Sink-Type Vehicle Cup Holder With Opposed Tray-Elevator Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle cup holders often occupy valuable space and complicate the process of placing a cup, diverting the driver's attention with unnecessary steps and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
A sink type cup holder design featuring a support housing, an elevator housing, and an elevator unit with a main gear, rack gear, and driven gear system that allows the cup bearing tray to be lowered and raised independently, enabling efficient cup placement without obstructing space and improving user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional cup holder with support rod and height adjustor is used, then cup holding function is provided, but valuable cup holder space is occupied by support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional support rod and height adjustor mechanisms from the cup holder structure. Instead, it uses the vehicle's existing console structure to provide support, freeing up the cup holder space for actual cup placement while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the console structure multi-functional by having it serve both as the structural support base and as part of the cup holder assembly. The console's existing structural elements are utilized to provide support, eliminating the need for separate dedicated support components.
2Reliability
If a cup holder cover with spring member and slider is used, then cup holder is protected, but user attention is diverted from driving due to preparation steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-positioning the cup holder tray at an accessible location within the console structure. The tray is ready to receive cups immediately without requiring users to perform preparation steps like lowering covers or operating sliders, thus eliminating time loss and keeping driver attention on the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the cup holder cover, spring member, and slider mechanisms entirely. Instead, it provides open access to the cup holding tray through the console structure, eliminating the protective cover system that caused time loss while users had to manipulate multiple components to access the cup holder.
3Ease of operation
If traditional cup holder structures are used, then cup holding capability is provided, but usability is reduced due to complicated placement process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex mechanical components including support rods, height adjustors with pinion gears, cup holder covers with arms, spring members, and sliders. The simplified structure uses only essential elements (console support, tray, and optional latch) dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cup holder into simple functional components: the console structure provides support, the tray provides cup placement surface, and an optional latch provides protection. This segmentation eliminates unnecessary integrated mechanisms and allows each component to perform its single function efficiently.
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 design enhances cup placement efficiency by utilizing space effectively and streamlining the process, ensuring the cup holder is only activated when needed, thus improving usability and aesthetics within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The cup bearing tray may be connected with the elevator housing by compressive springs
Implementation Method 2
an elevator unit that moves the elevator housing and the cup bearing tray in opposite directions. The elevator unit includes: a main gear that is linked with the cup bearing tray and is pivotably installed on the support housing, a rack gear that is linked with the elevator housing, and a driven gear that is engaged between the main gear and the rack gear
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder includes: a support housing; an elevator housing, movable within the support housing; a cup bearing tray, movable within the elevator housing; and an elevator unit that moves the elevator housing and the cup bearing tray in opposite directions. The elevator unit includes: a main gear that is linked with the cup bearing tray and is pivotably installed on the support housing, a rack gear that is linked with the elevator housing, and a driven gear that is engaged between the main gear and the rack gear.