Active Heated Drinkware With Sensor-Based Temperature Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of actively heated or cooled dishware and drinkware that can maintain food or liquid at a desired temperature during use, as existing technologies rely on passive heat transfer mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of actively heated or cooled containers, such as mugs and plates, equipped with heating or cooling elements, power storage, control circuitry, and wireless power reception, allowing for temperature control through user interfaces and sensors to maintain liquids at a selected temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If passive heating or cooling mechanisms are used in dishware, then the dishware can maintain food temperature for a limited time, but the temperature maintenance duration is insufficient for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into modular components: heating elements integrated into the dishware base, separate power storage elements (batteries), and control circuitry that can be independently replaced or charged. This modular segmentation allows extended temperature maintenance without requiring a monolithic complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The dishware incorporates multi-functional elements that serve both aesthetic and functional purposes. The heating elements are integrated into the design of plates, bowls, and mugs, allowing the same object to serve as both tableware and an active heating device, thereby extending temperature maintenance capability without proportionally increasing perceived complexity.
2Ease of operation
If actively heated dishware is developed, then temperature control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry automatically monitors temperature via integrated sensors and adjusts heating element activation without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates power delivery to maintain desired temperature, eliminating the need for complex user interfaces or manual temperature adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal state of food and liquid in the dishware, providing real-time feedback to the control circuitry. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of heating element power output, achieving precise temperature control through a relatively simple sensor-controller-actuator configuration.
3Reliability
If heating elements and power storage are integrated into dishware, then temperature maintenance effectiveness is improved, but the weight of the dishware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power storage elements use high energy-density battery chemistries to maximize capacity while minimizing mass. The heating elements are designed with optimized power output parameters that provide sufficient heating capability without requiring excessive power consumption, thereby maintaining effectiveness while limiting weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Heating elements are strategically positioned only in areas where temperature maintenance is most critical (e.g., base of bowls, handles of mugs), rather than uniformly distributing heating capability throughout the entire dishware. This localized approach provides effective temperature maintenance at the food contact points while minimizing the total mass of heating components.
4Measurement precision
If control circuitry and sensors are added to dishware, then temperature control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuitry and sensor assemblies are nested within the structural layers of the dishware, such as embedding electronics within the ceramic or glass matrix, or integrating circuit boards into the plastic molding cavities. This nesting approach allows precise temperature sensing and control functionality to be incorporated without requiring separate assembly steps or complex multi-stage manufacturing processes.
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
These containers effectively maintain the temperature of contents for an extended period, providing a convenient and efficient way to keep food or beverages warm or cold during use.
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 food container can have a lid movable between an open and a closed position and an insulated body to which the lid can be attached. The insulated body can have a sidewall that defines a perimeter of the container body and a base, the sidewall and base defining one or more chambers that can be sealed by the lid. The food container can have a temperature control system that can include one or more heating or cooling elements in thermal communication with one or both of the sidewall and the base and operable to heat or cool one or both of the sidewall and the base to thereby heat or cool the one or more chambers in the food container.