Water recirculating device and method for adjusting a water temperature in a water recirculating device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water recirculating devices are costly, require frequent maintenance, and are not easily customizable, making them inefficient in terms of cost-effectiveness and ease of installation, especially in water-scarce regions.

Innovation Solution

A water recirculating device with a mixing valve arrangement that adjusts water temperature based on parameters such as pressure and flow rate, allowing for customizable temperature settings and reduced dependency on the mixing valve arrangement, incorporating a heating arrangement and sensor system to optimize water output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional water recirculating devices are used, then water purification and recycling can be achieved, but the cost is high and maintenance is frequent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater purification effectivenessVSAvoidcost effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The water recirculating path is divided into multiple separate paths (first water path, second water path, third water path) with different functions. The first path handles heating, the second path handles mixing, and the third path handles temperature regulation. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more reliable, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective water purification and recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional water recirculating devices are used, then water recycling can be achieved, but installation requires major modifications to existing infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater recycling capabilityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing valve arrangement is designed to accept water from multiple sources (first water path with heated water, second water path with cooler water, and optionally third water path with external water sources). This multi-functional design allows the system to be installed in various locations and integrated with different existing water infrastructures without requiring major modifications, while still achieving effective water recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If conventional mixing valve arrangements are used, then water temperature can be regulated, but the system is highly dependent on the mixing valve and less customizable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater temperature regulationVSAvoidcustomizability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic temperature regulation by allowing the mixing valve arrangement to mix water from multiple temperature sources in different proportions. The control system can dynamically adjust the mixing ratios based on sensor feedback and user preferences, enabling customizable temperature settings for different outlets and conditions, thereby increasing system adaptability while maintaining effective temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If precise temperature control is implemented, then water quality requirements can be met, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Temperature sensors are installed in each water path to continuously monitor water temperatures. This feedback information is used by the control system to automatically adjust the mixing valve positions and heating arrangement operations, achieving precise temperature control without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control mechanisms. The feedback loop simplifies the control process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 enhances water use efficiency by allowing for precise temperature control and reduced water consumption, making the system more cost-effective and easier to install and maintain, while accommodating various water quality and temperature requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a heating arrangement configured to heat water in the water recirculating device based on the setting of the mixing valve arrangement in order to adjust the water temperature of water output by the water outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a mixing valve arrangement accepting as inputs water from the first and second water path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 3

at least one of the first and second parameter may be a pressure in the first and second water path respectively, and wherein the sensor arrangement comprises at least one pressure sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Data Source

PatentEP3615741B1Water recirculating device and method for adjusting a water temperature in a water recirculating device
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 ORBITAL SYST
  • EP3615741B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present inventive concept relates to a method for adjusting a water temperature in a water recirculating device. The method comprises determining a first parameter associated with a first water path; determining a second parameter associated with a second water path; determining a setting of a mixing valve arrangement based on the first and second parameter; and adjusting a water temperature of water output by a water outlet based on the setting of the mixing valve arrangement. The invention also relates to a water recirculating device configured to adjust a water temperature of water output by a water outlet based on the setting of the mixing valve arrangement.