Oscillating Transaction Card Spiral Spring Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transaction cards lack an engaging feature that encourages repeated use and advertising of the associated retailer, as they primarily serve as a means of payment without additional entertainment or promotional value.
Innovation Solution
A transaction card design featuring a base member with a spiral cut forming a conic helical spring that supports an auxiliary member, allowing it to wobble and move when energy is applied, providing an entertaining effect and promoting sale and use, while also incorporating a machine-readable account identifier for payment functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional transaction card design is used, then the card maintains simple structure and manufacturing ease, but it lacks user engagement and entertainment value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the static card structure into a dynamic one through the spiral cut and auxiliary member. The spiral cut creates a flexible portion that allows the auxiliary member to move, wobble, and oscillate when energy is applied, converting a rigid transaction card into an engaging interactive object that entertains users while maintaining transaction functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the card body by introducing a spiral cut that divides the base member into a flexible spiral portion and a remainder portion. This segmentation allows the auxiliary member to be coupled to the spiral portion, enabling independent movement and oscillation while maintaining connection to the base member, thus adding engagement value without compromising overall card integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If an oscillating auxiliary member is added to the transaction card, then user engagement and entertainment value are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the auxiliary member with the base member through coupling at the spiral portion, creating an integrated oscillating system. The auxiliary member is not a separate detachable component but is coupled to form a unified structure that oscillates as part of the card, simplifying assembly while maintaining entertainment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral cut creates a self-contained flexible mechanism within the card body that automatically provides the oscillating motion when energy is applied. The structure serves itself by using the card's own material and geometry to create the motion mechanism, eliminating the need for external motors, batteries, or complex assembly procedures
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's entertaining movement enhances user engagement, encourages repeat purchases, and serves as an effective advertisement for the retailer, while maintaining the functionality of a traditional transaction card by linking to an account for payment purposes.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral cut extending through the base member from the first surface to the second surface to define a spiral portion. The spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form
Implementation Method 2
The spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form in front of a portion of the first surface defined by a remainder of the base member
Data Source
AI summary
A transaction card includes a base member, an auxiliary member, and an account identifier. The base member defines a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a spiral cut extending through the base to define a spiral portion. The spiral portion is stretched to extend in a conic helical form in front of a portion of the first surface defined by a remainder of the base member. The auxiliary member is coupled to the spiral portion opposite the portion of the first surface defined by the remainder of the base member. The account identifier is fixedly connected to one of the base member and the auxiliary member. The account identifier links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Other cards, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed.