Hot Water Circulation Flow Learning for Faucet Use Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems with immediate hot water supply functions face accuracy issues in detecting the use of a hot water supply faucet, particularly when the circulation flow path changes over time, especially with configurations involving a crossover valve.
Innovation Solution
A water heating apparatus and system that form an immediate hot water supply circulation path through both an inner and outer path, using a flow rate detector and controller to learn and adapt flow rate values, thereby improving detection accuracy by deactivating the circulation pump when a predetermined flow rate is exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circulation path is formed by connection of a crossover valve for immediate hot water supply, then the immediate hot water supply function is achieved with simplified attachment works, but the flow rate in the circulation path changes over time causing lowered accuracy in detection of hot water supply faucet use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary learning of the flow rate characteristics during an immediate hot water supply operation mode before normal operation. The controller stores the detected circulation flow rate as learning data, establishing a baseline for future comparison to detect faucet usage accurately despite circulation path changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the circulation flow rate and compares it against the learned baseline value. When the flow rate exceeds the learned value by a predetermined threshold, the controller determines that a hot water supply faucet is in use, providing feedback-based detection that adapts to circulation path variations
2Device complexity
If a single flow rate sensor is used to detect both circulation flow rate and hot water output flow rate, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for detecting hot water supply faucet use is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the circulation flow rate as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect hot water supply faucet usage. Instead of directly measuring hot water output flow rate, the system monitors changes in circulation flow rate caused by faucet opening, providing accurate detection with a single sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The single flow rate sensor serves multiple functions: measuring circulation flow rate during immediate hot water supply operation, detecting hot water supply faucet usage through flow rate changes, and providing data for learning baseline circulation characteristics. This multi-functional use reduces device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
In an immediate hot water supply operation mode in which a circulation pump is activated while a hot water supply faucet is closed, a water heating apparatus forms an immediate hot water supply circulation path by an inner path including a water entry path, a heat exchanger, and a hot water output path and an outer path bypassing the hot water supply faucet, as being combined. A controller stores as an actual flow rate value for each immediate hot water supply operation mode, a flow rate detection value by a flow rate sensor at predetermined timing, and calculates a flow rate learning value based on a plurality of stored actual flow rate values. When the flow rate detection value becomes larger than a criterion value set in accordance with the flow rate learning value, use of the hot water supply faucet is detected and the circulation pump is deactivated.