Cold water discharge apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold water discharge apparatuses face challenges in ensuring sufficient discharge rates for both hot and cold water while maintaining a compact size, due to the narrow diameter of discharge flow channels caused by temperature-sensitive valves.
Innovation Solution
A cold water discharge apparatus with a temperature-sensitive first switching valve and a diaphragm-type second switching valve that allows for constant opening of the discharge flow channel for hot water, closure during cold water flow, and residual water discharge, ensuring appropriate flow rates without increasing the apparatus' size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a temperature-sensitive valve is provided along the pipe axis direction to prevent size increase, then the apparatus size is controlled, but the discharge flow channel diameter becomes narrow reducing discharge flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the temperature-sensitive valve from the pipe axis direction to the radial direction. The valve body extends radially from the center of the discharge flow channel, allowing the valve to control flow without constricting the channel diameter along the pipe axis. This dimensional reorientation resolves the contradiction by maintaining adequate flow channel dimensions while enabling temperature-based flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the valve structure into distinct functional segments: a valve body extending radially, a valve element positioned within the discharge flow channel, and a temperature-sensitive element separate from the flow path. This segmentation allows the valve mechanism to control flow direction without the entire valve assembly occupying the flow channel space, thereby maintaining adequate discharge flow rate while enabling compact temperature-based switching.
2Length of stationary object
If the discharge flow channel is configured narrow to accommodate the temperature-sensitive valve, then the apparatus remains compact, but sufficient discharge flow rate cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is oriented radially rather than axially, extending from the center of the discharge flow channel toward the outer periphery in the radial direction. This allows the valve mechanism to operate in the radial dimension while the discharge flow channel maintains its full diameter in the axial direction, ensuring sufficient discharge flow rate without compromising apparatus compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is positioned locally within the discharge flow channel at a specific radial position, rather than constricting the entire channel. This localized control mechanism allows the channel to maintain adequate diameter for sufficient flow rate while the valve element provides precise flow control only where needed for temperature-based switching.
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 ensures wide discharge flow channels for hot and cold water, maintaining efficient discharge rates while preventing the apparatus from expanding, thus addressing the size and flow rate limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature-sensitive first switching valve body is provided at a branching section of the discharge flow channel and the cold water discharge flow channel
Implementation Method 2
The diaphragm is biased by a spring force in a direction to close the discharge flow channel
Implementation Method 3
In the hot water discharge mode, the discharge flow channel opens due to the pressure caused by flow of hot water through the discharge flow channel
Implementation Method 4
In the cold water discharge mode, the discharge flow channel closes due to the pressure caused by flow of cold water through the cold water discharge flow channel
Implementation Method 5
the discharge flow channel opens by being subjected to the pressure due to the gravity drop from the residual water on the downstream side of the outlet port
Data Source
AI summary
A cold water discharge apparatus, for discharging water from an outlet port when feed water is hot and from a cold water discharge port when the feed water is cold, includes a temperature-sensitive first switching valve body and a diaphragm-type second switching valve body. The first switching valve body is configured to open/close a cold water discharge flow channel depending on temperature. The second switching valve body is configured to open a discharge flow channel due to the pressure caused by the flow of hot water through the discharge flow channel. The second switching valve body is configured to close the discharge flow channel due to the pressure caused by the flow of the cold water through the cold water discharge flow channel. The second switching valve body is configured to discharge residual water from the cold water discharge flow channel after stopping water has cooled down.