Adjustable Cup Holder with Biased Retainer for Tall Bottle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders in motor vehicles are not effectively designed to securely hold tall cups and bottles, leading to potential driver distraction and spill risks due to instability.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable cup holder with a base, a displaceable retainer, and biasing elements, including compression springs, that allows the retention ring to move between a home and deployed position, providing stable holding for both short and tall items by adjusting its position relative to the cup wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cup holder is designed with a fixed structure, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot securely hold tall cups and bottles
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed to be displaceable between a home position and a deployed position, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. The biasing element enables automatic movement of the retainer based on the size of the inserted object, allowing the cup holder to adapt to both short and tall items without requiring multiple fixed configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the retention ring is changed by displacing the retainer between two positions. When the retainer moves to the deployed position, the retention ring moves higher to accommodate tall bottles; when in the home position, it sits lower for short cups. This parameter change in retention ring position enables versatility without complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the retainer is designed to automatically adjust position, then it can hold both short and tall items, but it requires additional biasing elements and latching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is segmented into distinct functional components: the base with cup wells, the support structure with posts, the retainer with retention ring, the biasing element (compression spring), and the latching mechanism with followers and guide channels. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system manageable despite the added complexity for automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing element automatically pushes the retainer to the deployed position when a tall item is inserted, and the latching mechanism automatically locks the retainer in place. When a short item is inserted, the retainer returns to the home position automatically. This self-service behavior eliminates the need for manual adjustment or external control systems.
3Reliability
If the retainer is held in the deployed position, then tall bottles are securely held, but the structure requires more force to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element (compression spring) acts as a counterforce mechanism that pushes the retainer toward the deployed position. This counteracts the gravitational force and any destabilizing forces that might cause the retainer to drop, ensuring that tall bottles are held securely without requiring additional external force or complex locking systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channels in the guide track are designed with curved paths that guide the followers smoothly between positions. The curvature of the guide channels helps distribute the force required to move and hold the retainer, reducing peak forces and making the system more efficient at maintaining the deployed position for tall items.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable cup holder ensures stable positioning of tall cups and bottles, reducing driver distraction and spill risks by securely holding items in various sizes, enhancing safety and convenience during vehicle operation.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element, which may include first and second compression springs, for biasing the retainer toward the deployed position
Implementation Method 2
The first follower slides along the first guide channel and the second follower slides along the second guide channel
Data Source
AI summary
A adjustable cup holder includes a base, a retainer and a biasing element. The base includes a first cup well and a second cup well, the retainer is carried on the base and is displaceable between a home position and a raised or deployed position for holding taller items in a more stable manner. The biasing element biases the retainer toward the deployed position.