Water characteristic selection system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water systems lack the ability to customize water characteristics at the point of use beyond blending temperature, requiring manual treatment for specific applications, such as adding flavor or minerals, which is inflexible and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected system with a manifold and point-of-use additive dispensers that receive data signals to mix and dispense additives like flavoring, nutritional, or aromatic compounds into the water, allowing for customizable water profiles based on user requests, integrating with existing water treatment systems like filtration and softening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional water systems are used with manual treatment, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and ease of operation deteriorate due to inflexible water characteristics and manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The water system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated platform. The system can deliver various water types (filtered, softened, heated, cooled) and automatically add different additives (flavorings, nutrients, minerals, aromatics) based on user requests, eliminating the need for separate manual treatment devices while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically customizes water characteristics without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect user preferences or pre-programmed profiles, and the controller automatically adjusts water parameters and dispenses appropriate additives, allowing the system to serve itself in customizing water for different applications.
2Productivity
If manual treatment is used for customized water applications, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and loss of time worsen due to labor-intensive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically customizes water characteristics without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect user preferences or pre-programmed profiles, and the controller automatically adjusts water parameters and dispenses appropriate additives, allowing the system to serve itself in customizing water for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-stores multiple water profiles with predetermined additive combinations and quantities. When a user selects a profile, the system immediately executes the pre-planned customization sequence, eliminating the need for manual preparation and significantly improving productivity.
3Measurement precision
If manual treatment is used for water customization, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and manufacturing precision deteriorate due to inconsistent manual application
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor water characteristics in real-time and provide feedback to the controller. This closed-loop control ensures that the actual water parameters match the target specifications, maintaining consistent precision across different operations and eliminating variability introduced by manual treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically customizes water characteristics without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect user preferences or pre-programmed profiles, and the controller automatically adjusts water parameters and dispenses appropriate additives, allowing the system to serve itself in customizing water for different applications.
4Ease of operation
If conventional water systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to manual treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically customizes water characteristics without requiring manual intervention. Sensors detect user preferences or pre-programmed profiles, and the controller automatically adjusts water parameters and dispenses appropriate additives, allowing the system to serve itself in customizing water for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The water system is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated platform. The system can deliver various water types (filtered, softened, heated, cooled) and automatically add different additives (flavorings, nutrients, minerals, aromatics) based on user requests, eliminating the need for separate manual treatment devices while maintaining versatility.
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
Enables on-demand customization of water characteristics at the point of use, enhancing user experience by providing tailored water quality for various applications without manual intervention, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A network-connected system with a manifold and point-of-use additive dispensers that receive data signals to mix and dispense additives like flavoring, nutritional, or aromatic compounds into the water
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described, which relate to the control of additive dispensers to provide defined amounts of one or more additive compounds to water to produce customized water. A given additive dispenser may include multiple inputs and/or outputs. Predefined water profiles may be stored in memory. A given water profile may define the amounts of additives to be delivered by the additive dispensers to achieve desired water characteristics. A controller may determine actual water characteristics of input water based on corresponding sensor data, and may compare the actual water characteristics to desired water characteristics in order to determine the amount of additive or additives that should be delivered to the input water to achieve the desired water characteristics. The additive dispensers may be network-enabled and may include transceivers configured to receive instructions related to production of customized water from a user device.