Adjustable Tablet Mount Design for Multi-Size Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tablet mounts for public spaces lack flexibility to accommodate tablets of varying sizes and dimensions, requiring multiple designs and increased complexity, which can lead to inefficiencies in manufacturing and inventory management due to frequent changes in tablet specifications.

Innovation Solution

A modular tablet support system featuring adjustable brackets and spacers that can be customized to fit different tablet heights, widths, and thicknesses, allowing for on-demand manufacturing and reduced part variability, with components such as stamped sheet metal brackets and molded polymer spacers, and material removal processes like laser cutting to form precise openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing tablet mounts use fixed design specifications, then manufacturing and inventory management become simpler, but they cannot accommodate tablets of varying sizes and dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with varying tablet sizesVSAvoidmount design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount is divided into separate functional components: a base structure, adjustable brackets, and positioning mechanisms. Each component can be independently adjusted to accommodate different tablet dimensions, allowing the system to adapt without requiring complete redesign of the entire mount structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mount incorporates adjustable and movable elements such as repositionable brackets and modifiable positioning features that can be dynamically adjusted to fit various tablet sizes. This dynamic adaptability allows a single mount design to serve multiple tablet specifications without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mount designs are created to accommodate different tablet specifications, then compatibility improves, but manufacturing efficiency and inventory management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with varying tablet sizesVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mount design employs universal components and standardized interfaces that can accommodate multiple tablet specifications. By using adjustable brackets and modular elements, a single mount design serves multiple functions across different tablet sizes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mount designs and thereby maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mount allows for parameter adjustments in terms of positioning, orientation, and dimensional accommodation through its adjustable components. This enables the same base design to adapt to varying tablet parameters (size, thickness, weight) without requiring changes to the fundamental manufacturing process or creating new inventory variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-position brackets are used, then manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the ability to adjust to different tablet positions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of tablet positionVSAvoidbracket positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The brackets are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to be adjusted to different positions and angles to accommodate various tablet orientations and sizes. This adjustability is achieved through mechanical features that enable repositioning without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing tolerances, as the adjustment mechanism compensates for positional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system incorporates intermediary adjustment mechanisms between the fixed base structure and the tablet-holding brackets. These intermediaries (such as adjustable fasteners, sliding mechanisms, or repositionable mounts) allow for flexible positioning while absorbing the precision requirements, enabling easy adjustment without demanding extreme manufacturing accuracy from the base components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3635290B1Secure tablet mount
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 COLEBROOK BOSSON SAUNDERS (PRODUCTS) LIMITED
  • EP3635290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635290B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635290B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tablet support includes a backing member and a faceplate connected to the backing member to at least partially define a housing configured to receive a tablet. A bracket is configured to retain the tablet in the housing. The housing includes a first connecting feature and the bracket includes a second connecting feature configured to mate with the first connecting feature. Adjustment of one of the first connecting feature and the second connecting feature determines the relative position of the tablet in the housing.