Water Purifier Sensing Device Temperature Reset for TDS Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purifiers face challenges in accurately measuring Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and other water quality indices due to temperature variations of the discharged water, which can lead to measurement errors despite temperature corrections.
Innovation Solution
The water purifier incorporates a sensing device that measures both temperature and water quality closely together, and a control method that adjusts the sensing device's temperature to match a standard measurement temperature after hot or cold water discharge, ensuring accurate water quality measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water is heated or cooled to different temperatures, then the water purifier can supply water of desired temperature, but measurement error in water quality increases due to temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces room temperature water as an intermediary substance to reset the sensing device. After hot or cold water discharge, room temperature water flows through the sensing device to return it to a standard measurement temperature, eliminating temperature-induced measurement errors while preserving the water temperature adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary action by flushing the sensing device with room temperature water before measuring water quality. This preliminary reset ensures the sensing device is at the correct temperature for accurate measurement, preventing temperature errors from affecting the water quality measurement
2Measurement precision
If temperature correction is applied to measured values, then measurement error is reduced, but significant temperature differences still cause errors in TDS values
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on mathematical correction formulas that fail under large temperature ranges, the patent uses room temperature water as a physical intermediary to reset the sensing device to a standard temperature state, providing reliable measurements across wide temperature variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter (temperature) of the sensing device by flushing it with room temperature water. This physically adjusts the sensing device to a standard measurement temperature, providing more reliable measurements than temperature-based correction formulas can achieve
3Measurement precision
If the sensing device is positioned in water to measure TDS, then water quality can be monitored, but measurement values vary with water temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses room temperature water as an intermediary to stabilize the sensing device temperature before measurement. This intermediary reset ensures consistent measurement conditions, making measurement values stable despite variations in the actual water temperature being measured
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
This approach significantly reduces measurement errors caused by temperature differences, providing more accurate and reliable TDS and water quality values, even when water is discharged at temperatures different from room temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing device measuring a TDS value may include a sensing electrode that is positioned in water to measure a frequency, conductivity, or other sensed attribute of a current applied to the water
Implementation Method 2
a current frequency value or other attribute may be corrected based on a measured temperature of water
Data Source
AI summary
A water purifier may discharge room-temperature water, cold water or hot water. The water purifier may comprise a hot water module configured to heat water; a cold water module configured to cool water; a sensing device disposed on a flow path in which water discharged from the hot water module and the cold water module flows; and a water discharge part which connects to the sensing device and from which water is discharged. The water purifier may measure water quality after adjusting the temperature of the sensing device to a temperature corresponding to a measurement standard temperature when the temperature of the sensing device differs from the measurement standard temperature after hot water or cold water is discharged.