Modular Hot Water Mat Assembly for Extensible Heated Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hot water mats have spatial limitations and are difficult to extend, as they are typically designed as a single unit and lack the ability to be easily assembled together to increase the heated area, which is a drawback in terms of cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The development of self-assembly hot water mats with check valves and bypass valves that allow for the connection of multiple mats, enabling the creation of a larger heated area by circulating hot water through a network of pipes and valves, allowing for easy extension and reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If hot water mats are designed as single independent units, then each mat can operate independently, but the heated area is limited and cannot be easily extended
Solution Approach 1:
The hot water mat system is divided into multiple independent modular units, each with its own hot water passages and valves. These modules can be connected through extension connectors to form larger heated areas, resolving the contradiction between maintaining independent operation and enabling area extension.
Solution Approach 2:
Each hot water mat module is designed with universal connection capabilities through standardized extension connectors that include check valves and bypass valves. This allows any module to function both as a standalone unit and as part of an extended network, enabling flexible adaptation to different heated area requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple hot water mats are connected to extend the heated area, then the Ondol area can be extended, but the assembly and connection become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Check valves and bypass valves are pre-installed within each hot water mat module during manufacturing, rather than requiring field installation. This preliminary action simplifies the assembly process when connecting multiple mats, as users only need to connect the modules through extension connectors without dealing with valve installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension connectors are designed with self-regulating check valves that automatically control water flow direction when modules are connected. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual valve operations during assembly, reducing assembly complexity while enabling area extension.
3Reliability
If check valves are installed at inlets and outlets to control flow paths, then hot water circulation is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension connector integrates multiple functions including mechanical connection, check valve assembly, and bypass valve assembly into a single unified component. This merging reduces the overall device complexity by eliminating separate valve housings and connections, while maintaining reliable hot water circulation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension connector serves as an intermediary component that houses the check and bypass valves, mediating between the hot water mat modules. This intermediary design consolidates the valve system complexity into a single interface rather than distributing it across multiple separate components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If bypass valves are installed to create different hot water flow paths, then circulation flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass valve system is segmented into modular components integrated within each hot water mat module and extension connector. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual modules with pre-installed bypass valves, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while maintaining flow path flexibility.
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 solution allows for the convenient assembly and extension of hot water mats, reducing installation costs and enhancing flexibility in covering larger areas, while maintaining efficient hot water circulation and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
A check valve for opening/closing a flow path may be installed at the inlet and the outlet. By the check valve, the flow path may be opened when an extension connector is coupled and the flow path may be closed when the extension connector is separated.
Implementation Method 2
One or more bypass valves may be installed at the plurality of hot water passages and may be opened/closed to form one or more different hot water flow paths.
Implementation Method 3
a path for circulating hot water includes: a plurality of hot water passages formed in the self-assembly hot water mat to provide a plurality of hot water flow paths
Implementation Method 4
hot water is circulated through the pipe to heat the floor
Data Source
AI summary
A self-assembly hot water mat capable of extending through an assembly, the self-assembly hot water mat capable of being assembled with other self-assembly hot water mats, having four sides, and including a path for circulating hot water includes a plurality of hot water passages formed in the self-assembly hot water mat to provide a plurality of hot water flow paths, an inlet formed at each of the four sides, through which hot water flows in, and an outlet formed at each of the four sides and paired with the inlet, through which hot water flows out.