Segmented Cover for Portable Device with Adjustable Rear Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices with display screens on the front and operational components on the rear face challenges in protection and usability, as conventional covers do not allow simultaneous access to both the display and rear operational elements without compromising protection or usability.

Innovation Solution

A cover system comprising a front cover plate, a rear cover plate, an attachment member, a retaining portion, and a stand portion, allowing adjustable angles and secure attachment to the device, enabling users to access both the display and rear operational components while maintaining protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional cover is used to protect the electronic device, then protection against shock, dust, and dirt is improved, but access to the operating part on the rear surface becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against shock, dust, and dirtVSAvoidaccess to operating part
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into two separate plates: a front cover plate for protecting the display screen and a rear cover plate for protecting the rear surface. This segmentation allows each cover plate to be optimized independently - the front cover plate can be designed to protect the display while the rear cover plate can be designed to allow access to operating parts through openings or transparent portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rear cover plate is designed with specific local qualities - either openings at specific locations or transparent portions - that allow access to the operating part while maintaining overall protection. This localized modification enables users to operate the device without removing the entire cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the cover is designed to fully protect the device, then protection is improved, but the ability to view display and operate rear components simultaneously is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidsimultaneous access to display and rear components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the cover into front and rear cover plates, the design enables independent functionality - the front cover plate remains closed to protect and display the screen while the rear cover plate can be opened or has transparent portions to allow access to operating parts, achieving simultaneous viewing and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rear cover plate is designed to be movable or configurable - either through openings that allow finger access or transparent portions that allow visual access - enabling dynamic adaptation between full protection mode and operational access mode without removing the cover entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single cover plate is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide both front and rear protection with operational access is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover structureVSAvoidaccess to both front and rear
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system is segmented into a front cover plate and a rear cover plate that can be attached separately to the electronic device. This segmentation, while increasing component count, enables each plate to be simple in design while collectively providing comprehensive protection and operational access - the front plate for display protection and the rear plate with openings or transparent portions for operating part access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2533129B1Cover for portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2533129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2533129B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object is to provide a cover for allowing an operation to an operating part provided on the rear surface of a portable electronic device when the electronic device being used. A cover (1) includes a front cover plate (2), a rear cover plate (3), and an attachment member (4) capable of being attached the electronic device (90). The front cover plate (2) and the rear cover plate (3) are connected to the attachment member (4) such that each relative angle thereof relative to the attachment member (4) are changeable.