Retractable Mobile Device Holder Resolving Dashboard Space and Security Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-based mobile device holders protrude from the dashboard or windshield, obstructing the driver's operation and occupying unnecessary space.
Innovation Solution
A retractable storage apparatus integrated into the vehicle's dashboard or console, featuring a hinge component, back support, lower support, and anchor component that retract into a mechanism cavity when not in use, extending to expose and rotate for device placement upon user input, with optional charging units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile device holders protrude from the dashboard or windshield, then the device can be securely held and accessed, but the driver's operation is obstructed and space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to transition between a retracted state (flush with dashboard surface) and an extended state (protruding to hold device). This dynamic configuration allows the holder to be unobtrusive during normal driving while providing secure device holding when needed, resolving the contradiction between driver operation ease and device holding security
2Reliability
If mobile device holders protrude from the dashboard or windshield, then the device can be securely held, but space is occupied and visual obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder transitions from a retracted configuration (minimal dashboard space occupation) to an extended configuration (device holding capability). This dynamic space utilization resolves the contradiction between maintaining dashboard space and providing secure device holding
Solution Approach 2:
The holder components nest within the dashboard cavity when retracted, with the back support, lower support, and anchor component substantially coplanar and disposed within the mechanism cavity. This nesting approach minimizes the occupied dashboard area while maintaining the ability to extend for device holding
3Adaptability or versatility
If the holder structure is extended to hold devices, then device storage is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into separate functional components (back support, lower support, anchor component, hinge component) that can independently move and rotate. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while simplifying the overall mechanism design and reducing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge component enables dynamic rotation between the back support and lower support, allowing the structure to adapt to different device sizes and orientations. This dynamic joint provides versatility without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a retractable storage apparatus are described. Some embodiments include a hinge component, a back support disposed on a first side of the hinge component, and a lower support disposed on the first side of the hinge component. Some embodiments include an anchor component that is disposed on a second side of the hinge component, where when the retractable storage apparatus is disengaged, the back support, the lower support, and the anchor component are substantially coplanar and disposed within a mechanism cavity. Similarly, in some embodiments, in response to receiving a force directed into the mechanism cavity, the retractable storage apparatus is engaged such that the back support and the lower support extend from the mechanism cavity to expose the back support and the lower support and the back support and the lower support rotate on the hinge component to receive a mobile device.