Sensor-Guided Flush Valve Assembly for Adaptive Water Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual flush toilets limit flush volume selection to two discrete options, leading to potential misuse and inefficiency, and malfunctioning toilets can result in unnecessary water waste and damage.
Innovation Solution
An automatic flush valve assembly with sensors and controllers that determine toilet contents and adjust flush volume accordingly, integrating wireless communication for network connectivity and manual override.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If dual flush technology is used to provide discrete low and high volume options, then water conservation is improved, but flush volume optimization is worsened due to operator discretion and potential misuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors (ultrasonic, capacitive, optical) to automatically detect bowl contents and determine the appropriate flush volume without operator intervention. The controller autonomously selects between low and high flush modes based on detected waste type, eliminating the need for operator discretion while maintaining water conservation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors bowl contents using sensors and provides real-time feedback to the controller, which adjusts flush volume accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal water usage by matching flush volume to actual bowl conditions rather than relying on preset discrete options or operator judgment
2Device complexity
If manual operation is used for flush selection, then device complexity is reduced, but water waste increases due to constant flush condition and malfunction detection delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system autonomously monitors its own operational status using sensors to detect malfunctions such as constant flush conditions, clogs, and component failures. The controller automatically responds to detected issues without requiring manual intervention, enabling early problem detection and prevention of water waste while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with electronic sensing and control systems. Ultrasonic, capacitive, and optical sensors detect bowl contents and system status, while an electronic controller manages flush operations. This substitution enables automated malfunction detection and response, reducing water waste from undetected issues while keeping the overall system complexity manageable
3Reliability
If automatic sensing and wireless communication are integrated, then flush volume optimization and malfunction detection are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple sensor types (ultrasonic, capacitive, optical) and wireless communication capabilities into a single multi-functional controller unit. This centralized approach enables the controller to perform diverse functions including waste detection, flush volume determination, malfunction monitoring, and wireless data transmission, thereby improving reliability through comprehensive sensing while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines sensing elements, processing logic, and wireless communication into an integrated control system. The controller merges data from multiple sensor sources to make flush decisions and monitors system health, while wireless modules enable remote communication of operational status. This merging improves reliability through comprehensive monitoring and optimization while reducing the complexity that would arise from separate distributed components
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
Enhances water conservation by optimizing flush volume based on content detection and provides real-time monitoring and communication for efficient operation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the status sensor comprises one or more sensors selected from ultrasonic sensors and capacitive sensors
Implementation Method 2
the status sensor comprises one or more sensors selected from ultrasonic sensors and capacitive sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A flush valve assembly for an automatic sanitaryware assembly, comprising a flush valve; a status sensor; a presence sensor associated with a presence sensor lens; an antenna associated with an antenna lens; a manual override actuator; and a controller. A status sensor may comprise an ultrasonic sensor or a capacitive sensor and is configured to be affixed to a sanitaryware assembly. The status sensor is configured to communicate with the controller, the controller is configured to determine a sanitaryware status, and the antenna is configured to transmit the sanitaryware status to a network gateway.