Protective Case Retention via Compressible Pads and Fasteners
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The shrinking or absence of bezels around electronic devices makes it difficult to keep protective cases attached, as there is minimal edge or lip for the case to grasp onto, leading to potential dislodging or falling of the device when oriented downward or subjected to impact.
Innovation Solution
The use of resilient compressible pads and fastener materials in protective cases that attach to the electronic device, applying opposing forces to retain the device within the case, and providing apertures for direct access to the front of the device without obstructing the display, ensuring the device remains secure and accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If protective cases are designed to fully cover electronic devices, then protection against shock, impact, and dropping is improved, but access to the display screen and device functionality is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is divided into a first case portion and a second case portion that can be separated. The first case portion provides full coverage protection, while the second case portion can be removed or opened to provide access to the display screen and device functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective case incorporates resilient compressible pads that dynamically adjust to the device. These pads are compressed by opposing sides of the installed electronic device and apply opposing forces to retain the device, allowing the case to adapt between providing full coverage and enabling access to the display.
2Area of moving object
If bezels around display screens are shrunk or removed to increase display area, then display screen size is improved, but the ability of protective cases to grasp and retain the device is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case uses resilient compressible pads that change their physical state through compression. These pads are compressed by opposing sides of the installed electronic device and apply opposing forces, creating reliable retention without requiring bezels for mechanical grasping, thus accommodating devices with minimal or no bezels.
3Reliability
If protective cases include lips or edges that extend around front edges of devices, then device retention is improved, but access to the front of the device and display visibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case applies retention forces locally through resilient compressible pads positioned at specific locations rather than using continuous lips or edges around the front. This localized approach provides secure retention while leaving the front of the device fully accessible and visible.
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 effectively prevents the electronic device from falling out of the case by applying compressive forces through resilient pads and utilizing fasteners, maintaining the device's visibility and usability while providing protection against impacts and orientations.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second resilient compressible pads are each configured to be compressed by opposing sides of the installed electronic device when the second case portion is attached to the first case portion over, on, or around the electronic device. The first and second resilient compressible pads are further configured to apply opposing forces to the opposing sides of the installed electronic device, respectively, to retain the installed electronic device in the protective case.
Data Source
AI summary
A protective case for use with an electronic device includes a case portion configured to cover a back and sides of the electronic device when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The case portion defines an aperture for directly accessing a front of the installed electronic device. The aperture has dimensions greater than or equal to corresponding dimensions of the electronic device. The case portion includes a first fastener material permanently attached to an inside back surface of the case portion. The protective case also includes a second fastener material configured to be permanently attached to the back of the electronic device at a location configured to align with the first fastener material when the electronic device is installed in the protective case. The second fastener material is configured to removably adhere to the first fastener material to removably retain the electronic device in the case portion.