DE102007057521B4 - Smart card connector with shielding device - Google Patents

Abstract

Chip card- in particular mini SIM card contacting device (10) with a contact carrier (12) on which a cover (14) is pivotally and slidably mounted, wherein the contact carrier 12 and the cover (14) with respect to the following positions of the lid (14) of the contact carrier (12) define:
An opening position, which allows the insertion of the card (1) into the contacting device (10), in particular the insertion of the card (1) into the cover (14),
A Zuklappstellung (closed position) in which the lid (14) from the open position is pivoted out and adjacent to the top of the contact carrier (12) comes to rest,
An end locking position into which the cover (14) is displaceable by means of a translatory movement, starting from the closed position and is thereby locked or held,
wherein a Vorverriegelungsstellung is provided between the Zuklappstellung and the Endverriegelungsstellung, coincident with the Zuklappstellung.

Description

The present invention relates to a smart card connector, i. H. in general to a contacting device for a chip card, in particular for a SIM card. Specifically, the invention relates to a smart card connector with a, on a contact carrier about a pivot axis pivotally mounted, for receiving the smart card serving lid. The lid is preferably a metallic lid, but may also be an existing lid of a metallized plastic, so as to achieve the desired shielding effect. The lid is preferably arranged on its narrow side pivotally on preferably made of plastic contact carrier. The lid is displaceable from an open position, in which a smart card, in particular a mini-SIM card can be inserted or removed in the lid, in a locking position on the contact carrier.

For example, the shows DE 199 28 744 A1 a SIM card contacting device in which a metal lid can be pivoted from its open position into a Zuklappstellung on the contact carrier fitting. From this Zuklappstellung the lid is moved to its locked position (to "read" the card). The locking position is thus achieved by closing the lid in its Zuklappstellung and subsequent displacement of the lid in its locked position. The displacement into the locking position preferably takes place away from the pivot axis of the cover and not toward it.

The DE 10 2004 015 279 A1 shows a smard card connector having a contact carrier and serving for receiving a card lid which is locked in the closed position of the smart card connector by latching locks. The DE 199 21 022 A1 also shows a card reader in the contact carrier parts are locked by a latch. The DE 10 2005 018 377 A1 refers to a folding sliding bearing for a smard card connector having a base plate to which the lid is attached by means of the folding sliding bearing. The DE 100 41 868 A1 Finally shows a smart card connector in which a lid is pivotally and slidably mounted on the contact carrier.

In card readers are typically next to the read contacts for contacting a smart card or a chip card contacts for detecting the closed position or the Endraststellung the locked with the contact carrier lid and other contacts for detecting the card presence necessary, and preferably several contacts for discharging or Shielding of the metal lid, which must contact the metal lid with spring-loaded lid when the lid is closed.

During the assembly process of a printed circuit board with a card reader and the subsequent soldering process, the problem arises that the card reader must preferably be positioned by means of assembly tools in the pick-and-place method on the circuit board and this processing step is executable only when the lid is locked, but then various contacts already spring loaded and this is undesirable for the soldering process.

The invention aims to provide a contacting device for a SIM card, in particular a mini-SIM card, in which the handling of the contacting device is facilitated before and during a mounting of the contacting device, for example on a printed circuit board. In particular, it is to be avoided that unwanted mechanical stresses occur in the contacting device as a result of the high temperatures occurring during soldering. In particular, the invention is a contactor form such that it can be used reliably even for very small SIM cards, namely a mini-SIM card. Even with the use of additional contacts to form a two-part switch, for example, for the card presence check and the cover lock detection disadvantages in the contacting should be avoided.

To solve the task defined in more detail, the invention provides a chip card - in particular mini SIM card contacting according to claim 1, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In order to achieve a stress-free soldering process, a modified shielding device is provided, namely by providing a defined pre-locking position for the cover, so that the contact elements, preferably designed as contact springs, are relaxed during the soldering process. This is achieved by appropriate holes or openings in the lid.

By means of the invention, it is possible for a force effect of the cover contact (four metal spring elements or contact elements for grounding and two metal spring elements or contact elements for the card presence switch and cover lock detection) on the contacting device or contacting unit to be avoided, so that no negative effect (deformation of the entire contacting device) occurs during the soldering process.

According to the invention preferably fastening means or locking means are preferably provided on the cover and on the contact carrier locking means which allow a pre-locking position for the lid. The inventively provided pre-locking takes over the "lid lock" only temporarily until the contactor is soldered to the circuit board. The lid lock exerts in the pre-locking no contact forces on the contacting, since the contact elements preferably designed as contact springs, in particular the ground contacts, card presence and cover locking contacts are relaxed by openings or recesses in the lid.

Another problem is to create a suitable card presence switch in conjunction with the other contacts and the various states (card present, lid not locked, card not present, lid not locked, card present, lid locked and card present, lid not locked) but in particular such that the card presence switch also does not cause stress in the soldering process.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the description of an embodiment with reference to the drawing; in the drawing shows

1 a perspective top view of a smart card connector according to the invention, the lid is shown in its open position without a card;

2 a detail of 1 ;

3 a perspective top view of the smart card connector, wherein the lid is in its Zuklappstellung (which acts according to the invention as Vorraststellung);

4 a perspective view similar 3 , here the lid is located in its "reading" of the card serving locking position (also referred to as Endverriegelungsstellung or Endrastungsstellung);

5 a detail of the relationship between the lid and contact carrier according to 4 in the final locked position;

6 a detail of the pre-locking position of the lid and contact carrier according to 3 ;

7 a detail similar to 6 but from one direction in 3 diagonally from below;

8th a detail of the front portion of the smart card connector according to 3 with the lid in its pre-locked position;

9 a section approximately along line 9-9 in 2 with the lid shown in its pre-engaged position, with no card and with the card presence contact not contacting the lid;

10 a section along line 9-9 in 2 with the lid in its final locked position and the card presence contact contacting the lid when the card is not present;

11 similar to a cut 10 but here a card is inserted and the card presence contact does not contact the lid;

12 a section approximately along line 12-12 in 2 with the lid without card in its pre-engaged position and the card presence contact contacting the lid, but the lid switching contact does not;

13 similar to a cut 12 but here the lid is in its final locked position and the card presence contact does not contact the lid; the cover switching contact but contacted the lid;

14 a detail of the pivot sliding bearing of the lid and the contact carrier.

In 1 is an embodiment of a smart card connector according to the invention 10 shown. The smart card connector (chip card reader, SIM card contacting device) 10 serves as already mentioned in the introduction, to generally a smart card, ie a chip card, in particular a SIM card to contact, and in particular a so-called mini-SIM card, in which the remaining card body or insulator around the contact surface (chip) is greatly limited. With such a mini-SIM card, the card recognition is placed on the short side of the card, where the chip has the greatest distance from the edge. For the sake of simplicity, only the term card is used here to describe the smart card or, in particular, the SIM card, the reference character 1 (Comp. 11 ) is associated with the card.

Also, for simplicity, below will be the smart card connector defined above 10 simply as a contacting device 10 Referenced.

The contacting device 10 has a contact carrier or a contacting unit 12 as well as a pivotable and movable arranged lid 14 on. In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 14 made of sheet metal, but it could also be made of metallized plastic. The contact carrier 12 is preferably made of plastic.

The lid 14 is by still to be described the pivoting and sliding movements gestattende storage means 3 (see. 4 ) about a pivot axis 13 around, out of the 1 opening position shown in the in 3 shown folding-closed position (Zuklappstellung or closed position) movable, which is referred to below as Vorverriegelungsstellung, in particular pre-locking position.

From the Vorverriegelungsstellung, which is a Vorraststellung in the illustrated embodiments, the lid 14 be moved by a translational movement in a final locked position, as shown in the embodiment. In this final position can the required information from the map 1 using the read contacts 18 be read out.

The contact carrier 12

The contact carrier 12 preferably has a plate part 16 on, with its top a card pad 17 forms. Reading contact elements (in short: reading contacts) 18 are in contact carrier 12 inserted and fixed from below, for example by snapping (see. 7 and 10 ). Or, the reading contacts 18 are, what is not shown, by injecting into the contact carrier 12 fixed plastic. contact cusps 19 the reading contacts 18 protrude when no card is inserted, such as in 1 shown, springing over the support surface 17 out. The reading contacts 18 form led out at the bottom of the contact carrier contact terminals 20 , as for example in 10 is shown. At the contact connections 20 these are preferably solder terminals.

In the contact carrier 12 are also from above used earth or ground contact elements (short earth contacts) 22 . 25 and 26 . 27 intended. Preferably (cf. 2 ), adjacent to the pivot axis 13 , two earth contacts 22 . 25 and adjacent to the front end of the contact carrier 12 two earth contacts 26 . 27 intended.

Between the spaced along a parallel to the pivot axis 13 extending line arranged earth contacts 22 . 25 is adjacent to the earth contact 22 a cover switching contact 23 and adjacent to ground contact 25 a card presence contact 24 in the contact carrier 12 attached.

The contact carrier 12 is of two spaced and parallel side edges 30 . 31 defined in its width, and a leading edge 32 and a trailing edge 33 limit the length of the contact carrier 12 ,

The lid 14

The lid 14 is by means of the storage means 3 on the contact carrier 12 swiveling and parallel to the support surface 17 slidably mounted. The storage means 3 comprise in the illustrated embodiment, in each case at one and the other rear corner ( 1 ) of the contacting device 10 contact carrier side bearing means 35 and lid-side storage means 36 , ie in each case adjacent to the two points or corners, where the two side edges 30 . 31 with the trailing edge 33 to meet.

Parallel to the two side edges 30 . 31 are by offset side edges 39 support surfaces 38 for the lid 14 educated. Preferably, in the two side edges 30 . 31 , the bearing surfaces 38 unbreakable, one recess each 40 formed, and then one opposite to the depth of the recess 40 laterally projecting latching projection 41 , After this locking projection 41 sits down the support surface 38 for the lid 14 continues and ends at a stop 44 , Another stop 43 (where the card 1 in the reading position is applied) by a recess 42 of the bearing surface 38 forming web formed by a recess 42 to the formation of the attack 43 , adjacent to the locking projection 41 , is rejuvenated.

In the area of the intersection of the leading edge 32 with the side edges 30 . 31 is each a support block 46 . 47 for the front end of the lid 14 educated. In each of the support blocks 46 . 47 is one of the mentioned earth contacts 25 . 26 arranged, with their contact points 101 . 102 over the lid support surfaces formed by the support blocks 103 then protrude by spring force when the lid 14 not in its final locked position. The support block 46 forms a card stop area 45 and the support block 47 forms an inclined stop surface 48 for the card 1 ,

The reading contacts 18 protrude through openings 49 in the plate part 16 with the lid open 14 over the support surface 17 but can contact the card contacts through the card 1 in the openings 49 be pressed into it.

In each case a contact carrier side bearing means 35 is on both sides of the contact carrier 12 (at the back - 6 - End of the contact carrier) formed bearing blocks 105 . 106 accommodated. These bearing blocks 105 . 106 form a card edge bearing surface 34 to which the front or - 1 - lower edge of the map 1 when it hits the lid 14 is used. Following on the card edge support surface 34 are each inclined surfaces 97 through the contact carrier 12 formed when pivoting the lid 14 in his Vorraststellung a guide of the card 1 Provide so that these in the area on the card support surface 17 is guided by the so-called front stops or stop surfaces 45 . 48 and a rear stop surface 107 is limited.

Between the two storage blocks 105 . 106 There are three support blocks formed by the contact carrier 108 . 109 . 110 , the corresponding lid support surfaces 112 . 113 . 114 form. The two bearing blocks 105 . 106 also form laterally inwardly extending lid support surfaces 116 . 117 , which run at the same level as the bearing surfaces 112 . 113 . 114 These are all at a lower level than the two card edge bearing surfaces 34 , In the from the storage blocks 105 . 106 as well as the support blocks 108 . 109 . 110 formed interstices are the contact 22 to 25 accommodated.

The lid 14 is in the illustrated embodiment, as mentioned, formed of sheet metal. The lid 14 has one with openings or holes 69 to 73 provided, the contact carrier 12 and thus a card inserted 1 covering and thus shielding plate part 60 , At the plate part 60 are on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lid 14 extending guiding and locking or locking means arranged or preferably formed.

In detail, the lid shows 14 from the plate part 60 downwards (cf. 3 and 4 ) projecting side walls 61 . 62 on. At the front end of the lid 14 there are cutouts 63 . 64 in their area the side walls 61 . 62 are not available. In this way, the lid forms 14 a tongue 68 that like in 4 shown on parts of the bearing surfaces 103 with the lid closed 14 can be imposed.

openings 69 . 70 . 71 . 72 are in the plate part 60 educated. These openings 69 . 70 . 71 . 72 lie with the lid closed 14 in the area of the contact elements 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 , There are also openings 73 in the plate part 60 designed so that they with the lid closed 14 in the area of the contact crests 19 the reading contacts 18 lie. Adjacent to the two rows of openings 73 are transverse slots 74 . 75 in the plate part 60 educated.

The openings 69 to 73 are sized so that when the lid 14 in its default position according to 3 located, the corresponding contacts 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 18 not be depressed.

The plate part 60 also forms opposite to the tongue 68 another tongue 65 through cutouts 66 . 67 in the plate part 60 is formed. The tongue 65 is in the closed state (pre-locking position and Endraststellung) of the lid 14 between, the bearing blocks 105 . 106 on the bearing surfaces 112 to 114 on.

The two side walls 61 . 62 of the lid 14 wise (compare 4 and 5 ) each bearing parts 80 . 81 preferably in the form of resilient bearing arms, adjacent to the lid side bearing means 36 on. Then to the bearing parts 80 are each envelope parts 82 . 83 ( 1 ) provided on the bearing surfaces 38 can rest and slide. After the envelope parts 82 . 83 second cover-side holding means are preferably latching means in the form of (preferably resilient) latching arms 84 designed claw-shaped. With a distance from the locking arms 84 . 85 Furthermore, first lid-side holding means are preferably latching means in the form of latching arms 86 . 87 provided and preferably designed as a spring detent arms. On the latch arms 86 . 87 follows again a recess and then and the side wall 61 followed by guide bars 88 . 89 ,

The contacting device according to the invention 10 is unlike the one in DE 199 28 744 A1 shown contacting device equipped with the so-called Vorraststellung, in 3 . 6 . 7 8th . 9 and 12 is illustrated. This pre-locking position is achieved by the provision of first locking means. These locking means are in the illustrated embodiment by first contact carrier-side locking means in the form of locking projections 41 realized and further by first cover-side locking means in the form of the locking arms 86 . 87 ,

Of course, other locking means (or general holding means) can be formed on contact carrier and cover to realize the Vorraststellung.

In the illustrated embodiment, if no card 1 is used, as in the case of 3 is shown when closing the lid 14 preferably immediately according to the Vorraststellung 3 reached when the lid 14 on the contact carrier 16 is pressed because the spring detent arms 86 . 87 are arranged so that they are under the latching projections 41 engage. In this Vorraststellung can in the case of feeding the contacting 10 for a soldering process by the pick-and-place method, the contacting device, for example in the in 3 shown state on the lid 14 be raised, placed on a circuit board and soldered there. The in the contact carrier 12 existing contacts ie contact springs 22 . 23 . 24 and 25 are not cocked in the pre-locking position, as they pass through corresponding openings 69 - 72 in the lid 14 protrude. The openings 73 serve for verification, as well as for the openings 69 to 72 applies.

The storage means 3

As mentioned above, are on both sides of the contact carrier 12 and the lid 14 preferably spaced respectively contact carrier side and cover center storage means 35 . 36 intended. The contact carrier side storage means 35 are preferably each in the contact carrier as follows 12 formed: in the two bearing sections 50 . 51 is in each case a laterally open recess 93 formed by a vertical ripper (locking rib) 94 in two rooms 95 . 96 is divided.

On the other hand, the cover-side bearing means 36 each on the bearing parts 80 respectively. 81 shaped a hemispherical locking element 77 on which a spherical surface 78 owns, in which a hole 79 is trained.

contacts

As mentioned are in the contact carrier 12 read contacts 18 as well as earth contacts 22 . 25 . 26 and 27 and the cover switching contact 23 and the card presence contact 24 ,

The reading contacts 18 serve as already mentioned and in 10 shown for contacting the contact surfaces 2 the card used 1 , After the over the bearing surface 17 without inserted card 1 (as in 12 shown) protruding reading contacts 18 are not curious, are the contact terminals 20 these contacts 18 usually when soldering the contacting 10 not under mechanical tension.

This is different for the earth contacts 22 . 25 such as 26 and 27 , These contacts would without the measures according to the invention in befindlicher in folding-closed position and the Vorraststellung lid 14 be depressed by this, so that would build up unwanted mechanical stresses in these contacts. The same applies to the cover switching contact (switching contact) 23 as well as the card presence contact 24 , In the Vorraststellung the dome sticks out 54 of card presence contact 24 through the lid opening (opening) 71 as in 9 shown. Furthermore, in the pre-locking position, as in 12 shown the contact tip of the lid switch 23 through the corresponding lid opening 70 , Thus, the two contacts are relaxed by the inventive measures the Vorraststellung, which affects the soldering advantageous.

By the inventively provided (in the 9 to 11 shown in detail) card presence contact 24 and in detail in 12 and 13 shown cover switching contact 23 For example, a two-part card presence check switch and lid lock detection switch can be formed.

The switch contacts namely the cover switching contact 23 and the card presence contact 24 but also the earth contacts 22 . 25 . 26 and 27 are as mentioned above mounted, making it easily possible the data contacts as the read contacts 18 to mount from below, as in 7 is shown.

By providing and arranging card presence contact according to the invention 24 and cover switching contact 23 It is possible to realize the desired switching functions with regard to the card presence check and the lid lock detection, in particular for the mini-SIM card, wherein the remaining card body (insulator) around the contact surface (chip) is greatly limited.

According to the invention, therefore, the card recognition on the short side of the card 1 where the chip has the greatest distance from the edge. Further, the invention dispenses with a contact counterpart on the circuit board and the contact between the cover switching contact, ie a switching spring and the grounded lid 14 realized. This creates a "closed system", which is functional without "borrowed funds" and therefore less sensitive to tolerance.

According to the invention, therefore, the required switching functions by two separate contacts 22 and 23 realized, are provided for the desired switching function no further aids from the customer. Characterized in that the contact unit is arranged by mutually mounted contacts on the circuit board, it is secured by unintentional "peeling".

When in use after the soldering process in any device, such as a SIM card in the contactor 10 should be used, so bring the lid 14 for example, in the 1 shown position and sets the card 1 in through the envelope parts 82 . 83 or the guide bars 88 . 89 as well as the articulated arms 76 formed Karteneinsetzraum and then folds the lid 14 towards the contact carrier 12 to, according to 1 (in which you look at the map 1 inserted) below edge of the card 1 through the inclined surfaces 97 in their position on the support surface 17 to be led. After the lid 14 With inserted card brought into the pre-locking position, he is in the longitudinal direction in the in 4 shown final locked position (locking position) moved, with details, for example, from 5 result. In the locking position according to 4 then lie the U-shaped bent front edge parts 115 . 116 of the lid 14 preferably at the contact surfaces 44 of the contact carrier 12 at. The contact arms 84 . 85 are then with the bottom of the locking projections 41 engaged.

In the 9 to 13 are in detail the different positions of the lid 14 illustrated.

9 shows a case where the lid 14 is in the default position and no map 1 is used. The card presence contact 24 protrudes through the hole in this position 71 in the lid, so that the lid is not off the card presence contact 24 will be contacted.

In 10 is the lid 14 in the final locked position, without a card, showing that in this position the card presence contact contacts the lid.

In the 11 the case is shown where, similar to in 10 the lid is in its final locked position and a card 1 is used. Here is the card presence contact 24 not in contact with the lid 14 because he has the card 1 it prevents the in 10 take position shown.

In the transition from the Vorraststellung in the in 11 shown Endraststellung, the so-called reading position for the card 1 , jump in consequence of the spring characteristic of the articulated arms 16 the locking elements 77 from the custody rooms 95 over the rib 94 in the custody rooms 95 ,

In 12 the lid is in the pre-locking position and the cover switching contact 23 projects with his contact group in the area of the hole 70 of the lid 14 So do not contact the lid.

Opposite shows 13 the final locked position of the lid where the lid covers the area of the hole 70 has left and contacting at the bottom of the lid 12 is applied.

Claims (7)

Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) with a contact carrier ( 12 ) on which a lid ( 14 ) Is mounted pivotably and displaceably, wherein the contact carrier 12 and the lid ( 14 ) the following positions of the lid ( 14 ) with respect to the contact carrier ( 12 ) define: - an open position, which allows inserting the card ( 1 ) in the contacting device ( 10 ), in particular the insertion of the card ( 1 ) in the lid ( 14 ) allows - a Zuklappstellung (closed position) in the lid ( 14 ) is pivotable out of the open position and adjacent to the top of the contact carrier ( 12 ) comes to rest - an end locking position in which the lid ( 14 ) is displaceable from the Zuklappstellung by a translational movement and is thereby locked or supported, wherein between the Zuklappstellung and the Endverriegelungsstellung a Vorverriegelungsstellung is provided, coincident with the Zuklappstellung. Smart cards, in particular mini SIM card contacting devices ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein to enable the pivoting and translational movements bearing means ( 3 ) are provided, which arranged on both sides plate-side bearing means ( 35 ) and lid-side storage means ( 36 ) exhibit. Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein plate-side bearing means ( 35 ) by a locking rib ( 94 ) separate custody rooms ( 95 . 96 ) and wherein the detent space ( 95 ) is assigned to the pre-locking position. Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein card contacts ( 18 ) from below into the contact carrier ( 12 ) while earth contacts ( 22 . 25 . 26 . 27 ) and also a switching contact ( 23 ) as well as a card presence contact ( 24 ) from above into the contact carrier ( 12 ) are used. Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein a card presence contact ( 24 ) is arranged such that it in the pre-locking position through an opening ( 71 ) in the lid ( 14 ) so if the lid ( 14 ) are not contacted, while in a final locked position without a card inserted the lid ( 14 ) contacted, but in the final locked position with inserted card the lid ( 14 ) again not contacted. Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) according to the preceding claim, wherein the card presence contact ( 24 ) a protruding arm ( 53 ) for contacting the card ( 1 ) having. Chip card, in particular mini SIM card contacting device ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein a switching contact is arranged arranged such that it in the pre-locking position of the lid ( 14 ) this inserted or not inserted card, while in the final locked position with or without a card inserted the lid ( 14 ) contacted.

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