Water use optimization in a device utilizing water for a cleaning procedure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water recycling devices for graywater are often primitive, single-application, and not cost-effective, lacking adaptability and ease of use, especially in multiple application settings.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a sensor arrangement and data processing to determine and adjust the substance content of cleaning phase water in multiple cleaning phases, allowing for transfer, mixing with external water, or treatment to meet target substance content requirements, optimizing water usage across various cleaning procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional water recycling devices use a primitive setup directing used water along a pre-determined path, then the device structure is simple, but the adaptability to different applications and cleaning phases is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The water recycling device is designed to handle multiple cleaning procedures and phases by detecting substance content and dynamically routing water to appropriate phases. The system can process different types of waste water (graywater, blackwater, process water) and direct them to suitable cleaning phases based on real-time analysis, making a single device suitable for diverse applications including carwashes, dishwashers, showers, and laundry machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water routing based on real-time substance content detection. Instead of fixed pre-determined paths, the device continuously monitors water quality parameters and adapts the recycling pathway accordingly, allowing flexible response to varying water conditions and different cleaning phase requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional water recycling devices are adapted solely for a single application, then the device complexity is low, but the cost-effectiveness and ease of installation for multiple applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a universal sensor arrangement and control system that can detect and process various substance types across different applications. The system is designed to work with multiple water sources (graywater, blackwater, process water) and can be configured for different cleaning procedures through software settings rather than hardware modifications, facilitating easier installation across diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to different applications by changing operational parameters such as substance content thresholds, routing decisions, and treatment requirements rather than requiring physical reconfiguration. This allows the same device to be installed in carwashes, dishwashers, showers, or laundry machines with minimal customization.
3Productivity
If water is reused without monitoring substance content, then the water usage efficiency appears high, but the cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to uncontrolled substance accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensor arrangements that continuously monitor substance content in recycled water and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the device determines whether water quality meets the requirements for reuse in specific cleaning phases, ensuring that water recycling does not compromise cleaning effectiveness while maximizing water usage efficiency.
4Productivity
If a sensor arrangement and data processing device are added to monitor and manage water substance content, then the cleaning effectiveness and water optimization improve, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors water quality, makes routing decisions, and manages the recycling process without requiring external intervention or complex manual control. The sensor arrangement and data processing device work together to self-regulate water recycling operations, optimizing water usage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through automated decision-making based on real-time water quality data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive concept relates to a method for optimizing water usage in a device utilizing water for a group of cleaning procedures, wherein the device comprises a sensor arrangement (518) and a data processing device, wherein the method comprises the steps of: determining a first substance content (400a) of first cleaning phase water from a first cleaning phase of the cleaning procedure (428) using the sensor arrangement (518); in the data processing device, receiving data comprising a target substance content interval requirement (844) of at least one of a plurality of cleaning phases (314); in the data processing device, comparing the first substance content to the target substance content interval requirement (844); and forming cleaning phase water to be used in the at least one of the plurality of cleaning phases (314) by transferring the first cleaning phase water to the at least one of the plurality of cleaning phases (314) based on the comparison.