Recirculating Shower Filtration With Sensor-Based Drain Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower systems that recirculate water lack user comfort, are not user-friendly, and pose hygiene risks due to bacterial growth and viral contamination, with inadequate means to verify filter quality and maintain optimal operation.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid device with a recirculation loop, a filter system incorporating a nano-filter and filter quality sensors that redirects water to drainage when contaminants exceed a predetermined level, ensuring high-quality water and user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water is recirculated through a filter system, then water consumption is reduced and environmental impact is minimized, but hygiene risks increase due to bacterial growth and viral contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring water quality parameters (turbidity, temperature, flow rate) before recirculation occurs. The filter system proactively maintains water quality through continuous filtration and automatically detects when quality thresholds are approached, preventing bacterial growth and contamination before they become harmful.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms through quality sensors that continuously monitor recirculated water parameters. When the turbidity sensor detects increased contamination or the temperature sensor detects conditions favorable for bacterial growth, the system automatically adjusts filtration intensity or redirects water to drainage, ensuring hygiene standards are maintained while maximizing water reuse.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex filter system with multiple sensors is implemented, then water quality is improved and hygiene risks are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a pre-filter for coarse particles, a nano-filter for fine contaminants, and a backwash system. Each module has dedicated sensors (turbidity, temperature, flow rate) that monitor specific parameters. This segmentation allows the complex system to be managed through modular components, each with a specific function and monitoring requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automated quality monitoring and control. The sensors continuously assess water quality and automatically trigger filtration adjustments or backwashing procedures without user intervention. The system self-regulates based on real-time data, reducing the need for complex manual control systems while maintaining high water quality standards.
3Measurement precision
If optical detection methods are used to monitor water quality, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to interference from bubbles and turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary approach by combining optical detection with physical stabilization. A stilling chamber or flow straightener is positioned before the optical sensor to eliminate bubbles and turbulence. This intermediary structure allows the optical sensor to accurately measure water quality parameters without interference from flow disturbances, maintaining both precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces purely optical detection with a hybrid approach that incorporates mechanical flow conditioning. Instead of relying solely on optical methods that are sensitive to bubbles and turbulence, the system uses mechanical flow straighteners and bubble removal devices to prepare the water sample before optical measurement, ensuring reliable and accurate readings.
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
The hybrid device provides a comfortable and hygienic shower experience by effectively filtering out bacteria and viruses, maintaining water quality, and allowing a conventional shower option if recirculation fails, while being economically and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a filter system with a nano-filter, at least one filter quality sensor and at least one pre-filter positioned before the nano-filter
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention describes a hybrid device (1) for a recirculation shower, allowing purification and either recycling of water or discarding of water, wherein said hybrid device (1) comprises a recirculation loop (2), a filter system (4) with a nano-filter (5) such as for instance an electropositive nano-ceramic filter, e.g. a nano alumina (fiber) filter, at least one filter quality sensor (3), at least one pre-filter (6), and wherein the hybrid device (1) is arranged to redirect the water from recirculation to drainage when the at least one filter quality sensor (3) indicates the need thereof.