LUMINOUS SOFA CUP HOLDER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a luminous sofa cup holder comprising the cup body, the mounting base for supporting the cup body, the light source, the cooling/heating module, the temperature sensor and the control circuit for detecting the temperature of the cup body, either directly or indirectly, wherein the cup body is provided with an empty cavity, wherein the edge of the upper opening of the empty cavity is a flanging structure, which protrudes on the outer side of the cup body, wherein the light source is disposed over the outer side of the cup body; wherein the mounting base is a hollow body provided with at least one opening; wherein the cup body inserts into the mounting base through the opening provided on the mounting base; wherein the light source is held tightly by the cup body and the mounting base.

Claims

1. The luminous sofa cup holder for an item of a furniture like a sofa, comprising: the cup body; the mounting base for supporting the cup body; the light source; the cooling/heating module; the temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cup body directly or indirectly; the control circuit; wherein the cup body is provided with an empty cavity; wherein the edge of the upper opening of the empty cavity is a flanging structure, which protrudes on the outer side of the cup body; wherein the light source is disposed over the outer side of the cup body; wherein the mounting base is a hollow body provided with at least one opening; wherein the cup body inserts into the mounting base through the opening provided on the mounting base; wherein the light source is fixedly connected to the cup body and the mounting base; wherein the cooling/heating module is disposed at the lower end of the cup body and fixed to the cup body; wherein the cooling/heating module provides a cold source/ heat source to the cup body; wherein the control circuit connects to a temperature sensor; wherein the control circuit receives the detecting signal from the temperature sensor and issues an order to the light source according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor.

2. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the cup body comprises the upper cup body and the cup stand; wherein the cup stand is fixed to the lower end of the upper cup body.

3. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the edge of the opening of the mounting base is a flanging structure; wherein the light source is disposed between the cup body flanging and the mounting base flanging.

4. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein a plurality of recessed locating slots are vertically disposed on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom; wherein a plurality of convex locating bars installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots are disposed on the outer side of the cup body; or, wherein a plurality of convex locating slots are vertically disposed on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom; wherein a plurality of recessed locating bars installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots is disposed on the outer side of the cup body.

5. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises the luminous body and the light pipe; the light pipe is an annular structure; the luminous body is disposed at the two ends of the light pipe; the luminous body comprises a plurality of surface mounting LEDs, which are disposed back-to-back.

6. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises the luminous body and the light pipe; wherein the light pipe further comprises the main body of the light pipe and the extended body of the light pipe installed correspondingly to the luminous body; wherein one end of the extended body of the light pipe connects to the main body of the light pipe and the other end of the extended body of the light pipe is provided with the luminous body; wherein the main body of the light pipe and the extended body of the light pipe are placed in different horizontal planes; wherein the main body of the light pipe is an annular structure.

7. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 5, wherein the cup body and the mounting base are hollow cylinder-shaped; wherein the light source is disposed in annular shape.

8. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 6, wherein the cup body and the mounting base are hollow cylinder-shaped; wherein the light source is disposed in annular shape.

9. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on the inner wall of the cooling module or the cup body.

10. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is the thermistor.

11. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the cooling/heating module comprises the thermoelectric cooler, the heat sink and the heat insulating layer; wherein one side of the thermoelectric cooler is closed tightly to the heat sink, and the other side of the thermoelectric cooler is covered with the heat insulating layer; wherein the heat insulating layer is disposed between the thermoelectric cooler and the cup stand; wherein the heat dissipation fins are fixed to the cup stand.

12. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the fan is disposed underneath the cooling/heating module.

13. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

14. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 5, wherein the luminous body is a RGB three-colored LED.

15. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 6, wherein the luminous body is RGB three-colored LED.

16. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 13, wherein the control circuit controls the number of lighted LEDs according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor.

17. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 14, wherein the control circuit controls the light color of the RGB three-colored LED according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor.

18. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 15, wherein the control circuit controls the light color of the RGB three-colored LED according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor.

19. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 11, wherein the cup holder further comprises a fan, and the fan is disposed underneath the heat sink.

20. The luminous sofa cup holder of claim 11, wherein the thermoelectric cooler comprises at least two pieces, and each piece is overlapped onto another piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a structure diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a structure diagram of the light source of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 3 is another structure diagram of the light source of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a structure diagram of the cooling/heating module of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a structure diagram of the control circuit in embodiment 2 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Drawings and detailed embodiments are combined hereinafter to elaborate the technical principles of the present invention. The description is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the protective scope of the present invention in any way. Based on the detailed description herein, those skilled in the art can associate themselves with other particular embodiments without paying creative labor. Thus, these embodiments shall all fall within the protective scope of the present invention.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the exemplary luminous cup holder is designed to install in a sofa of the embodiment comprises the cup body 1, the mounting base 2 for supporting the cup body, the light source 3, the cooling/heating module 4, the temperature sensor 7 and the control circuit 5 for detecting the temperature of the cup body directly or indirectly; the cup body 1 is provided with an empty cavity, which is a storage space; the edge of the upper opening 10 of the empty cavity is a flanging structure 11, which protrudes on the outer side 12 of the cup body; the light source 3 is disposed over the outer side 12 of the cup body; the mounting base 2 is a hollow body provided with at least one opening; the cup body 1 inserts into the mounting base 2 through the opening provided on the mounting base 2; the light source 3 is held tightly by the cup body 1 and the mounting base 2; the cooling/heating module 4 is provided at the lower end 13 of the cup body and fixed to the cup body 1; the cooling/heating module 4 provides a cold source/heat source to the cup body 1; the control circuit 5 connects to the temperature sensor 7; the control circuit 5 receives the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7, and issues an order to the light source 3 according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7. The cooling/heating module 4 provides the cooling/heating process to the goods placed in the cup body 1.

[0040] The light source 3 of the embodiment comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes. The control circuit 5 controls the number of the lighted light emitting diodes according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7. Usually, a greater amount of LEDs that are emitting light reflect a greater deviation from the room temperature.

[0041] The cup body 1 and the mounting base 2 of the embodiment are hollow cylinder-shaped; the light source 3 is annular-shaped. The cup body 1, the mounting base 2 and the light source 3 are all circular-shaped, an arrangement which is convenient for assembly.

[0042] The cup body 1 of the embodiment comprises the upper cup body 15 and the cup stand 16; the cup stand 16 is fixed to the lower end of the upper cup body 15.

[0043] The edge of the opening of the mounting base 2 is provided with a mounting base flanging 21; the light source 3 is disposed between the cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21, providing a larger stressed area to the cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21. The external diameter of the cup body flanging 11, the mounting base flanging 21 and the light source 3 are essentially the same so that the appearance of the cup holder is aesthetically attractive. The cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21 protect the light source 3 from the side impact.

[0044] In the embodiment, a plurality of recessed locating slots 22 is vertically provided on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom. A plurality of convex locating bars 14 installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots 22 is disposed on the outer side 12 of the cup body. In another solution of the embodiment, the position of the locating slots 22 and the locating bars 14 corresponding to the mounting base 2 and the cup body 1 can be exchanged. Namely, a plurality of convex locating slots 22 is vertically disposed on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom; a plurality of recessed locating bars 14 installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots 22 is disposed on the outer side 12 of the cup body. The locating slot 22 is coupled to the locating bar by this recessed-convex structure, confining the rotation of the cup body 1 and the mounting base 2 in a circumferential direction. The locating bar 14 of the embodiment is disposed on the cup stand 16.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 3 of the embodiment comprises the luminous body 31 and the light pipe 32; the light pipe 32 is annular-shaped; the luminous body 31 is disposed at the two ends of the light pipe 32; the luminous body 31 comprises the surface mounting LEDs, which are disposed back-to-back. The thickness of the LED is very small so that the illumination of the light pipe 32 in the circumference direction is basically same and produces very little shadow.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2 at least two SMD LEDs are used, which have a very small thickness and which embodies the light source. The luminous body 31 comprises a circuit board. A further embodiment of the light pipe 32 has recesses on the front side of the end of the light pipe 32. Each recess is arranged next to the LED thus the LED is placed to the recess. The advantageous effect is to reduce the shadow caused by the

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, in another solution of the light source 3 of the embodiment, the light source 3 comprises the luminous body 31 and the light pipe 32; the light pipe 32 further comprises the main body 321 of the light pipe and the extended body 320 of the light pipe corresponding to the luminous body 31; one end of the extended body 320 of the light pipe connects to the main body 321 of the light pipe and the other end of the extended body 320 of the light pipe is provided with the luminous body 31; the main body 321 of the light pipe and the extended body 320 of the light pipe are placed in different horizontal planes; the main body 321 of the light pipe is an annular structure; the luminous body 31 is an LED; this structure allows the light pipe 32 to emit light in the circumferential direction uniformly and without creating a shadow.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling/heating module 4 of the embodiment comprises the thermoelectric cooler 40, the heat sink 41 and the heat insulating layer 42; one side of the thermoelectric cooler 40 is closed tightly to the heat sink 41, and another side is covered with the heat insulating layer 42; the heat insulating layer is disposed between the thermoelectric cooler 40 and the cup stand 16; the heat sink 41 is fixed to the cup stand 16. The thermoelectric cooler 40 is also called the thermoelectric semiconductor refrigeration components, Peltier, Peltier-element, etc. The thermoelectric cooler 40 has two sides, with one side for absorbing heat and another side for dissipating heat, which functions as a thermal conductor. By switching the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the heat-absorbing side and the heat-dissipating side can be altered.

[0049] The embodiment further comprises the fan 6, which is disposed underneath the cooling/heating module 4, improving the heat dissipation performance and enhancing the whole cooling/heating effect.

[0050] The thermoelectric cooler 40 has at least two pieces; each piece is overlapped onto another piece. This structure is helpful for improving the whole cooling/heating effect.

[0051] As described, a further embodiment of the present invention takes further features.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the luminous sofa cup holder of the embodiment comprises the cup body 1, the mounting base 2 for supporting the cup body, the light source 3, the cooling/heating module 4, the temperature sensor 7, and the control circuit 5 for detecting the temperature of the cup body directly or indirectly; the cup body 1 is provided with an empty cavity, which is a storage space; the edge of the upper opening 10 of the empty cavity is a flanging structure 11, which protrudes on the outer side 12 of the cup body; the light source 3 is disposed over the outer side 12 of the cup body; the mounting base 2 is a hollow body provided with at least one opening; the cup body 1 inserts into the mounting base 2 through the opening provided on the mounting base 2; the light source 3 is held tightly by the cup body 1 and the mounting base 2; the cooling/heating module 4 is provided at the lower end 13 of the cup body and fixed to the cup body 1; the cooling/heating module 4 provides cold source/ heat source to the cup body 1; the control circuit 5 connects to the temperature sensor 7; the control circuit 5 receives the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7 and issues an order to the light source 3 according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7. The cooling/heating module 4 provides cooling/heating process to the goods placed in the cup body 1.

[0053] The cup body 1 and the mounting base 2 of the embodiment are hollow cylinder-shaped; the light source 3 is annular-shaped. The cup body 1, the mounting base 2 and the light source 3 are all circular-shaped, an arrangement which is convenient for assembly.

[0054] The cup body 1 of the embodiment comprises the upper cup body 15 and the cup stand 16; the cup stand 16 is fixed to the lower end of the upper cup body 15.

[0055] The edge of the opening of the mounting base 2 is provided with a mounting base flanging 21; the light source 3 is disposed between the cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21, providing a larger stressed area to the cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21. The external diameter of the cup body flanging 11, the mounting base flanging 21 and the light source 3 have a similar appearance, so that the cup holder is aesthetically attractive. The cup body flanging 11 and the mounting base flanging 21 protect the light source 3 from the side impact.

[0056] In the embodiment, a plurality of recessed locating slots 22 is vertically provided on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom. A plurality of convex locating bars 14 installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots 22 is disposed on the outer side 12 of the cup body. In another solution of the embodiment, the position of the locating slots 22 and the locating bars 14 corresponding to the mounting base 2 and the cup body 1 can be exchanged. Namely, a plurality of convex locating slots 22 is vertically disposed on the inner wall of the mounting base from top to bottom; a plurality of recessed locating bars 14 installed correspondingly to the plurality of locating slots 22 is disposed on the outer side 12 of the cup body. The locating slot 22 is coupled to the locating bar by this recessed-convex structure, inhibiting the rotation of the cup body 1 and the mounting base 2 in circumferential direction. The locating bar 14 of the embodiment is disposed on the cup stand 16.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the light source 3 of the embodiment comprises the luminous body 31 and the light pipe 32; the light pipe 32 is annular-shaped; the luminous body 31 is disposed at the two ends of the light pipe 32; the luminous body 31 comprises the surface mounting LEDs, which are disposed back-to-back. The thickness of the LED is very small so that the illumination of the light pipe 32 in the circumference direction is basically same and nearly produces no shadow.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, in another solution of the light source 3 of the embodiment, the light source 3 comprises the luminous body 31 and the light pipe 32; the light pipe 32 further comprises the main body 321 of the light pipe and the extended body 320 of the light pipe installed correspondingly to the luminous body 31; one end of the extended body 320 of the light pipe connects to the main body 321 of the light pipe and the other end of the extended body 320 of the light pipe is provided with the luminous body 31; the main body 321 of the light pipe and the extended body 320 of the light pipe are placed in different horizontal planes; the main body 321 of the light pipe is an annular structure; the luminous body 31 is an LED; this structure has advantages that the light pipe 32 can emit light in the circumference direction uniformly and shadow-free.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, the cooling/heating module 4 of the embodiment comprises the thermoelectric cooler 40, the heat sink 41 and the heat insulating layer 42; one side of the thermoelectric cooler 40 is closed tightly to the heat sink 41, and another side is covered with the heat insulating layer 42; the heat insulating layer is disposed between the thermoelectric cooler 40 and the cup stand 16; the heat sink 41 is fixed to the cup stand 16. The thermoelectric cooler 40 is also called thermoelectric semiconductor refrigeration components, Peltier, etc. The thermoelectric cooler 40 has two sides, with one side for heat absorption and another side for heat dissipation, which serves as thermal conductor. Switching the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the heat-absorbing side and the heat-dissipating side can be changed.

[0060] The embodiment further comprises the fan 6, which is disposed underneath the cooling/heating module 4, improving the heat dissipation performance and enhancing the whole cooling/heating effect.

[0061] The thermoelectric cooler 40 has at least two pieces; each piece is overlapped onto another piece. This structure is helpful for improving the whole cooling/heating effect.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the luminous body of the embodiment is a RGB three-colored LED. The control circuit 5 controls the light color of the RGB three-colored LED according to the detecting signal from the temperature sensor 7. The control circuit 5 controls the light color of the RGB three-colored LED according to the temperature variation detected by the temperature sensor 7, giving a beautiful visual effect to the users. Compared with the traditional way of displaying temperature by digital tube, the present invention is more eye-catching and attractive.

[0063] The control circuit 5 of the embodiment comprises the stm8s series microcontroller 51 and the MOS pipe 52. The lead-foot 2 of the stm8s series microcontroller 51 connects to the temperature sensor 7; the lead-foot 1, 10, 19 of the stm8s series microcontroller 51 connects to the MOS pipe 52 respectively so as to drive the RGB three-colored LED. The thermistor is a kind of resistor that change its electric output signal according to differences in the detected temperature; the stm8s series microcontroller 51 continuously collects the earth voltage of the thermistor so as to master the temperature change; the stm8s series microcontroller 51 indirectly measures the temperature change through continuously detecting the voltage of the thermistor, and compares the voltage with the preset value so that the current of the RGB three-colored LED can be controlled by regulating the PWM duty ratio and realizes the automatic adjustment of the colors.

[0064] The previous descriptions are of preferred examples for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.