Gravity-Fed Water Delivery Tube for Silent Appliance Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current household appliances that use water or steam, such as coffee makers and steam cleaners, are hindered by high manufacturing and maintenance costs and noise issues due to solenoid water pumps.
Innovation Solution
A water delivery apparatus comprising an air-tight storage unit, an air channel to regulate pressure, and a water delivery tube with adjustable diameter and length, allowing water to flow by gravity, along with a flow adjustment unit and control unit for user input, to optimize water flow without the need for solenoid pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solenoid water pumps are used for water delivery in household appliances, then water flow control is achieved, but manufacturing costs and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the solenoid pump from the water delivery system entirely. Instead of using a pump, the system relies on gravity-driven flow through a water delivery tube, with flow rate controlled by the tube's dimensions (diameter, length) and water storage height. This eliminates the complex mechanical components, reduces manufacturing cost, and simplifies maintenance while still achieving water flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical solenoid pump system with a gravity-based passive flow system. The water delivery tube's physical dimensions (diameter, length) and the height of water storage create a gravity-driven flow mechanism that substitutes for the active mechanical pumping system, reducing complexity and cost.
2Productivity
If solenoid water pumps are used for water delivery in household appliances, then water flow control is achieved, but unwanted noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the solenoid pump—the primary noise-generating component—from the system. The gravity-driven water delivery tube operates silently without mechanical moving parts, electromagnetic solenoids, or pumps, thereby eliminating the unwanted noise while maintaining water flow control functionality.
3Productivity
If water delivery tube dimensions are adjusted to control flow rate, then water flow regulation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention controls water flow rate by changing the physical parameters of the water delivery tube itself—specifically its diameter and length—rather than adding complex control mechanisms. The flow rate is determined by the tube's dimensions and the height of water storage, providing passive flow regulation without increasing device complexity. This approach uses geometric parameter optimization instead of mechanical or electronic control systems.
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 provides efficient and cost-effective water delivery in household appliances while eliminating unwanted noise, enhancing the operational efficiency and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
an air channel configured to allow air to enter the water storage unit at a predetermined height level so as to regulate the water pressure in the water storage unit
Implementation Method 2
the water delivery tube is arranged such that its second end is lower than the predetermined height level, and the height difference causes water to flow from the water storage unit to the component of the household appliance
Data Source
AI summary
A water delivery apparatus (100) for use at a household appliance is provided. The water apparatus comprises an air-tight water storage unit (110) configured to store water, an air channel (120) configured to allow air to enter the water storage unit at a predetermined height level so as to regulate the water pressure in the water storage unit, and a water delivery tube (130) connected to a component of the household appliance at which water is utilized for performing a function of the household appliance.