Pet Water Dispenser with OLED Illumination and Thermoelectric Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet water dispensers fail to provide flowing water, which pets prefer due to higher oxygen content, and do not adequately address seasonal depression in pets during rainy or winter seasons, as they often lack sufficient illumination and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A pet water dispenser that includes a water tank with a pump to circulate water, a water supply plate above the tank, an illumination assembly using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to simulate flowing water and alleviate seasonal depression, and a thermoelectric element to maintain a preferred water temperature, along with sensors and a controller to manage the pumping and lighting based on pet presence and proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pump is used to circulate water to create flowing water, then oxygen content increases and pets prefer the water, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is integrated to perform multiple functions: circulating water to create a flowing effect for oxygenation, filtering impurities, and maintaining water temperature through coordinated operation with the heating element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and manages complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump creates a self-circulating water system where water continuously flows from the tank, through the dispensing area, and back to the tank. This continuous circulation automatically maintains oxygen levels and water quality without requiring manual intervention, making the system self-regulating.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an illumination assembly is added to alleviate seasonal depression, then pet well-being improves, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination assembly is integrated into the existing dispenser structure, combining lighting functionality with the water dispensing system. The light source is positioned to illuminate the water flow and dispensing area, merging aesthetic and therapeutic functions into the existing device framework rather than adding a completely separate system.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination assembly operates on timed cycles, providing light during periods when pets are most likely to use the dispenser or during times when seasonal depression effects are most pronounced. The controller manages periodic activation to provide therapeutic benefit while minimizing energy consumption and reducing the perception of constant complexity.
3Temperature
If thermoelectric element is used to maintain water temperature, then pet comfort improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermoelectric element changes the temperature parameter of the water by a controlled amount, maintaining it within an optimal range for pet consumption. Rather than heating or cooling water to extreme temperatures, the system makes small, precise parameter adjustments to keep water comfortably warm, reducing energy requirements compared to extreme temperature maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor water temperature and adjust thermoelectric element operation accordingly. When water reaches the desired temperature range, the system reduces or stops heating, and activates heating only when temperature drops below the threshold, creating an energy-efficient on-demand operation pattern.
4Ease of operation
If sensors and controller are added to manage pumping and lighting, then operation precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and controller system enables the dispenser to automatically detect and respond to pet presence, water level conditions, and operational needs without human intervention. The system self-regulates pump operation, lighting activation, and temperature control based on sensor input, making the complex functions operate autonomously as if the system serves itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: managing pump operation for water circulation, controlling illumination assembly timing and intensity, monitoring temperature via the thermoelectric element, and coordinating sensor data. This centralization of control functions into a single multi-functional unit reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate control systems for each function.
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 dispenser provides pets with oxygen-rich flowing water, reduces seasonal depression through targeted lighting, and maintains a comfortable water temperature, enhancing water intake and overall pet well-being.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (20) provided inside the water tank (10) to pump the water stored inside the water tank (10)
Implementation Method 2
an illumination assembly (60) provided below the water supply plate (30) and having at least one organic light emitting diode to illuminate water failing from the plate
Implementation Method 3
a thermoelectric element to maintain a preferred water temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A pet water dispenser may include a water tank having an opening, a pump provided inside the water tank, a water supply pipe connected to the pump to transport water, a water supply plate supplying water from the water supply pipe, and an illumination assembly to illuminate water falling from the water supply plate.