Drinking container holder

Abstract

A drinking container holding device is provided, designed for heating the drinking container. The drinking container holding device comprises: a plastic holder designed to hold a drinking container on the inside of the holder; a heat-conducting plate arranged on the outside of the holder, having a higher thermal conductivity than the holder; a plate-shaped heating element arranged on the outside of the heat-conducting plate, smaller than the heat transfer element; and a thermal insulator covering the plate-shaped heating element on the outside.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a drinking container holding device. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] An example of a drinking container holder includes a holder body designed to hold a drinking container. The holder body includes an inner casing and an outer casing disposed outside the inner casing. The inner casing is made of metal. The outer casing is made of a polyurethane resin. The inner casing is in contact with a Peltier element (see, for example, Patent Literature 1). LIST OF CITED DOCUMENTSPatent literature

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-068854 OVERVIEW OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Problem

[0004] The Peltier element is used as a heating device, heating a portion of the inner casing used as a heat conductor. The inner casing has an inner surface of the holder body. When the drinking container is heated to a predetermined temperature, it is possible that the temperature of the inner surface of the holder body, which may come into contact with a user's hand, may be excessively increased only in a portion of the inner surface that is in contact with the heating device. Solution to the problem

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a drinking container holder for heating a drinking container is provided. The drinking container holder comprises a resin-formed holder provided for holding the drinking container in the holder, a plate-shaped heat conductor disposed outside the holder and having a higher thermal conductivity than the holder, a plate-shaped heating element disposed outside the heat conductor, the plate-shaped heating element being smaller than the heat conductor, and a heat insulator covering the plate-shaped heating element on an outer side of the plate-shaped heating element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of a drinking container holder before assembly. The Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the Fig. 1 shown drinking container holder after assembly. The Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the Fig. 1 shows the drinking container holder. The Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the Fig. 3 shown area A. The Fig. Fig. 5 is a side view showing the structure of an operating switch and a portion of a plate-shaped heating element used in the Fig. 1 shown drinking container holder. The Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the Fig. 5 and a portion of the plate-shaped heating element. The Fig. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the structure of a modified example of a heat-conducting plate used in the Fig. 1 shown drinking container holder is included. The Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the Fig. 7 shows the heat-conducting plate and the structure of a holder. The Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat conductor of a drinking container holding device in a second embodiment. The Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat conductor of a drinking container holding device in a third embodiment. The Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat insulator of the drinking container holding device in the third embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSFirst Embodiment

[0006] A first embodiment of a drinking container holding device will now be described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 6. The Fig. 1 shows the drinking container holder before assembly.

[0007] In the Fig. 1, a drinking container holding device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a holding device) is designed for heating a drinking container. The drinking container can be, for example, a metal beverage can, a paper drinking cup, or a plastic beverage bottle. The holding device 10 comprises a holder 11, a heat conductor 12, a plate-shaped heating element 13, and a heat insulator 14. The holder 11 holds a drinking container in the holder 11. The holder 11 is made of resin.

[0008] The heat conductor 12 is arranged outside the holder 11. The heat conductor 12 is plate-shaped. The heat conductor 12 has a higher thermal conductivity than the holder 11. The plate-shaped heating element 13 is arranged outside the heat conductor 12. The plate-shaped heating element 13 is smaller than the heat conductor 12. Thus, the plate-shaped heating element 13 covers at least a portion of the heat conductor 12. The heat insulator 14 is arranged outside the plate-shaped heating element 13 and covers the plate-shaped heating element 13.

[0009] In the holder device 10 according to the present disclosure, heat is transferred from the plate-shaped heating element 13 to the drinking container through the heat conductor 12, which is larger than the plate-shaped heating element 13, and the resin-formed holder 11. In this process, the heat conductor 12 diffuses heat away from the plate-shaped heating element 13, and the resin-formed holder 11 diffuses heat away from the heat conductor 12. The heat diffused from the plate-shaped heating element 13 through the heat conductor 12 and the holder 11 is transferred to the drinking container over a large area. Moreover, the resin-formed holder 11 hinders direct heat transfer from the drinking container to the heat conductor 12 while diffusing heat from the drinking container into the resin-formed holder 11. Such heat diffusion through the resin-formed holder 11 restricts uneven temperature distribution in the heat conductor 12.Thus, heat diffuses appropriately from the plate-shaped heating element 13. The diffusion of heat from the plate-shaped heating element 13 and the thermal insulation by the thermal insulator 14 result in uniform heating of the drinking container over a wide area, while limiting an excessive increase in temperature in a local area occupied by the plate-shaped heating element 13.

[0010] The holder 11 is a molded resin component. The holder 11 can be formed from various synthetic resins. The holder 11 includes a tube 11A and a flange 11B. The tube 11A has two axial ends and a bottom wall that closes one of the two axial ends of the tube 11A. The tube 11A has an inner surface that defines a receiving cavity 11AS. The receiving cavity 11AS is sized to accommodate various drinking containers. As described above, the drinking container can be, for example, a beverage can, a drinking cup, or a beverage bottle. The holder 11 can be shaped to accommodate only a specific drinking container. In the present embodiment, the tube 11A is cylindrical. However, the tube 11A can be frustoconical or polygonal.

[0011] The flange 11B projects beyond an open end of the pipe 11A, which is one of the two ends, in a radially outward direction of the pipe 11A. The flange 11B has a through hole 11BH extending through the flange 11B in the thickness direction. The flange 11B has a bracket 11B1 and a hook 11B2. The flange 11B has a bracket 11B1. The number of hooks 11B2 is the same as the number of clips 16, which will be described later.

[0012] The flange 11B has two opposing surfaces within the flange 11B. One of the two opposing surfaces is an upper surface. The other surface is a lower surface. The bracket 11B1 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flange 11B. When viewed toward the lower surface, the bracket 11B1 extends around the through hole 11BH. Each hook 11B2 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the flange 11B in the same manner as the bracket 11B1.

[0013] The heat conductor 12 includes heat-conducting plates 12A. The heat-conducting plates 12A can be formed from various metals. In one example, the heat-conducting plates 12A are formed from aluminum. In the present embodiment, the heat conductor 12 includes three heat-conducting plates 12A. The heat-conducting plates 12A are each rectangular. The heat-conducting plates 12A are curved along an outer surface of the tube 11A. As described above, the tube 11A is round. Therefore, in a cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction of the tube 11A, the heat-conducting plates 12A are each arc-shaped, such that the center of curvature is located within the tube 11A.

[0014] In the axial direction of the tube 11A, the heat-conducting plate 12A has a smaller width than the tube 11A. The size, that is, the shape and area, of the heat conductor 12 is set so that it covers substantially the entire lower half of the tube 11A. The lower half of the tube 11A is located below the bracket 11B1 and the hook 11B2 in the axial direction of the tube 11A.

[0015] The plate-shaped heating element 13 is strip-shaped before being shaped to match the outer shape of the tube 11A. When mounted on the holder 10, the plate-shaped heating element 13 has an annular portion 13A and a curved portion 13B. The annular portion 13A is shaped to match the outer shape of the tube 11A. The annular portion 13A is shaped such that the heat-conducting plates 12A are sandwiched between the annular portion 13A and the tube 11A.

[0016] The bent portion 13B is connected to one end of the annular portion 13A. The bent portion 13B has one or more bent portions. The bent portion 13B is shaped to connect to an operating switch 15, which will be described later, thus enabling the operating switch 15 to be mounted on the flange 11B.

[0017] The plate-shaped heating element 13 has a resistance heating line 13C and a plate-shaped wire (see Fig. 6). The resistance heating line 13C runs in a plate-like manner on the annular section 13A. The plate-shaped wire is connected to the resistance heating line 13C and a circuit carrier, which will be described later (see Fig. 6), and supplies current to the resistance heating line 13C. Thus, the plate-shaped heating element 13 is configured to generate heat along the shape of the plate in the entire annular portion 13A. In contrast, the bent portion 13B includes only the plate-shaped wire. The plate-shaped heating element 13 has an insulating cover 13D. The cover 13D covers the resistance heating line 13C and the plate-shaped wire.

[0018] In the axial direction of the tube 11A, the plate-shaped heating element 13 or the annular portion 13A has a smaller width than the heat conductor 12 or the heat-conducting plate 12A. Thus, the plate-shaped heating element 13 or the annular portion 13A is smaller in size, i.e., in shape and area, than the heat conductor 12. When the holding device 10 is mounted, the annular portion 13A is located in an edge region of the heat conductor 12.

[0019] The operating switch 15 is a mechanism for supplying power to the plate-shaped heating element 13. The operating switch 15 includes an operating button 15A, a housing 15B, a gasket 15C, and a fastener 15D. The operating button 15A is configured to control the start and stop of power supply to the plate-shaped heating element 13. The housing 15B houses the circuit board, which will be described later. The circuit board is connected to the operating button 15A and the plate-shaped heating element 13. When the operating switch 15 is mounted on the holder 11, the gasket 15C is disposed between the operating button 15A and the flange 11B to restrict the ingress of liquid from the flange 11B toward the operating switch 15. The fastener 15D secures the housing 15B to the flange 11B.

[0020] The heat insulator 14 is made of resin. The heat insulator 14 is in the shape of a tube extending along the outer surface of the tube 11A. The heat insulator 14 has two ends open in the axial direction of the tube 11A. In the axial direction of the tube 11A, the heat insulator 14 has a width greater than the width of the heat-conducting plates 12A and the annular portion 13A. The size, that is, the shape and area, of the heat insulator 14 is set to cover the lower half of the tube 11A.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the heat insulator 14 has two ends in the circumferential direction of the heat insulator 14. The heat insulator 14 is elastic, so that one end is separable from the other end in the circumferential direction of the heat insulator 14. The heat insulator 14 can be formed of, for example, foam rubber or resin. Therefore, when the heat conductor 12 and the plate-shaped heating element 13 are sandwiched between the heat insulator 14 and the pipe 11A, the heat insulator 14 is simply coupled to the pipe 11A.

[0022] The retainer 10 has clips 16. The clips 16 are molded components made of resin. In the present embodiment, the retainer 10 has four clips 16. Alternatively, the retainer 10 may have three clips 16 or fewer, or five clips 16 or more. The clips 16 are each hooked onto a different one of the hooks 11B2. The clips 16 extend in the axial direction of the tube 11A. The clips 16 are provided to fix the retainer 10 to an object in which the retainer 10 is installed. The installation object of the retainer 10 is, for example, a vehicle.

[0023] The Fig. 2 shows the mounted holding device 10.

[0024] As in the Fig. 2, when the holder 10 is mounted, the heat insulator 14 covers the lower half of the pipe 11A, so that the heat-conducting plates 12A and the annular portion 13A are sandwiched between the heat insulator 14 and the pipe 11A. The clips 16 hooked to the hooks 11B2 and the casing 15B held by the bracket 11B1 are located on an outer side of the heat insulator 14 in the radial direction of the pipe 11A and above the heat insulator 14 in the axial direction of the pipe 11A. The bent portion 13B of the plate-shaped heating element 13 is not covered by the heat insulator 14.

[0025] The operating switch 15 is held by the bracket 11B1 such that the upper surface of the operating button 15A is exposed from the through-hole 11BH, as viewed toward the upper surface of the flange 11B. Thus, the operating switch 15 is attached to the holder 11. As described above, since the operating switch 15 is attached to the holder 11, the installation object of the holding device 10 does not require a separate structure for attaching the operating switch 15 in addition to the holding device 10. The operating button 15A, located in the through-hole 11BH of the flange 11B, is pressed by a user of the holding device 10.

[0026] The Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the holding device 10.

[0027] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3 and described above, the holder 11 includes the tube 11A. The tube 11A has a peripheral wall 11A1 and a bottom wall 11A2. The peripheral wall 11A1 is in the shape of a round tube that surrounds a drinking container. The bottom wall 11A2 supports the drinking container in the holder 11. The heat insulator 14 is in the shape of a round tube and covers the lower half of the peripheral wall 11A1.

[0028] The Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the structure in the Fig. Area A shown in Figure 3.

[0029] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the peripheral wall 11A1 has an outer surface that is in contact with the heat-conducting plate 12A of the heat conductor 12. Thus, the holding device 10 surrounds the drinking container and heats the drinking container. The entire drinking container is preferably heated.

[0030] The outer surface of the heat-conducting plates 12A is in contact with the annular portion 13A of the plate-shaped heating element 13. Thus, when the plate-shaped heating element 13 generates heat, the heat is transferred to the heat conductor 12 more efficiently than in a structure having a gap between the annular portion 13A and the heat-conducting plates 12A.

[0031] The heat insulator 14 may have an inner surface with a rigidity that allows deformation of the inner surface corresponding to the outer surface of the heat-conducting plates 12A and the outer surface of the annular portion 13A. As described above, the heat insulator 14 may be formed from, for example, foam rubber or resin so as to have a rigidity that allows deformation of the inner surface of the heat insulator 14 corresponding to the outer surface of the heat-conducting plates 12A and the outer surface of the annular portion 13A. Thus, no gap is formed between the heat insulator 14 and the heat-conducting plates 12A. This further restricts the dissipation of heat from the heat conductor 12 to the outside.

[0032] The structure of the actuating switch 15 will now be described with reference to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described in more detail. The Fig. 5 is a side view showing the structure of the operating switch 15. The Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the operation switch 15 in the vertical direction.

[0033] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 5 and described above, the operating switch 15 includes the operating button 15A and the housing 15B. The curved portion 13B of the plate-shaped heating element 13 includes one end connected to the annular portion 13A and an opposite end located in the housing 15B.

[0034] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the housing 15B of the operating switch 15 accommodates a circuit substrate 15E. The housing 15B has an upper housing 15B1 and a lower housing 15B2. The operating button 15A is located on the upper housing 15B1. The circuit substrate 15E is located in an upper portion of the lower housing 15B2 and is covered by the upper housing 15B1. The operating switch 15 causes the circuit substrate 15E to switch between power supply and power interruption. The operating switch 15 is configured to cause the circuit substrate 15E to switch between power supply and power interruption when the operating button 15A is pressed.

[0035] The circuit carrier 15E supplies current to the plate-shaped heating element 13. As described above, the plate-shaped heating element 13 has the resistance heating line 13C (see Fig. 1) and the plate-shaped wire 13E. The plate-shaped wire 13E includes a first end connected to the resistance heating line 13C and a second end connected to the circuit substrate 15E, the first end and the second end defining external connection terminals 13E1. The external connection terminals 13E1 of the plate-shaped wire 13E are not covered by the cover 13D.

[0036] The circuit substrate 15E has fitting holes 15EH into which the external connection terminals 13E1 of the plate-shaped wire 13E are fitted. The fitting holes 15EH extend through the circuit substrate 15E in a thickness direction of the circuit substrate 15E. The circuit substrate 15E has two fitting holes 15EH. When fitted into the fitting holes 15EH, the external connection terminals 13E1 are soldered. Specifically, solder 15E1 is applied to the circuit substrate 15E around the fitting holes 15EH. The solder 15E1 covers the fitting holes 15EH and the portions of the external connection terminals 13E1 fitted into the fitting holes 15EH.

[0037] This structure eliminates the need for an additional element between the plate-shaped heating element 13 and the circuit carrier 15E, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing the holding device 10. The additional element is, for example, a cable or a connector.

[0038] As described above, the drinking container holding device according to the first embodiment has the following advantages. (1-1) While the drinking container is heated uniformly over a large area, the temperature in a local area occupied by the plate-shaped heating element 13 is not excessively increased. (1-2) The holding device 10 surrounds the drinking container and heats the drinking container. Thus, the entire drinking container is heated preferentially. (1-3) An additional element between the plate-shaped heating element 13 and the circuit carrier 15E is not required. This reduces the cost of manufacturing the holding device 10. (1-4) Since the operation switch 15 is attached to the holder 11, the installation object of the holding device 10 does not require a separate structure for attaching the operation switch 15 in addition to the holding device 10. (1-5) The heat-conducting plates 12A each have a smaller area compared to a structure in which the heat conductor 12 has only a single heat-conducting plate. Thus, the heat-conducting plates 12A are easy to handle.

[0039] The embodiment can be modified as follows. [Operating switch]

[0040] The operating switch 15 does not necessarily have to be attached to the holder 11. In this case, for example, the operating switch 15 can be attached to the installation object of the holding device 10 in a position separate from the holder 11. [Plate-shaped heating element]

[0041] The external connection terminals 13E1 of the plate-shaped heating element 13 do not necessarily have to be soldered to the circuit board 15E. In this case, for example, wires may be arranged between the circuit board 15E and the external connection terminals 13E1 of the plate-shaped heating element 13 to connect the external connection terminals 13E1 to the circuit board 15E. [heat conductor]

[0042] The heat conductor 12 may comprise a heat-conducting plate which, with reference to the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 is described.

[0043] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 7, each heat-conducting plate 22A is hexagonal. The heat-conducting plate 22A has the shape of a hexagon obtained by cutting off two corners of a rectangle that are adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction. The heat-conducting plate 22A has two ends 22A1 in the longitudinal direction.

[0044] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 8, a peripheral wall 21A1 has a tubular surface shaped like a truncated cone. The heat-conducting plates 22A of the heat conductor 12 are attached to an outer surface of the peripheral wall 21A1. Each heat-conducting plate 22A is attached to the outer surface such that one side of the heat-conducting plate 22A extends in a circumferential direction of the outer surface. The heat-conducting plate 22A has ends 22A1, each of which overlaps one end of an adjacent heat-conducting plate among the heat-conducting plates 22A.

[0045] The heat conductor 12 described above has the following advantages.

[0046] The heat conductor is arranged on the frustoconical peripheral wall 21A1 such that the heat-conducting plates 22A are aligned flush with each other in a vertical position and surround the peripheral wall 21A1. Thus, even if the holder 11 has a tubular surface shaped like a truncated cone, a desired area of ​​the drinking container is preferentially heated.

[0047] The hexagonal heat-conducting plate 22A has the following advantages over a rectangular heat-conducting plate 22A. When a rectangular heat-conducting plate is wrapped around an outer surface of the truncated conical peripheral wall 21A1, longitudinal ends of the heat-conducting plate are located above a longitudinal centerline of the heat-conducting plate in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21A1. In this regard, if the longitudinal centerline of the heat-conducting plate is increased in width, the longitudinal ends may exceed a coverage area that must be covered by the heat-conducting plate in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 21A1. Thus, to maintain the rectangular shape of the heat-conducting plate, the heat-conducting plate must be reduced in width so that the longitudinal ends do not exceed the coverage area.

[0048] In the hexagonal heat-conducting plate 22A, the corners of the longitudinal ends are cut off. This allows the hexagonal heat-conducting plate 22A to have a larger width, allowing the longitudinal ends of the rectangular heat-conducting plate 22A to exceed the coverage area. In other words, even if the heat-conducting plate 22A is increased in width, the longitudinal ends are unlikely to exceed the coverage area compared to a rectangular heat-conducting plate. As a result, the area over which the heat conductor 12 transfers heat from the plate-shaped heating element 13 can be expanded.

[0049] The heat conductor 12 may have two heat-conducting plates 12A or fewer, or four heat-conducting plates 12A or more. When the heat conductor 12 has two heat-conducting plates 12A or more, the heat-conducting plates 12A may be attached to the holder 10 such that two heat-conducting plates 12A or more are adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the tube 11A.

[0050] The heat conductor 12 can be arranged outside the holder 11 on the outer side of the bottom wall 11A2, without being arranged on the outer side of the peripheral wall 11A1. In this case, the plate-shaped heating element 13 and the heat insulator 14 can also be located only on the outer side of the bottom wall 11A2. This structure also achieves an advantage corresponding to the above-mentioned advantage (1-1). Second embodiment

[0051] A second embodiment of a drinking container holding device will now be described with reference to the Fig. 9. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the form of a heat-conducting plate of a heat conductor. Therefore, the differences will be described in detail. Components of the drinking cup holder device other than the heat conductor will not be described in detail.

[0052] The Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat conductor.

[0053] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the heat conductor includes a single heat-conducting plate 32. The heat-conducting plate 32 is strip-shaped and is wound around an outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface. The heat-conducting plate 32 has slits 32S. Each of the slits 32S extends from a circumferentially extending side of the outer surface in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the outer surface. The slits 32S are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer surface.

[0054] In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 9, the heat-conducting plate 32 is sized to cover the lower half of the peripheral wall 11A1 in the same manner as the heat-conducting plates 12A of the first embodiment. The heat-conducting plate 32 has two opposite sides in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 11A1. One of the two sides is an upper side, and the other is a lower side. The slits 32S extend from the lower side toward the upper side in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 11A1. The slits 32S are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0055] Therefore, when the heat-conducting plate 32 is wound around the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1, the width of the slots 32S in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11A1 can be changed compared to a state before the heat-conducting plate 32 was wound. Furthermore, when the heat-conducting plate 32 is wound around the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1, the portion located between adjacent slots 32S is deformable. Thus, the heat-conducting plate 32, including the slots 32S, can be easily mounted according to the structure of the holder 11.

[0056] Each slot 32S includes an end located at the bottom, defining a basal end, and an end located between the bottom and top, defining a distal end. The heat-conducting plate 32 has a through-hole 32H as a continuation of a distal end of the slot 32S. The through-holes 32H extend through the heat-conducting plate 32 in the thickness direction of the heat-conducting plate 32. When viewed toward the outer surface of the heat-conducting plate 32, the contour of the through-hole 32H is circular.

[0057] As described above, the heat-conducting plate 32 has the through holes 32H as continuations of the distal ends of the slots 32S. Therefore, when the portions of the heat-conducting plate 32 located between adjacent slots 32S are deformed in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11A1 or bent in the radial direction of the peripheral wall 11A1, the heat-conducting plate 32 is less likely to be torn at the distal ends of the slots 32S.

[0058] As described above, the drinking container holding device according to the second embodiment has the following advantage in addition to the above-described advantages (1-1) to (1-4): (2-1) The heat-conducting plate 32 is fixed in a simple manner according to the structure of the holder 11.

[0059] The second embodiment can be modified as follows. [Thermally conductive plate]

[0060] The through holes 32H may be omitted from the heat-conducting plate 32. Also in this case, the heat-conducting plate 32 with the slots 32S achieves an advantage according to the above-described advantage (2-1).

[0061] The direction in which the slits 32S extend is not limited to the axial direction of the peripheral wall 11A1, but may be a direction extending from the bottom toward the top and intersecting the axial direction. In this case, an advantage according to the above-mentioned advantage (2-1) is also achieved.

[0062] The slots 32S may extend from the top toward the bottom of the heat-conducting plate 32. Specifically, the basal end of the slot 32S may be located at the top, and the distal end may be located between the top and bottom. In this case, the following advantages are achieved.

[0063] (2-2) For example, when the peripheral wall 11A1 has the shape of a truncated cone extending in the axial direction, the width of the slot 32S in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11A1 can be gradually increased in the axial direction, that is, the direction extending from the bottom toward the top of the heat-conducting plate 32. Thus, the single heat-conducting plate 32 is easily mounted corresponding to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1.

[0064] The width of the heat-conducting plate 32 may be larger than the width of the lower half of the peripheral wall 11A1. In this case, the distal end of the slot 32S may be located above the bottom wall 11A2. This structure achieves the following advantages.

[0065] (2-3) The portions of the heat-conducting plate 32 with the slots 32S may extend beyond the peripheral wall 11A1 toward the bottom wall 11A2. The portions extending to the bottom surface of the bottom wall 11A2 may be attached to the bottom surface such that the extended portions are bent. The heat-conducting plate 32 transfers heat generated by the plate-shaped heating element 13 along the bottom wall 11A2.

[0066] When the peripheral wall 11A1 is in the shape of a truncated cone extending in the axial direction and the slits 32S are arranged at equal intervals, the portions of the heat-conducting plate 32 covering a lower portion of the peripheral wall 11A1 overlap each other, and the portions of the heat-conducting plate 32 covering the bottom wall 11A2 overlap each other. Specifically, at the portions of the heat-conducting plate 32 covering the bottom wall 11A2, the overlap is increased, thus increasing the volume of the heat-conducting plate 32 per unit area. Therefore, even if the plate-shaped heating element 13 is located only on the peripheral wall 11A1, heat generated by the plate-shaped heating element 13 is easily transferred to the bottom wall 11A2. As a result, the entire holder 11 is easily heated. Further modified examples

[0067] The drinking container holding device according to the second embodiment can be realized by combining the modified example of the first embodiment relating to the operation switch 15 with the modified example of the first embodiment relating to the plate-shaped heating element 13. Third embodiment

[0068] A third embodiment of a drinking container holding device will now be described with reference to the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of a heat-conducting plate of a heat conductor and the structure of a heat insulator. Therefore, the differences will be described in detail. Components of the drinking cup holder device other than the heat conductor and the heat insulator will not be described in detail.

[0069] The Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat conductor.

[0070] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 10, a heat conductor 42 includes a peripheral wall plate 42A and a bottom wall plate 42B. The peripheral wall plate 42A is in the shape of a round tube extending along the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1. The peripheral wall plate 42A is a single strip-shaped plate extending along the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1.

[0071] The bottom wall plate 42B has a bottom wall portion 42B1 and a side wall portion 42B2. The bottom wall portion 42B1 is circular and extends along the bottom wall 11A2. The side wall portion 42B2 is annular and extends upward from the edge of the bottom wall portion 42B1. The side wall portion 42B2 has slits 42BS. Each slit 42BS has a distal end at the edge of the bottom wall portion 42B1 and extends through the side wall portion 42B2 in the axial direction of the peripheral wall 11A1. The slits 42BS are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11A1.

[0072] The edge of the bottom wall portion 42B1 has through holes 42BH. The through holes 42BH extend through the bottom wall portion 42B1 in the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 42B1. The through holes 42BH are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the peripheral wall 11A1. Each of the through holes 42BH is continuous with a different one of the slots 42BS. Therefore, when the side wall portion 42B2 is bent, the bottom wall plate 42B is less likely to be torn at the distal ends of the slots 42BS.

[0073] When the heat conductor 42 is coupled to the holder 10, the side wall portion 42B2 of the bottom wall plate 42B covers the lower end of the peripheral wall plate 42A. Thus, heat generated by the plate-shaped heating element 13 is transferred through the peripheral wall plate 42A to the bottom wall plate 42B. When the heat conductor 42 is coupled to the holder 10, the bottom wall portion 42B1 of the bottom wall plate 42B is in contact with the bottom surface of the bottom wall 11A2. Due to its weight, the drinking container is continuously in contact with the bottom wall 11A2, which is the heat source. Thus, the drinking container is preferentially heated.

[0074] The Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing the structure of a heat insulator.

[0075] As in the Fig.As shown in Figure 11, a heat insulator 44 includes a side wall portion 44A and a bottom wall portion 44B. The side wall portion 44A is in the shape of a round tube extending along the outer surface of the peripheral wall 11A1. The bottom wall portion 44B is disc-shaped corresponding to the shape of the bottom wall 11A2. When the heat insulator 44 is coupled to the holder 10, the side wall portion 44A covers the outer surface of the peripheral wall plate 42A, and the bottom wall portion 44B covers the bottom surface of the bottom wall plate 42B.

[0076] As described above, the drinking container holding device according to the third embodiment has the following advantage in addition to the advantages (1-1) to (1-4): (3-1) Due to its weight, the drinking container is in continuous contact with the heat source. This ensures that the drinking container is heated preferentially.

[0077] The third embodiment can be modified as follows. [Thermally conductive plate]

[0078] The through holes 42BH may be omitted from the bottom wall plate 42B. Also in this case, the heat conductor 42 with the bottom wall plate 42B achieves an advantage according to the advantage (3-1) described above.

[0079] The slits 42BS may be omitted from the bottom wall plate 42B. Also in this case, the bottom wall plate 42B, which includes the bottom wall portion 42B1 and the side wall portion 42B2, can be formed, for example, by forming gathers in the edge portion between the bottom wall portion 42B1 and the side wall portion 42B2 when the side wall portion 42B2 is bent upward from the bottom wall portion 42B1. Also in this case, the heat conductor 42 with the bottom wall plate 42B achieves an advantage corresponding to the above-described advantage (3-1). [Plate-shaped heating element]

[0080] The plate-shaped heating element may be arranged outside the bottom wall plate 42B in addition to the outer side of the peripheral wall plate 42A. In this case, the drinking container held by the holding device 10 is heated in an even simpler manner.

[0081] The plate-shaped heating element may be arranged on the outer side of the bottom wall plate 42B without being arranged on the outer side of the peripheral wall plate 42A. In this case, too, heat generated by the plate-shaped heating element is transferred through the bottom wall plate 42B to the peripheral wall plate 42A. Thus, the entire drinking container is easily heated. Further modified examples

[0082] The drinking container holding device according to the third embodiment can be realized by combining the modified example of the first embodiment relating to the operation switch 15 with the modified example of the first embodiment relating to the plate-shaped heating element 13.

[0083] The heat insulator 44 of the drinking container holding device according to the third embodiment can be combined with the drinking container holding device according to the first embodiment.

[0084] The drinking container holder according to the third embodiment can be implemented in combination with the drinking container holder according to the second embodiment. Specifically, in the drinking container holder according to the second embodiment, the heat conductor may further include the bottom wall plate 42B of the heat conductor 42 according to the third embodiment in addition to the heat-conducting plate 32. The drinking container holder according to the second embodiment may include the heat insulator 44 of the drinking container holder according to the third embodiment. [Principle challenge]

[0085] The drinking container holder according to the present disclosure addresses a fundamental challenge, namely increasing comfort in a vehicle cabin when the drinking container holder is used in a vehicle. In particular, the drinking container holder solves a problem by increasing the usability of a drinking container holder. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2016-068854

[0003]

Claims

[1] Drinking container holding device intended for heating a drinking container, the drinking container holding device comprising: a holder formed of resin, provided for holding the drinking container in the holder; a plate-shaped heat conductor arranged outside the holder and having a higher thermal conductivity than the holder; a plate-shaped heating element arranged outside the heat conductor, the plate-shaped heating element being smaller than the heat conductor; and a heat insulator covering the plate-shaped heating element on an outer side of the plate-shaped heating element. [2] Drinking container holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a round tubular peripheral wall intended to surround the drinking container, and wherein the peripheral wall has an outer surface which is in contact with the heat conductor. [3] Drinking container holder according to claim 2, wherein the heat conductor comprises heat-conducting plates. [4] Drinking container holding device according to claim 3, where the peripheral wall is frustoconical and wherein each of the heat-conducting plates is hexagonal and is attached to the outer surface of the peripheral wall such that one side of each respective heat-conducting plate extends in a circumferential direction of the outer surface of the peripheral wall. [5] Drinking container holding device according to claim 2, wherein the heat conductor comprises a single strip-shaped heat-conducting plate wound around the outer surface of the peripheral wall in a circumferential direction of the outer surface, wherein the heat-conducting plate has slits extending from a side extending in the circumferential direction in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction, and wherein the slots are arranged at a distance from one another in the circumferential direction. [6] Drinking container holding device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the holder has a bottom wall provided for supporting the drinking container, and wherein the bottom wall has a bottom surface which is in contact with the heat conductor. [7] Drinking container holding device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a circuit carrier configured to supply current to the plate-shaped heating element, wherein the plate-shaped heating element comprises: a resistance heating cable extending in a plate-like manner, and a plate-shaped wire having a first end connected to the resistance heating line and a second end connected to the circuit carrier, the second end defining an external connection terminal, wherein the circuit substrate has a fitting hole into which the external connection terminal of the plate-shaped wire is fitted, and where the external connection terminal is fitted into the fitting hole and soldered. [8] Drinking container holding device according to claim 7, further comprising: an actuating switch which accommodates the circuit carrier and is designed to switch between the supply of power and the interruption of power to the circuit carrier, wherein the operating switch is attached to the holder.

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