Bidet Water Heating With Dual Sensor Failure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet devices face challenges in reliably detecting failures of temperature sensors over time due to aging deterioration, which can lead to the discharge of high-temperature water, posing a risk to users.
Innovation Solution
The toilet device incorporates a dual temperature sensor system with a first sensor downstream of an instantaneous heat exchanger and a second sensor further downstream, along with a control unit that compares temperature readings to detect sensor failures, and includes a human body detection sensor to initiate failure diagnosis before use, and corrects for temperature loss along the flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used to detect water temperature, then the device structure is simple, but the sensor may fail due to aging deterioration and accurate temperature measurement cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the temperature detection function into multiple independent temperature sensors (first temperature sensor and second temperature sensor) positioned at different locations in the flow path. This segmentation allows the system to compare readings from multiple sensors to detect failures, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable failure detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors temperature readings from both sensors and compares them to detect discrepancies. When a failure is detected through this feedback mechanism, the system can alert the user or switch to using the functioning sensor, thereby maintaining reliable temperature measurement despite sensor aging.
2Length of stationary object
If temperature sensors are positioned close together, then the structure is compact, but temperature difference due to flow path length cannot be properly accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accounts for the temperature change that occurs over the flow path length by introducing a correction value that corresponds to the distance between sensors. The control unit uses this correction value to adjust the temperature reading from the upstream sensor, enabling accurate temperature measurement despite the spatial separation between sensors.
3Productivity
If the instantaneous heat exchanger operates continuously, then water is always available for discharge, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic failure diagnosis by the control unit, which operates the instantaneous heat exchanger and temperature sensors at scheduled intervals to check for sensor failures. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain water discharge availability while reducing continuous energy consumption compared to constant monitoring operations.
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
This approach enhances the reliability of detecting temperature sensor failures, preventing the discharge of high-temperature water by accurately determining sensor malfunctions and ensuring user safety.
Implementation Method 1
an instantaneous heat exchanger that is provided in the flow path and warms water supplied from the water supply source
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor that is provided downstream of the instantaneous heat exchanger in the flow path and detects a temperature of water
Implementation Method 3
an electromagnetic valve that is provided in the flow path and configured to control supply of water from the water supply source (WS) to the nozzle
Data Source
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AI summary
An object is to provide a toilet device (500) capable of more reliably detecting a failure of a temperature sensor. A toilet device (500) includes: a nozzle (30) that discharges water toward a private part of a human body; a flow path (40) connecting a water supply source (WS) and the nozzle (30); an instantaneous heat exchanger (50) that is provided in the flow path (40) and warms water supplied from the water supply source (WS); a first temperature sensor (60) that is provided downstream of the instantaneous heat exchanger (50) in the flow path (40) and detects a temperature of water; a second temperature sensor (65) that is provided downstream of the first temperature sensor (60) in the flow path (40) and detects a temperature of water; and a control unit (70) that determines whether the first temperature sensor (60) or the second temperature sensor (65) has failed, characterized in that when a difference between a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (60) and a second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (65) is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the control unit (70) determines that the first temperature sensor (60) or the second temperature sensor (65) has failed.