Chipcard reader

Abstract: The invention provides a contact element which is adapted to be efficiently mounted in a contact support which, in turn, can be used in a chipcard reader. The contact spring is designed such that it can be readily inserted into said contact support such that it is, after insertion, in a biased condition.

Description: Technical Field The invention relates to a chipcard reader using a set of contact springs. Background Art A large variety of different types of contact springs as well as sets of contact springs are known (see EP-A-200 449). Sets of contacts springs for contacting the contact areas of chipcards are known, for instance, from the German laid-open applications 35 31 318.8 and 36 02 668.9. The sets of contact elements for chipcards have to be designed such that the wear of the contact areas of the chipcards as well as the wear of the contact springs is kept small. For that reason, for the purposes of contacting, either the chipcard is pivoted towards a stationary set of contact elements or, reversely, a set of contact elements is pivoted towards the contact areas of a stationary chipcard. Such designs of so called chipcard readers handle the contact springs and the contact areas carefully, but they are complicated and thus expensive to manufacture. Moreover, the complicated design can cause mechanical as well as electrical problems. Attention is also drawn to U. S. patents 4,770,639, 3,676,926 and 4,288,140 as well as German laid-open application DE-OS 22 55 748. The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a chip card reader having a set of contact springs adapted to be manufactured in large quantities at low cost. In accordance with another object of the invention a good contacting effect is to be achieved. In accordance with a still further object of the invention, the contact springs as well as the set of contact springs are designed such that they can easily be assembled, without requiring that the contact springs be surrounded by material during molding. Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect of the present invention the contact springs of the chip card reader are of such a design that they can be used together with a contact support into which a plurality of contact springs is simultaneously inserted and mounted in accordance with the so-called "comb assembly technique". The comb assembly technique is a method according to which a plurality of contact springs, still attached to a common support strip, are simultaneously inserted and located in the contact support. The contact support is preferably a single piece component. The contact springs are biased after they are inserted into said contact support such that the spring characteristic starts with values F of the force being larger than zero. In a second aspect of the present invention, a chip card reader having a contact spring is provided which provides for a sliding contacting engagement and can be readily inserted with bias into a contact support, so as to form a set of contact elements. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a set of contact elements intended to be used together with a chipcard; Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view along line 2-2 in Fig. 3 of a first embodiment of a set of contact elements; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the set of contact elements of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the set of contact elements seen from the left side in Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial view of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is an enlarged part of Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a side-view of the contact spring of the invention in its not yet assembled state; Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, but of a second embodiment of a set of contact elements; Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the second embodiment of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a side elevational view from the left in Fig. 8; Fig. 11 is a side view of a contact spring in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 shows schematically a third embodiment of the invention, which is a modification of the second embodiment. The invention will now be described in connection with certain embodiments. Fig. 1 shows schematically in a perspective representation a set 1 of contact springs 2 adapted to contact the contact areas of a chipcard 3. In the following description the set 1 of contact elements 2 will be called a "contact set" 1 i.e. a row of contacts 2 which are somehow mounted in a contact support 5. The contact support 5, in turn, forms part of a chipcard reader. The chipcard reader would allow the proper insertion of the chipcard 3 for bringing the (not shown) contact areas of the chipcard 3 into contact with the contact springs 2. The contact set 1 is adapted to be connected with some apparatus, for instance, a telephone, which will make use of the data read from the chip of the chipcard 3. The lower ends of the contact springs 2 are connected for said purpose in a well-known manner to said apparatus 4. Fig. 1 shows schematically not only the spring contacts 2 of the first embodiment of the invention, but also refers to the spring contacts 200 of a second embodiment of the invention. Similarly, Fig. 1 refers to guide grooves 14 of the first embodiment as well as guide grooves 140 of the second embodiment, both said grooves will be described later. Before discussing the different embodiments of the invention it should be noted that the contact support 5 of Fig. 1 comprises an upper wall 6, a side wall 7, a front wall 8 and another (right) side wall 9 as well as a rear wall 13. Description of the first embodiment of the invention shown specifically in Figs. 2 through 7. In the contact support 5 of the contact set 1 at least one contact spring 2, preferably, however, a plurality of contact springs 2 are mounted. In the upper wall 6 (see Fig. 3) guide grooves 14 are provided, adapted to receive contact springs 2. Each of said guide grooves 14 comprises a narrow portion 15 as well as a wider portion 16. The wider portion 16 continues in the side wall 7, as can be seen in Fig. 4. Reference numeral 17 (see Fig. 2) refers to the separating line between the narrower portion and the wider portion 16. Prior to describing the contact support 5 in more detail, the contact spring 2 of the invention will be described. The contact spring 2 is preferably a stamped resilient metal strip. The contact spring 2 comprises (see specifically Fig. 2), starting from the left, a termination portion 21 in the form of a solder termination portion. Then, continuing from the left in Fig. 2, the contact spring 2 comprises second detent means 22 in the form of a second tab section 22 formed by means of two tabs 23, 24 (see Fig. 4). Adjacent to said second tab section 22 an angular portion 28 (see Figs. 2 and 6) can be recognized, as well as adjacent thereto first detent means in the form of a first tab section 25, which comprises two tabs 26 and 27 (see Fig. 3). Adjacent to the first detent means 25 extends substantially in the X-direction (see Fig. 3) a longitudinal portion 28 which becomes a ramp portion 30 and a ramp portion 32 forming a cusp 31. Adjacent and to the right of cusp 31 the free end of the contact spring forms an abutment portion 33. The angle of ramp portion 30 is referred to by gamma. While the longitudinal portion 29 extends substantially into the X-direction, the termination portion 21 extends substantially in Y-direction. Referring now to Fig. 7 it can be said that the contact spring 2 is formed by two spring legs, a first spring leg 70 and a second spring leg 71. Preferably, the leg 71 forms an angle of 90 ° with respect to the leg 70. From Fig. 2 it is clear that the so-called angular portion 28 comprises a curved portion 73 and a straight portion 74. Further, Fig. 7 discloses that the straight portion 74 and the straight longitudinal portion 29 are not located on one line, but form an angle alpha, smaller than 180°; for instance, alpha is 170°. Fig. 7 further discloses that the cusp shape of the contact spring (contact element) 2 forms a small ramp angle gamma which is, for instance, in the order of 30°, so that no deformation of the contact spring 2 occurs if the chipcard 3 comes into sliding engagement with said contact spring 2. Fig. 7 shows a contact spring 2 in its shape prior to the insertion into the contact support (housing) 5, while the other Figs. 2-6 show the contact spring 2 in its shape after insertion into the contact support 5. The contact spring 2 is symmetric with respect to center line 53 (see Fig. 3) and is located in the appropriate guide groove 14. Having described the contact spring 2 in some detail, the contact support 5, which is preferably of a one-piece design, will be explained. Into said contact support 5 the contact elements 2 can be inserted in such a manner that they are fixedly mounted due to the above detent means, and they are also, after being properly inserted, biased so that the spring characteristic of a contact spring (contact element) 2 starts with a force F which is larger than zero. For locating the contact spring in the X-direction first counter detent means are provided in the form of two detent noses 43 at the contact support 5. In the shown embodiment the detent noses 42 are provided at a connecting member 38 of the contact support 5. Said first counter detent means 43 cooperate with the first detent means 25 of the contact spring 2. For fixedly mounting the contact spring 2 in the Y-direction second counter detent means 12 are provided in the form of two detent noses 24 which again are provided at the contact support 5, particularly the connecting member 38 of said support 5. The noses 43 and 24, respectively, form detent surfaces which are offset with respect to each other by 90°. The second detent means 22 cooperate with said second counter detent means 42. The connecting member 38 and the contact support 5, respectively, form in the area of each of said contact springs two guide surfaces 40 in the form of inclined planes which extend between the first and second counter detent means 43 and 42, respectively. Between said two guide surfaces 40 (see Fig. 3) a groove section 39 is formed. The first and second tab sections 25 and 22 have substantially the same shape and a width 51 (see Fig. 4) which corresponds in substance to the width of the widened portion 16, but is naturally somewhat smaller, so that the contact springs can be inserted. The width 50 (see Fig. 4) of the contact springs 2 corresponds in substance to the width of the smaller portion 15 of the guide groove 14, but is naturally somewhat smaller than said width. Thus, a good guidance effect is provided for said contact springs 2. In accordance with the invention the assembly of the contact springs 2 is carried out in accordance with the so-called "comb assembly technique", i. e. a comb of contact springs 2 is used. Such a comb of contact springs is generated during the stamping process, after which the individual contact springs 2 are still an integral part of a metal strip connecting all said contact springs. This entire "comb" is placed on the contact support 5 such that initially the second detent means 22 are brought into engagement with the second counter detent means 42, whereupon then the contact springs 2 are slidably pressed along the inclined plane 40 up until the first detent means are inserted behind the first counter detent means 43, while at the same time the free ends of the springs, i. e. the abutment portions 33 are moved with bias (alpha = 180°) under abutment means in the form of an angular bar 36, so that the tabs 26, 27 of the first tab section 25 are in positive engagement with the widened portions of the guide groove (groove section 39), i. e. the detent noses 42. Figs. 8 through 11 disclose a second embodiment of the invention. The contact set is referred to by reference numeral 100 and the contact spring is referred to by reference numeral 200. Similar to the first embodiment, a contact support 500 is provided. The upper wall of the contact support is referred to by reference numeral 6 similar to Fig. 1. Again, similar to the first embodiment, guide grooves 140 (referred to with reference numeral 14 in the first embodiment) are provided, which could also be called contact chambers. In said guide grooves 140 the contact springs 200 are located. The wider portion of the guide groove 140 is referred to by reference numeral 160 (see Fig. 9). Again, similar to the first embodiment, an angular bar 36 provides abutment means for the free end or abutment portion 33 of the contact element 200. Also, a connecting member 380, similar to contacting member 38 in the first embodiment, is provided but forms here only one counter detent means in the form of two detent noses 430. Similar to what was described in connection with Fig. 6 the second embodiment features a guide surface 400 similar to guide surface 40 of the first embodiment. Offset in upward and in leftward direction (see Fig. 8) with respect to the upper end of the connecting member 38, a cross member or abutment means 80 is provided, and the contact spring 200 is in contact with the bottom side of said contact means 80. It is to be noted that the contact spring 200 is of a somewhat different design than the contact spring of Fig. 7. The first contact legs 70 of both springs 2 and 200 are of identical design, but the second leg 710 of the spring 200 is simply a straight portion 48 which does not possess a portion corresponding to the angular portion 28 of spring 2. The straight portion 48 is used as a termination portion. Preferably, (see Fig. 11) an angle alpha in the range of 170° is formed between the straight portion 48 and the longitudinal portion 29 of the first leg 70. The contact spring 200 comprises only first detent means in the form of a first detent section 25, said detent section 25 again comprising, similarly to contact spring 2, tabs 26 and 27. The tab section 25 is preferably located just in the longitudinal portion 29, so that the angular deflection about the angle alpha occurs only to the left (see Fig. 11) adjacent to the tab section 25. It is also conceivable to use a contact spring 200 having an angle alpha of 180°. For such a modification the arrangement of the cross bar 80 and of thebar 36 as well as of the upper abutment surface of the tab member 380 is selected such that the spring 200 is biased after being insered. The second embodiment discloses that the principle of a biased spring can also be used for a straight spring contact. In this case the detent means 25 provide for abutment in both longitudinal directions instead of the noses 42, which provides for an opposing bearing means for creating the bias, the cross bar 80 is used in connection with the contact support 500. Fig. 12 discloses a third embodiment of a contact set 800 which comprises a contact support 806 and contact springs 801. Contact spring 801 is substantially similar to contact spring 200 shown in Fig. 11; i.e. in the position shown in Fig. 12 the contact spring 801 is in its biased condition. There are other similarities between the embodiment of Fig. 12 and the embodiment of Fig. 8. The abutment means 80 of Fig. 12 are similar to the abutment means 80 of Fig. 8, the same is true for the angular tab member 36. Connecting member 381 of Fig. 12 is of mirror-like design to the connecting member 380 of Fig. 8. Thus, the connecting member 381 comprises an abutment surface 382 located on the right-hand side of tabs 25 of the spring 801. Connecting member 381 further comprises guide surfaces 383 similar to the guide surfaces 400 of Figs. 8 and 9. In the embodiment of Fig. 12 the contact springs 801 are inserted from the right with the tabs 25 sliding along the ramp-shaped guide surfaces 383 until the tabs 25 come into engagement with the abutment surfaces 382.

Claims: A chip card reader comprising: a set of contact elements for contacting a chip card, said set of contact elements comprising a one piece contact support (5) defining an upper wall, and at least one, preferably a plurality of contact springs (2) arranged in said contact support, wherein each of said contact springs (2) comprises a termination portion (21), said contact springs being arranged in grooves (chambers) (14) of the contact support, said grooves (chambers) (14) extend in the upper wall of the contact support for receiving said contact springs, the contact springs (2) comprise first detent means, the contact springs are adapted to be inserted in the contact support such that they engage with counter detent means formed by said contact support, the contact springs are fixedly mounted between two points, and thereby said contact springs are biased in their detent engagement, i.e. in their inserted condition. The chip card reader as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that said first detent means are provided in the form of tab sections (26, 27). The chip card reader of any of the preceeding claims wherein said contact support comprises abutment means (36) for the free end or abutment portion (33) of the contact spring. The chip card reader of any of the preceeding claims wherein said counter detent means are formed by noses (43, 42) of the contact support (5). The chip card reader of claim 4 wherein said noses are formed at a connecting member (18) of said contact support (5). The chip card reader of any of the preceeding claims wherein adjacent to said counter detent means (43) guide means (40; 400) are provided, which allow during assembly a sliding motion of the contact spring along said detent means until they come into engagement with said counter detent means. The chip card reader of claim 6 wherein said guide means have guide surfaces in the form of an inclined plane (40; 400). The chip card reader of claim 7 wherein the guide surfaces are formed at a connecting member (38). The chip card reader of any of the preceeding claims wherein said groove (14) comprises a narrow portion (15) and adjacent thereto a wide portion (16). The chip card reader as set forth in any of the preceeding claims wherein a cross member or abutment means (80) is provided such that a straight portion (48) of the contact spring (200) is securely mounted so as to be biased with its free end (33) against abutment means (36). The chip card reader of claim 10 wherein the contact spring is in abutment with the bottom side of the abutment means (800), is located on a connecting portion (38) and is held with respect to said connecting member by means of a first tab section (25) of the contact spring. The chip card reader as set forth in any of the preceeding claims wherein the bias of the contact spring (200) for mounting points located in a plane is provided by an obtuse angle alpha between first and second legs (70, 71) of the contact spring. The chip card reader of claims 10 or 11 wherein the bias of the contact spring (200) is provided in such a manner that an angular bar (36) is elevationally offset with respect to the mounting of the contact spring (200) by means of connecting members (38, 80). The chip card reader of any of the preceding claims wherein an angle between first and second legs (70, 71) of the contact spring is approximately 90°. The chip card reader of claim 14 wherein in the area of said second leg (71) another second detent means (22) is provided. The chip card reader of claim 15 wherein said first and second detent means (25, 22) are of identical design. The chip card reader of claim 2 wherein each tab section (15, 22) comprises two tabs arranged symmetrically with respect to said center line. The chip card reader of claim 17 wherein one tab section is formed in a first spring leg, while the second tab section is formed in a second spring leg of said contact spring. The chip card reader of one or more of claims 17 or 18 wherein a cusp is provided by said spring forming a small angle gamma with respect to the plane from which said cusp extends. The chip card reader of claim 15 or 16 wherein adjacent to said second detent means a termination portion (21), for instance, for soldering, is provided. The chip card reader of one of the preceding claims wherein the width (50) of the contact spring is approximately three times the thickness (52) of the contact spring. The chip card reader of one or more of claims 2 to 21 wherein the width of the contact spring in the area of the tab sections is about twice the width (50) of the spring outside of said tab sections. The chip card reader of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact springs are inserted into the contact support according to the comb mounting technique.

Inventors: BLEIER ROBERT, REICHARDT MANFRED, BLEIER, ROBERT, REICHARDT, MANFRED
Applicants: AMPHENOL TUCHEL ELECT, AMPHENOL-TUCHEL ELECTRONICS GMBH
Application year: 1989
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13, G06K7, H01R12, G06K17