Foldable Clamp Cup Holder for Variable Container Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders are not adaptable to various sizes and shapes of containers, and lack a convenient mechanism for storage and portability, especially for spillable contents.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable cup holder with an elongated clamp assembly and cup support assembly, featuring pivoting and swivel capabilities, a spring-biased handle, and a locking mechanism, allowing for secure holding and easy conversion between in-use and stowed positions, with an attachment clip for belt carrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing cup holders are designed with fixed structure, then they are simple in design, but they cannot adapt to various sizes and shapes of containers
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder employs a dynamic adjustable structure where the support arms can pivot and rotate to accommodate different container sizes and shapes. The clamp mechanism allows dynamic adjustment of the holding width, transforming a static structure into an adaptive one that responds to varying container dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder is designed with universal adaptability through its adjustable clamp width and rotatable support arms, enabling it to securely hold various types of containers including cups, bottles, and cans. The spring-biased mechanism provides universal applicability across different container shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If existing cup holders lack a storage mechanism, then they are simple in structure, but they lack portability and convenience for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder features a nested folding mechanism where the support arms can be folded back against the clamp assembly, and the entire structure can be collapsed into a compact form. This nesting capability allows the device to be stored in a small space when not in use, significantly improving portability without adding complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding and collapsing mechanism introduces dynamic movement to the structure, allowing transformation between an extended operational state and a compact storage state. This dynamic capability enhances ease of operation for both using and storing the device while maintaining structural simplicity through hinge connections and spring biasing.
3Reliability
If the cup holder uses a spring-biased pivoted handle with locking mechanism, then it provides secure holding, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-biased clamp mechanism operates on self-service principle where the spring automatically provides clamping force to secure the container. The user simply needs to open the handle to release the clamp, and the spring automatically returns it to the clamped position, providing secure holding without requiring complex control systems or additional actuators.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism replaces complex multi-component fastening systems with a simple spring-biased lever mechanism. The spring provides continuous clamping force, and the pivoted handle with locking feature offers a straightforward mechanical means to secure the clamp in the closed position, achieving reliable holding with minimal structural complexity.
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 adjustable cup holder securely holds a wide range of containers, provides stable support, and allows for convenient storage and portability, ensuring balanced and spill-proof carrying of spillable contents.
Implementation Method 1
The clamp assembly further comprises a spring-biased pivoted handle.
Implementation Method 2
a pivot stop adjacent its proximal end for limiting pivoting movement of the cup support assembly in the in-use position
Implementation Method 3
a locking tab extends from the distal clamping end of the clamp assembly, and the angled foot of the cup support assembly defines a complementary slot for releasably receiving the locking tab with the cup support assembly in the folded stowed position
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable cup holder incorporates an elongated clamp assembly and cup support assembly. The clamp assembly has a proximal end and a distal clamping end. The cup support assembly is connected at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, and comprises a body portion and a pair of arcuate cup-encircling arms having respective spaced-apart free ends. A pivot pin enables pivot adjustment of the cup support assembly at the proximal end of the clamp assembly, such that the cup support assembly is movable between a desired in-use position depending from the clamp assembly, and a folded stowed position beside the clamp assembly. In the stowed position, the clamp assembly passes between the spaced-apart free ends of the cup-encircling arms and into an area defined between the cup-encircling arms.