Electric Kettle Infrared Reflection Link Without Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric water kettles with wireless signal transmission devices face issues with signal accuracy due to oxidation of output terminals and require precise positioning of wireless transceivers for efficient transmission.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless signal transmission device with reflective mechanisms on the kettle body and base allows for flexible placement of transceivers, enabling accurate and efficient signal transmission without alignment requirements, facilitated by rotatable connectors and multiple reflections of infrared signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless transceivers are placed on the kettle body and base, then wireless signal transmission is enabled, but the transceivers require precise positioning to ensure accurate and efficient transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective mechanism (mediator) between the wireless transceivers and each other to enable signal reflection. This allows the transceivers to be positioned more flexibly on the kettle body and base without requiring precise direct line-of-sight alignment, as the reflected signal path compensates for positional variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by positioning the reflective mechanism at specific angles and locations to create alternative signal paths. By adding this dimensional element (the reflective surface), the system achieves reliable transmission without constraining the transceivers to precise positions.
2Reliability
If conventional conductive terminals are used for signal transmission, then power and signal transmission is enabled, but oxidation of output terminals degrades signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based conductive terminal system with a wireless signal transmission system using infrared transceivers. This substitution eliminates the physical terminals that are susceptible to oxidation, thereby preventing signal degradation caused by terminal corrosion while maintaining reliable communication between the kettle body and base.
3Measurement precision
If wireless transceivers require precise positioning, then signal transmission accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective mechanism serves as an intermediary that relaxes the positioning precision requirements for the transceivers. By introducing this intermediate reflective element, the system achieves accurate signal transmission without requiring the transceivers to be positioned with high precision, thus reducing overall device complexity.
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 solution ensures reliable wireless signal transmission between the kettle body and base, improving signal quality and eliminating the need for precise positioning, while also providing aesthetic features through reflective surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
By the use of the first and the second reflective mechanism, the user needs not adjust the position or orientation of the kettle body with respect to the base
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1-1~1-2
Figure 2
AI summary
An electric kettle includes a kettle body, a base, a heating element and a wireless signal transmission device. The wireless signal transmission device includes a controller circuitry, a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and a light reflection arrangement. The light reflection arrangement includes a first reflective mechanism provided on the kettle body, and a second reflective mechanism provided on the base, wherein when the kettle body is rotatably and detachably coupled with the base through a lower and an upper connector, wherein when one of the first and the second wireless transceiver is activated to generate a wireless signal toward another of the wireless transceiver, the wireless signal is subject to multiple reflections by the first and the second reflective mechanism until the wireless signal reaches the corresponding first and the second wireless transceiver.