One-Handed Portable Terminal Holder with Pin-Jointed Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets for use on public transportation poses a safety risk due to the difficulty in holding these devices securely with one hand, especially during the inertia of subway or bus movements, making it challenging to operate them safely.

Innovation Solution

A portable terminal holder with a supporting part, plug, and holding part that includes a pin-jointed structure, allowing the handle to rotate and position in multiple configurations for easy one-handed operation, stable connection via a plug and socket interface, and optional magnetic fixation for enhanced stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a tablet computer is held by hand with a narrow frame, then portability is improved, but misoperation risk increases due to difficulty in secure holding

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveportabilityVSAvoidsecure holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into multiple functional segments: a supporting part with bottom and back portions, a detachable plug component, and a holding part with handle. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug acts as an intermediary component that connects the holder to the portable terminal's socket. This mediator provides a secure mechanical and electrical connection, enabling reliable holding while maintaining the terminal's portability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If both hands are used to hold the terminal during subway or bus movement, then operational stability is improved, but safety risk increases due to inability to hold handrails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder structure separates the support function (supporting part) from the gripping function (holding part with handle), allowing one-handed operation that frees the other hand for safety purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder's design with ergonomic handle and positioning mechanisms enables the terminal to be securely held without requiring additional support from the user's other hand, making the system self-sufficient for stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a plug connector is made movable with rotation and retraction mechanisms, then durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug connector incorporates dynamic capabilities including rotation and retraction movements, allowing it to adapt to different connection states and reduce breakage risk from misuse while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The plug connector's position and orientation parameters can change through rotation and retraction, providing durability against misuse while the compliant mechanism maintains structural simplicity through elastic deformation rather than complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If the holding part is positioned in multiple configurations, then ease of operation is improved, but structural complexity increases due to pin-jointed structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of holdingVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin-jointed structure enables the holding part to rotate and assume multiple dynamic positions, providing ease of operation for different user preferences while using a simple hinge mechanism rather than complex actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connection part is separated as a distinct segment connected by a pin joint, allowing independent rotation and positioning of the holding part relative to the supporting part, achieving versatility through simple modular connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3196531B1Portable terminal support
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3196531B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3196531B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3196531B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable terminal holder includes a supporting part, a plug, and a holding part. The supporting part includes a bottom part and a back part, where the back part bends and extends from an edge of the bottom part, the bottom part is configured to bear a frame of a portable terminal, and the back part is configured to bear a back of the portable terminal. The plug bends and extends from the bottom part, the plug and the back part extend in a same direction relative to the bottom part, a spacing is provided between the plug and the back part, the plug is configured to be inserted into a socket provided on the frame of the portable terminal, and the plug and the supporting part jointly position the portable terminal. The holding part includes a handle and a connection part, where the connection part is connected to the bottom part, and the handle is on a side that is of the connection part and that is away from the bottom part. The portable terminal holder has an advantage that a portable terminal can be held with one hand.