Wall Fitting Connector With Circumferential Cooling Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connections between hot and cold water pipes allow heat conduction from hot water to cold water, leading to bacterial growth, particularly Legionella, due to the high thermal conductivity of metal components, which is a concern for hygienic and safe drinking water supply.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a circumferential channel that reduces heat flow between the inlet and outlet openings by using a material with low thermal conductivity and a design that includes pipe inserts with flanges forming a cooling section, preventing heat transfer until water is drawn, and allowing for adjustable installation positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components are used for wall connections and fitting bodies, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but thermal conductivity increases causing heat transfer from hot water to cold water sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating insert made of thermally insulating material (such as plastic or foam) that is inserted into the wall connection or fitting body. This creates a composite structure where metal provides mechanical strength while the insulating material blocks thermal conduction paths, preventing heat transfer from hot water to cold water sides through the wall fitting assembly.
2Temperature
If hot water circulation lines are routed close to wall connections, then hot water temperature consistency is improved, but cold water temperature rises to critical levels promoting bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating insert as an intermediary element positioned between the hot water circulation line and the cold water wall connection. This intermediary blocks the thermal influence from the hot water line, preventing heat transfer to the cold water side and maintaining cold water temperature below the critical 25°C threshold that promotes Legionella bacterial growth.
3Loss of energy
If a circumferential cooling channel is added to the connector, then heat transfer prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connector into distinct functional zones: a metal outer structure for mechanical strength, an insulating insert for thermal isolation, and a circumferential cooling channel for active heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural integrity and enabling modular manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a circumferential cooling channel that extends around the insulating insert in the radial dimension. This three-dimensional cooling path allows cooled water to circulate around the entire hot water connection area, providing comprehensive thermal isolation without significantly increasing the axial length or overall connector size.
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 solution effectively prevents heat transfer between hot and cold water sides, reducing the risk of bacterial growth and ensuring hygienic safe water supply by maintaining lower temperatures in cold water pipes.
Implementation Method 1
The circumferential channel forms a cooling section for the thermal stratification of water transversely to the inlet flow direction into the inlet nozzle and transversely to the outlet flow direction out of the outlet nozzle
Implementation Method 2
Metal is known to have a relatively high thermal conductivity. Since the heat conduction path between the hot water side and the cold water side in front of the wall is usually formed essentially by the fitting body, heat can be transferred from the hot water side to the cold water side.
Implementation Method 3
The circumferential channel forms a cooling section for the thermal stratification of water... The cooling section reduces or prevents heat flow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening
Implementation Method 4
As a rule, cooled water sinks to the bottom of the circumferential channel due to its higher density compared to warmer water.
Implementation Method 5
cooled water sinks to the bottom of the circumferential channel due to its higher density
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector (2) for connecting a wall fitting to a wall connection of a water pipe, comprising an inlet opening (E), an outlet opening (A) and a flow path formed between them through the connector (2), an inlet nozzle (4) at the inlet opening (E) with an inlet interface (8) for a fluid-tight connection with the wall connection, an outlet nozzle (6) at the outlet opening (A) with an outlet interface (10) for a fluid-tight connection with the wall fitting, and a circumferential channel (28) extending in the circumferential direction with respect to an axial extension of at least one of the nozzles (4, 6), which communicates with the inlet opening (E) and the outlet opening (A).