Hinged Phone Case With E-ink Display and Photovoltaic Cells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular telephone cases with E-ink displays and photovoltaic cells are unable to maintain a continuously visible display and charge when left on a surface indoors, and they lack a usable button for controlling the image when disconnected from the phone.
Innovation Solution
A folding cellular telephone case with a hinged front panel containing an E-ink display, high-efficiency photovoltaic cells, a rechargeable battery, and buttons, which allows the case to maintain image display and charging without drawing power from the phone's battery, and includes a socket for external power adapter charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the E-ink display and photovoltaic cells are disposed on the outside face surface of the front side panel, then the display can be continuously visible and charged when the case is left on a surface indoors, but the display and cells occupy different non-overlapping portions of the outside face surface
Solution Approach 1:
The outside face surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: one portion houses the E-ink display while another portion accommodates the photovoltaic cells. This spatial segmentation allows both components to coexist without overlapping, enabling continuous display visibility and indoor charging simultaneously while maintaining adequate surface area for each function.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the photovoltaic cells charge the rechargeable battery of the case, then the case can maintain display without phone connection, but the cells cannot provide charging current to the cellular telephone's main battery
Solution Approach 1:
The power management system is segmented into separate charging pathways: one pathway allows photovoltaic cells to charge the case's rechargeable battery for independent display operation, while another pathway enables the phone's dock connector to charge the phone's main battery. This segmentation ensures the photovoltaic cells cannot inadvertently drain the phone battery while still providing versatile charging options.
Solution Approach 2:
The case's rechargeable battery acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the photovoltaic cells and the E-ink display. This intermediary allows the display to operate independently for extended periods using stored energy, while the phone connection serves a different charging function through the dock connector.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the case is removed from the cellular telephone, then the energy stored in rechargeable batteries maintains the image display, but buttons on the outside face surface must be usable to manipulate the image
Solution Approach 1:
The case functionality is segmented into two operational modes: when connected to the phone, the phone's controls manage the display; when disconnected, the buttons on the outside face surface become the control interface. This segmentation ensures buttons are positioned for easy accessibility when the case is removed and used independently, maintaining ease of operation throughout.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the case provides E-ink display and photovoltaic cells functionality, then additional features are available, but RF wireless transceiver circuitry is not used
Solution Approach 1:
The RF wireless transceiver circuitry is extracted from the case design, removing unnecessary complexity while retaining essential functionality. The case provides E-ink display and photovoltaic charging capabilities through simpler, dedicated components rather than integrating complex wireless communication hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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
Enables continuous display and charging of the E-ink case without draining the phone's battery, allowing separate use of the phone and case, and provides additional features like audio playback without RF wireless transceiver circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
high-efficiency single-crystal photovoltaic devices... such that the display and the cells occupy different non-overlapping portions of the outside face surface of the front side panel. The photovoltaic cells are coupled so that they can charge the rechargeable battery of the case
Data Source
AI summary
A cellular telephone case has front and back panels. A cellular telephone is coupled to the case by pushing the telephone into the case such that the main dock connector of the telephone engages a plug on the back panel. When the telephone is in this position, a back surface of the telephone is held in place on an inside surface of the back panel. The front panel is hinged so that it folds over and covers the telephone. In this folded position, the upward and outward facing outside surface of the front panel includes an E-ink display, a plurality of photovoltaic cells for charging a rechargeable battery of the case, and several buttons. Image information from the telephone is transferred to the case through the dock connector, and then viewed on the display using energy stored in the battery, even after the telephone has been decoupled from the case.