WO1998004994A1

WO1998004994A1 - Apparatus for making contact with a chip card

Info

Publication number: WO1998004994A1
Application number: PCT/IB1997/000896
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Kraemer; Manfred Schaarschmidt; Paul Lindeberg
Original assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
Priority date: 1996-07-31
Filing date: 1997-07-18
Publication date: 1998-02-05
Also published as: AU3455797A

Abstract

An apparatus for making contact with a chip card comprises a connector housing (1) with a baseplate (2). In the baseplate, resilient contacts (5) are arranged so as to fit the contact areas (4) of the chip card (3). The chip card (3) is inserted into the connector housing (1) between the baseplate (2) and a rocker (6). The rocker (6) has, on the insertion-side arm (8) and the end-slide arm (9), corresponding control faces (16, 17) which interact with the front edge (18) of the chip card (3). Between the chip card (3) and the resilient contacts (5) pressure is established only if the chip card (3) is completely inserted. The apparatus for making contact is used in electronic reading devices for chip cards (3) with contact areas (4).

Description

APPARATUS FOR MAKING CONTACT WITH A CHIP CARD

Apparatus of this type may be located for example in public telephone stations or in so-called cash dispensers. EP 214 478 A2 discloses an apparatus of the generic type. A chip card is inserted into a movable receptacle device within a connector housing. In order to establish a connection between the contact areas of the chip card and the contacts in the connector housing, the receptacle device is tilted with the chip card in the interior of the connector housing. The tilting movement is produced by a resilient element between the connector housing and receptacle device. The movement is secured in both limit positions by catch means. The tilting movement of the receptacle device can be triggered after at least half of the chip card has been inserted into the receptacle device.

The object of the invention is to specify an apparatus for making contact with a chip card which is of simple design and has a low degree of wear of the contacts over a long service life.

This object is achieved by means of an apparatus for making contact with a chip card comprising the following features: a connector housing having a baseplate where the chip card with contact areas can be introduced into the connector housing; a resilient contact in the baseplate is arranged for at least one contact area of the chip card, and in the connector housing a rocker is arranged in the region of the resilient contacts at a distance from the baseplate in such a way that the chip card can be displaced between the rocker and the baseplate in the insertion direction; the displacement of the chip card in the connector housing moves the rocker from a first state into a second state, and in the first state of the rocker, the rocker exerts little or no pressure on the chip card when the chip card is partially inserted; in the second state of the rocker, the rocker presses the contact areas of the chip card onto the resilient contacts in the baseplate.

It is advantageous that the chip card is inserted with as little friction as possible occurring between the contact areas of the chip card and the contacts in the connector housing. This is achieved in that the rocker can be moved freely between two states. As long as the chip card is not completely inserted into the connector housing, the rocker is in a first state in which little or no pressure is exerted on the chip card. The rocker is not moved from the first state into the second state, and the chip card is not pressed onto the resilient contacts in the baseplate, until the chip card is completely inserted.

It is also advantageous that when the chip card is inserted, friction between the contact areas of the chip card and the contacts in the connector housing is largely prevented. This is achieved in that, when the chip card is inserted into the connector housing, it is lifted by the guide tongues mounted ahead of the contacts, and in that the contact areas of the chip card are kept away from the contacts in the connector housing.

It is also advantageous that the resilient contacts in the connector housing are loaded as little as possible.

This is achieved in that the resilient contacts are constructed as contact rollers which are spring-mounted in the baseplate.

Four exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a section through a first apparatus for making contact, in which section the chip card is partially inserted;

Figure 2 shows a section through the apparatus for making contact, in which section the chip card is completely inserted; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the apparatus for making contact;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the apparatus for making contact;

Figure 5 shows a section through a second apparatus for making contact, before the chip card is inserted;

Figure 6 shows a section through the apparatus of Figure 5, in which section the chip card is partially inserted;

Figure 7 shows a section through the apparatus of Figure 5, in which section the chip card is completely inserted; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the cover of the apparatus of Figure 5, viewed from the inside of the apparatus ;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 5 ; Figure 10 shows a section through a third exemplary embodiment, before the chip card is completely inserted;

Figure 11 shows a further section through the apparatus of Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 10 and Figure 11, in which the chip card has been omitted;

Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 14 shows a section through the apparatus of Figure 13, in which section the chip card has been omitted.

Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a connector housing 1 and a chip card 3 in the partially inserted state. The section was positioned in the region of two resilient contacts 5. The chip card 3 has dimensions which are specified in international standards and is provided with contact areas 4 at points which are also specified.

Chip cards with up to ten contact areas 4 arranged in two rows of five are also known. The connector housing 1 essentially comprises a baseplate 2 and a cover 20 which is located at a distance parallel to the baseplate 2. Between the baseplate 2 and the cover 20 there is a gap 21 through which the chip card 3 can be inserted into the connector housing 1 through an insertion opening 22. The longitudinal section of Figure 1, like that of Figure 2, has been positioned in the insertion direction of the chip card 3. In the baseplate 2, two resilient contacts 5 are arranged one behind the other in the insertion direction of the chip card 3. The resilient contacts 5 are illustrated here as contact rollers which are spring mounted. The contact rollers are arranged in the connector housing 1 in a resilient fashion such that, in the unloaded state, they partially project out of the baseplate 2. A rocker 6 is rotatably connected to the connector housing 1 via an axis of rotation 7. The axis of rotation 7 runs perpendicularly with respect to the insertion direction of the chip card 3 and is arranged parallel to, or in, the baseplate 2. In the plan view of Figure 3 it is clear that the axis of rotation 7 of the rocker 6 runs through two edges 12, 13 of the rocker 6, which edges 12, 13 lie opposite one another and are arranged on two sides 14, 15 of the connector housing 1 which lie opposite one another. The rocker 6 comprises an insertion-side arm 8 and an end-side arm 9 which are each arranged on one side of the axis of rotation 7. An insertion-side stop face 10 is arranged on the connector housing 1. The insertion-side stop face 10 forms a stop for the insertion-side arm 8 of the rocker 6 and has the effect that, even if no chip card is inserted into the connector housing 1, the insertion-side arm 8 of the rocker 6 is kept at a specific distance from the baseplate 2.

The chip card 3 has a front edge 18. When in use, the chip card 3 is inserted, with the side having the contact faces 4 directed toward the baseplate 2 , through the insertion opening 22 into the gap 21 between the cover 20 and the baseplate 2. The gap 21 is wider than the thickness of the chip card 3 in order, on the one hand, to accommodate thickness fluctuations from card to card and, on the other hand, in order to permit the chip card 3 to move therein with as little friction as possible. When the chip card 3 is inserted further, the front edge 18 will arrive in the region of the first group of resilient contacts 5. In this region, the friction resistance between the chip card 3 and the resilient contacts 5 is minimal, since firstly the chip card 3 rests loosely on the resilient contacts 5 and secondly the resilient contacts 5 are constructed as contact rollers which are spring-mounted in the baseplate 2. The rocker 6 has an insertion-side control face 16 at the end of the insertion-side arm 8. If the chip card 3 is then inserted even further, the front edge 18 will run up against this insertion-side control face 16. The insertion-side control face 16 is designed in such a way that the interaction of the insertion-side control face 16 with the front edge 18 of the chip card 3 as further insertion takes place causes the control face 16 to clear the passage under the rocker 6. The end-side arm 9 of the rocker 6 has a further end- side control face 17. As the chip card 3 is inserted further, the front edge 18 will run up against this end- side control face 17. The end-side arm 9 and the end-side control face 17 are constructed in such a way that the front edge 18 of the chip card 3 does not interact with the end-side control face 17 until the contact areas 14 of the chip card 3 lie above or near to the resilient contacts 5.

Figure 2 shows the same apparatus of Figure 1 in the end position of the chip card where the chip card 3 has been completely inserted and the front edge 18 abuts against a stop 19 of the baseplate 2. As result of the interaction of the end-side control face 17 with the front edge 18 of the chip card, the end-side arm 9 has been moved away from the chip card. As can be seen in Figures 1, 2, and better in Figure 3, the insertion-side arm 8 of the rocker 6 is constructed, at least in the region of the spring contacts 5, to form a pressure rib 11. One end 23 of the rocker 6 forms a supporting face for the chip card 3. As result of the complete insertion of the chip card 3 , the end-side arm 9 is moved away from the chip card 3 and, as a result of the apparatus in a rocker 6, the insertion- side arm 8 is simultaneously moved in the direction of the card 3. As result of this movement, the pressure rib 11 will press the chip card 3 in the region of the resilient contacts 5 in the direction of the baseplate 2. In this end position of the chip card 3, the chip card 3 is loaded with the necessary contact pressure with the contact areas 4 between the pressure rib 11 and the resilient contacts 5.

When the chip card 3 is pushed out, first the space between the baseplate 2 and the end 23 of the end-side arm 9 of the rocker 6 is cleared. Then, the front edge 18 of the chip card 3 slides over the end-side control face 17. The spring force of the resilient contacts 5 causes the chip card 3 to move away from the baseplate 2. The rocker 6 moves from the second state into the first unloaded state. The contact pressure is released and the chip card 3 can be pushed out of the connector housing 1 without pressure.

The shaping and apparatus of the rocker 6 are such that pressure is built up between the chip card 3 and the resilient contacts 5 only when the contact areas 4 are located directly over the resilient contacts 5. With customary chip cards 3, this is not the case until more than 90% of the chip card 3 has been inserted into the connector housing 1. In all the other phases of the sliding movement, pressure is not built up between the chip card 3 and the resilient contacts 4.

Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for making contact with a chip card. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through a connector housing 101. The section has been positioned in the region two resilient contacts 105. The connector housing 101 essentially comprises a baseplate 102 and a cover 120 which is located at a distance parallel to the baseplate 102. Between the baseplate 102 and the cover 120 there is a gap 121 through which the chip card 103 can be inserted into the connector housing 101 via an insertion opening 122. In the baseplate 102, two resilient contacts 105 are arranged one behind the other in the insertion direction of the chip card 103. A rocker 106 is rotatably connected to the connector housing 101 via an axis of rotation 107. The axis of rotation 107 extends perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the chip card 103 and is arranged parallel to the baseplate 102.

Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the apparatus of Figure 5 with the chip card 103. In Figure 6, the chip card 103 has been partially inserted, and in Figure 7 the chip card 103 has been completely inserted. The chip card 103 has a front edge 118. When in use, the chip card 103 is inserted, with the side having the contact areas directed towards the baseplate 102, through the insertion opening 122 into a gap 121 between the cover 120 and the baseplate 102. When the chip card 103 is inserted, two guide tongues 130 receive the two edge regions which adjoin the front edge 118 at a right angle to left and to the right. During the insertion, the chip card 103 is lifted by the guide tongues 130 and is kept at a distance from the resilient contacts 105. This ensures that the chip card 103 does not rub against the contacts 105 during the insertion. When the chip card 103 is completely inserted, the front edge 118 interacts with the end-side control face 117 of the rocker 106, which is clearly shown in Figure 7.

In the perspective view of Figure 8 it is clear how the rocker 116 is connected to the cover 120 via an axis of rotation 107. Figure 8 shows the cover 120 in a perspective view of the inside. It is also clear how the guide tongues 130 are arranged in the edge regions of the chip card 103.

The rocker 106 is manufactured from the same piece of sheet metal as the cover 120 by punching out and bending. The cover 120 can be manufactured from one piece of sheet metal because it is not used for making contact. The metallic cover 120 and the rocker 106 come into contact only with the rear of the chip card 103 which is manufactured from plastic. The cover 120 encloses the connector housing 101 on the upper side and partially also on the other sides. Two guide tongues 130 are arranged on two opposite sides of the cover 120 by punching out and bending. The shaping and apparatus of the rocker 106 ensure that contact pressure is exerted on the resilient contacts 105 by the chip card 103 only when the contact areas are located directly over the resilient contacts 105. In all other phases of the sliding movement, pressure is not exerted on the resilient contacts 105 by the chip card 103. Figure 9 illustrates the assembled apparatus for making contact, with a view of the upper side.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a third exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for making contact with a chip card. Figure 10 and Figure 11 illustrate two further sections through a connector housing 201. The sections of Figure 10 and Figure 11 have been positioned in two different regions next to the region of the resilient contacts and the rocker. The connector housing 201 essentially comprises a baseplate 202 and a cover 220 which is located at a distance parallel to the baseplate 202. Between the baseplate 202 and the cover 220 there is a gap 221 through which the chip card 203 can be inserted into the connector housing 201 via an insertion opening 222. Figure 10 illustrates how the cover 220 has been punched out in a sub-region 230 and repeatedly bent downwards and inwards towards the gap 221. This ensures that the gap 221 is made substantially narrower at the end of the insertion path for the chip card 203. Because the cover 220 is not used for making contact, it can be manufactured from one piece of sheet metal. Likewise, the sub-region 230 which is bent downwards and comes into contact with only the edge of the chip card 203 can be manufactured from one piece of sheet metal. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 10, 11 and 12, the sub-region 230 which is bent downwards is manufactured from the same piece of sheet metal as the cover 220. The card 203 is clamped with the downwardly bent sub-region 230 at the end of the insertion path between the downwardly bent sub- region 230 of the cover 220 and the baseplate 202 of the connector housing 201. In this way the chip card 203 is held tight in the connector housing 201 and reliable contact with the chip card 203 is made possible.

In Figure 11, a further section has been positioned parallel to the section of Figure 10 in a further region of the connector housing 201. In this region, a switching device 240 is illustrated in the baseplate 202 of the connector housing 201. Using the switching device 240 the reading process, for example, is switched on for the chip card 203 once it has been inserted. The switching process must be carried out as late as possible, that is to say not until the chip card 203 is in the completely inserted position and the contact areas of the chip card 203 are already connected to the resilient contacts.

A further sub-region 250 of the cover 220 is used to activate the switching device 240. The further sub-region 250 is also manufactured from the same piece of sheet metal as the cover 220 by punching and bending. The sub- region 250 comprises an activation region 251 which is bent downwards and acts on the upper side of the switching device 240 and of at least one upwardly bent control region 252 which acts as a control face for the edge of the chip card 203. If the chip card 203 is inserted into the end position, the pressure which is necessary for the switching process is built up as result of the interaction of the edge of the chip card 203 with the upwardly bent control region 252.

Figure 12 illustrates the cover 220 in a perspective view of the upper side of the cover 220. It is clear in Figure 12 how the first sub-region 230 is punched out of the cover 220 and bent away downwards, and likewise how the second sub-region 250 is also punched out and bent over repeatedly. The first sub-region 230 is bent inwards like a paper clip. The second sub-region 250 has a downwardly bent activation region 251 and an upwardly bent control region 252.

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate a fourth exemplary embodiment of the apparatus for making contact with a chip card. The embodiment of Figure 13 and Figure 14 has all the features of the preceding exemplary embodiments. In contrast with the exemplary embodiment of Figures 10, 11 and 12 , the exemplary embodiment of Figure 13 and Figure 14 has a sub-region 350 for switching on the reading process, with in each case two upwardly bent control regions 352 which are arranged symmetrically on two sides of a downwardly bent activation region 351. This ensures that the pressure which the edge of the chip card 303 exerts on the sub-region 350 is distributed better.

Claims

1. An apparatus for making contact with a chip card comprising: a connector housing (1, 101) for receiving the chip card having a baseplate (2, 102), a resilient contact (5, 105) is arranged in the baseplate (2, 102) to correspond with a contact area (4) of the chip card (3, 103) received in the connector housing, the apparatus being characterized in that a rocker (6, 106) is arranged in the connector housing

(1, 101) in the region of the resilient contacts (5, 105) at a distance from the baseplate (2, 102) in such a way that the chip card (3, 103) can be inserted between the rocker (6, 106) and the baseplate (2, 102), where the insertion of the chip card (3, 103) into the connector housing (1, 101) moves the rocker (6, 106) from a first state into a second state, in the first state of the rocker (6, 106) , the rocker (6, 106) exerts little or no pressure on the chip card (3, 103) when the chip card (3, 103) is partially inserted, in the second state of the rocker (6, 106), the rocker (6, 106) presses the contact areas (4) of the chip card (3, 103) onto the resilient contacts (5, 105) in the baseplate (2, 102).

2 . The apparatus for making contact according to Claim 1, characterized in that the rocker (6, 106) is rotatably connected to the connector housing (1, 101) via an axis of rotation (7, 107).

3. The apparatus for making contact according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axis of rotation (7, 107) runs perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the chip card (3, 103) and parallel to the baseplate (2, 102).

4. The apparatus for making contact according to Claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the rocker (6, 106) has an insertion-side arm (8) and an end-side arm (9) , arranged on opposite sides of the axis of rotation (7, 107) .

5. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that an insertion-side stop face (10) is arranged on the connector housing (1, 101) in such a way that when the chip card (3, 103) is absent the insertion-side stop face (10) keeps the insertion-side arm (8) at a distance from the baseplate (2, 102) .

6. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insertion-side arm (8) of the rocker (6, 106) includes a pressure rib (11) in the region of the resilient contacts (5, 105) .

7. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the axis of rotation (7) of the rocker (6) runs through two opposite edges (12, 13) of the rocker (6) which are rotatably arranged on two opposite sides (14, 15) of the connector housing (1).

8. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the insertion-side arm (8) and the end-side arm (9) of the rocker (6, 106) each have control faces (16, 17, 117) which, when the chip card (3, 103) is inserted, each successively interact with one edge (18, 118) of the chip card (3, 103).

9. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the resilient contacts (5) are constructed with contact rollers that are spring-mounted in the baseplate (2) .

10. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the rocker (106) is rotatably connected to a cover (120) of the connector housing (101) .

11. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cover (120) has two guide tongues (130) which are arranged in such a way that, during the insertion, the chip card (3, 103) is kept away from the resilient contacts (105) .

12. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the rocker (106) and the cover (120) can be manufactured by punching out and bending from a single piece of sheet metal.

13. The apparatus for making contact according to Claim

12, characterized in that the cover (220, 320) has a first sub-region (240, 340) which is arranged in such a way that when inserted completely into the connector housing (1, 101, 201, 301) the chip card (3, 103, 203, 303) is held tight.

14. The apparatus for making contact according to one of Claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the cover (220, 320) has a second sub-region (250, 350) which is arranged in such a way that the front edge of the chip card (3, 103, 203, 303) triggers a switching process when there is complete insertion into the connector housing (1, 101, 201, 301).