Card Reader Lock Mechanism Tactile Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card lock mechanisms in card readers can be damaged when the rotatable knob is excessively rotated to release the lock member from the contact position, leading to potential jamming and illegal card removal.
Innovation Solution
A card reader with a control part that drives the motor to apply a tactile stimulation sequence to the knob, alerting the operator to the limit of rotation and preventing excessive rotation, which includes moving the lock member between contact and retreated positions using a motor and detection mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the knob is made rotatable to allow manual release of the lock member, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of excessive rotation and subsequent damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control part monitors the rotation angle of the knob and provides tactile feedback to the operator through the motor-driven knob. When the lock member reaches the retreated position, the motor stops rotating the knob or changes its rotation direction, alerting the operator to stop manual rotation. This feedback loop prevents excessive rotation while maintaining ease of manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration through the motor to provide tactile stimulation to the operator. When the lock member approaches or reaches the retreated position, the motor generates vibration or tactile feedback through the knob, allowing the operator to sense the limit of rotation without visual indication. This tactile feedback mechanism effectively prevents excessive rotation while maintaining operational ease.
2Reliability
If the lock member is movable between contact and retreated positions to prevent fishing, then the security function is improved, but the complexity of the card lock mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the motor serve multiple functions: it drives the lock member between contact and retreated positions for fishing prevention, and simultaneously provides tactile feedback through the knob to indicate the lock state and prevent excessive rotation. The detection mechanism also serves dual purposes by detecting both the lock member position and triggering appropriate feedback signals. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the drive function and feedback function into a single integrated system. The motor that drives the lock member also generates the tactile feedback signals, and the detection mechanism that monitors lock member position also triggers the feedback. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall card lock mechanism structure while maintaining effective fishing prevention.
3Measurement precision
If a detection mechanism is added to detect the lock member position, then the reliability of position detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection mechanism is designed to serve multiple purposes: it detects the lock member position for control purposes, triggers tactile feedback to the operator, and provides information for the control part to adjust motor operation. By making the detection mechanism multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate detection and feedback systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining precise position detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the detection function with the feedback generation function. The same detection mechanism that monitors lock member position also triggers the tactile feedback signals to the operator. This merging eliminates the need for separate detection and feedback systems, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining accurate position detection and operator awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader includes a card lock mechanism for preventing pulling-out of a card from an insertion port when the card is jammed in a conveyance passage. The card lock mechanism includes a motor, a lock member driven by the motor to be moved between a contact position and a retreated position, a knob mechanically connected with the motor, and a detection mechanism for detecting the lock member located at the retreated position. The card reader includes a control part which is configured so that, after the motor is driven to move the lock member to the contact position, when the detection mechanism detects that the lock member has moved to the retreated position, the control part executes a tactile stimulation sequence in which the motor is driven to apply movement to the knob so that attention of an operator operating the knob is called in a tactile manner.