Insulated Cup Holder Heating for Cardboard Beverage Cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardboard cups fail to maintain hot beverages at an elevated temperature for an extended period, and insulated containers are inconvenient for on-the-go use due to the need for transfer and potential for spills or burns, while polystyrene alternatives raise environmental and taste concerns.
Innovation Solution
A cup warmer device with a heating element and insulation that automatically activates when a cardboard cup is placed inside, maintaining the beverage at a desired temperature and featuring a pressure-sensitive switch for safe and convenient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cardboard cups are used to hold hot beverages, then convenience and low cost are improved, but the ability to maintain elevated temperature is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cup warmer device nests within the vehicle's existing cup holder structure, with the heating element nested within the insulating housing. The cardboard cup is nested within the cup warmer cavity, creating a multi-layer nested configuration that maintains temperature while preserving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup warmer acts as an intermediary device between the cardboard cup and the vehicle cup holder. It provides thermal insulation and heating capabilities to the disposable cup without requiring the user to switch to insulated containers, thus maintaining convenience while improving temperature maintenance.
2Temperature
If insulated containers are used to maintain temperature, then temperature maintenance is improved, but device complexity and convenience are worsened due to transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cup warmer is designed to universally accommodate various cup sizes and types within its cavity. It performs multiple functions: heating, insulation, and safety control, all within a single device that fits standard vehicle cup holders, eliminating the need for specialized insulated containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-sensitive switch enables self-service operation where the system automatically detects when a cup is placed in the warmer and activates heating without user intervention. The insulation automatically maintains temperature, and the system self-regulates through the pressure switch mechanism.
3Temperature
If polystyrene foam containers are used for insulation, then temperature maintenance is improved, but environmental harm and taste quality are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the insulation from polystyrene foam to alternative materials that provide equivalent or superior thermal insulation performance without the environmental and taste drawbacks. The heating element temperature parameters are also optimized to maintain beverages at ideal drinking temperatures.
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 cup warmer effectively maintains beverages at an elevated temperature, ensuring prolonged enjoyment of hot drinks without the need for transfer, while being safe and convenient for use in vehicles, reducing environmental impact compared to polystyrene alternatives.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element may be disposed between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the heating element may be configured to heat the heating surface
Implementation Method 2
Insulation may be located between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the insulation may be configured to maintain the outside surface at an outside temperature lower than a heating temperature of the heating surface
Implementation Method 3
An exemplary cup holder may further have a pressure-sensitive switch located in a bottom portion of the heating surface. The pressure-sensitive switch may allow a current to run through the heating element in response to the cardboard cup exerting pressure on the pressure-sensitive switch
Data Source
AI summary
A cup holder comprises a heating surface that is configured to receive a cardboard cup. The cup holder has an outside surface that is concentric with the heating surface. A heating element is disposed between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the heating element is configured to heat the heating surface. Insulation may be located between the heating surface and the outside surface, and the insulation may be configured to maintain the outside surface at an outside temperature lower than a heating temperature of the heating surface. The cup holder further comprises a pressure-sensitive switch located in a bottom portion of the heating surface. The pressure sensitive switch may allow a current to run through the heating element in response to the cardboard cup exerting pressure on the pressure-sensitive switch.