Pool Heater Topple and Dry-Run Shutoff Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pool heaters lack automatic shut-off mechanisms when toppled or when water levels are low, leading to potential safety hazards and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A pool heater equipped with a topple sensor, anti-dry heating assembly, and temperature sensor that automatically stops heating when the heater is toppled, water level is insufficient, or temperature exceeds/falls below a set threshold, utilizing a magnetic sensor and float switch for detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heater is equipped with continuous heating function, then the water temperature can be maintained, but the heater cannot stop heating immediately after being toppled causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning a topple sensor at the bottom of the heater body that can detect toppling events before they cause safety hazards. The sensor is arranged to sense changes in the heater's orientation state, and when toppling is detected, it immediately sends a signal to stop the heating assembly, preventing overheating or fire hazards before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through the topple sensor that continuously monitors the heater's orientation state and provides real-time feedback to the control system. When the sensor detects that the heater has been toppled, it sends a feedback signal to the controller, which then automatically stops the heating assembly, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism.
2Reliability
If the heater operates without anti-dry heating mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but dry heating can occur when water level is low causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing an anti-dry heating assembly with water level sensors that detect low water levels before dry heating can occur. The system proactively monitors water levels and sends stop signals to the heating assembly when water is insufficient, preventing damage before it happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-dry heating assembly implements feedback control by continuously monitoring water levels and providing real-time information to the controller. When the water level drops below a safe threshold, the sensor sends a feedback signal to stop the heating process, creating a protective closed-loop system.
3Temperature
If the heater lacks temperature sensing control, then the structure is simpler, but the water temperature cannot be maintained within a set range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through a temperature sensor that continuously monitors the water temperature and provides real-time feedback to the controller. When the temperature reaches or exceeds the preset threshold, the sensor sends a signal to stop the heating assembly, maintaining the water temperature within a safe and comfortable range.
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
Ensures safe operation by preventing overheating or dry heating, maintaining consistent water temperature, and enhancing safety by automatically stopping heating when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is a magnetic sensor and is arranged at the bottom of the chamber corresponding to the fixing member; when the fixing member does not topple over, the moving member contacts the bottom of the chamber of the fixing member, and the magnetic sensor receives a first magnetic field strength signal
Implementation Method 2
the anti dry heating assembly is a float switch; when the water level is lower than a set threshold value, the float switch is turned off
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A heater for a pool is provided. The heater comprises a topple sensor (1); a heating assembly (2); a body (3) provided with a water inlet (31) and a water outlet (32); and a controller for driving the heating assembly to heat or stop heating. The heating assembly is arranged in the body for heating water flowing through the body. The topple sensor comprises a moving member (11), a fixing member (12) and a sensor (13), the fixing member being provided with a chamber for accommodating the moving member, and the chamber being provided with a taper, the sensor being used for sensing whether the relative position of the moving member and the fixing member changes. When the fixing member topples over, the sensor outputs a toppling signal to the controller, so that the controller drives the heating assembly to stop heating. A pool with heating function is also provided.