Water Dispenser Sterilization Guided by Water Quality Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water dispensing devices face inefficiencies in sterilization time and lack of automatic water quality sensing and selective sterilization capabilities, leading to potential contamination and reduced hygiene management.
Innovation Solution
A water dispensing device with integrated water quality measurement units, including turbidity sensors, and a configuration that allows for selective sterilization of different passage regions based on water quality data, using high-temperature water or UV irradiation to sterilize specific areas as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If timer-based sterilization is used to sterilize the entire internal passage, then sterilization coverage is complete, but sterilization time becomes long and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the sterilization process into different regions based on water quality sensor data. Instead of uniformly sterilizing the entire passage, the system selectively sterilizes only those passages where contamination is detected, thereby reducing overall sterilization time while maintaining effective coverage where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by employing water quality sensors that automatically detect contamination levels and trigger sterilization only when necessary. This eliminates the need for continuous timer-based sterilization, allowing the system to perform sterilization on-demand based on actual water quality conditions, thus reducing unnecessary time consumption.
2Measurement precision
If water quality measurement is performed continuously to detect abnormalities, then detection accuracy improves, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by performing water quality measurements at specific intervals and triggering sterilization operations based on measured values. The system measures water quality parameters and compares them against predetermined thresholds, initiating sterilization only when contamination exceeds acceptable levels. This periodic measurement approach maintains detection accuracy while avoiding the need for continuous monitoring that would increase system complexity.
3Productivity
If selective sterilization based on water quality data is implemented, then sterilization efficiency improves, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using water quality sensor measurements to control the sterilization process. The system continuously monitors water quality parameters, compares measured values with predetermined reference values, and adjusts sterilization operations accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables selective sterilization based on actual water quality conditions, improving efficiency while maintaining manageable measurement precision requirements through threshold-based decision making.
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
The device efficiently sterilizes passages in a short time, automatically senses water quality abnormalities, and improves sensing accuracy and hygiene management by responding to water quality measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a sterilization module which is provided on the sterilization passage to heat water passing through the sterilization passage
Implementation Method 2
A water dispensing device with integrated water quality measurement units, including turbidity sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: a water supply passage through which raw water supplied from a water supply source flows; a filter which filters raw water supplied through the water supply passage to produce purified water; a purified water passage through which purified water having passed through the filter flows; a water quality measurement unit which is connected to the purified water passage and measures the water quality of the purified water; a sterilization passage, one side of which is diverged from the water supply passage and the other side of which is connected to the filter; and a sterilization module which is provided on the sterilization passage to heat water passing through the sterilization passage, wherein, on the basis of water quality data measured by the water quality measurement unit, high temperature water discharged from the sterilization module is moved to different passage regions to perform a sterilization operation for each passage region.