Sanitary Fitting Flow Control for Energy Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fittings do not effectively inform users about energy consumption during operation, requiring additional effort and resources for energy awareness, such as optical displays, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting with a mixing device, hot and cold water supply lines, and a control unit that adjusts the volume flow of mixed water based on monitored parameters, allowing for subtle changes in flow rate to indicate energy consumption limits without external displays, using a drive wheel to generate electrical power for the control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If optical displays or mobile phone indicators are used to alert users about energy consumption, then user awareness of energy consumption is improved, but device complexity and additional equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitary fitting uses its own operational parameters (flow rate, temperature) to generate feedback signals that inform users about energy consumption. The system serves itself by using the water flow and temperature data already being processed for control purposes to also provide energy consumption information, eliminating the need for separate display devices or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical display systems (electronic, requiring power) with a mechanical feedback mechanism. The control unit directly modulates the water flow or temperature in response to detected parameters, creating a tangible physical feedback that informs users about energy consumption without requiring screens, lights, or additional electronic components.
2Loss of information
If additional equipment like displays and optical signals are added to indicate energy consumption, then information feedback to users is improved, but loss of energy increases due to additional power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing energy and resources already flowing through the sanitary fitting to provide feedback. The control unit leverages the water flow and thermal energy already present in the system to generate informative feedback signals, rather than consuming additional energy through separate display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the existing energy flow and thermal energy in the water system into useful feedback information. By monitoring and responding to the energy already being consumed by the water flow, the system transforms what would be invisible energy consumption into actionable feedback for users, turning a potentially harmful lack of information into a beneficial awareness tool.
3Loss of information
If the control unit continuously monitors operating parameters and provides feedback, then energy consumption awareness is improved, but use of energy by the control unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors operating parameters as part of its normal control function, and this continuous monitoring simultaneously provides continuous energy consumption information. The same sensing and processing actions that are necessary for controlling water flow and temperature also generate the feedback information, eliminating the need for separate continuous monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it regulates water flow and temperature for comfort, and also monitors and communicates energy consumption information to users. By making the control unit universal and multi-functional, the patent avoids the energy cost of adding dedicated monitoring and display hardware.
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
This solution provides a simple and energy-efficient way to inform users about energy consumption, reducing additional effort and resources needed for awareness, while allowing for self-sustaining operation without external power supplies.
Implementation Method 1
The sanitary fitting has a drive wheel of a generator arranged in at least one of the lines, which is driven by the volume flow and generates an electric current with which the control unit can be operated at least partially
Implementation Method 2
a mixing device, a hot water supply line, a cold water supply line and a mixed water line, wherein a liquid supplied via the hot water supply line and the cold water supply line can be mixed via the mixing device
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a sanitary fitting (1) and a sanitary fitting (1) comprising at least: - the sanitary fitting (1) with ∘ a mixing device (2), ∘ a hot water supply line (3), ∘ a cold water supply line (4) and ∘ a mixed water line (5), wherein a liquid (6) supplied via the hot water supply line (3) and the cold water supply line (4) can be mixed via the mixing device (2) and conveyed via the mixed water line (5) to at least one dispensing device (7); ∘ a control unit (8), wherein at least one volume flow (9) of the liquid (6) flowing through the mixed water line (5) can be controlled via the control unit (8); wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: a) operation of the sanitary fitting (1), wherein the liquid (6) flows via the mixing device (2) to the dispensing device (7); b) determination of a parameter of the operation by the control unit (8);and if a limit value (10) defined for the parameter is exceeded; c) time-limited change of the volume flow rate (9) flowing out via the dispensing device (7) by the control unit (8).;