Portable Accessory Mount With Guided Magnetic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accessories for portable electronic devices, such as kickstands and card holders, often lack the ability to be easily separated or reconfigured, relying on adhesives or rotational locking mechanisms that are not always practical or secure.
Innovation Solution
A system where a portable electronic device base and accessory have cooperating connector parts that allow the accessory to move from a starting position to a fully connected relationship with the base, using rails and slots or deflectable tabs to secure the accessory in place, enabling easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesives are used to attach accessories to portable electronic devices, then the accessory is securely attached, but the accessory cannot be readily separated
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate magnetic components: a first magnetic component embedded in the portable electronic device and a second magnetic component on the accessory. This segmentation allows the accessory to be securely attached through magnetic attraction while enabling easy separation by overcoming the magnetic force, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and easy separability.
2Ease of operation
If rotational locking mechanisms are used to attach accessories, then the accessory can be removably attached, but the mechanism adds device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical rotational locking mechanism is replaced with a simple magnetic attachment system. The magnetic components provide secure attachment through magnetic attraction force while allowing easy removal by pulling the accessory away, eliminating the need for complex rotational locking mechanisms and significantly reducing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If accessories are designed with fixed attachment methods, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system provides universal compatibility across different portable electronic devices. The first magnetic component can be embedded in various device types (smartphones, tablets, wearables) while the second magnetic component on the accessory remains consistent. This allows a single accessory design to work with multiple device types, enhancing adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
This solution provides a secure and versatile attachment method for accessories, allowing them to be easily swapped or removed without damaging the device, enhancing user convenience and accessory compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetic component embedded in a portable electronic device; a second magnetic component on an accessory usable with the portable electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
The combination of: a portable electronic device; a base on the portable electronic device and having at least one connector part; and an accessory usable with the portable electronic device and having at least one connector part. The at least one connector part on the base and at least one connector part on the accessory are configured to cooperate such that: a) the accessory is movable from a starting position, fully spaced from the base, to against the base and guidingly relative to the base in translation in a first direction along a first path portion towards one fully connected relationship with the base; and b) with the accessory in the one fully connected relationship with the base the accessory is blocked from being separated from the base.