Hot-water supply system and method of controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat-pump hot-water supply systems for commercial/industrial use, the large size and distance between heat source devices and hot-water storage tanks lead to issues with noise endurance in electrical wires, causing incorrect detection of temperature and water level, and existing technologies fail to reliably convey information due to signal attenuation and communication challenges.
Innovation Solution
A hot-water supply system with an interface unit connected via a communication line between the heat source device and the hot-water storage tank, converting signals from electrical wires to communication lines to ensure accurate delivery of hot water amount and electrical valve degree-of-opening signals, and incorporating a temperature detecting unit to control the heat source device based on inlet temperature for desired temperature supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between heat source device and hot-water storage tank is increased to accommodate large sizes, then installation flexibility is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to noise endurance problems in electrical wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication line as an intermediary medium between the heat source device and hot-water storage tank, replacing direct electrical wire connections for data transmission. This intermediary communication line is less susceptible to noise interference over long distances, thereby maintaining signal transmission reliability while allowing greater installation flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical wires are extended to connect sensors between heat source device and hot-water storage tank, then installation flexibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal attenuation and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical wire-based signal transmission system with a communication line-based system. This substitution eliminates the problems of signal attenuation and noise interference that affect measurement precision in extended electrical wires, while maintaining the flexibility of remote sensor installation.
3Area of stationary object
If heat source device and hot-water storage tank are installed far apart to reduce space constraints, then space utilization is improved, but information transmission accuracy deteriorates due to electrical wire limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The communication line serves as an intermediary that reliably transmits information between the heat source device and hot-water storage tank over long distances. This resolves the information loss problem that occurs with extended electrical wires, enabling flexible spatial arrangement without compromising data accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Information that is obtained from the side of a hot-water storage tank is correctly conveyed to the side of a heat source device. A hot-water supply system 1 includes a heat source device 3; a hot-water-stored-amount detecting unit 21 that detects the amount of hot water stored in a hot-water storage tank 20; an electrical valve 9 that adjusts the flow level of heated hot water supplied from the heat source device 3 to the hot-water storage tank 20; a control unit 30 that is provided in the heat source device 3 and that controls the heat source device 3 based on information about the amount of stored hot water detected by the hot-water-stored-amount detecting unit 21 and a degree-of-opening signal of the electrical valve 9.