Water Heater Control Using Usage-Based Heating Parameter Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water heating apparatus control devices are inefficient in calculating water consumption and heat preservation, leading to high energy consumption and complex structures with high costs.
Innovation Solution
A control device comprising a storage, processor, and heater that determines the required water amount and temperature based on usage state values, including outlet and inlet water temperatures and flow rates, to optimize heating during idle times, featuring a simple structure for reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the current control device only collects usage timing to heat water in advance, then the control structure is simplified, but the water consumption amount and usage time duration cannot be accurately calculated, leading to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The control device calculates water consumption amount and usage time duration based on feedback from temperature sensors and flow meters, then uses this data to determine optimal heating parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that reduces energy waste while maintaining simple structure
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters (temperature, duration, power) based on calculated usage patterns from historical data, transforming static advance heating into adaptive heating that optimizes energy consumption without complicating the control structure
2Ease of operation
If the current control device uses advance heating to a particular temperature, then the heating function is provided, but the heat preservation state in idle time is not advantageous for saving electric energy
Solution Approach 1:
The control device implements periodic heating cycles based on calculated usage patterns, heating water only when needed rather than maintaining continuous heat preservation, thereby eliminating energy waste during idle periods while ensuring hot water availability when required
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of required water amount and heating parameters based on predicted usage, then executes heating only for the necessary duration and amount, avoiding unnecessary heat preservation and associated energy losses
3Adaptability or versatility
If the current heating control device is designed with complex structure, then more functions are provided, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device uses a single microcontroller unit that performs multiple functions including data collection, calculation of usage parameters, heating control, and heat preservation management, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function and thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines temperature sensing, flow measurement, calculation logic, and heating control into an integrated control module, merging multiple previously separate functions into a unified structure that reduces component count and manufacturing complexity
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 enables intelligent, user-friendly, and energy-efficient heating by accurately calculating water heating needs, reducing energy consumption and simplifying the control device structure, thus achieving cost-effective and timely heating.
Implementation Method 1
the heater is configured to perform heating during a second period in accordance with the output value from the processor
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a control device of a water heating apparatus, a water heating apparatus and a control method thereof. The control device comprises a storage, a processor and a heater, the storage stores a usage state value of the water heating apparatus during a first period and provides the usage state value to the processor connected thereto, the usage state value includes a mean value of outlet water temperature TH, a mean value of outlet water amount LU and a mean value of inlet water temperature TL, the processor determines an output value in accordance with the usage state value and provides the output value to the heater connected thereto, the output value includes a water amount LX to be heated and a water temperature T to be reached, the heater performs heating during a second period in accordance with the output value from the processor.