JP3602197B2 - Non-contact connector - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a non-contact connector used in a multi-channel non-contact memory card system capable of high-speed data transfer and having excellent environmental resistance and insertion / removal resistance, and more particularly to improvement of its versatility.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, memory cards, which are a type of memory card, have been used for databases of electronic notebooks, external storage media of personal computers, additional memories, and the like. The method of coupling the memory card to the terminal device as described above is classified into a pin insertion method and a non-contact method. The pin insertion method can exchange signals using, for example, about 68 pins, so that 8-bit or 16-bit parallel data can be transferred, and high-speed reading and writing can be performed. On the other hand, the connector conductor is exposed. Therefore, problems such as poor contact due to contamination and a decrease in insertion / removal resistance due to downsizing of the pin occur. On the other hand, the non-contact method does not cause the above-described trouble because the conductor is not exposed, and is particularly useful in a dirty environment, and has been put to practical use in various fields.
[0003]
Light, electromagnetic coupling, radio waves, etc. have been proposed as means for supplying power and transmitting / receiving signals in a non-contact manner, but currently practical applications are based on electromagnetic coupling methods in consideration of cost and power consumption. Things are mostly.
[0004]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a mounting state of electronic components of a multi-channel non-contact memory card to which a conventional electromagnetic coupling method is applied.
[0005]
The present embodiment is, for example, an SRAM card using a multi-channel system, and a magnetic core in which coils 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, and 102j are wound on a printed circuit board 105 by a predetermined number of turns, respectively. 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f, 103g, 103h, 103i, and 103j, amplifiers 116a, 116b, and 116c that amplify a signal received by each coil to a predetermined voltage, and convert the amplified signal into a digital waveform. The non-contact signal processing circuit 4, which includes comparators 117a and 117b and a control IC 115 that controls reading and writing of data, and a power conversion IC 118 that rectifies AC supplied power to DC and stabilizes the power to a constant voltage. The contactless power receiving circuit 5 configured Memory IC109a, e.g. SRAM stores over data, 109b, the memory unit 6 consisting 109c memory IC109a, 109b, a battery 108 for holding data stored in 109c implementation, are formed.
[0006]
The coils 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, and 102h wound on the magnetic cores 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f, 103g, and 103h perform exchange of 8-bit data signals and address signals in parallel. The coil 102i wound around the magnetic core 103i receives a command signal such as read or write. The coil 102j wound around the magnetic core 103j receives power and a clock, and the number of windings is increased so that stable power can be received. Therefore, the magnetic core 103j is particularly large.
[0007]
In the above configuration, a non-contact connector that enables multi-channel parallel data transfer is provided at the end of the card, so that multi-bit signals can be exchanged simultaneously without sacrificing the mounting area of other electronic components. This makes it possible to perform high-speed data transfer.
[0008]
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a multi-channel non-contact memory card incorporating a board on which electronic components are mounted. 4 is a non-contact signal processing circuit, 5 is a non-contact power receiving circuit, and 6 is a memory unit. Reference numeral 10 denotes a molded magnetic core 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, 103e, 103f, 103g, 103h, 103i, 103j wound with coils 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g, 102h, 102i, 102j. It is a coil assembly and is arranged on the short side of the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20.
[0009]
FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view in which a part of the coil assembly 10 shown in FIG. 16 is enlarged. The coil assembly 10 is formed, for example, on a magnetic core 102a, 102b, 102c made of, for example, Mn-Zn ferrite on which a coil 101a, 101b, 101c made of a coated copper wire is wound by a predetermined number of turns, and a core support 121 made of, for example, copper. The ends 123 of the coil are electrically connected to an external lead 122 made of, for example, copper, and the whole is made of, for example, an epoxy resin 124 containing a SiO 2 filler. Molded with.
[0010]
In this configuration, since the coil assembly 10 is protected from external stress, temperature, humidity, etc., the components of the coil assembly 10 are protected by highly reliable resin, and can be made highly reliable.
[0011]
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing how the multi-channel contactless memory card shown in FIG. 16 is mounted on a terminal. The non-contact terminal 70 is provided with a card insertion slot 125, in the back of which a coil assembly 10 'and a non-contact signal processing circuit 4' similar to a multi-channel non-contact memory card are used to transmit power by electromagnetic coupling. Is provided. The multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 inserted from the card insertion slot 125 is held at a position facing the coil assembly 10 '.
[0012]
At this time, the relative positional relationship between the two coil assemblies is such that the individual coils built into both coil assemblies face each other and the coil spacing is kept as small as possible in order to ensure communication reliability. This is necessary, and means for holding the card in a predetermined position is required. In addition, since a circuit constituting a non-contact transmission means is added, a printed circuit board of a terminal having a conventional pin contact type connector cannot be used as it is, and a new printed circuit board needs to be manufactured, and equipment cost is reduced. Will be higher.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The first problem in the multi-channel non-contact memory card system described above is that the terminal needs a means for holding the multi-channel non-contact memory card in a predetermined position, and the second problem is that the conventional pin contact The problem is that a printed circuit board built in a terminal provided with a connector cannot be used as it is.
[0014]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the multi-channel non-contact memory card system, and to provide an inexpensive and highly reliable multi-channel non-contact memory card by using a highly versatile non-contact connector having excellent communication reliability. It is to provide a system.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The means for achieving the above object has a non-contact data transfer means for exchanging data and power between the terminal and the multi-channel non-contact memory card in a non-contact manner inside, and a multi-channel non-contact outside in the outside. A means for holding the memory card in a predetermined position and an external board connection terminal, the external board connection terminal having the same physical pin position as the external board connection terminal of the conventional pin contact type connector; An object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact connector which can be directly attached to a connection terminal of a terminal board on which a pin contact type connector is attached.
[0016]
[Action]
The non-contact connector constituted by the above means can hold the multi-channel non-contact memory card at a predetermined position and ensure the reliability of communication, and can be mounted on a printed circuit board of a terminal having a conventional pin contact type connector as it is. Therefore, it is not necessary to manufacture a dedicated printed circuit board, so that an increase in equipment cost can be suppressed.
[0017]
【Example】
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on the non-contact connector 1a of the present invention.
[0019]
The non-contact connector 1a includes a coil assembly 10 'for transmitting and receiving signals and supplying power by electromagnetic coupling with the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20, and a non-contact signal processing circuit 4 for controlling data access to the non-contact memory card 20. ', A non-contact power transmission circuit 7 for supplying power to the non-contact memory card 20 is built in the connector case 3, and a card guide 9 for guiding the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 to a predetermined position; Pressing springs 8a and 8b for fixing and holding the contact memory card 20 at a predetermined position, and an external connection terminal 2 for connecting a connector to a printed circuit board of an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer are integrally formed.
[0020]
The specifications of the interface and the connector (pin arrangement of the external connection terminal 2) between the non-contact connector 1a and the information processing device such as a personal computer correspond to the standards of PC cards such as PCMCIA and JEIDA, for example. It is mounted on an information processing apparatus having a PC card drive circuit conforming to the standard. The interface between the non-contact connector 1a and the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 may be one that conforms to the PC card standard or may be a unique interface. When a unique interface is used because the number of channels for non-contact transfer is small, data signals, address signals, and control signals are transmitted in a time-sharing manner to use coils in common, and the number of coils is processed. It is possible to reduce the number of contact pins to less than the number of contact pins in the communication interface with the device.
[0021]
The multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 has the same outer shape (here, Type I) as the PC card of the PCMCIA standard, and has a predetermined length on a short side facing the coil assembly 10 ′ arranged in the non-contact connector 1 a. The non-contact signal processing circuit 4, the non-contact power receiving circuit 5, and the memory unit 6 are accommodated in a card case 12, and the card case 12 includes pressing springs 8a and 8b of the non-contact connector 1a. And positioning grooves 11a and 11b for positioning.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of data communication in a system using the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
[0023]
The circuit stored inside the non-contact connector 1a includes a coil assembly 10 'for transmitting and receiving signals and supplying power by electromagnetic coupling with the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20, and a weak output from the coil assembly 10'. A signal amplifying circuit 401 'for amplifying a signal, a waveform shaping circuit 402' for converting a signal waveform into a digital waveform, and a signal conversion logic circuit 403 'for converting a signal format between PCMCIA and multi-channel non-contact data transfer. And a coil driver 702 for stably driving a power supply coil. The transmission circuit 701 transmits the direct-current power supplied from the PCMCIA interface 13 for transmission by electromagnetic coupling. And a non-contact power transmission circuit 7.
[0024]
The coil assembly 10 ′ transfers signals and power by electromagnetic coupling by electromagnetic coupling, and a predetermined number of signal coils 101 a ′, 101 b ′, 101 c ′, 101 d ′, and 101 e ′ necessary for performing parallel data transfer. , 101f ', 101g', 101h ', and 101i' and a power supply coil 101j 'having the necessary performance to supply power for driving the multi-channel non-contact memory card.
[0025]
The circuit configuration inside the multi-channel non-contact memory card is such that a predetermined number of signal coils 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e, 101f, and a predetermined number are arranged on the short side of the non-contact connector 1a facing the coil assembly 10 '. It comprises a coil assembly 10 containing 101g, 101h, 101i and a power supply coil 101j, a signal amplification circuit 401 similar to that contained in the non-contact connector 1, a waveform shaping circuit 402, and a signal conversion logic circuit 403. A non-contact signal processing circuit 4, a rectifying / smoothing circuit 501 for rectifying AC power received by the power supply coil to DC, a non-contact power receiving circuit 5 including a constant voltage circuit 502 for stabilizing the DC power to a constant voltage, and For example, in order to realize a required capacity for storing data, a predetermined number of S-RAMs You.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal configuration of the non-contact connector of the present invention shown in FIG. The non-contact signal processing circuit 4 'and the non-contact power transmission circuit 7 are formed as a mounting body 14 in which various electronic components are mounted on a printed circuit board. The mounting body 14 is arranged on the back side of the multi-channel non-contact memory card mounting position 15, and the external connection terminal 2 is connected to the multi-channel non-contact memory card side and the coil assembly 10 ′ on the opposite side. Here, the external connection terminal 2 is shown as a right angle type to be inserted into a through-hole electrode of a printed circuit board incorporated in a terminal, but can be selected according to a mounting form such as a gull wing type suitable for surface mounting.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state where the non-contact connector of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a terminal such as a personal computer.
[0028]
The non-contact connector 1 is installed, for example, behind the card insertion slot 16 of the notebook computer 30. The multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 is inserted from the card insertion slot 16 and held at a predetermined position by the positioning means shown in FIG. At this time, a part of the multi-channel contactless memory card 20 may protrude outside the terminal. The notebook personal computer 30 has a PC card drive function, and writes and reads data to and from the multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 via the non-contact connector 1 having a built-in non-contact processing circuit compatible with the PCMCIA standard. It becomes possible. Note that the terminal incorporating the non-contact connector 1 may be any terminal other than a notebook computer as long as it has a function of driving a memory card.
[0029]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of mounting the non-contact connector 1a of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 on a notebook personal computer. Electronic devices 18a and 18b including a CPU are mounted on a motherboard (printed circuit board) 17 of the notebook computer, and external connection of the noncontact connector 1a is provided in a space at the end of the motherboard 17 where the noncontact connector 1a can be arranged. Through-hole electrodes 19a and 19b having the same physical arrangement as the terminal 2 are formed in two rows.
[0030]
The motherboard 17 is designed for installing a two-stage pin contact type PC card connector 40 used in a terminal capable of driving up to two PC cards shown in FIG. 6, and has through-hole electrodes 19a and 19b. Are adapted to connect the external connection terminals 21a and 21b. Further, a pin contact type PC card connector 50 capable of mounting one PC card shown in FIG. 7 may be mounted on the through-hole electrode 19a.
[0031]
Since the external connection terminal 2 of the non-contact connector 1a has a built-in non-contact processing circuit, it is extended to the back side as compared with the PC card connector 40, so that the upper connection terminal 21b of the PC card connector 40 is connected. The dimensions are designed so that it can be connected to the through-hole electrode 19b. When the multi-channel non-contact memory card is inserted into the terminal, if the length protruding outside the terminal is within an allowable range, it can be connected to the through-hole electrode 19a.
[0032]
According to the above configuration, a conventional pin contact type PC card connector A non-contact connector having a built-in non-contact processing circuit can be installed as it is without changing the design of a motherboard of a notebook personal computer. A writable and readable system can be realized.
[0033]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0034]
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on the non-contact connector 1b of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
[0035]
The non-contact connector 1b of the present invention is capable of mounting one multi-channel non-contact memory card, the multi-channel non-contact memory card mounting position 15 is located above, and the mounting body 14 constituting the non-contact processing circuit is multi-channel. It is arranged below the non-contact memory card mounting position 15. According to this configuration, the depth dimension of the non-contact connector 1b can be reduced, and the external connection terminal 2 can be disposed forward of the non-contact connector 1a of the first embodiment. Therefore, the front through-hole electrode 19a on the motherboard 17 in FIG. To the non-contact connector 1b.
[0036]
Further, by connecting to the rear through-hole electrode 19b, a multi-channel non-contact memory card having a larger (longer) outer shape can be mounted. The electronic component 23 of the terminal can be mounted in the space 22 formed below the non-contact connector 1b.
[0037]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0038]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing how a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on the non-contact connector 1c of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
[0039]
The non-contact connector 1c of the present invention has a two-stage structure in which one multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 can be mounted on the upper stage and one pin-contact type PC card 60 can be mounted on the lower stage. By setting the multi-channel non-contact memory card mounting position 15 at the upper position, the external connection terminals 2 can be disposed rearward, and a space for mounting the mounting body 14 is obtained. The external connection terminal 21 of the lower pin contact type connector for the PC card 60 is connected to the through-hole electrode 19a, and the external connection terminal 2 for the upper multi-channel non-contact memory card 20 is connected to the through-hole electrode 19b.
[0040]
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configuration of a non-contact connector 1d according to a fourth embodiment having the functions of the first and second embodiments.
[0041]
The non-contact connector 1d of the present invention has a configuration in which the non-contact connector of the second embodiment is arranged at the lower stage and the non-contact connector of the first embodiment is arranged at the upper stage, thereby providing two multi-channel non-contact memories. It becomes possible to attach a card.
[0042]
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a mounting example in which the above-described embodiment is configured by combining connectors.
[0043]
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting form of a non-contact connector in which the first embodiment of the present invention and a conventional pin contact type PC card connector are combined. A pin contact type PC card connector 50 and the non-contact connector 1a of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on the upper and lower sides of the printed circuit board 17, respectively. The external connection terminal 24 of the PC card connector 50 is a gull-wing type for surface mounting, and is connected to the corresponding pattern electrode 24. It should be noted that a through-hole electrode can be accommodated by providing a concave portion on the back surface of the case of the non-contact connector 1a in which a terminal end can be stored.
[0044]
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting form of a non-contact connector configured by combining the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
[0045]
The non-contact connector 1b of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 and the non-contact connector 1a of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are mounted on the upper and lower sides of the printed circuit board 17, respectively. The configuration is such that two multi-channel non-contact memory cards can be mounted.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the non-contact connector of the present invention can hold the multi-channel non-contact memory card at a predetermined position, keep the distance between the coils stable, secure communication reliability, and use the conventional pin contact type memory card. By having the external connection terminal with the same physical pin position as the external connection terminal of the connector, it can be mounted as it is on the printed circuit board of the terminal equipped with the conventional pin contact type connector, eliminating the need for a new dedicated printed circuit board In addition, excellent reliability and versatility such as reduction of system cost can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on a non-contact connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a state of data communication in a system using the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the non-contact connector of the present invention shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a state where the non-contact connector of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on a terminal.
5 is a perspective view showing details of mounting the non-contact connector of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 on a terminal.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional two-stage connector to which two PC cards can be mounted.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conventional one-stage connector to which a single PC card can be mounted.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing how a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on the non-contact connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a multi-channel non-contact memory card is mounted on a non-contact connector according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the non-contact connector shown in FIG.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing an internal configuration of a non-contact connector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting form of a non-contact connector in which the first embodiment of the present invention is combined with a conventional pin contact type PC card connector.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a mounting form of a non-contact connector in which the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention are combined.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a mounted state of electronic components of a multi-channel non-contact memory card to which a conventional electromagnetic coupling method is applied.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a multi-channel non-contact memory card incorporating a board on which electronic components are mounted.
FIG. 17 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the coil assembly shown in FIG. 16 in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing how the multi-channel non-contact memory card shown in FIG. 16 is mounted on a terminal.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 non-contact connector 2 external connection terminal 4 non-contact signal processing circuit 5 non-contact power receiving circuit 6 memory unit 7 non-contact power transmission circuit 8 holding spring 10 coil assembly 11 positioning groove 14 mounting body 17 printed circuit board 19 through-hole electrode 20 multi-channel Non-contact memory card 30 Note PC 40 Two-stage pin contact connector 50 One-stage pin contact connector 60 Pin contact memory card

Claims (7)

A non-contact connector for mounting a portable information storage medium provided with a plurality of data transmission / reception coils in parallel on a side surface and transmitting and receiving data in parallel with the portable information storage medium in a non-contact manner. A plurality of parallel data transmission / reception coils provided at positions facing the coil of the storage medium for transmitting / receiving data, connection terminals for electrically connecting to an external board, and the data transmission / reception coil and the connection Between the external terminals, the data from the external board is converted into contactless transfer data to the portable information storage medium, and the noncontact transfer data from the portable information storage medium is converted into data to the external board. A non-contact connector characterized by integrating data conversion means. 2. The non-contact connector according to claim 1, further comprising means for defining a position of the portable information storage medium. 2. The non-contact connector according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the portable information storage medium from falling off due to disturbance other than intentional card removal. 2. A non-contact connector according to claim 1, wherein said connection terminal has the same physical pin position as a connection terminal with an external board in a conventional pin contact type connector, and is mounted on said conventional pin contact type connector. Non-contact connector characterized by being able to be directly attached to the connection terminal of (1). 2. A non-contact connector according to claim 1, wherein an electronic circuit constituting said data conversion means is disposed between a mounting position of said portable information storage medium and said external board, and said connection terminal is a conventional pin contact type connector. A non-contact connector having the same physical pin position as a terminal for connection to an external board in (1) and being directly mountable to a connection terminal of an external board on which a conventional pin contact type connector is mounted. A first portable information storage medium provided with a plurality of data transmission / reception coils in parallel on the side surface and a second portable information storage medium provided with a plurality of data transmission / reception electrical connection means on the side surface in parallel In a non-contact connector that is mounted in two stages and transmits and receives data in parallel with the first portable information storage medium in a non-contact manner, the first portable information storage medium is located above an external substrate. And a second portable information storage medium mounted at a lower portion. 7. The non-contact connector according to claim 6, wherein the connection terminal has the same physical pin position as the connection terminal with the external board in the conventional pin contact type connector, and the external board on which the conventional pin contact type connector is mounted. A non-contact connector characterized in that it can be directly attached to a connection terminal.

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