Flip Cover Coupling Structure for Camera Phone Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional camera phones lack adequate protection against external impacts, such as drops, due to insufficient absorption or dispersion of force, which can damage the display device and lens barrel, and suffer from weight imbalance between the front and rear sides, making them prone to damage and difficult to manufacture for portability.

Innovation Solution

A protective apparatus comprising a peripheral cover and a flip cover with a coupling structure that uses physical and chemical bonding between different materials to enhance rigidity, along with a sensing unit to control the display unit and a lens barrel cover for support, preventing damage from external impacts and improving usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a lens barrel is added to the rear side of the camera phone, then the camera function is improved, but the weight balance between front and rear side deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera functionVSAvoidweight balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a counterweight structure on the front side of the camera phone to balance the heavy lens barrel on the rear side. This counterweight compensates for the weight imbalance, making the device more comfortable to hold and use without sacrificing the camera functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Length of moving object

If the camera phone is made thinner for portability, then ease of carrying is improved, but protection against external impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidexternal impact protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible protective films and thin protective shells that can be applied to the camera phone surface. These thin protective layers provide impact protection while maintaining the device's thin profile and portability, preventing the need to increase thickness for protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Measurement precision

If glass materials are used for display device and lens, then optical performance is improved, but susceptibility to external impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical performanceVSAvoidimpact susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material structures where glass display devices and lenses are combined with protective coating layers or protective frames made of more impact-resistant materials. This composite approach maintains the optical performance of glass while adding protection against external impacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Object-affected harmful factors

If adequate protection structures are added to protect display and lens, then protection against external impact is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external impactVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs protective structures that serve multiple functions simultaneously. For example, the protective frame not only protects against impact but also provides structural support, while protective coatings simultaneously protect against scratches and impacts. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2816443B1Protective apparatus for electronic device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2816443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2816443B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a protective apparatus for an electronic device. A first cover encloses a peripheral surface of the electronic device and a second cover, coupled to a lateral side of the first cover, rotates about a surface of the electronic device to cover or uncover a display unit.