Water flow heating device with protection function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water flow heating devices for swimming pools and Jacuzzis often face damage due to water shortages or slow water flow, leading to potential safety hazards from overheating and insulation damage.
Innovation Solution
A water flow heating device with a protection circuit that includes a water flow temperature sensor, environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit, and a protection switch, which prevents the heating wire from turning on during insufficient water flow and automatically cuts off power when internal temperatures exceed safe levels, ensuring equipment stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heating wire is activated without water flow protection, then heating efficiency is improved, but the heating wire and insulation are damaged due to overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting water flow conditions before activating the heating wire. The control circuit checks whether water is properly filling the heating cylinder and whether flow speed meets requirements before permitting heating operation, preventing overheating damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through temperature sensors and flow detection circuits that continuously monitor heating conditions. When overheating is detected or water flow becomes insufficient, the system automatically cuts off power to the heating wire, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents damage
2Device complexity
If the heating device operates without water flow detection, then device complexity is reduced, but safety hazards occur due to overheating and insulation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary protection circuit that sits between the power source and heating wire. This intermediate layer includes flow detection sensors and control logic that mediate the heating process, enabling safety monitoring without requiring complete redesign of the heating system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flow detection mechanisms with electrical sensing circuits. The flow detection uses electrical conductivity measurements and temperature sensor readings processed by a control circuit, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control
3Reliability
If water flow protection is added to prevent overheating, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by using the same temperature sensors and control circuitry for multiple purposes: monitoring heating temperature, detecting water flow conditions, and controlling power cutoff. This universal approach provides comprehensive safety protection without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
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 damage to the heating wire and insulation by ensuring the heating wire is only activated when water flow is adequate and automatically shuts off power to prevent overheating, enhancing operational safety and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit for detecting an environmental thermal conductivity of the water flow temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
a heating wire disposed in the heating cylinder
Implementation Method 3
a first voltage comparator, an environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit for detecting an environmental thermal conductivity of the water flow temperature sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a water flow heating device with a protection function, including: a heating cylinder, a heating wire disposed in the heating cylinder and a water flow temperature sensor, and a protection circuit respectively connected with the heating wire and the water flow temperature sensor; the protection circuit includes a first voltage comparator, an environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit for detecting an environmental thermal conductivity of the water flow temperature sensor and a protection switch for switching on and off the heating wire; the water flow temperature sensor is connected with an input terminal of the first voltage comparator and the environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit, respectively; an output terminal of the first voltage comparator is connected with the protection switch; and the environmental thermal conductivity detection circuit is connected with an enable terminal of the heating wire. The present application can prohibit the heating wire from being turned on when the water flow is not full or slow, and can also cut off the power supply of the heating wire when an internal temperature of the heating cylinder is too high, thus improving the stability and safety of equipment operation.