Vertical Cradle Docking Station for VR Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
VR/AR systems' computing devices are subjected to undesirable mechanical forces during docking, undocking, and while docked, which can lead to damage, and existing docking stations often maintain devices in a horizontal orientation, lacking stability and thermal efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A docking station with a cradle that includes a housing, engagement members, a docking connector, and a locking mechanism to secure the device in a stable, vertically oriented position, preventing disengagement due to torque and promoting thermal efficiency through airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a docking station maintains a device in a horizontal orientation, then the device can be easily coupled and decoupled, but the device lacks stability and thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle is designed to be dynamically adaptable, transitioning from a simple horizontal docking surface to a vertically oriented support structure. The cradle's geometry changes to accommodate the device in a vertical position, providing stability while maintaining ease of coupling through a straightforward insertion motion that guides the device into the correct orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional horizontal docking surface to a three-dimensional vertical support structure. The cradle extends vertically to support the device in an upright position, adding a vertical dimension that provides both stability and thermal efficiency while maintaining simple coupling through the cradle's shaped receptacle.
2Device complexity
If a docking station uses a simple horizontal orientation, then the structure is simple, but the device is subjected to undesirable mechanical forces and lacks stability
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle provides dynamic support by adapting its geometric form to hold the device securely in a vertical position. The cradle's shaped receptacle and support surfaces work together to prevent mechanical forces from damaging the device, while the overall structure remains relatively simple without requiring complex locking mechanisms or multiple components.
3Ease of operation
If a docking station maintains horizontal orientation, then coupling is easy, but thermal efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the docking structure, allowing the device to be held upright rather than horizontal. This vertical orientation improves thermal efficiency by enabling better airflow and heat dissipation from the device, while the cradle's shaped receptacle maintains ease of coupling through a simple guiding motion.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations relate to docking stations including cradles. In some examples, a docking station can include a housing including a cradle defining a cavity, the cavity having a width and a depth sufficient to prevent an electronic device coupled to the docking station from decoupling from the docking station responsive to a torque applied on the electronic device, an engagement member to couple to the electronic device when received in the cradle, and a docking connector to transfer data between the docking station and the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the docking station.