Thermal-Regulated Mobile Case and Dock for Extreme Temperatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumer-grade mobile devices lack effective thermal management solutions to withstand extreme temperatures, which is a critical requirement for public safety use, and existing rugged devices are excessively expensive.

Innovation Solution

A protective mobile device case with integrated thermal regulation using a peltier heating and cooling system, coupled with a vehicle dock, that actively manages temperature through internal sensors and a pogo pin interface for reliable engagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile device is dropped or subjected to extreme conditions, then the device structure may fail or components may be damaged, but adding protective measures increases device complexity and size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice durabilityVSAvoidprotective structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a foam material between the battery and the housing that activates upon impact. The foam is positioned to compress and absorb shock energy before it reaches critical components, providing protective action in advance of potential damage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam material serves as an intermediary element between the battery and the housing structure. This mediator absorbs and dissipates impact forces, preventing direct transmission of shock to the battery and other components, thereby protecting the device without requiring a complete redesign of the housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive is used to attach the battery to the housing, then assembly is simplified, but the adhesive may fail under extreme temperatures or impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidadhesive bond reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foam material is positioned between the battery and housing to provide beforehand cushioning against impact forces and thermal extremes. This protective layer is in place before any failure can occur, cushioning the adhesive bond from forces that would otherwise cause it to fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The foam acts as an intermediary between the adhesive bond and extreme external conditions. It absorbs impact forces and thermal stress, preventing these extremes from directly affecting the adhesive bond and causing failure, while still allowing the adhesive to provide its bonding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the battery is securely attached to the housing, then device stability is improved, but the battery may still be damaged by impact forces transmitted through the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidbattery protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The foam material provides beforehand cushioning by being pre-positioned between the battery and housing. When impact occurs, the foam compresses to absorb shock energy before it reaches the battery, protecting it from damage while still allowing the battery to remain securely attached to the housing for stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Effectively maintains optimal operating temperatures for mobile devices in extreme conditions, enhancing their durability and functionality for public safety applications without the high cost of rugged devices.

Implementation Method 1

a foam material positioned between the battery and the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

an adhesive material that attaches the battery to the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3977833B1Method and apparatus to ruggedize a mobile device for public safety or mobile use
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MAN & MACHINE
  • EP3977833B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3977833B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3977833B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

This present invention pertains to a method and apparatus to take a consumer grade mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet computer with or without a desktop mode and use a protective mobile device case optimized for temperature regulation and heat transfer and couple them to a vehicle or a cart based dock capable of maintaining mobile device operating temperatures when exposed to extreme high or low temperatures seasonally. A temperature control monitors thermally sensitive internal component temperatures within the mobile device and triggers heating or cooling based on preset temperature thresholds designed to protect those components.