Water Reuse Device for Toilet Flushing with Sensor Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive consumption of purified river or rainwater for showering, face washing, and toilet flushing leads to significant water waste, environmental pollution, and high operational costs due to the need for extensive purification and treatment processes, necessitating a more fundamental water-saving method.
Innovation Solution
A water reuse device that collects used water from showers, wash basins, and kitchens in a storage tank and reuses it for flushing toilets, utilizing a system of sensors, pumps, and valves to efficiently manage water levels and supply, reducing the need for external water sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If used water is collected and stored for reuse, then water resources are conserved and environmental pollution is reduced, but the system requires complex equipment including storage tanks, pumps, sensors, and valves
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors water levels using sensors and activates pumps only when needed, enabling self-regulated operation without continuous manual intervention. The float valve automatically controls water inflow to the cistern, and the system self-manages the transfer of used water from the storage tank to the cistern based on sensor feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
Water level sensors in both the storage tank and cistern provide continuous feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts pump operation and valve control accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures water is transferred only when the cistern needs replenishment, optimizing system efficiency and reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
2Productivity
If water level sensors and automatic control systems are installed, then water transfer efficiency is improved and water is reused effectively, but the device complexity and initial costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical float valves and manual water level monitoring are replaced with electronic water level sensors and automated pump control systems. This substitution enables more precise water level detection and automated decision-making, improving water transfer efficiency while reducing the need for complex mechanical control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the water level sensors and the pump/valve actuators, processing sensor signals and generating appropriate control commands. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall control architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic and coordinating multiple components through a single control point.
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 solution effectively reduces environmental pollution and saves water by reusing relatively clean used water for toilet flushing, minimizing the demand on external water sources and lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, and by the function of the water level sensor inside the storage tank and the operation of a solenoid valve
Implementation Method 2
the operation of a solenoid valve
Implementation Method 3
a water level sensor inside the storage tank and the operation of a solenoid valve, the device reuses the used water in the storage tank as toilet water
Data Source
AI summary
A water reuse device for reusing waste water discharged from a bathroom or a kitchen as toilet flushing water, including: a water collecting tank (10); a storage tank (20) receiving the used water stored in the water collecting tank (10) and having a water level sensor (21); a toilet water tank (32) located at a lower level than the storage tank (20) and having a first water level sensor (36) and a second water level sensor (35); a first pipe (22) connecting the storage tank (20) and the toilet water tank (32); a first solenoid valve (40) installed in the first pipe (22); a second pump (38) installed in the toilet water tank (32); a backflow prevention valve (34) provided between the second pipe (33-2) and the third pipe (33-3); and a water shutoff valve (41) provided between a water supply pipe (31) and the water pressure control valve (41-1).