Card Reader Shutter Mechanism for Smooth Magnetic Head Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In card readers that convey cards in their short-side direction, the formation of an opening part for the magnetic head can cause the card to be clogged, and the use of a shutter member to close this opening part is hindered when the card is deformed, making smooth operation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A card reader design that includes a positioning member with a card abutting part and a card support part, where the magnetic head moves in the width direction of the conveying passage, and a shutter member that can close and open the opening part smoothly, even when the card is curved, by being guided by the positioning member and support part, reducing contact pressure and allowing the shutter member to move freely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an opening part for passing the magnetic head is formed in the card conveying passage, then the magnetic head can move to perform reading and recording operations, but the card may be clogged in the conveying passage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful factor (opening part causing card clogging) by replacing it with a shutter member that can be opened only when needed. The shutter member is integrated into the conveying passage, allowing the magnetic head to access the card through the opening only during reading/recording operations, while preventing card clogging during normal conveying when the shutter is closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter member provides dynamic control of the opening part, transitioning between closed (during card conveying) and open (during magnetic head operation) states. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its structure based on operational requirements, ensuring smooth card conveying while enabling magnetic head access when needed.
2Reliability
If a shutter member is provided to close the opening part, then card clogging is prevented, but the shutter member becomes difficult to open and close smoothly when the card is deformed
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member acts as an intermediary between the deformed card and the shutter member. It guides the card into the correct position, ensuring that even when the card is deformed, it is properly aligned before reaching the shutter member. This intermediary structure prevents direct interference between deformed cards and the shutter mechanism, maintaining smooth shutter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning member performs preliminary action by guiding and positioning the card before it reaches the shutter member. This preliminary positioning ensures that the card is correctly aligned in advance, preventing deformation-related interference with the shutter member's opening and closing operations.
3Ease of operation
If the shutter member is positioned to close the opening part effectively, then magnetic head access is enabled, but contact pressure from deformed cards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning member serves as a mediator that absorbs and distributes the contact pressure from deformed cards. By guiding the card into proper alignment before it reaches the shutter member, the positioning member reduces the direct contact pressure on the shutter mechanism, allowing smooth operation even when handling deformed cards.
Data Source
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AI summary
A card reader (1) is configured in such a manner that: an opening (13) for allowing a magnetic head to pass therethrough is formed between a positioning member (50) and a guide section (29a); and the distance (L) between the card contact section (50a) of the positioning member (50) and the inner end of the guide section (29a) is less than the transverse width (W2) of a card (2). When the opening (13) has been closed by a shutter member (14), the front end of the shutter member (14) is located below the guide section (29a), and when the opening (13) has not been closed by the shutter member (14), the shutter member (14) is located below the guide section (29a). The shutter member (14) having closed the opening (13) can guide the inner end of the card (2) to the card support section (50b) of the positioning member (50). The card reader adapted to transport the card in the transverse direction thereof enables the shutter member, which closes the opening, to move smoothly even if the opening for allowing the magnetic head to pass therethrough is formed in a transport path.