JPH087981A - Connector device for pc card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a connector for PC card in which the male connector of a cable connector is not removed easily from the female connector of a PC card, and the mounting space at the locking part can be secured easily. CONSTITUTION:When a cable connector 41 is installed to a PC card, lids 22 are opened to the left side and the right side, and after a male connector 42 is inserted to a female connector 3, locking projections 23 and locking holes 44 are fitted. When the cable connector 41 is removed from the PC card, the locking projections 23 at both ends are removed from the locking holes 44, and then, the male connector 42 is pulled out from the female connector 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a PC card connector device for exchanging information between an external device and a PC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional PC card connector device, in which 1 is a PC card protected by a protective case 2, 3 is a female connector attached to the PC card 1 side, and 4 is a female connector. Is a cable connector that mediates communication between the PC card 1 and an external device (not shown), 5 is a male connector that is attached to the cable connector 4 and fits into the female connector 3, and 6 is the cable connector 4 and the cable 7. It is a connector cover that protects the connection part with. The conventional PC card connector device shown in FIG. 9 only inserts the male connector 5 of the cable connector 4 into the female connector 3 of the PC card 1. Therefore, if the cable 7 is pulled during communication, In some cases, the male connector 5 was easily detached from the female connector 3 of the PC card 1 and the communication was interrupted.

Therefore, a cable connector with a lock as shown in FIG. 10 has been proposed. FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which another conventional PC card connector device is connected to the PC card 1. In the figure, 8 is a case that covers the cable connector 4, 9 is a lock arm provided between the cable connector 4 and the case 8, and 10 is a lock arm 9.
It is a hook-shaped claw formed at the tip of, and engages with the protective case 2 on the side surface of the female connector 3. Reference numeral 11 denotes a release button formed in the middle of the lock arm 9 and protruding from the side surface of the case 8. When pushed into the case 8, the engagement between the claw 10 and the protective case 2 on the side surface of the female connector 3 is released. . Reference numeral 12 is a spring that biases the lock arm 9 toward the protective case 2 side of the female connector 3.

In the cable connector with lock shown in FIG. 10, the male connector 5 of the cable connector 4 is replaced by the female connector 3
When mounted on the lock arm 9, the lock arm 9 is biased by the spring 12 so that the claw 10 and the protective case 2 are engaged with each other. In this state,
When the release button 11 protruding from the side surface of the case 8 is pushed into the case 8, the engagement between the claw 10 and the protective case 2 is released, so that the male connector 5 of the cable connector 4 is released.
Can be detached from the female connector 3 of the PC card 1.

By the way, since the tip of the claw 10 has a hook shape of approximately 90 degrees, the problem that the claw 10 and the protective case 2 are easily disengaged when the cable 7 is moved left and right. It was happening. Therefore, it is conceivable that the lock arm 9 portion has a structure capable of obtaining a stronger coupling force, but the thickness of the PC card 1 is 5 m including the protective case 2.
Since the thickness of the cable connector 4 itself is about 5 mm including the case 8 as well, it is difficult to provide a mounting space therefor on the PC card 1 side or the cable connector 4 side.

[0006]

Since the conventional PC card connector device is constructed as described above, the claw 10 and the protective case 2 are simply moved by moving the cable 7 left and right.
There is a problem in that the engagement with is easily released and, as a result, the male connector 5 of the cable connector 4 is disengaged from the female connector 3 of the PC card 1 and communication is interrupted. Therefore, it is conceivable to design the lock portion to have a stronger coupling force, but it has been difficult to secure a mounting space therefor on the PC card 1 side or the cable connector 4 side.

The inventions of claims 1 to 4 are made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the male connector of the cable connector does not easily come off from the female connector of the PC card, and it is locked. An object of the present invention is to obtain a PC card connector device that can easily secure a mounting space for a part.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] P according to the invention of claim 1
In the C-card connector device, a pair of suppressing members having a first locking portion provided on a surface facing the second connector are rotatably provided on the protective cases at the left and right ends of the opening. A second locking portion that engages with the locking portion is provided on the side surface of the cover so as to correspond to the first locking portion.

In the PC card connector device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the pair of suppressing members are provided with springs for urging in the direction of closing the opening of the protective case.

In the PC card connector device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the introduction path is formed so as to communicate with the opening in the protective case, and the sliding member for fixing the second connector appears and disappears in the introduction path. It is designed to be freely installed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a PC card connector device in which a groove is provided on the upper and lower surfaces of a cover for protecting the second connector, and a sliding member is inserted into the groove to thereby remove the second connector. It is designed to be locked.

[0012]

In the PC card connector device according to the present invention, a pair of suppressing members are rotatably provided on the protective cases at both ends of the first connector, and the first locking portions are provided as a pair of suppressing members. Of the second connector is provided on the surface facing the second connector, and the second engaging portion that fits with the first engaging portion is provided on the side surface of the cover, thereby suppressing the lateral movement of the second connector. , The second connector comes to be fixed.

In the PC card connector device according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pair of suppressing members are provided with the springs that bias the opening of the protective case in the closing direction, the first suppressing member of the pair of suppressing members is provided. The engagement between the locking portion and the second locking portion is strengthened.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the PC card connector device, the introduction passage is formed so as to communicate with the opening in the protective case, and the sliding member for fixing the second connector can be retracted into the introduction passage. By providing the second connector, the left and right movements of the second connector are suppressed, and the second connector is fixed.

In the PC card connector device according to the invention of claim 4, a groove is provided in the upper and lower surfaces of the cover for protecting the second connector, and the sliding member is inserted into the groove to lock the second connector. As a result, the lateral movement of the second connector is suppressed and the second connector is fixed.

[0016]

【Example】

Example 1. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a PC card. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those of the conventional one indicate the same or corresponding portions, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Two
1 is a protective case for protecting the PC card 1, 22 is a pair of lids (suppressing members) rotatably provided on the protective case 21 on the side surface of the female connector (first connector) 3, and 23 is a lid 2
2 is a locking projection (first locking portion) provided on the inner side of 2, and the size of this locking projection 23 is set so as not to hit the female connector 3 with the lid 22 closed. 41 is a cable connector, 42 is a male connector (second connector), 43 is a connector cover that protects the connection portion between the male connector 42 and the cable, 44 is formed on both side surfaces of the connector cover 43, and has locking protrusions 23. It is a locking hole (second locking portion) to be fitted.

Next, the operation will be described. When the cable connector 41 is attached to the PC card 1, the lid 22 is opened to the left and right, the male connector 42 is inserted into the female connector 3, and then the locking projection 23 and the locking hole 44 are fitted together. Also,
When removing the cable connector 45 from the PC card 1, the locking projections 23 at both ends are removed from the locking holes 44, and then the male connector 42 is pulled out from the female connector 3. When the cable connector 41 is not attached to the PC card 1, the lid 22 is closed, so that the female connector 3 is also protected.

As is clear from the above description, according to this embodiment, the pair of lids 22 restrains the left and right movements of the cable connector 41, and the locking projections 23 fix the cable connector 41. The male connector 42 does not easily come off from the female connector 3. Further, the protective case 21 is provided with the lid 22, and the connector cover 43 is provided with the locking hole 4
Since it is only necessary to provide 4, the mounting space can be easily secured. In this embodiment, the locking projection 23 is provided inside the lid 22, and the locking holes 44 are provided on both side surfaces of the connector cover 43. However, the locking hole 44 is provided inside the lid 22 and the connector cover 43 is provided. The locking protrusions 23 may be provided on both side surfaces of the. Further, by providing the spring 29 in the direction of closing the lid 22, the engagement between the locking projection 23 and the locking hole 44 is strengthened, and the lid 22 is automatically closed when the cable connector 41 is removed. Can be made.

Example 2. 3 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device shown in FIG. 3 is connected to a PC card. In the figure,
Reference numeral 24 is a protective case for protecting the PC card 1, 25 is a rotation locking member provided in the protective case 24, and has a contact end 25a at one end and a locking projection (first locking portion) at the other end. Two
5b is formed. 26 is a rotation locking member (suppression member) 25
For storing a cable, 45 for a cable connector, 46 for a male connector (second connector), and 47 for a male connector 46.
Connector cover that protects the connection between the cable and the cable, 4
Reference numeral 8 denotes locking holes (second locking portions) formed on both side surfaces of the connector cover 47, which are fitted with the locking projections 25b of the rotary locking member 25.

Next, the operation will be described. First, when the cable connector 45 is attached to the PC card 1, the tip of the cable connector 45 is attached to the contact end 2 of the rotation locking member 25.
5a is abutted, and is inserted while rotating counterclockwise. Then, after connecting the male connector 46 and the female connector 3, the locking projections 25b of the rotary locking members 25 at both ends and the locking holes 48 are fitted. At this time, the cable connector 45 is restrained from moving left and right by the rotation locking members 25 at both ends. When the cable connector 45 is to be attached to and detached from the PC card 1, the male connector 46 is pulled out from the female connector 3 after removing the engaging protrusions 25 b at both ends from the engaging hole 48.

As is clear from the above description, according to the second embodiment, the left and right movements of the cable connector 45 are suppressed by the rotation locking members 25 at both ends, and the cable connector 45 is fixed by the locking projections 25b. Therefore, the male connector 46 does not easily come off from the female connector 3. Further, since it is only necessary to provide the rotation locking member 25 in the protective case 24 and the locking hole 48 in the connector cover 47, it is possible to easily secure a mounting space. In this embodiment, the rotation locking member 24 is provided with the locking projections 25b and the locking holes 48 are provided on both side surfaces of the connector cover 47. However, the rotation locking member 24 is provided with the locking holes 48. Four
The locking projections 25b may be provided on both side surfaces of 7. In addition, in the second embodiment, the locking protrusion 2 that is the first locking member is used.
Since 5b can be made longer than the locking projection 23 which is the first locking member of the first embodiment, the cable connector 4
There is an effect that the left and right movements of 5 can be suppressed more reliably.

Example 3. 5 is a perspective view of a PC card connector device showing a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device shown in FIG. 5 is connected to a PC card. In the figure, 27 is a protective case that protects the PC card 1, and is set so that the female connector 3 is located deeper than in the first embodiment. 27a is a cable connector introduction path formed in the protective case 27, and has a size such that the male connector 50 can be inserted together with the cover 51. 27b is a recess formed in the protective case 27, and 28 is an L-shaped pair of locking members (sliding members) slidably provided in the recess 27b. The locking end 28a is formed at one end. Then, a pick end 28b is formed at the other end. The locking end 28a is provided in the cable connector introduction path (introduction path) 27a so as to be retractable, and the knob end 28b is provided so as to project from the protective case 27. 29 is a spring for urging the locking end 28a of the locking member 28 toward the cable connector 49 described later,
Reference numeral 49 is a cable connector, 50 is a male connector (second connector), 51 is a connector cover for protecting a connecting portion between the male connector 50 and the cable, and 52 is a connector cover 5.
The engaging holes are formed on both side surfaces of the engaging member 1 and engage with the engaging ends 28a of the engaging members 28.

Next, the operation will be described. First, when the cable connector 49 is attached to the PC card 1, the locking members 28 at both ends are moved until the locking ends 28a are retracted from the cable connector introducing path 27a, and then the cable connector 49 is moved to the cable connector introducing path 27a. And the male connector 50 and the female connector 3 are connected. Then, the locking member 28 is moved until the locking end 28a projects from the cable connector introduction path 27a, and the locking end 28a
And the locking hole 52 are fitted together. In addition, when the cable connector 49 is attached to or detached from the PC card 1, the locking members 28 at both ends are locked at the cable connector introduction path 27a.
The locking end 28a and the locking hole 52
Then, the male connector 50 is pulled out from the female connector 3. Then, the cable connector 49 is taken out along the cable connector introduction path 27a.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the third embodiment, the cable connector introduction path 27a suppresses the left and right movements of the cable connector 49 and the locking member 28.
Since the cable connector 49 is fixed by the above, the male connector 50 does not easily come off from the female connector 3. Further, since it suffices to provide the locking member 28 in the protective case 27 and the locking hole 52 in the connector cover 51,
The mounting space can be easily secured. Further, the spring 29 can strengthen the engagement between the locking member 28 and the locking hole.

Example 4. 7 is a perspective view of a PC card connector device showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device shown in FIG. 7 is connected to a PC card. In the figure, reference numeral 32 is a protective case for protecting the PC card 1, and the female connector 3 is set so as to be located farther than in the first embodiment. 33 is a cable connector introduction path (introduction path) formed in the protective case 32, 34 is a sliding recess formed from the side surface of the protection case 32 toward the cable connector introduction path 33, and 35 is a U-shaped It is a sliding locking member that slides in the moving recess 34, and when it is pushed into the sliding recess 34, the opening end 35a at one end is the cable connector introduction path 3
3 and the connecting end 35b at the other end is provided so as to slightly project from the side surface of the protective case 32. 53 is a cable connector, 54 is a male connector (second connector),
Reference numeral 55 is a connector cover that protects the connection portion between the male connector 54 and the cable, and 56 is a sliding groove formed on the front surface and the back surface of the connector cover 55 along the longitudinal direction of the male connector 54.

Next, the operation will be described. When mounting the cable connector 53 on the PC card 1, first pull out the sliding locking member (sliding member) 35 until the opening end 35a is retracted from the cable connector introduction path 33. , The cable connector 53 is inserted along the cable connector introduction path 33 to connect the male connector 53 and the female connector 3. Then, the sliding engagement member 35 is pushed until the opening end 35a reaches the tip of the sliding groove 56,
The cable connector 53 is fixed. When removing the cable connector 53 from the PC card 1, the protective case 3
The sliding locking member 35 slightly protruding from
The male connector 54 is removed from the female connector 3 by pulling it out from the cable connector introduction path 33 until it is retracted. Then, the cable connector 53 is taken out along the cable connector introduction path 33.

As is clear from the above description, according to the fourth embodiment, the left and right movements of the cable connector 53 are suppressed by the cable connector introduction passage 33, and
Since the cable connector 53 is fixed by the sliding engagement member 35, the male connector 54 does not easily come off from the female connector 3. Further, since it is only necessary to provide the sliding engagement member 35 on the protective case 32 and the sliding groove 56 on the connector cover 55, it is possible to easily secure a mounting space.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the pair of suppressing members are rotatably provided on the protective cases at both ends of the first connector, and the pair of first locking portions is provided. The second connector has the first connector and the second connector has the first connector and the second connector that fits with the first connector. It is possible to easily secure a mounting space for the suppressing member and the first locking portion and the second locking portion without being easily detached from the connector.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the pair of suppressing members are provided with the springs for urging in the direction of closing the opening of the protective case, the first locking of the pair of suppressing members is achieved. This has the effect of further strengthening the engagement between the first portion and the second locking portion, and preventing the second connector from becoming more easily disengaged from the first connector.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the introduction path formed in the protective case restrains the left and right movements of the second connector, and the sliding member fixes the second connector. The second connector does not easily come off from the first connector, and the mounting space between the introduction path and the sliding member can be easily secured.

According to the invention of claim 4, grooves are provided in the upper and lower surfaces of the cover for protecting the second connector, and the sliding member is inserted into the grooves to lock the second connector. Therefore, the left and right movements of the second connector can be more reliably suppressed, and the second connector can be more reliably fixed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a PC card.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a PC card.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a PC card.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a PC card connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan sectional view showing a state in which the PC card connector device according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a PC card.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional PC card connector device.

FIG. 10 shows another conventional PC card connector device
It is a plane sectional view showing a state when connected to a C card.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 PC card, 2, 21, 24, 27, 32 Protective case, 3 Female connector (first connector), 22 Lid (suppressing member), 23, 25b Locking protrusion (first locking part), 25 rotations Locking member (suppression member), 27a, 33
Cable connector introduction path (introduction path), 28 locking member (sliding member), 35 sliding locking member (sliding member), 4
1,45,49,53 Cable connector, 42,4
6, 50, 54 male connector (second connector), 43,
47, 49, 53 Connector cover, 44, 48 Locking hole (second locking portion).

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first connector, which is disposed at a position where it is retracted from an opening of a protective case and is attached to a PC card, is fitted with the first connector, and a connecting portion with a cable is a cover. In a PC card connector device having a protected second connector, a first one is rotatably provided in the protection cases at the left and right ends of the opening and is provided on a surface facing the second connector. A pair of suppressing members having locking portions and a second locking portion that is provided on the side surface of the cover corresponding to the first locking portion and that engages with the first locking portion. PC card connector device provided. 2. The spring according to claim 1, wherein the pair of suppressing members are provided with springs for urging the protective case in a direction of closing the opening of the protective case.
The described PC card connector device. 3. A first connector provided on a PC card arranged at a position where the PC card is retracted from the opening of the protective case,
In a PC card connector device that is fitted to the first connector and has a second connector in which a connected portion of the cable is protected by a cover, so as to communicate with the opening in the protective case. A connector device for a PC card, which is provided with an introduction path formed in the above and a sliding member provided in the introduction path so as to be retractable and retractable and to fix the second connector. 4. The groove according to claim 3, wherein a groove is provided in upper and lower surfaces of the cover for protecting the second connector, and the sliding member is inserted into the groove to lock the second connector. PC card connector device.