Contoured Magnetic Docking Plate for Handheld Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-mounted magnetic support systems for frequently used articles often suffer from poor alignment and obtrusive metal brackets, which can lead to articles being jarred loose and have an unsightly appearance, especially in exposed locations.
Innovation Solution
A detachable magnetic docking system for handheld devices featuring a contoured docking plate and shell with cooperative magnetic elements, where the shell's reverse surface conforms to the docking plate's contour, providing alignment guides and minimizing projection from the wall, allowing the device to appear as if it 'floats' when docked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wall-mounted magnetic support system uses exposed metal brackets to hold articles, then the magnetic attraction is sufficient to secure the article, but the metal bracket becomes obtrusive and unsightly on the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic elements from the visible face of the mounting system and relocates them to the reverse side or integrates them within the docking plate structure. This allows the front surface to present a clean, non-magnetic appearance while the magnetic elements remain functional for securing the handheld device.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic elements are nested within the docking plate structure or integrated into the reverse surface, allowing the docking plate to serve dual purposes: maintaining aesthetic appearance from the front while providing magnetic retention from the back. The handheld device shell contains the magnetic elements that nest with corresponding elements in the docking plate.
2Device complexity
If magnetic elements are integrated into the article or wall surface, then the support system is simple, but poor alignment of magnetic elements causes articles to be jarred loose
Solution Approach 1:
The docking plate and handheld device shell are pre-equipped with magnetic elements during manufacturing, ensuring proper alignment before use. The contoured surfaces are also pre-formed to guide correct positioning, eliminating alignment issues that would otherwise require complex adjustment mechanisms during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs contoured surfaces with recessed areas and complementary shapes on both the docking plate and handheld device shell. These curved, non-planar surfaces provide mechanical guidance and tolerance compensation, ensuring that magnetic elements align properly even with minor installation variations, thereby preventing the device from being jarred loose.
3Shape
If the docking plate has a conventional switch cover plate appearance, then aesthetic integration is improved, but the magnetic elements and alignment features must be precisely integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the docking plate structure: the contoured surface provides both aesthetic appearance and alignment guidance, while the integrated magnetic elements provide both retention force and positioning accuracy. The recessed areas serve dual purposes of guiding device placement and ensuring proper magnetic element engagement.
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
The system ensures secure alignment and retention of handheld devices while maintaining a sleek, unobtrusive appearance, as the device appears to float on the wall and leaves a neutral-colored panel when undocked, addressing issues of alignment and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
Cooperative magnetic elements are located in the docking plate and in the shell to retain the handheld device on the docking plate
Data Source
AI summary
A detachable magnetic docking system for a handheld device comprises a docking plate having a major surface and a shell for the handheld device having a reverse surface. The major surface and the reverse surface are contoured to mate when adjacent one another to align the shell over the docking plate. Cooperative magnetic elements are located in the docking plate and in the shell to retain the handheld device on the docking plate. The contour of the major surface includes a recessed area. The handheld device having internal battery compartments located adjacent non-recessed areas of the major surface.