Water Dispenser Float Switch Controller for Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point of use water dispensers are prone to property damage due to internal leaks, as the water refill valve can continuously refill the reservoir, leading to unchecked water spillage and potential significant damage if not monitored.
Innovation Solution
A water dispenser system that includes a controller connected to a float switch and a solenoid valve, which only refills the water tank after receiving both an activation signal from the faucet and an open signal from the float switch, preventing continuous water flow and minimizing leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the water refill valve is controlled to open periodically to refill the water reservoir, then the water reservoir can be kept full and ready for use, but water may drain continuously over the floor causing property damage if a leak is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a float switch to detect the water level in the reservoir and provide this information to the controller. The controller then decides whether to open the refill valve based on the float switch signal. This feedback mechanism ensures the valve only opens when actually needed (when the tank is low) and prevents continuous operation that would cause spillage if a leak is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires preliminary confirmation of proper water drainage before enabling automatic refill. The system performs a preliminary check by monitoring whether water drains completely from the reservoir after a refill cycle. Only after confirming proper drainage does the system enable periodic automatic refilling. This preliminary action prevents the harmful effect of continuous spilling by ensuring the system is functioning correctly before automatic refill is activated.
2Quantity of substance
If the water refill valve operates continuously to ensure the reservoir is always full, then water availability is maximized, but internal leaks can cause substantial water drainage and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The float switch provides continuous feedback on the water level, allowing the system to maintain the reservoir full only when needed while preventing overfilling and spillage. The controller monitors the float switch signal and adjusts the refill valve operation accordingly, ensuring water availability while reducing the risk of damage from leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on actual conditions. Rather than continuous operation, the refill valve operates dynamically - opening only when the float switch indicates the water level is low and closing when the tank is full. This dynamic control maximizes water availability while minimizing the risk of property damage from potential leaks.
3Ease of operation
If automatic periodic refilling is enabled to prevent empty reservoirs, then convenience is improved, but unmonitored leaks can cause considerable spillage over short periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of proper water drainage before enabling automatic refill convenience. By checking that water drains completely and properly after each refill cycle, the system ensures safe operation is established first. This preliminary action prevents the rapid spillage that would occur with unmonitored leaks while maintaining the convenience of automatic refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The float switch provides feedback that enables convenient automatic operation only when conditions are safe. The controller uses this feedback to enable or disable automatic refilling based on whether proper drainage is confirmed. This feedback-controlled convenience allows automatic refilling to operate safely while preventing the time-critical spillage problem.
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 effectively prevents endless water leakage by ensuring the refill valve only operates when the tank is empty and the user has activated the faucet, reducing the risk of property damage from unmonitored leaks.
Implementation Method 1
a first float switch movably disposed in the water tank and configured to generate an open signal after moving away from a predetermined position
Implementation Method 2
a solenoid valve fluidly connectable to the water source and fluidly connected to the water tank
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispenser is fluidly connectable to a water source. The water dispenser includes a water tank; a faucet fluidly connected to the water tank and configured to generate an activation signal after being activated; a valve fluidly connectable to the water source and fluidly connected to the water tank; a first float switch movably disposed in the water tank and configured to generate an open signal after moving away from a predetermined position; and a controller operatively connected to the faucet and the first float switch. The controller is configured to open the valve to refill the water tank with water from the water source after the controller receives both the activation signal from the faucet and the open signal from the first float switch. A method of operating the water dispenser is also disclosed.