Water purifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purifiers face issues with internal contamination due to stagnation and microbial growth, requiring manual intervention for cleaning, which can lead to impeded water flow and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A water purifier equipped with a communication device, flow rate sensor, and controller that automatically cleans based on external environment information and filter life, performing operations like stagnant water discharge and sterilization to maintain cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning operations are performed to remove contamination, then internal contamination is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water purifier automatically performs cleaning operations without user intervention. The controller activates the sterilizing water formation device and controls valve operations to circulate sterilizing water through internal passages, enabling the system to clean itself autonomously based on detected contamination levels or time-based schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cleaning operations in advance before contamination becomes severe. The controller monitors usage patterns and environmental factors to trigger preventive cleaning cycles, addressing potential contamination issues before they affect water quality or require manual intervention.
2Reliability
If frequent sterilization operations are performed to maintain cleanliness, then internal contamination is reduced, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors multiple parameters including flow rate, usage patterns, and environmental factors to dynamically adjust sterilization frequency. When contamination risk is low, cleaning operations are reduced or skipped entirely. The system learns from operational data to optimize cleaning schedules, performing sterilization only when necessary to maintain cleanliness while minimizing water waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial cleaning operations selectively targeting only the most contaminated passages or components rather than进行全面 sterilization. The controller can choose to clean specific flow paths based on contamination risk assessment, using minimal water to achieve adequate sanitation levels.
3Loss of substance
If the drainage reference time is extended to reduce cleaning frequency, then water consumption is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage reference time is not fixed but dynamically adjusted by the controller based on real-time conditions. The system shortens the reference period when contamination risk factors are detected (high temperature, humidity, usage patterns) and extends it when conditions are favorable, creating an adaptive cleaning schedule that responds to environmental and operational changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller modifies the drainage reference time parameter based on detected conditions. When contamination risk increases, the system reduces the reference time to trigger earlier cleaning operations. When risk is low, the reference time is extended to reduce frequent cleaning. This parameter adjustment balances water consumption with contamination prevention.
4Reliability
If the water purifier operates continuously to prevent stagnation, then contamination is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the system implements periodic flushing cycles where water flows through internal passages at scheduled intervals. The controller activates pumps or valves to create flow cycles that prevent stagnation during extended idle periods while maintaining energy efficiency by keeping the system dormant between cycles.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a water purifier which automatically cleans the inside on the basis of the remaining life of a filter. A water purifier according to one embodiment includes a raw water flow path into which raw water is introduced from the outside, a clean water flow path connected to the raw water flow path and having a water discharge nozzle disposed at an end, a filter disposed in the clean water flow path to filter the raw water, a drain flow path branched off from the clean water flow path between the filter and the water discharge nozzle and connected to a drain port to drain a liquid in the clean water flow path to the outside, a drain valve configured to open or close the drain flow path, and a controller configured to determine the remaining life of the filter on the basis of a point in time at which the filter has been replaced and control the drain valve to perform a cleaning operation on the basis of the remaining life of the filter.