Bath Fill Control That Learns User Preferences Safely

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated bath filling systems require manual input of desired depth and temperature, lacking the ability to learn and replicate user preferences for future fills.

Innovation Solution

A control system with processors and sensors that learns from user filling habits to determine and store pre-set options for automated bath filling, considering factors like overflow risk and safety settings, allowing future automated fills based on user preferences without manual input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual input of depth and temperature is required for each bath fill, then the system maintains simplicity in control logic, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary learning during the first bath fill to capture user preferences for depth, temperature, and flow rates. This pre-acquired information is stored and automatically applied in subsequent fills, eliminating the need for repeated manual input while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically learning and storing user preferences during initial use, then autonomously applying these preferences in future operations. The control system self-configures based on observed user behavior patterns without requiring explicit programming or complex user setup procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If the bath is filled to the determined amount based on user preferences, then user preference accuracy is improved, but the risk of overflow increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidoverflow risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by imposing a safety constraint (maximum fill level threshold) on the learned user preferences before executing the bath fill. If the determined fill amount based on user preferences exceeds this safety threshold, the system automatically reduces it to prevent overflow, thereby counteracting potential harmful effects before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor bath fill levels in real-time and compare them against safety thresholds. This feedback loop ensures that even when user preferences suggest higher fill levels, the system responds by adjusting the fill amount to remain within safe operating limits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Use of energy by moving object

If flow parameter values are optimized for water heating efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but the ability to replicate exact user preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidpreference replication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes flow parameters dynamically based on efficiency criteria while maintaining the ability to replicate user preferences for depth and temperature. Flow rates are optimized to improve water heating efficiency, while the control system compensates by adjusting other parameters to achieve the desired bath characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3568953B1Bath filling
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 KOHLER MIRA LTD
  • EP3568953B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3568953B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3568953B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control system for a bath (102) is disclosed, comprising one or more processors and one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are arranged to sense water flow parameter data as a user fills the bath (102) and to transmit the water flow parameter data to the one or more processors. The one or more processors are arranged to determine water flow parameter values suitable for use to fill the bath (102) based on the water flow parameter data, and store the determined water flow parameter values as a pre-set bath-fill option arranged to be used to automatically fill the bath (102) for future use.