Hot Water Supply Multi-Stage Flow Control for Temperature Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hot water supply apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent water temperature due to temperature deviations caused by varying input water temperatures and environmental conditions, leading to inefficient energy use and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a drainage function through a valve to remove residual water from the flow passage after a set period, adjusting the flow rate to maintain optimal temperature, and utilizing multi-stage flow control to increase the temperature of dispensed hot water, especially during recurring dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the heater is driven whenever hot water is needed, then energy waste is reduced, but temperature deviation of the supplied hot water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of water in the storage tank before it is actually needed. The heater is driven in advance to heat water, which is then stored and circulated through the flow passage. This preliminary action ensures that hot water is available immediately when needed, eliminating temperature deviation while avoiding continuous heating and energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater operates periodically rather than continuously or on-demand. The control unit monitors temperature and activates the heater only when the water temperature drops below a threshold, creating a periodic heating cycle. This approach reduces energy consumption compared to continuous operation while maintaining temperature stability through timely reheating.
2Temperature
If water in the flow passage is drained for a set period, then temperature consistency is improved, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of periodically draining the flow passage, the system maintains continuous useful action by circulating and reheating water in the storage tank. The heater keeps water at the desired temperature, and the circulation system ensures hot water is continuously available in the flow passage without needing to drain and refill, thereby eliminating water waste while maintaining temperature consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than discarding (draining) warm water from the flow passage, the system recovers its heat by circulating it back to the storage tank. The heater then reheats this recovered warm water to the desired temperature, converting what would be waste into a useful resource and eliminating the need for water drainage.
3Productivity
If the flow rate is increased during recurring dispensing, then productivity is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a temperature sensor in the flow passage to detect the actual temperature of water being dispensed. This temperature information is copied back to the control unit, which then adjusts the heater operation accordingly. This feedback copying mechanism allows the system to maintain temperature stability even at higher flow rates by compensating for temperature drops in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the temperature sensor continuously monitors water temperature in the flow passage and reports it to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the heater power to maintain stable temperature despite variations in flow rate, allowing high productivity without sacrificing temperature stability.
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 ensures that hot water is provided at a consistent and appropriate temperature, reducing energy waste and improving user satisfaction by adjusting the flow rate and drainage to maintain temperature stability.
Implementation Method 1
a heating module configured to receive water passing through the flow rate control valve and guided thereto and to heat the water
Implementation Method 2
water in the flow passage may be drained for a set time through a valve that has a drainage function
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a hot-water supply device comprising: a flow control valve for controlling the flow rate of water supplied from the outside; a heating module for heating water passed through the flow control valve and guided thereto; a hot-water discharge valve for opening or closing a channel through which the water heated by the heating module is discharged; an input unit for receiving a hot-water discharge signal; and a controller for controlling the flow control valve, the heating module, and hot-water discharge valve such that the flow rate of water supplied to the heating module is controlled step by step by the flow control valve according to signals received by the input unit.