CA2221890C - Electronic connection box for a personal computer with a smart card connector - Google Patents
Electronic connection box for a personal computer with a smart card connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2221890C CA2221890C CA002221890A CA2221890A CA2221890C CA 2221890 C CA2221890 C CA 2221890C CA 002221890 A CA002221890 A CA 002221890A CA 2221890 A CA2221890 A CA 2221890A CA 2221890 C CA2221890 C CA 2221890C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- card
- connector
- connection unit
- unit according
- support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/02—Details
- H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
- H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
- H05K5/0265—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of PCMCIA type
- H05K5/0269—Card housings therefor, e.g. covers, frames, PCB
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K13/00—Conveying record carriers from one station to another, e.g. from stack to punching mechanism
- G06K13/02—Conveying record carriers from one station to another, e.g. from stack to punching mechanism the record carrier having longitudinal dimension comparable with transverse dimension, e.g. punched card
- G06K13/08—Feeding or discharging cards
- G06K13/0806—Feeding or discharging cards using an arrangement for ejection of an inserted card
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/0013—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers
- G06K7/0021—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by galvanic contacts, e.g. card connectors for ISO-7816 compliant smart cards or memory cards, e.g. SD card readers for reading/sensing record carriers having surface contacts
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/02—Details
- H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
- H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
- H05K5/0265—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of PCMCIA type
- H05K5/0273—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of PCMCIA type having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/02—Contact members
- H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
- H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R2107/00—Four or more poles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
- H01R24/60—Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement
- H01R24/62—Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S439/00—Electrical connectors
- Y10S439/946—Memory card cartridge
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
Abstract
The invention Proposes an electronic connection unit (30), in particular for a personal computer, in the general form of a card of the type comprising a shell (32, 34) with upper (32) and lower (34) parallel and opposite plane main walls (44, 46) which, between them, delimit a cavity (48) inside which an intermediate board (36), in particular a printed-circuit board, is arranged which extends substantially halfway between the opposite inner faces (45, 47) of the main walls, and parallel to the latter, and of the type in which the unit (30) is associated with a connector (64) for connecting a contact card (C) with integrated circuit(s) which includes a support (66) made of insulating material to the unit, and of the type wherein the support (66) is arranged on the upper face (37) of the intermediate board (36), characterized in that the support (66) of the connector (64) includes means (101) for positioning it, which interact with complementary means (100) of the intermediate board (36).
Description
1.
The present i.nvention :rc:lates to an electronic connection unit, in particular for a personal. computer.
The i.riverition rno:re p,.I rt.-.icul.ar.lv relates t.o a connection unit in t}iE: genera:L fcrm cf a card which can be inserted ir..to a compiementarily st,_aped slot in the computer with a view to makirlg one or more connections between, for example, the computer and peripherals.
In tr.e case ot: its '1ppl.icat:ion t.o personal computers, an electroni.c corinecti_on unit of this type, also referred to as a "PC card" will henceforth be standardized in acco:r(Janc,e with t:he PCMC:;IA ("Personal Computer Memory Card International Associatiorl"; starldard which relates, in particular, to the external dimensions of the connection ur:i.t, in on:aer to make ut. possible to insert it into any personal ~:omputer which includes an insertion s:Lot whose dizrensi.ons are complementary and correspond to the PCM(:IA standard.
Thus, the electronic connection unit in the general form of a card is c.:f: thE_~ type including a metal shell 2Cl which, in particular, may be made in two parts, with upper and lower parallel and opposite plane mair, walls which, between them, delimit:: a cav.it.;i whicr~ is open at its two opposite longitudinal ends ancl _is t~sarisversely delimited by two opposite side wal.ls, d~~,sic:,ned in the form of guide ntermediate 25 rails for the unit, =i,rside whicr: cavity an board, in particular a printed-c_i_rcuit board, is arranged which exterids substant::i.ally r:,~~Lfway bet.:weer: the opposite inner faces of t7-ie main walls, <:tnd parallel Lo the latter.
The intermediate pr int.eca-ci-_rcu.it board may carry 30 various electronic (;~c.>mponent.s and, at its opposite longitudinal ends, li_nking cc)nnectors which emerge on either side in t:~e open longi_t..adinal ends :.~= the unit, so as to connect the lat.ter to the computer, as regards the connector arranged at the _ini t' s i nner end which is inserted into the computer and, if appropriate, to another device or a commun.i.c:<=3ti.on Line, as regards the other 3 connector, arranged at the unit's outer longitudinal end which, for example, may receive a plug for connection to a telephone line.
For som.e applicat:i.ons, and for_- example to allow a personal computer user to access a telecommunications network, it has becom=: necessary to be ab:le to associate the electror:ic connec._i_on uriit with a c.ontact card with integrated circi_zit (s), also commonly referred to as a smart card, the latter including information in memory which are processed by the connect_i_on unit and the associated computer wheic nhe comput:er is connected to a telecommunications network.
This principle of authorizing access tc: a user owning a smart card is c.omrYtionly apL>li.ed in the field of radiotelephony, the smart card corresponding to one or 2C1 othe_f of the two dimensional standards, and most often to the miniature card, also ref:c_ rred :-,o as a"MICRO SIM"
card, which =i.s particularly compact.
Connection of a smart card of this type to any particular electronic device :::c?r processing data which it contains is commonly carried out via a connector of known general design, whi_cr; incl.udes a support, made of insulating material, i.ncl!.zd.inc, an open housing in its upper face which receives the smart card including, on its main face, conductive zones which interact with the 3C contact ends of electricaL contact elements arranged in the bottom of the housing of the insuLat ing support of the connector.
It has already been proposed to associate a connector of this type with <<i PCMCIA connection un~~t, but the designs known to d,=ite li~.j ~Je thE: main dr.awback of significantly affecti -icj t:he stri.zcture of Lhe unit, thus unacceptably reducinq ir..s rigi,Ji_ty and the electronic screening characteristics whi.ch the metal shell must necessarily provide in o.fde.r- to protect the components internal to the electr_onic, connection uriit.
The object of the invent:ion i.~-> t:o propose a novel design of an e lect.roriic corrrec.:tion unit: of the type mentioned above, wh:i..c..,h allows a smart card to be associated with it without mo:ii.=yinG the dimensional and structural characteristics of the standardized unit.
To this er.id, the :invent i_on proposes an electronic I5 connection -anit, of the t.yp(,' wKeJ- ein tfie support is arranged on the upp%~.r face cf the i.ntermed.iate board, wherein the shell has a slot Fo.r linsertion or extraction of the card into or from the unit in al:irection sub-stan---ially parallel to the plane of trle card, and wherein when inserted iri the uri-it, the card is a:rranqed enti_rely insi(de the unit, char~ic,,t:eri.zed iri that- :
- the support ;:):E the connectc: r includes means for positioning it, which interact with complementary means of the intermediate board.
According to otriez charac;'.:.eristics of the invention:
- the means t:(.) r posit ioninq t:he connector are complementarify shapeci }nt:erac:;t i on means;
- the support (_)f t:he connec:tor inc.,l.udes at least one part forming a spacer, wh i.c-i e:cterids through the intermediate board an(i the free lower erid face of which is adjacent to the oppc-):.ite inner facF of the lower inain wall;
/I
- the part which forms a spacer extends through an opening, of complementari_ly shaped, in the intermediate board;
- it includes means for ex.t ractinq the card from the unit, said extrac:t::.i.on meon..:; including an extraction carriage, mounted sc> as to sl_ide on the support of the connector between a card :i.nsert:_on position and an extraction position in which the card at least partly projects out of the unit, the extraction carriage includes an active front transverse edcae which extends facing the rear transverse edge cf the card, and means, accessible from outside the unit:, are p,-ovided for cont:rolling the sliding displace:rnents o;= the carriage;
- the extraction carriage is returned elastically towards the card extraction position, and in that it is retained in the card insertion position by automatic locking means;
- the means for .utomatically locking the carriage include a retractable locking finger wqich i_s carried by the carriage and which, :in the card insertion position, is received in an opposite tole in the upper main wall of the unit, towards which hoLe it is elastically returned;
-the means for aut.omatically locking the carriage include a retractable 1.cck:_ng l,>at: which is carried by the support of the connector and normally ext.ends in a position for locking the card in the inserted position, towards which it is elast:i ;al.:Ly returned an:a, in which the bar extends facing the transverse edge of the card;
- the locking b,ar no.rma]..-_y extends facing the slot 3C for inse.rti.ng the card into ~.he un:Lt::, and in that the locking bar includes acam profi.le, with which the rear transverse edge of the card intera..ts whe:c i.t is being inserted, in order to cause rctract ion of t:.he lockinc bar in a substantially vert.ical d_,__._ec.t:i.on;
-means are provided for at least partially closing the slot for insertin.c the carc into the unit;
- the closlare means are elastically deformable means which, at rest, extend facing the insertion slot and which can be withdrawn automatica-Lly wl-ien the card is being inserted;
-the closure means are carried by the support of the 13 connector;
- the closure means inc.Lude a closure lip which is mounted so as to m.c:>ve vertically with respect to the support of the connector and includes a cam profile with which the rear transverse edge of_ the card interacts when 13 it is being inserted, in order to cause retraction of the lip in a substant_ia11y vertical direcoi on;
- the lip is a 1:>t.ofil.ed ;_>L.rip, carried by the support of the connector via two elas:.Lcally deformable arms which extend longitudinally along t-he parall.el edges of the 20 support;
- the closure 1 ip belonqs to a closure seal mounted in a recess formed in the uppei face of the support of the connector;
- on it.s inner face, the upper main wall includes a 25 protuberance which, when the card is in the inserted position, extends fac: -'~~ng a pori= ion of the front transverse edge of the card in order to prevent any accidental ejection of this card from the unit;
- the bottom of --he hous_! nu for the card includes a 30 ramp which causes the fronn transverse edge of the card to be raised during the movement fcr extracting it from the unit.
C~
Other character.i.stics and advantages <-,f the invention will emerge on reading t-'he folowinq _ietai].ed description, in order to understand which, reference will be made to the appended drawings, in which, - Fi.gure 1 is ~ n e~.cplcc;.ed perspective vi_ew of the main components of: a connec:tion unit produced in accordance with the teachings ~.>f the invention,:
- Figure 2 is a perspecti_vF, detail view of the unit illustrated in Figure 1, which ill,Ustrates, ori a larger scale, the arrangemer.ct: of thE: slot for inserting the card into the urlit;
- Figure 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a smart card connector, i.ntend~:~.:>d tc be intecJrated i_n a connection unit;
- Figure 4 is a side view aiong the arrow F4 in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a side view along the arrow F5 in Figure 3;
- Figure 6 is ~,~ p.Lan v:i.,.=~w of the connection unit, with partial cut-away, which illustrates the iristallation of the connect.or on the r.::) r-, nt:ed-circui_t board, in proximity to the card irisertion slot;
- Figure 7 is a view in partial section along the line 7-7 in Figure 6;
- Figure 8 is a similar v ew to the orie i.n Figure 3, which illustrates a second eMbodiment of the connector which, in this case, i.s equipped with a first alternative embodiment of the card extraction carriage, and on which the carriage and the car,,-I are shown in solid lines in the card insertion posit::i..o-, and i_n stippled li]zes in the partial card extraction position;
- Figures 9 and 1.C are si.mi Iar views to the ones in %
Figures 4 and 5, along the arrows F9 and F10 in Figure 8;
- Figure 11 is a similar TJiew Lo the one iri Figure 8, which illustrates a third e1ubodiment of tl,.e connector which, in this case, `~s equi_pE:ed with a second alternative embodiment of the cc3r:d extra :t:i;:>n and on which the carriage and the card are shown i.tz stippl.ed lines in the card insertion position;
- Figure 11A is a perspective view a.long the arrow F11A in Figure 11, which illustrates the design of the extraction carriage cn a largej_ scale;
- Figure 1.2 i:> a perspec;tive view of a fourth embodiment of the sup~:,c:lrt, mad,,: (.)f insulating material, of the connector intended t. o be eqt.z:-pped with the slot closure means illustrated in Figure ]_3;
- Figure 13 is a perspect:i_ve view of the closure device intended to be f:itteJ to the connector whose insulator is represented in Ficure 112;
- Figure 14 is a similar view to the or:e in Figure 6, which illustrates the :.,onnector and the closure device which are represented in Figur-~s 12 and 13, with the card in the inserted ~_)Osi.t i::)n;
- Figure 15 is a simi.a..ar view to the one __n Figure 7, in partial section along t.rie line 15-15 in F--.gur_e 14;
- Figure 16 is a similar view to the ona in Figure 15, without the card;
- Figures 17 and 18 are s--milar views to the ones in Figures 15 and 16, whi.ch il-.ust.j:'ate an alternative embodiment of the closure device whict-i alsc fulfills the function of a device for lock:i_rg the card in the position in which it i_s inserte;:i :i_nto th:~ l.anit;
- Figure 19 is a sim~__lar view to the one in Figure 18, which illustrates an a]_ternative embodiment of the locking and closure device i:ilustrated in F_gure 18, in association with arl alter.native emboc:iiment of the automatic extraction carriage il~~~~ustrated in F=i_gure 11;
- Figur.e 20 is a similar view to the one in F_gure 18, which illustrates an alt.ernative embodiment of the means for locking the card and the carriage iri the card insertion pcsition;
- Figure 21 is a view along the Line 21-21 in Fi.gure 20:
- Figure. 22 is a simila.r view to the one in Figure 15, which illustrates another alternative embodiment of the slot clc>sure means, in the form of a f.lexi_ble closure seal;
- Figure 23 is a similar view tn the one in Figure 22, which illustrates the closure seal when the card is in the position in whic:h i t is i.nserteci into the connection unit;
- Figure 24 i::~ ~I b1a~ view of the connector illustrated in :E igurf:.. 22 an~i 23, which :_l:LL.st:rates the arrangement of the c:L<:>s~ure sea ::iri the front part of the connector.
Figure 1 represents a connect=i.on unit :30, of known general. design, whic::-h f-~s:_>ent i.ally c:onsists of a metal shel i. including an hal.f--shell. 3::' and a lower half-shell 34, each of wt~~~..:i.ch is a piece of cut, stamped and folded sheet rnetal.
The shapes and the dimensi<;ns of the shell, in two parts 32, 34, are in accordarc:e w:ith the PCMCIA standard which, further to i!-s dimensi.o_Is, aLso aetermines the design details of the shell so as to allow it to be inserted into a complementarii.y shaped standardized slot (not shown) belonqiriq, for example, to a personal computer.
A printed--circuit. board 36 is arranged inside the unit 30, between the half-sheils 32 and 34, and extends parallel to the gene:rc.r: plane of the unit and, at each of its opposite. longitudi_rial end~,, carries connectors 38, 40, illustrated schemati.c:a1..::Ly in ;i'iclure 1, it be:ing possible 13 for one or other o:f LhE:~ c.:>nnector s, deperrding on the applications, to be I:-E.q>laced by an element of the same size which constitutes a pl.ucj for closing ~-he unit 30 at its corresponding longitudi_nal end.
The printed-ci::rc:ui t boa rd, which constitutes the intermediate board of the unit, can receive electronic components (not shown; fDn its two facc-~s.
As represented in Figure 1, one of the connectors 40 may, for example, be designed t:o a,].low wiring of a plug 42 which connects the unit 30, for example, to a telecommunication line.
The upper half-sheli 32 delimits a plane upper main wall 44 which, in cc,operation with the plane lower main wall 46 of the lower half-shell 34, delimits an internal cavity 48 (see E'igurE, r'. ) i.r.side tahich the pririted-circuit board 36 extends, pa:ralleL tc the tiaalls 44 and 46 and substantially ha]_fway bet.ween t_he opposite inner faces 45 and 47 of the walls 44 and 46.
Accordirig to the standard:i zE.~d dc.,sign of the unit 30, it is delimited 1~..ransvf-~.rse.l.y, by two opposite side walls 50 and -52, which are generaa l.ongitudinal direction of the uni.t 30 and w;ii.ch here consist of folded 1 r) vertical edges 54 and 56 of the l.ower half--shel]. 34, which are crimped around -he opposJ.te side edges of the upper half-shell 32, one 58 of whic..h is illustrated in Figure 1.
Without depart_ing from ~.he scope of the invention, the unit 30 may be produced w:i,.h a one-piece shell.
The side walls 50 and 5/~ of tne connection unit 30 are designecl in the 'Lorm of rails for guiding the unit 30 in corresponding slideways (n_)t shown) be.Longing to the standardized slot interlded to i'eceive -the ur-iit 30.
To this end, t:Li,.:~ side end portions of the upper 32 and lower 34 hai.f-sheias are ~:ie~:ormed 60, 62 to give the side walls 50 and a height whicii is less than the overall height of the l.ini_t 30, ':hat i_s t.o say its thickness in its cent.ral part.
A connector 64 i.ntended to receive a contact card C
with integrated circ~.::it ( s), c.>:, the "MICRO SIM` type, is arranged inside the unit.. 30.
According to a krlown design which is, for example, described and represented _in l'rench Patent Application No.
2C) 95.14767, the c:onnector 64 essentially consists of a support 66, made of insulati.ng material, which, in its uppef face 68, delirr':its a 1`,ousi.ng 70 wiiose shape is complementary with that of t-hE- card C an(I which is interided at least partly tc) r-eceiVe tze lat-t:er whose lower face 72 includes cond.uct ivE= zones 74 which, when the card C is in the po:}itior i.n wh:ici-, it -i_s inserted into the housing 70, are in cont:act wit.a c~ontact ends 76 belonging to contact blades -78 :: ` the connector.
According to thIs embodiment or `he invention, the connector 66 is i..ntended to be :-nounted with the lower face 67 of the insulator 6r, bear:ing on the upper face 37 of the ~. _I.
printed-circuit boar::l Once the urlit 30 is assembled and closed witr the conriector 64 carried by ttle p-inted-circuit board 10, and in order to allow insertion c)r extraction of the card C
into or from the connector 64, a slot 80 is provided which, in the preferr.ed embodiment illustrated in the figures, is arranged in the vicinity of one of the side walls 50 of the connection unit. 30.
More particularly, and as can be see_z :_n detail in Figure 2, the insert:i..on slot 8(? extends essentially ir.. the inclined portion 82 of the side part of the upper half-shell 32 which joins the uppe:r main wall. 44 to the fold 60 extending in the pla.ne port i,:>n 84 corresponding to the reduced-thickness side portion of t:he unit 30.
The portion 84' of the said part 84, which extends in line with the slot. 80 cut out from the inclined part 82, is slightly defox_'m.ed. vert..i_cal.ly downwards with respect to the general p ~ane of the part 134.
The insertion s7.ot:: 80 iti, thus delimited by two upper main edges 86 and 88 and by twc end edges 90 an(J 92.
In this pre fe=.~d (Jesign of the r_ Lot ~)0, it does not extend in the main ur:q)er wall 44 and its width, measured in the gerieral long:i.tud=irial cai.rection of t'r:e unit, is slightly greater thar I:.he wi_dt:h oE the c:arA C, so as to allow insertion anci extract:i.on o.f: tne latter in a direction I which transv:-rse with respect to the general longitudinal c:a_;. rect:ion of the unit.
As represented _i_n deta'l in )!'igures 3 to 5, the housing 70 of the connectc_ar 64, i.ntended to receive the 3C card C, is delimited 1.r t.wo opposite edges 92 and 94 which are parallel to the inser_t_Lon direction I and, to the 1:
rear, on the left ci S regards Fi_qure 3, by a rear transverse edge 96 ~ahicY,, when. tpe card C is in the position in whi_ch it is insert.ed into the housing 70, constitutes a stop for the rear transverse edge 98 of the card C.
At its other L:r.on-t: end, on the right as regards Figure 3, the housing ?0 :_s open so as to allow insertion and extraction of thf_~ c:::ard C i.nto and from the housing 70 by sliding it in the cairectit:~~_ paral.lel to the general plane of the card C, t:he heiqht of the housi_ng 70 being slightly greater than the thickness of the card C.
In this embodiment of the connector 64, it includes, on its lower face 67, four feet. 101 i:i the form of cylindrical studs wh i ch are :int.ended, on tY.e one hand, to position and. fix the connector 64 on the printed-circuit board 36 which, to this end, __ncludes corresponding holes 100 through which the feet 101 extend and, on the other hand, to allow the c.onnector 64 to fulfil a spacer function between the upper 44 anc_1 lower 46 mai.n boards of the unit 30, in ordE.~r: to prevent accidental crushing of the unit 30.
To this end, and as cai; be seen in particular in Figure 7, the height of the i=eet 101, which are in the form of cylindrical studs and t_orm a spacer-, is such that the lower end face :10;' ()f each foot L0'~L is in contact with the inrler face 47 of the l.ower wall 46, w'r?ile the plane upper face 68 of thE:~ i.nsu-1.:-i ting suppor-_ 66 of the connector 64 bears against the oppor'Lte inner face 45 of the upper wall 44.
As can be seen in F'icture 3, the des i_gn of the connector 64, which inciudes 6 recess 110 formed in its l .."
front edge 112, and ics positioning on the printed-circuit card 36, with respect to the slot 80, are such that the connection ends of the contact blades 78 are set-back with respect to the axis region constituted by the slot 80, thus avoiding any risk of accidental short-circuit should a metallic cbject be i.nserted into the slot 80.
As cari also be seen irl Figures 6 and 7, when the card C is in the pos:i_t:.ion in which it is inserted into the unit, and thus in the connection p(:)si_tion of the housing 1'J 70 of the connector F:~fl, its front transverse edge 99 is located entirely within the unit 30, that is to say slightly set-back inwards with respect to the upper main edge 86 of the insertion slot 80. in order to facilitate full insertion of the card, a:: additional cut-out may be provided in the edge of the slon 9C.
The unit 30, equipped according to the teachings of the invention, of the connector 64, thus has an outer " contour" , after inse rt.i.on e, f t:ne card C, which is idennical to that of a cc>nventiona:i urlit, so as to allow it to be inserted into a corresponding slot of a personal computer.
The extremely small dimensions of the insertion slot 80 do not modify the gerieral structure of the unit 30, that is to say nor it:::::> r.igic:iity, and the slot does not affect the electromaqnetic screening function which the unit fulfills with respect tc the components (not shown) carried by the pri.nted circuit board 36.
According to th.c::~ f i rst embodi.ment, :illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, in order to allcw the cazd C to be extracted from the uni-t 30, a notch or extraction groove 114 is provided in :_:hFi upper main board 44, this being illustrated by a dott.ea and dashed lirie in Figure 6, and extending transversely wi.th r~,:spect to the ulii.t 30, that is to say parallel to t:h~., iri sert:ion or extraction direction I of the card. The notch 114 i_s positioned in such a way as to e.xterrd on either side of the rear transverse edge 98 of T:he card C arid, preferably, opposite a region of the conriector 64 wh:icrl does not include metallic parts belonging to the. contact blades 78.
It is thus possibi_e to insert a smal L tool into the notch 114 iri orde.r to act on t:he rear transverse edge 98 of the card C, in oi:der to push it out from its housing 70, that is to say by making it slide from left to right, as regards F'igure 6, over the travel permitted by the length of the notch 114, so that its front transverse edge 99 at least partly emerges from the unit 30 through the slot 80 such that, a_-"ter this first extraction phase, the user can grasp the card i.ri order to extract it: fully from the unit 30.
According to the standar'dized definition of "MICRO
SIM" cards, an example of which is _llustrated in the scope of the present ~:aescr_ ipt:ion, the card C has, in the vicinity of its front tr_anõvej, se edqe 99, a cut-out surface 116 which, fc>r some app.l..ic.ations, constitutes an orieriting means for t:he position of the card C in its connector.
In order to hoL::i t.he card C in t:he position in which it is inserted into the unit 30, ancl 1=o prevent it from accidentally emerging, even partiaily, from the unit, a protuberance 120 may be provided, formed in ;:he upper rnain wall 44 in line u,, it.h the cut-out surface 116 and extending, over a sniall height, into the cavity 1 L48 in order to const Lture a stop wh:i_ch extends i_n front of the cut-out surface 11Ft.
When the card i_._ extracted using a t(Dol inserted into the notch 11.4, the user Tr.ast; apply a slight.ly greater effort, so that, by ineans of .r -liglrt elas-_ic deformation of t:he corresponding part of ' hk- upper wa.11 44, the stop constituted by the protuberance 120 wirhdraws as the cut-out surface 116, then the .rpl,>er face 73 c)f the card C, passes by.
The embodiment _i.l_lustrat~~d in Figures 9 to 10 will now be described, according t:o which. the connector 64, which has a sli.ght:...l.y difff:~r-ent design from the one described and represented above, is equipped with a carriage 130 for manual ex..tracti_on of the card C.
To this end, -_ne support 66, made of insulating material, of the connector 64 includes, on one of its side edges 132, a sl:i_deway L::34 on vl,h-i.ch t he side portion 136, in the form of a slide, of the ext:ra..:t:ion carr.iage 130 is mounted so as to slide, trri_s side port'lon 136 being extended by an extrac::t:ion tab a_33 wl-rich extends above the upper face 68 of he supporr 66, in the plane corresponding to the t.hi.ckness of the card C.
The extraction t.ab 13',:3 i.s delimited by a rear transverse edge 1_40 which, when the extraction carriage is in the "card ir.lsert i.on" pos i.tic,n (as represented by a solid line in Figure r3 i, abuts again.>T.: the reartransverse edge 96 of the housinq 70. The tab 138 is also delimited by a front transverse edge 142, against which the rear transverse edge 98 of the card :' bears.
The extraction carriage 1 30 cari s -'Lide from its card insertion positic)n, f rom l.ef_t to riq;Zt. as regards Figure 1 ~
8, to a card C extrac.t::ion posirion, during which it causes simultaneous displacement of trie card C because of the interaction of the edge 142 o:f the tab 138 with the rear transverse edge 98 of the card.
3 In order to make the ext:ract:ion carriage 130 slide, its part 1.36 which t:o.rms a tilide includes a hollow 144 intended to receive the end uf a complementar:ily sl-iaped tool which is inserted into a notch :in the upper face 44 of the unit 30, which is a not:ch similar tc the notch 114 described above but waicn tr:en extends in front of the slide 136.
This design is parti.cularly advantageous because it avoids having to act directly with, a tool on the rear transverse edge 98 c f the card C, tnus preventing damage 13 to the card.
In addition, the upper face, in the form of a board 137 of the metal slide 1.30 always extends in front of the notch 114, thus ensl,lring electromagnetic closure of the notch 114.
The embodiment i_lLustrated iri FigurF:s 11 and 11A
will now be described, in which th_e connector 64 is equipped with a. card extract i_on carriage 130 which automatically extracts this card.
To this end, tri(e de5igrt ot the extract_-on carriage 103 is similar to the one described with.i reference to Figures 8 to 10, but it is equipped wiih a tension coil spring 150 which cont.i_nuously returns elastically to a card extraction positi_cn.
To this end, a first end 152 of the spring is hooked on a lug 154 belonqing to the sLide 130, while its opposite end 156 is nook:ed on a lug 158 formed integrally with the insulator 6F: of the connector 64.
Because of. the o_resence of thc~ tens:i.on spring 150, the card C, i.llustrat:ed in stipp.led lines in Figure 11, is continuously urcjed f:rom left to right by thE.~ extraction tab 138, that is to say in a ai.rect:ion corresponding to its extract=_on from t.:he connector 64 and therefore from the unit 30.
In order to ho1.d the card in the inserted position, that is to say in the pos.ition in which it is illustrated 13 in stippled lines ln Figure 11, t;iere is a means for locking the extraction :-arri.aq~., 130 in the card insertion position, which means here c.onsist:-> of a locking f.inger 160 which is intended, ~_n the card insertion oosition, to be received in a compl.ementar.v hol? 162 formed opposite in the upper main wall 44 0+ the utlit 3C, as illustrated in Figure 11A.
The finger 760 consists, for example, of a protuberance or of a ball arranged at the end of an arm 166 which extends the main bodv of the extraction carriage 130, in the plar.[e of t:he upper face 1.37 of the latter, the bar constittited by the arm 166 can be flexec. by elastic deformatiori verticall.y downwards in order .o release the locking finqer 160 from the r.ole 162, using a tool (not shown) by means of whi.ch press,are is exer_teci o-I the finger 160, which is then retracted into the unit, allowing automatic extraction ot_ the c>ard uncAer the action of the spring 150, with t]h e fi_nger 160 rubbing, during the extraction t:ravel, a(i,~ai.nst: the cpposite inrier face 45 of the upper main wall_ 44.
3~D Further to the fact. tha: i.t al1_ows the card to be extracted automatically, the design of the autorriatic j_:~
extraction carriage 130, ass_>ciated with an extraction spring 150, makes it pc>ssible to do without the notch 114 in the unit :30, and to replace i.t by a simple small hole 162 which is closed either byl that end of the arm 166 which constitutes the locking finger 160, or by an opposite portion of the izpper face 167 of the arm 166, during the extraction t:ravel c>f the carriage 130.
A first illustrat_ive ernbod:i_ment of the means for at least partial closure of the i:,ser_ zion slot 80 will now be described with reference to Fi_qures 12 to 16.
To this end, 1:=he suE.pcrt, made of insulating material 66 of the ccnnector K4 is modified in its front part, on the right .zs r_egards Figure 12, to include two opposite longitudinal ribs 1?0 for mount.inc1 a clcsure 13 device 172 in a fixed position.
The device 172 ecsential:y consists of a closure lip 174, of hollow semicylindrical curved general profile, the convex upper face 1"i b of wll.:_ ch is orient.ed upwards in order to ext:end in prox:imity to and in fro:nt of the slot 80.
The closure lip, L 74 is jcined to two longitudinal and opposite par_aliel arms 114, each of which carries a tab 180 at its free end, for attach=inq the closure device 172 on the connector 164 by _nsert=ing the ribs 170 into 23 the attachment tabs which are curved back in a U-shape.
The closure dE::r,r.i c~.e 17;: is, i or example, made by cutting and stamping a thin metal sheet.
As can be seen i_n E'igiz ~es 14 to 16, the arms 178 which carry the closure lip 174 exnend in the plane of the lower faces of the rLbs 110 and, by being flexed vertically, they allow displac.ement:, of the lip 174 in a substantia~~~~ly vertic,.{ I_ planp, be-.ween its position, normally retr_acted dc-wnwards when the cara C is in place in the connector 64, and zi normal rest posi_tion illustrated in Figure 16, :in whic:h, i_~Z the absence of a card, the lip 174 extti>nds iri front o:- the slot 80, the size of which in this case is sli.qh~~_i.y greater than that illustrated above, that is to say it extends slightly into the unit, in the upper face 44 of the half-shell 32.
The closure lip 174 retracts automatically when the card C is =ir.sert:ed iri the dir_ection 1, insofar as the rear transverse edge 98 of: the card C interacts with the upper face 176 which acts as a cam no cause elastic deformation of the arms 178, the l.:ip 174 theri bearirlg against the opposite portion of the. Lower_ a:ace 72 of the card C.
The embodiment ;.llustratnd :in. Figures 17 and 18 will now be described, in which fiqu.res the closure device 172 also constitutes a device for retai.ning the card C in the position in which it is inser,_ed into the connector 64 and into the unit 30.
To this end, t.he arms ] 78 are slightly longer and the lip 174 includes ci rear cut-out 180, the profile of which is complementary to that of the f_ront transverse edge 99 of the card C with a c:ut-out surface 10.
When the c:ard :i_s ir: the inserted position, the edge of the rear cut-out 180 nxtend.s facing the front transverse edge 99 (n the card c" and it. is therefore impossible t:o e:xtract ihe car_n, since the closure device 172 thus fu=_fi_l._, a function o:_ loccki.ng the card C in the inserted position ancl then azro::ds any accidental emergence 3D of the card.
In order to extract t;he card, irrespective of L. ~ I.) whether the extractior. mode is manual or autornatic, it is necessary t:o unlock :i t by act i-.g tnrc:ugh thc:~ slot 80 u.sing a tool (not shown) on tt1e lip 1"74 ir~. o.r;:ler. to cause a downwards vertic:al displac.eme.-it of the latter until it ~ passes below the plane of the ::a,_d C to release the latter which can then slide, from lef_t to right as regards Figures 17 and 18, out of the unit 3!J.
In the alte.rnat:iv _, ernbodiment: illustrated in Figure 19, the closure de%Ti_ce 172' is s_i.m ilar_ to the one illustrated in Figures 1"i anci 1~;, but is assoc.iated with an extraction r_.arria cxE> 130 ~:;f tne type described and represented in Figur,:~s ='.1 nd 11A, the lug 158 for attaching ~he exti-c:rction Spring 1.50 being formed integrally with the closure device L72.
By virtue of this des:ign, the automatic extraction carriage 130 can be simplified in su far as it is not necessary for it to ~'Iave its own means for locking the card in the inserted p~.,~s:itior, lock.inqbe__ng ensured by the closure device 172, the card. being cont:inuously urged by the extraction carri.ac:e 1;0 ir: such a way that its front transverse edge ()9 abuts against the edge of the rear cut-out 180 of the li_p 1"i4.
In order to caase automat_i_c extraction of the card C, i.t is suff:i_ci.eni: to ac`,=, as in the case of the embodiment described wit:h r_eference t=o Figures 17 and 18, on the lip 174 through the slot 80 in order to cause retraction of the lip 1_74 and automatic extraction of the card C, whi_ch is ther:. urged, Lror. left to ri_ght as regards Figure 19, by the extraction car_riage 130.
In the emk:>odimf.~rt: illustrated i_r; Figures 20 and 21, the device for lockir.g the c<:ird consists of a rocker bar 2 l 200 which is mounted so as to sivot on the insulator 66 of the connector 64 about a pin 202, the extraction spring 150 being hooked on a lug which is carried by the rocker bar 200 so as to urge the Latter con.tinuously into the card lockinq position, in whic-h t.'r-ie rear cut-out 180 of the rocker bar 200 extends in tront of the front transverse edge 99 ot: the card C wnen the latter is in the inserted position, as i.s illustrated, in particular, in Figure 20.
13 The upper face -.i'4 of the rocker bar 200 fulfills a function equivalent to that of the closure lip 174, insofar as it can extend in the closure slot 80.
Reference will now be made to Figures 22 to 24, which illustrate another desiqn of the means for closing the slot 80.
These closure means here consist of a closure seal 220 which is arranged in a cornplernentarily shaped housing 222 formed in the insulator 66 of the connector 64, in the vicinity of the front edge of the lat,!:.er.
In its upper parC, the closure seal 220 includes a sealing lip 174 whicli extends normally in front of the insertion slot 80, that is to sa3r when there is no card in the unit 30, and which can ret:ract by elastic deformation when a card C is inserted into the unit 30 through the slot 80, as is illustrated in Figure 23.
The closure seal 220 is mounted in the housing 222 by means of its base 224, a ramp 226 being provided in the insulator 66 in order to facil;_tate i.nsertien of the card, that is to say in order to bring it level with the bottom 3D of the housing 70.
Finally, in the viciniiy of its front edge, the bottom of the housinq inCLude:. cl ramp 236 wh=ich makes it possible to raise the <::ard when :i.t is beinq extracted, in order to direct it through the siot 80 and to clear a thin step which is constit.ute.d by a stoo for retaining the card D in the connector anct which (.td -jacent to the ramp. In this case, the protuberanCe 12(,) is s aper_fluous.
As a variant, t:he slot 80 may be arranged transversely, with th.e di-ectiun I parallel to the general longitudinal direction of the. .init, in the shell or at one longitudinal end of t:he un-i_t.
If ineans for c~~.o:>ing the slot 80 are not provided, it is observed that di.ist which erters he unit is confined in the housing 70 anci ;~annot ext.end inside the uriit 30.,
The present i.nvention :rc:lates to an electronic connection unit, in particular for a personal. computer.
The i.riverition rno:re p,.I rt.-.icul.ar.lv relates t.o a connection unit in t}iE: genera:L fcrm cf a card which can be inserted ir..to a compiementarily st,_aped slot in the computer with a view to makirlg one or more connections between, for example, the computer and peripherals.
In tr.e case ot: its '1ppl.icat:ion t.o personal computers, an electroni.c corinecti_on unit of this type, also referred to as a "PC card" will henceforth be standardized in acco:r(Janc,e with t:he PCMC:;IA ("Personal Computer Memory Card International Associatiorl"; starldard which relates, in particular, to the external dimensions of the connection ur:i.t, in on:aer to make ut. possible to insert it into any personal ~:omputer which includes an insertion s:Lot whose dizrensi.ons are complementary and correspond to the PCM(:IA standard.
Thus, the electronic connection unit in the general form of a card is c.:f: thE_~ type including a metal shell 2Cl which, in particular, may be made in two parts, with upper and lower parallel and opposite plane mair, walls which, between them, delimit:: a cav.it.;i whicr~ is open at its two opposite longitudinal ends ancl _is t~sarisversely delimited by two opposite side wal.ls, d~~,sic:,ned in the form of guide ntermediate 25 rails for the unit, =i,rside whicr: cavity an board, in particular a printed-c_i_rcuit board, is arranged which exterids substant::i.ally r:,~~Lfway bet.:weer: the opposite inner faces of t7-ie main walls, <:tnd parallel Lo the latter.
The intermediate pr int.eca-ci-_rcu.it board may carry 30 various electronic (;~c.>mponent.s and, at its opposite longitudinal ends, li_nking cc)nnectors which emerge on either side in t:~e open longi_t..adinal ends :.~= the unit, so as to connect the lat.ter to the computer, as regards the connector arranged at the _ini t' s i nner end which is inserted into the computer and, if appropriate, to another device or a commun.i.c:<=3ti.on Line, as regards the other 3 connector, arranged at the unit's outer longitudinal end which, for example, may receive a plug for connection to a telephone line.
For som.e applicat:i.ons, and for_- example to allow a personal computer user to access a telecommunications network, it has becom=: necessary to be ab:le to associate the electror:ic connec._i_on uriit with a c.ontact card with integrated circi_zit (s), also commonly referred to as a smart card, the latter including information in memory which are processed by the connect_i_on unit and the associated computer wheic nhe comput:er is connected to a telecommunications network.
This principle of authorizing access tc: a user owning a smart card is c.omrYtionly apL>li.ed in the field of radiotelephony, the smart card corresponding to one or 2C1 othe_f of the two dimensional standards, and most often to the miniature card, also ref:c_ rred :-,o as a"MICRO SIM"
card, which =i.s particularly compact.
Connection of a smart card of this type to any particular electronic device :::c?r processing data which it contains is commonly carried out via a connector of known general design, whi_cr; incl.udes a support, made of insulating material, i.ncl!.zd.inc, an open housing in its upper face which receives the smart card including, on its main face, conductive zones which interact with the 3C contact ends of electricaL contact elements arranged in the bottom of the housing of the insuLat ing support of the connector.
It has already been proposed to associate a connector of this type with <<i PCMCIA connection un~~t, but the designs known to d,=ite li~.j ~Je thE: main dr.awback of significantly affecti -icj t:he stri.zcture of Lhe unit, thus unacceptably reducinq ir..s rigi,Ji_ty and the electronic screening characteristics whi.ch the metal shell must necessarily provide in o.fde.r- to protect the components internal to the electr_onic, connection uriit.
The object of the invent:ion i.~-> t:o propose a novel design of an e lect.roriic corrrec.:tion unit: of the type mentioned above, wh:i..c..,h allows a smart card to be associated with it without mo:ii.=yinG the dimensional and structural characteristics of the standardized unit.
To this er.id, the :invent i_on proposes an electronic I5 connection -anit, of the t.yp(,' wKeJ- ein tfie support is arranged on the upp%~.r face cf the i.ntermed.iate board, wherein the shell has a slot Fo.r linsertion or extraction of the card into or from the unit in al:irection sub-stan---ially parallel to the plane of trle card, and wherein when inserted iri the uri-it, the card is a:rranqed enti_rely insi(de the unit, char~ic,,t:eri.zed iri that- :
- the support ;:):E the connectc: r includes means for positioning it, which interact with complementary means of the intermediate board.
According to otriez charac;'.:.eristics of the invention:
- the means t:(.) r posit ioninq t:he connector are complementarify shapeci }nt:erac:;t i on means;
- the support (_)f t:he connec:tor inc.,l.udes at least one part forming a spacer, wh i.c-i e:cterids through the intermediate board an(i the free lower erid face of which is adjacent to the oppc-):.ite inner facF of the lower inain wall;
/I
- the part which forms a spacer extends through an opening, of complementari_ly shaped, in the intermediate board;
- it includes means for ex.t ractinq the card from the unit, said extrac:t::.i.on meon..:; including an extraction carriage, mounted sc> as to sl_ide on the support of the connector between a card :i.nsert:_on position and an extraction position in which the card at least partly projects out of the unit, the extraction carriage includes an active front transverse edcae which extends facing the rear transverse edge cf the card, and means, accessible from outside the unit:, are p,-ovided for cont:rolling the sliding displace:rnents o;= the carriage;
- the extraction carriage is returned elastically towards the card extraction position, and in that it is retained in the card insertion position by automatic locking means;
- the means for .utomatically locking the carriage include a retractable locking finger wqich i_s carried by the carriage and which, :in the card insertion position, is received in an opposite tole in the upper main wall of the unit, towards which hoLe it is elastically returned;
-the means for aut.omatically locking the carriage include a retractable 1.cck:_ng l,>at: which is carried by the support of the connector and normally ext.ends in a position for locking the card in the inserted position, towards which it is elast:i ;al.:Ly returned an:a, in which the bar extends facing the transverse edge of the card;
- the locking b,ar no.rma]..-_y extends facing the slot 3C for inse.rti.ng the card into ~.he un:Lt::, and in that the locking bar includes acam profi.le, with which the rear transverse edge of the card intera..ts whe:c i.t is being inserted, in order to cause rctract ion of t:.he lockinc bar in a substantially vert.ical d_,__._ec.t:i.on;
-means are provided for at least partially closing the slot for insertin.c the carc into the unit;
- the closlare means are elastically deformable means which, at rest, extend facing the insertion slot and which can be withdrawn automatica-Lly wl-ien the card is being inserted;
-the closure means are carried by the support of the 13 connector;
- the closure means inc.Lude a closure lip which is mounted so as to m.c:>ve vertically with respect to the support of the connector and includes a cam profile with which the rear transverse edge of_ the card interacts when 13 it is being inserted, in order to cause retraction of the lip in a substant_ia11y vertical direcoi on;
- the lip is a 1:>t.ofil.ed ;_>L.rip, carried by the support of the connector via two elas:.Lcally deformable arms which extend longitudinally along t-he parall.el edges of the 20 support;
- the closure 1 ip belonqs to a closure seal mounted in a recess formed in the uppei face of the support of the connector;
- on it.s inner face, the upper main wall includes a 25 protuberance which, when the card is in the inserted position, extends fac: -'~~ng a pori= ion of the front transverse edge of the card in order to prevent any accidental ejection of this card from the unit;
- the bottom of --he hous_! nu for the card includes a 30 ramp which causes the fronn transverse edge of the card to be raised during the movement fcr extracting it from the unit.
C~
Other character.i.stics and advantages <-,f the invention will emerge on reading t-'he folowinq _ietai].ed description, in order to understand which, reference will be made to the appended drawings, in which, - Fi.gure 1 is ~ n e~.cplcc;.ed perspective vi_ew of the main components of: a connec:tion unit produced in accordance with the teachings ~.>f the invention,:
- Figure 2 is a perspecti_vF, detail view of the unit illustrated in Figure 1, which ill,Ustrates, ori a larger scale, the arrangemer.ct: of thE: slot for inserting the card into the urlit;
- Figure 3 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a smart card connector, i.ntend~:~.:>d tc be intecJrated i_n a connection unit;
- Figure 4 is a side view aiong the arrow F4 in Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is a side view along the arrow F5 in Figure 3;
- Figure 6 is ~,~ p.Lan v:i.,.=~w of the connection unit, with partial cut-away, which illustrates the iristallation of the connect.or on the r.::) r-, nt:ed-circui_t board, in proximity to the card irisertion slot;
- Figure 7 is a view in partial section along the line 7-7 in Figure 6;
- Figure 8 is a similar v ew to the orie i.n Figure 3, which illustrates a second eMbodiment of the connector which, in this case, i.s equipped with a first alternative embodiment of the card extraction carriage, and on which the carriage and the car,,-I are shown in solid lines in the card insertion posit::i..o-, and i_n stippled li]zes in the partial card extraction position;
- Figures 9 and 1.C are si.mi Iar views to the ones in %
Figures 4 and 5, along the arrows F9 and F10 in Figure 8;
- Figure 11 is a similar TJiew Lo the one iri Figure 8, which illustrates a third e1ubodiment of tl,.e connector which, in this case, `~s equi_pE:ed with a second alternative embodiment of the cc3r:d extra :t:i;:>n and on which the carriage and the card are shown i.tz stippl.ed lines in the card insertion position;
- Figure 11A is a perspective view a.long the arrow F11A in Figure 11, which illustrates the design of the extraction carriage cn a largej_ scale;
- Figure 1.2 i:> a perspec;tive view of a fourth embodiment of the sup~:,c:lrt, mad,,: (.)f insulating material, of the connector intended t. o be eqt.z:-pped with the slot closure means illustrated in Figure ]_3;
- Figure 13 is a perspect:i_ve view of the closure device intended to be f:itteJ to the connector whose insulator is represented in Ficure 112;
- Figure 14 is a similar view to the or:e in Figure 6, which illustrates the :.,onnector and the closure device which are represented in Figur-~s 12 and 13, with the card in the inserted ~_)Osi.t i::)n;
- Figure 15 is a simi.a..ar view to the one __n Figure 7, in partial section along t.rie line 15-15 in F--.gur_e 14;
- Figure 16 is a similar view to the ona in Figure 15, without the card;
- Figures 17 and 18 are s--milar views to the ones in Figures 15 and 16, whi.ch il-.ust.j:'ate an alternative embodiment of the closure device whict-i alsc fulfills the function of a device for lock:i_rg the card in the position in which it i_s inserte;:i :i_nto th:~ l.anit;
- Figure 19 is a sim~__lar view to the one in Figure 18, which illustrates an a]_ternative embodiment of the locking and closure device i:ilustrated in F_gure 18, in association with arl alter.native emboc:iiment of the automatic extraction carriage il~~~~ustrated in F=i_gure 11;
- Figur.e 20 is a similar view to the one in F_gure 18, which illustrates an alt.ernative embodiment of the means for locking the card and the carriage iri the card insertion pcsition;
- Figure 21 is a view along the Line 21-21 in Fi.gure 20:
- Figure. 22 is a simila.r view to the one in Figure 15, which illustrates another alternative embodiment of the slot clc>sure means, in the form of a f.lexi_ble closure seal;
- Figure 23 is a similar view tn the one in Figure 22, which illustrates the closure seal when the card is in the position in whic:h i t is i.nserteci into the connection unit;
- Figure 24 i::~ ~I b1a~ view of the connector illustrated in :E igurf:.. 22 an~i 23, which :_l:LL.st:rates the arrangement of the c:L<:>s~ure sea ::iri the front part of the connector.
Figure 1 represents a connect=i.on unit :30, of known general. design, whic::-h f-~s:_>ent i.ally c:onsists of a metal shel i. including an hal.f--shell. 3::' and a lower half-shell 34, each of wt~~~..:i.ch is a piece of cut, stamped and folded sheet rnetal.
The shapes and the dimensi<;ns of the shell, in two parts 32, 34, are in accordarc:e w:ith the PCMCIA standard which, further to i!-s dimensi.o_Is, aLso aetermines the design details of the shell so as to allow it to be inserted into a complementarii.y shaped standardized slot (not shown) belonqiriq, for example, to a personal computer.
A printed--circuit. board 36 is arranged inside the unit 30, between the half-sheils 32 and 34, and extends parallel to the gene:rc.r: plane of the unit and, at each of its opposite. longitudi_rial end~,, carries connectors 38, 40, illustrated schemati.c:a1..::Ly in ;i'iclure 1, it be:ing possible 13 for one or other o:f LhE:~ c.:>nnector s, deperrding on the applications, to be I:-E.q>laced by an element of the same size which constitutes a pl.ucj for closing ~-he unit 30 at its corresponding longitudi_nal end.
The printed-ci::rc:ui t boa rd, which constitutes the intermediate board of the unit, can receive electronic components (not shown; fDn its two facc-~s.
As represented in Figure 1, one of the connectors 40 may, for example, be designed t:o a,].low wiring of a plug 42 which connects the unit 30, for example, to a telecommunication line.
The upper half-sheli 32 delimits a plane upper main wall 44 which, in cc,operation with the plane lower main wall 46 of the lower half-shell 34, delimits an internal cavity 48 (see E'igurE, r'. ) i.r.side tahich the pririted-circuit board 36 extends, pa:ralleL tc the tiaalls 44 and 46 and substantially ha]_fway bet.ween t_he opposite inner faces 45 and 47 of the walls 44 and 46.
Accordirig to the standard:i zE.~d dc.,sign of the unit 30, it is delimited 1~..ransvf-~.rse.l.y, by two opposite side walls 50 and -52, which are generaa l.ongitudinal direction of the uni.t 30 and w;ii.ch here consist of folded 1 r) vertical edges 54 and 56 of the l.ower half--shel]. 34, which are crimped around -he opposJ.te side edges of the upper half-shell 32, one 58 of whic..h is illustrated in Figure 1.
Without depart_ing from ~.he scope of the invention, the unit 30 may be produced w:i,.h a one-piece shell.
The side walls 50 and 5/~ of tne connection unit 30 are designecl in the 'Lorm of rails for guiding the unit 30 in corresponding slideways (n_)t shown) be.Longing to the standardized slot interlded to i'eceive -the ur-iit 30.
To this end, t:Li,.:~ side end portions of the upper 32 and lower 34 hai.f-sheias are ~:ie~:ormed 60, 62 to give the side walls 50 and a height whicii is less than the overall height of the l.ini_t 30, ':hat i_s t.o say its thickness in its cent.ral part.
A connector 64 i.ntended to receive a contact card C
with integrated circ~.::it ( s), c.>:, the "MICRO SIM` type, is arranged inside the unit.. 30.
According to a krlown design which is, for example, described and represented _in l'rench Patent Application No.
2C) 95.14767, the c:onnector 64 essentially consists of a support 66, made of insulati.ng material, which, in its uppef face 68, delirr':its a 1`,ousi.ng 70 wiiose shape is complementary with that of t-hE- card C an(I which is interided at least partly tc) r-eceiVe tze lat-t:er whose lower face 72 includes cond.uct ivE= zones 74 which, when the card C is in the po:}itior i.n wh:ici-, it -i_s inserted into the housing 70, are in cont:act wit.a c~ontact ends 76 belonging to contact blades -78 :: ` the connector.
According to thIs embodiment or `he invention, the connector 66 is i..ntended to be :-nounted with the lower face 67 of the insulator 6r, bear:ing on the upper face 37 of the ~. _I.
printed-circuit boar::l Once the urlit 30 is assembled and closed witr the conriector 64 carried by ttle p-inted-circuit board 10, and in order to allow insertion c)r extraction of the card C
into or from the connector 64, a slot 80 is provided which, in the preferr.ed embodiment illustrated in the figures, is arranged in the vicinity of one of the side walls 50 of the connection unit. 30.
More particularly, and as can be see_z :_n detail in Figure 2, the insert:i..on slot 8(? extends essentially ir.. the inclined portion 82 of the side part of the upper half-shell 32 which joins the uppe:r main wall. 44 to the fold 60 extending in the pla.ne port i,:>n 84 corresponding to the reduced-thickness side portion of t:he unit 30.
The portion 84' of the said part 84, which extends in line with the slot. 80 cut out from the inclined part 82, is slightly defox_'m.ed. vert..i_cal.ly downwards with respect to the general p ~ane of the part 134.
The insertion s7.ot:: 80 iti, thus delimited by two upper main edges 86 and 88 and by twc end edges 90 an(J 92.
In this pre fe=.~d (Jesign of the r_ Lot ~)0, it does not extend in the main ur:q)er wall 44 and its width, measured in the gerieral long:i.tud=irial cai.rection of t'r:e unit, is slightly greater thar I:.he wi_dt:h oE the c:arA C, so as to allow insertion anci extract:i.on o.f: tne latter in a direction I which transv:-rse with respect to the general longitudinal c:a_;. rect:ion of the unit.
As represented _i_n deta'l in )!'igures 3 to 5, the housing 70 of the connectc_ar 64, i.ntended to receive the 3C card C, is delimited 1.r t.wo opposite edges 92 and 94 which are parallel to the inser_t_Lon direction I and, to the 1:
rear, on the left ci S regards Fi_qure 3, by a rear transverse edge 96 ~ahicY,, when. tpe card C is in the position in whi_ch it is insert.ed into the housing 70, constitutes a stop for the rear transverse edge 98 of the card C.
At its other L:r.on-t: end, on the right as regards Figure 3, the housing ?0 :_s open so as to allow insertion and extraction of thf_~ c:::ard C i.nto and from the housing 70 by sliding it in the cairectit:~~_ paral.lel to the general plane of the card C, t:he heiqht of the housi_ng 70 being slightly greater than the thickness of the card C.
In this embodiment of the connector 64, it includes, on its lower face 67, four feet. 101 i:i the form of cylindrical studs wh i ch are :int.ended, on tY.e one hand, to position and. fix the connector 64 on the printed-circuit board 36 which, to this end, __ncludes corresponding holes 100 through which the feet 101 extend and, on the other hand, to allow the c.onnector 64 to fulfil a spacer function between the upper 44 anc_1 lower 46 mai.n boards of the unit 30, in ordE.~r: to prevent accidental crushing of the unit 30.
To this end, and as cai; be seen in particular in Figure 7, the height of the i=eet 101, which are in the form of cylindrical studs and t_orm a spacer-, is such that the lower end face :10;' ()f each foot L0'~L is in contact with the inrler face 47 of the l.ower wall 46, w'r?ile the plane upper face 68 of thE:~ i.nsu-1.:-i ting suppor-_ 66 of the connector 64 bears against the oppor'Lte inner face 45 of the upper wall 44.
As can be seen in F'icture 3, the des i_gn of the connector 64, which inciudes 6 recess 110 formed in its l .."
front edge 112, and ics positioning on the printed-circuit card 36, with respect to the slot 80, are such that the connection ends of the contact blades 78 are set-back with respect to the axis region constituted by the slot 80, thus avoiding any risk of accidental short-circuit should a metallic cbject be i.nserted into the slot 80.
As cari also be seen irl Figures 6 and 7, when the card C is in the pos:i_t:.ion in which it is inserted into the unit, and thus in the connection p(:)si_tion of the housing 1'J 70 of the connector F:~fl, its front transverse edge 99 is located entirely within the unit 30, that is to say slightly set-back inwards with respect to the upper main edge 86 of the insertion slot 80. in order to facilitate full insertion of the card, a:: additional cut-out may be provided in the edge of the slon 9C.
The unit 30, equipped according to the teachings of the invention, of the connector 64, thus has an outer " contour" , after inse rt.i.on e, f t:ne card C, which is idennical to that of a cc>nventiona:i urlit, so as to allow it to be inserted into a corresponding slot of a personal computer.
The extremely small dimensions of the insertion slot 80 do not modify the gerieral structure of the unit 30, that is to say nor it:::::> r.igic:iity, and the slot does not affect the electromaqnetic screening function which the unit fulfills with respect tc the components (not shown) carried by the pri.nted circuit board 36.
According to th.c::~ f i rst embodi.ment, :illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, in order to allcw the cazd C to be extracted from the uni-t 30, a notch or extraction groove 114 is provided in :_:hFi upper main board 44, this being illustrated by a dott.ea and dashed lirie in Figure 6, and extending transversely wi.th r~,:spect to the ulii.t 30, that is to say parallel to t:h~., iri sert:ion or extraction direction I of the card. The notch 114 i_s positioned in such a way as to e.xterrd on either side of the rear transverse edge 98 of T:he card C arid, preferably, opposite a region of the conriector 64 wh:icrl does not include metallic parts belonging to the. contact blades 78.
It is thus possibi_e to insert a smal L tool into the notch 114 iri orde.r to act on t:he rear transverse edge 98 of the card C, in oi:der to push it out from its housing 70, that is to say by making it slide from left to right, as regards F'igure 6, over the travel permitted by the length of the notch 114, so that its front transverse edge 99 at least partly emerges from the unit 30 through the slot 80 such that, a_-"ter this first extraction phase, the user can grasp the card i.ri order to extract it: fully from the unit 30.
According to the standar'dized definition of "MICRO
SIM" cards, an example of which is _llustrated in the scope of the present ~:aescr_ ipt:ion, the card C has, in the vicinity of its front tr_anõvej, se edqe 99, a cut-out surface 116 which, fc>r some app.l..ic.ations, constitutes an orieriting means for t:he position of the card C in its connector.
In order to hoL::i t.he card C in t:he position in which it is inserted into the unit 30, ancl 1=o prevent it from accidentally emerging, even partiaily, from the unit, a protuberance 120 may be provided, formed in ;:he upper rnain wall 44 in line u,, it.h the cut-out surface 116 and extending, over a sniall height, into the cavity 1 L48 in order to const Lture a stop wh:i_ch extends i_n front of the cut-out surface 11Ft.
When the card i_._ extracted using a t(Dol inserted into the notch 11.4, the user Tr.ast; apply a slight.ly greater effort, so that, by ineans of .r -liglrt elas-_ic deformation of t:he corresponding part of ' hk- upper wa.11 44, the stop constituted by the protuberance 120 wirhdraws as the cut-out surface 116, then the .rpl,>er face 73 c)f the card C, passes by.
The embodiment _i.l_lustrat~~d in Figures 9 to 10 will now be described, according t:o which. the connector 64, which has a sli.ght:...l.y difff:~r-ent design from the one described and represented above, is equipped with a carriage 130 for manual ex..tracti_on of the card C.
To this end, -_ne support 66, made of insulating material, of the connector 64 includes, on one of its side edges 132, a sl:i_deway L::34 on vl,h-i.ch t he side portion 136, in the form of a slide, of the ext:ra..:t:ion carr.iage 130 is mounted so as to slide, trri_s side port'lon 136 being extended by an extrac::t:ion tab a_33 wl-rich extends above the upper face 68 of he supporr 66, in the plane corresponding to the t.hi.ckness of the card C.
The extraction t.ab 13',:3 i.s delimited by a rear transverse edge 1_40 which, when the extraction carriage is in the "card ir.lsert i.on" pos i.tic,n (as represented by a solid line in Figure r3 i, abuts again.>T.: the reartransverse edge 96 of the housinq 70. The tab 138 is also delimited by a front transverse edge 142, against which the rear transverse edge 98 of the card :' bears.
The extraction carriage 1 30 cari s -'Lide from its card insertion positic)n, f rom l.ef_t to riq;Zt. as regards Figure 1 ~
8, to a card C extrac.t::ion posirion, during which it causes simultaneous displacement of trie card C because of the interaction of the edge 142 o:f the tab 138 with the rear transverse edge 98 of the card.
3 In order to make the ext:ract:ion carriage 130 slide, its part 1.36 which t:o.rms a tilide includes a hollow 144 intended to receive the end uf a complementar:ily sl-iaped tool which is inserted into a notch :in the upper face 44 of the unit 30, which is a not:ch similar tc the notch 114 described above but waicn tr:en extends in front of the slide 136.
This design is parti.cularly advantageous because it avoids having to act directly with, a tool on the rear transverse edge 98 c f the card C, tnus preventing damage 13 to the card.
In addition, the upper face, in the form of a board 137 of the metal slide 1.30 always extends in front of the notch 114, thus ensl,lring electromagnetic closure of the notch 114.
The embodiment i_lLustrated iri FigurF:s 11 and 11A
will now be described, in which th_e connector 64 is equipped with a. card extract i_on carriage 130 which automatically extracts this card.
To this end, tri(e de5igrt ot the extract_-on carriage 103 is similar to the one described with.i reference to Figures 8 to 10, but it is equipped wiih a tension coil spring 150 which cont.i_nuously returns elastically to a card extraction positi_cn.
To this end, a first end 152 of the spring is hooked on a lug 154 belonqing to the sLide 130, while its opposite end 156 is nook:ed on a lug 158 formed integrally with the insulator 6F: of the connector 64.
Because of. the o_resence of thc~ tens:i.on spring 150, the card C, i.llustrat:ed in stipp.led lines in Figure 11, is continuously urcjed f:rom left to right by thE.~ extraction tab 138, that is to say in a ai.rect:ion corresponding to its extract=_on from t.:he connector 64 and therefore from the unit 30.
In order to ho1.d the card in the inserted position, that is to say in the pos.ition in which it is illustrated 13 in stippled lines ln Figure 11, t;iere is a means for locking the extraction :-arri.aq~., 130 in the card insertion position, which means here c.onsist:-> of a locking f.inger 160 which is intended, ~_n the card insertion oosition, to be received in a compl.ementar.v hol? 162 formed opposite in the upper main wall 44 0+ the utlit 3C, as illustrated in Figure 11A.
The finger 760 consists, for example, of a protuberance or of a ball arranged at the end of an arm 166 which extends the main bodv of the extraction carriage 130, in the plar.[e of t:he upper face 1.37 of the latter, the bar constittited by the arm 166 can be flexec. by elastic deformatiori verticall.y downwards in order .o release the locking finqer 160 from the r.ole 162, using a tool (not shown) by means of whi.ch press,are is exer_teci o-I the finger 160, which is then retracted into the unit, allowing automatic extraction ot_ the c>ard uncAer the action of the spring 150, with t]h e fi_nger 160 rubbing, during the extraction t:ravel, a(i,~ai.nst: the cpposite inrier face 45 of the upper main wall_ 44.
3~D Further to the fact. tha: i.t al1_ows the card to be extracted automatically, the design of the autorriatic j_:~
extraction carriage 130, ass_>ciated with an extraction spring 150, makes it pc>ssible to do without the notch 114 in the unit :30, and to replace i.t by a simple small hole 162 which is closed either byl that end of the arm 166 which constitutes the locking finger 160, or by an opposite portion of the izpper face 167 of the arm 166, during the extraction t:ravel c>f the carriage 130.
A first illustrat_ive ernbod:i_ment of the means for at least partial closure of the i:,ser_ zion slot 80 will now be described with reference to Fi_qures 12 to 16.
To this end, 1:=he suE.pcrt, made of insulating material 66 of the ccnnector K4 is modified in its front part, on the right .zs r_egards Figure 12, to include two opposite longitudinal ribs 1?0 for mount.inc1 a clcsure 13 device 172 in a fixed position.
The device 172 ecsential:y consists of a closure lip 174, of hollow semicylindrical curved general profile, the convex upper face 1"i b of wll.:_ ch is orient.ed upwards in order to ext:end in prox:imity to and in fro:nt of the slot 80.
The closure lip, L 74 is jcined to two longitudinal and opposite par_aliel arms 114, each of which carries a tab 180 at its free end, for attach=inq the closure device 172 on the connector 164 by _nsert=ing the ribs 170 into 23 the attachment tabs which are curved back in a U-shape.
The closure dE::r,r.i c~.e 17;: is, i or example, made by cutting and stamping a thin metal sheet.
As can be seen i_n E'igiz ~es 14 to 16, the arms 178 which carry the closure lip 174 exnend in the plane of the lower faces of the rLbs 110 and, by being flexed vertically, they allow displac.ement:, of the lip 174 in a substantia~~~~ly vertic,.{ I_ planp, be-.ween its position, normally retr_acted dc-wnwards when the cara C is in place in the connector 64, and zi normal rest posi_tion illustrated in Figure 16, :in whic:h, i_~Z the absence of a card, the lip 174 extti>nds iri front o:- the slot 80, the size of which in this case is sli.qh~~_i.y greater than that illustrated above, that is to say it extends slightly into the unit, in the upper face 44 of the half-shell 32.
The closure lip 174 retracts automatically when the card C is =ir.sert:ed iri the dir_ection 1, insofar as the rear transverse edge 98 of: the card C interacts with the upper face 176 which acts as a cam no cause elastic deformation of the arms 178, the l.:ip 174 theri bearirlg against the opposite portion of the. Lower_ a:ace 72 of the card C.
The embodiment ;.llustratnd :in. Figures 17 and 18 will now be described, in which fiqu.res the closure device 172 also constitutes a device for retai.ning the card C in the position in which it is inser,_ed into the connector 64 and into the unit 30.
To this end, t.he arms ] 78 are slightly longer and the lip 174 includes ci rear cut-out 180, the profile of which is complementary to that of the f_ront transverse edge 99 of the card C with a c:ut-out surface 10.
When the c:ard :i_s ir: the inserted position, the edge of the rear cut-out 180 nxtend.s facing the front transverse edge 99 (n the card c" and it. is therefore impossible t:o e:xtract ihe car_n, since the closure device 172 thus fu=_fi_l._, a function o:_ loccki.ng the card C in the inserted position ancl then azro::ds any accidental emergence 3D of the card.
In order to extract t;he card, irrespective of L. ~ I.) whether the extractior. mode is manual or autornatic, it is necessary t:o unlock :i t by act i-.g tnrc:ugh thc:~ slot 80 u.sing a tool (not shown) on tt1e lip 1"74 ir~. o.r;:ler. to cause a downwards vertic:al displac.eme.-it of the latter until it ~ passes below the plane of the ::a,_d C to release the latter which can then slide, from lef_t to right as regards Figures 17 and 18, out of the unit 3!J.
In the alte.rnat:iv _, ernbodiment: illustrated in Figure 19, the closure de%Ti_ce 172' is s_i.m ilar_ to the one illustrated in Figures 1"i anci 1~;, but is assoc.iated with an extraction r_.arria cxE> 130 ~:;f tne type described and represented in Figur,:~s ='.1 nd 11A, the lug 158 for attaching ~he exti-c:rction Spring 1.50 being formed integrally with the closure device L72.
By virtue of this des:ign, the automatic extraction carriage 130 can be simplified in su far as it is not necessary for it to ~'Iave its own means for locking the card in the inserted p~.,~s:itior, lock.inqbe__ng ensured by the closure device 172, the card. being cont:inuously urged by the extraction carri.ac:e 1;0 ir: such a way that its front transverse edge ()9 abuts against the edge of the rear cut-out 180 of the li_p 1"i4.
In order to caase automat_i_c extraction of the card C, i.t is suff:i_ci.eni: to ac`,=, as in the case of the embodiment described wit:h r_eference t=o Figures 17 and 18, on the lip 174 through the slot 80 in order to cause retraction of the lip 1_74 and automatic extraction of the card C, whi_ch is ther:. urged, Lror. left to ri_ght as regards Figure 19, by the extraction car_riage 130.
In the emk:>odimf.~rt: illustrated i_r; Figures 20 and 21, the device for lockir.g the c<:ird consists of a rocker bar 2 l 200 which is mounted so as to sivot on the insulator 66 of the connector 64 about a pin 202, the extraction spring 150 being hooked on a lug which is carried by the rocker bar 200 so as to urge the Latter con.tinuously into the card lockinq position, in whic-h t.'r-ie rear cut-out 180 of the rocker bar 200 extends in tront of the front transverse edge 99 ot: the card C wnen the latter is in the inserted position, as i.s illustrated, in particular, in Figure 20.
13 The upper face -.i'4 of the rocker bar 200 fulfills a function equivalent to that of the closure lip 174, insofar as it can extend in the closure slot 80.
Reference will now be made to Figures 22 to 24, which illustrate another desiqn of the means for closing the slot 80.
These closure means here consist of a closure seal 220 which is arranged in a cornplernentarily shaped housing 222 formed in the insulator 66 of the connector 64, in the vicinity of the front edge of the lat,!:.er.
In its upper parC, the closure seal 220 includes a sealing lip 174 whicli extends normally in front of the insertion slot 80, that is to sa3r when there is no card in the unit 30, and which can ret:ract by elastic deformation when a card C is inserted into the unit 30 through the slot 80, as is illustrated in Figure 23.
The closure seal 220 is mounted in the housing 222 by means of its base 224, a ramp 226 being provided in the insulator 66 in order to facil;_tate i.nsertien of the card, that is to say in order to bring it level with the bottom 3D of the housing 70.
Finally, in the viciniiy of its front edge, the bottom of the housinq inCLude:. cl ramp 236 wh=ich makes it possible to raise the <::ard when :i.t is beinq extracted, in order to direct it through the siot 80 and to clear a thin step which is constit.ute.d by a stoo for retaining the card D in the connector anct which (.td -jacent to the ramp. In this case, the protuberanCe 12(,) is s aper_fluous.
As a variant, t:he slot 80 may be arranged transversely, with th.e di-ectiun I parallel to the general longitudinal direction of the. .init, in the shell or at one longitudinal end of t:he un-i_t.
If ineans for c~~.o:>ing the slot 80 are not provided, it is observed that di.ist which erters he unit is confined in the housing 70 anci ;~annot ext.end inside the uriit 30.,
Claims (17)
1. Electronic connection unit (30), in particular for a personal computer, in the general form of a card of the type comprising a shell (32, 34) with upper (32) and lower (34) parallel and opposite plane main walls (44, 46) which, between them, delimit a cavity (48) which is open at its two opposite longitudinal ends and is transversely delimited by two opposite side walls (50), designed in the form of guide rails for the unit, and inside which cavity an intermediate board (36), in particular a printed-circuit board, is arranged which extends substantially halfway between the opposite inner faces (45, 47) of the main walls, and parallel to the latter, and of the type in which the unit (30) is associated with a connector (64) for connecting a contact card (C) with integrated circuit(s) which includes 11 support (66) made of insulating material to the unit, and of the type wherein the support (66) is arranged on the upper face (37) of the intermediate board ( 36 ), wherein the shell (32) has a slot (80) for insertion or extraction of the card (C) into or from the unit in a direction (1) substantially parallel to the plane of the card (C), and wherein, when inserted, the card (C) is arranged entirely inside the unit (30), characterized in that the support (66) of the connector (64) includes means (101) for positioning it, which interact with complementary means (100) of the intermediate board (36).
2. Connection unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the means tor positioning the connector are complementarily shaped interaction means.
3. Connection unit according to any one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized unit that the support of the connector includes at least one part (101) forming a spacer, which extends through the intermediate board (36) and the free lower end face (102) of which is adjacent to the opposite inner face (47) of the lower main wall (46).
4. Connection unit according to Claim 3, taken in combination with Claim 2, characterized in that the part (101) which forms a spacer extends through an opening (100), of complementary shape, in the intermediate board (36).
5. Connection unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it includes means for extracting the card from the unit, said extraction means including an extraction carriage (130), mounted so as to slide on the support (66) of the connector between a card (C) insertion position and an extraction position in which the card at least partly projects out of the unit, in that the extraction carriage (130) includes an active front transverse edge (142 ) which extends facing the rear transverse edge (98) of the card (C), and in that means, accessible from outside the unit, are provided for controlling the sliding displacements of the carriage.
6. Connection unit according to Claim 5, characterized in that the extraction carriage (130) is returned elastically towards the card (C) extraction position, and in that it is retained in the card insertion position by automatic locking means.
7. Connection unit according to Claim 6, characterized in that the means for automatically locking the carriage (130) include a retractable locking finger (160) which is carried by the carriage (130) and which, in the card (C) insertion position, is received in an opposite hole (162) in the upper main wall (44) of the unit, towards which hole it is elastically returned.
8. Connection unit according to Claim 6, characterized in that the means for automatically locking the carriage (130) include a retractable locking bar (172) which is carried by the support (66) of the connector (64) and normally extends in a position for locking the card (C) in the inserted position, towards which it is elastically returned and in which the bar (172) extends facing the front transverse edge (99) of the card.
9. Connection unit according to Claim 8, characterized in that the locking bar (172) normally extends facing the slot (80) for inserting the card (C) into the unit, and in that the locking bar includes a cam profile (174), with which the rear transverse edge (98) of the card (C) interacts when it is being inserted, in order to cause retraction of the locking bar (172) in a substantially vertical direction.
10. Connection unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that closure means (174) are provided for at least partially closing the slot (80) for inserting the card into the unit.
11. Connection unit according to Claim 10, characterized in that the closure means are elastically deformable means which, at rest, extend facing the insertion slot (80) and which can be withdrawn automatically when the card (C) is being inserted.
12. Connection unit according to Claim 11, characterized in that the closure means are carried by the support (66) of the connector.
13. Connection unit according to Claim 12, characterized in that the closure means include a closure lip (174) which is mounted so as to move vertically with respect to the support (66) of the connector (64) and includes a cam profile (76) with which the rear transverse edge (98) of the card (C) interacts when it is being inserted, in order to cause retraction of the lip (174) in a substantially vertical direction.
14. Connection unit according to Claim 13, characterized in that the lip is a profiled strip (174), carried by the support (66) of the connector (64) via two elastically deformable arms which extend longitudinally along edges of the support (66) parallel to the insertion direction of the card.
15. Connection unit according to Claim 13, characterized in that the closure lip (174) belongs to a closure seal (220) mounted in a recess (222) formed in the upper face of the support of the connector (64).
16. Connection unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, on its inner face (45), the upper main wall (44) includes a protuberance (120) which, when the card (C) is in the inserted position, extends facing a portion (116) of the front transverse edge (99) of the card (C) in order to prevent any accidental ejection of this card from the unit (30).
17. Connection unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the support (66) includes an open housing (70) in its upper face (68), and in that the bottom of the housing (7C) for the card includes a ramp (236) which causes the front transverse edge of the card to be raised during the movement for extracting it from the unit (30).
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002273502A CA2273502A1 (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electronic connection unit, for a personal computer, including a connector for a smart card |
| CA002232282A CA2232282C (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electrical connector for the connection of a card with integrated circuit(s), and unit equipped with a connector of this type |
| CA002232281A CA2232281C (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Connector for the connection of a card with integrated circuit(s), and unit equipped with a connector of this type |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR96/04842 | 1996-04-18 | ||
| FR9604842A FR2747847B1 (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1996-04-18 | ELECTRONIC CONNECTION BOX, TO A PERSONAL COMPUTER, EQUIPPED WITH A CONNECTOR FOR A CHIP CARD |
| PCT/IB1997/000595 WO1997039418A1 (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electronic connection box for a personal computer with a smart card connector |
Related Child Applications (3)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002232282A Division CA2232282C (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electrical connector for the connection of a card with integrated circuit(s), and unit equipped with a connector of this type |
| CA002273502A Division CA2273502A1 (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electronic connection unit, for a personal computer, including a connector for a smart card |
| CA002232281A Division CA2232281C (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Connector for the connection of a card with integrated circuit(s), and unit equipped with a connector of this type |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2221890A1 CA2221890A1 (en) | 1997-10-23 |
| CA2221890C true CA2221890C (en) | 2004-03-23 |
Family
ID=9491324
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002221890A Expired - Fee Related CA2221890C (en) | 1996-04-18 | 1997-04-07 | Electronic connection box for a personal computer with a smart card connector |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6053748A (en) |
| EP (4) | EP0860905B1 (en) |
| JP (4) | JP3313732B2 (en) |
| CN (3) | CN1157680C (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2221890C (en) |
| DE (4) | DE69706958T2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2747847B1 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1027677A1 (en) |
| TW (4) | TW420786B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1997039418A1 (en) |
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| DE29722142U1 (en) * | 1997-12-16 | 1998-02-12 | Stocko Metallwarenfab Henkels | Adapter for contacting chip cards |
| FR2773275B1 (en) * | 1997-12-26 | 2000-01-28 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | VERY LOW THICKNESS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTION OF AN ELECTRONIC MEMORY CARD |
| DE19846366C2 (en) * | 1998-04-07 | 2000-07-27 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Plug-in card for electronic devices |
| DE19815549C2 (en) * | 1998-04-07 | 2000-04-27 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Plug-in card for electronic devices |
| DE29904904U1 (en) * | 1999-03-17 | 1999-06-10 | Scm Microsystems Gmbh | Chip card reader with contacting unit |
| US6353870B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2002-03-05 | Socket Communications Inc. | Closed case removable expansion card having interconnect and adapter circuitry for both I/O and removable memory |
| US6599147B1 (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 2003-07-29 | Socket Communications, Inc. | High-density removable expansion module having I/O and second-level-removable expansion memory |
| DE19925146C2 (en) * | 1999-06-02 | 2003-01-09 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Plug-in card for electronic devices |
| GB2352315B (en) * | 1999-07-19 | 2003-12-03 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Sim card reader |
| JP2001125662A (en) | 1999-08-18 | 2001-05-11 | Fujitsu Ltd | Extension device with authentication information input means for information processor, authentication information input unit, and information processor |
| DE19940695B4 (en) * | 1999-08-27 | 2008-03-27 | ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc., Wilmington | Electronic media device |
| DE19947162C1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2000-09-28 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Plug-in card for electronic equipment has frame element attached to housing part; chip card can be inserted into frame element to contacting device at end of frame element |
| DE10038287A1 (en) * | 2000-08-05 | 2002-02-21 | Itt Mfg Enterprises Inc | Plug-in card for electronic devices |
| US6561851B2 (en) | 2001-04-27 | 2003-05-13 | Sierra Wireless Inc. | Module interface for PC card |
| KR100395896B1 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2003-08-27 | 한국몰렉스 주식회사 | Secure digital memory card socket |
| TW507950U (en) * | 2001-12-26 | 2002-10-21 | Hon Hai Prec Ind Co Ltd | Electronic card connector |
| US6781831B1 (en) | 2002-02-14 | 2004-08-24 | Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. | Card-cage with integrated control and shaping of flow resistance curve for multiple plenum chambers |
| US6879486B1 (en) | 2002-02-14 | 2005-04-12 | Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. | Central inlet circuit board assembly |
| WO2003088021A2 (en) | 2002-04-08 | 2003-10-23 | Socket Communications, Inc | Wireless enabled memory module |
| US6808396B2 (en) * | 2002-05-24 | 2004-10-26 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Connection of a user identity module to a compact card case |
| JP3728669B2 (en) * | 2002-10-25 | 2005-12-21 | モレックス インコーポレーテッド | Adapter for card connector |
| US7240144B2 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-07-03 | Arm Limited | Arbitration of data transfer requests |
| US6951470B1 (en) * | 2004-10-22 | 2005-10-04 | Huang-Chou Huang | SIM card seat assembly |
| US20060121941A1 (en) * | 2004-12-03 | 2006-06-08 | Shiflett Jamie C | SIM card retaining device |
| DE102006021023A1 (en) * | 2006-04-28 | 2007-10-31 | Würth Elektronik Rot am See GmbH & Co. KG | modules structure |
| TWM319568U (en) * | 2006-11-27 | 2007-09-21 | Ks Terminals Inc | Card connection apparatus and its applications about digital products |
| CN101452537B (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2011-11-16 | 深圳富泰宏精密工业有限公司 | Chip card fixing device and portable electronic device with the fixing device |
| US20090172235A1 (en) * | 2007-12-27 | 2009-07-02 | Mei Yan | Megasim card adapter |
| US8325486B2 (en) * | 2009-01-13 | 2012-12-04 | Dy 4 Systems Inc. | Tamper respondent module |
| JP5324234B2 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2013-10-23 | 日本圧着端子製造株式会社 | IC card |
| US8371866B1 (en) * | 2011-09-09 | 2013-02-12 | Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Card connector |
| CN102622056B (en) * | 2012-03-31 | 2016-05-11 | 惠州Tcl移动通信有限公司 | The intelligent terminal of the replaceable radio communication device of a kind of user |
| US8651884B1 (en) | 2012-04-10 | 2014-02-18 | Google Inc. | Ejectable memory card tray in a universal serial bus (USB) connector |
| US9604671B2 (en) | 2015-08-13 | 2017-03-28 | Fca Us Llc | Vehicle underbody structure |
| KR101740182B1 (en) | 2015-12-31 | 2017-05-25 | 몰렉스 엘엘씨 | Card socket, card connector and manufacturing method thereof |
| FR3115905B1 (en) * | 2020-10-30 | 2023-03-03 | Banks And Acquirers Int Holding | Solderable chip card connector and corresponding mounting method. |
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| DE2326543C3 (en) * | 1973-05-24 | 1979-08-30 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | Holder for a cable plug |
| FR2607291B1 (en) * | 1986-11-21 | 1991-04-19 | Flonic Sa | CONNECTION ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRONIC MEMORY CARDS AND READ / WRITE DEVICE USING THE SAME |
| JPH0492380A (en) * | 1990-08-06 | 1992-03-25 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Female connector |
| FR2667713A1 (en) * | 1990-10-08 | 1992-04-10 | Cit Alcatel | MICRO-CIRCUIT BOARD READER, REDUCED. |
| US5257414A (en) * | 1990-11-26 | 1993-10-26 | Motorola, Inc. | Apparatus for accepting and retaining a memory card |
| US5503564A (en) * | 1992-10-30 | 1996-04-02 | The Whitaker Corporation | Assembly of an electrical connector and ejector unit for connecting IC cards to printed circuit boards |
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| DE29602632U1 (en) * | 1996-02-05 | 1996-05-30 | Neifer Wolfgang | Mobile chip card reading module |
| US5752857A (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1998-05-19 | Itt Corporation | Smart card computer adaptor |
-
1996
- 1996-04-18 FR FR9604842A patent/FR2747847B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-04-07 JP JP53691197A patent/JP3313732B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 EP EP98201407A patent/EP0860905B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-07 EP EP98201406A patent/EP0860904B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-07 WO PCT/IB1997/000595 patent/WO1997039418A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-04-07 CN CNB971903883A patent/CN1157680C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 EP EP99201075A patent/EP0942492B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-07 DE DE69706958T patent/DE69706958T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 DE DE69713564T patent/DE69713564T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 EP EP97923269A patent/EP0846304B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-07 CA CA002221890A patent/CA2221890C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 DE DE69723461T patent/DE69723461T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-07 DE DE69713871T patent/DE69713871T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-15 TW TW087106992A patent/TW420786B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-04-15 TW TW088106284A patent/TW420787B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-04-15 TW TW087106991A patent/TW420785B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-04-15 TW TW086104823A patent/TW416039B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-04-17 US US08/837,421 patent/US6053748A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-05-22 CN CN98108935A patent/CN1117417C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-06-18 JP JP17141798A patent/JP3974259B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-06-18 JP JP17141898A patent/JP3974260B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-04-27 JP JP11920899A patent/JP3902350B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-09-27 CN CN99120718.1A patent/CN1118908C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-10-18 HK HK00106594A patent/HK1027677A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |