Instant Water Heater Mixing Structure for Uniform Outlet Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant water heating apparatuses for cleaning machines often create laminar flows due to temperature differences between heated and unheated fluid regions, leading to unpleasant user experiences from temperature shocks and inefficient heat exchange.
Innovation Solution
An instant water heating apparatus with a zigzag flow path and a mixing part that includes a water level sensor and a temperature sensor to uniformly mix the fluid, preventing laminar flow by introducing the heated fluid through a larger introduction port to generate countercurrent and ensure uniform temperature distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a heater is installed on a single zigzag path to increase heat exchange efficiency, then thermal efficiency is improved, but laminar flow is created causing temperature differences between hot and cold water regions
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple zigzag paths instead of a single path. The heater is installed on each segmented path, allowing heat exchange to occur throughout the entire flow path while preventing laminar flow through the segmented structure. This segmentation maintains high heat exchange efficiency while ensuring uniform fluid temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path transitions from a single two-dimensional zigzag path to a three-dimensional multi-path structure. By adding the dimension of multiple parallel paths with the heater installed on each, the system achieves both efficient heat exchange and disruption of laminar flow patterns, resulting in uniform temperature distribution.
2Temperature
If the heater heats the fluid on the basis of the cold water region temperature detected by the temperature sensor, then the cold water region is heated, but the hot water region is heated to a higher temperature which may burn the user
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating based on the cold water region temperature as in conventional systems, the heater is designed to heat both regions simultaneously through the segmented multi-path structure. The temperature sensor detects fluid temperature, and the control unit adjusts heating to maintain uniform temperature across all regions, preventing both underheating and overheating scenarios.
3Temperature
If the heater heats the laminar fluid on the basis of the hot water region temperature detected by the temperature sensor, then the hot water region temperature is maintained, but the cold water region is supplied at an even lower temperature which can shock the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system inverts the conventional heating approach by using a multi-path segmented structure where heating occurs throughout the entire flow path rather than focusing on a single region. This ensures that both hot and cold water regions reach uniform temperatures, eliminating temperature shocks while maintaining the desired hot water temperature.
4Use of energy by moving object
If a plate heater is applied to the fluid supply passage to maximize thermal efficiency, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but laminar flow is still supplied to the outlet port
Solution Approach 1:
The plate heater is integrated into a segmented multi-path flow structure where the flow path is divided into multiple zigzag paths. The plate heater is installed on each segmented path, maximizing thermal efficiency through extensive heat exchange surface area while the segmented structure prevents laminar flow from reaching the outlet, ensuring uniform fluid composition.
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 apparatus effectively prevents laminar flow, providing a consistent fluid temperature and maximizing thermal efficiency, thereby enhancing user comfort and operational safety by ensuring the fluid is uniformly heated before being supplied.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange part having a heating part for exchanging heat with fluid supplied through the water inlet port
Implementation Method 2
a mixing part for uniformly mixing the laminar fluid when the fluid heat-exchanged in the heat exchange part is guided to the water outlet port
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an instant water heating apparatus for a cleaning machine capable of instantaneously heating fluid passing through a flow path and preventing the temperature of the heated fluid from creating a laminar flow. The instant water heating apparatus includes a housing having a water inlet port, a water outlet port, and a flow path formed between the water inlet port and the water outlet port; a heat exchange part having a heating part for exchanging heat with fluid supplied through the water inlet port and guiding the fluid to the water outlet port; and a mixing part for uniformly mixing the laminar fluid when the fluid heat-exchanged in the heat exchange part is guided to the water outlet port.