Electric Kettle Modular Power Supply Unit with Placement Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric kettles with integrated batteries are cumbersome and limit the flexibility of use environments due to their weight and handling difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A modular design where the kettle body is separable from a power supply unit, allowing a battery pack to be removably coupled to the power supply unit, which includes a detection mechanism to ensure proper placement on a flat surface for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the battery pack is integrated into the kettle body, then the electric kettle can function independently, but the kettle becomes too heavy and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The electric kettle system is divided into separate functional modules: the kettle body and the power supply unit are separated, with the battery pack integrated into the power supply unit rather than the kettle body. This segmentation allows users to carry only the lightweight kettle body when needed, while the power supply unit remains stationary and provides power through wireless communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the battery pack is integrated into the kettle body, then the electric kettle can operate anywhere, but the handling becomes difficult due to weight
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the portable kettle body from the stationary power supply unit, allowing the kettle body to be easily carried and used in various locations, while the power supply unit remains in a fixed location to provide power wirelessly.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless communication technology serves as an intermediary between the kettle body and power supply unit, enabling power transmission without physical connection or integration, thus maintaining both portability and continuous power supply capability.
3Device complexity
If the power supply unit lacks placement detection, then the structure is simpler, but safe operation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply unit automatically detects its own placement status through the detection part and autonomously controls power transmission based on whether it is properly placed on a flat surface, eliminating the need for manual user checks and ensuring safety without complex external controls.
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
Enhances user flexibility in using the electric kettle and ensures safe operation by preventing power supply when not properly placed, thus improving handling and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the heating part is configured to heat liquid contained in the kettle body by the power the power receiving connection part receives
Implementation Method 2
The mounting unit is configured to supply power of the mounted battery pack to the heating part
Data Source
AI summary
An electric kettle has a kettle body and a power supply unit that is configured to supply power to the kettle body. The power supply unit has a power supply base, a mounting unit and a first detection part. The power supply base is configured such that the kettle body is placed on top thereof, and has a power supply connection part that is configured to be electrically removably connected to a power receiving connection part. The mounting unit is configured such that a battery pack is removably coupled thereto as an external power source for supplying power to a heating part via the power supply connection part and the power receiving connection part. The first detection part is configured to detect that the power supply unit is on a plane.