Wireless Water Shutoff Valve for Easy Leak Detection Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic water shutoff systems for domestic water supplies are complex and expensive to install, requiring professional services, making them inaccessible for untrained installers or homeowners to prevent water leaks and floods from flexible hoses.

Innovation Solution

A battery-powered water leak detection system with wireless communication capabilities, allowing for easy installation by non-professionals, featuring motorized or solenoid valves, water presence detectors, and sensors that can connect to flexible hoses and communicate with home automation systems to automatically shut off water supply in case of leaks, using standard connectors and modular design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional automatic water shutoff systems are installed, then water leak detection and shutoff capability is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase significantly requiring professional services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater leak detection and shutoff capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate functional modules: a valve unit with motorized shutoff capability, a detector unit with water sensing elements, and a control unit. These modular components can be installed independently at different locations, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining complete leak protection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless communication intermediary (such as a radio frequency transmitter/receiver system) is introduced between the detector unit and the valve/control unit. This eliminates the need for complex wired connections through walls and floors, allowing untrained installers to easily set up the system by simply placing components in appropriate locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If professional installation services are used, then reliable water shutoff system is deployed, but installation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater shutoff system reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates self-diagnostic and self-configuration capabilities that guide untrained users through the installation process. Features include automatic system detection, step-by-step visual instructions, and self-testing routines that eliminate the need for professional installation services while ensuring reliable deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical installation methods requiring specialized tools and skills are replaced with user-friendly connection mechanisms such as push-fit connectors, battery-powered operation, and wireless configuration. This substitution enables homeowners to install the system themselves, dramatically reducing installation costs while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If untrained installers perform installation, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but installation reliability and system performance may compromise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system includes comprehensive feedback mechanisms that monitor installation status, system configuration, and operational parameters. Visual and audible feedback guides untrained users through correct installation steps, while continuous monitoring ensures the system is functioning properly, thereby maintaining high reliability even with user installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary self-testing and configuration automatically upon installation. Detection elements are pre-calibrated, valve positions are pre-tested, and system parameters are automatically optimized during initial operation. This preliminary action ensures that even untrained installers achieve reliable system performance without requiring specialized knowledge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reliable and cost-effective installation and operation of water shutoff systems that can detect leaks and floods without professional assistance, automatically shutting off water supply and communicating with monitoring systems to prevent property damage.

Implementation Method 1

The units include a water presence detector to detect the presence of water or moisture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWater presence detection:

Implementation Method 2

Representative valves include motorized ball valves or solenoid valves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid actuation: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS9976288B2Wireless automated shutoff valve

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 RESIDEO LLC

AI summary

A modular water leakage detector includes a housing that carries a plurality of water leakage sensors, an electrical water shutoff valve, and circuitry coupled thereto. In response to sensing water leakage, the circuitry actuates the valve to shut off a water supply. Detectors can communicate alarm indicating signals directly with one another. The detectors can include a wireless transmitter and communicate with a displaced alarm monitoring system.