Thermally controllable cupholder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cupholders in marine applications face challenges in thermal management and water intake due to increased environmental exposure, requiring efficient thermal control and drainage solutions while minimizing energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A thermally controllable cupholder design featuring a beverage receptacle with a drain passageway and thermal control device, including a perforated heat sink or finned heat sink, that can change the temperature of the beverage receptacle and accommodate fluid drainage, using a Peltier device, cool sink, heat sink, and fan for efficient heating and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermal control device is added to the cupholder, then thermal management capability is improved, but device complexity and susceptibility to environmental damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal control device is integrated into the cupholder structure, merging the beverage receptacle and thermal control components into a single unified assembly. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining thermal management functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cupholder structure serves multiple functions: it holds the beverage receptacle, provides thermal control through integrated heating/cooling elements, and incorporates drainage capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Temperature
If a thermal control device is added to the cupholder, then thermal management capability is improved, but reliability decreases due to increased environmental exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is extracted as a separate functional component from the thermal control device, allowing the thermal control elements to be protected from water exposure while maintaining drainage capability through a dedicated passageway.
Solution Approach 2:
The beverage receptacle acts as a protective barrier (shell) that isolates the thermal control device from direct environmental exposure to water and moisture, thereby improving reliability while maintaining thermal management functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a drain passageway is included in the cupholder, then drainage capability is improved, but thermal efficiency may deteriorate due to heat loss through the drain area
Solution Approach 1:
The drain passageway is designed with specific thermal properties (such as insulation or thermal barriers) at the drainage location, allowing efficient fluid drainage while minimizing heat loss through that specific area. Different parts of the cupholder have different thermal characteristics optimized for their specific functions.
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 user experience by efficiently managing temperature and fluid drainage in marine environments, improving energy efficiency and durability, and is adaptable for various applications beyond marine use.
Implementation Method 1
In one particular embodiment, a cylindrical, perforated heat sink is situated to at least partially surround the drain passageway
Implementation Method 2
The thermal control device includes a perforated heat sink
Implementation Method 3
The perforated heat sink can promote increased heat removal while accommodating fluid flow through the cupholder assembly
Implementation Method 4
a cylindrical, perforated heat sink is situated to at least partially surround the drain passageway
Implementation Method 5
using a Peltier device, cool sink, heat sink, and fan for efficient heating and cooling
Implementation Method 6
The drain hole connects the beverage receptacle to the drain passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A thermally controllable cupholder that is advantageously designed for marine and other outdoor implementations. The thermally controllable cupholder includes a beverage receptacle and a thermal control device configured to change a temperature of the beverage receptacle. In one embodiment, the cupholder includes a drain passageway and a drain hole that connects the beverage receptacle to the drain passageway. In one embodiment, the cupholder includes a perforated heat sink to promote the thermal conductivity of the thermal control device.