Concealed Cup Holder Assembly for Powered Chairs with T-Cushions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holder assemblies in powered chairs with T-cushions face challenges in being incorporated into armrests due to interference with movable designs, leading to dust accumulation and aesthetic issues, especially when T-cushions are present.
Innovation Solution
A concealed cup holder assembly is mounted on oppositely disposed panel assemblies within the armrests with an inverted L-shaped configuration, accommodating T-shaped cushions without interference and maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If cup holder assemblies are concealed within the armrests, then aesthetic appearance and cleanliness are improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder assembly incorporates a movable panel that transitions between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, the cup holder is concealed within the armrest for aesthetic purposes. When extended, the panel moves outward to provide accessible cup holder openings, resolving the contradiction between concealment and accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder assembly is nested within the armrest structure, with the cup holders positioned inside the armrest housing. The movable panel acts as a gateway that can be opened to access the nested cup holders, allowing the system to maintain a compact, clean appearance while providing functional access
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cup holder assemblies are concealed within the armrests, then dust accumulation is reduced, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder assembly is merged with the armrest structure, integrating the cup holders directly into the existing armrest housing rather than adding separate external components. The movable panel is also integrated into the armrest design, creating a unified structure that reduces dust exposure while avoiding excessive complexity through efficient use of existing structural elements
3Ease of operation
If T-cushions are incorporated into the chair structure, then comfort is improved, but cup holder integration becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder assembly is positioned in a specific location within the armrest structure where it does not interfere with the T-cushion placement. The movable panel mechanism is designed to operate in a space that is independent of the T-cushion area, allowing both the T-cushion comfort feature and the cup holder functionality to coexist without mutual interference
Data Source
AI summary
A new and improved concealed cup holder assembly, for use upon a furniture piece having at least one side armrest, and an extendable/retractable footrest which extends laterally so as to cover a lower portion of the one side armrest, comprises a cup holder mounting plate, and a panel structure, having the cup holder mounting plate mounted thereon, pivotally mounted upon the one side armrest such that the cup holder mounting plate is movable between concealed and unconcealed positions, and having an inverted L-shaped configuration so as to form a part of the one side armrest and yet be disposed laterally outwardly of the extendable and retractable footrest such that movement of the extendable and retractable footrest between extended and retracted positions, and movement of the cup holder mounting plate between concealed and unconcealed positions, do not interfere with each other.