Drinkware Container with Active Temperature Control and Liquid Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of actively heated or cooled dishware and drinkware technologies that can maintain food or liquid at desired temperatures during use, relying on passive heat transfer mechanisms which are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Development of actively heated or cooled containers with integrated heating or cooling systems, including heating elements, power storage, wireless power reception, and control circuitry that can sense parameters and adjust heating or cooling based on user input or environmental conditions, ensuring consistent temperature maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive heating or cooling mechanisms are used in ceramic dishware, then the structure remains simple and manufacturing is easy, but the temperature control precision and duration are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive thermal mechanisms with an active electronic heating system comprising heating elements, control circuitry, and power management components embedded in the dishware, enabling precise temperature control through electrical rather than thermal mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry automatically senses temperature parameters and adjusts heating element operation without user intervention, maintaining desired temperature through self-regulating feedback control while simplifying user interaction
2Duration of action of stationary object
If active heating elements and power storage are integrated into the container, then temperature maintenance capability is improved, but the weight and volume of the container increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs rechargeable power storage elements with adjustable capacity and heating elements with variable power output, allowing optimization of the balance between temperature maintenance duration and added weight based on specific application requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic heating cycles controlled by temperature sensors and timing circuits, activating heating elements only when needed to maintain temperature, thereby extending operational duration without requiring proportionally larger power storage capacity
3Ease of operation
If wireless power reception and control circuitry are added to the heating system, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry continuously monitors temperature via sensors and receives user input through the interface, adjusting heating element operation in real-time to maintain optimal temperature while minimizing energy consumption through intelligent power management
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless power receiver and control circuitry serve multiple functions including charging power storage elements, receiving operational commands, transmitting status information, and coordinating heating element operation, thereby consolidating energy-consuming components into multi-functional systems
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
The solution enables containers to maintain food or liquid at precise temperatures for extended periods, enhancing convenience and food quality by actively managing temperature, unlike passive systems.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heating elements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
the body having a vacuum insulated chamber configured to reduce the rate in which heat energy exits the mug or travel mug
Data Source
AI summary
An actively heated or cooled cup or mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed in a cavity below the chamber. The heating or cooling system has a heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool the chamber, power storage devices, and circuitry that controls the operation of the heating or cooling elements. A sensor can detect a presence of a liquid in the chamber, the circuitry configured to turn on power to the heating or cooling elements after said liquid is detected and further configured to automatically turn off power to the heating or cooling elements upon receiving a signal indicating that the liquid in the chamber has dropped below a predetermined liquid level or been depleted completely.