JP2007323300A - On-vehicle communication terminal equipment and ic card reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide on-vehicle communication terminal equipment and an IC card reading device in each of which a substrate side can surely be protected even when a card storage part get wet due to raindrops or the like when inserting/extracting a card, and in which raindrops or dust or the like attached to a contract terminal section can be easily removed. <P>SOLUTION: The on-vehicle communication terminal equipment is provided with: a case 4 having a placing surface 3 on which an IC card 2 having a contact section 2a is placed; a card connector 36 having a contact terminal 36a to be brought into contact with the contact section 2a of the IC card 2 when the IC card 2 is placed on the placing surface 3; a substrate 13 stored in the case 4 on which a control circuit accessible through the card connector 36 to the IC card 2 is mounted. The placing surface 3 of the case 4 is partially opened, and the card connector 36 is configured as a waterproof type connector closing an opening 12, and the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 is configured so as to be exposed on the placing surface 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication terminal device and an IC card reading device, and more particularly to an in-vehicle communication terminal device suitable for an in-vehicle ETC device that performs information communication with a stationary communication terminal device installed at an entrance of an expressway, and The present invention relates to an IC card reader.

  Recently, an ETC system has become widespread as a system that pays a fee when a vehicle passes an entrance / exit of an expressway. In this ETC system, automatic payment of fees is performed between the in-vehicle communication terminal device in which vehicle passing information is installed in the vehicle instead of the conventional ticket and the stationary communication terminal device installed at the toll gate. Since the vehicle can be passed without stopping at the toll gate, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome processing for paying the fee and smooth the traffic.

  In this type of conventional ETC system, it is necessary to mount an in-vehicle communication terminal device that performs information communication on vehicle passage information with a stationary communication terminal device. By installing the ETC card, it is necessary to write information about the fee on the ETC card.

  In addition, in the conventional in-vehicle communication terminal device, the ETC card is dropped from the connector while the information is being transmitted to the ETC card due to vibration or the like while the vehicle is running, or the ETC card that is transmitting information moves. In order to prevent the occurrence of a problem that accidentally destroys the recorded data, it is necessary to attach the ETC card to the card connector.

  As a conventional card connector of this type, both ends of an ETC card on which information is recorded are detachably held while being guided by guide grooves having substantially the same thickness as the ETC card, and information is transmitted to this card. A connector main body, a case for supporting the connector main body slidably in the insertion / extraction direction of the ETC card, an elastic member that constantly urges the connector main body in the direction of removing the ETC card, and a connector main body slid in the insertion direction of the ETC card There is a lock means for holding the lens in a predetermined position and a lock release means for releasing the hold by the lock means (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In addition, as an IC card reading device used outdoors, the card storage portion can be opened, and a seal ring that comes into contact with the opening / closing lid is provided around the card storage portion so that raindrops etc. on the card storage portion can be provided. An apparatus that prevents intrusion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-8778 JP-A-8-77312

  However, in a conventional in-vehicle communication device and IC card reader, for example, when used in an in-vehicle ETC device mounted in a motorcycle or an open car, the ETC card is loaded into the in-vehicle ETC device outdoors. In many cases, the card is loaded in the rain, or raindrops enter the card compartment during loading, and multiple contact terminals that contact the input / output contacts of the card are short-circuited by raindrops. In some cases, such as In that case, in a conventional in-vehicle communication device in which the card connector is in the back of the case, the user cannot take measures such as wiping off water droplets immediately for poor connection, or the contact terminal inside the waterproof seal There is a risk that raindrops may enter the circuit board side and damage the board.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem. Even when the card storage portion is wetted by raindrops or the like during card insertion / removal operation, the substrate side is reliably protected and the contact terminal portion is protected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an in-vehicle communication terminal device and an IC card reader capable of easily removing attached raindrops, dust, and the like.

  An in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention is an in-vehicle communication terminal device that is mounted on a vehicle and performs information communication with a stationary communication terminal device, and has a mounting surface on which an IC card having a contact portion is mounted. A card connector having a contact terminal that comes into contact with a contact portion of the IC card when the IC card is placed on the mounting surface, and the case is housed in the case and the card connector via the card connector. A board on which a control circuit capable of accessing an IC card is mounted, and the card connector is configured as a waterproof connector that partially opens a mounting surface of the case, and the card connector closes the opening. The contact terminals are exposed on the mounting surface.

  With this configuration, even if the IC card is loaded in the wet state, or even if raindrops enter the card storage part during the loading operation, the opening of the card placement surface is blocked with a waterproof connector, Since only the contact terminal is exposed on the mounting surface, raindrops are reliably prevented from entering from the contact terminal side to the circuit board side, and the board is reliably protected and adhered to the exposed part of the contact terminal. Raindrops, dust, etc. can be easily removed.

  In the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention, the card connector includes a plurality of conductor members constituting the contact terminal, and an insulating holding member that holds the conductor members at a predetermined interval and closes the opening, A seal member may be provided between the insulating holding member and the case. With this configuration, a module in which a plurality of contact terminals are held by an insulating holding member and integrated can be used for closing the opening of the mounting surface and can be effectively used for waterproofing, and a simple and reliable waterproof structure can be realized.

  In the in-vehicle communication terminal device according to the present invention, preferably, the case supports the first case member in which the placement surface is formed, and the first case member is capable of opening and closing the placement surface. And a second case member having an opening / closing lid function, wherein at least one of the first case member and the second case member has a periphery of the placement surface when the second case member is closed. The outer seal member for sealing between the first case member and the second case member is provided. With this configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent raindrops from entering when the card is stored.

  The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to the present invention includes a guide projection on the placement surface side that contacts the case with a part of a surface on the contact portion side of the IC card to guide the IC card to the predetermined placement height. A part may be provided. With this configuration, even when the surface of the case storage portion is extensively wet or dirty when the card is mounted, the contact portion of the IC card is difficult to get wet or dirty.

  In the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention, the case is engaged with a surface opposite to the contact portion of the IC card, and the IC card is restricted from moving to the side away from the mounting surface. When the IC card is placed on the mounting surface, the contact terminal of the card connector comes into pressure contact with the IC card from the surface on the contact portion side of the IC card with a predetermined contact pressure. It is preferable to do so. With this configuration, connection failures can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to the present invention is provided with the guide protrusions on the placement surface side adjacent to the parallel side guide portions that are spaced apart from both end sides of the placement surface, and the contact terminals of the card connector are arranged in front. More preferably, it is also provided on the center side of the mounting surface so as to be close to the part exposed on the mounting surface. With this configuration, it is possible to restrict the deformation and vibration of the IC card in the vicinity of the contact terminal of the waterproof connector, maintain the contact portion surface height at a predetermined placement height, and reduce connection failures.

  Furthermore, in the in-vehicle communication terminal device of the present invention, it is preferable that a connection failure detection circuit for detecting a connection failure state between the contact terminal of the card connector and the contact portion of the IC card is mounted on the substrate. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user of the state when connection is poor, and measures such as wiping off water droplets and dust from the contact terminal portion can be performed.

  On the other hand, the IC card reader of the present invention has a case having a placement surface on which an IC card having a contact portion is placed, and a contact point of the IC card when the IC card is placed on the placement surface. An IC card reader comprising: a card connector having a contact terminal that contacts a portion; and a board that is housed in the case and on which a control circuit capable of accessing the IC card is mounted via the card connector. The case mounting surface is partially opened, and the card connector is configured as a waterproof connector that closes the opening, and the contact terminals of the card connector are exposed on the mounting surface. It is.

  With this configuration, even if the IC card is loaded in the wet state, or even if raindrops enter the card storage part during the loading operation, the opening of the card placement surface is blocked with a waterproof connector, Since only the contact terminal is exposed on the mounting surface, raindrops are reliably prevented from entering from the contact terminal side to the circuit board side, and the board is reliably protected and adhered to the exposed part of the contact terminal. Raindrops, dust, etc. can be easily removed.

  According to the present invention, even if an IC card is loaded in a wet state, or raindrops enter the card storage part during the loading operation, the opening of the card mounting surface is blocked by the waterproof connector. Since only the contact terminals are exposed on the mounting surface, it is possible to reliably prevent the raindrops from entering from the contact terminal side to the circuit board side, thereby protecting the board reliably and exposing the contact terminals. Raindrops, dust, and the like attached to the part can be easily removed.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1-8 is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device based on this invention, and has shown the example applied to the vehicle-mounted ETC apparatus which uses an ETC card as an IC card.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  1 and 2, the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 performs radio communication by radio waves with an ETC antenna provided in a stationary communication terminal device (not shown) of a toll booth in the ETC lane, and vehicle information, ETC card information It exchanges information such as billing information, and is attached to a four-wheeled vehicle, a two-wheeled vehicle or the like in an arbitrary posture.

  This in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is connected to a lower case 4 as a first case member having a placement surface 3 on which an ETC card 2 (see FIG. 2) is placed, and the lower case 4 via a hinge 5. The upper case 6 is provided as a second case member that can be opened and closed with respect to the lower case 4. In the present embodiment, the expression of the lower case 4 and the upper case 6 is used assuming that the lower case 4 is attached to the vehicle on the lower side, but the directionality is not limited. When the center of rotation is used in the vertical direction, the right case and the left case are used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ETC card 2 is formed of a contact type IC card, and has a metal contact portion 2a of an IC chip (hereinafter simply referred to as an IC chip portion 2a) at a predetermined position on one side thereof. The ETC card 2 includes a CPU, a memory, and an input / output interface (not shown), and can read / write vehicle information, ETC card information, billing information, and the like.

  The placement surface 3 on which the ETC card 2 is placed is a surface that supports the surface on the IC chip portion 2a side when the ETC card 2 is loaded as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, when the ETC card 2 is inserted from the right side to the left side in the figure, the ETC card 2 is guided to a predetermined placement height.

  The mounting surface 3 is a pair of parallel guide ribs extending in the insertion / extraction direction while being spaced apart on both sides in the short direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction (hereinafter referred to as the insertion / extraction direction) which is the longitudinal direction of the ETC card 2. 3a, 3b (guide protrusions on both sides in the short side direction) and a central guide rib 3c (center guide protrusion) located substantially in the middle of both guide ribs 3a, 3b.

  These guide ribs 3a, 3b, and 3c are in contact with only a part of the surface of the ETC card 2 on the IC chip portion 2a (contact portion) side, and on the placement surface side for guiding the ETC card 2 to a predetermined placement height. It is a guide protrusion. Further, the guide ribs 3a, 3b, 3c protrude from the upper surface 4c on the center side of the lower case 4 to a predetermined height. When the ETC card 2 is mounted on the mounting surface 3, the guide ribs 3a, 3b, 3c are directly on the wide upper surface 4c of the lower case 4. It is made not to touch. The wide upper surface 4 c of the lower case 4 is higher than the outer peripheral surface 4 d of the lower case 4.

  The lower case 4 and the upper case 6 are molded from a predetermined resin material excellent in impact resistance and weather resistance. As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the lower case 4 and the upper case 6 has an outer seal that seals between the cases 4 and 6 around the mounting surface 3 when the upper case 6 is closed. In this embodiment, for example, a waterproof seal ring 61 as an outer seal member is attached to the upper case 6. Therefore, when the upper case 6 is closed, the card storage space between the lower case 4 and the upper case 6 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

  Further, a base end portion 7a of a buckle 7 is rotatably attached to the lower case 4, and an upper end portion 7b of the buckle 7 is swingable with the base end portion 7a as a fulcrum.

  The upper end 7b of the buckle 7 locks the upper case 6 in a closed state when it swings to an engagement position that engages with an engagement recess 6b (see FIG. 8) formed in the end of the upper case 6. Be able to. Further, the upper end portion 7b of the buckle 7 is inclined upward from the end portion of the upper case 6 toward the center portion so that a constant gap 24 (about 2 to 4 mm) is formed between the upper case 6 and the upper case 6, for example. The inner end face shape is formed.

  When releasing the locked state of the buckle 7 so as to open the upper case 6, the user's fingertip is inserted into the gap 24, and the upper end 7 b of the buckle 7 is moved from the engaging recess 6 b of the upper case 6. Let go.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of guide rails 8 a that are parallel to each other protrude from both ends of the mounting surface 3 of the lower case 4 in the short direction. The both ends of the ETC card 2 in the short direction are positioned to extend in the insertion / removal direction with a separation distance corresponding to the width dimension in the short direction.

  Further, a pair of stopper pieces 8b serving as tip positioning members are provided at the end portion of the mounting surface 3, and the stopper pieces 8b abut on one end portion in the longitudinal direction (tip portion in the insertion direction) of the ETC card 2. Thus, one end of the ETC card 2 in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the placement surface 3.

  The upper case 6 is provided with a rear end positioning rib 6a. The positioning rib 6a extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the guide rail 8a, and when the upper case 6 is closed, The other end portion in the longitudinal direction (rear end portion in the insertion direction) of the ETC card 2 is positioned on the placement surface 3 so as to be located outside the placement surface 3 (see FIG. 6A). .

  Also, a pair of protruding piece-like holding pieces 9 are provided at one end in the extending direction of the pair of guide rails 8a. The holding pieces 9 are arranged on the ETC card 2 with respect to the upper surfaces of the guide ribs 3a and 3b. The two sides of the ETC card 2 face each other at a predetermined interval corresponding to the thickness, and are held so as to be insertable / removable together with the guide ribs 3a, 3b. Further, the pair of holding pieces 9 engage with the surface of the ETC card 2 opposite to the IC chip portion 2a (contact portion), and restrict the ETC card 2 from moving to the side away from the placement surface 3. It is a regulating member. The holding piece 9 may be provided only on one of the guide rails 8a on both sides, and may not be provided on any of the guide rails 8a.

On the inner surface of the upper case 6, elastic sheets 10a and 10b for absorbing vibration are mounted.
These elastic sheets 10a and 10b always bring the ETC card 2 into contact with the mounting surface 3, that is, the upper surfaces (guide heights) of the guide ribs 3a, 3b and 3c on both sides and the center when the upper case 6 is closed. This is a restricting member that regulates the placement height of the ETC card 2. The elastic sheets 10a and 10b engage with the surface of the ETC card 2 opposite to the IC chip portion 2a (contact portion) side to urge the ETC card 2 on the mounting surface 3 and absorb vibration. It is also a means to do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a plurality of elastic sheets are provided, at least one of the elastic sheets is on the IC chip portion 2a and the other is separated from the IC chip portion 2a in the card insertion / removal direction and contacts the ETC card 2. It is preferable to arrange them as follows. As described above, when the elastic sheet 10a is arranged, a pressing force is applied evenly in the vicinity of the IC chip portion 2a of the ETC card 2, and the entire ETC card 2 is surely secured by the lower case 4 and the elastic sheet 10a. It can be held stably.

  The elastic sheets 10a and 10b only need to absorb vibrations of the ETC card 2. For example, the elastic sheets 10a and 10b are made of elastic polyurethane, silicone resin, rubber such as nitrile rubber or neoprene rubber, and thermoplastic elastomer. May be used. Moreover, you may use a commercially available gel-like sheet, for example, a silicone gel sheet or a urethane gel sheet. The shape of the elastic sheets 10a and 10b may be a circle, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like in addition to a quadrangle.

  The upper case 6 is provided with a pair of protrusions (first protrusions) 11 that protrude toward the pair of holding pieces 9 and the guide rails 8a. One protrusion 11 may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the lower case 4 positioned outside the mounting surface 3 is provided with a protrusion 4a, and the protrusion 4a has a guide height (predetermined mounting position) of the guide ribs 3a, 3b, 3c. The height is substantially the same as the height. The protrusion 4a is provided at a position close to the positioning rib 6a when the upper case 6 is closed, and the upper case 6 is closed in a state in which the ETC card 2 is displaced outward from the placement surface 3. In this case, the ETC card 2 is prevented from being bent as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, a circuit board 13 for controlling the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is built in the lower case 4, and the upper end portion of the card connector 36 on the circuit board 13 is exposed on the mounting surface 3 in the lower case 4. An opening hole 12 is formed.

  The opening hole 12 is formed at a predetermined position so as to face the IC chip portion 2a when the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3 and contacts the stopper piece 8b. Further, a card connector 36 is provided in the opening hole 12, and when the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3 and abuts against the stopper piece 8b, a plurality of contact terminals 36a of the card connector 36 are provided. It contacts the IC chip part (contact part) 2a.

  Specifically, each of the plurality of contact terminals 36a is made of a flexible conductive member, and the upper case 6 is closed, and the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3 by the elastic sheets 10a and 10b. When positioned at a predetermined placement height, the IC chip portion 2a is elastically contacted so as to press the IC chip portion 2a in a direction opposite to the pressing force of the elastic sheet 10a.

  The card connector 36 is mounted on a circuit board 13 accommodated in the lower case 4, and the circuit board 13 is an input / output control circuit (described later) that can access the ETC card 2 via the card connector 36. ) Is implemented.

  By the way, the card connector 36 that is partially exposed to the space on the mounting surface 3 from the opening hole 12 of the lower case 4 is configured as a waterproof connector that closes the opening hole 12.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the plurality of contact terminals 36a of the card connector 36 is a wire-like conductor member made of, for example, a copper alloy, and these contact terminals 36a are made of, for example, an insulating material and have a molding accuracy. It is held at a predetermined interval corresponding to the interval of the contact portion on the IC chip portion 2a side by an insulating holding member 36b made of PPS with excellent resin, for example, PPS containing glass fiber. Further, the plurality of contact terminals 36a are integrated with the insulating holding member 36b by insert molding or the like, so that the holding hole portions of the contact terminals 36a are held in a sealed state. FIG. 5 shows a mode in which the card connector 36 is directly mounted on the circuit board 13. However, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the card connector 36 is connected to the circuit board 30 via a socket 37. It may be configured as a terminal module that is detachably mounted on the terminal module.

  Further, the insulating holding member 36b has a plug shape corresponding to the opening shape of the opening hole 12, and closes the inside of the opening hole 12 on the plug portion 36b1 side, and lower end side of the opening hole 12 on the lower end side enlarged diameter portion 36b2. It faces the periphery of the opening.

  Then, between the insulating holding member 36b and the lower case 4, for example, between the insulating holding member 36b of the card connector 36 and a part of the lower case 4 serving as the inner wall surface portion 12a of the opening hole 12, or the insulating holding of the card connector 36. Between the member 36b and a part of the lower case 4 forming the peripheral wall lower part 12b of the opening hole 12, an elastic seal member 31 capable of liquid-tightly sealing a gap between the two is provided. The elastic seal member 31 can be used as a waterproof seal and a dust-proof seal, is excellent in vibration-proof characteristics, and has a large deformation allowance when assembled. The elastic seal member 31 has a predetermined cross-sectional shape, for example, a circular cross-section, in an uncompressed state before assembly.

  When the plurality of contact terminals 36a of the card connector 36 are exposed on the mounting surface 3, the height of the tops of the plurality of contact terminals 36a is slightly higher than the height of the upper surfaces (mounting surfaces) of the guide ribs 3a, 3b, 3c. Thus, when the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3, the amount of bending at the time of connection of the contact terminal 36a is set so that the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 is pressed against the ETC card 2 with a predetermined contact pressure. Has been. Thereby, when the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3 and positioned at a predetermined placement height, the contact terminal 36a and the IC chip portion 2a are securely connected.

  The central guide rib 3c of the lower case 4 is provided on the center side of the mounting surface 3 so that the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 is close to the part exposed on the mounting surface 3, and the IC chip of the ETC card 2 In the range corresponding to the mounting area of the portion 2a, the opening hole 12 is surrounded by, for example, three sides, and on the other hand, it is formed in an open U-shape. The elastic sheets 10a and 10b are set within a predetermined rubber hardness range together with the spring constant of the contact terminal 36a so as to avoid resonance when the ETC card is mounted in consideration of vibrations from the vehicle side. On the other hand, the reliable connection between the IC chip 2a and the connection terminal 36a in the ETC card 2 is ensured.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the circuit board 13 built in the lower case 4.

  In FIG. 7, the circuit board 13 is mounted with a control circuit including a power supply circuit 14, an input / output control circuit 15, an IC chip read / write circuit 16, a display processing circuit 17, and a wireless circuit 18.

  The input / output control circuit 15 includes a CPU (Central processing unit), a ROM (Read only memory), and a RAM (Random access memory), and controls other functional units according to a predetermined control program stored in the ROM. Then, the operation of the entire in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is controlled.

  The power supply circuit 14 is supplied with 12V power from a battery provided in the vehicle via a wiring 19 (see FIG. 1), and supplies power to the circuit board 13.

  The IC chip read / write circuit 16 reads the vehicle information, ETC card information, billing information, etc. stored in the IC chip section 2a via the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36, and the vehicle information, ETC card information, billing information, etc. A storage process is performed.

  The display processing circuit 17 is connected to the LED lamp 22 via the wiring 20, and can control whether or not the LED lamp 22 for status display is lit and the lighting state (flashing or luminescent color).

  When the IC chip unit 2a is detected by the IC chip read / write circuit 16, the input / output control circuit 15 outputs a command signal to the display processing circuit 17 to continuously turn on the LED lamp 22 to thereby establish a normal connection state. Confirming the operation is displayed. Also, the input / output control circuit 15 detects the IC chip part 2a by the IC chip read / write circuit 16, but the connection state is abnormal (for example, when two adjacent contact terminals are short-circuited), A command signal for notifying the abnormality is output to the display processing circuit 17 so that the LED lamp 22 blinks, for example, or an LED with a different color is lit to indicate that an abnormality is detected. That is, the input / output control circuit 15 also functions as a connection failure detection circuit that detects a connection failure state between the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 and the contact portion of the ETC card 2.

  The radio circuit 18 is connected to the antenna 23 via the wiring 21, and performs radio communication with the ETC antenna using a high frequency of a predetermined frequency band, for example, a high frequency of 5.8 GHz band. .

  Next, the operation will be described.

  When the ETC card 2 is loaded in the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 having the above-described configuration, the upper case 6 is opened by moving the buckle 7 to the release position (see FIG. 2), and along the guide rail 8a. When the ETC card 2 is slid on the mounting surface 3 and inserted, the one end in the longitudinal direction of the ETC card 2 is inserted between the holding piece 9 and the mounting surface 3 and comes into contact with the stopper piece 8b. 2 is placed on the placement surface 3, and the IC chip portion 2a contacts the contact terminal 36a.

  In this state, the ETC card 2 is held by the plurality of contact terminals 36 a of the card connector 36 and the pair of holding pieces 9 and does not come out of the lower case 4. In particular, when the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is mounted on a motorcycle or the like, the ETC card 2 can be prevented from dropping from the lower case 4 even when the rotation center of the hinge 5 is set in the vertical direction.

  Next, the upper case 6 is closed and the buckle 7 is swung to the engaged position, thereby locking the upper case 6 in the closed state. At this time, both ends in the longitudinal direction and both ends in the short direction of the ETC card 2 are positioned on the mounting surface 3 by the guide rail 8a, the stopper piece 8b and the protruding piece 6a, and the elastic sheets 10a and 10b are attached to the ETC card 2. Is urged to a predetermined mounting height so that the plurality of contact portions of the IC chip portion 2a are reliably connected to the corresponding contact terminals 36a.

  On the other hand, when removing the ETC card 2 from the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1, the buckle 7 is rotated to unlock the upper case 6, the upper case 6 is opened, and the ETC card is moved along the guide rail 8a. 2 is removed from the mounting surface 3 while sliding on the mounting surface 3.

  By the way, when the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is installed in a motorcycle or the like, a state may occur in which the attaching / detaching operation of the ETC card 2 to the in-vehicle communication terminal device 1 is performed while being exposed to wind and rain. In the present embodiment, even if the ETC card 2 is loaded in a wet state, or raindrops enter the card storage section on the lower case 4 during the loading operation, the opening of the card placement surface 3 Since the hole 12 is closed by the waterproof card connector 36 and only the contact terminal 36a is exposed on the mounting surface 3, raindrops may enter the circuit board 13 side from the contact terminal 36a side. It is surely prevented. As a result, the circuit board 13 is reliably protected from raindrops and the like, and the raindrops and dust attached to the exposed portions of the contact terminals 36a can be easily wiped and removed in the opened state of the upper case 6.

  In the present embodiment, the card connector 36 includes a plurality of conductor members that form the contact terminals 36a, and an insulating holding member 36b that holds the contact terminals 36a at predetermined intervals and closes the opening holes 12. Since the sealing member 31 is provided between the insulating holding member 36b and the lower case 4, the module in which the plurality of contact terminals 36a are held by the insulating holding member 36b and integrated is opened in the mounting surface 3. 12 can be used effectively for waterproofing, and a simple and reliable waterproof structure can be realized.

  In this embodiment, at least one of the lower case 4 and the upper case 6 is provided with a waterproof seal ring 61 that seals between the cases 4 and 6 around the placement surface 3 when the upper case 6 is closed. Therefore, even when the ETC card 2 is stored, raindrops can be reliably prevented from entering the storage unit.

  Further, the lower case 4 is provided with guide ribs 3a, 3b, 3c that contact a part of the surface of the ETC card 2 on the IC chip portion 2a side and guide the ETC card 2 to a predetermined placement height. Even when the surface of the case storage portion is extensively wetted or dirty when the ETC card 2 is mounted, the IC chip portion 2a of the ETC card 2 becomes difficult to get wet or dirty.

  Further, the lower case 4 is engaged with the surface of the ETC card 2 opposite to the IC chip portion 2a (contact point portion), and is elastic to restrict the ETC card 2 from moving to the side away from the mounting surface 3. When the sheets 10a and 10b (regulating members) are provided and the ETC card 2 is placed on the placement surface 3, the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 is applied to the ETC card 2 from the contact portion side surface with a predetermined contact pressure. Since the pressure contact is made, a reliable connection state can be secured and connection failure can be reduced.

  In addition, guide ribs 3 a and 3 b are provided adjacent to a pair of guide rails 8 a that are spaced apart from both ends of the mounting surface 3, and close to a portion where the contact terminal 36 a of the card connector 36 is exposed on the mounting surface 3. Since the guide rib 3c is also provided on the center side of the mounting surface 3, the height of the contact portion surface of the ETC card 2 in the vicinity of the contact terminal 36a of the waterproof connector 36 is maintained at a predetermined mounting height. Connection failure can be reduced.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the circuit board 13 includes the input / output control circuit 15 and the IC chip as a connection failure detection circuit that detects a connection failure state between the contact terminal 36a of the card connector 36 and the IC chip portion 2a of the ETC card 2. Since the lead ride circuit 16 is mounted, the user can be informed of the state when the connection is poor, and measures such as wiping off water droplets and dust from the contact terminal 36a can be easily taken.

  In the above-described embodiment, the IC card reader of the present invention constitutes the IC card reader / writer of the in-vehicle ETC device, but it goes without saying that it can be applied only to an IC card reader that does not require writing. For example, it can be applied to a device that reads ID information in an IC card, etc., identifies a predetermined user or device, and communicates information regarding the use of the user or device with the outside, and is not necessarily an in-vehicle communication terminal device. The IC card reader of the present invention can be effectively employed as long as it is not a communication terminal device as long as it is used in an environment that is easily exposed to wind and rain or water drops.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if an IC card is loaded in the wet state, or raindrops enter the card storage section during the loading operation, the raindrops from the contact terminal side to the circuit board side. It is possible to reliably prevent the intrusion of the substrate and protect the substrate reliably, and to easily remove raindrops and dust attached to the exposed portion of the contact terminal, It is useful for IC card readers that require waterproofness and in-vehicle communication terminal devices having the same.

The external appearance perspective view which shows the closed state of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention The external appearance perspective view which shows the cover open state of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention 1 is an external perspective view of an ETC card mounted on an in-vehicle communication terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the ETC card mounting state of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing of the principal part of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention Front sectional drawing explaining the effect | action of the protrusion for bending prevention in the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention with a comparative example The block diagram of the circuit board of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention Side surface sectional drawing of the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device in the state by which the ETC card was attached to the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

1 In-vehicle communication terminal device (IC card reader)
2 ETC card (IC card)
2a IC chip part (metal contact part of IC chip, contact part)
3 Mounting surfaces 3a and 3b Guide ribs on both sides (guide protrusions on the mounting surface side)
3c Center guide rib (guide protrusion on the mounting surface side)
4 Lower case (case, first case member)
5 Hinge 6 Upper case (second case member)
7 Buckle 8a Guide rail (side guide)
8b Stopper piece 9 Holding piece (regulating member)
10a, 10b Elastic sheet (regulating member)
12 Opening hole (opening)
13 Circuit board (control circuit)
15 I / O control circuit (connection failure detection circuit)
16 IC chip read / write circuit (connection failure detection circuit)
22 LED lamp (light emitting device)
31 Elastic seal member 36 Card connector 36a Contact terminal (multiple contact terminals)
36b Insulation holding member 36b1 Upper end portion 36b2 Lower end side enlarged diameter portion 61 Waterproof seal ring (outer seal member)

Claims (8)

An in-vehicle communication terminal device that is mounted on a vehicle and performs information communication with a stationary communication terminal device,
A case having a placement surface on which an IC card having a contact portion is placed;
A card connector having a contact terminal that contacts a contact portion of the IC card when the IC card is placed on the mounting surface;
A board mounted with a control circuit that is housed in the case and accessible to the IC card via the card connector;
While the mounting surface of the case is partially open,
The card connector is configured as a waterproof connector that closes the opening,
An in-vehicle communication terminal device, wherein the contact terminal of the card connector is exposed on the mounting surface. The card connector includes a plurality of conductor members constituting the contact terminals, and an insulating holding member that holds the conductor members at a predetermined interval and closes the opening,
The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a seal member is provided between the insulating holding member and the case.   The case includes a first case member in which the placement surface is formed, and a second case member having an opening / closing lid function that is supported by the first case member so that the placement surface can be opened and closed. The at least one of the first case member and the second case member has the first case member and the second case member around the placement surface when the second case member is closed. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer seal member that seals a gap therebetween.   The case is provided with a guide projection on the placement surface side that contacts a part of the surface on the contact portion side of the IC card and guides the IC card to the predetermined placement height. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The case is provided with a restricting member that engages with a surface opposite to the contact portion of the IC card and restricts the IC card from moving to a side away from the mounting surface.
The contact terminal of the card connector is pressed against the IC card with a predetermined contact pressure from the surface on the contact portion side of the IC card when the IC card is placed on the mounting surface. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The guide protrusions on the placement surface side are provided adjacent to the parallel side guide portions that are separated from both ends of the placement surface, and the contact terminals of the card connector are exposed on the placement surface. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle-mounted communication terminal device is also provided on the center side of the placement surface so as to be close to each other.   7. The connection failure detection circuit for detecting a connection failure state between the contact terminal of the card connector and the contact portion of the IC card is mounted on the substrate. The in-vehicle communication terminal device according to claim 1. A case having a placement surface on which an IC card having a contact portion is placed;
A card connector having a contact terminal that contacts a contact portion of the IC card when the IC card is placed on the mounting surface;
A board mounted with a control circuit that is housed in the case and capable of accessing the IC card via the card connector, and an IC card reader comprising:
While the mounting surface of the case is partially open,
The card connector is configured as a waterproof connector that closes the opening,
An IC card reader, wherein the contact terminal of the card connector is exposed on the mounting surface.

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