Double-Walled Electric Kettle Heating Module Assembly and Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric kettles face challenges in heat insulation performance, power consumption, and assembly complexity, particularly in mounting heating modules without separate tools or connecting parts, and in sealing the bottom space where water is contained.

Innovation Solution

The electric kettle features a double-walled structure with an outer and inner body, a heating module inserted through the inner body's lower surface, and a packing mechanism to seal the space, allowing for efficient heat insulation and simplified assembly and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a heater is mounted on the lower surface of the body with additional connecting structures, then heating function is achieved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidconnecting structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating module is integrated directly with the inner body through a unified structure where the heating element, support legs, and sealing components are combined into a single assembly that fits into the body cavity, eliminating the need for separate connecting structures between the heater and body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner body serves multiple functions: it acts as the container for water, provides structural support, and integrates the heating module mounting function, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated mounting structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic material is used for the main body to facilitate internal structure arrangement, then manufacturing ease is improved, but hygiene and contamination resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal structure arrangementVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The kettle is divided into two separate components: the outer body made of plastic for structural flexibility and the inner body made of stainless steel for hygiene and contamination resistance. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner stainless steel body is nested within the outer plastic body, creating a layered structure where the inner body contacts the water (hygiene requirement) while the outer body provides structural support and insulation (manufacturing ease requirement)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If glass material is used for the main body to improve hygiene and appearance, then contamination resistance is improved, but durability and ease of use deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination resistanceVSAvoidimpact resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The kettle is segmented into an outer plastic body providing impact resistance and an inner stainless steel body providing contamination resistance, eliminating the need to use fragile glass while maintaining both durability and hygiene

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If a double-layer vacuum structure is added to improve heat insulation, then energy efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddouble-layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum insulation layer is extracted as a separate component between the inner and outer bodies, allowing the heating function and insulation function to be independently optimized and assembled without increasing complexity of individual components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This design enhances heat insulation performance, reduces power consumption, and simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for separate tools, while ensuring effective sealing of the heating space.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum layer is disposed between a liner and an out shell of the kettle body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum insulation: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a heating module inserted through the opened lower surface of the inner body and mounted on the mounting portion to partition the inside of the inner body vertically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3711637B1Electric kettle
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3711637B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3711637B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3711637B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electric kettle includes a body formed by an outer body and an inner body having a cylindrical shape having an opened upper surface and an opened lower surface, wherein a heat insulation space is formed between the outer body and the inner body, a lid configured to open or close the opened upper surface of the body, a heating module configured to partition an inside of the inner body vertically and heat water inside the inner body, a mounting portion which is formed on an inner surface of the inner body and on which the heating module is mounted, and a base on which the lower surface of the body is seated and which transfers power applied from an outside to the heating module when the body is seated. The heating module includes a heating plate inserted through the opened lower surface of the inner body and restrained to the mounting portion to form a bottom surface of the inner body, and a heater provided on a lower surface of the heating plate to generate heat.