Card Connector IC Detection via Merged Power Ground Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card connectors require additional components and space for elastic deformation, leading to increased size for detecting IC cards.
Innovation Solution
A card connector design that integrates power-side and ground-side detection contacts electrically connected to each other, eliminating the need for elastic deformation and reducing the overall size by aligning contact positions to match the housing thickness or longitudinal direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a contact spring piece and fixing piece are used to detect IC card loading, then the detection function is achieved, but the connector size increases due to additional components and accommodating space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function with existing power supply and signal contact terminals. The detection contacts are integrated into the same contact terminal structure that provides power and signal connections, eliminating the need for separate detection components and their accommodating spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact terminals are designed to serve multiple functions: power supply, signal transmission, and card loading detection. By making the detection contacts multi-functional (serving both as power/signal contacts and detection elements), the patent reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining reliable detection capability.
2Reliability
If an accommodating space for elastic deformation is provided, then the contact spring piece can detect card loading, but the connector requires additional space increasing overall size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the detection contact structure with the existing contact terminal arrangement. The detection contacts are positioned and structured to utilize the same accommodating space and deformation mechanism already present for power and signal contacts, eliminating the need for separate accommodating spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the contact terminals to enable detection functionality. By adjusting the position, shape, or electrical connection parameters of existing contacts, the system achieves detection capability without adding components that would require additional accommodating space.
Data Source
AI summary
A card connector is provided which has a reduced size. The card connector includes a plurality of contacts which are held in a housing including an accommodating space for accommodating an electronic card. The plurality of contacts include a first switch contact and a second switch contact which are electrically connected to each other via a ground connection pad of the electronic card when the electronic card is accommodated in the accommodating space.