Pipe Leak Detector with Integrated Reservoir and Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water leaks from plumbing fixtures and appliances often go undetected due to their hidden locations, leading to significant damage over time, as existing solutions fail to provide effective early alerts for slow or intermittent leaks.

Innovation Solution

A water leak detector with a housing that secures to a water pipe using a coupler with a living hinge and catch mechanism, featuring a retention reservoir and a switch that detects water at a predetermined level, triggering an electrical indicator to alert users of leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a water leak detector is installed to detect leaks early, then damage prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for retention reservoir, switch, and indicator components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the retention reservoir, switch, and indicator into a single integrated housing unit that attaches to the pipe. The reservoir is formed within the housing walls, the switch is mounted inside the housing, and the indicator is integrated into the same structure, creating a unified leak detection device rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switch and indicator are nested within the housing structure that contains the retention reservoir. The electrical components are housed inside the same protective casing as the water collection chamber, with the indicator positioned to be accessible from the exterior while the switch remains internal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the coupler uses a living hinge and catch mechanism for secure attachment, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the complexity of the coupling mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupler attachment reliabilityVSAvoidcoupler manufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The living hinge provides a flexible, dynamic connection between the coupler arms that allows the device to adapt to slight variations in pipe positioning while maintaining secure attachment. The hinge enables the coupler to flex and conform to the pipe surface rather than requiring rigid, precision-fitted components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The catch mechanism automatically engages and locks the coupler arms in place when the housing is assembled around the pipe, providing self-securing functionality without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly steps. The mechanism uses the assembly process itself to activate the locking action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the switch detects water at a predetermined level in the reservoir, then the precision of leak detection is improved, but the loss of time increases due to the need for water accumulation to trigger the alarm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater level detection precisionVSAvoidtime delay before alarm

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The retention reservoir is designed with a predetermined level that triggers the switch at a threshold that balances early detection with false alarm prevention. The reservoir size and switch positioning are calibrated to detect even small leaks within a reasonable time frame while requiring only partial filling to activate the alarm, rather than waiting for complete reservoir saturation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively alerts users to water leaks by detecting accumulated water in the reservoir, preventing damage by providing timely notifications of even small leaks, thereby reducing structural and material damage.

Implementation Method 1

A switch is supported by the housing and is configured to detect water at a predetermined level within the retention reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater detection:

Implementation Method 2

An absorbent material is received within the retention reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9245438B2Water leak detector for a pipe having a retention reservoir

Publication Date: 2016.01.26 DELTA FAUCET COMPANY

AI summary

A water leak detector including a housing defining a retention reservoir, and a coupler connected to the housing and configured to secure the housing to a water pipe. A switch is supported by the housing and is configured to detect water at a predetermined level within the reservoir. An indicator may be an electrical communication with the switch to provide an indication to a user when water has reached the predetermined level within the reservoir.