Magnetic Earphone Cable Holder with Flexible Winding Core
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earphone cable management solutions are inadequate as they fail to simultaneously address the issues of cable entanglement, loss, damage, and inconvenience during use, particularly when managing cables with mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic earphone cable holder with a flexible central portion that allows cable winding and attachment to garments, featuring a magnet on one end and a ferromagnetic material on the other for secure clamping, along with a cable connecting mechanism for easy cable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If earphone cable is made longer to provide sufficient length for user movement, then ease of operation is improved, but cable becomes more prone to entanglement and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable management function from the cable itself by introducing a separate holder device. The holder is attached to clothing and keeps the cable organized externally, separating the cable's primary function (audio transmission) from the management function.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary between the user and the cable. It provides a structured interface for cable attachment and management, mediating the interaction between the user's movement and the cable's position to prevent entanglement.
2Device complexity
If earphone cable is made shorter to reduce entanglement, then cable management is simplified, but ease of operation during movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to perform multiple functions: it attaches to clothing, winds the cable, secures the cable in place, and allows easy access. This multi-functionality compensates for the shorter cable length by providing comprehensive management capabilities in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder incorporates dynamic elements such as a rotatable spool or winding mechanism that allows the cable length to be adjusted as needed. This enables the cable to be wound compactly when not in use and paid out when needed, adapting to different operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If earphone cable is left loose and free-moving, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of cable position and protection from damage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is attached to clothing in advance, establishing a fixed reference point before the cable is used. The cable can then be systematically wound and secured around the holder, preliminarily organizing it to prevent random movement and entanglement during subsequent use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is nested around the holder structure, with the holder serving as an outer framework that contains and organizes the cable. This nested arrangement keeps the cable protected and in a predetermined position while still allowing access when needed.
4Reliability
If earphone cable is tightly secured to prevent loss and damage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The holder employs dynamic fastening mechanisms such as magnetic attachments, snap fittings, or adjustable straps that provide secure holding force but can be easily released with simple actions. This allows the cable to be firmly secured during normal use but quickly accessed when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed to maintain cable security automatically through features like friction fits, elastic retention, or magnetic attraction that continuously hold the cable in place without requiring active intervention. The user can simply attach or detach the cable without complex fastening operations.
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 solution provides a convenient, secure, and unencumbering way to manage earphone cables by keeping them attached to garments, preventing entanglement and damage, while allowing easy access and reconnection, thus enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet on the first end portion and a material on the second end portion that is attracted to the magnet... the first end portion and the second end portion may clasp onto a material positioned therebetween by magnetic attraction
Data Source
AI summary
An earphone cable holder comprises a base having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion, wherein the central portion is sufficiently flexible that the first end portion can be folded over the second end portion and wherein the central portion is sufficiently wide and sufficiently rigid to allow an earphone cable to be wound around it. The earphone cable holder further comprises a magnet on the first end portion and a material on the second end portion that is attracted to the magnet. A cable connecting mechanism is positioned on the central portion. In use, an earphone cable may be connected to the cable connecting mechanism and the first end portion and the second end portion may clasp onto a material positioned therebetween by magnetic attraction. In another version, a material on the central portion exerts a grabbing effect on a cable passing through the central portion. The earphone cable holder may also include a decorative member on which a decorative feature can be displayed.