JP2011170548A - Vehicle-mounted communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide in-vehicle communication device, configured simply for effectively preventing infiltration water into the inside of a body, not only in a state where a card is set but also when the attaching/removing operation of the card is performed, while maintaining easiness of attachment/removal. <P>SOLUTION: An ETC (electronic toll collection) in-vehicle unit 10 is provided with: a body 11; an ETC card holder 21; a cover 12; and a waterproof structure 30. The cover 12 is mounted on the body 11 so as to be rotatable between a closure position, where a card insertion port 14 of the body 11 is covered and a release position where the card insertion port 14 is released. The body 11 is configured, such that a portion of the ETC card 20 is exposed from the card insertion port 14, when the ETC card 20 is set in an ETC card holder 21, and is configured, such that the section of the ETC card 20 exposed from the card insertion port 14 is covered with the cover 12 at the closure position. Also, the waterproof structure 30 is configured, such that the exposed section of the ETC card 20 is covered in the inside of the cover 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle communication device arranged in a vehicle in order to exchange predetermined information using wireless communication.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ETC on-board device (on-vehicle communication device) attached to a vehicle in order to use an ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) system has been known to be inserted and mounted with an ETC card storing identification information and the like. At the toll gate ETC gate, identification information stored in the ETC card is exchanged using wireless communication, and the toll payer is specified. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose this type of ETC vehicle-mounted device.

  In patent document 1, the ETC vehicle-mounted device as a vehicle-mounted communication terminal device comprised as follows is disclosed. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device includes a lower case, an upper case, a circuit board, and a buckle. The lower case includes a placement surface on which the ETC card is placed. The upper case is provided to be openable and closable with respect to the lower case. The circuit board includes an IC chip read / write circuit that is built in the lower case and reads and writes information stored in the ETC card. The buckle is swingably provided on the lower case, and its upper end engages with the upper case, thereby fixing the lower case and the upper case in a closed state. The upper case is provided with a rib that shields a gap formed between the upper end of the buckle and the upper case when the buckle is engaged with the upper case.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an ETC vehicle-mounted device as a vehicle-mounted communication device configured as follows. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device includes a case, a lid, and a seal member. In the case, a card insertion slot is opened on a side surface facing rearward in the running direction of the vehicle. The lid is swingably provided on the case and configured to open and close the card insertion slot. The sealing member ensures waterproofness of the card insertion slot at the closed position of the lid. And in the case, an electronic circuit provided with a connector electrically connected to a card inserted and removed from the card insertion slot, and an antenna for transmitting and receiving information to the external communication station It is stored.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses an attachment device for attaching the above-described ETC vehicle-mounted device to a motorcycle. Patent Document 3 discloses an ETC on-board unit mounting device for a motorcycle configured as follows. That is, the ETC on-vehicle device mounting apparatus for a motorcycle includes a case, a lid, and mounting means. The case is opened at the top, accommodates and holds the ETC vehicle-mounted device inside, and is formed so that an IC card (ETC card) that stores the charging processing identifier in the card insertion slot of the ETC vehicle-mounted device can be inserted from the outside. The The lid seals the upper opening of the case. The attachment means is fixed to the case, and the case can be attached to and detached from a part of the main body of the motorcycle. Moreover, the said cover part is attached to the one side edge part of the said case so that one end part can rotate.

JP 2007-323158 A JP 2008-305011 A JP 2007-331429 A

  Since the ETC in-vehicle device disclosed in Patent Document 1 rotates the upper case upward and detaches the ETC card, the inside of the main body is greatly exposed upward when the ETC card is attached and detached. Since the ETC vehicle-mounted device may be attached to the outside in the motorcycle, rain or dust may enter the inside of the main body when the ETC card is attached or detached. In this regard, the ETC vehicle-mounted device disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a card insertion opening that is open on the side facing toward the rear in the traveling direction of the vehicle, so that the inside of the main body is not greatly exposed when the ETC card is attached or detached.

  In addition, the configuration of Patent Document 2 is configured to be waterproofed by a seal member and to arrange the circuit board in an upper sealed space so that water that has entered the main body does not flow into the circuit board. However, when the ETC on-vehicle device is used for a motorcycle, vibrations from the vehicle are particularly easily transmitted, and therefore water that has entered the main body may reach the circuit board due to the vibrations. In addition, the card holding and taking out mechanism of Patent Document 2 employs a configuration in which an ETC card is removed from the ETC on-board unit by pressing an eject button. Motorbike drivers are often driving with gloves on, and small buttons such as the eject button are difficult to press with the gloves on. In addition, since a card holding / removing mechanism comprising a spring member, a cam or the like is employed as a mechanism for holding the ETC card, the structure of the ETC on-board device has been complicated. As described above, when the ETC vehicle-mounted device is used for two-wheeled motors, vibration from the vehicle is particularly easily transmitted, and therefore it has been desired to have a simple structure that is not easily affected by vibration.

  In this regard, when the ETC on-board device mounting apparatus for motorcycles disclosed in Patent Document 3 is used, the circuit board includes a case of the ETC on-board device and a case of the ETC on-board device mounting apparatus for the motorcycle. The inside of the main body in which is placed is double protected. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 3, since the ETC card is attached / detached with the insertion opening of the ETC on-board device facing obliquely upward, a large amount of water is inserted from the insertion opening to the inside of the main body when attaching / detaching the ETC card in rainy weather. There was a risk of entering.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is not only in a state where a card is set, but also in a card mounting / removing operation while maintaining ease of mounting / dismounting in an in-vehicle communication device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple configuration that can effectively prevent water from entering the main body.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above. Next, means for solving the problems and the effects thereof will be described.

  According to the viewpoint of this invention, the vehicle-mounted communication apparatus comprised as follows is provided. That is, the in-vehicle communication device includes a main body, a reading unit, and a cover. The main body has a card insertion slot in which information exchanged using wireless communication is stored. The reading unit reads information on the card inserted from the insertion slot. The cover is configured to be attachable to the main body so as to be movable between a closed position that covers the insertion port and an open position that opens the insertion port. The main body is configured such that when the card is inserted into the reading unit, a part of the card comes out of the insertion slot. And in the said closed position, it is comprised so that the part exposed from the said insertion port of the said card | curd may be covered with the said cover.

  Thereby, the card can be taken out from the main body by a simple operation of grasping and pulling out a portion protruding from the insertion slot. Therefore, even when a glove or the like is worn, the work of removing the card from the in-vehicle communication device can be easily performed. In addition, in the closed position, the portion of the card that is protruding from the main body is covered with the cover, so that water does not fall directly on the card even in rainy weather, and water enters the main body through the surface of the card. The situation can be effectively prevented.

  The in-vehicle communication device preferably includes an internal projecting wall projecting from the main body or the cover so as to cover at least the upper side of the card exposed from the insertion port inside the cover in the closed position. .

  Thus, even when water enters the inside of the cover when the cover is in the closed position, it is possible to reliably prevent water from falling onto the card by the internal protruding wall that covers the upper side of the card.

  In the in-vehicle communication device, it is preferable that an inclined portion that is inclined downward as it approaches the outside in the width direction of the internal protruding wall is formed in the upper portion of the internal protruding wall.

  Thereby, the water which fell on the upper surface of an internal protrusion wall will be poured in the width direction, without staying. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which water accumulated on the upper surface of the internal protruding wall falls toward the card or the insertion slot when the cover is opened.

  The in-vehicle communication device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the in-vehicle communication device includes a protruding wall contact portion. The protruding wall contact portion is configured to be elastically deformable, and is disposed on the cover or the main body so as to face the tip of the internal protruding wall. When the cover is moved to the closed position, the protruding wall contact portion comes into contact with the tip surface of the internal protruding wall.

  As a result, the protruding wall contact portion in contact with the tip surface of the internal protruding wall is elastically deformed so that the tip of the internal protruding wall and the protruding wall contact portion are in close contact with each other. Can be prevented.

  In the in-vehicle communication device, it is preferable that the internal protruding wall is configured to cover a periphery of a portion exposed from the insertion port of the card.

  Thereby, even when water enters the inside of the cover from various directions, it is possible to reliably prevent the card from getting wet.

  The in-vehicle communication device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the in-vehicle communication device includes an in-body contact portion. The in-main body contact portion is configured to be elastically deformable, and contacts the flat portion of the card inside the main body. Further, the in-body contact portion is disposed closer to the insertion port than the reading portion.

  Thereby, the water and dust adhering to the part read by the reading part can be scraped off from the card by the contact part in the main body, and water and dust can be effectively prevented from entering the reading part. Moreover, since the contact part in a main body is comprised so that elastic deformation is possible, it can absorb the vibration of the thickness direction of the card | curd which is transmitted from a main body to a card | curd. Further, the movement of the card in the direction away from the reading unit can be restricted by the frictional force generated between the contact part in the main body and the card.

  In the in-vehicle communication device, the cover in the open position is in a state where an end of the cover is located outside the main body and above the insertion port, and holds the cover in the open position. It is preferable to provide a holding mechanism.

  Thereby, in the work of attaching and detaching the card in rainy weather, the rain that tries to enter the inside of the main body from the insertion port can be blocked by the cover. Further, since the cover serves as a bag, the amount of water attached to the card during insertion can be reduced.

  The in-vehicle communication device is preferably configured as follows. That is, the in-vehicle communication device includes a card contact unit. The card contact portion is configured to be elastically deformable, and one or a plurality of the card contact portions are arranged on the cover. When the cover is moved to the closed position, the card contact portion comes into contact with the edge opposite to the insertion direction in the card set in the reading portion, and pushes the card in the insertion direction.

  Thereby, even when the card is about to come out in the direction away from the reading unit due to vibration transmitted from the vehicle, the movement of the card can be regulated by the card contact unit. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation where the card is removed from the reading unit and wireless communication is not properly performed. In addition, since the mechanism for holding the card in the reading unit is realized by a simple configuration in which the card is pressed by the elastic force of the card contact unit, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, when the cover is moved to the closed position, the card is pushed in the insertion direction and automatically set to the reading position of the reading unit. Therefore, reading of the reading unit due to the card not being inserted properly is performed. The occurrence of errors can be effectively prevented.

1 is an external perspective view of an ETC vehicle-mounted device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The side view of an ETC onboard equipment. The front view of an ETC onboard equipment when a cover exists in an open position. Side surface sectional drawing which showed the internal structure of the ETC onboard equipment. The figure which looked at the cover of a closed position from the inside. The expanded sectional view which showed the vicinity of the card cushion.

  Next, an embodiment of the invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10. FIG. 3 is a front view of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 when the cover 12 is in the open position. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10.

  The ETC in-vehicle device 10 of this embodiment is used by being attached to a motorcycle, and is an in-vehicle communication device integrated with an antenna. The ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 is configured on the assumption that the ETC on-vehicle device 10 is attached to an automatic two-wheel handle via an appropriate stay. The driver of the motorcycle can use the ETC system by inserting the ETC card 20 into the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10. The ETC card 20 is an IC card in which an integrated circuit is incorporated, and identification information for specifying a toll payer is stored in advance. Below, the specific structure of the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a main body 11 into which an ETC card 20 can be inserted, and a cover 12 that protects the ETC card 20 inserted into the main body 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper part of the main body 11 is formed in a streamline shape that approaches the lower side as it goes in the insertion direction of the ETC card 20. As a result, the resistance of the air passing through the upper surface of the main body 11 can be reduced, and a structure in which water does not easily accumulate on the upper surface of the ETC on-vehicle device 10 is realized.

  In addition, two LED lamps 13 for displaying the state of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 are arranged on the upper surface of the main body 11 so as to be symmetric when viewed from the driver side. By combining lighting and blinking of the two LED lamps 13, it is possible to notify the driver of various states such as power ON / OFF and whether or not the ETC card 20 is mounted. The ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 of the present embodiment includes an LED cover portion 73 that covers the LED lamp 13, and the LED lamp 13 is configured to emit light toward the LED cover portion 73. Therefore, the driver can check the state of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 by the light irradiated on the LED cover part 73.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cover 12 is supported by the main body 11 via two rotating shafts 15 arranged at the upper part on the front side of the main body 11. As a result, the cover 12 is rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the main body 11. Further, the ETC on-vehicle device 10 includes a lock mechanism 50 and a holding mechanism 60. The lock mechanism 50 is for fixing the cover 12 in a closed position that protects the ETC card 20. The holding mechanism 60 is for holding the cover 12 in an open position (a chain line position in FIG. 2 and a position shown in FIG. 3) where the ETC card 20 can be attached and detached.

  As shown by the chain line in FIG. 2, in the state where the cover 12 is in the open position, the end of the cover 12 is above the card insertion slot 14 and is closer to the front side of the device than the card insertion slot 14 (card difference It is located on the opposite side to the insertion direction and outside the main body 11. Further, the cover 12 of the present embodiment is in a state where the opening portion is obliquely downward in the open position. Therefore, even if the cover is held by the holding mechanism 60 in the open position during rainy weather, it is difficult for rain or the like to collect inside the cover 12.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the lock mechanism 50 includes a lever portion 51, a claw portion 52, and a torsion spring 53, and is disposed on the cover 12. The lever portion 51 is attached to the cover 12 so as to be rotatable. The claw portion 52 is configured integrally with the lever portion 51, and rotates integrally with the lever portion 51. The torsion spring 53 has one end connected to the lever portion 51 (claw portion 52) and the other end connected to the cover 12. By this torsion spring 53, the lever portion 51 is urged in a direction in which the tip end portion of the claw portion 52 approaches the inside of the cover 12.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a locking portion 55 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 11. The cover 12 is locked in the closed position by the claw portion 52 being engaged with the engagement portion 55. When releasing the lock of the lock mechanism 50, the lever portion 51 is rotated so as to be pulled up against the urging force of the torsion spring 53. As a result, the claw portion 52 that rotates integrally with the lever portion 51 moves in a direction away from the locking portion 55, and the engagement (locking) between the claw portion 52 and the locking portion 55 is released.

  A working recess 56 is formed on the lower surface of the main body 11 and in the vicinity of the locking portion 55. As shown in FIG. 4, the working recess 56 is disposed adjacent to the locking portion 55, and is positioned above the claw portion 52 when the cover 12 is in the closed position. Therefore, the driver releases the engagement between the claw portion 52 and the locking portion 55 by pulling the claw portion 52 directly by inserting the finger into the working concave portion 56 in addition to the method of pulling up the lever portion 51 with the finger. Thus, the lock mechanism 50 can be unlocked.

  Next, the holding mechanism 60 will be described. The holding mechanism 60 includes an opening position recess and a rotation recess formed in the cover 12, and a projection formed in the main body 11. The opening position recess and the rotation recess are one end of the cover 12 and are formed on the circumferential surface of a cylindrical portion (tubular portion 12a) through which the rotation shaft 15 is inserted. On the other hand, the convex portion is formed on the upper portion of the main body 11 and below the rotation shaft 15. In the present embodiment, when the cover 12 is in the closed position and the rotating state, the convex portion is in a state of entering the rotating concave portion. On the other hand, when the cover 12 is in the open position, the convex portion enters the open position concave portion. In this open position, even if the cover 12 attempts to rotate downward due to its own weight, the inner wall of the open position concave portion is received by the convex portion, and further downward rotation of the cover 12 is restricted.

  Further, in the cover 12 of the present embodiment, at least the portion where the opening position recess and the rotation recess are formed is made of an appropriate resin that can be elastically deformed. In this embodiment, the cover 12 can be moved between the closed position and the open position by utilizing this elastic deformation. More specifically, when the cover 12 is moved, a portion that is relatively convex between the turning recess and the opening position recess is elastically deformed (or the protrusion on the main body 11 side is elastically deformed), That part will get over the convex part. Thus, the operator applies a force of a certain level or more in the direction in which the cover 12 is to be rotated, so that the operator gets over the convex portion at the portion between the open position concave portion and the open position concave portion, and opens the cover 12. It can be moved between a position and a closed position.

  Note that the cover 12 of the present embodiment is such that the portion between the recess for rotation and the recess for the open position gets over the protrusion due to the force that the cover 12 naturally falls from the open position to the close position due to its own weight. The necessary force is configured to be slightly larger. Therefore, while it can hold | maintain so that the cover 12 may not close naturally, smooth operability when an operator opens and closes the cover 12 by hand can be ensured.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that the card insertion slot 14 for mounting the ETC card 20 is exposed by setting the cover 12 to the open position. A guard packing 34 is disposed in the card insertion slot 14. The guard packing 34 is arranged at the upper part of the card insertion slot 14 and is made of an elastically deformable material having water absorption.

  As shown in the front view of FIG. 3, the card insertion slot 14 is partially covered with a guard packing 34 on the upper side. In the lower part of the card insertion slot 14, a horizontally elongated gap is formed that is not covered by the guard packing 34. The size of the gap in the vertical direction is smaller than the height (thickness) of the inserted ETC card, and the length of the gap in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the ETC card 20 in the width direction. The size of the insertion port 14 and the size of the guard packing 34 are set.

  With this configuration, when the ETC card 20 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14, the guard packing 34 is first elastically deformed to be slightly curved by being pushed in the insertion direction by the leading portion of the ETC card 20 in the insertion direction. When the ETC card 20 is further pushed in, the ETC card 20 moves to the back side in the insertion direction with the lower end of the elastically deformed guard packing 34 always in contact with the upper surface of the ETC card 20. At this time, even if moisture and dust adhere to the upper surface of the ETC card 20, the moisture is absorbed by the guard packing 34 having water absorption, and most of the dust and the like is scraped off by the guard packing 34. Further, since the height of the gap is smaller than the thickness of the ETC card 20, the lower end of the guard packing 34 always comes into contact with the upper surface of the ETC card 20. In addition, since most of the opening area of the card insertion slot 14 is covered with the guard packing 34, it is difficult for rain or dust to enter the inside of the main body 11 even when the cover 12 is in the open position.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 includes an illumination reflection unit 80 for irradiating light near the card insertion slot 14. The illumination reflecting unit 80 is a region for reflecting light of an LED element (not shown) disposed inside the main body 11 and functions as indirect illumination when irradiated with light of the LED element. As shown in FIG. 3, the illumination reflector 80 is formed in a planar shape below the center of the card insertion slot 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the illumination reflector 80 is inclined downward as it goes to the front side, and can efficiently reflect light to the front side of the card insertion slot 14. Thereby, even if the operator (driver) is dark, it is possible to easily attach and detach the ETC card 20 using the illumination as a mark.

  Next, the internal structure of the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the main body 11 includes an ETC card holder 21, a control board 22, a waterproof sheet 35, and a scraper (in-main body contact portion) 36. A water reservoir 37 and an air hole 38 are formed at the bottom of the main body 11.

  The ETC card holder 21 has a contact contact type card reader (reading unit) for reading the identification information of the ETC card 20 inside, and the contact portion of the ETC card 20 is inserted into the ETC card holder 21. Thus, the identification information of the ETC card 20 is read.

  Inside the ETC card holder 21, a stopper (not shown) with which the edge (end surface) on the insertion direction side of the ETC card 20 contacts is arranged. In the present embodiment, the position where the ETC card 20 contacts the stopper is the reading position of the ETC card holder 21. The ETC card 20 set at the reading position of the ETC card holder 21 is held by the ETC card holder 21 with a part of the ETC card 20 protruding outside the main body 11.

  The card reader is supported inside the ETC card holder 21 so as to be positioned above the ETC card 20 at the reading position. Therefore, the ETC card 20 needs to be inserted into the card insertion slot 14 with the surface on which the contacts are arranged facing upward. The ETC card holder 21 is electrically connected to the control board 22, and identification information read by the ETC card holder 21 is output to the control board 22.

  The control board 22 performs various controls of the ETC on-vehicle device 10 such as control for performing wireless communication of the ETC gate of the toll gate and control of the LED lamp 13 based on the identification information read by the ETC card holder 21. belongs to. An antenna pattern (antenna part) is printed on the control board 22, and the antenna pattern communicates with an ETC gate (external device) at the toll gate. As shown in FIG. 4, the control board 22 is fixed to the main body 11 by an appropriate fixing means such that the plane portion faces the vertical direction.

  A waterproof sheet 35 is fixed to a part of the lower surface of the control board 22. The waterproof sheet 35 is for preventing moisture that has entered the inside of the main body 11 from coming into contact with the control board 22 and is made of an appropriate resin. The waterproof sheet 35 is disposed between the card insertion slot 14 and the ETC card holder 21 and is fixed to the control board 22 with screws or the like. As shown in FIG. 4, when the ETC card 20 is mounted, the waterproof sheet 35 is positioned above the ETC card 20.

  The scraper 36 is fixed to the lower surface of the waterproof sheet 35, and is disposed closer to the card insertion slot 14 than the ETC card holder 21. The scraper 36 includes a plurality of protruding walls 36a protruding downward. The protruding wall 36a is formed in a wall shape extending in the short-side direction, and is arranged so that the tip portion thereof is in contact with the upper surface of the ETC card 20. The protruding wall 36a is made of an elastically deformable material that absorbs water.

  The ETC card 20 inserted from the card insertion slot 14 is inserted into the ETC card holder 21 with its upper surface in contact with the plurality of protruding walls 36a. Therefore, even if there is water and dust that could not be removed by the guard packing 34, these foreign matters can be reliably removed by the scraper 36 before reaching the ETC card holder 21. In addition, since the plurality of protruding walls 36a of the scraper 36 are configured to contact the ETC card 20 from above, the scraper 36 also has a function of positioning the ETC card 20 in the vertical direction. it can.

  The water reservoir 37 is a place where water that has entered the main body 11 or water scraped off from the ETC card 20 by the scraper 36 is stored. The water reservoir 37 is formed at a plurality of locations below the main body 11. As shown in FIG. 4, one of them is formed below the scraper 36. One of the partition plates 37 a that partitions the water reservoir 37 is formed closer to the card insertion slot 14 than the ETC card holder 21.

  The air holes 38 are provided to prevent the inside of the main body 11 configured in a state almost close to sealing from becoming a negative pressure due to a change in temperature, and connects the inside of the main body 11 to the outside. Due to the air holes 38, the inside of the main body 11 becomes negative pressure, and a suction force is generated in the vicinity of the card insertion slot 14 or the gap of the main body 11, so that moisture, dust, etc. are sucked inside the main body 11. Can be effectively prevented.

  In the present embodiment, a sheet member 39 made of a waterproof and moisture-permeable material is disposed so as to cover the mouth of the air hole 38 on the main body 11 side. As a waterproof and moisture-permeable material for the sheet member 39, for example, Gore-Tex (registered trademark) can be used. With this configuration, only air can pass through the air hole 38 while preventing water or the like from passing through the air hole 38 from entering the inside of the main body 11.

  Next, the waterproof structure 30 formed inside the cover 12 will be described. FIG. 5 is a view of the cover 12 in the closed position as viewed from the inside. As shown in FIG. 5, the cover 12 of this embodiment includes a waterproof structure 30 and a card cushion 40.

  The waterproof structure 30 is configured by an inner protruding wall that protrudes from the inner wall in the insertion direction of the ETC card 20 in the cover 12 in the closed position. As shown in FIG.4 and FIG.5, the waterproof structure 30 is comprised by the cylinder shape, The opening part has become the substantially rectangular shape by which the corner | rounder was rounded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a front packing 32 is disposed on the front end surface of the main body 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the front packing 32 is formed in a frame shape surrounding the card insertion slot 14 and the guard packing 34 in a front view. The front packing 32 corresponds to the shape of the end face of the waterproof structure 30, and the end face of the waterproof structure 30 and the front packing 32 face each other in the closed position. Therefore, when the cover 12 is in the closed position, the waterproof structure 30 and the front packing 32 form a closed space inside the cover 12. The front packing 32 is made of an elastically deformable member, and is in close contact with the end face of the waterproof structure 30 when the cover 12 is in the closed position. As shown in FIG. 4, the waterproof structure 30 covers the upper, lower, left and right sides of the ETC card 20 that protrudes from the card insertion opening 14 to the outside of the main body 11.

  Further, the front packing 32 of the present embodiment is fixed in a state of being fitted in a groove formed on the front side of the main body 11. The method for fixing the front packing 32 is not limited to this method. For example, a protrusion formed in a rib shape can be formed on the front side of the main body 11, and the front packing 32 can be fixed to the main body 11 by an appropriate means in a state where the front packing 32 is supported by the protrusion. . Further, the front packing 32 may be directly fixed to the main body 11 without forming the above-described grooves or ribs.

  In addition, an inclined portion 31 is formed on the upper portion of the waterproof structure 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the inclined portion 31 is formed in a mountain shape in which the central portion in the width direction of the waterproof structure 30 is the highest, and the height gradually decreases toward the outside in the width direction. . As a result, even if water that has entered the inside of the cover 12 falls to the top of the waterproof structure 30, it will flow to the outside in the width direction of the waterproof structure 30 by the inclined portion 31, and water to the card insertion slot 14 side. Intrusion can be effectively reduced.

  Next, the card cushion 40 will be described. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the card cushion 40.

  The card cushion 40 is for reducing vibration of the ETC card 20 attached to the main body 11. The card cushion 40 is made of an elastically deformable member and is disposed inside the cover 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the card cushion 40 of the present embodiment is disposed inside the waterproof structure 30. The card cushion 40 is formed so that its longitudinal direction is slightly longer than the dimension of the ETC card 20 in the short direction, and is in contact with the entire end face on one side of the ETC card 20.

  When the ETC card 20 is inserted into the card insertion slot 14 and the cover 12 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, the card cushion 40 comes into contact with the edge (end face) opposite to the insertion direction of the ETC card 20. . The ETC card 20 is pushed in the insertion direction as the cover 12 turns toward the closed position. Eventually, the edge on the insertion direction side of the ETC card 20 comes into contact with the stopper in the ETC card holder 21, and the ETC card 20 is set in the ETC card holder 21. Here, the edge of the ETC card 20 refers to a surface (end surface) around the flat surface portion when the ETC card 20 is viewed in the thickness direction and corresponding to the thickness portion of the ETC card 20. .

  As shown in FIG. 6, in a state where the ETC card 20 is set in the ETC card holder 21, the card cushion 40 is elastically deformed according to the shape of the ETC card 20, and the end of the ETC card 20 is slightly in the card cushion 40. It becomes a form to be depressed. Since the card cushion 40 is arranged so as to push the ETC card 20 by a substantially central portion in the vertical direction, the card cushion 40 receiving the reaction force from the ETC card 20 has the end portion of the ETC card 20 from above and below. Elastically deforms into a shape that holds it down. Therefore, the card cushion 40 can absorb not only vibration in the insertion / removal direction of the ETC card 20 but also vibration in the vertical direction.

  When the cover 12 is in the closed position, the ETC card 20 is always pressed in the insertion direction by the card cushion 40, so that the ETC card 20 can always be held in an appropriate position. For example, assume that the ETC card 20 is not properly set in the ETC card holder 21 when the cover 12 is in the open position. Even in such a case, the ETC card 20 is pushed in the insertion direction by the card cushion 40 only by moving the cover 12 to the closed position, and is set at an appropriate position of the ETC card holder 21. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a reading error due to insufficient pushing of the ETC card 20 by the driver.

  As described above, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 of this embodiment includes the main body 11, the ETC card holder 21, and the cover 12. The main body 11 has a card insertion slot 14 for an ETC card 20 in which information for paying a fee using wireless communication is stored. The ETC card holder 21 reads the information of the ETC card 20 inserted from the card insertion slot 14 by a card reader disposed therein. The cover 12 is configured to be attachable to the main body 11 so as to be rotatable between a closed position that covers the card insertion slot 14 and an open position that opens the card insertion slot 14. The main body 11 is configured such that when the ETC card 20 is inserted into the ETC card holder 21, a part of the ETC card 20 comes out of the card insertion slot 14. In the closed position, the portion exposed from the card insertion slot 14 of the ETC card 20 (the portion protruding from the main body) is covered with the cover 12.

  As a result, the ETC card 20 can be taken out from the main body 11 by a simple operation of grasping and pulling out the portion protruding from the card insertion slot 14 by hand. Therefore, even when the driver is wearing a glove or the like, for example, the work of extracting the ETC card 20 from the ETC on-vehicle device 10 can be easily performed. In the closed position, the portion of the ETC card 20 that protrudes from the main body 11 is covered with the cover 12, so that water does not fall directly on the ETC card 20 even in rainy weather, and the surface of the ETC card 20. It is possible to effectively prevent the water from entering the main body 11 along the path.

  Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is the waterproof structure (internal protrusion wall) which protrudes from the cover 12 so that at least the upper direction of the card | curd exposed from the card insertion port 14 may be covered inside the cover 12 in a closed position. 30.

  Accordingly, even when water enters the inside of the cover 12 when the cover 12 is in the closed position, the waterproof structure 30 covering the upper side of the ETC card 20 ensures that the water falls onto the ETC card 20. Can be prevented.

  Moreover, in the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment, the inclination part 31 which inclines below is formed in the upper part of the waterproof structure 30 as it approaches the outer side of the width direction of the said waterproof structure 30. As shown in FIG.

  Thereby, the water which fell on the upper surface of the waterproof structure 30 will be flowed in the width direction, without staying. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation where water accumulated on the upper surface of the waterproof structure 30 falls toward the ETC card 20 or the card insertion slot 14 when the cover 12 is opened.

  Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is comprised as follows. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a front packing 32. The front packing 32 is configured to be elastically deformable, and is disposed on the main body 11 so as to face the tip of the waterproof structure 30. When the cover 12 is moved to the closed position, the front packing 32 contacts the distal end surface of the waterproof structure 30.

  As a result, the front packing 32 in contact with the front end surface of the waterproof structure 30 is elastically deformed so that the front end of the waterproof structure 30 and the front packing 32 are in close contact with each other, thereby preventing water from entering the inside from the outside of the waterproof structure 30. it can.

  Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is comprised so that the waterproof structure 30 may cover the circumference | surroundings of the part exposed from the card insertion port 14 of the ETC card | curd 20. FIG.

  Thereby, even when water enters the inside of the cover 12 from various directions, it is possible to reliably prevent the ETC card 20 from getting wet.

  Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is comprised as follows. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a scraper 36. The scraper 36 is configured to be elastically deformable, and contacts the flat portion of the ETC card 20 inside the main body 11. The scraper 36 is disposed closer to the card insertion slot 14 than the ETC card holder 21.

  Thereby, the water and dust adhering to the part read by the ETC card holder 21 can be scraped off from the ETC card 20 by the scraper 36, and the entry of water and dust into the ETC card holder 21 can be effectively prevented. . Further, since the scraper 36 is configured to be elastically deformable, it can absorb vibration in the thickness direction of the ETC card 20 that is transmitted from the main body 11 to the ETC card 20. Furthermore, the movement of the ETC card 20 in the direction away from the ETC card holder 21 can be restricted by the frictional force generated between the scraper 36 and the ETC card 20.

  Further, in the ETC in-vehicle device 10 of the present embodiment, the cover 12 in the open position is in a state where the end of the cover 12 is located outside the main body 11 and above the card insertion slot 14. A holding mechanism 60 that holds the cover 12 is provided.

  Thereby, the rain which tries to penetrate | invade into the inside of the main body 11 from the card insertion port 14 can be interrupted | blocked by the cover 12 in the attachment / detachment operation | work of the ETC card 20 at the time of rainy weather. Moreover, since the cover 12 plays the role of a bag, the amount of water adhering to the ETC card 20 at the time of insertion can be reduced.

  Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is comprised as follows. That is, the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10 includes a card cushion 40. The card cushion 40 is configured to be elastically deformable and is disposed on the cover 12. When the cover 12 is moved to the closed position, the card cushion 40 contacts the edge of the ETC card 20 set in the ETC card holder 21 on the side opposite to the insertion direction, and pushes the ETC card 20 in the insertion direction.

  Thus, even when the ETC card 20 is about to come out in a direction away from the ETC card holder 21 due to vibration transmitted from the vehicle, the movement of the ETC card 20 can be restricted by the card cushion 40. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which the ETC card 20 is detached from the ETC card holder 21 and wireless communication is not properly performed. Further, since the mechanism for holding the ETC card 20 in the ETC card holder 21 is realized by a simple configuration in which the ETC card 20 is pressed by the elastic force of the card cushion 40, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, when the cover 12 is moved to the closed position, the ETC card 20 is pushed in the insertion direction and automatically set to the reading position of the card reader. This is because the ETC card 20 is not properly inserted. It is possible to effectively prevent the occurrence of a reading error of the card reader.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above configuration can be further modified as follows.

  The configuration of the card cushion 40 is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate according to circumstances. For example, a groove may be formed in the card cushion 40, and the edge of the ETC card 20 may be in contact with the groove portion. By sandwiching the ETC card 20 in the groove portion, the vertical swing of the ETC card 20 caused by the vertical vibration can be effectively suppressed. As a cross-sectional shape of the groove, a shape in which the I-shape, U-shape, and V-shape are laterally viewed in a side view is conceivable.

  In addition, a configuration in which a plurality of card cushions 40 are arranged instead of one can be changed. For example, the card cushion pieces can be arranged in parallel in the short direction of the ETC card 20 so that the ETC card 20 contacts a plurality of card cushions when the cover 12 is in the closed position.

  The waterproof structure 30 can also be disposed on the main body 11 instead of the cover 12. From the viewpoint of reliably preventing the card from getting wet, it is preferable to configure the waterproof structure 30 so as to cover the top, bottom, left and right as in the configuration of the present embodiment, but the roof shape covers only the top of the ETC card 20. A waterproof structure can also be configured.

  A lower scraper may be arranged at a position facing the scraper 36 of the main body 11 so that the scraper contacts both surfaces of the ETC card 20.

  The guard packing 34 of the main body 11 is attached to the upper part of the card insertion slot 14, but can also be attached to the lower part of the card insertion slot 14. Further, the guard packing 34 can be arranged on both the upper and lower sides of the card insertion slot 14.

  A discharge hole for discharging the water accumulated in the water reservoir 37 to the outside can also be formed in the water reservoir 37 of the main body 11.

  The arrangement positions and the number of arrangement of the air holes 38 and the sheet members 39 of the main body 11 can be appropriately changed according to circumstances. Furthermore, the air hole 38 and the sheet member 39 can be omitted from this embodiment.

  The LED lamp 13 can be appropriately changed according to circumstances. For example, the LED lamp 13 can be disposed on the side surface of the main body 11 in the left-right direction.

  The lock mechanism 50 can be appropriately changed according to circumstances as long as the cover 12 can be fixed in the closed position. For example, it is possible to employ a configuration in which the ETC in-vehicle device 10 includes a lock and the cover 12 is fixed in the closed position by locking the lock with a key. Moreover, the structure which fixes the cover 12 to the main body 11 with cylinder locks, such as a padlock, can also be employ | adopted.

  As long as the holding mechanism 60 is a mechanism that can hold the cover 12 in the open position, the holding mechanism 60 can be appropriately changed according to circumstances. For example, a mechanism that supports the cover at the open position by a biasing means such as a spring, or a mechanism that supports the cover 12 at the open position by a frictional force can be employed.

  Also, the cover 12 can be configured to be transparent or translucent. The ETC in-vehicle device 10 of the present embodiment is configured such that a part of the ETC card 20 protrudes outside (inside the cover 12) from the card insertion slot 14 with the ETC card 20 mounted in the card insertion slot 14. is there. Therefore, by configuring the cover 12 with a transparent or translucent material, it is possible to confirm through the cover whether the ETC card 20 has been forgotten to be inserted or removed even when the cover 12 is closed.

  Moreover, although the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment is a structure integrated with the antenna which performs radio | wireless communication with the antenna pattern formed in the control board 22, it can change into the ETC onboard equipment which makes an antenna a separate body. it can. Moreover, the ETC onboard equipment 10 of this embodiment can also be attached and used for vehicles, such as automatic 4 wheels other than an automatic 2 wheel.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the ETC vehicle-mounted device 10. The configuration of the present invention can be applied to any in-vehicle communication device arranged in a vehicle in order to use a system for exchanging information with an external device using wireless communication. For example, the configuration of the present invention can be applied to a car navigation device having a function of using an ETC system using an ETC card.

10 ETC on-board unit (in-vehicle communication device)
11 Body 12 Cover 14 Card insertion slot (insertion slot)
20 ETC card (card)
30 Waterproof structure (inner protruding wall)
21 ETC card holder 36 Scraper (contact part in the main body)

Claims (8)

A main body having a card slot for storing information exchanged using wireless communication;
A reading unit for reading information of the card inserted from the insertion slot;
A cover attachable to the main body movably between a closed position covering the insertion opening and an open position opening the insertion opening;
With
The main body is configured such that when the card is inserted into the reading unit, a part of the card comes out of the insertion slot,
In the closed position, a portion of the card exposed from the insertion slot is covered with the cover. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1,
An in-vehicle communication device comprising: an inner projecting wall projecting from the main body or the cover so as to cover at least the upper side of the card exposed from the insertion port inside the cover at the closed position. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 2,
An in-vehicle communication device, wherein an inclined portion is formed on an upper portion of the inner protruding wall, the inclined portion being inclined downward as it approaches the outside in the width direction of the inner protruding wall. The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 2 or 3,
It is configured to be elastically deformable, and includes a protruding wall contact portion disposed on the cover or the main body so as to face the tip of the internal protruding wall,
When the cover is moved to the closed position, the projecting wall contact portion comes into contact with the tip surface of the inner projecting wall. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The in-vehicle communication device according to claim 1, wherein the inner protruding wall is configured to cover a periphery of a portion exposed from the insertion port of the card. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
It is configured to be elastically deformable, and includes an in-main body contact portion that contacts a flat portion of the card inside the main body
The in-vehicle communication device is characterized in that the in-body contact portion is disposed closer to the insertion port than the reading portion. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The cover in the open position is in a state where the end of the cover is located outside the main body and above the insertion port,
A vehicle-mounted communication device comprising a holding mechanism for holding the cover in the open position. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
It is configured to be elastically deformable, and includes one or a plurality of card contact portions arranged on the cover,
When the cover is moved to a closed position, the card contact portion comes into contact with an edge opposite to the insertion direction of the card inserted in the reading portion, and the card is pushed in the insertion direction. Communication device.

Images