Device, system and method for automatic flushing with a multiple valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic flushing systems for liquid lines, particularly drinking water lines, fail to reliably prevent bacterial growth and are inefficient in terms of energy consumption and timing, as they often require frequent or prolonged flushing, which can disturb residents and is not always feasible.
Innovation Solution
A device with a multiple valve system comprising parallel magnetic valves that allows for controlled volume flow regulation, independent of pressure, enabling fine adjustment of flushing volume and frequency, along with features like a backflow vessel and sensor for preventing contamination and optimizing flushing procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flushing frequency or duration is increased to ensure better hygiene, then bacterial prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases and residents may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing valve is divided into multiple parallel valves (first, second, third, fourth valves) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to flush multiple lines simultaneously or selectively, reducing the total time and energy required for comprehensive flushing while maintaining hygiene effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit enables selective and time-based operation of individual valves within the multiple valve system. Instead of continuous or uniform periodic flushing of all lines, the system can activate specific valves at specific times based on usage patterns, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining hygiene where needed.
2Device complexity
If a single valve is used for flushing, then device complexity is reduced, but volume flow regulation precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single valve is segmented into multiple parallel valves with individual control. This allows precise regulation of volume flow by selectively opening or closing specific valves based on the flushing requirements of different liquid lines, achieving fine flow control without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single large valve that must be precisely controlled, the system uses multiple smaller valves that can be partially activated. This allows the system to achieve the necessary flow regulation by opening only the required number of valves, providing inherent granularity in flow control.
3Reliability
If flushing is performed during non-continuous usage periods, then hygiene is improved, but noise pollution and disturbance to residents increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit schedules flushing operations based on detected usage patterns, performing flushing during periods of actual or anticipated non-use. This periodic, intelligence-driven timing avoids nighttime or early morning flushing that would disturb residents, while still maintaining hygiene by flushing during appropriate windows.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect usage patterns and provides feedback to the control unit, which adjusts flushing timing accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn when flushing is appropriate and when it would cause disturbance, dynamically optimizing the balance between hygiene maintenance and noise pollution prevention.
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 device ensures effective flushing of liquid lines, reducing bacterial growth risks, minimizing energy consumption, and reducing noise pollution by allowing for flexible and efficient volume flow regulation, while preventing backflow and ensuring hygiene in non-continuous usage scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A device with a multiple valve system comprising parallel magnetic valves that allows for controlled volume flow regulation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) for automatically flushing liquid lines, in particular drinking water lines, with at least one connection (4) for a water conduit, with at least one connection (6) for a wastewater conduit, and with a flushing valve (8) which is arranged between the connections for the water conduit and wastewater conduit. The object of providing a device for automatic flushing that allows a flushing behaviour which is better tailored to the conditions is achieved in that the flushing valve (8) comprises a multiple valve with parallel valves (10). The invention further relates to a system of water lines and to a method for automatically flushing water lines using a device according to the invention.