Cup holder for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cup holder for a vehicle, which may include: a cup holder body, which is slidably connected to a cup holder mounting portion in the vehicle; a finger-shaped piece, which is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, presses and supports the side of a cup inserted into the cup holder; a support piece, which is connected to the cup holder body through a connecting rod, so that the support piece moves up and down according to the rotation of the connecting rod, and the support piece supports the bottom of the cup; and a locking member, which is arranged between the finger-shaped piece and the connecting rod, and is linked with the rotation operation of the finger-shaped piece to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlock the connecting rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cup holder, and more particularly, to a cup holder for a vehicle which can hold a cup in the vehicle by accommodating the cup. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a seat is installed in a vehicle so that a passenger can sit on the seat. The vehicle seat includes a seat cushion for supporting the lower body of the passenger, a seat back for supporting the upper body of the passenger, and a headrest for supporting the head and neck of the passenger.

[0003] In addition, the vehicle seats are equipped with armrests on which passengers can rest their arms, cup holders that can hold beverage containers such as cans or cups (hereinafter collectively referred to as "cups"), recliners for adjusting the fore-and-aft angle of the seat backs, and position adjusters for adjusting the fore-and-aft position of the seats.

[0004] Figure 1 is a view showing an example in which a conventional cup holder is mounted on a vehicle seat. Figure 1 The problems encountered in the conventional slidable insert type cup holder 5 are shown.

[0005] Figure 1 The cup holder 5 shown is mounted on the armrest 4 of the seat 1 so that the cup holder 5 can be inserted into the inside of the armrest 4 or pulled forward from the armrest 4 by sliding along the armrest 4. The cup holder 5 is accommodated in the inside of the armrest 4 in an unused state, and the cup holder 5 is pulled forward from the armrest 4 in a slidable manner in a used state.

[0006] Figure 1 4 shows the usage state of the cup holder 5. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the cup holder 5 is in a state of protruding forward from the armrest 4 of the seat 1 by sliding. Figure 1 The state where the cup 10 is accommodated in the cup holder 5 is shown.

[0007] Compared with a cup holder fixedly installed in an open structure at one side of the upper portion of the armrest, the slidable insertion type cup holder 5 can ensure a larger space of the armrest 4 for supporting and holding the arm.

[0008] That is, when the open cup holder is fixedly mounted on one side of the upper portion of the armrest, the cup holder is always kept in a fixed position, thus occupying a certain area on the upper portion of the armrest. Therefore, the area occupied by the cup holder reduces the area allowing the user's arm to be supported and held by the armrest.

[0009] On the other hand, the slidable insertion type cup holder 5 is pulled forward from the armrest 4 only when in use. Therefore, whether the cup holder 5 is used or not, the armrest can always ensure space for supporting and holding the user's arm.

[0010] In general, the slidably insertable cup holder 5 insertable into the armrest 4 includes a plate-shaped cup holder body 6 slidably coupled to the armrest 4 such that the cup holder body 6 can be inserted into the armrest 4 or pulled forward from the armrest 4 .

[0011] In addition, the finger 7 is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body 6 via a spring. When the cup 10 is inserted into the cup holder 5, the finger 7 rotates in a predetermined direction (opening direction) against the elastic force of the spring. On the other hand, when the cup 10 is held in the cup holder 5, the elastic force of the spring is applied to the finger 7, and thus, the finger 7 presses and supports the cup 10 from the side.

[0012] In addition, a support member 8 for supporting the bottom of the cup 10 is movably mounted on the cup holder body 6. The support member 8 is connected to the cup holder body 6 through a connecting rod 9. The support member 8 is movable up and down as the connecting rod 9 rotates.

[0013] When the cup holder 5 is inserted into the armrest 4, the support member 8 is in a state of rising to a position where the support member 8 can be inserted into the armrest 4. When in use, the support member 8 is unfolded downward, so that the support member 8 is located at a position capable of supporting the cup 10.

[0014] In the following, reference will be made to Figure 1 In the cup holder 5 use state where the cup 10 is held in the cup holder 5, when the seat back 2 is rotated forward during a walk-in operation of the seat 1, the armrest 4 moves downward together with the cup holder 5 pulled forward from the armrest 4.

[0015] When the seat back 2 is further rotated, the cup holder 5 moves further downward, so the support member 8 supporting the cup 10 of the cup holder 5 contacts (interferes) with the seat cushion 3. Then, in a state where the support member 8 contacts the seat cushion 3, the support member 8 of the cup holder 5 is pressed upward by the seat cushion 3.

[0016] At this time, in a state where the support member 8 supports the cup 10, the support member 8 is pushed upward and rises by the seat cushion 3. When the support member 8 rises, the support member 8 lifts the cup 10 upward. As a result, the insertion depth of the cup 10 becomes insufficient, and thus the cup 10 may be separated from the cup holder body 6 and the finger 7.

[0017] As a result, the contents of the cup 10 may overflow, and therefore, the vehicle and the seat may be contaminated by the overflowed contents. In the case where hot liquid is contained in the cup 10, the passenger may be scalded.

[0018] Figure 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the support member 8 of the cup holder 5 receives an upward force F through the seat cushion 3 when the seat back 2 is further rotated in a state in which the support member 8 is in contact with the seat cushion 3 .

[0019] like Figure 2 As shown, when the support member 8 of the cup holder 5 is pressed upward by the seat cushion 3, the connecting rod 9 moves, thereby moving the support member 8 upward. As a result, the cup 10 on the support member 8 is separated from the cup holder 5, causing the contents of the cup 10 to overflow.

[0020] The information included in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and is not to be taken as an admission or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0021] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to a cup holder for a vehicle, which is configured to prevent the support from rising in a state where a cup is placed on a support of the cup holder even if the support contacts a seat cushion during a seat entry operation, thereby solving the problem of cup separation caused by the rising of the support.

[0022] Various aspects of the present invention are directed to a cup holder for a vehicle, the cup holder comprising: a cup holder body slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion in the vehicle; a finger-shaped member elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, pressing and supporting a side of a cup inserted into the cup holder; a support member connected to the cup holder body by a connecting rod so that the support member can move up and down according to rotation of the connecting rod, the support member supporting a bottom of the cup; and a locking member mounted between the finger-shaped member and the connecting rod, interlocking with a rotational operation of the finger-shaped member to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlocking the connecting rod.

[0023] In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the finger may be coupled to the locking member through a gear structure to convert the rotational force of the finger into the linear movement force of the locking member, or to convert the linear movement force of the locking member into the rotational force of the finger.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first tooth portion may be formed at a hinge coupling portion of a finger hinged to the cup holder body in a circumferential direction. A second tooth portion may be formed at a locking member in a linear direction, and the second tooth portion is engaged with the first tooth portion of the finger portion. The locking member may be linearly moved to a position of the locking link by rotation of the finger portion in a state where the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion are engaged with each other.

[0025] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a spring may be installed between the hinge coupling portion of the finger and the cup holder body to elastically rotate the finger. When the cup accommodated in the cup holder is removed in a state where the spring is deformed by the rotation of the finger for accommodating the cup, the spring may elastically rotate the finger in the opposite direction and may provide an elastic restoring force to move the locking member to the unlocking position.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a spring may be installed between the locking member and the cup holder body to provide an elastic restoring force to move the locking member to the unlocking position in a state in which the spring is deformed by the locking member moving to the locking position.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an elongated guide pin may be formed at the locking member. A spring may be installed at the guide pin, one end of the spring is supported by the locking member, and the other end of the spring is supported by the cup holder body.

[0028] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide pin may be coupled to the guide protrusion while passing through the guide protrusion formed at the cup holder body. One end of the spring installed at the guide pin may be supported by the locking member, and the other end of the spring may be supported by the guide protrusion of the cup holder body.

[0029] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a stopper may be formed on one side of the locking member. When the locking member moves to the locking position, the stopper of the locking member may move to a position where the stopper contacts the end of the connecting rod rotating in the rotation direction to prevent the connecting rod from rotating, thereby locking the connecting rod.

[0030] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stopper of the locking member can be moved to a position where the stopper contacts the terminal end of the end of the link hinged to the cup holder body, so that the terminal end of the link contacts the stopper of the locking member in the locked state of the link.

[0031] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one end of the connecting rod may be hinged to the cup holder body. The other end of the connecting rod may be coupled to the support. The stopper of the locking member may be moved to a position below the side of the sector gear formed at the terminal end of the end of the connecting rod so that the side of the sector gear contacts the stopper of the locking member in the locked state of the connecting rod.

[0032] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cup holder mounting portion in the vehicle may be an end portion of an armrest of a seat in the vehicle.

[0033] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the finger-shaped member, the support member, the locking member and the cup holder body may respectively have corresponding structures of a slidable insertion type cup holder, so that the finger-shaped member, the support member, the locking member and the cup holder body are inserted into the interior of the armrest end of the seat by sliding, or are pulled forward from the armrest end by sliding.

[0034] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

[0035] It is understood that the terms "vehicle," "vehicle-like," and other similar terms as used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various ships and vessels, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum) vehicles. As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a gasoline and electric dual-power vehicle.

[0036] The above and other features of the invention are discussed below.

[0037] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or described in more detail in the drawings and the following detailed description included herein, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Figure 1 and Figure 2 is a view for explaining a problem encountered in a conventional slidable insertion type cup holder;

[0039] Figure 3 is a perspective view exemplarily illustrating a configuration of a cup holder for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 4A is a perspective view exemplarily showing a cup holder body included in a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4B is a perspective view exemplarily illustrating a finger, a locking member, and a spring included in a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 is a view showing a cup unused state of a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 is a view showing a state in which a cup is inserted into a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 7 is a side view showing a locked state in which a link is prevented from rotating by a locking member in a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a link is prevented from rotating according to a position change of a stopper of a locking member in a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0046] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating an entry operation of a seat to which a cup holder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0047] It will be appreciated that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various exemplary features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the present invention as incorporated herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0048] In the drawings, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0050] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and therefore, those skilled in the art to which each exemplary embodiment of the present invention belongs can easily implement the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various forms, and the present invention may not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0051] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof disclosed herein mean “including but not limited to,” and should not be construed as excluding elements other than the elements disclosed herein and should be construed as further including other elements.

[0052] The present invention relates to a cup holder for a vehicle. The main purpose of the present invention is to improve a conventional slidable insertion type cup holder, in a state where a cup is placed on a support member of the cup holder, even if the support member contacts a seat cushion during a seat entry operation, the support member can be prevented from rising, thereby solving the problem of cup separation caused by the rising of the support member.

[0053] The cup holder of the present invention may be a slidable insertion type cup holder for an armrest, which slides to be pulled forward from the end of the armrest when in use, or slides in the opposite direction to be inserted into the end of the armrest when not in use.

[0054] Hereinafter, the configuration of a cup holder according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] Figure 3 2 is a perspective view exemplarily showing the configuration of a cup holder for a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 , the upper body ( Figure 4A ”111” in the figure) so that the components installed inside the cup holder body 110 can be seen.

[0056] In addition, from Figure 3 The support is omitted ( Figure 7 "130" in) and connecting rod ( Figure 7 131 in the figure).

[0057] Figure 4A 2 is an exploded perspective view exemplarily illustrating a configuration of a cup holder body 110 included in the cup holder 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4B 1 is a perspective view exemplarily illustrating the finger 120 , the locking member 140 , and the spring 144 included in the cup holder 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 5 1 is a view showing a cup unused state of the cup holder 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 1 is a view illustrating a state in which the cup 10 is inserted into the cup holder 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 7 1 is a side view illustrating a locked state in which the link 131 is prevented from rotating by the locking member 140 in the cup holder 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the link 131 is prevented from rotating according to a position change of the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 in the cup holder 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] also, Fig. 91 is a view illustrating an entry operation of the seat 1 to which the cup holder 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[0061] The cup holder 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a cup holder body 110 slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion of a seat 1; and a finger 120 elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body 110 and pressing and supporting the side of the cup 10 inserted into the cup holder 100 together with the cup holder body 110. The cup holder 100 further includes: a support 130 connected to the cup holder body 110 through a link 131 so that the support 130 can move up and down according to the rotation of the link 131. The support 130 is configured to support the bottom of the cup 10. The cup holder 100 further includes: a locking member 140, each of which is installed between the corresponding finger 120 and the link 131, and is linked with the rotation operation of the finger 120 to lock the link 131 of the support 130 to prevent the link 131 from rotating or unlock the link 131.

[0062] At this time, the cup holder body 110 may have a plate shape. The cup holder body 110 may have a configuration including a combination of two plates disposed up and down.

[0063] That is, the cup holder body 110 may include an upper body 111 having a plate shape and a lower body 112 having a plate shape. The upper body 111 and the lower body 112 are coupled to each other to form the cup holder body 110 having an integrated structure.

[0064] The cup holder body 110 is mounted to the cup holder mounting area in the vehicle, that is, the cup holder mounting portion of the seat 1 , so that the cup holder body 110 can slide horizontally. Here, the cup holder mounting portion of the seat 1 may be an end of the armrest 4 of the seat 1 .

[0065] A sliding mechanism may be employed to enable the cup holder body 110 to be inserted into the inside of the armrest 4 at the end of the seat 1 or to be pulled forward from the armrest 4. This sliding mechanism is a known technique applied to a known slidable insertion type cup holder, and therefore, will not be described in detail.

[0066] like Figure 3 As shown, a total of two receiving spaces C can be respectively provided on the left and right sides of the cup holder body 110. The cups 10 can be respectively received in the two receiving spaces C. To this end, arc-shaped receiving grooves 113 are respectively formed on the left and right sides of the cup holder body 110, so that each receiving groove 113 can receive at least a portion of each cup 10, and thus, the side portions of the cups 10 can be received on and supported by the inner surfaces of the receiving grooves 113.

[0067] In addition, the fingers 120 are respectively mounted to the cup holder body 110 at opposite sides of the receiving groove 113 so that the fingers 120 are elastically rotatable in respective inner spaces of the receiving groove 113 , ie, respective receiving spaces C of the cup holder body 110 receiving the cup 10 .

[0068] Assuming that the cup holder body 110 slides horizontally in the front-rear direction relative to the armrest 4 , the left and right fingers 120 may be configured to elastically rotate horizontally within the respective accommodation spaces C of the cup holder body 110 .

[0069] The end of each finger-shaped member 120 is hinged to the inside of the cup holder body 110. Figure 3 As can be seen from the enlarged view of FIG. 1 , the hinge coupling portion 121 formed at the end of the finger 120 is assembled and mounted to the hinge shaft 114 protrudingly formed inside the cup holder body 110 (inside the lower body 112). Therefore, the finger 120 can rotate around the hinge shaft 114 of the cup holder body 110.

[0070] According to the above configuration, when the cup 10 is accommodated in the cup accommodation space C, the finger 120 rotates around the hinge shaft 114 of the cup holder body 110 in a direction in which the finger 120 is spread outward in the corresponding cup accommodation space C of the cup holder body 110, or, when the cup 10 accommodated in the cup accommodation space C is removed, the finger 120 rotates around the hinge shaft 114 of the cup holder body 110 in the opposite direction, that is, in a direction in which the finger 120 is contracted inward in the cup accommodation space C.

[0071] Each finger 120 may be coupled to a corresponding one of the locking members 140 through a gear structure to convert a rotational force of the finger 120 into a linear movement force of the locking member 140 , or to convert a linear movement force of the locking member 140 into a rotational force of the finger 120 .

[0072] That is, Figure 4B As shown, a first tooth portion 122 having a sector gear shape is formed at the end of each finger 120, more specifically, at a hinge coupling portion 121 formed at the end of the finger 120. Teeth are formed on the first tooth portion 122 along a circumferential direction of the first tooth portion 122.

[0073] On the other hand, locking members 140 are provided respectively for the left and right fingers 120. Each locking member 140 is slidably provided inside the cup holder body 110 in the front-rear direction.

[0074] As described above, when a total of two fingers 120 are respectively provided at the left and right sides of one cup holder body 110 , a total of two locking members 140 are respectively provided at the left and right sides of the cup holder body 110 in a state of being coupled to the corresponding fingers 120 .

[0075] The forward and backward movement of each locking member 140 is guided by a guide protrusion 115 formed to protrude from an inner surface of the cup holder body 110 , for example, an inner surface of the lower body 112 .

[0076] In the above description, the left and right locking members 140 are described as being slidably provided in the front-rear direction inside the cup holder body 110. Here, the front-rear sliding of the left and right locking members 140 means that the left and right locking members 140 move in the left-right direction of the cup holder body 110 relative to the cup holder body 110, respectively.

[0077] The locking member 140 is a component configured to be linked with the operation of the finger-shaped member 120 to lock the link 131 of the support member 130 to prevent the link 131 of the support member 130 from moving (i.e., rotating) or unlock the link 131 to make it movable. A second tooth portion 141 having a rack shape is formed on the side of each locking member 140. Teeth arranged in the front-rear linear direction are formed on the second tooth portion 141.

[0078] The second teeth 141 of each locking member 140 may be configured by forming teeth disposed along the side of the locking member 140 in the front-rear linear direction. The second teeth 141 of the locking member 140 meshes with the first teeth 122 of the corresponding finger 120.

[0079] The first tooth portion 122 of each finger 120 has a gear shape provided with teeth in the circumferential direction similarly to a pinion, and the second tooth portion 141 of each locking member 140 has a gear shape provided with teeth in the linear direction similarly to a rack. Therefore, when each finger 120 rotates, the locking member 140 meshing with the finger 120 moves linearly.

[0080] A stopper 142 is formed at one side end of each locking member 140. The stopper 142 is a portion of the locking member 140, and selectively locks or unlocks the link 131 according to a position of the locking member 140.

[0081] When the corresponding finger 120 is in a state of being rotated to the cup receiving position, the stopper 142 of each locking member 140 locks the link 131 to prevent the link 131 from rotating in the support ascending direction.

[0082] The operation states of locking and unlocking the link 131 by the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 will be described in more detail later.

[0083] The springs 144 are provided at the respective locking members 140 such that each spring 144 operates between the corresponding locking member 140 and the cup holder body 110. Each spring 144 is configured to elastically operate the corresponding locking member 140 and the corresponding finger 120 coupled thereto.

[0084] Each spring 144 is coupled to a guide pin 143 formed on a corresponding locking member 140 so that the spring 144 is elongatedly extended. The guide pin 143 is coupled to the guide protrusion 115 while passing through the guide protrusion 115 formed at the inner surface of the cup holder body 110 (ie, the inner surface of the lower body 112).

[0085] At this time, one end of the spring 144 provided on the guide pin 143 is supported by the inner surface of the corresponding locking member 140 , and the other end of the spring 144 is supported by the guide protrusion 115 of the cup holder body 110 .

[0086] The guide protrusion 115 supporting the spring 144 in the cup holder body 110 serves as a spring seat. When the locking member 140 slides in the front-rear direction while being guided by the guide protrusion 115 of the cup holder body 110, the spring 144 is compressed or restored by the locking member 140.

[0087] The elastic restoring force of the spring 144 serves as a force to move the locking member 140 backward. More specifically, the elastic restoring force of the spring 144 serves as a force to move the locking member 140 in the link unlocking direction.

[0088] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the restoring force of the spring 144 serves as a force to return the left and right fingers 120 to the initial positions, that is, a force to rotate the fingers 120 in the direction in which the fingers 120 are contracted in the cup holder body 110 .

[0089] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each spring may be provided at the hinge coupling portion 121 of the corresponding finger 120 instead of installing the spring between the corresponding locking member 140 and the cup holder body 110. At this time, the spring is provided between the finger 120 and the cup holder body 110 at the corresponding hinge coupling portion 121 to elastically rotate the finger 120.

[0090] At this time, the spring is deformed by the finger 120 rotating in the expansion direction of the finger 120 to accommodate the cup, and when the cup is removed, the spring provides an elastic restoring force to rotate the finger 120 in the contraction direction.

[0091] Meanwhile, the support 130 is provided to support the bottom of the cup 10 accommodated in the accommodation space C between each finger 120 and the cup holder body 110. The support 130 is coupled to the cup holder body 110 through a link 131 such that the support 130 is movable up and down.

[0092] At this time, one end of the link 131 may be hinged to the cup holder body 110, and the other end of the link 131 may be hinged to the support 130. Therefore, when the support 130 moves up and down, the link 131 rotates about the hinge coupling portion with the cup holder body 110 and the support 130.

[0093] When the cup holder 100 is inserted into the armrest 4 , the support member 130 rises to be located in an insertable position. When the cup holder 100 is used, the support member 130 is spread downward to be located in a position where the support member 130 can support the cup 10 .

[0094] In addition, a sector gear 132 is formed at a distal end portion of one end portion of the link 131 hinged to the cup holder body 110. The sector gear 132 is engaged with a damping gear 133 rotatably mounted to the cup holder body 110.

[0095] In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the support 130 , the link 131 , the sector gear 132 formed on the link 131 , and the damping gear 133 mounted to the cup holder body 110 are well known, and thus, will not be described in detail.

[0096] The side surface of the sector gear 132 formed at one end of the link 131 is a portion locked by the stopper 142 of the corresponding locking member 140. Figure 8 As shown, when the locking member 140 moves to the locking position, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 moves forward to be located below the sector gear 132 of the connecting rod 131 .

[0097] When the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 is located below the sector gear 132 of the connecting rod 131, the side surface of the sector gear 132 contacts the stopper 142. Figure 8 As shown, the link 131 is in a locked state that prevents the link 131 from rotating in a counterclockwise direction about the hinge connection portion 131 a.

[0098] That is, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 contacts the side of the sector gear 132 to prevent the connecting rod 131 from rotating. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, when the side surface of the sector gear 132 contacts the stopper 142, since the link 131 no longer rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the support 130 coupled to the lower end portion of the link 131 cannot move upward.

[0099] Therefore, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 moves to a position where the stopper 142 contacts the end of the link 131 rotating in the counterclockwise direction, thereby preventing further rotation of the link 131 and thus locking the link 131 .

[0100] Figure 8 The left side diagram of FIG. 1 shows a state before locking and an unlocked state. The state shown is a state before the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 moves to be located below the sector gear 132, or a state in which the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 is withdrawn from a position below the sector gear 132. In this state, the link 131 can rotate counterclockwise about the hinge connection portion 131a with the cup holder body 110.

[0101] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, this state is a state in which the finger 120 has rotated toward the inside of the accommodation space C. This state may correspond to an initial state before the finger 120 is opened after the cup holder body 110 is pulled out of the armrest 4 or a state in which the finger 120 is rotated toward the inside of the accommodation space C again after the cup is removed from the cup holder 100. In this state, since the locking member 140 is located at the unlocking position, the support member 130 can be moved upward by rotating the link 131.

[0102] As described above, when the support member 130 moves upward after the cup 10 is removed, the cup holder body 110 may be inserted into the inside of the armrest 4 again.

[0103] Figure 8 The right side of the figure and Figure 6 The state in which the cup 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space C after the fingers 120 are opened is shown. When the fingers 120 are opened to accommodate the cup 10, the locking member 140 is linked with the rotation of the fingers 120 to move to the locked position. As shown in the figure, at this time, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 moves to a position below the sector gear 132 of the link 131.

[0104] As described above, when the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 is located below the sector gear 132 , the link 131 can be prevented from rotating counterclockwise as viewed in the drawing about the hinge coupling portion 131 a with the cup holder body 110 because the stopper 142 contacts the sector gear 132 .

[0105] Therefore, in a state where the cup 10 is accommodated, the support member 130 cannot rise.

[0106] Hereinafter, the operation of the cup holder will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] First, when the user opens the finger 120 by rotating one finger 120 in an outward direction from an initial position to accommodate the cup 10 in a state where the support 130 descends after the cup holder body 110 of the cup holder 100 is pulled out from the armrest 4, the locking member 140 engaged with the finger 120 moves linearly, compressing the corresponding spring 144. In this state, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 locks the link 131 to prevent the link 131 from rotating.

[0108] In the open state of the finger 120 as described above, the user inserts the cup 10 into the accommodation space C between the finger 120 and the cup holder body 110, and places the cup 10 on the support 130. Since the support 130 is prevented from rising in a state where the stopper 142 locks the link 131 to prevent the link 131 from rotating, the cup 10 placed on the support 130 does not separate from the cup holder 100 due to the rise of the support 130.

[0109] When the seat back 2 is folded, for example, during the entry operation of the seat 1, even if the support member 130 contacts the seat cushion 3, the support member 130 remains in a fixed state without rising in a state where the cup 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space C. In this way, when the seat back 2 is further folded in a state where the support member 130 is in a fixed state without moving, only the armrest 4 rotates relative to the seat back 2, while the position of the support member 130 remains fixed, so that the cup 10 can be prevented from being separated from the cup holder 100 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig. 9 ).

[0110] Of course, in a state where the cup 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space C between the finger 120 and the cup holder body 110, the elastic force of the corresponding spring 144 in a compressed state acts on the finger 120 through the locking member 140. At this time, the finger 120 supports the cup 10 in a state of pressing the side of the cup 10.

[0111] On the other hand, when the user removes the cup 10 from the accommodation space C, the shape of the compression spring 144 is elastically restored, and thus, the elastic restoring force of the spring 144 causes the locking member 140 to move linearly in the reverse direction. As a result, the stopper 142 of the locking member 140 moves to the unlocking position, thereby allowing the link 131 to rotate and the support 130 to rise.

[0112] In addition, the finger 120 engaged with the locking member 140 is elastically rotated to the original position again by the linear movement of the locking member 140. Therefore, the finger 120 is maintained in the contracted state in the cup holder body 110 again.

[0113] As described above, when the user rotates the finger 120 by inserting or removing the cup 10, the locking member 140 moves in conjunction with the movement of the finger 120. At this time, the locking member 140 moves to a locking position that prevents the link 131 from rotating or an unlocking position (initial position) that allows the link 131 to rotate.

[0114] As is apparent from the above description, according to the cup holder for a vehicle of various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, when the finger-shaped member rotates to place the cup on the support member, the stopper of the locking member prevents the link from rotating, and therefore, the position of the support member connected to the link member is fixed. As a result, in a state where the cup is accommodated, even if the support member contacts the seat cushion during the entry operation of the seat, the support member can be prevented from rising. Therefore, separation of the cup caused by the rise of the support member can be prevented.

[0115] For ease of explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "up", "down", "up", "downward", "front", "back", "rear", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "inner", "external", "inside", "outside", "forward" and "rearward" are used to describe the features with reference to the locations of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It will be further understood that the term "connect" or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0116] For the purpose of illustration and description, the foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is given. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive of the present invention or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and it is apparent that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. Exemplary embodiments are selected and described to explain certain principles of the present invention and their practical applications so that other persons skilled in the art can make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention and various alternative forms and modifications thereof. The scope of the present invention is intended to be limited by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cup holder for a vehicle, comprising: a cup holder body slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion within the vehicle; a finger-shaped member, which is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, presses and supports the side of the cup inserted into the cup holder; a support member connected to the cup holder body through a connecting rod, so that the support member moves up and down according to the rotation of the connecting rod, and the support member supports the bottom of the cup; as well as a locking member, disposed between the finger-shaped member and the connecting rod, and linked with the rotation operation of the finger-shaped member to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlock the connecting rod, Wherein, the connecting rod is configured to rotate relative to the cup holder body.

2. The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein: The cup holder mounting portion in the vehicle is an end portion of an armrest of a seat in the vehicle.

3. The cup holder according to claim 2, wherein: The finger-shaped member, the support member, the locking member and the cup holder body respectively have corresponding structures of a slidable insertion type cup holder, so that the finger-shaped member, the support member, the locking member and the cup holder body are inserted into the interior of the armrest end of the seat by sliding, or are pulled forward from the armrest end by sliding.

4. A cup holder for a vehicle, comprising: a cup holder body slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion within the vehicle; a finger-shaped member, which is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, presses and supports the side of the cup inserted into the cup holder; a support member connected to the cup holder body through a connecting rod, so that the support member moves up and down according to the rotation of the connecting rod, and the support member supports the bottom of the cup; as well as a locking member, disposed between the finger-shaped member and the connecting rod, and linked with the rotation operation of the finger-shaped member to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlock the connecting rod, The finger-shaped member is connected to the locking member through a gear structure to convert the rotational force of the finger-shaped member into the linear movement force of the locking member, or to convert the linear movement force of the locking member into the rotational force of the finger-shaped member.

5. The cup holder according to claim 4, wherein: The finger-shaped member includes a first tooth portion of the gear structure, the first tooth portion is formed at the hinge coupling portion of the finger-shaped member in a circumferential direction of the hinge coupling portion, and the hinge coupling portion of the finger-shaped member is hinged to the cup holder body, and The locking member includes a second tooth portion of the gear structure, the second tooth portion is formed at the locking member in a linear direction, and the second tooth portion is engaged with the first tooth portion of the finger.

6. The cup holder according to claim 5, wherein: The locking member linearly moves to a position that locks the link by rotation of the finger in a state in which the first tooth portion and the second tooth portion are engaged with each other.

7. The cup holder according to claim 5, wherein: An elastic member is provided between the hinge coupling portion of the finger and the cup holder body to elastically rotate the finger.

8. The cup holder according to claim 7, wherein: When the cup accommodated in the cup holder is removed in a state where the elastic member is deformed by the rotation of the finger for accommodating the cup, the elastic member elastically rotates the finger in the opposite direction while providing an elastic restoring force to move the locking member to an unlocking position.

9. A cup holder for a vehicle, comprising: a cup holder body slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion within the vehicle; a finger-shaped member, which is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, presses and supports the side of the cup inserted into the cup holder; a support member connected to the cup holder body through a connecting rod, so that the support member moves up and down according to the rotation of the connecting rod, and the support member supports the bottom of the cup; as well as a locking member, disposed between the finger-shaped member and the connecting rod, and linked with the rotation operation of the finger-shaped member to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlock the connecting rod, The elastic member is installed between the locking member and the cup holder body to provide an elastic restoring force to move the locking member to the unlocking position in a state where the elastic member is deformed by the locking member moving to the locking position.

10. The cup holder according to claim 9, wherein: The locking member includes a guide pin, and The elastic member is provided at the guide pin, a first end portion of the elastic member is supported by the locking member, and a second end portion of the elastic member is supported by the cup holder body.

11. The cup holder according to claim 10, wherein: The guide pin is coupled to the guide protrusion while passing through the guide protrusion formed at the cup holder body, and A first end portion of the elastic member mounted at the guide pin is supported by the locking member, and a second end portion of the elastic member is supported by a guide protrusion of the cup holder body.

12. A cup holder for a vehicle, comprising: a cup holder body slidably coupled to a cup holder mounting portion within the vehicle; a finger-shaped member, which is elastically rotatably mounted to the cup holder body and, together with the cup holder body, presses and supports the side of the cup inserted into the cup holder; a support member connected to the cup holder body through a connecting rod, so that the support member moves up and down according to the rotation of the connecting rod, and the support member supports the bottom of the cup; as well as a locking member, disposed between the finger-shaped member and the connecting rod, and linked with the rotation operation of the finger-shaped member to lock the connecting rod to prevent the connecting rod from rotating or unlock the connecting rod, wherein a stopper is formed on a first side of the locking member, and When the locking member moves to the locking position, the stopper of the locking member moves to a position where the stopper contacts the end of the link rotating in the rotation direction to prevent the link from rotating, so that the link is locked.

13. The cup holder according to claim 12, wherein: The stopper of the locking member moves to a position where the stopper contacts a distal end portion of the end portion of the link hinged to the cup holder body so that the distal end portion of the link contacts the stopper of the locking member in a locked state of the link.

14. The cup holder according to claim 13, wherein: The first end of the connecting rod is hinged to the cup holder body, The second end of the connecting rod is coupled to the support member, and The stopper of the locking member moves to a position below the side surface of the sector gear formed at the tip end portion of the end portion of the connecting rod so that the side surface of the sector gear contacts the stopper of the locking member in the locked state of the connecting rod.

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