Expandable Phone Grip With Foldable Legs for Compact Stand Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable devices for portable electronic devices lack versatility and functionality, particularly in terms of easy attachment, adjustable configurations, and integrated features like grips and stands.
Innovation Solution
An expandable device with a base and an expanding mechanism that can be attached to a portable electronic device or its case, featuring a movable expanding mechanism between collapsed and expanded configurations, and including foldable legs and a button for enhanced grip and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an expandable device is attached to a portable electronic device, then the device provides additional functionality (grip, stand), but the effective size of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable legs are designed to nest within the cutout of the base when the expanding mechanism is collapsed, allowing the device to maintain a compact form factor while providing expandable functionality when needed
2Ease of operation
If the expanding mechanism is made resilient and biased towards expanded configuration, then the device automatically returns to standing position, but the complexity of the mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient expanding mechanism is biased towards the expanded configuration, enabling the device to automatically return to its standing or gripping position without requiring manual intervention, thus simplifying operation despite the added mechanical complexity
3Reliability
If multiple foldable legs are used in the expanding mechanism, then the device provides better stability and grip, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding mechanism is divided into multiple foldable legs that can pivot independently about folds, allowing each leg to contribute to stability and grip while maintaining a modular structure that simplifies manufacturing compared to a monolithic design
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 device provides a versatile and functional attachment solution for portable electronic devices, offering adjustable configurations for grip, stand, and storage purposes, while maintaining a compact form when collapsed.
Implementation Method 1
The expanding mechanism may be movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and be biased by the resilient material towards the expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable device for attachment to a portable electronic device or to a case for the portable electronic device includes a base having a base top side and a base bottom side, where the base bottom side is adapted to attach to the portable electronic device or to the case for the portable electronic device. The base includes a cutout formed on the base top side. The expandable device further includes an expanding mechanism having a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end of the expanding mechanism is operably coupled to the base top side, and a button having a button top side and a button bottom side, the button bottom side being operably coupled to the second end of the expanding mechanism. The expanding mechanism is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and includes a plurality of foldable legs.