Sled Device Retaining Electronic Devices with Segmented Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices are vulnerable to environmental damage and mishandling, leading to increased size and reduced usability when ruggedized or protected, making transportation cumbersome and decreasing their portability.

Innovation Solution

A sled device with a clasping mechanism for retaining electronic devices or their housings, allowing for easy transportation while providing protection from adverse conditions, and incorporating utility attachments for versatile use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing is ruggedized or a separate protective housing is provided, then protection from environmental damage and mishandling is improved, but the size of the electronic device increases making transportation more cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from environmental damageVSAvoidsize of electronic device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is divided into a main body portion and a separate lid portion that can be independently opened and closed. This segmentation allows the protective housing to provide full protection when closed while enabling easy access to the electronic device without requiring complete removal, thus maintaining protection while improving portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid portion is designed to be movable relative to the main body portion, transitioning between closed and open states. This dynamic design allows the protective housing to adapt between providing full protection during transportation and providing easy access during use, resolving the contradiction between protection and portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the protective housing is made larger to provide better protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation during transportation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from mishandlingVSAvoidusability during transportation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the protective housing into accessible lid and main body portions, the invention enables selective access to the electronic device without compromising overall protection. Users can quickly open the lid to access the device during transportation emergencies while the main body remains protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective housing is pre-configured with the lid portion that can be quickly opened, and the electronic device is pre-positioned within the main body portion. This preliminary arrangement enables immediate access during transportation without requiring complex operations, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing robust protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the housing is made more protective, then protection from adverse environmental conditions is improved, but portability deteriorates due to increased size and weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from adverse environmental conditionsVSAvoidportability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective housing is segmented into essential main body and optional lid portions. Users can carry only the main body portion containing the electronic device when full protection is not needed, significantly reducing weight and improving portability while maintaining basic protection. The lid can be added when enhanced protection is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main body portion of the protective housing is designed to function independently as a complete protective enclosure for the electronic device. This universal design allows the housing to provide adequate protection in both closed and open configurations, enabling users to optimize between protection and portability based on specific transportation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3193456B1Accessories for use with housing for an electronic device
Publication Date: 2018.12.12 TREEFROG DEVELOPMENTS INC
  • EP3193456B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3193456B1 patent drawingFigure 1B

AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to a device for retaining an electronic device as well as for methods for using the device for the purpose of doing the same. In various instances, the electronic device includes a housing and the retaining device is adapted for interfacing with the housing of the electronic device. The housing may be a separate unit from the electronic device or part of the electronic device itself. In various instances, the housing is a separate unit from the electronic device, within which the electronic device is fitted. In certain instances, the housing for the electronic device is adapted for protecting the device from one or more of shock, liquid, dust, snow, and the like. The electronic device may be any suitable electronic device, such as a computer, mobile computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, telephone, personal digital assistant, or the like.