 7 mainly in the configuration of the biasing spring 9Q. That is, the biasing spring 9Q has the same configuration as the biasing spring 9 in the first embodiment in Figure 7 and includes a first spring portion SP1 having elasticity in the height direction HT, a second spring portion SP2 supported by the first spring portion SP1 and having elasticity in the width direction W, a rigid bending portion RB, and a third guide portion 203. The biasing spring 9Q is integrally formed from a single member.

[0104] The first spring portion SP1 includes a fixed portion 90, a protruding portion 91, a curved spring portion 92, a first driving portion 96, an interference portion 93, and a second driving portion 97. The interference portion 93 is a rectangular plate extending in the extension direction Y1 and the width direction W. The second spring portion SP2 is supported in a cantilever manner by the interference portion 93 of the first spring portion SP1. The second spring portion SP2 is capable of elastically sliding contact with the side surfaces NCc, NCd (see FIG. 22B) of the narrow card NC when the narrow card NC is urged and moved in the opposite direction X2 (eject direction) by the eject spring 12 during ejection.

[0105] 19, the second spring portion SP2 includes an elastic bending portion EB, a pressing contact portion 200, a first guide portion 201, and a second guide portion 202. The elastic bending portion EB extends in the extension direction Y1 along the inner edge 93c in the width direction W of the interference portion 93, has a bent shape in a cross section (see FIG. 21) perpendicular to the extension direction Y1, and is elastically bendable.

[0106] The pressing contact portion 200 can be elastically pressed into contact with the side surfaces NCc, NCd (see FIG. 22B) of the narrow card NC by the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion EB. By adjusting the length of the elastic bending portion EB in the extension direction Y1, the elastic bending portion EB has an appropriate bending elasticity, and as a result, the second spring portion SP2 is set to have an appropriate elasticity in the width direction W.

[0107] 19 and 21, the pressure contact portion 200 includes a main pressure contact portion 200a and a secondary pressure contact portion 200b. The main pressure contact portion 200a mainly contacts the side surfaces NCc, NCd (see FIG. 22B) of the narrow card NC. The secondary pressure contact portion 200b functions to prevent a part of the second spring portion SP2 from fitting into the locking recesses NCh (see FIG. 4B) of the side surfaces NCc, NCd of the narrow card NC.

[0108] As shown in Fig. 19, the main pressing contact portion 200a extends parallel to the extension direction Y1 in which the interference portion 93 of the first spring portion SP1 extends. When viewed in the extension direction Y1 as shown in Fig. 21, the main pressing contact portion 200a is a rectangular plate that is inclined with respect to the width direction W so as to be lower toward the inside of the width direction W. In other words, the main pressing contact portion 200a is a rectangular plate that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction W and in the extension direction Y1.

[0109] The secondary pressure contact portion 200b is a rectangular plate extending in the height direction TH and connected to the primary pressure contact portion 200a in a bent manner via a first bending line BL1 disposed on the inner edge 200c of the primary pressure contact portion 200a and extending in the extension direction Y1. That is, the secondary pressure contact portion 200b is a rectangular plate extending in the extension direction Y1 and the height direction HT.

[0110] 19, 20, and 21, the second guide portion 202 is inclined with respect to the width direction W so that, when viewed in the extension direction Y1, it is lower toward the inside of the width direction W. The second guide portion 202 is a rectangular plate that extends in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction W and in the extension direction Y1.

[0111] The second guide portion 202 and the main pressing contact portion 200a are connected in a folded manner via a second folding line BL2 extending in the extension direction Y1. The second folding line BL2 is disposed on an outer edge 200d of the pressing contact portion 200 in the width direction W (corresponding to the outer edge of the main pressing contact portion 200a in the width direction W). The main pressing contact portion 200a is inclined with respect to the width direction W at an inclination angle larger than the inclination angle of the second guide portion 202.

[0112] 19, the first guide portion 201 extends from the pressing contact portion 200 in a direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1. The first guide portion 201 extends obliquely forward from the front ends (ends in the direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1) of the main pressing contact portion 200a and the secondary pressing contact portion 200b. The first guide portion 201 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction X1 and the width direction W. The first guide portion 201 can guide the side faces NCc, NCd of the narrow card NC to be inserted to the pressing contact portion 200.

[0113] The second guide portion 202 is connected to the interference portion 93 via the elastic bending portion EB. Specifically, the second guide portion 202 connects between the main pressing contact portion 200a and the inner edge 93c of the rear portion of the interference portion 93 of the first spring portion SP1.

[0114] The second guiding portion 202 comes into contact with the side of the leading end NCe (see FIG. 4A) of the narrow card NC inserted in an oblique position, thereby correcting the narrow card NC to the correct position and guiding the side surfaces NCc, NCd (see FIG. 22B) to come into contact (surface contact) with the pressing contact portion 200. Here, the oblique position of the narrow card NC is the position of the narrow card NC when the side surfaces NCc, NCd are inclined with respect to the insertion direction X1. The correct position of the narrow card NC is the position of the narrow card NC when the side surfaces NCc, NCd are parallel to the insertion direction X1 and can be in pressing contact with the main pressing contact portion 200a.

[0115] As shown in Fig. 19, the rigid bending portion RB extends in the extension direction Y1 along the inner edge 93c in the width direction W of the interference portion 93. The rigid bending portion RB has a bent shape in a cross section (not shown) perpendicular to the extension direction Y1. The rigid bending portion RB is spaced from the elastic bending portion EB in the opposite direction X2 to the insertion direction X1. With respect to the extension direction Y1, the length of the rigid bending portion RB is longer than the length of the elastic bending portion EB.

[0116] The third guide portion 203 is connected to the interference portion 93 via a rigid bending portion RB. The third guide portion 203 is separated from the second guide portion 202 via a small gap in the direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1. The third guide portion 203 is a rectangular plate extending in a direction inclined with respect to the width direction W and in the extension direction Y1. The third guide portion 203 abuts against a side portion of the leading end NCe (see FIG. 4A) of the narrow card NC when it is inserted in an oblique position, and is thereby able to guide the narrow card NC together with the second guide portion 202 to correct the position to the correct position.

[0117] The second guide portion 202 and the third guide portion 203 are arranged on the same plane when viewed along the extension direction Y1 and are inclined at the same inclination relative to the width direction W so that they are lower toward the inside of the width direction W.

[0118] In addition, the third guiding portion 203 has the function of preventing the corners of the tip NCe (see FIG. 4A) of the narrow card NC and the corners of the tip WCe (see FIG. 5A) of the wide card WC from interfering with the front end portion of the second guiding portion 202 (the end portion in the direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1).

[0119] According to this embodiment, since the biasing spring 9Q includes the first spring portion SP1 having the same configuration as the biasing spring 9 of the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In addition, it is possible to obtain the following operational effects.

[0120] That is, when the narrow card NC is ejected, the second spring portion SP2 of the biasing spring 9Q elastically slides against the side surfaces NCc, NCd of the narrow card NC, providing frictional resistance to the narrow card NC. This makes it possible to prevent the narrow card NC from accidentally popping out when ejected. Since the biasing spring 9Q has the function of preventing the narrow card NC from accidentally popping out when ejected, it is possible to prevent an increase in the number of parts.

[0121] 19, the second spring portion SP2 includes an elastic bending portion EB extending in the extension direction Y1 along the inner edge 93c in the width direction W of the interference portion 93, and a pressing contact portion 200 that can be pressed into contact with the side surface of the narrow card NC by the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion EB. Therefore, by using the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion EB of the second spring portion SP2, the pressing contact portion 200 can be elastically pressed into contact with the side surfaces NCc, NCd of the narrow card NC.

[0122] The second spring portion SP2 also includes a first guide portion 201 extending from the pressure contact portion 200 in the direction X2 opposite to the insertion direction X1. Therefore, when the narrow card NC is inserted, the first guide portion 201 can smoothly guide the side surfaces NCc, NCd of the narrow card NC to the pressure contact portion 200 of the second spring portion SP2.

[0123] The second spring portion SP2 includes a second guide portion 202 that extends in the extension direction Y1 along the outer edge 200d in the width direction W of the pressing contact portion 200, is inclined with respect to the width direction W, and is connected to the interference portion 93 via an elastic bending portion EB. Therefore, when the narrow card NC is inserted into the insertion recess S in an oblique position with respect to the insertion direction X1, the second guide portion 202 abuts against the side of the leading end NCe (see FIG. 4A) of the narrow card NC in an oblique position, thereby correctly guiding the narrow card NC in an oblique position to the normal position. Furthermore, since the second spring portion SP2 of the biasing spring 9Q includes the second guide portion 202, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0124] The biasing spring 9Q also includes a third guide portion 203 connected to the interference portion 93 via a rigid bending portion RB. The third guide portion 203 is spaced from the second guide portion 202 in the opposite direction X2 to the insertion direction X1, extends in the extension direction Y1, and is inclined with respect to the width direction W. Therefore, when the narrow card NC is inserted into the insertion recess S in an oblique position with respect to the insertion direction X1, the third guide portion 203 comes into contact with the side of the leading end NCe (see FIG. 4A) of the narrow card NC in an oblique position, and the third guide portion 203 together with the second guide portion 202 can guide the narrow card NC in an oblique position to the normal position. Since the biasing spring 9Q includes the third guide portion 203, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

[0125] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and for example, the biasing spring 9Q of the third embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment. Also, the second contact may not be divided into the second front contact 7 and the second rear contact 8, but may be aligned in the width direction W. In addition, the present invention may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 1;1P;1Q Card Connector 3. First Housing 4. Second Housing 5 Partitioning material 6 First Contact 7 Second front contact (second contact) 8 Second rear contact (second contact) 9;9Q bias spring 10 Ejector 12 Eject spring 50 Partition 51 First partition 52 Second partition plate 53 Guide protrusion 54 Side plate arm 54b Extension end 55 Rotating center plate 57 Connecting plate 58 First engaged plate 59 Second engaged plate 60 Spring piece 63 1st contact part 73 Second contact part 83 Second contact part 93 Interference part 93b termination 93c Inner Marriage 96 First Drive Unit 97 Second Drive Unit 200 Pressurized contact part 200a Outer edge 201 1st Information Department 201 2nd Information Department 203 3rd Information Department EB Elastic bending part RB Rigid bending part H Housing HT Height direction NC Narrow Card NCc, NCd side NCg1 Conductor S Insertion recess S1 Narrow card insertion space S2 Wide card insertion space SP1 First spring part SP2 Second spring part W Width direction WC Wide Card WCe tip (end in the insertion direction) WCg1, WCg2 conductor WT Thickness X1 Insertion direction X2 opposite direction (eject direction) XWC Different thickness cards XWT Thickness Y1 Extending direction

Claims

1. a housing including an insertion recess into which a narrow card and a wide card wider than the narrow card can be selectively inserted in the insertion direction; a partition member including a partition portion that selectively separates a narrow card insertion space and a wide card insertion space within the insertion recess, the partition member being supported by the housing and displaceable in the height direction between a first position where the partition portion separates the narrow card insertion space and a second position where the partition portion separates the wide card insertion space; a first contact including a first contact portion capable of elastically contacting a conductor portion of the narrow card inserted into the narrow card insertion space; a second contact including a second contact portion capable of elastically contacting a conductor portion of the wide card inserted into the wide card insertion space; A card connector comprising: a first drive unit that urges the partition member to the first position; an interference unit that is positioned within the insertion recess in a position opposite the insertion direction from the partition unit and is capable of interfering with only the wide card; and a second drive unit that displaces the partition member to the second position in response to interference between the interference unit and the wide card, and a biasing spring that is supported by the housing, has elasticity in the height direction, and is integrally formed from a single member.

2. the interference portion extends in an extension direction that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction in a state in which the wide card is not inserted, 2. The card connector of claim 1, wherein the partition member is configured to be displaced to the second position by the second drive portion by the time the end portion of the wide card in the insertion direction passes through the terminal end of the interference portion in the insertion direction during insertion of the wide card.

3. an ejection spring for ejecting the wide card and the narrow card, which are selectively inserted into the insertion recess, from the insertion recess in the opposite direction; 3. The card connector according to claim 2, wherein when the wide card inserted into the wide card insertion space at a completed insertion position is urged in the opposite direction by the eject spring, the partition portion of the partition member urged by the urging spring is capable of elastically sliding contact with the wide card.

4. an ejection spring for ejecting the wide card and the narrow card, which are selectively inserted into the insertion recess, from the insertion recess in the opposite direction; A card connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition member, when in the first position, includes a spring piece that can elastically slide into contact with the narrow card when the narrow card is forced to move in the opposite direction by the eject spring during ejection.

5. The card connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition member includes a side panel arm extending from the partition portion in the insertion direction when in the second position, a pivot center plate rotatably supported by the housing and parallel to the side panel arm, and a connecting plate connecting the extended end of the side panel arm and the pivot center plate in a U-shape, the card connector being integrally formed from a single sheet metal material and rotatably displaceable between the first position and the second position around the pivot center plate.

6. A card connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition portion includes a first partition plate that divides the narrow card insertion space in a state parallel to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction when the partition member is in the first position, and a second partition plate that divides the wide card insertion space in a state parallel to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction when the partition member is in the second position.

7. the first partition plate and the second partition plate are connected to each other via a U-shaped guide protrusion protruding in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, 7. The card connector of claim 6, wherein the guide protrusion functions to guide the narrow card to the first partition plate when the partition member is in the first position, and functions to guide the wide card to the second partition plate when the partition member is in the second position.

8. 8. The card connector according to claim 7, wherein, during insertion of a different thickness card having a width capable of interfering with the interference portion and a thickness thinner than the thickness of the wide card, when the different thickness card interferes with the end of the interference portion, the guide protrusion can restrict the insertion of the different thickness card in a state in which the biasing spring positions the partition member at an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.

9. 7. The card connector of claim 6, wherein the partition member includes a first engaged plate extending outward in the width direction from the first partition plate and engageable with the second drive portion, and a second engaged plate extending outward in the width direction from the second partition plate and engageable with the first drive portion.

10. an ejection spring for ejecting the wide card and the narrow card, which are selectively inserted into the insertion recess, from the insertion recess in the opposite direction; 4. A card connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the biasing spring includes the first driving portion, the interference portion and the second driving portion, and includes a first spring portion having elasticity in the height direction, and a second spring portion supported by the first spring portion and having elasticity in the width direction, the second spring portion being capable of elastically sliding contact with a side of the narrow card when the narrow card is biased to move in the opposite direction by the eject spring during ejection.

11. the interference portion extends in an extension direction that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction when viewed from the width direction in a state in which the wide card is not inserted, 11. The card connector according to claim 10, wherein the second spring portion includes an elastic bending portion extending in the extension direction along the widthwise inner edge of the interference portion, and a pressure contact portion capable of being pressed into contact with the side surface of the narrow card by the bending elasticity of the elastic bending portion.

12. 12. The card connector according to claim 11, wherein the second spring portion further includes a first guide portion extending from the pressure contact portion in the opposite direction to the insertion direction, the first guide portion being capable of guiding the side of the narrow card to the pressure contact portion when the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess.

13. 12. The card connector according to claim 11, wherein the second spring portion extends in the extension direction along the widthwise outer edge of the pressure contact portion, is inclined with respect to the width direction when viewed in the extension direction, and is a second guide portion connected to the interference portion via the elastic bending portion, and includes a second guide portion that can correctively guide the narrow card to a normal position by abutting against a side portion of the tip of the narrow card when the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess in an oblique position.

14. 14. The card connector of claim 13, wherein the biasing spring includes: a rigid bending portion extending in the extension direction along the inner edge of the width direction of the interference portion and spaced from the elastic bending portion in the opposite direction of the insertion direction; and a third guide portion connected to the interference portion via the rigid bending portion, extending in the extension direction spaced from the second guide portion in the opposite direction of the insertion direction and inclined with respect to the width direction when viewed in the extension direction, the third guide portion being capable of correctively guiding the narrow card to the normal position when the narrow card is inserted into the insertion recess in an oblique position by abutting against a side portion of a tip of the narrow card.

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