FR2989199A1 - Format adapter for chip card e.g. bank card, complying small format in full screen, has flat connector including set of contacts, and junction unit that is allowed to connect set of contacts of flat connector with contact of contact surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The adapter (5) has a flat connector that includes a set of contacts including a small contour. A plate (6) is limited by an external limiting unit (7) that is virtually identical to a great contour (GC) provided with a cut-out (9) having an approximately plane form. The flat connector is leveled on a surface (10) of the plate. A contact interface (4) is ready to interface with the flat connector. A junction unit (2) is allowed to connect the set of contacts of the flat connector with a contact of the contact interface. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing an adapter.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of microcircuit cards and more particularly to a format adapter able to modify the card for assigning contacts. A microcircuit card typically comprises a support plate made of a rigid plastic sheet. In a housing made in the thickness of said plate is disposed a microcircuit, covered with a connector allowing, by means of a suitable reader, dialogue with said microcircuit. Such a microcircuit card is used as a secure memory in many areas: bank card, medical card, identity card or telephone subscription card. The surface of the carrier plate continues to shrink in order to accompany the miniaturization of equipment, such as mobile phones, using such microcircuit cards. Thus, in the field of mobile telephony for example, with reference to FIG. 1, a first form factor, 1FF, comprises a rectangular support plate with external dimensions 54 × 85, 6 mm. Quickly this format gave way to a smaller format: 2FF, with a rectangular support plate of external dimensions 15 x 25 mm, with a keying consisting of a cut corner. This format was followed by an even smaller format: 3FF, having a rectangular support plate of external dimensions 12 x 15 mm, also with a keying consisting of a cut corner. These formats coexisting in time, it is known to make adapters. Thus an adapter of a small format, for example 3FF, to a large format, for example 2FF, makes it possible to form a small-format microcircuit card, 3FF, in a large format, 2FF. Such an adapter is made in a support plate. Its extension is limited by an external limit substantially identical to the outline of the large format and by an internal limit substantially identical to the outline of the small format. It is able to accommodate a small microcircuit card in its internal limit. For formats 1FF, 2FF, 3FF, the thickness of the support plate remains the same and is between 680 and 840 micrometers.

Similarly for these formats 1FF, 2FF, 3FF, the contact allocation card present on the connector 3, remains the same, comprising eight C1-C8 contacts equidistantly arranged in two columns C1-C4, C5-C8, parallel . Subject to proper positioning of the inner limit relative to the external limit of the adapter, the connector of a small size card is properly placed relative to a large format card reader and said connector can thus be directly used in an adapter, only 20 dimensional. It appears today at least a new format even smaller than the previous ones. This format, named 4FF, for the fourth form factor, has a rectangular support plate of external dimensions 8.8 x 12.3 mm, also with a keying consisting of a cut corner. However, two novelties compared to the previous formats are on the one hand that the thickness of the support plate is reduced and must be between 600 and 700 micrometers, and on the other hand that the map assigning the 30 contacts present on the connector 3 is modified in that the first three contacts of each column C1-C3 and C5-C7 maintain an identical relative positioning, while the other two contacts C4 and C8 are either simply deleted or moved to the center of the figure, 35 between the two columns Cl-C3 and C5-C7, as illustrated in Figure 2. As for the previous formats, the new format FF is brought to coexist in time with the old formats. It is therefore necessary to be able to make an adapter for conforming a microcircuit card of a small format, such as 4FF, in a large format, such as 1FF, 2FF, 3FF, by adapting a difference in thickness, between a large thickness of a large format and a small thickness of a small format and adapting electrical differences in the contact allocation cards. The present invention proposes an advantageous solution to this problem by producing an electrical matching means in the difference in thickness. The subject of the invention is a format adapter making it possible to shape a small format microcircuit card in a large format. , the large format having a substantially planar shape of great thickness, limited by a large contour, and having a flush flat connector comprising contacts arranged according to a first allocation card, the small format having a substantially planar shape of small thickness, 20 smaller than the large thickness, limited by a small contour, writable in the large outline, and having a flush flat connector, comprising contacts arranged according to a second assignment card, the second assignment card does not coincide with the 25 first allocation card for at least one of the contacts, said adapter comprising a sense plate ibly planar, of thickness equal to said large thickness, limited by an outer limit substantially identical to the large contour, provided with a cutout, of substantially planar shape, of thickness equal to said small thickness, limited by an internal limit substantially identical to the small outline and inscribed in the outer limit, and electrical matching means comprising: a flat connector according to said first allocation card, flush on a surface of said plate, on the opposite side to said blank, an interface of contact capable of interfacing a flat connector according to said second allocation card, flush with the bottom of said blank, a junction means adapted to connect at least one contact of said flat connector with at least one contact of said contact interface. According to another characteristic of the invention, said electrical matching means is disposed opposite said cutout in the residual thickness. According to another characteristic of the invention, said flat connector is identical to a flat connector according to the large format. According to another characteristic of the invention, said contact interface is able to interface a flat connector in a small format. According to another characteristic of the invention, the electrical matching means comprises an elastic and conductive catch-up means. According to another characteristic of the invention, said catching means comprises an anisotropically electrically conductive elastomeric foam sheet in a direction transverse to the plane of the adapter. According to another characteristic of the invention, said catch-up means comprises a conductive elastomeric foam pad, in line with at least one contact. According to another characteristic of the invention, the junction means comprises a printed circuit. According to another characteristic of the invention, said adapter further comprises means for holding a small format card in the cutout. According to another characteristic of the invention, the holding means comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed against the contact interface. According to another characteristic of the invention, the catch-up means and the adhesive are combined. According to another characteristic of the invention, the holding means comprises a protuberance entering the internal limit, in order to be able to compress a small format card disposed in said cutout. According to another characteristic of the invention, the holding means comprises an adhesive film at least partially covering said cut. According to another characteristic of the invention, said adapter further comprises a protective film, placed against the contact interface in the absence of a small card. According to another characteristic of the invention, said cutout is through the plate and comprises a shoulder, the electrical matching means 10 comprises a substantially flat plate, of thickness substantially equal to the difference between said large thickness and said small thickness, limited by an outer limit substantially identical to the small contour and comprising a recess complementary to said shoulder. According to another characteristic of the invention, the adapter further comprises an adhesive disposed on at least one of the surfaces facing said shoulder and said recess. The invention further relates to a device comprising such an adapter and a small microcircuit card. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such an adapter comprising the following steps: manufacture of a plate, cutting in said plate of a first blank adapted to accommodate a small format card, cut in said plate of a second cut, facing the first cut, suitable for accommodating an electrical matching means, manufacturing an electrical matching means comprising a flat connector according to said first allocation card, flush with a first surface of said means electrical adapter, a contact interface adapted to interface a flat connector according to said second allocation card, on a second surface of said electrical matching means opposite to the first surface, and a connecting means capable of connecting at least 35 a contact of said flat connector with at least one contact of said contact interface, and implementation of the electrical matching means in said second cutting me.

According to another characteristic of the invention, said first cutout comprises a shoulder, said second cutout comprises a complementary step of said shoulder, and the method further comprises, prior to the step of setting up, a step of removing an adhesive on at least one of the surfaces facing said shoulder and said recess. According to another characteristic of the invention, the method further comprises a step of cutting said plate according to an outer limit substantially identical to the large contour circumscribed in the first cut. Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter in connection with drawings in which - FIG. 1 comparatively presents different formats - FIGS. 2-5 illustrate examples of contact mapping, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an adapter in a perspective view from the side of the cut, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an adapter in profile view, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of the residual thickness; FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an adapter in a perspective view from the side of the cut; FIG. 10 shows the embodiment of FIG. 9; in perspective view from the opposite side to the cut-out, FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a means for holding a card in an adapter, FIG. Another embodiment of another means for holding a card in an adapter is shown in FIG. 13. FIG. embodiment of such an adapter and presents a possible embodiment of an electrical matching means. The invention relates to a format 5 adapter 5 for conforming a microcircuit card 1 of small format PF in a large format GF. Both the small PF format and the large GF format are defined by dimensional characteristics and electrical characteristics. For dimensional characteristics, the large format GF has a substantially planar shape. It is typically made in a plate. This plate is thin in that its extent in the plane is large in front of its thickness GE. This thin plate is typically made of plastic. Its thickness GE is here named GE thick relative to the PE thickness of the small PF format. Said shape of the large format GF has an extension in the plane of said plate, limited by a large GC outline. The large format further comprises, on one of the faces of said plate, a flat connector. This connector is housed in the thickness of the plate to flush with the surface of said face. This flat connector includes contacts. The electrical characteristics of the large format GF 25 define the positions and functional assignments of each of said contacts. This is summarized in an affection card 12. The large format GF is defined by a first allocation card 12, an example of which is given in FIG. 2. The connector 3 of FIG. 2 comprises eight contacts C1-C8. arranged according to an assignment card 12. The exemplary assignment card 12 illustrated comprises eight C1-C8 contacts arranged in two columns C1-C4 and C5-C8 and is indicative of a connector 3 formats 1FF, 2FF, 3FF. Similarly, the small PF format is defined by dimensional characteristics and electrical characteristics.

For dimensional characteristics, the small PF format has a substantially flat shape. It is typically made in a thin plate, its extent in the plane is large in front of its PE thickness. This thin plate is typically plastic. Its PE thickness is named here small PE thickness because it is strictly smaller than the large GE thickness of the large format GF. Said form of the small PF format has an extension in the plane of said plate, limited by a small PC contour. In order for an adapter 5 to be able to be made, it is appropriate for said small PC contour to be writable in the large GC contour. The small format PF also comprises, on one of the faces of said plate, a flat connector 3. This connector 3 is housed in the thickness of the plate so as to be flush with the surface of said face. This 3-dish connector includes contacts. The electrical characteristics of the small PF format define the positions and functional assignments of each of said contacts. This is summarized in a card of affection 13. The small size PF is defined by a second assignment card 13, of which three examples are given in FIGS. 3-5, detailed below. The connector 3 of FIG. 3 comprises six contacts C1-C3 and C5-C7 arranged in two columns, according to an allocation card 13. These connectors C correspond functionally and are relatively positioned relative to one another in the same manner as the card. Assignment 12 of Figure 2. This assignment / assignment card 13 is indicative of a 4FF format. The two contacts C4 and C8 are not included in this format. This reduces the size of the connector 3 so that it can be inserted into a smaller card 1. Alternatively according to another embodiment, the two missing contacts C4 and C8 are placed centrally between the two columns C1-C3 and C5-C7. It can be noticed that between the connector 3 of FIG. 2 and the connector 3 of FIG. 3, the contacts C1-C3 and C5-C7 can be substantially superimposed. This is not the case for any additional contacts C4 and C8. The allocation card 12 of FIG. 2 thus coincides with the assignment card 13 of FIG. 3 for the contacts C1-C3 and C5-C7, but not for the contacts C4 and C8. The connector 3 of FIG. , in the same size, corresponding to the size of a connector 3 in a 4FF format, an alternative placement of the contacts Cl-C8 according to another allocation card 13. It can be noticed that between the connector 3 of 2 and the connector 3 of Figure 4, only the contacts C1 and C8 can be substantially superimposed. The allocation card 12 of FIG. 2 thus coincides with the assignment card 13 of FIG. 4 for the contacts C1 and C8, but not for the other contacts C2-C7. Figure 5 shows a connector 3 according to another format named MFF1. This connector 3 comprises eight contacts Cl-C8 disposed on the periphery of the connector 3. It may be noticed that between the connector 3 of Figure 2 and the connector 3 of Figure 5, no contact C can be superimposed. The assignment card 12 of FIG. 2 does not coincide in any way with the assignment card 13 of FIG. 5. These few examples show the possible diversity of the formats and assignment cards 12, 13. Assignment 12 corresponding to the large format GF and a second allocation card 13 corresponding to the small format PF, it is possible to see vary, the number of contacts, the respective position of one or more contacts or the functional assignment of one or more contacts. A format adapter 5, allowing a small PF card 1 to be dimensionally and electrically interfaced to the large GF format, in order, for example, to be able to be inserted and to be able to operate in a GF large format card reader, must adapt both the dimensional characteristics and the electrical characteristics. For dimensional characteristics, according to one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, such an adapter 5 is advantageously made in a substantially flat plate 6. Said plate is thin, in that its thickness remains small in front of the extension in said plane of the plate 6. The thickness of the plate 6 / of the adapter 5 is substantially equal to the large thickness GE of the large format GF . In order to be able to dimensionally reproduce a large format GF card, the adapter 5 has an extension in the plane limited by an outer limit 7 substantially identical to the large GC contour of the large format GF. Similarly, in order to accommodate a small PF card 1, the adapter 5 further comprises a cutout 9 for this purpose. This cutout 9 recesses the shape of the small PF format. The cutout 9 is substantially planar in shape. It is thin in that its extension in the plane is large compared to its thickness. Said thickness / depth of the cutout 9 is at least equal to the small thickness PE. The extension of said cutout 9 in the plane is limited by an internal limit 8 25 substantially identical to the small contour PC. Thus the cutout 9 is shaped to allow the introduction of a small PF card 1 in said cutout 9 in such a way that the card 1 thus inserted does not protrude from the surface of the adapter 5. The depth of the cut 9 is equal to the small thickness PE, the inserted card 1 is flush with the surface of the adapter. This particular case maximizes the residual thickness of the plate 6 after making the cut 9, which is then equal to the difference between the large thickness GE and the small thickness PE. This is advantageous in that the residual thickness is, as described later, used to include electrical matching means 20.

The positioning of the internal limit 8 inside the outer limit 7 is possible because the small PC contour is writable in the large contour GC. Otherwise it would not be possible to make an adapter 5.

The relative positioning and orientation of the inner limit 8 relative to the outer limit 7 may be arbitrary as long as the internal limit 8 remains inscribed within the outer limit 7 due to the presence of an adaptation means electrical 20 and particularly a junction means 2 as will be described further. However it may be noted that this relative positioning and orientation can be optimized to maximize the number of contacts coinciding between the first assignment card 12 and the second assignment card 13. For electrical characteristics, according to one embodiment As illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, such an adapter 5 advantageously also comprises an electrical matching means 20. Said electrical matching means 20 is more particularly visible in FIG. 7 and in detail in FIG. electrical matching means 20 comprises a flat connector 3 according to the first allocation card 12, corresponding to the large format GF. Said flat connector 3 is mounted so as to be flush on a surface 10 of the plate 6 of the adapter 5, on the opposite side to the cutout 9. The electrical matching means 20 further comprises a contact interface 4 adapted to interface a flat connector according to the second assignment card 13, corresponding to the small PF format. Said contact interface 4 is mounted so as to be flush with the surface 11 of the plate 6 of the adapter 5, forming the bottom of the cutout 9. Thus, such an adapter 5 has on a first face 10 a connector 3 identical to the connector of a card made according to the large format GF. The adapter 5 can thus, like a large format GF card, be electrically interfaced, for example with a large format card reader GF. Such an adapter 5 still has on another face 11 opposite to the first face 10, a contact interface 4. Such a contact interface 4 is able to electrically interface a small flat connector PF and is such that it simulates a small PF card reader. Said contact interface 4 is thus adapted to be electrically interfaced with a small PF card 1 and its flat connector 3 which would be accommodated in the adapter 5 and which would dimensionally be housed in the cutout 9, its connector 3 arranged towards the bottom 11 of the blank 9, facing the contact interface 4. The electrical matching means 20 further comprises, between the flat connector 3 and the contact interface 4, a connecting means 2. Said junction means 2 is capable of producing at least one electrical connection between at least one contact C of the connector 3 and at least one contact c of the contact interface 4. By convention, C 20 or Ci denotes a contact of the connector 3 and by c or ci a contact of the contact interface 4, with i integer index. This connecting means 2 thus performs any interconnection configuration between one or more any contacts C of the connector 3 and one or more contacts C of any of the contact interface 4. By way of example, in the figures, the means junction 2 carries out at least one illustrative electrical connection between the contact C4 of the connector 3 and the contact c4 of the contact interface 4. Such an interconnection is such that it makes it possible to adapt a first assignment card 12 corresponding to the connector 3 and to the large format GF, with a second allocation card 13 corresponding to the contact interface 4 and also to a connector of a small card PF format that can be inserted in the adapter 5. According to a embodiment, the junction means 2 still makes it possible to perform any interconnection configuration of contacts C of the connector 3 between them and / or contacts c of the contact interface 4 between them. According to an advantageous embodiment, the electrical adaptation means 20 benefit from the fact that the large thickness GE of the large format GF is different / greater than the small thickness PE of the small format PF, in that said electrical matching means 20 is advantageously disposed in the residual thickness, equal to GE-PE, resulting from the difference in thickness between the large thickness GE and the small thickness PE. The entire surface of the adapter 5 corresponding to the outer limit 7 can be used for this purpose. However, in order to facilitate the manufacturing operations, the electrical matching means 20 is advantageously limited to the internal limit 8, facing the cutout 9. Advantageously, so that the adapter 5 can be electrically interfaced like of a GF large format card, the flat connector 3, which appears on the face 10, is identical in size, in position / orientation and electrically, to a flat connector as defined by the large format GF. Similarly, so that the adapter 5 can accommodate and interface a small PF card 1, the contact interface 4 is able to interface dimensionally and electrically a flat connector as defined by the small PF format. Advantageously, the electrical matching means 20 comprises a catching means 14. This catching means 14 has the main function of absorbing any play due to manufacturing inaccuracies of the adapter 5 or a card 1 received or again to the positioning errors of said card 1 received relative to the adapter 5. For this said electrical matching means 20 and particularly the catching means 14 comprises at least one elastic component 14 intended to be compressed by a card 1 received in the cutout 9, to maintain a support between the contacts c of the contact interface 4 and the connector contacts of said card 1 opposite. Maintaining a mechanical contact here ensures a good electrical contact. For this, said catching means 14 is disposed at any level between the connector 3 and the surface 11. It can thus be at the surface 11 or deeper, for example between the junction means 2 and the connector 3, or at any other level. In order to ensure the continuity of the electrical contact, said catching means 14 is advantageously electrically conductive. Such catching means 14 may comprise an elastomeric foam sheet covering substantially the entire surface of the contacts C, c, or substantially the entire surface of the blank 9. In this case, said elastomeric foam sheet 14 is advantageously made of a material electrically conductive elastomer. However, in order not to create unwanted contacts between neighboring contacts C, c, said material is advantageously conductive but only anisotropically in a direction transverse to the plane of the adapter 5. Thus in FIGS. 7, 8, FIG. through the catching means 14, the electrical conduction is only performed in a vertical direction. A single anisotropic foam sheet 14 is advantageous in that it simplifies manufacturing, requiring only one component and one set-up. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the catching means 14 may comprise at least one pad 14 of elastomeric foam disposed at least one, and advantageously of any contact c. Here again, a stud 14 ensures contact between a contact c of the contact interface 4 and a contact of a flat connector of a card 1 inserted in the cutout 9 of the adapter 5. Also, is said elastomeric foam conductive. If the extent of a pad 14 is such that it is in contact only with a single contact c, the conductivity of the elastomeric foam constituting a pad 14 can here be indifferently isotropic or anisotropic. The compliance of the retrofit means 14 advantageously makes it possible to maintain the electrical contact between a card 1 and the adapter 5, even under shock or vibration conditions. The connecting means 2 has the function of adapting the first allocation card 12 to the second allocation card 13. For this it can be used a printed circuit. Several configurations of such a printed circuit 10 are possible depending on the case. Such a printed circuit may, for example, be a double-sided printed circuit. By way of example, consider that the first allocation card 12 corresponds to the connector format of FIG. 2 and that the second assignment card 13 corresponds to the connector format of FIG. 3. It then appears that the contacts C1-C3 and C5-C7 of the connector 3 overlap with the corresponding contacts cl-c3 and c5-c7 of the contact interface 4. In this particularly simple case, the connecting means 2 may consist of a single transverse junction or a via connecting a contact Ci with a corresponding contact ci. This can even be achieved by making a connector 3 which extends in depth to the contact interface 4 through all the layers of the electrical matching means 20. Alternatively, when at least one pair of contacts , such C4 / c4, are not superimposed, the junction means 2 may comprise a conductive track 18, for connecting said contacts C4, c4. It has been seen that a small card 1 can be accommodated in the cut-out 9 of the adapter 5. Once inserted, it is advisable to hold said card 1 in place in the cut-out 9 and its connector in contact with 35 4. For this purpose, different holding means 15 are possible.

According to a first embodiment, the holding means 15 comprises an adhesive 17. Said adhesive 17 is advantageously of the pressure-sensitive type. It is also advantageously repositionable in order to allow a possible change of card 1. Said adhesive 17 is advantageously arranged against the contact interface 4, or on the surface 11 of the bottom of the cutout 9. Depending on the case, said adhesive 17 is arranged on the contacts c of the contact interface 4 or on the catching means 14. Thus in all cases, the adhesive 17 is adapted to come into contact with an inserted card 1 and particularly with the contacts of its flat connector . Said adhesive 17 may be arranged next to the contacts c of the contact interface 4. It may also be disposed at the end of the contacts c. In this second embodiment, the adhesive 17 is then advantageously electrically conductive. Such adhesion, at the contacts, advantageously allows, in addition to ensuring the maintenance of a card 1 in the adapter 4, to maintain the electrical contact between the card 1 and the adapter 5, including in condition of shocks or vibrations. This effect advantageously complements the identical one obtained by the compliance of the retrieval means 14.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the adhesive 17 and the catching means 14 are merged. Thus, the elastomeric material used to make the catching means 14 is still adhesive, at least at its face facing an inserted card 1, in order to adhere to said card 1. According to another embodiment, alternative or complementary to the previous, particularly illustrated in Figures 11 and 13, the holding means 15 comprises a protrusion 21. This protrusion 21 is advantageously 35 shaped to be reentrant within the perimeter of the internal boundary 8. Thus, when a card 1 of small format PF is inserted in the cutout 9 provided for this purpose, the protuberance 21 compresses the card 1. This compression, achieved by a force insertion of the card 1 in the cutout 9 of the adapter 5 ensures an effort on the card 1 which contributes to keeping it in place in said cutout 9. According to another embodiment, alternative or complementary to the two previous ones, more particularly t illustrated in Figure 12, the holding means 15 comprises an adhesive film 16. Said adhesive film 16 at least partially covers the cutout 9 and thus at least partially a card 1 inserted in said cutout 9. Said adhesive film 16 exceeds the internal limit 8 of the cutout 9 and is adhesive at least in the protruding portion, in order to adhere to at least the plate 6.

The adapter 5 further optionally comprises a protective film (not shown). Such a protective film, cut according to the shape of the internal limit 8 and therefore of the cutout 9 is able to come on the contacts ci of the contact interface 4 and to adhere to it if necessary. Such a film, for example made of parchment paper, thus makes it possible to protect said contacts ci and / or the adhesive 17, in the absence of card 1 in the cutout 9 of the adapter 5. According to an advantageous embodiment, more Particularly illustrated in FIG. 14, the electrical matching means 20 is made separately from the plate 6, and then assembled. For this, the cutout 9 is, on the one hand, as already described, capable of accommodating a card 1 of small format PF, but on the other hand is traversing relatively to the plate 6. It is thus possible to put in place in said cut 9 an electrical matching means 20 at the end of its implementation. This advantageously makes it possible to perform all the delicate operations: making a connector 3, producing a contact interface 4, producing the joining means 2 and assembling these three components 2-4 on a separate part and then the put in place in the plate 6 to form an adapter 5. An electrical matching means 20 is formed of a substantially flat plate 23. Its thickness, as described above, is substantially equal to the difference between the large thickness GE and the small thickness PE. Its extension in the plane of the plate 23 is limited by an outer limit 24 substantially identical to the small PC contour. Thus said plate 23 can take place in the cutout 9. The introduction of the electrical matching means 20 in the cutout 9 can be made by any one of the two faces 10, 11 of the plate 6. In a first configuration, as shown in Figure 14, the electrical matching means 20 is provided to be introduced by the same face 11 of the plate 6 which is adapted to accommodate a PF card 1 small format. It is also possible to obtain a second inverse configuration where the electrical matching means 20 is provided to be introduced by the face 10 opposite to said face 11. In this second configuration the electrical matching means 20 is in place. by the face 10, while a small PF card 1 is inserted by the opposite face 11. It is advantageous that the electrical matching means 20 come into abutment, in order to achieve precise positioning in thickness, such as the connector 3, flush with the face 10 of the adapter 5. For this, the cutout 9 advantageously comprises 22. Said shoulder advantageously forms a narrowing relative to the internal limit 8 of the cutout 9. Advantageously, the outer limit 24 of the electrical matching means 20 comprises a recess 25 complementary to said shoulder 22, in order to abut against said shoulder 22. The respective positions of the shoulder 22 and the recess 25 change depending on the face of 10, he, through which is introduced the electrical matching means 20. Thus in the first configuration, as illustrated 5 in Figure 14, the electrical matching means 20 is provided to be introduced by the same face 11 of the plate 6 which is adapted to accommodate a card 1 fart it PF format. The shoulder 22 and the recess 25 are then oriented accordingly. In this first configuration, the recess 25 of the electrical adaptation means 20 is held in abutment against the shoulder 22 of the cutout 9 by a possible card 1 inserted in the cutout 9. In this first configuration, the shoulder 22 reduces the surface of the electrical matching means 20 allocated to the connector 3 inside the internal limit 8. This is possible because the surface of said large format connector 3 GF remains mostly strictly smaller than the small contour PC, corresponding at the inner limit 8. A second inverse configuration requires reversing the orientation of the shoulder 22 and the recess 25. In this second configuration, the shoulder 22 reduces the surface of the electrical matching means 25 allocated to the contact interface 4 within the internal boundary 8. This is possible because the surface of said interface means 4, corresponding to that of a small connector. PF format, remains mostly strictly lower than the small PC contour, 30 corresponding to the internal limit 8. In order to maintain the electrical matching means 20 assembled with the plate 6 of the adapter 5 after its introduction, it is advantageously disposed an adhesive 26 at the level of at least one of the surfaces in contact with said shoulder 22 and with said recess 25. If the shoulder 22 and the recess 25 form a surface parallel to the plane of the different plates 6, 23, 1 adhesive 26 is advantageously disposed at this parallel surface, as shown in FIG. 14 by a thickened line 26. The adhesive 26 may also be deposited on another of the surfaces facing the shoulder 22 and the shoulder 25 such as the surfaces perpendicular to said plane. Depending on the type of adhesive used, the adhesive 26 may be deposited on one of the facing surfaces, on the other of the surfaces, or on both surfaces.

According to one characteristic, said adhesive 26 advantageously provides a strong and non-repositionable bonding. Indeed, after manufacture, it is not necessary to separate said electrical matching means 20 from the plate 6. It is also appropriate that the assembly made between the plate 6 and the electrical matching means 20, with or without without adhesive 26, resists insertion and / or extraction manipulations of a small PF card 1 in adapter 5. The invention also relates to a method of producing an adapter 5 according to one of previously described embodiments. Such a method can directly realize the electrical matching means 20 in the plate 6. However, according to a preferred embodiment it is advantageous to separate the delicate / electrical operations and to separately realize the electrical matching means 20 and then to assemble with the plate 6. For this such a method comprises the following steps. A first step is to manufacture a plate 6. During a second step, in this plate is then practiced a first cut 9. This cut is at least such that it allows to accommodate a card PF small format 1 . It thus has at least one substantially flat shape, of thickness at least equal to said small PE thickness, and is limited by an inner limit 8 substantially identical to the small PC contour. During a third step, performed before, after or simultaneously with the first cut 9, a second cut is made. This second cutout is arranged facing the first cutout 9, and is able to accommodate an electrical matching means 20.

During a fourth step, carried out before, after or simultaneously with these manufacturing and cutting steps of the plate 6, an electric matching means 20 is produced. This electrical matching means 20 comprises a flat connector 3 according to said first allocation card 12 flush on a first surface of said electrical matching means 20, a contact interface 4 adapted to interface a flat connector according to said second assignment card 13 on a second surface of said electrical matching means 20 opposed to said first surface, and a connecting means 2 adapted to connect at least one contact C of the flat connector 3 with at least one contact c of said contact interface 4. These two sets of steps allow to produce separately, one a plate 6 cut, and the other an electrical matching means 20. A final step allows to produce the adapter 5 by performing a placing e of the electrical matching means 20 in said second blank of the plate 6. Advantageously, the step of producing the first blank 9 includes the production of a shoulder 22, as described above, and the step of producing of the second cut includes the production of a recess 25, as described above, complementary to said shoulder 22. Where appropriate, the method further comprises, prior to the placing step, a step of depositing a adhesive 26 on at least one of the surfaces facing said shoulder 22 and said recess 25, in order to bond the electrical matching means 20 with the plate 6 during the placing step. So that the adapter 5 has the appearance of a large format card GF externally, it is necessary to cut the plate 6 according to an outer limit 7 substantially identical to the large contour GC. This cut is circumscribed to the first cut 9 and is positioned relative to the latter according to the recommendations of the large format GF. This cutting according to the outer limit 7 can be performed during the initial step of manufacturing the plate 6, during or after the cutting steps.

According to a preferred embodiment, this cut, which releases the adapter 5, is advantageously carried out in the last step. This advantageously allows to have a large plate, comprising and joining a plurality of plates 6, used as a tool for holding and transporting future adapters 5 during their manufacture.

Claims (20)

REVENDICATIONS1. A format adapter for conforming a small format (PF) microcircuit card (1) to a large format (GF), the large format (GF) having a substantially planar shape (GE), limited by a large size contour (GC), and comprising a flush flat connector (3) comprising contacts (C) arranged according to a first allocation card (12), the small format (PF) having a substantially planar shape of small thickness (PE) , smaller than the large thickness (GE), limited by a small contour (PC), writable in the large outline (GC), and comprising a flush flat connector (3), 15 comprising contacts (C) arranged according to a second card for allocation (13), the second assignment card (13) does not coincide with the first assignment card (12) for at least one of the contacts (C), characterized in that said adapter (5) comprises a plate (6) substantially flat, of thickness equal to said large thick seur (GE), limited by an outer limit (7) substantially identical to the large contour (GC), provided with a cutout (9) of substantially flat shape, of thickness at least equal to said small thickness (PE), limited by an inner limit (8) substantially identical to the small contour (PC) and inscribed in the outer limit (7), and in that said adapter (5) further comprises an electrical matching means (20) comprising: a flat connector (3) according to said first allocation card (12), flush on a surface (10) of said plate (6), on the opposite side to said cutout (9), - a contact interface (4) adapted to interface a flat connector according to said second allocation card (13), flush with the bottom (11) of said cutout (9), - junction means (2) able to connect at least one contact (C) of said flat connector (3) with at least one contact (c) of said contact interface (4). 2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said electrical matching means (20) is disposed opposite said cutout (9) in the residual thickness (GE-PE). An adapter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said flat connector (3) is identical to a flat connector according to the large format (GF). 4. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said contact interface (4) is adapted to interface a flat connector in the small format (PF). An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrical matching means (20) comprises resilient and conductive catch-up means (14). An adapter according to claim 5, wherein said catching means (14) comprises an anisotropically electrically conductive elastomeric foam sheet in a direction transverse to the plane of the adapter (5). 7. An adapter according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said catching means (14) comprises a conductive elastomeric foam pad (14) in line with at least one contact (c). An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the joining means (2) comprises a printed circuit. 30 9. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising means for holding (15) a card (1) of small format (PF) in the cutout (9). 35 An adapter according to claim 9, wherein the holding means (15) comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (17) disposed against the contact interface (4). 11. The adapter of claim 9 or 10, wherein the catching means (14) and the adhesive (17) are merged. 12. An adapter according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the holding means (15) comprises a protrusion (21) entering the internal boundary (8), in order to be able to compress a card (1) of small format (PF) disposed in said cutout (9). An adapter according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the holding means (15) comprises an adhesive film (16) at least partially covering said cutout (9). 14. An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a protective film, placed against the contact interface (4) in the absence of card (1) small format (PF). An adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said cutout (9) is through relative to the plate (6) and includes a shoulder (22), wherein the electrical matching means (20) comprises a plate (23) substantially flat, of thickness substantially equal to the difference between said large thickness (GE) and said small thickness (PE), limited by an outer limit (24) substantially identical to the small contour (PC) and comprising a recess ( 25) complementary to said shoulder (22). 16. The adapter of claim 15, further comprising an adhesive (26) disposed on at least one of the surfaces facing said shoulder (22) and said recess (25). 17. Device comprising an adapter (5) according to any one of the preceding claims and a microcircuit card (1) of small format (PF). 18. A method of manufacturing an adapter (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that it comprises the following steps - manufacture of a plate (6), - cutting in said plate (6). ) a first cut (9) adapted to accommodate a small format card (PF), - cutting a second cut, facing the first cutout (9), adapted to accommodate an electrical matching means 10 ( 20), - manufacturing an electrical matching means (20) comprising a flat connector (3) according to said first allocation card (12), flush on a first surface of said electrical matching means (20), a Contact interface (4) adapted to interface a flat connector according to said second allocation card (13), on a second surface of said electrical matching means (20) opposite to the first surface, and a connecting means (2). ) adapted to connect at least one contact (C) of said flat connector (3) with at least one cone tact (c) of said contact interface (4), and - establishment of the electrical matching means (20) in said second blank. 25 19. Manufacturing method according to claim 18, wherein said first blank (9) comprises a shoulder (22), wherein said second blank comprises a recess (25) complementary to said shoulder (22), the method further comprising, prior to the step of placing, a step 30 of depositing an adhesive (26) on at least one of the surfaces facing said shoulder (22) and said recess (25). 20. Manufacturing method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising a step of cutting said plate (6) according to an outer limit (7) substantially identical to the large contour (GC), circumscribed to the first blank (9).