Mobile Cover with Deployable Brace for Free-Standing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users experience hand fatigue and risk damaging mobile devices when holding them for extended periods, as the devices can fall due to a slipping grip.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover with a housing, bending member, and support member that allows the mobile device to be free-standing, enabling users to view the screen without holding it, featuring an integrally formed elastic housing and rigid support member made from materials like TPU and aluminum, respectively, with a method of manufacturing involving thermoforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the mobile device is held in hand for extended periods, then the device can be operated continuously, but hand fatigue occurs and the risk of accidental drops increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into functional segments: a housing containing a bending member with a support arm. The support arm can be extended or retracted independently from the housing, allowing the device to transition between handheld and free-standing modes without affecting the protective function of the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending member enables dynamic adjustment of the support arm between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic structure allows the protective cover to adapt its configuration based on usage needs - providing support when needed and remaining compact when not in use.
2Ease of operation
If a support structure is added to enable free-standing capability, then hand fatigue is reduced and drop risk is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is integrated within the housing structure, merging the protective cover function with the support function. The bending member connects the support arm to the housing, creating a unified structure where the support mechanism is contained within the protective cover itself, avoiding additional external components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm is nested within the housing when in the retracted position. The bending member allows the support arm to be stored compactly inside the housing volume, similar to a nested doll structure, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device volume and visual complexity.
3Productivity
If an integrally formed elastic housing with rigid support member is used, then manufacturing efficiency is improved and material utilization is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover uses composite materials with different properties: an elastic housing material (such as TPU) for the main body providing flexibility and protection, and a rigid material (such as aluminum) for the support arm providing structural strength. The injection molding process allows these different materials to be combined in a single manufacturing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection molding process utilizes parameter changes in the elastic material during manufacturing. The material transitions from a viscous state during injection to a solidified state during cooling, allowing complex integrated structures to be formed in one step. The elastic properties of the material also allow for built-in flexibility and shock absorption.
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 the mobile device to be securely supported and viewed without manual holding, reducing hand fatigue and preventing accidental drops, while allowing for easy manufacturing and versatility in design.
Implementation Method 1
a method of manufacturing involving thermoforming
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover with deployable supportive brace includes a housing, a bending member, and a support member. The housing has a receiving opening, and a recessed track. The bending member also has a bent portion, and a guide. The bent portion is received in the receiving opening, and has a first section, and a second section. The guide is received in and movable along the recessed track. The support member is received in the receiving opening, is pivotable relative to the first section, and has two end portions. One end portion is secured to the second section, and the other end portion is adjacent to the first section. When pulled out and deployed, the support member and housing can support the mobile device in a free-standing manner for long term viewing.