Water heating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boilers require separate production of left and right types for installation, leading to inventory management challenges and potential leakage during installation position changes, with unused pipe portions causing cost wastage.
Innovation Solution
A water heating apparatus with a rotatable return water adapter and pipe system that allows flexible pipe arrangement, including a return water adapter rotatably coupled to the return water flow path, a return water pipe that inserts and extracts from the adapter, and a return water nipple that fits into case openings, enabling easy installation position changes without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate left and right types of pipes are produced for installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but inventory management complexity increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single pipe structure that can serve both left and right installation configurations. The pipe is designed with a universal connection interface and internal flow path that accommodates water flow from either side, eliminating the need for separate left-type and right-type pipes while maintaining installation flexibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate left and right types of pipes are produced for installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is designed as a universal component with symmetric connection features that allow it to function in both left and right installation configurations. This single design reduces manufacturing complexity, eliminates the need for producing multiple variants, and reduces inventory costs while maintaining full installation flexibility
3Ease of manufacture
If pipe arrangement is fixed for specific installation positions, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but workability when changing installation positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating a rotatable adapter that allows the pipe connection orientation to be changed dynamically. The adapter can rotate to different angles (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) to accommodate different installation positions without requiring disassembly or reconfiguration of the entire pipe system, thus maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving installation flexibility
4Ease of operation
If rotatable adapter is added to enable position changes, then workability when changing installation positions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable adapter is designed as a simple rotational joint with positioning features that allow easy adjustment to standard angles. The adapter maintains a compact structure with minimal moving parts, providing dynamic reconfigurability while adding only necessary complexity for the rotation and positioning functions
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the fixed pipe system and the variable installation requirements. It absorbs the complexity of position adjustment in a dedicated component, allowing the rest of the pipe system to remain simple while enabling flexible installation configurations
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
Improves workability by allowing seamless installation position changes without disassembly, reducing leakage risks and minimizing waste through flexible pipe arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger that exchanges heat generated through the burning by the burner
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A water heating apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a case having an internal space, a burner that is disposed inside the case and burns a fuel, a combustion chamber in which the burning is performed by the burner, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat generated through the burning by the burner, a return water flow path which is connected to the heat exchanger and in which water flows, and a return water adapter of which one end is connected to a lower end of the return water flow path, wherein the return water adapter is rotatably coupled to the lower end of the return water flow path.