Portable Electronic Item Security Device for Battery Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable electronic items, such as electronic watches, pose a risk of battery compartment access by young children, potentially leading to battery ingestion.

Innovation Solution

A security device that clips onto the portable electronic item, covering the indentation on the cover to prevent tool introduction and rotation, thereby securing the cover and preventing unauthorized access to the battery compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cover has a simple indentation shape to facilitate easy battery replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access by children deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of battery replacementVSAvoidunauthorized access by children

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The security device transitions from a static cover to a dynamic system where the cover can be rotated to lock or unlock the indentation. The cover includes a first position where the indentation is accessible and a second position where the security device blocks the indentation, allowing the system to adapt between ease of access and security states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The security device acts as an intermediary element between the cover and the tool. It is positioned between the indentation and the external environment, preventing direct access to the indentation while allowing authorized access through the rotation mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If fast rotational coupling means are used to allow quick access to the battery, then productivity is improved, but security against inadvertent removal by children deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of battery replacementVSAvoidinadvertent removal by children

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism transitions from a simple fast-release system to a dynamic locking system. The cover can be rotated between a first position for quick access and a second position where the security device engages to prevent rotation, providing both speed and security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The security device applies preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the cover in a locked state where the indentation is blocked. This prevents children from inadvertently removing the cover, while authorized users can reverse the locking action to access the battery quickly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20250116970A1Portable electronic item including a security device for securing a cover of a removable electrical power source

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 ETA SA MFG HORLOGERE SUISSE

AI summary

A portable electronic item (100) including: a casing (10) having a compartment (11) that houses an electrical power source (2); a compartment cover (20) including first coupling means (23a) that cooperates with second coupling means (23b) provided on the casing (10) to rigidly connect the cover (20) to the casing (10) by rotating the cover about a rotational axis formed by a central axis (X) of the cover (20). The cover (20) has an indentation (22) provided in an outer face (21) to receive a tool for rotating the cover (20). A security device (30, 30′) is rigidly connected by clipping onto the portable electronic item and is configured to at least partially cover the indentation (22) of the cover (20) of the compartment (11), so as to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating the cover (20) and removing it from the casing (10).