Removable Cup Holder Insert for Easy Spill Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cup holder assemblies in vehicles are difficult to clean after a drink spill, as the mechanical fingers are mounted behind the cup well and cannot be removed without disassembling the entire assembly, leading to inconvenience for vehicle owners.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder assembly with removable and resilient inserts that can be easily snapped out of the cup well for cleaning, featuring a locking mechanism with tabs and receivers for secure seating and easy removal, and legs with living hinges to accommodate various cup sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical fingers are mounted behind the cup well to provide gripping force, then the cup holding function is improved, but the cleaning accessibility deteriorates because the mechanical fingers cannot be removed without disassembling the entire assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder assembly is divided into separable components: a removable insert containing the mechanical fingers and a stationary cup well. This segmentation allows the insert to be easily removed for cleaning while the mechanical fingers remain integrated and functional when the insert is in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fingers are extracted from the permanent structure by placing them on a removable insert. This extraction allows the cleaning function to access the mechanical fingers by simply removing the insert, without needing to disassemble the entire cup holder assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If the entire cup holder assembly is disassembled to clean the mechanical fingers, then the cleaning completeness is improved, but the device complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cup holder into a removable insert and stationary body, the design enables complete cleaning of all surfaces including the mechanical fingers, while avoiding the complexity of disassembling the entire assembly. The insert can be removed and cleaned independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert containing the mechanical fingers is extracted as a separate cleanable component. This allows owners to remove and clean the insert completely, achieving thorough cleaning without needing to disassemble the complex mounting structure of the entire cup holder assembly.
3Reliability
If mechanical fingers extend through apertures in the cup well wall to provide gripping force, then the cup holding capability is improved, but the structural complexity and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical finger structure is segmented and integrated into a removable insert rather than being permanently mounted through the cup well wall. This reduces structural complexity by eliminating the need for apertures and complex mounting while maintaining the gripping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical fingers are extracted from the permanent wall-mounted structure and placed on a removable insert. This simplifies the overall structure by eliminating the need for apertures in the cup well wall and makes the mechanical fingers accessible for cleaning by simply removing the insert.
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
Enables efficient cleaning of drink spills by allowing the removable inserts to be taken out, cleaned, and reinserted, maintaining the cup holder's functionality without requiring extensive disassembly, allowing vehicle owners to perform maintenance themselves.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of those legs may include a living hinge
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder assembly is provided. That cup holder assembly includes a body having a first cup well and a first resilient insert. The first resilient insert is seated within the first cup well for receiving and holding a cup. The first resilient insert may be easily removed from the cup well when cleaning a drink spill.