Rotatable Tray Cup Holder for Variable Container Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders for automobiles are inefficient in accommodating beverage containers of varying sizes, requiring additional parts to adjust width and depth, and are cumbersome to operate, especially when transitioning between shallow and deep settings.
Innovation Solution
A cup holder design featuring rotatable second floor members with an urging device and fixation mechanism, allowing for simultaneous adjustment of depth and width to accommodate different container sizes, with a torsion coil spring maintaining the shallow state and a locking mechanism for the deep state, facilitating easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shallow cup holder is used, then short beverage containers can be easily accessed, but tall beverage containers may be hit by the driver's elbow during shifting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder employs a rotatable tray that can dynamically change its position between a horizontal state (shallow depth) and an upwardly rotated state (deep depth). This dynamic adjustment allows the cup holder to adapt to different beverage container heights, preventing the driver's elbow from hitting tall containers while maintaining easy access to short containers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a deep cup holder is used, then tall beverage containers can be accommodated, but short beverage containers become difficult to take out
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tray enables the cup holder to switch between deep and shallow configurations. When the tray is rotated upward, it creates deep space for tall containers; when horizontal, it maintains shallow depth for easy removal of short containers. This dynamic reconfiguration eliminates the need to choose between deep and shallow fixed designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If another device is added to adjust width in addition to the tray, then the cup holder can accommodate different beverage container widths, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tray serves multiple functions simultaneously: it adjusts the depth of the cup holder by changing its rotation angle, and it adjusts the width by moving the free end laterally. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate width-adjusting devices, reducing the number of parts while maintaining adaptability to different container sizes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tray is pushed down by hand to make the cup holder shallow, then the depth can be adjusted, but the operation becomes bothersome
Solution Approach 1:
The urging device automatically pushes the tray toward the horizontal (shallow) position, eliminating the need for users to manually push the tray down. The system serves itself by using the urging device to maintain the default shallow state, making depth adjustment convenient when switching between tall and short containers.
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 seamless insertion and removal of beverage containers of various diameters and heights, reducing the need for multiple parts and simplifying the operation of depth adjustment, ensuring secure holding and easy access.
Implementation Method 1
an urging device (8) urging the second floor members toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder for holding a beverage container includes a case having a first floor member in a receiving chamber, and a sidewall; a second floor member with a base end side rotatably supported by the sidewall inside the case, and a free end rotatable between a first position where the free end is positioned on a lateral side of a rotary shaft, and a second position where the free end is positioned below the rotary shaft; and an urging device urging the second floor member toward the first position. The second floor member rotates toward the second position when the second floor member receives a load larger than a predetermined load from above at the first position, and holds the beverage container together with the first floor member at a third position where the second floor member is rotated to a second position side more than the first position.