Hot water returning system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water returning systems experience temperature deviations and abrupt changes when the operational state of the pump changes during use, leading to uncomfortable user experiences and inefficient preheating.
Innovation Solution
A hot water returning system that includes a processor to determine the need for preheating and control the pump based on the status of hot water usage and temperature, using a temperature acquirer and flow rate acquirer to manage the preheating process, ensuring the pump's operational state is maintained during use and adjusted accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the pump operational state is changed to optimize preheating, then energy efficiency is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors water temperature through temperature sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust pump operation. When temperature deviations are detected, the controller modifies pump speed or on/off timing to restore temperature stability, creating a closed-loop control system that balances energy efficiency with temperature consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operational state is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt pump speed and operation timing based on real-time temperature conditions and hot water demand patterns. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize preheating efficiency while maintaining temperature stability through continuous adaptation
2Productivity
If preheating is continuously performed, then hot water availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous preheating, the system implements periodic preheating cycles based on predicted hot water demand patterns and historical usage data. The pump operates intermittently to maintain sufficient hot water reserves in the tank, reducing energy consumption while ensuring hot water availability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary preheating actions in advance of predicted hot water demand based on usage patterns and scheduling information. By proactively heating water before it is needed, the system ensures hot water availability without requiring continuous pumping, thereby reducing overall energy consumption
3Device complexity
If temperature-based preheating control is used, then preheating simplicity is improved, but temperature deviation during use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature feedback from sensors positioned at strategic points in the hot water system to continuously monitor actual water temperature. This feedback is fed to the controller which adjusts pump operation and preheating timing to compensate for temperature deviations, maintaining temperature consistency while building upon the simple temperature-based control foundation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple mechanical temperature-based switches with an electronic control system that processes temperature sensor signals and dynamically adjusts pump operation. This electronic substitution enables more precise temperature management and reduced temperature deviations while maintaining relative simplicity through programmable logic
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 system reduces temperature deviations and maintains a consistent hot water supply, preventing abrupt temperature changes and optimizing preheating by dynamically controlling the pump based on usage and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pump disposed in any one of an inner line in the hot water generator, the hot water line, and the water returning line and which pumps the hot water for returning of the hot water
Implementation Method 2
a burner that performs a combustion reaction by using fuels and oxygen to generate a large amount of heat and provides the heat to water through a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
provides the heat to water through a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
the processor is configured to determine a need for preheating corresponding to whether it is necessary to preheat the hot water and a status for use of hot water corresponding to whether the hot water is supplied to a source of demand, and control the pump based on the need for preheating and the status for use of hot water
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water returning system according to the present disclosure includes a hot water generator that generates hot water, a hot water line that supplies the hot water to a source of demand, a water returning line that returns the hot water to the hot water generator for preheating the hot water in the hot water line, a pump which pumps the hot water for returning of the hot water, and a processor electrically connected to the pump, and the processor is configured to determine a need for preheating corresponding to whether it is necessary to preheat the hot water and a status for use of hot water corresponding to whether the hot water is supplied to a source of demand, and control the pump based on the need for preheating and the status for use of hot water.