Modular Automatic Valve Control for Multi-Fitting Water Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic valve systems for water fittings require individual controls and evaluation units specific to each functionality, leading to high manufacturing costs and complexity due to hard-wired connections and specialized software for each application.
Innovation Solution
A modular automatic valve system with a receptacle for a replaceable connection unit that transmits signals to a controller via predefined connections, using shared control and evaluation units with a detection unit to recognize the type of water fitting, allowing the same system to be installed on different fittings without specialized expertise, and enabling communication via wired or wireless interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual control systems are used for each water fitting functionality, then the valve can be specifically optimized for each application, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal controller that can handle multiple water fitting functionalities (leak protection, hygienic flushing, backwash filtering) through a single multi-functional unit. The controller uses a detection unit to identify the connected fitting type via the connection unit's signal assignments and activates the appropriate control and evaluation unit from its library, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is segmented into multiple independent control and evaluation units (first control and evaluation unit, second control and evaluation unit, etc.), each designed for specific water fitting functionalities. These segmented units are integrated within a single controller framework, allowing the system to activate only the necessary segment based on the detected fitting type, thus reducing overall complexity while preserving specialized functionality.
2Reliability
If hard-wired connections are used for each sensor and signal transmitter, then the system is reliable, but the installation becomes time-consuming and requires specialized expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit serves as an intermediary component between sensors/signal transmitters and the controller. It provides a standardized interface with predefined signal assignments that simplifies the connection process. The connection unit can be exchanged based on the specific water fitting application, allowing installers to simply plug and play without complex hard-wiring, while the controller's detection unit automatically identifies the connection type through the standardized interface.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized control software is developed for each water fitting type, then the control precision is high, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple specialized control and evaluation units into a single controller. Each control and evaluation unit is designed for a specific water fitting functionality (leak protection, hygienic flushing, backwash filtering), but they are integrated within one controller housing. The detection unit identifies which fitting is connected and activates the corresponding control and evaluation unit, providing specialized control precision for each application while avoiding the need to manufacture and stock multiple separate specialized controllers.
4Reliability
If multiple dedicated controllers are manufactured for different fittings, then each controller is optimized for its specific function, but the inventory complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can adapt to different water fitting types (leak protection fittings, hygienic flushing fittings, backwash filter fittings). The detection unit identifies the connected fitting type through the connection unit's signal assignments and activates the appropriate control and evaluation unit from its integrated library. This single universal controller replaces the need for multiple dedicated controllers, improving adaptability while maintaining functional optimization through its segmented control units.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic valve for changing the water flow through a water fitting, comprising an actuator (28) for actuating a valve; and a control unit supplied with signals from one or more sensors or signal transmitters for controlling the actuator (28) according to the received signals; is characterized in that a receptacle for connecting an interchangeable connection unit with a plurality of connections is provided and the signals are transmitted to the control unit via one or more predefined connections of the receptacle; the control unit comprises at least two control and evaluation units for at least two different water fittings with different functionalities; and a recognition unit is provided in the control unit which activates a control and evaluation unit of the control unit assigned to the connections on the connection unit according to this assignment.