Cup Holder Movable Plate Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders are cumbersome to use, especially in low-light environments, as they require an operation member to adjust for different beverage container sizes, making it difficult to securely hold both regular and long-size containers without instability.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder design featuring a movable plate and container catching member with a locking mechanism that automatically adjusts based on the container size when pulled up or pushed down, eliminating the need for an operation member and ensuring stability through a coupling member that transmits actuation to the locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a cup holder has a depth corresponding to the regular-size container, then the regular-size container can be held stably, but the long-size container protrudes upwardly and becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder employs a movable plate that can shift between a first position (lower) and a second position (higher) along the vertical direction. This dynamic adjustment allows the cup holder to adapt its effective depth to match different container sizes, providing stable support for both regular-size containers (at second position) and long-size containers (at first position) without protrusion or instability
2Stability of the object's composition
If a cup holder has a depth corresponding to the long-size container, then the long-size container can be held stably, but the regular-size container does not facilitate a pick-up
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate dynamically adjusts its position based on container size. When a regular-size container is placed, the plate remains at the second position, providing optimal support height that facilitates easy pick-up. When a long-size container is placed, the plate moves to the first position, providing the necessary depth for stable support without interfering with the user's ability to access and retrieve shorter containers
3Adaptability or versatility
If an operation member is provided to adjust the tray position for different container sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome especially in dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when a long-size container is placed and autonomously moving the movable plate from the second position to the first position. This eliminates the need for users to manually operate a control member in dark or difficult-to-reach environments. The container itself triggers the adjustment mechanism through its interaction with the container catching member, making the system adaptive without requiring user intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through the container catching member that detects the presence and size of the container. When a long-size container is detected, this feedback triggers the coupling member to actuate the locking mechanism, which in turn moves the movable plate to the appropriate position. This closed-loop feedback system automatically adapts the cup holder configuration based on the actual container being used, removing the need for manual operation
4Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is provided to secure the tray position, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member serves as an intermediary that translates the actuation from the container catching member into movement of the movable plate. This intermediary mechanism efficiently transmits the actuation force through the locking mechanism, providing stable positioning without requiring a complex multi-component locking system. The coupling member simplifies the force transmission path while maintaining reliable positioning
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
Enables secure holding of various beverage container sizes without manual actuation of an operation member, providing stability and ease of use by automatically adjusting the locking mechanism based on container size, reducing noise and play-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a coil spring (32) which pushes the movable plate (30) upward
Implementation Method 2
a container catching member (40) which elastically catches the beverage container placed on the movable plate (30)
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder includes a coupling member that causes a locking pawl to be engaged with a locking recess when a cam plate is catching a beverage container, and causes the locking pawl to be disengaged from the locking pawl when the cam plate does not catch the beverage container.