Multi-Layer Protective Sleeve for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptops, are vulnerable to overheating, extreme temperatures, physical damage, and microbial contamination, with existing solutions failing to provide comprehensive protection against these issues.

Innovation Solution

A protective sleeve with multiple layers, including a reflective outer layer, a buoyant middle layer, and an antimicrobial inner layer, designed to maintain a safe temperature range, provide impact protection, and prevent water damage, while also masking thermal signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protective sleeve with multiple layers is used, then protection against extreme temperatures, physical impacts, and microbial contamination is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against extreme temperatures, physical impacts, and microbial contaminationVSAvoidprotective sleeve structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sleeve is divided into multiple functional layers: an outer shell for impact protection, an insulating layer for thermal protection, and an antimicrobial inner lining for hygiene. Each layer addresses a specific protective need, allowing the system to provide comprehensive protection while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve employs composite material construction combining different materials with complementary properties: durable outer shell material for impact resistance, thermal insulating material for temperature protection, and antimicrobial-treated fabric for contamination prevention. This composite approach enables simultaneous protection against multiple environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a reflective outer layer is added to mask thermal signatures, then thermal detection resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal detectionVSAvoidprotective sleeve production

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective thermal masking layer is applied selectively to the outer surface of the protective sleeve where thermal signature masking is most needed, rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized application provides effective thermal protection while minimizing manufacturing complexity and material costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a buoyant middle layer is included, then water damage protection is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater damage protectionVSAvoidprotective sleeve weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The buoyant middle layer is constructed as a thin, flexible foam or air-pocket structure integrated within the sleeve layers. This thin-film approach provides sufficient buoyancy for water damage protection and impact absorption while minimizing the added weight, maintaining portability and ease of carrying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 sleeve effectively protects electronic devices from extreme temperatures, physical impacts, and microbial contamination, while allowing for continued functionality and safe use, including in water environments, and reduces the risk of thermal detection.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective outer layer... masking thermal signatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a buoyant middle layer... provides impact protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 3

an antimicrobial inner layer... prevent water damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Data Source

PatentUS11858246B2Protective sleeve for electronic device or temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 EXCLAIM IP LLC

AI summary

Protective sleeves for portable electronic devices or thermally sensitive pharmaceuticals are provided. More particularly, embodiments relate to a protective sleeve that is capable of protecting a portable electronic device or a thermally sensitive pharmaceutical enclosed within from multiple environmental effects, including heat, cold, water, impact forces from being dropped, and germs and bacteria. In embodiments, provided is a protective sleeve comprising: an outer layer of material with a reflective surface; and an inner layer of material with a protective surface that can include an antimicrobial agent; wherein the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material are layered together and configured to receive a portable electronic device or thermally sensitive pharmaceutical. The protective sleeve can comprise a transparent window capable of communicating a human touch to an electronic device. The protective sleeve can comprise a temperature influencing bladder. The protective sleeve can be releasably attachable to a garment to be worn by a wearer. A thermal masking material and products thereof which can be used in a variety of applications where reduced visibility and heat detection is desired such as military, law enforcement, and hunting are also described.