GB2486339A

GB2486339A - Connector housing for a microcircuit card having a contact-carrying frame

Info

Publication number: GB2486339A
Application number: GB1120988.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herve Bricaud
Original assignee: INJECTION HAUTE PREC
Current assignee: INJECTION HAUTE PREC
Priority date: 2010-12-07
Filing date: 2011-12-06
Publication date: 2012-06-13
Also published as: FR2968465B1; BE1019799A3; DE102011056027A1; GB201120988D0; FR2968465A1

Abstract

The invention consists of a connector housing 1 for a microcircuit card 100, and comprises at least one contact-carrying frame assembly 10, and a cover 50 for mounting on a printed circuit board (PCB) 200 using metal lugs. The frame consists of three zones (30-32), wherein the central zone (31) contains recesses (44) for holding electrical contact strips (5). The cover is provided with means 501 for holding the frame 10. A microcircuit, smart or memory card 100 can be inserted by sliding between the contact carrier frame 10 and the cover 50. The contact-carrying frame is formed as one piece and is inserted by sliding into the cover. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the connector housing.

Description

Connector housing for microcircuit cards The present invention relates to the field of readers for microcircuit cards, memory cards or smart cards. The present invention proposes more particularly a connector housing of a readlwrite device connected to a circuit for utilising the data contained in a microcircuit card.

These devices are principally used in the field of banking transactions such as: -point of sale terminals, which are electronic payment terminals used by traders for their customers to pay for purchases by bank card, -cash registers of large stores and supermarkets, -service stations, -devices for badges for automatic payment of motorway and urban tolls by all motor vehicles.

Other fields of application of these devices are the "Vitale" French health insurance card, phone cards for public payphones, parking meters, tachographs for road hauliers, etc. All of these devices are characterised in that the owner of the smart card in bank card format introduces this card manually through a slot of a housing of the device by pushing it until it comes to rest against a card stop arranged at the end of the slot.

In the operating position, the rear part of the card remains visible and serves generally for gripping of the card in order to remove it manually when the transaction operations are terminated. *.* * S

* * * In the majority of applications, the device remains under the supervision of the person using it: in his absence this device is not accessible by third parties. On the other hand, in * applications such as automatic service stations, the device is open to the public without * supervision: additional precautions must be taken in the device in order to protect it against 30. any fraud. * S S. S

S S S * S.

The patents FR 2 722 592 and US 5 703 346 disclose a one-piece connector housing to which a one-piece connector is attached. This housing includes two parallel guides to guide two lateral edges of a microcircuit card. These guides are interconnected by a transverse connecting element including recesses intended to receive contact elements capable of co-operating with the card. This housing also includes a second transverse element which is parallel and of substantially identical shape to the first transverse clement to delimit a slot for the passage of the card and to ensure support of the card on the contact elements. Although they are of substantially identical shape, the two transverse elements exhibit very different details of shape adapted to their functions. For example, a first transverse element includes openings for the passage of contact strips of electrical connections whilst the zone facing the second transverse element is solid to make it possible to grip it by suction during the automatic placing of the housing on a printed electronic circuit. Likewise, the first transverse element has windows on either side of the zone of contact with a microcircuit card to enable the installation of other electronic components under the housing whilst the zones facing the second transverse element are solid to ensure sufficient rigidity for its function of supporting the microcircuit card on the contact strips. The transverse elements and the guides of complex shapes are produced in one piece, which leads to the manufacture of a product with complex shapes. Injection moulding of a moulded part from plastic material for such a housing is difficult and has numerous drawbacks.

During the plastic injection moulding of the housing, the differences in speeds and routes of the molten plastic material in the two transverse elements exhibiting great disparities in shape details generate a shrinkage differential within the moulded part which results in deformations after cooling following injection moulding and also results in a high level of j,s stresses which can be relieved during the remelting process (temperature of the order of 250 * °C) for the implementation of the connector housing on the electronic printed circuit. In order to limit these deformations and these stresses to an acceptable level, it is necessary to facilitate the routing of the molten plastic material in the first transverse element which is ° slowed down by windows situated on both sides of the contact zone and the plurality of 30. apertures opening from this latter for the passage of the contact strips. The method chosen : consists of adding transverse sections (not provided initially as can be seen in the document US 5,703,346) in the middle of the windows. On the other hand, the solution of the housing moulded in one single piece does not make it possible to avoid the disruptions to the routing caused by the apertures opening from contact passages. This results in a level of deformation on the moulded part which must be managed, optionally with the aid of corrective actions, in the course of assembly of the connector. The setting parameters for the injection moulding press are also delicate to adjust and a compromise must be found between the risk of a lack of filling in the first transverse element which has complex details of shape which are difficult to fill if the injection pressure is insufficient, and the risk of burrs in the second transverse element which has simple shapes which are easy to fill, if the pressure is too high. This very acute compromise in the setting of injection moulding parameters tends to evolve as a function of batches of granules of plastic material and of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity...) during injection moulding. This results in waste and!or costly sorting. The shape of the housing presents another difficulty of moulding: the smart card passage slot situated between the two transverse elements is narrow (approximately 2 mm) and is obtained by moulding with the aid of a tray sliding in the mould. The width and length dimensions of this tray are substantially those of the connector housing, and are therefore considerable, whilst its thinness does not permit the arrangement therein of a heat-exchanging fluid circulation for cooling it during the injection moulding, contrary to the other moulding parts of the mould. This problem is all the more crucial as the tray is heated on its two faces during filling of the transverse elements. This results in: -a temperature differential between the internal and external faces of the two transverse elements during the solidification of the moulded part which participates in gripping the slot in the middle. This grip results in the friction of the two transverse elements on the two face of the microcircuit card during its introduction or its extraction, leading to the deterioration of the card, * : -premature wear of the tray relative to the other components of the mould during * * moulding in large runs, leading to high additional maintenance costs.

: Finally, the complexity of injection moulding the connector housing shape in practice limits the number of moulding cavities in the same mould to two or three. Moreover, the 3Q compromise about the setting parameters for injection moulding becomes too acute and the 00' **S risks of waste are too high.

This type of housing in one single piece has other drawbacks in addition to the manufacturing drawbacks.

In order to ensure the protection of the card with respect to electromagnetic interference and/or attempts at hacking made on the device in order to read the data stored in the microcircuit of the card or exchanged thereby, the housing of the device must usually be shielded. As this type of housing does not permit shielding, it must be equipped with a flexible metallised shell which surrounds the external surface of the housing. This type of shell is difficult to produce industrially and is particularly costly.

Moreover, the windows situated on either side of the contact zone have small dimensions due to the addition, resulting from a technical compromise, of transverse sections which considerably reduce the space left available for installation of electronic components below the connector and reduce the sizes of the electronic components which can be installed there.

Furthermore, the centring andlor clipping pins resulting from the moulding with the housing are fragile and offer a low resistance mechanical to the pressure of insertion when the microcircuit card comes to a stop at the end of the connector housing. The addition of metal pins machined by turning and glued into the cavities of the housing is a costly solution. The low height of these pins and their cylindrical shape do not permit the production of a sufficiently resilient profile for a ftjnction of clipping by pressure on the walls of the holes in which they are inserted in the card of the electronic printed circuit.

Finally, in spite of the arrangements of shapes such as the addition of transverse sections, the * 00.*.

* deformations which are intrinsic to the moulding of the housing make it difficult to obtain an *: * 2 overall coplanarity of more or less 0.05 mm over all of the outputs of contact strips and the *; limit switch, which tends to reproduce the deformation of the housing on which they are mounted, without retouching effected manually on these strips during final checking of the :: connector housing. This operation is also very costly.

Therefore the object of the present invention is to remedy one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a connector housing for a microcircuit card which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and enables effective shielding which is solid and cost-effective.

For this purpose the invention relates to a modular connector housing for a microcircuit card comprising at least one contact carrier frame and cover assembly intended to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), a microcircuit card which can be inserted between the contact carrier frame and the cover, the housing being characterised in that the connector housing is retained on the PCB by of metal fixing lugs, that the one-piece contact carrier frame inserted by sliding in the cover comprises at least on one and the same plane: -a central zone which constitutes a contact support which includes a plurality of recesses, at least some of which are arranged to receive by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane a resilient electrical contact strip intended to co-operate with the microcircuit of the microcircuit card, -a first and a second lateral zone formed on either side of the central zone; and in that the cover comprises at least: -a predominantly flat rectangular panel of which the longitudinal and transverse dimensions are substantially equal to those of the contact carrier frame and greater than a dimension of the microcircuit card, the panel including first means for inserting and holding the frame, a sliding space which is sufficient for the insertion of the microcircuit card introduced between the contact carrier frame and the flat panel of the cover.

According to another feature, the number of resilient contact strips is less than the number of recesses, the position of the contact strips being determined as a function of the type of S. SS..

microcircuit card for which the connector housing is manufactured. * *

*: . 2 According to another feature, the first and second lateral zones each form a ring of which the *:° centre is recessed to enable the positioning, facing each annular recess, of electronic components supported by the PCB.

S.....

* According to another feature the central zone forms, with the annular lateral zones, the shape of an H connected to the lateral zones by legs of the H parallel to longitudinal arms of the lateral zones, the crossbar of the H connecting the two legs of the H forming the contact support, at least one transverse arm connecting a leg of the H at right angles to a longitudinal arm of a lateral zone to form each lateral zone.

According to another feature, the first insertion means are disposed along side members parallel to the direction of insertion of the microcircuit card in the housing along two opposite lateral edges of the panel of the cover and are intended for the insertion of the contact carrier frame of which the lateral zones are arranged so as to be inserted in the first insertion means of the cover, the sliding space between the cover and the contact carrier frame being formed by second insertion means disposed along each side member and intended for the insertion of the microcircuit card so that it can be placed in a correct position on the contact carrier frame.

According to another feature, a first face of the contact carrier frame facing the panel of the cover is predominantly flat and constitutes the sliding plane of the microcircuit card on the contact carrier frame during the insertion of the microcircuit card in the housing, the plurality of guides forming recesses, each of which is arranged in order to receive at least one bent resilient contact strip of which the bend comes into a position projecting into an aperture formed between two guides, the bend being intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card, the guides being disposed parallel to the first facc of the frame and another bent-back end of the contact strip being soldered to contact pads of the P03.

According to another feature, the second face of the contact carrier frame includes a recess * * .*** * intended to receive an optional shielding panel, the recess having a depth equal to or slightly * bs to * less than the thickness of the shielding panel. * S * **

4 According to another feature, the end of one of the legs of the H on the first face of the contact carrier frame has a recess which opens at least on the first face of the contact carrier * S frame for a switch provided with an actuating element intended to co-operate with the *.: microcircuit card in order to detect the presence thereof when it is inserted in the operating position, the end of the leg provided with the recess being the end of the leg opposing the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card during its insertion in the housing.

According to another feature, the flat panel of the cover has protrusions forming, in one and the same plane, support zones which reduce the space for insertion of the microcircuit card between the support zones and the resilient contact strips borne by the contact carrier frame.

According to another feature, the cover includes slowing means for slowing down the microcircuit card during its insertion into the housing and for gripping the microcircuit card for the duration of its use in the housing.

According to another feature, the cover has at least one abutment means perpendicular to the panel of the cover defining, on the one hand, an end position for insertion of the contact carrier frame inserted into the first insertion means and, on the other hand, an end position of the microcircuit card inserted into the sliding space between the contact carrier frame and the flat panel of the cover.

According to another feature, the free end of the abutment means includes a part parallel to the panel of the cover, this parallel part includes a projection intended to co-operate with a recess situated on at least one transverse arm connecting the central zone to the lateral zones for clipping and joining of the contact carrier frame with the cover, the transverse arm or arms being the arms which are reached last by the microcircuit card when it is inserted in the housing.

According to another feature, the cover includes lugs for fixing the housing on an electronic * : printed circuit.

*.. 0** * . * According to another feature, the housing also includes a shielding panel disposed in the *...: recess of the second face of the contact carrier frame, the shielding panel comprising embossed areas with shapes which correspond to the apertures formed by the windows * delimited between each lateral zone and the central zone of the contact carrier frame and : which fill the said apertures.

According to another feature, the housing also includes a shielding panel disposed in the recess of the second face of the contact carrier frame, the shielding panel comprising

S

apertures with shapes which are identical to the windows delimited between each lateral zone and the central zone of the contact carrier frame, the apertures in the shielding panel facing the windows in the contact carrier frame.

According to another feature, the cover is made of metal for applications in which the chip of the microcircuit card must be protected against electromagnetic interference andlor against attempts at hacking.

According to another feature, the electromagnetic shielding is ensured by a metal cover and a shielding panel disposed in the recess of the second face of the frame gate contact with which it is in contact in such a way that in the operating position the chip of the microcircuit card is sandwiched between the panel of the metal cover and the optional shielding panel, these two elements being in electrical contact over the majority of their perimeter and connected electrically to the electrical earth of the readlwrite device by metal lugs for fixing the housing.

According to another feature, the cover is made of plastic material.

According to another feature, the contact carrier frame is manufactured by plastic injection moulding.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a connector housing according to the 0StS SS * : invention for a microcircuit card, eharacterised in that it comprises at least the following Is....

* steps: °. 2 -moulding of a contact carrier frame by plastic injection moulding including guides forming recesses arranged in order to receive at least one contact strip intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card, a recess for placing of an * * optional shielding panel and at least one recess situated at one end of the longitudinal arms of *.: at least one of the lateral zones; -mounting of the resilient contact strips in the recesses of the contact carrier frame by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane of the contact carrier frame; -manufacture of the cover including a panel, first parallel insertion means and abutment means, the abutment means including a part parallel to the panel of the cover, this parallel part including a projection; -insertion of the contact carrier frame in the first insertion means until the projection of the panel part of the cover of the abutment means is clipped to the recess or recesses of the contact carrier frame; According to another feature, the method also includes a step of fixing a switch provided with an actuating element intended to co-operate with the microcircuit card in order to detect the to presence thereof when it is inserted in the operating position.

According to another feature, the method also includes a step of placing of the shielding panel in the recess intended for the shielding panel of the contact carrier frame.

According to another feature, the step of manufacture of the cover includes at least the following steps: -moulding of the cover by plastic injection moulding; -fixing of fixing lugs.

According to another feature, the step of manufacture of the cover includes at least the following steps: -cuffing out of a rectangular metal panel; * -bending of two opposing lateral edges of the panel in order to form a side member on * S* * * * each edge; -cuffing out of the part of the side members parallel to the panel of the cover in order to *: form lugs for fixing the housing on an electronic circuit card; -cuffing out, in the part of the side members perpendicular to the panel, tabs which are r bent towards the centre of the cover and parallel to the panel of the cover in order to form, on * either side of the tabs, first insertion means intended to insert the contact carrier frame, the zone of bending the tabs being on a line parallel to the plane of the panel of the cover; -bending of an edge of the panel perpendicular to the side members in order to form abutment means and to form a part parallel to the panel of the cover, this parallel part being stamped in order to form at least one projection which co-operates with the recess or recesses of the contact carrier frame; -stamping of the panel of the cover in order to form protrusions.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following description which is given with reference to the appended drawings: -Figure 1 shows a perspective view according to a first embodiment of the connector housing mounted on an electronic printed circuit board with a microcircuit card in bank card format in the operating position in the housing; -Figure 1A shows a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the detail D1A of Figure 1; -Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the internal face of the cover in one embodiment; -Figure 2A shows a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the detail D2A of Figure 2; -Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the contact carrier frame; -Figure 4 shows a top view of the contact carrier frame of Figure 3; -Figure 4A shows a front view of Figure 4; -Figure 4B shows a right side view of Figure 4; -Figure 4C shows a left side view of Figure 4; -Figure 4D shows a back view of Figure 4; -Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the optional shielding eel...

* : panel; * ee* lI * S -Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the connector housing of Figure 1 equipped with * : .23 the optional shielding panel of Figure 5; * ** E -Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the optional shielding panel; * -Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the connector housing of Figure 1 equipped with : the optional shielding panel of Figure 7; -Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the contact carrier frame; -Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the cover according to the second embodiment; -Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the contact carrier frame according to the second embodiment; -Figure hA shows a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the detail Dl 1A of Figure 11; -Figure 12 shows a top view of the contact carrier frame of Figure 11; -Figure I 2A shows a front view of Figure 12 with views on an enlarged scale of the lifting feet and/or the fixing lugs inserted into the recesses in the lifting feet; -Figure 12B shows a right side view of Figure 12 with views on an enlarged scale of the lifting feet and/or the fixing lugs inserted into the recesses in the lifting feet; -Figure 1 2C shows a left side view of Figure 12; -Figure 1 2D shows a back view of Figure 12 with views on an enlarged scale of the lifting feet and/or the fixing lugs inserted into the recesses in the lifting feet; -Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a fixing lug for a connector housing according to the second embodiment; -Figure 14 shows a view of the snap fitting; -Figure 15 shows a perspective view of a contact carrier frame equipped with 16 contacts.

The invention will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5, 6, 7and8.

The present invention proposes a connector housing (1) for a microcircuit card (100), for * S S S. * : example a smart card of the bank card type, type ID-i of the standard ISO/CEI 7810). This *****S * * housing (1) is intended to be mounted on a printed circuit board (200) (PCB). For example, *:* the card (100) may be rectangular in shape with its four corners rounded and it is delimited * ,... by an upper face and a lower face which has conductive pads in the vicinity of its edge which are produced in the form of four pairs of two pads aligned longitudinally in the direction of ::. insertion of the microcircuit card (100) in the connector housing (1).

The first part of the description which follows will describe the first embodiment of the housing (1) according to the invention shown in Figures 1, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

The connector housing (1) comprises at least a contact carrier frame assembly (10) and a cover (50). This one-piece contact carrier frame (10) is inserted into the cover (50).

s A microcircuit card (100) can then be inserted between the contact carrier frame (10) and the cover (50).

The contact carrier frame (10) comprises, at least on one and the same plane a first lateral zone (32) and a second lateral zone (30) on either side of a central zone (31). The first lateral zone (32) and the second lateral zone (30) each form a ring of which the centre (33, 34) is recessed to enable the positioning, facing each annular recess (33, 34), of electronic components supported by the PCB (200). These annular recesses (33, 34) arc maximised to enable installation of numerous components which can be of large sizes under the connector housing (I).

According to a preferred configuration, the rings (33, 34) are shaped as rectangles.

The first lateral zone (32) and the second lateral zone (30) are each formed by a longitudinal arm (27, 28), one parallel to the other.

The central zone (31) forms, with the annular lateral the zones (30, 32), an H connected to the lateral zones (30, 32) by legs (25, 26) of the H parallel to longitudinal arms (27, 28) of the S.....

* lateral zones (30, 32). The crossbar (24) du H connecting the two legs (25, 26) of the H forms * **.*� * the contact support. At least one transverse arm (20, 21, 22, 23) connects a leg (25, 26) of the H at right angles to a longitudinal arm (27, 28) of a lateral zone (30, 32) to form each lateral zone.

The bar (24) connecting the two leg (25, 26) of the H constitutes a contact support which : includes a plurality of recesses (44), each of which is arranged to receive by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane of the frame (10) at least one resilient electrical contact strip (5) intended to co-operate with the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100). The plurality of guides forming these recesses (44) are arranged to receive at least one resilient bent contact strip (5) of which the bend (500) comes into a position where it projects into an aperture formed between two guides. The bend (500) is intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100). The guides are disposed parallel to the first face of the frame (10) and another bent-back end (46) of the contact strip (5) is welded to contact pads of the PCB (200). The dimension of the contact support may depend upon the number of recesses (44) of contact strips (5) which it includes and the length of these strips (5) for which the recesses (44) have been designed. The number of resilient contact strips (5) is less than the number of recesses (44). The position of the strips (5) is predetermined as a function of the type of microcircuit card (100) for which the connector housing (1) is manufactured. Each of these recesses (44) is open towards the top to enable each of the contact strips (5), as it extends through this passage opening, to be supported resiliently on the corresponding contact pad of the microcircuit card (100) inserted in the position of use in the connector housing (1). The electrical contact strips (5) are extended in the opposite direction by a tab which ensures the electrical connection of each contact to a printed circuit pad during surface mounting of the connector housing on the printed circuit. The greater part of the lower end of these recesses (44) is closed off, thus forming a continuity of material transversely to enable it to flow smoothly during injection moulding of the moulded part. In the case of a holder moulded in one single piece according to the prior art, these recesses necessarily open downwards to enable the demoulding of the part, thus creating substantial discontinuities of shapes which, during the injection moulding, considerably disrupt the flow of the plastic material in this zone and substantially increase the flow rate differential between the lower flow and the upper flow. * 0

* to. tO * The transverse arm or arms (20, 21, 22, 23) connect a leg (25, 26) of the H at right angles to a *:°* lateral zone (30, 32). The transverse arms (20, 21, 22, 23) connect to each end of each 000 longitudinal arm (27, 28) of the lateral zones (30, 32) at right angles to each end of the legs (25, 26) of the H. A transverse arm (20, 21, 22, 23) connects the end of a longitudinal arm * (27, 28) of a lateral zone (30, 32) to the closest end of the leg (25, 26) of the H closest to the °. lateral zone (30, 32) in question.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transverse arm or arms (22, 23) which connect the lateral first zone (32) to the central zone (31) have a length substantially equal to two thirds of the length of the longitudinal arms (27, 28) of the lateral zones (30, 32). The transverse arm or arms (20, 21) which connect the lateral second zone (30) to the central zone (31) have a length substantially equal to one third of the length of the transverse arms (22, 23) which connect the first zone (32) to the central zone (31). The surface of the windows (33, 34) limited by the lateral zones corresponding to the annular recesses, the legs (25, 26) of the H of the central zone (31) and the transverse arms (20, 21, 22, 23) cover a surface area of 65% of the total surface area of the two lateral zones (30, 32) whilst the surface area of the open windows (35, 36) limited by the legs (25, 26) du H and the crossbar (24) of the H represents approximately 36% of the total surface area of the central zone (31).

The structure in three zones gives the contact carrier frame (10) particularly advantageous moulding properties. As the injection moulding is effected on the longitudinal arm (27, 28) of a lateral zone (30, 32), the molten plastic material flows simultaneously towards the front and towards the rear of the longitudinal arm (27, 28), then into the two transverse arms (20, 21, 22, 23). Next the material flows from the two ends of a leg (25, 26) of the H of the central zone (31) towards the crossbar (24) of the H. The position of the injection moulding point on the longitudinal arm (27, 28) of the lateral zone (30, 32) is chosen in such a way that the two material flows arrive at substantially the same time on the first end of the crossbar (24) of the H. These two flows which are reunited at the first end of the crossbar (24) of the H are combined into a smooth sheet flow along the bar as far as its second end. Then the combined flow separates into two flows which flow into the front and rear portions of the second leg (25, 26) of the H of the central zone (31) as far as the ends of the transverse arms (20, 21, 22, **�e es * : 23) of the second lateral zone (30), then along these two arms (20, 21, 22, 23) to the two ends * ** C * of the longitudinal arm (27, 28) and are finally reunited therein. Thus this structure permits *:Cfl regular filling during the injection moulding, avoiding any anarchic flow which would *j generate considerable deformations of the moulded part: with this structure the flatness obtained on the contact carrier frame (10) has a value which is lower than half of the maximum value allowed for the connector housing (1).

The cover (50) is metal and comprises at least one rectangular panel (72) which is predominantly flat and very slightly greater, in a non-limiting manner of the order of 2/10 mm, than a dimension of the microcircuit card (100). The cover (50) also comprises first means (501) for inserting and holding the contact carrier frame (10) in the cover (50) by defining between the cover (50) and the frame a flow space which is sufficient for the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) introduced between the frame (10) and the flat panel (72) of the cover (50).

The rectangular panel (72) has longitudinal and transverse dimensions which are substantially equal to those of the contact carrier frame (10) and very slightly greater, in a non-limiting manner of the order of 2/10 mm, than a dimension of the microcircuit card (100). The panel (72) includes side members (51, 52) having a sliding surface (54) parallel to the plane of the to panel (72). These side members (51, 52) are perpendicular to the plane of the panel (72) and parallel to the direction of insertion of the card (100) in the housing (1), along two opposite edges of the panel (72).

The first insertion means (501) are disposed along the side members (51, 52) and parallel to the direction of insertion of the microcircuit card (100) in the housing (1) along two opposite edges of the panel (72) of the cover (50) and are intended for the insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) of which the lateral zones (30, 32) are arranged so as to be inserted in the first insertion means (501) of the cover (50). In the sliding space between the cover (50) and the contact carrier frame (10) second insertion means (502) are disposed along each side member (51, 52) and are intended for the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) so that it can be placed in a correct position correct on the contact carrier frame (10).

0.se*.

* The insertion by sliding of the contact carrier frame (10) in the cover (50) is effected parallel **.. .* * to the panel (72) or to the plane of insertion of the microcircuit card. * 25:

On order to form the first insertion means (501) two lateral edges opposite the panel (72) are bent twice at right angles along two distinct lines parallel to the edges in order to form a side :* member (51, 52) for each of these edges. In the part of the side member (51, 52) . perpendicular to the panel (72), tabs (53) are cut out and bent on the same line parallel to the panel (72) towards the centre of the cover (50) so as to be parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50).

The contact carrier frame (10) and the cover (50) delimits a passage slot enabling the passage of the microcircuit card (100) into the housing (1). A first face of the contact carrier frame (10) facing the panel (72) of the cover (50) is predominantly flat. It constitutes the sliding plane of the microcircuit card (100) on the contact carrier frame (10) during the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) into the housing (1). On this face, a part of the face of the transverse arms contained in the first face of the contact carrier frame (10) can be set back with respect to the sliding plane of the microcircuit card (100) in order to enable the passage of any engravings therein.

io On this face, a part of the face of the lateral zones (30, 32) contained in the first face of the contact carrier frame (10) can be set back with respect to the sliding plane of the microcircuit card (100) at a height at least equal to the thickness of the tabs of the cover (50) so as not to impede the passage of the microcircuit card (100). Vertical stop faces of the lateral zones form of means of complementary abutment means which permit abutment against the tabs is (53) of the cover (50) by being set back with respect to the sliding plane of the microcircuit card (100).

The second face of the contact carrier frame (10) includes a recess (49) intended to receive an optional shielding panel (90, 95). This recess (49) has a depth equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the shielding panel (90, 95), in a non-limiting maimer of the order of 5/100 mmto 1/10 ram. *0s*.

* In order to detect the presence of a microcircuit card (100) in the housing when it is inserted * ** 0 * in the operating position, the contact carrier frame (10) can include a switch (6) provided with an actuating element intended to co-operate with an edge of the microcircuit card (100). The *..,.: switch (6) is integrated in a recess (261) opening at least on the first face of the contact carrier frame (10) and situated at one end of one of the legs (25, 26) of the H of the central zone (31) * r° opposite the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion into the *:,. housing (1).

The flat panel (72) of the cover (50) can have protrusions (68) forming, in one and the same plane, support zones which reduce the space for insertion of the microcircuit card (100) between the support zones and the resilient contact strips (5) borne by the contact carrier frame (10). These protrusions (68) make it possible to leave sufficient space between the internal face of the panel (72) of the cover (50) and the microcircuit card (100) for the passage of any embossed engravings provided for example by the standards ISO 78 11-1, Iso 7811-3, Iso 7811-4 and ISO 7811-5 for smart cards and in order to avoid contact of the magnetic track of the microcircuit card (100) on the panel of the cover (50).

These protrusion (68) can be obtained by stamping and/or pressing of the panel (72) of the cover (50). They protrude towards the interior of the slot and serve as runners on which a face of the card (100) slides during its insertion into the housing (1). They are disposed in such a way as to allow the passage, without physical contact with the cover (SO), of the embossed engravings and for the magnetic track optionally disposed on this face of the card (100). In the operating position, the card (100) is pressed against the protrusions (68) under the action of the contact strips (5) and of the actuating element of the switch (6).

The cover (50) can include slowing means (69) for slowing down the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion into the housing (1) and for gripping the microcircuit card (100) for the duration of its use in the housing (1).

According to the first embodiment, the slowing means (69) result from cuffing out and bending of the panel (72) of the cover (50). In the operating position they ensure a holding force which supplements the force naturally exerted by the contact strips (5) and the actuating * element of the switch (5). In certain applications, these slowing means (69) can be omitted. * *

*23 The cover (50) has at least one abutment means (58) perpendicular to the panel of the cover * (50) defining, on the one hand, an end position for insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) inserted into the first insertion means (501) and, on the other hand, an end position of the : ° microcircuit card (100) inserted into the second insertion means (502).

These abutment means (58) are the result of bending of an edge of the panel (72) perpendicular to the side members (51, 52) along a line parallel to this edge in order to form abutment means (58). One part of the abutment means is cut out in order to form an indentation and another part (60) is bent back along a distinct line and parallel to the first bend in order to form a part (60) parallel to the panel of the cover (50), this parallel part (60) being stamped in order to form at least one projection (57) intended to co-operate with a recess (18) situated on at least one of the transverse arms (20, 21, 22, 23) for the clipping and S the joining of the contact carrier frame (10) to the cover (50). This transverse arm (21, 22) is an arm opposite the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) when it is inserted into the housing (1). The part (60) of the abutment means (58) cut out in order to form an indentation of which the edge is supported on a zone (39) projecting from the end of the longitudinal arm (26) where the recess (261) is situated enables the central zone of the cover (50) not to collapse if a pressure is exerted on the cover (50).

When the microcircuit card (100) is inserted, the support of the parts (60) parallel to the panel of the cover (50) of the abutment means (58) on the transverse arms (21, 22) of the contact carrier frame (10) prevents the central zone (31) of the cover (50) from rising under the action of the deflecting forces of contact strips (5) placed in the recesses (44) of the contact support and which extend through the upper apertures of these recesses (44) in order to come to co-operate with the contact pads arranged on the face of the microcircuit card (100), and under the action of the deflecting force of the switch (6).

The contact carrier frame (10) can also include lifting feet (43) on the second face of the contact carrier frame (10) which does not face the cover (5 0). These lifting feet (43) fix the height of the connector housing (1) with respect to a printed circuit board PCB (200) when S.....

* this housing (1) is placed on this printed circuit board (200).

* sS * S * S : The cover (50) includes lugs (61) for fixing the housing (1) on an electronic printed circuit (200).

:! These fixing lugs (61) are produced by cutting out and partly bending the part of the side *a members (51, 52) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50). They are formed by two resilient branches (62) which are delimited by a slot (64) which is extended by a portion (65) of the slot perpendicular to these lugs (61) on the part of the side members (51, 52) parallel to the panel of the cover (50), in the vicinity of the foot of these lugs (61). They make it possible, by being inserted slightly by force into the corresponding holes of a printed circuit board (200), to position the connector housing (1) with precision. These fixing lugs (61) ensure the retention of the connector housing (1) during the brazing operations. This design of lug (61) is particularly advantageous since the portion of the slot (65) perpendicular to the tugs (61) makes it possible to obtain a very great resilience on the two branches (62) of the lug (61) in spite of the low height of these branches (62) which is limited, in a non-limiting manner, to approximately 2.8 mm in order that their ends do not project from the side of the lower face of the printed circuit board (200) of which the thickness is generally approximately 1.6 mm for example. In fact, during the insertion of the lugs (61) into the holes of the printed circuit board (200), the resilient deformation of the two branches (62), which come closer to one another, at their point of contact in the holes, generates on each of them a bending moment vector perpendicular to their vertical plane which is opposed by a torsional moment vector parallel to the horizontal plane of their foot with same value but the opposite direction. The thickness to be taken into account for the resilient deformation of the feet of the lugs (61) is therefore the thickness of the metal sheet from which the cover (50) is cut out, which is 0.2 nun for example, whilst the thickness to be taken into account for the deformation of the branches (62) is their longitudinal cut-out dimension, that is to say approximately 1.5 mm for example. Thus it will be easily understood that the majority of the resilient deformation of the lugs (61) is ensured by the torsion of their foot, even with a short length of the perpendicular portion of the slot (65), that is to say approximately 0.5 nim for example. These metal lugs (61) acquire a high mechanical resistance to the forces of insertion of the microcircuit card (100) and enable the electrical connection of the cover (50) and of *0*** * any optional shielding panel (92, 95) to the electrical earth of the printed circuit board (100) r by pressure of the metallised wall of the holes of the printed circuit board (200) without the need for brazing in these holes. The cover (50) is shown in the drawings with only two fixing tugs (61) disposed in staggered positions. A variant with four fixing lugs (61) disposed symmetrically may be envisaged.

a.-a. * S

*: *i The connector housing (1) also includes outputs (46) for electrical connection of the contact strips (5) and outputs for electrical connection of the switch (6) which are intended to be brazed by flat transmission on the printed circuit board (200) on which it is mounted, or optionally by tapping when the outputs are of the type to be tapped.

The edges of the contact carrier frame (10) and of the cover (50) at the inlet of the connector housing (1) may be chamfered in order to facilitate the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) into the connector housing (1).

For the first embodiment of the connector housing (1), it is possible to add an optional shielding panel (90, 95). It may be for example made from the same metal as the cover (50) of the first embodiment and/or of the same thickness.

It has an outer contour which follows that of the recess (49) situated on the second face of the contact carrier frame (10).

The shielding panel (90, 95) is placed in the recess of the contact carrier frame (10). This sub-assembly is then introduced into the first insertion means (501) of the cover (50) until it is fitted and snap-fits thereon.

The end of the recess (49) is set back with respect to the second face of the contact carrier frame (10) at a height equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the shielding panel (90, 95) in such a way that the face of the shielding panel (90, 95) placed in the recess is slightly projecting from the first face of the contact carrier frame (10). Thus, after the interlocking and the snap-fitting in the cover (50), the tabs (54) of the side members (51, 52) parallel to : the panel (72) of the cover (50) and the tabs (60) of the parts (60) parallel to the panel (72) of * ° the cover (50) of the abutment means (58) are pressed mechanically on the shielding panel °. : (72), establishing the electrical contact with these elements of the cover (50) holding it in 7,5 position. * *

* .. In a first configuration of the shielding panel (90), shielding panel (90) comprises apertures * (92, 93) with shapes identical to the windows (33, 34) delimited between each lateral zone (30, 32) and the central zone (31) of the contact carrier frame (10), and the apertures (92, 93) of the shielding panel (90) are facing the windows (33, 34) of the contact carrier frame (10).

This offers the same possibility of installation of other components below the connector housing (1) as the version of the connector housing (1) without the shielding panel (90). The central section of the shielding panel (90) between the two apertures covers all of the contact support zone in order to ensure good protection of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100) in the operating position in the connector housing (1).

S In a second configuration of the shielding panel (95), the shielding panel (95) is similar to the shielding panel (90) of the first embodiment with the exception of the apertures (92, 93).

Instead, the shielding panel (90) comprises embossed areas (96, 97) with shapes which correspond to the apertures (33, 34) formed by the windows delimited between each lateral zone (30, 32) and the central zone (31) of the contact carrier frame (10) and which fill the said apertures. The volume available for installation of other components below the connector housing (1) is the size of the windows reduced by the thickness of the material of the embossed area (96, 97). These embossed areas (96, 97) constitute a protective barrier between the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100) and the components installed on the printed circuit board (200) below the embossed areas.

The optional shielding panels (90, 95) do not modify the space required by the connector housing (1).

Other variants of optional shielding panels can, depending upon the requirements, provide additional protective means such as those of the outputs of connections, of the open windows, etc. S.'.'. * .

" In the following description, a second embodiment of the housing (1) is presented with reference to Figures 9, 10,11, hA, 12, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 13. c,S.

* This connector housing (1) is not shielded and is intended for devices for reading and/or : * writing of a standard microcircuit card (100) in bank card format for which electromagnetic t* protection is not required at the level of the connector, thus benefiting from a reduced cost and a weight lower than the first embodiment.

The cover (50) is moulded from plastic material. In a non-limiting manner, the cover has a thickness of 7/10 mm. Apart from the shielding, this cover (50) made of plastic has all of the ftmnctions of the metal cover (50). It is designed in order to be able to interlock and to snap-fit with the corresponding contact carrier frame (10) in the same way as the connector housing (1) of the first embodiment. Thus it is possible to use industrial means for assembly and control which are common to these two embodiments. Naturally, certain shapes adapted to S the stamping technique have been adapted to the moulding technique.

The tabs (54) in the part of the side members (51, 52) perpendicular to the panel of the cover forming the first insertion means (501) of the plastic cover (50) are moulded, discontinuously for example, in thee elements distributed along each of the two side members (51, 52).

The parts (60) of the abutment means (58) which are parallel to the panel of the cover (50) are also discontinuous in three elements distributed over the part perpendicular to the panel of the abutment means (58).

is The tabs (53) of the first embodiment are replaced by support surfaces (153, 201) disposed respectively in front of the side members (51, 52) and in notches disposed at the ends of the abutment means (58).

The protrusions (168) take the form of slide rails and support rails projecting towards the interior of the slot.

* The projection (57) of the parts (60) parallel to the panel of the cover (50) of the abutment * means (58) intended to co-operate with a recess (18) situated on at least one of the transverse * arms of the frame (10) assumes the form of two resilient clips (157) moulded in the extension * js of these parts (60) parallel to the panel of the cover (50).

****.* * 0 *: These fixing lugs (61) resulting from cut-outs of the metal cover (50) of the first embodiment * * are replaced by metal fixing lugs (61) mounted and snap-fitted in recesses (213) integrally moulded with the lifting feet (43), for example four in number, of the contact carrier frame (10).

The contact carrier frame (10) of the connector housing (I) of the second embodiment is identical to the frame (10) of the connector housing (1) of the first embodiment with the exception of two pairs of studs (210, 211) integrally moulded with the contact carrier frame (10). Each stud (211) of a first pair of studs extends an end of each lateral zone (30, 32), the ends being those opposite the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion in the housing (1). Each stud (210) of the second pair of studs is disposed along each (30, 32) lateral zone in the vicinity of the ends of the closest lateral zones (30, 32) of the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion into the housing (1).

Moreover, the lifting feet (43) are situated on the second face of the contact carrier frame (10) at the level of the side members (51, 52) kin the same positions as those of the fixing lugs (61) of the shielded connector housing (1). The lifting feet (43) include a recess (213) capable of receiving metal fixing lugs (61).

The contact carrier frame (10) receives the same resilient contact strips (5) and the same switch (6) as the frame for the connector housing (1) of the first embodiment.

As for the connector housing (1), the contact carrier frame (10) is engaged according to a direction Dl in the first insertion means (501) of the cover (50) made of plastic material. The faces of the frame (10) slide on the tabs (54). When interlocking is completed, the studs (210) of the second pair co-operate with the support surfaces (153) disposed respectively in front of the side members. The studs (211) of the first pair engage in the notches disposed at the ends of the abutment means (58) in order to co-operate with their support surface (201). When the :°: contact carrier frame (10) reaches the abutment means (58), the frame (10) and the cover (50) * are snap-fitted and joined together in order to form the non-shielded connector housing (10).

*. : According to one configuration, the action of the clips (157) made of plastic material which js snap-fit in a resiLient manner in the recesses (18) of the contact carrier frame (10) can be *S*. 0* reinforced by those of four hooks (214) integrally moulded laterally with the contact carrier * . . frame (10). These hooks snap-fit in recesses (177) produced in the side members of the cover * (50). These four hooks can also be produced for the first embodiment on the contact carrier frame (10) in order to reinforce the snap-fitting of the frame (10) by engaging in apertures produced in the perpendicular part of the side members of the metal cover (50).

In one configuration, two tabs (78) perpendicular to the panel (72) of the cover (50) integrally moulded with the ends of the side members (51, 52) close to the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) interlock in corresponding slots (225) produced in the studs (210) of the second pair in order to reinforce the mechanical resistance of the part of side members (51, 52) close to the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) under the action of any lateral forces which may be exerted by the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion.

In the case where pressure is exerted on the top of the plastic cover (50), the support of the edge of the abutment means (58) against the protruding part (539) of the recess of the switch (6) integrally moulded with the contact carrier frame (10) prevents the central zone of the cover (50) from collapsing.

The fixing lugs (61) have a flat shape having an axis of symmetry. They include two branches (62) with shapes and dimensions similar to those of the fixing lugs (61) of the first embodiment. The two branches (62) are separated by a slot (63). The lateral upper end of each of the branches (62) includes a stop (76) and is extended by a spur (79) provided with two hooks (77). The central upper ends of the two branches (62) are interconnected by a central branch (81) which extends parallel upwards and between the two spurs (79). The upper end of the central branch (81) includes a rectangular window (82) of which the upper edge serves as a non-return stop face.

: The recess (213) produced in each lifting foot (43) of the contact carrier frame (10) is capable of receiving a fixing lug (61). The contact carrier frame (10) is shown in the drawings with : only two fixing lugs (61) disposed in staggered positions. This representation is not limiting.

* 25 For example, a variant with four fixing lugs (61) disposed symmetrically may be envisaged.

** *.*. * *

* .. The recess (213) has the shape of a slot which is open in its lower part and ends in its upper °.: part by stop faces (223). The thickness of the slot (213) is substantially equal to that of the fixing lug (61). The upper end of the slot (213) includes a stop step (219) provided with a slope (224) and a stop face (218). The slot (213) is vertically stepped: the lateral edges (221, 222) of the slot (213) delimit stop faces (216) between them. A second release slot (217) of which the thickness is substantially double the width of the slot (213) and the width is substantially equal to half of that of the slot (213) extends parallel and symmetrically with the slot (213) facing the stop step (219). The second slot (217) is open at its two ends.

The fixing lug (61) is inserted in its recess (213) in a direction D2 perpendicular to the contact carrier frame (10). The spurs (79) engage by force in the slot (213) and the hooks (77) co-operate with the lateral edges (222) of the slot (213) in order to produce a flush flu ing eliminating any risk of mechanical play of the lug in its recess (213). In the course of insertion, the lateral edges (84) of branches (62) slide on the lateral edges (221) of the slot (213) and ensure the guidance and the lateral retention of the fixing lug (61) in its recess (213). At the end of insertion, the upper edge of the central branch (81) co-operates with the slope (224) of the stop step (219) by resiliently deforming the central branch (81) which flexes in the second release slot (217) which is slightly wider than the central branch (81).

The fixing lug (61) has stops (76, 85) which come to be supported on the respective stop faces (216, 223) of the recess (213), the central branch (81) snap-fits on the stop step (219) by engaging the upper edge of the window (82) above the stop face (218) of the stop step (219), is thus fitting the fixing lug (61) in its recess (213). This design of metal lug (61) inserted in the lifting foot (43) of the contact carrier frame (10) has a particularly high mechanical resistance substantially equal to that of the fixing lug (61) of the metal cover (50) of the first embodiment.

The contact carrier frames (10) shown in the drawings include eight pairs of recesses (44) capable of receiving contact strips (5). Only the four pairs of recesses (44) situated close to 0.... . * * the centre of the contact carrier frame (10) are equipped with contact strips (5): they * correspond to the currently applicable position for the pads defined by the standard for the * : * microcircuit card (100). The four other pairs of recesses (44), which correspond to the s standard position of the previously applied microcircuit, are provided in case of any * * modifications: cards provided with two microcircuits for example. They can also be used in order to place any outputs for electrical connection of additional future functions of the * * connector. Moreover, it is possible to fit sixteen contact strips (5) in the sixteen recesses (44) in the event of use in which microcircuit cards (100) with two types of contact pad position can be received indiscriminately.

An embodiment of the contact carrier frame (10) including only the four pairs of central recesses (44) is a variant which retains the previously described advantages: it is assembled with the same covers (50) as those defined for the frames (10) provided with eight pairs of recesses (44), but receives an adapted optional shielding panel (94); a lateral zone has a transverse dimension and a window with enlarged surface area but the transverse dimension and the surface area of the open windows of the central zone are reduced accordingly.

The connector housing (1) is modular since it makes it possible to choose a housing (1) with a cover (50) made of metal or a cover (50) made of plastic and for it to be shielded or not with the addition of an optional shielding panel (90, 95). The shielding makes it possible to protect the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100) against electromagnetic interference andlor hacking.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the connector housing (1) which is comprises at least the following steps: -moulding of a contact carrier frame (10) by plastic injection moulding including guides forming recesses (44) arranged in order to receive at least one contact strip (5) intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100), a recess (49) for placing of an optional shielding panel (90, 95) and at least one recess (18) situated at one end of the longitudinal arms (20, 23) of at least one of the lateral zones (30, 32); -mounting of the resilient contact strips (5) in the recesses (44) of the contact carrier :3 frame (10) by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane of the contact carrier frame (10); -manufacture of the cover (50) including a panel (72), first parallel insertion means (501) and abutment means (58), the abutment means (58) including a part (60) parallel to the S.,..

panel of the cover (50), this parallel part (60) including a projection (57); -insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) in the first insertion means (501) until the *:. projection (57) of the panel part of the cover (50) of the abutment means (58) is clipped to the recess or recesses (18) of the contact carrier frame (10).

The method also includes a step of fixing a switch (6) provided with an actuating element intended to co-operate with the microcircuit card (100) in order to detect the presence thereof when it is inserted in the operating position.

According to the first embodiment, the method can also include a step of placing of the shielding panel (90, 95) in the recess (49) intended for the shielding panel (90, 95) of the contact carrier frame (10).

According to the second embodiment, the step of manufacture of the cover (50) includes at to least the following steps: -moulding of the cover (50) by plastic injection moulding; -fixing of fixing lugs (61).

According to the first embodiment, the step of manufacture of the cover (50) includes at least is the following steps: -cutting out of a rectangular metal panel; -bending of two opposing lateral edges of the panel in order to form a side member (51, 52) on each edge; -cutting out of the part of the side members (51, 52) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50) in order to form lugs (61) for fixing the housing (1) on an electronic circuit (200); -cutting out, in the part of the side members perpendicular to the panel (72), tabs (53) * a: which are bent towards the centre of the cover (50) and parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50) in order to form, on either side of the tabs (53), first insertion means (501) intended to *. : insert the contact carrier frame (10), the zone of bending the tabs (53) being on a line parallel to the plane of the panel (72) of the cover (50); ** S. * -bending of an edge of the panel perpendicular to the side members (51, 52) in order to : form abutment means (58) and to form a part (60) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50), * * this parallel part (60) being stamped in order to form at least one projection (57) which co-operates with the recess or recesses (18) of the contact carrier frame (10).

-stamping of the panel (72) of the cover (50) in order to form protrusions (68).

It must be obvious to persons skilled in the art that the present invention permits embodiments in numerous other specific forms without departing from the field of application of the invention as claimed. Consequently, the present embodiments should be considered by way of illustration, but may be modified within the field defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

S..... * S

S..... * S * Ss * .5

S

S..... * .

S *0SSS * S 0* S * S S * S.

Claims

Claims 1. Modular connector housing (1) for a microcircuit card (100) comprising at least one contact carrier frame (10) and cover (50) assembly intended to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) (200), a microcircuit card (100) which can be inserted between the contact carrier frame (10) and the cover (50), the housing (1) being characterised in that the connector housing (1) is retained on the PCB (200) by metal fixing lugs (61), that the one-piece contact carrier frame (10) inserted by sliding in the cover (50) comprises at least on one and the same plane: -a central zone (31) which constitutes a contact support which includes a plurality of recesses (44), at least some of which are arranged to receive by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane a resilient electrical contact strip (5) intended to co-operate with the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100), -a first (32) and a second lateral zone (30) formed on either side of the central zone; and in that the cover (50) comprises at least: -a predominantly flat rectangular panel (72) of which the longitudinal and transverse dimensions are substantially equal to those of the contact carrier frame (10) and greater than a dimension of the microcircuit card (10), the panel (72) including first means (501) for inserting and holding the frame, a sliding space which is sufficient for the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) introduced between the contact carrier frame (10) and the flat panel ee.* (72) of the cover (50).

* ***** * * * : *
2. Housing as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the first and second lateral zones (32, 30) each form a ring of which the centre is recessed to enable the positioning, facing * ***** * each annular recess, of electronic components supported by the PCB. ** * 0

* *
3. Housing as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the central zone (31) forms, with the lateral annular zones (30, 32), an H connected to the lateral zones (30, 32) by legs (25, 26) of the H parallel to longitudinal arms (27, 28) of the lateral zones (30, 32), the crossbar (24) of the H connecting the two legs (25, 26) of the H forming the contact support, a-' at least one transverse arm (20, 21, 22, 23) connecting a leg (25, 26) of the H at right angles to a longitudinal arm (27, 28) of a lateral zone (30, 32) to form each lateral zone.
4. Housing as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the first insertion means (501) are disposed along side members (51, 52) parallel to the direction of insertion of the microcircuit card (100) in the housing (1) along two opposite lateral edges of the panel (72) of the cover (50) and are intended for the insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) of which the lateral zones (30, 32) are arranged so as to be inserted in the first insertion means (501) of the cover (50), the sliding space between the cover (50) and the contact carrier frame (10) being formed by second insertion means (502) disposed along each side member (51, 52) and intended for the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) so that it can be placed in a correct position on the contact carrier frame (10).
5. Housing (1) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that a first face (101) of the contact carrier frame (10) facing the panel (72) of the cover (50) is predominantly flat and constitutes the sliding plane of the microcircuit card (100) on the contact carrier frame (10) during the insertion of the microcircuit card (100) in the housing (1), the plurality of guides forming recesses (44), each of which is arranged in order to receive at least one bent resilient contact strip (5) of which the bend comes into a position projecting into an aperture formed between two guides, the bend being intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100), the guides being disposed parallel to the first face of the frame (101) and another bent-back end of the contact strip (5) being soldered to contact pads of the PCB. *b * * S

* s
6. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1 and 5, characterised in that the 5* * second face (102) of the contact carrier frame (10) includes a recess (49) intended to receive *: an optional shielding panel (90, 95), the recess (49) having a depth equal to or slightly less than the thickness of the shielding panel (90, 95).
7. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1, 3 and 5, characterised in that the end of one of the legs (26) of the H on the first face (101) of the contact carrier frame (10) has a recess (261) opening at least on the first face (101) of the contact carrier frame for a switch (6) provided with an actuating element intended to co-operate with the microcircuit card (100) in order to detect the presence thereof when it is inserted in the operating position, the end of the leg (26) provided with the recess (261) being the end of the leg (26) opposing the inlet for introduction of the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion in the housing (1).S
8. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1, 4 and 5, characterised in that the flat panel (72) of the cover (50) has protrusions (68, 168) forming, in one and the same plane, support zones which reduce the space for insertion of the microcircuit card (100) between the support zones and the resilient contact strips (5) borne by the contact carrier frame (10).
9. Housing (1) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the cover (50) can include slowing means (69) for slowing down the microcircuit card (100) during its insertion into the housing (1) and for gripping the microcircuit card (100) for the duration of its use in the housing (1).
10. Housing (1) as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the cover (50) has at least one abutment means (58) perpendicular to the panel (72) of the cover (50) defining, on the one hand, an end position for insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) inserted into the first insertion means (501) and, on the other hand, an end position of the microcircuit card (100) inserted into the sliding space between the contact carrier frame (10) and the flat panel (72) of the cover (50). *0**I * S
11. Housing (1) as claimed in Claims 1 and 10, characterised in that the free end of the abutment means (58) includes a part (60) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover, this parallel part (60) includes a projection (57) intended to co-operate with a recess (18) situated on at * least one transverse arm (20, 23) connecting the central zone to the lateral zones for clipping : and joining of the contact carrier frame (10) with the cover (50), the transverse arm or arms (20, 23) being the arms (20, 23) which are reached last by the microcircuit card (100) when it is inserted in the housing (1).
12. Housing (1) as claimed in Claims I and 6, characterised in that the housing (1) also includes a shielding panel (95) disposed in the recess (49) of the second face (102) of the C' contact carrier frame (10), the shielding panel (95) comprising embossed areas (96, 97) with shapes which correspond to the apertures formed by the windows delimited between each lateral zone (30, 32) and the central zone (31) of the contact carrier frame (10) and which fill the said apertures.
13. Housing (1) as claimed in Claims 1 and 6, characterised in that the housing (1) also includes a shielding panel (90) disposed in the recess (49) of the second face (102) of the contact carrier frame (10), the shielding panel (90) comprising apertures (92, 93) with shapes which are identical to the windows delimited between each lateral zone (30, 32) and the central zone (31) of the contact carrier (10) frame, the apertures (92, 93) in the shielding panel (90) facing the windows in the contact carrier frame (10).
14. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the cover (50) is made of metal for applications in which the chip of the microcircuit card must be protected against electromagnetic interference and/or against attempts at hacking.
15. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the electromagnetic shielding is ensured by a metal cover and a shielding panel disposed in the recess of the second face of the frame gate contact with which it is in contact in such a way that in the operating position the chip of the microcircuit card is sandwiched between the panel of the metal cover and the optional shielding panel, these two elements being in * electrical contact over the majority of their perimeter and connected electrically to the * electrical earth of the read/write device by metal lugs for fixing the housing. ** * * S ** 25
16. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the * . .5*S * cover (50) is made of plastic material.

S

* A.., * I
17. Housing (1) as claimed in at least one of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the contact carrier frame (10) is manufactured by plastic injection moulding. V.2
18. Housing as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the insertion by sliding of the contact carrier frame (10) in the cover (50) is effected parallel to the panel (72) or to the plane of insertion of the microcircuit card.
19, Method for manufacturing a connector housing (1) as claimed in Claims 1 to 17 for a microcircuit card (100), characterised in that it comprises at least the following steps: -moulding of a contact carrier frame (10) by plastic injection moulding including guides forming recesses (44) arranged in order to receive at least one contact strip (5) intended to co-operate with the contacts of the microcircuit of the microcircuit card (100), a recess (49) for placing of an optional shielding panel (90, 95) and at least one recess (18) situated at one end of the longitudinal arms (20, 23) of at least one of the lateral zones (30, 32); -mounting of the resilient contact strips (5) in the recesses (44) of the contact carrier frame (10) by sliding in a slot parallel to the plane of the contact carrier frame (10); Is -manufacture of the cover (50) including a panel (72), first parallel insertion means (501) and abutment means (58), the abutment means (58) including a part (60) parallel to the panel of the cover (50), this parallel part (60) including a projection (57); -insertion of the contact carrier frame (10) in the first insertion means (501) until the projection (57) of the panel part of the cover (50) of the abutment means (58) is clipped to the recess or recesses (18) of the contact carrier frame (10)."1
20. Method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that the method also includes a step * : of fixing a switch (6) equipped with an actuating element intended to co-operate with microcircuit card (100) in order to detect the presence thereof when it is inserted in the 2 operating position.* S **SS

S S

: *
21. Method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that it also includes a step of placing C.1 of the shielding panel (90, 95) in the recess (49) intended for the shielding panel (90, 95) of the contact carrier frame (10).
22. Method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that the manufacture of the cover (50) includes at least the following steps: -moulding of the cover (50) by plastic injection moulding; -fixing of fixing lugs (61).
23. Method as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that the manufacture of the cover (50) includes at least the following steps: -cutting out of a rectangular metal panel; -bending of two opposing lateral edges of the panel in order to form a side member (51, 52) on each edge; -cutting out the part of the side members (51, 52) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover Jo (50) in order to form lugs (61) for fixing the housing (1) on an electronic circuit board (200); -cutting out, in the part of the side members perpendicular to the panel (72), tabs (53) which are bent towards the centre of the cover (50) and parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50) in order to form, on either side of the tabs (53), first insertion means (501) intended to insert the contact carrier frame (10), the zone of bending the tabs (53) being on a line parallel to the plane of the panel (72) of the cover (50); -bending of an edge of the panel perpendicular to the side members (51, 52) in order to form abutment means (58) and to form a part (60) parallel to the panel (72) of the cover (50), this parallel part (60) being stamped in order to form at least one projection (57) which co-operates with the recess or recesses (18) of the contact carrier frame (10).-stamping of the panel (72) of the cover (50) in order to form protrusions (68).S 055*5V S555 Sn. * S * . * S. * S.S* 5555$S S** * 4s. * S S. S S es * S5