Anti-Flooding Device for Water-Fed Apparatuses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anti-flooding systems in the HoReCa sector fail to effectively discriminate between water leaks from individual apparatuses and adjacent apparatuses, leading to unnecessary shutdowns and potential damage, as they lack the ability to monitor water usage and leaks accurately, especially when multiple apparatuses are connected in series.
Innovation Solution
An anti-flooding method and device that employs sensors to detect water presence and measure water volume differences, allowing for conditional shutdown of water supply based on programmed limits, thereby distinguishing between moderate and significant leaks, and ensuring continued operation of connected apparatuses during inactivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anti-flooding systems are used to detect water leaks, then water leak detection capability is provided, but unnecessary shutdowns occur when leaks are from adjacent apparatuses rather than the monitored apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water supply network by installing individual solenoid valves and flowmeters for each apparatus. This segmentation allows independent monitoring and control of water flow to each apparatus, enabling precise identification of the leaking apparatus without affecting others. The segmentation principle directly resolves the contradiction by allowing leak detection specificity while maintaining system availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through flowmeters that continuously monitor water consumption and compare it against expected values. When abnormal flow patterns indicate a leak, the system provides feedback to the control unit, which then triggers selective shutdown of only the affected apparatus. This feedback mechanism enables accurate leak attribution while minimizing unnecessary shutdowns of healthy apparatuses.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If water supply is stopped to prevent flooding damage, then damage prevention is achieved, but apparatuses remain unavailable for use during and after the incident
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the water supply system with individual solenoid valves for each apparatus, the system enables localized shutdown of only the leaking apparatus while maintaining water supply to other apparatuses. This segmentation principle directly addresses the contradiction by preventing flooding damage to the specific affected area while minimizing downtime for the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary anti-action by automatically shutting off water supply to the leaking apparatus immediately upon detecting a leak, preventing flooding damage before it can spread. The rapid response time minimizes potential damage while the selective nature of the shutdown preserves availability of non-affected apparatuses, reducing overall downtime.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual disconnection of power and water supply is required during non-use periods, then flooding risk is reduced, but operational efficiency decreases due to time-consuming reconnection procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing water supply shutdown and restart operations. The control unit monitors apparatus usage patterns and automatically closes solenoid valves during non-use periods and reinstates supply when needed, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This automation maintains flooding protection while restoring operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by automatically shutting off water supply before flooding can occur during non-use periods, and by pre-configuring the system to automatically restart supply when apparatuses are needed. This preliminary automation eliminates manual reconnection steps, maintaining safety while improving operational efficiency.
4Measurement precision
If flowmeters and solenoid valves are installed for each apparatus to enable precise leak detection, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by using identical flowmeters and solenoid valve assemblies for each apparatus. These multi-functional components serve both measurement (monitoring water consumption for leak detection) and control (selective shutdown) functions. This universal approach enables precise measurement across all apparatuses while using standardized components that simplify installation and maintenance despite the increased number of elements.
Data Source
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AI summary
An anti-flooding method is described which can be applied to a water-fed apparatus, comprising the steps of: a) equipping the apparatus with at least one first sensor configured to generate an alarm signal in the presence of water and a control unit configured to process said signal; b) equipping the apparatus with means, which are controlled by the control unit, to stop the water supply to the apparatus; c) equipping the apparatus with means for measuring the value of the volume of water entering or passing through the apparatus, or equipping the apparatus with means for measuring the difference between the value of the volume of water entering the apparatus and the value of the volume of water, or of a beverage, delivered by the apparatus; d) by means of the at least one first sensor, detecting a water leak at at least one portion of the apparatus and generating the alarm signal. The method further comprises step e) which provides that if the value of the volume of water entering, or passing through, the apparatus exceeds a first limit value programmed in the control unit, or if the difference between the value of the volume of water entering the apparatus and the value of the volume of water, or of a beverage, delivered by the apparatus is outside a range of values programmed in the control unit, the stopping of water supply to the apparatus is controlled by the means provided in step b). A corresponding anti-flooding device, which can be installed on a water-fed apparatus, is further described.