Container holder

Abstract

To provide a container holder, which is utilized as an input device for speed-change operation.SOLUTION: A container holder comprises a holder main body which comprises a storage part comprising a space in which a lower part of a beverage container can be stored and a support part having an inner diameter dimension smaller than an inner diameter dimension of the storage part and is positioned upper than the storage part. The container holder has a position detecting unit, provided on the storage part of the holder main body, which can detect a position of the lower part of the beverage container. The container holder has a control circuit board, communicably connected to the position detecting unit, which outputs a speed-change signal on the basis of a signal from the position detecting unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a container holder. [Background technology]

[0002] When a driver performs a gear change operation using a shift lever or the like, the gear change mechanism mounted on the vehicle is shifted up or down (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also, in computer devices such as video game devices and simulation devices, a virtual vehicle model is shifted up or down by the user's gear change operation (see Patent Document 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-221793 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-67324 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-200140 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, input devices such as shift levers are dedicated products, but using dedicated products increases costs, so there is a demand for using other equipment as input devices for gear shifting operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the present disclosure, a container holder includes a holder body including a storage section having a space for storing a lower portion of a beverage container, and a support section having an inner diameter smaller than that of the storage section and positioned above the storage section. The container holder includes a position detection unit provided in the storage section of the holder body and capable of detecting the position of the lower portion of the beverage container. The container holder includes a control circuit board communicatively connected to the position detection unit and configured to output a speed change signal based on a signal from the position detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, the container holder can be used as an input device for speed change operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the power unit and the control system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the basic structure of an electronic control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a container holder according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 5A is a plan view showing the container holder as viewed from the direction of arrow 5A in FIG. [Figure 5B] 5B is a cross-sectional view of the container holder taken along line 5B-5B of FIG. [Figure 5C] 5C is a cross-sectional view of the container holder taken along line 5C-5C of FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing a container holder with a beverage container inserted therein. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the container holder and beverage container taken along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a container holder with a beverage container inserted therein. [Figure 7B]7B is a cross-sectional view of the container holder and beverage container taken along line 7B-7B of FIG. 7A. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a shift pattern determined by the control circuit board. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a modified example of the position detection unit. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a modified example of the position detection unit. [Figure 9C] FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a modified example of the position detection unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the support portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of use of the container holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, identical or substantially identical configurations and elements will be designated by the same reference numerals and repeated description will be omitted.

[0009] <Vehicle> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 has a power unit 13 consisting of an engine 11 and a transmission 12. An output shaft 14 of the power unit 13 is connected to wheels 17 via a propeller shaft 15 and a differential mechanism 16. The vehicle 10 also has a center console 19 adjacent to a driver's seat 18. A container holder 21 for holding a beverage container 20 such as a plastic bottle is attached to the center console 19. The container holder 21 is also called a drink holder, cup holder, bottle holder, or the like.

[0010] <Power unit> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the power unit 13 and the control system 22. As shown in FIG. 2, engine 11 is equipped with engine accessories 23, such as a throttle valve and an injector. An engine control unit 24 is connected to the engine accessories 23, and the engine accessories 23 are controlled by control signals from the engine control unit 24. The power unit 13 also has a valve body 26, which includes an electromagnetic valve and the like, to control a speed change mechanism 25 incorporated in the transmission 12. An oil pump 27 is connected to the valve body 26, and hydraulic oil pumped from the oil pump 27 is supplied via the valve body 26 to a clutch (not shown) and other components of the speed change mechanism 25. A transmission control unit 28 is also connected to the valve body 26 to control the speed change mechanism 25 via the valve body 26. The speed change mechanism 25 may be a planetary gear or parallel shaft automatic transmission, or a belt or chain continuously variable transmission.

[0011] <Control System> As shown in FIG. 2 , the vehicle 10 has a control system 22 consisting of a plurality of electronic control units for controlling the power unit 13. The vehicle 10 has the engine control unit 24 and the transmission control unit 28 described above as electronic control units that make up the control system 22, as well as a vehicle control unit (computer device) 30 that outputs control signals to the control units 24 and 28. These control units 24, 28, and 30 are communicably connected to one another via an in-vehicle network 31 such as a CAN. The vehicle control unit 30 sets operation targets for the engine 11, the transmission mechanism 25, and the like based on input information from the various control units and various sensors described below. The vehicle control unit 30 then generates control signals corresponding to the operation targets of the engine 11, the transmission mechanism 25, and the like, and outputs these control signals to the engine control unit 24 and the transmission control unit 28.

[0012] Sensors connected to the vehicle control unit 30 include a vehicle speed sensor 32 that detects vehicle speed, an accelerator sensor 33 that detects accelerator pedal operation status, and a brake sensor 34 that detects brake pedal operation status. A power switch 35 for activating the control system 22 and a container holder 21 equipped with a board unit 36 are also connected to the vehicle control unit 30. As will be described later, the container holder 21 connected to the vehicle control unit 30 functions as an input device for shifting operations in manual shifting mode. The vehicle control unit 30 has two shifting modes for the transmission mechanism 25: an automatic shifting mode in which the transmission mechanism 25 automatically shifts gears based on the vehicle speed and accelerator opening, and a manual shifting mode in which the transmission mechanism 25 shifts gears based on a shift signal from the container holder 21.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the basic structure of the electronic control units 24, 28, 30. As shown in Fig. 3, the electronic control units 24, 28, 30 have a microcontroller 42 incorporating a processor 40, a main memory 41, and the like. A predetermined program is stored in the main memory 41, and the program is executed by the processor 40. The processor 40 and the main memory 41 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. Note that the microcontroller 42 may incorporate multiple processors, or may incorporate multiple main memories.

[0014] The electronic control units 24, 28, and 30 each include an input circuit 43, a drive circuit 44, a communication circuit 45, an external memory 46, and a power supply circuit 47. The input circuit 43 converts signals input from various sensors into signals that can be input to the microcontroller 42. The drive circuit 44 generates drive signals for devices such as the valve body 26 based on signals output from the microcontroller 42. The communication circuit 45 converts signals output from the microcontroller 42 into communication signals directed to other electronic control units. The communication circuit 45 also converts communication signals received from other electronic control units into signals that can be input to the microcontroller 42. The power supply circuit 47 supplies a stable power supply voltage to the microcontroller 42, the input circuit 43, the drive circuit 44, the communication circuit 45, the external memory 46, and the like. The external memory 46, which may be a nonvolatile memory or the like, stores programs and various data.

[0015] <Container holder> Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5A is a plan view showing container holder 21 from the direction of arrow 5A in Fig. 4, Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 taken along line 5B-5B in Fig. 4, and Fig. 5C is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 taken along line 5C-5C in Fig. 4.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the container holder 21 has a cylindrical holder body 50 with a bottom. As shown in FIG. 5A, a rubber plate 51 having a central hole 51a and multiple slits 51b is attached to the upper end of the holder body 50. As shown in FIG. 5B, an annular support plate 52 having a central hole 52a is attached to the inner wall surface 50a of the holder body 50. As shown in FIG. 5C, a position detection unit 53 consisting of six distance sensors (position sensors) S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6 is attached to the inner wall surface 50a of the holder body 50. The six distance sensors S1 to S6 constituting the position detection unit 53 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface 50a. Note that ultrasonic sensors that emit ultrasonic waves to detect distance can be used as the distance sensors S1 to S6.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5B, and 5C, container holder 21 has a storage section 54 with an inner diameter D1 and a support section 55 with an inner diameter D2 smaller than inner diameter D1. A position detection unit 53 is provided in storage section 54, and a support plate 52 is provided on support section 55 located above storage section 54. A board unit 36 including a control circuit board 56 communicatively connected to position detection unit 53 is attached to holder body 50 of container holder 21. Control circuit board 56 includes a printed circuit board 57, a microcontroller 58 mounted on printed circuit board 57, and an external memory 59 mounted on printed circuit board 57. Microcontroller 58 includes a processor 60 and a main memory 61, and external memory 59 is configured as a non-volatile memory.

[0018] <Speed change operation using container holder> Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 with beverage container 20 inserted, and Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 and beverage container 20 along line 6B-6B in Fig. 6A. Similarly, Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 with beverage container 20 inserted, and Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing container holder 21 and beverage container 20 along line 7B-7B in Fig. 7A. Note that in Figs. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, point C1 indicates the center position of the upper end of beverage container 20. Figs. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B also show container holder 21 with substrate unit 36 removed.

[0019] 6A, the central hole 52a of the support plate 52 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the beverage container 20. When attaching the beverage container 20 to the container holder 21, the beverage container 20 is inserted into the central hole 52a of the support plate 52, and the lower portion 20b of the beverage container 20 is accommodated in the space 54a of the accommodation portion 54. As described above, the inner diameter D1 of the accommodation portion 54 is larger than the inner diameter D2 of the support portion 55, so that the radial movement of the middle portion 20m of the beverage container 20 is restricted by the support portion 55, while a sufficient gap is secured around the lower portion 20b of the beverage container 20. In other words, the beverage container 20 attached to the container holder 21 is tiltably supported with the middle portion 20m as a fulcrum, allowing the driver to hold and operate the beverage container 20 by holding the upper portion 20t of the beverage container 20.

[0020] 7A, when the driver moves the upper part 20t of the beverage container 20 in the direction of arrow A1, the beverage container 20 tilts with the middle part 20m as a fulcrum, and the lower part 20b of the beverage container 20 moves in the direction of arrow A2, which is opposite to the direction of arrow A1. At this time, the displacement of the lower part 20b of the beverage container 20 is detected by the position detection unit 53, and the control circuit board 56 can determine the operation direction of the upper part 20t of the beverage container 20 based on the signal from the position detection unit 53.

[0021] That is, as shown in Fig. 6B, when the beverage container 20 is upright in the container holder 21, the distance GN to the beverage container 20 detected by each of the distance sensors S1 to S6 is approximately constant. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7B, when the driver moves the upper portion 20t of the beverage container 20 in the direction of arrow A1, the distance to the beverage container 20 detected by each of the distance sensors S1 to S6 changes from the aforementioned distance GN. That is, the distances G1, G4, G5, and G6 to the beverage container 20 detected by the distance sensors S1, S4, S5, and S6 become longer than the distance GN. Meanwhile, the distances G2 and G3 to the beverage container 20 detected by the distance sensors S2 and S3 become shorter than the distance GN.

[0022] In this way, the distance to the beverage container 20 detected by each distance sensor S1 to S6 (hereinafter referred to as distance data) changes depending on the position at which the driver operates the beverage container 20. Therefore, the microcontroller 58 of the control circuit board 56 can determine the position at which the driver operates the beverage container 20 based on the distance data, which is a signal from each distance sensor S1 to S6.

[0023] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a shift pattern determined by the control circuit board 56. As indicated by the symbol Xa in FIG. 8, the external memory 59 of the control circuit board 56 stores shift patterns for first to sixth gears. That is, the external memory 59 of the control circuit board 56 stores distance data (hereinafter referred to as gear data) corresponding to each of the first to sixth gears. The microcontroller 58 of the control circuit board 56 compares the distance data transmitted from each distance sensor S1 to S6 with the gear data stored in the external memory 59 to determine the position of the beverage container 20 operated by the driver. The microcontroller 58 of the control circuit board 56 then outputs a gear shift signal to the vehicle control unit 30 in accordance with the operated position of the beverage container 20. The vehicle control unit 30 outputs a control signal in accordance with the gear shift signal to the transmission control unit 28, and the transmission control unit 28 controls the transmission mechanism 25 based on the control signal.

[0024] For example, as shown by the arrow α in Figure 8, when the driver moves the upper part 20t of the beverage container 20 from the neutral position PN to the first gear position P1, the lower part 20b of the beverage container 20 moves from the position BN indicated by the dashed line to the position B1 indicated by the solid line. At this time, the control circuit board 56 determines that the lower part 20b of the beverage container 20 has moved to position B1, i.e., that a gear shift operation to first gear has been performed, based on the distance data transmitted from each of the distance sensors S1 to S6. The control circuit board 56 then outputs a gear shift signal corresponding to first gear to the vehicle control unit 30. When the driver releases the operation of the beverage container 20, the repulsive force of the rubber plate 51 causes the beverage container 20 to return to the neutral position PN.

[0025] 8, when the driver moves the upper portion 20t of the beverage container 20 from the neutral position PN to the second-gear position P2, the lower portion 20b of the beverage container 20 moves from the position BN indicated by the dashed line to the position B2 indicated by the solid line. At this time, the control circuit board 56 determines, based on the distance data transmitted from each of the distance sensors S1 to S6, that the lower portion 20b of the beverage container 20 has moved to position B2, i.e., that a gear shift operation to second gear has been performed. The control circuit board 56 then outputs a gear shift signal corresponding to second gear to the vehicle control unit 30. When the driver releases the operation of the beverage container 20, the repulsive force of the rubber plate 51 causes the beverage container 20 to return to the neutral position PN.

[0026] In this way, the control circuit board 56 determines the operating positions P1 to P6 of the beverage container 20 by comparing the distance data with the gear data, and outputs a gear shift signal corresponding to the operating position of the beverage container 20 to the vehicle control unit 30. This allows the container holder 21 to be used as an input device for gear shifting, thereby increasing the uses of the container holder 21 and enhancing the value of the container holder 21. Furthermore, because the container holder 21 can be used as an input device for gear shifting, there is no need to install an input device such as a shift lever on the center console 19, etc., and space in the vehicle interior can be used more effectively.

[0027] As described above, the vehicle control unit 30 has two transmission modes for the transmission mechanism 25: an automatic transmission mode in which the transmission mechanism 25 automatically changes gears based on the vehicle speed and accelerator opening, and a manual transmission mode in which the transmission mechanism 25 changes gears based on a transmission signal from the container holder 21. Therefore, the vehicle control unit 30 switches the transmission mode to the manual transmission mode based on a predetermined operation by the driver. For example, as shown by the arrow γ in Figure 8, the transmission mode can be switched from the automatic transmission mode to the manual transmission mode by moving the beverage container 20 left or right from the neutral position PN.

[0028] <Various modified examples> In the example shown in Fig. 5C, the position detection unit 53 is made up of six distance sensors S1 to S6, but this is not limiting and the number of distance sensors S1 to S6 making up the position detection unit 53 may be changed. Here, Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C are diagrams showing modified examples of the position detection unit. Fig. 9A, Fig. 9B and Fig. 9C show the same parts as Fig. 5C.

[0029] 9A, a position detection unit 72 consisting of two distance sensors (position sensors) 70, 71 is attached to an inner wall surface 50a of the holder main body 50. The two distance sensors 70, 71 constituting the position detection unit 72 are attached in positions that do not face each other. Even when the position detection unit 72 is formed by these distance sensors 70, 71, it is possible to detect the position of the beverage container 20.

[0030] 9B, a position detection unit 75 consisting of two distance sensors (position sensors) 73, 74 is attached to the inner wall surface 50a of the holder main body 50. The two distance sensors 73, 74 constituting the position detection unit 75 are attached in positions facing each other. Even when the position detection unit 75 is composed of these distance sensors 73, 74, it is possible to detect the position of the beverage container 20.

[0031] 9C, a position detection unit 77 consisting of one distance sensor (position sensor) 76 is attached to the inner wall surface 50a of the holder main body 50. Even when the position detection unit 77 is configured with such one distance sensor 76, it is possible to detect the position of the beverage container 20. For example, when a sequential shift pattern that operates the beverage container 20 back and forth is adopted, the position detection unit 77 can be configured with one distance sensor 76.

[0032] In the example shown in Fig. 5B, the support portion 55 of the holder main body 50 is configured by an annular support plate 52, but is not limited to this. Here, Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the support portion 55, and Fig. 10 shows the same portion as Fig. 5B. As shown in Fig. 10, a plurality of protrusions 78 extending toward the center of the holder main body 50 are attached to the inner wall surface 50a of the holder main body 50. In this way, even when the support portion 79 is configured by a plurality of protrusions 78, the beverage container 20 can be tiltably supported by the support portion 79.

[0033] <Other use cases> In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container holder 21 is connected to a vehicle control unit (computer equipment) 30 mounted on the vehicle 10, but this is not limited to this, and the container holder 21 may also be connected to computer equipment 80 such as a video game device or a simulation device.

[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates another example of use of the container holder 21. As shown in FIG. 11, a computer device 80, such as a video game device, has a computing unit 83 including a microcontroller 81 and an external memory 82. The computing unit 83 stores a parameterized virtual vehicle model and can control the power unit of the virtual vehicle model based on an external gearshift signal. A container holder 21 is connected to the computer device 80, and the container holder 21 outputs a gearshift signal to the computer device 80. This allows a user of the computer device 80 to control the virtual vehicle model of the computer device 80 by manipulating the beverage container 20. In this way, the container holder 21 can be used as an input device for gearshift operation, thereby increasing the uses of the container holder 21 and enhancing its value. The microcontroller 81 includes a processor and a main memory.

[0035] <Other variations> The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment and may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the rubber plate 51 is attached to the holder main body 50, but this is not limiting. The rubber plate 51 may be detached from the holder main body 50. In the above description, distance sensors S1-S6, 70, 71, 73, 74, and 76, such as ultrasonic sensors, capable of detecting the distance to the beverage container 20 are used as position sensors constituting the position detection unit 53. However, this is not limiting. For example, a limit switch equipped with a plunger or the like may also be used as the position sensor. Even when such a limit switch, which is a contact-type position sensor, is used, it is possible to detect the contact state of the beverage container 20 with the plunger and thus detect the position of the beverage container 20.

[0036] 1, the container holder 21 is attached to a vehicle 10 equipped with a transmission 12, but this is not limiting and the container holder 21 may also be attached to a vehicle that does not have a transmission 12. For example, even in an electric vehicle (vehicle) driven by an electric motor, it is possible to reproduce upshift and downshift behavior by controlling the vehicle acceleration based on a gear shift signal from the container holder 21. Furthermore, in the above description, the control circuit board 56 is configured with a microcontroller 58, etc., but this is not limiting and the control circuit board 56 may be configured with an analog circuit including an operational amplifier, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10...vehicle, 20...beverage container, 20b...lower part, 21...container holder, 30...vehicle control unit (computer equipment), 50...holder body, 50a...inner wall surface, 53...position detection unit, 54...accommodation section, 54a...space, 55...support part, 56...control circuit board, 70, 71...distance sensor (position sensor), 72...position detection unit, 73, 74...distance sensor (position sensor), 75...position detection unit, 76...distance sensor (position sensor), 77...position detection unit, 79...support part, 80...computer equipment, S1 to S6...distance sensors (position sensors), D1, D2...inner diameter dimension

Claims

1. 1. A container holder for holding a beverage container, comprising: a holder body including: a storage portion having a space capable of storing a lower portion of the beverage container; and a support portion having an inner diameter smaller than that of the storage portion and positioned above the storage portion; a position detection unit provided in the accommodation portion of the holder body and capable of detecting the position of a lower portion of the beverage container; a control circuit board communicatively connected to the position detection unit and outputting a speed change signal based on a signal from the position detection unit; having Container holder.

2. 2. The container holder according to claim 1, the position detection unit is composed of a plurality of position sensors attached to an inner wall surface of the holder body; Container holder.

3. 3. The container holder according to claim 2, The position sensor is a distance sensor capable of detecting a distance to the beverage container. Container holder.

4. The container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control circuit board outputs the shift signal to a computer device mounted on the vehicle; Container holder.

5. The container holder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the control circuit board outputs the shift signal to a computer device having a virtual vehicle model; Container holder.

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