CIDETEC Surface Engineering, Spain
Our demo is a portable device designed to heat and maintain hot meals and drinks (such as broths, vegetables, coffee, milk in baby bottles, etc) in various situations such as work offices, study centers, trips, or outdoor activities.
This compact device is similar in size to a smartphone and uses a heater system with self-capacitance sensors, making it easy and intuitive to use. The device is adaptable to different containers and allows for maintaining foods and drinks at a constant temperature while consuming them.
The main purpose of this device is to improve the daily experience of people who need to store drinks and food away from home, whether at work, university, or during trips. This device ensures that users can enjoy their meals at the right temperature without needing other devices like a microwave oven. It aims to improve life quality, allow for more enjoyable meals, save time and resources, and reduce dependency on large home appliances.
This prototype will have a significant impact on society, as it responds to the increasing trend of working and studying from any location. Additionally, it promotes more sustainable practices to reduce unnecessary plastic use and resource consumption. This device contributes to a dynamic and healthy lifestyle.
Functionality
This device is equipped with a PTC heater that allows self-regulation of temperature to ensure that the temperature does not exceed 100ºC.
How it works:
- Turn on: The device is turned on by a printed self-capacitance button. When it is turned on, an orange LED lights up on the button.
- Temperature Control: To adjust the temperature, we slide our finger over a self-capacitance slider. Orange LEDs light up progressively when the slider is touched, allowing us to know the power level. The LEDs use a hidden-until-lit effect to make the prototype more elegant. Additionally, we use thermochromic inks in some areas. This ink changes color to indicate when the device exceeds 50°C.
- Heating: The printed PTC system gradually heats the contents and maintains the established temperature, with no risk of overheating.
- Usage: It is compatible with various types of containers, such as coffee mugs or small food containers, keeping the temperature consistent while consuming.
In summary, the device offers an easy, safe, and portable solution for keeping food and drinks warm, with visual indicators that enhance the user experience.
Benefits of the project
The motivation behind our demonstrator is to address a common daily need: keeping food and beverages hot outside the home, in situations such as work, study, travel, or outdoor events. Often, food and drinks cool down quickly, affecting their enjoyment. Our device is designed to solve this problem efficiently and conveniently, allowing people to enjoy their meals at the right temperature without relying on microwaves or fixed heaters.
The project addresses the problem of temperature loss in food and beverages during consumption. Additionally, it presents itself as a portable and easy-to-use alternative for those who do not have access to appliances or wish to keep their meals hot for extended periods. Furthermore, since both the capacitive controls and the heater are printed components, the device is lighter and more portable, making it even more convenient for daily use.
For other potential uses, it would be necessary to redesign the heater to limit the temperature to the most adequate one for each particular case.
Target Industry
The device is primarily targeted at the Consumer Electronics industry, as its main function is to provide a portable and convenient solution for heating and maintaining food and beverages. However, it also has applications in other industries, such as:
- Healthcare: In potential future uses, such as warming therapeutic products (creams, oils) applied in physiotherapy treatments or personal care.
Organic & Printed Components
- Conductive path
- Printed capacitive switch
- Printed heater
- Printed sensor
- Printed thermochormic indicator
Classical Components
- LiPo Batteries: To provide portable power and allow for use on the go.
- Microcontroller Unit (MCU): Responsible for managing the control of the device’s functions, including temperature regulation and user interactions.
- Resistors: Used to control current and ensure proper functioning of the electrical circuits.
- Battery Management System (BMS): Ensures safe charging and discharging of the LiPo batteries, preventing overcharging or overheating.
- SMD LEDs: Surface-mounted LEDs that provide visual feedback for power levels and temperature settings, with progressive lighting as the slider is adjusted.
- Transistors: Key components for switching and controlling the electrical current within the device.