Smartphone Case Standing Leg Pivoting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smartphone cases with standing legs are prone to dislodgement and damage, and often have complex and inconvenient propping mechanisms that do not securely support devices for hands-free viewing.

Innovation Solution

A smartphone case design featuring a standing leg that is pivoted with both a soft protective cover and a hard protective frame, utilizing a metal pin for a durable pivot connection and over-molding process to ensure secure assembly and easy replacement, preventing dislodgement and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the standing leg is pivoted only with the hard protective frame, then the structure is simple, but the standing leg is easily dislodged and subject to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting structureVSAvoidstanding leg stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The standing leg is pivoted with both the soft protective cover and the hard protective frame, merging the pivoting function into a dual-attachment system. This combines the flexibility of the soft cover with the structural support of the hard frame, preventing dislodgement while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the standing leg is pivoted with both soft protective cover and hard protective frame, then the standing leg becomes tightly pivoted and resistant to dislodgement, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestanding leg stabilityVSAvoidpivoting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting system is segmented into two independent attachment points: one on the soft protective cover and another on the hard protective frame. This segmentation allows each component to contribute its specific properties (flexibility and rigidity) without requiring a complex integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a complex propping structure is used, then the device can be propped up, but the structure is complicated and inconvenient to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropping mechanism usabilityVSAvoidpropping structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The standing leg utilizes the natural flexibility of the soft protective cover to enable easy pivoting and positioning. The soft cover acts as a built-in pivot mechanism, eliminating the need for separate hinges or complex propping structures, thereby simplifying both the design and user interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9912368B2Case having standing leg for electronic devices

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 SPIGEN KOREA

AI summary

A case, having a standing leg for an electronic device, includes: a soft protective cover for protecting the electronic device installed therein, covering a back portion of the electronic device; a hard protective frame, constructed to removably mount over the soft protective cover; a standing leg for propping up the electronic device; and a recess formed on a back portion of the hard protective frame wherein the standing leg fits in the recess and the standing leg is pivoted with the soft protective cover and the hard protective frame.