Electric kettle

Abstract

An electric kettle (1) comprises a kettle body (2), and a power supply base (3) on which the kettle body (2) is placed. An upper surface (30) of the power supply base (3) is formed in a recessed shape in which a placement surface (31) for receiving the kettle body (2) is positioned below a peripheral surface (32) of the placement surface (31). An annular illumination (3E) is disposed on an inclined surface (33) connecting the outer peripheral edge of the placement surface (31) and the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral surface (32). In a placed state in which the kettle body (2) is placed on the power supply base (3), a gap (G) is formed at least above the inclined surface (33).

Description

electric kettle

[0001] This case concerns an electric kettle.

[0002] An electric kettle is a home appliance used to boil a relatively small amount of water, and its basic function is to boil water, but some electric kettles also have temperature control and heat retention functions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). To further enhance the convenience of electric kettles, some have been proposed with displays on the kettle body or power base that show the amount and temperature of the water (set temperature, current temperature) (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Furthermore, technologies have been proposed that use light to indicate the operating status of the electric kettle or to indicate changes in the water temperature inside the electric kettle by changing the color of a light ring (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).

[0003] International Publication No. 2001 / 028294 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-048721 Chinese Utility Model No. 215127290 Chinese Utility Model No. 220608110

[0004] In recent years, users have tended to demand not only the above-mentioned functionality (performance) but also design. In other words, it is assumed that an electric kettle has the basic functionality and high convenience, but it is also desirable that it has a good appearance (high design and aesthetics). This invention was invented in light of this issue, and one of its objectives is to provide a high-value-added product by improving the aesthetics and design of electric kettles.

[0005] The disclosed electric kettle comprises a kettle body and a power base on which the kettle body is placed, and the upper surface of the power base is formed in a recessed shape such that the mounting surface that receives the kettle body is located lower than the surrounding surface of the mounting surface, and a ring-shaped light is arranged on a slope that connects the outer edge of the mounting surface and the inner edge of the surrounding surface, and when the kettle body is placed on the power base, a gap is formed at least above the slope.

[0006] According to the disclosed electric kettle, it is possible to provide a product with high added value by improving the aesthetics and design.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an electric kettle according to an embodiment; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electric kettle of Fig. 1 in a placed state; Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view showing an enlarged view of part A of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional perspective view of the power supply base of the electric kettle of Fig. 1, with the power supply unit, light source, and support components omitted.

[0008] An electric kettle will be described as an embodiment with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly stated in the following embodiments. The configurations of the embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0009] [1. Overall Configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an electric kettle 1 according to an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (vertical cross-sectional view) of the electric kettle 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the electric kettle 1 includes a kettle body 2 and a power base 3 on which the kettle body 2 is placed. The kettle body 2 is the main body of the electric kettle 1 and is used to store liquid such as water or hot water, heat the liquid, and pour the heated liquid into another container. The power base 3 is a device that supplies power to the kettle body 2 when the kettle body 2 is placed on it (hereinafter referred to as the "placed state"), as shown in Fig. 2. The electric kettle 1 has at least a heating function, but may also have other functions such as a temperature control function and a heat retention function.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1, the kettle body 2 includes a container 2A, a lid 2B, a handle 2C, a nozzle 2D, and a spout 2E. The container 2A is a cylindrical part with a bottom that can hold liquid, and the lid 2B is removably attached to the opening at the top of the container 2A. The handle 2C is a part that a user holds when lifting the kettle body 2, and is fixed to the top of the container 2A. The nozzle 2D is a part that forms an outlet for pouring liquid from the container 2A into a cup or the like. The spout 2E is an opening at the tip of the nozzle 2D.

[0011] The kettle body 2 of this embodiment is shaped like an iron kettle. Specifically, the horizontal cross-section of the container 2A is generally circular at all vertical positions, with the cross-sectional area being smallest at the upper or lower end of the container 2A and largest at the vertical middle. That is, the sides of the container 2A are rounded. The opening area of ​​the container 2A covered by the lid 2B is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2A's vertical middle. The handle 2C is a long, rod-like member curved to form a generally arc-like shape in side view (seen horizontally perpendicular to the vertical direction), with both ends fixed to the top of the container 2A so as to sandwich the lid 2B. The nozzle 2D extends diagonally upward from the vertical middle of the container 2A, and a spout 2E is provided at its upper end. In the kettle body 2 of this embodiment, the handle 2C is immovable relative to the container 2A and cannot be tilted or removed. In addition, the nozzle 2D extends along an imaginary straight line connecting both ends of the handle 2C, and the spout 2E is located on the same line, making it easy to lift the handle 2C and pour liquid from the spout 2E.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2 , the container 2A of this embodiment is configured by combining a first component 21, a second component 22, and a third component 23. The first component 21 and the second component 22 form the outer shape of the container 2A. Specifically, the first component 21 is a metal component that forms the upper and middle portions of the container 2A, and the capacity of the container 2A is determined by the shape and size of the first component 21. The lower end of the first component 21 is bent toward the inside of the container 2A and then further bent downward to form a crank-shaped cross section. The second component 22 is a resin component that forms the lower portion 20 of the container 2A and is attached to the crank-shaped lower end of the first component 21. Meanwhile, the third component 23 is a metal component that is disposed inside the container 2A and above the second component 22 and is fixed to the lower end of the inside of the first component 21. The third component 23 forms the bottom portion of the interior space of the container 2A and forms a heater accommodating space 24 between the third component 23 and the upper surface of the second component 22.

[0013] The heater accommodating space 24 is provided with a heater 2F for heating the liquid and a fitting portion 2G that fits into a power supply portion 3B (described below) in a placed state. The heater 2F is located toward the upper part of the heater accommodating space 24 (near the bottom surface of the container 2A), and the fitting portion 2G is located in the center of the heater accommodating space 24. The fitting portion 2G is formed in a shape (e.g., a substantially cylindrical shape) that corresponds to the outer shape of the power supply portion 3B, and has a power receiving terminal (both not shown) that connects to the power supply terminal of the power supply portion 3B. The heater accommodating space 24 may also be provided with a temperature sensor, a temperature control board, or the like (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the power supply base 3 includes at least a base body 3A, a power supply unit 3B, and a power cord 3C. The base body 3A is a pedestal that supports the kettle body 2, with the power cord 3C extending from below and to the side. The power supply unit 3B supplies power to the kettle body 2 in a placed state when the power cord 3C is connected to an external power source, and protrudes upward from the top surface 30 of the power supply base 3 (base body 3A). In this embodiment, the power supply unit 3B is cylindrical and has a spring (not shown) installed inside.

[0015] The power base 3 of this embodiment further includes a switch 3D, a light 3E, a display 3F, and an adjustment unit 3G. The switch 3D is a physical button used to turn the electric kettle 1 on and off (powered state), switch between modes (operating states) such as heating and keeping warm, and change the set temperature. The light 3E is a component unique to the electric kettle 1 of this embodiment and enhances the aesthetic appearance of the electric kettle 1. The light 3E will be described later. The display 3F is a display (alarm device) that displays the status of the electric kettle 1 (powered state, operating state, temperature, etc.). Note that the electric kettle 1 of this embodiment can also notify the status of the electric kettle 1 by sound in addition to the display. The adjustment unit 3G is a physical dial for adjusting, for example, the brightness and volume of the light 3E and the set temperature. The switch 3D, light 3E, and display 3F are provided on the top surface 30, and the adjustment unit 3G is provided on the side surface 34 of the base body 3A. In the electric kettle 1 shown in Figure 1, two switches 3D are arranged on either side of one display unit 3F, but the number and arrangement of the switches 3D and display units 3F are not limited to those shown in Figure 1.

[0016] [2. Main Part Configuration] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of part A in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the kettle body 2 in a side view and the power supply base 3 in a vertical cross-sectional view of part A in Fig. 2. Note that the external shapes in the vertical cross-sectional views shown in Figs. 2 and 4 correspond to the external shapes in a side view, and therefore, in the following description, when referring to a "side view," the external shapes in the vertical cross-sectional views shown in Figs. 2 and 4 will be referred to.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the top surface 30 of the power supply base 3 has a surface 31 (hereinafter referred to as the "mounting surface 31") that receives the kettle body 2 and is formed in a recessed shape that is located lower than a surrounding surface 32 of the mounting surface 31. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 31 is located approximately in the center of the top surface 30 and is a circular flat surface in a top view. The power supply unit 3B is located in the center of the mounting surface 31. The surrounding surface 32 refers to the flat surface of the top surface 30 that exists at least around the mounting surface 31 (surrounding the mounting surface 31). In this embodiment, the surrounding surface 32 refers to the remaining flat surface of the top surface 30 excluding the mounting surface 31, the switch 3D, the display unit 3F, and the slope 33 described below.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the upper surface 30 of the power supply base 3 is provided with a slope 33 connecting the outer peripheral edge 31a of the mounting surface 31 and the inner peripheral edge 32a of the surrounding surface 32. In other words, when viewed from above, the outer peripheral edge 31a of the mounting surface 31 and the inner peripheral edge 32a of the surrounding surface 32 are spaced apart, and the slope 33, which slopes downward from the surrounding surface 32 toward the mounting surface 31, is provided to connect them. Note that small gaps or steps may be formed between the outer peripheral edge 31a of the mounting surface 31 and the radially inner edge of the slope 33, and between the inner peripheral edge 32a of the surrounding surface 32 and the radially outer edge of the slope 33. The above-mentioned lighting 3E is disposed on the slope 33. In this embodiment, the mounting surface 31 is circular when viewed from above, so the lighting 3E is annular (ring-shaped).

[0019] When the kettle body 2 is placed on the power supply base 3, a gap G is formed at least above the slope 33. In other words, the placed kettle body 2 does not come into direct (no gap) contact with the slope 33. As a result, when the kettle body 2 is placed, the light from the light source 3E reaches the user's eyes directly or indirectly by shining on the kettle body 2. Furthermore, because the light source 3E is disposed on the slope 33, as shown in FIG. 4 , the appearance of the light source 3E itself and the appearance of the light from the light source 3E shining on the kettle body 2 change depending on the user's eye height (the angle of the line of sight relative to the light source 3E, indicated by arrows Y and Z in FIG. 4 ). Note that the slope 33 may be flat (linear in side view) extending from the placement surface 31 toward the surrounding surface 32, or may be slightly curved (curved in side view) concavely (convex diagonally downward) as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .

[0020] In the kettle body 2 of this embodiment, at least the surface located above the slope 33 in the placed state is provided as a curved surface 26 that is curved obliquely downward and convex in side view. The curved surface 26 extends laterally and upward from the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 (container 2A) and is the surface that is illuminated by the light 3E in the placed state (the light from the light 3E hits it). In Figure 4, the area illuminated by the light 3E is indicated by a dashed line, and the illuminated state of the curved surface 26 is represented by a dot pattern superimposed on the edge of the curved surface 26. The underside 25 is a flat surface that faces downward of the kettle body 2 (container 2A) and faces the placement surface 31 in the placed state.

[0021] In a side view, the curved surface 26 curves more sharply from bottom to top than the inclined surface 33. In other words, in a side view, the curvature of the curved surface 26 is greater than that of the inclined surface 33, and the curved surface 26 is more sharply curved than the inclined surface 33. For this reason, the gap G between the curved surface 26 of the kettle body 2 and the inclined surface 33 of the power supply base 3 widens as it moves diagonally upward (away from the center of the kettle body 2) from the bottom (near the center of the kettle body 2). Note that the curvature is zero when the inclined surface 33 is flat, and is a positive value when the inclined surface 33 is curved. In either case, the curvature of the curved surface 26 is greater than that of the inclined surface 33.

[0022] In this embodiment, in the placed state, the curved surface 26 of the kettle body 2 is formed in a range extending from above the placement surface 31 of the power supply base 3 to above the surrounding surface 32. In other words, the curved surface 26 of the kettle body 2 is provided as a relatively wide surface that extends not only above the slope 33 of the power supply base 3, but also from above the placement surface 31 to above the surrounding surface 32. Furthermore, the curved surface 26 of this embodiment is provided on the lower part 20 of the kettle body 2 (the entire side surface of the second part 22), as shown in FIG.

[0023] A boundary 2H between the first component 21 and the second component 22 is located directly above the curved surface 26. Focusing on the curved surfaces above and below this boundary 2H, the curvature of the second component 22 (curved surface 26) is greater than the curvature of the first component 21. In other words, the second component 22 (curved surface 26) is more sharply curved than the first component 21, and the curve of the second component 22 does not exist on an extension of the curve of the first component 21 in a side view.

[0024] Furthermore, the kettle body 2 has a textured finish that diffuses light on the lower part 20 (i.e., the second part 22) including the curved surface 26. The textured finish gives the surface of the lower part 20 a matte finish, so that when light from the lighting 3E hits the lower part 20, the light is easily diffused on the surface of the lower part 20, and instead of emitting light in a clear dotted or linear pattern on the lower part 20, a soft, warm reflected light is achieved that envelops the lower part 20 from below.

[0025] In this embodiment, the curved surface 26 of the kettle body 2 has a fold 26a that forms an upper boundary when illuminated by light from the light source 3E in the placed state. The fold 26a is located at the top of the curved surface 26 and is a slightly bent portion of the curved surface, as shown in Figure 4. The light from the light source 3E does not strike the curved surface 26 above the fold 26a. Therefore, the upper boundary of the area of ​​reflected light formed on the curved surface 26 is the fold 26a.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the kettle body 2 of this embodiment has legs 27 that protrude downward from its underside 25. As shown in Figure 2, the legs 27 are provided around the fitting portion 2G and function to separate (float) the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 from the mounting surface 31 so that, in the fitted state, the underside 25 does not come into surface contact with the mounting surface 31. This prevents the wetness from spreading across the entire surface, even if the mounting surface 31 or the underside 25 is wet, due to contact between the surfaces. Furthermore, even if water droplets or small foreign objects are present on the mounting surface 31, the height (protrusion amount T) of the legs 27 can cover them, thereby stabilizing the posture of the kettle body 2.

[0027] Although not shown, the leg portion 27 of this embodiment is composed of three arcs centered on the center of the fitting portion 2G when viewed from below (when viewed from the underside 25 of the kettle body 2). The three arcs are formed to have the same shape, i.e., the same radius, the same circumferential length (central angle), and the same protrusion amount. The leg portion 27 composed of three arcs makes the posture of the kettle body 2 more stable.

[0028] 4, it is preferable that the amount of protrusion T of the legs 27 is equal to the amount of recess K of the mounting surface 31 relative to the surrounding surface 32. As a result, in the mounted state, the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 is positioned at the same height as the surrounding surface 32 of the power supply base 3, so that the light from the light source 3E is more likely to hit the surface near the bottom end of the kettle body 2 (the surface near the bottom of the curved surface 26 and part of the underside 25), and an area of ​​reflected light is also formed on the underside 25 side.

[0029] Finally, the lighting 3E of the power supply base 3 will be described. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the power supply base 3 of Fig. 1, cut along a plane passing through the space 3b in which the power supply unit 3B is disposed, and omits the power supply unit 3B, as well as a light source 5 and a support component 6, which will be described later. As shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the electric kettle 1 includes an annular diffusion element 4 disposed on the power supply base 3, and a plurality of light sources 5 (see Fig. 2) disposed inside the power supply base 3 and below the diffusion element 4.

[0030] The diffusion component 4 is a component that diffuses light from the light source 5 and emits the light to the outside of the power supply base 3, and includes a light diffusion material. The illuminator 3E is formed by the top surface 4a of the diffusion component 4 that is exposed from the power supply base 3 (base body 3A). The top surface 4a also forms the slope 33. In other words, the top surface 4a is an inclined surface that extends to connect the outer peripheral edge 31a of the mounting surface 31 and the inner peripheral edge 32a of the surrounding surface 32.

[0031] The diffusion component 4 of this embodiment has a circular (ring-shaped) shape in top view, similar to the lighting fixture 3E. As shown in Fig. 5, the diffusion component 4 has an inner mounting surface 4b and an outer mounting surface 4c that are positioned one step lower than the top surface 4a, a cylindrical outer surface 4d that extends downward from the outer edge of the outer mounting surface 4c, a lower surface 4e that extends inward from the lower edge of the outer surface 4d, and a sloped surface 4f that connects the inner mounting surface 4b to the vicinity of the lower surface 4e. All of these surfaces 4b to 4f are located inside the power supply base 3.

[0032] The inner mounting surface 4b is located inside the top surface 4a (toward the power supply unit 3B), and the outer mounting surface 4c is located outside the top surface 4a (toward the side surface 34). These mounting surfaces 4b, 4c are both flat surfaces extending horizontally and are attached opposite or in contact with the back surface of the upper surface 30 of the base body 3A. The lower surface 4e is formed with an uneven shape in which convex and concave portions are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction. The uneven shape may be formed over the entire circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e, or may be formed over a portion or multiple portions of the circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e rather than the entire circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e. The diffusion element 4 shown in FIG. 5 has an uneven shape formed over the entire circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e.

[0033] The light sources 5 are, for example, LEDs. As shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of light sources 5 (for example, several to twenty-odd) are disposed directly below the uneven shape of the diffusion component 4. When the uneven shape is formed over the entire circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e, the plurality of light sources 5 are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction directly below the lower surface 4e (uneven shape). On the other hand, when the uneven shape is formed over a portion or multiple portions in the circumferential direction of the lower surface 4e, the plurality of light sources 5 are disposed directly below the uneven shape.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, each light source 5 is positioned offset from directly below the top surface 4a that constitutes the lighting 3E. Specifically, each light source 5 is positioned offset laterally from directly below the top surface 4a toward the outside (toward the side surface 34). In other words, the diffusion component 4 of this embodiment does not have a lower surface 4e directly below the top surface 4a, but is instead positioned radially outward from the top surface 4a. Because only the top surface 4a is exposed from the power supply base 3 (base body 3A), the lower surface 4e (light source 5) is positioned offset from directly below the top surface 4a, so the light source 5 does not appear to the user as a point of light.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, all of the light sources 5 may be pre-assembled and fixed to predetermined positions (i.e., positions directly below the concave-convex shape) of a thin, disk-shaped (substrate) support component 6, and then attached to the base body 3A together with the diffusion component 4. The base body 3A may have a circular opening on its top surface 30, into which the diffusion component 4 is attached from below the top surface 30, and a top component 35 constituting the mounting surface 31 is attached from above the top surface 30. In the electric kettle 1 of this embodiment, the light of the illumination 3E is generated by multiple light sources 5, and the light of the illumination 3E may be made to flicker, blink, or rotate by controlling the lighting timing and brightness of the light sources 5.

[0036] [3. Functions and Effects] (1) In the electric kettle 1 described above, the upper surface 30 of the power supply base 3 is recessed, and a ring-shaped light 3E is disposed on the inclined surface 33. When the kettle body 2 is placed on the power supply base 3 configured in this manner, the light from the light 3E illuminates the surfaces of the kettle body 2 near the lower end (the side surfaces of the lower portion 20, the side surfaces of the lower end, and the bottom surface 25). As a result, the user can see the light from the light 3E and the light (reflected light) that strikes the surfaces of the kettle body 2 near the lower end from at least the gap G above the inclined surface 33.

[0037] Because the annular lighting 3E is arranged on the slope 33, it is not visually uniform (it does not look the same from any angle), and as shown in Fig. 4, the appearance of the light changes depending on the angle at which the user views the electric kettle 1. For example, from the direction of arrow Y in Fig. 4, the light from lighting 3E appears to cover a wider area than the light reflected by the kettle body 2, giving the impression of greater brightness. Furthermore, from further above arrow Y in Fig. 4, only the light from lighting 3E is visible, and no reflected light is visible.

[0038] Furthermore, from the direction of arrow Z in Figure 4, the light reflected by the kettle body 2 appears to cover a wider area than the light from the light source 3E, creating a warm impression of the kettle body 2 being enveloped from below. In particular, since the kettle body 2 of this embodiment is shaped like an iron kettle, it is possible to create the impression that a flame is shining on an iron kettle hanging over a hearth. Furthermore, from a horizontal direction, the light from the light source 3E is invisible, and only the reflected light is visible. In this way, by intentionally making the light from the light source 3E invisible from a horizontal direction (the front of the electric kettle 1) and showing only the light reflected by the kettle body 2, a sophisticated design is achieved that eliminates the impression of a home appliance.

[0039] Therefore, the electric kettle 1 described above can produce an effect that makes it appear as if the light has expression. This type of light effect can improve the aesthetics and design of the electric kettle 1, making it a product with higher added value.

[0040] (2) In the kettle body 2 described above, at least the surface located above the slope 33 when the kettle body 2 is placed is provided as the curved surface 26, and the curvature of the curved surface 26 is greater than the curvature of the slope 33 in a side view. Therefore, the gap G between the curved surface 26 and the slope 33 widens as it moves toward the outside (away from the center) of the kettle body 2, so the appearance of the light changes depending on the angle from which the user views the electric kettle 1. This enhances the lighting effect and further improves the aesthetics and design of the electric kettle 1.

[0041] (3) The curved surface 26 described above is formed over a range extending from above the mounting surface 31 to above the surrounding surface 32 when the electric kettle is placed. In this way, the curved surface 26 of the kettle body 2 is provided as a relatively wide surface extending not only above the slope 33 of the power base 3 but also from above the mounting surface 31 to above the surrounding surface 32. When the light of the lighting 3E shines on the curved surface 26, it is possible to create the effect of the lower part 20 of the kettle body 2 being enveloped in light. This also changes the way the light appears depending on the angle from which the user views the electric kettle 1, further improving the aesthetics and design of the electric kettle 1.

[0042] (4) The curved surface 26 described above has a fold 26a that forms an upper boundary when illuminated by the light of the lighting 3E in the placed state. This makes the upper boundary of the area of ​​reflected light formed on the curved surface 26 clear, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0043] (5) Furthermore, the lower part 20 of the kettle body 2 described above is textured, giving the surface of the lower part 20 a matte finish and diffusing light. This prevents the light from the lighting 3E hitting the lower part 20 from becoming a clear reflected light (a linear or point-like light), and instead realizes a soft, warm reflected light that envelops the lower part 20 from below. This allows for the production of a warmer light, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0044] (6) The electric kettle 1 described above includes an annular diffusing element 4 containing a light diffusing material and a plurality of light sources 5 arranged below the diffusing element 4, and the above-described lighting 3E is formed by the top surface 4a of the diffusing element 4 exposed from the power supply base 3. Therefore, the light from the light sources 5 is diffused by the diffusing element 4 before reaching the user's eyes as the light from the lighting 3E. This allows for the production of a warmer light and improves the aesthetic appearance.

[0045] (7) The lower surface 4e of the above-described diffusion component 4 is formed with an uneven shape, and the multiple light sources 5 are each disposed directly below the uneven shape. In other words, because the lower surface 4e of the diffusion component 4 located directly above the light source 5 has an uneven shape, the light of the light source 5 is also diffused by the uneven shape. In this way, light can be diffused not only by the material of the diffusion component 4 but also by its shape, so that the light of the light source 5 reaches the user's eyes as light from the lighting 3E after being sufficiently diffused by the diffusion component 4. This allows for the production of a warmer light and improves aesthetics.

[0046] (8) The light sources 5 described above are positioned away from directly below the top surface 4a that constitutes the lighting 3E. In other words, because the light sources 5 are not positioned directly below the top surface 4a that constitutes the lighting 3E, when a user looks at the electric kettle 1, they do not see the light sources 5 shining as points within the lighting 3E. In other words, the point-like light sources 5 are not recognized by the user's eyes, which allows for the production of a warmer light and improves the aesthetic appearance.

[0047] (9) Furthermore, with the electric kettle 1 described above, the legs 27 separate the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 from the support surface 31, forming a gap between these surfaces 25, 31. This prevents the underside 25 or the support surface 31 from spreading if they are wet, and also makes it easier to maintain the kettle body 2 in a stable position. This ensures uniformity of light in the circumferential direction of the electric kettle 1, improving its aesthetic appearance.

[0048] (10) In the electric kettle 1 described above, the protrusion amount T of the legs 27 is equal to the recess amount K of the mounting surface 31 relative to the surrounding surface 32. Therefore, in the mounted state, the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 can be positioned at the same height as the surrounding surface 32 of the power base 3. This makes it easier for the surfaces near the lower end of the kettle body 2 (the side surfaces of the lower portion 20, the side surfaces of the lower end, and the underside 25) to be illuminated by the light from the lighting 3E, improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0049] [4. Other] The configuration of the electric kettle 1 described above is merely an example and is not limited to the above. For example, the kettle body 2 may not be shaped like an iron kettle, and the container 2A may be shaped so that its horizontal cross-sectional area decreases toward the top. The handle 2C may be movable relative to the container 2A, and may not be arc-shaped in side view. The range of the curved surface 26 may be any of the following in the placed state: only above the slope 33, from above the placement surface 31 to above the slope 33, or from above the slope 33 to above the surrounding surface 32. The curvature of the curved surface 26 may not be set to the above-described relationship, and the curved surface 26 may not have a mountain-folded portion 26a.

[0050] The first component 21, the second component 22, and the third component 23 that make up the kettle body 2 are also examples. For example, the second component 22 may be made of metal, and the surface may not be textured. The first component 21 and the third component 23 may be integral. The kettle body 2 does not necessarily require the legs 27. Even if the legs 27 are provided, the protrusion amount T of the legs 27 may be smaller than the recess amount K of the mounting surface 31 relative to the surrounding surface 32.

[0051] The power supply base 3 may not have the display unit 3F or the adjustment unit 3G. A switch equivalent to the switch 3D may be provided on the kettle body 2, or the switch 3D may be a capacitive switch rather than a physical switch. A touch panel may be provided in which at least a portion of the switch 3D and at least a portion of the display unit 3F are integrated. The shape of the mounting surface 31 of the power supply base 3 is not limited to a circular shape when viewed from above, and may be a shape corresponding to the shape of the underside 25 of the kettle body 2. For example, if the underside 25 of the kettle body 2 is a rounded polygon, the shape of the mounting surface 31 may also be a rounded polygon.

[0052] The specific shape of the diffusion element 4 is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 . For example, either the inner mounting surface 4b or the outer mounting surface 4c may be omitted, or the inclined surface 4f may be replaced by a vertical surface and a flat surface extending radially inward from the bottom surface. Furthermore, the direction in which each light source 5 is displaced from directly below the top surface 4a is not limited to the outward direction (toward the side surface 34) but may be the inward direction (toward the power supply unit 3B), or may be diagonally downward instead of horizontally. Furthermore, the lighting 3E does not necessarily have to be formed by the top surface 4a of the diffusion element 4. For example, the lighting may be formed by forming the top surface of the diffusion element 4 as a horizontal surface and arranging a transparent element having an inclined surface 33 above the top surface.

[0053] [5. Supplementary Notes] The following supplementary notes are disclosed regarding the above-described embodiments and modified examples. [Supplementary Note 1] An electric kettle including a kettle body and a power supply base on which the kettle body is placed, wherein the top surface of the power supply base is formed in a recessed shape such that a mounting surface that receives the kettle body is located lower than a peripheral surface of the mounting surface, an annular light is arranged on a slope that connects the outer periphery of the mounting surface and the inner periphery of the peripheral surface, and when the kettle body is placed on the power supply base, a gap is formed at least above the slope.

[0054] [Appendix 2] The electric kettle according to Appendix 1, characterized in that in the placed state, the kettle body has a surface located above at least the inclined surface, which is curved obliquely downward in a convex manner in a side view, and the curvature of the curved surface is greater than the curvature of the inclined surface in the side view. [Appendix 3] The electric kettle according to Appendix 2, characterized in that in the placed state, the curved surface is formed in a range extending from above the placing surface to above the surrounding surface.

[0055] [Appendix 4] The electric kettle according to appendix 2 or 3, characterized in that the curved surface has a fold that forms an upper boundary when light from the illumination is shone on it in the placed state. [Appendix 5] The electric kettle according to any one of appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that a lower part of the kettle body, including the curved surface, is textured to diffuse light.

[0056] [Appendix 6] The electric kettle according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises: an annular diffusion element disposed on the power supply base and including a light diffusion material; and a plurality of light sources disposed inside the power supply base and below the diffusion element, and the illumination is provided by the top surface of the diffusion element exposed from the power supply base.

[0057] [Supplementary Note 7] The electric kettle according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the diffusion component has an uneven shape formed on an annular lower surface located inside the power supply base, and the plurality of light sources are each disposed directly below the uneven shape. [Supplementary Note 8] The electric kettle according to Supplementary Note 6 or 7, wherein each of the light sources is disposed offset from directly below the top surface that constitutes the illumination.

[0058] [Appendix 9] The electric kettle according to any one of Appendices 1 to 8, characterized in that the power supply base has a power supply part protruding upward from the top surface, and the kettle body has a fitting part that fits into the power supply part in the placed state, and legs that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the kettle body around the fitting part. [Appendix 10] The electric kettle according to Appendices 9, characterized in that the amount of protrusion of the legs is equal to the amount of recession of the placed surface relative to the surrounding surface.

[0059] This invention is applicable to the electric kettle manufacturing industry.

[0060] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 electric kettle 2 kettle body 2G fitting portion 20 lower portion 25 lower surface 26 curved surface 26a mountain-folded portion 27 leg portion 3 power supply base 3E lighting 30 upper surface 31 mounting surface 31a outer peripheral edge of mounting surface 32 surrounding surface 32a inner peripheral edge of surrounding surface 33 inclined surface 4 diffusion component 4a top surface 4e lower surface 5 light source G gap K recess amount T protrusion amount

Claims

1. An electric kettle comprising a kettle body and a power base on which the kettle body is placed, wherein the top surface of the power base is formed in a recessed shape such that the mounting surface that receives the kettle body is located lower than the surrounding surface of the mounting surface, an annular light is arranged on a slope that connects the outer periphery of the mounting surface and the inner periphery of the surrounding surface, and when the kettle body is placed on the power base, a gap is formed at least above the slope.

2. The electric kettle according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the kettle body that is located above the inclined surface in the placed state is curved in a convex shape that curves obliquely downward in side view, and the curvature of the curved surface is greater than the curvature of the inclined surface in side view.

3. The electric kettle according to claim 2, wherein the curved surface is formed in a range extending from above the placing surface to above the surrounding surface in the placed state.

4. The electric kettle according to claim 2, wherein the curved surface has a fold that forms an upper boundary when the light of the lamp is shone on the curved surface in the placed state.

5. The electric kettle according to claim 2, wherein the lower part of the kettle body, including the curved surface, is textured to diffuse light.

6. An electric kettle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: an annular diffusing element disposed on the power supply base and including a light diffusing material; and a plurality of light sources disposed inside the power supply base and below the diffusing element, wherein the illumination is provided by the top surface of the diffusing element exposed from the power supply base.

7. The electric kettle according to claim 6, wherein the diffusion component has an annular lower surface located inside the power base and has an uneven shape formed thereon, and the plurality of light sources are each disposed directly below the uneven shape.

8. The electric kettle according to claim 6, wherein each of the light sources is positioned offset from directly below the top surface that constitutes the illumination.

9. The electric kettle of claim 1, wherein the power supply base has a power supply section that protrudes upward from the top surface, and the kettle body has a fitting section that fits into the power supply section in the placed state, and legs that protrude downward from the bottom surface of the kettle body around the fitting section.

10. The electric kettle according to claim 9, wherein the amount of protrusion of the legs is equal to the amount of recession of the placing surface relative to the surrounding surface.

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