Rotating Cup Holder Control for Vehicle Acceleration Spill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid stored in beverage holders is prone to spillage due to acceleration and vertical displacement during vehicle movements, leading to spillage over sidewalls.
Innovation Solution
An automatic system that includes a sensor to measure acceleration, a motor to rotate the enclosure, and a controller to command the motor to adjust the position of the beverage holder based on acceleration thresholds, thereby positioning the opening to counteract centrifugal forces and reduce spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the beverage holder is kept stationary, then the structure is simple and stable, but liquid spills over sidewalls during vehicle acceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder is made rotatable rather than stationary, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation in response to acceleration forces. The holder can rotate to different angular positions based on the direction and magnitude of acceleration, preventing liquid spillage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
An accelerometer sensor provides real-time feedback about the vehicle's acceleration state to a controller, which then commands the motor to rotate the beverage holder to the appropriate angle. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the holder maintains the correct orientation to contain liquid during various acceleration conditions.
2Reliability
If the beverage holder is rotated to counteract acceleration, then spillage is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vehicle's own acceleration data (measured by an accelerometer that may already be present in the vehicle) to automatically control the beverage holder's orientation. The sensor, controller, and motor work together as an integrated self-regulating system that requires minimal external input or intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular orientation parameter of the beverage holder based on measured acceleration parameters. By dynamically adjusting the holder's rotational position in response to changing acceleration conditions, the system maintains liquid containment without requiring complex mechanical structures or multiple components.
3Reliability
If the opening is positioned against the direction of acceleration, then centrifugal forces are counteracted, but the system requires active control and sensing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The accelerometer continuously monitors acceleration and provides feedback to the controller, which adjusts the holder's position in real-time. This automated feedback loop enables the system to maintain optimal orientation without manual intervention, effectively preventing spillage through active control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkage systems with an electronic control system consisting of an accelerometer, microcontroller, and small motor. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same spillage prevention function through electronic sensing and actuation.
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 system effectively reduces or eliminates spillage by dynamically positioning the beverage holder to align with the direction of acceleration, ensuring liquid remains contained.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to perform a measurement associated with an acceleration of the system
Implementation Method 2
positioning the opening to counteract centrifugal forces and reduce spillage
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, an automatic cup holder may include an enclosure partially surrounding a volume and having a recessed end for receiving a beverage holder, a sensor configured to perform a measurement associated with an acceleration of the system, a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the enclosure, and a controller. The controller may be configured to detect that the measurement satisfies an acceleration threshold and to command the motor to rotate based on the measurement satisfying the acceleration threshold.