Multi-Outlet Water Recirculation With Independent Temperature Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water recycling devices are costly, require frequent maintenance, and are often limited to single applications, lacking cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and adaptability for multiple uses.
Innovation Solution
A water recirculating device with multiple outlets, a flow path divider, and mixing valves that allow for independent temperature adjustment of output water, incorporating a heating arrangement and a water treatment system to recirculate and treat water efficiently across various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water recycling devices are used, then water purification and recycling is achieved, but the devices are costly and require frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent outlet units, each with its own flow restriction valve and mixing valve. This segmentation allows each outlet to operate independently, simplifying maintenance as only the affected outlet needs servicing rather than the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The water recirculating path serves multiple outlets simultaneously, creating a multi-functional system. The same recirculating path supplies water to different outlets that can be configured for various applications, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements compared to separate systems for each outlet.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional water recycling devices are used, then water purification is achieved, but ease of installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each outlet is provided as a separate modular unit with integrated valves and connections. This segmentation enables plug-and-play installation where outlets can be independently installed and configured without complex system-wide modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restriction valves and mixing valves are made adjustable by the end user, allowing the system to be dynamically configured for different applications after installation. This flexibility simplifies the installation process as the system can be adapted on-site without requiring complex preconfiguration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional water recycling devices are used, then water recycling is achieved, but adaptability to multiple applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed as a universal water recirculating platform that can serve multiple different applications through its multiple outlets. Each outlet can be independently configured for different uses (e.g., washing, cooling, irrigation) while sharing the common recirculating path, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable flow restriction valves and mixing valves enable dynamic reconfiguration of the system for different applications. Users can modify flow rates and water composition at each outlet to suit specific application requirements, providing high adaptability through simple valve adjustments rather than complex system redesign.
4Ease of operation
If multiple outlets with independent temperature control are provided, then individual temperature adjustment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each outlet is equipped with its own mixing valve that independently controls the temperature by mixing heated and unheated water streams. This segmentation of temperature control to the outlet level provides ease of operation while keeping each control element simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valves act as intermediary devices between the heated water source and the various outlets. These intermediaries simplify the overall system by providing a straightforward mixing mechanism that achieves temperature control without requiring complex heating zones or advanced control systems at each outlet.
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 cost-effective, customizable, and adaptable water recycling with independent temperature control for multiple outlets, enhancing ease of use and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating arrangement; and a flow path divider placed in the water recirculating path upstream from the heating arrangement, wherein the flow path divider is arranged to divide the water recirculating path into a heating path configured to heat a first volume of water to a first temperature
Implementation Method 2
the first mixing valve is configured to mix water from the heating path having the first temperature and water from the non-heating path having a second temperature in order to form first temperature regulated water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 3c~3d
AI summary
The present inventive concept relates to a water recirculating device (100) comprising: a heating arrangement (120); and a flow path divider (122) placed in a water recirculating path (116) upstream from the heating arrangement (120), wherein the flow path divider (122) is arranged to divide the water recirculating path (116) into a heating path (124) and a non-heating path (126); and wherein a first mixing valve (106) is configured to mix water from the heating path (124) having a first temperature and water from the non-heating path (126) having a second temperature in order to form first temperature regulated water, and wherein a second mixing valve (112) is configured to mix water from the heating path (124) having the first temperature with water from the non-heating path (126) having the second temperature in order to form second temperature regulated water.