Hot Water Riser Pipeline Design for Temperature Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot water dispensers suffer from the issue of residual water cooling down in the pipeline between the boiler and the tap, resulting in mixed water temperatures that do not meet the desired high temperature for hot beverages.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a water storage container with a heating element, a tap positioned above the container, and a pipeline with a pump that forms a riser within or through the water storage container, ensuring that water in the pipeline remains warm and hot water is delivered quickly without pre-removal of residual water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the heating element is spaced apart from the tap and positioned in a water storage container, then a larger amount of water can be heated, but residual water in the pipeline cools down to room temperature and mixes with hot water, resulting in undesired temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of water heatedVSAvoidtemperature of delivered water
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pipeline is pre-filled with hot water from the storage container before the user requests hot water. This preliminary action ensures that when the user opens the tap, the first water to flow is already hot, eliminating the temperature problem caused by residual cool water in the pipeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pipeline is configured to extend vertically upward from the storage container, creating a hot water column that rises to the tap location. This vertical dimension allows hot water to be delivered directly to the tap without mixing with cool residual water, solving the temperature issue while maintaining the ability to heat large quantities of water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If a drain is added to remove residual water from the pipeline, then hot water temperature is maintained, but the device complexity increases and water is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of delivered waterVSAvoidcomplexity of water delivery system
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the pump and pipeline configuration to automatically deliver hot water to the tap without requiring a separate drain mechanism. The pump pushes hot water through the pipeline, and the vertical riser configuration ensures hot water reaches the tap first, eliminating the need for additional draining components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pump serves multiple functions: it draws water from the storage container, pushes water through the vertical pipeline to pre-fill it with hot water, and delivers hot water to the tap when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drain mechanisms while maintaining temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If the pipeline is configured as a vertical riser within the water storage container, then hot water is delivered quickly to the tap, but the pump requires higher pressure to overcome gravity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of hot water deliveryVSAvoidpressure required by pump
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is positioned at the bottom of the storage container where water pressure is highest due to the weight of water above it. This positioning allows the pump to take advantage of the existing hydrostatic pressure, reducing the additional pressure it needs to generate while still achieving high delivery speed through the vertical riser.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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

This solution maintains the temperature of water in the pipeline, ensuring that users receive hot water quickly and at a higher temperature than traditional systems, without the need to drain residual water beforehand.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element for heating water positioned within the water storage container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

The pipeline comprises a pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP4081079B1Apparatus for providing hot water
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 BRITA GMBH
  • EP4081079B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4081079B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4081079B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus (1) for providing hot water (12), wherein the apparatus (1) comprises: • a water storage container (10); • a heating element (14) for heating water (12) positioned within the water storage container (10); and • a tap (24), wherein the tap (24) is positioned above the water storage container (10), wherein the tap (24) is fluidically connected to the water storage container (10) via a pipeline (26), wherein the pipeline (26) comprises a pump (30), characterized in that the pipeline (26) is at least partly formed as a riser (28) within or through the water storage container (10).