Assembly having a card reader arranged in a housing

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (10) having a card reader (12) arranged in a housing (100). The housing (100) comprises a pivotable flap (102), which in an opened state enables access to the card reader (12) and in a closed state prevents access to the card reader (12). The flap (102) has an opening (104), through which a card can be fed to the card reader (12) and / or can be ejected by the card reader (12) in the closed state of the flap (102). The assembly (10) has an elastically deformable element (14) for resiliently supporting the card reader (12). The assembly (10) also has a first positioning element (16) for positioning the card reader (12), which first positioning element is arranged on the flap (102) in such a way that the first positioning element faces the card reader (12) in the closed state of the flap (102). When the flap (102) is moved from the open state into the closed state, the first positioning element (16) moves the card reader (12) in such a way that the card reader (12) is arranged in a predefined position relative to the flap (102) in the closed state of the flap (102).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement with a card reader arranged in a housing. The housing comprises a pivotable flap that allows access to the card reader when opened and prevents access to the card reader when closed. The flap has an opening through which a card can be fed to the card reader and / or dispensed by the card reader when the flap is closed.

[0002] Document DE10 2011 118 319 A1 discloses a lottery terminal with a terminal housing. The terminal housing comprises several spatially separated functional unit receiving areas. A card reading unit is arranged in one of the functional unit receiving areas. Access to the card reading unit is prevented by a closure flap. A recess is formed in the closure flap, which allows the insertion and removal of a card into and from the card reading unit when the closure flap is in a closed state. When moving the closure flap from an open to a closed state, the recess in the closure flap must be moved into a position opposite the card reading unit so that the insertion and dispensing of a card is possible when the flap is closed.Due to shape and position tolerances, the position of the recess in relation to the card reading unit can change, so that the insertion and dispensing of the card is no longer possible reliably.

[0003] US 2004 / 222296 A1 discloses an ATM comprising a card reader, a receipt printer, and a pivoting flap. A receipt can be printed through a slot in a panel of the flap when the flap is closed. A part of the receipt printer is movably arranged such that the part of the receipt printer is arranged opposite the slot when the flap is closed. To position the receipt printer in a predetermined position when the flap is closed, the panel has guide elements. US 6 179 399 B1 relates to a fastening device for the front panel of a drawer, which comprises tightening elements attached to the side walls of a drawer.Each tightening element is connected to a retaining plate for the front panel and is moved into a locked position by a tensioning lever, with a protrusion of the tightening element sliding into a recess of a retaining plate for the side panel. US 4,902,882 A discloses a card reader comprising a spring element for activating the reading device of the card reader by means of a switch when a card is inserted into the card reader. The spring element is deformed by the inserted card, thereby pressing a lever, which in turn activates the electronic circuit of the reading device.

[0004] Based on the known prior art, it is the object of the invention to provide an arrangement with a card reader arranged in a housing, in which the insertion and dispensing of a card into or out of the card reader is particularly reliably possible when the flap is closed.

[0005] This object is achieved by an arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The arrangement according to the invention has a card reader arranged in a housing. The housing comprises a pivotable flap which, when open, allows access to the card reader and, when closed, prevents access to the card reader. The flap has an opening through which a card can be fed to the card reader and / or dispensed by the card reader when the flap is closed. The arrangement has an elastically deformable element for resiliently supporting the card reader. The arrangement further has a first positioning element for positioning the card reader, which is arranged on the flap opposite the card reader when the flap is closed. When the flap is moved from the open to the closed state, the first positioning element moves the card reader such that, when the flap is closed, the card reader is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the flap.

[0007] In the present application, position relative to the flap is understood to mean both the spatial arrangement and the orientation with respect to the flap.

[0008] The elastically deformable element enables a mechanically particularly simple spring-loaded mounting of the card reader in the housing. The spring-loaded mounting of the card reader enables the card reader to be moved by the first positioning element when the flap moves from the open to the closed state. The elastically deformable element and the first positioning element interact to move the card reader into the predetermined position relative to the flap. Tolerances, in particular shape and position tolerances, during the movement of the flap are compensated for by the spring-loaded mounting of the card reader. The card reader is thus reliably moved into the predetermined position when the flap is moved from the open to the closed state. This makes inserting and dispensing a card into and from the card reader particularly reliable when the flap is closed.

[0009] When the flap is closed, the card reader is preferably tilted toward the opening. This tilt can be, for example, between 2° and 7°, preferably 5°, relative to a horizontal orientation of the card reader. In the present application, a horizontal orientation is understood to mean an orientation of the card reader in which the card is inserted into the card reader or ejected through it horizontally. This prevents liquids, such as rainwater, from penetrating the card reader.

[0010] It is advantageous if the elastically deformable element has a second positioning element. When the flap is moved from the open to the closed state, the first positioning element engages with the second positioning element to position the card reader. When the flap is moved from the open to the closed state, the first positioning element is moved along a circular path into a position opposite the card reader.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the card reader has a second positioning element. When the flap is moved from the open to the closed state, the first positioning element engages with the second positioning element to position the card reader.

[0012] It is further advantageous if the elastically deformable element is prestressed such that the second positioning element is pressed against the first positioning element when the flap is closed. This prevents unwanted movement of the card reader when the flap is closed, for example, due to vibration of the assembly. Thus, the card reader is held particularly reliably in the predetermined position relative to the flap.

[0013] It is further advantageous if the elastically deformable element is prestressed by the weight of the card reader. This prevents unwanted movement of the card reader when the flap is open, which could, for example, cause the card reader to collide with other components of the assembly arranged in the housing and damage them. Preferably, the elastically deformable element is prestressed such that, when open, the card reader is inclined toward the flap by between 2° and 5°, preferably 3°, relative to the horizontal orientation of the card reader.

[0014] The elastically deformable element is formed as a single piece. This makes the assembly particularly simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the elastically deformable element comprises a spring plate. A spring plate is a mechanically simple and cost-effective way of producing an elastically deformable element. In particular, the elastically deformable element can be formed by a spring plate. The second positioning element can be formed by a section of the spring plate facing the first positioning element. Preferably, the elastically deformable element has holes through which screws can be passed, with the aid of which screws the card reader can be attached to the spring plate.

[0016] It is further advantageous if the elastically deformable element enables a pivoting movement of the card reader coupled to the elastically deformable element, preferably about a rotational axis. This provides a simple lever arrangement for pivoting the card reader, which has a particularly simple mechanical design.

[0017] It is further advantageous if the elastically deformable element is detachably connected to the housing or to a frame element connected to the housing. For example, the elastically deformable element can be attached to the housing or the frame element using screws. This allows the elastically deformable element to be removed from the housing for maintenance, preferably together with the card reader.

[0018] The arrangement preferably comprises a frame element arranged in an interior of the housing, to which the elastically deformable element is connected. The frame element can be designed as a trough in which the elastically deformable element is arranged. The elastically deformable element can be fixedly or detachably connected to the frame element. Furthermore, further components of the arrangement can be arranged on and / or at the frame element. The frame element can in particular be separated from further frame elements and / or the housing and removed through a maintenance opening arranged on the side of the housing facing the flap. This enables simple maintenance of the components arranged on and / or at the frame element, in particular the card reader.

[0019] The device may be a self-service machine, in particular an ATM, a lottery terminal, a fuel pump or a cash machine.

[0020] Preferably, the flap of the housing comprises further openings, for example for the dispensing of a printed receipt, the dispensing of notes of value or the arrangement of a display and / or input element.

[0021] The flap may have cover elements on its outer side for covering and / or framing components and assemblies integrated into the flap. These cover elements may, in particular, be injection-molded parts, preferably made of plastic.

[0022] The cards inserted into the card reader and / or issued by the card reader can be user cards, identification cards or bank cards, also called debit cards.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which explains the invention in more detail using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0024] They show: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an arrangement with a card reader arranged in a housing according to an embodiment; Figure 2 shows a further perspective view of the arrangement according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 a side view of the arrangement according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 ; Figure 4 a perspective view of an elastically deformable element of the arrangement according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 ; Figure 5 a perspective view of a first positioning element of the arrangement according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 ; and Figure 6 is a perspective sectional view of part of the arrangement according to the embodiment of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly 10 with a card reader 12 connected to a frame element 106 of the assembly 10 according to an embodiment. The assembly 10 further comprises an elastically deformable element 14 and a first positioning element 16. The assembly 10 further comprises a pivotable flap 102, which is connected to the frame element 106 via further frame elements or housing elements (not shown) of a housing 100 of the assembly 10 and is pivotable about a rotation axis D. The housing 100 is in Figure 3 indicated by a dashed line. Likewise, the rotation axis P is Figure 3 shown.

[0026] The flap 102 is pivotable about the rotation axis D from an open state to a closed state. The movement of the flap 102 from the open to the closed state and from the closed state to the open state is in Figure 3shown by a first double arrow P1. In the open state, access to an interior of the housing 100, in particular to the card reader 12, is possible. In the closed state, access to the interior of the housing 100 is prevented. Figure 1 shows the flap 102 in the closed state. The flap 102 has an opening 104 through which a card can be fed to the card reader 12 when the flap 102 is closed and dispensed by the card reader 12. The flap 102 also has additional openings for arranging, for example, a display element and an input element, in particular a keypad for entering a PIN code, as well as for dispensing a printed receipt and notes of value. The additional openings are generally designated by reference numeral 105.

[0027] The frame element 106 has two Figure 2shown internal thread 108, into each of which a screw 24 is screwed for releasably securing the elastically deformable element 14. With the aid of the screws 24, the elastically deformable element 14 is firmly connected to the frame element 106. The card reader 12 is connected to the elastically deformable element in such a way that a card input slot 50 of the card reader 12 points in the direction of the opening 104 of the flap 102.

[0028] The elastically deformable element 14 is formed by a substantially step-shaped, bent spring plate having an upper step-shaped part 18 facing the flap 102 and a lower step-shaped part 20 facing away from the flap 102, which are connected to one another via a connecting region 19. The upper step-shaped part 18 of the elastically deformable element 14 is arranged at a distance from and above the frame element 106. By deforming the region 19, the upper part 18 and thus the card reader 12 connected to it can be pivoted.

[0029] The deformation can, in particular, cause the upper step-shaped part to pivot about a pivot axis S. In other embodiments, the pivot axis can be at a different location, or the pivoting can occur via an arcuate bending of the region 19 and / or the parts 18, 20. The step-shaped design of the elastically deformable element 14 forms a lever by which the card reader 12 is held.

[0030] The upper step-shaped part 18 has a second positioning element 26, which is designed as a tab at the end of the upper step-shaped part 18 facing the flap 102, and two in Figure 4 shown internal thread 32 into which a screw is screwed, with the aid of which the card reader 12 is arranged on the upper side of the upper step-shaped part 18 and is firmly connected thereto.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the upper step-shaped part 18 further has four stiffening elements 28. The four stiffening elements 28 could be omitted in alternative embodiments of the elastically deformable element 14.

[0032] Due to the weight of the card reader 12, the upper stepped part 18 and the card reader 12 arranged on the upper stepped part 18 are inclined in the direction of the opening 104 of the flap 102 when the flap 102 is open. The inclination of the upper stepped part 18 and the card reader 12 are determined by Figure 3shown. The lower, step-shaped part 20 of the elastically deformable element 14 rests substantially on the frame element 106 and has two elongated holes 22, which in the illustrated embodiment have an enlarged area for the passage of a screw head. A screw 24 is guided through each of the two holes 22, which is screwed into one of the two internal threads 108 of the frame element 106. As a result, the elastically deformable element 14 is detachably connected to the frame element 106. The elastically deformable element 14 will be described below in connection with Figure 4 described in more detail.

[0033] The first positioning element 16 is arranged substantially on the inside of the flap 102. The first positioning element 16 has a wedge-shaped first guide element 17, which projects through the opening 104 and serves to guide the card toward the card insertion slot 50 of the card reader 12. When the flap 102 is moved from the open to the closed state, the first positioning element 16 is engaged with the second positioning element 26 of the elastically deformable element 14. In doing so, the upper step-shaped part 18 of the elastically deformable element 14 is moved downwards into a predetermined position. This movement is Figure 3 by a second double arrow P2. The predetermined position is also shown in Figure 3 The first positioning element 16 is described below in connection with Figure 5 described in more detail.

[0034] Figure 2shows a further perspective view of the arrangement 10 according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 . The perspective representation in Figure 2 is chosen so that the inside of the flap 102 is visible. In Figure 2 The two screws 24 for releasably fastening the elastic element 14 have not been shown, so that the two internal threads 108 of the frame element 106 can be seen.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a side view of the arrangement 10 according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 . Figure 3 shows a first axis A which is parallel to a lateral edge 107 of the frame element 106 and which is horizontal in the intended state of the arrangement 10. Figure 3further shows a second axis B, which is parallel to a lateral edge 13 of the card reader 12. The inclination of the second axis B corresponds, in the intended state of the arrangement 10, to the inclination of the card reader 12 relative to a horizontal plane in which the axis A runs. The first axis A and the second axis B intersect at an inclination angle α, the value of which indicates the inclination of the card reader 12 relative to the frame element 106 or to the horizontal plane. In the open state of the flap 102, the inclination angle α has a value of, for example, 3°, and in the closed state of the flap 102, i.e., when the card reader 12 is in the predetermined position, the inclination angle α has a value of, for example, 5°. By inclining the card reader 12 in the direction of the flap 102, in particular, the penetration of rainwater through the card input slot 50 into the card reader 12 is prevented. Figure 3Furthermore, the movement of the flap 102 from the open to the closed state is shown by the first double arrow P1. The movement of the front part 18 of the elastically deformable element 14 when the first positioning element 16 engages with the second positioning element 26 of the elastically deformable element 14 is shown in Figure 3 shown by the second double arrow P2.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the elastically deformable element 14 of the arrangement according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 . Figure 4shows, in particular, two fastening elements 30 arranged laterally on the front part 18 of the elastically deformable element 14. The fastening elements 30 are designed, for example, as L-shaped tabs, each having a horizontal leg 31 arranged above the front part 18. One of the two internal threads 32 of the elastically deformable element 14 is formed in each of the horizontal legs 31. With the aid of the fastening elements 30, the card reader 12 can be easily arranged by screwing on the upper side of the upper stepped part 18 and can be firmly connected to the upper stepped part 18.

[0037] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the first positioning element 16 of the arrangement 10 according to the embodiment according to Figure 1 . In Figure 5Positioning element 16 is shown as viewed from the interior of housing 100. Positioning element 16 has a second guide element 34 comprising wedge-shaped struts 35. When flap 102 moves from the open to the closed state, second positioning element 26 abuts second guide element 34, thereby pressing front portion 18 of elastically deformable element 14 downward. Positioning element 16 further has a through-hole 36 disposed below second guide element 34. A screw can be passed through through-hole 36 and screwed into an internal thread provided in flap 102 to firmly connect positioning element 16 to flap 102, thereby forming an integral part of flap 102.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a perspective sectional view of a part of the arrangement 10 according to the embodiment according to Figure 1The cutting plane is perpendicular to the flap 102 and runs centrally through the card reader 12. Figure 6 shows a part of the card reader 12 facing the flap 102, the front part 18 of the elastically deformable element 14 and the first positioning element 16. The second positioning element 26 abuts the webs 35 of the first guide element 34 of the first positioning element 16. As a result, the second positioning element 26 is in engagement with the first positioning element 16, whereby a movement of the second positioning element 26 upwards and downwards is reliably prevented. List of reference symbols

[0039] 10Arrangement 12Card reader 13, 107Edge 14Elastically deformable element 16, 26Positioning element 17, 34Guide element 18Front part 20Rear part 22, 36Hole 24Screw 28Stiffening element 30Fastening element 31Leg 32, 108Internal thread 35Strut 100Housing 102Flap 104, 105Opening 106Frame element A, B, SAxis DRotation axis

Claims

1. Arrangement with a card reader (12) arranged in a housing (100), wherein the housing (100) comprises a pivotable flap (102) which allows access to the card reader (12) in an open state and prevents access to the card reader (12) in a closed state, and wherein the flap (102) has an opening (104), through which a card, in the closed state of the flap (102), can be fed to the card reader (12) and / or dispensed by the card reader (12), wherein the arrangement (10) has an elastically deformable element (14) for the resilient mounting of the card reader (12), wherein the elastically deformable element (14) is formed in one piece, wherein the arrangement (10) has a first positioning element (16) for positioning the card reader (12), which, in the closed state of the flap (102), is arranged opposite the card reader (12) on the flap (102), and wherein, when moving the flap (102) from the open into the closed state, the first positioning element (16) moves the card reader (12) in such a way that, in the closed state of the flap (102), the card reader (12) is arranged in a predetermined position relative to the flap (102).

2. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) has a second positioning element (26), and in that, when moving the flap (102) from the open into the closed state, the first positioning element (16) is brought into engagement with the second positioning element (26) in order to position the card reader (12).

3. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the card reader (12) has a second positioning element (26), and in that, when moving the flap (102) from the open into the closed state, the first positioning element (16) is brought into engagement with the second positioning element (26) in order to position the card reader (12).

4. Arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) is prestressed in such a way that, in the closed state of the flap (102), the second positioning element (26) is pressed against the first positioning element (16).

5. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) is prestressed by the weight of the card reader (12).

6. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) comprises a spring plate.

7. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) allows a pivoting movement of the card reader (12) which is coupled to the elastically deformable element (14).

8. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the elastically deformable element (14) is connected releasably to the housing (100) or to a frame element (106) of the housing (100).

9. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized by a or the frame element (106) arranged in an interior space of the housing (100), to which the elastically deformable element (14) is connected firmly.

Images