Bi-fold Protective Casing with Releasable Accessory Pouch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices are prone to damage and accessory management is cumbersome, with existing solutions either failing to provide adequate protection or being too complex and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device protection module featuring an elastically deformable casing, a bi-fold component with high-friction surfaces for landscape orientation, and a releasable accessory pouch attaching receptacle, which cushions the device and securely stores accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable electronic device is used without additional protection, then ease of operation is maintained, but the device is susceptible to impact damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective casing, bi-fold component, and accessory pouch into a single integrated assembly. The casing is mechanically coupled to the bi-fold component, which in turn is coupled to the accessory pouch, creating a unified protective system that safeguards the electronic device while providing accessory storage without requiring separate protective devices
Solution Approach 2:
The protective assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: the casing provides impact protection, the bi-fold component enables the device to stand in landscape orientation and provides structural support, and the accessory pouch stores headphones, chargers, and other accessories. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective cases, stands, and accessory bags
2Ease of operation
If accessories are stored separately from the device, then organization is improved, but accessibility and risk of misplacement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory pouch is mechanically coupled to the bi-fold component, which is itself coupled to the protective casing. This integration ensures that accessories remain attached to the device assembly, eliminating the risk of misplacement while maintaining easy accessibility through the releasable attachment mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The bi-fold component serves as an intermediary structure between the protective casing and the accessory pouch. It provides a stable mounting point for the pouch while maintaining the ability to fold and access the device, thereby mediating between protection and accessory storage needs
3Reliability
If the device is protected with a rigid case, then impact protection is improved, but ease of operation and access to device features deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protective casing is designed with selectively positioned openings that expose specific device features such as the display, buttons, and ports. This allows the casing to provide comprehensive impact protection while maintaining local accessibility to device controls and display without requiring the user to remove the case
4Volume of moving object
If a compact protective case is used, then portability is improved, but accessory storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory pouch is designed to attach to the bi-fold component in a nested configuration, utilizing the available space within the protective assembly. The pouch can be folded or compressed when not in use, allowing it to integrate seamlessly within the compact case structure while providing adequate storage capacity for accessories
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
Enhances protection against impact damage, improves accessibility to both the device and its accessories, and simplifies the management of personal items like currency and cards, while allowing secure storage and easy access.
Implementation Method 1
The casing may be, for example, elastically deformable, cushioning the smartphone against impact
Implementation Method 2
providing the bi-fold component with high-friction surfaces configured to enable the device to stand against the accessory pouch in a landscape orientation
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to an electronic device protection module configured with a casing adapted to cushion and removably retain the electronic device, a bi-fold component mechanically coupled with the casing, and a releasable electronic device accessory pouch attaching receptacle disposed in the bi-fold component. In an illustrative example, the electronic device may be a smartphone. The casing may be, for example, elastically deformable, cushioning the smartphone against impact. In some examples, the casing may be configured with openings or buttons to enable device operation. In some designs, the bi-fold component may be configured with pockets adapted to secure currency or cards. In some embodiments, the attaching receptacle may releasably attach an accessory pouch to the bi-fold component. Various examples may advantageously provide portable device protection and enhanced access to the user's device accessories, for example, protecting the user's device and storing the user's accessories in the accessory pouch.