Dual-Mode Heat Source Control for Heating and Hot Water Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source devices fail to achieve a balanced operation between hot water supply and heating using a single heating unit, leading to discomfort due to temperature fluctuations in rooms where multiple users are present.
Innovation Solution
A heat source device with a heat medium circulation passage, a heat medium heating unit, a hot water supply bypass passage, and a control unit that switches between circulation modes to prioritize heating or hot water supply based on user requests, and includes a hot water supply stop alarm to urge users to stop using hot water when heating is continuously requested, ensuring balanced operation and maintaining room temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single heating unit is used for both hot water supply and heating, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to balance hot water supply and heating operations simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between first circulation mode (prioritizing heating) and second circulation mode (prioritizing hot water supply) based on operational conditions. The circulation mode switching unit enables the heat medium circulation passage to adapt its configuration in real-time, allowing a single heating unit to effectively serve dual purposes without constant conflict between functions
Solution Approach 2:
The heat medium circulation passage is segmented into multiple pathways with a bypass passage that allows heat medium to flow through different routes. By introducing a circulation mode switching unit that can direct heat medium through either the heating circuit or the hot water supply circuit, the system divides the single heating unit's output into separate functional pathways, enabling independent control of heating and hot water supply operations
2Duration of action of moving object
If hot water supply continues for a long time while heating is requested, then hot water supply function is maintained, but room temperature decreases causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors operational status and detects when heating is requested during hot water supply. Based on this feedback, the system activates the hot water supply stop alarm unit to notify users to reduce hot water usage, and switches to first circulation mode to prioritize heating, thereby preventing excessive room temperature drop while maintaining hot water supply functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by switching to first circulation mode and activating the alarm before room temperature drops to uncomfortable levels. This preventive approach ensures that heating requirements are addressed proactively during prolonged hot water supply operations, avoiding the harmful effect of excessive temperature drop
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 device effectively balances hot water supply and heating operations, preventing temperature drops and discomfort by alerting users to stop hot water usage when heating is prioritized, thus restoring room temperature efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a hot water supply heat exchanger which is connected on a way of the hot water supply bypass passage and the hot water supply passage and which heats water flowing through the hot water supply passage by heat exchange between a heat medium flowing through the hot water supply bypass passage and water flowing through the hot water supply passage
Implementation Method 2
a heat medium heating unit which is provided on a way of the heat medium circulation passage and which heats a heat medium that circulates in the heat medium circulation passage
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a heat source device including a control unit (51) which, in response to a predetermined request for heating, sets switching valve (21) to first circulation mode to communicate port (21a) and (21c), whereas to cut off communication between port (21b) and (21c), and performs heating operation by actuating burner (11) and circulation pump (22). In response to a predetermined request for hot water supply, the control unit (51) sets the switching valve (21) to second circulation mode to communicate ports (21b) and (21c), whereas to cut off communication between ports (21a) and (21c), and performs hot water supply operation, by actuating burner (11) and circulation pump (22). A hot water supply stop alarm unit (52) issues a hot water supply stop alarm that urges a user to stop using hot water when the request for heating is continued for a first predetermined time or more.