JP7303478B1 - Smart card guide structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A smart card guide structure is provided which has a simple structure, enables smooth insertion of a smart card, and is easily incorporated into a device. A smart card guide structure is provided on a first substrate surface of a substrate having a connector for reading at least information from the smart card by coming into contact with card terminals provided on the first surface of the smart card. A first guide for guiding a second surface opposite to the first surface of the smart card inserted toward the connector along the first substrate surface and arranged to face the connector with a gap, thereby bringing the card terminals into contact with the connector. and a slope-shaped second guide opposed to the first guide portion for guiding the first surface of the inserted smart card so that the second surface of the inserted smart card faces the first guide portion. a second member formed as a part of a resin member insert-molded to a metal member supporting a second substrate surface opposite to the first substrate surface of the substrate. [Selection drawing] Fig. 8

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to smart card guide structures.

Conventionally, technology using a smart card (also called a chip card or an IC (integrated circuit) card) has been put into practical use as a means of authenticating a user in a portable information processing apparatus such as a notebook personal computer. ing. For example, in the case of a contact-type smart card, a flat metal terminal is provided on the surface of the card, and when the metal terminal is brought into contact with a connector (probe terminal) on the reader side, electricity is supplied to supply power and signals (information) for driving the circuit. can be sent and received.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-030105

As shown in Patent Document 1, a smart card reading device may be configured as a device externally connected to a portable information processing device, but it is incorporated in the portable information processing device. A case is also considered. When a smart card reader is incorporated in a portable information processing device, it is required to be small and thin. As a result, the smart card insertion space tends to be minimal, and the structure of the reader, especially the smart card guide structure, is complicated in order to prevent the smart card from being caught or damaged inside the reader. There is a problem of becoming

Therefore, one example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when a smart card reader is incorporated in a device such as a portable information processing device, the smart card can be inserted smoothly without complicating its structure. To provide a smart card guide structure which can be easily installed in a device.

A smart card guide structure according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided on a first substrate surface of a substrate having a connector for reading information from at least the smart card in contact with a card terminal provided on the first surface of the smart card. It guides a second surface opposite to the first surface of the smart card which is arranged opposite to the first substrate surface with a gap and is inserted along the first substrate surface toward the connector. a first member having a first guide portion for bringing the card terminal into contact with the connector; A slope-shaped second guide portion for guiding the first surface of the smart card is insert-molded into a metal member that supports a second substrate surface opposite to the first substrate surface of the substrate. and a second member formed as a part of the member, wherein the resin member is a member that forms a radio wave transmission region through which radio waves from an antenna arranged in a peripheral region of the second member are transmitted.

Further, the first member forms, for example, an insertion slot for the smart card by an end portion of the first member and an end portion of the second member arranged opposite to each other, and a position corresponding to the radio wave transmission region. may be provided with an antenna support area for supporting the antenna.

According to the aspect of the present invention, by configuring the guide mechanism with two members, the guide structure can be simplified, that is, the shape of each member can be simplified. As a result, the space for guiding the smart card can be simplified, and the smart card can be inserted more smoothly. In addition, since the second guide portion is formed by insert-molding an existing metal member, it contributes to the saving of usable space and the improvement of ease of assembly when the smart card guide structure is assembled to an information processing device or the like. can.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing an information processing apparatus (notebook personal computer) equipped with a smart card guide structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first member and the second member are combined in the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the outer surface side of the first member that constitutes the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the inner surface side of the first member that constitutes the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an exemplary schematic plan view showing the second member that constitutes the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the arrangement state of the antennas in the second member that constitutes the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view of the second member of FIG. 6 taken along line AA. FIG. 8 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a smart card is inserted in the smart card guide structure according to the embodiment.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed below. The configurations of the embodiments shown below and the actions, results, and effects brought about by the configurations are examples. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments, and at least one of various effects based on the basic configuration and derivative effects can be obtained. .

FIG. 1 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing an information processing device M equipped with a smart card guide structure 10 according to an embodiment. The information processing device M is, for example, a notebook personal computer. On the side M1 of the information processing device M, for example, a smart card 12 is inserted in the direction of an arrow Y into a reader (not shown) built into the information processing device M in order to authenticate that the user is authorized. A slot S (insertion opening) is provided. On the side surface M1 of the information processing device M, in addition to the slot S, a terminal H of an earphone microphone, connection terminals C1, C2, C3, and C4 of external devices, an indicator L, and the like are arranged. Note that the arrangement of each component on the side surface M1 is an example, and the types, number, and arrangement of the arranged members (slots, terminals, indicators, etc.) can be appropriately changed according to the model and grade of the information processing device M.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the first member 14 and the second member 16 that constitute the smart card guide structure 10 according to the embodiment are combined. That is, the smart card guide structure 10 of this embodiment is composed of two members, the first member 14 and the second member 16, which are arranged to face each other. As shown in FIG. 1, the smart card 12 inserted from the slot S passes through the guide space Sa formed inside the smart card guide structure 10 and is guided to the reader 18A. In FIG. 2, the reader 18A is, for example, a chip component having a plurality of connectors 18 (probe terminals). The smart card 12 guided to the reader 18A by the smart card guide structure 10 is, for example, a contact authentication card. As shown in FIG. 1, the contact smart card 12 has flat card terminals 12b (metal terminals) on a first surface 12a, which is one surface of the card. The smart card 12 is energized by bringing the card terminal 12b into contact with the connector 18 of the reader 18A, and can perform power supply for circuit driving and transmission/reception of signals (authentication information, etc.).

The first member 14 is a substrate provided on the first substrate surface 20a with a connector 18 that contacts the card terminal 12b provided on the first surface 12a of the smart card 12 and reads at least information (such as authentication information) from the smart card 12. 20 is arranged opposite to the first substrate surface 20a with a gap therebetween. The gap formed at this time becomes the guiding space Sa for receiving the smart card 12 . The first member 14 guides and guides the second side 12c (see FIG. 1) opposite the first side 12a of the smart card 12 inserted along the first board side 20a toward the connector 18. Thus, a first guide portion 14a for bringing the card terminal 12b into contact with the connector 18 is provided. Details of the shape of the first member 14 will be described later.

Also, the second member 16 is positioned to face the first guide portion 14a. The second member 16 includes a slope-shaped second guide portion 16a that guides the first surface 12a of the smart card 12 to be inserted so that the second surface 12c of the smart card 12 to be inserted faces the first guide portion 14a. It is formed as a part of the resin member 16A that is insert-molded into the metal member (exterior component N) that supports the second substrate surface 20b that is the opposite side of the first substrate surface 20a. Details of the shape of the second member 16 will be described later.

3 to 8 in addition to FIG. 2, the configuration of the smart card guide structure 10 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the outer surface 14F side (back side of the first guide portion 14a) of the first member 14 that constitutes the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the inner surface 14R side (first guide portion 14a) of the first member 14 that constitutes the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the second member 16 that constitutes the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an exemplary and schematic perspective view showing the arrangement of the antennas in the second member 16 that constitutes the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view of the second member 16 of FIG. 6 taken along line AA. FIG. 8 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the smart card 12 is inserted in the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG.

In addition, in this embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are defined for convenience. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. When the smart card 12 inserted into the slot S of the smart card guide structure 10 is used as a reference, the X-axis is provided in a direction along the short side of the smart card 12 which is substantially rectangular in plan view. The Y-axis is provided along the long side of the smart card 12 . The Z-axis is provided along the thickness direction of the smart card 12 . Moreover, when the smart card guide structure 10 is used as a reference, the X axis is provided in the direction along the opening width of the slot S. As shown in FIG. The Y-axis is provided along the insertion direction of the smart card 12 . The Z-axis is provided along the facing direction of the first member 14 and the second member 16 . Furthermore, in this embodiment, an X-direction, a Y-direction and a Z-direction are defined. The X direction is a direction along the X axis and includes a +X direction indicated by an arrow on the X axis and a −X direction opposite to the arrow on the X axis. The Y direction is a direction along the Y axis and includes a +Y direction indicated by an arrow on the Y axis and a −Y direction opposite to the arrow on the Y axis. The Z direction is a direction along the Z axis and includes the +Z direction indicated by the Z axis arrow and the −Z direction opposite to the Z axis arrow.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first member 14 is, for example, a plate-like component that can be formed by injection molding using a resin material or the like. As described above, the first guide portion 14a (inner surface 14R) of the first member 14 contacts (guides) the second surface 12c of the smart card 12, and moves toward the first surface 12a of the smart card 12 to be inserted. Arranged card terminals 12 b are brought into contact with the connector 18 . The first guide portion 14a (inner surface 14R) made of a resin material is formed with a flat surface. Therefore, even if the second surface 12c of the smart card 12 made of resin is inserted while contacting (sliding), it is possible to prevent the second surface 12c of the smart card 12 from being damaged. The first guide portion 14a may guide (guide) the smart card 12 while contacting (sliding) with the second surface 12c of the smart card 12. For example, the first guide portion 14a extends in the Y direction and is spaced apart in the X direction. It may be composed of a plurality of protruding streaks provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first member 14 has slot wall portions Sh1 and Sh2 folded back in the Z direction from the inner surface 14R at the ends in the +X direction and the −X direction. The slot walls Sh1 and Sh2 define a guiding space Sa for the smart card 12 by engaging with a portion of the second member 16. As shown in FIG. Slot defining portions Sh1a and Sh2a are formed at the ends of the slot walls Sh1 and Sh2 in the -Y direction. define

Further, on the outer surface 14F of the first member 14, reinforcing ribs 14b may be formed to support other members such as a battery pack or the like when assembled to the information processing device M. FIG. An antenna support area 14E for supporting an antenna is formed on the outer surface 14F of the first member 14 at a position corresponding to the radio wave transmission area of the second member 16, which will be described later. For example, antenna support brackets 14Ea and 14Eb are formed in the antenna support area 14E. Since the antenna support area 14E is a part of the first member 14 and is made of a resin material, radio waves transmitted and received by the supported antenna can be transmitted, and antenna performance can be ensured.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the inner surface 14R of the first member 14, a terminal wall 14d extending in the X direction and rising in the +Z direction is located on the opposite side of the position where the slot S is formed in the +Y direction. formed. When the smart card 12 is inserted into the guiding space Sa, the end wall 14d comes into contact with the insertion tip of the smart card 12 to limit the insertion operation and to define the contact position between the card terminal 12b and the connector 18. function as a stopper.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, the second member 16 of the smart card guide structure 10, which also functions as the exterior component N (back case 16M) of the information processing device M (for example, a notebook personal computer). explain. Most of the second member 16 is composed of a metal member, and a part of the second member 16 includes a resin member 16A. The second member 16 can be produced by insert molding in which the insert product (back case 16M: metal member) and the resin member 16A forming part of the smart card guide structure 10 are integrated during injection molding. The information processing device M such as a notebook personal computer is sometimes required to secure the rigidity of the housing and to reduce the weight. be. In some cases, the information processing device M such as a notebook personal computer is equipped with an antenna in order to communicate with the outside. In this case, a plurality of antennas may be mounted for the purpose of improving communication quality or coping with different communication standards. As described above, in the case of the information processing device M that employs a metal material for the exterior component N (for example, the rear case 16M), the exterior component N must transmit radio waves. , for example, may be composed of resin parts. The second member 16 (exterior component N) shown in FIG. 5 includes a plurality of radio wave transmitting regions 22 formed by insert molding a resin member 16A. The second member 16 has, for example, the first radio wave transmission area 22a arranged in the side area, and the second radio wave transmission area 22b and the third radio wave transmission area 22c arranged in the front side. In FIG. 6, a first antenna 24a, a second antenna 24b, and a third antenna 24c are arranged as antennas 24 corresponding to the first radio wave transmission region 22a, the second radio wave transmission region 22b, and the third radio wave transmission region 22c, respectively. For example. Each of the first antenna 24a, the second antenna 24b, and the third antenna 24c may be antennas conforming to the same communication standard or antennas conforming to different communication standards. Also, the number of antennas 24 (radio wave transmission regions 22) is an example, and may be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the performance required of the information processing device M. FIG. Mounting ribs for mounting various parts, reinforcing ribs, and the like are formed on the inner surface (parts mounting surface side) of the rear case 16M. Although not shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the first member 14 is interposed between the first radio wave transmission region 22a and the first antenna 24a, as will be described later.

As described above, the resin member 16A is insert-molded into the rear case 16M, which is the second member 16 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the second guide portion 16a of the smart card guide structure 10 is formed, for example, integrally with the radio wave transmission region 22, which is the resin member 16A. As described above, the second guide portion 16a is a resin insert-molded metal member (exterior component N, rear case 16M) that supports the second substrate surface 20b opposite to the first substrate surface 20a of the substrate 20. It is formed as part of the member 16A. Therefore, the second guide portion 16a can be easily molded when the radio wave transmitting region 22 is molded. Also, the mold used for molding is constructed so as to be capable of insert molding the resin member 16A, and a large mold capable of molding the entire rear case 16M is used. Therefore, it is easy to add the second guide portion 16a as a part of the resin member 16A to the existing mold, and the molding of the second guide portion 16a can be easily realized. In addition, it is possible to mold the second member 16 having the second guide portion 16a by modifying an existing mold, which contributes to the reduction of the mold manufacturing cost.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view of the second member 16 of FIG. 6 taken along line AA. The second guide portion 16a of the second member 16 is configured so that the second surface 12c (see FIG. 1) of the smart card 12 to be inserted is placed opposite to the first guide portion 14a of the first member 14. It is shaped like a slope to guide the first surface 12a of the smart card 12 so as to face toward. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the second guide portion 16a is inclined so that the height in the -Z direction gradually increases toward the Y direction, which is the direction in which the smart card 12 is inserted. It has a slope of 16s. That is, when the smart card 12 is inserted in the Y direction, the insertion posture of the smart card 12 is guided toward the first guide portion 14a (inner surface 14R) of the first member 14 regardless of the intention of the card inserter. be. In other words, the insertion posture of the smart card 12 is guided away from the second member 16 and closer to the first guide portion 14a. As a result, the leading end in the insertion direction (Y-direction leading end) of the smart card 12 moving in the guiding space Sa of the smart card guide structure 10 is moved to the end of the substrate 20 supported by the second member 16 and the reader 18A. It is possible to suppress contact (getting stuck) with the edge, etc., and smoothly guide the card terminal 12b of the smart card 12 to the position where it contacts the connector 18 of the reader 18A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the second guide portion 16a is composed of, for example, ridges 16aa separated at predetermined intervals in the X direction. That is, the second guide portion 16a has a comb shape. By making the second guide portion 16a comb-shaped, the contact area of the smart card 12 with the first surface 12a can be reduced, thereby contributing to the reduction of sliding resistance when the smart card 12 is inserted. In addition, by appropriately widening the width of each ridge 16aa in the X direction, it is possible to reduce the linear concentration of pressure when the ridge 16aa comes into contact with the first surface 12a of the smart card 12. This can also contribute to suppressing damage to the first surface 12a. In addition, by spacing the ridges 16aa apart, it is possible to reduce the amount of resin for molding the second guide portion 16a. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the reduction of component costs. Note that the width and number of the protruding portions 16aa can be appropriately determined by examining the presence or absence of scratches on the smart card 12, the magnitude of the sliding resistance, and the filling state of the resin during molding, etc., through preliminary tests. can. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the radio wave transmitting region 22 (first radio wave transmitting region 22a) and the second guide portion 16a are connected by a plurality of liners 16p. Although an example is shown, the radio wave transmitting region 22 (first radio wave transmitting region 22a) and the second guide portion 16a may be insert-molded independently. Also, the number of liners 16p can be changed as appropriate. Also, the liner 16p may be formed in a wide shape without being separated.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the second member 16, portions corresponding to the -Y direction ends of the slot wall portions Sh1 and Sh2 of the first member 14 shown in FIG. , -Z direction are formed to define the slot S by engaging the end of the first member 14 .

By combining the first member 14 and the second member 16 configured as described above in the Z-direction, the smart card guide structure 10 with the slot S at the peripheral edge is obtained. Further, in this case, by configuring the smart card guide structure 10 by a combination of two members, the first member 14 and the second member 16, the structure of the smart card guide structure 10 can be simplified and assembly can be simplified. can be easily done. As a result, it is possible to contribute to improvement in the yield of the smart card guide structure 10 (information processing device M).

FIG. 8 is an exemplary and schematic partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the smart card 12 is inserted in the smart card guide structure 10. As shown in FIG. As described above, when the smart card 12 is inserted from the slot S into the guiding space Sa in the Y direction, the first surface 12a of the smart card 12 comes into contact with the protruding strip portion 16aa of the second guide portion 16a and moves in the -Z direction. The insertion posture is corrected gradually. As a result, the second surface 12 c of the smart card 12 is guided toward the first guide portion 14 a of the first member 14 . That is, the smart card 12 moves away from the second member 16 and approaches the first guide portion 14a of the first member 14 as it is inserted in the Y direction. As a result, the tip of the smart card 12 moving in the guiding space Sa of the smart card guide structure 10 in the insertion direction comes into contact with the edge of the substrate 20 supported by the second member 16, the edge of the reader 18A, and the like. It is possible to suppress things (getting caught). The leading end of the smart card 12 advancing in the Y direction in the guiding space Sa abuts against the end wall 14d of the first member 14, thereby stopping the insertion operation and connecting the card terminal 12b of the smart card 12 to the connector 18. They are positioned to face each other, their contact is achieved, and necessary information can be sent and received.

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the smart card guide structure 10 is applied to the information processing device M (for example, a notebook personal computer) has been shown. In other embodiments, it may be applied to other electronic devices, and similar effects can be obtained. For example, when it is required to implement the smart card guide structure 10 in a device, such as a tablet or a mobile terminal, in which the casing is made smaller and thinner, the smart card guide structure 10 can be simplified and the smart card can be used. Similar effects can be obtained by applying the smart card guide structure 10 of the present embodiment to a device that requires a smooth insertion operation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the second guide portion 16a is integrated with the first radio wave transmission region 22a for arranging the first antenna 24a as the resin member 16A. In another embodiment, insert molding may be performed in association with a resin member for another member provided near the mounting position of the smart card guide structure 10, and similar effects can be obtained.

While embodiments and variations of the invention have been described, these embodiments and variations are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Smart card guide structure 12... Smart card 12a... First surface 12b... Card terminal 12c... Second surface 14... First member 14a... First guide part 14E... Antenna support area 16... Second member 16A Resin member 16a Second guide portion 18 Connector 18A Reader 20 Board 20a First board surface 20b Second board surface 22 Radio wave transmission region 24 …antenna

Claims (2)

a connector for reading information from at least the smart card by coming into contact with card terminals provided on the first surface of the smart card and arranged opposite to the first substrate surface of the substrate with a gap therebetween, a first guide portion for guiding the second surface opposite to the first surface of the smart card inserted along the first board surface toward the connector to bring the card terminal into contact with the connector; a first member comprising;
a slope-shaped second guide portion facing the first guide portion and guiding the first surface of the smart card to be inserted so that the second surface of the smart card faces the first guide portion; a second member formed as a part of a resin member insert-molded to a metal member supporting a second substrate surface opposite to the first substrate surface of the substrate;
, wherein the resin member is a member forming a radio wave transmission region through which radio waves from an antenna disposed in a peripheral region of the second member are transmitted. The first member forms an insertion slot for the smart card by an end portion of the first member and an end portion of the second member arranged opposite to each other, and the antenna is provided at a position corresponding to the radio wave transmission region. 2. The smart card guide structure of claim 1 , comprising a supporting antenna support area.

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