Water Softener Mixing Valve Control for Adjustable Outflow Hardness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water softeners cannot adjust the hardness of outflow water to meet the varying requirements of users for different hardness values, requiring complex and cumbersome manual operations or professional tools, and often result in single and inflexible hardness settings.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that automatically adjust the hardness of outflow water by determining the target hardness based on user input, calculating the water mixing ratio, and controlling the opening degree of a continuously-adjustable regulating valve using software logic algorithms, allowing users to select hardness intervals or precise values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If water softener uses fixed hardness setting defined by manufacturer, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamically adjustable water mixing valve that can continuously vary the mixing ratio between soft water and raw water based on user-selected hardness intervals, transforming the fixed hardness output into a flexible, adaptive system that responds to real-time user needs without requiring complex manual operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the hardness parameter of output water by controlling the mixing ratio of soft water and raw water through a regulating valve, allowing hardness to be adjusted within specified intervals (e.g., 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 ppm) through software control rather than hardware reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If water softener allows hardness adjustment, then adaptability to user needs is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual mechanical adjustment operations with an automated electronic control system that uses a regulating valve and software algorithms to automatically mix soft water and raw water in the required ratios, eliminating the need for users to perform cumbersome manual operations while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by automatically controlling the water mixing valve based on user-selected hardness intervals, eliminating the need for professional tools or complex manual intervention, and providing a simple user interface that requires minimal operational effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If water softener uses manual adjustment methods, then adaptability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardness adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes multiple hardness intervals (e.g., 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 ppm) with corresponding mixing ratios, allowing the regulating valve to quickly switch between pre-configured settings based on user selection, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments and professional testing tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables convenient, fast, and accurate adjustment of outflow water hardness to meet user-specific needs, improving user experience and operational simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

the water mixing unit is configured to control the mixing of raw water and soft water in the water softening device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentUS12474723B2Method and apparatus for adjusting hardness of outflow water from water softening device and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 FOSHAN MIDEA CHUNGHO WATER PURIFICATION MFG

AI summary

The present disclosure relates a water softening devices, and provides a method for adjusting hardness of outflow water from a water softening device, including: determining, in response to a hardness adjustment request for the outflow water, target hardness of outflow water corresponding to the hardness adjustment request for the outflow water; determining a water mixing ratio of soft water to raw water based on the target hardness of outflow water; and adjusting an opening degree of a water mixing unit of the water softening device based on the water mixing ratio, where the water mixing unit is configured to control the mixing of raw water and soft water in the water softening device.