Hinged Assembly for Reversibly Combining Handheld Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of handheld devices face inconvenience in carrying and managing multiple devices due to lack of practical and compact methods for physical and electrical/electronic combination, as well as the inability to easily swap or upgrade components, which is particularly problematic for field workers and users requiring adaptable functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for users to physically and electrically connect handheld articles, such as cellular phones, with a hinge mechanism allowing 360-degree rotation and interchangeable components, enabling users to combine, separate, and upgrade devices as needed, with compatible components from various manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple handheld devices are carried separately, then each device's functionality is available, but handling and portability become inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple handheld devices into a single integrated unit with a common housing that accommodates multiple device compartments. This merging approach maintains access to all device functionalities while improving portability and handling convenience by consolidating what would otherwise be separate carried items into one unified handheld unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The handheld device incorporates multiple functional compartments within a single housing structure, allowing one device to perform the functions of multiple separate devices. The universal design enables the housing to accommodate different types of handheld devices or components, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate carrying of multiple devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are interconnected with cables or wireless systems, then combined functionality is achieved, but physical portability and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of connecting devices through external cables or wireless systems that require separation, the patent merges multiple device compartments into a single integrated housing. This eliminates the need for external connection mechanisms and reduces the overall volume by consolidating devices that would otherwise need to be carried separately and connected when in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure nests multiple device compartments within a single outer housing, similar to nested dolls. This nesting approach allows multiple devices to occupy overlapping or adjacent spaces efficiently, reducing the total volume required compared to carrying devices separately and connecting them externally.
3Stability of the object's composition
If devices are fixed together permanently, then combined functionality is stable, but flexibility to swap or upgrade components is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple removable compartments or bays that can independently accommodate different devices or components. This segmentation maintains the stability of the overall assembly while enabling flexible swapping and upgrading of individual components without affecting the entire system or requiring permanent bonding of all parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design incorporates dynamic, removable connections between compartments rather than fixed permanent bonds. This allows the system to transition between stable assembled states and flexible reconfiguration states, enabling users to swap or upgrade components while maintaining structural integrity when components are installed.
4Volume of moving object
If devices are made compact for portability, then ease of carrying improves, but accessibility and usability of controls are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to position device compartments and controls at accessible locations on the exterior or near the user's hand when holding the device. By exploiting vertical and lateral dimensions rather than only horizontal expansion, the design maintains compact overall volume while ensuring controls remain accessible without requiring the device to be oversized.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly, system and method for reversibly combining handheld articles, one of which may be a cellular phone. A user may hingedly join cellular phones or other handheld articles with additional handheld articles in such a manner that they may be folded flat against each other in either of two directions. If desired, the cellular phones and other handheld devices may be connected electrically/electronically with each other or with devices or systems external of the assembly.