Luminous sofa cup holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional luminous cup holders in dark environments suffer from poor illumination due to internal light sources being blocked or causing eye glare, and lack temperature indication during cooling/heating processes, making it inconvenient and potentially dangerous for users.
Innovation Solution
A luminous cup holder design with an external light source, a cooling/heating module, and a temperature sensor, where the light source is positioned circumferentially around the cup body, and the control circuit adjusts light color and brightness based on temperature readings, providing clear visibility and temperature feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light source is placed inside the cup body, then the cup holder structure is simple, but the emitted light is diminished or blocked resulting in poor illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the cup body interior and repositioned to the exterior surface of the cup holder. This allows the light to be emitted directly into the environment without being blocked by the cup body, significantly improving illumination quality while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide or optical element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the environment. The light source is positioned at the exterior, and the light guide distributes the light effectively to illuminate the cup holder and its contents without requiring the light source to be inside the cup body
2Illumination intensity
If the light source is placed at the upper opening of the cup body, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the glaring light emits directly into the eyes of the person attempting to pick her cup or goods from the cup holder
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is distributed locally around the cup holder rather than concentrated at the upper opening. Multiple light sources or a circumferential light guide is used to provide uniform illumination from the sides, eliminating direct glare into the user's eyes while maintaining adequate lighting coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The light distribution is changed from a vertical arrangement (at the upper opening) to a horizontal/circumferential arrangement around the cup holder. This dimensional change allows light to be emitted from multiple angles around the cup, providing comprehensive illumination without directing glare into the user's line of sight
3Ease of operation
If no temperature indication is provided, then the device structure is simple, but the user must test the temperature of the cup herself which is inconvenient and possibly dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature-sensitive color change element is applied to the cup holder surface. The element changes color according to the temperature of the liquid in the cup, providing intuitive visual feedback to the user. This eliminates the need for manual temperature testing while adding minimal structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical action of touching the cup to test temperature is replaced with an optical/visual indication system. The temperature-sensitive material or sensor provides automatic visual feedback, eliminating the need for physical contact and improving safety and convenience
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 ensures easy recognition of the cup holder from a distance with soft illumination, prevents eye glare, and allows users to comfortably assess the temperature of contents through color-coded temperature indicators.
Implementation Method 1
the light source comprises the luminous body and the light pipe; the light pipe is an annular structure; the luminous body is disposed at the two ends of the light pipe; the luminous body comprises a plurality of surface mounting LEDs
Implementation Method 2
the cooling/heating module provides a thermal source for heating or cooling the cup body
Implementation Method 3
the control circuit for detecting the temperature of the cup body directly or indirectly; wherein the control circuit receives the detecting signal from the temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a luminous sofa cup holder comprising the cup body, the mounting base for supporting the cup body, the light source, the cooling/heating module, the temperature sensor and the control circuit for detecting the temperature of the cup body, either directly or indirectly, wherein the cup body is provided with an empty cavity, wherein the edge of the upper opening of the empty cavity is a flanging structure, which protrudes on the outer side of the cup body, wherein the light source is disposed over the outer side of the cup body; wherein the mounting base is a hollow body provided with at least one opening; wherein the cup body inserts into the mounting base through the opening provided on the mounting base; wherein the light source is held tightly by the cup body and the mounting base.