Vehicle Cup Holder Thermoelectric Control for Direct Drink Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cup holder cooling and heating apparatuses suffer from excessive heating, energy wastage, and reliability issues due to uncontrolled temperature regulation, leading to safety hazards and inefficiencies in heating and cooling beverages.
Innovation Solution
A cooling and heating apparatus for a vehicle cup holder incorporating a thermoelectric module, electroconductive parts, and a controller to directly heat or cool beverages by adjusting electric current flow, minimizing energy loss and preventing overheating, with a blower for efficient heat dissipation and safety features to prevent grounding accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional heating apparatus uses an additional temperature sensor and logic to control temperature, then temperature control is achieved, but working time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder system performs self-diagnosis by detecting whether a cup is properly inserted through electrical connection status. The controller automatically determines heating/cooling needs based on cup presence detection, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and complex control logic while maintaining effective temperature management
2Temperature
If a conventional cooling apparatus cools the cup holder surface, then cooling function is provided, but half of thermal energy is wasted cooling ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from cup presence detection (via electrical connection status) to control the cooling apparatus. The controller activates cooling only when a cup is properly inserted and detected, ensuring thermal energy is directed to the beverage rather than being wasted on cooling ambient air in an empty cup holder
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects cup insertion through electrical connection and self-regulates cooling operation accordingly, eliminating energy waste by cooling only when needed without requiring additional temperature sensors
3Device complexity
If a conventional apparatus lacks temperature control, then device complexity is reduced, but the cup holder may be excessively heated causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by detecting cup presence through electrical connection status and automatically controls heating/cooling operations. This self-regulating mechanism prevents excessive heating and safety hazards without adding complex temperature sensing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from cup presence detection and automatically adjusts heating/cooling operations accordingly, preventing safety hazards from uncontrolled temperature changes while maintaining simple device architecture
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 apparatus effectively and safely heats or cools beverages by minimizing thermal energy wastage and preventing overheating, ensuring rapid temperature adjustment and improved performance while enhancing safety and durability.
Implementation Method 1
a controller configured to adjust an amount of an electric current applied to the thermoelectric module based on a desired temperature to heat or cool a beverage in the cup
Implementation Method 2
a cup holder including a heat dissipating member and a second electroconductive part, the heat dissipating member and the second electroconductive part being disposed at respective portions
Implementation Method 3
when a cup is disposed in the cup holder, the heat dissipating member corresponds to the thermoelectric module
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling and heating apparatus for a vehicle cup holder is provided that has an improved performance for cooling and heating a drink by directly cooling or heating the drink in the cup. The apparatus includes a cup having a thermoelectric module and a first electroconductive part on an outer surface thereof and a cup holder that has a heat dissipating member and a second electroconductive part. Additionally, a controller is connected to the thermoelectric module to realize an electrical closed circuit and is configured to adjust an amount of an electric current applied to the thermoelectric module based on a desired temperature to heat or cool a drink in the cup.