Wireless Heated Mug Control for Dishwasher-Safe Temperature Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of technology for actively heating or cooling dishwasher-safe dishware and drinkware, such as plates and mugs, which can maintain food or liquid at desired temperatures during use.
Innovation Solution
The development of actively heated or cooled mugs and cups that incorporate heating or cooling elements, power storage, and control circuitry, along with wireless power reception and user interfaces, allowing for temperature control and maintenance of liquids within a predetermined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If passive heating or cooling mechanisms are used in dishware, then the dishware can maintain food temperature based on heat transfer properties, but the temperature control is not active and cannot be adjusted to desired temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the dishware, allowing the dishware to heat its own contents without external heating devices. The control circuitry enables the dishware to automatically regulate temperature based on user input, making the system self-sufficient for temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive thermal conduction mechanisms with an active electrical heating system. Instead of relying solely on the heat transfer properties of the material, an electrical heating element converts electrical energy to thermal energy, providing active and adjustable temperature control.
2Temperature
If active heating elements are integrated into dishware, then temperature control is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element, power storage element, control circuitry, and wireless power receiver are integrated into a single unified system within the dishware. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate external devices and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining active temperature control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dishware serves multiple functions: it acts as a container, a heating device, a power storage unit, and a wireless power receiver. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external heating devices and power sources, reducing system complexity despite the advanced features incorporated.
3Duration of action of moving object
If wireless power reception and power storage elements are added, then the dishware can operate without continuous power source connection, but the weight of the dishware increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power storage element charges in advance when the dishware is connected to a power source, storing energy for later use. This preliminary charging action enables the dishware to maintain temperature for extended periods without being continuously connected to a power source, as the energy is prepared beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The dishware alternates between connected and disconnected states from the power source. During connected periods, the wireless power receiver charges the power storage element. During disconnected periods, the stored energy sustains the heating function, creating a periodic cycle of charging and usage that extends operational duration.
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 liquids at desired temperatures for extended periods, enhancing user convenience and food/drinks' quality by actively regulating temperature, even when not connected to a power source.
Implementation Method 1
The heating system comprises one or more heating elements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body
Implementation Method 2
the body having 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 or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug 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 elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and/or operate the heating element to actively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug or travel mug can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.