Miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector

[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of my patent application, Ser. No. 10/708,673, filed on Mar. 17, 2004 now abandoned.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electric connector and more specifically, to a miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector, which is practical for use in a computer or cellular phone to receive a memory card and a SIM card, thereby providing memory and user identity identification functions.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In the modern cyber era, cellular phone has become the requisite personal communication apparatus to most people. From early “black KingKon (blank giant)” to the modern miniature models, a variety of cellular phones have been developed. In addition to the function of communication, a modern cellular provides added functions, such as cam camera, e-mail, music/picture download, and etc. For storing more data, much memory space is required. However, a cellular phone has a limited memory space. Further, a computer has a big memory space, however it does not provide a subscriber identity identification function to protect the security of storage data. Without the function of subscriber identity identification, other people can easily access to the computer of a company to steal the customer file, business data, and other secret information of the company.

[0006] Regular card connectors include single card connectors and multi-card connectors. A single card connector is specifically designed to fit one particular model of memory card. A multi-card connector has multiple insertion slots for receiving different memory cards. However, conventional multi-card connectors are simply designed to receive different memory cards. They do not provide any added functions (for example, subscriber identity identification function).

[0007] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a connector that eliminates the aforesaid drawbacks.

[0008] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. According to one aspect of the present invention, the miniature memory card/SIM card connector comprises a memory card module and a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) for receiving a memory card and a SIM card respectively to provide a memory function and a subscriber identity identification function. According to another aspect of the present invention, the terminals of the memory card module and the terminals of the SIM are arranged at different sides to prevent short circuit, and the memory card module is set perpendicular to the SIM, so that the user can conveniently accurately insert the memory card and the SIM card into the memory card module and the SIM without interference.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a connector body 1 and a shielding cover 2.

[0015] The connector body 1 comprises a receiving chamber 11 having a bottom plate 111, a partition board 12 arranged inside the receiving chamber 11 above the bottom plate 111 to separate the receiving chamber 11 into two separated spaces that accommodates a memory card module 13 and a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) 14 respectively, a set of first terminals 131 respectively electrically extending from one end of the memory card module 13 to the outside of the connector body 1, and a set of second terminals 141 respectively electrically connected to the SIM 14 and arranged at the bottom side of the SIM 14. The memory card module 13 comprises a sliding lock 132 disposed at one side, a detection terminal 133 disposed adjacent to the sliding lock 132, and a grounding plate 134 disposed at the opposite side. The shielding cover 2 covers the top side of the connector body 1.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the miniature memory card/ SIM card dual-function connector is mounted in the top side of a circuit board 3. The memory card, referenced by 4, is inserted into the insertion side of the memory card module 13 and locked by the sliding lock 132, and then the SIM card, referenced by 5, is inserted into the insertion side of the SIM 14. After installation, the memory card 4 and the SIM card 5 respectively partially extend out of the memory card module 13 and the SIM 14 so that the user can conveniently pull the memory card 4 and the SIM card 5 out of the memory card module 13 and the SIM 14 for a replacement. The detection terminal 133 is provided to detect accurate positioning of the memory card 4 in the memory card module 13. The grounding plate 134 is provided to prevent interference of noises.

[0017] FIG. 5 shows an alternate form of the present invention. The miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector according to this embodiment comprises a connector body 1 and a shielding cover 2 covering the connector body 1. The connector body 1 comprises a receiving chamber 11, which accommodates a memory card module 13 and a SIM 14, first terminals 131 respectively electrically connected to the memory card module 13, second terminals 141 respectively electrically connected to the SIM 14, and a partition board 12 mounted inside the receiving chamber 11 to separate the memory card module 13 and the SIM 14. Further, the bottom side of the connector body 1 is a bottom opening in a bottom side in communication with the receiving chamber 11. The memory card 4 is inserted from a first side of the connector body 1 into the memory card module 13 and maintained in close contact with the first terminals 131. The SIM card 5 is inserted from a second side of the connector body 1 into the SIM 14 and maintained in close contact with the second terminals 141. Therefore, the connector provides memory and user identity identification functions. As indicated, the first terminals 131 and the second terminals 141 are arranged in different directions for easy installation. Further, because the insertion side of the memory card module 13 and the insertion side of the SIM 14 are arranged in different directions, the user can conveniently accurately insert the memory card 4 and the SIM card 5 into the memory card module 13 and the SIM 14 without interference. According to the present invention, the SIM 14 is set perpendicular to the memory card module 13. Further, the bottom side of the receiving chamber 11 of the connector body 1 can be a bottom opening (the aforesaid bottom plate 111 eliminated) for direct connection to the circuit board 3 to reduce the installation height and to minimize space occupation. Therefore, the miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector meets the requirements of modern electronic's features such as light, thin, short, small and high precision.

[0018] The miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector of the present invention is suitable for use in computer and cellular phone. When used in a computer, the connector adds a subscriber identity identification function to the computer to protect security of storage data. When used in a cellular phone, the connector extends the capacity of the memory of the cellular phone while keeping the subscriber identity identification function in functioning. Further, the aforesaid bottom plate 111 may be eliminated, or a circuit board 3 may be used to substitute for the bottom plate 111.

[0019] A prototype of miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1˜5. The miniature memory card/SIM card dual-function connector functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

[0020] Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.