Antenna system and electronic payment terminal comprising such an antenna system

Abstract

The present invention relates to an antenna system comprising: - a radio communication antenna (21) comprising a first end (27) and a second end (29) between which at least one turn (31, 33) extends, - a circuit board configured to receive and process data from the radio communication antenna (21), - a plurality of electrical connection members (25a, 25b, 25c) electrically connecting the radio communication antenna (21) and the circuit board in a contact-based manner, the circuit board (23) comprising a plurality of gold contact tracks, and each electrical connection member (25a, 25b, 25c) being composed of a base fastened to the radio communication antenna (21), a gold-coated contact head in contact with one of the contact tracks, and a body connecting the base to the contact head. The invention also relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising such an antenna system.

Description

Antenna system and electronic payment terminal comprising such an antenna system

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electronic terminals having a contactless communication transaction function. More particularly, the invention relates to an antenna system configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless transaction device, such contactless communication also being called "contactless" or CLESS. More particularly, the invention applies to the field of electronic payment terminals which have a contactless payment function, namely configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless payment device.

[0002] An antenna system configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless transaction device is already known in the prior art. Such an antenna system typically comprises a radio communication antenna and an electronic card configured to receive and process data from the contactless transaction device via the radio communication antenna.

[0003] In order to electrically connect the radio communication antenna and the electronic board, it is known to place a flexible printed circuit between the radio communication antenna and the electronic board, or even to make the radio communication antenna in the form of a flexible printed circuit. Such a flexible printed circuit is connected to the electronic board by a connector mounted on the electronic board. However, such a flexible printed circuit is expensive.

[0004] An alternative solution is to mount a connector on the electronic board, into which the ends of an electrical wire are snapped, between which the electrical wire is wound in the form of at least one turn, thus forming the wireless communication antenna. The ends of the wire are twisted in a helix near the connector in order to facilitate their snapping into the connector during assembly of the antenna system. However, such a solution requires a significant assembly time, and does not provide sufficient reliability, for example sufficient repeatability with regard to the communication performance of the radio communication antenna, in particular because the ends of the wire are twisted in a helix and can modify the winding of the turn, for example due to repeated vibrations or shocks.

[0005] Thus, the invention aims in particular to provide a reliable antenna system while being of reduced manufacturing cost.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is an antenna system configured to communicate without contact with a contactless transaction device, the antenna system comprising:- a radio communication antenna preferably comprising a first end and a second end between which at least one turn extends,- an electronic card configured to receive and process data originating from the contactless transaction device via the radio communication antenna,- a plurality of electrical connection members electrically connecting by contact the radio communication antenna and the electronic card,

[0007] antenna system in which the electronic card comprises a plurality of gold contact tracks, and each electrical connection member is composed of a foot fixed on the radio communication antenna, a contact head coated with gold and in contact with one of the contact tracks, and a body connecting the foot to the contact head.

[0008] Thus, the radio communication antenna and the electronic card are reliably electrically connected, due to an electrical connection by gold-gold type contact. The gold-gold type contact present between the electronic card and the electrical connection member is also of reduced manufacturing cost, due to the fact that only the contact head is coated with gold, the production of gold contact tracks on an electronic card also being inexpensive, for example by a gold plating process, in particular in comparison with the production of gold contact areas on a radio communication antenna. Consequently, the antenna system obtained is reliable while being of reduced manufacturing cost.

[0009] Depending on other optional features of the antenna system, taken alone or in combination:

[0010] - The foot of a first electrical connection member is fixed to the first end, and the foot of a second electrical connection member is fixed to the second end. Thus, the performance of the radio communication antenna is optimal.

[0011] - The body is spring-shaped and is configured to press the contact head onto the contact track. This ensures that contact is maintained in a simple manner.

[0012] - The radio communication antenna has a resonant frequency between 12 MHz and 20 MHz, preferably equal to 13.56 MHz.

[0013] - The radio communication antenna is metallic. Thus, the radio communication antenna is obtained in a simple and economical way.

[0014] - The base of each electrical connection element is welded onto the radio communication antenna. This ensures that each electrical connection element is easily and reliably attached to the radio communication antenna.

[0015] - Each electrical connection component is welded onto the radio communication antenna using laser welding. This makes welding simple and economical.

[0016] - Each electrical connection component is welded onto the radio communication antenna by spot welding. This makes welding particularly simple.

[0017] - The antenna system comprises three electrical connection members connecting by contact the radio communication antenna and the electronic card, the electronic card comprises three gold contact tracks, the foot of a first electrical connection member being fixed to the first end, the foot of a second electrical connection member being fixed to the second end, and the foot of a third electrical connection member being fixed at an equal distance along the path on the radio communication antenna between the first end and the second end. Thus, the addition of a third contact between the electronic card and the radio communication antenna makes it possible to fulfill an additional function to that of radio communication, such as for example the protection of the electronic card against electrostatic discharges.

[0018] - The contact track in contact with the contact head of the third electrical connection member is grounded to the electronic card. Thus, this third contact is connected to ground and therefore allows electrostatic discharges from the radio communication antenna to be discharged easily to the electronic card, without damaging any electronic component of the electronic card and without modifying the characteristics of the radio communication.

[0019] - The communication antenna comprises at least two turns.

[0020] - The coils are parallel.

[0021] - The median spacing between each turn is between 0.5 and 1 mm, preferably equal to 0.7 mm.

[0022] - The communication antenna comprises two turns, the foot of the third electrical connection member being fixed between the first turn and the second turn. Such an arrangement is spatially advantageous, because the three electrical connection members are thus close to each other.

[0023] - The radio communication antenna is formed by a stamped metal strip. Such a communication antenna is thus obtained economically and reliably. Such a radio communication antenna is notably more economical than an antenna formed by a flexible printed circuit, and is obtained with improved repeatability, notably in that it has fewer variations during manufacturing than a communication antenna formed by a metal wire.

[0024] - The metal strip has a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 mm, more preferably equal to 0.2 mm. Such a thickness presents a good compromise between cost and performance. In particular, a thickness equal to 0.2 mm presents an excellent compromise between cost and performance, while remaining easily manipulated during manufacturing without undergoing deformation that would harm its assembly in the antenna system.

[0025] - The radio communication antenna is made of stainless steel, copper or brass, preferably brass. The use of stainless steel, copper or brass allows for good performance of the radio communication antenna. In particular, the use of brass offers a good compromise between cost and performance. Furthermore, brass is easily weldable with stainless steel.

[0026] - Each electrical connection member is formed by a folded blade forming the foot, the body and the contact head, the blade preferably being made of stainless steel. Thus, each electrical connection member is produced in a particularly simple and economical manner.

[0027] - The electrical connection parts are identical. This reduces manufacturing costs by using a single type of electrical connection part.

[0028] - The radio communication antenna is arranged on a support.

[0029] - The bracket includes means for fixing the radio communication antenna.

[0030] - The holder is made of plastic material. Thus, the holder is made in a simple way.

[0031] - The fastening means include rivets. Thus, the fastening means are made in a simple and reliable manner.

[0032] - Each end of the radio communication antenna is fixed to the support by a rivet. This makes the communication antenna particularly easy and reliable to fix.

[0033] - The support comprises positioning means, which are configured to position the electronic card on the support.

[0034] - The positioning means include pins passing through the electronic card. Thus, the positioning means are made in a simple manner.

[0035] - Contactless transaction device is a contactless payment device, for example a contactless payment card.

[0036] - The radio communication antenna is configured for near field communication.

[0037] The invention also relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising an antenna system as previously described, configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless payment device. Brief description of the figures

[0038] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0039] is a schematic perspective view of an electronic payment terminal comprising an antenna system according to one embodiment, and a contactless payment device in the form of a contactless payment card;

[0040] is a schematic perspective view from below of an antenna system included in the payment terminal shown in the;

[0041] is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the antenna system shown in the ;

[0042] is a schematic perspective view of a detail of the part of the antenna system shown in the ;

[0043] is a schematic top view of part of the antenna system shown in the. Detailed description

[0044] An embodiment of an antenna system 1 according to the invention, integrated into an electronic payment terminal 3 according to the invention, is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. In these Figures 1 to 5, elements similar to those of the previous figures are designated by identical references.

[0045] The electronic payment terminal 3 shown in the comprises a housing 5 consisting of an upper part 7, a rear part 9, and a lower part 11. The housing 5 is for example made of plastic material. The electronic payment terminal 3 therefore comprises the antenna system 1 inside the housing 5. The antenna system 1 is configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless transaction device, such as a contactless payment device, for example a contactless payment card 13 as shown in the. In the example shown, the electronic payment terminal 3 also comprises a chip card reader 15, which is conventional, as well as a magnetic card reader 17, which is also conventional. The electronic payment terminal 3 is further equipped with an input keyboard 18 comprising keys, not shown, and a display screen 19.

[0046] The antenna system 1, shown at least in part in Figures 2 to 5, comprises a radio communication antenna 21, an electronic card 23 and a plurality of electrical connection members 25a-25c electrically connecting by contact the radio communication antenna 21 and the electronic card 23.

[0047] The radio communication antenna 21, as shown in the, in theand partially shown in the, comprises a first end 27 and a second end 29. At least one turn 31, 33, preferably at least two turns 31, 33, extend between the first end 27 and the second end 29. In the example shown, the radio communication antenna 21 comprises two turns 31, 33, the turns 31, 33 being parallel. Furthermore, the median spacing between each turn 31, 33 is between 0.5 and 1 mm, preferably equal to 0.7 mm. The radio communication antenna 21 has a resonant frequency between 12 MHz and 20 MHz, preferably equal to 13.56 MHz. In this example, the radio communication antenna 21 is metallic.More specifically, the radio communication antenna 21 is formed by a stamped metal strip, the metal strip having a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.5 mm, preferably between 0.2 and 0.4 mm, more preferably equal to 0.2 mm. For example, the radio communication antenna 21 is made of stainless steel, copper or brass, preferably brass. In this example, the radio communication antenna 21 is configured for near-field communication, also known by the acronym NFC for “near-field communication”.

[0048] The radio communication antenna 21 is arranged on a support 35, as shown in the and shown in detail in the. The support 35 is made of plastic material, and comprises means 37 for fixing the radio communication antenna 21. For example, the support 35 is held by the upper part 7 and the rear part 9 of the housing 5. In the example shown in particular on the, the fixing means 37 comprise snaps 39, 41, each end 27, 29 of the radio communication antenna 21 being fixed to the support 35 by a snap 39. As can be seen on the, each snap 39 is made on an end hole 43a, 43b of the radio communication antenna 21. Furthermore, other snaps 41 are made in places between the two turns 31, 33, and in places against one of the two turns 31, 33.The rivets 39, 41 are for example previously formed by pins of the support 35, which make it possible to position the radio communication antenna 21 on the support 35, and are then deformed by heating and local support to form the rivets 39, 41. The support 35 also comprises positioning means 45, which are configured to position the electronic card 23 on the support 35, in the position shown in the. In the example shown, the positioning means 45 comprise pins 47a, 47b, in this example two pins 47a, 47b, passing through the electronic card 23. The electronic card is thus arranged and positioned on the support 35, because it is supported on the support 35, and is held against the support 35 by the lower part 11 of the housing 5.

[0049] The electronic card 23 is configured to receive and process data from the contactless transaction device via the radio communication antenna 21. The electronic card 23 comprises a plurality of gold contact tracks 49a-49c. In the example shown, the electronic card 23 comprises three gold contact tracks 49a-49c, which are shown on the upper face of the electronic card 23.

[0050] In the example shown, the antenna system 1 comprises three electrical connection members 25a-25c, which are notably shown in detail on the. Each electrical connection member 25a-25c is composed of a foot 51a-51c fixed on the radio communication antenna 21, a contact head 53a-53c coated with gold and in contact with one of the contact tracks 49a-49c of the electronic card 23, and a body 55a-55c connecting the foot 51a-51c to the contact head 53a-53c. For example, the gold coating is produced by gold plating on the contact head 53a-53c. In this example, the electrical connection members 25a-25c are identical. The body 55a-55c forms a spring and is configured to press the contact head 53a-53c onto the contact track 49a-49c of the electronic card 23.For example, as shown in particular in the, each electrical connection member 25a-25c is formed by a folded blade forming the foot 51a-51c, the body 55a-55c and the contact head 53a-53c, the blade preferably being made of stainless steel. In order to form a spring in a simple manner, the body 55a-55c has for example an S shape.

[0051] In this example, the foot 51a of a first electrical connection member 25a is fixed to the first end 27, and the foot 51b of a second electrical connection member 25b is fixed to the second end 29. Furthermore, the foot 51c of a third electrical connection member 25c is fixed between the first turn 31 and the second turn 33, for example at an equal distance along the radio communication antenna 21 between the first end 27 and the second end 29. In other words, by virtually deforming the radio communication antenna 21 in the form of a linear segment, the third electrical connection member 25c is fixed to the middle of the radio communication antenna 21, at an equal distance between the first end 27 and the second end 29. More precisely, the foot 51a-51c of each electrical connection member 25a-25c is welded onto radio communication antenna 21.For example, each electrical connection member 25a-25c is welded onto the radio communication antenna 21 by spot welding or laser welding.

[0052] The contact track 49a in contact with the contact head 53a of the first electrical connection member 25a and the contact track 49b in contact with the contact head 53b of the second electrical connection member 25b allow the electronic card 23 to receive and process data coming from the contactless transaction device via the radio communication antenna 21. Furthermore, the contact track 49c in contact with the contact head 53c of the third electrical connection member 25c is grounded to the electronic card 23.

[0053] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. List of references

[0054] 1: Antenna system

[0055] 3: electronic payment terminal

[0056] 5: case

[0057] 7: upper part of the case 5

[0058] 9: rear part of the case 5

[0059] 11: lower part of the housing 513: contactless payment card15: chip card reader17: magnetic card reader18: input keyboard19: display screen21: radio communication antenna23: electronic card25a, 25b, 25c: electrical connection member27: first end29: second end31, 33: turn35: support37: fixing means39, 41: rivet43a, 43b: end hole45: positioning means47a, 47b: pin49a, 49b, 49c: contact track51a, 51b, 51c: foot53a, 53b, 53c: contact head55a, 55b, 55c: body

Claims

Antenna system (1) configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless transaction device, the antenna system (1) comprising:- a radio communication antenna (21) having a first end (27) and a second end (29) between which at least one turn (31, 33) extends,- an electronic card (23) configured to receive and process data originating from the contactless transaction device via the radio communication antenna (21),- a plurality of electrical connection members (25a-25c) electrically connecting by contact the radio communication antenna (21) and the electronic card (23),characterized in that the electronic card (23) comprises a plurality of contact tracks (49a-49c) made of gold, andeach electrical connection member (25a-25c) is composed of a foot (51a-51c) fixed on the radio communication antenna (21), a contact head (53a-53c) coated with gold and in contact with one of the contact tracks (49a-49c),and a body (55a-55c) connecting the foot (51a-51c) to the contact head (53a-53c)., Antenna system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the foot (51a-51c) of each electrical connection member (25a-25c) is welded onto the radio communication antenna (21). Antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises three electrical connection members (25a-25c) connecting by contact the radio communication antenna (21) and the electronic card (23), and in which the electronic card (23) comprises three contact tracks (49a-49c) made of gold, the foot (51a) of a first electrical connection member (25a) being fixed to the first end (27), the foot (51b) of a second electrical connection member (25b) being fixed to the second end (29), and the foot (51c) of a third electrical connection member (25c) being fixed at an equal distance along the path on the radio communication antenna (21) between the first end (27) and the second end (29). Antenna system (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the contact track (49c) in contact with the contact head (53c) of the third electrical connection member (25c) is grounded to the electronic card (23). Antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication antenna (21) comprises at least two turns (31, 33). An antenna system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the radio communication antenna (21) is formed by a stamped metal strip. Antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication antenna (21) is made of stainless steel, copper or brass, preferably brass. Antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each electrical connection member (25a-25c) is formed by a folded blade forming the foot (51a-51c), the body (55a-55c) and the contact head (53a-53c), the blade preferably being made of stainless steel. Antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio communication antenna (21) has a resonant frequency of between 12 MHz and 20 MHz, preferably equal to 13.56 MHz. Electronic payment terminal (3) comprising an antenna system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to communicate contactlessly with a contactless payment device.

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