Adaptable Digital Music Player Cradle with Adjustable Support Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital music player cradles are often specific to a single brand or model, requiring multiple cradles and adapter inserts for different devices, which does not protect the players from damage and scratching when used in stationary mode.
Innovation Solution
A digital music player cradle with a base and cavity that accommodates multiple digital music players of varying sizes, featuring ledges of decreasing size and a cable trough to route data cables, allowing for sequential support and connection of different devices without the need for multiple cradles or adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cradle is designed to accommodate a specific digital music player model, then the player is protected from damage and scratching, but multiple cradles and adapter inserts are required for different players
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed with a universal cavity and adjustable support wall mechanism that can accommodate multiple digital music player models without requiring separate cradles or adapter inserts. The support wall can be repositioned to match different player dimensions, enabling one cradle to serve multiple functions for various player sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle structure is divided into separable components, particularly the support wall that can be independently adjusted or repositioned. This segmentation allows the same cradle body to adapt to different player configurations by modifying the support wall position, rather than requiring entirely different cradle designs for each player model.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cradle supports multiple digital music players with varying sizes, then the need for multiple cradles is eliminated, but the structural complexity of the cradle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support wall is designed as a dynamic element that can be repositioned or adjusted rather than fixed in a single position. This dynamic feature allows the cradle to adapt to different player sizes and shapes, providing versatile support without requiring multiple static cradle designs. The adjustability mechanism adds controlled complexity only where needed for adaptation.
3Ease of operation
If a data cable is connected to a digital music player in a cradle, then the player can be charged and synchronized, but the cable may cause damage or scratching to the player
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle incorporates a cable trough or designated cable routing path that guides the data cable away from direct contact with the digital music player body. This preventive design feature protects the player from potential cable-induced damage or scratching while maintaining convenient charging and synchronization functionality. The cable route is planned in advance to avoid harmful contact points.
Data Source
AI summary
A digital music player cradle for sequentially supporting multiple digital music players includes a base with a cavity in an upper surface. The cavity accepts an end portion of a largest digital music player of the multiple digital music players. A support wall extends from the upper surface of the base for supporting one of the digital music players at a time. A trough in the back of the base extends through the support wall and into the cavity. The trough is provided to route a data cable connected to the one of the multiple digital music players. A plurality of ledges is within the cavity. The ledges are of decreasing size towards the bottom of the cavity and each ledge is sized to hold a different one of the multiple digital music players.