On-Board Water Generation Diagnostics for UV Sanitization Assurance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water generation systems in vehicles face issues such as lack of assurance about sanitization, unnecessary energy expenditure due to redundant agitation, and inefficiency due to leaks, which affect the quality and quantity of generated water.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ultraviolet light emitter for sanitization monitoring, sensors to detect light emission and vehicle movement, and a controller to adjust agitation and notify users of leaks, ensuring effective sanitization and minimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ultraviolet light emitter is used to sanitize water, then water quality is improved, but user assurance and confidence in the sanitization process deteriorates without proper monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a sensor detects the operation status of the ultraviolet light emitter and transmits this information to a controller, which then provides real-time feedback to the user through a display interface. This closed-loop feedback system ensures users can verify that sanitization is actually occurring, transforming the invisible UV process into observable information that builds user confidence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary information system consisting of sensors, controllers, and display interfaces that mediate between the ultraviolet sanitization process and the user. This intermediary layer translates the physical UV light emission into comprehensible status information, bridging the gap between the sanitization function and user assurance.
2Reliability
If water agitation function is continuously activated, then water sanitization is maintained, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the agitation function adaptive rather than static. The system continuously monitors vehicle motion parameters through sensors and dynamically adjusts the agitation function accordingly - activating it only when vehicle motion is insufficient to provide adequate water mixing, and deactivating it when vehicle motion already provides sufficient agitation. This dynamic adjustment optimizes energy consumption while maintaining sanitization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the vehicle's own motion as a free resource to perform water agitation. By detecting vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and vibration, the system allows the vehicle's natural movement to serve the dual purpose of transportation and water mixing, eliminating the need for dedicated agitation energy input during sufficient vehicle motion.
3Quantity of substance
If water generation system operates continuously, then water supply is adequate, but system efficiency deteriorates due to undetected leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based leak detection system where sensors continuously monitor water volume and system parameters, and the controller analyzes this feedback data to detect anomalies indicating leaks. When a leak is detected, the system provides alerts and can automatically adjust operation to prevent further water loss, maintaining both adequate water supply and system efficiency through continuous monitoring and responsive control.
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
Enhances user confidence in water quality, optimizes energy usage by reducing redundant agitation, and alerts users to potential leaks, thereby maintaining water quality and efficiency within the system.
Implementation Method 1
an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container
Implementation Method 2
a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted
Implementation Method 3
a water generator configured to generate water
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including: (a) a water generator configured to generate water; (b) a water storage container configured to store the water that the water generator generates; (c) an ultraviolet light emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light into the water storage container; (d) a sensor configured to detect the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted; and (e) a human-machine interface configured to issue a notification to a user of the vehicle regarding the ultraviolet light emitter. The sensor can detect a wavelength range of the ultraviolet light that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The sensor can detect an intensity of the ultraviolet light at a predetermined wavelength or wavelength range that the ultraviolet light emitter has emitted. The vehicle further comprises a controller in communication with the ultraviolet light emitter, the sensor, and the human-machine interface.