Triangular Phone Holder with Rotating Grab Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phone holders for vehicles often cover buttons or USB connections, force phones off-center, require large grabbing areas, and cannot be attached or removed with one hand, posing challenges for driver safety and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A phone cradle with a triangular hold securement system featuring grab posts connected by arms and a linkage element, allowing for secure attachment and one-handed removal, while rotating to change geometry and avoid covering buttons or USB connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If side and bottom contact points are used to hold the phone, then the phone is secured in the cradle, but the buttons or USB connections are covered
Solution Approach 1:
The holding mechanism is divided into separate contact points positioned at specific locations on the phone surface, with grab posts arranged to contact only the back surface and edges, leaving the front buttons and USB connections accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The grab posts are positioned to contact specific local areas on the phone (back surface and edges) rather than covering the entire phone, ensuring that critical areas like buttons and USB ports remain accessible while still providing secure holding
2Reliability
If side-by-side holding design is used, then the phone can be held securely, but the phone is forced off center
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular arrangement of grab posts creates an asymmetric holding pattern that naturally centers the phone in the cradle, preventing the off-center positioning that occurs with symmetric side-by-side designs
3Reliability
If traditional phone holder design is used, then the phone is held securely, but a large grabbing area is required
Solution Approach 1:
The holding function is segmented into three discrete grab posts that contact specific points on the phone, eliminating the need for a large continuous grabbing area while maintaining secure holding
Solution Approach 2:
The grab posts contact the phone at multiple points in three-dimensional space (back surface and edges), creating secure holding without requiring a large two-dimensional grabbing area on the cradle surface
4Reliability
If fixed geometry hold system is used, then the phone is held securely, but the phone cannot be easily removed with one hand
Solution Approach 1:
The grab posts are designed to rotate about an axis, changing their geometry from a secure holding configuration to a released configuration when the phone is rotated, enabling easy one-handed removal while maintaining secure holding during normal use
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
The solution provides a secure, one-handed operation of phones in vehicles without covering essential features, enhancing driver safety and usability by allowing 360-degree rotation for optimal viewing orientations.
Implementation Method 1
The first arm and the second arm may be connected by a linkage element which provides biasing forces to first arm, the second arm, and the grab posts to secure the cell phone to the cradle
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for holding a cell phone or a mobile phone in a vehicle that includes a cradle to receive a cell phone or mobile device. The cradle includes a base plate, a latch button, and a latch mechanism. The apparatus also includes a triangular hold securement system connected to the cradle, wherein the triangular hold securement system includes a first grab post, a second grab post, and a third grab post. The first grab post and the second grab post are positioned to contact and engage on one of two long sides of the mobile device and the third grab post is positioned to contact and engage on the opposite long side of the mobile device. The three grab posts are connected by one or more arms and a linkage element which provides biasing forces to the grab posts to secure the mobile device to the cradle.