Device with electrically heated heat storage for hot water production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for heating water in buildings using solar energy and electrical energy from the mains require complex control and protection devices, and existing solutions are not easily adaptable to existing systems or efficient in energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
A device that connects solar energy from low-voltage solar cells directly to heating elements via low-voltage lines, allowing a hot water tank to be supplemented with 230 V AC power, using a minimal setup with a surge protector and controlled by a thermostat, and incorporates a Peltier element for enhanced energy yield, with a non-return valve for continuous water circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If solar energy is supplied directly to heating elements via low-voltage lines, then material costs and energy losses are reduced, but electrical separation and safety protection become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a surge protection device as an intermediary component between the solar cell device and the heating element. This device limits the DC voltage to safe levels (90V to 110V) while allowing direct low-voltage connection, thus reducing energy losses in supply lines while maintaining electrical safety through active voltage limiting and protection mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a surge protection device limits DC voltage to 90V to 110V, then safety is improved, but additional electrical devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The surge protection device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it limits DC voltage to safe levels, protects against overvoltage conditions, and enables direct low-voltage connection between solar cells and heating elements. By consolidating these functions into a single device, the patent minimizes the number of additional electrical components required while ensuring comprehensive safety protection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If two hot water storage tanks are used with electrical separation, then solar energy utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hot water storage system into two separate tanks: a first hot water storage tank connected directly to solar cell devices for solar heating, and a second hot water storage tank connected to the AC mains for supplementary heating. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each tank's heating source while maintaining simple electrical separation, thus improving solar energy utilization without requiring complex integrated control systems.
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 solution simplifies the integration of solar energy with existing systems, reduces material and energy losses, and ensures efficient heating with minimal electrical devices, achieving effective and efficient water heating by leveraging solar and mains energy simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
solar energy supplied by solar cells from units with low electrical operating voltage
Implementation Method 2
heating element supplied by a solar cell device with direct current at a low voltage
Implementation Method 3
incorporates a Peltier element for enhanced energy yield
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device with a, for heating water in buildings, with a heat accumulator (1) which is formed by at least one heated hot water accumulator (2 or 12) or a heat accumulator body (4) or a hot water pipe register (14) which is supplied with electrical energy, with direct current from a Solar cell device (6) of low voltage is fed directly or from an electrochemical intermediate storage with at least one electric heating element (3) and/or an electric heater (5) and with mains current with at least one electric heating element (9), the heat accumulator (1) as a Hot water tank (2) or heat storage body (4) or hot water pipe register (14) is connected upstream of the hot water tank (12) of the hot water heating device or the hot water tank (2) is provided directly and is directly heated with the low-voltage solar cell device (6) and then this or the hot water tank (12) with at least one electric heating element (9 ) is heated to the final temperature with mains power.