Illuminable Vehicle Beverage Holder With Localized Base Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminable beverage holders for vehicles often position light sources in a distracting manner and have complex constructions, failing to provide effective ambient lighting without these issues.
Innovation Solution
An illuminable beverage holder assembly featuring a receptacle formed by side walls coupled to an illuminable base member with a distal engagement member and optical surface, incorporating a light source, such as an LED on a circuit board, to emit light through the optical surface, optimizing light distribution and minimizing refraction, while being securely mounted and protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned to illuminate the receptacle, then the beverage can be located during dark conditions, but the light source becomes distracting to vehicle occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the base member illuminable while keeping the rest of the receptacle non-illuminable. The light source is positioned to illuminate only the base member where the beverage container sits, providing localized illumination that helps locate the beverage without creating distracting glare in the driver's field of view. This resolves the contradiction by concentrating illumination where it is needed (on the beverage container base) while avoiding areas that would cause distraction.
2Illumination intensity
If a traditional light source configuration is used, then illumination is provided, but the construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source, circuit board, and mounting structure into an integrated assembly that is directly coupled to the base member. The circuit board is positioned with the light source in operational relationship to the base member, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, wiring harnesses, and adjustment mechanisms. This integration simplifies the construction while maintaining effective illumination of the beverage container.
3Illumination intensity
If the light source is positioned for effective illumination, then ambient light is provided, but the positioning becomes distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is localized to the base member only, creating a focused pool of light that draws the driver's attention to the beverage location without creating widespread glare. The light source is positioned to illuminate downward and forward onto the base member, directing attention to the lower periphery of the driver's field of view where beverage holders are typically located, rather than illuminating the driver's direct line of sight.
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 solution provides non-distracting ambient lighting that aids in locating beverages during dark conditions, with a simplified and secure construction that enhances user experience and reduces complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a light source operably coupled to the engagement member and configured to emit light through the optical surface to illuminate the illuminable portion
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminable beverage holder assembly is provided and includes at least one side wall coupled an illuminable base member to form a receptacle for receiving a beverage container. The illuminable base member includes a distal engagement member with an optical surface. A light source is operably coupled to the engagement member and configured to emit light through the optical surface to illuminate the illuminable portion.