Floatable Cell Phone Case With Polygonal Air Pockets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell phone cases are not water-resistant, dense, or sealed, leading to damage from accidental submersion in liquids and increased risk of shock from drops on hard surfaces, rendering the phone unusable.
Innovation Solution
A floatable cell phone case constructed from low-density open cell materials with enclosed polygonal units providing buoyancy and a light assembly that activates upon liquid contact, offering shock protection and increased visibility in low-light situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cell phone cases are used, then the phone is protected from scratches and minor impacts, but the phone remains vulnerable to water damage and sinks when dropped in water
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into multiple sealed air pockets distributed throughout the structure. Each pocket acts as an independent buoyancy chamber, ensuring that even if one pocket is compromised, the others maintain flotation capability. This segmentation approach provides reliable water resistance while maintaining buoyancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary air-filled chamber between the phone and the external water environment. This intermediate layer prevents direct contact between water and the phone, providing protection against water damage while allowing the phone to remain accessible and functional.
2Strength
If dense protective materials are used for shock protection, then impact resistance improves, but the case loses buoyancy and sinks in water
Solution Approach 1:
The case structure implements local quality by concentrating protective features only where needed. The corners and edges contain denser protective materials for impact absorption, while the majority of the case volume remains filled with low-density air pockets to maintain buoyancy. This localized approach provides shock protection without sacrificing flotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The case employs composite construction combining high-strength, low-density materials such as carbon fiber reinforcement with air-filled chambers. This composite structure achieves excellent shock resistance through the strong but lightweight material while the air pockets provide buoyancy, resolving the contradiction between protection and weight.
3Reliability
If the case is made water-resistant and sealed, then protection from liquid damage improves, but the ability to provide buoyancy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The case utilizes porous or cellular material structures that are inherently water-resistant yet maintain air trapping capability. The porous structure allows the material to be sealed against water penetration while the closed-cell nature preserves internal air volumes for buoyancy, simultaneously achieving both liquid protection and flotation.
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 case ensures the phone remains afloat and protected from water damage, with enhanced visibility through strobe lighting, addressing the issues of water resistance and shock protection.
Implementation Method 1
A floatable cell phone case that is configured to float, with a cell phone housed therein, on a liquid through a plurality of enclosed polygonal units that define a polygonal air volume
Implementation Method 2
The case body is fabricated from polypropylene, a polyethylene, silicone, or a deformably resilient material
Implementation Method 3
deformably resilient material employed by the case
Data Source
AI summary
A floatable cell phone case floats, with a cell phone or other electronic device housed therein, on a liquid through use of enclosed polygonal units that define a polygonal air volume. The polygonal units form a seal with the cell phone to create buoyancy. The cell phone case comprises case body having a rear wall and enclosed sidewalls having a flange. The rear wall and sidewalls define a device placement zone. The device placement zone is sized to house the cell phone. The flange retains the cell phone within the device placement zone. The phone case further comprises enclosed polygonal units spanning upwardly from an inner surface of the rear wall into the device placement zone. Each of the polygonal units define a polygonal air volume.