Acoustic Tap Flow Control for Precise Filling and Water Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current single-lever mixer taps require significant effort to adjust water flow rates sensitively, leading to excess water consumption, as they often cannot efficiently manage varying flow requirements for tasks like rinsing or filling containers.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with actuator and acoustic sensor means that analyzes acoustic signals to control the flow characteristics, allowing for precise adjustment of flow rates based on sound patterns, preventing overflow and optimizing water usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If single-lever mixer taps are used to control water flow, then temperature and flow amount can be dosed, but adjustment requires great sensitivity and time effort which users cannot make, resulting in excess water consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate adjustment precisionVSAvoidoperation effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical lever adjustment system with an acoustic control system. Microphones detect sound patterns (voice commands or knocking sounds) and the system automatically adjusts the water flow rate and temperature accordingly, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while achieving precise flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic flow rate adjustment based on acoustic signals without requiring user intervention for manual tuning. The tap system itself monitors the acoustic environment and self-adjusts the flow parameters, making the operation effortless while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of substance

If water-saving attachments are used to focus the water jet for low amounts of water, then flow rate can be reduced, but the maximum flow rate is inherently reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidflow rate range

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic flow rate adjustment where the water flow characteristics can change in real-time based on acoustic signals. The system can switch between different flow modes (focused jet for low consumption, wide flow for high consumption) without physical attachments, maintaining the full flow rate range while enabling water-saving operation when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the flow parameters (flow rate, jet focus, temperature) dynamically based on acoustic commands. Different voice commands or sound patterns trigger different flow configurations, allowing the same tap to deliver both water-saving focused streams and high-volume flows without hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If manual adjustment of flow rates is required for different tasks, then flow can be optimized for specific uses, but users cannot make the necessary sensitive adjustments in time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask completion efficiencyVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is continuously monitoring the acoustic environment and is ready to adjust flow parameters immediately upon detecting relevant sound patterns. This eliminates the time lag between task initiation and flow optimization, as the system is prepared to respond instantly to acoustic signals indicating different usage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses acoustic feedback from the environment (voice commands, knocking sounds, or even sounds generated by water flow itself) to continuously adjust the flow parameters. This closed-loop control ensures optimal flow settings are maintained automatically without requiring user assessment or manual adjustment time.

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

Enables easy and efficient adjustment of water flow rates, reducing waste by automatically stopping the flow when a container is filled, thus optimizing water consumption and saving effort in operation.

Implementation Method 1

acoustic sensor means (22) configured to receive an acoustic signal (24) and to output a sensor signal (26) based on the acoustic signal (24)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic signal reception and conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS20250101724A1Apparatus with acoustically controlled flow range, system comprising such an apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

An apparatus includes a flow range configured to let a fluid having a flow characteristic flow. The apparatus includes actuator means configured to change the flow characteristic of the flow range and further includes acoustic sensor means configured to receive an acoustic signal and to output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal. The apparatus includes an analysis means configured to analyze the sensor signal to obtain an analysis result. The apparatus is configured to control the actuator means based on the analysis result for changing the flow characteristic.