Vehicle Device Retaining Flat Appliances Using Pivot Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of effective solutions for securely and comfortably holding tablet computers or mobile phones in vehicles, particularly for passengers, as existing holders often obstruct the driver's view, are unsafe in accidents, or are difficult to access, and do not accommodate devices of varying dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A holder system with a transfer arrangement featuring pivot joints and a support element that allows the device to be positioned in various orientations, securely fastened to a vehicle component, enabling comfortable use by drivers or passengers while ensuring safety and adaptability to different device sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a holder is provided on the back of the driver's or front passenger's seats, then passengers can use devices, but it obstructs the driver's view and compromises safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice usability for passengersVSAvoiddriver safety and view obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder system is extracted from the seat back location and repositioned to the center console area, removing the harmful effect of obstructing the driver's view while maintaining passenger accessibility to the device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer arrangement with pivot joints acts as an intermediary mechanism between the center console and the holder, enabling the holder to be positioned in multiple locations and orientations to serve both driver and passenger needs without compromising safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a holder is placed on the passenger seat or center armrest, then devices can be accessed, but the passenger seat is obstructed and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidseat obstruction and handling difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is extracted from the passenger seat area and mounted on the center console, eliminating seat obstruction while maintaining easy accessibility through the adjustable transfer arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer arrangement incorporates pivot joints that enable dynamic repositioning of the holder between storage and operating positions, as well as between portrait and landscape orientations, simplifying handling and adaptation to different device sizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If stands and holders are provided for driver use, then devices can be used, but they obstruct or prevent the use of the passenger seat or vehicle controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver device usageVSAvoidpassenger seat availability and control accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder system is designed with universal adaptability to serve multiple functions: it can be positioned for driver use, passenger use, or stored in a non-obtrusive position, and can accommodate various device orientations, thereby not interfering with passenger seat availability or vehicle controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic transfer arrangement with pivot joints allows the holder to be repositioned between multiple configurations, enabling it to adapt to different usage scenarios without permanently obstructing the passenger seat or controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If a holder is designed for fixed positioning, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate devices of varying dimensions or provide optimal protection in accidents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder structure simplicityVSAvoiddevice size accommodation and safety protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder incorporates pivot joints that enable dynamic adjustment between portrait and landscape orientations, as well as repositioning between storage and operating positions, allowing accommodation of various device dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple structural design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder design preliminarily considers accident scenarios by providing secure positioning capabilities through the pivot joints that can restrain devices in multiple orientations, offering optimal protection without requiring complex active safety mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 holder system provides secure, adaptable, and safe positioning of devices, allowing for comfortable use by drivers or passengers without obstructing the driver's view or compromising safety, and can be adjusted to accommodate devices of varying dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

a first pivot joint having an approximately vertically oriented axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

a second pivot joint having an approximately horizontally oriented axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP2914458B1Device for retaining flat, approximately rectangular appliances such as tablet computers or mobile telephones in the interior of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 KINETIX
  • EP2914458B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2914458B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP2914458B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for retaining flat, approximately rectangular appliances such as tablet computers (1) or mobile telephones (1') in the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening apparatus (2, 3, 20, 21, 30, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 230, 600) for fastening the device to a vehicle component (4, 15, 14c), a retainer (5, 150, 300, 500, 521, 531, 540, 550) for accommodating the appliances (1, 1'), and a transfer assembly (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 110, 111, 160, 170, 180, 560, 570, 580, 590), which is provided between the retainer (5, 150, 300, 500, 521, 531, 540, 550) and the fastening apparatus (2, 3, 20, 21, 30, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 230, 600) and by means of which the retainer (5, 150, 300, 500, 521, 531, 540, 550) can be moved into different positions in relation to the vehicle component (4, 15, 14c), wherein the transfer assembly (6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 110, 111, 160, 170, 180, 560, 570, 580, 590) comprises a support element (17d, 170d, 270d, 590), which is arranged on the fastening apparatus (2, 3, 20, 21, 30, 120, 130, 200, 210, 220, 230, 600) and which has a first revolute joint (7, 17, 170, 270, 570) having an axis of rotation (z1) oriented approximately vertically, and a pivot arm (6, 16, 160, 260, 560), which is arranged near the upper end of the support element (17d, 170d, 270d, 590) and which has a second revolute joint (8, 18, 180, 280, 580) having an axis of rotation (x1) oriented approximately horizontally, which pivot arm is connected to the retainer (5, 150, 300, 500, 521, 531, 540, 550).