This is a (real) 'Packaging Engineer' design task--

Post #386,225 by Ashton 2/6/14 4:27:45 AM Reply	This is a (real) 'Packaging Engineer' design task-- as re Tektronix and their drop-tests on packaged instruments (have mentioned that the UPS guy who came out here a couple times Was a real P.Engr.) As with packaging heads (cycle helmets and such) I'd think that plastic foam of different crush-rate layers would be the lightest and maybe least bulky direction --even if (as with helmets) you should replace one after it has done its work. A thin veneer of rosewood or Unicorn-feathers could do the styling disguise. (Considering the hi-tech of phones, it seems antediluvian to make some bulky hard-platic box when what you want is ABSORPTION/crush-rate.) What you Don't want is any rigid/bulletproof outer case with no such thought given to its innards. I heard that F=MA, so a tiny accelerometer in a dummy case is all the test. eq. needed. Should I patent one?
Post #386,228 by Another Scott 2/6/14 7:50:08 AM Reply	Absolutely! Patent away! :-) Of course, it's a tough hill to climb - the folks making cases no doubt have already patented the obvious (and many not so obvious) things... Accelerometers were important in things with hard drives - dunno if they'll help in protection for things with Flash RAM these days. Maybe if you tied an accelerometer into a phase change material that would go from hard to soft when it senses it is falling. ;-) The Otterbox Defender claims to address issues like that and have multiple layers to cover the various functional needs. But when you don't need those various protections (99% of the time), it gets in the way. http://www.otterbox....cgid=ipad-2-cases - $90 for the iPad v2 version (they don't sell the v1 version any more). :-/ If one is willing to spend $90 for a case, one probably has AppleCare+ for it as well ($99 ($90 at Amazon) + $50 for each incident (up to 2) for 2 years total coverage). AC+ might be a better value than the case. And there's things like SquareTrade with roughly similar damage coverage (maybe?) for an additional year for a similar price (but no deductible). FWIW. Cheers, Scott.
Post #386,307 by Ashton 2/9/14 6:41:01 PM Reply	I was imprecise.. re accelerometer, meant only: for testing of your scheme. Clearly one needs One important datum: How-many-Gs' is Max allowed before the weakest (physical) link is trashed.? (This is apt to be a different value for various angles-of-impact --and nobody may have spent more than $10 exploring the matter.) Then set a "max-height above cement floor" which your device will permit, excluding your throwing the sucker at a wall, say. The rest is pretty simple concept, testing, execution, then surveying IF the bulk is Worth the safety -vs- paying the Insurance (#s you mentioned.) One thing is clear: I haven't seen an Otterbox, but if they are transmitting drop-shock directly to a phone --sans obvious physics of 'crumple-rate' of substances: they are certifiably Incompetent. Rest case.. er, case-about Cases. This stuff is fucking-Obvious, innit? (And ya Can't 'patent' physics ... unless Patent Law IS as fubar as oft reputed.)
Post #386,309 by drook 2/9/14 9:26:41 PM Reply	I suspect ... Phones are packed so tight, with so much on a single board, that the screen is far and away the most fragile piece. I've never heard/read a report of a phone being killed by a drop that it wasn't the screen that failed. -- Drew

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