Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-28
2001-01-16
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174181
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card connector, and particularly to a card connector used for receiving an electrical card and electrically connecting the card to an electrical device to transmit electrical signals.
With the development of the computer industry and particularly notebook computers, electronic components having smaller volumes and higher capabilities are required. However, some components can not be mounted into notebook computers because of the mini-volume and reduced weight required. Card connectors have been adapted to remedy the shortfall. The cards used generally have a relatively large number of terminals to provide enough signal paths for transmitting a great number of signals quickly. However, a relatively large retention force exists between a mated card and the terminals of the card connector, so it-is often difficult to eject the card. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an ejection mechanism to facilitate ejection of a card from a card connector. Conventional ejection mechanisms for card connectors are very complicated, as described in Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 83215629, 84112148 and 86205493. As shown in
FIG. 6
, a prior art ejection mechanism comprises at least a fixed plate
51
, an ejection plate
52
, an actuator
53
and a push rod
54
. The fixed plate
51
is firmly fixed to both sides of a connector housing
6
. The ejection plate
52
is received within the card receiving passageway, an engaging slot
521
being located at a middle of the ejection plate
52
, and ejection tabs
522
being formed at opposite ends of the ejection plate
52
. The actuator
53
firmly interconnects with the fixed plate
51
at a pivot
533
, and the actuator
53
rotates about the pivot
533
. A tag
531
projects from one end of the actuator
53
for locking the engaging slot
521
of the ejection plate
52
, the other end of the actuator
53
has an engaging tongue
532
for engaging with the locking slot
541
in a distal end of the push rod
54
. An opposite end of the push rod
54
provides a “finger shelf” on which to push when actuating the ejector
5
. When a force is applied to the push rod
54
, the actuator
53
is rotated by the force being transmitted from the locking slot
541
to the engaging tongue
532
of the actuator
53
. Since the actuator
53
rotates about the pivot
533
, the tag
531
at the other end of the actuator
53
moves in a direction opposite to that of the engaging tongue
532
. Since the tag
531
engages with the engaging slot
521
in the ejection plate
52
, the ejection plate
52
is moved in the direction of extraction, ejecting the card. However, the conventional ejection mechanism is too complex and difficult to assemble, so its cost is relatively high. In addition, because of its complicated design, improper connection of one component can cause poor actuating capability. Additionally, some parts for conventional card connectors need to be machined (pivots for instance), thereby increasing the cost.
Hence, an improved card connector is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A prime object of the present invention is to provide a card connector having a pivotally operating ejection mechanism which improves assembly efficiency and decreases manufacturing cost.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a card connector having fewer parts and a simpler design, achieving the same ejection purpose at less cost.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a card connector including an ejection mechanism which can be applied to a variety of electronic apparatus having pivoting mechanisms, allowing the same mechanism to be used in different ways with different electronic apparatus.
The present card connector comprises a dielectric housing, a plurality of conductive terminals, an extraction plate and a push rod. A locking member is located in a recess defined in the upper surface of the dielectric housing, and the extraction plate of an ejection mechanism defines a locking hole for engaging with the locking member. The locking hole receives the locking member at a specific angle to form a pivotal mechanism. The pivotal mechanism can not disengage with the locking member in normal operation. A force is applied to actuate pivotal movement of the ejection mechanism, thereby extracting a card from the card connector.
The locking member is cylindrical in shape and integrally formed with the dielectric housing, an annular flange extending from a top edge of the locking member. The annular flange defines a pair of diametrically opposite notches. A periphery of the locking hole defined in the extraction plate forms a pair of tags respectively corresponding to the notches of the flange. Therefore, when the extraction plate is mounted to the locking member to form the pivotal mechanism, after rotating the extraction plate, the extraction plate is locked to the housing. A force applied to a push button of the push rod causes the extraction plate to rotate about the locking member, thereby ejecting the card from the card connector.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5145389 (1992-09-01), Okubo
patent: 5451168 (1995-09-01), Shuey
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Paumen Gary F.
LandOfFree
Card connector does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Card connector, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Card connector will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2498769