Colorimetric Display for Swimming Pool Water Quality Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for monitoring swimming pool water physico-chemical parameters rely on digital displays, which are precise but difficult for users to interpret, and can generate odors or skin/eye irritation from chemical treatments.

Innovation Solution

A colorimetric measurement and display device using electrochemical sensors and variable color indicators, such as LEDs, to provide intuitive and instantaneous visual feedback on physico-chemical parameters like pH, ORP, conductivity, and salinity, allowing for quick and simple monitoring of swimming pool water quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If digital display is used to show physico-chemical parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult reading and interpretation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by using a luminous indicator that emits light in different colors (red, green, blue) corresponding to different ranges of physico-chemical parameters. This allows users to quickly interpret water quality status through intuitive color cues rather than complex numerical displays, resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the one-dimensional numerical display into a two-dimensional color space representation. By mapping parameter values to colors in the visible spectrum, the system adds a visual dimension that makes interpretation more intuitive and easier for users while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If chemical treatments are incorporated into water, then water cleanliness and clarity are improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to odor and skin/eye irritation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater cleanlinessVSAvoidodor and irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring physico-chemical parameters and providing real-time visual feedback through color-coded indicators. This allows operators to maintain water quality within optimal ranges, preventing the need for excessive chemical treatments that would cause odor and irritation, thus resolving the contradiction between cleanliness and harmful factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables partial action by allowing precise control of chemical treatment dosages based on actual measured parameter values. Instead of applying excessive chemicals to ensure cleanliness, the system applies only the necessary amount to achieve target parameter ranges, reducing harmful side effects while maintaining water quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables easy and simultaneous control of multiple physico-chemical parameters, providing an intuitive visual indication of water quality, reducing the need for complex numerical interpretations and minimizing chemical treatment-related issues.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor is preferably an electrochemical sensor sensitive to a physico-chemical parameter of the liquid medium to be analyzed, or to the variation of a physico-chemical parameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The color provided by the indicator can come from one or more sources of white light, associated, for example, with color filters and liquid crystal optical switches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

The monochrome light sources can be arranged so as to produce said variable color of the light indicator by synthesis of their respective colors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColor synthesis:

Data Source

PatentEP2966438B1Method and device for colour grading measuring and displaying of physico-chemical data
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 BLEU ELECTRIQUE
  • EP2966438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2966438B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2966438B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a colorimetric measurement and signaling device for one or more physicochemical quantities of a liquid medium. This device comprises: - at least one sensor (1) capable of measuring at least one physicochemical parameter of the medium; - at least one light indicator (2) designed to emit colored light with a color that varies according to an electrical control signal; - an electronic control circuit (3) connected to the sensor (1) and configured to convert at least one sensor measurement into an electrical signal to drive the indicator, thereby causing the emission of light with a color that is a function of the measurement of said physicochemical parameter.