An electric shower
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric shower heat recovery systems are inefficient due to bulky and complex heat exchange components, high thermal mass leading to slow warm-up, low flow rates through heat exchangers, and lack of user-friendly control systems, resulting in unstable shower temperatures and high installation costs.
Innovation Solution
A low-pressure, thin-sheet heat exchanger with a single pass design secured at the edges, integrated with an electronic control system and pump for optimized water flow and pressure, allowing all water to pass through the heat exchanger, and an insulating floor plate for easy cleaning and drying, along with a digital control system for precise temperature control and energy monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional heat exchange components are used, then heat recovery is achieved, but the components are bulky and have high thermal mass resulting in extended warm up period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin-sheet heat exchanger components (plates of 0.5mm to 3mm thickness) instead of bulky traditional heat exchange components. These thin sheets have low thermal mass enabling rapid heating, while maintaining sufficient heat transfer surface area through optimized geometry and arrangement between the cold water supply and waste water flow.
2Loss of energy
If traditional heat exchange components are used, then heat recovery is achieved, but the components are complex and use significant raw materials resulting in high installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple separate thin-sheet plates arranged in a sequence, with alternating plates handling hot and cold water flows. This segmentation allows each plate to be simple in design while collectively providing efficient heat recovery, and enables modular assembly reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-sheet plates serve multiple functions: they act as heat transfer surfaces, structural separators between hot and cold water channels, and support elements for the overall assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the system and reducing material usage.
3Weight of stationary object
If heat exchange surface is made thinner, then material cost and thermal inertia are reduced, but the structural integrity and pressure resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The thin-sheet plates incorporate localized reinforcement features such as ribs, corrugations, or strengthened edge sections only where structurally necessary to withstand water pressure, while maintaining thin gauge material in the primary heat transfer areas. This optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio and reduces overall thermal mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchanger plates utilize composite construction combining thin metal sheets with supporting frameworks or bonding to insulating materials, providing adequate pressure resistance through the composite structure rather than requiring uniformly thick material throughout, thus reducing thermal inertia while maintaining strength.
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
This configuration enhances heat transfer efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and provides a user-friendly, cost-effective solution with stable shower temperatures and easy maintenance, suitable for both high and low water pressure systems, while minimizing material usage and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the water being discharged from the shower head serves to effect an improved degree of preheating of the cold water supply before it reaches the heater
Implementation Method 2
The heat exchange components are bulky and have a relatively high thermal mass. Consequently there is an extended warm up period where energy is absorbed before efficient heat transfer is established. This heat is then lost to the environment at the end of the shower period.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electric shower that has a heat recovery system (heat exchanger) that is an integral part of a shower base and enclosure. The heat recovery is facilitated by a full flow, low pressure, thin lightweight heat exchanger that forms the shower tray.