Tethered Port Protector for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing port protectors for portable electronic devices are either cumbersome when carried in protective pouches or offer partial protection with permanently tethered solutions that cannot be easily replaced by users when they become unusable.
Innovation Solution
A tethered port protector with a removable attachment tab and elastic tether strip, allowing users to easily install and remove the protector without tools, using materials like rubber or silicone for the plug and adhesive, static charge, or hook-and-loop fasteners for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective pouch is used to protect the device, then port protection is improved, but device operability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the protective function from the entire device pouch and applies it specifically to the port area only. The port protector is a separate component that can be attached to and removed from the device, allowing protection when needed without requiring the device to be enclosed in a pouch that prevents operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective solution is segmented into a separate port protector component rather than requiring a complete device pouch. This segmentation allows the protection function to be applied locally to the port area while leaving the rest of the device accessible and operable.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a permanently tethered plug protector is used, then port protection is improved, but replaceability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tether connection is made dynamic rather than permanent. The attachment tab can be easily removed and reattached, allowing the protector to be dynamically adjusted, replaced, or transferred to another device as needed, while still providing secure protection when attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows the protector to be easily discarded when damaged or unwanted, and recovered for reuse on the same or different devices. The simple attachment mechanism enables quick removal and replacement without tools or complex procedures.
3Strength
If a tethered protector with screw attachment is used, then attachment security is improved, but installation complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical screw attachment system is replaced with a simpler adhesive or static cling-based attachment mechanism. This substitution maintains adequate attachment security for the intended application while dramatically reducing installation complexity from requiring tools and threading operations to a simple press-on or stick-on action.
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
Provides effective dust and water protection for electronic device ports while allowing easy replacement of the protector, enhancing user convenience and durability in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic tether strip having a first end connected to and integrally formed with at least a part of said protective plug
Data Source
AI summary
A port protector for an electronic device that is formed with one or more ports having an access opening. The port protector includes a protective plug having a shape substantially corresponding to a shape of the access opening of the port of the electronic device and being configured to seal the opening of the port when the plug is inserted into the opening. An elastic tether strip has a first end connected to and integrally formed with at least a part of the protective plug. An attachment tab is integrally formed at a second end of said tether strip, opposite and distally from the protective plug. The attachment tab is configured for removable attachment to the surface of the shell body of the electronic device. The tether strip has a length enabling the protective plug to be inserted into and removed from the opening of the port while the attachment tab is attached to the surface of the shell body of the electronic device.