Combination Fitting for Drinking Water Hardness Control and Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems require a high installation effort and multiple components to provide treated water with desired hardness while detecting leaks or atypical flow conditions, leading to increased costs and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A combination fitting with integrated control and evaluation unit that detects flow conditions and controls the shut-off, allowing for the mixing of softened and raw water to achieve desired hardness, while also using a single controller for leakage detection and water supply management, incorporating a flow meter, pressure sensor, and blending device for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for water treatment, leak detection, and flow control, then each function can be performed independently and reliably, but the installation effort and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components (water treatment unit, flow meter, shut-off valve, control unit) into a single integrated combination fitting. The housing contains all these elements in one assembly that connects to the water supply at a single location, eliminating the need for multiple separate installations while maintaining all individual functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination fitting serves multiple functions simultaneously: it treats water (softening/ion exchange), measures flow (flow meter), controls flow (shut-off valve), detects leaks (control unit analyzing flow data), and blends treated/untreated water. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required several separate devices.
2Device complexity
If a single integrated control unit is used for both water treatment control and leak detection, then installation complexity is reduced, but the control unit must handle multiple functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the water treatment unit operation, monitors flow meter data, detects leaks by analyzing flow patterns, and regulates the blending device. This single control unit replaces what would previously have been separate control systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously receives feedback from the flow meter and analyzes flow data to detect leaks. It also monitors the operation of the water treatment unit and adjusts control signals accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows one control unit to manage multiple functions through continuous monitoring and adjustment.
3Reliability
If multiple separate control units are used for water treatment and leak detection, then each control function can be optimized independently, but the system becomes more expensive and prone to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple control units into a single integrated control unit that manages both water treatment operations and leak detection. This reduces the number of electronic control systems from two or more to one, lowering cost and potential failure points while maintaining all control functions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If raw water is completely softened through ion exchange, then water hardness is reduced to prevent limescale buildup, but calcium ions beneficial to health are removed and regeneration is frequently required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely softening the water (removing all calcium ions), the system performs partial softening by blending treated and untreated water. The blending device mixes softened water from the ion exchange unit with raw water in controlled proportions to achieve a target hardness level that prevents limescale while retaining some calcium ions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the hardness parameter of the output water by controlling the blend ratio of treated and raw water. By adjusting this parameter, the system achieves optimal hardness levels that balance limescale prevention with health requirements, rather than applying a fixed complete softening treatment.
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 reduces installation complexity and costs by integrating multiple functionalities into a single unit, enabling efficient water treatment, pressure adjustment, filtration, and leak detection, ensuring the water supply meets desired hardness and pressure levels while minimizing the risk of failures.
Implementation Method 1
a flow meter for measuring the flow rate through the combination fitting
Implementation Method 2
a blending device for blending treated drinking water with raw water in the form of untreated drinking water to provide drinking water with a defined hardness
Implementation Method 3
a shut-off valve for shutting off the entire flow through the combination fitting
Implementation Method 4
Through suitable water treatment, for example using an ion exchanger, calcium ions can be removed from drinking water
Data Source
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AI summary
A fitting assembly (10) comprising a combination fitting (16), a water softening or other water treatment unit (12) connected to the combination fitting (16), and a control and evaluation unit, wherein the combination fitting includes a housing (36) with an inlet (34) connectable to a drinking water supply and an outlet (110) for providing drinking water with a defined hardness; an outlet connection (94) and an inlet connection (98) for connecting the water treatment unit (12); a blending device (114) for blending treated drinking water with raw water in the form of untreated drinking water to provide drinking water with a defined hardness, with adjusting means for adjusting the amount of raw water that is mixed with the treated drinking water;a flow meter (78) for measuring the flow rate through the combination fitting, with means for transmitting the signals generated by the flow meter to the control and evaluation unit; and a shut-off valve (58) for shutting off the entire flow through the combination fitting (16); is characterized in that the control and evaluation unit has means for detecting leakage or other atypical and/or undesirable flow conditions from the signals transmitted by the flow meter; and the shut-off valve (58) is controllable with control signals from the control and evaluation unit depending on the associated flow condition and the condition of the water treatment unit or the quantity of raw water flowing through the water treatment unit.