Transparent Elastomeric Cover with Flexible Window for Touch Screen Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective solutions for touch-sensitive screens in portable devices are inadequate as they either obstruct access to the entire screen area or fail to provide comprehensive protection against external influences like pressure and electrostatic noise, especially when the device is carried.
Innovation Solution
A unitary optically transparent elastomeric cover with a mask portion, curtain portions, and lip portions forming a cavity, along with a thinner flexible window area for stylus input, provides unimpeded access to the touch screen while protecting it from scratches and spills, and includes access ports for switch keys and control surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cover is provided for the touch-sensitive screen, then protection against external damage is improved, but access to the screen area is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover incorporates a transparent window portion in the mask that corresponds to the touch-sensitive screen area, allowing light transmission and visual access to the screen while maintaining protection around the edges. This local transparency resolves the contradiction by providing protection where needed while allowing access where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that can conform to the device contours and allow touch input through the material. The flexibility enables the cover to maintain protective coverage while permitting user interaction with the screen through pressure-sensitive contact.
2Reliability
If a protective cover is provided for the touch-sensitive screen, then protection against external influences is improved, but access to device features is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into distinct functional portions: a mask portion with window for the screen area, curtain portions for side protection, and access ports for device features like switch keys. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function while maintaining overall protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover acts as an intermediary layer between the external environment and the device, with strategically placed transparent and access portions that mediate between protection and accessibility requirements. The window portions and access ports serve as controlled intermediaries that allow necessary interactions while maintaining protective coverage.
3Strength
If a thick protective cover is provided, then protection strength is improved, but optical transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mask portion containing the window is made relatively thinner to maximize optical transparency for the screen viewing area, while the curtain portions and frame areas are made thicker to provide enhanced structural protection and edge coverage. This local variation in thickness resolves the contradiction by optimizing each region for its primary function.
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 offers comprehensive protection against external damage and spills while allowing full access to the touch screen and other device features, enhancing usability and durability of portable devices.
Implementation Method 1
A unitary optically transparent elastomeric cover with a mask portion, curtain portions, and lip portions forming a cavity
Implementation Method 2
a relatively thinner flexible window area corresponding to the pressure-sensitive touch screen and which permits application therethrough to the touch screen of pressure exerted by the stylus
Data Source
AI summary
A protective cover for a device having a touch-sensitive screen, the cover being a substantially optically transparent flexible protective cover formed of a unitary combination of a mask portion substantially surrounded with a plurality of integrally interconnected curtain portions extending therefrom and forming therebetween a plurality of interconnected lip portions, the mask, curtain and lip portions forming a cavity therebetween with the lip portions surrounding a mouth opening thereinto; and the mask portion further having a relatively thicker frame portion surrounding a relatively thinner recessed integral window portion formed of a flexible membrane that is positioned over the device's touch screen.