CUP HOLDER WITH AUTOMATIC HEATING/COOLING MECHANISM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling temperature within a cup holder, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a beverage container in the cup holder;
detecting the presence of the beverage container;
allowing the beverage container to stabilize;
measuring a temperature of the beverage container;
determining if the beverage container should be heated or cooled;
initiating a thermal sequence to heat or cool the beverage container; and
maintaining the thermal sequence.
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Abstract
A method of controlling the temperature of a cup holder in a vehicle interior includes the steps of receiving a beverage container in the cup holder detecting its presence and allowing the beverage container to stabilize. The method further includes the steps of measuring the temperature of the beverage container and the ambient temperature of the vehicle. It is then determined if the beverage container should be heated or cooled. A thermal sequence is then initiated to heat or cool the beverage container, and an ambient lighting feature is provided as a function of the thermal sequence initiated.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling temperature within a cup holder, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beverage container in the cup holder; detecting the presence of the beverage container; allowing the beverage container to stabilize; measuring a temperature of the beverage container; determining if the beverage container should be heated or cooled; initiating a thermal sequence to heat or cool the beverage container; and maintaining the thermal sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A cup holder assembly, comprising:
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at least one cup holder; a temperature control system having a thermal control unit in thermal communication with the cup holder; and at least one temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of an object received in the cup holder, wherein the temperature control system automatically initiates a thermal control sequence as a function of the temperature of the object received in the cup holder. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling a temperature of a cup holder in a vehicle interior, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a beverage container in the cup holder; detecting the presence of the beverage container; allowing the beverage container to stabilize; measuring a temperature of the beverage container; measuring the ambient temperature of the vehicle interior; determining if the beverage container should be heated or cooled; initiating a thermal sequence to heat or cool the beverage container; and providing ambient lighting as a function of the thermal sequence. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification