Tapered Tablet Docking Support for Wobble Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable tablet information handling systems often wobble when mounted in a vertical orientation due to their minimal footprint and lack of secure attachment mechanisms, making them unstable and difficult to attach or detach from a keyboard base.
Innovation Solution
A system with a tapered support that fits into a matching tapered opening on the tablet, featuring inclined latches that secure the tablet in place with a timed release mechanism for easy one-handed attachment and detachment, reducing wobble and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a minimal footprint design is used for tablet information handling systems, then portability is improved, but structural integrity for secure coupling with a docking station deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support fits inside the opening in a nested configuration, with the tapered support inserting into the tapered opening to create a secure coupling between the tablet and docking station while maintaining the tablet's compact footprint
2Ease of operation
If extra room is designed in the tablet attachment point to make alignment easier, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the mounted tablet deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered shape of the support and matching opening creates an asymmetric geometry that guides alignment during insertion while ensuring a tight, stable fit when fully inserted, eliminating wobble without requiring excessive clearance
3Volume of moving object
If small mechanical actuators and locks are used to match the small footprint of tablet information handling systems, then device size is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered geometry of the support and opening provides self-aligning and self-latching functionality, where the inclined surfaces automatically guide the support into proper alignment and secure it in place without requiring complex small mechanical actuators or locks that would be difficult to manipulate
4Reliability
If a secure connection is achieved through the attachment point, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric tapered geometry of the support and opening creates a secure connection through its shape alone, eliminating the need for complex attachment mechanisms with multiple features that would require simultaneous alignment and complicated user manipulation
Data Source
AI summary
A tablet information handling system detachable base couples with a tablet information handling system by inserting a trapezoidal-shaped support into a trapezoidal-shaped opening of the tablet information handling system. The smaller perimeter of the support has room to fit in the larger perimeter opening of the tablet information handling system for ease of insertion, yet the support snuggly fits into the opening after complete insertion. A latch couples the support with an inclined lower surface so that pulling on the tablet information handling system without releasing of the latch translates into a more secure latch coupling. A latch release timer allows one-handed detachment by maintaining the latch in a released position for a predetermined time after latch release actuation.