Electric kettle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric kettles face issues with internal contamination due to plastic materials, limited handle structure for convenient temperature control, and reduced water capacity due to the placement of heating wires and control units.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical electric kettle design with a double-walled body for improved heat insulation, a handle-mounted control system that includes a PCB for temperature control and display, and a compact heating module placement, allowing for one-handed operation and enhanced user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the main body is made of plastic material, then it facilitates arrangement of internal structure, but harmful components may be dissolved in hot water causing internal contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a double-walled structure with an inner body made of stainless steel (hygienic, non-contaminating) and an outer body made of plastic material (easy to manufacture, insulating). This composite material approach allows the internal structure to be arranged in the outer plastic body while the inner stainless steel body contacts the water, preventing contamination while maintaining manufacturing ease.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the main body is made of glass material, then it is excellent in hygiene, but the heavy weight makes it inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines stainless steel inner body (hygienic, lightweight compared to glass) with plastic outer body (lightweight). This composite construction achieves hygiene requirements through the stainless steel inner body while significantly reducing weight compared to glass, making the kettle easier to handle and pour.
3Power
If the heating wire and control unit are disposed on the heating part below the main body, then the heating function is achieved, but the volume of the main body is increased reducing actual water containing space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the heating wire from the bottom heating part to the inner wall of the inner body, utilizing the vertical surface area. The control unit is integrated into the handle assembly. This dimensional redistribution of components maintains heating functionality while maximizing the water-containing volume of the inner body.
4Strength
If the handle is connected to both upper and lower portions of the main body, then connection is achieved, but the handle structure is limited causing inconvenience in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the handle rotatable relative to the inner body, transforming it from a fixed static connection to a dynamic adjustable connection. The handle can rotate to various angles and positions, allowing users to adjust it to their preferred handling position while maintaining secure connection through the rotationally constrained mechanism.
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 solution provides improved heat insulation, reduced risk of contamination, increased water capacity, and convenient temperature control through a compact and user-friendly design.
Implementation Method 1
a heating module (50) which covers the lower end of the inner body (12) and comprises a heater (54)
Implementation Method 2
A cylindrical electric kettle design with a double-walled body for improved heat insulation
Data Source
AI summary
An electric kettle may include a body configured to form a space in which liquid, such as water may be contained, a handle that protrudes from an outer surface of the body, a heating module provided inside of the body to heat liquid inside of the body, an operation portion provided in the handle to operate so as to control an operation of the heating module, and a main printed circuit board (PCB) provided inside of the handle to control the operation of the heating module according to an operation of the operation portion. The body may have a double wall structure including two walls spaced apart from each other, and an electric wire that connects the main PCB and the heating module may be guided from the handle to the heating module through a space between the two walls.