Magnetic Wallet Attachment With Shielded Card Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing ubiquity of electronic devices has led to a need for accessories that can enhance their functionality, particularly by replacing physical objects like wallets, while also reducing size and improving functionality, and providing secure retention and easy extraction of items.

Innovation Solution

An attachable wallet accessory that integrates with electronic devices, featuring a magnet array for attachment, a metallic shunt for magnetic shielding, and near-field communication (NFC) circuitry for identification, along with a spring tab for retention and a passage for easy extraction of items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional physical wallet is carried separately from electronic devices, then wallet functionality is provided, but the number of separate items to be carried increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewallet functionalityVSAvoidnumber of separate items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the wallet accessory with the electronic device into a single integrated unit. The wallet is designed to attach to the electronic device via magnetic attachment features, allowing users to carry both items together as one consolidated object rather than separately, thereby reducing the number of separate items to be carried while maintaining both electronic device functionality and wallet functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides wallet functionality for carrying cards and cash, acts as an attachment accessory for the electronic device, and includes magnetic shielding to protect the electronic device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated items for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If magnetic attachment features are added to the accessory, then attachment to electronic device is enabled, but magnetic fields may interfere with magnetically stored information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidmagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a metallic shunt as an intermediary component positioned between the magnetic attachment features and the electronic device. This shunt acts as a magnetic shield that redirects magnetic field lines away from the electronic device, allowing the magnetic attachment to function while preventing magnetic interference with stored information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful magnetic field into a beneficial attachment force. The magnetic field that could interfere with the electronic device is redirected by the metallic shunt to provide secure attachment between the wallet and device, while the shunt itself protects against information loss by channeling the magnetic flux away from sensitive areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If items are securely retained in the accessory, then item security is improved, but extraction of items becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem retentionVSAvoiditem extraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spring tab mechanism that provides dynamic retention force. The spring tab automatically engages with the groove to secure items during normal use, but can be easily depressed to release the retention force when item extraction is needed. This dynamic mechanism adapts between providing strong retention and allowing easy extraction based on user action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 attachable wallet enhances the functionality of electronic devices by providing a secure and efficient means to carry and manage items, reducing the need for separate physical wallets, while protecting magnetically stored information and improving magnetic attraction.

Implementation Method 1

The magnet array can be magnetically attracted to a corresponding magnetic array in the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The back panel can include a metallic shunt supporting a magnet array and an alignment magnet. The metallic shunt can be positioned between the interior compartment and the magnet array and between the interior compartment and the alignment magnet such that items in the interior compartment can be protected from magnetic flux from the magnet array and the alignment magnet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11839279B2Magnetically attachable wallet

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

Accessories that can add new functionality to an electronic device. These accessories can provide additional functionality that allow for the replacement of a physical object that would otherwise be carried in addition to and separate from the electronic device. These accessories can further provide improvements, such as a reduction in size or improvement in functionality over the physical object to be replaced.