Electronic Shower System With Capacitive Touch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic shower systems lack advanced control over water temperature and flow rate, often requiring manual adjustments and lacking integration with modern user interfaces for seamless operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic shower system incorporating a mixing valve, diverter valve, and a controller with a user interface, which allows for precise control of water temperature and flow rate through a touch sensor and capacitive touch buttons, enabling wireless communication and automatic adjustments based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustments are used in conventional electronic shower systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation and control precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustments with electronic control systems including mixing valve drives, diverter valve drives, and microprocessor-based controllers. These electronic systems use motorized actuators to control valve positions, eliminating the need for manual rotation of mixing valves and providing precise digital control over water temperature and flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor water temperature and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the mixing valve position based on this feedback to maintain the desired temperature, creating a closed-loop control system that improves operational precision while managing complexity through automated regulation.
2Ease of operation
If advanced control features are added to electronic shower systems, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the mixing valve for temperature regulation, operates the diverter valve for flow direction, processes inputs from temperature sensors, and interfaces with user controls. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated control unit, improving ease of operation while managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mixing valve control and diverter valve control into a single integrated controller unit. The user interface elements (buttons, display) are merged with the control logic and valve drive circuits, creating a unified system that provides advanced control features without requiring multiple separate control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If precise control of water temperature and flow rate is implemented, then the ease of operation improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated control mechanisms where the mixing valve drive and diverter valve drive automatically adjust valve positions based on user input and sensor feedback. The microprocessor controller calculates and executes the precise valve positions required, eliminating the need for manual precision adjustment and reducing manufacturing precision requirements through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls water temperature and flow rate by dynamically changing valve opening parameters through motorized actuation. The controller adjusts the position of mixing and diverter valves in precise increments, enabling fine control of temperature and flow without requiring high manufacturing precision in the valve bodies themselves, as the control is achieved through electronic positioning rather than mechanical tolerances.
4Ease of operation
If wireless communication capabilities are added, then the ease of operation improves, but the use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless communication in the system operates periodically rather than continuously. The system transmits control commands and receives feedback data at scheduled intervals, allowing the wireless module to enter low-power states between communications. This periodic operation enables wireless control functionality while managing energy consumption through duty-cycled communication.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic shower system including a mixing valve operably coupled to a mixing valve drive, and a diverter valve operably coupled to a diverter valve drive and in fluid communication with the mixing valve. A controller is in communication with the mixing valve drive and the diverter valve drive. A user interface includes a removable module in communication with the controller.