Water-conducting electric device and method for operating a water-conducting electric device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-bearing electrical devices face challenges in integrating electrochemical cells for in-situ bleach generation due to space constraints and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A water-bearing electrical device with an electrochemical cell that serves as both a bleaching agent generator and a heating element, utilizing DC and AC voltage to produce hydrogen peroxide and heat, respectively, while minimizing space and costs through a control unit and circulation system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional heating elements are used in water heaters, then heating function is provided, but scale deposits on the heating element reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a traditional heating element and relocates it to the tank wall. The heating element is removed from the water contact environment, eliminating the scale deposition problem while maintaining the heating function through electric heating traces integrated into the tank wall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall serves as an intermediary medium between the heating element and the water. Instead of direct contact between the heating element and water, the heating trace is embedded in the tank wall which then transfers heat to the water, preventing scale accumulation on the heating surface.
2Reliability
If anode rods are used for corrosion protection, then tank corrosion is prevented, but anode rod replacement is required maintaining complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The heating trace system provides self-protective functionality by using its heat generation capability to prevent corrosion. The heating trace creates a protective environment that reduces condensation and moisture accumulation, thereby protecting the tank without requiring separate sacrificial anode rods or their replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the heating function with the corrosion protection function into a single integrated system. The heating trace embedded in the tank wall simultaneously provides thermal energy and creates conditions that prevent corrosion, eliminating the need for separate anode rod systems.
3Power
If heating elements are exposed to water, then heating is efficient, but calcium carbonate scale accumulates on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the water-contacting component and relocated to the tank wall. This removes the heating element from the environment where scale forms, allowing efficient heating to continue without scale accumulation on the heating surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall region containing the heating trace has specialized properties - it is electrically conductive for heating while being structurally integrated into the tank. This localized functional differentiation allows heating without direct water contact, preventing scale deposition at the heating zone.
4Power
If tank wall conductivity is increased for heating, then heating efficiency improves, but corrosion resistance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The tank wall is given localized electrical conductivity only in the regions where heating traces are embedded, while maintaining its overall corrosion-resistant properties. The conductive heating traces are surface-level or shallowly embedded features that do not compromise the bulk material's corrosion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall structure incorporates composite construction with conductive heating elements integrated into a corrosion-resistant base material. This composite structure allows simultaneous achievement of electrical conductivity for heating and corrosion resistance through the layered or integrated material design.
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 electrochemical cell efficiently generates bleach and heats fluid, reducing the need for separate components, saving space and costs, and allowing for adaptable power usage with smart grid integration.
Implementation Method 1
a heating trace (20) arranged on an inner side of the tank wall (12) and configured to generate heat when electrical current is supplied to the heating trace (20)
Implementation Method 2
heating trace (20) arranged on an inner side of the tank wall (12) and configured to generate heat when electrical current is supplied to the heating trace (20), wherein the heating trace (20) is arranged in a region overlapping with the insulation layer (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a water-conducting electric device comprising a water-receiving element (1); an electrochemical cell (3) which comprises electrodes and is designed to generate a bleaching agent when the electrochemical cell contains a salt-containing solution and when a direct voltage is applied to the electrodes; a pump which is designed to convey fluid located in the electrochemical cell (3) out of the electrochemical cell (3) and into the water-receiving element (1); and a control unit (18) which is configured to selectively apply a direct voltage as well as an alternating voltage to the electrodes of the electrochemical cell (3). The invention additionally relates to a method for operating the water-conducting electric device, having the following steps: a) supplying the salt-containing solution to the electrochemical cell (3); b) applying a direct voltage to the electrodes of the electrochemical cell (3) for a specified duration following step a) in order to generate the bleaching agent in the electrochemical cell (3); c) applying an alternating voltage to the electrodes of the electrochemical cell (3) for a specified duration following step b) in order to heat fluid located in the electrochemical cell (3); and d) conveying the fluid out of the electrochemical cell (3) and into the water-receiving element (1).