evanevery
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Ed
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2019
- Threads
- 38
- Messages
- 997
- Reaction score
- 1,131
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Vehicles
- 2020 Taycan Turbo S, 2019 BMW i8, 2023 BMW iXM60
- Thread starter
- #1
I wanted a mount for my phone so I could actually use its functions independent of any PCM connectivity. The more screens the better (IMHO) - and yes I have the passenger control console...
Anyway, I wanted the mount to meet the following criteria:
- Clearly in View
- Easily Accessible (to use)
- Not block access to anything else
- Allow me to charge my phone (at a full 2.4A) while mounted
- No wires to plug in/out or route every time I "mount my phone"
- Phone slides into mount and automatically lines up and establishes USB connection
- Securely mounted
- No Adhesives, Screws, or anything else that would permanently effect the interior of the car
I've been designing and making mounts, clamps, and all kinds of things for cars, boats, airplanes, home use etc for many years. So this clearly was another opportunity to make a custom mount that worked exactly the way I wanted. Version 1.0 is ready and I think it works quite well. However, its also likely I'll continue to tweak it as I move forward. (I have attached the 3D Printer Files if anyone else would like to print or join this design effort).
So, here is the mount attached to my console with my phone charging in full view and easily accessible. The mount clamps onto the shoulders of that little cavity under the console. More on that later...
Here is the actual phone holder. My Note 10+ slides right in and automatically aligns and connects with the USB plug at the bottom. No screwing around with cables every time I mount/dismount my phone. The little slots in the bottom are for speaker sound redirection as I also use these mounts in places without any Bluetooth functions. (I realize most folks here are Apple users, so if anyone wants the 3D print files for this Note 10+ holder just sent me a PM). However, lots of companies sell similar (but less perfect! ;-) ) holders for iPhones. The back side of this holder has a 1" RAM ball attached so it can be swiveled and adjusted. RAM mounts are absolutely perfect for this type of application. Check their web site for iPhone specific holders as well!
Here is what the actual clamp looks like without the phone mount attached. Note the 1" RAM ball mount. The little screw head you see is to pull the two halves of the clamp together to clamp it between the top and bottom of the console. The edges are all rounded, but I might be able to make it even cleaner by rounding the shape of the clamp more. However, if I want to keep the clamp as small as possible, this shape gives me the best structural integrity I think.
Here is what the clamp looks like when it is removed from the car yet fully assembled. Note the curve on the inside of the clamp which follows the outline of the console shoulder. Yes, that little notch is supposed to be there so I have a little extra gap when pulling the clamp together using the screw.
Here is what the clamp looks like when "exploded" into all its individual components. The plastic parts are obviously 3D printed. The tightening screw is a standard drywall screw. The Ball mount comes from RAM Mounts. However, I did remove the longer threaded rod which came with the ball mount and replaced it with my own shorter machine screw. There is a recess in the underside of the top part to keep the head of the machine screw from contacting the leather of the console shoulder.
The 3D printed parts are all carefully designed so as not to require any printing supports. (If you do any 3D Printing you will appreciate this). This is always one of my goals when doing a 3D Printed design. If I have to use printing "supports" then I always feel my design has failed somehow...
I am also going to check if adding an adhesive strip of velcro ( just the fuzzy side) to the clamp surface helps protect the leather even further.
Anyway, if you are also a "maker" feel free to use my files to print your own clamp. ...or maybe you know someone who is? I'm also happy to completely discount any suggestions for changes to my already amazing design (YES - That WAS a joke!). If anyone has any suggestions or questions please let me know.
Now... I'm off to figure out how to make, and where to put, a similarly "noninvasive" mount for a dedicated USB 2.4A charging port somewhere near the console so I can plug this all in. Luckily we have this nice handy fuse panel in the passenger footwell! Here are a couple of USB charging ports I have standing by:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNDDTP6
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078FTSJWJ
...and here are the 3D Printer files for the clamp:
Anyway, I wanted the mount to meet the following criteria:
- Clearly in View
- Easily Accessible (to use)
- Not block access to anything else
- Allow me to charge my phone (at a full 2.4A) while mounted
- No wires to plug in/out or route every time I "mount my phone"
- Phone slides into mount and automatically lines up and establishes USB connection
- Securely mounted
- No Adhesives, Screws, or anything else that would permanently effect the interior of the car
I've been designing and making mounts, clamps, and all kinds of things for cars, boats, airplanes, home use etc for many years. So this clearly was another opportunity to make a custom mount that worked exactly the way I wanted. Version 1.0 is ready and I think it works quite well. However, its also likely I'll continue to tweak it as I move forward. (I have attached the 3D Printer Files if anyone else would like to print or join this design effort).
So, here is the mount attached to my console with my phone charging in full view and easily accessible. The mount clamps onto the shoulders of that little cavity under the console. More on that later...
Here is the actual phone holder. My Note 10+ slides right in and automatically aligns and connects with the USB plug at the bottom. No screwing around with cables every time I mount/dismount my phone. The little slots in the bottom are for speaker sound redirection as I also use these mounts in places without any Bluetooth functions. (I realize most folks here are Apple users, so if anyone wants the 3D print files for this Note 10+ holder just sent me a PM). However, lots of companies sell similar (but less perfect! ;-) ) holders for iPhones. The back side of this holder has a 1" RAM ball attached so it can be swiveled and adjusted. RAM mounts are absolutely perfect for this type of application. Check their web site for iPhone specific holders as well!
Here is what the actual clamp looks like without the phone mount attached. Note the 1" RAM ball mount. The little screw head you see is to pull the two halves of the clamp together to clamp it between the top and bottom of the console. The edges are all rounded, but I might be able to make it even cleaner by rounding the shape of the clamp more. However, if I want to keep the clamp as small as possible, this shape gives me the best structural integrity I think.
Here is what the clamp looks like when it is removed from the car yet fully assembled. Note the curve on the inside of the clamp which follows the outline of the console shoulder. Yes, that little notch is supposed to be there so I have a little extra gap when pulling the clamp together using the screw.
Here is what the clamp looks like when "exploded" into all its individual components. The plastic parts are obviously 3D printed. The tightening screw is a standard drywall screw. The Ball mount comes from RAM Mounts. However, I did remove the longer threaded rod which came with the ball mount and replaced it with my own shorter machine screw. There is a recess in the underside of the top part to keep the head of the machine screw from contacting the leather of the console shoulder.
The 3D printed parts are all carefully designed so as not to require any printing supports. (If you do any 3D Printing you will appreciate this). This is always one of my goals when doing a 3D Printed design. If I have to use printing "supports" then I always feel my design has failed somehow...
I am also going to check if adding an adhesive strip of velcro ( just the fuzzy side) to the clamp surface helps protect the leather even further.
Anyway, if you are also a "maker" feel free to use my files to print your own clamp. ...or maybe you know someone who is? I'm also happy to completely discount any suggestions for changes to my already amazing design (YES - That WAS a joke!). If anyone has any suggestions or questions please let me know.
Now... I'm off to figure out how to make, and where to put, a similarly "noninvasive" mount for a dedicated USB 2.4A charging port somewhere near the console so I can plug this all in. Luckily we have this nice handy fuse panel in the passenger footwell! Here are a couple of USB charging ports I have standing by:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MNDDTP6
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078FTSJWJ
...and here are the 3D Printer files for the clamp:
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