Vehicle Tablet Dock With Pivoting Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles often lack suitable mechanical and electrical interfaces for securely mounting specialized electronic apparatuses, leading to inefficient and unreliable installations of custom electronics in vehicles like law enforcement and construction equipment.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus with a base, docking surface, and docking connector that securely positions and electrically connects objects within a vehicle, featuring a pivotable docking platform with biasing elements and a latch for stable alignment and connection, preventing disconnection when in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vehicle interiors are used without specialized mounting apparatuses, then vehicle simplicity and low cost are maintained, but reliable and secure mounting of specialized electronic apparatuses cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apparatus is divided into distinct functional components: a base component that interfaces with the vehicle surface, a docking component that interfaces with the electronic apparatus, and a connector component that establishes electrical connections. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting apparatus is designed to accommodate multiple types of specialized electronic apparatuses through standardized docking surfaces and connector interfaces. The base can be mounted in various vehicle locations, and the docking mechanism supports different device configurations, providing universal mounting capability that reduces the need for custom installations for each device type.
2Ease of operation
If simple mounting methods are used in conventional vehicles, then installation ease is improved, but secure and stable positioning of electronic apparatuses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting apparatus is pre-configured with aligned docking surfaces and connector positions before installation. The base is pre-mounted to the vehicle with predetermined orientation, and the docking component is pre-positioned to receive the electronic apparatus in a specific orientation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the apparatus is installed, it automatically aligns with the correct mounting and electrical connection points, achieving both ease of installation and mounting stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking component serves as an intermediary element between the vehicle mounting surface and the electronic apparatus. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process while ensuring stable mechanical positioning. The docking mechanism includes alignment features and securing elements that automatically engage with the apparatus, maintaining stability without requiring complex installation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specialized electronic apparatuses are added to conventional vehicles, then functional versatility is improved, but ability to maintain electrical connections and safe operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The docking connector is designed with standardized electrical interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of electronic apparatuses. The connector includes multiple contact points that can be configured to support different device types, allowing the same mounting apparatus to serve various functional purposes while maintaining reliable electrical connections through consistent interface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector incorporates contact verification mechanisms that provide feedback on connection status. The system can detect whether the electronic apparatus is properly connected and communicate this status to the vehicle's control system, ensuring that electrical connections are maintained reliably and that safe operation conditions are monitored.
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
Provides a secure, efficient, and reliable method for mounting specialized electronic devices in vehicles, ensuring safe and stable operation by aligning objects with the mounting surface and maintaining electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
one or more biasing elements biasing the docking platform to move the docking connector from the second position toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting an object having one or more electrical contacts within a vehicle, the object. The apparatus comprises a base configured to receive the object, the base comprising a mounting surface and a docking surface. A docking connector is coupled to the docking surface and is configured to electrically connect with the one or more electrical contacts of the object. The docking connector is movable relative to the docking surface between a first position and a second position. When the docking connector is electrically connected with the one or more electrical contacts of the object, a second main surface of the object is positioned obliquely relative to the mounting surface in the first position of the docking connector and the second main surface of the object is aligned in contact with the mounting surface in the second position of the docking connector.