Linked hot water supply system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linked hot water supply systems face challenges in determining blockages in water inlet filters of combustion hot water supply devices, leading to issues such as delayed operation starts, insufficient hot water supply, and inability to meet additional operation conditions due to reduced flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A linked hot water supply system with multiple combustion devices and a control mechanism that detects and adjusts the number of operating units based on water passing volume, allowing for blockage determination by comparing the water passing volumes of operating devices and adjusting the opening degrees of flow rate adjustment valves to maintain equal capacities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the water inlet filter captures foreign matter in the introduction part of tap water, then the filter protects the hot water supply device from debris, but the water passing volume is reduced due to blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of filter blockage by monitoring water passing volume before the blockage severely impacts hot water supply. The control device compares detected water passing volume against reference values to identify blockage conditions in advance, allowing for timely maintenance scheduling without disrupting hot water supply operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of water passing volume through detection devices. The control device receives real-time data on water flow, compares it with reference values, and identifies when blockage occurs. This feedback loop enables the system to track filter condition and trigger maintenance alerts based on actual performance degradation rather than fixed schedules.
2Productivity
If the number of operating units is increased to supply large amounts of hot water, then the hot water supply capacity is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hot water supply devices into a linked system where they operate cooperatively under unified control. The control device manages multiple units as an integrated system, allocating operating units based on hot water demand while monitoring water passing volume across all devices. This merging approach allows the system to scale capacity by adding devices while maintaining centralized management that prevents complexity from overwhelming the control architecture.
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
Enables effective determination and prevention of filter blockages, ensuring stable hot water supply by preventing blocked devices from operating and allowing maintenance, thus maintaining system efficiency and capacity to meet varying hot water demands.
Implementation Method 1
The multiple hot water supply devices of the linked hot water supply system each include a water inlet filter capturing a foreign matter flowing with tap water in an introduction part of tap water
Implementation Method 2
a water passing volume detection means which detects a water passing volume of tap water introduced from the water supply pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A linked hot water supply system includes: multiple combustion hot water supply devices arranged in parallel between a water supply pipe and a hot water supply pipe; and a control means, changing a number of operated units of the hot water supply devices to adjust a heating capacity according to a hot water consumption. The hot water supply devices each includes a water passing volume detection means detecting a water passing volume of tap water introduced from the water supply pipe and an inlet water filter installed to an introduction part of the tap water from the water supply pipe. If the hot water supply devices are operating at a same time, the control means makes a determination on blockage of the inlet water filter installed in each of the hot water supply devices by comparing the water passing volumes of the hot water supply devices in operation.