RGB Cup Holder Lighting for Temperature Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-controlled cup holders for vehicles are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and lack effective visual feedback for temperature settings, which can lead to user safety concerns and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder arrangement with a control unit and RGB lighting system that adjusts color gradient based on the relative temperature setting, providing intuitive temperature feedback and preventing user injury from residual heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If temperature-controlled cup holders are implemented, then user comfort and functionality are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a temperature sensor continuously monitors the cup holder temperature and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the heating or cooling operation based on this feedback, ensuring energy is only consumed when temperature adjustment is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between user comfort and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (heating/cooling power levels) based on the temperature difference between the setpoint and actual temperature. By adjusting the degree of temperature control rather than maintaining constant high-power operation, the system reduces energy consumption while maintaining user comfort.
2Reliability
If visual temperature indicators are added to cup holders, then user safety and information feedback are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing LEDs to indicate different temperature states and operational modes of the cup holder. Different colors represent different temperature levels or operational states, providing intuitive visual feedback to users without requiring complex display systems or multiple indicator components, thus improving safety while minimizing complexity increase.
3Loss of information
If RGB lighting system is integrated into cup holder, then visual feedback and user interface are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RGB lighting system is designed to serve multiple functions: indicating temperature levels, showing operational status, and providing user interface feedback. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional lighting system rather than separate indicators for each function, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive visual feedback capabilities.
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
Enhances user safety and comfort by allowing precise temperature control and visual indication of temperature status, reducing energy consumption and improving usability.
Implementation Method 1
The cup holder (3) has a thermoelectric element for heating and/or cooling a cup (5) held in the cup holder (3), depending on the polarity of the applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
a control unit (7) which is set up in such a way that a color gradient of the lighting unit (5) can be controlled depending on a relative temperature setting of the cup holder (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The cup-holder arrangement (1) has a lighting unit (5) fixed into a cup-holder (3) and provides red green blue lighting. A control unit (7) controls color gradient and light intensity of the lighting unit as functions of a temperature setting of the cup-holder. The cup-holder is a temperature-adjustable cup-holder for heating or cooling the contents of the cup-holder. A human-machine interface activates or sets the control unit. A relative temperature corresponds to temperature difference between target-temperature and actual temperature, which are the absolute temperatures of the cup-holder. An independent claim is included for a method for operating a cup-holder arrangement.