Expandable Magnetic Phone Holder for Repositionable Metal Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile device holders, such as those disclosed in Chinese patents CN207939576U and CN207588957U, lack versatility and ease of use, as they require fixed positioning using double-sided adhesive tapes or external magnets, limiting their ability to be easily moved or used on various metal-containing surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An air bag type magnet holder with a compact magnet outer base and expandable air bag, featuring a metal plate and magnet inserts, allows magnetic attachment to external metal surfaces, enabling easy movement and use on different surfaces, and includes a manufacturing method involving molding and assembly of components to enhance magnetic force and structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If double-sided adhesive tapes or external magnets are used for fixed positioning, then the holder can be securely attached to surfaces, but the holder cannot be easily moved or used on various metal-containing surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to be used on various surfacesVSAvoidease of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical adhesive tape system with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnet embedded in the holder base generates magnetic attraction forces that enable secure attachment to metal surfaces without requiring adhesive tapes, allowing easy repositioning and use on various metal-containing surfaces while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from permanent adhesive bonding to reversible magnetic attraction. By using a magnet with controllable magnetic field strength, the holder can be securely attached when needed and easily detached by overcoming the magnetic force, providing versatility across different metal surfaces while maintaining ease of movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the holder structure is expanded to provide user access, then user convenience is improved, but the occupied space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser finger accessVSAvoidoccupied space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a collapsible air bag structure that can dynamically change its volume. The air bag can be expanded to provide sufficient space for user finger access and operation, then collapsed to minimize occupied space for compact storage and portability, resolving the contradiction between usability and compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the air bag structure to nest within itself when collapsed, with the expanded structure containing the collapsed structure. This nesting arrangement allows the holder to transition between expanded and collapsed states while minimizing the space occupied in the collapsed state, enabling both user access and compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 air bag type magnet holder provides a practical and versatile solution by utilizing a strong magnetic force for attachment to metal surfaces, allowing easy repositioning and compact storage, while ensuring secure fixing and user convenience through adjustable positioning and enhanced magnetic strength.

Implementation Method 1

the magnet holder can be moved by just pulling up the magnet holder with upward force from the external metal-containing article

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

an expandable air bag including a first end connected to the inner base and a second end connected to the outer magnet base and configured to have at least an expanded position extending the expandable air bag along a first axis providing clearance for a user's fingers between the inner base and the outer magnet base and a contracted position holding the outer magnet base proximate to the inner base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir bag expansion:

Data Source

PatentUS11320089B2Expandable magnetic holder and methods of manufacture and use

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 FABEC LOUIS FRANCIS

AI summary

Disclosed herein are an air bag type magnet holder, a method of manufacturing and a method of use. The air bag type magnet holder comprises a magnet outer base, an inner base for being attached or attracted to the back of a mobile phone, and an expandable air bag with an expanding and contracting function arranged between the magnet outer base and the inner base, and the magnet outer base comprises a lower shell connected to a second end of the expandable air bag, a metal plate fixed to the bottom shell and facing one side of the expandable air bag, and a plurality of magnet inserts embedded in the lower shell and attached to the metal plate. The attractive force of the magnet inserts is utilized to attract the magnet holder onto an external metal-containing article creating a new level of mobility for the user over other phone grips on the market.