Integrated Battery Case for Portable Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face reduced battery life due to increased power demands from enhanced features and lack of easily replaceable batteries, necessitating a solution that extends battery life while protecting the devices from physical damage.

Innovation Solution

A case design that integrates a battery within the lower case portion, connected to electronic circuitry, allowing the upper case portion to slide onto the device, providing additional power and protection while maintaining access to device features and enabling synchronization and charging modes through indicator lights and a button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a case is designed to protect the portable electronic device from physical damage, then the device protection is improved, but the case cannot provide additional battery life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice protectionVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate functions into a single integrated case: physical protection and power extension. The case structure merges the protective enclosure with an integrated battery pack, allowing the same object to simultaneously protect the device from damage and provide additional battery life through the incorporated power source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The case is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a protective cover for the device, an external battery pack for power extension, and a charging dock when connected to a power source. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the protective case itself the source of additional battery life.

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

2Duration of action of moving object

If the battery capacity is increased to extend battery life, then the duration of action is improved, but the device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidcase size
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is nested within the case structure itself, with the battery housed in the lower portion of the case and the electronic device placed in the upper portion. This nesting arrangement allows the battery capacity to be increased without adding external bulk, as the battery is integrated into the case's internal volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the case structure is made more complex to provide both protection and battery integration, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecase functionalityVSAvoidcase manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The case is divided into two main segments: a lower case portion housing the battery and electronic circuitry, and an upper case portion that protects the device. This segmentation allows each portion to be manufactured separately using standard molding techniques, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively doubles or triples the battery life of portable electronic devices, provides protection against physical damage, and allows for extended use without the need for frequent battery replacements, while enabling seamless synchronization and charging operations.

Implementation Method 1

The lower case portion includes a battery to extend the battery life of the portable electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentEP2187601B1Portable electronic device case with battery
Publication Date: 2017.03.15 MOPHIE INC
  • EP2187601B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2187601B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2187601B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A case for an electronic device protects and extends the battery life of the electronic device. The case has a lower case portion and an upper case portion, which assemble together to protect the top, side, and bottom edges of the electronic device. The lower case portion includes a battery to extend the battery life of the electronic device.