Modern smartphone cameras integrate multiple sensors, lenses, and processing components into compact modules that protrude from device bodies. These modules face daily exposure to micro-impacts, with testing showing that typical pocket insertion generates forces of 3-5N, while drops from 1.5m can subject components to peak forces exceeding 300N.

The fundamental challenge lies in protecting sensitive optical and sensor components while maintaining image quality and preserving the slim profile that consumers demand.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including retractable lens covers, anti-reflective hood designs, specialized lens coatings, and integrated filter systems. These and other approaches demonstrate how manufacturers are balancing protection with functionality in modern mobile device cases.

1. Smartphone Case with Enclosing Camera Module Housing and Removable Glass Film

SHENZHEN KANGCHENGTAI IND CO LTD, SHENZHEN KANGCHENGTAI INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, 2024

A camera protection case for smartphones that fully encloses the camera module to prevent damage when the phone drops. The case has a housing with a recess to hold the phone and a through hole for the camera. A removable glass film with a matching recess covers the camera. This allows the camera to be fully protected within the case when the phone is inserted. The glass film can be removed for access to the camera when needed. The case also wraps around the phone body for overall protection.

CN221058342U-patent-drawing

2. Mobile Device Case with Rigid Back Cover, Inner Frame Members, and Lens Frame

DEVILCASE COMPANY LTD, 2024

A protective case for mobile devices that provides better drop protection and prevents damage from squeezing or bending. The case has a rigid back cover, inner frame members, and a lens frame that enclose the device. The rigid back cover absorbs impact when dropped. The inner frame members prevent deformation and bending. The lens frame protects the camera.

3. Smartphone Protective Case with Annular Rod and Limiting Rings for Lens Impact Absorption

SHENZHEN LIANGBIAO TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN LIANGBIAO TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

An anti-fall protective case for smartphones with a unique design to prevent lens damage when the phone drops. The case has a protective frame with spaced-apart limiting rings and surrounding edges. An annular rod surrounds the camera lens and is sandwiched between the limiting rings. This configuration allows the annular rod to flex and absorb impact when the phone falls, preventing the lens from colliding with the case edges and getting damaged. The limiting rings and surrounding edges prevent the annular rod from compressing too much and protecting the lens from excessive force.

4. Multi-Layer Frame Mobile Phone Case with Embedded PC Sheet and Sliding Gasket Assembly

DONGGUAN HW COMMUNICATION TECH CO LTD, DONGGUAN HW COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Multi-layer frame vacuum mobile phone case with improved drop protection compared to single-layer cases. The case has a plastic shell with a PC sheet embedded inside. A sliding plastic gasket is installed on the inside wall of the shell. The outer wall of the PC sheet has an assembly slot. A return-shaped plastic ring is installed in this slot. This multi-layer configuration provides better impact absorption and prevents damage to the phone when dropped. The PC sheet and ring cushion impacts, while the sliding gasket compresses.

5. Electronic Device Case with Camera-Specific Airbag Assembly in Back Plate

SHENZHEN RANVOO TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN RANVOO TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Airbag protective case for electronic devices like smartphones that provides improved camera protection when the device falls. The case has an airbag assembly located in the camera escape hole on the back plate. This protruding airbag cushion prevents the camera from directly contacting the ground if the device falls, preventing damage to the camera lens.

CN219802392U-patent-drawing

6. Mobile Phone Shell with Sliding Camera Cover and Locking Slot Mechanism

Shenzhen Yinhao Technology Co., Ltd., 2023

This is a mobile phone shell design with a camera protection mechanism. The shell has a sliding camera cover that can be retracted to protect the camera lens from scratches and impact when not in use. The cover slides along slots with bumps on the shell to lock it in place.

US11770150B2-patent-drawing

7. Electronic Device Case with Integrated Airbag System and Camera Aperture

SHENZHEN TULASI TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN TULASI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Protective case for electronic devices with an internal airbag to prevent camera damage when the device is dropped. The case has a camera avoidance hole in the back plate, and an airbag connection part around it. When assembled, a separate airbag component with a cavity connects to the part and seals to create an internal airbag. This cushions the camera area when the device falls.

CN219643961U-patent-drawing

8. Protective Electronic Device Case with Detachable Lens Connector System

SHENZHEN LITI TONG TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN LITI TONG TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2023

Protective case for electronic devices like smartphones with detachable lenses that avoids screen obstruction and damage. The case has a camera opening with a connector. Lenses have matching connectors that attach to the case to cover the camera. This allows using lenses without blocking the screen or damaging the camera.

CN219536131U-patent-drawing

9. Smartphone Protective Case with Metal Reinforced Support and Insulating Frame Buffer

BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD, 2023

Protective case for smartphones that provides protection without degrading antenna performance. The case has a camera hole for the rear camera and a support around it for holding the phone. The support has a metal part for strength and an insulating part. The metal part is located away from the phone frame to avoid interference with the frame antenna. The insulating part near the frame won't affect antenna performance due to insulation. This allows the case to protect the phone and provide support without affecting antenna reception or communication.

10. Mobile Phone Case with Dual-Layer TPU and PC Structure Featuring Snap-Fit Protrusions and Gaps

GUANGZHOU LINGXIANG ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS CO LTD, 2023

Mobile phone case that provides better protection and ease of installation compared to existing cases. The case has an inner TPU shell that contacts the phone and a outer PC frame. The PC frame snaps onto the TPU shell using protrusions and gaps. The TPU provides better shock absorption and protection against scratches. The PC frame adds rigidity and snap-fit installation. The PC frame also has features like camera notch wrapping and bottom plate fitting for complete phone coverage.

11. Protective Case with Rotatable Support Bracket and Sliding Camera Lens Cover

SHENZHEN TULASI TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN TULASI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

Protective case for electronic devices like smartphones that allows the device to be propped up while also protecting the camera. The case has a rotatable support bracket that can be folded or extended to prop up the device at an angle. A sliding lens cover can be moved over the camera hole when the bracket is folded to cover it. This prevents dirt entering the camera when the device is not propped up. When the bracket is extended, the cover slides aside to expose the camera.

CN218071552U-patent-drawing

12. Mobile Phone Protective Case with Internal Elastic Shock Absorbers and Graphene Coated Exterior

SHENZHEN YISE TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN YISE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

Shock-resistant and anti-drop mobile phone protective case with improved drop protection and anti-oxidation properties. The case has an internal spaced cavity with elastic members to absorb shock and protect the phone. It also has removable rubber corner protectors that can be replaced if worn. The exterior of the case is covered in a graphene film to prevent oxidation. The case components like the frame, corners, and elastic members are all designed to work together for enhanced drop protection and longevity.

13. Mobile Device Protective Shell with Recessed Groove and Inverted Horn for Camera and Key Engagement

SHENZHEN TULASI TECH CO LTD, SHENZHEN TULASI TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2022

Protective shell for mobile devices with improved camera protection. The shell has a camera cutout with a recessed groove around the edges. This creates a cavity between the camera lens and the shell that absorbs shock when dropped to prevent damage to the camera. The groove can have a sealing member, airbag, or buffer material inside. It also has an inverted horn on the sidewall near the groove to engage with keys.

CN217406599U-patent-drawing

14. Smartphone Case with Telescopic Lens, Shutter Button, External Flash, Tripod Mount, and Overheat Detection Sensors

Conor Penfold, 2022

This is a camera-enhancing case for smartphones that improves the camera capabilities of portable electronic devices. The case includes a telescopic lens for optical zoom, a shutter button for easier camera control, an external flash, and a tripod mount. It also has sensors to detect overheating and shut down the phone to prevent damage.

15. Protective Case with Modular Camera Guard Comprising Frame, Removable Protection Piece, and Support Piece

OPPO Guangdong Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD, 2022

Protective case for electronic devices like smartphones that has a unique design to prevent damage to the camera module. The case has a frame, a removable protection piece, and a support piece. The protection piece has a hole that the support piece covers. The camera module is exposed through the hole in the support piece. The cover prevents direct contact with the camera while still allowing access to it. This prevents impact and scratching on the camera when the device is dropped or bumped.

CN111511136B-patent-drawing

16. Mobile Phone Case with Edge-Integrated Impact Absorbing Columns, Springs, and Balls

XUZHOU CHUANGFUJIA HOUSEHOLD CO LTD, 2021

Mobile phone case with improved drop protection for preventing damage to the screen and camera when the phone falls. The case has protective components at the edges of the front that absorb impact and cushion the phone screen. These components consist of columns, springs, and balls that isolate and protect the screen from impact when the phone falls. The case also has elastic buckles at the edges to secure the phone inside the case. This combination of edge protection and elastic retention provides better drop protection compared to standard cases.

17. Mobile Phone Case with Thickened Corner Frame and Internal Corner Indentations

SHENZHEN HUAYUXIANG PLASTIC RUBBER DIE CO LTD, 2021

Anti-drop mobile phone case with improved drop protection, especially for higher drops. The case has a soft rubber frame with thicker corners compared to the rest of the frame. Four corner indentations are spaced apart inside the frame. The hard back plate connects to the frame and has cutouts for the camera. This design provides greater corner protection against higher drops while still allowing full device functionality. It also has button holes with convex edges and grooves to securely hold the phone's volume and power buttons.

18. Mobile Terminal Protective Case with Collapsible Frame, Anti-Static Gasket, Positioning Mechanism, and Enclosing Mechanism

SHANGHAI SULONG SEMICONDUCTOR TECH CO LTD, SHANGHAI SULONG SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021

Protective case for mobile terminals that provides impact resistance, ESD protection, and secure closure to prevent damage from drops and static discharges. The case has an outer collapsible frame with an anti-collision mechanism, an inner anti-static gasket, a positioning mechanism, and an enclosing mechanism. The collapsible frame protects the device from drops. The anti-static gasket prevents ESD. The positioning mechanism aligns the device. The enclosing mechanism securely closes the case.

19. Protective Case with Movable Camera Shields and Rotatable Arm Mechanism

JINGYU TECH DONGGUAN CO LTD, JINGYU TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2021

Electronic device protective case with movable camera shields to prevent lens scratching and impacts without obstructing the camera view. The case has a movable arm that connects to the main shell. One shield covers the front camera and the other shield covers the rear camera. The arm can rotate or slide relative to the case body to expose the camera lenses when needed. This allows the shields to protect the camera lenses from impacts and scratches when not in use, but can be moved aside when taking pictures.

CN213720377U-patent-drawing

20. Mobile Phone Case with Buckle Structure and Elastic Corner Bumps for Impact Absorption

GUANGZHOU CHAOTUO PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO LTD, 2021

Fully protected mobile phone case with a buckle structure that prevents screen damage when the phone is dropped. The case has an opening for inserting the phone, with elastic anti-drop bumps at the corners near the opening. When the phone is dropped, the bumps collide with the ground and absorb impact, preventing the screen from hitting the ground directly. An anti-fall plate covers the opening and closes between the bumps. This provides additional protection for the screen.

21. Mobile Phone Case with Corner Protective Covers, Shock-Absorbing Plate with Internal Buffer Spring, and Heat Dissipation Port

22. Mobile Device Case with Integrated Heat Sink, Shock-Absorbing Blocks, and Component Protection Features

23. Mobile Device Case with Dual-Material Frame and Removable Inner Cushioning Structure

24. Mobile Device Case with Automated Camera Lens Cover Actuation Mechanism

25. Mobile Phone Case with Extended Raised Lip for Camera Lens Protection and Dust Prevention

Many innovative approaches for producing smartphone cases that safely enclose sensors and cameras are presented in these patents. Integrated lens filters for better performance, smooth, automatic opening and closing mechanisms, and sliding coverings for physical protection are some of them.

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