Water Treatment Device with Receiving Device for Scalding Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water treatment systems in kitchens face issues with scalding risks and water wastage due to residual hot water in delivery lines, which can drip or require unnecessary discarding when switching from hot to cold water.

Innovation Solution

A device with a receiving device, such as a diaphragm expansion tank and Venturi nozzle, is used to drain and return water from the delivery line, reducing the risk of scalding and minimizing water wastage by ensuring the line is emptied before delivering cold water, and allowing previously removed water to be reused.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a shared pipe is used for chilled and hot water, then space is saved and system complexity is reduced, but scalding risk increases and water waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidscalding risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the water delivery system into separate lines for hot and cold water, with the hot water line being further segmented into a delivery line and a receiving device. This segmentation isolates the harmful hot water residue from the cold water supply, eliminating scalding risk while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the residual hot water from the delivery line using a receiving device that captures and drains the water remaining in the line after hot water delivery. This extraction removes the harmful element (residual hot water) that causes scalding and water waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If hot water remains in the delivery line after hot water delivery, then no additional components are needed, but water waste increases and scalding risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidwater waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by automatically draining the delivery line of residual hot water before cold water is supplied. The receiving device is activated to remove the water column that would otherwise remain in the line, preventing both scalding and water waste without requiring user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automatic detection and drainage of residual hot water. The receiving device automatically drains the delivery line when hot water delivery stops, eliminating the need for manual flushing or discarding water, thus preventing water waste while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the delivery line is completely emptied, then scalding risk is eliminated, but water consumption increases due to the need to drain and refill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescalding riskVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers the water drained from the delivery line by routing it back into the water supply system through the receiving device. This recovery mechanism prevents the drained water from being wasted, reducing overall water consumption while still achieving complete emptying of the delivery line to eliminate scalding risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 effectively reduces scalding risks and water consumption by ensuring the delivery line is emptied, minimizing resource and cost expenditure, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

The return device comprises a Venturi nozzle. When water is passed through the Venturi nozzle via the supply line or the first or second inlet line, a vacuum is created in a reservoir connected to the line.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

the receiving device comprises a diaphragm expansion vessel, which, in combination with the Venturi nozzle, constitutes the corresponding reservoir from which temporarily stored water can be returned.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3901104A1Device for the treatment of water with holder device
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 AQUIS SANITAR
  • EP3901104A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3901104A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3901104A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water treatment device is proposed, comprising a water heating device with a supply line and an attached first supply line for hot and/or boiling water, and a second supply line for cold and/or carbonated water. The first and second supply lines connect via a joint to a common delivery line, which terminates in a water outlet. This outlet prevents dripping after hot water delivery and provides additional scalding protection during subsequent cold water delivery. Furthermore, in the event of a rapid switch from hot to cold water delivery, the user expects that cool water is immediately available and that the hot water remaining in the line does not have to be discarded.According to the invention, this is achieved by providing a receiving device in the first supply line or in the supply line for draining the delivery line when the flow of water in the first supply line is stopped, and by making the receiving device fillable with water from the delivery line.