Pet Water Dispenser Valve and Evaporator for Clean Water Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet water dispensers suffer from bacterial contamination in the feed-water tanks due to organic matters flowing back from the drinking bowls, necessitating frequent cleaning and posing health risks to pets.
Innovation Solution
A pet water dispenser design featuring a control valve to separate and drain unused water into an evaporator with a large surface area water intake assembly, allowing wastewater to be evaporated, preventing recirculation and ensuring clean water availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water circulates between the drinking bowls and feed-water tanks, then pets can access water continuously, but organic matters accumulate in the feed-water tanks causing bacterial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The water system is divided into separate circulation paths: clean water circulates between the feed-water tank and drinking bowls, while wastewater is diverted to the evaporator through the control valve and flow guide member. This segmentation prevents contamination of the feed-water tank while maintaining continuous water availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful wastewater is extracted from the circulation system and directed to the evaporator for evaporation treatment. The control valve separates the water flow, extracting contaminated water from the clean water cycle, thereby preventing bacterial accumulation in the feed-water tank.
2Ease of operation
If water circulates continuously between drinking bowls and feed-water tanks, then pets have constant access to water, but cleaning frequency increases due to organic matter accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator provides self-service wastewater treatment by evaporating water from the flow guide member, automatically removing organic matters without requiring user intervention. This maintains the automatic water supply benefit while eliminating the need for frequent manual cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
Wastewater is discarded through evaporation in the evaporator rather than being recirculated. The evaporation process recovers clean water vapor while discarding organic contaminants, reducing cleaning frequency while maintaining automatic water supply functionality.
3Reliability
If a control valve separates drinking bowl from feed-water tank, then wastewater prevents re-entry into feed-water tank, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide member acts as an intermediary component between the control valve and evaporator, guiding wastewater flow and simplifying the overall valve mechanism design. This intermediary structure ensures water cleanliness while reducing the complexity of the control system.
4Productivity
If evaporator with large surface area water intake assembly is used, then evaporation efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water intake assembly extends in a wavy pattern, utilizing three-dimensional space to maximize surface area within a compact footprint. This dimensional approach increases evaporation efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity or occupying excessive space.
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
Ensures continuous access to clean water by preventing wastewater from re-entering the feed-water tank, reducing user cleaning frequency, and maintaining a safe drinking environment for pets.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator comprising a water tray and a water intake assembly, the water tray being in butt joint with the control valve, the control valve controlling the communication and separation between the drinking bowl and the water tray, and the water intake assembly being arranged in the water tray, with the surface area greater than the bottom area of the water tray
Data Source
AI summary
A pet water dispenser includes a feed-water tank, a drinking device and an evaporator; a water container is arranged in the feed-water tank; the drinking device includes a drinking bowl, and a control valve which is connected to the drinking bowl and the feed-water tank and controls communication and separation between the drinking bowl and the feed-water tank; the evaporator includes a water tray and a water intake assembly; the water tray is in butt joint with the control valve which controls the communication and separation between the drinking bowl and the water tray; the water intake assembly is arranged in the water tray, with surface area larger than the bottom area of the water tray. Wastewater is automatically evaporated, thus avoiding inconvenience in wastewater treatment by a user, and also preventing water in the drinking bowl from entering the feed-water tank to cause water body pollution.