JP5651360B2 - Magnetic head holding mechanism of card reader and card reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic head holding mechanism of a card reader having a magnetic head for reading magnetic data and / or recording magnetic data on a card, and a card reader provided with the magnetic head holding mechanism.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a magnetic head holding mechanism used in a card reader, a magnetic head holding mechanism including a head holding plate that holds the magnetic head and two support portions that support the head support plate at two locations in the card traveling direction. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the magnetic head holding mechanism described in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 6B, the head holding plate 101 is formed so that the shape when viewed from the traveling direction of the card 102 is substantially L-shaped. And a first flat surface portion 101a substantially parallel to the surface of the card 102 and a second flat surface portion 101b orthogonal to the first flat surface portion 101a. The magnetic head 103 is fixed to one end side of the second flat surface portion 101b, and the leading end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 6) where the magnetic gap is formed faces the pad roller 104. In FIG. 6B, the head holding mechanism is illustrated from the HH direction in FIG.

  The magnetic head holding mechanism described in Patent Document 1 includes a plate spring 105 that urges the first flat portion 101a. The plate spring 105 urges the tip of the magnetic head 103 toward the pad roller 104. As a result, the first flat surface portion 101a is biased. The support portion 106 includes a shaft portion 106a inserted through a through hole formed in the first flat surface portion 101a, and a contact portion 106c formed with a flat contact surface 106b with which the first flat surface portion 101a contacts. Yes.

  The contact surface 106 b is formed in a rectangular shape having a narrow width in the width direction of the card 102 and a wide width in the traveling direction of the card 102. Therefore, the magnetic head 103 fixed to the head holding plate 101 can be swung (rolling) with the passing direction of the card 102 as the axial direction of the swinging shaft. Even if the passing card 102 is bent, the magnetic head 103 follows the bending of the card 102. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately read the magnetic data recorded on the card 102 with which the magnetic head 103 is in sliding contact. An FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 107 is connected to the terminals of the magnetic head 103.

Japanese Patent No. 3602379

  In order to improve the reading and recording accuracy of magnetic data by the magnetic head 103, the magnetic head 103 and the pad roller are prevented from fluttering immediately after the card 102 enters between the magnetic head 103 and the pad roller 104. It is preferable that the tip of the magnetic head 103 is brought into sliding contact with the card 102 while properly following the card 102 immediately after the card 102 enters between the head 104 and the head 104. For this reason, it is preferable that the tip of the magnetic head 103 before sliding contact with the card 102 and the pad roller 104 are substantially parallel.

  However, in the magnetic head support mechanism described in Patent Document 1, the contact surface 106b is formed in a rectangular shape having a narrow width in the width direction of the card 102 and a wide width in the traveling direction of the card 102. Further, in this magnetic head support mechanism, the head holding plate 101 is formed so that the shape when viewed from the traveling direction of the card 102 is substantially L-shaped. For this reason, the tip of the magnetic head 103 is easily inclined in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 6B with respect to the pad roller 104 by the weight of the second flat surface portion 101b. Therefore, conventionally, the posture of the magnetic head 103 is maintained using the rigidity (waist) of the FPC 107 so that the tip of the magnetic head 103 and the pad roller 104 are substantially parallel. Specifically, when the magnetic head holding mechanism is assembled, the routing of the FPC 107 is finely adjusted so that the tip of the magnetic head 103 and the pad roller 104 are substantially parallel. Therefore, conventionally, the manufacturing process of the magnetic head holding mechanism is complicated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic head holding mechanism for a card reader capable of increasing the accuracy of reading and recording magnetic data by the magnetic head and simplifying the manufacturing process, and the magnetic head. An object of the present invention is to provide a card reader having a holding mechanism.

In order to solve the above problems, the magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader of the present invention includes a magnetic head that slides on the card and reads magnetic data recorded on the card and / or records magnetic data on the card, A head holding plate for holding the magnetic head, and a first support portion and a second support portion for supporting the head holding plate, and in the card passing direction, the magnetic head, the second support portion, and the first support portion are: Arranged in this order, the magnetic head is provided with a tip portion that forms a magnetic gap and slides on the card, and the first support portion can swing the magnetic head with the passing direction of the card being the axial direction of the swing shaft. The head support plate is supported so that the second support portion is such that the tip portion of the magnetic head when not in sliding contact with the card is substantially parallel to the opposing member disposed to face the tip portion. Holding plate Lifting, and the contact area between the second support portion and the head holding plate when the magnetic head is not in sliding contact with the card, and characterized in that it is wider than the contact area between the first support portion and the head holding plate To do.

  The magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader of the present invention includes a first support portion and a second support portion that support a head holding plate that holds the magnetic head, and the second support portion is not in sliding contact with the card. The head holding plate is supported so that the tip of the magnetic head is substantially parallel to the opposing member. Therefore, at the time of assembling the magnetic head holding mechanism, the tip of the magnetic head and the opposing member before sliding on the card are not required to make a special adjustment to make the tip of the magnetic head and the opposing member substantially parallel. Can be made substantially parallel. Therefore, in the present invention, while simplifying the manufacturing process of the magnetic head holding mechanism, it is possible to appropriately follow the tip of the magnetic head to the card immediately after the tip of the magnetic head starts to slide on the card. It becomes possible to improve the reading and recording accuracy of magnetic data by the magnetic head.

  In the present invention, in the card passing direction, the magnetic head, the second support portion, and the first support portion are arranged in this order, and the first support portion defines the card passing direction as the axis of the swing shaft. The head holding plate is supported so that the magnetic head can be swung in the direction. Therefore, when the tip of the magnetic head is in sliding contact with the card, the head holding plate is lifted from the portion of the second support portion that supports the head holding plate, and the passing direction of the card is set as the axial direction of the swing axis. The magnetic head can be swung. Therefore, even if the second support portion supports the head holding plate so that the tip of the magnetic head when not in sliding contact with the card is substantially parallel to the opposing member, the tip of the magnetic head is in sliding contact with the card. In this case, the influence of the second support portion can be eliminated and the magnetic head can be made to follow the card appropriately. Therefore, in the present invention, even when the card with which the magnetic head slides is bent, when reading or recording magnetic data, the magnetic head is caused to follow the bent card to improve the reading and recording accuracy of the magnetic data by the magnetic head. It becomes possible.

In the present invention, since the tip of the magnetic head before sliding against the card and the opposing member can be made substantially parallel to each other, the magnetic head when the tip of the magnetic head starts to slide on the card can be obtained. It is possible to suppress the per-card hit. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to prevent problems such as uneven wear of the magnetic head. In the present invention, the contact area between the second support portion and the head holding plate when the magnetic head is not in sliding contact with the card is larger than the contact area between the first support portion and the head holding plate. With a relatively simple configuration, the head support plate can be supported by the second support portion so that the tip of the magnetic head when not in sliding contact with the card is substantially parallel to the opposing member.

  In the present invention, for example, the magnetic head, the first support portion, and the second support portion are arranged on a substantially straight line in the card passing direction. In the present invention, for example, the first support portion and the second support portion are arranged so that the head holding plate can move in the facing direction of the tip portion of the magnetic head and the facing member, and the tip portion of the magnetic head. The head holding plate is supported so as to restrict the movement of the head holding plate in the direction orthogonal to the opposing direction of the opposing member.

In the present invention, f head holding plate is provided with a flat of the support surface portion capable of contacting the first support portion and the second support portion, the second support portion is contactable with the support plane part planar The second support surface is preferably provided .

  In the present invention, the magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader preferably includes an urging member that urges the head holding plate in a direction in which the tip of the magnetic head and the opposing member come into contact with each other. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to make a head holding plate contact reliably the location which supports a head holding plate of a 2nd support part using the biasing force of a biasing member. Therefore, it becomes easy to maintain the tip of the magnetic head and the opposing member before being in sliding contact with the card substantially in parallel.

  In the present invention, the head holding plate includes, for example, a flat plate-like supported flat surface portion that can come into contact with the first support portion and the second support portion, and a flat plate-shaped head fixing flat portion perpendicular to the supported flat surface portion. At the same time, it is formed so as to have a substantially L shape when viewed from the card passing direction, and the magnetic head is fixed to the head fixing flat portion. In this case, the tip of the magnetic head before sliding contact with the card tends to be inclined with respect to the opposing member due to the weight of the head fixing flat part, but in the present invention, the inclination of the magnetic head is suppressed, It is possible to make the tip of the magnetic head before the sliding contact and the opposing member substantially parallel.

  In the present invention, the first support portion includes a first support pin inserted through a through hole formed in the head holding plate, and a first contact portion to which the first support pin is fixed and the head holding plate can contact. The second support part includes a second support pin inserted through a through hole formed in the head holding plate, and a second contact part to which the second support pin is fixed and the head holding plate can be contacted, It is preferable that the first contact portion and the second contact portion are formed on a common frame. If comprised in this way, since the 1st contact part and 2nd contact part from which a shape differs are formed in the flame | frame, it becomes possible to use the support pin of the same shape as a 1st support pin and a 2nd support pin Become. Further, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are formed on a common frame. Accordingly, the number of parts of the magnetic head holding mechanism can be reduced, the configuration of the magnetic head holding mechanism can be simplified, and the complexity in the manufacturing process of the magnetic head holding mechanism can be reduced.

  The magnetic head holding mechanism of the present invention can be used for a card reader. With this card reader, it is possible to increase the accuracy of reading and recording magnetic data by the magnetic head, and to simplify the manufacturing process.

  As described above, the magnetic head holding mechanism and the card reader of the card reader according to the present invention can increase the accuracy of reading and recording magnetic data by the magnetic head, and can simplify the manufacturing process. become.

It is a side view of the magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader concerning embodiment of this invention, (A) is a figure which shows the state before a magnetic head slidably contacts with a card | curd, (B) is a magnetic head slidably contacted with a card | curd. FIG. It is a figure which shows a magnetic head holding mechanism from the EE direction of FIG. (A) is a figure which shows a 1st support part from the FF direction of FIG. 1, (B) is a figure which shows a 2nd support part from the GG direction of FIG. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the mounting example to the card reader of the magnetic head holding mechanism shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows the flame | frame, 1st support pin, and 2nd support pin which are shown in FIG. (A) is a side view of the magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader concerning a prior art, (B) is a figure which shows a magnetic head holding mechanism from the HH direction of (A).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of card reader magnetic head holding mechanism)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a magnetic head holding mechanism 1 of a card reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (A) is a diagram showing a state before the magnetic head 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state where the magnetic head 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2. FIG. 2 is a view showing the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 from the EE direction of FIG. 3A is a view showing the first support portion 5 from the FF direction of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a view showing the second support portion 6 from the GG direction of FIG.

  The magnetic head holding mechanism 1 (hereinafter referred to as “magnetic head holding mechanism 1”) of the card reader of the present embodiment reads magnetic data recorded on the card 2 and / or records magnetic data on the card 2. It is mounted on a card reader and used. In the card reader on which the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is mounted, the card 2 passes in the X direction in FIG. That is, the X direction is the passing direction of the card 2. Further, the Y direction in FIG. 1 perpendicular to the X direction is the width direction of the card 2 taken into the card reader, and the Z direction in FIG. 1 perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is taken into the card reader. This is the thickness direction of the card 2. In the card reader on which the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is mounted, for example, a card insertion slot into which the card 2 is inserted is arranged on the right side of FIG.

  The card 2 is, for example, a rectangular vinyl chloride card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. A magnetic stripe (not shown) for recording magnetic data is formed on the surface of the card 2. The card 2 may be a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) card having a thickness of about 0.18 to 0.36 mm, a paper card having a predetermined thickness, or the like.

  The magnetic head holding mechanism 1 includes a magnetic head 3 that slides in contact with the card 2 and reads magnetic data recorded on the card 2 and / or records magnetic data on the card 2, and a head holding plate that holds the magnetic head 3. 4 and a first support portion 5 and a second support portion 6 that support the head holding plate 4. The magnetic head 3, the second support portion 6, and the first support portion 5 are arranged in this order in the passing direction of the card 2. Further, the magnetic head 3, the second support portion 6, and the first support portion 5 are arranged on a substantially straight line in the passing direction of the card 2.

  An FPC 8 is connected to a terminal of the magnetic head 3. A magnetic gap is formed at the tip portion (lower end portion in FIG. 1) 3 a of the magnetic head 3, and the magnetic head 3 is disposed so that the tip portion 3 a is in sliding contact with the card 2. In the card reader on which the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is mounted, a pad roller 9 as a facing member is disposed so as to face the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3. The front end 3a and the pad roller 9 are disposed to face each other in the Z direction. In the following description, the side on which the magnetic head 3 is disposed is the “upper” side, and the side on which the pad roller 9 is disposed is the “lower” side.

  The head holding plate 4 includes a flat plate-like supported flat surface portion 4 a that can contact the first support portion 5 and the second support portion 6, and a flat plate-like head fixing flat surface portion 4 b to which the magnetic head 3 is fixed. Yes. The supported plane portion 4a is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the XY plane constituted by the X direction and the Y direction when the card 2 is not present between the magnetic head 3 and the pad roller 9, and is a head fixing plane. The portion 4b is formed so as to be substantially parallel to the ZX plane constituted by the Z direction and the X direction when the card 2 is not present between the magnetic head 3 and the pad roller 9. The shape of the head holding plate 4 when viewed from the direction is substantially L-shaped. The head holding plate 4 is formed by bending a thin metal plate such as a stainless steel plate.

  One end side (right end side in FIG. 1) of the head fixing flat portion 4b protrudes in the right direction in FIG. 1 from one end (right end in FIG. 1) of the supported flat portion 4a. Is fixed by bonding or the like. At one end of the head fixing flat part 4b, a bonding flat part 4c for increasing the fixing strength of the magnetic head 3 is formed to bend in the Y direction. In this embodiment, since the head holding flat surface portion 4b is formed on the head holding plate 4, the head holding plate 4 is compared with the case where the head holding plate 4 is formed in a flat plate shape including the supported flat surface portion 4a. The fixing strength of the magnetic head 3 to the plate 4 can be increased.

  The head holding plate 4 is biased by a leaf spring 10 as a biasing member. Specifically, the head holding plate 4 is urged by a leaf spring 10 in a direction in which the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3 and the pad roller 9 come into contact with each other. Further, a portion of the head holding plate 4 between the portion where the first support portion 5 is disposed and the portion where the second support portion 6 is disposed, which is close to the second support portion 6, is provided by the leaf spring 10. It is energized. One end side (the right end side in FIG. 1) of the leaf spring 10 is in contact with a protrusion 4d (see FIG. 2) formed on the upper surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a. Further, the other end side of the leaf spring 10 is fixed to a frame constituting a card reader. The protrusion 4d is formed on a straight line connecting a later-described through hole 4e (see FIG. 3A) formed in the head holding plate 4 and a through hole 4f (see FIG. 3B), or this straight line. It is formed in the vicinity.

  The 1st support part 5 is supporting the other end side (left end side of FIG. 1) of the to-be-supported plane part 4a. The first support portion 5 includes a first support pin 12 that is inserted into a through hole 4e (see FIG. 3A) formed in the supported plane portion 4a, and the first support pin 12 that is fixed and supported. And a first contact portion 13 with which the lower surface of the support plane portion 4a comes into contact. In this embodiment, the first support pin 12 and the first contact portion 13 are formed as separate members.

  The first support pin 12 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the first support pin 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 4e. The 1st contact part 13 is comprised from the truncated cone part 13a formed in substantially truncated cone shape, and the flat substantially rectangular parallelepiped shaped rectangular parallelepiped part 13b formed in the upper surface of the truncated cone part 13a. The upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped portion 13b is a first support surface 13c with which the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a contacts. The first support surface 13c is formed substantially parallel to the XY plane. The first support surface 13c is formed in a rectangular shape having a narrow width in the Y direction and a wide width in the X direction.

  The 2nd support part 6 is supporting the one end side (right end side of FIG. 1) of the to-be-supported plane part 4a. The second support portion 6 includes a second support pin 14 that is inserted through a through hole 4f (see FIG. 3B) formed in the supported flat surface portion 4a, and a second support pin 14 that is fixed and supported. And a second contact portion 15 with which the lower surface of the support plane portion 4a comes into contact. In this embodiment, the second support pin 14 and the second contact portion 15 are formed as separate members.

  Similar to the first support pin 12, the second support pin 14 is formed in an elongated cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the second support pin 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 4f. In this embodiment, the first support pin 12 and the second support pin 14 are formed in the same shape, and the through hole 4e and the through hole 4f are formed in the same shape. The 2nd contact part 15 is formed in the flat substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper surface of the 2nd contact part 15 is the 2nd support surface 15c which the lower surface of the to-be-supported plane part 4a contacts. The second support surface 15c is formed substantially parallel to the XY plane. The second support surface 15c is formed in a circular shape.

  The area of the second support surface 15c is wider than the area of the first support surface 13c. That is, the contact area between the second support surface 15c and the supported flat surface portion 4a is larger than the contact area between the first support surface 13c and the supported flat surface portion 4a.

  The 1st support pin 12 is being fixed to the 1st contact part 13 so that the upper end side may protrude, and the 2nd support pin 14 is being fixed to the 2nd contact part 15 so that the upper end side may protrude. The upper end side portion of the first support pin 12 protruding from the first contact portion 13 is inserted into the through hole 4e of the supported flat surface portion 4a and the upper end side of the second support pin 14 protruding from the second contact portion 15. The portion is inserted through the through hole 4f of the supported flat surface portion 4a. Therefore, the movement of the supported planar portion 4a in the direction orthogonal to the Z direction is restricted by the first support pin 12 and the through hole 4e, and the second support pin 14 and the through hole 4f. Further, if a force is applied to the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a, the supported flat surface portion 4a moves upward.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the first support surface 13c is formed in a rectangular shape having a narrow width in the Y direction and a wide width in the X direction. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the first support surface 13c has a shape that enables the head holding plate 4 to swing (roll) with the passing direction (X direction) of the card 2 as the axial direction of the swing shaft, and The first contact portion 13 supports the head holding plate 4 so that the magnetic head 3 can swing with the passing direction of the card 2 as the axial direction of the swing shaft. .

  In the present embodiment, the second support surface 15c is formed in a circular shape as described above. Specifically, the second support surface 15c is formed in a shape and a width so that the supported flat surface portion 4a when the magnetic head 3 is not in sliding contact with the card 2 is substantially parallel to the XY plane. The contact portion 15 supports the head holding plate 4 so that the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3 when not in sliding contact with the card 2 is substantially parallel to the upper end of the pad roller 9. That is, the second contact portion 15 supports the head holding plate 4 so that the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3 when not in sliding contact with the card 2 faces the upper end of the pad roller 9.

  In the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 configured as described above, before the card 2 enters between the magnetic head 3 and the pad roller 9 (before the magnetic head 3 comes into sliding contact with the card 2), FIG. ), The lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a is in contact with the first support surface 13c and the second support surface 15c by the urging force of the leaf spring 10. Since the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a is in contact with the second support surface 15c, before the magnetic head 3 is brought into sliding contact with the card 2, as shown in FIG. 1 (A) and FIG. The tip 3 a is substantially parallel to the upper surface of the pad roller 9. Further, since the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a is in contact with the second support surface 15c, the magnetic head 3 does not swing with the passing direction of the card 2 as the axial direction of the swing shaft.

  On the other hand, when the card 2 enters between the magnetic head 3 and the pad roller 9 (when the magnetic head 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2), as shown in FIG. 1B, the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a. Is the urging force of the leaf spring 10 and is in contact with the first support surface 13c, but is separated from the second support surface 15c. Further, the outer diameter of the second support pin 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 4f. Therefore, when the magnetic head 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2, the magnetic head 3 can be swung with the passing direction of the card 2 as the axial direction of the swinging shaft.

(Example of mounting a magnetic head holding mechanism)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view for explaining an example of mounting the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 1 on a card reader. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the frame 17, the first support pin 12, and the second support pin 14 extracted from FIG.

  As described above, the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is used by being mounted on a card reader. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic head holding mechanisms 1A, 1B are mounted on the card reader so that the two magnetic head holding mechanisms 1A, 1B are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction of the card 2. It should be noted that the width of the magnetic head 3A and the width of the magnetic head 3B in the width direction of the card 2 are different from each other, and the head fixing flat portion 4b to which the magnetic head 3A is fixed is the The magnetic head is different in that it is formed on the other end side of the supported flat surface portion 4a in the width direction of the card 2 whereas the head fixing flat surface portion 4b to which the magnetic head 3B is fixed is formed on one end side. The mechanism holding 1A and the magnetic head mechanism holding 1B are different.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 15 are formed integrally with a frame 17 constituting a card reader. That is, the head holding plate 4 is supported by the frame 17. The frame 17 is made of, for example, resin. Further, the first support pin 12 and the second support pin 14 are formed in the same shape, and as shown in FIG. 5, the first support pin 12 is a fixing hole formed at the center of the first contact portion 13. The second support pin 14 is fixed to the fixing hole 15d formed at the center of the second contact portion 15 by press-fitting or the like. The frame 17 may be made of a metal such as aluminum.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the second contact portion 15 has the head holding plate 4 so that the tip portion 3 a of the magnetic head 3 when not in sliding contact with the card 2 is substantially parallel to the upper end of the pad roller 9. Support. Therefore, when the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is assembled, the magnetic head before sliding contact with the card 2 can be obtained without special adjustment for making the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 substantially parallel to each other. 3 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 can be made substantially parallel to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the manufacturing process of the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is simplified, and the front end portion 3a of the magnetic head 3 is appropriately followed by the card 2 immediately after the front end portion 3a of the magnetic head 3 starts to come into sliding contact with the card 2. It becomes possible to improve the reading and recording accuracy of magnetic data by the magnetic head 3.

  In particular, in this embodiment, since the shape of the head holding plate 4 when viewed from the passing direction of the card 2 is substantially L-shaped, the magnetic head 3 before slidingly contacting the card 2 by the weight of the head fixing flat surface portion 4b. 2 is easily inclined in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 2 with respect to the upper end of the pad roller 9, but in this embodiment, the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 before sliding against the card 2 and the pad roller 9 It is possible to improve the reading and recording accuracy of magnetic data by the magnetic head 3 by making the upper end substantially parallel.

  In this embodiment, the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 before sliding contact with the card 2 can be made substantially parallel to each other. When the sliding contact is started, it is possible to suppress the contact of the card 2 with the magnetic head 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent problems such as uneven wear of the magnetic head 3.

  In the present embodiment, the head holding plate 4 is urged by the leaf spring 10 in the direction in which the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 come into contact with each other, and before the magnetic head 3 slides on the card 2. Is the urging force of the leaf spring 10, and the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a is in contact with the second support surface 15c. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 before sliding on the card 2 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 substantially parallel using the biasing force of the leaf spring 10. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusion 4d formed on or near the straight line connecting the through hole 4e through which the first support pin 12 is inserted and the through hole 4f through which the second support pin 14 is inserted. In addition, since one end side of the leaf spring 10 is in contact, the urging force of the leaf spring 10 is used to more appropriately connect the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 and the upper end of the pad roller 9 before sliding contact with the card 2. It becomes possible to maintain substantially parallel.

  In this embodiment, when the magnetic head 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2, the lower surface of the supported flat surface portion 4a is separated from the second support surface 15c, and the passing direction of the card 2 is the axial direction of the swing axis. The magnetic head 3 can be swung. Therefore, even if the second contact portion 15 supports the head holding plate 4 so that the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 when not in sliding contact with the card 2 is substantially parallel to the upper end of the pad roller 9, the magnetic head When 3 is in sliding contact with the card 2, the influence of the second contact portion 15 can be eliminated, and the magnetic head 3 can be swung to properly follow the card 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the card 2 slidably in contact with the magnetic head 3 is bent, when reading or recording magnetic data, the magnetic head 3 is caused to follow the bent card so that the magnetic head 3 reads and records the magnetic data. The accuracy can be increased.

  In the example of mounting the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 on the card reader shown in FIG. 4, the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 15 are integrally formed on a common frame 17. Further, since the first contact portion 13 and the second contact portion 15 having different shapes are formed on the frame 17, it is possible to use the support pins having the same shape as the first support pins 12 and the second support pins 14. Become. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the number of parts of the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 can be reduced, the configuration of the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is simplified, and the manufacturing process of the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 is complicated. It becomes possible to reduce the thickness.

(Other embodiments)
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the flat plate-like supported flat portion 4 a is formed on the head holding plate 4, and the flat second support surface 15 c that is substantially parallel to the XY plane is formed on the second support portion 6. In addition to this, for example, the contact area between the second support surface 15c and the supported flat surface portion 4a is larger than the contact area between the first support surface 13c and the supported flat surface portion 4a, and is in sliding contact with the card 2. If the second contact portion 15 supports the head holding plate 4 so that the tip 3a of the magnetic head 3 when not present is substantially parallel to the upper end of the pad roller 9, the second support of the supported flat surface portion 4a The portion in contact with the surface 15c may not be formed in a flat plate shape, and the second support surface 15c may not be formed in a planar shape substantially parallel to the XY plane. For example, when viewed from the passing direction of the card 2, the contact portion of the supported flat surface portion 4a with the second support surface 15c and the second support surface 15c may be formed in a V shape. However, the contact portion of the supported flat surface portion 4a with the second support surface 15c is formed in a flat plate shape, and the second support surface 15c is formed in a flat shape substantially parallel to the XY plane. The head support plate 4 is supported by the second support 6 so that the tip 3 a of the magnetic head 3 when not in sliding contact with the card 2 is substantially parallel to the upper end of the pad roller 9 with a simple configuration. Can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the first support pin 12 and the first contact portion 13 are formed as separate members, but the first support pin 12 and the first contact portion 13 may be formed integrally. Similarly, the second support pin 14 and the second contact portion 15 are formed as separate members, but the second support pin 14 and the second contact portion 15 may be integrally formed.

  In the embodiment described above, the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 includes the two first support parts 5 and the second support parts 6 that support the head holding plate 4. In addition to this, for example, the magnetic head holding mechanism 1 includes a first support portion 5 and a second support portion 6 that support the head holding plate 4 in addition to the first support portion 5 and the second support portion 6. You may prepare in between.

  In the embodiment described above, the upper surface of the first contact portion 13 is the first support surface 13c substantially parallel to the XY plane, but the upper surface of the first contact portion 13 is formed in a convex curved shape that swells upward. Also good. Further, in the above-described form, the head holding plate 4 is formed so that the shape when viewed from the passing direction of the card 2 is substantially L-shaped, but the head holding plate 4 is formed by the supported flat surface portion 4a. You may form in the flat form comprised.

  In the embodiment described above, the opposing member that opposes the leading end 3 a of the magnetic head 3 is the pad roller 9, but the opposing member that opposes the leading end 3 a of the magnetic head 3 is a guide member that forms the running surface of the card 2. It may be. In the above-described embodiment, the head holding plate 4 is urged by the leaf spring 10, but the head holding plate 4 may be urged by another spring member such as a compression coil spring, or rubber or the like. It may be urged by an elastic member.

1 Magnetic head holding mechanism (card reader magnetic head holding mechanism)
2 card 3 magnetic head 3a tip 4 head holding plate 4a supported plane 4b head fixing plane 4e, 4f through hole 5 first support 6 second support 9 pad roller (opposing member)
10 Leaf spring (biasing member)
12 First Support Pin 13 First Contact Part 14 Second Support Pin 15 Second Contact Part 15c Second Support Surface 17 Frame X Card Passing Direction

Claims (8)

A magnetic head for slidingly contacting a card and reading magnetic data recorded on the card and / or recording magnetic data on the card, a head holding plate for holding the magnetic head, and a head holding plate are supported. A first support portion and a second support portion;
In the card passing direction, the magnetic head, the second support portion, and the first support portion are arranged in this order,
The magnetic head includes a tip portion formed with a magnetic gap and in sliding contact with the card,
The first support portion supports the head holding plate so that the magnetic head can swing with the passing direction of the card as the axial direction of the swing shaft,
The second support portion supports the head holding plate so that the tip portion when not in sliding contact with the card is substantially parallel to a facing member disposed to face the tip portion ,
When the magnetic head is not in sliding contact with the card, the contact area between the second support portion and the head holding plate is wider than the contact area between the first support portion and the head holding plate. A magnetic head holding mechanism for a card reader.   2. The magnetic head holding mechanism of a card reader according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic head, the first support portion, and the second support portion are arranged substantially in a straight line in the passing direction of the card. .   The first support portion and the second support portion are configured so that the head holding plate can move in a facing direction between the tip portion of the magnetic head and the facing member, and the tip portion of the magnetic head. 3. The card reader according to claim 1, wherein the head holding plate is supported so as to restrict movement of the head holding plate in a direction orthogonal to a facing direction of the facing member and the facing member. Magnetic head holding mechanism. The head holding plate includes a flat plate-like supported flat portion that can contact the first support portion and the second support portion,
The second support portion, the magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a planar second bearing surface contactable to the supported flat part. Magnetic card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a biasing member and the distal end portion of the magnetic head and the opposing member biases said head holding plate in a direction in contact Head holding mechanism. The head holding plate includes a flat plate-like supported flat surface portion that can contact the first support portion and the second support portion, and a flat plate-shaped head fixing flat portion perpendicular to the supported flat surface portion, Formed so as to be substantially L-shaped when viewed from the passing direction of the card,
Magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader according to any of claims 1 5, characterized in that said magnetic head to the head fixing flat portion is fixed. The first support portion includes a first support pin inserted through a through hole formed in the head holding plate, and a first contact portion to which the first support pin is fixed and the head holding plate can contact. Prepared,
The second support portion includes a second support pin inserted through a through hole formed in the head holding plate, and a second contact portion to which the second support pin is fixed and the head holding plate can contact. Prepared,
Magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said first contact portion and the second contact portion is formed on a common frame. Card reader, characterized in that it comprises a magnetic head holding mechanism of the card reader according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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