Adjustable container holder operated by HVAC system

• US 20080149300A1
• Filed: 12/21/2006
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Denso International America Incorporated (DENSO Corporation)
• Inventors: Matsukawa, Masashi
• Granted Patent: US 8,196,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/43
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00592 Add-on devices, e.g. heat/cooling boxes, compartment dividers, upgrade sets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/104 with refrigerating or warming systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/106 with adjustable clamping mechanisms

Abstract

An air expandable bladder grips a beverage container within the vehicle and serves as a beverage holder. The container holder utilizes a hot air duct that receives its hot air from the heater core and its cold air from the evaporator, both of which may be located within the HVAC case. An air inlet duct receives the hot, cold, or blended air from an air mixing valve and directs the air into, and expands, the bladder. An exit orifice may exist in the bladder to release air from the bladder and provide back pressure in the bladder. A user-controlled switch permits a person to select whether hot, cold, or blended air will pass into the bladder inlet duct. The drink holder may be located within a center console, dash, door or other location within the vehicle interior.

Claims

1. An apparatus for holding a container in a vehicle comprising:

an air inlet duct; and

a bladder that receives air from the air inlet duct.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an air outlet orifice in the bladder that permits air to exit from the bladder.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve to control air flowing into the air inlet duct and the bladder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a heater core; and

a hot air duct with a first end fluidly communicating with the heater core and a second end connected to the air inlet duct.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an evaporator;

a cool air duct with a first end fluidly communicating with the evaporator core and a second end connected to the air inlet duct.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve to control air flowing into the air inlet duct and the bladder; and

a switch to control positions of the valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, the apparatus further comprising:

a valve to control air exiting the bladder.

8. An apparatus for holding a container in a vehicle comprising:

a hot air duct that fluidly communicates with a heater core;

a cold air duct that fluidly communicates with an evaporator;

an inlet duct;

a first valve to direct air from the hot air duct and the cold air duct to the inlet duct; and

a bladder that receives air from the air inlet duct.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second valve in the bladder, wherein the second valve expels air from the bladder.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a switch, wherein the switch controls a position of the first valve.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the bladder defines an orifice that expels air.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a bladder valve; and

a weight sensor, wherein the weight sensor triggers the bladder valve to expel air when there is weight on the weight sensor.

13. A container holder for holding a container in a vehicle comprising:

an air inlet duct;

a valve to control air blending between a hot air duct and a cold air duct and to direct blended air into the air inlet duct; and

an expandable bladder configured to receive air from the air inlet duct.

14. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a manual release valve on the bladder.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a weight sensor within the container holder that senses weight of the container.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

a bladder valve to release air from the bladder; and

a release button, wherein the release button activates the bladder valve.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the expandable bladder is made of rubber.

16. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

a bladder valve located in the bladder to release air in the bladder in accordance with weight sensed by the weight sensor.