Flexible Cup Holder Insert for Secure Multi-Object Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders in vehicles are limited in their ability to securely store objects of varying sizes and shapes, often causing noise and objects to fall due to movement during vehicle travel, and are difficult to retrieve.
Innovation Solution
A flexible object receiving device made from thermoplastic polyurethane, manufactured using powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, featuring a lower portion that securely fits into a cup holder and an upper portion with a frame and central compartment designed to hold objects, including striations, compartments, and a lattice structure, which enhances rigidity and prevents objects from falling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional cup holder with fixed dimensions is used, then it can hold standard cups and cans, but it cannot securely hold objects of varying sizes and shapes, causing them to move and fall during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder insert is made from a flexible material that can dynamically adapt its shape to accommodate objects of varying sizes and shapes. The flexibility allows the insert to deform and conform to the contours of different objects, providing a secure fit that prevents movement during vehicle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The material properties of the cup holder insert are changed to provide flexibility while maintaining structural integrity. By selecting a material with appropriate elastic properties, the insert can change its physical state to adapt to different objects while retaining enough rigidity to hold them securely during vehicle movement.
2Reliability
If a rigid structure is used to prevent objects from falling, then objects are securely held, but the structure cannot adapt to different object sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder insert exhibits different mechanical properties in different regions and under different conditions. When an object is placed inside, the insert locally deforms to conform to the object's shape while maintaining overall structural integrity. This local adaptation allows the same structure to securely hold various objects of different sizes and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is made from a composite or specially formulated flexible material that combines the properties of rigidity and flexibility. This material can appear rigid when empty to maintain structure, but becomes adaptable when an object is inserted, providing both security and versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If small objects are placed in a conventional cup holder, then they can be stored, but they move around and produce noise during vehicle movement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material of the cup holder insert dynamically responds to the presence of small objects, conforming to their shapes and sizes. This dynamic adaptation creates individualized compartments that prevent small objects from moving around, thereby eliminating the noise generated by objects shifting during vehicle movement.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cup holder has a fixed geometric shape, then it is easy to manufacture, but it is difficult to retrieve small objects that have fallen to the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible insert can be designed with segmented or modular features that allow it to be easily removed as a complete unit from the cup holder. The segmentation principle also applies to the ability to create internal compartments that organize objects, making retrieval easier while maintaining manufacturability through additive manufacturing processes.
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 device provides improved storage options for vehicles by securely holding objects of different sizes and shapes, reducing noise and the risk of objects falling, while being easily removable and customizable.
Implementation Method 1
scanning the powder layer with a laser controlled according to the data
Implementation Method 2
the device being obtained by powder bed fusion additive manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an object-receiving device for a vehicle (10) and to the method for manufacturing same. The object-receiving device (11) is obtained by additive manufacturing via powder bed fusion and is formed from a flexible material. The device (11) comprises a lower part with a shape suitable for fitting so as to be held at least in part in a cup-holder support (100) of the vehicle (10); and an upper part formed on the lower part, the upper part being configured to receive and hold at least one object.