JP3497982B2 - Card reader - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a magnetic card reader having magnetic heads arranged on both sides of a card path. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting the amount of protrusion of two magnetic heads or magnetic heads and opposing members into the card passage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in order to insert a magnetic card 101 having magnetic stripes on both sides into a card reader and at least read or write magnetic information of each magnetic stripe, as shown in FIGS. Magnetic heads 103 and 104 are arranged on both sides of the card passage 102 in a direction perpendicular to the card surface.

The magnetic heads 103 and 104 are rotatably attached to separate support plates 105 and 106, and are arranged so as to face each other. Each support plate 105, 106
Are urged toward the card passage 102 by, for example, compression coil springs 107 and 108. Then, the magnetic heads 103 and 104 are brought into contact with the running magnetic card 101 with an appropriate pad pressure. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1
Reference numeral 09 is a fixed frame of the card reader.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned two magnetic heads 1 which are pressed against each other.
In 03 and 104, when the modified card 101 ′ having a bend or warp as shown in FIG. 13 is run, the magnetic heads 103 and 104 follow the modified card 101 ′ to run the normal magnetic card 101. When the magnetic heads 103 and 104 are moved, the positions are greatly deviated from the positions (shown by imaginary lines in the figure). Deformation card 10 in this state
When 1'is ejected, as shown in FIG.
Due to the contact friction between the head surfaces of the magnetic heads 03 and 104, the magnetic heads 103 and 104 are not returned to the normal running position of the magnetic card 101, that is, the neutral position (shown by an imaginary line in the figure) and are maintained in a biased state. Here, when the next magnetic card 101 is inserted, the tip of this magnetic card 101 may abut against the side surface of one of the magnetic heads 103 and 104, and the magnetic card 101 may not be inserted smoothly. .

In order to prevent the occurrence of such a phenomenon, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, one support plate 106 is fixed, and the magnetic head 104 supported by this support plate 106 can only be swung (arrow A in the figure) so as not to follow the deformation card 101 ′ in the pressing direction. There is something I did. However, in this case, the upper and lower magnetic heads 103 and 104 are replaced with the modified card 1.
In order to bring the deformed card 101 'into contact with 01', the deformed card 101 'must be moved while being corrected by the pressure (arrow B in the figure) of the other magnetic head 103. This transformation card 1
In order to correct the bend or warp of 01 ', the pressing force of the magnetic head 103 on the pressing side must be made sufficiently large. As a result, head wear is likely to occur, and an increase in card carrying load causes problems such as an increase in size of the carry motor and deterioration of speed stability.

Therefore, the present invention provides a card reader which does not maintain a biased state even when the magnetic head follows the magnetic card in the pressing direction, and which prevents an increase in the pressing force of the magnetic head. With the goal.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is biased so as to project toward each other in a card passage through which a magnetic card travels, and in a direction orthogonal to the card surface. 2 supported to be accessible
In a card reader with one magnetic head, two
A separating member to separate the magnetic head, the magnetic card is positioned at the restricting position for restricting a projecting amount of projecting the two magnetic heads easel over de passage when not in contact with the magnetic head is discharged, magnetic a regulating member is retracted from the regulating position when the card is in contact with the inserted magnetic head
The regulating member includes a contact portion that contacts the magnetic card.
And a magnetic head or a support plate supporting the magnetic head
When the regulating member is in the regulating position
The contact part is located in the card passage and the restricting part is magnetic.
To regulate the amount of protrusion of the head into the card passage
It is supposed to be provided .

Therefore, when the magnetic card is ejected, the restricting member is located at the restricting position, and the restricting portion is magnetic.
The position of the head or the support plate is regulated so that the amount of protrusion of the magnetic head into the card passage is regulated. Can be positioned. Therefore, when the next magnetic card is inserted, the magnetic card travels while contacting the head surface, and the magnetic card travels smoothly.

Since the two magnetic heads are separated from each other by the separating member when the magnetic card is ejected, for example, the magnetic heads are located out of the neutral position immediately after the modified card is run. However, contact friction between the head surfaces of the magnetic head does not occur. Therefore, when the restricting member is located at the restricting position, the head surfaces are not separated from each other.
Move the magnetic head to the neutral position without receiving frictional resistance due to contact
Can be located. Also, grease or the like is used for the separating member.
Since it is possible to apply the lubricant of
can do.

Also, insert the magnetic card into the card path.
Then, it comes into contact with the contact portion and pushes it in.
Retreat from the regulated position. Restricted by retracting this restriction member
Part does not regulate the amount of protrusion of the magnetic head into the card passage
Therefore, the magnetic head can follow the magnetic card while being in contact with it and can move in the pressing direction. Moreover, when the magnetic card comes out from between the magnetic heads, the head members of the magnetic heads can be prevented from colliding with each other by the separating member .

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

Further, in the card reader according to the second aspect , the spacing member is a spacing contact portion integrally formed with a support plate that supports the magnetic head. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the separating member as an independent member, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. Then , the separation contact portions of the respective support plates come into contact with each other to separate the two magnetic heads.
Therefore, the magnetic head can be positioned at the neutral position without the restriction member receiving frictional resistance due to contact between the head surfaces.

Further, in the card reader according to claim 3 ,
One of the two magnetic heads is a dummy head. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a card reader having a magnetic head on only one side. Moreover, since the dummy head is opposed to the magnetic head arranged only on one side, members other than these heads can be shared with those of a card reader having magnetic heads on both sides of the magnetic card.

On the other hand, in the card reader according to a fourth aspect , a magnetic head is urged so that the magnetic cards face each other in the traveling card path so as to project, and is supported so as to be able to move in and out in a direction orthogonal to the card surface. in the card reader with the opposing member opposed to the magnetic head, the magnetic
A separating member for separating the head and the opposing member, the regulating position for regulating the amount of protrusion that protrudes to the magnetic head and the opposing member painter over de passage when the magnetic card is not in contact with the magnetic head and the opposing member is discharged And a regulating member which is retracted from the regulating position when the magnetic card is inserted and comes into contact with the magnetic head and the facing member.
The restricting member includes a contact portion that contacts the magnetic card and the magnetic head.
Alternatively, the facing member or these magnetic heads or facing
And a regulation portion that can come into contact with a support plate that supports the member.
When the control member is in the restricted position, the contact part
It is located at the same time as the regulation part is the magnetic head and the opposing member car.
It is provided so as to regulate the amount of protrusion into the passage .

Therefore, when the magnetic card is ejected, the restricting member is located at the restricting position and the restricting portion is magnetic.
Since the position of the head or the support plate is regulated to regulate the protrusion amount of the magnetic head and the facing member into the card passage, the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member can be positioned at the neutral position. Therefore, when the next magnetic card is inserted, the magnetic card travels while contacting the head surface and the facing member, and the magnetic card travels smoothly.

Since the magnetic head and the facing member are separated from each other by the separating member when the magnetic card is ejected, the magnetic head and the facing member are separated from the neutral position immediately after the modified card is run, for example. Even if it is located, contact friction between the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member does not occur. For this reason, the regulation member is placed in the regulation position.
Friction resistance due to contact between the head surface and facing member when placing
Position the magnetic head and the facing member in the neutral position.
Can be made. Also, lubrication such as grease should be applied to the separating member.
Since it is possible to apply an agent, it is possible to reduce sliding resistance.
You can

Also, insert the magnetic card into the card passage.
Then, it comes into contact with the contact portion and pushes it in.
Retreat from the regulated position. Restricted by retracting this restriction member
The amount of protrusion of the magnetic head and the facing member into the card path
Therefore, the magnetic head and the opposing member can move in the pressing direction following the magnetic card while being in contact with the magnetic card. Moreover, the separating member can prevent the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member from colliding with each other when the magnetic card comes out from between the magnetic heads.

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

Further, in the card reader according to the fifth aspect , the separating member is a separating contact portion integrally formed with the support plate that supports the magnetic head or the facing member.
Therefore, it is not necessary to form the separating member as an independent member, and an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. And,
The contact portions for separation of the respective support plates come into contact with each other to separate the magnetic head and the opposing member. Therefore, the magnetic head and the facing member can be positioned at the neutral position without the restriction member receiving frictional resistance due to the contact between the magnetic head and the facing member.

Further, in the card reader according to claim 6 ,
The support plate is rotatable, and the separating contact portion is provided on the opposite side of the center of rotation of the support plate with the magnetic head interposed therebetween. Therefore, since the separating contact portion can always be arranged outside the card passage, the traveling of the magnetic card is not disturbed by the separating contact portion. Since the distance from the center of rotation to the separating contact portion can be increased, the contact pressure between the separating contact portions can be reduced.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The structure of the present invention will be described below in detail based on an example of an embodiment shown in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the card reader 1 of the present embodiment includes two magnetic heads 4 and 5 arranged with the magnetic card 2 sandwiched between them, and a restriction lever 6 as a restriction member. The magnetic heads 4 and 5 are biased so as to face each other and project into the card passage 3 in which the magnetic card 2 runs, and are supported so as to be able to move in and out in a direction orthogonal to the card surface.

The restriction lever 6 is movable between a restriction position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 2) and a retracted position (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). When the magnetic card 2 is ejected and is not in contact with the magnetic heads 4 and 5, the regulation lever 6 is located at the regulation position and the two magnetic heads 4 and 5 project into the card passage 3 while being separated from each other. Restrict the amount of protrusion. Further, when the magnetic card 2 is inserted, the magnetic heads 4, 5
When it comes into contact with, the regulation lever 6 is retracted from the regulation position and is positioned at the retracted position.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the card reader 1 includes an upper frame 7 and a lower frame 8 which form a card passage 3 and magnetic elements provided on both sides of the card passage 3 in a direction perpendicular to the card surface. The heads 4 and 5, the card feeding mechanism 9 arranged along one end of the card passage 3, the insertion sensor 10 for detecting the insertion of the magnetic card 2, and the insertion of the magnetic card 2 to the innermost position. The contact sensor 11 for detecting is provided.

Magnetic heads 4, 5 of the upper and lower frames 7, 8
Head windows 7a and 8a for exposing the magnetic heads 4 and 5 to the card passage 3 are formed at the positions where are arranged.

The magnetic heads 4 and 5 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, there are an upper head 4 arranged above the card passage 3 and a lower head 5 arranged below.
In this embodiment, the upper head 4 is a magnetic head for a one-track magnetic stripe, and the lower head 5 is a magnetic head for a three-track magnetic stripe. However, it is needless to say that other types of magnetic heads can be used according to the type of magnetic stripe for reading and writing magnetic information. The magnetic heads 4 and 5 are capable of reading and / or writing magnetic information. However, the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are not limited to this, and read-only or write-only magnetic heads may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the upper and lower magnetic heads 4 and 5 have shafts 14 on the upper and lower support plates 12 and 13 whose longitudinal direction is the card running direction (indicated by an arrow in each figure). It is swingably supported as a center. The upper support plate 12 is arranged on the side opposite to the card passage 3 of the upper frame 7, and the lower support plate 13 is arranged on the side opposite to the card passage 3 of the lower frame 8.

Each of the support plates 12, 13 has a head window 12a, 13a consisting of a through hole at the center and each head window 12a, 1a.
Flange 12b, 1 on the front and rear edges of the card 3a in the card running direction
3b and lever receiving portions 12c, 13 protruding from a part of the opposite end of the shaft 15 which is the center of rotation of each support plate 12, 13.
c, the support flanges 12d and 13d at the front and rear end edges of the respective support plates 12 and 13 in the card running direction, and the spacing contact portion 26 that is a spacing member protruding from the central portion of the opposite end of the shaft 15.
And 27 are integrally formed.

Flange 12b, 1 of each support plate 12, 13
Upper and lower magnetic heads 4 and 5 are rotatably attached to a shaft 3b by a shaft 14. In addition, each support plate 12, 13
Support flanges 12d and 13d of the upper and lower frames 7,
8 is rotatably supported by a shaft 15 whose longitudinal direction is the card running direction. Both ends of the shaft 15 are supported by shaft support blocks 16 molded in the upper and lower frames 7 and 8.

A biasing spring 17 composed of a torsion coil spring is wound around the shaft 15. Here, the biasing spring 1
In FIG. 7, two relatively short springs are provided on one shaft 15 as shown in FIG. 1, or one relatively long spring is provided on one shaft 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. It can be provided. Further, three or more biasing springs may be attached to one shaft 15. Each biasing spring 17, 17
Biases the support plates 12, 13 in the direction in which the magnetic heads 4, 5 project into the card passage 3. Here, the biasing spring 17
The strength is not required to correct a deformed card having a bend or a warp by pressing the magnetic heads 4 and 5, and it is sufficient to follow the running of such a deformed card while the head surface is in contact with the card. Is enough. As a result, the friction between the head surface and the magnetic card 2 can be reduced and the abrasion of these can be suppressed.

The separating contact portions 26 and 27 of the support plates 12 and 13 are provided when the regulating lever 6 is at the regulating position.
That is, when there is no magnetic card 2 between the magnetic heads 4 and 5,
Pushing against each other. At this time, each magnetic head 4,
5 is separated. That is, when the regulating lever 6 is in the regulating position, the separating contact portions 26, 27 come into contact with each other and play the role of a supporting rod, so that the head surfaces of the magnetic heads 4, 5 are extremely close to each other, but contact is not made. do not do. The distance between the head surfaces is, for example, about 0.2 mm.

A contact portion of the upper separating contact portion 26 with the lower separating contact portion 27 is curved so as to project toward the lower separating contact portion 27. The contact portion of the lower separation contact portion 27 with the upper separation contact portion 26 is a surface parallel to the card surface.
For this reason, since the separating contact portions 26 and 27 are in line contact with each other, the sliding friction for correcting the magnetic heads 4 and 5 to the neutral position can be reduced. Further, a lubricant such as grease is applied to this contact portion. Thereby, sliding friction can be further reduced.

Here, in the present embodiment, the support plates 12, 1
3 rotation center, that is, the contact portion 26, 27 for separating from the shaft 15
The distance to the contact position is about twice the distance from the shaft 15 to the head surface. Therefore, the separating contact portions 26, 2
The pressing force between the heads 7 is about 1/2 of the pressing force between the head surfaces when the contact portions 26 and 27 for separation are not provided. As a result, the sliding friction of the separating contact portions 26, 27 can be further reduced.

In this embodiment, the upper separating contact portion 26 is curved and the lower separating contact portion 27 is flat, but the invention is not limited to this, and the upper separating contact portion 26 is flat. The side separation contact portion 27 may have a curved shape. Further, one of the separating contact portions may be formed in a protruding shape so as to make point contact with the other separating contact portion. In addition, in the present embodiment, any of the contact portions 26, 27 for separation is provided with the support plate 1
Although formed integrally with 2 and 13, the contact portions 26 and 27 for separation are not limited to this and may be attached to the support plates 12 and 13 as separate members. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a rotatable roller 30 may be attached to the tip of the upper separating contact portion 26 so that the lower separating contact portion 27 has a planar shape. Also in this case, the sliding resistance between the separating contact portions 26 and 27 can be reduced.

Further, the lever receiving portions 12c and 13c contact the regulating lever 6 to regulate the amount of protrusion of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 into the card passage 3. In this embodiment, the support plates 12, 1
The lever heads 12c and 13c of the magnetic head 4
Although the protrusion amount of the magnetic heads 5 is regulated, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protrusion amounts of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 may be regulated by the magnetic heads 4 and 5 directly contacting the regulation lever 6.

A regulating lever 6 is arranged beside the lower support plate 13 of the upper frame 7. The regulation lever 6 is substantially L-shaped, and has a support hole 6a formed of a through hole formed in the vicinity of a corner, a contact roller 18 as a contact portion attached to one end, and a regulation formed in the vicinity thereof. Part 6b,
It has a sensor protrusion 6c formed at the other end. The support hole 6a is rotatably attached to a shaft 19 fixed vertically to the lower frame 8.

The contact roller 18 has a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the card surface, and is moved in and out of the card passage 3 as the regulating lever 6 rotates. In addition, the restriction portions 6b, 6b
Are formed outside the card passage 3 of the upper and lower frames 7 and 8 and at positions facing the lever receiving portions 12c and 13c of the support plates 12 and 13, respectively. Each regulation part 6b, 6b
Has a shape in which the tip side is inclined in a direction approaching the card passage 3. The restricting portions 6b and 6b contact the lever receiving portions 12c and 13c when the restricting lever 6 is in the restricting position as shown in FIG.

Further, on the side surface of the regulating lever 6, there is arranged an urging means 20 comprising a torsion coil spring for urging the regulating lever 6 toward the regulating position side. That is, the urging means 20 urges the regulation lever 6 in the rightward rotation direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 to cause the contact roller 18 to project into the card passage 3 and to receive the regulation portions 6b, 6b. Section 12c, 1
Press on 3c. The biasing means 20 is attached to the protrusion 27 of the lower frame 8, one end of which is pressed against the regulation lever 6 and the other end of which is hooked on the locking protrusion 28 of the lower frame 8. In the present embodiment, a torsion coil spring is used as the urging means 20, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a spring mounting protrusion is formed on a part of the regulation lever 6, and a tension coil spring or a compression coil spring is formed on this. You may make it attach and give a biasing force.

A sensor 29 is attached to the lower frame 8 in the vicinity of the sensor protrusion 6c. This sensor 29
It detects that the sensor projection 6c is located when the restriction lever 6 is in the restriction position, and detects that the sensor projection 6c is not located when the restriction lever 6 is in the retracted position. As a result, the position where the restriction lever 6 is located can be detected.

On the other hand, the card feeding mechanism 9 is provided with a pulley 21, a belt 22 and a pulley driving mechanism 23 as shown in FIG. Then, the inserted magnetic card 2 comes into contact with the belt 22 and the belt 22 moves to send the magnetic card 2. A large number of rollers 24 are attached to the side of the card passage 3 opposite to the side where the belt 22 is provided. Therefore, the magnetic card 2
Is fed by the belt 22 on one side and guided by the roller 24 on the other side and fed in the card running direction.

A series of operations for taking in the magnetic card 2 by the above-mentioned card reader 1, reading and writing magnetic information, and ejecting the magnetic information will be described below.

Before the magnetic card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1, the regulation lever 6 is biased by the biasing means 20 to be in the regulation position as shown in FIGS. As a result, the contact roller 18 projects into the card passage 3 and the restriction portions 6b, 6b are pressed against the lever receiving portions 12c, 13c. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper and lower support plates 12 and 13 cannot rotate toward the card passage 3 side, and the head surfaces of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are set to a position where they coincide with the card surface, that is, a neutral position. It At this time, the contact portions 26 and 27 for separation contact each other. On the other hand, the head surfaces are very close to each other but not in contact with each other.

Then, by inserting the magnetic card 2 into the card reader 1, the tip of the magnetic card 2 is detected by the insertion sensor 10. The card feeding mechanism 9 is driven by this detection, and the magnetic card 2 is fed to the back side by the belt 22.

Next, the corners on the front end side of the magnetic card 2 come into contact with the contact roller 18 and are pushed in. As a result, the contact roller 18 is retracted from the card passage 3 against the biasing means 20. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, the restricting portions 6b, 6b
Is separated from the lever receiving portions 12c, 13c, and the supporting plate 12,
The restriction on the rotation of 13 is released. Furthermore, magnetic card 2
The tips of the magnetic heads are sandwiched while contacting the head surfaces of the magnetic heads 4 and 5. Then, the magnetic card 2 is guided along the head surface and enters the gap between the upper and lower magnetic heads 4 and 5 to run while spreading the magnetic heads 4 and 5.

Here, in the present embodiment, the separating contact portion 2
Since 6, 7 are in contact with each other and the head surfaces are not in contact with each other, the sliding resistance when feeding the magnetic card 2 between the head surfaces can be reduced. Therefore, the traveling of the magnetic card 2 can be stabilized, and the transport motor can be downsized. Moreover, magnetic card 2
It is possible to prevent wear of the magnetic heads 4 and 5.

The magnetic heads 4 and 5 are each provided with a biasing spring 17
As a result, the magnetic stripe is pressed against the magnetic card 2, so that the magnetic stripe and the head surface are surely brought into contact with each other. At least one of reading and writing of magnetic information is performed when the magnetic card 2 runs while the magnetic stripe and the head surface are in contact with each other.

By the way, in this embodiment, the head surfaces are extremely close to each other at the neutral position before the insertion of the magnetic card 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the restricting portions 6b, 6b are extended to the magnetic heads 4, 5 side. With such a shape or by extending the lever receiving portions 12c and 13c toward the regulating lever 6 side, the head surfaces are separated from each other by the thickness of the magnetic card 2 when the regulating lever 6 is in the regulating position. You can In this case, since the magnetic card 2 to be inserted is directly guided between the head surfaces without being guided while being slid on the taper portion of the head surface, the friction between the magnetic card 2 and the head surface is reduced. Can be suppressed. Further, according to this, since the contact roller 18 is disposed in the vicinity of the magnetic heads 4 and 5, the retraction of the regulating lever 6 and the contact of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 with the magnetic card 2 are performed substantially at the same time. Therefore, when the magnetic card 2 is inserted with a gap between the magnetic heads 4 and 5, the regulation of the bias of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 is released. That is, the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are not closed before the magnetic card 2 is sandwiched between the magnetic heads 4 and 5.

Further, the card feeding mechanism 9 operates to feed the magnetic card 2 to the back side. At this time, the restriction lever 6 is located at the retracted position. Then, the contact roller 18 presses the side edge of the magnetic card 2 against the belt 22 via the regulation lever 6 by the biasing force of the biasing means 20. As a result, friction between the belt 22 and the magnetic card 2 can be increased to stabilize the conveyance. At this time, magnetic information is read from and written to the magnetic card 2.

When the magnetic card 2 reaches the innermost part of the card passage 3, the tip of the magnetic card 2 is contacted by the contact sensor 1.
Detected by 1. As a result, the card feeding mechanism 9 is stopped and reversed, and the magnetic card 2 is ejected. When the magnetic card 2 is ejected from the card reader 1,
Since the contact roller 18 can project into the card passage 3,
The regulating lever 6 is rotated by the biasing means 20. As a result, the restriction portions 6b, 6b press the lever receiving portions 12c, 13c of the support plates 12, 13 to position the magnetic heads 4, 5 at the neutral position.

By the way, the magnetic card 2 includes a deformed card 2 having a bend or a warp. When the modified card 2 is inserted into the card reader 1 of this embodiment, the magnetic heads 4 and 5 rotate about the shaft 14 with respect to the support plates 12 and 13, and the support plates 12 and 13 are attached to the frames 7 and 8. On the other hand, since it rotates around the shaft 15, it is possible to follow the head surface while contacting the card surface. Therefore, even when the modified card 2 is used, reading and writing of magnetic information can be performed with high accuracy.

Further, the deformed card 2 is discharged and, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are deviated from the neutral position as shown in (4), the separation abutting portions 26 and 27 press each other and contact each other, so that the deviated state is temporarily maintained. This is because the separating contact portions 26 and 27 come into contact with each other and are pressed against each other by the biasing spring 17, so that the separating contact portions 26 and 27 do not slide due to friction. However, immediately after that, the restricting portions 6b, 6b move and come into contact with the lever receiving portions 12c, 13c.
2, 13 and the magnetic heads 4, 5 are positioned at the neutral position.

According to the present embodiment, since the restricting portions 6b, 6b are inclined so as to approach the card passage 3 and the lever receiving portions 12c, 13c are curved so as to be separated from the card passage 3, the support is provided. Even when the plates 12 and 13 are largely deviated from the neutral position, the restricting portions 6b and 6b push in the lever receiving portions 12c and 13c to support the supporting plate 12,
13 can be positioned in a neutral position. As a result, the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are kept largely biased, and the leading ends of the next inserted magnetic card 2 are moved to the magnetic heads 4 and 5.
It is possible to prevent the smooth running of the magnetic card 2 from being impaired by coming into contact with the side surface of the.

Further, in this embodiment, since both the magnetic heads 4 and 5 can be rotated and moved up and down, the close contact with the magnetic card 2 can be improved. This makes it possible to read magnetic information with high accuracy. However,
It is not limited that both magnetic heads 4 and 5 can be rotated and moved up and down. Only one magnetic head can be rotated and moved up and down, and the other magnetic head can be rotated only. In this case, it is preferable to set the biasing spring 17 of the support plate that supports the magnetic head that can move up and down stronger than in the above-described embodiment. According to this, the biasing spring 17 is
Even with only a book, the magnetic head and the magnetic stripe can be brought into contact with each other with high accuracy.

Further, in this embodiment, each support plate 12,
Since the head contact surfaces are prevented from directly contacting each other by forming the contact portions 26 and 27 for separation on the position 13, the position of each magnetic head 4 and 5 deviated from the neutral position is corrected by the regulating lever 6. In addition, the rotation resistance of each support plate 12, 13 can be reduced. That is, when the support plates 12 and 13 rotate, only the separating contact portions 26 and 27 frictionally slide, and grease is applied between the separating contact portions 26 and 27 to reduce sliding resistance. Since it is made small, the rotation resistance of each support plate 12, 13 becomes small. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the upper separating contact portion 26 has a curved shape and the lower separating contact portion 27 has a planar shape, these contacts are line contacts. For this reason,
The sliding resistance between the separating contact portions 26, 27 can be made particularly small. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the distance from the shaft 15 to the contact position of the separating contact portions 26 and 27 is about twice the distance from the shaft 15 to the head surface, so that the separating contact portions 26 and 27 are separated from each other. The pressing force is the contact portions 26, 2 for separation.
It becomes about 1/2 of the pressing force between the head surfaces when there is no 7. As a result, the sliding friction of the separating contact portions 26, 27 can be further reduced.

Therefore, since the restricting lever 6 can reduce the biasing force for correcting the magnetic heads 4, 5 to the neutral position, the biasing means 20 can be downsized.
Furthermore, by making the biasing means 20 smaller, the force with which the contact roller 18 presses the magnetic card 2 against the belt 22 when the regulating lever 6 is in the retracted position can be reduced. Therefore, the traveling of the magnetic card 2 can be stabilized, and the transport motor for the magnetic card 2 can be downsized.

Further, in this embodiment, each of the support plates 12 and 1 is
Since the head contact surfaces are prevented from directly contacting each other by forming the separation contact portions 26 and 27 on the magnetic head 3, when the magnetic card 2 comes out from between the magnetic heads 4 and 5, the magnetic head 4 and It is possible to prevent the head surfaces of No. 5 from colliding with each other.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated on the head surface.

The above-described embodiment is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, although the swingable regulating lever 6 is used as the regulating member in the present embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and a sliding lever 25 slidable in the card running direction as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is used. You can In this case, the sliding lever 25 is provided with an abutting portion 25a that abuts the tip of the magnetic card 2 to be inserted, and a restricting portion 25b that is inserted between the head surfaces of the upper and lower magnetic heads 4 and 5. Further, a biasing means 20 including a tension coil spring for biasing the sliding lever 25 in a direction in which the restricting portion 25b enters between the head surfaces is attached to a part of the sliding lever 25. In this embodiment, the upper and lower magnetic heads 4, 5
The structures of the support plates 12, 13 and the frames 7, 8 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

According to this embodiment, before the magnetic card 2 is inserted, the sliding lever 25 pushes the regulating portion 25b between the head surfaces by the urging force of the urging means 20, and the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are moved. Set to the neutral position. Then, when the magnetic card 2 is inserted, the contact portion 25a is pushed in, and the regulation portion 2
5b also comes out between the magnetic heads 4 and 5. Then, when the magnetic card 2 is ejected, the restricting portion 25b again enters between the magnetic heads 4 and 5 to set them at the neutral position.

Even when the modified card 2 is used, the restriction portion 25b sets the magnetic heads 4 and 5 to the neutral position after the modified card 2 is ejected. Therefore, according to this embodiment as well, the magnetic heads 4 and 5 are maintained largely biased, and the leading end portions of the magnetic cards 2 inserted next come into contact with the side surfaces of the magnetic heads 4 and 5 so that the magnetic card 2 is smoothly moved. It is possible to prevent the traveling from being impaired.

Further, although the two magnetic heads 4 and 5 are opposed to each other in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and one magnetic head may be a dummy head. In this case, since the head surface of the magnetic head is positioned at the neutral position even in the card reader having the magnetic head only on one side of the card passage 3, it is possible to prevent the smooth running of the magnetic card 2 from being impaired. Moreover, since the card reader having the magnetic heads 4 and 5 on both sides of the card passage 3 and the card reader having the magnetic head on one side and the dummy head on the other side can share the components other than the head, the magnetic head can be used. It is not necessary to change the structure of the card reader significantly depending on the number of Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the manufacturing process by sharing the parts.

Further, although the two heads are opposed to each other in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this, and one may be a magnetic head and the other may be an opposed member. Here, the facing member is preferably a pad roller that presses the magnetic card 2 against the head surface of the magnetic head by the urging means. However, it is not limited to the pad roller, and any existing or new member that presses the magnetic card 2 against the head surface of the magnetic head may be used. In this card reader, the above-mentioned FIGS.
A pad roller is used instead of one magnetic head of the card reader shown in FIG. That is, the pad roller is rotatably supported by the flanges 12b and 13b of the support plate 12 or the support plate 13 and is urged toward the card passage 3 by the urging spring 17. This card reader also enables the magnetic head and the facing member to be positioned at the neutral position, so that when the next magnetic card 2 is inserted, the magnetic card 2 runs while contacting the head surface and the facing member. Therefore, the magnetic card 2 can smoothly run.

[0065]

As apparent from the above description, mosquitoes code reader of claim 1, away to separate the two magnetic heads
And between members, the magnetic card is located at the restriction position for restricting the protrusion amount which projects two magnetic heads easel over de passage when not in contact with the magnetic head is discharged, the magnetic card is inserted A restricting member that retracts from the restricting position when contacting the magnetic head is provided.
The contact portion that contacts the magnetic card and the magnetic head or the magnetic head
And a regulating portion that can come into contact with the supporting plate that supports the lid.
When the control member is in the restricted position, the contact part
The positioning part is located inside the card passage of the magnetic head.
Since it is provided so as to regulate the amount of protrusion to the head, the head surface of the magnetic head can be positioned at the neutral position even after the modified card is ejected. Therefore, when the next magnetic card is inserted, the magnetic card can travel while contacting the head surface, and the magnetic card can run smoothly.

Further, when the magnetic card is ejected, the two magnetic heads are separated from each other by the separating member . Therefore, for example, each magnetic head is located out of the neutral position immediately after the modified card is run. However, contact friction between the head surfaces of the magnetic head does not occur. Therefore, when the restricting member is located at the restricting position , the magnetic head can be located at the neutral position without receiving frictional resistance due to contact between the head surfaces. In addition, the separating member has grease
Since it is possible to apply a lubricant such as
You can do it. As a result, the urging force required for the restricting member can be reduced, so that the urging means can be downsized. Also, if the restriction member is retracted
To reduce the force with which the control unit presses the magnetic card.
It is possible to stabilize the running of the magnetic card.
It is possible to reduce the size of the magnetic card transport motor.
You can

Further, even if the magnetic head follows the deformed card and is displaced from the neutral position, it is returned to the neutral position by the regulating member, so that it is not necessary to correct the deformed card by the pressing force of the magnetic head. Therefore, since the head pressure can be reduced, it is possible to prevent the wear of the head surface and the magnetic card, and to suppress the increase in the size of the carrying motor and the deterioration of the speed stability due to the increase in the card carrying load. You can

Moreover, the spacing member can prevent the head surfaces of the magnetic heads from colliding with each other when the magnetic card comes out from between the magnetic heads. Therefore, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated on the head surface.

[0069]

Further, in the card reader according to claim 2 ,
Since the spacing member is the spacing contact portion that is integrally formed with the support plate that supports the magnetic head, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts.

In the card reader according to claim 3 , 2
Since one of the two magnetic heads is a dummy head, the present invention can be applied to a card reader having a magnetic head only on one side. In addition, the card reader having magnetic heads on both sides of the card path and the card reader having one magnetic head and the other dummy head can share the components other than the head. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and simplify the manufacturing process by sharing the parts.

Furthermore, in the card reader according to claim 4 ,
A separating member to separate the magnetic head and the opposing member, regulations for regulating the amount of protrusion that protrudes to the magnetic head and the opposing member painter over de passage when the magnetic card is not in contact with the magnetic head and the opposing member is discharged And a regulation member that is retracted from the regulation position when the magnetic card is inserted and comes into contact with the magnetic head and the facing member.
However, this restricting member does not contact the magnetic contacting part that contacts the magnetic card.
Air head or facing member or these magnetic heads
Or a restricting portion that can come into contact with a supporting plate that supports the facing member.
When the regulating member is in the regulating position, the contact portion has a card
It is located in the passage and the regulation part is the magnetic head and the facing part.
Since the protrusion amount of the material into the card passage is regulated , the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member can be positioned at the neutral position even after the modified card is ejected. it can. Therefore, when the next magnetic card is inserted, the magnetic card can travel while contacting the head surface and the facing member, and the magnetic card can run smoothly.

Further, since the magnetic head and the facing member are separated from each other by the separating member when the magnetic card is ejected, the magnetic head and the facing member are separated from the neutral position immediately after the modified card is run, for example. Even if it is located, contact friction between the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member does not occur. Therefore, the regulation member is located at the regulation position.
In doing so, the magnetic head and the facing member can be positioned at the neutral position without receiving the frictional resistance due to the contact between the head surface and the facing member. Also, lubrication such as grease should be applied to the separating member.
Since it is possible to apply an agent, it is possible to reduce sliding resistance.
You can As a result, the urging force required for the restricting member can be reduced, so that the urging means can be downsized. Also, when the restriction member is retracted,
The force that the part presses the magnetic card can be reduced
Therefore, it is possible to stabilize the running of the magnetic card.
Both can reduce the size of the magnetic card transport motor.
It

Further, even if the magnetic head and the facing member follow the deformed card and are displaced from the neutral position, they are returned to the neutral position by the regulating member, so that it is not necessary to correct the deformed card by the pressing force of the magnetic head and the opposed member. . For this reason,
Since the head pressure can be reduced, it is possible to prevent wear of the head surface, the facing member, and the magnetic card, and to suppress the size increase of the carry motor and the deterioration of speed stability due to an increase in the card carrying load. You can

Moreover, the separating member can prevent the head surface of the magnetic head and the facing member from colliding with each other when the magnetic card comes out between the magnetic head and the facing member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent noise from being generated on the head surface.

[0076]

Further, in the card reader according to the fifth aspect , since the separating member is the separating contact portion integrally formed with the support plate supporting the magnetic head or the facing member, the number of parts is increased. Can be suppressed.

Further, in the card reader according to claim 6 ,
Since the supporting plate is rotatable and the separating contact portion is provided on the opposite side of the rotation center of the supporting plate with the magnetic head sandwiched between them, the separating contact portion is always provided outside the card path. Can be placed in Therefore, the running of the magnetic card can be smoothly performed without being disturbed by the separating contact portion. Since the distance from the center of rotation to the separating contact portion can be increased, the contact pressure between the separating contact portions can be reduced. Therefore, the sliding resistance between the separating contact portions can be further reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the force with which the restricting portion presses the magnetic card when the restricting member is retracted, so that the running of the magnetic card can be stabilized and the magnetic card transport motor can be downsized. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of an embodiment of a card reader of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part of a card reader.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire card reader.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line IV-IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing the periphery of the magnetic head of the card reader.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view showing the main part of the card reader.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a main part of the card reader in a state where the magnetic head is out of the neutral position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the separating contact portion.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the vicinity of a restriction lever of another embodiment of the card reader.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the periphery of a magnetic head of another embodiment of the card reader.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a magnetic head portion of a conventional card reader.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a magnetic head of a conventional card reader and a supporting mechanism thereof.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a magnetic head portion of a conventional card reader, showing a state of following a modified card.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a magnetic head portion of a conventional card reader, showing a state in which the magnetic head is biased and maintained.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a magnetic head portion showing another example of a conventional card reader, showing a state in which one magnetic head follows a modified card.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 card reader 2 magnetic cards 3 card passage 4 Upper magnetic head 5 Lower magnetic head 6 Control lever (control member) 6b Regulation department 12 Upper support plate 13 Lower support plate 18 Contact roller (contact part) 25 Sliding lever (restriction member) 25a contact part 25b Regulation department 26 Upper Separating Contact Part (Separating Member) 27 Lower separation contact part (separation member)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A card reader provided with two magnetic heads, each of which is urged so as to face each other in a card path in which a magnetic card travels, and which is supported so as to be able to move in and out in a direction orthogonal to a card surface. The two magnets
A separating member for separating the head, and the above-mentioned 2 when the magnetic card is ejected and is not in contact with the magnetic head.
One together with the magnetic head is positioned at the restricting position for restricting a projection amount that projects Previous Symbol card passage, when the magnetic card is brought into contact with the magnetic head is inserted and a regulating member is retracted from the regulating position , The regulating member is
An abutting portion that abuts a magnetic card and the magnetic head or the magnetic head.
Control part that can contact the support plate that supports the air head.
However, when the regulating member is in the regulating position, the contact is made.
Is located in the card passage and the restriction is
The amount of protrusion of the magnetic head into the card passage is regulated.
A card reader that is provided as described above . Wherein said spacing member is a card reader of claim 1, wherein it is spaced for abutting portion which is formed integrally with the support plate for supporting the magnetic head. 3. A process according to claim 1 or 2 card reader, wherein the said one of the two magnetic heads is a dummy head. 4. A magnetic head, which is urged so as to face each other and protrudes into a card passage in which a magnetic card travels, and supported so as to be able to move in and out in a direction orthogonal to a card surface, and a facing member facing the magnetic head. In a card reader equipped with, the magnetic head and the facing member are separated from each other.
A spacing member which, at the restricting position for restricting a projecting amount of the magnetic head and the opposing member protrudes Previous Symbol card passage when the magnetic card is not in contact with the magnetic head and the opposing member is discharged A regulation member that is located and retracts from the regulation position when the magnetic card is inserted and contacts the magnetic head and the facing member.
And the restricting member contacts the magnetic card.
Contact part and the magnetic head or the facing member or this
Support for supporting the magnetic head or the facing member
A regulating portion capable of contacting the plate,
When in the restrained position, the abutting portion is positioned in the card passage.
The magnetic head and the facing portion.
It is installed to regulate the amount of protrusion of the member into the card passage.
A card reader that is characterized by being kicked . 5. The card reader according to claim 4, wherein the spacing member is a spacing contact portion that is integrally formed with a support plate that supports the magnetic head or the facing member. 6. The support plate is rotatable, and the separating contact portion is provided on the opposite side of the rotation center of the support plate with the magnetic head sandwiched therebetween. A card reader according to item 2 or 5 .