JP2010113576A - Card-conveying mechanism of card reader, and card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a card-conveying mechanism of a card reader which ejects a card from the inside of a card reader, even if the friction factor of the surface of the card significantly drops, and restrains the occurrence of errors in reproducing or recording magnetic information. <P>SOLUTION: The card-conveying mechanism 5 of the card reader 1 includes: a card taking-in and ejecting means 11 which takes in an inserted card 2 and ejects the card 2; and a first pad roller 14 and a second pad roller 15 which are each arranged facing the card taking-in and ejecting means 11. The first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are energized toward the card taking-in and ejecting means 11, and the first pad roller 14 is arranged nearer a card-inserting hole 9 side than the second pad roller 15. The energizing force of the first pad roller 14 to the card taking-in and ejecting means 11 is set to be smaller than the energizing force of the second pad roller 15 to the card taking-in and ejecting means 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a card transport mechanism of a card reader and a card reader provided with the card transport mechanism.

  Conventionally, card readers for PET (polyethylene terephthalate) cards having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm have been widely used. As a card reader of this type, a magnetic head for reproducing magnetic information recorded on the card and recording magnetic information on the card, and taking in the card into the card reader and discharging the card from the card reader There is known a card reader including two transport rollers and a pad roller disposed opposite to each of the two transport rollers (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the card reader described in Patent Document 1, the two transport rollers are arranged adjacent to each other in the card transport direction. That is, the two pad rollers are arranged so as to be adjacent in the card transport direction. One of the two transport rollers and one of the two pad rollers are arranged at the same position as the magnetic head in the card transport direction, and the other of the two transport rollers and two The other of the pad rollers is disposed closer to the card insertion slot than the one transport roller and the one pad roller in the card transport direction.

JP 2005-196375 A

  As described above, the card reader described in Patent Document 1 includes one transport roller and one pad roller in addition to one transport roller and one pad roller disposed at the same position as the magnetic head in the card transport direction. The other transport roller and the other pad roller disposed closer to the card insertion slot. For this reason, in this card reader, it is possible to dispose one transport roller and one pad roller on the relatively back side of the card reader without hindering the card taking-in and ejecting operations. Therefore, for example, while a card is being transported toward the card insertion slot inside the card reader, magnetic information is reproduced by a magnetic head disposed at the same position as one of the transport rollers and one of the pad rollers in the card transport direction. Even when recording, magnetic information can be reproduced and recorded without exposing the card to the outside of the card reader.

  In addition, in this card reader, since the inserted card can be conveyed to the back side of the card reader using one conveyance roller and one pad roller, the other conveyance roller and the other pad roller are It becomes possible to arrange | position in the position comparatively near from the card insertion slot side. Therefore, even if the user does not insert the card so much from the card insertion slot toward the inside of the card reader, the card can be taken into the card reader by the other transport roller and the other pad roller. As a result, with this card reader, the user can smoothly insert the card. Further, when the card is ejected, the card can be conveyed toward the card insertion slot by the other conveyance roller and the other pad roller, and a larger part of the card can be exposed from the card insertion slot. Therefore, with this card reader, the user can easily grasp the ejected card, and the user can smoothly remove the card.

  However, according to the study of the inventor of the present application, in the card reader described in Patent Document 1, for example, when oil or the like adheres to the surface of the card and the friction coefficient of the card surface significantly decreases, the following problems occur. Became clear. In other words, there arises a problem that the card taken into the card reader cannot be ejected, and a problem that a fluctuation in the transport speed of the card to be transported becomes large and a magnetic information reproduction error or a recording error occurs. However, it became clear by examination of this inventor.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a card reader with a card transport mechanism in which two pad rollers for taking in and ejecting a card are arranged in parallel in the card transport direction. To provide a card transport mechanism for a card reader capable of discharging a card from the inside of the card reader and suppressing the occurrence of magnetic information reproduction errors and recording errors even if it is reduced. It is in. Moreover, the subject of this invention is providing a card reader provided with this card conveyance mechanism.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the card transport mechanism of the card reader according to the present invention is a card take-in / discharge for taking in a card inserted from a card insertion slot into the card reader and discharging the card from the card reader. Means, a motor for driving the card taking-in / out discharging means, and a first pad roller and a second pad roller arranged to face the card taking-in / out discharging means, wherein the first pad roller and the second pad roller are card taking-in / out discharging means. In order to take in and discharge the card together, the card is urged toward the card taking-in / out means, and the first pad roller and the second pad roller are arranged in parallel in the card transport direction, and the first pad roller Is arranged closer to the card insertion slot than the second pad roller, and the first pad roller to the card taking-in / out means Biasing force is characterized by being set smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller to discharge means capture card.

  In the card transport mechanism of the card reader of the present invention, the urging force of the first pad roller disposed on the card insertion opening side of the second pad roller to the card intake / discharge means is applied to the card intake / discharge means of the second pad roller. It is set smaller than the urging force. Therefore, the load when the card conveyed from the inside of the card reader toward the card insertion port by the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller enters between the card taking-in / out means and the first pad roller is reduced. It becomes possible. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the coefficient of friction on the surface of the card is greatly reduced and the card conveying force by the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller is lowered, the card taking-in / out means and the first It is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the card at the time of ejection stops at the contact portion with the pad roller and the card cannot be ejected, and the card can be ejected from the inside of the card reader.

  In the present invention, the card conveyed from the inside of the card reader toward the card insertion slot by the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller enters the contact portion between the card taking-in / out means and the first pad roller. For example, when reproducing or recording magnetic information while transporting the card from the inside of the card reader toward the card insertion slot, the card taking-in / out means and the first It is possible to suppress fluctuations in the card conveyance speed when the card enters the contact portion with the pad roller. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the coefficient of friction on the card surface is significantly reduced and the card becomes slippery between the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller, the magnetic information reproduction error or recording It is possible to suppress the occurrence of errors.

  In the present invention, since the urging force of the first pad roller to the card taking-in / out means is set small, if the friction coefficient of the card surface is extremely reduced, the card taking-in / out means and the first pad roller The card slips between them, and the card cannot be taken into the card reader. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the card taken into the card reader cannot be discharged.

  In the present invention, for example, the card taking-in / out means is extended between a first pulley disposed opposite to the first pad roller, a second pulley disposed opposite to the second pad roller, and the first pulley and the second pulley. The first pad roller is biased toward the first pulley, and the second pad roller is biased toward the second pulley.

  In the present invention, the card transport mechanism of the card reader presses the support shaft of the first pad roller and the support shaft of the second pad roller in the direction in which the first pad roller, the second pad roller and the card taking-in / out means abut. It is preferable to include a lever member and a biasing member that biases the lever member in a direction in which the first pad roller and the second pad roller and the card taking-in / out means abut. If comprised in this way, since a 1st pad roller and a 2nd pad roller can be urged | biased toward a card taking-in / out means by a common lever member and urging | biasing member, the structure of a card conveyance mechanism is simplified. be able to.

  In the present invention, the card transport mechanism of the card reader is held or formed on a tension coil spring as an urging member, a frame side holding member that is held or formed on the frame of the card reader and holds one end of the tension coil spring, and a lever member. A lever member-side holding member that holds the other end of the tension coil spring, and a rotation fulcrum shaft that rotatably supports the lever member. The frame-side holding member and the rotation fulcrum shaft are first pad rollers in the transport direction. The lever member-side holding member is disposed closer to the second pad roller than the intermediate position between the first pad roller and the second pad roller in the transport direction. Is preferred. If comprised in this way, with a comparatively simple structure, a difference can be made between the urging force of the 1st pad roller to a card taking in / discharging mechanism, and the urging force of the 2nd pad roller to a card taking in / discharging mechanism. .

  The card transport mechanism of the card reader of the present invention can be used for a card reader having a magnetic head for reproducing magnetic information recorded on a card and / or recording magnetic information on the card. With this card reader, even when the coefficient of friction on the card surface drops significantly, it is possible to eject the card from the inside and to suppress the occurrence of magnetic information reproduction errors and recording errors. become.

  In the present invention, for example, a card transport path through which a card is transported is formed inside the card reader, and the magnetic head is disposed substantially at the same position as the second pad roller in the transport direction. The distance from the end opposite to the side where the insertion slot is formed to the magnetic head is substantially equal to the width in the longitudinal direction of the card. In this case, the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller can carry the card to the vicinity of the end of the card carrying path opposite to the side where the card insertion slot is formed. Also, compared to the case where the distance from the end of the card transport path opposite to the side where the card insertion slot is formed to the magnetic head is longer than the width in the longitudinal direction of the card, the card transport direction The card reader can be reduced in size.

  In the present invention, the magnetic head is disposed at substantially the same position as the second pad roller in the transport direction, and the distance from the magnetic head to the card insertion slot is the magnetic information recording area of the magnetic stripe formed on the surface of the card. It is preferable to be approximately equal to the length. According to this structure, the magnetic head is arranged at the same position as the second pad roller in the transport direction while transporting the card toward the card insertion slot by the card taking-in / out means and the second pad roller. Even when reproducing or recording, it is possible to reproduce or record magnetic information without exposing the card to the outside of the card reader. Also, compared to the case where the distance from the magnetic head to the card insertion slot is longer than the length of the magnetic information recording area, the amount of card exposure from the card insertion slot can be increased when the card is ejected. become.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the card reader includes only a card take-out / discharge unit as a transport unit for transporting the card in the card reader. If comprised in this way, the structure of a card reader can be simplified. In this configuration, the phenomenon that the card taken into the card reader cannot be ejected and the reproduction error or recording error of the magnetic information is likely to occur. The card can be discharged, and the occurrence of magnetic information reproduction errors and recording errors can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the card transport mechanism and the card reader of the card reader of the present invention, even when the friction coefficient of the card surface is significantly reduced, the card is discharged from the inside of the card reader, and It is possible to suppress the occurrence of magnetic information reproduction errors and recording errors.

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

(Schematic configuration of card reader)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of the main part inside the card reader 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main part inside the card reader 1 from the EE direction of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the card reader 1 according to this embodiment includes a card transport mechanism 5 that transports a card 2 in the card reader 1 and a magnetic recording recorded on a magnetic stripe 2 a formed on the surface of the card 2. A magnetic head 6 for reproducing information and recording magnetic information on the magnetic stripe 2a, and a magnetic barcode head 7 for reproducing magnetic information recorded on a magnetic barcode (not shown) formed on the surface of the card 2 And. Inside the card reader 1, a card transport path 8 through which the card 2 is transported is formed. A card insertion slot 9 for inserting the card 2 into the card reader 1 is formed at the front end of the card reader 1 (the right end in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  In this embodiment, the card 2 is transported in the X direction (left-right direction) in FIGS. That is, the X direction is the card 2 conveyance direction. In the following description, the vertical direction (Z direction) in FIG. 1 orthogonal to the X direction is the vertical direction, and the vertical direction (Y direction) in FIG. 1 orthogonal to the X direction and Z direction is the horizontal direction. . Further, the X1 direction side in FIG. 1 is the “front” side, the X2 direction side is the “back” side, the Z1 direction side is the “upper” side, and the Z2 direction side is the “lower” side.

  The card 2 is, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm. On the surface of the card 2, as described above, the magnetic stripe 2a on which magnetic information is recorded and a magnetic bar code (not shown) are formed. The card 2 may be a rectangular vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. Also in this case, a magnetic stripe is formed on the surface of the card 2. In this case, an IC chip may be fixed to the surface of the card 2. The card 2 may be a paper card having a predetermined thickness.

  The card transport mechanism 5 takes in the card 2 inserted from the card insertion slot 9 into the card reader 1 and discharges the card 2 from the inside of the card reader 1, and the card intake / discharge means 11. And a power transmission mechanism 13 for connecting the card taking-in / out means 11 and the motor 12 to each other. In addition, the card transport mechanism 5 includes a first pad roller 14 and a second pad roller 15 that are arranged to face the card take-out / discharge unit 11, and a first pad roller 14 and a second pad roller 15 toward the card take-out / discharge unit 11. And an urging mechanism 16 for urging.

  The card taking-in / out means 11 includes a pair of pulleys of a first pulley 18 and a second pulley 19, and a belt 20 spanning the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19. Arranged on the side. The first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 are arranged with the left-right direction as the axial direction. The first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 are arranged in parallel in the conveyance direction of the card 2. Specifically, the first pulley 18 is disposed on the front end side of the card reader 1 with respect to the second pulley 19. In this embodiment, the card take-out / discharge means 11 is a transport means for transporting the card 2 in the card reader 1. That is, the card reader 1 of the present embodiment is not provided with means for transporting the card 2 inside the card reader 1 other than the card take-out / discharge means 11.

  The power transmission mechanism 13 is a gear train formed of a plurality of gears, and transmits the power of the motor 12 to the rotary shaft 21 to which the first pulley 18 is fixed.

  The first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are disposed on the upper side of the card transport path 8. The first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are urged toward the card take-out / discharge unit 11 by the urging mechanism 16 in order to take in and discharge the card 2 together with the card take-out / discharge unit 11. Further, the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are arranged in parallel in the card 2 transport direction, and the first pad roller 14 is closer to the front end side of the card reader 1 than the second pad roller 15. Has been placed. Specifically, the first pad roller 14 is disposed to face the first pulley 18 and is urged from the upper side toward the first pulley 18. Further, the second pad roller 15 is disposed to face the second pulley 19 and is urged toward the second pulley 19 from above.

  In this embodiment, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the card taking-in / out means 11 (specifically, the urging force to the belt 20) is smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20. As described above, the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are urged by the urging mechanism 16. The detailed configuration of the urging mechanism 16 will be described later.

  The magnetic head 6 and the magnetic bar code head 7 are disposed below the card transport path 8 and are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1). Further, the magnetic head 6 and the magnetic bar code head 7 are disposed at substantially the same position as the second pad roller 15 and the second pulley 19 in the card 2 transport direction.

  In this embodiment, the distance L1 from the back end of the card transport path 8 to the magnetic head 6 is substantially equal to the width (length) H1 of the card 2 in the longitudinal direction (X direction). Specifically, the distance L1 is slightly longer than the width H1 of the card 2. The distance L2 from the card insertion slot 9 to the magnetic head 6 is substantially equal to the length H2 of the magnetic information recording area 2b of the magnetic stripe 2a. Specifically, the distance L2 is slightly longer than the length H2 of the recording area 2b.

(Configuration of urging mechanism and surrounding parts)
FIG. 3 is a side view of the urging mechanism 16 and the card taking-in / out means 11 shown in FIG. 4 is a plan view of the urging mechanism 16 shown in FIG.

  The urging mechanism 16 is a lever member 26 that presses the support shaft 24 of the first pad roller 14 and the support shaft 25 of the second pad roller 15 downward, and an urging member that urges the lever member 26 downward. These two tension coil springs 27, and holding shafts 28 and 29 for holding both ends of the tension coil spring 27 are provided.

  The first pad roller 14 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 24. Similarly, the second pad roller 15 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 25. As shown in FIG. 3, the support shaft 24 is arranged in the guide groove 30 formed in the frame (not shown) of the card reader 1 with the left-right direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3) as the axial direction. It can move up and down along the guide groove 30. The support shaft 25 is also arranged in the guide groove 31 formed in the frame of the card reader 1 with the left-right direction as the axial direction, and can move in the vertical direction along the guide groove 31.

  The lever member 26 is formed in a substantially square groove shape (substantially U-shape) that opens at the lower end side. The lower end side of the lever member 26 is rotatably supported by a rotation fulcrum shaft 32 fixed to the frame of the card reader 1. The rotation fulcrum shaft 32 is fixed to the frame of the card reader 1 with the left-right direction as the axial direction, and the lever member 26 is rotatable about the rotation fulcrum shaft 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower end on the front end side of the lever member 26 abuts on both end sides of the support shaft 24 from above, and the lower end on the rear end side of the lever member 26 is on both end sides of the support shaft 25. The lever member 26 presses the both end sides of the support shafts 24 and 25 downward so that the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 contact each other. A holding recess 26 a for holding the holding shaft 29 is formed at the upper end of the lever member 26. In this embodiment, a holding recess 26 a is formed at one place on the upper end of the lever member 26.

  The holding shaft 28 is held and fixed to the frame of the card reader 1 with the left-right direction as the axial direction, and is disposed below the lever member 26. Both end sides of the holding shaft 28 protrude outward in the left-right direction from the left and right side surfaces of the lever member 26. As shown in FIG. 4, engaging recesses 28 a with which the lower ends of the tension coil springs 27 are engaged are formed at both ends of the holding shaft 28 so as to be recessed inward in the radial direction. The holding shaft 28 of this embodiment is a frame side holding member that is held by the frame of the card reader 1 and holds one end of the tension coil spring 27.

  The holding shaft 29 is held in the holding recess 26 a of the lever member 26 with the left-right direction as the axial direction. Similar to the holding shaft 28, both end sides of the holding shaft 29 protrude outward in the left-right direction from the left and right side surfaces of the lever member 26. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, engagement concave portions 29 a with which the upper ends of the tension coil springs 27 are engaged are formed on both end sides of the holding shaft 29 so as to be recessed inward in the radial direction. The holding shaft 29 of this embodiment is a lever member side holding member that is held by the lever member 26 and holds the other end of the tension coil spring 27.

  One tension coil spring 27 is disposed on each outer side of the lever member 26 in the left-right direction, and biases the lever member 26 downward so that the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 are in contact with the belt 20. is doing.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the holding shaft 28 is located at a substantially intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 transport direction (X direction) (the first axis in the card 2 transport direction). It is disposed at a substantially central position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15. Further, the rotation fulcrum shaft 32 is also disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 conveyance direction.

  On the other hand, the holding shaft 29 is disposed closer to the second pad roller 15 than an intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 conveyance direction. Specifically, the holding shaft 29 is disposed slightly closer to the second pad roller 15 than the intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 conveyance direction. That is, the holding recess 26 a is formed slightly closer to the second pad roller 15 than the intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 conveyance direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described above, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20.

(Card taking and ejecting operations)
In the card reader 1 configured as described above, when the card 2 is inserted by the user from the card insertion slot 9 to the position where the first pad roller 14 is disposed, the card take-out / discharge unit 11 causes the card transport path to be inserted. The card 2 is taken into the back end side of 8. When the card 2 is taken in, for example, the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 is reproduced by the magnetic head 6 and the magnetic bar code head 7.

  Further, before the card 2 is discharged from the card reader 1, first, the card 2 disposed on the far end side of the card transport path 8 is directed toward the front end side of the card transport path 8 by the card take-out / discharge means 11. The magnetic information is recorded on the card 2 by the magnetic head 6 during the conveyance. The card 2 on which the magnetic information is recorded is again conveyed toward the far end side of the card conveying path 8 by the card taking-in / out means 11, and the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 is confirmed by the magnetic head 6 during this conveyance. Playback (verification) is performed.

  The verified card 2 is ejected from the card reader 1. That is, the verified card 2 is again conveyed toward the front end side of the card conveying path 8 by the card taking-in / out means 11 and discharged from the card insertion slot 9. Specifically, a part of the card 2 is exposed from the card insertion slot 9, and the card 2 is completely ejected from the card insertion slot 9 by the user grasping and pulling out the exposed part.

  Here, when the card 2 is taken in, the card 2 is first sandwiched and conveyed between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20, and then the first pad roller 14, the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 are transported. It is sandwiched between and conveyed. When the card 2 is transported to the far end side of the card transport path 8, the front end side of the card 2 is disengaged from between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20.

  When the card 2 is taken into the card reader 1, the front end side of the card 2 is sandwiched between the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20. Therefore, the card 2 conveyed toward the front end side of the card conveyance path 8 is first conveyed while being sandwiched between the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20, and then the first pad roller 14 and the second pad. It is sandwiched between the roller 15 and the belt 20 and conveyed. When the card 2 is transported to the front end side of the card transport path 8, the back end side of the card 2 is disengaged from between the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is set smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20. Therefore, the load when the front end of the card 2 conveyed toward the front end side of the card conveyance path 8 by the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 enters between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20 is reduced. be able to. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the coefficient of friction of the surface of the card 2 is greatly reduced due to the effect of oil or the like adhering to the surface of the card 2, and the conveying force of the card 2 by the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 is reduced. Even in such a case, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the card 2 cannot be ejected because the card 2 at the time of ejection stops at the contact portion between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20. That is, in this embodiment, even when the friction coefficient on the surface of the card 2 is significantly reduced, the card 2 can be discharged from the inside of the card reader 1.

In this embodiment, the card 2 that has been taken into the card reader 1 can be reliably discharged from the card reader 1. The reason will be described below. The urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is “P1”, the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20 is “P2”, the friction coefficient of the card 2 is “μ”, the first pad roller 14 or When the inrush load coefficient of the card 2 between the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 is “a” and the inrush load of the card 2 to the magnetic head 6 and the magnetic bar code head 7 is “H”, first, In form,
P1 <P2
It has become.

Further, the conveyance force of the card 2 by the belt 20 and the first pad roller 14 is as follows.
μ × P1
The conveying force of the card 2 by the belt 20 and the second pad roller 15 is
μ × P2
The rush load of the card 2 between the belt 20 and the first pad roller 14 is
a × P1
The inrush load of the card 2 between the belt 20 and the second pad roller 15 is
a × P2
Therefore, in order to take the card 2 into the card reader 1,
μ × P1> a × P2 + H (Formula 1)
Must be established.

Since P1 <P2,
μ × P2> μ × P1 (Formula 2)
And
a × P2 + H> a × P1 (Formula 3)
It is. Therefore, from Formula 1 to Formula 3, μ × P2> a × P1 (Formula 4)
Is established.
That is, P1 <P2 (that is, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20), and Formula 1 is satisfied (that is, If the card 2 can be taken into the card reader 1), the conveying force of the card 2 by the belt 20 and the second pad roller 15 is always the force of the card 2 between the belt 20 and the first pad roller 14. It becomes larger than the inrush load. For this reason, the card 2 at the time of ejection does not stop at the contact portion between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20. Thus, in this embodiment, the card 2 that has been taken into the card reader 1 can be reliably discharged from the card reader 1.

  In this embodiment, the load when the front end of the card 2 conveyed toward the front end side of the card conveying path 8 by the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20 enters between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20 is increased. Can be small. Therefore, when recording magnetic information on the card 2 while transporting the card 2 toward the front end side of the card transport path 8, the card 2 enters between the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20. Of the card 2 can be suppressed. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the coefficient of friction of the surface of the card 2 is greatly reduced and the card 2 becomes slippery between the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20, a magnetic information recording error is caused. Occurrence can be suppressed.

  In this embodiment, since the biasing force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is set to be relatively small, if the friction coefficient of the surface of the card 2 is extremely reduced, the first pad roller 14 and the belt 20 are Thus, the card 2 slips and the card 2 cannot be taken into the card reader 1. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the card 2 taken into the card reader 1 cannot be discharged.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the card reader 1 has no means for transporting the card 2 other than the card taking-in / out means 11, so that the configuration of the card reader 1 can be simplified. Although the phenomenon that the card 2 taken in the card cannot be ejected or a magnetic information recording error is likely to occur, in this embodiment, even if the friction coefficient of the surface of the card 2 is significantly reduced, the card reader 1 It is possible to discharge the card 2 from the inside of the card and suppress the occurrence of magnetic information recording errors.

  In this embodiment, the lever member 26 and the tension coil spring 27 urge the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 downward. Therefore, the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 can be urged by a common member, and the configuration of the card reader 1 can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, the holding shaft 28 fixed to the frame of the card reader 1 and disposed below the lever member 26 and the rotation support shaft 32 serving as the rotation center of the lever member 26 are the first in the conveyance direction of the card 2. A holding shaft 29 that is disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the 1 pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 and is held by the upper end of the lever member 26 is a first pad roller 14 and a second pad roller 15 in the card 2 transport direction. It is arrange | positioned rather than the intermediate position with the 2nd pad roller 15 side. Therefore, a difference can be made between the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 and the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20 with a relatively simple configuration.

  In this embodiment, the distance L1 from the back end of the card transport path 8 to the magnetic head 6 is substantially equal to the width H1 of the card 2 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the card 2 can be transported to the far end side of the card transport path 8 by the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20. Further, the card reader 1 can be downsized in the transport direction of the card 2 as compared with the case where the distance L1 is longer than the width H1 of the card 2.

  In this embodiment, the distance L2 from the card insertion slot 9 to the magnetic head 6 is substantially equal to the length H2 of the magnetic information recording area 2b of the magnetic stripe 2a. Therefore, even when the magnetic information is recorded by the magnetic head 6 while the card 2 is conveyed toward the card insertion slot 9 by the second pad roller 15 and the belt 20, the card is placed outside the card reader 1. Magnetic information can be recorded without exposing 2. Further, compared to the case where the distance L2 is longer than the length H2 of the recording area 2b, the exposure amount of the card 2 from the card insertion slot 9 can be increased when the card 2 is ejected.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the card take-out / discharge means 11 is constituted by the first pulley 18, the second pulley 19, and the belt 20. In addition to this, for example, the card taking-out / discharging means 11 is constituted by two transport rollers, that is, a transport roller on which the first pad roller 14 is disposed to face and a transport roller on which the second pad roller 15 is disposed to face. Also good. In addition, when the card taking-in / out means 11 is configured by two transport rollers, a belt, a chain, a gear, or the like for transmitting power between the two transport rollers is separately required, and the arrangement space is required. However, in the above-described embodiment, the power transmission between the first pulley 18 and the second pulley 19 is performed by the belt 20 that conveys the card 2, and thus the configuration of the card reader 1 is simplified. Is possible.

  In the embodiment described above, the support shaft 24 of the first pad roller 14 and the support shaft 25 of the second pad roller 15 are pressed downward by the lever member 26. In addition to this, for example, the urging mechanism 16 includes two lever members, the support shaft 24 is pressed downward by one lever member, and the support shaft 25 is pressed downward by the other lever member. Also good. In this case, the biasing mechanism 16 individually includes, for example, a tension coil spring that biases one lever member and a tension coil spring that biases the other lever member.

  In the embodiment described above, the lever member 26 is urged downward by the tension coil spring 27. In addition, for example, a leaf spring, a torsion coil spring, a compression coil spring, or the like is set so that the biasing force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is set smaller than the biasing force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20. The lever member 26 may be biased downward by another spring member or an elastic member such as rubber.

  In the embodiment described above, the holding shaft 28 and the rotation support shaft 32 are disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the card 2 transport direction, and the first pad in the card 2 transport direction. Since the holding shaft 29 is disposed on the second pad roller 15 side with respect to the intermediate position between the roller 14 and the second pad roller 15, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 causes the second force to be applied to the belt 20. It is set smaller than the urging force of the pad roller 15. In addition to this, for example, the holding shafts 28 and 29 and the rotation support shaft 32 are disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the first pad roller 14 and the second pad roller 15 in the transport direction of the card 2, and the lever member 26. As a result, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 is set to be smaller than the urging force of the second pad roller 15 to the belt 20. May be. In this case, for example, the rear end side of the lever member 26 is urged downward by a spring member such as a leaf spring, a torsion coil spring, a compression coil spring or a tension coil spring, or an elastic member such as rubber.

  In the embodiment described above, the holding recess 26 a for holding the holding shaft 29 is formed at one position on the upper end of the lever member 26. In addition to this, for example, holding recesses 26 a may be formed at a plurality of positions on the upper end of the lever member 26 along the conveyance direction of the card 2. In this case, since the position of the upper end of the tension coil spring 27 held by the holding shaft 29 can be changed in the conveying direction of the card 2, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 to the belt 20 and the first force to the belt 20 are changed. The difference from the urging force of the 2-pad roller 15 can be changed. Therefore, the urging force of the first pad roller 14 and the urging force of the second pad roller 15 can be set to the optimum urging force according to the usage environment of the card reader 1 and the like.

  In the embodiment described above, the holding shaft 28 is held by the frame of the card reader 1, but a holding member that holds the lower end of the tension coil spring 27 may be formed integrally with the frame of the card reader 1. Similarly, the holding shaft 29 is held by the lever member 26, but a holding member that holds the upper end of the tension coil spring 27 may be formed integrally with the lever member 26.

  In the embodiment described above, the first pad roller 14 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 24, and the second pad roller 15 is rotatably supported on the support shaft 25. In addition, for example, the first pad roller 14 and / or the second pad roller 15 may be fixed to a support shaft (rotating shaft) that rotates together with the first pad roller 14 or the second pad roller 15. In this case, for example, the bearing that supports the support shaft is pressed downward by the lever member 26. That is, in this case, the support shaft is pressed downward by the lever member 26 via the bearing.

  In the above-described form, the card reader 1 has no means for transporting the card 2 other than the card take-out / discharge means 11. In addition to this, for example, a transport roller for transporting the card 2 to the back end side of the card transport path 8 so that the card 2 is discharged toward the back of the card transport path 8 and the card 2 can be taken in from the back. May be arranged.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic head 6 reproduces the magnetic information recorded on the card 2 and records the magnetic information on the card 2. In addition, for example, only magnetic information may be reproduced by the magnetic head 6 or only magnetic information may be recorded. In the above-described embodiment, when the card 2 is transported to the far end side of the card transport path 8, magnetic information is reproduced by the magnetic head 6, and the card 2 is transported to the front end side of the card transport path 8. At the time of recording, magnetic information is recorded by the magnetic head 6. In addition to this, for example, magnetic information is recorded when the card 2 is transported to the back end side of the card transport path 8, and magnetic information is recorded when the card 2 is transported to the front end side of the card transport path 8. Regeneration may be performed.

It is a side view which shows the structure of the principal part inside the card reader concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the principal part inside a card reader from the EE direction of FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of an urging mechanism and a card taking-in / out means shown in FIG. 1. It is a top view of the urging mechanism shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Card Reader 2 Card 5 Card Transport Mechanism (Card Reader Card Transport Mechanism)
6 Magnetic head 8 Card transport path 9 Card insertion slot 11 Card take-out / discharge means (transport means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Motor 14 1st pad roller 15 2nd pad roller 18 1st pulley 19 2nd pulley 20 Belt 24, 25 Support shaft 26 Lever member 27 Tension coil spring (biasing member)
28 Holding shaft (frame side holding member)
29 Holding shaft (lever member side holding member)
32 Rotating fulcrum axis H1 Card longitudinal width H2 Length of magnetic stripe magnetic information recording area L1 Distance from card transport path to magnetic head L2 Distance from magnetic head to card insertion slot X Transport direction

Claims (8)

Card taking-in and discharging means for taking in a card inserted from a card insertion slot into the card reader and discharging the card from the card reader, a motor for driving the card taking-out and discharging means, and the card taking-in A first pad roller and a second pad roller disposed opposite to the discharging means;
The first pad roller and the second pad roller are urged toward the card taking-in / out means to take in and out the card together with the card taking-in / out means,
The first pad roller and the second pad roller are arranged in parallel in the card conveying direction, and the first pad roller is arranged closer to the card insertion opening than the second pad roller,
A card transport mechanism for a card reader, characterized in that an urging force of the first pad roller to the card take-out / discharge means is set smaller than an urging force of the second pad roller to the card take-out / discharge means. . The card taking-in / out means spans a first pulley disposed opposite to the first pad roller, a second pulley disposed opposite to the second pad roller, and the first pulley and the second pulley. With a belt
2. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the first pad roller is biased toward the first pulley, and the second pad roller is biased toward the second pulley. Card transport mechanism.   A lever member that presses the support shaft of the first pad roller and the support shaft of the second pad roller in a direction in which the first pad roller and the second pad roller contact the card taking-in / out means; 3. The card transport of a card reader according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that biases the lever member in a direction in which the pad roller and the second pad roller and the card taking-in / out means abut against each other. mechanism. A tension coil spring as the biasing member, a frame side holding member that is held or formed on the frame of the card reader and holds one end of the tension coil spring, and a lever member that is held or formed and holds the other end of the tension coil spring A lever member side holding member, and a pivot fulcrum shaft that rotatably supports the lever member,
The frame side holding member and the rotation fulcrum shaft are disposed at a substantially intermediate position between the first pad roller and the second pad roller in the transport direction,
The lever member side holding member is arranged on the second pad roller side with respect to an intermediate position between the first pad roller and the second pad roller in the transport direction. Card reader card transport mechanism.   5. A card transport mechanism for a card reader according to claim 1, and a magnetic head for reproducing magnetic information recorded on the card and / or recording magnetic information on the card. Card reader. Inside the card reader is formed a card transport path for transporting the card,
The magnetic head is disposed at substantially the same position as the second pad roller in the transport direction;
The distance from the edge part of the said card conveyance path on the opposite side to the side in which the said card insertion slot is formed to the said magnetic head is substantially equal to the width | variety of the longitudinal direction of the said card | curd. Card reader. The magnetic head is disposed at substantially the same position as the second pad roller in the transport direction;
7. The card reader according to claim 5, wherein a distance from the magnetic head to the card insertion slot is substantially equal to a length of a magnetic information recording area of a magnetic stripe formed on the surface of the card.   The card reader according to any one of claims 5 to 7, comprising only the card take-out / discharge means as a transport means for transporting the card in the card reader.

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