Vehicle Electronics Mount With Reconfigurable Quick-Release Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted platforms for portable electronic devices lack a full range of mounting capabilities and are limited in their ability to handle the vibrations and shocks encountered in vehicles while providing quick and easy installation and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A novel molded laptop tray with a frame member and a clamp member that includes a resiliently flexible portion, a biasing mechanism, and a reconfigurable biasing mechanism allowing the clamp member to be moved between expanded and retracted positions, ensuring secure mounting and easy access to the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spring biased mounting platform is used to permit quick retrieval of the device, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and mounting capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member is designed to be movable relative to the frame member along the first direction, transitioning between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic configuration allows the mounting platform to adapt its structure for different operations (mounting vs. retrieval) while maintaining a relatively simple overall design through the use of a single movable component rather than multiple spring-biased mechanisms
2Reliability
If a clamp member with resiliently flexible portion is used to secure the device, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp member incorporates a resiliently flexible portion that changes its physical parameter (flexibility) to achieve reliable securing. This portion can elastically deform to accommodate device insertion and then return to its original shape to provide secure retention, achieving reliable mounting without requiring complex mechanical locking mechanisms or multiple components
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reconfigurable biasing mechanism is used to provide full range of mounting capabilities, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent biasing members, each capable of being individually reconfigured between first and second positions. This segmentation allows each biasing member to independently control different aspects of the clamp member's movement, providing full range of mounting capabilities while keeping each individual biasing member relatively simple in structure
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 and versatile mounting system that can handle the vibrations and shocks of vehicle travel while allowing easy installation and retrieval of portable devices, enhancing the range of mounting capabilities and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a clamp member movable relative to the molded frame member along a first direction with a resiliently flexible portion
Implementation Method 2
a biasing mechanism reconfigurable for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction heading either toward or away from the frame member
Data Source
AI summary
A device mounting platform apparatus having a reconfigurable biasing mechanism. The device mounting platform apparatus includes a frame member capable of being mounted in a vehicle and having a device mounting surface facing generally upward. A clamp member is slidably interconnected to the frame member along a first direction. A biasing mechanism is coupled between the frame and clamp members. The biasing mechanism is reconfigurable for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction heading either toward or away from the frame member. The biasing mechanism is thus reconfigurable for either urging the clamp member open or urging it closed.