Water heating apparatus with immediate hot water supply function and water heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heating systems with immediate hot water supply functions require manual input to determine if a crossover valve is externally connected, increasing installer workload and risk of forgotten operation inputs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controller with a flow rate detector and temperature detector to automatically determine if an immediate hot water supply circulation path is formed by sensing temperature changes while the circulation pump and heating mechanism are active, eliminating the need for manual crossover valve connection detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation input is required to determine crossover valve connection status, then the controller can identify the circulation path configuration, but the installer workload increases and operation inputs may be forgotten
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-detection of the crossover valve connection status by automatically measuring temperature differences in the circulation path during pump operation, eliminating the need for manual operation inputs from installers
Solution Approach 2:
The manual operation input method is replaced with an automatic temperature-based detection system using temperature detectors and a controller to sense thermal conditions and determine valve connection status
2Adaptability or versatility
If a crossover valve is externally connected to form the immediate hot water supply circulation path, then the path closes when water temperature increases, but the controller cannot automatically distinguish this from an internally formed path
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses temperature detectors to continuously monitor temperature changes in the circulation path and provides feedback to the controller, which automatically determines whether a crossover valve is connected based on the thermal response patterns during pump operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects the state of the circulation path by observing temperature changes (analogous to color changes) - when the pump operates, the presence or absence of a crossover valve creates distinct temperature patterns that the controller can identify to determine connection status
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
Automatically determines the connection status of the crossover valve, reducing installer workload and preventing errors from forgotten operation inputs, ensuring efficient operation of the immediate hot water supply function.
Implementation Method 1
with increase in water temperature in the immediate hot water supply circulation path owing to reception of heat from the heat source
Implementation Method 2
the wax thermostatic element physically closes the path
Data Source
AI summary
As a circulation pump is activated while a hot water supply faucet is closed, an immediate hot water supply circulation path is formed to bypass the hot water supply faucet on the outside of a water heating apparatus and to pass through a heat exchanger in the inside of the water heating apparatus. A controller determines in a test mode, whether or not the immediate hot water supply circulation path has been formed by connection of a thermal water stop bypass valve, based on whether or not a temperature detector senses increase in temperature to a predetermined criterion temperature while the circulation pump and a heat source apparatus are active.