Binary Solenoid Valve Array for Low-Power Thermostatic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bathing systems that use motor-driven valves to control water flow and temperature consume significant power, making battery-powered systems impractical.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing bi-stable solenoid valves that only consume power when switching between binary states, powered by a battery supply or alternative energy sources like Peltier devices and water turbine generators, with a flow regulator and temperature sensor to maintain desired water temperature and flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If motor-driven valves are used to control water flow and temperature, then precise control over flow rate and temperature is achieved, but power consumption becomes excessive making battery-powered systems impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces motor-driven valves with a mechanical valve actuated by a solenoid. The solenoid uses electromagnetic force to move a plunger that mechanically opens or closes the valve, rather than using a motor to continuously control valve position. This substitution reduces power consumption from continuous motor operation to intermittent solenoid activation, while maintaining flow control precision through the mechanical linkage and valve design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic solenoid activation to control the valve rather than continuous motor operation. The solenoid is activated only when flow rate or temperature adjustments are needed, creating a periodic action pattern that significantly reduces average power consumption compared to continuously running motors.
2Reliability
If motor-driven valves continuously operate to maintain flow rates, then stable water supply is ensured, but battery life becomes insufficient for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a flow sensor that automatically detects when water flow needs adjustment and triggers solenoid activation without continuous power consumption. The mechanical valve maintains its position through mechanical memory (spring-loaded or weighted mechanism) without requiring continuous power, allowing the system to serve itself and maintain stable water supply while consuming power only during state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The solenoid operates periodically only when flow rate changes are detected by the flow sensor or temperature changes are detected by the temperature sensor, rather than operating continuously. This periodic operation extends battery life from hours to days or weeks while maintaining reliable water supply through automated sensor-triggered adjustments.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple solenoids are used to provide binary flow control, then power consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow control into multiple binary solenoid valves, each controlling a specific flow rate increment. By segmenting the total flow control into discrete binary units (e.g., 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x flow rates), the system can achieve precise flow control through combination of solenoid states while keeping each individual solenoid simple and low-power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flow sensor to provide feedback on actual flow rate and a temperature sensor to provide feedback on water temperature. This feedback allows the control system to determine which combination of binary solenoids should be activated to achieve the desired flow rate and temperature, managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms rather than mechanical complexity.
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 efficiently manages power consumption, enabling battery-powered operation without frequent recharging, while providing precise control over water temperature and flow rate.
Implementation Method 1
A solenoid system comprises a plurality of solenoid valves arranged in an array. The solenoid valves may be actuated by an array of solenoids. Each solenoid may be connected to a power supply input. The solenoid system may be configured to open or close in response to an input signal from a microcontroller unit (MCU) in order to control a flow rate of the hot water supply and a flow rate of the cold water supply.
Implementation Method 2
A user selects or otherwise inputs a desired water temperature and flow rate. The solenoids 20 may adjust the hot water supply 5 and cold water supply 10 so that the resulting mixture has the user-selected desired water temperature at the user-selected desired flow rate, even when no controller is used. Moreover, Piezo electric switches may be used in addition to or in combination with hardwired controls to the solenoids 20.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is provided that includes a water supply. The water supply includes a hot-water supply or a cold-water supply or both. A plurality of bistable solenoid valves is also provided in a sequence. The plurality of bistable solenoid valves is in fluid communication with the water supply, and each of the plurality of bistable solenoid valves has a respective flow rate. Each successive solenoid valve in the sequence allows double the flow rate of the previous solenoid valve of the sequence. Each of the plurality of bistable solenoid valves is opened or closed to adjust the water supply into a water supply outlet.