U.S. patent application number 09/983008 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for receptacle for data cards.
Invention is credited to Burkart, Harald.
Application Number | 20020061672 09/983008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7948374 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020061672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burkart, Harald |
May 23, 2002 |
Receptacle for data cards
Abstract
The proposed receptacle comprises a cardholder (20) with a
control slide (21) which is mounted thereon and which can be
displaced counter to a tension spring (28) by means of a data card.
The control slide (21) is assigned a locking latch (22) which is
released from the outside in order to output a data card. A closing
element (23), which has an operative connection to the control
slide (21), has bolts (62, 63) which engage in the plane of
movement of the data cards and to which a retaining spring (83) is
assigned. When a data card is input, the closing element (23) can
be pivoted while interacting with oblique faces formed on the bolts
(62, 63). If a data card is located in the read/write position, the
closing element (23) which is in engagement with a connecting part
(24) formed in the control slide (21) is locked.
Inventors: |
Burkart, Harald;
(Villingen-Schwenningen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Martin A. Farber
Suite 473
866 United Nations Plaza
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
7948374 |
Appl. No.: |
09/983008 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 13/08 20130101;
G07C 7/00 20130101; G06K 13/0806 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/260 |
International
Class: |
H01R 013/15 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2000 |
DE |
200 18 694.9 |
Claims
1. Receptacle for data cards having a cardholder in which the data
cards are guided, and having locking means which are assigned to
the cardholder and which can be actuated by means of a data card
when the data card is inserted into the receptacle, and having
ejection means which can move a data card located in the read-write
position into a removal position, characterized in that the
cardholder (20) and a control slide (21) mounted thereon are
embodied in such a way that the control slide (21) can be displaced
relative to the cardholder (20), counter to the effect of a tension
spring (28) by means of an insertable data card (104), in that a
locking latch (22) which is assigned to the control slide (21) is
mounted in a sprung fashion on the cardholder (20) and embodied in
such a way that it can be activated with the effect of unlocking
the control slide (21), in that a closing element (23) which can be
pivoted about an axis arranged transversely with respect to the
direction of movement of the data cards (104) is provided, which
closing element (23), on the one hand, interacts with a connecting
part (24) which is formed in the control slide (21) and, on the
other hand, has at least one bolt (62 or 63) which engages in the
plane of movement of the data cards (104), in that a retaining
spring (83) which acts with the effect of closing the cardholder
(20) is assigned to the closing element (23), in that, when a data
card (104) is inserted, the closing element (23) can be pivoted
counter to the effect of the retaining spring (83) by means of the
data card (104), and in that the connecting part (24) of the
control slide (21) is embodied in such a way that the closing
element (23) is locked if there is a data card (104) in the
cardholder (20).
2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the
cardholder (20) is constructed in one piece, ridges (33, 34) being
formed on a flat base element (32) in parallel in such a way that
guide grooves (30, 31) corresponding to the data cards (104) are
formed between the base element (32) and the ridges (33, 34).
3. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the
cardholder (20) is manufactured from sheet metal as a punched and
bent part.
4. Receptacle according to claim 2, characterized in that means for
supporting the control slide (21), the locking latch (22) and the
closing element (23) as well as means for attaching the cardholder
(20) at the installation location are formed directly onto the
cardholder (20).
5. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the
closing element (23) is embodied as a bridge (75) which is mounted
on two sides in the cardholder (20).
6. Receptacle according to claim 5, characterized in that the
retaining spring (83) is embodied as a leaf spring, in that the
retaining spring (83) is attached to the closing element (23), and
in that at least one pressing-on limb (85, 86), performing the
spring function, of the retaining spring (83) is embodied in such a
way that, when the closing element (23) is mounted in the
cardholder (20), the pressing-on limb (85, 86) has a sprung
operative connection to the base element (32) of the cardholder
(20) or of an inserted data card (104).
7. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that a surface
(97 or 98) which is inclined with respect to the plane of movement
of the data cards (104) is formed on the closing element (23),
preferably on the bolt (62 or 63).
8. Receptacle according to claim 5, characterized in that two bolts
(62, 63) are formed on the closing element (23), preferably at the
greatest possible distance apart.
9. Receptacle according to claim 8, characterized in that the bolts
(62, 63) and the base element (32) of the cardholder (20) are
assigned to one another in such a way that free punches (64, 65)
are formed in the base element (32) for the bolts (62, 63) to dip
into the plane of movement of the data cards (104), and in that the
base element (32) is also provided with a recess (61) which engages
in the base element (32) behind the locking plane of the bolts (62,
63), in the direction of movement of a data card (104) to be
inserted.
10. Receptacle according to claim 2, characterized in that the
guide grooves (30, 31) are widened at the end in the direction of
movement of the data cards (104).
11. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that
tongue-slot connections are provided between the control slide (21)
and the cardholder (20), the tongues (40, 41, 42, 43) which are
formed on the ridges (33, 34) being bent and the guide slots (44,
45) which are assigned to the tongues (40, 41, 42, 43) and are
provided in the control slide (21) being embodied in the manner of
key holes.
12. Receptacle according to claim 4, characterized in that
platforms (47, 48, 49, 50) are formed, as means for attaching the
cardholder (20), at the installation location on the ridges (33,
34) and at least two centering pins (51, 52, 53, 54) and threaded
holes (55, 56, 57, 58) are formed on said platforms (47, 48, 49,
50).
13. Receptacle according to claim 4, characterized in that a
bearing axle (59, 60) assigned to the locking latch (22) is formed
directly on the cardholder (20), and in that a retaining element
(71) which is embodied in the form of a finger on the control slide
(21) is provided for axially securing the locking latch (22).
14. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the
connecting part (24) which is provided in the control slide (21) is
embodied in such a way that when a data card (104) is inserted into
the cardholder (20) the locking element (23) pivots out of the
closed position and the guide plane of the cardholder (20) is
cleared, and as the control slide (21) is displaced further by
means of the data card (104), the closing element (23) is held in
the pivoted position, and in the end position of the data card
(104) the closing element (23) is automatically moved back into the
closed position and in doing so locked against pivoting.
15. Receptacle according to claim 6, characterized in that the
retaining spring (83) is connected in a positively locking fashion
to the closing element (23) using hooks/eyelets as well as
supporting and plug-in connecting means (89, 90/87, 88 and 91, 92).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a receptacle for data cards having
a cardholder in which the data cards are guided and having locking
means which are assigned to the cardholder and which can be
activated by means of a data card when the data card is inserted
into the receptacle, and having ejection means which can move a
data card located in the read/write position into a removal
position.
[0002] The use for data cards for registering the individual
working times and rest times of the drivers of utility vehicles
requires, owing to the documentary value of these recordings,
reliable ways of protecting them in order to avoid the data
transmission between a data registering unit and a data card being
disrupted for fraudulent purposes. However, the spatial
possibilities, in particular as far as the constructional depth in
the area which is in the reach of drivers is concerned, are
severely restricted in a utility vehicle so that it is not possible
to implement a relatively large conveying path, or if appropriate a
change in direction, while a data card is being conveyed as a
security measure, either in a tachograph which contains an
appropriate receptacle for data cards or in an embodiment as an
autonomous data card assembly. An additional aggravating factor for
the development of a suitable receptacle for the data cards is that
the environment in which they are used is subject to considerable
climatic fluctuations and functional faults may occur owing to
changes in materials caused by temperature and moisture. On the
other hand, for an application in utility vehicles it is necessary
to fulfil the conditions of large-scale production, namely a method
for mounting components which are as simple as possible and which
can be manufactured at comparatively low cost which is compatible
with series production.
[0003] While taking into account the series
production-compatibility mentioned above, the objective arises of
providing a receptacle for data cards which is sufficiently robust
for use in utility vehicles, functions reliably under the
conditions prevailing at the place of use and is tamper-proof.
[0004] The means of achieving the object set are characterized in
that the cardholder and a control slide mounted thereon are
embodied in such a way that the control slide can be displaced
relative to the cardholder, counter to the effect of a tension
spring by means of an insertable data card, in that a locking latch
which is assigned to the control slide is mounted in a sprung
fashion on the cardholder and embodied in such a way that it can be
activated with the effect of unlocking the control slide, in that a
closing element which can be pivoted about an axis arranged
transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the data
cards is provided, which closing element, on the one hand,
interacts with a connecting part which is formed in the control
slide and, on the other hand, has at least one bolt which engages
in the plane of movement of the data cards, in that a retaining
spring which acts with the effect of closing the cardholder is
assigned to the closing element, in that, when a data card is
input, the closing element can be pivoted counter to the effect of
the retaining spring by means of the data card, and in that the
connecting part of the control slide is embodied in such a way that
the closing element is locked if there is a data card in the
cardholder.
[0005] A preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the
cardholder is manufactured from sheet metal as a punched and bent
part, and in that the cardholder is constructed in one piece,
ridges being formed on a flat base element in parallel in such a
way that guide grooves corresponding to the data cards are formed
between the base element and the ridges.
[0006] In the preferred embodiment, the closing element is
advantageously embodied as a bridge which is mounted on two sides
in the cardholder and on which a retaining spring embodied as a
leaf spring is arranged.
[0007] Further expedient refinements of the invention are described
by the subclaims, which are not cited above.
[0008] The decisive advantage of the solution found is that the
receptacle is composed of a very small number of easy-to-mount
components of robust construction, the structural concept providing
for at least the load-bearing cardholder to be manufactured as a
punched and bent part from sheet metal, for example from a
corrosion-resistant material which permits manufacture in high
numbers and satisfactory reproducibility accompanied by
comparatively low manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the structural
concept also permits a large degree of freedom from maintenance and
functional reliability even when simple and cost-effective
lubricants are used, and specifically even under the rough
operating conditions prevailing in a utility vehicle. In addition,
a minimum of overall height can be achieved, in which case, if
appropriate, necessary reinforcement can be formed by means of
beading which can be easily attached.
[0009] Because there is provision to insert the data cards into the
receptacle as far as the read/write position exclusively by hand,
there is, on the one hand, independence from the surface and the
bends in a data card, and on the other hand the data cards can be
output with relatively large force, the retaining spring which is
supported on the data card to be output performing a braking
function. It is also worth noting in this context that the
retaining spring is more greatly stressed, and thus exerts a
greater closing force, if there is a data card in the cardholder
than if there is no data card in the cardholder. That is to say
that the pivoting of the closing element when a data card is
inserted is made easier. Locking the receptacle by means of the
connecting part which is suitably formed in the control slide and
guides the closing element is also advantageous because it is
achieved with simple means. In the locked state of the closing
element, a data card which is located in the receptacle can no
longer be displaced so that tampering by interrupting the contacts
with a data card is prevented.
[0010] The dimensionally stable construction of the receptacle also
provides the advantage that given a direct assignment of the
receptacle to a printed circuit board, not only do deformations of
the printed circuit board due to temperature and moisture remain
without effect but also a screening effect is provided as a result
of the material selected for the receptacle. In addition, with the
design which has been arrived at, there is a relatively large
amount of equipping space remaining on the side of the printed
circuit board which faces the receptacle and on which the set of
contacts for making contact with the data cards is also located.
Furthermore, the proposed solution provides the conditions for
emergency unlocking which can be implemented in an extremely simple
way, and all that is necessary is to provide a lead-sealed opening
in a front cover of the receptacle, through which opening the
locking latch of the control slide can be activated by means of a
"tool".
[0011] Further advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following description of the preferred exemplary embodiment.
[0012] In the drawings relating to the preferred exemplary
embodiment,
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a tachograph in which the
receptacle according to the invention is installed,
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the receptacle,
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the receptacle viewed in the
direction B in FIG. 2, a central region being recessed and the
tension springs being ommitted from the illustration for the sake
of clarity,
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a partial sectional view of a front panel, of a
printed circuit board and of the receptacle in an assignment
provided in the tachograph according to FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the locking latch.
[0018] The tachograph 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a front panel 2
which is connected to a parallelepiped-shaped installation housing
and in which a display 3 is secured, and pushbutton keys 4 and 5
are arranged. 6 designates a window cutout assigned to the display
3; a cover 7, to which a lead seal 8 is assigned, closes off a plug
mount provided for diagnostic and parameterization purposes. 9 and
10 designate slots which permit access to the receptacles and which
are provided for personal data cards assigned to drivers I and II.
The slots 9 and 10 are provided, for the sake of easier insertion
of data cards, with funnel-shaped depressions 11 and 12 and with
centrally formed finger grips 13 and 14 in such a way that the data
cards can be inserted as far as the respective read/write position.
A slot which is designated by 15 is provided for the print carrier
of a printed record printer arranged in the tachograph 1 to pass
through. Further pushbutton keys 16, 17 and 18 of the tachograph 1
which are guided in the front panel 2 and/or engage through the
front wall are used, in combination with the pushbutton keys 4 and
5, to select the most important working time data of the drivers,
to bring about forward and backward scrolling in the data records
of a selected type of data, to initiate printing and to release the
data cards.
[0019] The receptacle 19 illustrated in FIG. 2 consists essentially
of a cardholder 20 which forms a pocket for the data cards, a
control slide 21 which is displaceably mounted on the cardholder
20, a locking latch 22 which is assigned to the control slide 21
and a closing element 23 which is rotatably mounted on the
cardholder 20 and which has an operative connection to the control
slide 21 by means of pins 25 or 26 via a connecting part 24 formed
in the control slide 21. The receptacle 19 is, for the rest,
configured in such a way that if two receptacles 19 are arranged
one next to the other, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the control slides
21 and the locking latches 22 can be attached to the receptacle
devices 19 on alternate sides in order to be able to arrange a
release element which is, for example, motor-operated (not
illustrated because it is not essential to the invention) and
which, when a data card is released, pivots the locking latch 22 by
interacting with a finger 27 (FIGS. 2 and 5) formed on the locking
latch 22, in a fashion which serves the purpose, that is to say
takes up as little space as possible in the tachograph 1. At this
point it is also to be noted that the structural concept provided
makes it easily possible to equip the receptacle 19 on both sides
with ejection means, specifically with two control slides 21,
tension springs 28 assigned thereto, two locking latches 22 and
restoring springs 29 engaging thereon, the locking latches 22
having to be mechanically coupled to one another in order to permit
the control slides 21 to be unlocked simultaneously. This ensures
that even bent or curved data cards which cause increased friction
in the guide grooves 30 and 31 of the cardholder 20 can be pushed
forward into the release position without tilting.
[0020] In particular, FIG. 2 shows that the cardholder 20 which is
embodied in one piece as a punched and bent part has a reinforcing
base element 32 which is provided, if appropriate with beading and
on which ridges 33 and 34 are provided parallel to one another in
such a way that the guide grooves 30, 31 which correspond
essentially to the thickness of the data cards are formed between
the ridges 33, 34 and the base element 32 and at the same time also
serve to guide the data card laterally, specifically with little
play. Tabs 35 and 36 are bent up from the base element 32 as end
stops for the data cards which are to be pushed forward manually
into the write/read position in the proposed receptacle 19. Slots
37 and 38 provided in the base element 32 are for drivers 39 formed
on the control slides 21 to engage through. Tongues which extend
from the ridges 33, 34 and are provided for guiding and securing
the control slides 21 on the cardholder 20 are designated by 40 and
41, and 42 and 43, respectively. In this respect, keyhole-like
guide slots 44 and 45 are formed in a control slide 21. Platforms
47, 48, 49 and 50 which are formed on the ridges 33, 34 and thus on
the cardholder 20 and on which in each case centering pins 51, 52,
53 and 54 and threaded holes 55, 56, 57 and 58 are formed have the
purpose of attaching the cardholder 20 to a printed circuit board
46 (FIG. 4) of the tachograph 1. In this context it is to be noted
that in order to simplify the manufacture, it is possible merely to
form supporting limbs, instead of platforms 47, 48, 49, 50, at
right angles on the ridges 33, 34, said supporting limbs having
lugs formed on them in order to form lacing connections to the
printed circuit 46. Two bushings 59 to 60, which extend from the
ridges 33, 34, serve as bearing axles for the locking latches 22.
As is also apparent from FIG. 2, the base element 32 which is bent
at the front has a centrally provided recess 61 and cutouts 64 and
65 which are assigned to the bolts 62 and 63 formed on the closing
element 23. In addition, it is to be noted that hooks 66, 67, 68
and 69, on the one hand for the tension springs 28 to engage in,
and on the other hand for the restoring springs 29 to engage in are
also formed directly on the cardholder 20 which is preferably
manufactured by means of a series connection tool. Apart from the
driver 39, a retainer 71, which interacts with the locking latch
22, and a latching tooth 72 are formed on the one limb 70 of the
control slide 21 which has an at least partially angled profile and
is also manufactured from sheet metal as a punched and bent part
and, as already mentioned, is displaceably guided on the cardholder
20. On the other limb 73, a hook 74 attached to the tension spring
28 is formed and the connecting part 24 controlling the closing
element 23 is cut out.
[0021] The closing element 23 is also manufactured by punching and
bending techniques. The bolts 62, 63 already mentioned are formed
on a bridge 75 which is constructed as a U profile and provided
with bearing arms 76 and 77. At the latter, on the one hand the
pins 25, 26 which engage in the connecting parts 24 of the control
slides 21 and on the other hand the bearing journals 78 (FIG. 3)
and 79 of the closing element 23 are pressed out. 80 and 81
designate bearing holes which are formed on the ridges 33, 34 and
assigned to the bearing journals 78, 79 of the closing element 23
and are provided with arrows. One of the bearing holes is
designated by 82 in FIG. 3. So that the closing element 23 can
carry out its function, a retaining spring 83 which is directly
connected to the closing element 23 and embodied as a leaf spring
is provided. Said retaining spring 83 is formed essentially by a
supporting element 84 which fits into the U profile of the bridge
75 of the closing element 23 and by pressing-on limbs 85 and 86
formed on said supporting element 84. The retaining spring 83 is
attached to the closing element 23 in a positively locking fashion
such that on the one hand eyelets 87 and 88 are formed in the
retaining spring 83 and hooks 89 and 90 which are bent out of the
closing element 23 are assigned to said eyelets 87 and 88, while on
the other hand slots are formed in the limb (not designated in more
detail) of the bridge 75 and tongues assigned to the slots are
formed on the supporting element 84 of the retaining spring 83. The
tongue-slot connections are designated by 91 and 92 in FIG. 2.
[0022] As can be additionally inferred from FIG. 2, and in
particular from FIG. 3, a stop 93 or 94 which is effective in the
axial direction and is formed by punching and bending techniques is
assigned to the locking latch 22, said stop being supplemented in
its effect, when the locking latch 22 is pivoted by means of the
latching tooth 72 formed on the control slide 21, by the retainer
71 which lies over the locking latch 22 in this functional state.
95 and 96 designate areas which are formed on the rear of the bolts
62, 63 and are essentially at right angles to the plane of movement
of the data cards in the mounted state of the closing element 23,
that is to say they are dipped into the plane of movement of the
data cards under the action of the retaining spring 83 and form a
locking plane. In contrast, front areas 97 and 98 of the bolts 62,
63, which are inclined with respect to the plane of movement of the
data cards, form an oblique plane which facilitates the pivoting of
the closing element 23 when the data cards are inserted.
[0023] The dimension "a" given in FIG. 3 is used to label the
height of the guide grooves 30, 31 provided between the base
element 32 and the ridges 33, 34. In FIG. 3, the section of the
connecting part 24 which permits the closing element 23 to pivot
out of the illustrated closed position is designated by 24a. The
section of the connecting part 24 which causes the bolts 62, 63 to
be raised during the insertion or outputting of a data card in
order to unlock the cardholder 20 is designated by 24b. The section
24c prevents a rotary movement of the closing element 23 out of the
closed position when the control slide 21 is arrested by means of
the locking latch 22, owing to the connecting part boundary 99
which runs obliquely with respect to the direction of movement of
the control slide 21. In other words, the bolts 62, 63 are
prevented from being raised from the outside.
[0024] For the sake of completeness it is to be noted that the limb
70 of the control slide 21 has suitable cutouts to enable the
connecting part 24 to move and to form the connecting part 24 with
a very low overall height. The cutout illustrated by dotted lines
in FIG. 3 is designated by 100.
[0025] FIG. 4 which shows the assignment of the receptacle 19
according to the invention to the front panel 2 and to the printed
circuit board 46 of the tachograph 1 illustrates the relatively
small overall height requirement of the receptacle 19. That is to
say, in the specific case of the tachograph 1, there is an overall
height of a maximum 10 mm available between the printed circuit
board 46 and a base part 101. The receptacle 19 which is attached
to the printed circuit board 46 by means of screws, of which one is
designated by 102, permits, with an overall height of approximately
7.5 mm, a relatively thin and large-area base part 101 to yield
when the tachograph 1 is handled, for example when it is installed
in a vehicle, without affecting the receptacle 19, and via the
latter the printed circuit board 46 which is sensitive to bending.
The side wall of the tachograph 1 is designated by 103 and 104 is a
data card which is to be inserted.
[0026] The locking latch 22 which can be seen only partially in the
figures already described interacts with the control slide 21 is
shown in FIG. 5. The locking latch 22 constitutes essentially a
two-armed lever, one arm of which is formed by the finger 27 which
is actuated in order to release or reject a data card in the
direction of the arrow P. The other arm is provided with a latch
tip 105 which interacts with the latching tooth 72 formed on the
control slide 21. A raised hook 106 is used to engage one end of
the restoring spring 29; a bearing hole, corresponding to the
bushings 59, 60, on the locking latch 22 is designated by 107. The
sequence when a data card 104 is inserted and output will be
summarized once more below. When a data card 104 is inserted, it is
initially pre-aligned in one of the slots 9 or 10 in the front
panel 2, strikes against the areas 97, 98 formed on the bolts 62,
63 and pivots, owing to the given arrangement of the closing
element 23 in the manner of a wedge mechanism, the pressing-on
limbs 85, 86 of the retaining spring 83 experiencing additional
prestress. The data card 104 is subsequently oriented and retained
by the guide grooves 30, 31 and the pressing-on limbs 85, 86 of the
retaining spring 83. As the data card 104 is inserted further, it
strikes against the driver 39 which is formed on the control slide
21 and engages in the guide groove 30, as a result of which the
control slide 21 is pushed counter to the force of the tension
spring 28, specifically until the data card 104 abuts against the
tab 35, 36 or until the latch tip 105 of the locking latch 22 drops
in in front of the latching tooth 72 formed on the control slide
21. Directly before the data card 104 has reached the read/write
position as a result of the activation of the locking latch 22, the
closing element 23 has been pivoted by means of the connecting part
24, and the bolts 62, 63 have been lowered behind the inserted data
card 104. The reaching of the read/write position, in other words
the correct functioning position of the data card 104 can be
monitored, for example, by means of a photoelectric barrier
assigned to the locking latch 22. The outputting of the data card
104 is triggered by activating a pushbutton key and is carried out
by pivoting the locking latch 22 by virtue of the fact that a
preferably motor-activated release element engages on the finger
27. After the control slide 21 has been released by the locking
latch 22, the tension spring 28 guides the control slide 21 back
into the initial position predefined by the connecting part 24. In
the process, the bolts 62, 63 are raised directly after the
release, under the control of the connecting part 24. At the same
time as the control slide 21 is guided back, the data card 104 is
pushed into the release position, the pressing-on limbs 85, 86 of
the retaining spring 83 performing a braking function. If the data
card 104 is removed, the closing element 23 also pivots, under the
effect of the retaining spring 83, back into the initial position,
also determined by the connecting part 24, in which position the
bolts 62, 63 engage in the plane of movement of the data cards 104,
as shown by FIG. 4.
* * * * *