Tension Spring Protective Cover for Foldable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for foldable electronic devices lack effective mechanisms to maintain the device in fully open or closed positions and prevent unintended opening or closing, leading to potential damage from accidental movements.
Innovation Solution
A tension spring assisted foldable protective cover with a first and second housing shell coupled by tension coupling mechanisms, featuring holding posts and engagement features that maintain a biasing force to keep the device in desired positions through pivotal folding motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a protective cover is designed to be foldable for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to unintended opening or closing
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring mechanism applies a preliminary biasing force in the opposite direction of unintended opening or closing movements. This counteracting force prevents accidental position changes by continuously exerting a stabilizing influence that opposes external disturbances or user errors, thereby maintaining reliable positioning while preserving foldable portability
2Reliability
If tension coupling mechanisms are added to maintain device positions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tension spring mechanism is designed to automatically maintain device positions without requiring user intervention. The biasing force is self-regulating, continuously adjusting to keep the device in desired positions (fully open, semi-open, or fully closed) without complex control systems, sensors, or power sources, thereby achieving reliable position maintenance with minimal added complexity
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 solution effectively retains the foldable electronic device in fully open, semi-open, and fully closed positions, preventing accidental opening or closing and providing enhanced protection against impacts and shocks.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of tension coupling mechanisms or spring coupling elements... one end of a first tension coupling mechanism is connected to one holding post of the front shell... and the other end of the first tension coupling mechanism is connected to a first holding post of the hinge cover shell
Data Source
AI summary
A protective and/or ornamental case for a foldable handheld electronic device. The case includes a front shell and a back shell pivotally connected to a hinge cover by one or more coupling mechanisms. A first portion of an electronic device is inserted into the front shell and a second portion of the electronic device is inserted into the back shell. The coupling mechanisms retain the front and back shells operatively engaged with the hinge cover as the electronic device housed in the case is pivotally or hingedly opened and closed, help prevent unintended opening or closing of the device, and keep the device open or closed when so positioned by a user.