Heating Lunch Box With Processor-Controlled Meal Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lunch boxes lack intelligent heating control and user-friendly interaction, requiring external heating tools and long waiting times, especially in public places, and are not adaptable to individual user needs.
Innovation Solution
A heating lunch box equipped with a food box, heating module, interaction module, and processor that allows users to set meal times and control heating through a touch screen or mechanical buttons, enabling automatic heating and intelligent time management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple heat preservation design is used, then the lunch box structure is simple, but the food becomes cold and external heating tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the lunch box by integrating a heating module (comprising heating element and insulating layer) directly into the box body, eliminating the need for external heating tools. The processor unit coordinates the heating module to automatically heat food based on user-set time parameters, combining storage and heating functions in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The lunch box enables self-service heating through an interaction module that allows users to set heating time and temperature preferences. The processor automatically controls the heating module based on these settings, making the system self-regulating without requiring external intervention or monitoring during the heating process.
2Device complexity
If external heating tools are used, then the lunch box structure remains simple, but waiting time increases and practicality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interaction module allows users to pre-set heating time parameters before inserting food into the lunch box. The processor stores these time settings and automatically activates the heating module at the appropriate time, enabling the system to perform heating actions in advance or at precisely scheduled moments without requiring user presence or waiting.
Solution Approach 2:
By integrating the heating module with insulated walls directly into the lunch box structure, the system eliminates the need for separate external heating devices. This consolidation reduces the overall time required for heating since the integrated system can immediately begin heating when activated, without the setup time required for external tools.
3Ease of manufacture
If no intelligent control is provided, then the lunch box is simple to manufacture, but user interaction and time control flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an interaction module for user input (display and input interfaces), a processor unit for logical processing and decision-making, and a heating module for execution. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining sophisticated control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor unit serves multiple functions: it processes user inputs from the interaction module, controls the heating module's operation, manages time-based scheduling, and can adapt heating parameters based on different food types or user preferences. This multi-functionality provides heating time and mode flexibility without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
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
Enhances user experience by allowing convenient, timely, and efficient heating without external tools, improving practicality and intelligence of the lunch box.
Implementation Method 1
a heating module for heating the food box
Data Source
AI summary
A heating lunch box includes a food box for accommodating food, a heating module for heating the food box, an interaction module, and a processor coupled to the heating module and the interaction module. The processor is configured for performing the following operations: obtaining a power-on instruction, in response to the obtained power-on instruction, controlling the interaction module to display an initial interface, and the initial interface at least including a first time setting control; when a trigger event of the first time setting control is detected, controlling the interaction module to display a time selection interface; obtaining a set time from the time selection interface; controlling the interaction module to display a heating interface based on the set time; and driving the heating module to heat the food box.