Power Supply Base Guide Means for Payment Terminal Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power bases for electronic payment terminals are bulky and imprecise, requiring multiple guide elements that increase size and complexity, while also lacking efficient charging mechanisms that do not interfere with card readers.

Innovation Solution

A compact power supply base with guide means shaped like a chip card, allowing for precise alignment and charging through integrated metal parts positioned on either side of the guide, eliminating the need for additional components and optimizing the device's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional guide means (uprights or metal rods) are used to guide the payment terminal, then the terminal can be guided to the power position, but the power base becomes bulky and occupies excessive space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding precisionVSAvoidpower base area
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means are merged with the card reader opening structure. The guide means form an integral part of the housing that defines the card reader opening, eliminating the need for separate guide elements. This integration reduces the overall number of components and the space required for the power base while maintaining precise guiding functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means serve multiple functions: they guide the payment terminal to the correct power position, define the card reader opening geometry, and provide structural support for the card reader assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and minimizes the power base footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate guide elements are used to guide the terminal, then guiding function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguiding precisionVSAvoidnumber of guide elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple guide functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The housing features a unified guide means that incorporates multiple guiding surfaces and reference points within one continuous structure, eliminating the need for separate guide rods, uprights, or alignment features that would otherwise be required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide means are segmented into functional zones within the single integrated structure, with different portions of the guide means providing different guiding functions (lateral alignment, vertical positioning, angular orientation) all within one continuous component rather than multiple separate elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the power base is made compact to reduce space, then the area is reduced, but the guiding precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower base areaVSAvoidguiding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide means concentrate precise guiding features at the critical interface where the payment terminal contacts the power base. The integrated structure provides locally optimized guiding surfaces with high precision at the card reader opening interface, while the overall power base maintains a compact footprint through efficient space utilization in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2649698B1Power supply base for an electronic payment terminal
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 COMPAGNIE INDUSTRIELLE ET FINANCIERE D INGENIERIE INGENICO SA
  • EP2649698B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2649698B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2649698B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D

AI summary

The invention relates to a power supply base (40) for a payment terminal (10) provided with a housing having an opening for receiving a memory card. According to the invention, such a power supply base comprises means (41) for guiding said payment terminal towards a position wherein it can receive the power supply, said guiding means comprising at least one guiding part shaped in such a way as to enable the insertion thereof into the opening of said payment terminal (10).