Active Temperature Control in Dishware Using Segmented Heating Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of technology for actively heating or cooling dishwasher-safe dishware and drinkware, which limits the ability to maintain food at desired temperatures during use.
Innovation Solution
The development of an actively heated or cooled mug with a heating system that includes heating elements, power storage, a wireless power receiver, control circuitry, and sensors to regulate temperature based on sensed parameters, allowing for wireless power reception and user-controlled temperature settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If passive heating or cooling mechanisms are used, then the dishware can be simple in structure, but the temperature maintenance duration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dishware is divided into functional modules: a heating/cooling element, an insulative member, an energy storage device, and an electronic module. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and extending temperature maintenance duration.
2Productivity
If active heating or cooling systems are embedded in dishware, then temperature control efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (heating element, insulative member, energy storage device, electronic module) are merged into a single integrated dishware system. This combining approach enables efficient temperature control while managing complexity through unified design and coordinated operation of components.
3Reliability
If heating or cooling elements are added to dishware, then temperature maintenance capability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating/cooling element and other components are pre-assembled and tested as a complete temperature control system before final integration into the dishware. This preliminary action ensures temperature maintenance capability is achieved while simplifying the final manufacturing process through modular assembly.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the maintenance of liquids at desired temperatures for an extended period, ensuring food remains warm or cold, even when not in use, while being dishwasher safe and aesthetically conventional.
Implementation Method 1
a heating or cooling element disposed within the recess and spaced from the base so as to define a cavity therebetween
Implementation Method 2
an insulative member disposed within the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A plate, bowl or serving dish is disclosed, which comprises a body having a surface configured to receive and contact one or more amounts of foodstuff thereon; and a heating or cooling system, and comprising a plurality of heating or cooling elements, each being isolated from each other and configured to actively heat or cool an associated section of the surface, and an electronic module configured to control the plurality of heating or cooling elements independently of each other to heat or cool their associated sections of the surface.