Vehicle Screen Rail Mount for Adjustable Phone Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for holding portable electronic devices in vehicles have a large footprint due to articulated arms, limiting adjustability and posing safety concerns, with restricted positioning options.
Innovation Solution
A device with a fixing member and support system featuring rails along the vehicle's dashboard display screen edges, allowing the fixing member to translate freely or be locked in place using guiding and holding elements with a manual control mechanism and spring-activated clamping system, enabling versatile positioning with a reduced footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an articulated arm is used to connect the mounting element and the support, then the support can be moved to different positions, but the device becomes bulky and poses safety problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the articulated arm from the system entirely and replaces it with a direct connection between the mounting element and support. The mounting element slides directly along rails on the dashboard screen, eliminating the need for complex articulated mechanisms while maintaining position adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional components: rails mounted on the dashboard screen, a mounting element with sliding mechanism, and a support structure. This segmentation allows the mounting element to move independently along the rails without requiring a bulky articulated arm connecting all components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an articulated arm is used to enable position adjustment, then the support can be moved to different positions, but the adjustment range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element can slide along rails that extend in multiple directions (horizontally and vertically) on the dashboard screen, providing adjustment in multiple dimensions. This allows the support to be positioned at various locations across the screen surface, significantly expanding the adjustment range compared to limited articulated arm movement.
3Reliability
If guide and retaining elements are locked in a groove, then the mounting position is fixed, but the mounting cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting element incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism that can transition between locked and unlocked states. When unlocked, the mounting element can slide freely along the rails for position adjustment. When locked, it is securely fixed at the desired position. This dynamic state change allows the system to provide both adjustability and stability as needed.
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 easy adjustment of smartphone placement along the vehicle's dashboard edges with enhanced positioning flexibility and safety, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
said guiding and retaining elements comprise a pair of jaws having a respective first stop surface capable of coming into tight contact, in said rest state, against respective opposite edges of said groove under the action of a clamping spring
Implementation Method 2
the jaws of said pair of jaws comprise a second respective stop surface on which a bearing of said manually actuable control member is able to bear in said control state, opposing the return force of said clamping spring, so as to move said first stop surface away from the respective opposite edges of said groove
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a holding device (20) for a portable electronic device (30), comprising a fixing member (21) on a dashboard element of a motor vehicle and a support (22) connected to said member, for receiving the portable device, said dashboard element being constituted by a central display screen (14) of the vehicle, said device being characterized in that it comprises rails (15) arranged along at least one upper edge (141) of the screen, said fixing member being provided with guide and retaining elements intended to cooperate with the rails and a control member (211) actuable manually between a control state in which said guide and retaining elements can translate freely in a groove formed in the rails and a rest state in which said guide and retaining elements are locked in said groove.