Water Purifier Cleaning System Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purifying apparatuses face issues with inconsistent cleaning quality due to user skill dependence, residual cleaning agent odors, difficulty in removing contaminants from filter connections, reliance on intuition for process completion, and user inconvenience during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A water purifying apparatus with an integrated cleaning system that automates the cleaning and rinsing process, including a starting unit for discharging remaining water and introducing a cleaning agent, a cleaning unit for controlling cleaning water supply and discharge, and a rinsing unit for ensuring complete removal of the cleaning agent, all managed through sensors and controllers to ensure efficient and thorough cleaning without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cleaning agent is put into the water tank unit by a Codi for cleaning, then the water purifying apparatus can be cleaned, but the cleaning quality becomes inconsistent according to the Codi's skill
Solution Approach 1:
The water purifying apparatus performs cleaning operations automatically without requiring professional Codi intervention. The system includes automatic cleaning agent injection, circulation through filters, and rinsing processes that execute consistently according to pre-programmed controls, eliminating variability based on operator skill level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors to detect cleaning agent concentration and water level, providing feedback to the control unit. This enables automatic adjustment of cleaning parameters and ensures consistent cleaning quality by maintaining optimal conditions throughout the cleaning process.
2Reliability
If water is supplied to the water tank unit to remove cleaning agent by user instructions, then the cleaning agent can be rinsed out, but residual odor may remain depending on user skill
Solution Approach 1:
The rinsing process continues automatically until sensors detect that cleaning agent concentration falls below a predetermined threshold. This continuous operation ensures complete removal of cleaning agent odor without requiring the user to judge when rinsing is sufficient, eliminating skill-dependent variability.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors continuously monitor cleaning agent concentration in the water tank unit during rinsing operations. The control unit receives feedback and automatically adjusts rinsing duration and intensity to ensure complete removal, eliminating reliance on user judgment.
3Reliability
If cleaning agent is introduced into the water tank unit, then cleaning can be performed, but contaminants on filter connecting portions cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system divides the cleaning process into multiple stages: initial cleaning agent injection, circulation through filters, targeted flushing of filter connecting portions, and final rinsing. This segmented approach ensures that contaminants in hard-to-reach areas like filter connecting portions are effectively removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic circulation of cleaning solution through the filter assembly and connecting portions. By pumping cleaning agent through the entire filtration system, contaminants are flushed from all surfaces including filter connecting portions that would be difficult to reach manually.
4Reliability
If the Codi judges cleaning completion by intuition or time lapse, then the cleaning process can be completed, but the Codi must constantly check the watch and cleaning degree varies
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor cleaning agent concentration, water level, and flow rate throughout the cleaning process. The control unit receives real-time feedback and automatically determines when cleaning is complete based on predetermined criteria, eliminating the need for constant manual monitoring and ensuring consistent completion accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual time-based judgment with automated sensor-based detection. Electronic sensors and control algorithms substitute for the Codi's intuition and watch-checking, providing objective, consistent determination of cleaning completion without continuous human monitoring.
5Ease of operation
If the user immediately uses the water purifying apparatus without following rinsing instructions, then convenience is maintained, but water mixed with cleaning agent odor may be consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs thorough rinsing operations before making water available for consumption. Cleaning agents are completely flushed from the system through multiple rinsing cycles with fresh water, ensuring no residual odor remains before the user can immediately use the apparatus without additional manual rinsing.
Data Source
AI summary
A water purifying apparatus comprises: a filtering unit; a water tank unit for storing water having passed through the filtering unit; an extraction unit for selectively extracting the water stored in the water tank unit; and a cleaning system for sequentially controlling a cleaning process and a rinsing process of the water tank unit. Since cleaning and rinsing processes for the water purifying apparatus are automatically executed by a series of consecutive processes, the user may directly clean the water purifying apparatus if necessary without requiring a Codi's visit.Furthermore, the number of times that the Codi visits the users home for cleaning of the water purifying apparatus is reduced. This may allow the Codi to have an enhanced working efficiency, and to pay less effort to a cleaning process for the water purifying apparatus.