Electronic Mixing Valve Integration for Compact Heat Pump Water Heaters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large water heater appliances with mixing valves occupy significant space, making them impractical and expensive for buildings with limited space, despite the need for large volumes of heated water.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump water heater appliance with an electronic mixing valve that integrates the heated water conduit, cold water conduit, and mixed water conduit coaxially, and a plunger system controlled by a motor to adjust the water temperature, reducing the overall space occupied by the mixing valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large tank is used to provide large volumes of heated water, then the volume of heated water available is increased, but the space occupied by the water heater appliance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the mixing valve assembly inside the water heater tank structure. The mixing valve body is positioned within the tank, and conduits are routed through the tank wall, allowing the mixing function to be nested within the existing tank space rather than requiring separate external space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mixing valve assembly with the water heater tank into a single integrated unit. The mixing valve body, plunger mechanism, and conduit system are merged with the tank structure, allowing both heating and mixing functions to occupy the same space efficiently.
2Quantity of substance
If a mixing valve is added to provide large volumes of heated water from small tanks, then the volume of heated water available is increased, but the space occupied by the mixing valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing valve assembly is nested within the water heater tank structure. The mixing valve body is positioned inside the tank, and the plunger mechanism is contained within the valve body, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes the space required for the mixing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space within the tank by positioning the mixing valve body and plunger mechanism in the vertical dimension. The outlet conduit extends upward from the mixing chamber, allowing the mixing assembly to occupy vertical space rather than horizontal space, thereby reducing the footprint of the water heater appliance.
3Volume of stationary object
If the mixing valve is integrated within the water heater appliance, then the space occupied by the appliance is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water heater tank structure serves multiple functions: it contains the heated water, provides structural support, and houses the mixing valve assembly. The tank wall serves as both the containment boundary and the mounting surface for the mixing valve, reducing the need for separate structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve assembly is designed as a segmented, modular unit that can be manufactured separately and then installed within the water heater tank. The valve body, plunger mechanism, and conduit connections are distinct components that can be assembled in place, simplifying the manufacturing and installation process despite the integrated 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 solution allows for efficient use of space by integrating the mixing valve components within the heat pump water heater, enabling the provision of large volumes of heated water without the need for large tanks, thus addressing the space and cost constraints of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
A sealed system is configured for heating water within the tank. The sealed system has a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator. The condenser is positioned at the tank.
Implementation Method 2
The compressor is operable to provide compressed refrigerant to the condenser
Implementation Method 3
The electronic mixing valve mixes such high temperature water with relatively cool water in order to bring the temperature of such water down to suitable and/or more usable temperatures.
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump water heater appliance includes an electronic mixing valve. The electronic mixing valve is positioned within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. A mixed water conduit and a heated water conduit of the electronic mixing valve may be positioned coaxially with each other, and a cold water conduit of the electronic mixing valve may be oriented such that the cold water conduit extends orthogonal to the heated water conduit and the mixed water conduit. A plunger is positioned within the valve body at the mixing chamber of the valve body. A motor is coupled to the plunger, the motor being operable to adjust a position of a head of the plunger within the valve body.