Retractable Cup Holder Arm Structure for Strong Cup Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders face issues with weak retaining force and difficulty in securely retaining cups due to the need for a weak spring force to facilitate easy placement and return, and lack of a structure to maintain a flush surface appearance when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder design featuring a rotational arm with a first and second arm member, a platform that moves between open and bottom positions, and a latch unit, utilizing a strong urging force to securely retain cups without requiring user force against the spring, and maintaining a flush surface appearance through a guide portion and gear engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a weak spring force is used to facilitate easy placement and return of the cup holder, then the ease of operation is improved, but the retaining force for the cup is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder mechanism is segmented into two independent functional systems: (1) the platform movement system controlled by a weak spring for easy operation, and (2) the cup retaining system using a rotational arm with retaining elements for strong retention. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the platform movement and cup retention functions. When the platform moves down, it triggers the rotational arm to rotate and engage retaining elements that contact the cup, providing strong retention force independent of the spring force used for platform movement.
2Force
If a strong spring force is used to provide strong retaining force for the cup, then the retaining force is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as user force is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder mechanism is segmented into two independent functional systems: (1) the platform movement system controlled by a weak spring for easy operation, and (2) the cup retaining system using a rotational arm with retaining elements for strong retention. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized independently without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational arm acts as an intermediary mechanism between the platform movement and cup retention functions. When the platform moves down, it triggers the rotational arm to rotate and engage retaining elements that contact the cup, providing strong retention force independent of the spring force used for platform movement.
3Force
If the retaining elements rotate from the inner circumferential surface toward the center to retain the cup, then the retaining force is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational arm combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the actuating mechanism (rotating from horizontal to vertical position) and the retaining mechanism (with retaining elements that contact the cup). This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining strong retention capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational arm is a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: it transmits force from the platform movement, rotates to engage retaining elements, and directly contacts the cup for retention. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate actuating and retaining mechanisms.
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 design provides a strong retaining force for cups without user effort and maintains a flush surface appearance, addressing the weaknesses of conventional cup holders by using a strong urging force and clever mechanical engagement.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (not shown) disposed between the bottom element 05 and the housing 02
Implementation Method 2
an urging member (not shown) arranged between the platform 3 and the case 1 to urge the platform 3 toward the opening
Implementation Method 3
a gear damper 3g housed inside the space 1s to dampen a movement of the platform 3
Implementation Method 4
a gear damper 3g housed inside the space 1s to dampen a movement of the platform 3
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder including a case for receiving a cup, having an opening and a bottom opposite to the opening; a rotational arm including a first arm member rotatably connected to the case, and a second arm member rotatably connected to the first arm member and having a retaining member for holding the cup; and a platform slidably arranged in the case to move between a first position in which the platform is positioned at the opening of the case, and a second position in which the platform is positioned at the bottom of the case, the platform an abutting portion extending downwardly therefrom to abut against the first arm member. When the platform moves from the first position to the second position, the abutting portion abuts against the first arm member to rotate the rotational arm toward the case and the retaining member is disposed inside the case.