Modular Fluid Connection Block for Leak-Safe Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashing machines in commercial environments face reliability issues due to variable and complex fluid connections, leading to leaks and high maintenance costs, as existing connections are often susceptible to malfunctions and require specific adaptations for each system.
Innovation Solution
A function block with a frame that securely connects a consumer, raw water line, drain, and water treatment system, incorporating a pressure control unit and monitoring device, which uses fixed fluid lines and modular design to ensure reliability and ease of service, allowing for flexible use across different types of consumers and water treatment systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fluid connections are used in water treatment systems, then system flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to leaks and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular function blocks that each handle specific fluid connection tasks. Each function block contains integrated connections for raw water inlet, treated water outlet, and waste drainage, eliminating the need for complex external piping and reducing leak points while maintaining system flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The function blocks are designed with universal connection interfaces that can accommodate different consumer types (dishwashers, coffee machines, etc.) and water treatment systems. The standardized multi-functional connections eliminate the need for system-specific adaptations, reducing complexity while improving reliability across applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If system-specific fluid connections are implemented, then adaptability to different consumers is achieved, but ease of manufacture and service deteriorates due to high installation costs
Solution Approach 1:
The function blocks incorporate universal connection interfaces that work across multiple consumer types and water treatment systems. The standardized design allows a single function block model to serve various applications, eliminating the need for custom manufacturing and reducing installation complexity while maintaining full adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The function blocks are pre-assembled with all necessary connections, valves, and monitoring devices integrated during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration eliminates on-site assembly complexity and reduces installation time and costs while maintaining system adaptability to different consumers.
3Ease of operation
If multiple separate connection components are used, then flexibility in system configuration is maintained, but ease of repair deteriorates due to difficult troubleshooting
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple connection functions (raw water inlet, treated water outlet, waste drainage, pressure control, monitoring) are merged into single integrated function blocks. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be troubleshooted individually, making repair easier while maintaining system flexibility through modular block configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The function blocks include integrated monitoring devices that automatically detect and report malfunctions, reducing the need for manual troubleshooting. The self-diagnostic capabilities enable easier identification of issues while maintaining system flexibility, allowing quick replacement of faulty blocks without extensive diagnostic procedures.
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 solution minimizes leakage risks, reduces maintenance costs, and facilitates easy replacement and troubleshooting, ensuring high reliability and flexibility in fluid connections while maintaining water quality through controlled fluid flow management.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure control unit is designed to maintain a predetermined pressure in the fluid connection to the second port during operation of the function block
Implementation Method 2
The monitoring device is designed to determine at least one condition of a fluid flow between the third port and the consumer port
Data Source
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AI summary
A function block 100 for fluidly connecting a consumer, a raw water line, a drain and a water treatment plant comprises a first connection 110, a second connection 120, a third connection 130, a raw water connection 140, a waste water connection 150, a consumer connection 160, a pressure control unit 170, a Monitoring device 180 and a frame 190. The water treatment plant and the raw water line can be connected to the raw water connection 140 at the first, second and third connection 110, 120 and 130, the first connection 110 and the raw water line being fluidly connected to one another. In addition, the pressure control unit 170 is fluidly connected to the second port 120 and to the waste water port 150, the pressure control unit 170 being fluidly formed between the waste water port 150 and the second port. The pressure control unit 170 is also designed to maintain a specific pressure at the second port 120 during the operation of the function block. The monitoring device 180 is fluidly arranged between the third port 130 and the consumer port 160 and is designed to determine at least one condition of a fluid flow between the third port 130 and the consumer port 160 . One or more of the named components is/are fastened to the frame 190 .