Foldable Device Case With Moving Hinge Cover for Impact Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Folding electronic devices are susceptible to damage due to dropping, shock, or impact, and existing protective cases do not adequately protect the hinge mechanism and allow full display visibility in both open and closed positions.

Innovation Solution

A protective case with separate members hingably attached by a hinge member that moves perpendicular to accommodate the device's expansion in the open position, ensuring display visibility and protecting the hinge mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective case is designed to fully enclose a folding electronic device, then protection against dropping and impact is improved, but the hinge mechanism cannot move freely and display visibility is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against dropping and impactVSAvoidhinge movement and display visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case is divided into two separate members (first member and second member) that can move independently relative to each other, allowing the case to accommodate hinge movement while maintaining protection. Each member can be optimally shaped for protection without constraining the other member's movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective case transitions from a static enclosed structure to a dynamic structure where the first and second members can move relative to each other. This dynamic capability allows the case to adapt its configuration based on whether the device is folded or unfolded, maintaining both protection and operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the protective case remains in a single plane, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate the device's expansion when opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecase structure simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of device expansion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protective case moves from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional structure by allowing the first and second members to move in directions perpendicular to the plane. This enables the case to accommodate device expansion while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing for each individual member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the hinge member is fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but it interferes with the device's folding motion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehinge member structural stabilityVSAvoiddevice folding motion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change position as the device folds and unfolds. This dynamic design maintains structural stability when needed while enabling full range of motion for the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12500623B2Protective case for folding electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 OTTER PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A protective case for a foldable electronic device. The protective case includes a first member configured for receiving the first portion of the foldable electronic device and a second member configured for receiving the second portion of the foldable electronic device. The first member and the second member are in a plane when the protective case and the foldable electronic device are in the opened position. The protective case also includes a hinge member configured to extend over the hinge portion of the foldable electronic device when the protective case is installed on the foldable electronic device. The hinge member is movably attached to the first member and the second member. The hinge member is configured to move away from the plane in a substantially perpendicular direction when the protective case is transitioned from the closed position to the opened position.