Card Wallet with Moveable Protrusions for Secure RFID Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wallets are bulky, insecure, and obstruct visual access to identification cards while potentially damaging RFID functionality due to their design, which often relies on elastic straps, metal spring-clips, or thick clips that fail over time, limiting card capacity and random access.
Innovation Solution
A card wallet with moveable protrusions on lower and upper arms that form a retention area, allowing secure insertion and display of cards without elastic or spring-based retention, made from heat-treated aluminum alloys for durability and flexibility, ensuring unobstructed card visibility and secure holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional wallets use elastic straps or hook-and-loop fasteners to retain cards, then bulk is minimized, but card retention becomes insecure and elastic members are vulnerable to wear and stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces elastic straps and hook-and-loop fasteners with a metal spring-clip mechanism that uses mechanical spring force to retain cards. The spring-clip provides reliable, consistent retention force without the wear and stretching problems of elastic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an L-shaped metal clip with curved geometry that wraps around the cards and currency, providing secure retention through its shaped configuration. The L-shape allows the clip to engage with the edges of cards while maintaining a compact profile.
2Reliability
If conventional wallets use metal spring-clips to retain cards, then card retention is secure, but the wallet introduces added bulk and potential card damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retention function into separate components: a flat sheet metal enclosure forms the base structure, while L-shaped lips provide edge retention, and a spring-clip provides tension. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin metal sheets and flat plate structures that provide structural support and card retention while maintaining a slim profile. The metal enclosure and plates are designed to be as thin as possible while still providing adequate retention force.
3Reliability
If conventional wallets use thick clips to retain cards securely, then card retention is improved, but visual access to identification cards is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the retention function from a solid thick clip structure and distributes it across multiple thin components: L-shaped lips that retain cards on three edges and a spring-clip that applies tension from the reverse side. This allows the retention mechanism to be thin and non-obstructive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the spring-clip retention mechanism on the reverse side of the card enclosure, allowing the front face to remain clear for card visibility. The L-shaped lips retain cards on the edges while leaving the card surface exposed.
4Reliability
If conventional metal card wallets require opening to display cards, then card security is maintained, but RFID function is blocked and card access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic card access system where cards can be partially inserted and removed while the wallet remains closed. The L-shaped lips and spring-clip allow cards to slide in and out of the retention area without requiring the wallet to be opened, enabling both security and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the card retention area as a nested structure within the metal enclosure, where cards are held in a channel formed by the base and L-shaped lips. This nested configuration allows cards to be accessed through the open top while remaining protected within the enclosed structure.
5Reliability
If conventional wallets use L-shaped lips to retain cards on three edges, then card retention is secure, but one edge remains open requiring a thick clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spring-clip as an intermediary component that applies tension to hold cards securely against the L-shaped lips. The spring-clip acts as a mediator that provides the necessary retention force without requiring a thick rigid clip structure, maintaining a thin profile.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a card wallet for use with cards such as identification cards, credit cards, RFID cards. The card wallet comprises a base and lower and upper arms extending from the base. The lower arm and upper arms each comprise a channel portion and a protrusion disposed at an outer end portion. The base and channel portions of the lower and upper arms form a retention area. The protrusions moveable between a non-biased position where the retention area is closed and a biased position where the retention area is open. In operation, the protrusions of the lower and upper arms are moved to the biased position upon insertion of the cards at the protrusions allowing complete insertion of the cards and then return of the protrusions of the lower and upper arms to the non-biased position where the cards are retained within the retention area.