Vehicle Console Cup Holder With Removable Light Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for cup holder assemblies in vehicles that can be used with or without lighting features, ensuring the absence of the lighting feature is not noticeable to the user, as vehicles with and without lighting packages require a consistent appearance.

Innovation Solution

A cup holder assembly design that includes a cover, a housing with a slit, and a support frame, where the light source is mounted adjacent to the slit in the sidewall to illuminate the interior of the receptacle, allowing for the assembly to be used in vehicles with or without the lighting feature package by maintaining a consistent appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the cup holder assembly includes a lighting feature, then the interior of the cup holder is illuminated, but the assembly cannot be used in vehicles without the lighting feature package

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of cup holder interiorVSAvoidcompatibility with vehicles without lighting package

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is extracted as a separate, removable component from the cup holder assembly structure. The housing includes a recess specifically designed to receive the light source, allowing it to be installed when needed and removed when not required, enabling the same assembly to function in both vehicles with and without lighting packages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cup holder assembly is designed with universal compatibility by incorporating an optional lighting component. The housing structure with its recess and the removable light source allow the assembly to serve dual purposes: providing illumination when installed and functioning as a standard cup holder when the light source is absent, thus adapting to different vehicle configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lighting feature is removed from the cup holder assembly, then the assembly can be used in vehicles without the lighting package, but the absence of the lighting feature becomes noticeable to the user

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with vehicles without lighting packageVSAvoidillumination of cup holder interior

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The recess in the housing acts as an intermediary structure that accommodates the light source. This recess is designed to be visually unobtrusive and maintains the aesthetic appearance of the cup holder whether or not a light source is installed within it, preventing the absence of lighting from being noticeable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cup holder assembly is designed with a fixed lighting structure, then the lighting feature is always present, but the assembly cannot be adapted to vehicles without the lighting feature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of lighting featureVSAvoidcompatibility with different vehicle packages

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting configuration is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The light source can be installed or removed based on the vehicle's lighting package status, transforming the assembly from a static design to one that adapts to different operational requirements and vehicle configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for seamless integration and use of the cup holder assembly in vehicles with or without lighting features, ensuring the absence of the lighting feature is unnoticeable, thus providing a consistent appearance and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The light source is mounted to the support frame such that the light source is positioned adjacent the slit in the at least one sidewall to illuminate an interior of the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS20190023167A1Cup holder assemblies having lighting features for console assemblies of vehicles

Publication Date: 2019.01.24 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A cup holder assembly for a console assembly of a vehicle includes a cover, a housing, a light source, and a support frame. The cover includes an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, and an opening extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The housing includes an open ended receptacle defined by a floor and at least one sidewall. The at least one sidewall includes a slit. The housing is connected to the interior surface of the cover such that the opening of the cover permits access to the open ended receptacle. The support frame is connected to at least one of the cover and the housing. The light source is mounted to the support frame such that the light source is positioned adjacent the slit in the at least one sidewall to illuminate an interior of the receptacle.