Flat Finger Loop for Ergonomic Smartphone Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Holding smartphones and similar portable devices by hand is awkward, limiting finger mobility, increasing the risk of dropping the device, and being unergonomic for extended use, while existing solutions add unnecessary material, weight, or bulk.
Innovation Solution
A flat finger loop that attaches to the device, minimally impacting its thickness and weight, and can be contorted into a secure loop to grip the finger, allowing for ergonomic holding in various orientations without adding significant material or bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional hand grip is used to hold a smartphone, then the device can be held securely, but the user's finger freedom of motion is limited and the hand bears physical strain
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented from the hand grip into a separate finger loop component. The loop attaches to the smartphone and encircles the finger, dividing the holding mechanism into distinct functional parts that allow finger mobility while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger loop acts as an intermediary between the smartphone and the user's finger. Instead of direct hand gripping, the loop mediates the connection, enabling secure holding while preserving finger freedom of motion for screen interaction.
2Reliability
If existing holding solutions are added to the smartphone, then grip security improves, but material, weight, and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finger loop is constructed from thin, flexible material that provides secure gripping functionality without adding significant weight or bulk to the smartphone. The flexible nature allows the loop to conform to the finger while maintaining structural integrity for secure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding solution transitions from adding bulk in three dimensions to utilizing a thin, two-dimensional flexible loop that wraps around the finger. This dimensional approach minimizes added weight and volume while maintaining effective grip security.
3Reliability
If existing holding solutions are added to the smartphone, then grip security improves, but thickness and profile increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finger loop utilizes thin film material that adds minimal thickness to the smartphone profile. The flexible construction allows the loop to be extremely thin while still providing secure gripping capability, thus not compromising the sleek design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding thickness in the vertical dimension, the solution uses a thin loop that operates in the horizontal wrapping dimension around the finger. This approach maintains the smartphone's thin profile while achieving secure holding.
4Shape
If a sleek smartphone design is maintained, then the device remains portable and unobtrusive, but holding the device becomes awkward and unergonomic
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented into a separate finger loop component that attaches to the sleek smartphone. This allows the smartphone to maintain its sleek design while the loop provides ergonomic gripping capability through finger encirclement.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger loop serves as an intermediary that bridges the sleek smartphone design with ergonomic holding requirements. The loop provides the tactile feedback and secure grip needed for comfortable holding without altering the smartphone's sleek exterior.
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
Enables secure, ergonomic, and comfortable holding of smartphones and other portable devices, reducing the risk of dropping and improving usability by distributing pressure comfortably while maintaining a sleek profile.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible membrane 100 having a first opening 101 and a second opening 102... the strip between the first opening 101 and second opening 102 forms an 'S' shaped portion of a loop 103, which in its flat conformation is completely flat and flush with the back side of the membrane 100, but can be temporarily contorted out of a flat conformation and into a loop conformation
Data Source
AI summary
A flat finger loop is a flat and flexible membrane that has a first opening and a second opening having a shape and orientation with respect to each other such that the region between them can alternately form a loop with a tight and secure grip on a finger when a finger is inserted through one opening and out of the other, and can collapse completely flat and flush with the rest to the membrane when the loop is not is use. The flat finger loop can also be attached to portable objects, such as a smartphone, whereby the object becomes stuck to and thus effortlessly held by a single finger.