Tankless water heater system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tankless water heater systems face challenges in providing a large flow rate of warm water rapidly and safely, particularly in emergency drench showers, where latent heat from thermic masses can cause scalding due to inadequate temperature control during periods of inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A tankless water heater system with a controller device that includes a temperature control unit, tap event counter, downtime counter, and time delay unit, which adjusts the activation of heating elements based on flow rate and inactivity periods to prevent excessive temperature rises, incorporating sensors for real-time monitoring and energy calculations to manage latent heat effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrical heating elements are used to heat water rapidly for large flow rates, then the water heating capability is improved, but the risk of scalding due to latent heat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a time delay mechanism that waits for a predetermined period after detecting water flow before activating the heating elements. This preliminary action prevents immediate heating that could cause scalding from latent heat, while still allowing rapid water heating capability when needed. The system proactively delays heating activation rather than reactively responding to temperature measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flow rate sensors and temperature sensors to continuously monitor system conditions and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback enables the controller to adjust heating element activation based on real-time water flow rate and temperature measurements, preventing scalding conditions while maintaining efficient water heating capability.
2Temperature
If multiple heating elements operate simultaneously to provide large flow rate of warm water, then the temperature rise capability is improved, but the electrical power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of heating elements activated based on real-time water flow rate measurements. The controller selectively activates heating elements in sequence or in parallel according to the detected flow rate, providing high temperature rise capability when needed while optimizing electrical power consumption during lower demand periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the heating elements remain inactive during idle time to save energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature control responsiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements a time delay mechanism that waits for a predetermined period after detecting water flow before activating the heating elements. This preliminary action prevents immediate heating that could cause scalding from latent heat, while still allowing rapid water heating capability when needed. The system proactively delays heating activation rather than reactively responding to temperature measurements.
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
The system effectively prevents scalding by implementing a pre-emptive temperature control mechanism that considers latent heat storage and user behavior, ensuring safe and consistent water temperature delivery even during rapid flow rate demands.
Implementation Method 1
Heating is performed by one or multiple electrical heating elements which extend into the water path
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger device comprising at least one hollow chamber and at least one electrical heating element
Implementation Method 3
water is heated while it flows through the water heater system
Implementation Method 4
the latent heat stored in the large thermic mass of heating elements and stainless-steel chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A tankless water heater system (100), with a heat exchanger device (20) comprising at least one hollow chamber (21, 22, 23, 24) and at least one electrical heating element (52, 53, 54), and a controller device (30) with a temperature control unit (35), a tap event counter unit (32), a down-time counter unit (33) and a time delay unit (34); an electrical switching element (41, 42, 43) for connecting or is connecting one or several heating elements (52, 53, 54) to/from a power supply; an outlet temperature sensor (27) linked with the temperature control unit (35); a flow rate sensor (29); wherein: the tap counter unit (32) is connected to the flow rate sensor (29) and is triggered when water flow rate exceeds a tap indication threshold the down-time counter unit (33) is triggered and retriggered by the tap counter unit (32) and both provide a down-time event signal after any inactivity period with no water flow and records the duration of inactivity; the time delay unit (34) is connected to and triggered by the tap counter unit (32) starting a delay period which duration is switched from a short default delay period to a long delay period by the down-time signal provided by the down-time counter unit (33); and the switching elements (41, 42, 53) are triggered by the time delay unit (34) only after the delay period has elapsed.