Smart Device Support for Hands-Free Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on long flights face discomfort and risk of repetitive strain injury due to the need to hold or prop up their personal media devices for viewing, which limits multitasking and causes awkward head positioning.
Innovation Solution
A pocket-sized smart device support with a frame, elastic band, and optional suction cup or flexible tongue that secures a tablet or phone to the back of a passenger chair, allowing hands-free viewing by engaging the device's edge with a lip and retaining it with a looped elastic band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tray table is lowered to support the media device, then the device can be propped up using a protective case, but there is no room to accommodate both the device and other items when multitasking
Solution Approach 1:
The device support function is segmented from the tray table, creating a separate pocket-sized support that can be independently positioned and used without occupying tray table space, enabling simultaneous use of tray table for other purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The support transitions from a two-dimensional tray table surface to a three-dimensional pocket structure that can be attached to the chair back, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal tray table space
2Ease of operation
If the media device is held in hand or propped on the table, then viewing is possible, but the head must be tilted downward in an awkward position causing repetitive strain injury
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to hold the media device at eye level, creating an equipotential viewing position where the head remains in a neutral, natural position rather than being tilted downward, thereby eliminating the harmful ergonomic posture
3Ease of operation
If a pocket-sized smart device support is introduced, then hands-free viewing and comfortable positioning are achieved, but the device complexity increases with additional components like elastic bands and lips
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic band automatically adjusts to secure the media device without requiring manual adjustment or complex locking mechanisms, and the lip structure self-engages with the device edge, allowing the support to service itself and eliminate the need for additional fastening components
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 comfortable, secure, and hands-free viewing of media on devices during travel, reducing the risk of repetitive strain injury and accommodating multitasking without occupying tray space.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic band extends from the front surface at an opposite end of the frame from the lip. The elastic band has a loop defined in opposed terminal ends of the elastic band. The loop is dimensioned to retain a corner of the mobile electronic device and urge the edge of the mobile electronic device in engagement with the lip.
Implementation Method 2
A suction cup may then be received within the slot.
Implementation Method 3
The flexible tongue may then be received through the tongue slot. A plurality of protrusions may be defined along a surface of the flexible tongue.
Data Source
AI summary
A smart device support is disclosed to mount a mobile electronic device to a variety of support surfaces, such as a seatback of a common carrier transport, a motor vehicle, and the like. The smart device support includes a frame. A lip protrudes from a front surface of the frame. The lip dimensioned to engage with a top edge of the mobile electronic device. An elastic band with opposed terminal ends of the elastic band extending from the front surface the frame. The elastic band is configured to retain a corner of the mobile electronic device and urge the top edge of the mobile electronic device in engagement with the lip. The smart device support may be mounted to the support surface via a suction cup or a tongue extending from a back surface of the frame.