Sensor Faucet Flow Control to Prevent Zero-Flow Restart Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic faucets are inconvenient for long-term water output and suffer from unnecessary interference between manual and automatic modes, with flow control issues leading to incorrect assumptions of device damage.
Innovation Solution
A water output device with an electronic sensor component, a waterway electronic valve, a flow adjusting component, and a control component that detects and adjusts flow rates, allowing for intelligent control of water output, preventing flow rate from being adjusted to zero, and ensuring seamless integration of electronic and mechanical controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flow control valve is adjusted directly to zero flow rate, then the water output is stopped, but the faucet cannot output water when sensing control is used again and requires re-operation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection component continuously monitors the flow control valve position and provides feedback to the control component. When the valve is adjusted to the first position (flow rate > 0), the system learns this state and prevents the electronic valve from closing automatically, ensuring water continues to flow even after sensing control operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and remembers the flow control valve position, and self-adjusts the electronic valve control strategy based on this detected state, eliminating the need for user re-operation and preventing water output interruptions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the automatic mode works normally during manual operation, then sensing control is available, but it causes unnecessary interference to the user
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual control modes based on user actions. When the flow control valve is adjusted (manual operation detected), the system transitions to manual mode and disables automatic sensing control, eliminating interference. When the valve returns to its original position, automatic mode is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection component proactively detects flow control valve adjustments before sensing control interference occurs, and the control component preemptively disables automatic mode, preventing potential user interference rather than reacting to it.
3Reliability
If a physical blocking member is added to prevent flow rate adjustment to zero, then water output continuity is ensured, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a physical blocking member (mechanical solution), the patent uses a detection component and control component (electronic/control system) to monitor and prevent flow rate from reaching zero, replacing mechanical complexity with intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection component provides real-time feedback on flow control valve position, and the control component uses this feedback to prevent the electronic valve from closing when the valve is at the first position, ensuring water output continuity without physical blocking.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an adjustment position of a water output device. A flow volume adjustment component (20) of the water output device has a first position corresponding to a flow volume greater than zero; upon detecting that the flow volume adjustment component (20) reduces the flow volume to that corresponding to the first position, a detection component (60) sends a signal to a control component (50); and the control component (50) turns off an electronic waterway switch (30) according to the signal. In this way, when the flow volume is reduced, the electronic waterway switch (30) can be turned off by means of signal control, and in this case, the flow volume adjusted by the flow volume adjustment component (20) is kept at a particular value, such that the next time water is output by a user using an electronic mode, the failure of water output would not occur.