U.S. patent application number 10/554208 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for card receiving device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT. Invention is credited to Thomas Riester, Torsten Wahler.
Application Number | 20060244207 10/554208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33426745 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060244207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Riester; Thomas ; et
al. |
November 2, 2006 |
Card receiving device
Abstract
A card receiving device with a flat structure is disclosed. The
device includes a clamping unit and a gear mechanism. The device
further includes a first gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism
which are driven at least temporarily by a drive, the gear
mechanism can be kinetically coupled to the clamping unit, such
that the first gear mechanism is kinetically coupled to the
clamping unit in a first transport phase and the second gear
mechanism is kinetically coupled to the clamping unit in a in a
second transport phase.
Inventors: |
Riester; Thomas;
(Villingen-Schwenningen, DE) ; Wahler; Torsten;
(Bad Duerrheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG;I-47, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
ALBISRIEDERSTRASSE 245
ZURICH
CH-8047
CH
|
Assignee: |
SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
WITTELSBACHERPLATZ 2
MUNICH
DE
80333
|
Family ID: |
33426745 |
Appl. No.: |
10/554208 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
March 30, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/03361 |
371 Date: |
October 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01P 1/16 20130101; G06K
13/063 20130101; G07C 7/00 20130101; G06K 13/08 20130101; G01P
1/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/207 |
International
Class: |
B65H 31/00 20060101
B65H031/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 12, 2003 |
DE |
103 21 232.9 |
Claims
1. A card receiving device for completely and automatically drawing
a card into the card receiving device, the device comprising: a
clamping unit arranged to affix to the card, the clamping unit
comprising a gear mechanism which is kinetically connected to the
clamping unit, at least one drive arranged to drive the gear
mechanism thereby transporting the clamping unit into the card
receiving device, wherein the card receiving device has a first
gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism which are each at least
temporarily driven by a drive, the gear mechanisms arranged to be
kinetically coupled to the clamping unit, the first gear mechanism
is kinetically coupled to the clamping unit in a first
transportation phase, and the second gear mechanism is kinetically
coupled to the clamping unit in a second transportation phase.
2. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the
first gear mechanism and the second gear mechanism are arranged to
be kinetically coupled to the clamping unit as a function of the
transportation phase.
3. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: only
one drive is provided to drive the first gear mechanism and the
second gear mechanism, the first gear mechanism and the second gear
mechanism are arranged to be kinetically connected between the
drive and the clamping unit, the first gear mechanism is
kinetically connected between the drive and the clamping unit in a
first transportation phase, and the second gear mechanism is
kinetically connected between the drive and the clamping unit in a
second transportation phase.
4. The card receiving device according to claim 3, wherein the
first gear mechanism is arranged to be disconnected from the
transmission of power between the drive and the clamping unit in a
second transportation phase.
5. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the
first gear mechanism comprises a toothed rack which is connected to
the clamping unit and a drive gearwheel which is connected to the
drive and engages with the toothed rack in the first transportation
phase.
6. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the
second gear mechanism comprises a slotted link-like first
guide.
7. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the
second gear mechanism is kinetically coupled to a locking unit and
arranged to lock a closure means of an input opening for the card
to be received, and the locking unit is controlled and driven by
the second gear mechanism.
8. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein: the
first gear mechanism is arranged such that it is disconnected
before the card reaches a read/write position, the second gear
mechanism comprises a first guide component arranged to be rotated
about a first axis of rotation and has a slotted link-like first
guide which is formed such that it engages with a first guide
element which is connected to the clamping unit when the first gear
mechanism disengages and the first guide transports the clamping
unit into the read/write position.
9. The card receiving device according to claim 5, wherein the
first guide component is arranged on a first axis of rotation
together with the drive gearwheel.
10. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the
card receiving device has a first linear mount arranged to be used
to linearly mount the clamping unit in the inward direction.
11. The card receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the
first gear mechanism comprises a linear tooth system which is a
constituent part of a toothed rack element, and an elastic element
arranged between the toothed rack element and the clamping unit,
and the clamping unit is thus resiliently mounted on the output
drive of the first gear mechanism.
12. The card receiving device according to claim 11, wherein the
first guide element is a fixed constituent part of the toothed rack
element.
13. The card receiving device according to claim 6, further
comprising a second guide component having a second guide and
connected to the first guide component such that it is fixed in
terms of rotation, and said second guide arranged to control and
drive a locking unit.
14. The card receiving device according to claim 13, wherein the
locking unit has an actuating lever which can be rotated about a
second axis of rotation and has a second guide element which
engages with the second guide.
15. The card receiving device according to claim 6, wherein the
first and/or the second guide include grooves or slots in the
respective first and second guide components.
16. The card receiving according to claim 13, wherein the second
guide has a branch into a third guide into which the second guide
element slides when or after the first guide element engages in the
first guide.
17. The card receiving device according to claim 14, wherein the
clamping unit has a stop element arranged to strike the actuating
lever when the clamping unit moves in the inward direction, so that
the second guide element moves into the third guide.
18. The card receiving device according to claim 13, wherein the
second guide comprises a circular shape which is concentric with
respect to the first axis of rotation.
19. The card receiving device according to claim 5, wherein the
first guide has two sections, a first section and a second section,
wherein the second section comprising a circle which is concentric
with respect to the first axis of rotation.
20. The card receiving device according to claim 14, wherein at
least one sensor signals the position of the actuating lever to a
control unit.
21. The card receiving device according to claim 2, wherein the
second gear mechanism has at least one third guide element arranged
to control and drive a locking unit for locking a closure means of
an insertion opening.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a card receiving device for
completely and automatically drawing a card into the card receiving
device, having a clamping unit which fixes the card, having a gear
mechanism which is kinetically connected to the clamping unit, and
having at least one drive which drives the gear mechanism and thus
transports the clamping unit into the card receiving device.
[0002] The main focus of application of the device according to the
invention is in the area of tachographs or devices for recording
the operating periods and rest periods of commercial vehicle
drivers. However, other applications are also feasible, for example
in the area of banking and for making payments, or in locking
systems. The invention is advantageously used in combination with
all types of card-like data storage media. On account of the great
economic and legal importance of the data which can be acquired
with tachographs, the recordings have to be reliably secured
against manipulation. The security measures relate both to data
acquisition and data transmission and to the transmission and
storage of the acquired data in the memory of the card. Relevant
standards place strict requirements on the security standard to be
achieved by the measures. It is therefore stipulated that the card
be entirely held by the card receiving device during the reading
and writing operations and be isolated from the surroundings by
means of suitable closure devices. The closure devices have to be
locked in the closed position during the reading and writing
operations. Additional difficulties arise on account of operational
failures in conventional devices caused by contamination, in
particular by contact being interrupted or even when the card is
being drawn in. It is problematical to draw in the card and
position it exactly on the contacts of the device because the
various cards have high manufacturing tolerances in relation to the
required positional accuracy with respect to the contacts of the
device. Since the cards are predominantly perceived by the user to
be distinguished by a high degree of robustness, said cards are
generally not handled with the care that is actually required, so
that, in addition to the tolerances caused by manufacture,
deformation and damage impair the way in which the card operates
when interacting with the card receiving devices. Furthermore, the
operating conditions in motor vehicles place increased requirements
on functional reliability on account of the pronounced vibrations
and countless bumps and the wide-ranging temperature fluctuations.
Implementing security against manipulation and the desired handling
convenience mean it is necessary to draw in the card fully
automatically. However, in order to meet this requirement, great
difficulties are faced in terms of construction because the
installation space available in a tachograph which is the size of a
car radio provides only approximately a height of 10 mm for the
fully automatic drawing-in process.
[0003] DP 102 08 259.6 has already disclosed a smart-card receiving
device of fully automatic design, in which two clamping elements
are spring-mounted on a slide, grasp the inserted smart card in the
manner of tongs and transport them into a read/write position.
[0004] However, the proposed device for fully automatically and
completely drawing in a card in a card receiving device is
extremely complicated and has a high probability of failure on
account of the large number of components. Furthermore,
transporting the card to be received into the read and write
positions by means of the conventional device with the precision
required for reliably making contact presents problems,
particularly because the long transportation path of the clamping
unit which is required to completely draw in the card is an
attribute which conflicts with precise positioning in the end
position. Combining accurate positioning with a long transportation
path means, in the prior art, operating a particularly finely tuned
gear mechanism with a precisely activatable drive over a large
travel path and controlling it by means of a complex closed-loop
control system. The expenditure required for this purpose produces
high costs and at the same time results in unacceptably high access
times.
[0005] On the basis of the problems and disadvantages of the prior
art, the invention has set itself the object of providing a card
receiving device which allows the card to be absolutely securely
transported and reliable contact to be made in the read and write
positions under the unfavorable boundary conditions explained
above, and which can be produced in flat format in a manner which
is cost-effective and suited to series production.
[0006] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a card
receiving device of the type mentioned in the introduction, in
which the card receiving device has a first gear mechanism and a
second gear mechanism which are each at least temporarily driven by
a drive, the gear mechanisms can be kinetically coupled to the
clamping unit, the first gear mechanism is kinetically coupled to
the clamping unit in a first transportation phase, and the second
gear mechanism is kinetically coupled to the clamping unit in a
second transportation phase.
[0007] The crucial advantage of being able to couple different gear
mechanisms to the clamping unit in different transportation phases
of the card clamped in the clamping unit is that the speed,
positional accuracy, acceleration phases and deceleration in
movement can be matched exactly to the respective movement phase.
Whereas is it desirable to draw in the card rapidly at the
beginning of the transportation process once said card has been
grasped, it is then necessary to precisely position the card on the
contact set, which comprises the contacts, of the read and write
device. In addition, the connection of different gear mechanisms
simultaneously allows additional functions which are linked to the
different gear mechanisms, for example driving of a locking unit
for locking a closure means of the insertion opening of the device
or driving an arresting unit for arresting the locking system, to
be switched on and off. If appropriate, a separate alignment unit
which is coupled to the second gear mechanism may also exactly
position the card in the end position.
[0008] Automatic connection or coupling of the different gear
mechanisms to the clamping unit or, if there is only one drive,
connection or coupling between the clamping unit and this drive is
particularly advantageous here. Automatic coupling or connection
may be performed as a function of the transportation phase and
advantageously be initiated mechanically or else by electric motor
in conjunction with corresponding sensors which detect the progress
of the individual transportation phases.
[0009] Installation space and production costs are reduced when
only one drive is provided to drive the first gear mechanism and
the second gear mechanism, the first gear mechanism and the second
gear mechanism can be kinetically connected between the drive and
the clamping unit, the first gear mechanism is kinetically
connected between the drive and the clamping unit in a first
transportation phase, and the second gear mechanism is kinetically
connected between the drive and the clamping unit in a second
transportation phase. The overall gear arrangement is a shiftable
overall gear system with two gear mechanisms, which can be switched
on and off individually, on one drive. The probability of the
arrangement failing is advantageously reduced since only one
electric drive is required. Expenditure on actuating the drive or
drives is also reduced in a similar way. It is expedient here to
disconnect the first gear mechanism from the transmission of power
between the drive and the clamping unit in the second
transportation phase. The first gear mechanism advantageously
differs from the second gear mechanism due to its functional
incorporation. Whereas the first gear mechanism drives and controls
the clamping unit and expediently also the drawing in operation,
the second gear mechanism drives the fine-positioning means. In
addition, it is expedient when the second gear mechanism also
drives and controls a locking unit. The functions of the locking
unit and the task of the fine-positioning means can expediently be
linked to one another. In this case, one advantageous development
provides for locking elements to push the card into an end
position, preferably at the input-end edge and or rounded
corners.
[0010] It is expedient for the task of the first gear mechanism
when it has a toothed rack which is connected to the clamping unit,
and a drive gearwheel which is connected to the drive and engages
with the toothed rack in the first transportation phase. Further
gear-system transmission elements, for example gearwheels or belt
drives, may expediently be arranged between the drive and the
toothed rack, in order to impose the desired characteristics on the
movement. The use of a toothed rack is advantageous because a
relatively long transportation path has to be overcome in the first
transportation phase. In the case of transportation devices with
rubber rollers known from the prior art, such long transportation
paths need a large number of rubber rollers to be arranged in
series so that the card can be completely drawn into the
device.
[0011] For the transportation task of the second gear mechanism, it
is expedient when the second gear mechanism has a slotted link-like
first guide. A slotted link-like guide may advantageously be
matched to the extremely specific movement characteristics in a
second transportation phase and permits, in particular,
deceleration, acceleration and even unsteady movement patterns to
be implemented when the rotational speed of the drive remains the
same, depending on the profile of the slotted link or the slotted
link-like guide. It is possible to kinetically couple the second
gear mechanism to a locking unit for locking a closure means of an
input opening for the card to be received, and to control and drive
the locking unit by the second gear mechanism only when two
different gear mechanisms are used in accordance with the
invention. It is possible to switch on functions which are linked
to a gear mechanism by connecting this gear mechanism, for example
to initiate locking of a locking unit by switching on the second
gear mechanism, only by arranging two different gear mechanisms in
accordance with the invention.
[0012] In a further refinement, it is expedient when the first gear
mechanism is formed such that it is disconnected before the card
reaches a read/write position, the second gear mechanism has a
first guide component which can be rotated about a first axis of
rotation and has a first slotted link-like guide which is formed
such that it engages with a first guide element, which is connected
to the clamping unit, when the first gear mechanism disengages and
the first guide transports the clamping unit into the read/write
position. The first guide component is expediently arranged on a
first axis of rotation together with the drive gearwheel. The joint
arrangement on one axis of rotation ensures the synchronization of
these components and reduces the number of mounts required.
[0013] In accordance with the movement task of the clamping unit,
it is expedient when the card receiving device has a first linear
mount which is used to linearly mount the clamping unit in the
inward direction. In this way, the degree of freedom of the
movement of the clamping unit is reduced in accordance with
requirements. The mount should be in the form of a sliding bearing,
this being cost-effective.
[0014] In order to achieve the highest possible tolerance with
respect to improper insertion of the card into the card receiving
device, it is expedient when the first gear mechanism has a linear
tooth system which is a constituent part of a toothed rack element,
and an elastic element is arranged between the toothed rack element
and the clamping unit, and the clamping unit is thus resiliently
mounted on the drive of the first gear mechanism. This prevents
cards which have been forcibly inserted from damaging the drive and
the gear mechanism connected to the drive since the advancing
movement of the card is absorbed by the elastic element which is
expediently in the form of an extension spring or a compression
spring. In addition, the user receives sensory feedback when the
card reaches a stop which is located in the clamping unit.
[0015] It is equally expedient when the first guide element is a
fixed constituent part of the toothed rack element. The first guide
element is already located on that side of the gear mechanism which
is protected against improper actions as a result of an elastic
element being arranged as mentioned above.
[0016] The advancing movements of a slotted link-like guide are
utilized in a particular manner when a second guide component
having a second guide is connected to the first guide component
such that it is fixed in terms of rotation, said second guide
controlling and driving a locking unit. In this case, the profiles
of the guides are expediently designed to synchronously interact
with the driven and controlled units of the entire device in an
optimum fashion.
[0017] In order to ensure that the guide components always guide
the guide elements securely, it is expedient when the guides are in
the form of grooves or slots and therefore no guide elements can
move out of the corresponding guide. In conjunction with the linear
mounting of the clamping unit, the mechanical components are
unambiguously positively controlled in each movement phase.
[0018] Additional functions can be implemented when a guide has a
branch into another guide, in particular when the second guide has
a branch into a third guide, into which the second guide element
slides when or after the first guide element engages in the first
guide.
[0019] An expedient method for sliding the second guide element
into the third guide forms the subject matter of an advantageous
development of the invention which proposes that the clamping unit
has a stop element which strikes the actuating lever when the
clamping unit moves in the inward direction, so that the second
guide element moves into the third guide.
[0020] In order to ensure that the second guide does not impede or
block the movement sequence during the first transportation phase,
it is expedient when said guide has a circular shape which is
concentric with respect to the first axis of rotation. In this way,
the actuating lever is also held in one position in a controlled
manner. It is similarly expedient when the first guide has two
sections, a first section and a second section, the second section
being in the form of a circle which is concentric with respect to
the first axis of rotation. In this way, the clamping unit remains
at the same location in the card receiving device during the
locking process of the closure means of the insertion opening.
[0021] In order to control the drive, it is expedient when at least
one sensor signals the position of the actuating lever to a control
unit. The control unit may firstly check the device is operating
correctly and secondly send control signals to the drive, in
particular switch off the drive or reverse the direction of
rotation.
[0022] The invention is explained in greater detail below using one
specific exemplary embodiment for illustration purposes and with
reference to drawings, in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a simplified perspective illustration of a
clamping unit,
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 each show a perspective illustration of a
guide component in a view from above and, respectively, from
below,
[0025] FIGS. 4 and 5 each show a perspective illustration of an
actuating lever in the view from below and, respectively, from
above,
[0026] FIGS. 6a-9b each show an illustration of a card receiving
device according to the invention in the form of a plan view (A)
and a view from below (B) in various transportation phases of the
clamping unit and card, and
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a sequence diagram of the switching states of
the drive and the gear mechanisms as a function of the
transportation phase.
[0028] In the text which follows, clamping of a card to be received
and drawing of a card into a card receiving device according to the
invention is described with a first transportation phase, and
locking of a closure means of the device and fine-positioning of
the card in an end position is described with a second
transportation phase. The main difference between the
transportation phases is the kinematic connection of different gear
mechanisms. A first gear mechanism 4 engages during the first
transportation phase and a second gear mechanism 5 engages during
the second transportation phase.
[0029] The clamping unit 3 illustrated in simplified form in FIG. 1
essentially comprises a slide 36 and a toothed rack element 15 with
a tooth system 8, both constituent parts of the first gear
mechanism 4, which toothed rack element 15 is resiliently attached
to an extension arm 37 of the slide 36. The toothed rack element 15
is resiliently mounted in an inward direction 14 by means of an
elastic element 16, specifically an extension spring 38, on the
extension arm 37 of the slide 36. A first linear mount 13 runs in
the inward direction 14 too and is in the form of two sliding
bearing surfaces 39 which are arranged on the side of the slide 36.
The slide 36 is designed as a sheet metal part and, at the input
end, is provided with run-in slopes 40 for the insertion of a card
2. On the rear of a bearing surface for the card 2 on the slide 36,
a stop element 35 is integrally formed on the slide 36 and strikes
an actuating lever 23 (illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5) so as to control
it when a changeover is made to a second transportation phase. In
addition to the tooth system 8, the toothed rack element 15, which
extends in the inward direction 24, has a first guide element 34
which is integrally connected to the toothed rack element 15.
[0030] In FIGS. 2 and 3, a drive gearwheel 6 is provided with the
reference symbol 6, a first guide component 11 is provided with the
reference symbol 11, and a second guide component 17 is provided
with the reference symbol 17. The two guide components 11, 17 are
constituent parts of the second gear mechanism 5. The outer
circumference 41 of the second guide component 17 is provided with
a tooth system (not illustrated) which engages, either directly or
by being connected to a gear mechanism, with an output gearwheel of
an electric motor during operation. The drive gearwheel 6 for the
toothed rack element 15 forms an integral component with the guide
components 11, 17. The first guide component 11 has a first guide
12 with a first section 25 and a second section 26. The second
section 26 is in the form of a circle which is concentric with
respect to a first axis of rotation 9. If the first guide element
34 of the toothed rack element 15 moves from the first section 25
of the first guide 12, in the form of a groove, into the second
section 26, the clamping unit 3 thus does not move when the guide
component 11 rotates. The second guide 18, which is in the form of
a groove, and the third guide 22 are shown in the view of the
second guide component 17 from below illustrated in FIG. 3. The
second guide 18 and the third guide 22 are connected to one another
in a branch 21. During operation, the guides 18, 22 of the second
guide component 17 guide a second guide element 42 which is
attached to the actuating lever 23 of FIGS. 4, 5. During the first
transportation phase, while the first gear mechanism 4 ensures
clamping and that the clamping unit 3 advances, the second guide
element 42 of the second gear mechanism is located in the second
guide 18 which is in the form of a concentric circle around the
axis of rotation 9, with the result that the second guide element
42 does not move in the first transportation phase and the
actuating lever 23 is at rest. The second gear mechanism 5
therefore does not make any kinematic contribution to the movement
in the first transportation phase.
[0031] In FIGS. 4 and 5, the actuating lever is provided with the
reference symbol 23. The actuating lever 23 is in the form of a
flat sheet metal component and, in a second axis of rotation 20,
has a protrusion 43 for mounting the actuating lever 23 in a recess
(not illustrated) in a base carrier 48 illustrated in FIGS. 6a to
9b. The actuating lever 23 is provided with a stop 45 which is in
the form of a recess 44 and, during operation, interacts with the
stop element 35 such that when a changeover is made from a first
transportation phase of the card 2 to the second transportation
phase, the stop element 35 of the clamping unit strikes the stop 45
of the actuating lever 23 and, in this way, the second guide
element 42 in the branch 21 passes from the second guide 18 to the
third guide 22. Since the actuating lever 23 controls and drives a
locking unit 31 (not illustrated) for locking a closure means (not
illustrated) of an insertion opening (not illustrated) in the card
receiving device, said actuating lever is provided with a third
guide element 44 and a fourth guide element 45 which are each in
the form of a protrusion and engage in corresponding recesses in
the locking unit.
[0032] FIGS. 6a to 9b each show a plan view and a view from below
of the card receiving device 1 in combination with the functionally
important components in different movement phases. In the movement
phase of the first transportation phase illustrated in FIGS. 6a,
6b, the card 2 is already inserted into the card receiving device 1
and a sensor (not illustrated) has switched on the drive (not
illustrated). The drive gearwheel 6 drives the toothed rack element
15, so that the card 2 moves in the inward direction 14. The card 2
is clamped in the clamping unit 3 in a manner which is not
illustrated in any greater detail. At this point, the first guide
element 34 does not yet engage with the first guide 12.
[0033] As can be seen from FIG. 6b, the second guide element 42
engages with the second guide 18 of the second guide component 17.
The second guide element 42 which is connected to the actuating
lever 23 does not move at this point because the second guide 18
has a circular shape which is concentric about the first axis of
rotation 9. Therefore, the actuating lever 23 also remains at
rest.
[0034] In the movement phase of the first transportation phase
illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the device is just about to make
the changeover from the first transportation phase, which moves the
card 2 into the card receiving device 1 in a translatory fashion,
to the second transportation phase, during which the card 2 remains
at a standstill in the card receiving device 1 and a second gear
mechanism 5 takes over control and operation of a locking unit (not
illustrated). As illustrated in FIG. 7a, the drive gearwheel 6
disengages from the toothed rack element 15, the first guide
element 34 moves into the first section 25 of the first guide 12
and the stop element 35 of the clamping unit 3 strikes the
actuating lever 23 on the stop 45, with the result that the
actuating lever 23 rotates about the second axis of rotation 20 in
such a way that the second guide element 42 in the branch 21 moves
from the second guide 18 into the third guide 22.
[0035] During the movement phase of the second transportation phase
illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b, the drive gearwheel 6 is completely
disengaged from the tooth system 8 of the toothed rack 15. On
account of the gradient of the first section 25 of the second guide
18, the clamping unit 3 is moved into an end position in a
translatory fashion and at the same time has struck the stop 45 in
the recess 44 of the actuating lever 23 by means of the stop
element 35, with the result that the actuating lever has rotated
about the second axis of rotation 20 and the second guide element
42 has moved into the third guide 22. During a second part of the
second transportation phase, the first guide element 34 is located
in the second section 26, which is in the form of a concentric
circle around the first axis of rotation 9, of the first guide 12,
with the result that the clamping unit 3 remains at rest. Guiding
the second guide element 42 in the third guide 22 causes the
actuating lever 23, which operates a locking unit (not illustrated)
by means of the guide elements 46, 47, to pivot.
[0036] FIGS. 9a, 9b illustrate the end of the second transportation
phase. The first guide element 34 and the second guide element 42
are each located at the end of the second section 26 of the first
guide 12 and, respectively, at the end of the third guide 22.
Sensors (not illustrated) have registered the position of the
actuating lever 23 and switched off the drive (not illustrated) by
means of a control unit (not illustrated).
[0037] The sequence diagram from FIG. 10 shows the switch-on and
switch-off states of the second gear mechanism 5, of the first gear
mechanism 4 and of the drive E. Before the movement phase T1 of a
first transportation phase TP1, the card 2 is inserted into the
card receiving device 1 and the drive E is started. The first gear
mechanism 4 is coupled to the drive E and transports the card 2
and, respectively, the clamping unit 3 in the inward direction 14
by means of the toothed rack 15. At the beginning of a second
transportation phase TP2 in the movement phase T2, the first gear
mechanism 4 disengages and the second gear mechanism 5 begins to
transport the card 2 further. During the changeover from the first
transportation phase TP1 to the second transportation phase TP2,
the second gear mechanism 5 starts in a movement phase T2a if the
first gear mechanism 4 is still engaged. The first gear mechanism 4
remains engaged with the second gear mechanism 5 in an overlapping
fashion up until the movement phase T2b, in order to ensure a clean
changeover O. At the start of the second transportation phase TP2,
the first guide element 34 moves into the first section 25 of the
first guide 12 and the drive gearwheel 6 disengages from the
toothed rack element 15. Following the movement phase T2b, a phase
of fine positioning F takes place, in which means (not illustrated)
in the form of a locking unit push the inserted card 2, at the
input-end edge in the inward direction 14, against an end stop of a
contact set into an end position in a manner driven by the second
gear mechanism 5. At the start of fine positioning F, the clamping
effect of the clamping unit 3 is released from the card 2 as a
function of the transportation phase, with the result that the
freedom of movement required for the purpose of fine positioning is
produced. In a movement phase T3 of the second transportation phase
TP2, the second gear mechanism 5 completes the translatory
transportation of the card 2 into the card receiving device 1, the
second guide element 42 moves from the second guide 18 into the
third guide 22 via the branch 21 by the stop element 35 of the
actuating lever 23 striking the stop 45, and the locking unit is
operated by the actuating lever 23. In the movement phase T4,
sensors establish that the actuating lever 23 is in the end
position and the drive E is switched off. The card 2 has reached
the end position in the card receiving device.
* * * * *