Bath Thermostat Rim Ventilation for Burn and Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bath thermostats pose a risk of burns from hot edges and condensation/icing issues due to exposure to ambient air, as the bath edge becomes hot at high temperatures and experiences humidity condensation or ice formation at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A bath thermostat with a circulation device and ventilation system, where the liquid is circulated and an air flow is provided over the bath edge using a fan, with adjustable speeds for the circulation and fan drives to manage temperature and prevent burns and condensation/icing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bath rim is exposed to ambient air for user accessibility, then user access to the bath is improved, but the bath rim becomes hot at high temperatures causing burn risk and experiences condensation or ice formation at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
A ventilation device with a fan is introduced as an intermediary between the bath rim and ambient air. The fan directs air flow over the bath rim to actively manage temperature and prevent harmful effects while maintaining user accessibility. This mediator component enables the system to achieve both user access and protection from thermal hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation device changes the parameters of air flow (velocity, direction, temperature) over the bath rim dynamically. By adjusting fan speed and air flow characteristics, the system adapts to different operating conditions (high temperature vs. low temperature) to prevent both burns and condensation/icing while preserving user access to the bath.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the circulation device operates at high speed to improve temperature distribution, then temperature homogeneity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation device operates with variable speed rather than at a fixed high speed. The system dynamically adjusts the circulation speed based on actual temperature distribution needs, maintaining sufficient temperature homogeneity while minimizing energy consumption. This dynamic operation allows the circulation device to adapt its power consumption to the actual thermal requirements of the bath system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control logic that monitor temperature distribution and adjust circulation device speed accordingly. When temperature homogeneity is achieved or when the ventilation device sufficiently manages rim temperature, the circulation speed is reduced, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining adequate temperature distribution through feedback-controlled adjustment.
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
The solution effectively reduces the risk of burns and condensation/icing on the bath edge by controlling the air flow and temperature distribution, providing a safer and more efficient temperature control method.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation device for circulating the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a ventilation device for providing an air flow over the bath rim of the bath container, wherein the ventilation device has a fan with a fan drive
Implementation Method 3
an evaporator arranged in the bath container for removing heat from the liquid in the bath container
Implementation Method 4
a condenser arranged in the housing for allowing heat given up by the refrigerant to pass into the environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Bath thermostat (1) comprising a bath container (3) for receiving a liquid (5), wherein the bath container (3) has a bath rim (7) in an upper region, a circulation device for circulating the liquid (5), wherein the circulation device has a circulation device drive (21), and a ventilation device for providing an airflow over the bath rim (7) of the bath container (3), wherein the ventilation device has a fan (31) with a fan drive (33).