Docking Sleeve Integrating Electrical Adapter for Portable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, lack the ability to provide efficient and reliable docking capabilities, as they do not include a built-in docking connector, limiting their use with docking cradles for pass-through power and external functions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover with an integral electrical adapter that mates with the device's input/output socket and includes contacts for docking cradles, allowing for pass-through power and external functions like audio and USB connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a protective cover is designed to be flexible and simple, then it provides good protection and ease of manufacture, but it cannot provide docking capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cover with an electrical adapter into a single integrated unit. The adapter is embedded within the cover structure, merging two previously separate functions (protection and docking) into one component. This allows the cover to provide both protection and docking capability without requiring separate accessories.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides physical protection for the device, enables docking connectivity through integrated contacts, and maintains flexibility for easy installation. The cover becomes a multi-functional component that replaces both a protective case and a separate docking adapter.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a protective cover is made flexible to wrap around the device, then it provides good protection, but it cannot include rigid electrical contacts for docking
Solution Approach 1:
The cover maintains its flexible properties in most areas to ensure protection and ease of installation, while incorporating rigid electrical contacts only in the specific locations where docking connectivity is needed. This localized application of different material properties allows the cover to be both flexible and electrically conductive where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective cover incorporates composite construction, combining flexible protective material with integrated electrical contact elements. The electrical adapter portion contains conductive materials and contacts that are embedded within or attached to the flexible cover structure, creating a composite component with both mechanical and electrical functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If smartphones and tablets have female I/O sockets, then they allow cable connections, but they cannot dock into cradle connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover acts as an intermediary device that bridges the gap between the device's female I/O socket and the docking cradle's connector. The cover contains a male plug that interfaces with the device's socket and a contactor with contacts that interface with the cradle, enabling docking functionality without modifying the original device design.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking sleeve having an elastomeric protective cover, or skin, adapted for partially enveloping a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet or another portable electronic device of the prior art having a port for a docking connector. The protective cover is a sheath molded of a suitable elastic or flexibly resilient elastomer in a size and shape to fit over and closely conform to the particular portable electronic device so that the cover fits the device like a surgical glove. An adapter is provided for electrically connecting to the female input/output socket of the particular electronic device, including a male plug having a plurality of electrical connectors extended internally of the sheath and arranged for mating with the female input/output socket of the device, and a plurality of contacts electrically coupled to different ones of the plurality of electrical connectors and exposed externally of the sheath.