Vehicle Vent Clip Mount With Twist Key Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices, such as cell phones, often move and cause distractions or damage when placed in vehicles due to movement, necessitating effective mounting solutions that secure them without obstructing the driver's view or causing damage.
Innovation Solution
A vent clip mount and pinch grip mount system that uses a flexible pad to lock air vent louvers and a T-shaped twist key to secure the device, along with a dash mount featuring a flexible pad and deformable member to adhere to the dashboard, providing a stable and adjustable mounting system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile device is placed on a seat or dashboard in a vehicle, then the device can be easily accessed by the user, but the device moves during vehicle movement causing damage and driver distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a vent clip assembly for air vent attachment, a dash mount assembly for dashboard attachment, and a pinch grip mount for device holding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to solve the overall problem of secure device mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary mounting structures (vent clip, dash mount, pinch grip) that mediate between the mobile device and the vehicle surfaces. These intermediaries provide secure attachment points and stable positioning, preventing direct contact between the device and moving vehicle surfaces while maintaining accessibility.
2Reliability
If a mounting system is designed to securely hold a mobile device, then device stability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent clip assembly incorporates a twist key mechanism that can be rotated between locked and unlocked positions, allowing dynamic adjustment and easy installation/removal. The pinch grip mount features adjustable arms that can be positioned to accommodate different device sizes, providing adaptability without requiring complex custom mechanisms for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is designed to be self-installing and self-adjusting. The vent clip uses a simple twist-lock mechanism that secures itself to the air vent without tools. The pinch grip arms automatically adjust to accommodate different device widths through their articulated joint design, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a vent clip mount uses a twist key to lock air vent louvers, then the mounting security is improved, but the ease of installation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The twist key mechanism provides dynamic locking and unlocking capability. By rotating the twist key between locked and unlocked positions, the user can easily secure or release the vent clip without tools. This simple rotational motion transforms a potentially complex locking mechanism into an intuitive, one-handed operation.
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 system effectively secures mobile devices to vehicle air vents or dashboards, preventing movement and damage while allowing easy installation and adjustment, ensuring driver safety and device protection.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible pad, such as an open cell foam, to abut to a front of the louvers and to span a gap between the louvers, thus locking the louvers from moving
Implementation Method 2
a dash mount featuring a flexible pad and deformable member to adhere to the dashboard
Data Source
AI summary
A vent clip mount secures a mobile device with respect to louvres of a vehicle air vent and has a twist key with a head having a long dimension oriented transverse to the louvres. An intermediate plate and a pad are carried by the shaft and selectively displaceable along the shaft towards the head of the twist key. The pad is compressible and capable of having an induced indentation therein via the louvres in the tight position.