Memory Card Connector with Isolating Wall for Reliable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional memory card connectors face issues with detecting the insertion state of memory cards due to scrapes produced by the card's resin housing, which hinder contact between switch components, leading to contact failure.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with an insertion slot, a fixed terminal, a movable terminal that flexibly moves backward, and an isolating wall part to prevent scrapes from reaching the contact area between the movable and fixed terminals, ensuring reliable detection of memory card insertion and writing capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the movable plate is placed to contact the card side surface for detection, then the card insertion can be detected, but scrapes from the card housing hinder the contact between the movable plate and fixed plate
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is divided into two distinct functional parts: a card-contacting portion that interfaces with the card side surface for insertion detection, and a switch-contacting portion that maintains electrical contact with the fixed plate. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function without interference from scrapes generated at the card interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful factor (scrapes from card housing) is extracted and isolated from the critical contact area. The movable plate's switch-contacting portion is positioned and oriented such that it does not come into contact with the card side surface, thereby eliminating the source of scrapes from affecting the electrical contact between the movable and fixed plates.
2Ease of operation
If the movable plate contacts the card side surface, then the insertion state can be detected, but the scrapes move to the switch connecting portion and hinder contact
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is segmented into a card-contacting portion and a switch-contacting portion with distinct spatial arrangements. The switch-connecting portion is positioned away from the card side surface contact area, ensuring that scrapes generated during card insertion do not affect the precision of the electrical contact between the movable and fixed plates.
3Device complexity
If the fixed plate faces the movable plate in the width direction, then the switch structure is compact, but scrapes from the card hinder the contact between the plates
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is segmented with a card-contacting portion that interfaces with the card and a switch-contacting portion that contacts the fixed plate. The switch-contacting portion is oriented such that it does not face the card side surface, maintaining reliable electrical contact while preserving the compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the movable plate have different spatial orientations and functions. The switch-contacting portion is positioned and oriented to face the fixed plate for reliable electrical contact, while the card-contacting portion interfaces with the card side surface. This local differentiation ensures that scrapes from card contact do not affect the quality of the electrical contact.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively detects memory card insertion and writing capability while preventing scrapes from interfering with switch contacts, maintaining reliable electrical connections and preventing contact failure.
Implementation Method 1
a movable terminal which has: a contacting part which is placed in the accommodating part to flexibly move backward from the accommodating part and which is pressed by the electronic component inserted in the accommodating part
Data Source
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AI summary
A connector adequately detects a state of an electronic component such as a memory card which is fitted in the connector by way of insertion, even when scrapes of a housing of the electronic component are produced due to insertion and removal of the electronic component which is fitted. In this connector (100), detecting parts (160A and 160B), which detect that a memory card (20) is fitted completely in an accommodating part (102) or detect whether or not data can be written in the memory card (20), have fixed terminals (162) and movable terminals (161). In the movable terminal (161), a card contacting part (163a) placed in the accommodating part (102) is pressed by the memory card (20), so that a movable contact part (164a) contacts and conducts with the fixed terminal (162). An isolating wall part (190) is provided between the contacting part (163a) and the movable contact part (164a) to isolate a contact area between the movable contact part (164a) and the fixed terminal (162), from the contacting area between the contacting part (163a) and the memory card (20)