Kettle Heating Plate Assembly for Quiet, Stable Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric kettles produce noise due to uneven heating and vibration caused by low heat transfer efficiency between the stainless-steel chassis and aluminum heat-conducting plates, leading to unstable manufacturing and compromised temperature sensing control.
Innovation Solution
The electric kettle features a heat collecting area with continuously distributed convex ribs and grooves on the heat conducting plate, enhancing heat conduction, welding stability, and manufacturing ease by allowing even flux flow during welding, thus reducing noise and improving heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to assemble the heating tube, heat-conducting aluminum plate, and stainless-steel chassis, then the structural strength is improved, but the manufacturing stability deteriorates due to poor welding quality and unstable heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes gas pockets from the welding area by designing grooves on the heat-conducting plate that communicate with the welding area. This allows gas to escape during welding, preventing gas porosity and improving welding quality and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating convex ribs and grooves in specific locations on the heat-conducting plate. The convex ribs increase the welding area and improve heat conduction locally, while the grooves facilitate gas escape in the welding region, thereby improving overall welding stability without affecting the entire structure.
2Strength
If a conventional welding assembly is used, then the structural integrity is improved, but the heat transfer efficiency deteriorates due to low heat conduction from the aluminum plate to the stainless-steel chassis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating convex ribs on the heat-conducting plate that increase the contact area between the aluminum plate and stainless-steel chassis in the heat collecting area. This localized increase in contact area improves heat transfer efficiency without compromising the overall structural integrity of the welded assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining aluminum (high thermal conductivity) and stainless steel (structural strength) in a welded assembly with optimized geometry. The convex ribs and grooves design enhances the interface between these two materials, improving thermal coupling while maintaining structural integrity.
3Productivity
If the heat collecting area is increased to improve heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the noise increases due to uneven heating and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating convex ribs specifically in the heat collecting area to increase heat conduction where needed, while the grooves facilitate gas escape to prevent bubble accumulation. This localized optimization improves heating efficiency without causing the uneven heating that leads to vibration and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of gas accumulation during welding into a benefit by designing grooves that facilitate gas escape. This prevents gas porosity and welding defects, leading to more uniform heating and reduced vibration-induced noise.
4Loss of energy
If convex ribs are added to increase heat conducting area, then the heat conduction is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heat-conducting plate into regions with convex ribs and grooves. This segmented design increases heat conduction area and facilitates gas escape, while the modular nature of the features keeps manufacturing complexity manageable through standardized forming processes.
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 results in a more stable manufacturing process, increased heat conducting area, and reduced noise by ensuring even heating and improved welding connections, enhancing the overall performance of the electric kettle.
Implementation Method 1
The aluminum has a thermal conductivity of 237 W/Mk, the stainless steel has a heat conductivity of 17 W/Mk. Thus the heat generated by the heating tube is mainly transferred through the heat-conducting aluminum plate
Implementation Method 2
the heat conducting plate is provided with grooves arranged on a surface of the heat conducting plate, the grooves are distributed radially outward
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Disclosed an electric kettle, comprising a heating plate assembly arranged on a bottom of the electric kettle. The heating plate assembly comprises a chassis (41), a heat conducting plate (42) welded on a bottom of the chassis (41), and a heating tube (5) connected to a bottom of the heat conducting plate (42). The chassis (41) has an annular heat collecting area (44) formed at a position corresponding to the heating tube (5) and is provided with a plurality of continuously distributed convex ribs (43) in the heat collecting area (44), the convex ribs (43) extend along the heat collecting area (44) and define a plurality of concave cavities (433) between the chassis (41) and the heat conducting plate (42), the convex ribs (43) protrude upward relative to a surface of the chassis (41), and the heat conducting plate (42) is provided with grooves (422) arranged on a surface of the heat conducting plate (42) and communicating the concave cavities (433).