Integrated Cup Holder Guide with Elastic Injection Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cup holders for vehicles have a large number of parts and assembly steps, leading to increased material and manufacturing costs, noise issues due to springs, and uneven operating forces depending on container shape.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder design with a holder body and a guide that is integrally formed with an elastic member using injection molding, reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, and featuring a hinge for rotatability to minimize noise and ensure consistent force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate parts (holder body, guide housing, guide, spring) are used to achieve guide operation and elastic support, then the guide can be elastically protruded or rotated to tightly support the container, but the number of parts and assembly steps increases, leading to higher material and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holder body, guide housing, guide, and spring into a single integrated structure. The guide is formed as an integral part of the holder body with built-in elastic deformation capability, eliminating the need for separate guide housing and spring components. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining the elastic support function through the inherent flexibility of the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder body is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the guide mechanism, and incorporates elastic elements for guide operation. The guide itself serves dual purposes by being both a structural component and an elastic element that protrudes or rotates to support the container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate parts and assembly steps are used, then the guide mechanism can be assembled with elastic members, but the manufacturing cost increases due to more material and assembly processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manufacturing operations into a single injection molding process. The holder body and guide are formed in one step, and the elastic member is integrated or co-molded in the same process. This eliminates separate assembly steps for attaching guides and elastic members, significantly simplifying manufacturing while reducing labor and assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-formed as an integral part of the holder body during the injection molding process, rather than being attached as a separate component. This preliminary integration of the elastic element eliminates subsequent assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity while ensuring proper positioning and connection.
3Reliability
If a spring is used as the elastic member to provide restoring force for guide operation, then the guide can be elastically protruded or rotated, but noise is generated due to spring operation and friction between the slot and protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spring-based mechanical system with an elastic deformation mechanism integrated into the holder body. Instead of using a separate spring that generates noise through coiling and uncoiling, the guide itself is designed to elastically deform, and the holder body incorporates flexible regions that provide restoring force without the noise-generating mechanisms of conventional springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic function previously provided by a separate spring is merged into the holder body structure itself. The holder body includes integrated elastic regions that deform to provide the necessary restoring force for guide operation, eliminating the separate spring component that generates noise during operation.
4Ease of operation
If a conventional spring mechanism is used, then the guide can be elastically operated, but uneven operating force occurs according to the shape of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different local properties within the holder body structure. Specific regions are designed with varying degrees of flexibility and elastic characteristics tailored to the local requirements. The holder body includes reinforced areas for structural support and flexible areas for elastic guide operation, with the elastic properties optimized for different container shapes and sizes. This localized optimization ensures uniform operating force across various container types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the holder body with dynamic elastic regions that can adapt their stiffness and deformation characteristics based on the applied load and container shape. The integrated elastic structure allows for variable compliance, providing appropriate operating force for different container configurations while maintaining overall structural integrity.
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 design reduces costs, minimizes noise, and provides consistent force application while preventing cup slippage, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the cup holder.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic restoring force of the spring acts in a direction in which the guide contacts the side surface of the container, so that the guide has an adhesive force and a supporting force to the container
Implementation Method 2
The elastic member is formed integrally with the holder body by injection molding
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder for a vehicle may include a holder body having an upper surface opened and having a receiving space formed therein, a guide movable to inside the holder body, and an elastic member provided on at least a portion of the guide and an external circumferential surface of the holder body. The elastic member is integrally formed with the holder body by injection molding.