Vehicle Cup Holder Helical Lift for Flush Stowage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage holders in vehicles often create unsightly open areas when not in use and compromise between ease of use and secure holding, requiring multiple compensating elements and spring forces that are not optimally adjustable.
Innovation Solution
A beverage holder device with a helical engagement mechanism allowing for adjustable height and translational movement via a drive unit, enabling secure retention and concealment when not in use, and accommodating various container sizes without movable spacers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the beverage holder is made adjustable between stowed and operating positions, then the aesthetic appearance (clean surface) is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the helical engagement mechanism and drive unit
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder is designed to be dynamically adjustable between a stowed position (flush with or recessed behind the shelf surface) and an operating position (projecting beyond the shelf surface). This dynamic positioning allows the holder to transition from a concealed state that maintains a clean surface appearance to an accessible state that provides functional utility, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and functional accessibility
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage holder is nested within or behind the shelf structure in its stowed position, allowing it to be concealed from view while maintaining readiness for deployment. This nesting approach enables the holder to occupy minimal visual space when not in use, preserving the clean surface appearance while still being available for functional use when needed
2Shape
If the beverage holder is recessed behind the shelf surface when not in use, then the clean surface appearance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder employs a dynamic positioning system that allows rapid transition between stowed and operating positions. When needed, the holder can be quickly deployed from its recessed position to an accessible operating position, minimizing the effort and time required to access it while maintaining the aesthetic benefit of being concealed when not in use
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage holder is pre-positioned in a recessed state behind the shelf surface, ready for deployment. This preliminary positioning allows the holder to be quickly accessed and deployed when needed, reducing the operational effort required compared to holders that must be manually assembled or positioned from scratch
3Adaptability or versatility
If the beverage holder is made adjustable in height, then the adaptability to different container sizes is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the drive unit and helical engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder features a dynamically adjustable height mechanism that allows it to adapt to different container sizes and shapes. The holder can be positioned at multiple heights along its travel path, enabling it to securely accommodate various beverage containers while maintaining a clean, concealed appearance when in the stowed position
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage holder is designed as a multi-functional element that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. The same helical engagement mechanism and drive unit that enable height adjustment for accommodating different container sizes also provide the concealed stowed position, combining multiple functions into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function
4Reliability
If the beverage holder projects beyond the shelf surface in operating position, then the secure retention of beverage containers is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to the visible holder structure
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder utilizes dynamic positioning to transition between a concealed stowed position (flush with or recessed behind the shelf surface) and an operational position where it projects beyond the shelf surface to provide secure retention. This dynamic capability allows the holder to maintain aesthetic appearance when not in use while providing reliable holding security when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage holder system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a concealed stowed position for aesthetic appearance and an operational position for secure retention. The helical engagement mechanism creates discrete positional segments along the holder's travel path, allowing it to be positioned precisely in either the concealed or visible state depending on functional requirements
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
Provides a clean, uninterrupted surface by concealing the holder when not in use and ensures secure, adjustable holding for different container sizes with a streamlined design.
Implementation Method 1
The beverage holder forms a helical engagement with another element. For this helical engagement, the beverage holder and/or the other element may have a threaded section. The helical engagement allows a translational movement of the drink holder relative to the other element to be triggered by a rotational movement
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a beverage holder device (10) for a vehicle, which is adjustable between a stow position (12) and at least one operating position (14), comprising a storage element (20) providing a storage surface (22) for the beverage container (18), which in the operating position (14) provides a base surface of a receptacle (16) for the beverage container (18), a beverage holder (24) which is configured to provide a wall circumferentially limiting the receptacle (16) in the operating position (14) and to be flush with or below the storage surface (22) in the stow position (12), wherein the beverage holder (24) forms a helical engagement with a further element, and a drive device (26) which includes a drive element (36) configured to initiate a rotational movement of the beverage holder (24) relative to the further element.which allows the drink holder (24) to be adjusted in height relative to the storage element (20) for adjusting the drink holder device (10) between the storage position (12) and the operating position (14).