Water Usage Device with Cloud Aggregation for Maintenance Scheduling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient and cost-effective method for collecting and managing water usage data in commercial or residential settings with multiple water usage devices, particularly for scheduling preventive maintenance without requiring extensive renovations.
Innovation Solution
A water usage device equipped with sensors for real-time data collection and a microprocessor that communicates with a remote processor to aggregate data, enabling preventive maintenance scheduling, and a system that includes multiple devices connected via a communication network for centralized data management and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water usage data is collected and managed in settings with multiple water usage devices, then preventive maintenance scheduling is enabled, but system complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into individual water usage devices, each with its own data collection capabilities, and a separate centralized management system that aggregates data from multiple devices. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler while the overall system provides comprehensive preventive maintenance scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized management system acts as an intermediary between multiple water usage devices and the preventive maintenance scheduling function. This intermediary aggregates data from various devices and translates it into maintenance schedules, reducing the complexity burden on individual devices.
2Productivity
If existing water supply systems are retrofitted with data collection devices, then water usage monitoring is enabled, but renovation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water usage devices are designed with multi-functionality, serving as both flow control devices and data collection nodes. This universal design allows existing water supply systems to be retrofitted with devices that perform multiple functions, reducing the need for separate monitoring infrastructure and lowering renovation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The water usage devices automatically collect and transmit their own operational data without requiring external monitoring equipment. This self-service capability eliminates the need for additional sensors and monitoring infrastructure, reducing renovation costs while enabling comprehensive water usage monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If real-time water usage data is collected from multiple devices, then data accuracy improves, but data management and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Data from multiple water usage devices is merged and aggregated in a centralized management system. This consolidation approach maintains high data accuracy by collecting real-time data from all devices while managing processing complexity centrally rather than distributing it across multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where collected water usage data is analyzed and used to generate preventive maintenance schedules. This feedback loop ensures data accuracy is maintained while the automated scheduling process manages the complexity of processing large volumes of data from multiple devices.
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 efficient data collection and aggregation for scheduling maintenance, reducing costs and facilitating retrofitting of existing systems, while promoting water conservation and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic device, a thermal dispersion device, a Venturi device, a turbine, and a paddlewheel) for measuring, continuously and in real-time, a water flow rate
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic device, a thermal dispersion device, a Venturi device, a turbine, and a paddlewheel) for measuring, continuously and in real-time, a water flow rate
Implementation Method 3
a first sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic device, a thermal dispersion device, a Venturi device, a turbine, and a paddlewheel) for measuring, continuously and in real-time, a water flow rate
Implementation Method 4
a first sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic device, a thermal dispersion device, a Venturi device, a turbine, and a paddlewheel) for measuring, continuously and in real-time, a water flow rate
Implementation Method 5
a first sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic device, a thermal dispersion device, a Venturi device, a turbine, and a paddlewheel) for measuring, continuously and in real-time, a water flow rate
Implementation Method 6
a second sensor for measuring the elapsed time of the water usage event and providing elapsed time data signals to the microprocessor
Implementation Method 7
a third sensor for measuring, continuously and in real-time, water temperature and providing water temperature data signals to the microprocessor
Data Source
AI summary
A water usage device for sensing, measuring, collecting, and transmitting water usage data to a remote processing device via a cloud-based communication network and a system for and a method of monitoring and managing water usage in commercial and residential settings that include scheduling preventive maintenance based on current and accumulated water usage data and historical data correlating water usage to repairs.