Vehicle Cup Holder Grate and Drip Tray for Hidden Spill Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cup holders suffer from liquid and debris accumulation at the bottom due to condensation and spillage, leading to a messy and unsightly appearance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cup holder apparatus with a perforated container receptacle and an underlying drip tray that collects spilled liquid and debris out of sight, utilizing an inclined bottom surface to direct liquid to a low point and an access port for removal, optionally assisted by an HVAC drain line and vacuum suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional enclosed cup holder is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but liquid and debris accumulate at the bottom causing a messy appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is segmented into multiple functional zones: an upper receptacle for holding beverages and a lower drip tray for collecting spills. This segmentation allows liquid to be separated from the holding area and directed to a collection area, preventing accumulation in the visible portion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extends the cup holder structure vertically by adding a drip tray beneath the main receptacle. This dimensional extension creates a hidden collection space below the visible holding area, allowing liquid to be redirected downward to a separate compartment that does not affect the aesthetic appearance of the upper section
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a perforated grate is added to the bottom of the container receptacle, then spilled liquid can pass through, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A perforated grate is installed at the bottom of the container receptacle to allow spilled liquid to pass through while supporting the beverage container. The grate provides effective liquid separation without requiring complex mechanical components, using a relatively simple porous structure to achieve the desired function
Solution Approach 2:
The grate acts as an intermediary element between the beverage container and the drip tray. It mediates the passage of liquid from the upper receptacle to the lower collection tray while maintaining structural support, simplifying the overall design by using a passive filtering component rather than active pumping or complex channeling systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a drip tray is added beneath the container receptacle to collect liquid, then liquid accumulation is prevented in the receptacle, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is integrated with the cup holder structure rather than being a separate component. The tray is positioned to utilize the existing vertical space beneath the receptacle, merging the collection function with the overall assembly and avoiding the need for additional independent structures that would increase complexity and space requirements
4Ease of operation
If the drip tray bottom surface is inclined to direct liquid to a low point, then liquid removal is facilitated, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drip tray is designed with a slight inclination that creates a gentle gradient toward the low point for liquid collection. This moderate slope achieves effective liquid directional flow without requiring precise angular manufacturing tolerances, as the equipotential principle allows for approximate gradients that still achieve the desired liquid movement through gravity
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
Effectively manages liquid and debris accumulation, maintaining a cleaner appearance within the cup holder and facilitating easy removal of collected liquids and debris.
Implementation Method 1
A bottom surface of the drip tray can be oriented at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane (i.e., inclined) so that gravity pulls the spilled liquid away from the central axis of the container receptacle to directly beneath the access port
Implementation Method 2
The HVAC drain line is located so that an HVAC liquid is directed from the HVAC drain line across a bottom surface of the drip tray toward a low point of the bottom surface
Implementation Method 3
The access port can be sized and configured to permit a vacuum hose to be inserted through the lip to suck up the spilled liquid from the drip tray
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods include a container receptacle configured to receive a beverage container. The container receptacle includes a perforated bottom surface configured to allow a spilled liquid and/or debris to pass therethrough. A drip tray extends beneath the container receptacle so as to collect the spilled liquid from the container receptacle. A bottom surface of the drip tray can be inclined so that liquid and/or debris is directed to a low point of the drip tray for collection.