Water Purification Apparatus with Flow Sensor for Precise Discharge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification systems lack the ability to accurately measure and control the discharge of water, particularly in scenarios where precise amounts are required, such as with quantized recipes, leading to inefficiencies and user dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A water purification apparatus equipped with a flow path, dispenser, user interface, valve, valve drive, flow sensor, and processor that allows for real-time monitoring and control of water discharge, enabling users to track and resume the discharge of water with precise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring and control of water discharge is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using a flow sensor to continuously monitor water discharge amount and providing real-time data to a processor. The processor compares the measured discharge amount with the target amount specified by the user, and automatically adjusts the discharge by controlling the valve to open or close. This closed-loop feedback system ensures precise measurement and control of water discharge, resolving the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision through automated feedback rather than complex manual monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical water measurement and control methods with automated electronic systems. Instead of using traditional mechanical flow meters and manual valve control, the system employs electronic flow sensors, microprocessors, and electronically controlled valves. This substitution of mechanical systems with electronic automation simplifies the overall device structure while achieving superior measurement precision and control accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If pause and resume functionality is added to water discharge, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically manages pause and resume operations without requiring complex user intervention. When the user presses the discharge button, the system automatically pauses at the specified target amount and can be easily resumed by pressing the same button again. The processor handles all the complex control logic internally, including tracking discharge amounts, managing pause states, and calculating remaining amounts, while the user interface remains simple and intuitive. This self-service approach improves ease of operation by hiding system complexity from the user.
3Reliability
If accurate tracking of discharged amount is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of information increases due to pause and resume operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous tracking of water discharge amount even during pause and resume operations. The flow sensor continuously monitors the discharge, and the processor continuously accumulates and stores the discharge amount data in memory. When pausing, the system saves the current discharge amount, and when resuming, it automatically retrieves and continues accumulating the data without interruption or loss. This continuous action approach maintains reliable tracking throughout the entire discharge process, preventing any loss of information despite pause and resume operations.
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 accurate tracking and resumption of water discharge, providing users with the exact amount of water needed, enhancing user experience and efficiency in cooking and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor provided in the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A water purification apparatus includes: a flow path; a dispenser provided at one end of the flow path; a user interface provided on the dispenser; a valve provided in the flow path; a valve drive operatively connected to the valve; a flow sensor provided in the flow path; a memory storing instructions; and a processor operatively connected to the user interface, the valve drive, the flow sensor, and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to: control, based on an input obtained through the user interface, a start of discharging a liquid by controlling the valve drive to open the valve and discharge the liquid, identify, based on an output signal of the flow sensor, a discharged amount of the liquid after the start of discharging the liquid, and control, based on a resumption of discharging of the liquid after a stop of discharging the liquid, the user interface to display a total discharged amount of the liquid discharged before the stop of discharging of the liquid and after the start of discharging of the liquid.