Vehicle Cup Holder Thermal Layout for Dual Cooling and Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders in vehicles lack efficient cooling and heating functions, particularly when integrated with air conditioning systems, as they often rely on single thermoelectric elements and inefficient heat exchange mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A cooling and heating cup holder design featuring multiple thermally conductive holder bodies with thermoelectric elements, heat dissipating fins, and a blower system that enhances air flow and heat exchange by connecting air conditioning surfaces to heat dissipating surfaces through heat pipes, improving heat efficiency and simultaneous cooling and heating performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermoelectric element is used in the cup holder, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat exchanging efficiency and simultaneous cooling/heating performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is divided into multiple independent holder bodies, each equipped with its own thermoelectric element. This segmentation allows each element to independently perform cooling or heating functions, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple elements with different functions without increasing overall system complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
Each thermoelectric element is designed to be multi-functional, capable of performing both cooling and heating operations. The shared heat dissipating part serves multiple thermoelectric elements, allowing the system to achieve simultaneous cooling and heating functions while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
2Productivity
If heat dissipating fins are added to increase heat exchange area, then the heat exchanging efficiency is improved, but the volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heat dissipating fins are added to the heat dissipating part, extending the heat exchange surface in the vertical dimension rather than expanding the horizontal footprint. This allows increased heat exchange area without significantly increasing the overall device volume, as the fins utilize the vertical space within the existing housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat dissipating fins are integrated within the existing housing structure, nesting the heat exchange surfaces inside the available internal volume. This allows maximum heat exchange area within the constrained device envelope without requiring additional external space.
3Productivity
If the air inlet is positioned to receive air from the bent part of the passenger body side air conditioning apparatus, then the utilization of cooled air is improved, but the adaptability to different air conditioning configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is specifically positioned to face the bent part of the passenger body side air conditioning apparatus, creating a localized optimization for receiving cooled air. This local adaptation allows the system to efficiently utilize the airflow pattern from this specific air conditioning configuration while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder system is designed to automatically receive and utilize the cooled air discharged from the air conditioning apparatus without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The air inlet positioning and blower arrangement allow the system to passively benefit from the vehicle's existing air conditioning airflow patterns.
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
The design significantly enhances heat exchanging and dissipating efficiency, allowing for immediate reception and utilization of cooled air, reducing manufacturing costs, and improving space efficiency while maintaining independent cooling and heating modes for each thermoelectric element.
Implementation Method 1
using heat conduction characteristics, in which heat exchange between the thermoelectric elements and heat dissipating fins is performed in a large area
Implementation Method 2
heat exchange between the thermoelectric elements and heat dissipating fins is performed in a large area
Implementation Method 3
a blower being embedded in the housing and positioned at an upper portion or a lower portion of the heat dissipating part to allow the air discharged from the bent part and introduced through the air inlet to be heat-exchanged while flowing in a lower direction along the air passage formed in the heat dissipating fin
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling and heating cup holder may include a plurality of holder bodies having a container shape, a plurality of thermoelectric elements each provided to sides of the plurality of holder bodies, a heat dissipating part installed to be thermally connected to a heat dissipating surface of the plurality of thermoelectric elements, a housing embedding the heat dissipating part and having an air inlet formed at an upper portion thereof, and a blower being embedded in the housing and positioned at an upper portion or a lower portion of the heat dissipating part to allow the air discharged from a bent part and introduced through the air inlet to be heat-exchanged.