Method for controlling a temperature of a liquid in a liquid container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid container heating systems are inefficient when filling with cold water, as they do not utilize the full heating power, leading to slower re-heating and longer wait times for hot water to be available.

Innovation Solution

A method where the heating device is permanently activated during filling with cold liquid, controlling the temperature by adjusting the cool liquid volume flow rate, and switching to traditional heat output control once the container is full, ensuring full heating power utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the heating device is permanently activated during filling with cold liquid, then the heating speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device operates in different modes (permanent activation during filling, traditional on/off control during normal operation) based on the filling state of the container. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize heating speed during filling while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If the heating device is permanently activated during filling, then the waiting time for hot water is reduced, but the heat energy usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaiting timeVSAvoidheat energy usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The heating device is activated in advance during the filling process, before hot water is actually needed. This preliminary heating action reduces the waiting time for hot water availability while the control system manages energy usage by deactivating the heater when the desired temperature is reached or when filling is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If traditional two-step control is used during filling, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the heating speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidheating speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The control parameter of the heating device is changed based on the filling state. During filling, the heater operates at full power (permanent activation) to maximize heating speed. During normal operation, the traditional two-step control (on/off based on temperature thresholds) is used to optimize energy consumption. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and heating speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach allows for faster heating and immediate availability of hot water at the desired temperature, reducing waiting time and optimizing heating energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

a heating device (2) for heating a liquid (3) in the liquid container (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a cooling device (20) for cooling the liquid (3) in the liquid container (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4285058B1Method for controlling a temperature of a liquid in a liquid container
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 BRITA GMBH
  • EP4285058B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a temperature of a liquid (3) in a liquid container (1) filled with at least a first predetermined amount (11) of the liquid (3) using a heating device (2). The temperature of the liquid (3) in the liquid container (1) is measured and controlled by adjusting the heat output of the heating device (2). If the liquid container (1) is filled with less than the first predetermined amount (11) of liquid (3) until the liquid container (1) is filled with a second predetermined amount (15) of the liquid (3), wherein the second predetermined amount (15) of the liquid (3) is equal to or greater than the first predetermined amount (11) of the liquid (3), cool liquid (13) is fed into the liquid container (1) from a liquid reservoir, the heating device (2) is permanently activated, and the temperature of the liquid (3) in the partially filled liquid container (1) is controlled by adjusting the cool liquid volume flow rate of the cool liquid (13) fed into the liquid container (1).