Mobile Phone Body Lateral Indents for Accessory Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile phones have become extremely fragile due to their compact and lightweight design, compromising durability and ergonomics while maintaining portability.

Innovation Solution

A ruggedized mobile phone design featuring a novel case configuration with variable wall thickness, rounded corners, and a secure screw attachment system, along with interchangeable attachment points and a data/power interface for removable components, enhancing durability and ergonomic handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile phones are made compact and lightweight for easy handling, then portability and ergonomics are improved, but durability and ruggedness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic handlingVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile phone is divided into a main body and separable accessory components that can be attached or detached. The accessory includes its own protective casing, battery, and functional components, allowing the main phone body to remain compact while durability is enhanced through the attached protective accessory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory components are designed to nest within or attach to the main phone body. The accessory casing envelops portions of the phone, providing protective coverage while maintaining a compact overall form factor when the accessory is attached.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If mobile phones are made compact to minimize size, then portability is improved, but structural strength and impact resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephone sizeVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective structure is segmented into the main phone body and a separate accessory with its own reinforced casing. This allows the accessory to provide enhanced impact resistance through its attachment points and structural design without increasing the base phone size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory incorporates materials and structural designs that provide enhanced protection, such as reinforced corners, thicker walls in critical areas, and durable attachment mechanisms. These composite structural elements provide impact resistance while maintaining a compact form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If mobile phones are made lightweight, then ease of handling is improved, but durability and ruggedness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephone weightVSAvoidruggedness

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ruggedized features are segregated into a separate accessory component rather than being integrated into the main phone body. This allows the lightweight phone to gain enhanced durability through the attached accessory, which contains the additional protective materials and structural reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory provides localized reinforcement and protection at critical areas such as corners, edges, and attachment points. This localized approach to ruggedization adds durability where needed most while minimizing the overall weight increase of the complete device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If attachment mechanisms are added to the phone body, then accessory versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory attachabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism is designed with universal compatibility features, allowing the same attachment interface to work with multiple different accessory types. The lateral indents and corresponding attachment points provide a standardized interface that can accommodate various accessories without requiring complex customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism utilizes simple geometric parameters such as lateral indents, overhangs, and snap-fit features that can be easily manufactured and integrated. By changing the geometric parameters of the attachment interface rather than using complex mechanical systems, the design achieves versatility with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10708401B2Mobile phone body with lateral indents for attachable accessory

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 TOUGHBUILT IND INC

AI summary

A mobile phone includes a phone body including spaced lateral perimeter walls. At least one indentation is provided in each of the said spaced lateral walls, the indentations forming a detent or cavity to provide an overhang portion suitable for being selectively gripped or released by correspondingly mating jaws or hooks on an accessory attachable to the mobile phone.