Rearview Mirror Cell Phone Holder for Clear Road Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for hands-free cell phone use in vehicles often position the device above the driver's line-of-sight when attached to a sun visor, disrupting the driver's view of the road, and fail to maintain eye contact with the road while allowing for safe and lawful phone use.
Innovation Solution
A cell phone holder designed with elongated segments and hook-and-loop fabric material, securely attaching to a vehicle's sun visor and positioned to present a viewing window at the same level as the rearview mirror, ensuring the phone is visible to the driver without obstructing their view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cell phone is attached to the sun visor, then the phone is easily accessible and visible, but the phone position disrupts the driver's view of the road and prevents maintaining eye contact with the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the phone holder from the traditional sun visor location to the rearview mirror assembly, utilizing the vertical and horizontal space around the mirror. This dimensional relocation places the phone in the driver's peripheral vision field without blocking the central forward view through the windshield, thus maintaining road visibility while ensuring phone accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If the cell phone is positioned at the sun visor level, then the phone is within reach, but the display is above the driver's line-of-sight and not easily observable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different spatial zones around the rearview mirror with distinct functions: the phone is positioned in the lower peripheral zone for easy observation without requiring the driver to shift focus from the road, while the upper mirror zone remains dedicated to rearward visibility. This local differentiation of spatial quality allows simultaneous optimization of both phone visibility and road monitoring.
3Ease of operation
If the driver takes eyes off the road to search for the phone, then the phone can be used, but accidents are more likely to occur at higher speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-positions the phone in a fixed, optimally located spot on the rearview mirror assembly before the driving situation arises. This preliminary placement ensures the phone is immediately accessible and visible without requiring any search or adjustment during driving, allowing the driver to maintain continuous focus on the road while still being able to use the phone when necessary.
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
Enables drivers to maintain eye contact with the road while using their phone, ensuring safe and lawful hands-free operation by positioning the phone's viewing window to the left and slightly above or at the same level as the rearview mirror, reducing the risk of accidents and compliance with safety regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The holder includes a first elongated segment oriented along a first axis, a second elongated segment oriented along a second axis, with the second segment including a first end portion unitary with the first segment and a second end portion spaced opposite the first end portion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a holder for retaining an electronic device within a vehicle. The holder includes a first segment oriented along a first axis, a second segment unitary with the first segment and oriented along a second axis, and a third segment unitary with the second segment and oriented along a third axis. The second segment includes opposite end portions. The vehicle includes a sun visor mounted on an elongated member mounted to an inner surface of the vehicle. The elongated member includes opposite end portions. The first segment of the holder includes a hooked end portion that is non-rotatably secured to one of the opposite end portions of the elongated member. The holder includes a strip of hook-and-loop material adhesively secured to the third segment. The cell phone has a backside surface to which is secured another strip of hook-and-loop material. One of the strips of hook-and-loop material, when engaged with and secured to the other of the strips of hook-and-loop material, secures the cell phone to the third segment.