Registers – Coded record sensors – Testing
Patent
1979-09-17
1983-09-13
Husar, Francis S.
Registers
Coded record sensors
Testing
235441, 235443, 371 22, 194 4C, 194 6, G06K 701
Patent
active
044044640
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for electrically connecting a removable article with an electric apparatus and a device for carrying out the process.
BACKGROUND ART
More particularly, the invention relates to the situation where the removable article is a portable electronic card of the type described in French Patent Application Nos. 75 14807 and 2,311,360. Such a card which contains memory circuits has particular application in handling commercial or banking transactions, for example, between client and merchant.
In effect, it is known that such portable electronic cards must be periodically electrically connected with transfer devices with which these cards exchange information (data).
Generally, the process for establishing the electrical contact between the electric (or electronic) circuit contained in the portable card and the electrical apparatus of the transfer device consists of contacting the contact surfaces of classical conductors, respectively associated with the portable electric removable article and the electric apparatus.
Amongst the technical problems which must be resolved, the following are particularly important in the case of portable cards:
In the first place, it is necessary to ensure a good electrical contact while compensating for wearing down and/or crushing of the contact surfaces;
In the second place, one must reduce to a minimum the obstructiveness of the contact surfaces;
In the third place, one must facilitate the rapid contacting of the contact surfaces by the carrier of the portable card; and
In the fourth place, it is necessary to limit the wearing down of the contact surfaces.
In view of the present state of the art, these problems to be resolved appear contradictory to a large extent.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes a solution to these problems.
The following solution to the above drawbacks extends beyond the particular case of portable electronic cards and is applicable wherever a removable electrical article (or even a removable article associated with an electric circuit) is to be connected with an electrical apparatus. The process according to the invention comprises the steps of:
(a) bringing the contact surfaces of the two conductors so as to face one another;
(b) relatively displacing the contact surface of the conductors towards each other, along a direction having at least one component normal to their surface, these two first steps having particularly as their aim to facilitate the contacting of the contact surfaces; in effect, during the first phase the operator may displace in a relative manner the two contact surfaces without difficulty because they are not yet in contact; furthermore, and most importantly, it should be noted that in doing this, the edges of the surfaces of contact never abut one against the other;
these two steps are equally performed in a manner which limits the wearing down and the deterioration of the contact surfaces.
(c) displacing in an oscillatory or alternating and relative fashion the two contact surfaces, around a median point, in a direction tangential to their surface, at least as long as these surfaces are in contact. This oscillatory movement can be carried out while the two contact surfaces are constantly in contact and it may equally be carried out by successive passes, i.e. by a repetition of the contacting process.
The purpose of this step of the process in combination with the other steps is to cause an electric contact while limiting the obstruction of the surfaces by virtue of the displacement around a median point.
(d) Testing the electric contact surfaces for correct alignment and electrical contact and stopping the tangential oscillatory displacement when the electric contact has been established. This step of the process has as it purpose, in combination with the preceeding steps, to facilitate the rapid placement in contact because as soon as this has been done, the process stops. The step has furthermore as a purpose in combination with
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Arbes Carl J.
Husar Francis S.
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