Hot water generation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The connection of a crossover pipe to a screw-in pipe joint in a hot water generator can lead to loosening of the joint, resulting in water leakage due to the force applied during fastening, which affects the stability of the connection.
Innovation Solution
A hot water generator with a housing that includes a non-circular connection joint, such as a hexagonal shape, and a loosening prevention unit at the joint insertion hole, along with an anti-loosening member and fastening members to secure the connection joint to the housing, preventing loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a heat pump water heater is used to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but the heating capacity is insufficient in low ambient temperature environments
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two independent heating sources: a heat pump unit and a backup heating unit. Each unit operates independently or in combination based on ambient temperature conditions, allowing the system to maintain high energy efficiency in moderate temperatures while ensuring sufficient heating capacity in low temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the operating parameters (power output, temperature settings) of the heat pump and backup heater based on ambient temperature detection. In low temperature conditions, the backup heater activates to supplement or replace the heat pump, changing the system's thermal output parameters to maintain reliability.
2Reliability
If the storage tank capacity is increased to improve hot water supply stability, then continuous hot water availability is enhanced, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The dual heating system ensures continuous hot water supply by maintaining active heating capability through both the heat pump and backup heater. This continuous heating action stabilizes the water temperature and ensures uninterrupted hot water availability without requiring excessive storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the heating power output based on real-time temperature sensor feedback and user demand patterns. This dynamic control allows the tank to maintain optimal water levels and temperature stability with a smaller capacity, as the heating rate adapts to match consumption rates rather than relying on large static storage.
3Power
If the heat pump power is increased to improve heating capacity, then hot water generation is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented between a high-efficiency heat pump (for moderate heating demands) and a high-power backup heater (for peak heating demands). This segmentation allows the system to achieve high heating capacity when needed without continuously operating at high power consumption, as the heat pump handles baseline heating efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup heater provides excessive heating capacity relative to normal needs, but only operates partially or intermittently when ambient temperature is low or hot water demand is high. This partial action ensures sufficient power output when required while minimizing overall energy consumption during normal operating conditions.
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 ensures secure connection of the crossover pipe without loosening the screw-in pipe joint, preventing water leakage and maintaining the integrity of the system.
Implementation Method 1
a heat pump water heater comprising a heat generating unit which generates heat using a refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a backup heating unit which generates heat in association with a power source
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a hot water generator that can be connected to a crossover pipe for supplying hot water, extending to a hot water supply place, without loosening a screw-in pipe joint of a circulation pump and inducing leakage caused from the loosing of the screw-in pipe joint of the circulation pump, a hot water generator (1) includes a housing (51) that has a joint insertion hole (77), a pump (36) that includes a pump-inlet pipe joint (72) and a pump-outlet pipe joint (73), and a hot-water pipe connection joint (48) that is fixed to the pump-outlet pipe joint (73) and protrudes to an outside of the housing (51) through the joint insertion hole (77), and is connectable to a hot water pipe (47) outside the housing (51), which sends hot water to a hot water supply place.