Warm water recirculating valve using direct water supply tube
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing warm water recirculation systems using direct water supply tubes have complex configurations, low water flow rates, and issues with mixing warm and cold water, leading to inefficient preheating and unnecessary power consumption due to misaligned temperature feedback between recirculating valves and pumps.
Innovation Solution
A warm water recirculating valve with a housing containing warm and direct water channels, a recirculating channel, and a water pressure plate that generates differential pressure to control fluid flow, ensuring the recirculating channel opens with warm water pressure and closes with direct water pressure, simplifying the configuration and preventing water mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bimetal valve and check valve are used in the warm water recirculation system, then the valve can control water flow direction and temperature, but the configuration becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of the bimetal valve and check valve into a single integrated recirculating valve structure. The valve body incorporates both the temperature-sensitive bimetal mechanism and the directional flow control elements, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable water flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculating valve is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs temperature sensing, flow direction control, and recirculation regulation. The valve body integrates multiple functions into a single device, reducing the number of parts needed and simplifying the overall valve configuration.
2Volume of moving object
If warm water is recirculated through a narrow gap of the bimetal valve, then the valve structure is compact, but the flow rate of circulating water becomes small and preheating time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a narrow gap flow path to a multi-channel three-dimensional flow structure. The recirculating valve incorporates multiple internal passages and channels that provide expanded flow paths, increasing the effective flow area while maintaining a compact external valve size. This dimensional expansion of the flow path resolves the contradiction between compactness and flow rate.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the recirculating valve and recirculating pump are installed in physically separated spaces, then the installation is flexible, but temperature sensing becomes inconsistent and feedback control is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the temperature sensing function directly into the recirculating valve body, which is installed at the same location as the recirculating pump. This merging of sensing and actuation components ensures they operate in the same thermal environment, providing consistent temperature feedback and eliminating the measurement discrepancy caused by physical separation.
4Device complexity
If a general check valve is used in the recirculation system, then the valve structure is simple, but warm water mixes with direct water and the desired cold water cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements directional flow control at specific locations within the valve using strategically positioned check valve elements and flow restrictors. These localized control mechanisms prevent warm water from mixing with direct water at critical points in the system, ensuring that cold water remains available at faucets while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure.
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 solution increases the warm water flow rate, reduces preheating time, and prevents mixing of warm and cold water, while optimizing power consumption by aligning the recirculating channel operation with the set preheating temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a water pressure plate provided in the direct water channels to generate a differential pressure so that the recirculating channel is opened by a pressure of warm water which is recirculated when the warm water is recirculated and the recirculating channel is closed by a pressure of direct water when the direct water is used
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a warm water recirculating valve using a direct water supply tube and, more particularly, to a warm water recirculating valve provided between a warm water supply tube (13) installed in an existing housing and a direct water supply tube (14) in order to recirculate warm water, the warm water recirculating valve comprising: a housing (110) having warm water channels (111, 112) formed therein and connected to the warm water supply tube (13), having direct water channels (114, 115, 116) formed therein and connected to the direct water supply tube (14), and having a recirculating channel (113) formed therein and connected between the warm water channels (111, 112) and the direct water channels (114, 115, 116); and a water pressure plate (140) provided in the direct water channels (114, 115, 116) so as to generate a differential pressure such that, when warm water is recirculated, the recirculating channel (113) is opened by pressure of the recirculated warm water and, when direct water is used, the recirculating channel (113) is closed by pressure of the direct water.