Warm water preparer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water heaters experience significant heat losses due to the higher thermal conductivity of metal drain pipes and poor insulation around the drain area, leading to increased standby energy consumption, which is exacerbated by the limitations in increasing insulation thickness to meet stringent energy efficiency standards.
Innovation Solution
The water heater design features a drain made partially or entirely of low thermal conductivity materials like polyarylsulfones or cross-linked polyethylene, mounted horizontally on the side wall of the base tank, with a heat-insulating casing that surrounds the drain, and a vertically extending section that prevents warmer water from flowing into the drain, reducing heat transfer and energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal drain pipes are used, then mechanical strength and durability are improved, but heat loss increases due to high thermal conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the drain pipe from metal to plastic, specifically selecting materials with low thermal conductivity (0.05-0.50 W/(m*K)) to reduce heat loss while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for the application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining plastic drain pipes with thermal insulation layers, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical integrity and thermal protection to minimize heat loss
2Loss of energy
If insulation thickness around the drain is increased, then heat loss is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain pipe and insulation into a integrated component structure, where the insulation is directly attached to or formed as part of the drain assembly, simplifying the overall structure and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective thermal protection
3Ease of manufacture
If the drain is mounted horizontally on the side wall, then installation ease is improved, but warm water may still flow into the drain causing heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the drain configuration by adding a downwardly extending section, creating an L-shaped or similar configuration that combines horizontal mounting (for ease of installation) with vertical orientation (to prevent warm water flow into the drain)
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
This configuration significantly reduces heat losses by minimizing the thermal conductivity of the drain material and utilizing insulation to prevent heat transfer, thereby lowering standby energy consumption and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The drain is made at least partially and preferably entirely of plastic. The plastic is selected from the group of polyarylsulfones. The plastic can have a thermal conductivity of 0.05 W/(m*K) to 0.50 W/(m*K), preferably 0.05 W/(m*K) to 0.40 W/(m*K ) and more preferably from 0.05 W/(m*K) to 0.30 W/(m*K).
Implementation Method 2
The shroud has a portion through which the drain extends, with the portion of the shroud in the area of the drain being thicker than other portions of the shroud.
Implementation Method 3
The drain has at least a portion that extends substantially vertically downward within the shroud. The drain is mounted essentially horizontally on a side wall of the base tank.
Implementation Method 4
Due to its lower density compared to cold water, warm water rises against the direction of gravity and thus also gets into the drain.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a water heater (10) which has a base container (12) for receiving water. The base container (12) has at least one inlet (22) for water which is to be heated, and at least one outlet (24) for heated water. The water heater (10) further has a casing (44) which is produced at least partially from a thermally insulating material and at least partially surrounds the base container (12). The outlet (24) extends through the casing (44) and has at least one section (28) which extends substantially vertically downward within the casing (44). The invention relates to a further water heater (10) which has a base container (12) for receiving water. The base container (12) has at least one inlet (22) for water which is to be heated, and at least one outlet (24) for heated water. The outlet (24) is produced at least partially from plastic.