Smart Beverage Container Lid with Sensor-Based Fluid Intake Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of fitness and health apps often need to manually track their fluid intake, which can be cumbersome and inaccurate, especially when trying to determine if they have consumed enough or too little liquid.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container equipped with a sensor unit in the lid that automatically records the amount of liquid consumed, a wireless communication unit to transmit this data to a mobile device, and a lighting element that provides visual feedback on fluid intake status, allowing for easy evaluation and reminders to drink more if necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking of fluid intake is used, then users can monitor their consumption, but it is cumbersome and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage container automatically detects and records fluid intake using a sensor unit integrated into the lid, eliminating the need for manual user input. The system self-monitors the liquid level changes and automatically transmits data to mobile devices, allowing the container to serve itself rather than requiring user operation for each measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking (users writing down or entering data) with an automated sensor-based detection system. The sensor unit uses optical, capacitive, or other non-mechanical means to detect liquid levels and calculate consumption amounts, substituting the mechanical act of manual recording with an automated electronic measurement system.
2Extent of automation
If automated sensor detection is implemented, then fluid intake tracking becomes accurate and automatic, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid serves multiple functions: it provides the sealing function for the beverage container, houses the sensor unit for detection, contains the wireless communication unit for data transmission, and integrates the light element for visual feedback. By making the lid multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate components that would increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensor unit, wireless communication unit, and light element into a single integrated assembly within the lid structure. This merging of detection, communication, and feedback functions into one modular unit simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces the number of separate components that would need to be managed.
3Loss of information
If data transmission to mobile devices is added, then users receive detailed analysis and reminders, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit transmits data periodically or event-driven (when the container is opened/closed or when consumption thresholds are reached) rather than continuously. This periodic transmission approach minimizes energy consumption while still providing users with timely fluid intake information and reminders through the mobile application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback loops where the sensor detects liquid level changes, the processor calculates consumption, and the light element provides immediate visual feedback to the user. This local feedback reduces the need for constant wireless communication, as the container can inform users of their status without requiring continuous data transmission to mobile devices.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Beverage container comprising: a cup with a wall that defines a receiving chamber for liquid open at the top of the cup; a lid that is removablely arranged on the top of the cup in such a way that it seals a receiving chamber opening in a fluid-tight manner, wherein a sensor unit is arranged in the lid for detecting the quantity of liquid taken from the cup by a user; the lid has a light element configured to light up in different colors depending on the quantity of liquid taken by the user; the lid has a wireless communication unit configured to establish a data connection with a mobile device of the user and to transmit the detected quantity of liquid to the mobile device of the user for evaluation; the lid has a lid flap and a hinge mechanism on which the lid flap is pivotably mounted from a closed to an open position and vice versa.The folding mechanism and wireless communication unit are designed to establish a data connection with the mobile device when the lid flap is pivoted from the closed to the open position.