Micro-Suction Phone Support for Drop Prevention and Viewing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices are prone to damage from drops, and existing support solutions often require semi-permanent attachments that affect the device's aesthetic appearance or require adhesive strips, limiting versatility and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A support system featuring a base strip with micro-suction cups and a pivoting rigid support member, attachable to a human hand via an adjustable attachment band, allowing secure positioning and angular adjustment without permanent attachment, using micro-suction cups for secure holding and preventing drops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive strips or semi-permanent attachments are used to secure the device, then the device is protected from dropping, but the device's aesthetic appearance is affected and versatility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrop protectionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance and versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive strips and semi-permanent mechanical attachments with a micro-suction cup system. The micro-suction cups create a vacuum seal against the device surface, providing secure holding without adhesives. This allows the support to be easily attached and removed without affecting the device's aesthetic appearance or leaving residues, while still providing reliable drop protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from permanent adhesive bonds to reversible suction-based attachment. The micro-suction cups can be easily pressed onto the device surface to create a vacuum seal, and then easily removed by applying slight pressure. This parameter change in attachment reversibility maintains both security and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a rigid support structure is used to prevent drops, then device security is improved, but the support becomes bulky and less portable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice securityVSAvoidsupport structure bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible band instead of a rigid support structure. The band can be adjusted in length and flexibility to accommodate different device sizes and user preferences. When worn, the band provides sufficient security to prevent drops, but when not in use, it can be easily stored or adjusted, reducing bulk and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support uses a flexible band made of thin, pliable material that can conform to the user's body or hand. This flexible construction provides the necessary security to prevent drops while maintaining a sleek, non-bulky profile that is easy to carry and store.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If micro-suction cups are used for secure holding, then the support becomes adaptable to different surfaces, but the holding force may be insufficient for larger devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface adaptabilityVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple micro-suction cups into an array on the support surface. By merging multiple suction points, the total holding force is distributed across multiple cups, providing sufficient cumulative force to secure larger devices while maintaining adaptability to different surface shapes and textures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-suction cup array provides universal attachment capability across different device surfaces, whether flat, curved, or textured. The same suction-based mechanism works on various materials and surface geometries, maintaining both adaptability and sufficient holding force through the distributed multi-cup design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 secure, adjustable, and aesthetically neutral support for mobile devices, preventing drops and allowing versatile positioning for viewing, while avoiding permanent attachments and adhesive residues.

Implementation Method 1

The layer of material has micro- suction cups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3571435B1Support for a mobile electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 YUAN CHEN KEE
  • EP3571435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3571435B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3571435B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A support for a mobile electronic device includes a base strip having a first end, a second end, an upper surface, and a lower surface. A layer of material is secured to the upper surface of the base strip. The layer of material has micro-suction cups. A rigid support member is provided that in an operative position extends substantially vertically from the upper surface at the second end of the base strip.