JP2001256466A - Memory card mounting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect terminals for external connection provided in a memory card and a memory chip incorporated in a card main body. SOLUTION: This system consists of the memory card 1 and a mounting device 20 on which the card 1 is mounted. The card 1 is provided with the card main body 2 incorporating the memory chip 3, recessed parts 9 opening from the front end of the body 2 in an insertion direction over to the upper surface of the body 2, and the plurality of terminals 5 for external connection arranged parallelly in the recessed parts along the insertion direction of the body 2. A projection part 10 is formed between the terminals 5 in the parts 9, and at least one of the plurality of terminals 5 for external connection is connected to the ground. The device 20 reads and writes an information signal from/in the card 1 by mounting the card 1 inserted from an opening part 21 on a recessed part 22 for insertion and connecting the terminals 5 for external connection provided in the card 1 to a connection terminal 23.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a memory card mounting system comprising a memory card which is mounted on a mounting device and on which information signals are written or read and a mounting device on which the memory card is mounted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A memory card having a built-in memory chip and storing information signals in the memory chip has an external connection terminal serving as an electrical contact with an external system. The memory card is supplied with power through an external connection terminal, and inputs and outputs information signals to and from an internal memory chip through the external connection terminal.

Since the external connection terminals provided on the memory card are electrically connected to the internal memory chip, it is necessary to easily prevent foreign objects such as fingers from coming into contact when using the memory card. . That is, when a foreign object directly touches the external connection terminal, static electricity is generated, and the static electricity is transmitted from the external connection terminal to the memory chip, and may damage the memory chip. Therefore, it is necessary to take a countermeasure against static electricity so that foreign matter does not easily come into contact with the external connection terminal.

[0004] Further, memory cards are characterized by being portable, and miniaturization is being promoted in consideration of the convenience of carrying. With the miniaturization of memory cards, external connection terminals have become thinner and narrower in pitch. When the external connection terminal is made thinner and narrower in pitch as described above, there is a possibility that the foreign matter is easily displaced and damaged by lightly touching the foreign matter.

Therefore, in this type of memory card, an external connection terminal is buried inside the card body, and a small hole communicating with the external connection terminal is provided in the card body. In order to protect the external connection terminal by placing the terminal facing the outside or forming a concave portion on the front end side of the card body in the card insertion direction, arranging the external connection terminal at the bottom of this concave portion. What has been proposed.

[0006]

A memory card in which a small hole is provided in the card body so that an external connection terminal is exposed to the outside cannot be easily removed if dust or the like enters the inside of the hole. . If the device is mounted on the mounting device with dust or the like clogged in the hole, reliable electrical connection with the mounting device is hindered, and furthermore, the connection terminals of the mounting device may be deformed. In addition, this type of memory card has a complicated structure and is difficult to manufacture.

In order to prevent the structure from becoming complicated, there has been proposed a memory card in which a concave portion is formed in a card body, and an external connection terminal is arranged in the concave portion. In this memory card, depending on the shape of the concave portion, the protection of the external connection terminal may be incomplete, and dust and the like may easily accumulate at the corner of the concave portion, which may hinder reliable connection with the mounting device. Therefore, the present invention can reliably protect the external connection terminals provided on the memory card with a simple structure, and can easily remove dust and the like to achieve a reliable connection with the mounting device. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a memory card mounting system capable of protecting a memory chip built in a memory card.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a memory card mounting system according to the present invention comprises a card body having a built-in memory chip, and a card body extending from a front end of the card body in the insertion direction to an upper surface of the card body. A concave portion having an opening, and a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in parallel in the concave portion along the insertion direction of the card body, wherein the concave portion has a protrusion in at least one region between the external connection terminals. A portion is formed, and at least one of the plurality of external connection terminals includes a memory card connected to the ground and a mounting device to which the memory card is mounted.

In the memory card used here, two or more of the plurality of external connection terminals are connected to the ground.

The projections of the memory card are formed between all the external connection terminals.

[0011] The main body of the memory card has a substantially rectangular shape whose plane shape is long in the insertion direction, and the length of the short side is one of the length of the long side.
/ 2 or less.

Further, the memory card has a notch for preventing the memory card from dropping on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body.

[0013] The memory card has a notch formed at one side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction, which is cut off at an angle to the insertion direction, and is formed on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body. A notch parallel to the insertion direction is formed, and a mounting notch is formed on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body.

Further, in the memory card, the wall surface parallel to the opening on the front end side in the concave portion of the card body is formed as an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion.

The memory card loading system according to the present invention employs a serial interface.

Further, the memory card has a notch for preventing erroneous insertion cut out in the thickness direction of the card main body at the front end in the insertion direction of the card main body, and is provided with an erroneous erasure preventing member.

Further, the memory card is provided with a control unit for controlling writing or reading of an information signal to or from a memory chip.

In the memory card used here, one side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction and both side ends of the rear end of the card body in the insertion direction are connected to the other side of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction. Different from end shape.

As the memory card, there is used a memory card having a shutter member which moves along the insertion direction at the front end side of the card body to open or close the concave portion. The shutter member is biased toward the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body from the spring member.

The memory card has a groove for allowing the shutter member to move from the wall surface parallel to the opening on the front end side of the concave portion of the card body to the inside of the card body.

In the memory card, the front end face in the insertion direction of the shutter member is formed as an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle.

The mounting device on which the memory card is mounted has a function of reading and writing information signals from and to the mounted memory card.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A memory card mounting system including a memory card and a mounting device to which the memory card is mounted according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the memory card constituting the present invention will be described. The memory card 1 constituting the present invention is mounted on a mounting device of an external system such as a computer or an audio device, and writes or reads an information signal. It is a storage medium, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of memory chips 3 for storing information signals and a control integrated circuit 4 for controlling writing of information signals to the memory chips 3 or reading of information signals from the memory chips 3 are incorporated.

As shown in FIG. 2, the memory card 1 is electrically connected to a connection terminal of the mounting device to supply power to the control integrated circuit 4 when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device. An external connection terminal 5 for transmitting signals and various control signals is provided. The memory card 1 shown here employs a serial interface, and has nine external connection terminals 5.

The card body 2 is formed in a thin card shape having a rectangular planar shape by, for example, synthetic resin. The memory card 1 of the present embodiment employs a serial interface and has nine external connection terminals 5 to reduce the size of the card body 2, and as shown in FIG. The length L1 is 1 / the length L2 in the long side direction.
2 or less.

An erroneous erasure prevention member 6 is attached to the rear end of the card body 2 in the insertion direction with respect to the mounting device in the direction of arrow A in FIGS. The erroneous erasure prevention member 6
The erroneous erasure prevention switch is engaged with a not-shown erasure prevention switch housed inside the card body 2 and is slid in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the card body 2 to switch ON / OFF of the erasure prevention switch. . Also, on one side surface parallel to the direction of insertion of the card body 2 into the mounting device, an arc-shaped surface for preventing the memory card 1 from dropping off from the mounting device when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device. The lock notch 7 is formed. The lock notch 7 is engaged with a lock projection of a mounting device (not shown) when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device, and prevents the memory card 1 from dropping off.

As shown in FIG. 2, a notch 8 is formed at one side end of the card body 2 on the front end side in the insertion direction. This notch 8
Functions as an erroneous insertion prevention unit for preventing erroneous insertion when the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device.

Further, a concave portion 9 is formed on the front end side of the card body 2 in the insertion direction, as shown in FIG. The concave portion 9 is formed with a predetermined step from the upper surface at the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body 2, and is surrounded by three wall surfaces and the bottom surface, and from the front end in the insertion direction of the card body 2 to the upper surface of the card body 2. It has a shape that is open across. The wall surface 9a parallel to the front end side opening of the concave portion 9 is
As shown in FIG. 5, an inclined surface is inclined from the bottom surface 9b of the concave portion 9 at a predetermined elevation angle.

When the memory card 1 is mounted on the mounting device, the dust and the like in the concave portion 9 are removed by making the wall surface 9a parallel to the opening on the front end side of the concave portion 9 into an inclined surface. It can be easily discharged outside through the inclined surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of external connection terminals 5 connected to connection terminals of the mounting device when the card body 2 is mounted on the mounting device are arranged in the concave portion 9. . These external connection terminals 5 are formed by stamping a thin metal plate or by a part of a wiring pattern formed on a printed circuit board, and are formed on the bottom surface 9 b of the concave portion 9 along the insertion direction of the card body 2. They are placed in parallel and exposed to the outside.

As described above, the memory card 1 of this embodiment employs a serial interface,
The number of external connection terminals 5 is nine. That is,
This memory card 1 has nine external connection terminals including a digital signal input / output terminal, a synchronization signal input terminal, a status signal input terminal, four voltage supply terminals, and two reserve terminals in a concave portion 9. 5 are arranged.

As shown in FIG. 2, a projection is provided in the concave portion 9 between the external connection terminals 5 for preventing foreign matter such as fingers from coming into contact with the external connection terminals 5 from outside. A part 10 is formed. This projection 10 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the area inside the concave portion 9 is divided into three equal parts,
It is formed from the front side opening of the concave portion 9 to the wall surface 9a parallel thereto. In the three regions of the concave portion 9 divided by the protruding portions 10, three external connection terminals 5 are arranged respectively.

In the memory card 1, the area inside the concave portion 9 is divided by the projection 10, and the area for arranging the external connection terminals 5 is subdivided, so that the user can attach the memory card 1 to a mounting device. The inconvenience of accidentally touching the external connection terminal 5 is avoided, and the external connection terminal 5 is protected. Further, it is desirable that the central external connection terminal 5 among the three external connection terminals 5 arranged in the three regions of the concave portion 9 divided by the protruding portion 10 is connected to the ground.

By connecting the external connection terminal 5 at the center of the three areas to the ground in this way, the user's finger may temporarily enter the area within the concave portion 9 where the user's finger is divided. In addition, the finger touches the external connection terminal 5 connected to the ground, and it is possible to prevent an accident such that the memory chip 3 is destroyed by the discharge of static electricity generated at the time of contact.

As shown in FIG. 4, the memory card 1 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 10 corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5, and each of the protrusions 10 is provided in an area within the concave portion 9 divided by the protrusion 10. The connection terminals 5 may be arranged one by one. By providing the protrusions 10 corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5 in the memory card 1 as described above, it is possible to more reliably prevent foreign objects such as fingers from contacting the external connection terminals 5.

The memory card 1 according to the present invention may have ten external connection terminals 5. By setting the number of external connection terminals 5 to 10, the number of reserve terminals can be set to three. The memory card 1 having three reserved terminals as described above uses, for example, these three reserved terminals as signal input or output terminals so that the memory card 1 can be combined with the digital signal input / output terminals described above. Connection by a parallel interface using four signal input or output terminals can be performed.

In the above, the example in which the protruding portion 10 is formed in the concave portion 9 in order to prevent the contact with the external connection terminal 5 has been described, but the memory card 1 according to the present invention has been described.
As shown in FIG. 5 (A), a shutter member 11 for closing and opening the concave portion 9 by opening and closing operation is provided, so that the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11 when not mounted on the mounting device. Thus, contact with the external connection terminal 5 may be prevented. In this case, a groove is formed to enable the movement of the shutter member 11 from the wall surface 9 a parallel to the front opening of the concave portion 9 to the inside of the card body 2.

The shutter member 11 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin into a rectangular plate shape having an area slightly larger than the opening area of the opening on the upper surface side of the concave portion 9. It is attached movably along the direction of insertion into the mounting device. This shutter member 1
When the memory card 1 is not mounted on the mounting device, the memory card 1 is urged toward the front end side in the insertion direction of the card body 2 by the spring member 12 and is placed on the concave portion 9 so as to close the upper opening of the concave portion 9. Will be arranged.

When the memory card 1 is inserted into the mounting device, the front end of the shutter member 11 comes into contact with a sliding protrusion of the mounting device described later. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), as the memory card 1 is inserted, the shutter member 11 is opposed to the biasing force of the spring member 12 by the sliding protrusions in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 (B). , And moves into the groove to open the upper opening of the concave portion 9.

When the memory card 1 is not mounted on the mounting device, the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11, so that external contact with the external connection terminal 5 is prevented, and the external connection terminal 5 is prevented. Protection is achieved.

Also in this memory card 1, the wall surface 9a parallel to the opening on the front side of the concave portion 9 is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface 9b. further,
It is desirable that the front end of the shutter member 11 also has a similar inclined surface.

As described above, the memory card 1 is
By making the wall surface 9a parallel to the front side opening of the shutter member 11 and the front end of the shutter member 11 an inclined surface, dust and the like in the concave portion 9 can be easily removed from the inclined surface when being mounted on the mounting device. Can be discharged outside.

In this memory card 1, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, a projection 10 may be formed in the concave portion 9 to divide the area in the concave portion 9. As described above, the memory card 1
When the shutter member 11 is accidentally opened when the shutter member 11 is not mounted on the mounting device, the contact with the external connection terminal 5 is prevented by dividing the area inside the concave portion 9 by the Terminal 5 can be more reliably protected. 6A illustrates a state in which the opening on the upper surface side of the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11, and FIG. 6B illustrates a state in which the shutter member 11 performs the opening operation and the upper surface side of the concave portion 9. The state where the opening is opened is shown.

The memory card 1 configured as described above
Is mounted on a mounting device 20 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to record and reproduce information signals.

The mounting device 20 has a memory card 1 on the front side.
Has an opening portion 21 into which is inserted. This mounting device 2
0, the memory card 1 extends from the opening 21 to the inside of the device along the insertion direction of the memory card 1 indicated by an arrow C in FIG.
Is provided with a mounting concave portion 22 in which is mounted. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of connection terminals 23 electrically connected to an external system are provided in the mounting recess 22.
The front side is facing.

The connection terminal 23 is formed by, for example, punching and bending a metal plate or the like, and has a base end buried and supported in the mounting device 20 in the direction of pressing the external connection terminal 5 of the mounted memory card 1. It is configured as a leaf spring having an urging force. As shown in FIG. 7, a contact portion 23 a that comes into contact with the external connection terminal 3 of the memory card 1 is formed on the distal end of the connection terminal 23 protruding into the mounting recess 22. A plurality of connection terminals 23 are provided corresponding to the number of external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1. In the mounting device 20 of the present example, nine connection terminals 23 are provided in the mounting recesses 22 corresponding to the nine external connection terminals 5.

Connection terminal 2 arranged in mounting recess 22
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the memory card 1 slides on the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1 when the memory card 1 is inserted in front of the memory card 3, that is, on the proximal end side in the insertion direction of the memory card 1. A sliding protrusion 24 is provided. This sliding projection 24
As with the connection terminals 23, a plurality of the connection terminals 23 are provided corresponding to the number of the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1, each of which is provided in front of the connection terminal 23. In the mounting device 20 of the present example, nine sliding protrusions 24 are provided in front of the connection terminals 23, respectively, corresponding to the nine external connection terminals 5. When the memory card 1 is inserted into the mounting device 20 as shown in FIG.
Prior to 3, it slides on the external connection terminal 5 of the memory card 1. Then, the sliding projection 24 discharges dust 30 and the like in the concave portion 9 of the memory card 1 to the outside from the inclined wall surface 9a of the concave portion 9 of the memory card 1.

In the mounting device 20, when the memory card 1 is inserted, the sliding protrusion 24 slides on the external connection terminal 5 of the memory card 1 before the connection terminal 23, and Since the connection terminal 23 is connected to the external connection terminal 3 after removing dust and the like on the terminal 5, electrical connection between the connection terminal 23 and the external connection terminal 5 can be ensured.

The mounting device 20 is provided with a plurality of sliding protrusions 24 in front of the connection terminals 23 corresponding to the external connection terminals 5 of the memory card 1, respectively. Can be adapted to the memory card 1 in which the area of the concave portion 9 is divided into the external connection terminals 5 by the projections 10, and the memory card 1 in which the area in the concave portion 9 is divided into three by the projections 10. be able to.

Further, the mounting device 20 can be applied to the memory card 1 in which the opening on the upper surface side of the concave portion 9 is closed by the shutter member 11 so as to protect the external connection terminal 5. When the memory card 1 having the shutter member is inserted, the mounting device 20 contacts the front end of the sliding protrusion 24 with the front end of the shutter member 11 as shown in FIG. At the same time, the shutter member 11 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mounting device 20 is provided with a concave portion 9 at the front end side of the card body 2 in the insertion direction with respect to the mounting device 20, so that the concave portion 9 is provided without providing a projection or a shutter member. Needless to say, a memory card having a configuration in which only the external connection terminal 5 is disposed inside the memory card can be used.

Since the mounting device 20 has versatility as described above, it can be used for a wide range of applications without being restricted by the shape of the memory card 1.

By the way, the memory card according to the present invention
It may be configured as shown below.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of this memory card. In addition, X of the memory card shown in FIG.
The ₁ -X ₂ cross-sectional view taken along line shown in FIG. 13.

The memory card 100 has a substantially rectangular planar shape, and among the four vertices, one vertex 101a at the front end in the card insertion direction indicated by an arrow D in FIGS. Apex 101b, 101c at both ends of the rear end in the card insertion direction indicated by arrow D
Is chamfered more than the other vertex 102 at the front end in the insertion direction indicated by arrow D in FIG. In this memory card 100, the other vertex 102 on which the large chamfer has not been performed is detected, so that the memory card 10
This prevents erroneous insertion when 0 is inserted into the mounting device.

In the memory card 100, of the four vertices, the other vertex 102 at the front end in the card insertion direction shown by an arrow D in FIGS. 12 and 13 is not chamfered, and the remaining three vertices 101a, 101b, 101c is chamfered, for example, in an arc shape. Of the three chamfered vertices, one vertex 101a at the front end in the card insertion direction indicated by an arrow D in FIGS. 12 and 13 is the other vertex 101b at both ends at the rear end in the card insertion direction, It is chamfered larger than 101c.

FIG. 14 and FIG.
Is mounted on the mounting device 103 as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 shows a mounting device 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of the mounting device 103, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Y1-Y2 of the mounting device 103 shown in FIG. here,
In the drawings used in the following description, some portions are hatched even in a plan view in order to clarify the relationship between members.

The mounting device 103 has an opening 104 on the front side into which the memory card 100 is inserted, and the opening 104 from the opening 104 along the insertion direction of the memory card 100 shown by an arrow E in FIGS. 14 for mounting the memory card 100 formed therein, and FIG.
And an erroneous insertion prevention member 106 provided inside the opening 104 along the insertion direction of the memory card 100 indicated by an arrow E in FIG.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 106 has a front portion 107 on the opening 104 side and substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction of the memory card 100, and a projecting portion 108 formed on one side end of the front portion 107. And The protruding portion 108 is formed with an inclined surface 109 whose thickness and width gradually become smaller from the front portion 107 toward the opening portion 104. With this inclined surface 109, the memory card 100
Is detected.

Further, the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 is rotatably supported by the mounting device 103 and the coil spring 11.
0, it is urged to rotate clockwise in FIG. Further, the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 is
When the device is not used, the opening 104 is closed to prevent dust and the like from entering the mounting device 103.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show a state where the memory card 100 is correctly inserted into the mounting device 103. FIG. When the memory card 100 is inserted from the opening 104 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 16, the apex 102 comes into contact with the protrusion 108 provided on the erroneous insertion prevention member 106. Then, as shown in FIG.
The upper corner of the vertex 102 of the
9 is slid to push up the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 upward in the figure. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the vertex 102 allows the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 to escape and allows the memory card 100 to be inserted into the mounting device 103.

On the other hand, FIGS. 19 and 20 show how the memory card 100 is inserted in the wrong direction. When the memory card 100 is inserted in the direction of arrow E in the figure,
The front end face of the memory card 100 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the front face 107 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 without the chamfered vertex 101a coming into contact with the protrusion 108 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106. The front part 107 of the erroneous insertion prevention member 106 is provided on the memory card 100 indicated by an arrow E in the figure.
, The front end face of the memory card 100 abuts on the protruding portion 108 and the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 cannot be pushed up. Therefore, if the memory card 100 is inserted in the wrong direction,
01a, the erroneous insertion preventing member 106 cannot be escaped, and cannot be inserted into the mounting device 103 of the memory card 100.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show the memory card 10.
0 is inserted upside down, but the same applies when the memory card 100 is inserted upside down.
The vertices 101b and 101c cannot escape the erroneous insertion member 106 and insert the memory card 100 to the inside. Therefore, the memory card 100 is inserted into the mounting device 1
03 can be inserted into the memory card 100
Only when the memory card 100 is correctly inserted.
Is prevented from being erroneously inserted.

From the viewpoint of preventing erroneous insertion, the memory card 10
The three top vertices 101a, 101b, and 101c are not limited as long as they are formed so as not to abut on the protruding portion 108 of the erroneous insertion preventing member 106. For example,
As shown in FIG. 21, the vertices 102a, 102b, 102
c can be chamfered to various sizes, and the shape of the chamfer can be an arc or a straight line, so that the memory card can be changed in design.

The memory card according to the present invention may be configured as follows.

FIG. 22 shows an example of this memory card.
Also, it is shown in FIG. 23 of the memory card _Z 1 -Z ₂ cross-sectional view taken along a line shown in Figure 22.

This memory card 120 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 22, and has a notch 121 formed at the front end in the insertion direction indicated by arrow F in FIG. In the notch 121, the bottom surface of the front end of the memory card 120 in the insertion direction is cut out in the thickness direction over the entire width of the memory card 120 in the short side direction. The notch 121 is cut out from the memory card 120 by a flat surface.
The memory card 120 is prevented from being erroneously inserted when the memory card 120 is inserted into the mounting device by detecting the notch 121.

The memory card 12 configured as described above
0 is mounted on the mounting device 122 as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, and recording and reproduction of information signals are performed. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing an example of the mounting device 122, and FIG.
FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line W ₁ -W ₂ of the mounting device 122 shown in FIG. 24. The mounting device 122 has a memory card 1 on the front side.
An opening 123 into which the memory card 120 is to be inserted, and a mounting recess 124 formed from the opening 123 to the inside of the device along the insertion direction of the memory card 120 as shown by an arrow G in the figure, and An erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is provided inside the opening 123 along the insertion direction of the memory card 120 indicated by an arrow G in the figure.

As shown in FIG. 25, the erroneous insertion prevention member 125 includes an prevention plate 127 having a first surface 126 substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the memory card 120 in the direction of arrow G,
A protrusion 129 is provided at the upper end of the prevention plate 127 on the side of the opening 123 and has a second surface 128 substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the memory card 120.

The erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is pivotally supported by the mounting device 122 and is urged by a coil spring 130 to rotate clockwise in FIG. further,
The erroneous insertion preventing member 125 closes the opening 123 when the memory card 120 is not mounted on the mounting device 122 and prevents entry of dust and the like into the mounting device 122 when not in use.

When the memory card 120 is inserted, the erroneous insertion preventing member 125 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 25 by about 90 ° against the urging force of the coil spring 130 so that the first surface 126 is not rotated. As shown at 26, it is substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the memory card 120.

When the memory card 120 is correctly inserted, that is, when the notch 121 is formed on the bottom surface side of the front end of the memory card 120, as shown in FIG. By sliding the portion 129, the erroneous insertion preventing member 125 is pushed down. And
As shown in FIG. 27, the notch 121 is
25 can be released, and the memory card 120 can be inserted inside.

When the memory card 120 is inserted in the wrong direction as shown in FIG. 28, that is, when the notch 121 is not formed on the bottom side of the front end of the memory card 120, the insertion direction of the memory card 120 is The front end face of
It contacts the second surface 128 of the protruding portion. At this time, the second surface 128 is connected to the memory card 12 indicated by the arrow G in FIG.
Since the memory card 120 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction, the front end face of the memory card 120 abuts on the protrusion 129 and cannot push down the erroneous insertion prevention member 125. Therefore, when the memory card 120 is inserted in the wrong direction, the erroneous insertion member 125 cannot escape to insert the memory card 120 into the mounting device 122.

FIG. 28 shows an example in which the memory card 120 is inserted upside down.
Even when 0 is inserted in the reverse direction, the memory card 120 cannot be inserted to the inside by escaping the erroneous insertion prevention member 125 similarly. Therefore, the memory card 1
The insertion of the memory card 120 into the mounting device 122 can be performed only when the memory card 120 is correctly inserted, and the erroneous insertion of the memory card 120 is prevented.

In the memory card 120, since the erroneous insertion is detected in the shape in the thickness direction, if the notch 121 is formed in such a size that it can slide on the protrusion 129 and push down the erroneous insertion preventing member 125. Good. Therefore, in order to prevent erroneous insertion, the planar shape of the apex of the memory card 120 does not matter. For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the memory card 120 can be chamfered at the apex, and the shape of the chamfer can be various shapes such as an arc shape and a straight line shape, so that the design can be changed.

The memory card according to the present invention can be mounted by inserting it into the mounting device or by inserting it into the upper surface of the mounting device.

FIG. 30 shows an example of this memory card.
FIG. 3 is a view of the memory card 140 viewed from the direction H in FIG.
1 and FIG. 32 shows the memory card 140 viewed from the direction I in FIG. The memory card 140 is formed so that its planar shape is substantially rectangular. The memory card 140 has cutouts 143a and 143b for mounting at both ends of the first side surface 141 in the long side direction. As shown in FIG. 31, notch portions 143 for mounting are also provided on both side ends of a second side surface 142 parallel to the first side surface.
c, 143d are formed.

The memory card 140 has the notch 143
a, 143b, 143c, 143d
It can also be fitted and mounted in 44.

As shown in FIG. 33, a mounting recess 145 for mounting, for example, a memory card 140 is formed on the upper surface of such a mounting device 144 with its opening facing upward. A protrusion 146 is formed on the side wall of the. Insert the memory card 140 into the mounting device 144
When the memory card 140 is inserted into the memory card 140, the notch 143 (notch 143a, 143b, 1) as shown in FIG.
43c and 143d) and the projection 146.

The memory card 140 can be directly mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus. Alternatively, the memory card 140 may be mounted on an adapter shaped like a flexible disk, and the adapter with the memory card 140 mounted may be mounted on a recording / reproducing apparatus.

By inserting the memory card into the mounting device and mounting it, the top cover of the mounting device is not required, and the thickness of the mounting device can be reduced as compared with the case where the memory card is inserted into the mounting device. It becomes possible. Further, the thickness of the adapter into which the memory card is inserted and mounted can be reduced.

[0083]

According to the memory card of the present invention, a projection is provided between a plurality of external connection terminals arranged in the concave portion,
Since these external connection terminals are separated,
It is possible to prevent the finger from easily contacting the external connection terminal, and since at least one of the external connection terminals is connected to the ground, even if the finger contacts the external connection terminal, The memory chip built in the card body can be protected without being affected by static electricity.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to reliably protect the external connection terminal with a simple configuration in which the concave portion is closed with a shutter member, and to make the wall surface of the concave portion an inclined surface. Dust and the like can be easily removed to the outside, and the external connection terminal can be securely connected to the connection terminal of the mounting device.

Further, the memory card according to the present invention can detect an apex at one corner to prevent erroneous insertion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a memory card used in a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the memory card.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing still another example of a memory card used in the system of the present invention, and FIG. 5A is a plan view of a main part showing a state in which a shutter member closes a concave portion;
(B) is a principal part plan view showing a state where the shutter member has opened the concave portion.

FIG. 6 is a view showing still another example of a memory card used in the system of the present invention, and FIG. 6 (A) is a plan view of a main part showing a state where a shutter member closes a concave portion;
(B) is a principal part plan view showing a state where the shutter member has opened the concave portion.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a loading device constituting the system of the present invention on which a memory card used in the system of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the mounting device.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a memory card used in the system of the present invention is mounted on a mounting device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where another memory card used in the system of the present invention is mounted on a mounting device.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a main part of the other memory card.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

13 is a _X 1 -X ₂ line cross-sectional view of the memory card shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting device on which a memory card used in the system of the present invention is mounted.

15 is a _Y 1 -Y ₂ line cross-sectional view of the mounting device shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a state where a memory card is correctly inserted into a mounting device constituting the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which a memory card is being correctly inserted into a mounting device constituting the system according to the present invention;
It is _Y 3 -Y ₄ cross-sectional view taken along a line 6 Figure.

18 is a Y ₃ -Y ₄ cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 16 showing a state in which the memory card in the mounting device is properly inserted.

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a state where a memory card is erroneously inserted into the mounting device.

20 is a Y ₅ -Y ₆ cross-sectional view taken along line of FIG. 19 showing a state where the memory card in the mounting device is erroneously inserted.

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line Z ₁ -Z _{2 of the} memory card shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting device to which a memory card used in the system of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along line W ₁ -W _{2 of the} mounting device shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a memory card is correctly inserted into a mounting device constituting the system according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the memory card is being correctly inserted into the mounting device.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view showing a state where a memory card is erroneously inserted into the mounting device.

FIG. 29 is a plan view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing an example of an outer shape of a memory card used in the system of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a side view of the memory card shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from a direction H in the figure.

32 is a rear view of the memory card shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from the direction I in the figure.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the memory card is mounted on the mounting device.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the memory card is mounted on the mounting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Memory card, 2 Card main body, 3 Memory chip, 5 External connection terminal, 9 Concave part, 10 Projection part, 11 Shutter member, 20 Mounting device, 21
Opening, 22 mounting recess, 23 connection terminal,
24 Sliding protrusion

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H01R 13/64 G06K 19/00 M 12/18 H01R 13/64 Z 23/68 301E 301J (72) Inventor Takumi Okagami 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Satoshi Sasa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A card body containing a memory chip, a concave portion opening from the front end of the card body in the insertion direction to the upper surface of the card body, and a parallel portion in the concave portion along the insertion direction of the card body. A plurality of external connection terminals arranged, a projection is formed in at least one region between the external connection terminals in the concave portion, and at least one of the plurality of external connection terminals is provided. A memory card connected to the ground, and a mounting device to which the memory card is mounted. 2. The memory card loading system according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of external connection terminals are connected to the ground. 3. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the projections of the memory card are formed between all the external connection terminals. 4. The main body of the memory card, wherein a planar shape is a substantially rectangular shape which is long in an insertion direction, and a length of a short side is not more than １ ／ of a length of a long side. Item 1
The memory card mounting system according to the above. 5. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the memory card has a notch for preventing falling off on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body. 6. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a cutout portion is formed at one side end of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction, the cutout portion being cut out obliquely with respect to the insertion direction. The memory card mounting system according to the above. 7. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the memory card has a cutout formed in a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body, the cutout portion being parallel to the insertion direction. 8. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the memory card has a notch for mounting formed on a side surface parallel to the insertion direction of the card body. 9. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a wall surface parallel to the opening on the front end side in the concave portion of the card body is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle from the bottom surface of the concave portion. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1. 10. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein a serial interface is employed. 11. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein a notch for preventing erroneous insertion is formed at a front end of the card body in the insertion direction, the notch being cut in a thickness direction of the card body. Memory card mounting system. 12. The memory card loading system according to claim 1, wherein the memory card is provided with an erroneous erasure prevention member. 13. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the memory card includes a control unit that controls writing or reading of an information signal to or from the memory chip. 14. The memory card, wherein one side end of a front end of the card body in the insertion direction and both side ends of a rear end of the card body in the insertion direction are the other of the front end of the card body in the insertion direction. 2. The memory card mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the side end portion is different. 15. The memory card according to claim 1, wherein the memory card includes a shutter member that moves along the insertion direction at a front end side of the card body to open or close the concave portion. system. 16. The memory card mounting system according to claim 15, wherein said memory card includes a spring member for urging a shutter member toward a front end side of said card body in the insertion direction. 17. The memory card has a groove for allowing movement of the shutter member from a wall surface parallel to a front end side opening of the concave portion of the card body to an inside of the card body. 16. The memory card mounting system according to claim 15, wherein: 18. The memory card mounting system according to claim 15, wherein in the memory card, the front end face of the shutter member in the insertion direction is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined elevation angle. 19. The memory card loading system according to claim 1, wherein said loading device reads and writes information signals from and to the loaded memory card.