Card ejector for card connector apparatus

Abstract

A card connector apparatus includes a header connector having a housing mounted with a number of contacts for engaging with a card inserted into the apparatus, and an ejector for ejecting an inserted card. The ejector consists of a shielding shell fixed to the housing and defining a central guiding pin, a hole and a stop wall between the pin and the hole. A lever has a force exerting end, a force receiving tongue connecting with a push bar, a protrusion extending into the hole and a ridge between the protrusion and the force exerting end. An actuator has a central tab extending through the force exerting end to slidably engage with the pin and two side tabs for engaging with two lateral sides of an inserted card. When the ejector is actuated to eject a card fully inserted into the apparatus by pushing the push bar to pivot the lever, the lever first pivots about a contact point between the stop wall and the ridge so that the card can be ejected with a reduced required force. As soon as the card disengages from its connection with the contacts, the lever pivots about a contact point between the protrusion and the shielding shell so that the card can be ejected with a reduced operating time.