Low-Flow High-Pressure Washing Outlet With On-Demand Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing washing devices consume high amounts of energy and water, are not easily installable in existing buildings, and pose risks for the spread of infectious diseases due to the use of warm water systems.
Innovation Solution
A washing device that uses a low-flow, high-pressure outlet system with a delivery device to increase fluid pressure, allowing for efficient water use and integration with existing infrastructure, while maintaining a closed-loop heating system for disinfection and reducing the risk of disease transmission by using only cold water until just before use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional shower head with high water throughput is used, then a pleasant washing experience is achieved, but water consumption and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of water delivery by using a pump to increase water pressure and reduce throughput quantity. The outlet is designed to spray water at high pressure (above mains pressure) with low flow rate, transforming the conventional high-flow low-pressure delivery into low-flow high-pressure delivery, thereby achieving pleasant washing experience with reduced water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the conventional gravity-based or simple pressure-based water delivery system with a mechanically actuated pump system. The pump actively controls water pressure and flow rate, enabling precise regulation of water delivery parameters to optimize both washing experience and water efficiency
2Temperature
If a high-power heater is installed in the washing device, then water can be heated efficiently, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial heating by using a low-power heater that heats only the small quantity of water being delivered through the outlet. Instead of heating large volumes of water, the system heats water on-demand at the point of use, requiring only partial heating capacity (low power heater) to achieve the desired temperature for the reduced water throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The pump delivers cold water to the outlet first, and heating is applied just before or during the spraying process. This preliminary delivery of cold water followed by immediate heating allows the system to prepare water for washing with minimal energy input, as only the exact amount needed is heated
3Temperature
If a centralized warm water system is used, then hot water is readily available, but the risk of spreading infectious diseases increases and installation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the centralized warm water system and places it at the point of use. By using a local low-power heater in the washing device, the system eliminates the need for centralized hot water storage and distribution, thereby removing the source of potential disease transmission while maintaining hot water availability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces cold water as an intermediary medium that is delivered by the pump and then heated locally at the outlet. This cold water intermediary approach allows the system to avoid using stored warm water (which may contain pathogens) while still achieving hot water delivery through on-demand heating
4Shape
If water pressure is increased to improve spraying performance, then atomization quality improves, but the risk of damaging existing piping infrastructure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the water delivery system into two distinct pressure zones: the supply side (mains and existing piping) operating at normal pressure, and the outlet side operating at high pressure. The pump creates this pressure segmentation by taking water from the low-pressure supply and delivering it to the high-pressure outlet, allowing high-pressure atomization without exposing the entire piping system to high pressure
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 achieves a pleasant washing experience with reduced water consumption, efficient energy use, and minimized risk of disease spread by utilizing a decentralized heating system that heats water only when needed, using a compact design with a single cold water connection and electrical supply.
Implementation Method 1
at least one delivery device for increasing the fluid pressure to an operating pressure of the outlet, before spraying
Implementation Method 2
heating device for heating the water
Implementation Method 3
at least one outlet for spraying fluids with a low flow rate and under a high pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A washing device (10) for dispensing water in the sanitary field, in particular in a shower or a sink, including an outlet (1) for spraying fluids with a lower throughput rate, as well as a delivery device (6) for increasing the fluid pressure before the spraying. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the washing device (10) includes a heating device (5) for heating the water. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the atomisation is accomplished by way of a fluid jet (21) hitting an obstacle (21; 34) with a high relative speed. Thereby, the obstacle may be a moved or stationary solid body (34) or at least one further fluid jet (21). Preferably, the spraying is accomplished by way of the outlet (1) including at least one nozzle set (2) with at least two nozzles (3), for producing impacting fluid jets (21) and for atomising the fluid.