1engineer
Moderator
Hey,
If you need me to look at anything or comment on any of your posts you need to flag me like this [MENTION=102266]SRQ-Runner[/MENTION] or pm me. I don't check this section much.
School Engineering Project
- Thread starter SRQ-Runner
- Start date
Hey,
If you need me to look at anything or comment on any of your posts you need to flag me like this [MENTION=102266]SRQ-Runner[/MENTION] or pm me. I don't check this section much.
SRQ-Runner
New member
Update:
The past few days I've been looking over patents to make sure my design is original and also to allow me to create a patent of my own (part of the school project). I've also picked up two fellow class members to help me move forward with the project, with the extra help we should be able to move through the research and development stage a little quicker. The ending date for the project is late May, at that time we will need to have the completed project along with an interview which we can present to a group of local engineers here in Sarasota. Even my friends are excited for some cup holders, I guess they are tired of being told they have to hold their drinks while in the truck lol. :bounce::bounce:
The past few days I've been looking over patents to make sure my design is original and also to allow me to create a patent of my own (part of the school project). I've also picked up two fellow class members to help me move forward with the project, with the extra help we should be able to move through the research and development stage a little quicker. The ending date for the project is late May, at that time we will need to have the completed project along with an interview which we can present to a group of local engineers here in Sarasota. Even my friends are excited for some cup holders, I guess they are tired of being told they have to hold their drinks while in the truck lol. :bounce::bounce:
SRQ-Runner
New member
Update
Sorry about quality of the photos:
I still am working on the actual cup holder desgin but right now they are two 3" holes. I'm going to go ahead and add a bottom to them. Then I just need to print one out and get a test fit going. I did stick with the pin idea, so those three pins you see will pull out and allow you to remove the cupholder from the bracket when you don't need it. Also plan on making other attachments which will go into the same slot.
Sorry about quality of the photos:
I still am working on the actual cup holder desgin but right now they are two 3" holes. I'm going to go ahead and add a bottom to them. Then I just need to print one out and get a test fit going. I did stick with the pin idea, so those three pins you see will pull out and allow you to remove the cupholder from the bracket when you don't need it. Also plan on making other attachments which will go into the same slot.
SRQ-Runner
New member
Heres it with a bottom and all the sides covered. Which do you guys like better?
snivilous
Senior Member
Sweet project man! But I have to ask, you said you are gonna make a patent, is this just going through the steps and how to write one? Or are you actually gonna submit a claim since that's a multi-year and multi-thousand dollar process, seems excessive for a cup holder haha.
I think it's awesome what you're doing dude!
I think it's awesome what you're doing dude!
Myrunr2010
New member
I like the first ones better, as long as they're as durable as the other ones. Its pretty awesome that you get to do a project like this in high school! Its a great idea!
SRQ-Runner
New member
Got a little further along today.
Here is a overview of the entire cup holder:
Here's a shot of the bracket system that is connected to the cup holders themselves:
And then here is where it slide into the actual bracket that is connected to the side of the console. Basically even with the shifter.
And thought I would add a little 4runner touch to it. It will be extended out about .1 inches from the side:
And finally a shot of it all together with the pins in place:
Here is a overview of the entire cup holder:
Here's a shot of the bracket system that is connected to the cup holders themselves:
And then here is where it slide into the actual bracket that is connected to the side of the console. Basically even with the shifter.
And thought I would add a little 4runner touch to it. It will be extended out about .1 inches from the side:
And finally a shot of it all together with the pins in place:
Myrunr2010
New member
Looks great man! You oughta put your initials on it somewhere, like an artist signing his work!
SRQ-Runner
New member
I should do that!! Just added a strip along the entire outside. Its about half the width out as the lettering. Just to give it a little more style.
Trikz
New member
Very cool idea! Best of luck with your project!
I sort of prefer the no logo/stripe version, but that's just me. Don't let my comment put you down though, it's your design and it's looking good. I do like the idea of having some sort of a logo as your branding embedded somewhere on the design.
Not sure how the bottom of the cup holder is designed on your second version (two tone design), but just as an idea; if it's hollow at the bottom where the actual cups/bottles would go, I think your product could double as a nice flashlight holder (not sure if someone has suggested this already). I think it would be handy to have a Maglite flashlight within arms reach. Just my $0.02
I sort of prefer the no logo/stripe version, but that's just me. Don't let my comment put you down though, it's your design and it's looking good. I do like the idea of having some sort of a logo as your branding embedded somewhere on the design.
Not sure how the bottom of the cup holder is designed on your second version (two tone design), but just as an idea; if it's hollow at the bottom where the actual cups/bottles would go, I think your product could double as a nice flashlight holder (not sure if someone has suggested this already). I think it would be handy to have a Maglite flashlight within arms reach. Just my $0.02
Myrunr2010
New member
Not sure how the bottom of the cup holder is designed on your second version (two tone design), but just as an idea; if it's hollow at the bottom where the actual cups/bottles would go, I think your product could double as a nice flashlight holder (not sure if someone has suggested this already). I think it would be handy to have a Maglite flashlight within arms reach. Just my $0.02
This would actually be pretty neat!
SRQ-Runner
New member
Very cool idea! Best of luck with your project!
I sort of prefer the no logo/stripe version, but that's just me. Don't let my comment put you down though, it's your design and it's looking good. I do like the idea of having some sort of a logo as your branding embedded somewhere on the design.
Not sure how the bottom of the cup holder is designed on your second version (two tone design), but just as an idea; if it's hollow at the bottom where the actual cups/bottles would go, I think your product could double as a nice flashlight holder (not sure if someone has suggested this already). I think it would be handy to have a Maglite flashlight within arms reach. Just my $0.02
Thanks for the input, I can easily print them with and without the logo/striping. That's something I'll have to think about as I get closer to a final product. I actually have 4 class periods right now which I'm just working on this project, but next week I begin my internship at an engineering consulting firm here in town, so I'm trying to get a little head way on the project before I get even more busy.
Here’s another idea I came up with, eliminating the extra hole and combining the two cup holders with a little raised part in the middle. This would make it much easier to use with handled cups, and also give you some more room for oversized cups.
Right now the bottom isn’t hollowed out, but I am looking into it. Not only would it provided an extra storage spot but it would also cut down on materials and cost.
Myrunr2010
New member
SRQ, have you looked into the SAE mini-baja competetion at all for when you go to college? Just guessing by what you're doing now, and you're interest in trucks, that it might be right up your alley...
SRQ-Runner
New member
No I havent! Right now I'm actually involved in Electrathon which is an all electric race car that I'm building and going to race in the upcoming months. But I could go for some Baja racing :first: Here's a picture of the electric car frame.
Myrunr2010
New member
Wow, that looks good! Baja was a lot of fun, it was probably the highlight of my college education, lol. Got to spend a lot of time in the lab fabricating and building, I really enjoyed it.
Trikz
New member
I was part of the solar car team at my university. Lots of technical challenges, as well as a great fabrication experience. We did work along side the Baja team. Long story short, we did an unintentional impact test on a plastidipped golf cart with their vehicle (their tie rod broke and they crashed at 15-20mph into our golf cart test bed. Result: no damage on the Plastidip!!!!).
Back on topic; I like the new design with the factory looking cup holder divider. One idea to consider, though it might raise production costs a little bit, is to make that black tray removable and leave the beige base hollow where the cups would go. The black tray could be left with a non-hollow cup holder area, giving you an extra storage for keys and stuff. When removed, you should be able to put larger cups/bottles on the main base, and since it's hollow, you could place a flashlight on one of the holes (if you wanted to). Heck, you could design an accessory to use one of the empty cup holders as a gun holster (man, that was some good coffee I had this afternoon!!! Lots of ideas...). Keep up the good work.
Castaway
New member
I wish I had the time and access to the fabrication facilities to do something like this (I'm finishing my B.S. in Industrial Engineering this semester). It is awesome that your highschool has that program.
I would be very interested in getting one (or the blue prints) when you get it finished.
I would be very interested in getting one (or the blue prints) when you get it finished.
SRQ-Runner
New member
Here's a picture of a exact mock up of the mounting bracket (made from cardboard). Shows how it is is curved to the center console for a perfect fit. The cup holders will then attach to this and extend another 4 inches out. Yes it is gong to affect leg room, but that is why I made the pin system. When you don't need the cup holders you simply pull the pins and remove the cup holders. Then the only thing remaining will be the bracket.
