Lenovo M11 tablet dock
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Description
Lenovo M11 Wall Dock & Smart Home Tablet Case
This project is a complete wall-mount docking station and protective case for the Lenovo M11 tablet, designed specifically for permanent smart home installations (Home Assistant dashboards, kiosk mode, etc.).
The tablet is enclosed in a two-piece protective case while keeping every important feature fully functional:
- Rear camera
- Front camera
- Ambient light sensor
- Microphone
- Speakers
- Power button
- Volume buttons
- USB-C charging
The dock allows the tablet to be mounted in three different orientations:
- Portrait
- Landscape (USB on the left)
- Landscape (USB on the right)
The tablet simply slides onto the dock and automatically connects to the charging contacts.
Magnetic POGO charging
Charging is performed through four copper pads on the back of the tablet case and two spring-loaded POGO connectors mounted inside the wall dock.
No cable needs to be plugged into the tablet during everyday use.
Built-in tabletop stand
The rear cover includes a fold-out stand that allows the tablet to stand on a desk in a comfortable viewing angle whenever it is removed from the wall.
Smart dock
The dock has enough internal space for a small controller board such as:
- NodeMCU
- Wemos
This makes it possible to implement features such as:
- charging control
- dock detection
- Home Assistant integration
- speaker control
- automation
There is also space inside the dock for:
- 3525 speaker
- MAX98357 I2S amplifier
- reed switch
Easy wall installation
The wall dock is designed to mount directly onto a standard European electrical wall box.
The mounting plate includes elongated screw holes, allowing the dock to be levelled after installation.
Parts required
Required
- 1pc Lenovo M11 tablet
- 1pc MeanWell APV-16-5 power supply
- 2pcs GF55 M535 type "POGO" connectors (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004693750812.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.41.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 4pcs 6mm diameter and 0.6mm thick copper discs (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33017931924.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.61.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 10pcs M3/OD5/3mm threaded inserts (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004535859664.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.66.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 10pcs M3 10mm long countersunk head screws
- 2pcs M2.5/OD3.5 3mm long threaded inserts (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004535859664.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.order_detail_item.7.62c8126aiTwA64)
- 2pcs M2.5 D-head, 5mm long screws
- 1pcs "NO.06" type USC-C connector (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004752497825.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.177.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 1pc "MA-1400" type USB-C cable with connector (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006208156665.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.182.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 2pcs 2mm diameter, 20mm long dowel pins (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007023343232.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.217.7bfa1802rONuSV)
- 2pcs 10mm diameter, 2mm thick neodymium magnets
Optional
- 1pc NodeMCU (optional)
- 1pc "3525" speaker (optional)
- 1pc MAX98357 digital amplifier module (optional)
- 3pcs 10mm diameter, 3mm thick neodymium magnets (optional)
- 1pc reed switch (optional)
Assembly Notes
The fold-out tabletop stand is held in the closed position by two Ø10 × 2 mm neodymium magnets. These magnets should be glued into their dedicated recesses.
The stand pivots on two Ø2 × 20 mm dowel pins.
All heat-set threaded inserts should be installed using a soldering iron.
The two M2.5 heat-set inserts and the matching M2.5 screws are used to secure the USB-C connector.
Optional electronics
The wall dock includes space for several optional electronic components.
A 3525 speaker can be installed together with an optional ESP32 and MAX98357 I2S amplifier, allowing the dock to play sounds or voice notifications.
There is also a dedicated location for a reed switch, allowing the ESP32 to detect whether the tablet is currently docked.
To operate the reed switch, install the three Ø10 × 3 mm neodymium magnets into the tablet case. Both the magnets and the reed switch should be glued into their respective recesses.
Charging contacts
The copper charging pads, POGO connectors and USB-C connector require careful assembly and good soldering skills.
For each of the four copper pads:
- Apply a small solder blob to the center of the pad.
- Solder a short piece of wire (I used resistor leads) to the pad.
- Glue the copper pads into the printed part.
- After the adhesive has fully cured, solder the wires to the rest of the charging circuit.
I intentionally do not provide a wiring diagram for this project. Anyone with the experience required to build and solder the charging system should have no difficulty determining the necessary connections. 🙂
Protecting the tablet
To prevent the PLA parts from scratching the tablet, I applied thin strips of insulating tape to the inside of the rear cover where it contacts the tablet.
I also applied the same tape around the inner bezel that surrounds the display.
This provides a soft contact surface while keeping the tablet securely held in place.
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
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