Angled Steam Duct Wall for More Compact Electric Kettles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric kettles have a large volume-to-useful volume ratio due to the need for a significant air space above the water level to prevent water splashes from entering the steam duct, leading to bulkiness and increased transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A kettle design featuring a protection device made of plastic material with a wall extending under the inlet opening of the steam duct, forming an angle of less than 80° with the internal face, which deflects ascending water and steam flows, reducing turbulence and allowing a smaller air volume above the water level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large air space is maintained above the water level to prevent water splashes from entering the steam duct, then the steam duct is protected from water intrusion, but the kettle volume becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a three-dimensional protective structure (the wall extending from the internal face) that redirects water flow in a different spatial dimension. Instead of relying on vertical distance alone, the wall creates a lateral barrier that guides water away from the steam duct inlet, enabling compact vertical dimensions while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective wall acts as an intermediary element between the water surface and the steam duct inlet. This intermediate structure intercepts and redirects the ascending water flow before it can reach the steam duct, serving as a mediating barrier that protects the steam duct without requiring large clearance distances.
2Volume of stationary object
If the distance between the steam duct opening and water surface is reduced to compact the kettle, then the kettle becomes more space-efficient, but water splashes can enter the steam duct
Solution Approach 1:
The protective wall performs preliminary action by intercepting and redirecting water flow before it can reach the steam duct inlet. The wall is positioned to meet the ascending water flow at an angle, deflecting it sideways in advance, preventing water from penetrating into the steam duct even when the vertical clearance is minimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the protective structure, specifically the angle α of the wall relative to the vertical direction. By optimizing this angle, the wall effectively deflects water flow while maintaining a compact overall kettle volume, transforming the protection mechanism from distance-based to geometry-based.
3Reliability
If the wall extends over a larger perimeter to protect the inlet opening, then water protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective wall is designed with local quality by concentrating its protective function at critical locations. The wall extends over at least 5% (preferably 10% or 20%) of the perimeter P at the inlet opening, providing enhanced protection at the most vulnerable lateral ends while maintaining simplicity elsewhere in the structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection device is made from plastic material that can be manufactured by injection molding, combining structural protection with manufacturing efficiency. This material choice allows the creation of a complex three-dimensional shape with a single molded piece, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the required protective geometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enables a more compact kettle with a reduced air volume above the water, enhancing usability and reducing transportation costs while protecting the steam duct from water intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
the second portion extending downwards approaching the internal face to join it, the second portion extended t transversely to an ascending flow of water and steam in a vertical direction by forming with said vertical direction an angle α of less than 80°
Implementation Method 2
Such an arrangement makes it possible, during boiling, to reduce the turbulence of the surface of the water and to limit the amplitude of the projections near the inlet opening of the steam duct
Implementation Method 3
an electric heating bottom
Implementation Method 4
steam released during boiling
Implementation Method 5
a steam duct intended to convey the steam released during boiling to a steam detection sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a kettle (1) comprising a body (3) arranged above an electric heating base (8) and a steam conduit (10) intended to convey the steam released during boiling to a temperature sensor. steam detection, said steam conduit (10) comprising an inlet opening (11) arranged on an upper part of an internal face (9) of the body (3), above a maximum filling level in body water. According to the invention, it comprises a protective device (20) against the intrusion of water into the steam pipe (10) during boiling which is made of plastic material and which comprises a wall (21) s extending under the inlet opening (11) and having in a vertical section plane transverse to the internal face (9), a first portion (22) extending from the internal face (9) under the opening of entrance (11), downwards moving away from the internal face (9) and extended by a second portion (23) extending downwards approaching the internal face (9) to join it, the second portion (23) extending transversely to an ascending flow of water and steam in a vertical direction, forming with said vertical direction an angle α of less than 80°, preferably less than 45°, and in that that the body (3) has a cross section of perimeter P at the level of the inlet opening (11), the wall (21) extending on either side of it beyond the inlet opening (11) over at least 5% of the perimeter P, preferably over at least 10% of the perimeter P.