Electronic card connector having an improved card release mechanism

Abstract

An electronic card connector adapted to mount to a circuit board and receive and electrically connect an electronic card to the circuit board includes an insulative header having a board facing side. Long and short contact terminals are received and retained in the header with tail ends thereof extending beyond the board facing side to electrically engage with the circuit board. The board facing side of the header has a recess defined therein corresponding to each of the long contact terminals. The recess has a depth sufficient to accommodate the difference of length between the long and short contact terminals thereby reducing the overall dimension of the connector. The electronic card connector includes a card release mechanism for ejecting the electronic card from the connector. The card release mechanism includes a card release bar that is movable with respect to the header to pivot an actuator which in turn drives the electronic card out of the connector. The header has an arm extending therefrom with a groove defined therein for guidingly receiving and supporting a front end of the card release bar. The electronic card connector has a casing enclosing the header. The casing has an inner side wall and an outer side wall defining a channel therebetween for guidingly and movably receiving a rear section of the card release bar thereby more securely supporting the card release bar with respect to the header.