Adjustable Beverage Holder With Locking Spine for Container Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage holding devices in vehicles are limited in accommodating beverage containers of varying heights and configurations due to fixed cup-holders and lack of adjustability, leading to instability and improper positioning of containers.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable beverage holding device with a moveable upper support and fixation mechanism that allows for multiple positions along a spine, coupled with compressible members for stabilization and a swivel mechanism for versatility, enabling secure holding of containers of different heights and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed cup-holders are used, then device structure is simple, but adaptability to different beverage container heights is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The upper support is made movable along the spine with a fixation mechanism that allows it to be positioned at multiple locations. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the device to accommodate beverage containers of various heights while maintaining structural integrity through the spine-guide-ridges assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable upper support system serves multiple functions: it adapts to different container heights, provides stable support through compression members, and maintains structural simplicity through the reuse of the spine as a guiding element. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If fixed upper support position is used, then device structure is simple, but stability for containers of different heights is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation mechanism with interfacing ridges and threaded knob allows the upper support to be dynamically positioned and securely locked at multiple locations along the spine. This ensures stable support for containers of varying heights while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The position of the upper support along the spine is changed to match different container heights. The compression members adjust their compression level based on the selected position, providing optimized stability for each configuration without requiring a completely different device structure.
3Reliability
If compression members are added to reduce lateral movement, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression members are integrated with the existing support platform and spine structure. Their primary function of reducing lateral movement is combined with the overall stabilization provided by the adjustable upper support system, avoiding the need for completely separate stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Compression members are strategically positioned at specific locations where lateral movement is most problematic. This localized approach provides targeted stability improvement without requiring compression members throughout the entire device, thus limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage holding device includes a support platform, a spine, an upper support and a fixation mechanism. The spine includes a bottom portion and a top portion defining a spine length, and the bottom portion is fixed to the support platform. The upper support is configured and arranged to be adjustable along the spine relative to the support platform between a plurality of positions. The upper support includes at least one arm configured to at least partially encircle a portion of a beverage container when a bottom of the beverage container is seated on the support platform. And, the fixation mechanism is configured and arranged to secure the upper support to the spine at a selected one of the plurality of positions.