Mobile Device Elastomeric Back with Low-Friction Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld mobile devices with low-friction surfaces for impact resistance tend to slide easily, posing safety risks, while high-friction rubber surfaces hinder holster insertion and removal.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mobile device design with a high-friction elastomeric layer covering and low-friction recessed slots, paired with a holster featuring low-friction rails that slidably engage the slots, allowing for secure grip and easy holstering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a hard, smooth-surfaced case is used for impact resistance, then durability and impact resistance are improved, but the device readily slides across surfaces creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the device enclosure. The back surface is covered with elastomeric material having high friction coefficients (0.4-0.8) to prevent sliding, while the front surface maintains smooth hard material properties for impact resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing high friction only where needed for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enclosure combines hard materials (plastic or metal) with elastomeric materials in a composite structure. The hard material provides impact resistance and structural durability, while the elastomeric coating provides high friction to prevent sliding. This composite approach allows both protective functions to coexist without compromising either.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a high-friction rubber enclosure is used to prevent sliding, then gripping capability is improved, but the device resists insertion and removal from holsters
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material is applied selectively to the back surface only, leaving the front surface and side surfaces smooth. This localized application provides high friction for gripping on the back surface while the smooth front surface allows easy holster insertion and removal without resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The device surface is segmented into distinct functional zones: the back surface has elastomeric material for gripping, while the front surface has smooth hard material for holster interaction. This segmentation allows each surface region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with other functions.
3Ease of operation
If a smooth low-friction surface is used for holster insertion, then ease of holstering is improved, but the device slides easily causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent differentiates surface friction properties by location: the back surface uses high-friction elastomeric material to prevent sliding, while the front surface uses low-friction smooth material to facilitate holster insertion. This spatial differentiation of friction properties resolves the contradiction between safety and ease of holstering.
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 provides enhanced grip and safety by preventing sliding while enabling easy insertion and removal from holsters, addressing the trade-offs of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a high-friction elastomeric layer covering... The high-friction properties of rubber enclosures that provide a superior gripping feature
Implementation Method 2
low-friction recessed slots... low-friction rails that slidably engage the slots
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device has a front face and a back face opposite the front face. The back face includes an elastomeric layer. A pair of longitudinal sides are coupled to the front face and back face, and a pair of latitudinal sides are also coupled to the front face and back face. The back face or the longitudinal sides define a recessed slot extending along a longitudinal length of the back face or longitudinal sides, respectively. The recessed slot defines an open end at at least one of the latitudinal sides. The recessed slot has a recessed slot surface that has a low-friction material. A holster includes a pocket defining an open top end configured to receive the mobile device. A rail extends longitudinally along an interior side of the pocket. The rail is configured to correspond with and slidably engage the slot on the mobile device.