Modular Kickstand Mechanism for Electronic Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional kickstands for portable electronic devices are often flimsy, cumbersome, heavy, unstable, and interfere with antenna structures, and are typically separate from the device rather than integrated, lacking functional capabilities like audio support and intuitive user interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A modular, lightweight kickstand mechanism with minimal metallic components that integrates into the device, featuring a drop-in design with a magnet and hall-effect switch for orientation detection, audio channeling, and user-friendly operation, allowing for stable landscape and portrait orientations while minimizing antenna interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional kickstands are made with more metal components to increase strength and stability, then the kickstand becomes stronger and more stable, but the weight increases and antenna interference worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekickstand strengthVSAvoidkickstand weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The kickstand uses composite construction combining metal components with plastic or polymer materials. The metal portions provide structural strength and stability, while the plastic components reduce overall weight and minimize antenna interference. This composite approach allows the kickstand to achieve adequate mechanical strength without requiring excessive metal content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional kickstands are made with more metal components to increase strength and stability, then the kickstand becomes more stable, but antenna interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekickstand stabilityVSAvoidantenna interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The kickstand employs composite materials where plastic or polymer components replace portions of metal structure. These non-metallic materials do not interfere with antenna signals while maintaining the necessary mechanical stability through optimized structural design and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The kickstand applies metal materials only in specific locations where strength and stability are most needed, such as the pivot mechanism and mounting points, while using non-metallic materials in areas closer to antenna structures. This localized material selection minimizes antenna interference while preserving structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the kickstand is integrated into the device rather than separate, then the kickstand becomes more reliable and user-friendly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekickstand reliabilityVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The kickstand mechanism is integrated into the device housing as a unified structure. The kickstand arm, pivot mechanism, and mounting structure are combined into a single assembly that is built into the device shell, eliminating the need for separate kickstand units and improving reliability through integrated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated kickstand structure serves multiple functions: it provides device support in various orientations, houses audio speakers, incorporates tactile feedback features, and integrates with sensor systems. This multi-functionality justifies the integration complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Weight of moving object

If the kickstand uses minimal metallic components for weight reduction, then the weight decreases and antenna performance improves, but the kickstand may become less strong

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekickstand weightVSAvoidkickstand strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 strong, stable, and user-friendly kickstand that enhances audio quality, reduces weight, and improves user experience with intuitive operation and reduced interference with antenna structures, making it suitable for multiple device platforms.

Implementation Method 1

A small cylindrical depression can be provided underneath the kickstand to house a magnet, which when used with a hall-effect sensor inside the phone or other electronic device, relays to software in the circuitry of the phone or other electronic device, that the kickstand is open.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHall-effect: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8897033B2Modular kickstand mechanism

Publication Date: 2014.11.25 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

An improved multi-purpose kickstand assembly 100 has a modular kickstand mechanism 134 to securely support an electronic communications device 102 in a landscape mode and/or portrait mode. One or more sensors in the electronic communications device can detect the position of a kickstand-magnet 156 secured to the kickstand 136 to electronically determine the position of the kickstand. The kickstand can serve as a channel 170 for a speaker port 166 and/or speaker 168 and can enhance antennae performance for improved audio quality.