Vehicle Cup Holder with Integrated Charging Adapter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular holding systems for vehicles lack increased functionality and variability, particularly in providing power supply and charging capabilities for electrical devices while maintaining versatility in holding various objects.
Innovation Solution
A modular holding system with a receptacle and adapter element that establishes an energy-transmitting connection using contact elements powered by a vehicle's energy source, integrated with a lighting element for user guidance, allowing for the charging and operation of electrical devices like smartphones and tablets, and accommodating beverage containers or other objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cup holder is designed to hold only beverage containers, then the structure remains simple, but the functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is designed to perform multiple functions: it can hold beverage containers using the retaining ring, hold electrical devices using the adapter element with clamping arms, and provide charging functionality through contact elements. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling the same structure to serve different purposes without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter element is designed to be inserted into the cup holder receptacle, with the retaining ring able to enclose both the adapter element and the beverage container. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller adapter element to be housed within the larger cup holder structure, enabling dual functionality while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If power supply components are integrated into the cup holder, then charging capability is added, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact elements integrated into the cup holder structure serve dual purposes: they provide electrical charging capability when the adapter element is inserted, and maintain the structural integrity of the cup holder. This integration adds charging functionality without requiring a completely separate power supply system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's existing electrical system through the adapter element's connection to the cup holder's contact elements, allowing the electrical device to charge itself when placed in the adapter without requiring an external charging cable or separate power source.
3Reliability
If the receptacle is designed for secure holding, then object retention is improved, but the ease of inserting and removing objects may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining ring is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to deform elastically when objects are inserted or removed. This dynamic behavior enables the ring to provide strong retention forces during normal use while automatically opening to allow easy insertion and removal of beverage containers and adapter elements without requiring excessive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder receptacle is segmented into distinct functional zones: the retaining ring for mechanical retention, the contact elements for electrical connection, and the lighting element for guidance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.
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
Enhances the functionality and variability of the holding system by enabling the charging and operation of electrical devices, while maintaining simplicity and reliability in object holding, with the ability to use existing vehicle energy sources without additional power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the receptacle has at least one contact element which is powered in an energy-transmitting manner, in particular in a current-conducting manner, by an electrical energy source
Implementation Method 2
the receptacle has at least one lighting element
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular holding system for vehicles, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a holding device (1), in particular a cupholder, having at least one receptacle (5), in particular for a container, and an adapter element (17) that can be inserted into the receptacle (5) of the holding device (1) for holding at least one electrical device (19, 31). According to the invention, the receptacle (5) has at least one contact element (15) supplied by an electrical energy source, which, when the adapter element (17) is inserted into the receptacle (5), is connected to a mating contact element (23) of the adapter element (17) associated with the contact element (15) in a way that transmits energy, wherein the adapter element (17) can be connected to the at least one electrical device (19, 31) in a way that transmits energy.