Card Holder Tiered Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card holders are inefficient for storing and retrieving multiple cards due to complex ejection mechanisms and the risk of cards falling out, with limited space and jamming issues, necessitating a simpler and more reliable ejection mechanism that prevents accidental ejection.
Innovation Solution
A card holder with a compact design featuring a sliding member, spring, and stair assembly for tiered ejection, combined with frictional elements along the side walls to prevent accidental ejection, allowing for easy and reliable dispensing of multiple cards with varied thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wallets with deep pockets or plastic envelopes are used to store cards, then cards can be stored, but it becomes very difficult to place or retrieve cards from these deep pockets or envelopes
Solution Approach 1:
The card holder divides the storage space into multiple horizontal tiers, with each tier having its own ejection mechanism. This segmentation allows cards on different levels to be ejected independently, eliminating the need to dig through deep pockets to access cards at the bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The card holder employs a dynamic ejection mechanism where pressing one card causes it and adjacent cards to be automatically ejected through a lever system. This transforms the static deep pocket storage into a dynamic system where cards can be easily accessed without manual digging.
2Productivity
If multiple cards are stacked in a single pocket or envelope to save space, then space is utilized efficiently, but retrieval of a particular desired card becomes very time consuming as all cards need to be partially removed or displaced for sorting
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the card storage into multiple horizontal tiers with staggered ejection, the system maintains high storage density while enabling selective card access. Users can eject only the cards they need from specific tiers without disturbing cards in other tiers, dramatically reducing retrieval time.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection mechanism is designed to eject only the necessary portion of cards (one or a few) rather than requiring all cards to be removed for sorting. The lever system provides controlled partial ejection, allowing users to access desired cards quickly without moving the entire stack.
3Quantity of substance
If cards are stored in deep pockets or envelopes, then storage capacity is achieved, but there is a risk that cards can fall out when sorting through the stack to find the desired card
Solution Approach 1:
The card holder incorporates retention edges and guide structures that prevent cards from falling out during the ejection process. These features provide beforehand protection against card loss, ensuring cards remain secure within the designated storage areas even during dynamic ejection operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever mechanism acts as an intermediary that controls card ejection in a controlled manner. Rather than cards being randomly displaced during sorting, the lever provides a mediated ejection process where cards are systematically pushed out, reducing the risk of accidental card loss.
4Extent of automation
If complex ejection mechanisms are used in card holders, then automated card dispensing is achieved, but the device complexity increases and jamming issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The card holder employs a self-service ejection mechanism where pressing any card automatically triggers the lever system to eject that card and adjacent cards. The system serves itself without requiring complex external control mechanisms, achieving automation through simple user interaction with the card stack itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection mechanism uses dynamic lever arms that are operationally coupled to cards. When a card is pressed, the lever dynamically responds by pivoting to eject the card and adjacent cards. This dynamic coupling provides automated ejection functionality with relatively simple mechanical components, avoiding excessive device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The card holder enables smooth and efficient dispensing of all cards at once in a tiered form, reducing the time needed to retrieve a specific card and minimizing the risk of jamming and accidental ejection, while maintaining a compact and portable size.
Implementation Method 1
a spring and a stair assembly. The sliding member comprises a force applying region adapted to receive an external force for causing a sliding movement of the sliding member within the first housing
Implementation Method 2
at least one frictional element disposed along at least one side wall of the second housing for providing frictional resistance to the one or more cards
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A card holder is provided. The card holder comprises a first housing and a second housing conjoined to form a casing for stacking one or more cards. The first housing comprises an ejector assembly comprising a sliding member, a spring, and a stair assembly. The sliding member comprises a force applying region adapted to receive an external force for causing a sliding movement of the sliding member within the first housing. The sliding member further comprises a shaft. An end of the spring is wounded on the shaft and another end of the spring is stacked against a wall of the first housing. The stair assembly is adapted to be moveably connected to the sliding member. In response to the sliding movement, the stair assembly rotates along an axis in an anticlockwise direction to cause partial ejection of the one or more cards out of the casing in a tiered arrangement.