Wireless Power Supply Assembly for Plumbing Fixture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply assemblies for electronically controlled plumbing fixtures require hardwired connections to mains power, leading to complex and costly installations, and battery-powered systems necessitate frequent battery replacement.

Innovation Solution

A wireless power supply assembly that includes a control circuit and a wireless power receiving circuit, allowing energy to be wirelessly transmitted from a mains electricity power supply to the plumbing fixture, eliminating the need for through-wall connections and enabling battery replacement without disassembling the flush valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a hardwired connection to mains power supply is used, then reliable power supply is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to through-wall electrical connections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical hardwired connection system with a wireless power transmission system. The wireless power transmitter and receiver eliminate the need for physical through-wall electrical connections, thereby maintaining power supply reliability while significantly reducing installation complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless power transmission as an intermediary mechanism between the mains power supply and the plumbing fixture. This intermediary system uses electromagnetic fields to transfer power without direct physical connection, resolving the contradiction between reliable power delivery and simple installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a battery is used as power supply, then installation simplicity is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to frequent battery replacement requiring flush valve disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidbattery replacement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply system into a removable battery component and a fixed control circuit board. The battery is designed as a separate, easily accessible module that can be replaced without disassembling the entire flush valve, thus maintaining installation simplicity while improving maintenance ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the battery from the sealed flush valve assembly and provides access through a dedicated battery compartment. This allows users to replace batteries independently without needing to disassemble the main plumbing fixture, resolving the contradiction between simple installation and easy maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If through-wall hardwired connections are required, then power transmission reliability is improved, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transmission reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the time-consuming hardwired connection process with a wireless power transmission system. The electromagnetic-based power transfer eliminates the need for drilling holes through walls, running electrical conduits, and making electrical connections, thereby maintaining power transmission reliability while dramatically reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If wireless power transmission is used, then installation complexity is reduced, but power transmission efficiency may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation complexityVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs electromagnetic induction or resonance-based wireless power transmission to replace complex physical wiring. Modern wireless power technologies maintain high transmission efficiency over short distances, thereby reducing installation complexity without significant energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution simplifies installations by eliminating the need for hardwired connections and allows for battery replacement without disassembling the plumbing fixture, reducing installation costs and improving maintenance efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless power receiving circuit (106) configured to wirelessly receive energy from a wireless power transmitting circuit (112) and provide the energy to the control circuit (104)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11230831B2Power supply assembly for plumbing fixture

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 SDB IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A power supply assembly and method for a plumbing fixture includes a control circuit that controls operation of the plumbing fixture, and a wireless power receiving circuit coupled to the control circuit that wirelessly receives energy and provides the energy to the control circuit.