Electric kettle having warming function and method for operating same

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric kettles require users to repeatedly reset the keep-warm function and lose heat when the body is removed from the base, necessitating continuous reseating on the base to maintain temperature.

Innovation Solution

An electric kettle with a capacitor that stores charge when seated on the base, allowing the keep-warm function to continue even after removal and reseating, eliminating the need for repeated settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the body is removed from the base, then the user can conveniently access water, but the keep-warm function stops and settings are reset

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveConvenience of accessing waterVSAvoidContinuity of keep-warm function

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is charged in advance when the body is on the base, storing electrical energy before removal. This preliminary energy storage enables the heating element to continue operating during the brief period after removal, maintaining water temperature without requiring the body to remain on the base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the base power source and the heating element. It decouples the heating function from the physical connection to the base, allowing the keep-warm function to persist temporarily after removal and resume seamlessly upon reseating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the body is repeatedly removed and reseated, then the user can use the kettle flexibly, but the keep-warm settings must be reset each time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveFlexibility of useVSAvoidFrequency of re-setting keep-warm function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is charged in advance when the body is on the base, storing electrical energy before removal. This preliminary energy storage enables the heating element to continue operating during the brief period after removal, maintaining water temperature without requiring the body to remain on the base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the base power source and the heating element. It decouples the heating function from the physical connection to the base, allowing the keep-warm function to persist temporarily after removal and resume seamlessly upon reseating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the body remains on the base continuously, then the keep-warm function operates without interruption, but the user cannot easily access water

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveContinuity of keep-warm functionVSAvoidConvenience of removing body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor is charged in advance when the body is on the base, storing electrical energy before removal. This preliminary energy storage enables the heating element to continue operating during the brief period after removal, maintaining water temperature without requiring the body to remain on the base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the base power source and the heating element. It decouples the heating function from the physical connection to the base, allowing the keep-warm function to persist temporarily after removal and resume seamlessly upon reseating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 electric kettle maintains the keep-warm function without user intervention by calculating the time of removal and reseating using a capacitor, enhancing usability and maintaining temperature consistency.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor; a controller configured to detect a voltage of the capacitor when the body is seated on the base

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a heating module mounted on a lower surface of the body and configured to heat water contained in the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12513782B2Electric kettle having warming function and method for operating same

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An electric kettle includes a container in which water is received, and a base on which the container is seated, wherein the container includes a handle, a body defining space in which water is received, a lid configured to open and close an open upper surface of the body, a heating module mounted on the lower surface of the body and configured to heat water contained in the body, a capacitor; a memory; and a controller configured to detect a voltage of the capacitor according to a preset period and to perform a keep-warm operation based on voltage difference between a currently detected first voltage of the capacitor and a previously detected second voltage of the capacitor, and when the body is seated on the base, commercial power is supplied to the base, and the capacitor is charged by the power transmitted through the base.