Height adjustable cup holder

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cup stand including a base, a support portion which is flush with a cover portion in a pulled-in state and selectively comes into contact with a bottom surface of a cup in use, a holding portion into which the support portion is selectively inserted, and a driving unit configured to simultaneously move the support portion downward and the holding portion upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a cup holder. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a cup holder whose height can be changed through a simple operation, which employs a structure in which a retaining portion surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the cup and a supporting portion supporting the bottom surface of the cup are spaced far apart from each other. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, cup holder systems are installed in various locations at the front and rear of the vehicle interior to allow the driver and passengers to safely store cups, cans, or bottles containing beverages.

[0003] However, because current cup holder assembly systems do not have a separate support in the cup holder housing that serves as the cup storage space, a large gap is created between the beverage can or cup when it is inserted into the cup holder housing with a diameter larger than that of the cup or can. This causes the beverage can or cup to sway and move in all directions due to vibrations generated when the vehicle is in motion.

[0004] However, when there is not much space between the cup holder housing and the cup, it is difficult for the driver or passenger to remove the cup because the cup fits tightly or snugly in the cup holder housing.

[0005] In addition to solving the above problems, there is also a need for height-adjustable cup holders, which can be designed to match the length and size of the cups inserted into the holder by fixing the height of the cups to fit the shape of the holder housing.

[0006] The above content disclosed in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this disclosure, and therefore the above content may contain content that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure addresses the aforementioned problems related to the prior art, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a cup holder that does not open in a pulled-in state and has a height that supports a cup during use.

[0008] Another object of this disclosure is to provide a cup holder in which the holding part and the supporting part can be moved away from each other by a single operation.

[0009] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and other purposes not mentioned herein can be understood based on the following description and will become clearer through embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, the purposes of this disclosure can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof specified in the claims.

[0010] As an embodiment of this disclosure, a cup holder is provided, comprising: a base; a support portion positioned in a pulled-in state adjacent to the top surface of a lid and selectively contacting the bottom surface of a cup; a retaining portion into which the support portion is selectively inserted; and a drive unit configured to simultaneously move the support portion downward and the retaining portion upward.

[0011] The cup holder may include a rod positioned on the bottom surface of the support and a guide positioned on the base to allow the rod to be selectively inserted therein.

[0012] The drive unit may include: at least one or more drive links rotatably positioned between a protrusion on the link and a connecting portion of a retaining portion; a base rod positioned on a base and configured to provide a rotation axis for the drive links; and a guide groove in which the protrusion and the rotation axis are positioned to move in response to movement of the drive links.

[0013] The rotation center point of the drive linkage can be changed according to the position of the rotation axis in the guide groove.

[0014] When the drive link rotates relative to the connecting part, the retaining part can move upward beyond the cover part as the drive link moves in the height direction relative to the rotation axis, and the support part can move downward together with the protrusion connected to the other end of the drive link.

[0015] The cup holder may also include a guide rod positioned between the base and the lid and configured to guide the up-and-down movement of the retainer.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit may include: a rotating gear portion connected to the base; a first gear portion disposed on the outer surface of the retaining portion and meshing with the rotating gear portion; and a second gear portion connected to the support portion and meshing with the rotating gear portion.

[0017] The first gear section can protrude beyond the top surface of the cover section in the height direction in response to the rotation of the rotating gear section.

[0018] The second gear section allows the support section to move downwards in the height direction.

[0019] The support and retaining parts can move away from each other simultaneously in the height direction.

[0020] The cup holder may include a frame that is connected to the second gear and connected to the support by passing through a slot in the retainer.

[0021] The first gear section and the second gear section can have the same gear ratio.

[0022] Other aspects and implementations of this disclosure will now be discussed.

[0023] It should be understood that, as used herein, the terms “vehicle” or “of a vehicle” or other similar terms generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, ships (including various vessels and vessels), aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As mentioned herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a vehicle powered by both gasoline and electricity.

[0024] The above and other features of this disclosure will now be discussed. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The above-described features and other features of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to certain embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this context, the drawings are given by way of illustration only and therefore do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 An armrest with a cup holder is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 The structure of a cup holder in a pulled-in state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a cup holder including a drive linkage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a side cross-sectional view of a cup holder including a drive linkage in a pulled-in state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a side cross-sectional view of a cup holder including a drive linkage in a pulled-out state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a side cross-sectional view of a cup holder including a rotating gear in a pulled-in state according to another embodiment of this disclosure; and

[0032] Figure 7 This is a side cross-sectional view of a cup holder including a rotating gear in a pulled-out state according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of the various features illustrating the basic principles of this disclosure. Specific design features of this disclosure (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific intended application and environment of use.

[0034] In the accompanying drawings, throughout several figures, the same reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0035] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified in various ways, and the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the following embodiments. These embodiments are provided to more fully explain the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0036] Furthermore, terms such as “…part,” “…unit,” “…casing,” etc., used in this specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation and can be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof. Each “part,” “unit,” “module,” “component,” “device,” “element,” etc., may individually embody or include a processor and memory (e.g., a non-volatile computer-readable medium) as part of a device. When a part, component, unit, device, element, etc., of this disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., that part, component, unit, device, or element should be considered herein as “configured” to satisfy the stated purpose or perform the stated operation or function.

[0037] It should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used in this document to describe various similar elements, these elements should not be construed as being limited by these terms.

[0038] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "pull out" means that the cup holder is driven to a position where the cup can be inserted into the cup holder, and the term "pull in" means that the support portion 200 constituting the cup holder is switched to a position flush with the lid portion 10.

[0039] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "height direction" refers to the vertical direction in which the cup is inserted into the retaining part 300.

[0040] Figure 1 An armrest structure including a cup holder according to this disclosure is shown.

[0041] The cup holder is positioned on a base 100, which is located at the lower end of the cup holder, and the upper end of the cup holder is located inside the open cover. In the case of the armrest shown, the upper end of the armrest includes an area facing the user's arm, and the base 100, located at the lower end of the armrest, includes components fixed to the vehicle body or interior of the vehicle body.

[0042] The cup holder can be positioned to be pulled into the insertion hole in the lid, or pulled out of the lid in response to a user's request. Although Figure 1The armrest is shown as a structure including a cup holder, but the cup holder of this disclosure can be positioned in any component fixed to the interior of the vehicle.

[0043] When the cup holder is in the pulled-in state and positioned inside the insertion hole, the support portion 200 is positioned at a height corresponding to the insertion hole. Upon user request, the support portion 200 moves downward relative to the upward movement of the retaining portion 300. In other words, because the retaining portion 300 moves upward and the support portion 200 moves downward, sufficient height can be created to allow the cup to be inserted into the cup holder.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a cup holder positioned inside an insertion hole according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] The cup holder includes a base 100 and a cover 10. The base is fixed to the vehicle body at its lower end, and the cover has a height substantially the same as the support 200 in the pulled-in state. The cup holder also includes a retainer 300, which has an annular or cylindrical shape that extends in the height direction and is positioned within an insertion hole at the bottom of the support 200. The retainer 300 has a cavity larger than the outer peripheral surface of the support 200 to allow the support to pass through the retainer 300 when the support 200 moves up and down in the height direction. In other words, according to an example where the support 200 and the retainer 300 have circular cross-sections, the diameter of the retainer 300 is larger than the diameter of the support 200, such that the support 200 is configured to nest within or move within the retainer 300.

[0046] Furthermore, the cup holder includes guide rods 440 positioned between the lid 10 and the base 100 to guide the vertical movement of the retaining portion 300. At least one or more guide rods 440 are provided to support the retaining portion 300 when the supporting portion 200 and the retaining portion 300 move vertically in conjunction with each other. A plurality of guide rods 440 positioned between the lid 10 and the base 100 are arranged at equal intervals along the outer peripheral surface of the retaining portion 300.

[0047] The drive unit 400 is configured to simultaneously move the support portion 200 downward and the retaining portion 300 upward. In one example, the retaining portion 300 is configured to protrude outward from the cover portion 10 when the upper end of the retaining portion 300 and the top surface of the support portion 200 are at maximum distance from each other.

[0048] The retaining portion 300 may include a locking portion configured to engage with the top surface of the cover portion 10. Using this locking portion, the retaining portion 300, which protrudes outward from the cover portion 10, can be brought into contact with the top surface of the cover portion 10.

[0049] Figure 3 This illustrates an embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the cup holder structure disclosed in the paper.

[0050] The base 100 is a component fixed to the vehicle body and includes a guide portion 110 projecting from the top surface of the base 100. At least a portion of a rod 210 projecting from the bottom surface of the support portion 200 is inserted into the guide portion 110, and the support portion 200 can remain horizontal when moving downward and upward due to the guide portion 110. In some embodiments, at least one or more guide portions 110 may be provided. In this disclosure, two guide portions 110 are positioned symmetrically, and the ends of corresponding rods 210 of the support portion 200 are respectively inserted into these two guide portions 110. Furthermore, at least a portion of the rod 210 remains inserted (i.e., held) within the guide portion 110.

[0051] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, a drive unit 400 configured to apply upward and downward driving forces to a support portion 200 and a retaining portion 300 includes a drive link 410 rotatably connected to a protrusion 211 formed on a rod 210 projecting from the bottom surface of the support portion 200. The drive link 410 is also rotatably coupled to or connected to a connecting portion 411 projecting outward from the retaining portion 300. According to one example, two drive links 410 are provided, and the drive links 410 can be positioned adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the retaining portion 300. Furthermore, the drive unit 400 includes a base rod 420 coupled to a base 100, wherein the base rod 420 includes a rotation shaft 421 extending outward therefrom.

[0052] The drive link 410 has a portion (e.g., upper portion) connected to the bottom of the support 200 and another portion (e.g., lower portion) connected to the connecting portion 411 of the retaining portion 300, wherein the rotation shaft 421 is positioned between the drive link 410 and the connecting portion 411 of the retaining portion 300. With this configuration, the drive link 410 transmits force to move the support 200 and the connecting portion 411 relative to each other in the vertical direction.

[0053] Furthermore, the drive link 410 includes a guide groove 430, which has an elongated or rectangular shape, into which both the protrusion 211 and the rotating shaft 421 are inserted. In other words, the protrusion 211 and the rotating shaft 421 are positioned within the guide groove 430, allowing the distance between the connecting part 411 and the rotating shaft 421, as well as the distance between the connecting part 411 and the protrusion 211, to change relatively as the holding part 300 moves in the height direction.

[0054] In other words, when the drive link 410 is rotated to be parallel to the ground, the protrusion 211 and the rotating shaft 421, which move along the elongated hole of the guide groove 430, have the minimum distance from the connecting part 411. When the cup holder is fully extended, the distance between the connecting part 411 and the rotating shaft 421, as well as the distance between the connecting part 411 and the protrusion 211, is the maximum (i.e., the furthest).

[0055] In other words, the position of the rotating shaft 421 in the drive link 410 can be changed by the guide groove 430, and both the protrusion 211 and the rotating shaft 421 can be positioned within the guide groove 430 to absorb changes in relative distance. Therefore, the rotation center point (i.e., the rotation center) of the drive link 410 can be changed within the guide groove 430 according to the amount of rotation of the drive link 410.

[0056] Two drive links 410 positioned relative to two mutually facing connecting parts 411 rotate in response to a user's request. The drive links 410, rotatably connected to the connecting parts 411, rotate at one end located at the bottom of the support part 200. In other words, the rods 210 and the protrusions 211 of the rods 210 formed on the bottom surface of the support part 200 move vertically in the height direction according to the movement of the guide grooves 430 in the drive links 410. Furthermore, when the two drive links 410 positioned relative to the holding part 300 rotate as a unit, each of the two rods 210 extending downward from the bottom surface of the support part 200 moves vertically downward together with the corresponding drive link 410.

[0057] Furthermore, the drive link 410 connected to the connecting part 411 rotates about the rotation shaft 421 on the base rod 420. One end of the drive link 410 located at the connecting part 411 rotates about the rotation shaft 421 as the center of rotation, causing the holding part 300 to move upward. When the holding part 300 moves in the height direction, the rotation shaft 421 can move along the elongated hole in the guide groove 430, so that the distance between the connecting part 411 and the rotation shaft 421 can be changed.

[0058] Therefore, the support 200 and the retaining part 300 move in opposite directions in height in response to the rotation of the drive linkage 410 of the drive unit 400, thereby providing space for the cup to be inserted.

[0059] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship in the drive unit 400 with the cup holder in the pulled-in state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0060] When the cup holder is pulled in, the support portion 200 is flush with the lid (and substantially flush with the lid portion 10). In other words, the support portion 200 is positioned around the open top surface of the retaining portion 300 and on a surface corresponding to the lid.

[0061] The drive link 410 of the drive unit 400 is positioned between the protrusion 211 and the connecting portion 411 at the bottom of the support portion 200. The end of the drive link 410 facing the protrusion 211 is positioned higher than the connecting portion 411. A portion of the link 210 protruding downwards in the height direction from the bottom surface of the support portion 200 is inserted into the guide portion 110 on the base 100. In one embodiment, one side of the guide portion 110 of this disclosure is open, and the protrusion 211 of the link 210 is positioned on the open side. Therefore, even when the link 210 is fully inserted into the guide portion 110, the protrusion 211 can remain inserted into the guide groove 430 in the drive link 410. In other words, even when the link 210 is fully inserted into the guide portion 110, the protrusion 211 can remain inserted into the guide groove 430. In the pulled-in state, the protrusion 211 can be positioned adjacent to one inner end of the guide groove 430 in the drive link 410.

[0062] The base rod 420 protrudes from the top surface of the base 100 and is provided with a rotating shaft 421 for the drive link 410. The rotating shaft 421 can be positioned such that the rotating shaft is inserted into a guide groove 430 in the drive link 410.

[0063] Compared with the above, Figure 5 This shows the cup holder being pulled out.

[0064] In the extended state, the support 200 moves downward to a position adjacent to the base 100, and the rod 210 is fully inserted into the guide 110. Furthermore, the retaining part 300 moves upward along the height direction by the distance the support 200 has moved downward, and is positioned to protrude beyond the top surface of the cover 10.

[0065] The drive unit 400 is driven to move the support portion 200 downward and the holding portion 300 upward. Furthermore, since the connecting portion 411 and the holding portion 300 move as a unit along the height direction, the drive link 410, which is rotatably connected to the connecting portion 411, rotates, causing the other end of the drive link 410 to move downward relative to the connecting portion 411.

[0066] The drive link 410 applies force to the protrusion 211, causing one end of the drive link 410 positioned at the bottom of the support 200 to move downward relative to the connecting part 411. Furthermore, by rotating the drive link 410, the protrusion 211 located at one end of the guide groove 430 in the pulled-in state moves to a region adjacent to the center of the guide groove 430.

[0067] In other words, the end of the drive link 410 adjacent to the connecting part 411 moves upward relative to the rotation axis 421 of the base rod 420, and the guide groove 430 connected to the protrusion 211 moves downward.

[0068] As an embodiment of this disclosure, the distance by which the support portion 200 moves downward in the height direction can be substantially the same as the distance by which the retaining portion 300 moves upward beyond the cover portion 10.

[0069] Therefore, this disclosure provides a cup holder structure in which the support portion 200 and the retaining portion 300 move simultaneously in opposite directions in response to the rotation of the drive link 410, so that the cup can be held with a reduced gap.

[0070] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, in the pulled-in state, the support portion 200 is flush with the top surface of the cover portion 10, so the outline of the dent or recess (i.e., the cavity shape) is not visible from the outside. In other words, in the pulled-in state, the top of the support portion 200 and the top surface of the cover portion 10 are aligned (flush), thus giving the impression that this is not a cup holder (i.e., the appearance of a cup holder is hidden).

[0071] Figure 6 The cup holders shown are based on different embodiments, in which the support and the retainer can move in opposite directions using a gear structure.

[0072] In such Figure 6 In the various embodiments of this disclosure shown, the cup holder includes a base fixed to the vehicle body at its lower end, and in the pulled-in state, the support portion 200 has substantially the same height as the cover portion 10.

[0073] The cup holder also includes a retainer 300 having an annular shape that extends in the height direction and is positioned within an insertion hole at the bottom of the support 200. The retainer 300 has a cavity larger than the outer peripheral surface of the support 200 to allow the support to pass through the retainer 300 when the support 200 moves up and down in the height direction.

[0074] The drive unit 1000 is configured to simultaneously move the support portion 200 downward and the retaining portion 300 upward. In this example, the retaining portion 300 protrudes outward from the cover portion 10 when the upper end of the retaining portion 300 and the top surface of the support portion 200 are at their maximum distance from each other.

[0075] In this different embodiment of the present disclosure, the drive unit 1000 includes a rotary gear portion 1100 connected to the base and configured to rotate by receiving driving force from a drive portion (i.e., a drive force source). The drive unit 1000 includes a first gear portion 1110 positioned on the outer surface of the retaining portion 300 and configured to convert the rotational force of the rotary gear portion 1100 into a force that moves the retaining portion 300 in the height direction by meshing with it. The drive unit 1000 also includes a second gear portion 1120 configured to move the support portion 200 up and down in response to the driving force of the rotary gear portion 1100 by engaging with it.

[0076] The rotating gear section 1100 has a rotation shaft located at an extension protruding from the base and is configured to rotate in response to operation of an external drive section or pressure from a user pressing the support section 200. When the user presses the support section 200, the second gear section 1120 drives the rotating gear section 1100 and the first gear section 1110, thereby causing the support section 200 and the retaining section 300 to move in opposite directions in the height direction.

[0077] The rotating gear section 1100 has two opposite ends, at which a first gear section 1110 and a second gear section 1120 are respectively positioned. Since the first gear section 1110 and the second gear section 1120 have the same gear ratio, the amount by which the support section 200 moves in the height direction and the amount by which the holding section 300 moves in the height direction are the same in response to the amount of rotation of the rotating gear section 1100.

[0078] Figure 7 Different embodiments of this disclosure are shown, in which the cup holder is in the pulled-out state (i.e., Figure 6 Implementation methods (as described in the text).

[0079] As shown in the figure, when the driving force of the drive unit is applied to the rotating unit, the rotating gear unit 1100 applies a rotational force to the holding unit 300, causing it to be in the position as Figure 6 The retaining portion 300, shown in the pulled-in state, moves upward in the height direction (to be in the pulled-out state). Simultaneously, the second gear portion 1120, which engages with the support portion 200, passes through the retaining portion 300 (see...). Figure 6 The slot 1111 on the outer surface of the base and along the guide portion 1200 of the base (see...) Figure 6 Move downwards.

[0080] In other words, the frame 1300, including the support portion 200 of the second gear portion 1120, is connected to the support portion 200, which moves vertically within the retaining portion 300, through the slot 1111 in the retaining portion 300, and the vertical movement of the frame 1300 can be guided along the guide portion 1200 of the base 100.

[0081] Furthermore, since the downward movement of the support 200 and the upward movement of the holding 300 can be the same in response to the driving force of the drive unit, the gear ratio and number of gears of the first gear unit 1110 and the gear ratio and number of gears of the second gear unit 1120 can be set to be the same.

[0082] Therefore, when the cup holder is pulled out, the retaining part 300 protrudes from the top surface of the lid 10 by a predetermined height, and the supporting part 200 moves downward relative to the bottom surface of the lid 10 by a predetermined height, providing space for holding the cup.

[0083] It is evident from the above description that the present disclosure can achieve the following effects through the configurations, combinations, and operational relationships described in conjunction with this embodiment.

[0084] This disclosure provides a cup holder that does not open when not in use and is pulled out when in use, thereby providing an improved aesthetic for the vehicle interior.

[0085] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a cup holder with sufficient height to hold the cup through a structure in which the retaining part and the supporting part move away from each other by a single operation, thereby improving usability.

[0086] This specific embodiment is merely illustrative of the present disclosure. Furthermore, while the foregoing description illustrates and describes embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. In other words, changes or modifications are possible within the scope of the ideas disclosed herein, the scope of equivalents of the present disclosure described, and / or the scope of knowledge or skills of those skilled in the art. These embodiments describe the best state or mode for implementing the technical concept of the present disclosure, and various variations are possible for specific areas of application and use of the present disclosure. Therefore, the specific embodiments of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the disclosed embodiments. Moreover, the appended claims should be construed as including other embodiments.

Claims

1. A cup holder, comprising: Base; The support portion, in the pulled-in state, is positioned adjacent to the top surface of the lid and configured to selectively contact the bottom surface of the cup; A retaining portion, wherein the supporting portion is configured to be selectively inserted into the retaining portion; as well as The drive unit is configured to move the support and the retaining part in opposite directions.

2. The cup holder according to claim 1, further comprising: The rod is positioned on the bottom surface of the support. as well as A guide portion, positioned on the base, is configured to allow the rod to be selectively inserted into the guide portion.

3. The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein, The driving unit includes: One or more drive links are rotatably positioned between a protrusion on a rod extending away from the bottom surface of the support and a connection portion of the retaining portion; A base rod, positioned on the base and configured to provide a rotational axis for the drive linkage; and The guide groove, the protrusion and the rotation axis are positioned in the guide groove, and the guide groove is configured to move in response to the movement of the drive link.

4. The cup holder according to claim 3, wherein, The drive link has a rotation center point, wherein the rotation center point is configured to change according to the position of the rotation axis in the guide groove.

5. The cup holder according to claim 3, wherein, When the drive link is configured to rotate relative to the connecting part The retaining portion is configured to move upward beyond the cover portion as one end of the drive linkage moves relative to the rotation axis in the height direction, and The support portion is configured to move downward together with the protrusion connected to the other end of the drive linkage.

6. The cup holder according to claim 3 further includes a guide rod positioned between the base and the cover and configured to guide the up-and-down movement of the retaining portion.

7. The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein, The driving unit includes: The rotating gear section is connected to the base; A first gear portion is disposed on the outer surface of the retaining portion and meshes with the rotating gear portion; and The second gear is connected to the support and meshes with the rotating gear.

8. The cup holder according to claim 7, wherein, The first gear portion protrudes beyond the top surface of the cover portion in the height direction in response to the rotation of the rotating gear portion.

9. The cup holder according to claim 8, wherein, The second gear causes the support to move downward in the height direction.

10. The cup holder according to claim 9, wherein, The support and the retaining part move away from each other simultaneously in the height direction.

11. The cup holder according to claim 7, further comprising a frame connected to the second gear portion and connected to the support portion through a slot in the retaining portion.

12. The cup holder according to claim 7, wherein, The first gear section and the second gear section have the same gear ratio.

13. The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein, The opposite directions are the downward and upward directions, such that the drive unit is configured to move the support in the downward direction and the retaining part in the upward direction.

14. The cup holder according to claim 1, wherein, The drive unit is configured to move the support portion and the retaining portion simultaneously.

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