Retractable Cup Holder with Pivoting Arm and Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cup holders often occupy unnecessary space between the driver and passenger seats and lack flexibility in size and height adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A retractable cup holder design featuring an adjustable arm and base that can pivot and translate, allowing for compact storage within a vehicle door and easy extension for use, utilizing a spring mechanism to adjust size and a latch-lock arrangement for secure retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cup holder is placed between the driver seat and passenger seat, then it provides cup holding functionality, but it occupies unnecessary space and reduces flexibility for other uses
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is designed with movable components including an adjustable arm that can pivot and extend, and a base that can pivot about the support. This dynamic design allows the cup holder to be repositioned or retracted when not in use, providing flexibility while minimizing space occupation compared to fixed cup holder designs
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder is divided into separate functional components: a support structure, an adjustable arm with first and second arm portions, and a base. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, enabling the cup holder to adapt to different positions and configurations, thereby improving flexibility without requiring permanent installation space
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cup holder design is used, then it provides stable cup holding, but it lacks flexibility in size and height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable arm includes a pivot portion with a spring mechanism that allows the first arm portion to expand and increase holding size while the second arm portion shrinks to decrease holding size. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides size and height flexibility without requiring complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism in the pivot portion enables dynamic parameter changes in the arm's configuration, allowing the holding size to be adjusted by expanding or shrinking the arm portions. This provides adaptability in cup size accommodation while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure
3Area of stationary object
If a retractable cup holder is used, then it saves interior space, but it requires complex retraction and extension mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder utilizes pivot connections between the base and support, and between the arm portions, allowing the entire assembly to retract into a compact configuration within the door panel. The spring mechanism in the pivot portion provides automatic return force, simplifying the retraction action required from the user
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable arm and base can be received within the vehicle door when in a closed position, with components nested or folded into each other. This nesting capability allows the cup holder to occupy minimal space when retracted, compensating for the added mechanism complexity through efficient space utilization
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 cup holder provides flexible placement and space-saving functionality, allowing users to access their drinks without occupying valuable interior space, while maintaining secure holding and easy access.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot portion may further include a spring such that the first arm portion expands to increase its holding size while the second arm portion shrinks to decrease its holding size via the spring
Data Source
AI summary
According to one or more embodiments, a cup holder includes a support, an adjustable arm connected to the support, and a base connected to the support and spaced apart from the adjustable arm, the base being pivotal about the support in a first direction and being translatable to the adjustable arm in a second direction different from the first direction. The support may include a first member and a second member separable from the first member, the first member being connected to the adjustable arm and the second member being connected to the base.