Remote Hot Water Temperature Correction for Plumbing Heat Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot water apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the desired temperature at water distribution devices due to heat dissipation in plumbing, making it difficult for users to set and adjust the deviation value, especially since this setting is typically restricted to skilled workers and requires frequent adjustments based on seasonal changes.
Innovation Solution
A user-friendly hot water apparatus with a remote controller that allows users to easily set correction data for temperature deviation, enabling the control device to adjust the temperature of outflowing hot water to match the user's desired setting, even when the actual temperature at the water distribution device is lower than requested, by incorporating a correction-data setting element and display elements for intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the deviation value is set in the control device installed in the main body of the hot water apparatus, then the temperature control accuracy can be improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because only skilled workers can access and adjust the setting
Solution Approach 1:
A remote controller is introduced as an intermediary device that allows users to set the deviation value without accessing the main body of the hot water apparatus. The remote controller communicates with the control device via wireless communication, enabling users to adjust the deviation value from a convenient location while the actual temperature control remains accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the main body containing the control device and water heating mechanism, and the remote controller for user interaction. This segmentation allows the deviation value setting function to be separated from the temperature control function, improving both accessibility and operational ease.
2Temperature
If the deviation value is set to compensate for heat dissipation in plumbing, then the temperature of hot water at the water distribution device can be maintained, but the device complexity increases due to the need for deviation value setting and correction processing
Solution Approach 1:
The deviation value is set in advance to compensate for the known heat dissipation characteristics of the plumbing system. By pre-calculating and setting the deviation value before operation, the system avoids the need for complex real-time adjustments while maintaining accurate temperature control at the water distribution device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the target temperature parameter by adding the deviation value to the user-requested temperature. This parameter change compensates for heat dissipation without requiring complex control algorithms, simply modifying the temperature setpoint to account for expected heat loss in the plumbing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the main body of the hot water apparatus is disposed away from the kitchen or bathroom, then installation flexibility is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users must travel to the main body location to adjust settings
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the user and the main body located in a different location. Users can adjust the deviation value and control temperature settings from the kitchen or bathroom using the remote controller, eliminating the need to travel to the main body location while maintaining installation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical presence and direct operation of the main body is replaced by wireless communication technology. The remote controller transmits control signals wirelessly to the control device in the main body, substituting mechanical or physical interaction with electronic communication, thereby enabling operation from a distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water apparatus comprises a main body thereof connected to each of water distribution devices 31, 32, and 33 via plumbing 2 and a remote controller 20 for remotely controlling the main body of the hot water apparatus 10. The main body of the hot water apparatus 10 comprises a control device 13 capable of controlling temperature of outflowing hot water which is a temperature of the hot water outflowing from the main body of the hot water apparatus 10 to the plumbing 2. The remote controller 20 comprises a setting element of the temperature of the outflowing hot water 21 for setting the requested value of the temperature of the outflowing hot water, and the correction-data setting element 21U and 24 for setting correction data which defines the deviation value of the temperature of the outflowing hot water with respect to the required value. The control device 13 comprises means for performing the processing for correcting the temperature of the outflowing hot water which controls the temperature of the outflowing hot water to the target temperature which is obtained by changing the requested value by the deviation value defined by the set correction data. Therefore, the hot water having the temperature desired by the user can be outflown from the water distribution device and the user-friendly hot water apparatus can be provided.