Hot water supply device, control method for same, and water treatment device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot water supply systems face challenges in efficiently reducing heating time and maintaining desired water temperatures, leading to customer dissatisfaction and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a built-in heating unit to pre-heat and store reserve water at a first temperature, which is then heated to a target temperature for dispensing, using a control unit and flow switching mechanism to optimize water flow and heating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the flow rate of purified water is reduced to increase heating temperature in an instantaneous heating module, then the heating temperature is improved, but the output amount of hot water decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating purified water to a first pre-heating temperature (e.g., 40-60°C) before it enters the instantaneous heating module. This pre-heating process reduces the temperature differential that the main heater must overcome, allowing the system to maintain higher flow rates while achieving the desired target temperature (e.g., 90°C or higher). The pre-heated water is stored in a tank and used on-demand, eliminating the need to reduce flow rate for temperature control.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a separate pre-heater is added to pre-heat water before the instantaneous heating module, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-heating function with the existing instantaneous heating module by using the same heating element for both pre-heating and final heating. The system uses a single heating unit that operates in different modes: first heating water to a pre-heating temperature and storing it, then heating the pre-heated water to the target temperature when hot water is requested. This eliminates the need for a separate pre-heater device while maintaining heating efficiency.
3Productivity
If the power for heating is increased to provide abundant hot water, then the hot water output is improved, but the electricity consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action by heating purified water to a first pre-heating temperature and storing it in advance. When hot water is dispensed, the stored pre-heated water is used, which significantly reduces the heating time and energy required in the instantaneous heating module. This approach allows the system to provide abundant hot water with lower power consumption, as the majority of the heating work was done during the pre-heating phase.
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 approach reduces heating time, increases hot water output, and enhances user satisfaction by maintaining consistent water temperatures, while also improving power efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit into which purified water that has been filtered in the water purification filter flows, and which generates pre-heated water by heating the purified water to a first pre-heating temperature
Implementation Method 2
generates hot water by heating the purified water or reserve water, which is stored pre-heated water, to a target temperature that is higher than the first pre-heating temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water supply device includes: a water purification filter which purifies raw water; a heating unit into which purified water that has been filtered in the water purification filter flows, and which generates pre-heated water by heating the purified water to a first pre-heating temperature, or generates hot water by heating the purified water or reserve water, which is stored pre-heated water, to a target temperature that is higher than the first pre-heating temperature; a pre-heating tank in which the pre-heated water is stored as reserve water; a flow switching unit which switches the direction of the flow between the heating unit and the pre-heating tank; and a control unit which controls the heating unit and the flow switching unit.