Flexible Display Mounting with Gooseneck Stability and Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vehicle display mountings are inflexible and cannot be easily adjusted or ported between different vehicles, limiting their usability for both navigational and entertainment purposes, and often confuse controls with other dashboard components.
Innovation Solution
A flexible mounting device featuring a gooseneck with a magnetic base and windshield suction, or a weighted neck with a magnetic base, allowing for adjustable height and angle, and the ability to be folded and packed away, using sticky gel pads for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If display devices are fixed on the dashboard with other entertainment devices, then the display is securely mounted, but the driver cannot change position or viewing angle
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device is divided into separate functional components: a flexible gooseneck for positioning adjustment, a magnetic base for secure attachment, and a suction cup for windshield mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system flexibility and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gooseneck component is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, enabling dynamic adjustment of the display position and viewing angle. The flexible neck can be bent and positioned in multiple directions, allowing the driver to optimize the display orientation according to different driving conditions and preferences.
2Adaptability or versatility
If display controls are located with other controls in the same area, then space is saved, but control confusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device extends the display into a different spatial dimension by using a flexible gooseneck that protrudes from the dashboard or windshield. This dimensional extension separates the display controls from other dashboard controls in physical space, reducing control confusion while maintaining the multi-functional versatility of the display device.
3Ease of operation
If a support is provided on the dashboard, then the display is stable, but the support cannot be folded and kept away when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The gooseneck is constructed from flexible material that can be bent and folded when not in use, yet maintains sufficient structural integrity to support the display during operation. This flexible construction allows the mounting device to be compacted into a small space when not needed while providing stable support when deployed.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing mounts are used for GPS sensors or antennas, then mounting is achieved, but the mounts are not flexible and cannot be easily adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple mounting mechanisms (magnetic attachment, suction cup, flexible gooseneck) into a single integrated device. This merging provides both the simplicity of easy installation and the flexibility of adjustable positioning, overcoming the limitations of separate GPS mounts or antenna mounts that lack adjustability.
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 easy rotation and adjustment of display angles, secure mounting, and portability, while preventing control confusion and enhancing usability for both drivers and passengers.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic base magnetically attached to a front end of the gooseneck
Implementation Method 2
a windshield suction attached to a back end of the gooseneck for providing windshield support from the rear by suctioning to a windshield
Implementation Method 3
A sticky gel pad is used for holding the display on the mounting device and/or fixing a portion of the flexible neck to the dashboard
Data Source
AI summary
Flexible mounting devices for navigational/entertainment displays, especially for in-vehicle use, are described herein. In an embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible gooseneck, a magnetic base magnetically attached to a front end of the gooseneck for holding a display, and a windshield suction attached to a back end of the gooseneck for providing windshield support from the rear by suctioning to the windshield of a vehicle. In another embodiment, the flexible mounting device comprises a flexible neck, which may be firmly attached to the dashboard of a vehicle with a sticky gel pad. The mounting device also comprises a counter weight attached to a back end of the flexible neck. The display is fixed to a front end of the flexible neck such that the display protrudes beyond the dashboard. The counter weight at the back end of the flexible neck counter balances the weight of the display at the front end, and thereby helps to provide a stable support.