Water Heater Location-Based Temperature Control to Prevent Scalding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water heater control systems using wireless mobile devices can lead to unsafe conditions as users may inadvertently set higher temperatures in bathrooms from devices used for kitchen tasks, lacking location-based safety controls.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a communication device emitting signals detectable by mobile devices near specific water access points, allowing users to select higher temperature settings only when near designated areas, with authentication and session management to ensure safe temperature delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless mobile devices are used to control water heater temperature, then ease of operation is improved, but safety and reliability deteriorate due to inability to enforce location-based temperature restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
A communication device acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and water heater. The communication device receives temperature control requests from the mobile device, verifies location information, and only forwards requests that comply with location-based temperature restrictions. This mediator enforces safety rules while preserving the convenience of wireless control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having the communication device send location information and temperature restriction rules to the mobile device. The mobile device then presents these restrictions to the user and only allows temperature adjustments that comply with the location-based rules, creating a feedback loop that ensures safety while maintaining ease of use.
2Reliability
If location-based temperature control is implemented using communication devices and signal detection, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs self-service by automatically detecting its own location using built-in positioning capabilities (GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, cellular tower triangulation). The device independently determines whether it is in a location where higher temperature adjustments are permitted, eliminating the need for complex external location verification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring location information and temperature restriction rules in the communication device and/or mobile device before temperature control requests are made. This pre-establishment of location-based rules simplifies the actual temperature control process, as the system only needs to verify compliance with pre-set restrictions rather than performing complex real-time analysis.
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 safe and location-based temperature control by restricting higher temperature settings to authorized areas, preventing scalding risks while allowing higher temperatures where needed, such as in kitchens, through signal detection and authentication mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
providing a communication device located so as to determine when at least one mobile device is near a pre-selected water access point; The emitted signal can be: Bluetooth signal, Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) signal, an infra-red beam, a predetermined sound frequency pattern, or an ultra-sound signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a temperature of water delivered by a water heating system, includes providing communication device which is adapted to receive a communication from at least one mobile device, the communication device being located so as to determine when the at least one mobile device is within a predefined zone in which is located a pre-selected water access point. In response to a determination that the at least one mobile device is within the predefined zone, enabling a user selecting a temperature setting of the where the water heating system. The selection is wirelessly communicated to a receiver which is in communication with the water heating system.