Sealed Kettle Control Module for Ergonomic Waterproof Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kettles face issues with ergonomic design and waterproofing of control devices, leading to accessibility and maintenance challenges, with known designs either being complicated to assemble or not fully sealed, which affects usability and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A kettle design featuring a sealed, autonomous external control device connected to an internal control device via a wireless link, with enhanced sealing mechanisms such as stuffing boxes and cast resin to prevent water infiltration, allowing for easy operation and thorough cleaning without compromising functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control device is arranged in the lower housing, then the sealing is improved, but the accessibility and ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into two separate modules: an internal control device housed in the lower housing for sealing purposes, and an external control device mounted on the handle for ergonomic accessibility. The internal control device contains the cable connection and is sealed within the lower housing, while the external control device includes the button and is positioned where the user can easily reach it during operation.
2Reliability
If the control device is made waterproof, then the reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into internal and external modules, with the waterproofing function concentrated in the internal control device housing. This allows the sealing to be implemented once at the cable entry point in the lower housing, rather than requiring complex sealing throughout the entire control device assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable gland acts as an intermediary element that provides waterproof sealing at the cable entry point into the lower housing. This single sealing point protects the internal control device from water infiltration while maintaining a relatively simple assembly structure.
3Ease of operation
If the control device is arranged externally on the handle, then the ergonomics are improved, but the waterproofing reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into external and internal components. The external control device on the handle provides ergonomic accessibility, while the internal control device in the lower housing provides waterproofing. The cable connecting these two modules passes through a sealed cable gland, ensuring that water cannot infiltrate through the connection between external and internal parts.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a kettle (1) comprising a body (2), a heating plate (16), and a lower housing (12) in which an internal control device (44) is housed. An external control device (49) is connected to the internal control device (44) and configured to manually actuate said internal control device (44). According to the invention, the external control device (49) forms a self-contained, sealed module.