Tripod Vent Mount with Rotatable U Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vent mounting devices for cell phones on vehicle vents either block airflow or are prone to being pulled out due to the weight of the phone, as they need to be mounted immediately next to the vent register to prevent rotational and swivel movements, and lack a universal solution for both horizontal and vertical louvers.
Innovation Solution
A tripod-based mounting device with a rotatable U hook that engages both the front and rear edges of the vent register, using adjustable legs and a sliding U hook mechanism to prevent disengagement under external forces, allowing remote mounting without blocking airflow and accommodating both horizontal and vertical louvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cell phone is mounted immediately before vent register, then the device can be securely attached without rotational and swivel movements, but air flow is substantially blocked by cell phone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the mounting device away from the vent register in a direction perpendicular to the louver, positioning the cell phone holder at a distance. This spatial extension resolves the contradiction by decoupling the attachment point (at vent register) from the phone mounting location (away from vent), thereby maintaining attachment stability while eliminating air flow blockage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If cell phone is mounted at a greater distance from vent register, then air flow is not blocked, but the weight of cell phone generates greater rotational moment to rotate the louver or device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing weight positioned on the opposite side of the pivot point from the cell phone holder. This counterweight generates an opposing moment that balances the rotational moment caused by the phone's weight, thereby preventing louver rotation while allowing the holder to extend away from the vent register.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-positions the counterbalancing weight and friction element before the device is subjected to phone weight. The friction element is pre-loaded against the louver to create initial resistance, and the counterweight is positioned to provide preliminary counter-moment, so that when the phone is mounted, the system is already balanced and resistant to rotational movement.
3Device complexity
If frictional force is used to attach device to louver, then the device can be simply mounted, but the device may be pulled out of louver under external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads the friction element against the louver surface before the device is subjected to external forces. This preliminary frictional engagement creates an initial holding force that, combined with the counterbalancing moment, prevents the device from being pulled out under subsequent external forces like G-forces during driving.
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 tripod design effectively prevents rotational and swivel movements while allowing remote mounting of the cell phone, maintaining secure attachment under weight loads greater than the phone's weight, even on bumpy roads, and supports both horizontal and vertical louver configurations without obstructing airflow.
Implementation Method 1
U hook is engaged to the rear edge of either a horizontal or vertical louver of vent register
Implementation Method 2
tripod's legs are made of known construction to permit bending their shapes, and retaining the shapes after being bent
Data Source
AI summary
A tripod is used for remotely mounting cell phone to vehicle vent register without blocking air flow. One leg has a U hook rotatable for engaging to either a horizontal or vertical louver of vent register. Two other legs are bendable to position their bottom ends in contact with surface area outside of vent register, below U hook and at a sufficient distance apart, for supporting the device and preventing the rotational and swivel movements of the device.