Automobile central armrest box and automobile

By installing a water supply system, cup holders, and control panel inside the car's center console, the problem of conveniently brewing beverages in the car has been solved, enabling convenient and safe brewing of various beverages inside the vehicle, thus improving the comfort and functionality of the car.

CN224256515UActive Publication Date: 2026-05-19MIT AUTOMOBILE SERVICE
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
MIT AUTOMOBILE SERVICE
Filing Date
2025-05-28
Publication Date
2026-05-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Current cars cannot conveniently and safely brew beverages, especially coffee, while driving. Due to space constraints and operational complexity, they cannot meet consumers' needs for drinking beverages anytime and anywhere in the car.

Method used

The car's center console features a water supply system, cup compartments, condiment compartments, and a control panel, providing dedicated space for cup storage and condiment storage. Combined with a water outlet and touchscreen display, it offers a one-stop beverage brewing experience.

Benefits of technology

It enables convenient and safe brewing of various beverages inside the car, meeting diverse consumer needs and enhancing the comfort and functionality of the vehicle.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224256515U_ABST
    Figure CN224256515U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of vehicle-mounted equipment, and relates to an automobile central armrest box and an automobile. The automobile central armrest box comprises a box body, a box cover and a water supply system, the box cover is hinged to the box body, and the inner surface, facing the interior of the box body, of the box cover is provided with a control panel, an auxiliary material bin and at least one cup holder groove; a water outlet and at least one cup bin used for containing cups are formed in the inner surface, facing the box cover, of the box body, and the water supply system is used for supplying liquid to the water outlet. The automobile comprises two rows of seats and the automobile central armrest box, the automobile central armrest box is arranged on the back row of seats, the box body is installed between the two seats, and when the box cover is opened, an opening of the cup bin faces the direction of an automobile head of the automobile. By means of the automobile central armrest box, various drinks can be conveniently brewed in an automobile, the requirements of consumers for diversified drinks in the automobile are met, and one-stop drink brewing testing is achieved.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a car center armrest box and a car, belonging to the field of vehicle equipment technology. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the sustained and stable development of my country's economy and the gradual improvement of residents' living standards, the number of private cars has also continued to increase. Today, cars have become an important means of transportation for people's daily travel. People spend increasingly more time in their cars each day, playing a crucial role in everything from daily commutes and business trips to leisure road trips during holidays.

[0003] Against this backdrop, the demand for in-car beverages is becoming increasingly diversified. Among them, coffee, as a popular drink, is loved by many for its stimulating and invigorating effects. For drivers, drinking coffee during long drives helps maintain focus and reduces the risk of drowsy driving; for passengers, drinking coffee during the journey can also add to the pleasant experience.

[0004] Currently, most cars on the market do not have the function of brewing beverages (such as coffee and tea). This is because cars have limited interior space and a restricted operating environment. Existing coffee brewing equipment is either too bulky to fit into the limited space of a car, or too complex to operate safely and conveniently while the car is in motion. Furthermore, considering the bumps and swaying during driving, as well as the convenience of cleaning and maintenance inside the car, the application of traditional coffee brewing equipment in cars faces many difficulties, failing to provide a one-stop beverage brewing experience and unable to meet consumers' needs for brewing coffee anytime, anywhere in the car. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a new technical solution to improve or solve the technical problems existing in the prior art as described above.

[0006] The technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows: A car center armrest box includes a box body, a box cover and a water supply system. The box cover is hinged to the box body. The inner surface of the box cover facing the inside of the box body is provided with a control panel, a consumable compartment and at least one cup holder groove. The inner surface of the box body facing the box cover is provided with a water outlet and at least one cup compartment for accommodating cups. The water supply system is used to supply liquid to the water outlet.

[0007] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This utility model rationally divides the cup compartment and condiment compartment areas on the center armrest of the car, and sets a cup holder groove and control panel on the armrest. The cup compartment not only provides users with a dedicated space to store cups, but also places the cup compartment and water outlet on the inner surface of the box body facing the lid. When the lid is opened, the cup can be taken out from the cup compartment, and water can be directly drawn from the water outlet on the box body for beverage brewing. The condiment compartment can store commonly used condiments such as coffee powder, sugar packets, and creamer, avoiding the loss, confusion, or moisture and deterioration of these condiments due to random placement in the car. When a beverage needs to be brewed, the user can quickly and conveniently take out the required condiments from the condiment compartment. The cup holder groove can provide stable support for the user to place the cup after brewing the beverage, preventing the cup from tipping over due to shaking during car driving. The control panel allows users to intuitively operate and control the beverage brewing process, such as setting brewing parameters according to personal taste and needs, such as water volume and brewing time. The car center armrest box of this utility model allows for convenient brewing of various beverages inside the car, meeting consumers' diverse beverage needs in the car and thus realizing a one-stop beverage brewing experience.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention can be further improved as follows.

[0009] Furthermore, two cup compartments for holding cups are formed on the inner surface of the box body facing the lid, namely the first cup compartment and the second cup compartment, which are arranged symmetrically on the left and right.

[0010] The advantage of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that it maximizes the utilization of the internal space of the box.

[0011] Furthermore, the water supply system also includes a water pump, water pipes, a pipe level sensor, a heating device, a flow meter, a first solenoid valve, and a second solenoid valve. The water storage device, the first solenoid valve, the water pump, the pipe level sensor, the heating device, the second solenoid valve, the flow meter, and the water outlet are connected in series through the water pipes. The first solenoid valve is also provided with an air inlet, and the second solenoid valve is also connected to a return water pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a water storage device, wherein the inlet of the first solenoid valve is connected to the water storage device through a water pipe, and the second solenoid valve is connected to the water storage device through the return water pipe.

[0013] The beneficial effect of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that, in this utility model, the pipe level sensor is connected in series with the water pipe. The water flow in the pipe can be indirectly reflected by the pipe level sensor, indicating the water level in the water storage device. When a water shortage is detected in the water storage device, the user can be reminded to add water. Compared to placing the pipe level sensor inside the water storage device, when the water storage device needs to be replaced, there is no need to disassemble or reinstall the pipe level sensor; simply remove the water storage device from the water tank and replace it with a new one. The heating device can heat the water pumped from the water storage device to meet the user's need for hot drinks, such as brewing coffee or hot tea. The flow meter can accurately measure the amount of water passing through the water pipe. Users can set the required water volume on the control panel according to different beverage needs. The flow meter can ensure that the actual water output is consistent with the set water volume, guaranteeing the taste and quality of the beverage. The first solenoid valve is used to switch between water and air depending on different functional requirements. When water is needed, the water pump operates, and the first solenoid valve connects to the water storage device to draw in liquid. When liquid needs to be drained, the first solenoid valve connects to air, allowing air to enter the water circuit, and the liquid is pushed back to the water storage device through the water pump and return pipe. The second solenoid valve is used to switch the flow direction of hot water to ensure that the outlet water temperature meets the requirements.

[0014] Furthermore, the cup compartment is open to one side of the box lid, the water outlet is provided with a water spout, the auxiliary material compartment is open to one side of the box body, and the opening of the auxiliary material compartment is also provided with an openable and closable cover.

[0015] The beneficial effect of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that by setting a separate cover on the auxiliary material compartment, when the cover is opened, the cover can not only prevent the items in the auxiliary material compartment from falling off due to bumps during vehicle operation, but also make the armrest box look neater.

[0016] Furthermore, the auxiliary material compartment is located at one end close to the box body, the control panel is located at the end furthest from the box body, and the cup holder groove is located between the auxiliary material compartment and the control panel.

[0017] Furthermore, the control panel is equipped with a touch screen display for displaying beverage brewing parameters, and the control panel is also equipped with a switch button for starting and stopping.

[0018] The beneficial effect of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that it can intuitively display beverage brewing parameters, such as water temperature, water volume, and brewing time, allowing users to clearly understand the current operating status and settings of the equipment. Simultaneously, users can also set and adjust these parameters via touch operation, customizing their own beverages according to personal taste preferences.

[0019] An automobile, including the aforementioned center console.

[0020] Applying a center console to automobiles enhances their comfort and functionality, while also increasing their market competitiveness.

[0021] Furthermore, the vehicle includes two rows of seats, and the center armrest box is located on the rear seats. The box is installed between the two seats, and when the lid is opened, the opening of the cup holder faces the front of the vehicle.

[0022] Furthermore, it also includes a vehicle power system that supplies power to the vehicle's center console.

[0023] The advantage of adopting the above-mentioned further solution is that it utilizes the vehicle's power system to power the car's center console, eliminating the need for an additional independent power supply device and simplifying the structure and installation process of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the automotive center armrest box of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the open state of the cover of the center armrest box of an automobile according to this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a perspective sectional view of the automotive center armrest box of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a diagram of the water supply system of this utility model;

[0029] In the diagram: 1. Box body; 2. Box lid; 3. Cover plate; 4. Cup compartment; 401. First cup compartment; 402. Second cup compartment; 5. Cup holder groove; 6. Control panel; 7. Water outlet; 8. Water storage device; 9. Water pump; 10. Water pipe; 11. Pipeline level sensor; 12. Heating device; 13. Flow meter; 14. First solenoid valve; 15. Second solenoid valve; 16. Auxiliary material compartment; 17. Cup. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the objects described and do not imply any priority in order or any specific technical meaning. Furthermore, the concepts of "connection" and "linkage" mentioned in this application, unless otherwise specified, are considered to include both direct connection (linkage) and indirect connection (linkage).

[0031] When interpreting the description of this application, it should be clarified that terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the perspective and layout shown in the accompanying drawings. They are intended to facilitate explanation and simplify the description process, and are not absolute limitations on the actual location, construction method, or operating mode of the described device or element. Therefore, these terms should not be construed as restrictive interpretations of the content of this application.

[0032] The principles and features of this utility model are described below with reference to examples. The examples are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0033] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a car center armrest box includes a box body 1, a box cover 2, and a water supply system. The box cover 2 is hinged to the lower end of the box body 1. When the box cover 2 is closed, the inner surface of the box cover 2 facing the inside of the box body 1 is provided with a control panel 6, a consumable compartment 16, and at least one cup holder groove 5. The inner surface of the box body 1 facing the box cover 2 is provided with a water outlet and at least one cup compartment 4 for accommodating cups. The water supply system is used to supply liquid to the water outlet.

[0034] The water outlet is located on the inner side of the box 1. When the box lid 2 is closed, it can protect the water outlet from being damaged by impacts due to bumps or other reasons during car driving. When the box lid 2 is open, the cup compartment 4 is opened at the same time, and the water outlet 7 faces the user directly, so that the beverage can be directly collected from below the water outlet 7.

[0035] The inner surface of the box body 1 facing the lid 2 has two cup compartments 4 for holding cups, namely the first cup compartment 401 and the second cup compartment 402, which are arranged symmetrically on the left and right.

[0036] like Figure 4As shown, the water supply system includes a water pump 9, a water pipe 10, a pipe level sensor 11, a heating device 12, a flow meter 13, a first solenoid valve 14, and a second solenoid valve 15. The water storage device 8 is installed inside the vehicle. The water storage device 8, the first solenoid valve 14, the water pump 9, the pipe level sensor 11, the heating device 12, the second solenoid valve 15, the flow meter 13, and the water outlet are connected in series through the water pipe 10. The second solenoid valve 15 is also connected to the water storage device 8 through a return water pipe. The first solenoid valve 14 is also provided with an air inlet. The water pump 9 delivers water from the water storage device 8 to the water outlet through the water pipe 10, providing users with a stable water flow to meet the needs of beverage brewing. When water is needed, the water pump operates, and the pipeline level sensor 11 can detect whether there is water flow in the water pipe, thereby detecting whether there is a water shortage in the water storage device 8. When a water shortage is detected in the water storage device 8, it can remind the user to add water. Compared to installing the pipeline level sensor 11 inside the water storage device 8, when the water storage device 8 needs to be replaced, there is no need to disassemble or reinstall the pipeline level sensor 11. It is only necessary to remove the water storage device 8 from the water tank 3 and replace it with a new water storage device 8. The pipeline level sensor 11 can be an existing level sensor, such as the capacitive level sensor widely used in the market. The capacitive level sensor uses the principle that the change in capacitance caused by the change in water level to detect the water level in the pipeline. However, the capacitive level sensor can only be applied to water tanks or water pipes made of non-metallic materials, because the substances contained in the metallic material will also cause changes in capacitance, which may lead to false readings.

[0037] The heating device 12 heats the water pumped from the water storage device 8 to meet users' needs for hot drinks, such as brewing coffee and hot tea. The flow meter 13 measures the amount of water flowing through the water pipe 10. Users can set the required water volume on the control panel 6 according to different beverage needs. The flow meter 13 ensures that the actual water output matches the set water volume, guaranteeing the taste and quality of the beverage. The first solenoid valve 14 is used to switch between water and air when different functional requirements arise. When water is needed, the water pump 9 operates, and the first solenoid valve 14 connects to the water storage device 8 to draw liquid. When liquid needs to be drained from the pipeline, the first solenoid valve 14 connects to air, allowing air to enter the water path and push the liquid back to the water storage device 8 through the water pump 9 and the return pipe. The second solenoid valve 15 is used to switch the flow direction of hot water to ensure that the outlet water temperature meets the requirements.

[0038] Furthermore, the cup compartment 4 is open to one side of the box cover 2, and a water outlet 7 is provided at the water outlet. The auxiliary material compartment 16 is open to one side of the box body 1, and the opening of the auxiliary material compartment 16 is also provided with an openable and closable cover 3. When the box cover 2 is opened, during vehicle operation, the cover 3 can not only prevent the items in the auxiliary material compartment 16 from falling due to bumps, but also make the appearance of the armrest box after the box cover is opened more neat.

[0039] The auxiliary material compartment 16 is located at one end close to the housing 1, and the control panel 6 is located at the end furthest from the housing 1. The cup holder groove 5 is located between the auxiliary material compartment 16 and the control panel 6. When brewing beverages, users can conveniently place the cup 17 on the cup holder groove 5 and store commonly used auxiliary materials such as coffee powder, sugar packets, and creamer in the auxiliary material compartment 16. When brewing beverages, users can quickly and conveniently take out the required auxiliary materials from the auxiliary material compartment 16 and set and adjust the beverage brewing parameters and view the brewing status by operating the control panel 6, thus realizing a one-stop beverage brewing experience.

[0040] The control panel 6 is equipped with a touch screen displaying beverage brewing parameters. It also features start and stop buttons. The control panel clearly displays brewing parameters such as water temperature, water volume, and brewing time, allowing users to easily understand the current operating status and settings of the device. Furthermore, users can adjust these parameters via touch operation to customize beverages according to their personal taste preferences.

[0041] An automobile includes the aforementioned center console armrest. Applying a center console armrest to an automobile enhances its comfort and functionality, while also increasing its market competitiveness.

[0042] The car includes two rows of seats. The center armrest box is located on the rear seats. The box 1 is installed between the two seats. When the box cover 2 is closed, the armrest box is stored away and does not affect the usable space of the rear seats. When the box cover 2 is opened, the opening of the cup compartment 4 faces the front of the car, and passengers can directly take out the cup 17 from the cup compartment 4 and set and adjust the beverage brewing parameters by operating the control panel 6.

[0043] The vehicle also includes a vehicle power system that supplies power to the center console. Using the vehicle power system to power the center console eliminates the need for a separate power supply, simplifying the device's structure and installation process.

[0044] The working principle of the water supply system of this utility model is as follows:

[0045] The main function of the first solenoid valve 14 is to switch between liquid and gas operations under different functional requirements. The specific working process is as follows:

[0046] Water dispensing mode: When the user starts the beverage brewing process, and the system needs to draw liquid from the water storage device 8, the first solenoid valve 14 switches to the state of being connected to the water storage device 8. At this time, the water pump 9 starts working, and with the cooperation of the first solenoid valve 14, a complete water flow path is formed, which can smoothly draw out the liquid in the water storage device 8 and deliver it to subsequent components such as the heating device 12, providing a water source for beverage brewing.

[0047] Liquid Drainage Mode: To prevent residual liquid in the water circuit from freezing and damaging the equipment in low-temperature environments, or to prevent bacteria growth from residual liquid in the water circuit, it is necessary to drain the liquid in the water circuit. At this time, the first solenoid valve 14 switches to the state of being connected to the air inlet. Air enters the water circuit, and under the pressure generated by the continuous operation of the water pump 9, the liquid in the water circuit is pushed backward and flows back to the water storage device 8 through the return water pipe, thereby realizing the water circuit drainage operation.

[0048] The second solenoid valve 15 is responsible for switching the direction of hot water flow to ensure that the outlet water temperature meets the requirements. Its operation involves the following two scenarios:

[0049] When the temperature is insufficient, switch back to the water storage device 8: During the heating process of the liquid by the heating device 12, if the outlet water temperature is detected to be below the preset temperature, the second solenoid valve 15 will immediately switch to the state of being connected to the water storage device 8. At this time, the hot water in the heating device 12 will not flow to the outlet, but will temporarily flow back into the water storage device 8 to wait for the water temperature to rise further, thus avoiding the outflow of hot water that is not at the required temperature, which would affect the taste and quality of the beverage.

[0050] When the temperature reaches the target, the system switches to the outlet: When the heating device 12 continues to operate and the water temperature rises to meet the outlet requirements, the second solenoid valve 15 quickly switches the water circuit to the outlet. At this time, the fully heated hot water can flow smoothly from the outlet, and the user can obtain hot water that meets the temperature requirements for brewing various beverages.

[0051] The car center armrest box of this utility model allows for convenient brewing of various beverages inside the car, meeting consumers' diverse beverage needs in the car and realizing a one-stop beverage brewing experience.

[0052] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A car center armrest box, characterized in that, The device includes a box body (1), a box cover (2), and a water supply system. The box cover (2) is hinged to the box body (1). The inner surface of the box cover (2) facing the inside of the box body (1) is provided with a control panel (6), an auxiliary material compartment (16), and at least one cup holder groove (5). The inner surface of the box body (1) facing the box cover (2) is provided with a water outlet and at least one cup compartment (4) for accommodating cups. The water supply system is used to supply liquid to the water outlet.

2. The automotive center armrest box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box body (1) has two cup compartments (4) for holding cups on the inner surface facing the box cover (2), namely the first cup compartment (401) and the second cup compartment (402), which are arranged symmetrically on the left and right.

3. The automotive center armrest box according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water supply system also includes a water pump (9), a water pipe (10), a pipe level sensor (11), a heating device (12), a flow meter (13), a first solenoid valve (14), and a second solenoid valve (15). The first solenoid valve (14), the water pump (9), the pipe level sensor (11), the heating device (12), the second solenoid valve (15), the flow meter (13), and the water outlet are connected in series through the water pipe (10). The first solenoid valve (14) is also provided with an air inlet, and the second solenoid valve (15) is also connected to a return water pipe.

4. The automotive center armrest box according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a water storage device, the inlet of the first solenoid valve (14) is connected to the water storage device (8), and the second solenoid valve (15) is connected to the water storage device (8) through the return water pipe.

5. The automotive center armrest box according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The cup compartment (4) is open to the side facing the box cover (2), and a water outlet (7) is provided at the water outlet. The auxiliary material compartment (16) is open to the side facing the box body (1), and a cover plate (3) that can be opened and closed is also provided at the opening of the auxiliary material compartment (16).

6. The automotive center armrest box according to claim 5, characterized in that, The auxiliary material compartment (16) is located at one end close to the box body (1), the control panel (6) is located at one end away from the box body (1), and the cup holder groove (5) is located between the auxiliary material compartment (16) and the control panel (6).

7. The automotive center armrest box according to claim 6, characterized in that, The control panel (6) is equipped with a touch screen display, which is used to display beverage brewing parameters. The control panel (6) is also equipped with a switch button for starting and stopping.

8. A car, characterized in that, Including the automotive center console as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The automobile according to claim 8, characterized in that, The car includes two rows of seats, and the car center armrest box is located on the rear seats. The box body (1) is installed between the two seats. When the box cover (2) is opened, the opening of the cup compartment (4) faces the front of the car.

10. The automobile according to claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes a vehicle power system that supplies power to the vehicle's center console.