Modular Electronic Device Segmentation for Regulatory Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for customization in portable electronic devices conflicts with regulatory requirements, as manufacturers face the challenge of conducting extensive testing for numerous device variations, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular electronic device system that includes an electronic device and interchangeable accessory modules, allowing users to customize functionality and appearance by attaching different modules and housings, while maintaining a common electronic device configuration for simplified regulatory approval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers provide thousands of different customized device SKUs to meet consumer demand, then user customization options are improved, but regulatory testing complexity and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a common base unit and separate interchangeable modules. The base unit contains core components that remain consistent across all device versions, while modules provide customizable functionality. This segmentation allows regulatory testing to focus on the common base unit once, rather than testing every possible device configuration separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The common base unit is designed to be universal and compatible with multiple different module types. This multi-functionality approach allows a single tested platform to support numerous customized device variations through module attachment, reducing the need for separate regulatory approvals for each configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers create numerous device variations to satisfy niche market requirements, then user-specific functionality is improved, but time and cost for qualification testing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common base unit undergoes comprehensive regulatory qualification testing in advance before any modules are attached. This preliminary action ensures that the core platform is pre-approved, allowing niche market variations to be rapidly deployed by simply attaching different modules without requiring additional full-scale qualification testing for each niche configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers produce multiple device configurations to meet diverse consumer preferences, then customization capability is improved, but manufacturing and testing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device architecture segments functionality into a standardized base unit and interchangeable modules. This segmentation enables manufacturers to produce the common base unit in large volumes once, achieving economies of scale, while modules can be produced separately and attached as needed. Regulatory testing costs are reduced by testing the common base unit a single time rather than repeatedly testing every possible device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating entirely new devices for each customization, the patent allows users to discard unwanted modules and attach different ones to the same tested base unit. This approach recovers the value of the already-qualified platform, avoiding the need to invest in manufacturing and testing new complete device configurations for each market niche.
Data Source
AI summary
A device (1400) includes an electronic device (100) with one or more processors (501), one or more memory devices (508), a display (101), and a first electrical connector (206). An electronic accessory module (600) includes a second electrical connector (806). A housing (1100) receives the electronic accessory module at a first end of the housing and receives the electronic device at a second end of the housing. The housing biases the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector together and couples to both the electronic device and the electronic accessory module to secure the electronic device and the electronic accessory module within the housing.