JP2020197890A - Card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a card reader which has an ejection prevention member that prevents an inserted card from being ejected, and which facilitates the ejection of, from the card reader, the card inserted into the card reader even if it is used in the conditions in which there are many dusts or dirt is likely to stick.SOLUTION: In a card reader 1, an ejection prevention member 9 that prevents a card 2 inserted into the card reader 1 from being ejected at a close position 9A includes a card abutment portion 9c which blocks a part of a card moving path 4 of when the ejection prevention member 9 is placed at the close position 9A. Provided that the side to which the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1 is a depth side, the width of a depth end portion of the card abutment portion 9c in a Y-direction that is the widthwise direction of the card 2 decreases toward the depth side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a card reader that reads data recorded on a card and records data on a card.

Conventionally, a so-called dip-type card reader is known in which a user manually operates a card to read data recorded on the card and record data on the card (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Inside the card reader described in Patent Document 1, a card movement path is formed in which a card inserted from a card insertion slot moves. This card reader includes an IC contact block for communicating data with an IC chip built in the card.

Further, the card reader described in Patent Document 1 includes a lever member for preventing the card inserted inside the card reader from being pulled out. On the front end side of the lever member, a protruding portion is formed with which the front end of the card inserted inside the card reader comes into contact. The lever member is rotatable between a closed position where the protruding part closes the card moving path and an open position where the protruding part opens the card moving path, and prevents the inserted card from being pulled out at the closed position. To do. In addition, this card reader has a screw coil spring that urges the lever member toward the closed position, a regulation pin that regulates the rotation of the lever member at the closed position, and a rotation regulation position and lever that regulate the rotation of the lever member. It is equipped with a solenoid that moves the regulation pin to and from a rotatable position that allows the member to rotate.

In the card reader described in Patent Document 1, when the card is not inserted into the card reader, the lever member is arranged in the closed position by the urging force of the screw coil spring, and the protruding portion is on the front end side of the card moving path. Is closed. When the card is inserted in this state, the back end of the card comes into contact with the inclined surface formed at the front end of the protruding portion. When the back end of the card comes into contact with the inclined surface formed at the front end of the protrusion, the inclined surface moves along the back end of the card, so that the lever member rotates to the open position against the urging force of the screw coil spring. By moving, the front end side of the card movement path is opened.

When the card is inserted to a predetermined position on the back side of the card reader, the lever member rotates by the urging force of the screw coil spring to return to the closed position, and the protruding portion closes the front end side of the card moving path. To do. In this state, the solenoid is driven, the regulation pin arranged at the rotatable position moves to the rotation restricting position, and the rotation of the lever member arranged at the closed position is restricted. In this state, data is communicated between the card and the card reader. Further, in this state, even if the user tries to pull out the card toward the front side, the card is prevented from being pulled out by the protruding portion that closes the front end side of the card movement path.

When the data communication between the card and the card reader is completed, the energization of the solenoid is stopped, the regulation pin located at the rotation restriction position moves to the rotatable position, and the lever member can rotate. It becomes a state. In this state, when the card is pulled out toward the front side, the front end of the card comes into contact with the contact surface formed at the back end of the protruding portion. When the front end of the card comes into contact with the contact surface formed at the back end of the protrusion, the contact surface moves along the front end of the card, so that the lever member opens against the urging force of the screw coil spring. Rotates to, and the front end side of the card movement path is opened.

JP-A-2010-26826

The card reader described in Patent Document 1 has been used in various environments in recent years, and may be used, for example, in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt is likely to adhere. When the card reader is used in such an environment, if dust or dirt adheres to the contact surface formed at the back end of the protrusion of the lever member, the contact surface of the protrusion and the front end of the card When the card is pulled out toward the front side due to the large frictional force between the two, the contact surface of the protrusion may not move along the front edge of the card. When the contact surface of the protruding portion does not move along the front end of the card, the lever member arranged in the closed position does not rotate to the open position against the urging force of the screw coil spring, so that the card is not rotated from the card reader to the open position. May not be able to be pulled out.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is that a card reader provided with a pull-out prevention member for preventing the inserted card from being pulled out is inside the card reader even if it is used in an environment with a lot of dust or an environment where dirt easily adheres. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a card reader capable of easily pulling out the inserted card from the card reader.

In order to solve the above problems, the card reader of the present invention is a card reader that reads at least one of the data recorded on the card and records the data on the card. A pull-out prevention member that is rotatably configured between the closed position that closes the card movement path and the open position that opens the card movement path and prevents the card inserted in the card reader from being pulled out at the closed position, and the closed position The urging member that urges the pull-out prevention member, the rotation control member that contacts the pull-out prevention member arranged at the closed position to regulate the rotation of the pull-out prevention member, and the rotation of the pull-out prevention member are regulated. It is equipped with a moving mechanism that moves the rotation restricting member between the rotation restricting position and the rotatable position that enables the rotation of the pull-out prevention member, and moves the card moving direction and the card moving along the card moving path. The direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the card moving on the road is the width direction of the card, and the side of the card movement direction in which the card is inserted into the card reader is the back side, which is the opposite side of the back side. When the pull-out direction side of the card from the card reader is the front side, the pull-out prevention member includes a card contact portion that closes a part of the card movement path when the pull-out prevention member is arranged in the closed position. It is rotatable with the width direction of the card as the axial direction of rotation, and is inserted into the card reader at the back end of the card contact portion when the pull-out prevention member is arranged in the closed position. The front end of the card can be contacted, and the width of the back end of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card becomes narrower toward the back side.

In the card reader of the present invention, the pull-out prevention member that prevents the card inserted into the card reader from being pulled out in the closed position is a card that closes a part of the card movement path when the pull-out prevention member is arranged in the closed position. It has a contact part. Further, in the present invention, the width of the back end portion of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card becomes narrower toward the back side. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to narrow the width of the inner end of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to reduce the contact area between the back end of the card contact portion and the front end of the card when the front end of the card comes into contact with the back end of the card contact portion.

Therefore, in the present invention, even if the card reader is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres and dust or dirt adheres to the back end of the card contact portion, the back of the card contact portion It is possible to reduce the frictional force between the back edge of the card contact and the front edge of the card when the front edge of the card comes into contact with the edge, and as a result, when the card is pulled out toward the front. , It becomes easy to move the back end of the card contact portion along the front end of the card.

That is, in the present invention, the card reader is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres, and even if dust or dirt adheres to the inner end of the card contact portion, the card is pulled out toward the front side. At that time, the pull-out prevention member arranged in the closed position can be easily rotated to the open position. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the card reader is used in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt is likely to adhere, it is possible to easily pull out the card inserted inside the card reader from the card reader.

In the present invention, for example, when viewed from the thickness direction of the card, both side surfaces of the back end portion of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card approach each other toward the back side in the moving direction of the card. It is inclined with respect to.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner end of the card contact portion is formed in a convex curved surface shape. With this configuration, even if the width of the back end of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card is narrow, the card will be scratched when the front end of the card comes into contact with the back end of the card contact portion. It becomes difficult to stick.

In the present invention, the front end of the card contact portion can be contacted with the back end of the card inserted into the card reader when the pull-out prevention member is arranged in the closed position, in the width direction of the card. The width of the front end portion of the card contact portion in the above is preferably narrowed toward the front side. With this configuration, the width of the front end of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card can be narrowed, so that the card hits when the back end of the card comes into contact with the front end of the card contact portion. It is possible to reduce the contact area between the front end of the contact portion and the back end of the card.

Therefore, even if dust or dirt adheres to the front end of the card contact portion, when the back end of the card comes into contact with the front end of the card contact portion, the front end of the card contact portion and the back end of the card It is possible to reduce the frictional force between the two, and as a result, when inserting the card into the card reader, it becomes easy to move the front end of the card contact portion along the back end of the card. That is, even if dust or dirt adheres to the inner end of the card contact portion, when the card is inserted into the card reader, the pull-out prevention member arranged at the closed position can be easily rotated to the open position. Therefore, even if the card reader is used in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt is likely to adhere, it is possible to easily insert the card into the card reader.

As described above, in the present invention, even if a card reader provided with a pull-out prevention member for preventing the inserted card from being pulled out is used in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt easily adheres, the inside of the card reader It becomes possible to easily pull out the inserted card from the card reader.

It is a top view for demonstrating the structure of the card reader which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the schematic structure of the card reader shown in FIG. 1 from the side. (A) is a side view for explaining a state in which a card is being inserted into the card reader shown in FIG. 1, and (B) is a side view for explaining a state in which the card is being inserted into the card reader shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating the state. (A) is a side view of the lever member shown in FIG. 1, and (B) is a bottom view of the lever member shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the part E of FIG. 4 (B).

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

(Outline configuration of card reader)
FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the card reader 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the card reader 1 shown in FIG. 1 from the side surface.

The card reader 1 of the present embodiment is a device for a user to manually operate the card 2 to read at least one of the data recorded on the card 2 and the data on the card 2. Specifically, the card reader 1 is a so-called dip-type card reader that manually inserts the card 2 into the card reader 1 and withdraws the card 2 from the card reader 1 to read and record data. .. The card reader 1 is mounted on a predetermined higher-level device (not shown) and used.

The card reader 1 is formed with a card movement path 4 in which the card 2 inserted from the card insertion slot 3 moves. The card reader 1 includes an IC contact block 6 having a plurality of IC contact springs and a magnetic head 7. Further, the card reader 1 includes a lever member 9 as a pull-out prevention member for preventing the card 2 inserted into the card reader 1 from being pulled out. The lever member 9 has a closed position 9A (position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B) for closing the card moving path 4 and an open position 9B (position shown in FIG. 3A) for opening the card moving path 4. It is rotatable between. The lever member 9 prevents the card 2 inserted into the card reader 1 from being pulled out at the closed position 9A.

Further, the card reader 1 abuts on the screw coil spring 10 as an urging member for urging the lever member 9 toward the closed position 9A and the lever member 9 arranged at the closed position 9A to rotate the lever member 9. A regulation pin 11 as a rotation restricting member, a rotation restricting position 11A (position shown in FIG. 3B) that regulates the rotation of the lever member 9, and a rotation that enables the lever member 9 to rotate. It is provided with a solenoid 12 as a moving mechanism for moving the regulation pin 11 to and from the movable position 11B (the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A).

Further, the card reader 1 includes sensors 14 and 15 for detecting the presence / absence of the card 2. The sensors 14 and 15 are transmissive optical sensors including light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged so as to face each other. In the following description, the state in which the light from the light emitting elements of the sensors 14 and 15 toward the light receiving element is blocked is defined as the on state of the sensors 14 and 15, and the light receiving elements of the sensors 14 and 15 emit the light from the light emitting element. The state of receiving light is set to the off state of the sensors 14 and 15.

In this embodiment, the card 2 moves in the X direction shown in FIG. 1 and the like. That is, the X direction is the moving direction of the card 2 moving on the card moving path 4. Further, the Z direction of FIG. 1 or the like orthogonal to the X direction is the thickness direction of the card 2 moving in the card movement path 4, and the Y direction of FIG. 1 or the like orthogonal to the X direction and the Z direction is the card movement. This is the width direction of the card 2 moving on the road 4. In the following description, the X direction is the front-rear direction, the Y direction is the left-right direction, and the Z direction is the up-down direction.

Further, in the following description, the X1 direction side of FIG. 1 and the like, which is one side in the front-rear direction, is defined as the "front" side or the "front" side, and the X2 direction side of FIG. 1, which is the opposite side of the front side, is "rear". The side or the "back" side, the Y1 direction side of FIG. 1, which is one side in the left-right direction, is the "right" side, and the Y2 direction side of FIG. 1, which is the opposite side of the right side, is the "left" side. The Z1 direction side of FIG. 2, which is one side of the direction, is referred to as the "upper" side, and the Z2 direction side of FIG. 2, which is the opposite side of the upper side, is referred to as the "lower" side. Further, in the following description, the clockwise direction of FIG. 2 is referred to as "clockwise direction", and the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 2 is referred to as "counterclockwise direction".

The card 2 is a rectangular vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. A magnetic stripe on which magnetic data is recorded is formed on the back surface of the card 2. Further, the card 2 has a built-in IC chip, and an external connection terminal of the IC chip is formed on the front surface of the card 2. The card 2 may not have a magnetic stripe formed on it. Further, the card 2 may have a built-in antenna for communication. Further, the card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, a paper card having a predetermined thickness, or the like.

The card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1 in a state where the front surface of the card 2 faces upward and the longitudinal direction of the card 2 substantially coincides with the front-rear direction. Specifically, the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1 toward the back side. Further, the card 2 is pulled out from the card reader 1 toward the front side. That is, the back side (X2 direction side) is the side in which the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1, and the front side (X1 direction side) is the side in the card 2 withdrawal direction from the card reader 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a part of the front end side of the card reader 1 is a cutout portion 16 cut out so that the user can insert and remove the card 2. The cutout portion 16 is formed so as to be cut out from the front end to the back side of the frame of the card reader 1. Further, in the left-right direction, a notch 16 is formed at an intermediate position of the frame of the card reader 1, and protrusions 17 and 18 are formed on both sides of the notch 16 in the left-right direction. The protrusion 17 is arranged on the right side of the notch 16, and the protrusion 18 is arranged on the left side of the notch 16. The width of the notch 16 in the left-right direction is wide enough to accommodate a user's finger.

As shown in FIG. 2, the card movement path 4 is formed so that the shape when viewed from the left-right direction is linear. The front end of the card movement path 4 is a card insertion slot 3. As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 1, a part of the card 2 inserted into the back side of the card reader 1 is exposed at the notch 16. The magnetic head 7 is arranged at the front end portion of the protruding portion 17. Further, the magnetic head 7 is arranged so as to face the card moving path 4 from below.

The IC contact block 6 is arranged at the back end side portion of the card reader 1. Further, the IC contact block 6 is arranged so that the IC contact spring faces the card moving path 4 from above, and the IC contact block 6 is arranged above the card moving path 4. The IC contact block 6 is connected to the upper surface side portion of the frame of the card reader 1 via the parallel link mechanism 20, and moves up and down while sliding in the front-rear direction. The IC contact block 6 is urged toward the front side by a tension coil spring 21.

In this embodiment, when the tip (back end) of the card 2 inserted into the back side of the card reader 1 engages with the card engaging portion (not shown) of the IC contact block 6, the IC contact block 6 slides to the back side. While descending, a plurality of IC contact springs come into contact with the external connection terminals of the card 2. Further, when the card 2 inserted in the back side is pulled out to the front side, the IC contact block 6 is moved to the front side by the urging force of the tension coil spring 21 so that the IC contact spring is separated from the front surface of the card 2. Ascend while sliding.

The IC contact block 6 is formed with a light-shielding portion 6a for detecting the presence or absence of the card 2 on the back end side of the card reader 1. In this embodiment, when the IC contact block 6 is on the front side due to the urging force of the tension coil spring 21, the light receiving element of the sensor 15 receives the light from the light emitting element. On the other hand, when the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1, the IC contact block 6 slides to the back side, and the IC contact spring comes into contact with the external connection terminal of the card 2, the light emitted from the light emitting element of the sensor 15 toward the light receiving element is emitted. The light-shielding portion 6a blocks the light. In this embodiment, when the light shielding portion 6a blocks the light from the light emitting element of the sensor 15 to the light receiving element and the sensor 15 is turned on, it is detected that the card 2 is on the back end side of the card reader 1.

(Structure of lever member)
FIG. 3A is a side view for explaining a state in which the card 2 is being inserted into the card reader 1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a side view for explaining a state in which the card 2 is being inserted into the card reader 1 shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating the state which the insertion of the card 2 into is completed. 4 (A) is a side view of the lever member 9 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 (B) is a bottom view of the lever member 9 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part E in FIG. 4 (B).

As described above, the lever member 9 functions to prevent the card 2 inserted in the card reader 1 from being pulled out. Specifically, the lever member 9 prevents the card 2 from being pulled out when the IC contact spring contacts the external connection terminal of the card 2 and data is communicated between the card 2 and the card reader 1. It fulfills the function of The lever member 9 is made of resin. Further, the lever member 9 is formed in an elongated rod shape as a whole, and is arranged on the right end side of the card reader 1 so that the longitudinal direction and the front-rear direction of the lever member 9 substantially coincide with each other.

The lever member 9 has a rotation center portion 9a which is the rotation center of the lever member 9, an extension portion 9b extending from the rotation center portion 9a toward the front side, and an extension portion 9b from the front end to the lower side. It includes a protruding card contact portion 9c and an extending portion 9d extending from the rotation center portion 9a toward the back side. The rotation center portion 9a is arranged on the upper side of the card moving path 4. A fixed shaft 25 that rotatably supports the lever member 9 is inserted through the rotation center portion 9a. A shaft hole 9e through which the fixed shaft 25 is inserted is formed in the rotation center portion 9a (see FIG. 4A). The fixed shaft 25 is fixed to the frame of the card reader 1. The axial direction of the fixed shaft 25 coincides with the left-right direction. The lever member 9 can rotate around the fixed shaft 25 with the left-right direction as the axial direction of rotation.

The lower end of the card contact portion 9c is flat. As shown in FIG. 3A, while the card 2 is being inserted into the card reader 1, the upper surface of the card 2 comes into contact with the lower end of the flat card contact portion 9c. At this time, the lower end of the card contact portion 9c is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the card 2. The front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c is a flat inclined surface that inclines downward toward the back side. Therefore, in the following description, the front end 9 g is referred to as an “inclined surface 9 g”. When viewed from the left-right direction, the inclination angle θ1 (see FIG. 4A) of the inclined surface 9g with respect to the lower end of the card contact portion 9c is 37 °.

The width of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction becomes narrower toward the back side. When viewed from the vertical direction, the left and right side surfaces of the back end of the card contact portion 9c are inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to approach each other toward the back side (see FIG. 5). .. The inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c is formed in a convex curved surface shape. Specifically, the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c is formed in a convex curved surface shape that smoothly connects both left and right side surfaces of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c. Further, both side surfaces of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction are inclined so that the width of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction becomes narrower toward the lower side. The inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c is inclined so as to be upward toward the inner side.

The extending portion 9d is arranged on the upper side of the card moving path 4. A flat contact surface 9j to which the regulation pin 11 contacts is formed on the lower surface of the inner end portion of the extension portion 9d. The contact surface 9j is an inclined surface that inclines toward the upper side toward the back side. When viewed from the left-right direction, the inclination angle θ2 of the contact surface 9j with respect to the lower end of the card contact portion 9c (see FIG. 4A) is 17 °.

A fixed shaft 25 is inserted through the screw coil spring 10. The torsion coil spring 10 is arranged on the left side of the rotation center portion 9a. One end of the torsion coil spring 10 engages with the spring engaging portion 26 formed on the frame of the card reader 1, and the other end of the torsion coil spring 10 engages with the engaging projection 9k formed on the lever member 9. There is. The screw recoil spring 10 urges the lever member 9 in the counterclockwise direction.

When the card 2 is not inserted, the lower end of the card contact portion 9c is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 27 formed on the lower surface of the right front end portion of the card movement path 4 by the urging force of the screw coil spring 10. Are in contact. The position of the lever member 9 when the lower end of the card contact portion 9c is in contact with the bottom surface of the recess 27 is the closed position 9A. The card contact portion 9c closes a part of the card moving path 4 when the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A. Specifically, the card contact portion 9c closes a part of the card moving path 4 on the right front end side when the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A.

When the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A, the inner end of the card 2 inserted into the card reader 1 can come into contact with the inclined surface 9g of the card contact portion 9c. When the card 2 is inserted while the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A, the inner end of the card 2 is placed on the inclined surface 9g of the lever member 9 that closes a part of the right front end side of the card moving path 4. (Tips) come into contact. When the card 2 whose back end is in contact with the inclined surface 9g is further inserted into the back side, the inclined surface 9g moves along the back end of the card 2. When the inclined surface 9g moves along the inner end of the card 2, as shown in FIG. 3A, the lever member 9 rotates clockwise against the urging force of the screw coil spring 10 to move the card. A part of the right front end side of the road 4 is opened. The position of the lever member 9 when a part of the card moving path 4 on the right front end side is open is the open position 9B.

After that, when the card 2 is further inserted to the back side and the front end of the card 2 passes under the card contact portion 9c, the lever member 9 is attached with the screw recoil spring 10 as shown in FIG. 3 (B). It rotates counterclockwise (that is, rotates to the closed position 9A) until the lower end of the card contact portion 9c comes into contact with the recess 27 by force, and closes a part of the card moving path 4 on the right front end side. To do. In this state, the front end of the card 2 inserted in the card reader 1 can come into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c. That is, when the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A, the front end of the card 2 inserted in the card reader 1 can come into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c.

When the card 2 inserted in the card reader 1 is pulled toward the front side while the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A, the card is placed at the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c of the lever member 9. The front end of 2 comes into contact. When the card 2 whose front end is in contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c is pulled further toward the front side, the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c moves along the front end of the card 2. When the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c moves along the front end of the card 2, the lever member 9 rotates clockwise against the urging force of the screw coil spring 10 to the right of the card movement path 4. Open a part of the front end side.

The lever member 9 is formed with a light-shielding portion 9n for detecting the presence or absence of the card 2. The light-shielding portion 9n projects from the back side of the rotation center portion 9a toward the left side. The light-shielding portion 9n blocks the light from the light-emitting element of the sensor 14 toward the light-receiving element when the lever member 9 is in the closed position 9A (see FIGS. 2 and 3B). On the other hand, when the lever member 9 is in the open position 9B, the light receiving element of the first sensor 14 receives the light from the light emitting element (see FIG. 3A). When the light receiving element of the sensor 14 receives the light from the light emitting element and the sensor 14 is turned off, it is detected that the card 2 is on the front end side of the card reader 1. In this embodiment, the sensor 14 and the light-shielding portion 9n also detect that the card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1.

(Structure of regulation pin and its peripheral part)
The regulation pin 11 is formed in an elongated columnar shape. The regulation pin 11 is fixed to the tip end side of the plunger 12a of the solenoid 12 so that the axial direction and the left-right direction of the regulation pin 11 coincide with each other. The left and right ends of the regulation pin 11 project outward from the plunger 12a in the left-right direction. The regulation pin 11 is arranged at substantially the same height as the fixed shaft 25. The solenoid 12 is arranged so that the plunger 12a projects toward the back side. The plunger 12a is arranged on the left side of the rear end portion of the extension portion 9d. The plunger 12a is inserted through a compression coil spring (not shown) for return, and is urged to the back side by the compression coil spring.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, when the solenoid 12 is not driven (current is not supplied to the solenoid 12) and the plunger 12a is projected to the back side by the urging force of the compression coil spring. , The regulation pin 11 is arranged on the back side of the contact surface 9j. The position of the regulation pin 11 at this time is the rotatable position 11B that enables the rotation of the lever member 9. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), when the solenoid 12 is driven (current is supplied to the solenoid 12) and the plunger 12a is pulled toward the front side, the right side portion of the regulation pin 11 comes into contact. It is arranged at a position where it can come into contact with the surface 9j. The position of the regulation pin 11 at this time is the rotation regulation position 11A that regulates the rotation of the lever member 9.

The portion of the regulation pin 11 protruding to the right from the plunger 12a is inserted into a guide groove formed in the support member 31. The portion of the regulation pin 11 protruding to the left from the plunger 12a is inserted into a guide groove formed in the support member 32. The regulation pin 11 is guided in the front-rear direction by a guide groove formed in the support member 31 and a guide groove formed in the support member 32.

(Approximate operation of card reader)
In the card reader 1, when the card 2 is not inserted, as shown in FIG. 2, the lever member 9 is arranged at the closed position 9A by the urging force of the screw coil spring 10. In this state, the plunger 12a protrudes to the back side, and the lever member 9 is rotatable. Further, in this state, the IC contact block 6 is urged toward the front side by the urging force of the tension coil spring 21, and the IC contact spring is arranged on the upper side of the card moving path 4. Further, in this state, the sensor 14 is in the on state and the sensor 15 is in the off state.

When the card 2 is inserted and the inner end of the card 2 comes into contact with the inclined surface 9g, the inserted card 2 causes the lever member 9 to rotate clockwise against the urging force of the screw coil spring 10. A part of the right front end side of the card movement path 4 is opened (see FIG. 3 (A)). When the lever member 9 rotates clockwise, the light-shielding portion 9n is disengaged from between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element of the sensor 14, and the light-receiving element receives the light from the light-emitting element of the sensor 14, so that the sensor 14 is in the off state. It is detected that the card 2 is inserted.

After that, when the card 2 is further inserted into the back side and the front end of the card 2 passes under the card contact portion 9c, the lever member 9 urges the screw recoil spring 10 as shown in FIG. 3 (B). Rotates counterclockwise to close a part of the card moving path 4 on the right front end side. When the lever member 9 rotates counterclockwise, the light shielding portion 9n blocks the light from the light emitting element of the sensor 14 toward the light receiving element, and the sensor 14 is turned on again.

When the card 2 is inserted into the back side, the IC contact block 6 slides down to the back side due to the inserted card 2, and the IC contact spring comes into contact with the IC chip of the card 2. In this state, data is communicated between the card 2 and the card reader 1. Further, when the IC contact block 6 slides to the back side, the light blocking portion 6a blocks the light from the light emitting element of the sensor 15 toward the light receiving element, so that the sensor 15 is turned on and the card is placed on the back end side of the card reader 1. It is detected that there is 2.

In this embodiment, when the sensor 14 that has been turned off is turned on again and the sensor 15 is turned on, the solenoid 12 is driven and the plunger 12a is brought to the front as shown in FIG. 3 (B). It is pulled to the side so that the regulation pin 11 can come into contact with the contact surface 9j. That is, the rotation of the lever member 9 is restricted. Therefore, even if the user tries to pull out the card 2 toward the front side, the front end of the card 2 comes into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c of the lever member 9 whose rotation is restricted to prevent the card 2 from being pulled out. Will be done.

When the data communication between the card 2 and the card reader 1 is completed, the energization of the solenoid 12 is stopped, and the plunger 12a protrudes to the back side. That is, the lever member 9 is in a rotatable state. In this state, the card 2 is pulled out toward the front side. When the card 2 is pulled out, the front end of the card 2 comes into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c, so that the lever member 9 is clockwise against the urging force of the screw recoil spring 10 by the pulled out card 2. To open a part of the card moving path 4 on the right front end side.

(Main effect of this form)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the width of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction becomes narrower toward the back side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to narrow the width of the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the front end of the card 2 comes into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c, the contact area between the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c and the front end of the card 2 is reduced. Becomes possible.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the card reader 1 is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres, and even if dust or dirt adheres to the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c, the card contacts. It is possible to reduce the frictional force between the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c and the front end of the card 2 when the front end of the card 2 comes into contact with the back end 9h of the portion 9c, and as a result. When the card 2 is pulled out, the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c can be easily moved along the front end of the card 2.

That is, in this embodiment, the card reader 1 is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres, and even if dust or dirt adheres to the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c, the card 2 is pressed. When it is pulled out toward the front side, the lever member 9 arranged at the closed position 9A is easily rotated to the open position 9B. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the card reader 1 is used in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt is likely to adhere, the card 2 inserted inside the card reader 1 can be easily pulled out from the card reader 1. It will be possible.

In this embodiment, the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c is formed in a convex curved surface shape. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if the width of the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction is narrow, when the front end of the card 2 comes into contact with the back end 9h of the card contact portion 9c, the card 2 is less likely to be scratched.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be carried out without changing the gist of the present invention.

In the above-described form, the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c may be formed in a flat shape. Further, the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c may be sharp. That is, the inner end 9h of the card contact portion 9c may be formed in a straight line. Further, in the above-described embodiment, when viewed from the vertical direction, one surface of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction may be parallel to the front-rear direction. In this case, when viewed from the vertical direction, the other side surface of the back end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction approaches the one side surface in the left-right direction toward the back side. It is tilted with respect to the direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the width of the front end portion of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction may become narrower toward the front side. In this case, since it is possible to narrow the width of the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c in the left-right direction, when the back end of the card 2 comes into contact with the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c, It is possible to reduce the contact area between the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c and the back end of the card 2.

Therefore, even if the card reader 1 is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres and dust or dirt adheres to the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c, the hand of the card contact portion 9c It is possible to reduce the frictional force between the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c and the back end of the card 2 when the back end of the card 2 comes into contact with the front end 9g, and as a result, the card 2 is pressed. When inserting, the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c can be easily moved along the back end of the card 2.

That is, even if the card reader 1 is used in an environment with a lot of dust or in an environment where dirt easily adheres and dust or dirt adheres to the front end 9g of the card contact portion 9c, when the card 2 is inserted. , The lever member 9 arranged at the closed position 9A can be easily rotated to the open position 9B. Therefore, even if the card reader 1 is used in an environment where there is a lot of dust or where dirt is likely to adhere, it is possible to easily insert the card 2 into the card reader 1.

In the above-described form, the lever member 9 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the lever member 9 may be urged toward the closed position 9A by a spring member other than the torsion coil spring 10, such as a compression coil spring, a tension coil spring, or a leaf spring. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the card reader 1 does not have to include the magnetic head 7.

1 Card reader 2 Card 4 Card movement path 9 Lever member (pull-out prevention member)
9A Closed position 9B Open position 9c Card contact part 9g Front end (front end of card contact part)
9h back end (back end of card contact part)
10 Twisted recoil spring (biasing member)
11 Regulation pin (rotation regulation member)
11A Rotation regulation position 11B Rotatable position 12 Solenoid (movement mechanism)
X Card movement direction X1 Front side (card withdrawal direction side)
X2 back side (card insertion direction side)
Y card width direction Z card thickness direction

Claims (4)

In a card reader that reads at least one of the data recorded on the card and records the data on the card.
Withdrawal of the card inserted into the card reader, which is configured to be rotatable between a card moving path on which the card moves, a closed position for closing the card moving path, and an open position for opening the card moving path. The pull-out prevention member that urges the pull-out prevention member toward the closed position, and the pull-out prevention member that comes into contact with the pull-out prevention member arranged at the closed position. The rotation regulation between the rotation regulation member that regulates the rotation of the member, the rotation regulation position that regulates the rotation of the pull-out prevention member, and the rotatable position that enables the rotation of the pull-out prevention member. Equipped with a moving mechanism to move members
The width direction of the card is defined as the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the card moving on the card moving path and the thickness direction of the card moving on the card moving path, and the card is moved in the moving direction of the card. When the side in the direction of inserting the card into the reader is the back side and the side in the direction of withdrawing the card from the card reader, which is the opposite side of the back side, is the front side.
The pull-out prevention member includes a card contact portion that closes a part of the card movement path when the pull-out prevention member is arranged at the closed position, and the width direction of the card is the axial direction of rotation. It is rotatable as
When the pull-out prevention member is arranged at the closed position, the front end of the card inserted into the card reader can come into contact with the back end of the card contact portion.
A card reader characterized in that the width of the back end portion of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card becomes narrower toward the back side. When viewed from the thickness direction of the card, both side surfaces of the back end of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card are closer to each other toward the back side with respect to the moving direction of the card. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the card reader is tilted. The card reader according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner end of the card contact portion is formed in a convex curved surface shape. When the pull-out prevention member is arranged at the closed position, the back end of the card inserted into the card reader can come into contact with the front end of the card contact portion.
The card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the width of the front end portion of the card contact portion in the width direction of the card becomes narrower toward the front side.

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