Protective Case Card Storage with Rack and Pinion Ejection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective cases for personal electronic devices lack secure and protective storage solutions for cards and small items, often exposing them to theft, loss, or damage, and do not provide adequate protection against environmental factors like liquids, dirt, and dust.

Innovation Solution

The development of protective cases with sliding drawers and compartments that securely store items like cards and SIM cards, featuring a flexible cushion layer for impact protection, a retention spring to prevent drawer opening, and a sealing compartment to prevent exposure and damage from environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional protective cases are used, then the electronic device is protected from damage, but cards and small items are exposed to theft, loss, or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of cards and small itemsVSAvoidexposure to theft, loss, or damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case is divided into distinct functional zones: a main compartment for the electronic device and separate card storage compartments with sliding drawers for cards and small items. This segmentation allows each zone to provide specialized protection while maintaining overall device security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The card storage compartments are nested within the main protective case structure. The sliding drawers are positioned inside the case body, creating a nested configuration where smaller storage elements are integrated into the larger protective housing, providing secure storage without increasing external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If card storage compartments are added to protective cases, then security and protection for stored items is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and protection for stored itemsVSAvoidcase structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The card storage compartments utilize sliding drawers that can move horizontally along guide rails, providing dynamic access to stored cards. This mechanical movement allows users to easily retrieve cards without opening the main case, enhancing security while maintaining simple access through a single sliding mechanism rather than multiple compartments or lids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If sliding drawers are used for card storage, then ease of access to cards is improved, but retention and prevention of drawer opening is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to cardsVSAvoiddrawer retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A retention spring is installed to apply continuous elastic force that counteracts the opening motion of the sliding drawer. This preliminary counter-action prevents accidental opening while the drawer is in use, maintaining security without interfering with intentional access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The retention spring acts as a cushioning force that absorbs and resists unintended opening movements. By providing this elastic counter-force beforehand, the system prevents accidental drawer displacement while allowing controlled access when the user intentionally slides the drawer open.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 enhanced security and protection for stored items by keeping them concealed and protected from damage, allowing users to carry fewer items while ensuring the electronic device remains secure and functional.

Implementation Method 1

a retention spring to prevent drawer opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a flexible cushion layer for impact protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact protection: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

a sealing compartment to prevent exposure and damage from environmental factors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS9756916B2Protective case with card storage

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 OTTER PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A protective case for use with an electronic device includes a cushion layer and a structural layer. The cushion layer is configured to cover at least a portion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The structural layer is configured to surround at least a portion of the cushion layer. The structural layer includes a back portion, at least two side walls, a slot in the back portion for removably retaining a card, and a rack and pinion system configured for selectively ejecting the card, at least partially, from the slot.