Magnetic Accessory Cover for Electronic Device Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices are prone to damage from drops, crashes, and scratches, and existing protective covers do not adequately enhance functionality and usability while being used in various environments.

Innovation Solution

A method of disposing an accessory on an electronic device using a cover with magnetically interactive elements that securely attach to the device, allowing for different orientations and functionalities, such as tilting and folding, while providing protection and enhanced usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective cover is used to protect the electronic device from damage, then the device is protected from drops, crashes, and scratches, but the cover does not adequately enhance functionality and usability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from damageVSAvoidfunctionality enhancement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic cover is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the device screen from damage, provides detachable attachment to the device, enables adjustable positioning at various angles, and serves as a hands-free viewing solution. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enhancing adaptability while maintaining protection.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cover incorporates magnetic elements that allow dynamic attachment and detachment, as well as flexible positioning at different angles. The magnetic force enables the cover to be securely attached when needed and easily removed when not needed, providing adaptability while maintaining reliable protection during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a magnetic element is used to attach the cover to the device, then the cover can be securely attached and detached, but the attachment force may not be sufficient in all orientations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetachable attachmentVSAvoidattachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic element is strategically positioned at a specific location on the cover rather than distributed throughout. This localized magnetic attachment point is optimized to provide sufficient attachment force in various orientations, resolving the contradiction by ensuring reliable attachment while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic force acts as an opposing force to gravity and other external forces that may detach the cover. The magnetic attraction provides a counterbalancing force that maintains secure attachment even when the device is tilted or positioned at different angles, ensuring reliable attachment while allowing easy manual detachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 effectively protects electronic devices from damage and enhances their functionality by allowing secure attachment and adjustable positioning, improving user interaction and device usability in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic element disposed in the accessory and a magnetic element disposed in the electronic device... the magnetic element in the accessory interacts with the magnetic element in the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2940880B1Accessory and control method
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 HTC CORP
  • EP2940880B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2940880B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2940880B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C

AI summary

An accessory is provided for disposing on an electronic device, which has a plurality of device elements disposed adjacent to one edge of the electronic device. the accessory comprises a cover having a plurality of cover elements disposed in the cover. When one of the cover elements is not attached to the one of the device elements along the other edge of the electronic device, the cover is flipped along the one edge of the electronic device and the cover elements along the one edge attracted to the cover element along the corresponding edge of the cover. A control method is also provided for controlling an electronic device according to a movement of a portion of the accessory relative to the electronic device.