Device for holding an electronic gadget
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smartphone/tablet holders for test and measurement applications lack convenience, with limited degrees of freedom, no concealed cabling for power or charger, and no provision for essential buttons like E-stop or hardwired controls, making them unsuitable for secure and versatile mounting of larger tablets.
Innovation Solution
A compact holder with 6 degrees of freedom (3 translational and 3 rotational) adjustments, concealed cabling for power and essential buttons, and integrated E-stop, ON/OFF, and jog-wheel features, along with swivel corners and rubber cushioning for secure grip of various tablet sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a typical smartphone/tablet holder is used, then the device can be mounted, but it lacks concealed cabling for power supply/charger and essential buttons like E-stop
Solution Approach 1:
The holder integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the body houses both concealed cabling channels and essential control buttons (E-stop, power, reset), eliminating the need for separate mounting solutions and reducing overall system complexity despite increased functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides mechanical support, concealed power cabling, data cabling, and integrated control buttons, making it universally applicable for test and measurement applications where smartphones/tablets control machinery
2Adaptability or versatility
If a holder with limited rotational degrees of freedom is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate various tablet sizes and orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The holder incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including a rotatable arm with multiple degrees of freedom that allows the tablet to be positioned at various angles and orientations, adapting to different tablet sizes while maintaining secure grip through adjustable clamping mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is divided into segmented components including an adjustable arm, rotatable joints, and independent clamping mechanisms, allowing each segment to be positioned independently to accommodate various tablet dimensions and orientations
3Reliability
If the gripping support surface area is small, then the holder is more compact, but it is not safe for heavier and larger tablets
Solution Approach 1:
The holder extends the gripping support surface area by utilizing three-dimensional space through an articulated arm structure with multiple joints, providing a larger effective support area for larger tablets while maintaining a compact footprint when not in use
4Ease of operation
If the holder grips the middle of the edges of the tablet, then the structure is simpler, but it may interfere with tablet controls like power button and volume controls
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism is designed with asymmetric corner clamps that grip the tablet at its corners rather than the middle of edges, strategically positioning the contact points to avoid interference with standard tablet control button locations while maintaining secure hold
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A holder for hard-wired tablet/smartphone as equipment console is provided. The holder provides (a) 6 degrees of freedom (3 translational and 3 rotational) adjustments for locking the tablet/smartphone position and orientation: (b) provision for emergency-stop and or any other important hardwired button such as RESET, ON/OFF, etc; (c) concealed cabling for tablet/smartphone charger and E-stop and or any other important hardwired button such as RESET, ON/OFF, jog-wheel arrangement etc; (d) swivel corners matching edges of the various tablet/smartphone sizes; and (e) provision for jog-wheel or thumb-wheel arrangement for actuator or cross-head movement.