Protective Cover With Planar Slot For Multi-Device Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with touch-sensitive displays are prone to damage and expensive to replace due to their interactive and exposed nature, and existing protective solutions do not effectively address the need for both protection and enhanced functionality during use.
Innovation Solution
A protective cover system that includes a housing configured to fit over the display surface of portable electronic devices, featuring a support element for upright orientation and attachment mechanisms like magnets, which also integrates peripheral accessories such as keyboards for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If touch-sensitive displays are made interactive and exposed for user access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible protective film or coating on the touch-sensitive display surface that allows touch interaction while providing damage protection. This thin film layer maintains the interactive capabilities of the display while shielding the underlying structure from physical damage, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates protective structures such as raised bezels or cushioning layers around the display perimeter that absorb impact forces before they reach the vulnerable touch-sensitive display area. This preemptive protection allows the display to remain exposed and interactive while being pre-shielded from potential damage.
2Reliability
If protective covers are designed to fully cover the display surface for maximum protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced display accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs protective elements with varying degrees of coverage - full protection around the perimeter with localized openings or transparent areas over the central display region. This allows maximum protection where needed (edges and corners) while maintaining full accessibility to the interactive display surface, resolving the contradiction between protection and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent or translucent protective layer as an intermediary between the user's finger and the display surface. This mediator provides physical protection while allowing touch input to pass through effectively, maintaining ease of operation while enhancing reliability.
3Reliability
If protective covers are made permanent for continuous protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficulty in removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the protective cover with dynamic attachment characteristics - strongly adhering during normal use to provide continuous protection, but allowing easy detachment when needed for repair or replacement. This may be achieved through reversible adhesive mechanisms or snap-fit designs that maintain security during operation but permit intentional removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the protective cover into separable components or modules that can be independently removed or replaced. This segmentation allows the cover to function as a unified protective element during use while enabling easy disassembly for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between continuous protection and ease of repair.
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 cover system effectively secures and supports portable electronic devices in an upright position, protecting the display while allowing for enhanced functionality through integrated accessories, and can be easily removed for storage or transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The mutual engagement may comprise magnetic attraction between the attachment elements of the protective cover and corresponding attachment elements of the portable electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover for a portable electronic device includes a support with a support element that includes a slot bounded by a forward surface and an opposed rear surface. The forward surface and the opposed rear surface are planar surfaces oriented parallel to one another and spaced apart a distance that enables the slot to receive peripheral edges of any of a plurality of differently configured devices from different manufacturers and having different capabilities. The forward surface and the opposed rear surface are located a single fixed distance apart from one another, enabling the slot to self-support the plurality of differently configured devices from different manufacturers and having different capabilities. The protective cover may include a keyboard.