Recessed Back-Surface Docking Platform for Compact Mobile Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing docking systems for mobile electronic devices often increase the effective size of the device when accessories are attached, making them inconvenient for transport, and current solutions either require edge openings or restrict the design of compatible accessories due to fixed rail systems.
Innovation Solution
A docking platform integrated into the largest-surface-area surface of the device, such as the back face, featuring a recessed docking accessory cavity that opens only at that surface, allowing multiple accessories of various shapes and sizes to attach simultaneously and independently without significantly increasing the device's size, using a detachable connection system with magnetic elements and electrical contacts for power and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If docking connectors are housed on the edge of the mobile electronic device, then power and data transmission between the device and docking accessories is enabled, but the effective size of the device increases significantly when docking accessories are attached, making the system inconvenient for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The docking connector is relocated from the edge of the device to the back surface, utilizing a different spatial dimension. This allows the docking accessory to attach to the back surface and extend outward, distributing the volume increase across a larger surface area rather than concentrating it at the edge, thereby reducing the overall increase in effective device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The back surface of the device is segmented into multiple docking zones, allowing multiple docking accessories to be attached simultaneously at different locations. This distributes the volume increase across multiple attachment points rather than concentrating it at a single edge location.
2Reliability
If docking accessories are rigidly attached to the docking connector, then stable connection is achieved, but the effective magnitude of at least one dimension of the device increases to a degree that renders the system inconvenient for transport
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the docking interface to the back surface, the attachment point is positioned away from the edge, allowing the accessory to extend in a direction that minimizes the increase in the device's overall envelope dimensions while maintaining stable rigid connection.
3Volume of moving object
If docking cases or sleeves are used to attach accessories around the edges, then the volume of docking accessories is distributed across the back face to minimize effective size increase, but the effective size of the device still increases in the dimension perpendicular to the back face and in the dimension perpendicular to the edge face
Solution Approach 1:
The docking connector and its attachment mechanism are extracted from the edge-based docking case or sleeve structure and integrated directly into the back surface of the device. This eliminates the need for additional protective cases or sleeves, reducing the increase in effective device dimensions while maintaining the volume distribution benefit.
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 secure, versatile attachment of diverse docking accessories without increasing the device's size, allowing them to expand and rotate freely, while maintaining a compact form factor and accommodating a wide range of accessory shapes and sizes without edge openings.
Implementation Method 1
A docking platform integrated into the largest-surface-area surface of the device, such as the back face, featuring a recessed docking accessory cavity that opens only at that surface, allowing multiple accessories of various shapes and sizes to attach simultaneously and independently
Data Source
AI summary
Docking platforms formed in one of the largest-surface-area surfaces of mobile electronic devices. Such a docking platform may comprise a docking accessory cavity having a docking connection system comprising one or more docking connectors formed within the cavity, and optionally two or more electrical contacts within the cavity, the contacts electrically connected to electronics within the electronic device and constructed and arranged to allow electrical connection to detachable docking accessories. The docking connection system is operable to form detachable attachments to multiple independent docking accessories simultaneously. The cavities of the docking platforms are shaped to accommodate a broad range of docking accessories that are specially adapted to sit in a generally flush manner with the back surface of the mobile electronic device while attached to the docking connectors. One type of accessory forms an assembly with an expandable accordion attached to the docking platform.