Locking device and connector provided with the same

Abstract

A locking device which has a strong locking force and is difficult to be broken. Leaf springs bending in a direction toward or away from the rear end of a function expansion card are provided in a housing, and locking sections for locking the function expansion card are connected to the leaf springs. Guide sections are provided in the housing, for guiding the outer ends of the leaf springs in the direction of bending of the leaf springs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector device for a card-type electronic device, including a locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector device in a state in which a function expansion card is connected thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the locking device of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the locking device, as viewed from another direction;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the locking device;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the locking device;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the locking device;

FIG. 8A is a conceptual view of the connector device in a state in which the function expansion card has not been inserted into a connector body yet;

FIG. 8B is a conceptual view of the connector device in a state in which the function expansion card is being inserted into the connector body;

FIG. 8C is a conceptual view of the connector device in a state in which the function expansion card has been completely fitted to the connector body;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector device in the state in which the function expansion card has been completely fitted to the connector body, as viewed from obliquely above; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connector device in the state in which the function expansion card has been completely fitted to the connector body, as viewed from another direction.

Claims

1. A locking device for holding a card-type electronic device when one end of the card-type electronic device is fitted to a connector fixed to a surface of a circuit board, comprising: a housing fixed to the surface of the circuit board;

2. A locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring section, said locking section, and said guide section are integrally formed with each other by blanking and bending a piece of metal sheet.

3. A locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing has a positioning portion having a first positioning pin for positioning the other end of the card-type electronic device.

4. A locking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said positioning portion has at least one second positioning pin for positioning said housing with respect to the circuit board.

5. A locking device as claimed in claim 4, wherein there are provided a plurality of said second positioning pins, and said second positioning pins are formed to have respective shapes different from each other.

6. A locking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said housing has a guide wall having a first guide surface for guiding the other end of the card-type electronic device to said positioning portion, and a second guide surface for guiding the other end of the card-type electronic device to said first guide surface.

7. A locking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said locking section comprises an engaging portion that is pushed away by the other end of the card-type electronic device when the one end of the card-type electronic device is being fitted to the connector, and a locking portion that locks the other end of the card-type electronic device when the one end of the card-type electronic device has been fitted to the connector, and wherein said engaging portion has a sloping surface that guides the other end of the card-type electronic device, andwherein said locking portion has a surface opposed to the circuit board and a surface opposed to the connector.

8. A locking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sloping surface is substantially parallel to said second guide surface and is located closer to the circuit board than said second guide surface, and the surface opposed to the connector is in flush with the guide surface when the other end of the of the card-type electronic device is locked by said locking portion.

9. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 1.

10. A locking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said housing has a positioning portion having a first positioning pin for positioning the other end of the card-type electronic device.

11. A locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said positioning portion has at least one second positioning pin for positioning said housing with respect to the circuit board.

12. A locking device as claimed in claim 11, wherein there are provided a plurality of said second positioning pins, and said second positioning pins are formed to have respective shapes different from each other.

13. A locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said housing has a guide wall having a first guide surface for guiding the other end of the card-type electronic device to said positioning portion, and a second guide surface for guiding the other end of the card-type electronic device to said first guide surface.

14. A locking device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said locking section comprises an engaging portion that is pushed away by the other end of the card-type electronic device when the one end of the card-type electronic device is being fitted to the connector, and a locking portion that locks the other end of the card-type electronic device when the one end of the card-type electronic device has been fitted to the connector, and wherein said engaging portion has a sloping surface that guides the other end of the card-type electronic device, andwherein said locking portion has a surface opposed to the circuit board and a surface opposed to the connector.

15. A locking device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sloping surface is substantially parallel to said second guide surface and is located closer to the circuit board than said second guide surface, and the surface opposed to the connector is in flush with the guide surface when the other end of the of the card-type electronic device is locked by said locking portion.

16. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 2.

17. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 3.

18. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 10.

19. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 4.

20. A connector device including the locking device as claimed in claim 11.