Magnetic Screen Cleaning Attachment for Portable Device Cases

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with view screens often become dirty due to oils from human skin, environmental liquids, and airborne contaminants, making it difficult to clean them without risking damage from available materials, and existing cleaning solutions are often bulky or inconvenient to carry.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning component with a magnetic attractive force that selectively couples to the device's case, using a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate and a cleaning material, allowing for easy attachment and detachment for effective cleaning without damaging the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional cleaning materials (paper towels, napkins) are used to clean the view screen, then cleaning is readily available and simple, but the screen may be scratched and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of cleaning materialsVSAvoidscreen damage from scratching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic cleaning component serves as an intermediary tool between the user and the view screen. This component is specifically designed with non-abrasive cleaning materials and is attracted to the device case by magnetic force, allowing effective cleaning without direct contact between harmful materials and the screen surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device case itself provides the cleaning function through integrated magnetic attraction. The case contains magnetic material that automatically attracts the cleaning component when brought near, eliminating the need for separate cleaning tools or complex attachment mechanisms. The system serves itself by using its own magnetic properties to facilitate cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If appropriate cleaning materials are carried separately, then effective cleaning is possible, but the cleaning device becomes bulky and inconvenient to carry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidportability and convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning component is merged with the device case through magnetic attraction, creating an integrated system. The cleaning materials are combined with a magnetic substrate that couples to the case, eliminating the need to carry separate bulky cleaning devices. The cleaning function becomes a compact, portable part of the device ecosystem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic cleaning component serves multiple functions: it cleans the view screen, can be attached to the case for storage, and may interact with magnetic switches on the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate tools and improves portability while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If cleaning component is easily detachable for portability, then convenience is improved, but secure attachment during use may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidsecure attachment during cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic attraction force is prepared in advance within the case structure, creating a ready-to-engage attachment mechanism. When the cleaning component approaches the case, the magnetic force automatically engages to secure it firmly during cleaning operations. The component can be easily detached by overcoming the magnetic force, providing both security and convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Provides a convenient and effective method to clean view screens on portable electronic devices without risk of damage, allowing for easy use and storage, and can also activate or deactivate magnetic switches for power management.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic component having a magnetic attractive force that selectively couples to the device case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attractive force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

using a ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Implementation Method 3

the magnetic component having a magnetic attractive force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS11241719B2System comprising a portable switching device for use with a portable electronic device

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 GUI GLOBAL PRODUCTS LTD

AI summary

A lens and/or a view screen of an electronic device having at least one case can be cleaned by wiping the view screen with a cleaning component wherein the cleaning component is configured to selectively couple to the at least one case or some other substrate using a magnetic attractive force. The cleaning devices may have secondary applications such as securing fly fishing lures, activating or deactivating a device having a magnetic switch, or preventing sunglasses from sinking. They may also be manufactured without a cleaning component for use with the secondary applications.