Heated or cooled dishware and drinkware
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of actively heated or cooled dishwasher safe dishware and drinkware that can maintain the temperature of contents during use, relying on passive heat transfer mechanisms which are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The development of actively heated or cooled mugs and containers equipped with heating or cooling systems, including heating elements, power storage, wireless power reception, control circuitry, and sensors that can maintain the temperature of liquids within a predetermined range, allowing for wireless charging 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 maintain temperature through heat transfer properties of ceramic material, but the temperature maintenance duration is limited and energy efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the dishware, allowing the dishware to heat its own contents without requiring external heating equipment. The control circuitry automatically manages the heating process based on temperature sensor feedback, enabling the system to self-regulate and maintain optimal temperature with minimal user intervention, thereby extending temperature maintenance duration while improving energy efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If actively heated dishware is developed, then temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (heating element, temperature sensor, control circuitry, power storage element) are integrated into a unified system embedded within the dishware structure. The control circuitry combines temperature monitoring, power management, and heating control functions in a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature sensor continuously monitors the temperature of the dishware or its contents and provides feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts the heating element's operation based on this feedback to maintain the desired temperature, achieving precise temperature control through a closed-loop control system that automatically compensates for temperature variations.
3Reliability
If heating elements and control systems are integrated into dishware, then temperature maintenance capability is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into modular components (heating element, control circuitry, power storage element, temperature sensor) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the final dishware product. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable temperature maintenance capability.
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 liquid temperature within a desired range for extended periods, providing convenience and efficiency in keeping beverages hot or cold, even when not in use, while being dishwasher safe and aesthetically similar to conventional items.
Implementation Method 1
The heating system includes a heating element configured to heat a liquid in the receiving portion
Implementation Method 2
The body has 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 mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating or cooling system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and/or operate the heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated or cooled state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.