Drinkware container with active temperature control

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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 the contents remain at a set temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If passive heating or cooling mechanisms are used, then the dishware can be made with simpler structure, but the temperature control precision and duration are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidheating system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating zones along the dishware, allowing different temperature control in different regions. This enables precise temperature control for different food types while keeping each heating element relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic temperature control with adjustable power levels and timing, allowing the heating intensity to change over time based on sensor feedback. This dynamic adjustment achieves precise temperature control without requiring overly complex static heating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Duration of action of stationary object

If active heating elements are integrated into dishware, then temperature maintenance capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenance durationVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The heating elements, power storage components, control circuitry, and sensor systems are merged into an integrated module that is embedded within the dishware structure. This modular integration achieves long-duration temperature maintenance while simplifying the manufacturing process through standardized assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system is designed with universal components that can be adapted to different dishware types and sizes. The power storage element and control circuitry serve multiple functions including heating, temperature sensing, and user interface control, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If heating system operates continuously at high power, then heating speed is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system operates in periodic cycles with variable power levels rather than continuous high-power operation. The controller alternates between high-power heating phases for rapid temperature increase and lower-power maintenance phases, achieving fast heating while significantly reducing overall energy consumption through pulse-width modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Temperature sensors provide continuous feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts heating power based on the current temperature and desired setpoint. This feedback control enables rapid heating when temperature is low while reducing or stopping heating when the target temperature is approached, optimizing the balance between heating speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 allows for precise temperature control of food and beverages, maintaining them at desired temperatures for extended periods, enhancing convenience and food safety.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless power receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a power source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless power transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

one or more heating elements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

the body having a vacuum insulated chamber configured to reduce the rate in which heat energy exits the mug or travel mug

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11771261B2Drinkware container with active temperature control

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 EMBER TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An actively heated or cooled mug has a body with a chamber that can receive and hold a beverage and a heating or cooling system disposed at least partially 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 user interface is electrically connected to the circuitry and has one or more selection members actuatable a) to turn off the one or more heating or cooling element or b) to adjust a temperature setting to one of multiple temperature settings configured to control the one or more heating or cooling elements to heat or maintain the liquid at a user selected temperature.