Bathroom Sensor Network for Hands-Free Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plumbing systems lack integration of advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency, such as automatic control of water temperature and flow, and fail to provide seamless user interaction with smart bathroom features like hands-free operation and energy-efficient water management.
Innovation Solution
An integrated bathroom electronic system utilizing a network of sensors and controllers to manage water flow, temperature, and lighting, including a faucet assembly with sensors for hands-free operation, a recirculation pump for quick hot water delivery, and a modular system for customizable shower and tub settings, ensuring efficient and user-friendly water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plumbing systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but operational efficiency and user convenience are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The bathroom plumbing system is divided into multiple independent modules including a faucet module with sensor assembly, a shower module with temperature control, a tub module with fill control, and a recirculation module. Each module can be controlled independently through a central controller, allowing for improved operational efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated controller serves multiple functions by managing various bathroom fixtures including faucets, showers, tubs, and recirculation systems through a single control interface. The sensor assembly detects multiple parameters such as presence, temperature, and flow conditions, providing universal monitoring capabilities across different bathroom components.
2Ease of operation
If manual water control is used, then the device complexity is low, but ease of operation and user convenience are poor
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical control of water flow and temperature is replaced with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect user presence and automatically adjust water delivery. The sensor assembly detects when a user approaches or uses the fixture, and the controller automatically activates water flow and adjusts temperature without requiring manual valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bathroom fixtures are equipped with automatic detection and control capabilities that allow them to serve themselves based on sensed conditions. The system detects user presence, automatically turns on water, maintains temperature, and shuts off when the user leaves, eliminating the need for manual operation while providing convenient hands-free usage.
3Speed
If water is not recirculated, then energy consumption is low, but water temperature availability is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system proactively maintains hot water availability by continuously circulating hot water through the plumbing lines before it is needed. The sensor assembly detects when water flow is required and the controller activates the recirculation pump to ensure hot water is already positioned in the lines, eliminating wait time without requiring continuous high-energy operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous recirculation, the system uses periodic or on-demand recirculation activated by sensor detection. When the sensor assembly detects user presence or water flow requirements, the controller activates the recirculation pump to deliver hot water quickly. When no water is needed, the recirculation stops, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining fast hot water delivery when required.
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 system provides efficient and automatic control of water temperature and flow, enhancing user convenience and energy efficiency by anticipating user needs and optimizing water usage, while maintaining comfort and safety through smart features like automatic temperature maintenance and scald protection.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor coupled to the support and configured to detect a person at a first distance from the faucet
Implementation Method 2
A second sensor is coupled to the support and is configured to detect a person at a second distance from the faucet
Implementation Method 3
A controller is in communication with the illumination device and a sensor. The controller is configured to activate the illumination device when the sensor detects the presence of a person
Implementation Method 4
a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the mixed water outlet and configured to detect the temperature of water passing therethrough
Implementation Method 5
The hot water indicator light is configured to be activated when the temperature sensor detects a temperature greater than the predetermined value
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative faucet modules, a controller is configured to select between a manual mode of operation and a hands-free mode of operation in response to a mode signal, and is configured to control an electrically operable valve in response to a proximity signal during the hands-free mode of operation.