Accurate Temperature Control in Electric Kettles with Patent-Based Design
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Summary
Problems
Domestic electric water kettles lack a precise temperature measurement system that can accurately control water temperature to within ±2°F, due to the absence of a practical and non-intrusive thermal probe design that can withstand the high temperatures of the kettle heater and maintain thermal contact with the liquid.
Innovation solutions
A compact temperature sensing probe is mounted through the kettle's base with an efficient heat transferring structure in direct contact with the liquid, using an elastomeric thermal insulating material to minimize thermal interference from the kettle's base and heater, allowing precise temperature measurement while being accessible for cleaning and non-obstructive to liquid movement.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a thermal probe is mounted through the kettle base to measure liquid temperature, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but the sensor becomes responsive to ambient air temperature and heater temperature causing measurement inaccuracy
Why choose this principle:
The patent introduces an elastomeric thermal insulating material as an intermediary between the sensor mounting plate and the kettle base. This intermediary layer blocks thermal conduction paths from the heater and ambient air to the sensor, allowing the sensor to measure only liquid temperature. The insulating material is held in compression to maintain thermal isolation while providing mechanical support.
Principle concept:
If a compact thermal probe is used to minimize intrusion, then ease of operation is improved, but maintaining adequate thermal contact with liquid while isolating from heater heat becomes difficult
Why choose this principle:
The patent applies local quality by creating different thermal environments for different parts of the probe assembly. The heat transferring structure has high thermal conductivity to ensure good thermal contact with the liquid, while the mounting plate and insulating material have low thermal conductivity to isolate from heater heat. This localized differentiation of thermal properties allows the compact probe to simultaneously achieve good liquid thermal contact and effective heater isolation.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A compact temperature sensing probe is mounted through the kettle's base with an efficient heat transferring structure in direct contact with the liquid, using an elastomeric thermal insulating material to minimize thermal interference from the kettle's base and heater, allowing precise temperature measurement while being accessible for cleaning and non-obstructive to liquid movement.
Abstract
A vessel for preparing heated water or other liquid includes a container, an electric heater and a temperature sensing probe mounted through a wall of the container. The probe includes an efficient heat transferring structure in direct thermal contact with and wet by the liquid. An electrical sensor within the probe is in intimate thermal contact with the transferring structure and has electrical properties directly correlating with the temperature of the transferring structure. The transferring structure is attached to a supporting structure mounted to the wall by an elastomeric efficient thermal insulating material held in compression providing physical support for the probe and sealing the wall from leaking and insuring that the sensor is primarily thermally responsive to the temperature of the transferring surface and to the liquid but is thermally insulated from variations in the temperature of the supporting wall.