Instant Water Heater Circuit for Precise Outlet Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional instantaneous hot water heater units lack precision control over the temperature of discharged water, which can lead to inconsistent and potentially unsafe temperatures, especially when inlet water temperature varies, and fail to maintain a set temperature range effectively.
Innovation Solution
An electronic circuit arrangement with a comparator, thermistor sensors, and a TRIAC switch is used to control the heating element, allowing for proportional power delivery based on the difference between the inlet and outlet water temperatures, ensuring the water is maintained at a set temperature or range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional switching means are used to supply power to the heating element, then the system is simple and energy-efficient, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switching means with an electronic control system comprising a microprocessor, temperature sensors, and solid-state switching devices. This substitution enables precise temperature control through electronic regulation while maintaining system simplicity through integrated circuitry and software-based control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the water temperature and feed this information back to the microprocessor. The microprocessor adjusts the power supplied to the heating element based on the temperature deviation from the setpoint, ensuring precise temperature control while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If proportional power delivery based on temperature difference is implemented, then temperature control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from simple on/off switching to proportional power delivery based on the temperature difference between inlet and outlet water. The system dynamically adjusts the power level to the heating element according to the measured temperature gradient, achieving precise control through parameter modulation rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single electronic control unit that performs temperature sensing, differential calculation, power regulation, and safety monitoring. This multi-functional approach achieves precise temperature control without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one integrated circuit performs what would otherwise require multiple separate components.
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 provides precise temperature control, reducing the risk of scalding and ensuring consistent water temperature, even with varying inlet temperatures and flow rates, thereby enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor input arrangement to provide a further input signal into said comparator, wherein the further input signal is adapted to provide a current and/or voltage dependent upon the magnitude of a temperature of water measured from a discharge outlet
Implementation Method 2
incoming water into the instantaneous hot water unit is immediately heated by electric elements wherein the power to the elements is provided as soon as the water flows through the unit itself
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit control arrangement to sustain water discharging from an instantaneous hot water heater at a set temperature or range having a proportional water temperature signal derived from a sensing arrangement in communication with water inlet and outlet ports so as to sense the respective temperatures at each port to provide a comparatively measurable proportional difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures set against referenced parameters, including a comparator that acts as an operable control of a switch adapted to couple and de-couple an alternating current power source to the heating element through a duty cycle of highs and lows to provide a rate to generate and maintain the appropriate coupling and/or de-coupling of the alternating current power source to and from the heating element to achieve the desired referenced temperature and/or range.