Vehicle Water Purification and Supply for Autonomous Hydration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicles lack an integrated water management system for collecting, storing, purifying, and dispensing water, forcing occupants to rely on external sources and manual purification methods, which are inefficient and impractical for extended vehicle occupation.

Innovation Solution

A water management system integrated into a vehicle, comprising external water collection points, a water purification mechanism, a reservoir, and internal water dispensers, controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) that detects and adjusts water levels to maintain a preferred level.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional water storage bottles are used, then portability is maintained, but water supply duration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater supply durationVSAvoidwater storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically collects precipitation through external collection points, purifies it via the purification mechanism, stores it in the reservoir, and dispenses it through dispensers without requiring manual intervention from occupants for refilling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The water management system integrates multiple functions including water collection from precipitation, purification through filtration mechanisms, storage in reservoirs, and dispensing to occupants, replacing multiple separate systems with one unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If external water sources are used for refilling, then water supply can be replenished, but time loss occurs due to exiting the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater supply quantityVSAvoidrefilling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system collects and stores water in advance through precipitation collection during favorable weather conditions, so that water is already available in the reservoir when occupants need it, eliminating the need for spontaneous refilling trips

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages water collection, purification, storage, and dispensing without requiring occupants to manually refill water containers, saving time and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If water jugs are stored in vehicle locations, then water availability increases, but no filtration capability is provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater availabilityVSAvoidwater contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes harmful contaminants from collected precipitation through the water purification mechanism, which includes filtration components that separate impurities from water before it enters the storage reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts potentially harmful precipitation (rainwater, snowmelt) into safe drinking water by passing it through the purification mechanism that removes contaminants, transforming a potentially dangerous source into a safe water supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If an integrated water management system is implemented, then water supply reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater supply reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water management system is divided into distinct functional modules: external collection points for water gathering, a purification mechanism for filtration, a reservoir for storage, and dispensers for distribution, allowing each component to be optimized independently and simplified maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ECU monitors water levels in the reservoir and automatically controls the collection points and purification mechanism to maintain optimal water supply levels, creating a self-regulating system that improves reliability through automated feedback control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 system enables continuous hydration for vehicle occupants by autonomously collecting, purifying, and dispensing water, reducing reliance on external sources and ensuring access to safe drinking water during extended vehicle use.

Implementation Method 1

purify the collected water into purified, drinkable water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12338138B2Water purifier and supply in a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 TOYOTA MOTOR ENG & MFG NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for a water purifier and supply in a vehicle. In particular, the water purifier and supply system may filter or purify collected precipitation for vehicle occupants to consume inside the vehicle cabin. Certain embodiments of the water purifier and supply system may include a water management system operated by an electronic control unit that detects the level of water in the water management system, determines a preferred level of water in the water management system, compares the detected level of water to the preferred level of water, and adjusts features of the water management system to increase the stored supply of purified or filtered water for vehicle occupant hydration.