Water Conduit Flow Indicator With Impeller Bell Alarm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household users often forget to turn off the water spigot while watering, leading to water waste and potential property damage due to lack of visual or auditory reminders.
Innovation Solution
A device installed between the spigot and hose that generates an audible noise when water flows through it, using a pair of impeller blades and a ringer bell to alert users of fluid flow, preventing forgetfulness and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a device is installed to provide audible alarm, then water waste is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the kinetic energy of flowing water itself to rotate the impeller blades and generate the audible alarm, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex electronic components. The flowing water directly drives the notification mechanism through the impeller-bell assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs hydraulic principles by using the kinetic energy of the water flow to rotate the impeller blades. The water pressure and flow rate directly drive the mechanical notification system, converting hydraulic energy into mechanical motion and acoustic output.
2Loss of information
If impeller blades are used to generate noise, then audible alert is provided, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller blades and ringer bell are constructed as simple, durable mechanical components that can be manufactured using basic machining or molding processes. The design prioritizes functional simplicity over high precision, using robust materials that tolerate normal manufacturing tolerances while effectively generating audible alerts.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller blades are designed to strike the ringer bell with sufficient force to generate audible vibrations and noise. The blade geometry and strike point are optimized to produce consistent acoustic output without requiring ultra-precise manufacturing, relying on the natural vibration and resonance of the bell.
3Stability of the object's composition
If partition with watertight seal is implemented, then dry side remains dry, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate compartments by a partition wall with a watertight seal: a fluid side that contacts flowing water and a dry side that houses the ringer bell and remains dry. This segmentation isolates the mechanical notification components from water exposure while maintaining structural integrity through a simple sealed partition.
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
Effectively prevents water waste and potential property damage by ensuring users are alerted to ongoing water flow, promoting timely shut-off.
Implementation Method 1
As water fluid flow occurs within the fluid side of the housing, the fluid impeller blade rotates
Implementation Method 2
The dry impeller blade is affixed to the fluid impeller blade such that the pair of impeller blades move in unison. The partition includes a watertight seal where the pair of impeller blades extends from the fluid side to the dry side of the housing. The dry side of the housing includes a ringer bell that comes into contact with the dry impeller blade such that as the dry impeller blade rotates, the ringer bell generates an audible noise
Data Source
AI summary
The water conduit flow indicator is a device that is configured to be installed between a spigot and a water conduit in order to provide an audible alarm that water fluid is flowing through the device. The water conduit flow indicator is further defined with a housing that features an inlet and an outlet. The housing includes an internal partition that separates a fluid side from a dry side. Located within the housing is a pair of impeller blades. The pair of impeller blades is further defined with a fluid impeller blade and a dry impeller blade. The dry side of the housing includes a ringer bell that comes into contact with the dry impeller blade such that as the dry impeller blade rotates, the ringer bell generates an audible noise that alerts an end user as to the fluid flow occurring through the water conduit flow indicator.