Automatic Extraction Device with Displacement Measurement for Water Purifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purifiers require user intervention to extract water, leading to potential splashing and inconvenience, and there is a need for a system that can accurately and stably supply fluid to a container without user operation once positioned.

Innovation Solution

An automatic extraction device equipped with a displacement measuring unit, control unit, and water extraction cock that detects the presence and stability of a container within a preset distance range, outputs signals to control fluid supply, and stops supply upon movement to prevent splashing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If automatic extraction is implemented without user operation, then user convenience is improved, but container positioning accuracy and stability cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcontainer positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement measuring unit performs preliminary detection to determine whether a container is present at the water extraction point before automatic extraction begins. This preliminary action ensures that the system only activates when proper container positioning is confirmed, resolving the contradiction by establishing positioning accuracy as a prerequisite for automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the displacement measurement data and compares it against threshold values to determine container stability. This feedback mechanism ensures that automatic extraction only proceeds when both positioning accuracy and stability are confirmed, allowing the system to maintain ease of operation while ensuring precise container positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If fluid supply continues without monitoring container stability, then productivity is improved, but water splashing and residual water problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid supply efficiencyVSAvoidwater splashing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors displacement measurement data during fluid supply to detect any container movement. When movement is detected, the system immediately stops fluid supply, preventing water splashing and residual water problems. This feedback-based monitoring allows the system to maintain high productivity while eliminating harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by stopping fluid supply before water splashing can occur. By monitoring container stability in real-time and preemptively stopping supply when movement is detected, the system prevents the harmful effect of water splashing rather than addressing it after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Measurement precision

If displacement measurement is performed continuously, then container stability detection is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer stability detectionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The displacement measuring unit performs measurements at periodic intervals rather than continuously, determining container stability by comparing displacement values at different time points. This periodic measurement approach maintains accurate container stability detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Ensures accurate and stable fluid supply to a container when positioned correctly, preventing residual water and user inconvenience by automatically stopping fluid delivery upon container movement.

Implementation Method 1

a displacement measuring unit configured for measuring a distance to the container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3015419B1Automatic extraction device and method for controlling automatic extraction
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 COWAY CO LTD
  • EP3015419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3015419B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3015419B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automatic extraction device and an automatic extraction method. An automatic extraction device, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a displacement measuring unit for measuring the distance to a container by transmitting a measurement signal and then generating the measurement value which corresponds to the distance to the container; a control unit for outputting a water extraction signal if the measurement value is included within the predetermined target distance range and if the measurement value is not changed during the predetermined reference time; and a water extraction cock for supplying fluid to the container by opening a water extraction valve if the water discharge signal is input.