Foldable Armrest Cup Holder Layout to Prevent View Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders for slim armrests of independent vehicle seats protrude, obstructing rear and front views and creating passage barriers, and pose safety risks during sudden stops or collisions.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder with deployable and stowable units, including foldable and unfoldable links, is integrated into the armrest to support cups from both sides, allowing vertical stacking and secure storage when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cup holder is mounted to the distal end of the armrest, then the cup holder is easily accessible, but it obstructs the rear view of the driver and the front view of the passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is designed to be rotatable relative to the armrest, allowing it to dynamically change position between a deployed state (beside the armrest for accessibility) and a retracted state (aligned with the armrest to minimize view obstruction). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by adapting the cup holder's location based on usage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder is positioned beside the armrest in the lateral dimension rather than protruding forward, changing the spatial dimension of placement. This lateral positioning allows the cup holder to be accessible while maintaining a lower profile that does not obstruct the driver's rear view or passenger's front view.
2Ease of operation
If the cup holder is mounted to the distal end of the armrest, then the cup holder is easily accessible, but it poses safety risks during vehicle maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable mechanism allows the cup holder to be positioned beside the armrest during normal operation for accessibility, but can be rotated to align with the armrest during sudden maneuvers or collisions, reducing the risk of injury to passengers while maintaining easy accessibility during normal use.
3Ease of operation
If the cup holder is hung on the armrest, then the cup holder can be used, but it acts as a barrier to the passage for rear seat passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is positioned beside the armrest in the lateral dimension rather than hanging forward, changing the spatial arrangement. This positioning allows rear seat passengers to pass between the seats without obstruction while still providing easy access to the cup holder for front seat occupants.
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder for an armrest of a vehicle is mounted in an armrest of an independent seat so as to be deployed therefrom and stored therein. The cup holder includes an armrest including an open storage space defined in one side portion thereof, a support plate mounted on the bottom of the storage space, a cup holding unit mounted in the storage space and on the support plate so as to be deployed and stored and including a plurality of holding links foldably and unfoldably connected to each other so as to support a peripheral portion of a cup, and a cup support unit mounted in the storage space and on the support plate so as to be deployed and stored and including a plurality of support links foldably and unfoldably connected to each other so as to support a lower surface of the cup.