RU2798908C1 - Electric kettle top filling system and a method of filling water into the kettle - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: household appliances.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a top filling system for an electric kettle and a method of pouring water into a kettle. The upper water filling system of the electric kettle includes a lid with a hole for filling water, a filling hole shutter formed by a movable part with a mechanical drive, and a button for controlling the position of the movable part of the shutter. The mechanical drive includes a lever mechanism connecting the movable part of the shutter with a spring-loaded rod, the free end of which is brought to the control button.

EFFECT: development of a vertical filling system, the position of the filler opening of which can be controlled mechanically by the user in one action, while increasing the reliability and hygiene of the system.

11 cl, 2 dwg

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to structural elements of small household appliances for the kitchen, in particular to the lids of electric kettles equipped with a hole for pouring water with a movable damper, and can be used in light industry in the manufacture of kettles.

State of the art

At the moment, a number of technical solutions are known aimed at creating a kettle, the design of which allows topping up water without directly opening the lid.

So, for example, from the patent document RU 196504 U1, it is known that a hole with an elastic valve for pouring water is made in the lid of the kettle. Under the influence of water pressure, the valve opens, allowing you to fill the kettle, and closes after topping up due to the elasticity of the material from which it is made.

Another solution for adding water to the kettle without opening the lid is described in RU 181192 U1. Here, a conical hole is made in the lid of the kettle, on the inside of which there is a spring-loaded damper, which leans back under the action of the weight of water and returns to the closed position due to the elasticity of the spring after topping up.

The disadvantage of the known technical solutions is their fragility and unreliability. With frequent opening and closing, the elastic valve will quickly acquire irreversible mechanical deformations, as a result of which the flaps will not close tightly, and a gap will form in the kettle lid, which will make it impossible to use the device, since the kettle will stop turning off: when the flaps are tightly closed when boiling water, steam is collected under cover and, reaching a certain concentration, is sent to a special department in which the switch is located.

A similar result can be caused by wear of the spring of the second cover damper return mechanism. In addition, a damper of this type can easily break off if accidentally pressed hard, for example, when hitting a faucet while adding water.

Other disadvantages of the known solutions include splashing of water when topping up and the need for regular cleaning of the valve / damper, since these elements are in direct contact with the water entering the kettle, and at the same time are open to the deposition of dust and dirt from the room in which the device is used.

The closest analogue is the technical solution described in the document CN 206462819 U. This document describes an electric kettle, in the lid of which there is a hole closed by a damper. The damper is movable between closed and open positions and is driven by a mechanical drive based on a gear train and elastic elements such as helical springs.

The disadvantage of analog is the inability to start the mechanism that moves the damper, the user. The damper moves between open and closed positions either automatically by changing the size of the temperature-sensitive element, or directly by the application of a muscular effort by the user.

Unlike the closest analogue, the operation of the mechanical drive of the proposed vertical topping system can be started by the user by pressing the corresponding button on the kettle handle, which makes the water filling procedure simple and quick.

Since the opening and closing of the filling hole is carried out using a mechanical drive, and not due to the deformation of the damper under the action of the weight of water, the movable sectors are less subject to wear than the elements of the technical solutions discussed above that perform a similar function. Moreover, the use of sectors that are displaced during the filling of water makes it possible to avoid splashing of water and ingress of dust into the kettle from the surface of the elements blocking the filling hole. And the ability to start a mechanical drive by pressing one button provides simple control of the position of the sectors, without the need for significant effort on the part of the user.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a vertical filling system for an electric kettle, allowing water to be poured into a flask without opening the lid, where one or more movable sectors are used to cover the filling hole, moved between closed and open positions by means of a mechanical drive, made with the possibility one-button launch.

The technical result of the claimed invention is the development of a vertical filling system, the position of the filling opening of which can be controlled by the user mechanically in one action, while increasing the reliability and hygiene of the system.

Disclosure of invention

The set goal, the technical result required and obtained by using the invention are achieved by the fact that the upper water filling system of the kettle includes

- a lid with a hole for pouring water,

- a filler plug formed by a mechanically driven movable part, and

- a button for controlling the position of the movable part of the shutter,

while the mechanical drive includes a lever mechanism connecting the movable part of the shutter of the filler hole with a spring-loaded rod, the free end of which is brought to the control button.

At the same time, the movable part of the shutter is made in the form of one sector with the possibility of its rotation clockwise or counterclockwise.

Variably, the movable part of the shutter is made in the form of two sectors with the possibility of turning the sectors from each other in opposite directions.

In turn, the lever mechanism is made in the form of two lever drives, each of which connects the gate sector with a rocker lever, which, in turn, is connected to a spring-loaded rod.

In addition, the shutter has two positions, open and closed.

At the same time, the control button is configured to switch the shutter between the open and closed position by pressing it once.

Also, the button is made with the possibility of pressing “away from you” or “towards you”.

In this case, the button is made on the inside or outside of the kettle handle.

In turn, the cover is made with the possibility of complete removal from the neck of the kettle.

The set goal, the technical result required and obtained by using the invention are achieved by the fact that the method of pouring water into the kettle contains an upper filling system, while adding water to the kettle without opening the lid by pressing the button on the kettle handle once to open the filling hole in the lids.

In this case, a lever mechanism is used, which is configured to shift the movable part of the shutter away from the hole for filling water when the shutter is moved to the open position and fixes this part in the shifted position; and when the shutter is moved to the closed position, the movable part of the shutter is disengaged and returns to its original position above the filler hole.

Brief description of the drawings

The essence of the invention is illustrated by drawings.

Figure 1 shows a structural diagram of a variant of the proposed vertical filling system, where the movable part of the shutter is made in the form of two sectors, and figure 2 is an example of a kettle with such a variant of the filling system. On figa the movable sectors of the shutter are in the closed position, and on figa - in the open position.

The following designations are used in the drawings:

1 - teapot spout;

2 - neck;

3 - cover;

4 - left shutter sector;

5 - right shutter sector;

6 - axis of rotation;

7 - lever drive petals;

8 - rocker levers;

9 - return springs;

10 - drive rod

11 - button.

The presented drawings are given as an example and do not limit other embodiments of the vertical flood gate. In particular, one sector, rather than two, can be used to block the filler hole, and another lever mechanism can be used to rotate it, including, for example, one lever drive and one rocker lever.

Implementation of the invention

Currently, electric kettles with a lid that opens by pressing a button or by applying direct muscular effort on the part of the user are widely used. When adding water to a kettle with a lid of this type, the user may encounter a number of inconveniences, such as spontaneous closing of the lid when the kettle is tilted, or collision of the open lid with the faucet, which can also lead to its closing. In addition, many kettle models require force to close the lid tightly, which can be difficult for older and disabled users. The need to manipulate the lid also takes some time and makes it difficult to top up with one hand, which is necessary when working in the kitchen.

The proposed technical solution allows topping up water in the kettle without opening the lid: the user only needs to press the button on the kettle handle once to open the filling hole in the lid. Such a filling system avoids the above difficulties caused by an open lid, and also does not require any effort to close the kettle: the filling hole is closed by pressing the same button. Topping up the kettle with this filling system can be easily done with one hand.

The claimed vertical water filling system includes a kettle lid with a topping hole made in it, a filling hole shutter consisting of a movable part and a mechanical drive, and a button for controlling the position of the movable part of the shutter. The mechanical drive is implemented on the basis of a lever mechanism that connects the movable part of the shutter with a spring-loaded rod, which, in turn, is connected to the control button.

In the preferred embodiment, the control button is located on the inside or outside of the kettle handle. This embodiment allows you to press the button with one finger - index when performed on the inside of the handle or large when performed on the outside, as shown in figure 2, including on weight. This reduces the time spent on the procedure for topping up water: the user can open the filling hole while moving to the water source. It also increases the convenience of using the kettle, its ergonomics, since the button is naturally at hand. The button can be made both with the possibility of pressing "from yourself" and "towards you".

The ability to control the position of the shutter by pressing the button once greatly simplifies the procedure for opening / closing the filler hole. In the above known systems of vertical filling of water, the opening of the opening for topping up was carried out when a sufficient value of the water pressure or sufficient heating of the water vapor was reached. The shutter position of the proposed filling system does not depend on external factors and can be quickly and easily changed at the request of the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the shutter has two positions, open and closed, and its movable part is made in the form of one or two sectors. Pressing the button leads to longitudinal movement of the spring-loaded rod, which, in turn, sets in motion a lever mechanism that displaces the movable part of the shutter relative to the filler hole and fixes it in a displaced position. Pressing the button again disengages the moving part, returning the elements of the shutter to their original position. When the movable part is made in the form of a sector, the opening and closing of the filling hole is carried out by turning the sector about the vertical axis. Moreover, the rotation can be carried out both clockwise and counterclockwise. When performing a moving part in the form of two sectors 4, 5 opening and closing of the shutter is carried out by turning these sectors around the axis 6 in opposite directions, as shown in Fig.2.

The embodiment of the shutter with one sector is not shown in the drawings.

When performing a shutter with two sectors 4 and 5, as shown in figure 1, the lever mechanism can be made in the form of two lever actuators 7, each of which connects the shutter sector 4 or 5 with the corresponding lever-rocker 8, which, in its in turn, connected to the stem 10. When making a shutter with one sector, the design of the lever mechanism may differ from that discussed above. In particular, the number of lever drives and rocker arms can be halved.

The use of a mechanical drive, instead of the use of elastic elements deformed under the action of the pressure of the ox, to open and close the filling hole increases the reliability of the vertical filling system. And also makes the process of adding water more hygienic, since the segments of the shutter that are in contact with the external environment do not come into contact with the flow of water entering the kettle.

The cover can be made with the possibility of complete removal from the neck of the kettle. Such an embodiment of the lid simplifies the procedure for cleaning the flask of the device and further improves the hygiene of using the kettle, since a wide neck without a lid provides better access to the flask and thus allows for better cleaning.

As follows from the description of possible implementations of the claimed invention, the proposed system for vertical filling of water into an electric kettle ensures the achievement of the claimed technical result, which consists in the development of a vertical filling system, the position of the shutter of the filling hole of which can be mechanically controlled by the user in one action, as well as in increasing reliability and system hygiene.

Considering the novelty of the set of essential features, the technical solution of the problem, the inventive step and the materiality of all general and particular features of the invention, proven in the "Prior Art" and "Disclosure of the Invention" sections, proven in the "Implementation and Industrial Implementation of the Invention" section, technical feasibility and industrial applicability inventions, the solution of the set inventive problems and the confident achievement of the required technical result in the implementation and use of the invention, in our opinion, the claimed invention satisfies all the requirements for patentability for inventions.

The analysis also shows that all general and particular features of the invention are essential, since each of them is necessary, and together they are not only sufficient to achieve the purpose of the invention, but also allow the invention to be implemented industrially.

Claims (15)

1. Kettle top water filling system, including - a lid with a hole for pouring water, - a filler plug formed by a mechanically driven movable part, and - a button for controlling the position of the movable part of the shutter, while the mechanical drive includes a lever mechanism connecting the movable part of the shutter of the filler hole with a spring-loaded rod, the free end of which is brought to the control button. 2. The system of the upper bay according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part of the shutter is made in the form of one sector with the possibility of its rotation clockwise or counterclockwise. 3. The system of the upper bay according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part of the shutter is made in the form of two sectors with the possibility of turning the sectors from each other in opposite directions. 4. Top fill system according to claim 3, characterized in that the lever mechanism is made in the form of two lever drives, each of which connects the gate sector with a rocker lever, which, in turn, is connected to a spring-loaded rod. 5. The system of the upper bay according to paragraphs. 1-4, characterized in that the shutter has two positions, open and closed. 6. Top fill system according to claim 5, characterized in that the control button is configured to switch the shutter between open and closed position by pressing it once. 7. Top fill system according to claim 6, characterized in that the button is movable relative to the kettle handle. 8. The system of the upper bay according to claim 6, characterized in that the button is made on the inside or outside of the kettle handle. 9. Top fill system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid is made with the possibility of complete removal from the neck of the kettle. 10. The method of pouring water into the kettle containing the top fill system according to any one of paragraphs. 1-9, characterized in that water is added to the kettle without opening the lid by pressing the button on the handle of the kettle once to open the filling hole in the lid. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that a lever mechanism is used, which is configured to shift the movable part of the shutter away from the opening for pouring water when the shutter is moved to the open position and fixes this part in a displaced position; and when the shutter is moved to the closed position, the movable part of the shutter is disengaged and returns to its original position above the filler hole.

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