Flexible Clip End for Mobile Device Card Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to combine the functions of a wallet with a smartphone in a streamlined format, as users are more likely to carry their smartphones than wallets, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent cards from sliding out of a slot while allowing easy insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device mounted holder with a slot for cards, an attachment mechanism for attaching to a mobile device, and a clip end with a flexible arm that flexes to prevent card sliding and allows for easy insertion and removal, featuring a ramped portion and lip that direct the card edge to an intersection point to flex the clip end away, enabling card insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip end is used to prevent cards from sliding out, then card security is improved, but card insertion and removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The clip end is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When force is applied to the depression, the clip end flexes to allow card insertion, then returns to its original position to secure the card, providing both security and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
A depression is introduced as an intermediary element between the user and the clip end. The depression serves as a leverage point that allows easy activation of the flexible arm mechanism, enabling card insertion without directly manipulating the clip end itself
2Reliability
If a rigid structure is used to hold cards securely, then card retention is improved, but flexibility for easy removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder transitions from a purely rigid structure to a dynamic system with a flexible arm. The flexible arm maintains secure card retention in its resting state but can be easily activated to release cards when needed, providing both retention and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the clip end are changed by making it flexible rather than rigid. This parameter change allows the same structure to provide both secure retention (when flexible) and easy release (when activated), resolving the contradiction between retention and removal flexibility
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 solution provides a secure and convenient way to carry cards with a smartphone, preventing sliding while allowing easy access and insertion, addressing the need for a combined wallet-smartphone solution.
Implementation Method 1
the clip end is attached to a flexible arm such that the clip end has a flexed position and in the flexed position the cards are removable
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device mounted holder includes a body portion, the body portion including a slot for receiving cards. The mobile device mounted holder further includes an attachment mechanism, integrated with the body portion, for attaching to a mobile device. The mobile device mounted holder further includes a clip end located proximate to the slot, such that the clip end prevents the cards, when located in the slot, from sliding out of the slot and the clip end is attached to a flexible arm such that the clip end has a flexed position and in the flexed position the cards are removable.