Card Reader Magnetic Head Widthwise Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card readers face challenges in maintaining accurate data reading and writing when processing cards with magnetic stripes and IC terminals, particularly when cards are conveyed in their short widthwise direction, leading to reduced contact pressure and increased risk of abrasion and displacement errors.
Innovation Solution
A card reader design that includes a magnetic head moving mechanism to abut the magnetic stripe, an IC contact block with springs for contacting IC terminals, and a support structure to maintain card alignment and pressure, ensuring secure contact and reduced abrasion, even when cards are conveyed in their short widthwise direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the magnetic head is moved in the widthwise direction to read/write magnetic data, then data reading and writing can be performed, but the card support stability deteriorates causing contact pressure reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic head is made movable in the widthwise direction to dynamically access different positions of the magnetic stripe for data reading and writing, while the pad remains stationary to continuously support the card and maintain stable contact pressure throughout the head's movement range
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into independent functional components: the magnetic head for data operations, the pad for continuous card support, and the IC contact block for electrical contact. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without interfering with others
2Reliability
If the pad is provided over the entire region of the magnetic head's moving range, then card support is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is designed with different properties in different regions: it provides continuous support over the entire magnetic head moving range to ensure card stability, while having a localized IC contact block region that can move independently to establish electrical contact with the card's terminals
3Productivity
If the card is conveyed in the short widthwise direction, then processing speed is improved, but alignment precision deteriorates causing displacement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor detects the leading end position of the card during conveyance and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the magnetic head position to ensure accurate alignment with the magnetic stripe, compensating for any positioning variations that occur during high-speed conveyance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances data reading and writing accuracy and prevents abrasion of embossed portions by maintaining consistent contact pressure and alignment, thereby improving the overall processing efficiency and reliability of card readers for international standard-compliant cards.
Implementation Method 1
reading of magnetic data from a magnetic stripe formed on a magnetic medium
Implementation Method 2
writing of magnetic data to the magnetic stripe
Implementation Method 3
data communication is performed with a contact type IC card having a built-in IC chip
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader may include a conveying passage; a magnetic head structured to abut with a magnetic stripe on the card; a head moving mechanism structured to move the magnetic head in a widthwise direction of the conveying passage between an abutting position and a retreated position; an IC contact block having a plurality of IC contact springs to contact a plurality of external connection terminals of an IC chip formed on the card; and a contact block moving mechanism structured to move the IC contact block between a contact position retreated position. The conveying passage may be formed with an opening part through which the magnetic head is passed. The magnetic head may be located at the head abutting position and is abutted with the one face of the card at a time when the IC contact springs and the external connection terminals are contacted with each other.