Vehicle Cup Holder Heat Pipe Layout for Tight Armrest Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cup holders with cooling and heating functions face design challenges due to limited internal space in armrests, requiring a more efficient structure for thermoelectric elements and heat dissipation to enhance convenience and performance.
Innovation Solution
A storage assembly with a housing containing a separately disposed cup holder and heat radiation pin, utilizing a thermoelectric element, heat pipe, and blower to improve heat exchange and distribution, allowing for increased design freedom and convenience by effectively dissipating heat through a heat exchange pin and blower system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cup holder is mounted on the armrest with integrated controller and storage space, then convenience is improved, but the internal structure becomes narrow and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the cup holder assembly from the armrest structure, making them independent components. The cup holder can be mounted on the armrest without integrating its internal structure with the armrest's control and storage systems, thus maintaining convenience while reducing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder is extracted as a separate functional module from the armrest's internal structure. This allows the armrest to maintain its own controller and storage space without being constrained by the cup holder's internal space requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If various switches and storage space are formed in the armrest and tray, then functionality is improved, but the design of thermoelectric element cooling structure becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling structure for the thermoelectric element is segmented from the armrest and tray structures. The cup holder assembly includes its own dedicated cooling system with heat radiation pins and blowers, independent of the armrest's switches and storage space design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a separate cooling system with heat radiation pins and blowers as intermediary components between the thermoelectric element and the surrounding environment. This intermediary cooling structure allows the thermoelectric element to be effectively cooled without interfering with the armrest's internal structure containing switches and storage space
3Loss of energy
If the heat pipe is extended to traverse or turn aside the convenience device, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe is designed with flexible routing capabilities, allowing it to extend and traverse or turn aside convenience devices as needed. This dynamic configuration optimizes heat dissipation pathways without requiring rigid structural modifications to the armrest or tray
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
This configuration enhances the cooling and heating performance of the cup holder, increases design flexibility, and improves passenger comfort by efficiently managing heat dissipation and air circulation within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling and heating cup holder (200) installed in the housing (100) and having a thermoelectric element (220) attached to a side end surface thereof
Implementation Method 2
a heat pipe (600) having one end connected to the thermoelectric element (220) and the other end (640) extended to turn aside or traverse the convenience device (300) and connected to the heat exchange pin (400)
Implementation Method 3
a blower (500) disposed at the outlet (140) side of the rear end of the housing (100)... the blower (500)... suck internal air of the housing to discharge the sucked internal air through the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A storage assembly for a vehicle includes a housing having an outlet formed at a rear end thereof, a cooling and heating cup holder installed in the housing and having a thermoelectric element attached to a side end surface thereof, a convenience device disposed to be adjacent to a side of the thermoelectric element in the housing and including a storage tray or an electrical control switch, a heat exchange pin and a blower disposed at the outlet side of the rear end of the housing, and a heat pipe having one end connected to the thermoelectric element and the other end extended to turn aside or traverse the convenience device and connected to the heat exchange pin.