Liquid heating appliances

Abstract

A liquid heating appliance comprising a liquid heating container equipped with a cordless electrical adapter (14) and a cordless power stand equipped with a cordless electrical connector (16). The vertical forces (62, 72) applied by at least one elastically biased vertical acting member (38, 58) provided in the connector (16) and / or adapter (14), and the horizontal forces (64, 66) applied by at least one horizontal acting member (50, 52) provided in the connector (16) and / or adapter (14) are preset such that when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical forces (62, 72) cannot exceed the frictional force (68, 70) generated by the weight (74) of the liquid heating container when it is empty and the horizontal forces (64, 66), so that the adapter (14) does not separate from the connector (16), and when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the vertical forces combined with the weight of the cordless power stand exceed the frictional force, so that the connector (16) can freely separate from the adapter (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid heating appliance, and more particularly to a liquid heating appliance provided with a liquid heating container that can be seated on a cordless power base.

Background Art

[0002] As a liquid heating appliance, there is known one provided with a liquid heating container that can be seated on a cordless power base and capable of supplying power to the liquid heating container via the cordless power base. The liquid heating container usually includes a cordless adapter, and the cordless power base usually includes a cordless connector. When the cordless connector and the cordless adapter are connected, they enable power supply to the liquid heating container, for example, its heating element. Conventional cordless connectors and cordless adapters usually each have a plurality of electrical contacts, such as live contacts, neutral contacts, and earth contacts. In order to ensure that the electrical contacts are properly and correctly contacted when the connector and the adapter are connected, in any pair of electrical contacts, at least one of the contacts is provided on an elastically biased member or is constituted by an elastically biased member in many cases. Such an elastically biasing member can ensure proper contact between the respective electrical contacts, but there is a possibility of causing an undesirable movement between the liquid heating container and the cordless power base. For example, when an elastically biasing member acting in the vertical direction is provided, when the liquid heating container is empty, the liquid heating container may be at least partially separated from the cordless power base by the force applied by the elastically biasing member. In such a case, the liquid heating container may be likely to shake (i.e., be unstable) on the cordless power base.

[0003] While such an elastically biasing member can ensure proper contact between the respective electrical contacts, there is a risk of causing an undesirable movement between the liquid heating container and the cordless power base. For example, when an elastically biasing member acting in the vertical direction is provided, when the liquid heating container is empty, the liquid heating container may be at least partially separated from the cordless power base by the force applied by the elastically biasing member. In such a case, the liquid heating container may be likely to shake (i.e., be unstable) on the cordless power base.

[0004] In other examples, for instance, when an elastic biasing member acts horizontally, the movement of the liquid heating container relative to the cordless power stand may be hindered by the elastic biasing member, even in situations where movement is actually desired. For example, an elastic biasing member acting horizontally may cause the cordless power stand to stick to the liquid heating container, and when the user lifts the liquid heating container, the cordless power stand may lift up together with the liquid heating container. [Overview of the project]

[0005] The applicant recognized that both of the above-mentioned situations are generally undesirable. The present invention aims to solve, or at least mitigate, at least one of the problems outlined above. In view of the first aspect, the present invention is A liquid heating container equipped with a cordless electrical adapter, A cordless power stand configured to support the above-mentioned liquid heating container, comprising a cordless electrical connector configured to engage with the cordless electrical adapter when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, A liquid heating appliance equipped with, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are, When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container when empty and the frictional force, and the cordless power adapter does not detach from the cordless power connector, and The present invention provides a liquid heating device that, when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, is pre-configured such that the vertical force combined with the weight of the cordless power stand exceeds the frictional force, and the cordless electrical connector is freely separated from the cordless electrical adapter.

[0006] The applicant recognized that by appropriately pre-setting the vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one horizontal acting member, taking into account the weight of the liquid heating container and the weight of the cordless power stand, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which shaking / wobbling is eliminated while the cordless power stand can be freely separated from the liquid heating container when the liquid heating container is lifted.

[0007] The expression "the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand" means that the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand in a state where no other external force is applied by the user, for example, when no lifting force is applied by the user. When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force applied by the elastically biased vertical acting member acts to substantially separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter (and consequently, the liquid container and the cordless power stand). However, this separation is hindered by two forces: firstly, by the weight of the liquid heating container; and secondly, by the frictional force generated by at least one of the elastically biased horizontal acting members. According to the present invention, the vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are preset such that the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container and the frictional force (generated by the horizontal force). The intention in this state is to prevent the liquid heating container from separating from the cordless power stand, so the frictional force resisting movement is static friction.

[0008] In contrast, the expression that the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand means that the liquid heating container is actively lifted, for example, by a user picking it up. When a user lifts the liquid heating container, the force due to the weight of the liquid heating container is offset by the lifting force applied by the user, so the weight of the liquid heating container is effectively neutralized. Therefore, when a user lifts the liquid heating container, the weight of the liquid heating container no longer affects the separation of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. When lifting the liquid heating container, it is desirable that the cordless power stand be freely separated from the liquid heating container, as described above. With respect to the cordless power stand, the weight of the cordless power stand acts to hold the cordless power stand downward, for example, by pressing it downward against the surface on which it is placed. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter (and therefore the liquid heating container and the cordless power stand). When lifting the liquid heating container, this vertical force is thought to act downwards, pressing the cordless electrical connector (and therefore the cordless power stand) downwards.

[0009] In this lifting situation, the force acting to resist the separation of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is again the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member. This generates a frictional force that resists separation. However, according to the present invention, the applicant has recognized that by presetting the vertical and horizontal forces, the weight of the cordless power stand and the vertical force can exceed the frictional force, thereby allowing the cordless power stand to be smoothly separated from the liquid heating container. In this case, the weight of the cordless power stand and the vertical force can exceed the frictional force, which may initially include static friction and then include kinetic friction when the connector and adapter begin to move relative to each other.

[0010] Therefore, as described above, the applicant recognized that by appropriately setting the vertical and horizontal forces in advance, it is possible to prevent the liquid heating container from separating from the cordless power base when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power base, while simultaneously enabling smooth separation of the liquid heating container and the cordless power base when the liquid heating container is actively lifted.

[0011] When the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the cordless electrical connector separates freely from the cordless electrical adapter. This free separation means that the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter separate smoothly in such a manner that the cordless power stand, in any part, does not lift off the surface on which it is placed, such as a workbench.

[0012] The vertical force applied by the at least one vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one horizontal acting member can be preset in any suitable manner. For example, presetting these forces may include selecting or setting the spring constants of the elastic bias of each elastically biased member in order to obtain a desired force balance. It may also include appropriately arranging the vertical and horizontal acting members so that they generate a desired force when the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter are mated and the vertical and horizontal acting members are displaced.

[0013] As mentioned above regarding separation, this separation refers to the vertical separation of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, and / or the vertical separation of the liquid heating vessel and the cordless power stand. Since the cordless electrical adapter is part of the liquid heating vessel and the cordless electrical connector is part of the cordless power stand, it will be understood that the movement of the cordless electrical connector relative to the cordless electrical adapter results in a corresponding movement of the liquid heating vessel relative to the cordless power stand.

[0014] With respect to the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member described above, the member may be positioned on a cordless electrical adapter and may contact the cordless electrical connector when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together. In another embodiment, the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member may be positioned on a cordless electrical connector and may contact the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together.

[0015] A cordless liquid heating appliance may be considered a cordless liquid heating device.

[0016] The at least one elastically biased vertical acting member described above may have any suitable form. In a series of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member includes an elastically biased plunger, which is configured to operate an electrical switch configuration. Thus, the plunger serves to provide a vertical force that assists in separating the cordless power stand from the liquid heating container when the liquid heating container is separated from the cordless power stand, and also serves to operate the electrical switch configuration. The plunger may be formed of an electrically insulating material. The electrical switch configuration may provide means for selectively connecting or disconnecting a power supply circuit for supplying power to the liquid heating appliance, for example, for supplying power to electrical components. For example, the operating state of the electrical switch, e.g., open or closed, may determine the power supply to heating elements located in the liquid heating container. The electrical switch configuration may be able to take an open state in which current cannot pass through the switch and a closed state in which current can pass through the switch.

[0017] The plunger may be configured to be pushed against its elastic bias when the liquid heating vessel is seated on the cordless power base, thereby generating a vertical force. In contrast, when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power base, the plunger may move to an extended position due to the elastic bias.

[0018] The plunger may be part of the cordless electrical connector. The plunger may extend from the cordless electrical connector to contact the cordless electrical adapter when the liquid container is seated on the cordless power stand. In this case, the electrical switch configuration may be located within the cordless power stand. However, in a series of embodiments, the plunger extends from the cordless electrical adapter. In such embodiments, the switch configuration may also be located within the liquid heating container. The electrical switch configuration may be part of the cordless electrical adapter itself, or a component connected thereto, such as a control configuration, which will be detailed later.

[0019] The plunger may operate the electrical switch configuration in any suitable manner. For example, the plunger may operate to close the electrical switch configuration when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power stand. However, in a series of embodiments, the plunger is configured to open the electrical switch configuration when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power stand. The electrical switch configuration may have at least two electrical switch contacts that are in contact with each other when closed and separated from each other when open. Thus, in the embodiments described above, when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power stand, i.e., lifted, the plunger opens the electrical switch configuration, for example, so that the two electrical switch contacts are separated from each other. Such embodiments can be considered a lift-off-switch-off (LOSO) configuration or a lift-off-contacts-open (LOCO) configuration, since when the liquid heating vessel is lifted, the contacts separate and the power to the liquid heating vessel is turned off, or the contacts are in an open state. In these embodiments, when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the power supply to the electrical components in the liquid heating container, such as the heating element, may be cut off before the electrical contacts in the connector and adapter are disconnected from each other.

[0020] In another set of embodiments, the electrical switch configuration includes a latch movable to a latched position that holds the electrical switch configuration open, and a plunger is configured to move the latch from the latched position to the unlocked position so that the electrical switch configuration is closed when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power stand. In such embodiments, other components, such as a thermal actuator, may act on the electrical switch configuration to move it open. The latch may be elastically biased to the latched position and therefore may automatically assume the latched position when the electrical switch configuration is open. Since the latch functions to prevent the switch configuration from moving from the open to the closed position, when the plunger acts on the latch, the plunger may be considered to be acting on the electrical switch configuration. By moving the latch so that the electrical switch configuration can assume the closed position, the switch may assume the closed position when the liquid heating vessel is separated from the cordless power stand. This may be considered a reset of the electrical switch configuration and may be known in the art as a "lift-off-reset (LOR)". The plunger may act directly on the latch to move it to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the switch to close when the liquid heating container is lifted and separated from the cordless power stand. Alternatively, the plunger may have or act on any number of intermediate members that cause the latch to move appropriately.

[0021] In the embodiments described above, a plunger is included as the vertical acting member, but this is not the only form of the vertical acting member. In another set of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member includes an elastically biased vertical acting electrical contact. This elastically biased vertical acting contact may take any suitable form and apply a vertical force to a corresponding, for example, fixed contact, provided in the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. This elastically biased vertical acting contact may be located, for example, in the cordless electrical connector and positioned to connect to a corresponding electrical contact in the cordless electrical adapter. The corresponding electrical contact may be in the form of a conductive pin located in the cordless electrical adapter. The conductive pin may be located in the center of the cordless electrical adapter, and a portion of the elastically biased vertical acting contact that contacts the pin may be located in the center of the cordless electrical connector. The conductive pin may be fixed in position.

[0022] In some embodiments, there may be only one elastically biased vertical acting member. In such embodiments, the entire vertical force is provided by that member. However, in other embodiments, the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member may include multiple elastically biased vertical acting members. For example, the multiple elastically biased vertical acting members may include a plunger and an elastically biased vertical electrical contact, as described above. In embodiments that include multiple elastically biased vertical acting members, for example, an elastically biased plunger together with an elastically biased vertical acting contact, the vertical force is the sum of the vertical forces of each vertical acting member, i.e., the sum of the vertical forces from the plunger and the vertical acting contact. Therefore, presetting the vertical force may include appropriately setting the vertical force provided by each of the vertical acting members, e.g., the plunger and the vertical acting contact. However, in some embodiments, the vertical force applied by one of these members may be fixed, for example, due to the need to satisfy a particular requirement. In such embodiments, the vertical force may be predetermined by appropriately setting the vertical forces generated by other or remaining vertical acting members.

[0023] The horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member generates a frictional force between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. This frictional force acts to resist the movement of the cordless electrical connector relative to the adapter and therefore resists the vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member. When the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are stationary relative to each other, the horizontal force generates a static frictional force that resists the movement of the two parts. When the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are moving relative to each other, the horizontal force generates a kinetic frictional force that resists the movement of the two parts.

[0024] The at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member described above may have any suitable form. For example, the at least one horizontal acting member may include a horizontally acting plunger that is not electrically conductive. Such a horizontal acting plunger may only serve to resist the connector moving relative to the adapter. However, the applicant has recognized that it may be advantageous to have a dual function by providing the horizontal force using another component. Thus, according to a series of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member includes at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact. In such embodiments, the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member may function to provide both a horizontal force and an electrical connection means between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter.

[0025] The at least one elastically biased horizontally acting member may be arranged in a connector and / or an adapter. However, in a series of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting member is arranged in a cordless electrical connector. In embodiments where the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting member includes at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact, the corresponding, for example fixed, electrical contact is arranged within a cordless electrical adapter and may be positioned to contact the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated. By arranging elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts within a cordless power base connector, it may be possible to provide at least one corresponding fixed contact in the cordless electrical adapter, which may have the advantage of reducing the total number of parts required for the adapter and connector. The elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts may be subject to damage or misalignment. The cordless electrical connector may, for example, have an integral structure formed within the connector body, and this structure may at least partially surround the elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts and other such contacts. Therefore, arranging the elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts within the cordless electrical connector may avoid the need to separately provide a movable shutter for protecting the contacts within the cordless power base connector. The corresponding fixed electrical contacts within the cordless electrical adapter may not be protected by a corresponding structure, but since the cordless electrical adapter is not connected to a commercial power supply when the liquid heating container is separated from the cordless power base, there is little risk of contact and thus it may not be a problem. Furthermore, the fixed contacts can be formed more robustly and are less likely to be damaged upon contact.

[0026] The at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact may have any form suitable for contact with a corresponding electrical contact. However, in a series of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact has an initial contact surface configured to contact a corresponding electrical contact on the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter begin to engage, and the angle formed by the vertical direction and the initial contact surface is less than 40°, such as less than 30°, such as less than 20°.

[0027] The applicant has recognized that by having an initial contact surface with a shallow angle with respect to the vertical direction, that is, less than 40°, such as less than 30°, such as less than 20° with respect to the vertical direction, the initial resistance force received from the liquid container when placing the liquid container on the cordless power base can be reduced. Thereby, the ease and feel when placing the liquid heating container on the cordless power base can be improved.

[0028] The applicant has also recognized that by providing a similar initial contact surface to the contact with which the elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact contacts, a similar effect can be obtained and / or the effect can be further improved. Thus, in another series of embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one corresponding electrical contact with which the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact contacts when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated, and the at least one corresponding electrical contact has an initial contact surface with which the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact first contacts when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter begin to engage, and the angle formed by the vertical direction and the initial contact surface is less than 40°, such as less than 30°, such as less than 20°. Thereby, the force initially received when placing the liquid heating container on the cordless power base can be similarly reduced, and the ease and feel when placing the liquid heating container on the cordless power base can be improved.

[0029] By using a single elastically biased horizontal acting member, a sufficiently large frictional force (due to a horizontal force) can be generated to resist the movement of the liquid heating container when it is seated on a cordless power stand, and at the same time, the cordless power stand may be separable from the liquid heating container when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand. However, in a series of embodiments, the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member includes a plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members.

[0030] Each elastically biased horizontal acting member may include an elastically biased horizontal acting electrical contact. By using multiple elastically biased horizontal acting members, the magnitude of the horizontal force that any single elastically biased horizontal acting member must exert can be reduced. A reduced force on a given horizontal acting member can extend its lifespan.

[0031] In yet another set of embodiments, the plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members are angularly distributed around a cordless electrical connector or cordless electrical adapter. The applicant has recognized that by angularly distributing the plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members around a cordless electrical connector or cordless electrical adapter, the horizontal force applied by the members can be distributed more uniformly, and thus the resulting frictional force can also be distributed around the connector / adapter. This may help prevent the liquid heating container from tilting to one side when it is seated on a cordless power stand. Similarly, this may help ensure that the cordless power stand is reliably and uniformly separated from the liquid heating container, i.e., that the cordless power stand does not lift to one side when the liquid heating container is separated from the cordless power stand. The plurality of elastically biased vertical acting members may be angularly offset around an axis, e.g., a central axis, that passes through the cordless electrical connector or cordless electrical adapter.

[0032] The above-mentioned vertical and horizontal forces may be individually preset for each different liquid heating appliance, particularly for each different liquid heating container and cordless power stand, because the weight of the liquid heating container and the weight of the cordless power stand affect the required force. However, the applicant recognized that these forces can be preset based on the lightest liquid heating container and the corresponding lightest cordless power stand. The applicant recognized that if the vertical force is set to match the lightest liquid heating container and cordless power stand, even if the connector and adapter are used with a heavier liquid heating container, the vertical force will not exceed the weight and frictional force of the liquid heating container, and thus prevent the liquid heating container from separating from the cordless power stand when it is seated on it. Similarly, even if a heavier cordless power stand is used, the balance of forces ensures that the cordless power stand can freely separate from the liquid heating container when the liquid heating container is lifted from it. Therefore, in a series of embodiments, the vertical and horizontal forces are preset based on the theoretical weight of the liquid heating container in an empty state, which is 450g to 550g, for example 500g, for example 530g. In another series of embodiments, the vertical and horizontal forces are preset based on the theoretical weight of the cordless power stand, which is 60g to 100g, for example 75g.

[0033] The applicant considers the above-mentioned weight to be the practical minimum weight for a liquid heating container and cordless power stand. While the above force can be preset based on the above-mentioned weight, the actual weight of the liquid heating container and cordless power stand in a given liquid heating appliance may be heavier than the above-mentioned weight. By using the above-mentioned theoretical weight, a single cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter with a preset force may be usable in a wider range of liquid heating appliances.

[0034] The liquid heating vessel and cordless power stand may contain any suitable electrical components internally. In a series of embodiments, the liquid heating vessel includes an electric heating device configured to heat the contents of the liquid heating vessel. The liquid heating device may include, for example, a resistance heating device. In another embodiment, the heating device may include an induction heating device, for example, an induction coil and a susceptor element arranged to heat the contents of the liquid heating vessel. Other suitable electrical components may be provided and power may be supplied from a cordless electrical connector and a cordless electrical adapter. For example, the liquid heating vessel may include a motor-driven stirrer / agitator configured to stir / agitate the contents inside the liquid heating vessel. An electronic control unit, for example, including a processor, may be located inside the liquid heating vessel and / or the cordless power stand.

[0035] The cordless power adapter may be a separate component within the liquid heating vessel, or it may be directly connected to electrical components within the liquid heating vessel, such as a heating device. However, in a series of embodiments, the cordless power adapter is part of a cordless power control unit located within the liquid heating appliance. The cordless power control unit may include any suitable means for controlling the operation of the liquid heating vessel. Electrical components within the liquid heating vessel may be electrically connected to the cordless power control unit. The cordless power control unit may include, for example, overheat detection means configured to detect overheating of the liquid heating appliance. This may include, for example, a heat-sensitive actuator, such as a bimetallic actuator, configured to detect overheating of a heating element or a portion in contact with it. The cordless power control unit may also include means for monitoring the temperature of the contents of the liquid heating vessel. The temperature monitoring means may include a thermomechanical device for monitoring the temperature, or it may include an electronic temperature sensor, such as a thermistor and a suitable control circuit.

[0036] The cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter may be appropriately shaped to allow only a limited number of angular directions in which the liquid heating vessel can be positioned on the cordless power stand, for example, one or two angular directions. However, in a series of embodiments, the cordless electrical adapter is a 360° cordless electrical adapter, and the cordless electrical connector is a corresponding 360° cordless electrical connector, so that the liquid heating vessel can be received on the cordless power stand in any angular direction. It is clear that such connectors and adapters can improve the ease of use of liquid heating appliances.

[0037] Cordless electrical connectors and cordless electrical adapters may have any appropriate number of electrical contacts. In a series of embodiments, cordless electrical adapters and cordless electrical connectors facilitate the transmission of power and / or data between a liquid heating vessel and a cordless power supply unit. If the cordless electrical adapter and cordless electrical connector are for transmitting power only between the liquid heating vessel and the cordless power supply unit, they may each have, for example, two or three corresponding electrical contacts, depending on whether the provision of an earth connection is required in a particular jurisdiction. If the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter transmit both power and data, they may each have, for example, four or five corresponding electrical contacts, again depending on whether the provision of an earth connection is required in a particular jurisdiction. Needless to say, electrical connectors and electrical adapters may have any appropriate number of electrical contacts depending on the specific requirements of the connector and adapter.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter may each be a 3-pole connector / adapter. In such embodiments, each of the connector and adapter may have three electrical contacts. In some embodiments, the cordless electrical adapter may have three fixed electrical contacts, for example, one contact pin and two annular electrical contacts. The corresponding cordless electrical connector may have three elastically biased electrical contacts. In some embodiments, all three elastically biased electrical contacts may be elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts. In other embodiments, one of the contacts, for example, the central contact, may be an elastically biased vertically acting electrical contact, and the other two electrical contacts may be elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts.

[0039] In other embodiments, the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter may each be a 5-pin connector / adapter. In such embodiments, the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter may each have 5 electrical contacts. Similar to the embodiments described above, the cordless electrical adapter may have 5 fixed electrical contacts, for example, a central conductive pin and 4 annular electrical contacts surrounding it. In such embodiments, the cordless electrical connector may have 5 elastically biased electrical contacts. These 5 elastically biased electrical contacts may include any combination of elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contacts and elastically biased vertically acting electrical contacts.

[0040] In either of the three-pole or five-pole embodiments described above, the cordless electrical connector and / or cordless electrical adapter may further comprise an elastically biased vertical acting member in the form of a plunger, as described in connection with the embodiments described above.

[0041] In any of the embodiments described above, the elastic bias of the at least one vertical acting member or the elastic bias of the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member may be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the elastic bias may be provided by an independent spring element, such as a coil spring. Taking a plunger as an example, a coil spring may act on the plunger to provide an elastic bias. In other embodiments, the elastic bias may be provided by a spring element formed integrally with the elastically biased vertical / horizontal acting member. For example, the elastically biased vertical / horizontal acting member may be formed of an elastically deformable material that provides an elastic bias when deformed. The deformation may include, for example, bending deformation of the vertical / horizontal acting member. The vertical / horizontal acting member may include an arm portion that facilitates the deformation of each member and provides an elastic bias when bent from a stationary position.

[0042] The applicant acknowledges that the present invention is not limited to liquid heating appliances as a whole, and therefore, in view of a second aspect, the present invention provides a cordless connection configuration for a liquid heating appliance comprising a liquid heating container and a cordless power stand, said cordless connection configuration A cordless electric adapter configured to be attached to the above-mentioned liquid heating container, It comprises a cordless electrical connector configured to be attached to the above-mentioned cordless power stand, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are such that when the cordless electrical adapter is attached to the liquid heating container and the cordless electrical connector is attached to the cordless power stand, When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container when empty and the frictional force, and the cordless electrical connector does not detach from the cordless power stand adapter, and When the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the vertical force combined with the weight of the cordless power stand is set to exceed the frictional force, so that the cordless electrical connector can be freely separated from the cordless electrical adapter.

[0043] Any feature of the embodiments relating to the first aspect of the present invention described above can be applied to this second aspect of the present invention.

[0044] According to a third aspect of the present invention, A liquid heating container equipped with a cordless electrical adapter, A liquid heating device is provided, comprising: a cordless power stand configured to support the above-mentioned liquid heating container, the cordless power stand having a cordless electrical connector configured to engage with the cordless electrical adapter when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand; At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are preset to balance the forces acting between the cordless power stand and the liquid heating container, such that the liquid heating container does not separate from the cordless power stand when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, and the cordless power stand separates freely from the liquid heating container when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand.

[0045] Any feature of the embodiments relating to the first aspect of the present invention can be applied to this third aspect of the present invention.

[0046] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, A liquid heating container comprising a chamber for containing the liquid to be heated and a cordless electrical adapter, A liquid heating device is provided, comprising: a cordless power stand configured to support the above-mentioned liquid heating container, the cordless power stand having a cordless electrical connector configured to engage with the above-mentioned cordless electrical adapter when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand; At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, At least one of the above-mentioned cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are, When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container when empty and the frictional force, and the cordless power adapter does not detach from the cordless power connector, and When the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the vertical force combined with the weight of the cordless power stand is set to exceed the frictional force, so that the cordless electrical connector can be freely separated from the cordless electrical adapter.

[0047] Any feature of the embodiments relating to the first aspect of the present invention can be applied to this fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0048] In any of the above-described views or embodiments, a vertical acting member is a member that applies at least a vertical force component. A vertical acting member may also apply a horizontal force component. Similarly, in any of the above-described views or embodiments, a horizontal acting member is a member that applies at least a horizontal force component. A horizontal acting member may also apply a vertical force component.

[0049] Any liquid heating device described above in any aspect or embodiment may be suitable for heating any suitable liquid. For example, a liquid heating device may be suitable for heating water. In such embodiments, the liquid heating device can be considered a kettle. In addition, or instead, a liquid heating device may be suitable for heating other types of liquids, such as milk, tea, or coffee. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0050] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, for illustrative purposes only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid heating device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter shown in Figure 1 in a mated state.

[0053] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cordless electrical connector and cordless electrical adapter shown in Figure 2, when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand.

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the plunger of the cordless electrical adapter shown in Figures 2 and 3, combined with an electrical switch configuration.

[0055] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a plunger that operates to move an electrical switch configuration to the open position.

[0056] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of one of the horizontal acting members and its corresponding fixed electrical contact, showing their initial contact surfaces.

[0057] Figure 7 is a top view of the cordless electrical connector shown in the previous figure.

[0058] Figure 8 is a top view of a 5-pole cordless electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a plunger that operates to move a latch that holds an electrical switch configuration in the open position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0060] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquid heating device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this illustrated embodiment, the liquid heating device 2 takes the form of a kettle. However, it will be understood that the liquid heating device 2 may take any suitable form, such as a milk warmer or a frothing device. The liquid heating device 2 comprises a liquid heating container 4 and a cordless power stand 6. The cordless power stand 6 is shaped to receive the liquid heating container 4 on it. In some embodiments, as shown in the figure, the liquid heating container 4 comprises a base to be heated 8, which defines a liquid chamber 10 that receives the liquid to be heated. The base to be heated 8 may be heated by a heating element 12.

[0061] The liquid heating container 4 includes a cordless electrical adapter 14 (hereinafter referred to as "adapter 14") configured to mate with a cordless electrical connector 16 (hereinafter referred to as "connector 16") provided on a cordless power supply base 6. In some embodiments, as shown in the figure, the adapter 14 is part of a cordless electrical control unit 18 that controls the power supply to the heating element 12. The cordless electrical control unit 18 may include appropriate means for monitoring the temperature of the heating element 12 and / or the liquid contents of the liquid heating container 4.

[0062] The cordless power stand 6 includes a power cable 20 that can be connected to a suitable power source, such as commercial power. The power cable 20 may be appropriately electrically connected to a cordless electrical connector 16, such as its internal electrical contacts. When the liquid heating container 4 is placed on the cordless power stand 6, thereby mating the adapter 14 and the connector 16, power can flow from the cordless power stand 6 to the liquid heating container 4 via the connector 16 and the adapter 14.

[0063] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adapter 14 and connector 16 in the mating configuration shown in Figure 1, i.e., when the liquid heating container 4 is seated on the cordless power stand 6. When the liquid heating container 4 is seated on the cordless power stand 6, no other force is applied to the liquid heating container 4 by the user.

[0064] As shown in the figure, the adapter 14 may comprise a first annular wall 22 and a second annular wall 24 extending from a base 28. The adapter 14, for example, the first annular wall 22, the second annular wall 24, and the base 28 may be formed from a molded plastic body. A centrally located contact pin 26 extends through the base 28. Since the contact pin 26 is fixed in position, it does not exert an elastic biasing force on the connector 16 in the mated state. A first annular electrical contact 30 is located on the first side surface 32 of the first annular wall 22, and a second annular electrical contact 34 is located on the second side surface 36 of the first annular wall 22. The contact pin 26, the first annular electrical contact 30, and the second annular electrical contact 34 may be appropriately connected to electrical components in a liquid heating container. For example, the first and second annular electrical contacts 30, 34 may provide live and neutral connections to the heating element 18 or any other electrically driven component in the liquid heating container. The contact pin 26 may provide a ground connection to the liquid heating container 4. Although specific forms of the adapter 14 have been described above, it will be understood that the adapter 14 may have any suitable form. For example, its internal electrical contacts may be arranged in any other suitable configuration. In some embodiments, the adapter 14 may lack at least the first annular wall 22, and the first and second annular contacts 30, 34 may instead be separated by a gap.

[0065] The cordless electrical adapter 14 further comprises a first elastically biased vertical acting member 38. In the illustrated embodiment, this elastically biased vertical acting member 38 takes the form of a plunger 38. The elastically biased vertical acting member 38 is elastically biased by a spring 40. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 may be elastically biased by any other suitable elastic biasing means, and in practice, it may be elastically biased by the shape and / or material of the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 itself. The force applied by the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 is schematically indicated by arrow 72.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the connector 16 includes an upright cylindrical boss 42 having a central opening 44 on its upper wall 46. The central opening 44 is sized to receive the contact pins 26 of the adapter 14 when the adapter 14 and the connector 16 are mated together. The connector 16 further includes an upright outer annular wall 48. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the cylindrical boss 42 or the outer annular wall 48 may be omitted or may take any other suitable form.

[0067] In some embodiments, as shown in the figure, the connector 16 includes a plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members in the form of elastically biased horizontal acting electrical contacts. Specifically, the connector 16 includes a first elastically biased horizontal acting electrical contact 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "first horizontal contact" 50) and a second elastically biased horizontal acting electrical contact 52 (hereinafter referred to as the "second horizontal contact" 52). The first horizontal contact 50 includes a first spring portion 54 that provides a horizontal elastic biasing force. The horizontal force applied by the first horizontal contact 50 is schematically shown by arrow 64. The second horizontal contact 52 includes a second spring portion 56 that provides a horizontal elastic biasing force to the second horizontal contact 52. The horizontal force applied by the second horizontal contact 52 is schematically shown by arrow 66. The first and second spring portions 54 and 56 may be formed from an elastically deformable material, thereby providing an elastic biasing force that causes the first and second spring portions 54 and 56, and consequently the first and second horizontal contacts 50 and 52, to return horizontally to their resting positions when the first and second spring portions 54 and 56 are bent away from their resting positions.

[0068] The connector 16 further includes a second elastically biased vertical acting member in the form of an elastically biased vertical acting electrical contact 58 (hereinafter referred to as "vertical acting electrical contact 58"). The vertical acting electrical contact 58 is elastically biased by a third spring portion 60. The first and second horizontal contacts 50 and 52, together with the vertical acting electrical contact 58, may be appropriately connected to the power cable 20 within the cordless power supply base 6.

[0069] When the liquid heating container 4 is placed on the power base 6, the adapter 14 and connector 16 begin to mate with each other, and fully mate as shown in Figure 2. When the adapter 14 and connector 16 mate with each other, the contact pin 26 presses against the vertically acting electrical contact 58 in the connector 16. The third spring 60 allows displacement of the vertically acting electrical contact 58 so that the adapter 14 can mate with the connector 16. However, in allowing this movement, the third spring 60 provides an elastic biasing force to the vertically acting electrical contact 58, thereby applying a vertical force to the contact pin 26 and, consequently, to the adapter 14. As can be understood, this vertical force acts to separate the adapter 14 and the connector 16. The force applied by the second vertically acting electrical contact 58 is schematically shown by arrow 62.

[0070] Similarly, when the adapter 14 is mated with the connector 16, the first horizontal contact 50 is displaced radially outward by the second annular electrical contact 34, and the second horizontal contact 52 is displaced radially inward by the first annular electrical contact 30. This displacement causes the first and second spring portions 54 and 56 to bend, respectively. As a result, these first and second spring portions 54 and 56 apply an elastic biasing reaction force to the first and second horizontal contacts 50 and 52, thereby applying a horizontal force to the first and second annular electrical contacts 30 and 34 with which they contact. These horizontal forces are indicated by arrows 64 and 66. The horizontal forces 64 and 66 generate frictional forces indicated by arrows 68 and 70, which act between the first and second horizontal contacts 50 and 52 and the first and second annular electrical contacts 30 and 34. Frictional forces 68 and 70 act to resist the separation of the adapter 14 and the connector 16.

[0071] As shown in Figure 2, when the adapter 14 is mated with the connector 16, an electrical connection is provided between the adapter 14 and the connector 16 by contact between the vertical working contact 58 and the contact pin 26, contact between the first horizontal contact 50 and the second annular electrical contact 34, and contact between the second horizontal contact 52 and the first annular electrical contact 30. This electrical connection may supply power to the heating element 12 or any other electrical components in the liquid heating container 4.

[0072] In addition to the forces generated as described above, when the adapter 14 is mated with the connector 16, the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 contacts the upper wall 46 of the central boss 42. This causes the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 to compress the spring 40. Thus, the spring 40 generates an elastic biasing force, which is transmitted through the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 and applies a further vertical force to the upper wall 46 and, consequently, to the connector 16. This further vertical force is indicated by arrow 72.

[0073] When the liquid heating container 4 is seated on the cordless power base 6, the weight of the liquid heating container 4 (which may be empty of liquid inside) holds it in contact with the cordless power base 6, at least partially. The force exerted by the weight of the liquid heating container 4 is indicated by arrow 74.

[0074] In this invention, the vertical forces 62, 72 applied by the vertical acting contact 58 and the elastically biased vertical acting member 38, and the horizontal forces 64, 66 applied by the first and second contacts 50, 52 are preset such that the vertical forces 62, 72 cannot exceed the force 74 due to the weight of the empty liquid heating container 4 and the frictional forces 68, 70 generated by the horizontal forces 64, 66. In other words, the total vertical force (i.e., the sum of the vertical forces 62 and 72) is less than (or equal to) the sum of the force due to weight 74 and the frictional forces 68, 70. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, by presetting each force in this way, the adapter 14 does not detach from the connector 16, and therefore the liquid heating container 4 does not shake or wobble on the cordless power stand 6.

[0075] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the adapter 14 and connector 16 when the liquid heating container 4 is lifted from the cordless power stand 6. The reference numerals for each component shown in Figure 2 are also used in Figure 3. When the liquid heating container 4 is lifted, its weight is substantially offset by the lifting force applied by the user. Therefore, the force 74 due to the weight (of the liquid heating container 4) is not shown in Figure 3.

[0076] When the liquid heating container 4 is lifted, the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 moves relative to the base 28 of the adapter 14, but still applies a vertical force 72. The first and second horizontal contacts 50, 52 similarly continue to apply horizontal forces 64, 66, thereby generating frictional forces 68, 70. Similarly, the vertical acting contact 58 also continues to apply a vertical force 62. In addition to these forces, the weight of the cordless power stand 6 (not shown in this figure) acts as a downward force 75 within the system.

[0077] In addition to pre-setting vertical and horizontal forces to prevent separation of the liquid heating container 4 and the cordless power base 6 when the container is seated on the cordless power base 6, pre-setting vertical and horizontal forces are also pre-set to allow the cordless power base 6 to freely separate from the liquid heating container 4 when the container is lifted from the cordless power base 6. This point will be further explained with reference to the forces shown in Figure 3.

[0078] When the liquid heating container 4 is actually lifted, the vertical forces 62 and 72 applied by the vertical acting contact 58 and the elastically biased vertical acting member 38 are predetermined, and the horizontal forces 64 and 66 applied by the first and second contacts 50 and 52 are also predetermined, so that the adapter 14 can freely separate from the connector 16. In this case, the sum of the vertical forces 62 and 72 and the force 75 due to the weight of the cordless power stand 6 is greater than the frictional forces 68 and 70. As a result, when the liquid heating container 4 is lifted, the adapter 14 and the connector 16 can freely separate from each other. By freely separating from each other, as described above, the cordless power stand 6 remains firmly on the surface on which it is placed and does not lift up together with the liquid heating container 4.

[0079] In some embodiments, the elastically biased vertical actuating member 38 may operate an electrical switch configuration. This is shown in Figure 4, which schematically illustrates the interaction between the elastically biased vertical actuating member 38 and the electrical switch configuration 76. The electrical switch configuration 76 may be electrically connected to an electrical component 78 in the liquid heating vessel 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical component 78 is shown as a heating element, but it will be understood that the electrical switch 76 may control the power supply to any suitable electrical component. For ease of explanation, only the upper half of the adapter 14 is shown. In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the adapter 14 is fully mated with the connector 16. In this configuration, the elastically biased vertical actuating member 38 may close the electrical switch configuration 76, or allow the electrical switch configuration 76 to take a closed position, for example, by its own elastic biasing force. In some embodiments, the electrical switch configuration 76 may be located inside the liquid heating vessel 4.

[0080] Figure 5 shows an example in which the adapter 14 is at least partially separated from the connector 16 (not shown). When the adapter 14 is separated from the connector 16, the elastically biased vertical actuating member 38 moves relative to the base 28, opening the electrical switch configuration 76. The vertical actuating member 38 may act directly on the electrical switch configuration 76 or act via an intermediate member. Thus, when the adapter 14 and the connector 16 are separated, the electrical switch configuration 76 is opened by the action of the elastically biased vertical actuating member 38. This configuration can be considered a LOCO configuration or a LOSO configuration.

[0081] Although the electrical switch configuration 76 is shown as part of the liquid heating container 4, in other embodiments where the elastically biased vertical actuation member 38 is located in the connector 16 rather than the adapter 14, the electrical switch configuration 76 may be located in the cordless power supply base 6.

[0082] Figure 6 is a diagram focusing on the first horizontal contact 50 and the second annular electrical contact 34. As shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the first horizontal contact 50 may have an initial contact surface 80 that contacts the second annular electrical contact 34 when the adapter 14 and the connector 16 are mated. As shown in the figure, the initial contact surface 80 may be inclined at an angle 82 with respect to the vertical direction (shown by the dashed line 84). In some embodiments, this angle 82 is less than 40°, for example less than 30°, for example less than 20°. A relatively shallow angle can improve the feel during the initial mating of the adapter 14 and the connector 16. The first horizontal contact 50 may have a secondary contact portion 86 that contacts the second annular contact 34 when the adapter 14 and the connector 16 are fully mated. Any or all of the other horizontal operating contacts may have a similar initial contact surface.

[0083] Similarly, the second annular electrical contact 34 may also have an initial contact surface 88 that is inclined by an angle 90 such that is less than 40°, for example less than 30°, or for example less than 20°, with respect to the vertical direction 84. As with the first horizontal contact 50 described above, providing an initial contact surface 88 can reduce the initial force generated when the adapter 14 and the connector 16 are mated, improving the feel and ease of placement. The first annular electrical contact 30 may also have a similar initial contact surface.

[0084] In some embodiments, if a plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members are included, such as first and second horizontal contacts 50, 52, these plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members may be angularly distributed around the connector and / or adapter. Figure 7 is a top view of the connector 16 shown in the previous figures. As is clear from this figure, the first and second horizontal contacts 50, 52 are located within the first annular wall 48. The vertical acting electrical contact 58 is located in the center of the erected cylindrical boss 42. As is clear from this figure, the first and second horizontal contacts 50, 52 are angularly offset around the connector 16, specifically around the axis passing through the center of the connector 16, i.e., the vertical acting electrical contact 58. By offsetting the first and second horizontal contacts 50, 52 in this way, the horizontal force applied to the adapter 14 can be distributed, thereby ensuring that the connector 16 and the adapter 14 separate smoothly when the liquid heating container 4 is lifted from the cordless power stand 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second horizontal contacts 50 and 52 are arranged around the connector 16 at equal angles to each other.

[0085] In some embodiments, the adapter 14 is a 360° adapter, and the connector 16 is a 360° connector that allows the adapter 14 to be mounted on the connector 16 (and thus the liquid heating container 4 on the cordless power stand 6) in any angular direction. The adapter 14 and connector 16 may have a cylindrical shape to facilitate such 360° mounting.

[0086] Each of the embodiments described above includes three electrical contacts on the adapter 14 and the connector 16, thereby forming a 3-pole connector and adapter set, but the present invention is not limited to such configurations. The applicant has recognized that the connector and adapter may include more contacts. For example, the connector and adapter may each have five electrical contacts, thereby forming a 5-pole connector and adapter set. A connector 116 with five electrical contacts is shown in Figure 8, which is a top view of the connector 116. The connector 116 is substantially the same as the connector 16 described above, but differs in that it includes an additional upright annular wall 192. In this embodiment, the connector 116 includes first and second horizontal contacts 150, 152 and a vertically acting electrical contact 158, which are arranged similarly to the corresponding contacts in the connector 16 described above. The connector 116 shown in Figure 8 has two further contacts. In other words, it is equipped with third and fourth elastically biased horizontal contacts 194 and 196 (hereinafter referred to as "third horizontal contact 194" and "fourth horizontal contact 196").

[0087] As is clear from Figure 8, the first, second, third, and fourth horizontal contacts 150, 152, 194, and 196 are arranged angularly offset around the center of the connector 116. In the illustrated embodiment, these horizontal contacts are arranged at equal angles around the center of the connector 116. This configuration ensures that the horizontal force is uniformly distributed to the corresponding adapter. Although not shown, the 5-contact adapter may be substantially equivalent to the adapter 14 shown in the previous figures, with two additional contacts. These two additional contacts may be arranged on both sides of the second annular wall 24 shown in Figure 2, or in any other suitable configuration.

[0088] While 3-pin and 5-pin connectors and adapters have been discussed above, it goes without saying that connectors and adapters may be configured to have any appropriate number of contacts depending on the specific application.

[0089] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiments described in relation to Figures 4 and 5, except that an electrical switch configuration 176 electrically connected to an electrical component 178 includes a latch 198 capable of holding the electrical switch configuration 176 in an open position. The latch 198 may move to a position that holds the electrical switch configuration 176 when the electrical switch configuration 176 is in an open position when the liquid heating container is placed on the cordless power stand 6. The latch 198 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about a pivot point 199 and may be biased to the latch position that holds the electrical switch configuration 176 in an open position, for example by gravity or other biasing means.

[0090] In this embodiment, when the adapter 114 is separated from the corresponding connector (not shown), an elastically biased vertical actuating member 138, such as a plunger, moves relative to the base 128 of the adapter 114. This movement of the plunger may move the latch 198 from the latched position shown in Figure 9 to the unlocked position, thereby closing the electrical switch configuration 176. When the latch 198 moves to the unlocked position, the electrical switch configuration 176 may close due to its own elastic bias, or the elastically biased vertical actuating member 138 may act to directly close the electrical switch configuration 176.

[0091] In each of the embodiments described above, the adapter has fixed contacts and the connector has movable elastically biased contacts. However, it will be understood that such electrical contacts may be distributed between the connector and the adapter in any suitable configuration. For example, the adapter may have some or all elastically biased electrical contacts and the connector may have fewer elastically biased contacts, or none at all, and instead have fixed electrical contacts.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described in detail in relation to a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily apparent that the present invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present invention can be modified to incorporate numerous variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent configurations not previously described, which fall within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the present invention may include only a subset of those embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description, but is limited only to the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liquid heating device, A liquid heating container equipped with a cordless electrical adapter, A cordless power stand configured to support the liquid heating container, the cordless power stand includes a cordless electrical connector configured to engage with the cordless electrical adapter when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together. At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are, When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container when empty and the frictional force, and the cordless power adapter does not detach from the cordless power connector, and When the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the vertical force combined with the weight of the cordless power stand exceeds the frictional force, so that the cordless electrical connector can be freely separated from the cordless electrical adapter. A pre-configured liquid heating device.

2. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member includes an elastically biased plunger, and the plunger is configured to operate an electrical switch configuration.

3. The liquid heating device according to claim 2, wherein the plunger extends from the cordless electrical adapter.

4. The liquid heating device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plunger is configured to open the electrical switch configuration when the liquid heating container is separated from the cordless power base.

5. The liquid heating device according to claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the electrical switch configuration includes a latch that is movable to a latch position that holds the electrical switch configuration in an open state, and the plunger is configured to move the latch from the latch position to the unlocked position so that the electrical switch configuration is closed when the liquid heating container is separated from the cordless power stand.

6. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member includes an elastically biased vertical acting electrical contact.

7. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member includes at least one elastically biased horizontal acting electrical contact.

8. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member is located on the cordless electrical connector.

9. The liquid heating appliance according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact has an initial contact surface configured to contact a corresponding electrical contact on the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter begin to connect, and the angle between the vertical direction and the initial contact surface is less than 40°, for example less than 30°, for example less than 20°.

10. A liquid heating appliance according to claim 7, 8, or 9, further comprising at least one corresponding electrical contact to which the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact makes contact when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated, wherein the at least one corresponding electrical contact has an initial contact surface to which the at least one elastically biased horizontally acting electrical contact first makes contact when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter begin to be coupled, and the angle between the vertical direction and the initial contact surface is less than 40°, for example less than 30°, for example less than 20°.

11. The liquid heating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member comprises a plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members.

12. The liquid heating device according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of elastically biased horizontal acting members are distributed in the angular direction around the cordless electrical connector or the cordless electrical adapter.

13. The liquid heating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical force and the horizontal force are preset based on the theoretical weight of the liquid heating container in an empty state of liquid, which is 450 g to 550 g, for example, 500 g.

14. The liquid heating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical force and the horizontal force are preset based on the theoretical weight of the cordless power stand, which is 60g to 100g, for example, 75g.

15. The liquid heating device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid heating container comprises an electric heating device configured to heat the contents of the liquid heating container.

16. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cordless electrical adapter is part of a cordless electrical control unit disposed within the liquid heating appliance.

17. The liquid heating appliance according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cordless power adapter is a 360° cordless power adapter, and the cordless power connector is a corresponding 360° cordless power connector, and as a result the liquid heating container can be received on the cordless power stand in any angular direction.

18. The liquid heating apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cordless electrical adapter and the cordless electrical connector facilitate the transmission of power and / or data between the liquid heating container and the cordless power supply base.

19. A cordless connection configuration for a liquid heating appliance comprising a liquid heating container and a cordless power stand, A cordless electric adapter configured to be attached to the aforementioned liquid heating container, It comprises a cordless electrical connector configured to be attached to the aforementioned cordless power stand, At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together. At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. The vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are such that when the cordless electrical adapter is attached to the liquid heating container and the cordless electrical connector is attached to the cordless power stand, When the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, the vertical force cannot exceed the weight of the liquid heating container when empty and the frictional force, and the cordless electrical connector does not detach from the cordless power stand adapter, When the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power stand, the vertical force combined with the weight of the cordless power stand exceeds the frictional force, so that the cordless electrical connector can be freely separated from the cordless electrical adapter. Pre-configured cordless connection settings.

20. A liquid heating device, A liquid heating container equipped with a cordless electrical adapter, A cordless power stand configured to support the liquid heating container, the cordless power stand includes a cordless electrical connector configured to engage with the cordless electrical adapter when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power stand, At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased vertical acting member that applies a vertical force that acts to separate the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together. At least one of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter is provided with at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member that applies a horizontal force to the other of the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter when the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter are mated together, and the horizontal force acts between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter, becoming a frictional force that resists separation between the cordless electrical connector and the cordless electrical adapter. A liquid heating device in which the vertical force applied by the at least one elastically biased vertical acting member and the horizontal force applied by the at least one elastically biased horizontal acting member are preset such that the forces acting between the cordless power base and the liquid heating container are balanced, so that when the liquid heating container is seated on the cordless power base, the liquid heating container does not separate from the cordless power base, and when the liquid heating container is lifted from the cordless power base, the cordless power base separates freely from the liquid heating container.

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