Docking Sleeve With Integrated Adapter for Protected Device Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for portable electronic devices are limited in providing efficient and reliable usage, as they often require the device to be removed for docking and lack effective electrical connectivity solutions.
Innovation Solution
A flexible cover with a built-in electrical adapter and hard shell design that allows for secure docking and electrical connectivity, featuring a male plug for mating with the device's input/output socket and a contactor for external connections, enabling seamless interaction with a docking cradle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible protective cover is used for the device, then protection and flexibility are improved, but electrical connectivity and docking capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cover with an integrated electrical adapter, merging two separate functions (protection and electrical connectivity) into a single unified structure. The adapter is embedded within the flexible cover, allowing the device to maintain both protection and electrical docking capability simultaneously without requiring separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cover with integrated adapter serves multiple functions: it provides physical protection for the device, enables electrical connectivity through the embedded adapter, and allows docking with external devices. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate protective cases and external adapters, resolving the contradiction between protection and electrical connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the device is removed from the cover for docking, then electrical connectivity is improved, but ease of operation and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical adapter is pre-integrated into the flexible cover during manufacturing, so that the docking capability is already prepared and available. When docking is needed, the user simply needs to connect the cover (with device inside) to the docking station, eliminating the preliminary step of removing the device from the cover. This preliminary integration resolves the time loss associated with manual device removal.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple flexible cover is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity and functionality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flexible cover and electrical adapter into a single integrated component that can be manufactured as one piece or pre-assembled unit. This approach maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while achieving functional complexity, as the adapter is embedded within the cover structure rather than requiring separate assembly steps for multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective arrangement for an electronic device includes a flexible cover having a panel and a skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device; and an adapter fixedly positioned in the flexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover for mating with a female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug. A docking cradle or external adapter can receive the electronic device and cover.