Hot Water Diverter Module for Returning Unheated Supply Water
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional residential water systems waste significant amounts of unheated water as it is discarded down the drain while waiting for hot water to reach faucets or showerheads, with existing conservation methods being inefficient and requiring extra effort from users.
Innovation Solution
A water conservation system that includes a diverter module to redirect unheated water back to the hot water tank when the water temperature is below a specified level, using a bi-radial cantilever spring mechanism and connecting rods to control fluid paths between the hot and cold water supply lines, and a return module with a pump to actively return this water to the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unheated water is discarded down the drain to ensure hot water availability, then hot water supply reliability is improved, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers unheated water that would otherwise be discarded down the drain by capturing it through the diverter module and returning it to the hot water tank via the return module, thereby converting waste water into a reusable resource while maintaining hot water supply reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensing to detect when unheated water is present in the hot water supply line and automatically activates the diverter module to redirect this water back to the tank, creating a closed-loop feedback system that prevents water waste while ensuring hot water availability
2Loss of substance
If users collect wasted water in buckets for later use, then water conservation is improved, but user effort and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs water conservation automatically without requiring user intervention - the diverter module and return module self-activate based on temperature sensing, and the pump automatically returns water to the tank, eliminating the need for users to manually collect and store waste water
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the manual mechanical action of carrying buckets with an automated pump system that electronically controls water redirection and return, substituting user physical effort with automated mechanical and electronic components
3Temperature
If users run water continuously to maintain hot water temperature at faucets, then hot water temperature stability is improved, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensing mechanism continuously monitors the hot water supply line and automatically activates the diverter module when unheated water is detected, creating a feedback loop that maintains temperature stability without requiring continuous water flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous hot water availability by immediately redirecting unheated water back to the tank for reheating, ensuring that hot water supply continues without interruption while eliminating the need to run water continuously
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
Effectively conserves unheated water by returning it to the hot water tank without requiring user intervention, reducing overall water waste and maintaining a consistent hot water supply.
Implementation Method 1
a bi-radial cantilever spring rotatably attached to a spring pivot pin
Implementation Method 2
a return module connected to the cold water supply line, the return module adapted to return water to the hot water tank
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a water conservation system for conserving water supplied by a hot water tank, the system functioning to selectively open a diverter fluid path extending between a hot water supply line and a cold water supply line, and operating a return module to return unheated water in the hot water supply line back to the hot water tank using the cold water supply line until the water in the hot water supply line flows hot.