Protective Case Buffer Pad Structure for Side Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, lack sufficient protection for their sides against mechanical shocks, which can lead to damage from accidental impacts during use in high-vibration environments like emergency services or bumpy roads, despite having basic shockproof designs for corners.

Innovation Solution

A protective case with multiple buffer pads and connectors that form an accommodation space around the device, providing additional side protection by using elastic clamping parts and buffer components to absorb shocks, while exposing corners for existing shockproof functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective case with buffer pads is added, then side protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveside protectionVSAvoidprotective case structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple buffer pads and connectors are merged into a single integrated protective case assembly. The buffer pads are connected through connectors to form a unified structure that surrounds the device, simplifying installation and removal while maintaining comprehensive side protection. The case acts as a single protective unit rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective case serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shock absorption at corners and sides, offers a unified mounting structure for all buffer pads, and creates a complete protective enclosure. The case body itself contributes to protection while housing the buffer pad system, reducing the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 protective case effectively buffers and absorbs mechanical shocks on the sides of portable electronic devices, offering comprehensive protection and preventing damage from impacts, in addition to the existing corner shockproofing.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the plurality of buffer pads includes an elastic clamping part. The elastic clamping part includes an upper buffer plate, a lower buffer plate and a side buffer plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4399992A1Protective case and portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 GETAC TECH CORP
  • EP4399992A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4399992A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4399992A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A protective case (20) includes a plurality of buffer pads (21) and a plurality of connectors (22). Each of the plurality of buffer pads (21) includes an elastic clamping part (212), which includes an upper buffer plate (2121), a lower buffer plate (2122) and a side buffer plate (2123). Two opposite sides of the side buffer plate (2123) are connected to the upper buffer plate (2121) and the lower buffer plate (2122). Each of the upper buffer plates (2121), the lower buffer plates (2122) and the side buffer plates (2123) together forms a clamping space (2124). An exposed space portion (213) is formed between any two of the plurality of buffer pads (21). The plurality of connectors (22) are located in the exposed space portions (213). Two ends of each of the plurality of connectors (22) are connected to any two of the plurality of buffer pads (21).