Cupholder assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbulence during flight often causes drink spillage in aircraft, leading to accidents and damage, especially when drinkware slips behind pedals, impeding operation and causing inconvenience to flight personnel.

Innovation Solution

A selectively engageable cupholder assembly with a rack and pinion mechanism, pivotable top and bottom members, and secure locking features to prevent spillage and enhance structural integrity, allowing easy integration into existing aircraft designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cupholder assembly is provided to secure drinkware, then beverage spillage is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage spillage preventionVSAvoidcupholder assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cupholder assembly is divided into separate functional components: a base member with mounting features, a container receiving structure with locking mechanisms, and individual engagement features for securing the beverage container. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The beverage container is received within and nested by the cupholder assembly structure. The container fits into a designated receiving space defined by the base member and side walls, with locking features that nest within the container's geometry. This nesting approach secures the container effectively while maintaining a compact overall form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is added to prevent drinkware movement, then spillage during turbulence is reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrinkware security during turbulenceVSAvoidcupholder engagement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cupholder assembly incorporates self-latching locking features that automatically engage when a beverage container is placed in the receiving structure. The locking mechanism uses the container's own geometry and the assembly's spring-loaded or cam-based latches to secure itself without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable security during turbulence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Complex multi-step mechanical locking systems are replaced with simpler spring-loaded latches, cam-based single-action locks, or friction-fit mechanisms that provide secure retention with minimal user effort. These simplified mechanical systems maintain reliability during turbulence while significantly improving ease of operation compared to traditional multi-component locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12427902B2Cupholder assembly

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 PRECISE FLIGHT INC

AI summary

A selectively engageable and interlocking cupholder assembly, which may be used an aircraft or vehicle interior while in movement.