Kettle cooker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large kettles with rotation capabilities for pouring hot liquids are hazardous due to lack of resistance at the midpoint rotation point, leading to rapid or accidental spills.
Innovation Solution
A kettle design with outward extensions providing a rotational axis point off-center, supported by grooved sections on a stand, which includes a burner and a collapsible structure for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the kettle is designed with a rotation means at the midpoint, then the kettle can be rotated for pouring, but the kettle lacks resistance to rotating and can easily spill contents rapidly or accidentally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the rotation axis off-center rather than at the midpoint of the kettle. The support structure includes a first support portion and a second support portion at different distances from the rotation axis, creating an asymmetric configuration that provides resistance to rotation while enabling controlled pouring motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing differential support characteristics at different locations. The first support portion is positioned closer to the rotation axis than the second support portion, creating varying levels of support and resistance at different points of the kettle structure, which enables both rotation capability and spill prevention.
2Quantity of substance
If the kettle is made very large to increase capacity, then more liquid can be stored, but lifting and pouring becomes very dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static lifting operation to a dynamic rotating operation. The kettle rotates on an off-center axis rather than being lifted and tilted, which reduces the physical effort and danger associated with handling large quantities of hot liquid while maintaining the large capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rotation mechanism between the user and the heavy kettle. Instead of directly lifting and maneuvering the entire kettle, the user operates a rotation mechanism that pivots the kettle on an off-center axis, reducing the direct physical burden and danger while maintaining the ability to pour large volumes.
3Ease of operation
If the kettle pivots at its center line, then the rotation is balanced, but there is no resistance to rotating and it can easily spill contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by deliberately creating asymmetry in the support structure relative to the rotation axis. The first and second support portions are positioned at asymmetric distances from the axis, which provides the necessary resistance to rotation while still allowing smooth controlled motion for pouring.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is a kettle supported by a base, with a burner mounted to the base and positioned below the bottom of the kettle. The kettle generally has a rounded bottom and straight sidewalls, although various curved portions of the kettle sidewalls are possible including a purely semispherical section. The kettle is provided with a U-shaped handle on each side which provides a gripping handle and also provides a means of rotating the kettle. The stand includes two grooves in a side portion, and the kettle can be tipped to one side and rotated to pour out the contents of the kettle, with the groove providing stability while the kettle is rotated to one side. The kettle rotates at a point which is not the center point of the kettle.