Stowable Cupholder Hinge Structure for Spill-Free Tray Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Airline passengers face issues with drinks spilling from meal tray cup recesses and the recess occupying valuable surface area, while existing solutions like US 4 733 908 do not adequately address these problems.
Innovation Solution
A stowable cupholder apparatus with a cupholder member, cup grip ring, and hinge that can move between stowed and deployed positions, providing additional support and versatility for holding various items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cup recess is provided on the meal tray, then a cup can be held, but the cup recess takes up valuable surface area on the meal tray
Solution Approach 1:
The cupholder member is designed to be movable between a stowed position (where it does not occupy meal tray surface area) and a deployed position (where it provides cup holding capability). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between two functional states, resolving the contradiction between needing cup holding capability and preserving meal tray surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The cupholder function is separated from the meal tray as a distinct, movable component. The cupholder member can be independently deployed or stowed, allowing the meal tray surface area to remain fully available when the cupholder is not needed, while still providing cup holding capability when required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cup recess is provided on the meal tray, then a cup can be held, but drinks are frequently spilled while the meal tray is in use
Solution Approach 1:
The movable cupholder member can be deployed to provide additional support structures (such as vertical walls or gripping surfaces) that are not present in a simple recess. This dynamic deployment enhances the reliability of drink holding by providing better containment and stability, preventing spills during meal tray use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cupholder member acts as an intermediary structure between the cup and the meal tray. It provides additional support and stabilization functions that prevent direct contact issues between the cup and meal tray surface, thereby reducing spill risk while maintaining cup holding capability.
3Reliability
If a stowable cupholder apparatus is deployed, then spillage is prevented and multiple functionalities are provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cupholder member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides spill prevention through its containment structure, offers additional support for various items (cups, mobile devices, coats), and can be stowed or deployed as needed. This multi-functionality justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (spillage prevention, item holding, space optimization) are merged into a single cupholder member structure. By combining these functions in one component rather than using separate devices, the overall system complexity is managed more efficiently while achieving reliable spill prevention and versatile functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a stowable cupholder apparatus (106). The stowable cupholder apparatus (106) includes a cupholder member (112) defined by: a top planar member (118), the top planar member (118) having a cup hole (124) configured to accommodate a cup (602); a rear planar member (120) extending from the top planar member (118); and a base planar member (122) extending from the rear planar member (120), wherein a gap exists between the top planar member (118) and the base planar member (122). The stowable cupholder apparatus (106) may include a cup grip ring member (114) attached to the top planar member (118), the cup grip ring member (114) including a ring (126) and cup grip fingers (128) extending inwardly away from the ring (126). The stowable cupholder apparatus (106) may include a hinge (116) attached to the rear planar member (120) and configured to attach to a structure, wherein the hinge (116) has a range of motion configured to move the cupholder member (112) between a stowed position and a deployed position.