Title of Invention	"A CARD RECEIVING DEVICE IN PARTICULAR FOR A TACHOGRAPH IN A MOTOR VEHICLE"
Abstract	The invention relates to a card housing device (1) of flat construction, with complete insertion of a card (2) through a narrow housing opening (5) which may be sealed by means of a seal (6), comprising a sealing element (7), whereby the sealing element (7) may be displaced in a direction normal to a displacement plane (4) of the card (2). Conventional devices of this type are unsuitable for application in a tachograph due to installation requirements. According to the invention, the sealing element (7) on the card housing device (1) is spring-mounted by means of at least one elastic element (8).

Title of Invention

"A CARD RECEIVING DEVICE IN PARTICULAR FOR A TACHOGRAPH IN A MOTOR VEHICLE"

Abstract

The invention relates to a card housing device (1) of flat construction, with complete insertion of a card (2) through a narrow housing opening (5) which may be sealed by means of a seal (6), comprising a sealing element (7), whereby the sealing element (7) may be displaced in a direction normal to a displacement plane (4) of the card (2). Conventional devices of this type are unsuitable for application in a tachograph due to installation requirements. According to the invention, the sealing element (7) on the card housing device (1) is spring-mounted by means of at least one elastic element (8).

Full Text	The invention relates to a card receiving device, in particular for, a tachograph in a motor vehicle of a flat construction, which completely draws in a card in a plane of movement, with an elongate receiving opening, through which the card reaches the card receiving device, and with a closure, which has a closure element, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening and blocks the receiving opening in the closed position of the closure, the closure element being movable in a direction normal to the plane of movement within the travel required for the reception of the card. The main focus of application of the device according to the invention lies in the area of tachographs or devices for recording the working periods and rest periods of commercial vehicle drivers. However, other applications are likewise feasible, for example in the area of banking and for making payments, or locking systems. The invention is advantageously used in combination with all types of card-like data storage media. On account of the great commercial and legal importance of the data which can be acquired with tachographs, the recordings have to be reliably secured against manipulation. The security measures relate both to data acquisition and data transmission and to the transmission and storage of the acquired data in the memory of the card. Relevant standards place strict requirements on the security standard to be achieved by the measures. It is therefore stipulated that the card should be entirely held by the card receiving device during the reading and writing operations PCT/EP2004/003137 - 2 - 2003P02903WOUS and be isolated from the surroundings by means of suitable closure devices. The closure devices have to be arrested in the closed position during the reading and writing operations. Additional difficulties arise on account of operational failures in conventional devices caused by contamination, in particular by contact being interrupted or even when the card is being drawn in. It is problematical to draw in the card and position it exactly on the contacts of the device because the cards have high manufacturing tolerances in relation to the required positional accuracy with respect to the contacts of the device. Since the cards are predominantly perceived by the user to be distinguished by a high degree of robustness, said cards are generally not handled with the care that is actually required, so that, in addition to the tolerances caused by manufacture, deformation and damage impair the way in which the card operates when interacting with the card receiving devices. Furthermore, the operating conditions in motor vehicles place increased requirements on functional reliability on account of the pronounced vibrations and countless bumps and the wide- ranging temperature fluctuations. Implementing security against manipulation and the desired handling convenience mean it is necessary to draw in the card fully automatically. However, in order to meet this requirement, great difficulties are faced in terms of construction because the installation space available in a tachograph, which is the size of a car radio, provides only approximately a height of 10 mm for the fully automatic drawing-in process. An important application of the invention lies in the area of commercial vehicles, in particular transporters of hazardous materials, for which relevant protection classes are of central significance. For instance, protection against dust deposits, complete protection against contact with PCT/EP2004/003137 - 3 - 2003P02903WOUS live or internal moving parts, protection against penetration by dust' or protection against penetration by water splashing against the device from all directions is prescribed as an imperative requirement. These boundary conditions place special requirements on a closure of the receiving opening of a card receiving device. European Patent Application EP 1 017 013 A3 already discloses a closing device for a device of a similar generic type in which a segmented drum blocks or releases the opening, the drum being controlled and driven by means of a suitable gear mechanism. On account of the great structural and production engineering complexity, the solution is not suitable for mass production. European Patent Specification EP 0 342 407 Bl already discloses a device in which a closure is movable in the generic way, but the proposed solution is extremely complex. DE 35 18 247 Al describes a locking and unlocking device for a card reader in which the card is arrested by means of a hook during the reading mode. The hook protrudes into the receiving slot and partially blocks the latter. To release the arrestment for the withdrawal of the card, the hook must be turned by means of a complex lever device. FR 2 801 393 A discloses a portable card reader which is integrated in particular in a cellphone. The card reader is designed in such a way that, in the absence of a card, no dust can penetrate. In place of an open insertion slot for the card, a flap which bears against a stop edge is provided instead. The card is pushed in between the flap and the stop edge, but remains partly outside the card reader. Devices of the generic type with a guillotine-like closing movement are nowadays found in most automated teller machines. The safety requirements in the case of these devices are comparable or even more stringent, manipulation being made more PCT/EP2004/003137 - 3a- 2003P02903WOUS difficult already by the fact that these devices are under constant surveillance. However, the known technique cannot be transferred to a tachograph, because it does not meet the requirements in terms of installation space. On the basis of the practical requirements and the problems and disadvantages of the prior art, it is the object of the invention to close a card receiving device by means of a closure in conformity with relevant protection classes, with at the same time a high degree of suitability for mass PCT/EP2004/003137 - 4- 2003P02903WOUS production, low production tolerances and a reliable operating mode. The object is achieved according to the invention by a card receiving device as claimed in patent claim 1. The decisive advantage of the invention lies in the incomparably low complexity of the resilient mounting, which makes all additional mechanical components, in particular gear components, superfluous to the greatest extent. On account of its low structural complexity, the very simple solution is accompanied by great reliability and low production costs. At the same time as saving mechanically complex gear components, the installation space for the closure is reduced considerably, which is of extremely great interest in particular in the case of the installation space given in the area of motor vehicle tachographs, similar to the format of a car radio. An outstanding operating mode of the closure can be obtained with an overall height of less than 10 mm without involving any special complexity in terms of production engineering. Without complex linear guidance but by means of an axis of rotation that is arranged away from the closure element, a reliable function can be obtained in this way at low cost. By contrast with PCT/EP2004/003137 - 5 2003P02903WOUS linear guidance of the closure element, the mounting in an axis of rotation does not have any tendency to block, since the torques in the mounting increase with increasing distance from the closure element. Nevertheless, on account of the small travel of the closure element and the resultant small angle of rotation in the axis of rotation, a movement of the closure element that is to the greatest extent exclusively translatory can be ensured, which is likewise conducive to the reliable closing of the receiving opening, since contaminants that become attached to the closure or the adjacent bearing surfaces are not able to hinder the movement of the closure element, as they can for example in the case of a pivoting flap. In a development, the leaf spring may advantageously extend substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the card. In this way, in the case of the leaf spring of an elongate configuration, the closure element moves in a manner that is substantially translatory and perpendicular to the plane of movement, so that an advantageous guillotine-like closure takes place. The decisive advantage lies in the saving of all the gear components, since the upstream leaf spring provides the arrangement with precisely the required degrees of freedom of movement. At the same time, the resilient mounting that is advantageous according to the invention is provided. The greatest stability is achieved if the closure element is formed integrally with the leaf spring. At the same time, the number of components is reduced, with the effect of lowering cost. In this sense, further advantages are obtained if the PCT/EP2004/003137 - 6a 2003P02903WOUS leaf spring is part of a further, component-carrying, if appropriate central, carrier. As already explained in respect of the leaf spring, it is * generally expedient that the closure element is resiliently mounted in a direction normal to the plane of movement within the travel required for the reception of the chip card. The advantages according to the invention arise from the combination of the resilient mounting in a direction normal to the plane of movement with a freedom of movement of the closure element that is oriented in a substantially translatory manner in a direction normal to the plane of movement. It should -be pointed out that rotational movements by small angles do not restrict the success according to the invention as long as the movement of the closure element is substantially a translatory movement oriented perpendicularly in relation to the plane of movement. The ratio of the travel required for the reception of the card to the distance of an axis of rotation of the movement of the closure element located in the inward direction of the closure element is of significance here. This axis of rotation is advantageously arranged away from the closure element in the inward direction by at least ten times the usual travel of the closure element. The same applies to the fastening of one end of the leaf spring in connection with the closure element. In order that the user can open the closure just by applying pressure by means of the card to be inserted, it is expedient if the closure element has on the input side a run-in slope for the card to be inserted that is located on the outside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening. In the same way, it is expedient for the withdrawal of a card from the PCT/EP2004/003137 - 7 - 2003P02903WOUS device according to the invention if the closure element has a run-in slope for the card to be pushed out that is located on the inside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening. Since, in particular in the area of commercial vehicles, it cannot be assumed that the cards to be received will be handled with care, it is expedient if, in the closed position, the closure element bears in an elastically prestressed manner against a counter abutment, during the inward movement into, the card receiving device the card is arranged between the counter abutment and the closure element, is facing the closure element with a first flat side and is facing the counter abutment with a second flat side and the closure element is stressed against the flat side of the card facing the closure element. In this way, contaminants are stripped from the card by means of the closure element during the drawing-in movement. The stripping device may be provided both by the closure element and by the counter abutment. Since the closure element has preferred suitability for this stripping function, it is expedient if the card receiving device has a set of contacts for the contacting of the card that are arranged on the same side of the plane of movement as the closure element. In this way, the card is freed of contaminants particularly thoroughly on that flat side which comes into conducting connection with the contacts of the set of contacts in the end position. If the seal lying opposite the closure element is formed in a way making it suitable for stripping, it is in the same way advisable on account of the pressing force of the closure element for the same to be arranged on the side of the card opposite from the set of contacts. PCT/EP2004/003137 - 8 - 2003P02903WOUS In order that in particular no splash water can penetrate into the device, it is advisable if, in the closed position, the closure element bears against a first seal extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening. For further protection from splash water, it is additionally expedient to provide the receiving opening with a second seal in the transverse direction, against which the closure element bears in the closed position. Additional savings and a reduction in the number of components are obtained if the first seal, extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening, forms with the second seal, extending in the transverse direction of the receiving opening, a component that can be used as strip material, if appropriate under elastic deformation, or already has a correspondingly shaped contour. For a pleasing external appearance, it is advisable to provide the device with a front panel, which has a rear side and a visible side and is provided in the region of the receiving opening of the card receiving device with a recess, which is at least partially surrounded on the rear side by a third seal, which seals with respect to the front side of the card receiving device in the region of the receiving opening, so that neither splash water nor dust can penetrate. This third seal expediently forms a component with the seal already sealing with respect to the closure element, so that the card receiving device has a front panel with a rear side, a visible side and with a recess in the region of the receiving opening the card, the cross section of the seal has a harder region, which extends in the longitudinal direction and against which the closure element bears in the closed position, and a softer region, which bears against the rear side of the panel. PCT/EP2004/003137 - 9 - 2003P02903WOUS For the case in which water happens to get between the actual card receiving device and the front panel in spite of the seal, it is advisable if the panel has underneath the recess at least one drainage opening. It is expedient both for the automatic opening of the closure element on the basis of a pressure applied by means of the card to be received and also for a better sealing effect of the closure if the closure element has a cross section that tapers in the form of a wedge or runs to a point in relation to the seal, so that a substantially linear contact is obtained between the seal and the closure element in the closed position. To make allowance for relevant legal standards for tachographs, it is advisable if the card receiving device has a locking unit, which locks the closure in the closed position. In the case of resilient mounting of the closure element by means of a leaf spring, it is of particular advantage if the locking element of the locking unit blocks the leaf spring in the closed position. The advantages of the invention come fully to bear if the card can be automatically drawn into the card receiving device or withdrawn. The invention is explained in more detail below to illustrate it on the basis of a specific exemplary embodiment and with reference to drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of the closure according to the invention as a component part of a carrier; PCT/EP2004/003137 - 10 - 2003P02903WOUS Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through a closure element of a closure according to the invention with a formed-on leaf spring; Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of two closures according to the invention, arranged on a common carrier; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a closure according to the invention with a locking unit in the non-locked position; Figure 5 shows a plan view of a closure according to the invention with a locking unit in the locked position; Figure 6 shows a plan view of an arrangement according to the invention of seals on a closure according to the invention; Figure 7 shows a front view of the sealing arrangement of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a section through an arrangement according to the invention of a seal along the section A-A represented in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a view from below of a closure element according to the invention together with a sealing arrangement according to the invention; Figure 10 shows a detailed representation according to the detail Z indicated in Figure 9; PCT/EP2004/003137 - 11 - 2003P02903WOUS Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section through a closure according to the invention together with a front panel of a card receiving device; Figure 12 shows a detailed representation according to the detail Z indicated in Figure 11. In Figure 1, a closure element 7 according to the invention of a closure 6 is provided with the designation 7 and is represented together with an elastic element 8, formed as an extension arm 10, or a leaf spring 11 on a carrier 13. The carrier 13 and the leaf spring 11 are punched out from a metal sheet and the closure element 7 is molded as a plastic part onto the end of the leaf spring 11 on the input side. Likewise molded onto the carrier 13 are latching hooks 31 for the mounting of a sealing unit 32, represented in Figures 6 to 12. On account of the low amplitude, the movement of the closure element 7 of the closure 6 can be described by approximation as a rotation about a first axis of rotation 20, which is arranged in the region of the attachment of the leaf spring 11 and runs parallel to a plane of movement 4 of a card 2 . As also shown in Figures 2, 3, the closure element 7 has on the input side, in an inward direction 9, an outer run-in slope 14. By means of the outer run-in slope 14, the card is capable of pushing aside the closure element 7 from a receiving opening 5 perpendicularly in relation to the plane of movement 4 of the card 2. On the inner side of the closure element 7 there is likewise an inner run-in slope 15, which makes it possible for the card 2 to push aside the clpsure element 7 as it leaves the device. The leaf spring 11, carrying the closure element 7, is offset approximately 6 mm in relation to the plane of the carrier 13 by being PCT/EP2004/003137 - 12 - 2003P02903WOUS bent away in the direction of the plane of movement 4 of the card 2 and is therefore provided with a prestress that is obtained during operation When it bears against a counter abutment. In a way corresponding to the preferred use of tachographs, two closures according to the invention are usually arranged on a common carrier 13, as shown in Figure 3. In Figures 4, 5, a locking unit 29 is represented, provided with the designation 29. In Figure 4, the locking unit 29 is in a non-locked position and, in Figure 5, the locking element is locked by means of the locking unit 29. The locking unit 29 . has two locking elements 30, 35, which can in each case be pivoted about a third axis of rotation 33, 34. The two locking elements 30, 35 are arranged laterally of the closure 6 on both sides of the plane of movement 4 for a card. The locking elements 3 5, 30 are respectively provided on the end faces, facing the closure element -7, with a run-in slope 36, 37, which makes it possible for the locking elements 30, 3 5 to push themselves behind the closure element 7 in a plane between the plane of the closure element 7 and the plane of the carrier 13, so that the closure 6 can no longer spring back into an open position. In Figure 6, a sealing unit 32 is represented, which seal has cut-out recesses 38, 39, which correspond to the latching hooks 31. The sealing unit 32, consisting of plastic, encloses the receiving opening 5 for the card in the plane of movement 4 in a U-shaped manner and is provided on the side facing the plane of movement 4 with a seal 40. The seal 40 integrally combines a first seal 21, PCT/EP2004/003137 - 13 - 2003P02903WOUS extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening 5, and two second seals 22, extending in the transverse direction of the receiving opening 5. The seal 40 is fitted in an interlocking manner in a corresponding receiving formation 41. The cross section of the seal 40 that is represented in Figure 8 shows the arrangement with a first sealing lip 42 for sealing with respect to a front panel 25. As Figures 9, 10 illustrate, the region of the second seal 22 has a chamber-like clearance with a second sealing lip 43, which is formed in a resilient manner and faces in the inward direction 9. t The second sealing lip 43 seals with respect to a laterally- protruding sealing surface 44 of the closure element, so that no splash water can penetrate laterally of the closure element 7 either. As Figures 11, 12 illustrate in the detail of the partial representation of a card receiving device 1, if it is installed in accordance with regulations, the closure element 7 of the closure 6 closes with a movement from the bottom upward, that is to say substantially counter to the direction of gravitational force, and comes to bear against the first seal 21 in the closed position. The installation position may also be inclined by up to 30° according to the invention. The resilient closure 7 thereby prevents the card from falling out when it is ejected, by means of clamping. On account of the wedge shape of the closure element 7, the bearing contact is substantially linear. On account of this arrangement, the seal 40 describes a substantially inverted U shape around the receiving opening 5. In this way, splash water penetrating through a receiving recess 28 of the front panel 25 that corresponds to the receiving opening 5 can, under the driving effect of gravitational force, run into a drainage channel 46, located under the receiving opening 5 behind the front panel 2 5 on the rear side 26, and from there PCT7EP2004/003137 - 14 - 2003P02903WOUS leave the moisture-sensitive region from a drain 45. The portion that seals with respect to the front panel 2 5 is formed as a softer region 24 of the seal 40 and is softer than an adjacent, harder region 23, arranged as a counter abutment of the closure element. These two regions 23, 24 are integrally connected to each other. PCT/EP2004/003137 - 15 - 2003P02903WOUS Patent claims 1. A card receiving device (1), in particular for a tachograph in a motor vehicle of a flat construction, which completely draws in a card (2) in a plane of movement (4), with an elongate receiving opening (5), through which the card (2) reaches the card receiving device (1), and with a closure (6), which has a closure element (7), which extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5) and blocks the receiving opening (5) in the closed position of the closure (6), the closure element (7) being movable in a direction normal to the plane of movement (4) within the travel required for the reception of the card (2), characterized in that - the closure element (7) is attached to the end on the input side of a leaf spring (11) of an elongate configuration, so that the closure element (7) is resiliently mounted in a direction normal to the plane of movement (4) within the travel required for the reception of the card (2), - the closure element (7) describes a rotation about a first axis of rotation (20) running parallel to the plane of movement (4) and through the fastening of the other end of the leaf spring (11). 2. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the leaf spring is arranged substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of movement (4) . 3. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (7) is formed integrally with the leaf spring (11). PCT/EP2004/003137 - 16 - 2003P02903WOUS 4. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leaf spring (11) is formed as part of a carrier (13) carrying further components. PCT/EP2004/003137 - 17 - 2003P02903WOUS 5. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (7) has on the input side an outer run-in slope (14) for the card (2) to be inserted that is located on the outside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5). 6. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (7) has an inner run-in slope (15) for the card (2) to be pushed out that is located on the inside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5). 7. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed position, the closure element (7) bears in an elastically prestressed manner against a counter abutment, during the inward movement into the card receiving device (1) the card (2) is arranged between the counter abutment and the closure element (7), is facing the closure element (7) with a first flat side and is facing the counter abutment with a second flat side and the closure element (7) is stressed against the flat side of the card (2) facing the closure element (7). 8. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card receiving device (1) has a set of contacts for the contacting of the card (2) that are arranged on the other side of the plane of movement (4) than the closure element (7) . PCT/EP2004/003137 - 18 - 2003P02903WOUS 9. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first axis of rotation (20) is arranged away from the closure element (7) in the inward direction by at least ten times the usual travel of the closure element (7). 10. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first axis of rotation (20) is arranged so far away from the closure element (7) that the closure element (7) closes the receiving opening (5) in a manner similar to a guillotine. 11. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed position, the closure element (7) bears against a first seal (21) extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5). 12. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed position, the closure element (7) bears against a second seal (22) arranged on both sides of the receiving opening (5) in the transverse direction of the receiving opening (5) . 13. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card receiving device (1) has a front panel (25) with a rear side (26) , PCT/EP2004/003137 - 19 - 2003P02903WOUS a visible side and with a receiving recess (28) in the region of the receiving opening (5) for the card (2), the cross section of the seal (40) has a harder region, which extends in the longitudinal direction and against which the closure element (7) bears in the closed position, and a softer region, which extends in the longitudinal direction and bears against the rear side (26) of the front panel (25) . 14. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in claim .12, characterized in that the front panel (25) has underneath the receiving recess (28) at least one drainage opening (45) . 15. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure element (7) has a cross section that tapers in the form of a wedge in relation to the seal (40) , so that a substantially linear contact is obtained between the seal (40) and the closure element (7) in the closed position. 16. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card receiving device (1) has a locking unit (29), which locks the closure (6) in the closed position. 17. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking unit (29) additionally presses the closure element (7) against the seal (40) in the locked position. PCT/EP2004/003137 - 20 - 2003P02903WOUS 18. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leaf spring {11) can be blocked in the closed position of the closure {6) by means of a locking element {30, 35) of the locking unit (29). 19. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking element (30, 35) of the locking unit (29) is movable in a plane substantially parallel to the card (2). 20. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) can be automatically drawn in. 21. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2) can be automatically withdrawn. The invention relates to a card housing device (1) of flat construction, with complete insertion of a card (2) through a narrow housing opening (5) which may be sealed by means of a seal (6), comprising a sealing element (7), whereby the sealing element (7) may be displaced in a direction normal to a displacement plane (4) of the card (2). Conventional devices of this type are unsuitable for application in a tachograph due to installation requirements. According to the invention, the sealing element (7) on the card housing device (1) is spring-mounted by means of at least one elastic element (8).

Full Text

The invention relates to a card receiving device, in particular
for, a tachograph in a motor vehicle of a flat construction,
which completely draws in a card in a plane of movement, with
an elongate receiving opening, through which the card reaches
the card receiving device, and with a closure, which has a
closure element, which extends in the longitudinal direction of
the receiving opening and blocks the receiving opening in the
closed position of the closure, the closure element being
movable in a direction normal to the plane of movement within
the travel required for the reception of the card.
The main focus of application of the device according to the
invention lies in the area of tachographs or devices for
recording the working periods and rest periods of commercial
vehicle drivers. However, other applications are likewise
feasible, for example in the area of banking and for making
payments, or locking systems. The invention is advantageously
used in combination with all types of card-like data storage
media. On account of the great commercial and legal importance
of the data which can be acquired with tachographs, the
recordings have to be reliably secured against manipulation.
The security measures relate both to data acquisition and data
transmission and to the transmission and storage of the
acquired data in the memory of the card. Relevant standards
place strict requirements on the security standard to be
achieved by the measures. It is therefore stipulated that the
card should be entirely held by the card receiving device
during the reading and writing operations

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 2 -
2003P02903WOUS
and be isolated from the surroundings by means of suitable
closure devices. The closure devices have to be arrested in
the closed position during the reading and writing operations.
Additional difficulties arise on account of operational
failures in conventional devices caused by contamination, in
particular by contact being interrupted or even when the card
is being drawn in. It is problematical to draw in the card and
position it exactly on the contacts of the device because the
cards have high manufacturing tolerances in relation to the
required positional accuracy with respect to the contacts of
the device. Since the cards are predominantly perceived by the
user to be distinguished by a high degree of robustness, said
cards are generally not handled with the care that is actually
required, so that, in addition to the tolerances caused by
manufacture, deformation and damage impair the way in which the
card operates when interacting with the card receiving devices.
Furthermore, the operating conditions in motor vehicles place
increased requirements on functional reliability on account of
the pronounced vibrations and countless bumps and the wide-
ranging temperature fluctuations. Implementing security
against manipulation and the desired handling convenience mean
it is necessary to draw in the card fully automatically.
However, in order to meet this requirement, great difficulties
are faced in terms of construction because the installation
space available in a tachograph, which is the size of a car
radio, provides only approximately a height of 10 mm for the
fully automatic drawing-in process. An important application
of the invention lies in the area of commercial vehicles, in
particular transporters of hazardous materials, for which
relevant protection classes are of central significance. For
instance, protection against dust deposits, complete protection
against contact with

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 3 -
2003P02903WOUS
live or internal moving parts, protection against penetration
by dust' or protection against penetration by water splashing
against the device from all directions is prescribed as an
imperative requirement. These boundary conditions place
special requirements on a closure of the receiving opening of a
card receiving device.
European Patent Application EP 1 017 013 A3 already discloses a
closing device for a device of a similar generic type in which
a segmented drum blocks or releases the opening, the drum being
controlled and driven by means of a suitable gear mechanism.
On account of the great structural and production engineering
complexity, the solution is not suitable for mass production.
European Patent Specification EP 0 342 407 Bl already discloses
a device in which a closure is movable in the generic way, but
the proposed solution is extremely complex.
DE 35 18 247 Al describes a locking and unlocking device for a
card reader in which the card is arrested by means of a hook
during the reading mode. The hook protrudes into the receiving
slot and partially blocks the latter. To release the
arrestment for the withdrawal of the card, the hook must be
turned by means of a complex lever device.
FR 2 801 393 A discloses a portable card reader which is
integrated in particular in a cellphone. The card reader is
designed in such a way that, in the absence of a card, no dust
can penetrate. In place of an open insertion slot for the
card, a flap which bears against a stop edge is provided
instead. The card is pushed in between the flap and the stop
edge, but remains partly outside the card reader.
Devices of the generic type with a guillotine-like closing
movement are nowadays found in most automated teller machines.
The safety requirements in the case of these devices are
comparable or even more stringent, manipulation being made more

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 3a-
2003P02903WOUS
difficult already by the fact that these devices are under
constant surveillance. However, the known technique cannot be
transferred to a tachograph, because it does not meet the
requirements in terms of installation space.
On the basis of the practical requirements and the problems and
disadvantages of the prior art, it is the object of the
invention to close a card receiving device by means of a
closure in conformity with relevant protection classes, with at
the same time a high degree of suitability for mass

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 4-
2003P02903WOUS
production, low production tolerances and a reliable operating
mode.
The object is achieved according to the invention by a card
receiving device as claimed in patent claim 1. The decisive
advantage of the invention lies in the incomparably low
complexity of the resilient mounting, which makes all
additional mechanical components, in particular gear
components, superfluous to the greatest extent. On account of
its low structural complexity, the very simple solution is
accompanied by great reliability and low production costs. At
the same time as saving mechanically complex gear components,
the installation space for the closure is reduced considerably,
which is of extremely great interest in particular in the case
of the installation space given in the area of motor vehicle
tachographs, similar to the format of a car radio. An
outstanding operating mode of the closure can be obtained with
an overall height of less than 10 mm without involving any
special complexity in terms of production engineering.
Without complex linear guidance but by means of an axis of
rotation that is arranged away from the closure element, a
reliable function can be obtained in this way at low cost. By
contrast with

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 5
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linear guidance of the closure element, the mounting in an axis
of rotation does not have any tendency to block, since the
torques in the mounting increase with increasing distance from
the closure element. Nevertheless, on account of the small
travel of the closure element and the resultant small angle of
rotation in the axis of rotation, a movement of the closure
element that is to the greatest extent exclusively translatory
can be ensured, which is likewise conducive to the reliable
closing of the receiving opening, since contaminants that
become attached to the closure or the adjacent bearing surfaces
are not able to hinder the movement of the closure element, as
they can for example in the case of a pivoting flap.
In a development, the leaf spring may advantageously extend
substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the card. In
this way, in the case of the leaf spring of an elongate
configuration, the closure element moves in a manner that is
substantially translatory and perpendicular to the plane of
movement, so that an advantageous guillotine-like closure takes
place. The decisive advantage lies in the saving of all the
gear components, since the upstream leaf spring provides the
arrangement with precisely the required degrees of freedom of
movement. At the same time, the resilient mounting that is
advantageous according to the invention is provided.
The greatest stability is achieved if the closure element is
formed integrally with the leaf spring. At the same time, the
number of components is reduced, with the effect of lowering
cost. In this sense, further advantages are obtained if the

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 6a
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leaf spring is part of a further, component-carrying, if
appropriate central, carrier.
As already explained in respect of the leaf spring, it is *
generally expedient that the closure element is resiliently
mounted in a direction normal to the plane of movement within
the travel required for the reception of the chip card. The
advantages according to the invention arise from the
combination of the resilient mounting in a direction normal to
the plane of movement with a freedom of movement of the closure
element that is oriented in a substantially translatory manner
in a direction normal to the plane of movement. It should -be
pointed out that rotational movements by small angles do not
restrict the success according to the invention as long as the
movement of the closure element is substantially a translatory
movement oriented perpendicularly in relation to the plane of
movement. The ratio of the travel required for the reception
of the card to the distance of an axis of rotation of the
movement of the closure element located in the inward direction
of the closure element is of significance here. This axis of
rotation is advantageously arranged away from the closure
element in the inward direction by at least ten times the usual
travel of the closure element. The same applies to the
fastening of one end of the leaf spring in connection with the
closure element.
In order that the user can open the closure just by applying
pressure by means of the card to be inserted, it is expedient
if the closure element has on the input side a run-in slope for
the card to be inserted that is located on the outside and
extends in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening.
In the same way, it is expedient for the withdrawal of a card
from the

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 7 -
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device according to the invention if the closure element has a
run-in slope for the card to be pushed out that is located on
the inside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the
receiving opening.
Since, in particular in the area of commercial vehicles, it
cannot be assumed that the cards to be received will be handled
with care, it is expedient if, in the closed position, the
closure element bears in an elastically prestressed manner
against a counter abutment, during the inward movement into, the
card receiving device the card is arranged between the counter
abutment and the closure element, is facing the closure element
with a first flat side and is facing the counter abutment with
a second flat side and the closure element is stressed against
the flat side of the card facing the closure element. In this
way, contaminants are stripped from the card by means of the
closure element during the drawing-in movement. The stripping
device may be provided both by the closure element and by the
counter abutment. Since the closure element has preferred
suitability for this stripping function, it is expedient if the
card receiving device has a set of contacts for the contacting
of the card that are arranged on the same side of the plane of
movement as the closure element. In this way, the card is
freed of contaminants particularly thoroughly on that flat side
which comes into conducting connection with the contacts of the
set of contacts in the end position. If the seal lying
opposite the closure element is formed in a way making it
suitable for stripping, it is in the same way advisable on
account of the pressing force of the closure element for the
same to be arranged on the side of the card opposite from the
set of contacts.

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In order that in particular no splash water can penetrate into
the device, it is advisable if, in the closed position, the
closure element bears against a first seal extending in the
longitudinal direction of the receiving opening. For further
protection from splash water, it is additionally expedient to
provide the receiving opening with a second seal in the
transverse direction, against which the closure element bears
in the closed position. Additional savings and a reduction in
the number of components are obtained if the first seal,
extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving
opening, forms with the second seal, extending in the
transverse direction of the receiving opening, a component that
can be used as strip material, if appropriate under elastic
deformation, or already has a correspondingly shaped contour.
For a pleasing external appearance, it is advisable to provide
the device with a front panel, which has a rear side and a
visible side and is provided in the region of the receiving
opening of the card receiving device with a recess, which is at
least partially surrounded on the rear side by a third seal,
which seals with respect to the front side of the card
receiving device in the region of the receiving opening, so
that neither splash water nor dust can penetrate. This third
seal expediently forms a component with the seal already
sealing with respect to the closure element, so that the card
receiving device has a front panel with a rear side, a visible
side and with a recess in the region of the receiving opening
the card, the cross section of the seal has a harder region,
which extends in the longitudinal direction and against which
the closure element bears in the closed position, and a softer
region, which bears against the rear side of the panel.

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For the case in which water happens to get between the actual
card receiving device and the front panel in spite of the seal,
it is advisable if the panel has underneath the recess at least
one drainage opening.
It is expedient both for the automatic opening of the closure
element on the basis of a pressure applied by means of the card
to be received and also for a better sealing effect of the
closure if the closure element has a cross section that tapers
in the form of a wedge or runs to a point in relation to the
seal, so that a substantially linear contact is obtained
between the seal and the closure element in the closed
position.
To make allowance for relevant legal standards for tachographs,
it is advisable if the card receiving device has a locking
unit, which locks the closure in the closed position. In the
case of resilient mounting of the closure element by means of a
leaf spring, it is of particular advantage if the locking
element of the locking unit blocks the leaf spring in the
closed position. The advantages of the invention come fully to
bear if the card can be automatically drawn into the card
receiving device or withdrawn.
The invention is explained in more detail below to illustrate
it on the basis of a specific exemplary embodiment and with
reference to drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a plan view of the closure according to the
invention as a component part of a carrier;

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 10 -
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Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section through a closure
element of a closure according to the invention with
a formed-on leaf spring;
Figure 3 shows a perspective representation of two closures
according to the invention, arranged on a common
carrier;
Figure 4 shows a plan view of a closure according to the
invention with a locking unit in the non-locked
position;
Figure 5 shows a plan view of a closure according to the
invention with a locking unit in the locked position;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of an arrangement according to the
invention of seals on a closure according to the
invention;
Figure 7 shows a front view of the sealing arrangement of
Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a section through an arrangement according to
the invention of a seal along the section A-A
represented in Figure 7;
Figure 9 shows a view from below of a closure element
according to the invention together with a sealing
arrangement according to the invention;
Figure 10 shows a detailed representation according to the
detail Z indicated in Figure 9;

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Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section through a closure
according to the invention together with a front
panel of a card receiving device;
Figure 12 shows a detailed representation according to the
detail Z indicated in Figure 11.
In Figure 1, a closure element 7 according to the invention of
a closure 6 is provided with the designation 7 and is
represented together with an elastic element 8, formed as an
extension arm 10, or a leaf spring 11 on a carrier 13. The
carrier 13 and the leaf spring 11 are punched out from a metal
sheet and the closure element 7 is molded as a plastic part
onto the end of the leaf spring 11 on the input side. Likewise
molded onto the carrier 13 are latching hooks 31 for the
mounting of a sealing unit 32, represented in Figures 6 to 12.
On account of the low amplitude, the movement of the closure
element 7 of the closure 6 can be described by approximation as
a rotation about a first axis of rotation 20, which is arranged
in the region of the attachment of the leaf spring 11 and runs
parallel to a plane of movement 4 of a card 2 .
As also shown in Figures 2, 3, the closure element 7 has on the
input side, in an inward direction 9, an outer run-in slope 14.
By means of the outer run-in slope 14, the card is capable of
pushing aside the closure element 7 from a receiving opening 5
perpendicularly in relation to the plane of movement 4 of the
card 2. On the inner side of the closure element 7 there is
likewise an inner run-in slope 15, which makes it possible for
the card 2 to push aside the clpsure element 7 as it leaves the
device. The leaf spring 11, carrying the closure element 7, is
offset approximately 6 mm in relation to the plane of the
carrier 13 by being

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 12 -
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bent away in the direction of the plane of movement 4 of the
card 2 and is therefore provided with a prestress that is
obtained during operation When it bears against a counter
abutment.
In a way corresponding to the preferred use of tachographs, two
closures according to the invention are usually arranged on a
common carrier 13, as shown in Figure 3.
In Figures 4, 5, a locking unit 29 is represented, provided
with the designation 29. In Figure 4, the locking unit 29 is
in a non-locked position and, in Figure 5, the locking element
is locked by means of the locking unit 29. The locking unit 29 .
has two locking elements 30, 35, which can in each case be
pivoted about a third axis of rotation 33, 34. The two locking
elements 30, 35 are arranged laterally of the closure 6 on both
sides of the plane of movement 4 for a card. The locking
elements 3 5, 30 are respectively provided on the end faces,
facing the closure element -7, with a run-in slope 36, 37, which
makes it possible for the locking elements 30, 3 5 to push
themselves behind the closure element 7 in a plane between the
plane of the closure element 7 and the plane of the carrier 13,
so that the closure 6 can no longer spring back into an open
position.
In Figure 6, a sealing unit 32 is represented, which seal has
cut-out recesses 38, 39, which correspond to the latching hooks
31. The sealing unit 32, consisting of plastic, encloses the
receiving opening 5 for the card in the plane of movement 4 in
a U-shaped manner and is provided on the side facing the plane
of movement 4 with a seal 40. The seal 40 integrally combines
a first seal 21,

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 13 -
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extending in the longitudinal direction of the receiving
opening 5, and two second seals 22, extending in the transverse
direction of the receiving opening 5. The seal 40 is fitted in
an interlocking manner in a corresponding receiving formation
41. The cross section of the seal 40 that is represented in
Figure 8 shows the arrangement with a first sealing lip 42 for
sealing with respect to a front panel 25. As Figures 9, 10
illustrate, the region of the second seal 22 has a chamber-like
clearance with a second sealing lip 43, which is formed in a
resilient manner and faces in the inward direction 9. t The
second sealing lip 43 seals with respect to a laterally-
protruding sealing surface 44 of the closure element, so that
no splash water can penetrate laterally of the closure element
7 either.
As Figures 11, 12 illustrate in the detail of the partial
representation of a card receiving device 1, if it is installed
in accordance with regulations, the closure element 7 of the
closure 6 closes with a movement from the bottom upward, that
is to say substantially counter to the direction of
gravitational force, and comes to bear against the first seal
21 in the closed position. The installation position may also
be inclined by up to 30° according to the invention. The
resilient closure 7 thereby prevents the card from falling out
when it is ejected, by means of clamping. On account of the
wedge shape of the closure element 7, the bearing contact is
substantially linear. On account of this arrangement, the seal
40 describes a substantially inverted U shape around the
receiving opening 5. In this way, splash water penetrating
through a receiving recess 28 of the front panel 25 that
corresponds to the receiving opening 5 can, under the driving
effect of gravitational force, run into a drainage channel 46,
located under the receiving opening 5 behind the front panel 2 5
on the rear side 26, and from there

PCT7EP2004/003137 - 14 -
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leave the moisture-sensitive region from a drain 45. The
portion that seals with respect to the front panel 2 5 is formed
as a softer region 24 of the seal 40 and is softer than an
adjacent, harder region 23, arranged as a counter abutment of
the closure element. These two regions 23, 24 are integrally
connected to each other.

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 15 -
2003P02903WOUS
Patent claims
1. A card receiving device (1), in particular for a tachograph
in a motor vehicle of a flat construction, which completely
draws in a card (2) in a plane of movement (4), with an
elongate receiving opening (5), through which the card (2)
reaches the card receiving device (1), and with a closure
(6), which has a closure element (7), which extends in the
longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5) and
blocks the receiving opening (5) in the closed position of
the closure (6), the closure element (7) being movable in a
direction normal to the plane of movement (4) within the
travel required for the reception of the card (2),
characterized in that
- the closure element (7) is attached to the end on the
input side of a leaf spring (11) of an elongate
configuration, so that the closure element (7) is
resiliently mounted in a direction normal to the plane of
movement (4) within the travel required for the reception
of the card (2),
- the closure element (7) describes a rotation about a
first axis of rotation (20) running parallel to the plane
of movement (4) and through the fastening of the other
end of the leaf spring (11).

2. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that the leaf spring is arranged
substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of movement
(4) .
3. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure
element (7) is formed integrally with the leaf spring (11).

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4. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the leaf spring
(11) is formed as part of a carrier (13) carrying further
components.

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5. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure
element (7) has on the input side an outer run-in slope
(14) for the card (2) to be inserted that is located on the
outside and extends in the longitudinal direction of the
receiving opening (5).
6. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure
element (7) has an inner run-in slope (15) for the card (2)
to be pushed out that is located on the inside and extends
in the longitudinal direction of the receiving opening (5).
7. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed
position, the closure element (7) bears in an elastically
prestressed manner against a counter abutment, during the
inward movement into the card receiving device (1) the card
(2) is arranged between the counter abutment and the
closure element (7), is facing the closure element (7) with
a first flat side and is facing the counter abutment with a
second flat side and the closure element (7) is stressed
against the flat side of the card (2) facing the closure
element (7).
8. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the card
receiving device (1) has a set of contacts for the
contacting of the card (2) that are arranged on the other
side of the plane of movement (4) than the closure element
(7) .

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 18 -
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9. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the first axis
of rotation (20) is arranged away from the closure element
(7) in the inward direction by at least ten times the usual
travel of the closure element (7).
10. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the first axis
of rotation (20) is arranged so far away from the closure
element (7) that the closure element (7) closes the
receiving opening (5) in a manner similar to a guillotine.
11. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed
position, the closure element (7) bears against a first
seal (21) extending in the longitudinal direction of the
receiving opening (5).
12. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the closed
position, the closure element (7) bears against a second
seal (22) arranged on both sides of the receiving opening
(5) in the transverse direction of the receiving opening
(5) .
13. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the card
receiving device (1) has a front panel (25) with a rear
side (26) ,

PCT/EP2004/003137 - 19 -
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a visible side and with a receiving recess (28) in the
region of the receiving opening (5) for the card (2), the
cross section of the seal (40) has a harder region, which
extends in the longitudinal direction and against which the
closure element (7) bears in the closed position, and a
softer region, which extends in the longitudinal direction
and bears against the rear side (26) of the front panel
(25) .
14. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in claim .12,
characterized in that the front panel (25) has underneath
the receiving recess (28) at least one drainage opening
(45) .
15. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure
element (7) has a cross section that tapers in the form of
a wedge in relation to the seal (40) , so that a
substantially linear contact is obtained between the seal
(40) and the closure element (7) in the closed position.
16. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the card
receiving device (1) has a locking unit (29), which locks
the closure (6) in the closed position.
17. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking
unit (29) additionally presses the closure element (7)
against the seal (40) in the locked position.

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18. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the leaf spring
{11) can be blocked in the closed position of the closure
{6) by means of a locking element {30, 35) of the locking
unit (29).
19. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking
element (30, 35) of the locking unit (29) is movable in a
plane substantially parallel to the card (2).
20. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2)
can be automatically drawn in.
21. The card receiving device (1) as claimed in at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the card (2)
can be automatically withdrawn.

The invention relates to a card housing device (1) of flat construction, with complete insertion of a card (2) through a narrow housing opening (5) which may be sealed by means of a seal (6), comprising a sealing element (7), whereby the sealing element (7) may be displaced in a direction normal to a displacement plane (4) of the card (2). Conventional devices of this type are unsuitable for application in a tachograph due to installation requirements. According to the invention, the sealing element (7) on the card housing device (1) is spring-mounted by means of at least one elastic element (8).

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Patent Number

218686

Indian Patent Application Number

02431/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

15/2008

Publication Date

11-Apr-2008

Grant Date

09-Apr-2008

Date of Filing

30-Nov-2005

Name of Patentee

SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Applicant Address

WITTELSBACHERPLATZ 2, 80333 MUNCHEN, GERMANY

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	TORSTEN WAHLER	SCHEFFELSTR. 4/4 78073 BAD DURRHEIM GERMANY
2	KLAUS HUG	KAPPELENSTR. 16 78727 OBERNDORF GERMANY

PCT International Classification Number

G06K7/06; G06K13/08; G07B15/02

PCT International Application Number

PCT/EP2004/003137

PCT International Filing date

2004-03-24

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	103 21 242.6	2003-05-12	Germany