Shower Valve Control for Custom Flow and Temperature Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower systems lack advanced control mechanisms for managing water flow rate and temperature, integrating multiple sensory experiences, and providing user-friendly interfaces for customizable shower experiences.
Innovation Solution
A shower system with electronic valves and a controller that records user inputs, adjusts water flow and temperature, and integrates sensors to optimize shower experiences, including steam, aromatherapy, and audio, while offering a user interface for customization and network connectivity for updates and error detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic valves and controllers are integrated to control water flow rate and temperature, then shower experience customization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shower system is divided into multiple independent electronic valves (276a-276d), each controlling specific water delivery devices. This segmentation allows individual control of different shower outlets while maintaining overall system customization capability, reducing the complexity burden on a single controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller (260) is designed as a universal device that can control multiple types of water delivery devices through multiple electronic valves. It handles various shower experiences, temperature control, flow rate management, and coordination with other subsystems (steam, audio, lighting) through a single integrated unit, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are integrated to monitor operational data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated directly into the water subsystem components (valves, outlets) to perform self-monitoring. The system automatically collects operational data from multiple sensors and processes it through the controller, reducing the need for external monitoring equipment and minimizing additional complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Reliability
If cloud integration and network connectivity are added for remote monitoring and updates, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller (260) acts as an intermediary device that handles cloud communication and network connectivity. It collects data from sensors, processes it locally, and then communicates with remote systems via cloud integration. This intermediary approach allows reliable remote monitoring and system updates without requiring complex network infrastructure throughout the entire shower system.
4Productivity
If real-time data processing and error detection are implemented, then productivity is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller processes data in real-time only when necessary for immediate system response (such as detecting errors or user inputs). For routine monitoring, it uses periodic sampling rather than continuous processing. This partial action approach maintains high productivity for critical functions while reducing overall energy consumption during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices related to a shower system are described. The shower system includes a water subsystem and a controller in communication with the water subsystem. The water subsystem includes one or more electronic valves configured to control a flow rate and a temperature of water dispensed from one or more shower outlets within a shower enclosure. The controller is configured to record a sequence of user inputs to adjust operation of the water subsystem while operating the water subsystem to dispense the water from the one or more shower outlets in accordance with the sequence of user inputs. The controller is configured to display a new shower experience option corresponding to the sequence of user inputs on a user display device and operate the water subsystem in accordance with the sequence of user inputs responsive to a user selecting the new shower experience option.