Foldable Device Protective Case Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing protective cases for foldable electronic devices is challenging due to the hinge and display folding mechanisms, which makes it difficult to keep case parts attached, especially with shrinking bezels and increased screen sizes.
Innovation Solution
A protective case design featuring separate first and second case portions with anchors and pegs that adhere to the device using adhesives, allowing for removably attachment through various mechanisms such as slots, apertures, and resilient materials to accommodate the folding nature of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional snap-in protective cases are used for foldable devices, then the case can be easily attached, but the case parts cannot remain attached due to hinge and folding mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is divided into multiple separate case portions, each equipped with its own anchor and attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each portion to independently attach to different areas of the foldable device, maintaining attachment security despite the device's folding movements and hinge mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Anchors are pre-attached to the case portions before the case is installed on the device. This preliminary action ensures that the attachment mechanisms are ready to engage with the device housing, providing reliable and secure attachment from the moment of installation, even when the device is folded or unfolded.
2Reliability
If case parts are designed to grasp device edges from all directions, then attachment security improves, but design complexity increases due to folding mechanisms and shrinking bezels
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor design serves multiple functions: it provides attachment security, accommodates folding movements, and works with shrinking bezels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex specialized components, as each anchor can adapt to various device configurations and folding states, thereby reducing overall design complexity while maintaining attachment security.
3Reliability
If anchors are adhered to device housing, then attachment security improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive attachment method allows for flexibility in placement parameters. Rather than requiring precise mechanical alignment, the adhesive can accommodate variations in anchor positioning on the device housing. This parameter flexibility reduces manufacturing precision requirements while still achieving secure attachment, as the adhesive can compensate for minor positioning variations.
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 easy installation and secure attachment of case parts to foldable electronic devices, reducing binding issues around the hinge area and maintaining attachment even when the device is opened and closed.
Implementation Method 1
The first anchor is adapted or configured to be adhered to a housing of a first portion of the foldable electronic device with an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A protective case for an electronic device includes a first anchor configured to be adhered to a housing of a first device portion and a first case portion configured to cover at least a portion of the housing of the first device portion. The first case portion includes a cavity formed in a stretchable material, wherein the first anchor is configured to be pressed into the cavity of the first case portion with an interference fit. The protective case also includes a second anchor configured to be adhered to a housing of the second device portion and a second case portion configured to cover at least a portion of the housing of the second device portion. The second case portion includes a cavity formed in a stretchable material, wherein the second anchor is configured to be pressed into the cavity of the second case portion with an interference fit.