Water Dispenser Recirculation Path Prevents Biofilm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water dispensing devices suffer from issues such as germ growth and bio-film formation due to water stagnation, which conventional sterilization methods like chemical agents or UV-C-LED modules fail to adequately address, leading to a need for reliable and gentle measures to ensure high-quality filtered water.
Innovation Solution
A water dispensing device with a recirculation path that selectively recirculates filtered water back to the filtering unit when stagnation is detected, using a controlling unit to manage valve actuation based on user input, eliminating the need for additional sterilization units and ensuring thorough flushing without waste water generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is circulated through sterilization units using chemical agents or UV-C-LED modules, then germ growth is reduced, but additional bio-films are formed that enhance subsequent germ growth
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sterilization unit from the recirculation path, extracting the harmful sterilization function while retaining the beneficial recirculation function. The filtering unit alone is used to prevent germ growth through continuous water movement and filtration, eliminating the bio-film formation problem caused by chemical agents and UV-C-LED modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of water stagnation into benefit by using the recirculation itself as the preventive measure. The continuous movement of water through the filtering unit prevents germ growth and bio-film formation without needing additional sterilization, turning the recirculation necessity into a protective mechanism.
2Reliability
If recirculation path is always active to prevent water stagnation, then water quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation path is made dynamic by controlling it with a valve that responds to stagnation detection. The system transitions between active recirculation (when stagnation is detected) and passive operation (when water is being dispensed), optimizing energy consumption while maintaining water quality through on-demand activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlling unit implements feedback control by detecting water stagnation conditions and activating the recirculation path only when needed. The system monitors water flow and valve positions, and triggers recirculation based on detected stagnation, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains water quality while minimizing energy waste.
3Reliability
If multiple sterilization units are added to ensure complete germ elimination, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering unit is given multiple functions: it filters particulates from water and simultaneously prevents germ growth through continuous recirculation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate sterilization units, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable germ elimination through the combined filtration and recirculation mechanism.
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 solution effectively prevents bio-film and germ growth, maintains high water quality, reduces energy consumption, and ensures efficient operation by only recirculating water when necessary, using a single filtering unit with hollow fiber membranes and carbon blocks for reliable contamination removal.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering unit disposed in a path between the water supply inlet and the water dispensing outlet, for filtering water supplied by the water supply inlet to the water dispensing device
Implementation Method 2
a recirculation path is provided, for circulating filtered water that has stagnated in at least one of the at least two water conducting paths
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a water dispensing device 1 comprising at least one water conducting path and a recirculation path 50, 51, which recirculation path is established by a controlling unit 10 configured to selectively actuating a plurality of valves V1-V8 when it is detected that a selected type of filtered water has stagnated in a water conducting path 40-43 of the water dispensing device 1 over a predetermined period of time.