Lighted Cup Holder with Ambient Light-Sensitive Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seating arrangements in vehicles, aircraft, boats, and theaters often face difficulties in locating cup holders in dark or low-visibility conditions, leading to spills and potential distractions or pollution, as existing cup holders are not easily identifiable in such environments.
Innovation Solution
A lighted cup holder is integrated into the seating arrangement, featuring a light-producing source within the cup receptacle and a light-sensitive element that automatically activates illumination only when ambient light intensity drops below a certain threshold, ensuring the cup holder is easily located without being distracting or obtrusive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a light-producing source is added to the cup holder to improve visibility in dark conditions, then the cup holder becomes easily locatable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a light-producing source that emits light of a specific color (e.g., blue or green LED) to illuminate the cup holder receptacle. This color emission enhances visibility in dark conditions while maintaining a simple device structure. The light color is selected to be non-distracting and suitable for the viewing environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through a light-sensitive element that automatically activates the light-producing source only when ambient light intensity drops below a certain threshold. This on-demand activation reduces energy consumption and prevents the light from being continuously on, which would be distracting. The light turns on periodically when needed and off when ambient light is sufficient.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If continuous illumination is provided to ensure cup holder visibility, then the cup holder is always locatable, but energy consumption increases and distraction may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through a light-sensitive element that automatically activates the light-producing source only when ambient light intensity drops below a certain threshold. This on-demand activation reduces energy consumption and prevents the light from being continuously on, which would be distracting. The light turns on periodically when needed and off when ambient light is sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback through a light-sensitive element that continuously monitors ambient light intensity and provides feedback to the light-producing source. When the ambient light level drops below the threshold, the feedback triggers the light to turn on; when ambient light increases, the feedback triggers the light to turn off. This closed-loop control optimizes energy usage while maintaining visibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a light-sensitive element is added to control illumination automatically, then the system adapts to ambient light conditions, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through a light-sensitive element that automatically detects ambient light intensity and controls the light-producing source without requiring external intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously turning the light on or off based on the ambient light conditions, eliminating the need for manual switches or complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by using a light-sensitive element that detects changes in ambient light intensity (a physical parameter) and automatically adjusts the state of the light-producing source accordingly. This simple parameter-based control enables adaptation to different lighting conditions without requiring complex processing or multiple components.
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 effectively facilitates the use of cup holders in reduced visibility conditions, reducing spillage and distractions, while maintaining a non-intrusive and unobtrusive design suitable for existing seating arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a light-sensitive element that automatically activates illumination only when ambient light intensity drops below a certain threshold
Implementation Method 2
a light-producing source within the cup receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus include attaching a lighted cup holder to a seating arrangement. The lighted cup holder includes a cup holder body and a light-producing light source, with the cup holder body being attached to the seating arrangement and having a cup receptacle therein, the light-producing source being disposed within the cup receptacle for illuminating the receptacle. A light-sensitive element operatively connected to the light source selectively controls production of light by the light source in such a manner that illumination of the cup holder is provided only under conditions where visibility is reduced to the point that it becomes difficult to locate the cup holder. The light-sensitive element is mounted on a master lighted cup holder and controls illumination of the master lighted cup holder and one or more slave lighted cup holders operatively connected to the master lighted cup holder.