Electrical connectors – Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-27
2001-10-23
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating or...
C439S862000, C439S630000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305960
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a subscriber identity module (SIM) card connector, and more particularly, to a SIM card connector with an improved switch member for detecting full insertion of a SIM card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Subscriber identity module (SIM) cards are widely used with electrical devices, such as personal computers, notebooks, portable phones, PDAs and the like. SIM card connectors are adapted to connect SIM cards with the electrical devices. A SIM card connector usually needs a switch device for detecting full insertion of the SIM card.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,426 discloses a card connector with a switching device. The switching device includes an upper and a lower switching member. The upper and lower switching members respectively have an upper contact portion and a lower contact portion. The upper switching member further has a biasing hump for engaging with a leading edge of a card. The upper and lower switching members are assembled to the base in juxtaposition, and the upper contact portion is located above the lower contact portion. A stopper of the upper switching member limits movement of the upper contact portion. The contact portions are spaced apart from each other before the card is inserted. The biasing hump projects into an insertion path of the card. When the card is inserted into the connector and reaches its final position, the leading edge of the card slides over the biasing hump of the upper switching member, thereby pushing the upper contact portion to engage with the lower contact portion to establish an electrical connection therebetween.
However, the switch device needs two switch members, thus requiring a complicated manufacturing process and a high cost.
U.S. Pat, No. 6,130,387 discloses a switch assembly built into a connector that connects to pads of a smart card. The connector includes a frame extension or support for the switch assembly. The switch assembly has a switch element. The switch element includes a contacting part extending forwardly and downwardly in proximity to a printed circuit board, and a pedal extending laterally and upwardly from a side of the contacting part, through a hole in the frame extension or support. When the smart card is inserted into the connector, the pedal is depressed, causing the contacting part to be depressed against a circuit trace of the printed circuit board. This results in the closing of the switch.
However, the pedal and the contacting part are non-symmetrically formed on the switch element, which may affect the resiliency and cause a misconnection of the contacting part with the circuit trace of the printed circuit board after a period of use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the invention is to provide a subscriber identity module (SIM) card connector with a sensitive switch member for detecting full insertion of a SIM card.
Another object of the invention is to provide a SIM card connector with a one-piece switch member which is easily manufactured and which has a low profile.
A SIM card connector in accordance with the present invention includes an insulating base defining a plurality of recesses in a top surface thereof and a channel in the top surface and juxtaposed with the recesses, a plurality of contact elements received in the recesses, and a switch member partially retained in the channel. A block projects upwardly from a bottom of the channel. The switch member defines a longitudinal center line and has a solder tail at a front end thereof, a mounting portion to a rear of the solder tail, a switch contact at a rear end thereof and a cantilever beam between the mounting portion and the switch contact. The switch contact extends rearwardly beyond a rear face of the base and has an upper contact portion projecting upwardly beyond the top surface of the base for electrically connecting with a SIM card, and lower contact portions projecting downwardly in proximity to a printed circuit board (PCB). The upper and lower contact portions are symmetric about a vertical plane containing the center line. When fully inserted into the SIM card connector, the SIM card depresses the upper contact portion, causing the lower contact portions to establish electrical connection with a switch trace on the PCB, signaling full insertion of the card in the connector.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6053776 (2000-04-01), Bricaud et al.
patent: 2210717-A (1989-06-01), None
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Ta Tho D.
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