Refillable Drinking Container with Integrated Heating and Auto-Refill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drinking cups lack integrated heating and automatic refilling capabilities, limiting user convenience and hygiene in maintaining optimal beverage temperature and freshness.
Innovation Solution
A refillable drinking container with a pedestal structure for storage and access to a water source, combined with a control circuit for electric energy management and temperature control, enabling self-refilling and temperature regulation of the beverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional drinking cups are used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of integrated heating and automatic refilling capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (storage, heating, automatic refilling, and drinking) into an integrated system. The pedestal structure houses both storage containers and heating elements, while the cup structure incorporates fluid level sensors and communication interfaces, merging what would traditionally be separate devices into a unified smart drinking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to perform multiple functions: the pedestal structure provides both storage and heating capabilities, the cup structure enables both manual and automatic refilling, and the control circuit manages temperature control, fluid level monitoring, and wireless communication. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate heating devices and refilling operations.
2Loss of time
If manual refilling is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases due to frequent manual intervention for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service refilling through automatic detection and transfer mechanisms. Fluid level sensors in the cup structure detect when the beverage is low, automatically initiate transfer from the pedestal storage container, and monitor the refilling process without requiring user intervention. This eliminates manual refilling operations entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates fluid level sensors that continuously monitor the beverage level in the cup structure and provide feedback to the control circuit. When the level falls below a threshold, the system automatically activates the refilling mechanism and stops when the desired level is reached, creating a closed-loop control system that eliminates manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If temperature control is added to drinking cups, then the ease of operation improves, but the use of energy increases due to heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates continuously or in periodic cycles to maintain the beverage at a set temperature, rather than heating only when needed. The control circuit monitors temperature continuously and adjusts heating power to maintain optimal conditions, ensuring the beverage remains at the desired temperature throughout use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to adjust temperature parameters through wireless communication interfaces (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), enabling dynamic modification of heating settings based on preferences. The control circuit responds to these parameter changes by adjusting heating element power output accordingly.
4Ease of operation
If integrated storage and heating systems are implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the volume of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup structure nests within or alongside the pedestal structure, with the heating element positioned within the pedestal to directly contact or proximity-heat the beverage container. The control circuit and sensors are integrated into the existing structural components, minimizing the overall volume increase while maximizing functional integration.
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 provides a convenient, hygienic, and user-friendly drinking experience by maintaining the beverage at a desired temperature and ensuring continuous availability of fresh water through automatic refilling.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, mounted in the cup structure, that heats the stored fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pump, mounted in the pedestal structure, that moves the stored fluid from the pedestal structure to the cup structure
Data Source
AI summary
The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system stores a fluid that is consumed as a beverage. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system measures the stored fluid. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system refills the fluid when the volume of the stored fluid falls below a previously determined level. The refillable drinking container for use with a water-dispensing system heats the stored fluid at a previously determined temperature.