Pressure Washer Engine Auto-Start via Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure washers require frequent manual starting and stopping, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially for intermittent high-pressure water demands, as they need to operate beyond residential or municipal water supply pressures.
Innovation Solution
A pressure washer system with a fluid pump, internal combustion engine, and a control module that includes a flow sensor and vibration isolating members, allowing for on-demand engine starting based on fluid flow detection, reducing the need for continuous engine operation and manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the engine is manually started and stopped for intermittent high-pressure water demand, then the pressure washer can operate only when needed, but the frequent manual starting and stopping is burdensome and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects water flow demand through the flow sensor and autonomously controls engine starting and stopping without requiring manual intervention. The control module monitors flow sensor signals and automatically activates the engine when water flow is detected, eliminating the need for users to manually start and stop the engine for intermittent operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow sensor provides continuous feedback to the control module about water flow conditions. This feedback mechanism enables the control module to make real-time decisions about engine operation, automatically starting the engine when flow is detected and stopping it when flow ceases, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual operational needs.
2Reliability
If the engine runs continuously to satisfy intermittent demand, then high-pressure water is always available, but energy is wasted during periods when pressurized water is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The engine operation transitions from a static continuous-running state to a dynamic on-demand state. The control module continuously monitors flow sensor feedback and dynamically adjusts engine operation, starting the engine only when water flow is detected and stopping it when flow ceases. This dynamic operation ensures high-pressure water availability when needed while eliminating energy waste during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous operation, the engine performs periodic starting and stopping actions based on actual demand signals from the flow sensor. This periodic operation pattern allows the system to maintain reliability by starting the engine at each demand occurrence while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous running.
3Extent of automation
If a flow sensor and control module are added to enable automatic starting, then manual intervention is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical starting process is replaced with an automated electronic control system. The flow sensor electronically detects water flow conditions and sends signals to the control module, which then electronically activates the engine starter. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with electronic sensing and control achieves high automation while using standard electronic components that integrate relatively simply into the existing engine system.
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
Enables efficient, on-demand high-pressure water supply without continuous engine operation, reducing user burden and improving operational efficiency by automatically starting the engine when needed and shutting it down when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
A flow sensor may be in fluid communication with one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet... The control module may be configured to receive an indication of flow through the fluid pump
Implementation Method 2
The control module may be mounted to the fluid pump by one or more vibration isolating members... The one or more vibration isolating members may include respective rubber bushings
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure washer system includes a fluid pump having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A flow sensor is in fluid communication with one of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. An internal combustion engine is in driving communication with the fluid pump. A control module is mounted to the fluid pump. The control module is configured to receive an indication of flow through the fluid pump and to control a starting operation of the internal combustion engine to start the internal combustion engine in response to receiving the indication of flow through the fluid pump when the internal combustion engine is not running.