Double-Wall Electric Kettle Assembly With Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric kettles face issues with internal contamination due to plastic materials, vulnerability to scratches, and difficulties in assembly of stainless steel components, particularly with the heating module's integration.
Innovation Solution
A stainless steel electric kettle design featuring a double-layer vacuum structure with a cylindrical shape, a heating module mounted on the lower surface, and an assembly method that includes an elastically deformable support for the heating plate and press-fitted packing for sealing, improving heat insulation and assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a main body is made of plastic material, then it facilitates arrangement of internal structure, but harmful components may be dissolved in hot water and the kettle is vulnerable to scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The main body is divided into an inner body (stainless steel, contact with water) and an outer body (plastic, structural support), separating the functions of hygiene and manufacturing ease. The inner body prevents contamination while the outer body facilitates assembly of internal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The kettle combines stainless steel inner body with plastic outer body, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials: stainless steel provides hygiene and scratch resistance, while plastic enables easy manufacturing and internal structure arrangement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a main body is made of glass material, then it is excellent in hygiene and looks good, but the heavy weight makes it inconvenient to use and molding is not easy
Solution Approach 1:
The glass-like hygiene requirements are satisfied by using stainless steel for the inner body that contacts water, while the outer body uses lighter plastic material, achieving both hygiene and ease of operation through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different materials are applied to different parts: stainless steel for the water-contact inner body to ensure hygiene, and plastic for the outer body to reduce weight and improve handling convenience.
3Power
If a heater is mounted on the lower surface of the body, then it provides effective heating, but assembly work for connecting structures is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating assembly is segmented into a heater unit and a support structure with elastic deformation capability, allowing the heater to be mounted on the lower surface for effective heating while the flexible support simplifies assembly by accommodating positioning tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The support for the heating plate is designed to be elastically deformable, providing dynamic adjustment during assembly to facilitate connection of the heater to the body, while maintaining stable support during operation.
4Loss of energy
If a double-layer vacuum structure is used, then heat insulation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner body is nested within the outer body, creating a double-layer structure with vacuum insulation between them. This nested configuration provides effective heat insulation while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum layer acts as an intermediary between the inner and outer bodies, providing thermal insulation without requiring complex insulation materials or structures, simplifying the overall design while achieving energy efficiency.
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
Enhances heat insulation, reduces power consumption, simplifies assembly, and ensures effective sealing of the heating space, while maintaining a safe and efficient heating process.
Implementation Method 1
the body has a double-layer vacuum structure to improve heat insulation performance
Implementation Method 2
a space extending vertically between the inner body and the outer body, thereby providing significantly improved heat insulation performance
Implementation Method 3
a heating means, such as a heater
Implementation Method 4
The heating module may include a heating plate forming a bottom surface of the heating space, a plate packing sealing a gap between the inner body and the heating module around the heating plate
Data Source
AI summary
An electric kettle may include a body formed by an outer body and an inner body having a cylindrical shape and an open upper surface and an open lower surface, a heat insulation space being formed between the outer body and the inner body, a lid configured to open or close the open upper surface of the body, a heating module configured to partition an inside of the inner body vertically and heat fluid, such as water inside of 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 a lower surface of the body is seated and which transfers power applied from outside to the heating module when the body is seated. The heating module may include a heating plate inserted through the open lower surface of the inner body and coupled 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.