Removable Waste Liquid Tank for Wall-Hung Water Heater Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heaters and heat pump systems require special piping for condensation water and overpressure discharge, which is aesthetically unpleasing and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tank is designed to collect, store, and dispose of waste liquids from water heaters and heat pumps, eliminating the need for dedicated piping by using a removable vessel with gravity-fed drainage and optional flexible hose for easy emptying, integrated with sensors for automated warnings and appliance control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If special piping with dedicated hydraulic connections is used to convey waste liquid, then the waste liquid can be discharged directly into the sewage system, but the installation becomes aesthetically unpleasing and requires complex piping infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waste liquid collection tank with the water heater appliance itself, integrating the previously separate piping infrastructure into the appliance body. The tank is positioned within or adjacent to the water heater, eliminating the need for external piping to convey waste liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the waste liquid collection and storage function from the external piping system and incorporates it directly into the appliance structure. The tank is built-in rather than external, removing the need for dedicated hydraulic connections for waste discharge.
2Ease of operation
If anti-aesthetic pipes are used to connect the appliance to collectors, then waste liquid can be discharged, but the appearance of the installation is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the waste liquid tank with the appliance housing, so that the collection and storage functions are integrated into the existing aesthetic form of the water heater. This eliminates the need for visible external pipes and collectors that would degrade the appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a removable tank is used for waste liquid collection, then the appliance functionality is improved and aesthetics are maintained, but the tank requires periodic manual emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tank removable and movable, allowing it to be detached for emptying and repositioned as needed. This dynamic design provides flexibility in disposal methods while maintaining the aesthetic integration during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the appliance into a main body and a separate removable tank component. This allows the tank to be independently removed for emptying while the main appliance remains in place, providing operational flexibility without compromising the integrated design.
4Extent of automation
If sensors are integrated to automate appliance control based on tank filling state, then appliance functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the appliance to monitor its own waste liquid collection status through integrated sensors that detect tank filling levels. The system automatically controls appliance operation based on this self-monitored information, reducing the need for external monitoring and manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor the tank filling state and provide information to the appliance control system. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of appliance operation to prevent overflow and optimize waste liquid management.
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
Facilitates quick and functional collection and disposal of waste liquids, improving appliance functionality and aesthetics by eliminating the need for special hydraulic connections and allowing flexible disposal methods.
Implementation Method 1
said tank (1) being adapted to be placed below said thermo-sanitary appliance, said tank (1) comprising a filling inlet (1.2) in communication with said draining hole (AP.2) so as to allow the waste liquid to flow into said tank (1) by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The object of the present invention is a tank (1) to be associated with a wall-hung appliance, for example a standard storage water heater (TS) or a heat pump water heater (AP) of the monobloc type. Said tank (1) is adapted to the collection of the waste liquid produced by said wall-hung appliance (AP, TS) and comprises a closed vessel having a shape substantially similar to that of said appliance (AP; TS), whereto it is removably constrained at the bottom.