Hydraulic device and assembly equipped with the device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In domestic hot water installations, the distance between the heater and consumption points leads to water wastage and discomfort due to the discharge of cold water before hot water arrives, and existing systems for recirculation are not effective in preventing this issue.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic device with a mixing assembly, dispensing assembly, bypass assembly, and controller, utilizing a solenoid valve and temperature sensor to recirculate cold water through the cold water pipeline, ensuring hot water is available at the desired temperature upon demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the heater is located at a distance from the consumption point, then the heater can be positioned in a convenient location, but water wastage occurs due to cold water discharge before hot water arrives
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by recirculating cold water through the hot water pipeline before the user opens the tap. The bypass assembly continuously circulates water through the heater and back through the cold water inlet, pre-warming the pipeline so that hot water is immediately available when the tap is opened, eliminating the need to discharge cold water.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass assembly acts as an intermediary system between the heater and the consumption point. It creates a separate recirculation loop that uses the cold water inlet and hot water outlet to continuously circulate water through the heater, mediating the temperature delivery without requiring the main hot water pipeline to be long and inefficient.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heater is located at a distance from the consumption point, then the heater can be positioned in a convenient location, but user discomfort occurs due to waiting for hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously circulating water through the heater via the bypass assembly, ensuring the hot water pipeline is always filled with hot water or warm water ready for immediate use. This eliminates the waiting time when the user opens the tap, as hot water is already in the pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass assembly maintains continuous circulation of water through the heater, ensuring the hot water pipeline is constantly replenished with hot water. This continuous action ensures that hot water is always available at the consumption point without interruption or waiting time.
3Temperature
If cold water is discharged to flush the pipeline before hot water arrives, then hot water can reach the consumption point, but energy is wasted heating water that is then discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously circulating water through the heater and hot water pipeline via the bypass assembly before the user needs hot water. This pre-warms the entire pipeline, so when the tap is opened, hot water is immediately available without needing to flush out cold water, thereby eliminating energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the normally wasted cold water flow into a beneficial recirculation flow. By directing cold water through the bypass assembly and heater, the system transforms what would be wasted water into a pre-heating mechanism that prepares the pipeline for immediate hot water delivery.
4Reliability
If a recirculation system is implemented to move hot water through cold water pipelines, then bacteria proliferation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents bacteria proliferation by continuous water circulation, pre-heats the pipeline to eliminate cold water discharge, and ensures immediate hot water availability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each purpose, thereby managing complexity while achieving multiple goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the recirculation function, pre-heating function, and hot water delivery function into a single integrated bypass assembly. By combining these functions into one compact unit with a single pump and valve system, the overall device complexity is minimized while achieving multiple beneficial effects.
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 device effectively prevents water wastage and ensures user comfort by recirculating cold water back to the heater, maintaining hot water availability at the desired temperature without additional costs.
Implementation Method 1
a solenoid valve; the third connection segment being equipped with a solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor arranged in the hydraulic segment joining the external hot water inlet and the external cold water inlet passing through the third connection segment
Implementation Method 3
a mixing assembly for mixing hot and cold water equipped with a mixing valve
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a solenoid valve and temperature sensor to recirculate cold water through the cold water pipeline, ensuring hot water is available at the desired temperature upon demand
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic device, in whose casing there is a mixing assembly, a motor for actuating the mixing valve, a hot water inlet, a dispensing assembly equipped with a solenoid valve, a water inlet and at least one water outlet for dispensing water to a user. The water inlet is connected to the water outlet of the mixing assembly, a controller and a bypass assembly of a connection segment equipped with a solenoid valve in which there is a temperature sensor. The hydraulic device is also related to an assembly equipped with the device and a preinstallation box.