JP6945849B2 - Electric kettle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric kettle, and more particularly to an electric kettle that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to handle.

As an electric kettle having a simple structure, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this electric kettle, the body of the kettle body that stores the liquid is made of synthetic resin, and the body is formed of a single cylindrical wall. A heat source is provided in the lower part of the body part, and the water in the body part is boiled. A handle for holding the kettle body when pouring hot water is provided on the side surface of the body.

Since the body of the electric kettle having such a structure is made of synthetic resin and is made of one member, there is an advantage that the structure can be simplified and the electric kettle can be manufactured at low cost.

However, since boiling water enters the body, it is difficult to handle. In other words, the outer surface of the body is also heated by the hot water inside, so if your hand unexpectedly touches the outer surface of the body while holding the handle to pour hot water, you may be upset by the heat. , Careful handling was required.

The following Patent Document 2 discloses a housing provided with a synthetic resin housing that covers a synthetic resin water storage portion.

However, since the housing has a structure that covers the entire water storage section except for the handle part, for example, the perspective window part for viewing the amount of water inside is projected so as to be flush with the outer surface of the housing. Is required, the structure becomes complicated as a whole, and the number of parts increases.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-285170 Japanese Patent No. 5936052

The main object of the present invention is to make the structure simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and to prevent unexpected heat from being felt.

The means for this is an electric kettle in which the body portion of the kettle body for storing the liquid has a single-wall structure made of synthetic resin and a handle is formed on the outer surface of the body portion.
An electric kettle in which a cover member covering the outer surface of the body is fixed to a portion of the outer surface of the body that is inside the handle while leaving a space between the body and the handle for inserting a hand. Is.

In this configuration, the cover member relieves heat on the outer surface of the fuselage inside the handle.

According to the present invention, since the cover member relieves heat, it is possible to prevent the cover member from being hot even if it is unexpectedly touched. Moreover, since the cover member is not formed on the entire body portion but on the portion corresponding to the inside of the handle, the configuration can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Perspective view of the electric kettle. Longitudinal section of the electric kettle. The perspective view of the body part and the member fixed to it separated. Vertical cross-sectional view of the main part. An exploded perspective view of the main part. Cross-sectional view of the fuselage.

An embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the electric kettle 11. The electric kettle 11 is composed of a kettle main body 13 for storing fluid and a power supply stand 15 on which the kettle main body 13 is placed and power is supplied to the kettle main body 13.

The electric kettle 11 is provided with a body portion 31 which has a simple structure but can suppress unexpected heat feeling when pouring hot water.

First, a rough configuration of the electric kettle 11 will be described.

The power supply base 15 has a circular dish shape in a plan view, and the upper surface thereof is formed in a concave shape that receives the bottom surface of the kettle body 13 as shown in FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the electric kettle 11. There is. At the center of the upper surface thereof, a power socket 16 that enables energization regardless of the relative rotation position with the kettle main body 13 is provided facing upward.

The kettle main body 13 is formed in a bottomed tubular shape with a body portion 31 and a bottom portion 32, and a lid member 34 is detachably attached to an opening 33 at the upper end.

The body portion 31 of the kettle body 13 is formed of a single tubular wall made of synthetic resin. In other words, the body portion 31 has a single-wall structure made of synthetic resin. The body portion 31 has a cylindrical shape with a slightly larger diameter toward the lower side, and the upper end portion is formed with a slight constriction. A spout 35 is projected from a part of the opening 33 at the upper end, and a handle 36 is formed on the outer surface opposite to the spout 35 across the center of the opening 33 at the upper end. ..

The handle 36 has a closed shape in which the upper end 36a and the lower end 36b are connected to the body portion 31, and is integrally molded with the body portion 31. That is, the upper end 36a of the handle 36 extends from the outer surface of the upper end portion of the body portion 31 to the outer surface of the lower end portion of the body portion 31 in a substantially U-shape. Therefore, the side view shape of the handle 36 is substantially D-shaped, and the handle 36 can be gripped by inserting a hand from the side.

The cross-sectional shape of the handle 36 is U-shaped as shown in FIG. 3 which is a perspective view of the body portion 31, and has a handle opening 37 in which the upper surface, the side surface, and the lower surface of the handle 36 are continuously opened. .. When the handle opening 37 is closed with a separate handle cover 38 after the necessary members are loaded inside the handle 36, the handle 36 having a predetermined function is obtained. The members loaded in the handle 36 are mainly a switch lever 39 located at the upper end 36a of the handle 36 and can be operated from the outside, and a switch lever 39 that detects steam guided through the lid member 34 and interlocks with the switch lever 39. There is a boiling detection unit 40 provided with a bimetal switch, and a lamp 41 that lights up when energized.

A see-through window 42 made of a transparent member is formed at two positions on the outer surface of the body portion 31 at a distance of 90 degrees from the handle 36 toward the spout 35. The see-through window 42 is a portion for checking the water level inside, and is integrally formed by insert molding.

The bottom portion 32 that closes the opening 43 at the lower end of the body portion 31 has an inner bottom formed of a heating plate 45 that is fitted inside the body portion 31 via a sealing material 44, and a body that is below the heating plate 45 and that is below the heating plate 45. It has an outer bottom made of a dish-shaped bottom member 46 that is fitted to the lower end of the portion 31. A heater 47 is provided on the lower surface of the heating plate 45, and a power plug 48 for supplying electric power to the heater 47 is also provided. The power plug 48 is fixed to the center of the bottom portion 32, and is inserted into the power socket 16 when the kettle main body 13 is placed on the power supply base 15.

The lid member 34 is held above the annular projecting piece 49 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 33 at the upper end of the body portion 31, and includes a hot water supply passage 50 and a steam passage 51. The hot water supply passage 50 connects the lower surface of the lid member 34 and the spout 35, and the steam passage 51 allows steam generated in the kettle main body 13 to escape from the upper surface and leads to the boiling detection unit 40 in the handle 36 described above. It is a thing.

A hot water outlet 52 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 34 at a position closer to the spout 35 side, and a valve member 53 that opens and closes with respect to the hot water outlet 52 from below is provided. The valve member 53 is urged in the direction of closing the hot water outlet 52, that is, upward, and by sliding the slide lever 54 exposed on the upper surface of the lid member 34, the valve member 53 moves upward according to the urging force to move the hot water outlet 52 upward. It is possible to move to a closed position where the water outlet 52 is closed and an open position where the hot water outlet 52 is opened by descending against the urging force.

The steam passage 51 includes a steam inlet 55 formed as a through hole formed at a position closer to the handle 36 side on the lower surface of the lid member 34, and steam formed on the upper surface of the lid member 34 above the steam inlet 55. A steam flow path 57 extending from the middle of the outlet 56 and the passage connecting the steam inlet 55 and the steam outlet 56 toward the handle 36 side and opening on the side surface of the lid member 34 is provided. A fall prevention valve 58 is provided above the steam inlet 55 to block the passage connecting the steam inlet 55 and the steam outlet 56 in order to prevent hot water from flowing out from the steam outlet 56 in the unlikely event that the kettle body 13 falls. There is. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the leakage prevention valve 58 at the time of a fall blocks the passage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right lock levers 59 are provided on the upper surface of the lid member. These lock levers 59 are for holding the adhered state, and as shown in FIG. 3, engage and disengage with the locking groove 60 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the opening 33 at the upper end of the body portion 31. It has a claw part (not shown).

The schematic structure of the electric kettle 11 is as described above, and the electric kettle 11 has a structure that prevents the hand from getting hot even if it is unexpectedly touched during pouring, and is a portion inside the handle 36 on the outer surface of the body portion 31. Is formed in. That is, the portion is provided with a cover member 62 that covers the outer surface of the body portion 31 while ensuring a space 61 for inserting a hand between the body portion 31 and the handle 36.

An enlarged cross-sectional view of the cover member 62 in a fixed state is shown in FIG. 4, an exploded perspective view of the cover member 62 portion is shown in FIG. 5, and a cross-sectional view of the body portion 31 in the AA portion in FIG. 4 is shown in FIG.

At the position where the cover member 62 is fixed on the outer surface of the body portion 31 (fixed position of the cover member 62), a flat fixing surface 63 is formed by slightly raising both the left and right sides from the outer surface having a circular cross section. The left and right outer side portions 63a of the fixed surface 63 draw an arc in a divergent shape to smooth the change in shape.

The fixed surface 63 has a substantially rectangular shape having a size that fits within the contour of the handle 36 when viewed from the handle 36 side. As long as the shape corresponds to the contour of the handle 36, it may protrude beyond the contour of the handle 36.

The upper end 63b and the lower end 63c of the fixed surface 63 are close to the upper end 36a and the lower end 36b of the handle 36, that is, the inner upper end of the handle 36 and the inner lower end of the handle 36. The vertical cross-sectional shape of the upper end portion 63b and the lower end portion 63c of the fixed surface 63 is a concave arc shape. Further, a step portion 64 for fixing the cover member 62 flush with each other is formed inside the upper end 36a and the lower end 36b of these handles.

One of the retaining piece 65 and the fitting structure 66 is formed on the fixing surface 63 in order to fix the cover member 62. The retaining pieces 65 are formed at a plurality of fixed surfaces 63, and in the illustrated example, at three locations, an upper portion, an intermediate portion, and a lower portion. The shape of the retaining piece 65 is long in the width direction of the fixed surface 63, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a barb portion extending upward or downward at the tip of the protruding piece 65a protruding from the fixed surface 63. It is a structure having 65b. The return portion 65b also has the same length as the protruding piece 65a. The length of the retaining piece 65 is shorter than the width of the fixed surface 63. In the retaining piece 65 of the illustrated example, the retaining piece 65 in the upper part and the middle portion has the return portion 65b facing upward, and the retaining piece 65 in the lower portion has the returning portion 65b facing downward.

The fitting structure 66 fits each other when the inner side surface of the cover member 62 is pressed against the outer surface of the body portion 31, and is composed of a fitting protrusion 66a and a fitting recess 66b, and is formed on the fixed surface 63. Formed a fitting projection 66a as one of the fitting structures 66. One fitting protrusion 66a is formed at an intermediate position in the left-right direction between the retaining pieces 65. The shape of the fitting protrusion 66a is a rod shape having a circular cross section. One of the fitting structures 66 formed on the fixed surface 63 may be a fitting recess 66b.

The cover member 62 is made of synthetic resin like the body portion 31, and is formed in a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned fixed surface 63, that is, a substantially rectangular plate shape. Ribs 67 are formed on the left and right side edges of the cover member 62 so as to make the intermediate portion of the cover member 62 in the width direction non-contact with the outer surface of the body portion 31 and to create a gap between the cover member 62 and the outer surface of the body portion 31. ing. Although the rib 67 is formed at the left and right side edges, the upper end corner portion of the rib 67 has a curved surface so that the surface is smoothly continuous from the left and right outer side portions 63a of the fixed surface 63.

The upper and lower ends of the cover member 62 have fitting portions 68 that fit inside the stepped portion 64 adjacent to the upper end portion 63b and the lower end portion 63c of the fixed surface 63. The fitting portion 68 has a shape corresponding to fitting with the upper end portion 63b and the lower end portion 63c of the fixed surface 63.

Further, the other side of the fitting structure 66, that is, the fitting recess 66b is formed at a position corresponding to the fitting protrusion 66a on the inner surface of the cover member 62. In addition to this, the left and right side portions of the fixed surface 63 corresponding to the retaining piece 65 enter the back side of the return portion 65b of the retaining piece 65 when the fitting structure 66 is fitted. A locking claw 69 for stopping is formed. The length of the locking claw 69 in the left-right direction is a length that overlaps both ends of the retaining piece 65 in the left-right direction.

Of the locking claws 69, the locking claws 69 at the upper end and the middle portion extend downward, and the locking claws 69 at the lower end extend upward. The fitting structure 66 is fitted to the locking claws 69 so that when the fitting structure 66 is fitted, the fitting structure 66 can be inserted into the back side of the return portion 65b of the retaining piece 65 and locked. An inclined surface 69a that is inclined in the direction of retreating toward the inside is formed on the surface that sometimes faces the retaining piece 65 and comes into contact with the piece 65.

In addition to the synthetic resin, the cover member 62 may be made of another material such as rubber having a low thermal conductivity.

As described above, the upper end 63b and the lower end 63c of the fixed surface 63 are close to the inner upper end of the handle 36 and the inner lower end of the handle 36. Therefore, when the cover member 62 is fixed to the fixed surface 63, the cover member The upper and lower ends of the 62 will be close to the inner upper and lower ends of the handle.

In order to fix the cover member 62 to the body portion 31 having the fixing surface 63 having such a configuration, the cover member 62 is pressed against the body portion 31 so as to fit the fitting structure 66. Then, the locking claw 69 of the cover member 62 and the retaining piece 65 of the fixing surface 63 are elastically displaced and engaged with each other. Since this engaged state is held in cooperation with the fitting of the fitting structure 66 and the locking of the retaining piece 65 and the locking claw 69, the fixed state of the cover member 62 with respect to the body portion 31 is maintained. Will be.

Since the cover member 62 covers the outer surface of the body portion 31 and is made of synthetic resin and does not easily transfer heat, the surface temperature can be lowered as compared with the portion where the outer surface of the body portion 31 is exposed. Therefore, even if a hand unexpectedly touches the cover member 62 when holding the handle for pouring hot water in a boiling state, the person who pours the hot water may be upset. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is easy to handle and safety can be obtained.

Since the cover member 62 has a rib 67 and creates a space between the cover member 62 and the outer surface of the body portion 31, the space acts as a buffer and is surely suppressed from becoming hot.

Further, since the upper end and the lower end of the cover member 62 are close to the upper end and the lower end of the handle 36, the cover member 62 can act on a wider range.

On the other hand, since the cover member 62 has a substantially rectangular plate shape and has a shape that fits within the contour of the handle 36 when viewed from the side of the handle 36, the appearance is unreasonably deteriorated even if the cover member 62 is fixed. Can be suppressed. Further, an arc surface is formed on both the left and right outer portions 63a of the fixed surface 63, and a step portion 64 is formed at positions adjacent to the upper end and the lower end of the fixed surface 63, that is, inside the upper end 36a and the lower end 36b of the handle. Therefore, the cover member 62 fits well.

Further, since the cover member 62 has a structure of being fixed by the fitting structure 66, the retaining piece 65, and the locking claw 69, it can be fixed only by fitting. The number of parts can be significantly reduced and the number of parts can be significantly reduced due to the fact that no other member is required for fixing, the body portion 31 is composed of one cylindrical wall, and the handle 36 is integrally formed with the body portion 31. Can be simplified. Since it is easy to assemble, it can be manufactured at low cost.

The above configuration is one embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and other configurations may be adopted.

For example, the cover member 62 may be fixed by other means such as welding or adhesion.

Further, an appropriate member, for example, a lamp 41 that lights up when energized, may be provided inside or outside the cover member 62.

11 ... Electric kettle 13 ... Kettle body 31 ... Body 36 ... Handle 36a ... Upper end 36b ... Lower end 61 ... Space for inserting hands 62 ... Cover member 63 ... Fixed surface 65 ... Retaining piece 65b ... Return part 66 ... Fitting structure 67 ... Rib 69 ... Locking claw

Claims (6)

An electric kettle in which the body of the kettle body for storing liquid has a single-wall structure made of synthetic resin and a handle is formed on the outer surface of the body.
A cover member covering the outer surface of the body is fixed to a portion of the outer surface of the body that is inside the handle, leaving a space between the body and the handle for inserting a hand. /> Electric kettle. The electric kettle according to claim 1, wherein a rib forming a gap between the cover member and the outer surface of the body portion is formed. The electric kettle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover member has a substantially rectangular plate shape that fits within the contour of the handle when viewed from the handle side. The handle has a closed shape in which the upper end and the lower end are connected to the body portion.
The electric kettle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper end and the lower end of the cover member are close to the upper end and the lower end inside the handle. The electric kettle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle is integrally molded with the body portion. A fitting structure in which a retaining piece having a return portion at the tip and an inner side surface of the cover member are fitted to each other at a fixed position of the cover member in the body portion when the inner side surface of the cover member is pressed against the outer surface of the body portion. One is formed,
On the inner surface of the cover member, a locking claw that enters and locks the other side of the fitting structure and the back side of the return portion of the retaining piece when the fitting structure is fitted is formed. The electric kettle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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