Electronic Device Cases With Removable Locator Circuit Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices with Near Field Communication (NFC) and position locating capabilities lack user customization and ease of use, and current locator devices only offer basic 'locate and find' functionality.
Innovation Solution
A device with a selectively installable and removable secondary circuit board providing additional functionalities such as lighting, GPS, sound, video capture, and RFID, along with a removable battery, and a base case with an embedded NFC chip for authentication, allowing users to customize and upgrade their device's functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device includes fixed NFC and position locating capabilities, then the device provides basic functionality, but the device lacks user customization and ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a base case with fixed NFC capabilities and removable secondary circuit boards with different functionalities (lighting, GPS, sound, video capture, RFID). Users can selectively attach different secondary circuit boards to customize the device functions according to their needs, thereby improving adaptability without requiring complete device redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The base case is designed with a universal circuit board interface that can accommodate multiple types of secondary circuit boards with different functions. This allows a single base case to support various functionalities through removable modules, achieving multi-functionality and user customization while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If locator functionality is only 'locate and find', then the device structure remains simple, but the functionality is limited and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The locator functionality is segmented into a base locating function and optional secondary functions (lighting, GPS, sound, video capture, RFID) that can be added through removable secondary circuit boards. This allows the core locator function to remain simple while enabling enhanced versatility through modular additions.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board structure is made dynamic and configurable, allowing users to selectively attach or detach secondary circuit boards based on their specific needs. The interface design enables easy installation and removal of functional modules, making the device adaptable to different locator requirements without permanent structural changes.
3Productivity
If the device requires complete redesign for functionality upgrades, then manufacturing precision and reliability are maintained, but the product cycle time increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a permanent base case and replaceable secondary circuit boards. When functionality upgrades are needed, only the secondary circuit board needs to be replaced rather than redesigning the entire device. This modular approach significantly reduces product cycle time and manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability of the base case structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables selective replacement of secondary circuit boards that become obsolete or insufficient, while the base case and other functional components are retained and reused. This reduces waste and manufacturing costs by avoiding complete device redesign and allows for cost-effective customization and upgrades.
Data Source
AI summary
A piece of luggage comprising a device including a primary circuit board in a base case that can provides near field communication (NFC) functionality or other primary functionality, wherein the device further includes a selectively installable and removable secondary circuit board that provides the device with secondary functionality that is different from the primary functionality including at least one of lighting, position locating, GPS, sound, video or image capture, RFID, wherein the secondary circuit board includes a secondary connector that mates with a primary connector of the primary circuit board when the secondary circuit board is installed. The base case includes a recess that receives the secondary circuit board, and the primary connector is located in the recess. A battery can be installed in the recess with the secondary circuit board. In some embodiments, a battery and circuit board are individually connected and disconnected from the base case.