Wireless Water Valve Control With Wi-Fi Scheduling and Moisture Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional watering systems lack efficient wireless control and automation, limiting their ability to adapt to moisture levels and user schedules, and often require cumbersome Ethernet connections.
Innovation Solution
A Wi-Fi enabled watering system comprising a control unit and valve unit that communicate wirelessly, allowing for programmable schedules and real-time moisture sensing, with the control unit connected to a home Wi-Fi network and the valve unit connected to faucets, using ISM Band RF links for communication and powered by batteries or wall adapters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Ethernet connections are used for controlling watering systems, then reliable communication is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to cable requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Ethernet cable connection system with a wireless communication system using Wi-Fi technology. The control unit and valve unit communicate via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining communication reliability. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the mechanical constraint (cables) that increased device complexity and installation difficulty.
2Productivity
If manual control of watering valves is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity and water management efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated control where the control unit automatically manages watering schedules and valve operations without requiring manual intervention. The system self-regulates water distribution based on pre-programmed schedules, improving productivity and watering efficiency while the modular design keeps system complexity manageable through clear separation of control and execution functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit allows users to pre-program watering schedules and preferences in advance. The system then executes these pre-planned actions automatically at scheduled times, improving watering efficiency and productivity by eliminating the need for manual, real-time control decisions.
3Ease of operation
If fixed watering schedules are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to moisture levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates moisture sensors that continuously monitor soil moisture levels and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust watering schedules and valve operations, allowing the system to adapt to actual moisture conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated decision-making. This resolves the contradiction by adding adaptability without requiring user complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless water timer and valve control system includes a control unit in wireless WiFi communication with a router and a valve unit in wireless communication with the control unit and designed to connect to a faucet. The valve unit includes a valve that is operated wirelessly via a signal received by the control unit.