Liquid Heater Coupler Structure for Jam-Free Alignment and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing couplers for liquid heaters, such as electric kettles, face challenges in achieving precise coordination due to manufacturing deviations and deformation, leading to potential jamming and safety hazards, while their small size also complicates water drainage, risking electric shock.
Innovation Solution
A coupler design featuring a male and female connector with arced and gapped sections, a convex-hull shaped end wall, and guide baffles to facilitate precise alignment and water expulsion, preventing electrical contact and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler size is reduced to meet diversified design requirements, then the product design flexibility is improved, but the coordinating precision between male and female connectors deteriorates due to manufacturing deviations and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall is segmented into multiple arced sections and gapped sections. The arced sections provide coordination surfaces while the gapped sections create separation zones that accommodate manufacturing deviations and prevent jamming during relative rotation
Solution Approach 2:
The end wall surface is designed with asymmetric convex-hull shape that is gradually lowered from center towards periphery. This asymmetric design creates a self-aligning feature that compensates for manufacturing deviations and ensures precise coordination despite size reduction
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler size is reduced, then the product design flexibility is improved, but the relative rotation between male and female connectors is more easily jammed
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral wall is divided into arced sections that contact the annular cylindrical wall and gapped sections that create separation. This segmentation allows smooth relative rotation by providing discrete contact points rather than continuous contact, reducing jamming risk in the smaller coupler design
Solution Approach 2:
The guide baffle acts as an intermediary element that guides water flow away from the electrical connectors. It features an oblique surface that actively directs water along a controlled path, preventing water accumulation that could cause jamming or electrical hazards
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler size is reduced, then the product design flexibility is improved, but the water drainage capability deteriorates, increasing electric shock risk
Solution Approach 1:
The guide baffle serves as an intermediary structure that intercepts and redirects water flow. Its oblique surface actively channels water away from the electrical connectors through the through holes, preventing water accumulation and eliminating the electric shock hazard in the compact coupler design
Solution Approach 2:
The end wall features localized through holes positioned strategically to allow water drainage. Combined with the guide baffle's localized water directing function, this creates targeted water expulsion paths that effectively manage water in the reduced-size coupler without compromising electrical safety
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupler for use in a liquid heater includes a male connector (10) and a female socket connector (20). The male connector (10) includes a connecting wall (11) and an annular cylindrical wall (12) formed around the connecting wall (11). The female socket connector (20) comprises an end wall (21) joined with the connecting wall of the male connector and a peripheral wall (22) formed around the end wall (21) and arranged perpendicularly to the end wall (21). The surface of the end wall (21) joined with the connecting wall (11) is gradually lowered from the center towards the periphery and is convex-hull shaped. The peripheral wall (22) includes arced sections (221) and gapped sections (222) connected between two arced sections. When the male connector (10) is coupled with the female socket connector (20), this allows the arced sections (221) to be coupled with the annular cylindrical wall (12) and forms no coupling between the gapped sections (222) and the annular cylindrical wall (12). The coupler reduces jamming of the male connector with respect to the female socket connector while ensuring coupling precision, reduces residue of water dropped onto an end surface of the female socket connector, and reduces the risks of electric shock.