Cascading Cup Holder Design for Sequential Multi-Container Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders do not allow a user to drink from multiple fluid containers simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A beverage drinking device with a body that supports multiple containers, where liquid from one container flows into an adjacent container as the user consumes from the second container, featuring a handle and modular design with staggered container positions and attachment mechanisms for easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cup holders support multiple containers, then the quantity of containers is improved, but the ability to drink from multiple containers simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder system is divided into multiple independent cup holders arranged in a cascading configuration, where each cup holder can be individually accessed. The system segments the drinking function across multiple containers while maintaining individual accessibility through the cascading design that allows sequential access to each container.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holders are arranged in a three-dimensional cascading configuration rather than a simple linear or planar arrangement. This spatial dimensionality allows containers to be positioned at different heights and angles, enabling the user to access and drink from multiple containers sequentially while they remain simultaneously supported by the single device.
2Ease of manufacture
If the body and containers are formed separately, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a body portion and multiple removable cup holders that can be manufactured independently through injection molding or other suitable processes. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and manufactured separately, then assembled into the complete cascading cup holder system.
Solution Approach 2:
The body is designed with a universal cascading structure that can accommodate multiple different types and sizes of containers. The standardized cup holder interfaces allow various containers to be used with the same body, providing multi-functionality without requiring complex customizations for each container type.
3Device complexity
If the cup holder system is designed as a single-piece structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While the body can be manufactured as a single-piece injection molded structure for simplicity, the cup holders are designed as removable, separable components. This segmentation allows individual cup holders to be replaced or repaired without affecting the integrity of the main body, providing ease of maintenance while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable cup holder design enables individual components to be discarded or replaced independently if damaged or worn, while the main body is recovered and reused. This approach simplifies repair processes by allowing selective replacement of only the affected components rather than requiring replacement of the entire device.
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
Enables an individual to consume beverages from multiple containers in succession, facilitating games that test strength, dexterity, and fluid intake efficiency while minimizing spills.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid from a first one of the containers flows into an adjacent, second one of the containers
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage drinking device includes a body that supports a plurality of containers arranged relative to each other such that a liquid from a first one of the containers flows into an adjacent, second one of the containers while an individual consumes liquid from the second one of the containers.