Motor-Driven Smartphone Holder for Vehicle Crash Pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smartphone holders in vehicles are manually attached and fixed, requiring user intervention for extension and retraction, which is inconvenient and lacks automatic control for securing the smartphone during vehicle travel.

Innovation Solution

A motor-driven smartphone holding device with a holder that extends and retracts from a crash pad, featuring an actuator, vertical feeding member, and a controller that uses a detection switch to automatically manage the holder's position based on user input, ensuring the smartphone is securely held and prevented from moving during travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a manual holder is attached to the crash pad, then the smartphone can be fixed in position, but the user must manually detach and reattach it, which is inconvenient and lacks automatic control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of holder extension and retractionVSAvoidautomatic control of holder position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical attachment system with an automated motor-driven system. The actuator (motor) automatically extends and retracts the holder through the vertical feeding member, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining secure positioning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The holder system performs self-service through automatic extension and retraction controlled by the actuator. The detection switch monitors whether the holder is extended or retracted, and the controller automatically controls the actuator to switch between states without user intervention, making the system serve itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the holder is fixed in position on the crash pad, then the smartphone is securely held, but the holder cannot be automatically retracted when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of smartphone holdingVSAvoidautomatic retraction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static fixed holder into a dynamic system that can automatically change position. The actuator enables the holder to switch between extended (secure holding) and retracted (storage) states, providing both reliability when needed and automatic retraction when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detection switch provides feedback to the controller about the holder's current state (extended or retracted). Based on this feedback, the controller automatically controls the actuator to switch between states, ensuring the holder is extended for secure holding and automatically retracted when not needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If a motor-driven extension system is added, then automatic holder extension is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic holder extensionVSAvoidstructure complexity of holding device

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a nested structure where the holder is received within the main body of the crash pad. The vertical feeding member guides the holder's vertical movement, and the actuator is integrated within the main body, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes space requirements and structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the system into functional segments: the holder (for securing smartphone), the main body (for receiving holder), the actuator (for generating drive force), and the vertical feeding member (for guiding movement). This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Provides enhanced convenience and stability by automatically extending and retracting the holder based on user demand, ensuring the smartphone is securely held and preventing unintentional movement during vehicle travel, eliminating the need for manual attachment and detachment.

Implementation Method 1

an actuator configured to generate a drive force causing vertical movement of the holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

A tension spring may be installed between the upper grip member and the vertical feeding member, to apply a tensile force to the upper grip member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

A pair of holder support members, which are elastically supported to be laterally widened from each other by the torsion springs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Torsion Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10017126B2Actuator based extendable smartphone holding device of vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A smartphone holding device of a vehicle includes: a holder configured to hold a smartphone; a main body configured to receive the holder such that the holder is extendable from the main body; an actuator configured to generate a drive force causing vertical movement of the holder; and a vertical feeding member installed between the actuator and the holder and configured to vertically move the holder by the drive force from the actuator.