Water Level Meter for Hydration Packs with Real-Time Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydration systems for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals do not provide real-time monitoring of beverage levels, leading to potential life-threatening situations where users run out of water unexpectedly.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device that collects data on beverage consumption and broadcasts it to a smart device, allowing users to monitor their hydration levels in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual water level checking is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because users may forget or be unable to stop activity to check
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors water level without requiring user intervention. The sensor continuously detects water level, and the microcontroller automatically processes and communicates this data, eliminating the need for users to manually check while maintaining high reliability through continuous automated monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical checking with an electronic sensor-based system. The water level sensor electronically detects water presence and transmits data via wireless communication to a mobile device, substituting the mechanical act of visual inspection with automated electronic detection and communication
2Measurement precision
If electronic sensors are used for water level detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential sensing function from a complex electronic system. Instead of using sophisticated multi-sensor arrays or complex processing systems, it employs a simple water level sensor that directly detects water presence and transmits minimal data, achieving sufficient measurement precision with minimal complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, low-cost water level sensors rather than expensive, complex electronic measurement systems. The sensor is basic in design but sufficient for the application, prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity over high-precision complex measurement capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method that monitors the consumption of a beverage containing vessel, while the vessel is contained in a pack, bag, or pocket. The method for monitoring includes a sensor that collects data on the beverage withing the vessel, including initial fluid levels. The data may be broadcast to other devices where the data is analyzed to generate information, and it is displayed. The apparatus may consist of a battery, battery circuit, sensor circuit, temporary storage, sensor, and antenna. The initial fluid level may be determined by the sensor or a third party prior to use by the sensor circuit. Information created may include a warning of when the vessel will be empty relative to the activity of the user.