Electronic Bathtub Control Electronics for Automated Water Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of traditional bathtubs is complex and time-consuming, requiring manual adjustment of water temperature, filling levels, and addition of additives, with no significant reduction in user effort even with partially automated systems.
Innovation Solution
An electronic bathtub with control electronics that automatically sets and regulates operating parameters, including water level, temperature, additives, and cleaning, offering semi-automatic or fully automatic operation through connected units and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for filling, temperature adjustment, and draining, then the bathtub can be used with simple structure, but the user effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics automatically monitor and adjust water level, temperature, and drainage without requiring continuous user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting conditions (via sensors) and autonomously actuating components (valves, heaters) to maintain optimal bathing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations (hand-operated valves, manual temperature mixing) are replaced by an electronic control system that uses sensors, microprocessors, and automated actuators to perform the same functions with greater precision and less user effort.
2Extent of automation
If automatic control electronics are introduced to reduce user effort, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics perform multiple functions simultaneously: monitoring water level, regulating temperature, controlling drainage timing, and managing additives. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor water level, temperature, and other parameters, feeding this information back to the control electronics. The system uses this feedback to automatically adjust valves and heaters, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal conditions without user intervention.
3Temperature
If the user manually monitors and adjusts water temperature during filling, then temperature control can be achieved, but time consumption and user effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control electronics pre-heat water or pre-adjust temperature settings before the user needs the bath. The system anticipates temperature requirements and begins adjustment processes in advance, so the desired temperature is ready when needed without requiring the user to wait or manually adjust.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual temperature mixing and monitoring is replaced by electronic temperature sensors and automated heater control. The system electronically regulates temperature with precision, eliminating the need for users to manually mix hot and cold water or continuously monitor temperature gauges.
4Ease of operation
If manual operation is used for adding additives and cleaning, then the system remains simple, but the overall bathing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically dispenses bath additives at the appropriate time during the filling process and initiates cleaning cycles after use. These self-service functions eliminate manual steps for adding chemicals and cleaning the tub, integrating them into the automated sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
Additives are automatically added to the water in advance before the user enters the bath, and cleaning is initiated automatically after the bath concludes. This preliminary and post-action timing removes these tasks from the user's immediate workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
The tub has a tub body (1) comprising a water supply (2) and a water drain (3). Control electronics (4) is provided for automatic adjustment of operating parameters, and a control unit (5) controls the operating parameter, where the control unit is connected with the control electronics. The control unit controls quantity and temperature of water in the tub. The control unit controls degree of contamination of the water. The electronics is wirelessly connected with the control unit and/or with an actuating unit (7) over a radio connection (6a) or an infrared connection.