Networked Water Fixture Control for Scald Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hot water from taps poses a significant risk of scalding, particularly to the elderly and young children, due to their slower reaction times and thinner skin, leading to serious burns and scarring, and existing plumbing codes do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A networked appliance control system that dynamically regulates water temperature and pressure across multiple fixtures, including sinks, bathtubs, and showers, using sensors and actuators to prevent overheating, provide user-friendly settings, and offer interactive feedback, allowing for safe and efficient water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water temperature is increased to meet user comfort preferences, then user satisfaction improves, but scalding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors water temperature at the fixture using sensors and provides real-time feedback to the control unit, which adjusts the actuator to maintain safe temperature limits. This closed-loop control ensures user comfort while preventing scalding by dynamically responding to temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter dynamically by adjusting the hot water flow ratio based on user profile, time of day, and safety constraints. The control unit modifies water temperature parameters in real-time to balance comfort and safety requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual water temperature control is provided for each fixture, then user personalization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it stores user profiles, receives sensor data from multiple fixtures, processes temperature safety constraints, and sends control signals to actuators. This centralized multi-functional approach provides personalization without requiring separate control systems for each fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the water supply system and the fixtures. It receives high-temperature water from the supply, processes it through actuators that mix hot and cold water, and delivers safely tempered water to multiple fixtures, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Reliability
If existing plumbing systems are retrofitted with temperature control, then safety improves, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: control units that can be mounted at strategic locations, individual actuators for each fixture, and sensors distributed throughout the system. This segmentation allows incremental installation and retrofitting of existing plumbing without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary device installed in the water line between the supply and the fixture. It provides temperature control functionality without requiring modification of the existing fixture itself, simplifying retrofit installation while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance control system is described for controlling a plurality of appliances. The system includes a control station located remotely from the appliances and having a control unit for controlling the plurality of appliances, at least one client station being associated with at least one of the plurality of appliances and being adapted for allowing a user to make requests to the control station for using the at least one of the plurality of appliances, actuators connected to the control station and the at least one of the plurality of appliances for receiving control signals from the control station and controlling the at least one of the plurality of appliances, and sensors connected to the water appliance and the control station for recording information about the at least one of the plurality of appliances and providing the information to the control station.