Automated and illuminated cupholding devices and methods of use

Abstract

Automated cupholding devices are presented including: a base for receiving a container of varying diameter; an arcuate actuating arm pivotally connected with the base for capturing the container; a presence sensor for detecting the container; an actuating assembly in mechanical communication with the arcuate actuating arm for pivoting the arcuate actuating arm in response to the presence sensor detecting the container; and a contact sensor for determining when the container is captured with a gripping force, where when the gripping force is reached, the actuating assembly stops pivoting the arcuate actuating arm. In some embodiments, devices further include: a limit sensor for determining when the arcuate actuating arm is fully closed. In some embodiments, devices further include: a clutching mechanism for manually limiting the arcuate actuating arm to the gripping force. In some embodiments, the presence sensor includes a contact switch sensor, an inductive sensor, and a strain gauge sensor.

1 . An automated cupholding device comprising:
 a base for receiving a container of varying diameter;   an arcuate actuating arm pivotally connected with the base for capturing the container;   a first presence sensor for detecting the container;   an actuating assembly in mechanical communication with the arcuate actuating arm for pivoting the arcuate actuating arm in response to the first presence sensor detecting the container; and   a contact sensor for determining when the container is captured with a gripping force, wherein when the gripping force is reached, the actuating assembly stops pivoting the arcuate actuating arm.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a limit sensor for determining when the arcuate actuating arm is fully closed.   
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a clutching mechanism for manually limiting the arcuate actuating arm to the gripping force.   
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first presence sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a contact switch sensor, an inductive sensor, and a strain gauge sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating assembly is selected from the group consisting of: a torque motor driven worm gear coupled with a driven gear assembly, wherein the driven gear assembly is coupled with the arcuate actuating arm along a pivoting axis, an electric solenoid plunger assembly pivotally attached with the arcuate actuating arm, a pneumatic plunger assembly pivotally attached with the arcuate actuating arm, a vacuum plunger assembly pivotally attached with the arcuate actuating arm, and a hydraulic plunger assembly pivotally attached with the arcuate actuating arm. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the contact sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a strain gauge sensor, and a torque sensor. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the contact sensor is configured to establish the gripping force less than approximately 1 pound. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a second presence sensor for detecting an object in proximity of the automated cupholder; and   an illumination device for illuminating the automated cupholding device.   
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 an ambient light detection device for determining an ambient light intensity, wherein the illumination device is configured to operate if the ambient light intensity is less than approximately 1000 lux.   
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the second presence sensor is selected from the group consisting of: a motion detector and an inductive sensor. 
   
   
       11 . An automated cupholding device comprising:
 a base for receiving a container of varying diameter;   an arcuate actuating arm for capturing the container;   a first presence sensor for detecting the container;   an actuating assembly for translating the arcuate actuating arm in response to the first presence sensor detecting the container;   a contact sensor for determining when the container is captured with a gripping force;   a limit sensor for determining when the arcuate actuating arm is fully closed;   a clutching mechanism for manually limiting the arcuate actuating arm to the gripping force;   a second presence sensor for detecting an object in proximity of the automated cupholder; and   an illumination device for illuminating the automated cupholding device.   
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the arcuate actuating arm is textured to provide a slip-resistant surface. 
   
   
       13 . The device of claim C 2 , wherein the slip-resistant surface is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of: a rubberized material, a textured rubberized material, a polymeric material, textured polymeric material, a gum material, and a textured gum material. 
   
   
       14 . A method for automating a cupholding device comprising:
 providing a base, the base configured with an arcuate actuating arm pivotally attached with the base for capturing a container;   determining whether the container is in contact with the base;   if the container is in contact with the base, pivotally closing the arcuate actuating arm; and   when the arcuate actuating arm has captured the container, holding the arcuate actuating arm in a capture position to secure the container.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 when the container is removed, closing the arcuate actuating arm to an actuating limit; and   pivotally opening the arcuate actuating arm.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein
 if the actuating limit is not reached, sending an notification that the automated cupholding device has malfunctioned; and   resetting the automated cupholding device by opening the arcuate actuating arm.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining when a motion is detected in a proximity of the automated cupholding device, and   if motion is detected in the proximity of the automated cupholding device, illuminating the cupholding device until a timer expiry.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 before the illuminating the cupholding device,
 determining an ambient light intensity; and 
 if the ambient light intensity is greater than approximately 1000 lux, expiring the timer. 
   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the illuminating the cupholding device occurs over a ramping change in illumination. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the timer expiry is set to a range of approximately 1 to 120 seconds. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 before the illuminating,
 determining whether a driving light is illuminated; and 
 if the driving light is not illuminated, expiring the timer.