Connected Sanitaryware Flush Control for Adaptive Water Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sanitaryware systems, such as dual flush toilets, lack the ability to automatically determine the contents of the toilet bowl and adjust water usage accordingly, leading to inefficient water usage and potential malfunctions like clogs, which result in water wastage and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A connected sanitaryware system equipped with sensors and controllers that detect parameters like bowl contents, usage patterns, and water pressure, allowing for automatic adjustment of flush volume and initiation of maintenance actions, such as service tickets or valve control, through communication with internet-connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If dual flush technology is used to provide discrete low and high volume options, then water conservation is improved, but the selection is limited to two fixed volumes and user discretion may lead to suboptimal water usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts flush volume based on real-time sensor data about bowl contents, transitioning from static discrete volume options to continuous adaptive volume control. The controller modifies flush parameters dynamically according to detected conditions, resolving the contradiction between water conservation and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect bowl contents and provide feedback to the controller, which then adjusts flush volume accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically optimize water usage based on actual conditions, eliminating the need for user discretion while maintaining high adaptability.
2Loss of substance
If no detection system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but water wastage occurs due to constant flush conditions and inability to detect malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitaryware system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment through integrated sensors and controllers that automatically detect malfunctions such as clogs, constant flush conditions, and component failures. The system serves itself by monitoring its own operation and taking corrective action, preventing water wastage without requiring external intervention or complex external monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system proactively identifies potential issues before they lead to significant water wastage. By continuously monitoring parameters such as flush frequency, water level, and operational status, the system takes preliminary action to prevent malfunctions from escalating, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If sensors and controllers are integrated into each sanitaryware fixture, then automatic determination of bowl contents and optimized flush volume is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors and controllers that perform multiple tasks: detecting bowl contents, monitoring operational status, identifying malfunctions, and controlling flush operations. By consolidating these functions into single components, the system achieves advanced water conservation capabilities without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the flush mechanism, processing sensor data and coordinating the appropriate response. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic, making the system easier to manufacture and maintain while still achieving intelligent water conservation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitaryware system may include sensors to determine a status or condition of one or more sanitaryware fixtures in the sanitaryware system and perform a particular function, such as, for example performing a flush, closing the flush valve and/or angle stop, sending an alert, initiating a service ticket. The sanitaryware system may automatically perform the function. The sanitaryware system may communicate the status or condition to an internet connected device and/or user, the device may perform the function or may instruct the sanitaryware to perform the function. The sensed information, sanitaryware system status or condition, and/or initiated response may be logged and monitored to improve the overall efficiency and operation of the sanitaryware system and the sanitaryware fixtures within the system.