Magnetic Ring Stand With Bottle Opener and Rotating Phone Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for smartphone accessories that can attach magnetically to smartphones with built-in magnetic arrays for wireless charging, providing enhanced utility beyond basic holding and charging, such as multi-purpose functionality like bottle opening, while ensuring secure attachment and versatile orientation options.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic smartphone accessory with a rotating center ring and a loop that can pivot to support the smartphone in various orientations, including as a stand, and includes a bottle opener mechanism that can be detached and reattached, utilizing magnets for secure attachment to the smartphone's magnetic array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic array is used to attach accessories to smartphones, then secure attachment and alignment are improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for precise magnetic positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic array in the smartphone is designed to serve dual purposes: wireless charging alignment and accessory attachment. By making the magnetic system universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the wireless charging coil and magnetic array into a single integrated component within the smartphone. This merging of functions allows accessories to attach using the same magnetic field used for charging alignment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a smartphone accessory provides multiple functions (holder, stand, bottle opener), then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory is explicitly designed with multiple functions: a holder portion for gripping the smartphone, a stand function for hands-free viewing, and a bottle opener function. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated accessory that attaches via magnetic array, providing versatility without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges three distinct functions (holder, stand, bottle opener) into a single accessory component. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate tools, the accessory achieves high versatility while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through unified magnetic attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the accessory includes rotating and pivoting mechanisms for various orientations, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory incorporates a rotating center ring and a pivoting loop that enable dynamic adjustment of the smartphone orientation. The center ring can rotate to change the orientation of the loop, and the loop can pivot independently, providing multiple viewing angles and holding positions through smooth mechanical motion rather than complex discrete adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of circular/rotational geometry in the center ring and loop structure allows for continuous orientation adjustment through simple rotation and pivoting motions. This curved, rotational design enables versatile positioning without requiring complex angular mechanisms, making the adjustments more intuitive and easier to operate.
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 accessory allows for secure, versatile attachment and use of the smartphone in multiple orientations, including as a stand and bottle opener, enhancing usability and convenience by leveraging the smartphone's magnetic charging system for attachment.
Implementation Method 1
an array of twelve magnets are located around the charging coil in at least one embodiment... with the twelve magnets of the charging stand oriented similar to those within the iPhone, but with a reverse polarity, to provide strong attraction between the twelve magnets of the charging stand and the twelve magnets of the iPhone
Implementation Method 2
The two coils are brought adjacent to each other and then inductive coupling between the coils causes current in one coil to induce current in the other coil, resulting in power transfer from the charging stand coil to the smartphone coil
Data Source
AI summary
An outer base of annular form surrounds an open space. The base includes a magnet for attachment of the outer base to a rear of a smartphone. A center ring surrounds the open space. This ring has a bearing on an outside edge which rotates relative to a race on an inner edge of the base, allowing the center ring to rotate relative to the base. A pair of ears extend radially inwardly into this open space, with the ears attached either to the ring or base. The ears are sized and spaced apart an appropriate distance to allow one ear to lift a crimped edge of a bottle cap while the other ear rests upon a top of the bottle cap. A loop is pivotably attached to the center ring and provides a stand or a finger loop or allows a smartphone to be suspended from a hook.