Alignment Tray for Screen Protector Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional screen protector alignment trays are challenging to operate due to the need to align a heavy mobile device with a light tray, often resulting in misalignment or damage during installation, as the user's field of view is obstructed and fingers can engage the tray, causing the device to drop.
Innovation Solution
A screen protector installation system that includes an alignment tray with a base, alignment walls, and a screen protector access aperture, allowing the user to retain the screen protector within the tray and apply it to the mobile device without direct contact, using retention adhesives and removable covers to facilitate proper alignment and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user directly handles the mobile device during screen protector installation, then the installation process is straightforward, but the heavy device may be dropped or misaligned due to obstructed field of view and finger engagement with the tray
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tray as an intermediary device between the user's hands and the mobile device. The tray includes a device receiving portion that holds the mobile device and an alignment portion with alignment features (such as alignment walls or guides) that ensure proper positioning. This intermediary structure allows the user to operate the alignment tray rather than directly handling the heavy mobile device, thereby maintaining control and visibility while preventing drops and misalignment.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional alignment trays are used, then screen protector installation is possible, but the trays are challenging to operate and result in misalignment or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the alignment tray so that the mobile device rests on a device receiving portion that is substantially coplanar with the alignment portion. This creates an equipotential surface where the device and tray are at the same level, eliminating the need for the user to lift or adjust the device during alignment. The coplanar design allows the user to simply place the device into the tray and secure it, significantly improving ease of operation compared to conventional trays that require complex manual alignment.
3Productivity
If the screen protector is fixed in place once contacted with the native screen, then installation is quick, but careful orientation is required to avoid misplaced protectors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates alignment features directly into the alignment tray, such as alignment walls, guides, or positioning structures, that pre-establish the correct orientation and position of the mobile device before the screen protector is applied. By performing the alignment action in advance through the tray's structural features, the device is automatically positioned correctly when placed in the tray, eliminating the need for careful manual orientation during the actual protector application and enabling both speed and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen protector installation tray can include an alignment tray and a screen protector retained within the alignment tray. Also, a method for applying a mobile device screen protector to a mobile device, including retaining a screen protector within an alignment tray, applying the alignment tray to the mobile device, interfacing the screen protector with a screen of the mobile device, transferring the glass screen protector from the alignment tray to the mobile device, and removing the alignment tray. Additionally, a mobile device screen protector installation kit, including an alignment tray, a screen protector, and instructions for applying a screen protector to a screen of a mobile device.