Electric pot having improved relay installation position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric pots face issues with relay damage due to frequent movement and increased manufacturing costs from complex communication systems, which also affect communication performance and product credibility.
Innovation Solution
The electric pot features a relay installation position in the supporter, utilizing a simple circuit configuration without additional communication means, with a 4-terminal-type power module and a photocoupler to control the relay, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining communication performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the relay is installed in the pot main body, then the controller can be integrated in the pot main body, but the relay may be damaged due to frequent movement of the pot main body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into two functional parts: the controller remains integrated in the pot main body for control functions, while the relay is separated and installed in the supporter base. This segmentation allows each component to be placed in the most appropriate location - the controller where it needs to access pot contents, and the relay where it is protected from movement damage.
2Reliability
If the relay is installed in the supporter, then the relay damage risk is reduced, but a 6-terminal-type power module is required which increases product diameter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the conventional approach where the power module determines the relay installation location, this patent inverts the logic by first determining the optimal relay location (supporter) and then designing the power module connection scheme to accommodate this location. This allows using a simpler 4-terminal power module while achieving better relay protection.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication means are added for temperature transmission, then temperature information can be transmitted wirelessly, but manufacturing costs increase and communication performance deteriorates due to heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the communication function from the system by eliminating the need for wireless communication modules, infrared transmitters, or receivers. Instead, it uses direct electrical connection through the power module to transmit temperature information from the thermistor to the controller, thereby removing the harmful wireless communication components entirely.
4Ease of operation
If infrared communication modules are installed, then wireless temperature transmission is achieved, but communication signals are distorted by foreign substances and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of heat (which distorts infrared signals) into a beneficial electrical signal transmission medium. By using electrical connections through the power module instead of infrared transmission, the heat present in the system becomes irrelevant to signal transmission, as electrical signals are transmitted through conductors that are thermally stable.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electric pot (1), comprising:a supporter (100) including a first power module (PM1) including first to fourth connection terminals (CP1, CP2, CP, CP4) at an upper end of the supporter (100) and configured to receive electric power from a power supply (300);a pot main body (200) including a second power module (PM2) including fifth to seventh connection terminals (CP5, CP6 CP7) and configured to receive electric power from the first power module (PM1) through the fifth connection terminal (CP5) electrically connected with the first connection terminal (CP1), and a heater (220) driven to give off heat through an electric connection with the third and fourth connection terminals (CP3, CP4) and detachably coupled to the upper end of the supporter (100); anda controller (635) driven by receiving electric power from the pot main body (200),wherein the supporter (100) includes a relay part (RL) configured to switch over a connection between the power supply (300) and the third connection terminal (CP3) and connected to the second connection terminal (CP2) electrically connected with the sixth connection terminal (CP6), a buck converter (115) configured to receive alternating current power from the power supply (300) and configured to convert a magnitude of a voltage of the received alternating current power, and a first voltage regulator (120) configured to control the magnitude of the voltage converted by the buck converter (115) to a predetermined first voltage (VI), and wherein the first voltage regulator (120) and the seventh connection terminal (CP7) electrically connected with the fourth connection terminal (CP4) are commonly connected to a first ground (Gl).