Vehicle Armrest Cup Holder Layout for Deeper Cup Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing armrest assemblies have poor cup-holding effectiveness and compromise headrest comfort and safety due to limited cup holder depth and space occupation within the headrest.

Innovation Solution

An armrest assembly with a rotatable headrest and ejectable cup holder mechanism, where the cup receptacle is integrated into the headrest and the cup holder is located in the armrest body, allowing for adjustable headrest angles and enhanced cup holding depth without occupying excessive internal space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cup holder assembly is arranged inside the headrest, then the cup holder function is integrated, but the cup holding depth is limited and the headrest comfort and safety are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecup holder function integrationVSAvoidheadrest comfort and safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the cup holder function from the headrest structure by placing the cup holder assembly in the armrest body rather than inside the headrest. This segmentation allows the headrest to maintain its original comfort and safety functions while the cup holder provides beverage storage capability, resolving the contradiction between functional integration and performance preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cup holder assembly is positioned in a different spatial dimension (the armrest body) rather than occupying the headrest's internal space. This dimensional relocation enables both the cup holder function and headrest comfort to coexist without interference, as they operate in separate spatial zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cup holder assembly is arranged inside the headrest, then the cup holder function is achieved, but the holding depth is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecup holder functionVSAvoidcup holding depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the cup holder assembly from the headrest and placing it in the armrest body, the invention creates sufficient spatial depth for proper cup holding. The armrest body provides adequate volume that was not available within the constrained headrest interior, thereby achieving both functional integration and sufficient holding depth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cup holder assembly occupies headrest internal space, then the cup holder function is provided, but the space for headrest components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecup holder functionalityVSAvoidheadrest internal space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cup holder assembly from the headrest's internal space and relocates it to the armrest body. This extraction preserves the full volume of the headrest for its original components (padding, support structures, adjustment mechanisms) while providing the cup holder function through the relocated assembly, thus resolving the space occupation conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4289664B1Armrest assembly
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 NIO TECH ANHUI CO LTD
  • EP4289664B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4289664B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4289664B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an armrest assembly and a vehicle having the armrest assembly. The armrest assembly is configured to be capable of holding a cup. The armrest assembly includes: an armrest body, wherein a cavity and an opening communicating with the cavity are arranged in the armrest body; a headrest, wherein the headrest is rotatably fixed to an end portion of the armrest body close to the opening, and a cup receptacle capable of receiving the cup is arranged on the back of the headrest; and a cup holder mechanism, wherein the cup holder mechanism has a cup holder arranged in the cavity, and the cup holder is ejectable from the opening to hold the cup. With the armrest assembly in the vehicle of the disclosure, the depth at which the cup is held can be increased, the holding effect can be improved, and the comfort and safety of the headrest can be ensured.