Data Signal Blocking Holder with Conductive Gasket Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved containers that can effectively block electromagnetic interference (EMI) and prevent personal communication devices (PCDs) from making sounds or vibrating in quiet environments, such as courtrooms, meeting rooms, and vehicles, where disruptions need to be minimized.
Innovation Solution
The development of data transfer blocking containers or holders made from conductive materials like metal, synthetic materials with conductive coatings, or metal-impregnated polymers that encase PCDs, preventing data transmission and reception until the device is removed from the holder, while also providing physical protection and optional features like charging and signal repeaters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a PCD is used in a quiet environment such as a courtroom or meeting room, then the device can be accessed and used for communication, but it may produce sounds or vibrations that cause disturbances and violate quiet rules
Solution Approach 1:
The holder divides the PCD usage environment into two segments: a blocked state where the PCD is enclosed and cannot transmit or receive signals, and an unblocked state where the PCD is accessible. This segmentation allows users to choose the appropriate state based on the environment, eliminating the harmful disturbance while preserving accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder employs a dynamic lid or door mechanism that can be opened or closed based on the situation. When in a quiet environment, the lid is closed to block signals and prevent disturbances. When access is needed, the lid is opened to allow signal transmission. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between accessibility and disturbance prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a holder with conductive material walls is used to block data transmission, then disturbances are prevented, but the device cannot be charged or receive data while in the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The holder has different local properties: the walls are made of conductive material to block electromagnetic signals and prevent disturbances, while specific openings or ports are provided that allow charging cables or data connections to pass through. This local differentiation maintains disturbance prevention while enabling necessary adaptability for charging and data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary structure that selectively mediates between the PCD and the external environment. It blocks harmful electromagnetic signals while allowing beneficial connections (charging ports, data ports) to pass through via openings or penetrations in the conductive walls, thus maintaining both disturbance prevention and adaptability.
3Strength
If the holder is made rigid or semi-rigid for physical protection, then drop or impact protection is provided, but the holder structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The holder utilizes composite material construction, combining conductive materials (such as metal or conductive polymer) with structurally sound materials to achieve both electromagnetic shielding and physical protection. This composite approach provides the necessary strength for drop and impact protection while maintaining the signal-blocking functionality, all within a relatively simple holder structure.
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 ensures that PCDs do not ring, vibrate, or cause disturbances in designated quiet areas, while also protecting the devices from physical impacts and allowing for selective data transmission or charging, enhancing user compliance with quiet rules and device security.
Implementation Method 1
The walls in any case are either formed of or have affixed a metal shell that encloses the PCD so that data (e.g., phone, email or text data) cannot be transmitted from or be received by the PCD
Implementation Method 2
The synthetic walls are provided with a coating of conductive material (for example, aluminum, copper and alloys thereof), which can be applied via a suitable process, such as laminating, printing, spraying (e.g., in a conductive liquid form such as a conductive ink), sputtering or via any thin or thick film metallic application
Implementation Method 3
The metal walls can have a soft inner liner, such as foam or felt, so that the holder also provides drop or impact protection
Data Source
AI summary
A personal communication device (“PCD”) holder including (i) a first housing portion including a material that causes the first housing portion to be data signal blocking; (ii) a second housing portion including a material that causes the second housing portion to be data signal blocking; and (iii) a data signal blocking gasket fitted to at least one of the first and second housing portions, the gasket positioned and arranged such that when the first and second housing portions are mated together to form an enclosure about the PCD, the data signal blocking gasket engages and seals to the other of the first and second housing portions to ensure that the enclosure is completely data signal blocking regardless of whether imperfections are present in an interface between the mated first and second portions.