Patent Publication Number: US-2022234484-A1

Title: Cup Holder Apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0012523, filed on Jan. 28, 2021, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cup holder apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In an indoor space of a vehicle, a cup holder on which various kinds of things or cups can be seated is provided in a space between a driver&#39;s seat and a passenger seat. 
     In case of a cup with a drink therein, since the drink may pour during vehicle operation, it is necessary to safely place the cup on the cup holder. 
     It can cause spatial limitations to provide a lot of space for cup placement in the indoor space of the vehicle, and in case of providing a separate space, other uses should be restricted. 
     Meanwhile, although design is considered to maximally secure a storage space even on a door trim, the storage space can be limited and insufficient due to a map pocket, full handle, and so on as functions of the door trim. 
     Accordingly, in case of applying the cup holder to the door trim, the internal space may be reduced due to the protruding design of the cup holder. 
     The above-described features of background technology are intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and may include the features that are not the related art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cup holder apparatus that is mounted on a door trim of a vehicle and in which a cup can be placed. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above, and provide a cup holder apparatus which is mounted on a door trim to place a cup thereon and which does not reduce an internal space since the cup holder apparatus does not protrude toward the internal space when not in use. 
     Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood by the following description, and become apparent with reference to the embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, it is obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized by the means as claimed and combinations thereof. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cup holder apparatus includes a cup holder bracket mounted on a door panel and disposed between the door panel and a door trim, and a cup holder having one side rotatably combined with the cup holder bracket and the other side fastened to a latch mounted on the cup holder bracket, wherein in case that the cup holder is unfastened from the latch and is rotated, a first holder and a second holder which are rotatably combined with the cup holder are rotated. 
     The cup holder further includes a first rotating pin combined with the cup holder bracket through penetration of the one side of the cup holder, and a first spring surrounding the first rotating pin and having one end combined with the cup holder and the other end combined with the cup holder bracket. 
     The cup holder includes a garnish part having a front surface formed side by side with a garnish mounted on the door trim, a first side part bent from one side surface of the garnish part, and a second side part bent from the other side surface of the garnish part. 
     A stopper protruding toward the cup holder is formed on the cup holder bracket, the other end of the first spring is combined with the stopper, and when the cup holder is rotated, the first side part comes in contact with the stopper and a turning radius thereof is limited. 
     A first damping gear is mounted on the cup holder bracket, and the first rotating pin penetrates the cup holder and a second damping gear tooth-engaged with the first damping gear is mounted on the cup holder. 
     A latch fastening part protruding to extend toward the cup holder bracket is formed adjacent to the second side part on a rear surface of the garnish part, and is fastened to the latch. 
     The cup holder further includes the first holder in an arc shape, a second rotating pin combined with the garnish part through penetration of one end part of the first holder, and a second spring surrounding the second rotating pin and having one end combined with the garnish part and the other end combined with the first holder. 
     A through-hole being penetrable by the latch fastening part is formed on a side of the one end part of the first holder. 
     When the cup holder is rotated around the first rotating pin as an axis, the first holder is rotated around the second rotating pin as an axis. 
     When the first holder is maximally rotated, the first holder comes in contact with the second side part, and a turning radius thereof is limited. 
     When the first holder is maximally rotated, a reaction force in an opposite rotation direction is applied to the first holder by the second spring. 
     The cup holder further includes the second holder in an arc shape, a third rotating pin combined with the garnish part through penetration of one end part of the second holder, and a third spring surrounding the third rotating pin and having one end combined with the garnish part and the other end combined with the second holder, wherein when the cup holder is rotated around the first rotating pin as an axis, the second holder is rotated around the third rotating pin as an axis. 
     The first holder is disposed more adjacent to the second side part than the second holder, and an arc length of the first holder is longer than an arc length of the second holder. 
     The cup holder bracket includes a cup holder seat part supporting a bottom surface of the cup holder, and a cup holder accommodation part formed to upwardly protrude in an arc shape corresponding to the first holder from one side of the cup holder seat part. 
     In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a cup holder apparatus includes a cup holder bracket disposed between a door panel and a door trim, a garnish part having a front surface mounted side by side with a garnish mounted on the door trim, a first holder in an arc shape and rotatably combined with a rear surface of the garnish part, and a second holder in an arc shape and rotatably combined with the rear surface of the garnish part, wherein one side of the garnish part is rotatably combined with the cup holder bracket and the other side of the garnish part is fastened to a latch mounted on the cup holder bracket, and in case that the garnish part is unfastened from the latch and is rotated, insides of arcs of the first holder and the second holder are unfolded to face each other. 
     The cup holder apparatus further includes a second rotating pin combined with the garnish part through penetration of one end part of the first holder, a second spring surrounding the second rotating pin and having one end combined with the garnish part and the other end combined with the first holder, a third rotating pin combined with the garnish part through penetration of one end part of the second holder, and a third spring surrounding the third rotating pin and having one end combined with the garnish part and the other end combined with the second holder. 
     The cup holder apparatus includes a first side part bent from one side surface of the garnish part, and a second side part bent from the other side surface of the garnish part, wherein when the first holder is maximally rotated, the first holder comes in contact with the second side part and a turning radius thereof is limited, and when the first holder is maximally rotated, a reaction force in an opposite rotation direction is applied to the first holder by the second spring. 
     The first holder is disposed more adjacent to the other side of the garnish part than the second holder, and an arc length of the first holder is longer than an arc length of the second holder. 
     The cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is harmonized with the door trim skin and molding design, and thus does not impair the appearance. 
     Further, since the cup holder apparatus does not protrude out of the door trim when not in use, it does not reduce the internal space. 
     That is, the cup holder apparatus can be used in a manner that it protrudes out of the door trim only when in use and is adjusted to match the size of the cup. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a state in which a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is mounted on a door trim. 
         FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a planar cross-sectional shape of a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a state in which a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is in operation. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a state in which a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is completely operated. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an adjustment state of a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     In order to fully understand the present disclosure, advantages in operation of the present disclosure, and objects being achieved by embodying the present disclosure, the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and the contents described in the accompanying drawings should be referred to. 
     In describing the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, explanations of known technologies or repeated explanations, which may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, will be reduced or omitted. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a state in which a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is mounted on a door trim, and  FIG. 2  schematically illustrates a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  illustrates a planar cross-sectional shape of a cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a door trim including a cup holder apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. 
     The cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure is an apparatus which is mounted on a door trim  1  and in which a cup  3  is able to be fitted and placed onto a cup holder  200  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cup holder apparatus has an integral design with a garnish  2  on the door trim  10 , and can overcome spatial limitations in a manner that the cup holder  200  does not protrude out of the door trim  1  using a hidden space in the door trim  1  when not in use, whereas it protrudes to be used as shown in  FIG. 1  only when in use. 
     For this, the cup holder apparatus includes a cup holder bracket  100 , a cup holder  200 , and a latch  300 , and the cup holder  200  forms one part of the garnish  2  in appearance when not in use, whereas the cup holder  200  is rotated to function as the cup holder when in use. 
     The cup holder bracket  100  is disposed in a space between the door trim  1  and a door panel and is fixedly mounted on the door panel, and includes a cup holder seat part no, a cup holder accommodation part  120 , a cup holder fastening part  13   o , and a cup holder support part  140 . 
     The cup holder seat part no is configured to be in a flat plate shape with predetermined width and length to support a bottom surface of the cup holder  200 , and the cup holder accommodation part  120  is configured to upwardly protrude in an arc shape from one side of the cup holder seat part no and to accommodate and support the cup holder  200  in a bent state before operation. 
     The cup holder fastening part  130  is configured to be connected to one side of the cup holder accommodation part  120  and to protrude upward from the cup holder seat part  110 , and the latch  300  is mounted thereon to be fastened to or unfastened from the cup holder  200 . The cup holder support part  140  is configured to be connected to the other side of the cup holder accommodation part  120  and to protrude upward from the cup holder seat part no, and by a stopper  141  protruding sideward, the operation of the cup holder  200  is supported and the radius of the cup holder  200  is limited. 
     Further, a door trim mount part  121  may be formed on upper and lower sides of the cup holder seat part no, the cup holder fastening part  13   o , and the cup holder support part  14   o , and may be combined with the door trim  1  by a bolt penetrating the door trim mount part  121 . 
     The cup holder  200  has one side rotatably combined with the cup holder support part  140  and the cup holder seat part no, and the other side fastened to the latch  300  or unfastened from the latch  300  so that the other side is rotated and protrudes to an outside of the door trim  1  to enable the cup  3  to be seated on the cup holder  200 . 
     The cup holder  200  includes a garnish part  210 , a first holder  220 , and a second holder  230 . 
     The garnish part  210  has a garnish  2  mounted on the door trim  1  and in particular, a front part that is side by side with a front surface of a skin or molding, and implements an integral feeling with the garnish  2  before being operated. 
     Further, the first holder  220  and the second holder  230  are combined with a rear surface of the front part, an upper part  213  extends from an upper end of the front part, and a lower part that is side by side with the upper part  213  extends from a lower end of the front part. 
     A first rotating pin  311  that penetrates the upper part  213 , the lower part, and the cup holder seat part no is combined with one side of the upper part  213 , and a first spring  321  surrounds the first rotating pin  311  and has one end combined with the garnish part  210  and the other end combined with the stopper  141  of the cup holder support part  140 . 
     Accordingly, if the cup holder  200  is unfastened from the latch  300 , the cup holder  200  is rotated toward the inside of the vehicle by an elastic force of the first spring  321 . 
     The rotation angle may be maximally 56°. 
     On one of the two side surfaces of the garnish part  210 , a first side part  211  bent from the garnish part  210  toward the cup holder seat part no is formed, and on the other side surface thereof, a second side part  212  bent from the garnish part  210  toward the cup holder seat part no is formed. 
     If the cup holder  200  is unfastened from the latch  300  and is rotated, the first side part  211  comes in contact with the stopper  141  and a turning radius thereof is limited. 
     Further, a latch fastening part  214  is formed to extend from the rear surface of the garnish part  210  that is adjacent to the second side part  212  toward the cup holder seat part  110 , and is inserted into the latch  300  to be combined with the latch  300 , and if an external force is applied toward the latch  300 , the latch fastening part  214  is unfastened from the latch  300 . 
     Further, in the middle of the rear surface thereof, a second holder support part  215  is formed to project, and thus the second holder  230  can be supported by the second holder support part  215 . 
     Next, the first holder  220  is combined by a second rotating pin  312  that penetrates one end part of the first holder  220  and the upper part  213  and the lower part of the garnish part  210 , and a second spring  322  surrounds the second rotating pin  312  and has one end combined with the garnish part  210  and the other end combined with one end part of the first holder  220 . The first holder  220  is combined adjacent to the latch fastening part  214  toward the center of the garnish part  210  rather than the latch fastening part  214 . 
     The first holder  220  is formed in an arc shape in plane from one end part thereof to the other end part thereof, the center of the arc is directed toward the center of the garnish part  210  and the first side part  211 , and the first holder  220  forms the shape capable of grasping the cup  3  together with the second holder  230  that faces the first holder  220 . 
     Accordingly, before the cup holder  200  is operated, the second spring  322  is compressed, and the first holder  220  is folded toward the garnish part  210  to be seated on an inner surface of the cup holder accommodation part  120 . If the cup holder  200  is unfastened from the latch  300 , the second spring  322  is restored as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the first holder  220  is rotated and unfolded in a direction in which the first holder  220  gets farther apart from the garnish part  210 . 
     During such an operation, a through-hole  221  is formed on the side of one end part to prevent the first holder  220  from coming in contact with the latch fastening part  214  of the garnish part  210 . 
     The second holder  230  is combined by a third rotating pin  313  that penetrates one end part of the second holder  230  and the upper part  213  and the lower part of the garnish part  210 , and a third spring  323  surrounds the third rotating pin  313  and has one end combined with the second holder support part  215  of the garnish part  210  and the other end combined with one end part of the second holder  230 . 
     The second holder  230  is formed in an arc shape in plane from one end part thereof to the other end part thereof, the center of the arc is directed toward the first holder  220  to face the first holder  220 , and the second holder  230  forms the shape capable of grasping the cup  3  together with the first holder  220 . 
     Accordingly, before the cup holder  200  is operated, the third spring  323  is compressed, and the second holder  230  is folded toward the garnish part  210  to be disposed in the form surrounded by the first holder  220 . If the cup holder  200  is unfastened from the latch  300 , the third spring  323  is restored as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the second holder  230  is rotated and unfolded in a direction in which the second holder  230  gets farther apart from the garnish part  210 . 
     The spring force of the third spring  323  may be set so that the rotation angle from a state before the operation of the second holder  230  to a state after the operation of the second holder  230  becomes, for example, 59.5°. 
     The operation is illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated by arrow  350 , when a push weight is applied to a corresponding section, the cup holder appears due to the latch release and spring action force. Arrows  355  illustrate that a reaction force is caused by the spring is in action. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the guide structure is applied, in which the cup holder is unfolded according to the bracket trajectory and is folded when not in use. The cup holder operation trajectory is shown by the broken line  360 . 
     Meanwhile, referring to  FIG. 5 , a second damping gear  342  may be combined with the lower part of the garnish part  210  with which the first rotating pin  311  is combined, and the first rotating pin  311  may be combined through penetration of the second damping gear  342 . 
     Further, a first damping gear  341  that is tooth-engaged with the second damping gear  342  may be formed on the cup holder seat part  110 . 
     Accordingly, during an opening operation as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second damping gear  342  is rotated and operated by the engaged first damping gear  341 , and thus, during a pop-up by the force of the first spring  321 , the second damping gear  342  is popped up on a slow motion to improve the emotional quality. 
     Further, it is more preferable in operation that the first holder  220  having a large turning radius is longer than the second holder  230 . 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 5 , luxuriousness of the vehicle is improved by having the cup holder slowly popped up by the spring caused by applying a gear type oil damper to the bracket. 
     In the unfolded state as shown in  FIG. 4  through the above-described operation, the cup  3  can be fitted and placed onto the insides of the first holder  220  and the second holder  230  as shown in  FIG. 6  by maximally rotating the first holder  220 , and in this case, the first holder  220  comes in contact with the end of the second side part  212 , and further rotation of the first holder  220  is blocked by the second side part  212 . 
     The maximum rotation angle in a state where the first holder  220  is operated may be, for example, 109°. 
     Further, if the first holder  220  is further rotated by an external force than the state of  FIG. 4  in which the first holder  220  is unfolded by a set spring force as shown in  FIG. 7 , a reaction force by the second spring  322  is incurred on the side of the second holder  230 . This allows the cup holder to be adjustable according to cup size due to the first holder spring reaction force. The arrows  362  and  364  show the reaction force caused the spring in action. 
     Accordingly, by such a reaction force, the first holder  220  is adjusted to match the size of the cup, and thus the cup can be placed on the first holder  220 . 
     As described above, according to the cup holder apparatus according to embodiments of the present disclosure and the door trim including the same, since the door trim is not exposed in appearance, the constraints in space and design are not broken, and since the cup can be placed by operating the cup holder if necessary, the convenience of the internal space of the vehicle can be improved. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to the exemplified drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, such examples of changes and modifications should belong to the claims of the present disclosure, and the scope of rights of the present disclosure should be interpreted based on the appended claims.