Transaction Card Angled Slot Design for Strength and EM Signal Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Transaction cards made from thermoplastic materials are susceptible to damage from exposure to elements and can weaken the distribution of EM signals from EMV chips due to cuts in the card body, leading to potential breakage and loss of functionality.
Innovation Solution
A transaction card with an angled slot design, comprising multiple portions at different angles to prevent separation and minimize strain on the card body, while maintaining EM signal distribution through capacitive and inductive coupling with the EMV chip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a straight cut is made in the card body to create a slot, then the slot can be formed to accommodate features, but the cut creates a weak point that causes the card to separate, crack, or break under strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the slot at an angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the card body plane rather than a straight perpendicular cut. This angled configuration distributes mechanical stress away from the cut edges, preventing separation and cracking while maintaining the slot's functional purpose for accommodating features like windows or adhesive applications.
2Strength
If metal materials are used to improve durability and status, then the card becomes more resistant to damage, but the metal card body interferes with EM signal distribution from the EMV chip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metal card body by introducing an angled slot that creates discontinuities in the metal surface. This segmentation allows EM signals to pass through or around the metal structure more effectively, reducing interference while maintaining the overall structural integrity and durability provided by the metal material.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled slot creates localized regions with different electromagnetic properties. By strategically positioning the slot, the patent maintains metal durability in most areas while creating specific pathways or zones that allow EM signal transmission, thus achieving both durability and signal reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic materials are used for the card body, then the card can be easily manufactured, but the card becomes susceptible to damage from moisture, sunlight, and physical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining thermoplastic materials with metal elements or coatings. This composite approach maintains the ease of manufacturing thermoplastics while adding the environmental resistance and durability of metal, creating a card that resists moisture, sunlight, and physical stress better than pure thermoplastic cards.
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 angled slot design enhances the durability and resistance to damage while ensuring effective EM signal transmission, reducing the risk of card breakage and maintaining functional integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A first portion of the slot is formed at a first angle relative to a plane of the card body, and a third portion of the slot is formed at a third angle relative to the plane of the card body... The angled slot design enhances the durability and resistance to damage while minimizing the impact of the distribution of EM signals
Implementation Method 2
maintaining EM signal distribution through capacitive and inductive coupling with the EMV chip
Implementation Method 3
maintaining EM signal distribution through capacitive and inductive coupling with the EMV chip
Implementation Method 4
ensuring effective EM signal transmission, reducing the risk of card breakage and maintaining functional integrity
Implementation Method 5
minimizing the impact of the distribution of EM signals from the EMV chip through the metal card body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The disclosure includes a transaction card comprising a card body having a slot. A first portion of the slot is formed at a first angle, and a second portion of the slot is formed at a second angle. A card body may be fabricated by positioning the card body at a first angle with respect to a cutter, creating a first portion of a slot at the first angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body, stopping the translating of the card body, rotating the card body to a second angle to create a second portion of the slot; and creating a third portion of the slot at the third angle by at least one of translating the card body across the cutter or translating the cutter across the card body.