Card Housing Integrated Fixing Device Prevents Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card housings with retrieval mechanisms are vulnerable to unauthorized removal of identification cards, and lockable card cases with separate closure elements are complex and costly to produce, leading to higher production costs and potential security issues.

Innovation Solution

A card housing design featuring integrated fixing devices that prevent card removal without destroying the housing, utilizing a tongue-and-groove connection and injection molding for cost-effective production, ensuring the card is irreversibly secured within.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate locking element is added to the card case to prevent unauthorized card removal, then card security is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard securityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is merged with the housing structure itself. The housing includes integrated fixing devices (protrusions and recesses) that form the locking mechanism as part of the housing, eliminating the need for separate locking elements and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment, integrates the locking mechanism, and incorporates the fixing devices as inherent features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate locking components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate locking element is used to secure the card, then card security is improved, but production costs increase due to complex manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard securityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing devices are combined with the housing in a single manufacturing process. The protrusions and recesses are formed as integral features of the housing during injection molding, eliminating separate production steps and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining security functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure itself provides the locking functionality through its integrated fixing devices, eliminating the need for additional components that would require separate production and assembly processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a separate locking element is attached to the card case, then card security is improved, but the risk of improper attachment and potential card theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard securityVSAvoidlocking element attachment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing devices are formed as integral parts of the housing structure during the same manufacturing process, eliminating the attachment step entirely. This ensures precise positioning and eliminates risks associated with improper attachment of separate locking elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure inherently provides the locking function through its integrated fixing devices, eliminating the need for separate attachment operations and ensuring consistent, precise positioning without additional quality control requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If a tool is required to remove the locking element, then card security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and unauthorized opening remains possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecard securityVSAvoidcard case opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing devices are designed to be static during normal operation (preventing card removal) but can be dynamically released by applying force to the insertion opening, which causes the housing to deform and release the card. This provides both security and ease of operation without requiring tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3753442B1Card housing
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 DURABLE HUNKE & JOCHHEIM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3753442B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3753442B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3753442B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a card housing (1) with two broad sides (2, 3), two first narrow sides (4, 5) and two second narrow sides (6, 7), wherein one of the narrow sides (4, 5, 6, 7) has an insertion opening (8) as an insertion side (4) for inserting a card (K) into an interior (10) of the card housing (1), wherein the card housing (1) has at least one integrated fixing device (15, 16) to fix a card (K) in the interior (10) of the card housing (1) in such a way that it cannot be moved out of the interior (10) of the card housing (1) through the insertion opening (8).