Water Heater Temperature Setting Using Ambient and Usage Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heaters lack the ability to automatically adjust water temperature settings in response to ambient temperature changes and user hot water demand, leading to inefficiencies in energy usage and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that adjust water temperature settings based on the temperature difference between consecutive days and the amount of hot water used, using a temperature sensor to determine variations and calculate new settings to optimize energy savings and user satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the water heater uses a fixed default temperature setting, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but energy waste increases when ambient temperature changes or user demand varies
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater automatically adjusts its temperature setting based on ambient temperature data and user consumption patterns without requiring manual intervention. The system collects historical data, analyzes usage behaviors, and autonomously optimizes the temperature setting, making the device self-adjusting and eliminating energy waste while maintaining low operational complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring ambient temperature changes and user hot water consumption patterns. Based on this feedback, the water heater dynamically adjusts the temperature setting to match actual demand, ensuring energy efficiency while adapting to seasonal variations and individual user preferences.
2Ease of operation
If the water heater maintains a high default temperature to satisfy user comfort, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater transitions from a static fixed temperature setting to a dynamic adaptive setting. The temperature is no longer constant but changes dynamically based on real-time ambient temperature conditions and historical user consumption patterns, allowing the system to maintain comfort only when necessary and reduce energy consumption during periods of low demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter automatically based on detected patterns in ambient temperature variations and user hot water usage. By analyzing historical data, the system identifies optimal temperature settings for different conditions, adjusting the parameter to balance user comfort requirements with energy conservation goals.
3Device complexity
If the water heater requires manual temperature adjustment by the user, then the device complexity remains low, but loss of time increases due to frequent user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater performs self-adjustment of temperature settings by automatically collecting ambient temperature data, analyzing user consumption patterns, and modifying its operating parameters without user intervention. This eliminates the time users would spend manually adjusting the temperature while keeping the control system relatively simple through automated decision-making algorithms.
4Ease of manufacture
If the water heater uses simple default temperature setting, then ease of manufacture is high, but adaptability decreases when seasonal variations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a feedback-based adaptation mechanism that monitors ambient temperature variations and user consumption patterns over time. This allows the water heater to automatically adapt to seasonal changes and local climate conditions without requiring complex manual configuration, maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving adaptability through data-driven automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The water heater autonomously adapts to environmental changes by collecting and analyzing ambient temperature data and user usage patterns. The system self-configures its temperature settings based on detected patterns, eliminating the need for complex pre-programming or manual setup while achieving high adaptability to seasonal and climatic variations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for setting water temperature for a water heater includes the following steps: acquiring an ambient temperature of a current day and an ambient temperature of a previous day, and/or acquiring the amount of hot water used by a user on the previous day; determining a first variation in the water temperature setting of the water heater according to a temperature difference value between the ambient temperature of the current day and the ambient temperature of the previous day, and/or determining a second variation in the water temperature setting of the water heater according to the amount of hot water used by the user on the previous day; and calculating the water temperature setting of the water heater for the current day on the basis of the first variation and/or the second variation as well as the water temperature setting of the water heater for the previous day.