Heated or cooled drinkware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drinkware, such as cups and mugs, passively release heat and fail to retain temperature over time, leading to beverages cooling down, and there is a lack of actively heated or cooled drinkware solutions available.
Innovation Solution
An actively heated or cooled cup or mug with a heating or cooling system comprising heating or cooling elements, power storage elements, control circuitry, temperature sensors, and wireless communication capabilities to maintain liquid temperature and provide remote control and monitoring features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ceramic drinkware is used, then the drinkware has aesthetic appeal and basic insulation, but it passively releases heat and cannot retain temperature for prolonged periods
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is activated before the beverage is consumed to pre-heat the ceramic cup, ensuring the cup is already warm when the beverage is poured in. This preliminary heating action prevents rapid heat transfer from the beverage to the cup, maintaining higher beverage temperature for longer periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element operates continuously or in periodic cycles to maintain the cup at a desired temperature throughout the beverage consumption period. This continuous active heating compensates for the passive heat loss inherent in ceramic materials, extending the duration of useful heat retention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active heating elements are added to the drinkware, then temperature control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a temperature sensor that automatically monitors the cup temperature and controls the heating element accordingly. The microcontroller autonomously manages the heating cycles based on sensor feedback, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and simplifying the user interface while maintaining sophisticated temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor provides real-time feedback to the control circuit, which adjusts the heating element operation to maintain the desired temperature. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise temperature control without requiring complex manual regulation mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication and display components are integrated, then remote monitoring and control convenience is improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless transmitter and display components operate in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The system transmits temperature data and updates the display at predetermined intervals or when temperature thresholds are crossed, significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining useful remote monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The display and wireless communication features are dynamically activated based on system state. For example, the display may only activate when the cup is in use or when temperature control is actively engaged, and wireless transmission occurs only when temperature changes exceed predetermined thresholds, optimizing power usage based on actual operational needs.
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 effectively maintains beverage temperature within a predetermined range for an extended period, allowing for remote temperature control and monitoring, enhancing user convenience and beverage enjoyment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heating or cooling elements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
one or more temperature sensors configured to sense a temperature of the liquid in the receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
An actively heated or cooled beverage container includes a body chosen from a group consisting of a mug, a cup and a travel mug, the body having a chamber configured to receive and hold a food or beverage therein. The container has a temperature control system that includes a phase change material positioned about at least a portion of the chamber that removes heat from the beverage disposed in the chamber that has a temperature above a predetermined drinking temperature to lower the temperature of the beverage toward the predetermined drinking temperature. One or more heating elements positioned in thermal communication with a different portion of the chamber than the phase change material. The temperature control system also has control circuitry configured to control the operation of the heating element. The temperature control system also includes a ring rotatably coupled to a distal end of the body, the ring configured to rotate about a central axis of the container relative to a proximal portion of the body and to communicate with the control circuitry.