electric kettle

Abstract

To provide an electric kettle that can reduce the possibility of water intrusion into electrical parts. [Solution] The electric kettle 1 comprises a container body 10, an exterior cover 40, a heater 30, and a control board 50. The exterior cover 40 covers the outer periphery of the container body 10. The heater 30 heats the liquid inside the container body 10. The control board 50 is electrically connected to the heater 30. The control board 50 is located between the side wall 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40, rather than below the container body 10. This reduces the possibility of the control board 50 becoming submerged in water.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric kettle. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electric kettles that use electricity to boil water have been known. A conventional electric kettle is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-041654 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This type of electric kettle has a heater that heats the water in the container body and a control board that is electrically connected to the heater. In conventional electric kettles, the control board is located below the container body. However, if the control board is located lower than the bottom of the container body, the control board may be submerged in water if water leaks from the container body.

[0005] Furthermore, the same problem can occur not only in the control board but also in other electrical components through which electricity flows.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric kettle that can reduce the possibility of water intrusion into electrical components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is an electric kettle comprising a container body having a cylindrical side wall portion, an outer cover covering the outer periphery of the container body, and an electrical component through which electricity flows, the electrical component being positioned between the side wall portion and the outer cover.

[0008] According to the present invention, the electrical components are positioned between the side wall of the container body and the exterior cover, rather than below the container body, which reduces the possibility of water intrusion into the electrical components.

[0009] The present invention also provides an electric kettle comprising a container body having a cylindrical side wall portion, an outer cover covering the outer periphery of the container body, a heater for heating the liquid in the container body, and a control board electrically connected to the heater, wherein the control board is positioned between the side wall portion and the outer cover.

[0010] According to the present invention, the control board is located between the side wall of the container body and the exterior cover, rather than below the container body, which reduces the possibility of the control board becoming submerged in water.

[0011] It is desirable that the container body further includes a seal packing that seals the boundary between the bottom and the side wall, and that the control board be located above the seal packing, thereby preventing the control board from becoming wet even if liquid leaks from the boundary between the bottom and the side wall.

[0012] The electric kettle also preferably includes a spout at the front end and a handle at the rear end, with the control board located behind the container body. This positions the container body at the front and the control board at the rear inside the exterior cover. This allows the center of gravity of the electric kettle to be offset forward from the centerline of the electric kettle when water or hot water is stored in the container body. This makes it easier for the user to tilt the electric kettle 1 forward when pouring hot water, allowing for safe pouring with less effort.

[0013] The handle preferably has a switch electrically connected to the control board. This allows the control board and the switch to be located close to each other, thereby shortening the length of the wire connecting the control board and the switch. This reduces wire problems such as breakage.

[0014] The outer peripheral surface of the side wall preferably has a recessed portion recessed inward, and the control board is disposed in the recessed portion. This allows the control board to be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall, and prevents the outer peripheral surface of the electric kettle from protruding outward, thereby not compromising the appearance of the electric kettle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the electrical components are positioned between the side wall of the container body and the exterior cover, rather than below the container body, which reduces the possibility of water intrusion into the electrical components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kettle product. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a kettle product. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a kettle product. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when the electric kettle 1 is upright, the spout 21 side of the electric kettle 1 will be referred to as the "front" and the handle 41 side will be referred to as the "rear." Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction will be referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0018] <1. Electric kettle configuration> FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kettle product 100 including an electric kettle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the kettle product 100. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the kettle product 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the kettle product 100 includes an electric kettle 1 and a power supply stand 2. The electric kettle 1 is an electric water heater that heats water stored therein. The electric kettle 1 of this embodiment includes a container body 10, a lid 20, a heater 30, an exterior cover 40, and a control board 50.

[0019] The container body 10 is a cylindrical container with a bottom that stores liquid water inside. The container body 10 has a flat bottom 11 and a cylindrical side wall 12. The bottom 11 is disposed so as to close the opening at the bottom of the side wall 12. The bottom 11 is formed, for example, from a metal with high thermal conductivity. The side wall 12 is formed, for example, from a heat-resistant resin.

[0020] The container body 10 also has a seal packing 13. The seal packing 13 is an annular sealing member that seals the boundary between the bottom 11 and the side wall 12. The seal packing 13 is attached between the outer periphery of the bottom 11 and the lower end of the side wall 12. This prevents water or hot water stored in the container body 10 from leaking out from the boundary between the bottom 11 and the side wall 12.

[0021] The lid 20 is a unit that covers the opening at the top of the container body 10. The lid 20 is detachable from the upper end of the exterior cover 40. When the lid 20 is attached, the top of the container body 10 is covered by the lid 20. When the lid 20 is removed, the top of the container body 10 is opened, allowing the container body 10 to be refilled with water.

[0022] The lid 20 is made up of a number of parts. As shown in Fig. 3, the lid 20 has a spout 21, a flow path 22, a valve 23, and an operation button 24.

[0023] The spout 21 is a hole for pouring hot water from the container body 10. The spout 21 is located at the front end of the lid body 20. In this embodiment, the spout 21 opens upward. The spout 21 has a beak-like shape that gradually converges as it moves forward. The lid body 20 also has a cover 211 that opens and closes the spout 21. The cover 211 is opened and closed by an operation button 24.

[0024] Flow path 22 is a path that guides water or hot water in container body 10 to spout 21. Flow path 22 connects spout 21 to an opening 25 provided on the underside of lid 20. Flow path 22 in this embodiment extends in a substantially straight line from opening 25 to spout 21. More specifically, flow path 22 extends obliquely upward and forward from opening 25.

[0025] Valve element 23 is a member for opening and closing opening 25 on the underside of cover 20. Valve element 23 is connected to operation button 24 via switching mechanism 26. Operation button 24 is provided on the top surface of cover 20. Switching mechanism 26 is a mechanism for switching the position of valve element 23 in response to operation of operation button 24. Switching mechanism 26 is composed of multiple parts such as a coil spring and a cam.

[0026] When the operation button 24 is pressed, the switching mechanism 26 switches the position of the valve element 23 between the closed position (the position in FIG. 3) and the open position, which is lower than the closed position. When the valve element 23 is placed in the closed position, a packing 231 provided on the outer periphery of the valve element 23 comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the opening 25, thereby closing the opening 25. In this state, even if the electric kettle 1 is tilted forward, the cold or hot water in the container body 10 does not enter the flow path 22.

[0027] On the other hand, when the valve body 23 is placed in the open position, the packing 231 moves away from the outer periphery of the opening 25, thereby opening the opening 25. In this state, when the electric kettle 1 is tilted forward, the water or hot water in the container body 10 flows into the flow path 22 through the opening 25. The water or hot water can then be poured from the spout 21 into an external container.

[0028] The heater 30 is a heat source for heating the water in the container body 10. The heater 30 is disposed on the underside of the bottom 11 of the container body 10. For example, a sheath heater is used as the heater 30. When the electric kettle 1 is in use, power is supplied to the heater 30, causing the heater 30 to generate heat. This heats the water in the container body 10 and turns it into hot water.

[0029] The exterior cover 40 is a cover that covers the outer periphery of the container body 10. The exterior cover 40 is formed, for example, from a heat-resistant resin. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the exterior cover 40 has a substantially cylindrical outer shape that follows the side wall portion 12 of the container body 10. The container body 10 and the heater 30 are housed inside the exterior cover 40.

[0030] The exterior cover 40 has a handle 41. The handle 41 is a handle that the user grasps when lifting the electric kettle 1. The handle 41 is provided at the rear end of the exterior cover 40. In other words, the spout 21 and the handle 41 are located on opposite sides of the container body 10 in the front-to-rear direction. The user can grasp the handle 41 to carry the electric kettle 1 or tilt the electric kettle 1 for pouring. The handle 41 also has a switch 42 that turns power to the heater 30 on and off.

[0031] The control board 50 is an electric circuit board for controlling the heater 30. The control board 50 is an electric component through which electricity flows. The control board 50 is electrically connected to the switch 42 and the heater 30 via conductors. The control board 50 is disposed between the rear surface of the side wall 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40, in a position along the outer surface of the side wall 12. Electrical wiring is mounted on the control board 50. For this reason, the control board 50 needs to be protected from water droplets.

[0032] The power supply stand 2 is a unit for supplying power to the electric kettle 1. The electric kettle 1 can be placed upright on the top surface of the power supply stand 2. The power supply stand 2 has a conductor that can be connected to a household power source. When the electric kettle 1 is placed on the power supply stand 2, a power supply terminal provided on the top surface of the power supply stand 2 and the control board 50 of the electric kettle 1 are electrically connected. This makes it possible to supply power from the power supply stand 2 to the control board 50.

[0033] When using the electric kettle 1, the user first removes the lid 20 and pours water into the container body 10. Then, the user attaches the lid 20 and sets the electric kettle 1 on the power supply stand 2. Next, the user switches the switch 42 on the handle 41 from OFF to ON. This causes power to be supplied to the heater 30 from the power supply stand 2 via the control board 50. This causes the heater 30 to generate heat. As a result, the water in the container body 10 is heated and becomes hot water. The user then grasps the handle 41, lifts the electric kettle 1, and tilts it forward. This causes the hot water in the container body 10 to be poured from the spout 21 into an external container (such as a teacup or cup).

[0034] As described above, in this electric kettle 1, the control board 50 is located between the side wall 12 and the exterior cover 40. This allows the vertical dimension of the electric kettle 1 to be reduced compared to when the control board 50 is located below the container body 10. Furthermore, when the electric kettle 1 is placed on the power supply stand 2 or a table, for example, impacts that occur at the bottom end of the electric kettle 1 can be prevented from being transmitted to the control board 50. Furthermore, even if water leaks from the container body 10, water is less likely to accumulate near the control board 50. This reduces the possibility of the control board 50 becoming submerged.

[0035] In particular, the control board 50 is located above the seal packing 13. Therefore, even if water or boiling water leaks from the boundary between the bottom 11 and the side wall 12 of the container body 10, the water or boiling water is unlikely to flow near the control board 50. This further reduces the possibility of the control board 50 becoming flooded.

[0036] In this embodiment, the control board 50 is located behind the container body 10. That is, inside the exterior cover 40, the container body 10 is located at the front and the control board 50 is located at the rear. In this way, when water or hot water is stored in the container body 10, the center of gravity of the electric kettle 1 can be shifted forward from the center line of the electric kettle 1. This makes it easier for the user to tilt the electric kettle 1 forward when pouring hot water. In addition, the control board 50 and the switch 42 provided on the handle 41 are located close to each other. This allows the length of the wire connecting the control board 50 and the switch 42 to be shortened.

[0037] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the rear side of the side wall 12 of the container body 10 has a recess 121 that is recessed inward. The recess 121 is recessed inward from the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the side wall 12 and has a flat surface that fits along the control board 50. The control board 50 is then disposed in the recess 121. In this manner, the control board 50 can be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the electric kettle 1 can be prevented from protruding outward. In particular, if the side wall 12 of the container body 10 is manufactured from resin, the recess 121 can be formed more easily than if it is made from metal.

[0038] <2. Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the control board 50 is disposed between the rear surface of the side wall portion 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40. However, the control board 50 may be disposed between another outer surface of the side wall portion 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40. For example, the control board 50 may be disposed between the front surface of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the control board 50 that controls the heater 30 is disposed between the side wall 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40. However, the "electrical component" of the present invention is not limited to the control board 50 that controls the heater 30. Control boards that control components other than the heater, and electrical components such as sensors and motors may also be disposed between the side wall 12 of the container body 10 and the exterior cover 40. This reduces the possibility of water intrusion into the electrical components.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the switch 42 is provided on the handle 41. However, the switch 42 may be provided in another location on the electric kettle 1. For example, the switch 42 may be provided near the bottom of the exterior cover 40.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the liquid stored in the electric kettle 1 is water. However, the liquid stored in the electric kettle 1 may be other liquids such as tea.

[0043] The detailed shape of the electric kettle 1 may differ from that shown in the drawings of the present application. The elements appearing in the above-described embodiments and modifications may be selected as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1: Electric kettle 2: Power supply stand 10: Container body 11: Bottom 12: Side wall 13: Seal packing 20: Lid 21: Spout 22: Flow path 23: Valve body 24: Operation buttons 25: Opening 26: Switching mechanism 30: Heater 40: Exterior cover 41: Handle 42: Switch 50: Control board 100: Kettle products 121: Recess 211: Cover 231: Packing

Claims

1. An electric kettle, a container body having a cylindrical side wall portion; an exterior cover that covers the outer periphery of the container body; Electrical components through which electricity flows; Equipped with The electric kettle, wherein the electrical component is located between the side wall portion and the exterior cover.

2. An electric kettle, a container body having a cylindrical side wall portion; an exterior cover that covers the outer periphery of the container body; a heater for heating the liquid in the container body; a control board electrically connected to the heater; Equipped with The electric kettle, wherein the control board is located between the side wall portion and the exterior cover.

3. 3. The electric kettle according to claim 2, The container body is A seal packing that seals the boundary between the bottom and the side wall and The electric kettle, wherein the control board is located above the seal packing.

4. 4. The electric kettle according to claim 2 or 3, A spout provided at the front end; A handle provided at the rear end; Furthermore, The control board is located at the rear of the container body.

5. 5. The electric kettle according to claim 4, The handle is a switch electrically connected to the control board; Electric kettle.

6. 4. The electric kettle according to claim 2 or 3, The outer peripheral surface of the side wall portion has a recessed portion recessed inward, The control board is disposed in the recess.

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