Water Dispenser Temperature Mixing for Exact User Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water dispensers often fail to provide the exact temperature requested by users due to fixed ratios of hot and cold water, leading to inaccuracies and potential water wastage, as they rely on trial-and-error methods with limited pre-programmed temperature selections and feedback loops that are prone to lag.
Innovation Solution
A variable temperature control assembly in a water dispenser that includes a processor communicating with hot, cold, and ambient water systems, allowing users to select any temperature, with the processor calculating and adjusting the ratios of hot, cold, and ambient water in real-time to achieve the desired temperature without the need for feedback sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fixed ratios of hot and cold water are mixed from tanks, then the water dispensing system is simple to operate, but the water temperature cannot be precisely controlled and varies from requested temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mixing ratio of hot and cold water based on real-time temperature sensor feedback. Instead of using fixed pre-programmed ratios, the control system continuously modifies the solenoid valve openings to achieve the exact requested temperature, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and temperature precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature sensor measures the actual mixed water temperature and feeds this information back to the control system. The controller compares the measured temperature with the requested temperature and adjusts the hot/cold water mixing ratio accordingly, enabling precise temperature control while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.
2Manufacturing precision
If on-the-fly variable mixing of hot and cold water is performed with feedback loop, then the water temperature can be adjusted, but the feedback loop has lag and the temperature range is wide between selectable temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats and pre-cools water in separate tanks before dispensing. By maintaining hot and cold water reservoirs at extreme temperatures in advance, the system reduces the mixing time required to achieve intermediate temperatures, minimizing feedback lag while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical temperature selection mechanisms with electronic control of solenoid valves. This allows for continuous, precise adjustment of water flow ratios without the discrete steps inherent in mechanical systems, eliminating wide temperature gaps between selectable options and reducing response time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trial-and-error methods are used to achieve requested temperature, then the system can attempt to reach desired temperature, but water wastage occurs and user satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides real-time feedback on the actual mixed water temperature, allowing the control system to make precise adjustments without trial-and-error dispensing. The system calculates the optimal hot/cold water ratio based on tank temperatures and requested temperature, then directly achieves the target temperature in a single dispensing action, eliminating water wastage while maintaining full temperature selection flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates and adjusts the water mixing ratio without requiring user trial-and-error attempts. The control algorithm self-regulates the solenoid valves to achieve the exact requested temperature, making the system self-correcting and eliminating the need for multiple dispensing attempts that waste water.
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 precise control over water temperature, ensuring that the dispensed water is at or very near the user's selected temperature, reducing wastage and improving user satisfaction by eliminating the need for trial-and-error methods and feedback loops.
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
Implementation Method 2
the processor determines the temperature of water in the hot water tank and the temperature of the water in the cold water tank and using the determined temperatures of the water in the hot water tank and the water in the cold water tank, calculates the ratio of hot water and cold water required to deliver water at the temperature selected
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.