Water Dispenser Temperature Mixing Assembly for Precise Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water dispensers struggle to deliver water at the precise temperature requested by the user due to variations in water tank temperatures and the inefficiency of on-the-fly mixing methods, often resulting in inaccurate temperature delivery and water wastage.
Innovation Solution
A variable temperature control assembly that includes multiple water tanks (hot, cold, and ambient) with solenoids and a processor to calculate and control the precise ratio of water from each tank to achieve the desired temperature, eliminating the need for feedback loops and ensuring accurate temperature delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-the-fly variable mixing of hot and cold water is used to achieve requested temperature, then temperature adaptability is improved, but temperature precision deteriorates due to feedback loop lag and wide temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-mixes hot and cold water in predetermined ratios stored in a mixing chamber before dispensing. This preliminary action eliminates the feedback loop lag by preparing the mixed water in advance, allowing the system to deliver precise temperatures without the delay inherent in real-time mixing and sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the water supply into separate hot and cold streams that are mixed in predetermined ratios. By segmenting the water flow and pre-mixing in controlled proportions, the system achieves precise temperature control while maintaining the ability to adapt to different temperature requests.
2Device complexity
If fixed ratios of hot and cold water are mixed from tanks, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature precision deteriorates because water temperature in tanks varies
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-mixes water in predetermined ratios and stores it in a mixing chamber before dispensing. This preliminary mixing action ensures that the correct temperature is achieved in advance, compensating for temperature variations in the source tanks without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary between the hot and cold water tanks and the dispensing point. It pre-combines water from both tanks in controlled ratios, serving as a buffer that ensures precise temperature delivery regardless of source tank temperature fluctuations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trial-and-error mixing methods are used to achieve requested temperature, then temperature adaptability is improved, but water waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-mixes water in the correct ratios before dispensing, eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments. By calculating and preparing the precise mixture in advance, the system delivers the requested temperature on the first attempt, preventing water waste associated with repeated mixing attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates the required mixing ratios based on the requested temperature and independently prepares the correct mixture without user intervention or trial-and-error. This self-service capability ensures precise temperature delivery while minimizing water waste by eliminating unsuccessful mixing attempts.
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 real-time delivery of water at the exact temperature selected by the user, reducing inaccuracies and water wastage associated with traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a hot water system, which includes a hot water tank and a hot water solenoid, where the hot water solenoid is in communication with the hot water tank; a cold water system, which includes a cold water tank and a cold water solenoid
Data Source
AI summary
A variable temperature control assembly for a water dispenser, using a variable water temperature selector, that delivers water to the consumer at the temperature requested on the variable temperature selector by calculating the required ratio of hot water, cold water and ambient water needed to deliver water at the temperature requested.