Binary Solenoid Valve Array for Battery-Powered Water Mixing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bathing industry systems require significant electrical power to control water flow and temperature, making them impractical for battery-powered systems.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing bi-stable solenoid valves that only consume power when switching between binary states, combined with a power supply that can be recharged using a Peltier device or water turbine generator, allowing for efficient battery operation and precise temperature and flow rate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motor-driven valves are used to control water flow and temperature, then flow and temperature control is achieved, but electrical power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the continuous flow control into discrete binary states using multiple solenoid valves. Each solenoid valve controls a specific portion of water flow (hot or cold) and can be independently switched on or off. By combining multiple binary-controlled valves, the system achieves analog-like flow and temperature control without requiring continuous motor operation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic switching of solenoid valves to control water flow. Instead of continuous motor operation, the solenoids are switched on and off in specific sequences to regulate the amount of hot and cold water mixing. This periodic binary action replaces continuous electrical power consumption with intermittent switching, significantly reducing overall energy usage while maintaining precise control.
2Reliability
If continuous electrical power is used to maintain flow rates, then consistent water output is achieved, but battery-powered operation becomes impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides water flow control into separate binary-controlled pathways for hot and cold water using multiple solenoid valves. Each valve segment controls a specific flow portion, allowing independent on/off switching. This segmentation enables reliable flow control through combinatorial binary states rather than continuous motor operation, making battery-powered operation feasible.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces motor-driven mechanical valves with electromagnetically actuated solenoid valves. The solenoids use electromagnetic fields to open or close valve ports binaryly, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical motor operation. This substitution reduces power consumption from continuous motor torque maintenance to intermittent electromagnetic actuation, enabling battery-powered consistent output.
3Temperature
If motor-driven valves are used for temperature control, then user-selected temperature is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments temperature control into independent binary-controlled hot and cold water pathways using separate solenoid valves. Each valve segment controls the mixing ratio by selectively opening or closing hot or cold water flow paths. This binary segmentation of temperature control pathways allows precise user-selected temperature achievement through combinatorial valve states without continuous motor power consumption.
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 solution significantly reduces power consumption, enabling battery-powered systems to maintain consistent water output and user-selected temperature and flow rates without depleting the battery, thus making battery-powered systems operable and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
A flow control system may include a Peltier device and/or water turbine generator to power and/or recharge the battery during operation of the bi-stable solenoids
Implementation Method 2
A flow control system may include a Peltier device and/or water turbine generator to power and/or recharge the battery during operation of the bi-stable solenoids
Implementation Method 3
The solenoids may operate using a battery supply without depleting it in a manner which would render the use of a battery-power system inoperable
Data Source
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.