Eccentric Cupholder Adapter for Oversized Beverage Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle cupholders are often too small to accommodate larger beverage containers, and their close spacing in center consoles makes it impossible to fit two oversized containers simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A cupholder adapter with an eccentric design, where the beverage container holder axis is offset from the cupholder insert axis, allowing two adapters to be placed in adjacent cupholders, and a system of shells for adjustable fitment into various cupholder sizes, enabling the secure holding of oversized containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cupholders are designed with standard size and spacing, then vehicle center console layout is compact, but oversized beverage containers cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with oversized beverage containersVSAvoidcenter console space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter insert nests within the cupholder, creating a nested structure where the adapter holder then nests within the adapter insert. This allows the system to accommodate oversized containers while maintaining a compact footprint that fits within standard cupholder dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter insert extends downwardly below the cupholder opening, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than expanding horizontally. This allows oversized containers to be accommodated by extending into the unused space below the cupholder opening rather than increasing the cupholder's horizontal footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two cupholders are placed close together in center console, then vehicle interior space is optimized, but two oversized beverage containers cannot be placed simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity to hold two oversized containersVSAvoiddistance between cupholder centers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter insert nests within the cupholder and extends downwardly, creating a compact nested structure. This allows two adapters to be placed in closely-spaced cupholders while each adapter provides sufficient lateral support for oversized containers, effectively doubling the capacity for large containers in tight spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter insert has an asymmetric geometry with a top opening larger than the bottom opening, and the lateral support elements are positioned to optimize space utilization. This asymmetric design allows the adapter to accommodate oversized containers while maintaining a compact profile that fits within closely-spaced cupholders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If cupholder has open top with cylindrical sidewall, then manufacturing is simple, but oversized containers do not fit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer size accommodationVSAvoidadapter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is segmented into two distinct components: an adapter insert that nests within the cupholder and an adapter holder that receives the beverage container. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the insert for compact integration and the holder for container support - while together they provide oversized container accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter insert is nested within the cupholder and the adapter holder is nested within the adapter insert, creating a nested three-component structure. This nesting approach allows the system to accommodate oversized containers while maintaining a compact overall profile that fits within standard cupholder dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If beverage container holder axis is concentric with cupholder insert axis, then manufacturing is easier, but two adapters cannot be placed in adjacent cupholders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement in adjacent cupholdersVSAvoidadapter manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter insert has an asymmetric design where the beverage container holder axis is offset from the cupholder insert axis. The insert includes a top opening larger than the bottom opening with lateral support elements positioned to provide stability. This asymmetric geometry allows two adapters to be placed in adjacent cupholders with proper spacing, while the offset axes enable the lateral supports to extend sufficiently to support oversized containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11648865B2Vehicle cupholder adapter for oversized beverage container

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 MACNEIL IP LLC

AI summary

A cupholder adapter for a large beverage container has a base, a container holder that upwardly extends from the base, and a shell insert that extends downwardly from the base. The shell insert snaps into a first shell, which may be press-fit into OEM vehicle cupholders of a relatively small size. Further shells may be sequentially and releasably attached over the first shell to fit the assembly to OEM vehicle cupholders of larger sizes. An axis of the container holder may be offset from the axis of the shell insert, so as to permit two such cupholder adapters to be installed in two cupholders closely spaced from each other in a vehicle center console.