JPH0692075A - Ic card - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an IC card, of which down-sizing and thinning are aimed and, at the same time, which has a large number of connecting terminals. CONSTITUTION:The IC card concerned has a plurality of electrode terminals 1, which are positioned in at least some part of the periphery parallel to and separated from each other, a flexible circuit board 2, which is equipped with at least one circuit part, a cell and distribution line connecting the circuit part with the cell and the electrode terminals, and insulating material 3, which locates on both sides of the circuit board 2 excluding the portions just above and below each electrode terminal 1 under the condition that the electrode terminals 1 locate respectively and independently on both the sides of the circuit board 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an IC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, at present, an IC card has a large amount of information that can be stored and is capable of performing calculations by itself.
For this reason, its popularity is gradually increasing.

However, in the conventional IC card, the electrode terminals are exposed to the outside, and static electricity sometimes causes abnormalities in the circuit due to contact. In addition, there are many problems in connection with external devices, and it is difficult to reduce the size and thickness.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed an IC card and a connection socket for solving the above problems (Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8090).

In addition, at present, the one having about 40 connection terminals as in Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8090 for connection with an external device is predominant at present, and for the time being, this is tentative. I am satisfied.

An example of the IC card of Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8090 and a socket for connecting the IC card is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
As shown in (card) and FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 (socket), the terminals of the card are arranged along one side of the card and vertically parallel to each other, as shown by 1 in the upper part of FIG. The flexible circuit boards 2 are arranged and are attached to the surface of the flexible circuit board 2 across both surfaces thereof, as shown in the sectional view in the thickness direction of FIG.

Both sides of the substrate are covered with an insulating coating 3, but a space 4 is provided on the left and right sides of the terminal 1 (see FIG. 17) for socket insertion. Figure 17 for reference
FIG. 18 is a view showing the card of FIG.

On the other hand, the socket used for this is shown in FIG.
And, as shown in FIG. 20, the outer frame 5 has a substantially U-shape and the pin 6 is planted through the bottom of the outer frame 5. The U-shape is convenient for inserting a card. Grooves 7 are formed on the inner surface of the outer frame.

On the other hand, the pins are arranged as shown in FIG. 13 so as to sandwich the terminals 1 on the flexible board of the card from both sides.

[0010]

However, when the IC card is considered as a so-called electronic computer without an interface, its capability must be said to be quite low at present. The reason is that the size of the card is limited, so the CPU, ROM, RAM housed in the card
Etc. are restricted by the size of the card, and the number of connections between the card and external devices is limited.

The former problem is currently being improved by improving the IC, but the latter problem, that is, the problem of the number of connection terminals is an unsolved problem at present.

An object of the present invention is to solve this problem by improving Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8090 and dramatically increasing the number of connection terminals.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An IC card according to the present invention comprises a plurality of electrode terminals which are spaced apart from each other in parallel with each other in at least a part of the periphery thereof, at least one circuit component, a battery, and A flexible circuit board having wiring connecting circuit components, the battery, and the electrode terminals,
Except for the upper part and the lower part of the electrode terminal, the insulating material is located on both surfaces of the circuit board and is covered and adhered to the circuit board, and the electrode terminals are independently located on both surfaces of the circuit board. It is characterized by doing.

The terminals located on both sides of the flexible substrate may be located opposite to each other on both sides of the flexible substrate, or they may be arranged in a zigzag in a staggered manner.

[0015]

As described above, an IC card having a size of 1 mm or less is possible, and depending on the reinforcing material of the IC card, it can be bent freely. Furthermore, the connection terminals are provided separately on the front and back surfaces of the IC card. Therefore, it is possible to provide an IC card having a large number of connection terminals which serve as electrodes on the front and back of the card substrate itself.

In the conventional card, the number of terminals is about 40.
In the card of the present invention, it is about 2
Doubled to 80, or at least 76 terminals can be attached to the card.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An actual example will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment of IC Card FIG. 1 corresponds to the view shown in FIG.
Parts having the same functions as those shown in (1) are indicated by the same numbers.

In this embodiment, the terminals 1 are arranged in a staggered pattern above and below the substrate 2 as shown in the drawing. By arranging in this way, the space of the inter-terminal insulating portion 4 which was conventionally provided for insulation between terminals can be effectively used for increasing the number of terminals, and the number of terminals is approximately doubled, that is, It was possible to increase to 76.

Needless to say, a conventional socket cannot be used for a card having such a terminal structure from the viewpoint of shorting between pins or the like, which will be described later.

Second Embodiment of IC Card Another embodiment is shown in FIG. As is clear from the figure, in this embodiment, the terminals 1 are symmetrically positioned on both sides of the flexible circuit board 2. At first glance, this figure seems to be no different from FIG. 18, but in this case, it should be noted that the terminals on both sides of the circuit board are electrically isolated from each other.

The existence of the void 4 in the vicinity of the terminals is not different from the IC card of Japanese Patent Application No. 61-8090. By adopting such a terminal arrangement, the number of terminals can be arranged about twice as many as the conventional example, that is, 76 to 80 terminals can be arranged.

In using the IC card of this embodiment, it goes without saying that the conventional socket cannot be used, like the cards shown in the above-mentioned embodiments.

Next, a connection socket for using the above-mentioned IC card according to the present invention will be described for reference. First, a socket for an IC card according to the first embodiment will be described. The socket according to this embodiment is shown in FIGS.
Shown in. 3 is a side view of the socket, similar to FIG. 19, and FIG. 4 is a drawing similar to FIG. In both figures,
Reference numeral 5 denotes an outer frame, which has an outer shape similar to that of FIG. 19 but has recesses 10 on the left and right sides thereof as viewed in FIG. And serves as a storage place for the spring 9 for upward pressing of the slider device.

A pin 6 is planted through the bottom of the outer frame 5. The pins 6 are arranged in a zigzag pattern corresponding to the zigzag pattern so that the pins 6 can be connected to the terminals 1 of the IC card.

Since each of the above pins can contact the terminal 1 from only one side, each has a contact portion only on one side. These pins correspond to corresponding holes 1 in the slider which will be described later in the socket.
1, the upper end of the pin can be moved to the right or left as viewed in FIG. 4 by raising and lowering the slider as will be described later.

The slider used in the socket will be described. 5 is a view showing the upper surface thereof, FIG. 6 is a side view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a side view seen from the longitudinal direction thereof. This slider has a bottom portion 1 having a plurality of rectangular holes 11 arranged in parallel in two rows in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the pins.
2 is a thin rectangular boat-shaped component having a U-shaped cross section.
In addition, the projections 13 are provided on the bottom surface at both ends in the longitudinal direction,
The spring 9 is prevented from moving.

When the card is not inserted, the slider 8 is pushed upward by the action of the spring 9 and its upper surface comes into contact with the ceiling of the recess 10 and stops. At this time, the pin 6 is in a state in which the top of the pin 6 is slightly seen through the hole 11 as shown in FIG. The position of the slider at this time is the first position.

When the card is inserted, the card comes into contact with the upper surface of the slider 8. At that time, the lower side of the circuit board where the terminals of the card are present is located on the center line in the longitudinal direction of FIG. 5, that is, between the staggered pins.

When the card is pushed further down, the slider 8 is lowered accordingly, so that the pin appears on the upper part of the slider and enters the void 4 of the card to complete the connection with the terminal 1. When the card is further pushed down, the back portion of the pin comes into contact with the outer surface of the hole 11 of the slider, and this surface pushes the pin toward the terminal. Therefore, the contact between the terminal and the pin is ensured.

A socket for an IC card (hereinafter referred to as a second example socket) according to the second embodiment will be described. Its front view is shown in FIG. 9, its top view is shown in FIG. 10, and its side view is shown in FIG. Outer frame 5 in these figures
Is composed of an upper outer frame 20 and a lower outer frame 21.

The lower outer frame 21 has a rectangular void inside, and the bottom surface thereof has pins 6 penetrating and erected in two rows in parallel facing each other. A slider, a pressure device, etc., which will be described later, are housed in this void. Note that step C is present in the lower part of the groove of the lower outer frame 21, especially due to the lower semi-fixation of the pressure device. The operation will be described later.

On the other hand, the upper outer frame 20 has a step A and a step B, and has a substantially rectangular shape having an IC card inlet hole 22 in the upper part. The upper and lower outer frames 20 and 21 are assembled by, for example, assembling the spigot and using an appropriate adhesive, but before that, a slider 23, a spring 9, a pin pressing device 24, etc., which will be described later, are housed in the space.

As shown in FIG. 12, the slider 23 has a main body having a substantially U-shaped cross section with both ends closed, and a cam 25 integrally attached to one end.

The slider also has a hole 2 through which the pin 6 is inserted at the bottom.
6 is provided at a position substantially corresponding to the pin. A thin plate 27 having an appropriate height and thickness is located at the center in order to prevent a short circuit between the opposing pins.

The bottom surface of the bottom of the slider 23 has projections 13 for holding the spring 9 at both ends thereof. The pin hole 2
Although 6 may be provided in the same number as the number of pins as shown in the drawing, they may be long holes located on both sides of the thin plate 27, and the length thereof corresponds to the planting length of the pins.

The slider having such a shape is mounted in the space of the outer frame together with the spring 9 as shown in FIG.

When the IC card is not inserted, the slider 23 is pushed upward by the force of the spring 9 so that the upper portion thereof is in contact with the step A of the outer frame 20. This is the first position of the slider.

Even if the slider 23 and the spring 9 are housed in the lower outer frame, and the upper outer frame 20 is fixed to the lower outer frame by adhesion or the like, the elasticity of the pin 6 is maintained. If it is made strong, it can be used as an IC card socket for the time being, but it is preferable to push the pin further from the side toward the center in order to ensure the contact between the terminal and the pin.

For this purpose, in the socket of this embodiment, the pressing device 2 is provided between the slider 23 and the outer frame.
4 (FIG. 15).

The pressure device 24 includes a roller 31 that engages with a cam 25 attached to one side of the slider, a shaft 32 that rotatably supports the roller, and a pressure plate 33 that fixedly supports the shaft. The pressure member 34 is attached to the pressure plate so as to press the pin 6 toward the center.

The pressure plate 33 has one apex end bent at a right angle to the pin row, and has a shaft 32 near its end, which has a roller 31 engaging with a cam surface opposite to the pin row to be pressed.
Is installed.

On the other hand, a pressure member 34 is provided at the center of the pressure plate 33 in the height direction at a position facing the center of the pin 6.
One such pressurizing device 24 is located between the outer frame and the slider, one on each side of the slider.

In order to prevent interference between these pressurizing devices, a hole (not shown) for passing the other shaft and roller is provided in the right-angled bent portion of one pressurizing plate.

FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of these pressurizing devices viewed from above with respect to the slider, and FIG. 15 shows the engagement state of the slider cam 25 and the roller and the relative position of the pin and the pressurizing member. Since the lower part of the pressure plate 33 is accommodated in the step C provided at the bottom of the lower outer frame and is in a semi-fixed state so as not to move outward, the movement of the roller 31 in accordance with the movement of the cam 25. Thus, the pressure plate 33, and hence the pressure member 34, moves so as to approach the pin 6, and finally the pressure member presses the pin toward the center.

The operation of the socket as described above will be described. When the IC card shown in the second embodiment is inserted into the socket, the lower end of the card first contacts the bottom of the slider 23. In this state, there is no contact between the terminal 1 at the lower end of the card and the pin 6 of the socket, and the pins are separated by the thin plate 27 of the slider.

When the IC card is further pushed down, the pins 6 project above the thin plate 27 and come into contact with the terminals 1 of the card. At the same time, the roller 31 rolls on the surface of the cam 25 to move the pressure plate 33 left and right, and presses the pressure member 34 against the pin 6. This ensures contact between the terminals and pins. At this time, the spring 9 is compressed by the downward movement of the slider 23. The position of the slider at this time is the slider second position.

It goes without saying that the slider 23 is returned to the initial first position by pulling out the card by the elastic force of the spring 9.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a terminal portion of a first embodiment of an IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a terminal portion of a second embodiment of an IC card according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the socket.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a socket.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a socket slider.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the slider.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the slider as viewed in the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 8 shows a relative position of a pin and a slider hole at a first position.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the socket.

FIG. 10: Top view of socket

FIG. 11 is a side view of the socket.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a slider used for a socket.

FIG. 13 shows a BB cross section of the slider.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the relationship between a pressurizing device used for a socket and a slider.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the relationship between the socket and the slider.

FIG. 16 is a conventional IC card.

FIG. 17 is a conventional IC card.

FIG. 18 is a conventional IC card.

FIG. 19 is a conventional IC card socket.

FIG. 20 is a conventional IC card socket.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Electrode Terminal 2 Flexible Board 3 Insulation Material 5 Outer Frame 6 Pin 8 Slider Device 9 Spring 11 Pin Insertion Hole 23 Slider Device 25 Cam 26 Pin Insertion Hole 31 Small Wheel

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of electrode terminals which are spaced apart from each other in parallel with each other in at least a part of the periphery, at least one circuit component, a battery, the circuit component, the battery and the electrode terminal. A flexible circuit board having wiring for connecting between the electrodes, and an insulating material which is located on both surfaces of the circuit board except for the portions directly above and directly below the electrode terminals and covered and adhered to the electrodes, and the electrode An IC card characterized in that terminals are independently located on both sides of the circuit board. 2. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminals are arranged in a zigzag pattern on both sides of the circuit board. 3. The IC card according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminals are arranged on both surfaces of the circuit board so as to face each other.