Magnetic Accessory Mount for Flexible Display Edge Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment mechanisms for computing accessories on display devices, such as clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, and adhesives, are prone to breakage, limited in flexibility, and restrict the ability to reposition or reuse mounting locations, while integrated features often limit accessory placement and edge utilization.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus with a magnetic extension that includes permanent magnets to attract ferromagnetic material in the display device, allowing for secure, flexible, and adjustable attachment of computing accessories along the outer edge of the display device, enabling easy removal and repositioning without damaging the device or accessory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clip structure is used to grasp an edge of the display device, then the accessory can be mounted to the display device, but the clip is prone to breakage and limits mounting locations
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apparatus is divided into two functional parts: an attachment portion that interfaces with the accessory and an extension with magnets that interfaces with the display device. This segmentation allows the magnetic mounting apparatus to be used at various locations on the display device where ferromagnetic material is present, not just at specific clip locations, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical clip structure is replaced with a magnetic attachment system. The extension includes one or more permanent magnets that attract to ferromagnetic material in the display device, providing a more reliable and flexible mounting solution that eliminates the breakage issues associated with mechanical clips while enabling mounting at multiple locations
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hook-and-loop fastener is used, then the accessory can be mounted, but the fastener wears over time and requires specific mounting locations
Solution Approach 1:
The hook-and-loop mechanical fastening system is replaced with a magnetic attraction system. The permanent magnets in the extension provide consistent holding force that does not degrade over time like worn fasteners, while still maintaining the flexibility to be positioned at various locations on the display device with ferromagnetic material
3Reliability
If adhesive is used for mounting, then the accessory can be attached, but the adhesive requires specific mounting locations and cannot be easily repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive bonding system is replaced with a magnetic attachment system. The magnetic force provides strong, reliable attachment equivalent to adhesive while allowing easy repositioning and removal by simply overcoming the magnetic attraction, eliminating the permanent fixation issue of adhesives
Solution Approach 2:
The static, permanent nature of adhesive bonding is replaced with a dynamic magnetic system that can be easily adjusted, repositioned, or removed. The magnetic force provides sufficient holding strength during normal use but can be easily overcome when repositioning is needed, offering both reliability and operational flexibility
4Reliability
If a stylus dock is integrated into the edge of a computer monitor, then the stylus can be mounted, but this limits the stylus to one location and prevents that location from being used for other accessories
Solution Approach 1:
The specialized, single-purpose stylus dock is replaced with a universal magnetic mounting system that can accommodate multiple types of computing accessories (cameras, microphones, speakers, etc.) at multiple locations around the display device. The same magnetic extension can be used with different accessories, providing multi-functionality and eliminating the need for dedicated integrated docks for each accessory type
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated, monolithic docking solution is segmented into a separate, modular magnetic mounting apparatus that can be independently positioned at various locations on the display device. This allows different accessories to be mounted at different locations without interfering with each other, while each accessory maintains stable mounting through magnetic attraction
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 magnetic mounting apparatus provides secure, flexible, and adjustable attachment of computing accessories along the outer edge of display devices, allowing for easy repositioning and reuse of mounting locations, preventing damage from excessive force and enabling multiple accessories to be deployed around the periphery.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more permanent magnets attract the extension to ferromagnetic material in the display device to magnetically hold the mounting apparatus in the mounted location
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides for a mounting apparatus for mounting a computing accessory to a display device. The mounting apparatus includes an attachment portion for holding a computing accessory body. An extension extends away from the attachment portion and includes one or more permanent magnets. When the mounting apparatus is in a mounted location on the display device, (i) a display-facing portion of the extension extends along and faces a rear surface of the display device; (ii) the one or more permanent magnets attract the extension to ferromagnetic material in the display device to magnetically hold the mounting apparatus in the mounted location; and (iii) the attachment portion holds the computing accessory body adjacent an outer edge of the display device.