Sensor device for identifying a person in the application area of a sanitary device - Patent application
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024527168
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-11-08
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrically actuatable sanitary components with presence sensors face challenges in achieving precise measurements over long distances while maintaining low power consumption, particularly with Time of Flight (ToF) sensors that require frequent battery replacements due to high energy demand.
A method and sensor device utilizing a hybrid sensor system with a ToF sensor and a second, lower-power sensor to detect presence, where the ToF sensor is switched on only when needed for distance measurements, and switched off when not in use, reducing energy consumption by disconnecting power supply.
The solution effectively reduces energy demand by selectively activating the ToF sensor, ensuring reliable monitoring and operation of sanitary equipment with minimal power consumption and extended battery life.
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a sensor device for identifying a person in the application area of a sanitary device, to a sensor device for identifying a person in the application area of a sanitary device, and to a sanitary device equipped with such a sensor device. [Background technology]
[0002] Electrically operable sanitary components with presence sensors are known. In order to monitor as comprehensively as possible the presence of one or more people in the application area of the sanitary component, presence sensors with a relatively long reach are generally used. However, the long reach often comes at the expense of the accuracy of these sensors. In particular, when a person moves away from the component, more and more accurate measurements are required to realize advantageous functions, such as automatic cleaning, which cannot always be realized by sensors with a long reach. For this reason, sensors with at least a short reach are often also integrated into the sanitary components.
[0003] Precisely when a sensor with a short range, for example a so-called ToF sensor (ToF=Time of Flight), is integrated, for example, in a component, it is often desirable for this sensor to be operated by a battery or accumulator, rather than being connected to a power grid. However, since batteries or accumulators have a limited life span or must be recharged after a while, it is desirable and advantageous to keep the power consumption as low as possible in order not to have to be replaced too frequently in the component.
[0004] However, ToF sensors require too much energy for battery use, especially to perform continuous measurements, so strategies are needed to reduce the energy demand. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] Starting from this, it is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve the problems mentioned in relation to the prior art, in particular to provide a technically simplest possible solution which allows monitoring and / or operation of sanitary devices as energy-efficiently and advantageously reliably as possible. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] These problems are solved by the method, the sensor device and the sanitary device according to the independent claims. Advantageous developments are given in the dependent claims. The features recited in the claims can be combined with one another in any way that makes technical sense and can possibly be further clarified by features of the description. The present description is hereby specifically illustrated by the invention, in particular with reference to the drawings, which show further embodiments.
[0007] A method for operating a sensor device for identifying a person in the application area of a sanitary device serves this purpose and comprises at least the following steps: a) switching on a first sensor of the sensor device when the presence of at least one person in the vicinity of the sanitary device (in particular in the application area) is detected by a second sensor, different from the first sensor of the sensor device, said switching on including resuming the power supply to the first sensor, previously completely cut off, said first sensor being a ToF sensor; b) detecting at least one distance information related to a spatial distance between a person and a sanitary device using a first sensor, the distance information being determined by a time of flight measurement of a signal transmitted from the first sensor; c) switching off the first sensor when the presence of at least one person around the sanitary device (in particular in the application area) is no longer detected by the first sensor and / or the second sensor, which switching off includes completely interrupting the power supply to the first sensor, i.e. when it is no longer possible to detect a person in the application area.
[0008] Steps a), b) and c) can for example be performed at least once and / or repeated in the indicated order to perform the method. The method can for example be performed using a sensor device as also described herein. The method is used to identify a person in the application area of the sanitary device. The method can further serve or perform the (electronic) control of the sanitary device, in particular the triggering or activation (of the water supply).
[0009] The sanitary device may be, for example, a water flushing part in the form of a tap, a shower, a bathtub, etc. Furthermore, the sanitary device may be, for example, a toilet or a water closet, a bidet and / or a urinal or a part therefor. The application area in particular means a (predefined) surrounding area at or around the sanitary device, where the sanitary device is switched to a ready-for-use state and / or where the (water supply) is activated when a person (for example a hand) enters. The sensor device, or the first sensor and / or the second sensor, is applied next to or to the sanitary device such that its detection field substantially coincides with the predefined application area or at least partially covers the application area.
[0010] The sensor device may include, for example, a first sensor and a second sensor in the form of a hybrid sensor. In this context, the first sensor and the second sensor may form the hybrid sensor of the sensor device. The term "hybrid sensor" in this context means in particular that two different sensor technologies are used. In particular, the first sensor is suitable for performing distance measurements. In contrast, the second sensor may only be suitable for identifying the presence of an object, such as a person, in the utilization area. The first sensor and the second sensor may in particular be operable according to physically different measurement schemes.
[0011] Time of Flight (ToF) sensors advantageously allow contactless detection of presence or distance measurement of physical objects and people. ToF sensors can measure the distance to a target object by detecting the travel of photons in time from the sensor to the object or person and back (time of flight measurement). ToF sensors can be configured with arrays with Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) and / or Single Photon Avalanche Photodiodes (SPADs). ToF sensors can realize multiple, for example three, distance mode functions, for example a short-distance mode, a medium-distance mode and a near-field mode. ToF sensors can perform distance measurements with a resolution of, for example, 1 mm (millimeter) and can report them to a control device, in particular via a digital I2C interface, which can also be used as a control connection of the sensor. ToF sensors can be, for example, ToF laser sensors.
[0012] The ToF sensor and / or the sensor device may further preferably have a viewing window through which light having a given wavelength or another wavelength (apart from the laser beam) can be filtered.
[0013] In particular, the ToF sensor may be used to make multiple (time-sequential) spacing or distance measurements for the purpose of tracking the movement of people in or out of an area of use, for example to trigger a flush when leaving a urinal or toilet.
[0014] The method advantageously serves to perform a ToF measurement only if an object is present in the utilization area (detection area or sensing area). This advantageously allows a reduction in the (total) energy demand of the sensor device. The identification of whether something is present in the detection area is performed in particular by a (second) sensor, which advantageously requires little energy. The ToF sensor can be completely switched off (powered off) if not required by suitable means for this purpose. In particular, the control device can check whether something is present in the detection area using an additional sensor. As soon as an object is identified in the detection area, the ToF sensor can be switched on and a distance measurement can be performed. As soon as the control device identifies that the detection area has been left, the ToF sensor can be switched off. The leaving of the detection area can be detected both by the ToF sensor and by the additional sensor.
[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the second sensor consumes less power than the first sensor. The second sensor may furthermore have a longer reach than the first sensor. The first sensor may furthermore have a higher measurement accuracy than the second sensor. For example, the second sensor may be an ultrasonic sensor or an infrared sensor. Preferably, the second sensor is an infrared sensor. The second sensor can in particular be arranged independently of the first sensor (ToF sensor). The first and second sensors may be arranged directly next to each other. The first and second sensors may be arranged in a common casing.
[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed to connect the first sensor to an electrical energy store of the sanitary device for power supply, which may for example include at least one electrical battery and / or at least one accumulator.
[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed to operate an electronic switch to turn on or off the power supply to the first sensor. This switch can be arranged and configured in such a way that it can completely interrupt the power supply to the first sensor (cut off the supply voltage) and, if necessary, do so again. The electronic switch can, for example, be formed by at least one transistor. Furthermore, the electronic switch can be operated, for example, by a control device of the sensor device. The electronic switch can be operated, for example, by the control device depending on the sensor output of the second sensor. The control device can, for example, be formed in the form of a control unit, for example by a microcontroller or the like.
[0018] In any case, a complete cutoff of the power supply is different from a transition to a "standby" mode in which the sensor can still consume electrical energy or power. Here, the operation of the first sensor is preferably always carried out further via a switch or a control device. In any case, there is no direct software command from the second sensor to the first sensor. In particular, the second sensor does not communicate with the first sensor. Here, in the case of switching on, a transistor can be made conductive, preferably by a simple binary signal, so that the first sensor can be supplied with power again.
[0019] According to another aspect, a sensor device for identifying a person in a use area of a sanitary device is proposed, the sensor device comprising at least: a first sensor, which is a ToF sensor, for detecting at least one distance information relating to a spatial distance between a person and a sanitary device; a second sensor, separate from the first sensor, for detecting the presence of at least one person in the vicinity of the sanitary device; an electronic switch for turning on or off the power supply from the electrical energy store to the first sensor; A control device for operating the electronic switch depending on whether the second sensor detects the presence of at least one person in the vicinity of the sanitary device.
[0020] The sensor device may advantageously be configured to carry out the methods described herein.
[0021] According to another aspect, a sanitary device is proposed, comprising a sensor device as described herein.
[0022] The details, features and advantageous embodiments discussed in relation to the method may also occur correspondingly in the sensor device and / or sanitary device presented herein and vice versa, to which extent reference should be made in full to the relevant descriptions for a more detailed characterization of the features.
[0023] The following will describe in detail the solutions presented in this specification and their technical surroundings based on several drawings. Please note that the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, partial aspects of the situations described in the drawings may be extracted and combined with other components and / or knowledge from other drawings and / or the description of this specification. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary flow of the method presented herein. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary sanitary device equipped with a sensor device as described herein. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary structures of the sensor devices presented herein; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] An exemplary flow diagram of the method presented herein is shown in Fig. 1. The method is used to activate a sensor device 1 for identifying a person 8 in an application area 2 of a sanitary device 3 (see Figs. 2, 3). The order of steps a), b) and c) shown in blocks 110, 120 and 130 is exemplary and can for example be performed at least once in the illustrated order to implement the method.
[0026] In block 110, according to step a), when the presence of at least one person 8 in the vicinity of the sanitary device 3 is detected by a second sensor 5 different from the first sensor 4 of the sensor device 1, the first sensor 4 of the sensor device 1 is switched on, which includes a previously completely switched off power supply to the first sensor 4, where the first sensor 4 is a ToF sensor. In block 120, according to step b), at least one distance information regarding the spatial distance between the person 8 and the sanitary device 3 is detected by means of the first sensor 4, where a time of flight measurement of the signal transmitted by the first sensor 4 is performed. In block 130, according to step c), when the presence of at least one person 8 in the vicinity of the sanitary device 3 is no longer detected, the first sensor 4 is switched off, which includes a completely switched off power supply to the first sensor 4.
[0027] In Fig. 2 an exemplary sanitary device 3 equipped with a sensor device 1 as described herein is shown diagrammatically. Here, the sanitary device 3 is configured in the form of a sanitary part, which can for example release water into a washbasin positioned in front of it.
[0028] 3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary structure of the sensor device 1 shown herein for identifying a person 8 in the application area 2 of a sanitary device 3. The sensor device 1 comprises a first sensor 4, which is a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor, for detecting at least one distance information relating to a spatial distance between the person 8 and the sanitary device 3. The sensor device 1 further comprises a second sensor 5, separate from the first sensor 4, for detecting the presence of at least one person 8 around the sanitary device 3. The sensor device 1 further comprises an electronic switch 10 for turning on or off the power supply from an electric energy store 7 to the first sensor 4. The sensor device 1 further comprises a control device 6 for operating the electronic switch 10 depending on whether the presence of at least one person 8 around the sanitary device 3 is detected by the second sensor 5 or not. The sensor device 1 exemplarily also comprises here a window pane 9 or a viewing window, behind which the sensors 4, 5 are arranged.
[0029] For example, the second sensor 5 may consume less power than the first sensor 4. Furthermore, for power supply, the first sensor 4 may be connected to an electrical energy store 7 of the sanitary device 3. For example, an electronic switch 10 may be operated to turn on or off the power supply to the first sensor 4. The electronic switch 10 may in this connection be formed by way of a transistor, for example. The electronic switch 10 can be operated by the control device 6 of the sensor device 1. Here, the electronic switch 10 can be operated by the control device 6 depending on the sensor output of the second sensor 5.
[0030] The sensor device 1 may in particular be configured in the form of a hybrid sensor, where the second sensor 5 is an additional sensor to the first (ToF) sensor 4, which requires significantly less energy than the first sensor 4 (main sensor). This additional sensor is used here in particular to switch on the ToF sensor for measurements only when necessary. In the remaining period, the ToF sensor remains switched off (i.e. completely unpowered or in a "powered off" state). This allows advantageously to reduce the (total) energy demand of the sensor device 1 or of the hybrid sensor.
[0031] Thus, a solution has been presented herein which at least partially solves the problems mentioned with regard to the prior art, in particular a technically as simple solution as possible which allows monitoring and / or operation of sanitary devices as energy-efficiently and advantageously reliably as possible. [Explanation of symbols]
[0032] 1 Sensor device 2 Usage area 3 Sanitary equipment 4 First Sensor 5 Second Sensor 6. Control device 7 Energy Accumulator 8 people 9. Window Glass 10 Switch
Claims
1. A method for operating a sensor device (1) for identifying a person (8) in an application area (2) of a sanitary device (3), said method comprising at least the following steps: a) switching on the first sensor (4) of the sensor device (1) when a second sensor (5) separate from the first sensor (4) of the sensor device (1) detects the presence of at least one person (8) around the sanitary device (3), the switching on including turning on the power supply to the first sensor (4), which was previously completely cut off, the first sensor (4) being a Time of Flight sensor; b) detecting at least one distance information relating to the spatial distance between the person (8) and the sanitary device (3) using the first sensor (4), by measuring the time of flight of the signal transmitted from the first sensor (4); c) switching off the first sensor (4) when the presence of at least one person (8) in the vicinity of the sanitary device (3) is no longer detected, said switching off comprising completely interrupting the power supply to the first sensor (4); A method comprising:
2. The second sensor (5) consumes less power than the first sensor (4). The method of claim 1.
3. connecting the first sensor (4) to an electrical energy store (7) of the sanitary device (3) for providing said power supply; The method of claim 1.
4. operating an electronic switch (10) to apply or cut off power to said first sensor (4); The method of claim 1.
5. The electronic switch (10) is formed by at least one transistor, The method of claim 4.
6. The electronic switch (10) is operated by a control device (6) of the sensor device (1). The method of claim 4.
7. The control device (6) operates the electronic switch (10) in response to the sensor output of the second sensor (5). The method of claim 6.
8. A sensor device (1) for identifying a person (8) in a use area (2) of a sanitary device (3), the sensor device (1) comprising at least: a first sensor (4) being a Time of Flight sensor for detecting at least one distance information relating to the spatial distance between a person (8) and said sanitary device (3); a second sensor (5) distinct from the first sensor (4) for detecting the presence of at least one person (8) in the vicinity of the sanitary device (3); an electronic switch (10) for turning on or off the power supply from the electrical energy store (7) to said first sensor (4); a control device (6) for operating said electronic switch (10) depending on whether the presence of at least one person (8) in the vicinity of said sanitary device (3) is detected by said second sensor (5); A sensor device (1) comprising:
9. The sensor device (1) according to claim 8, which is adapted to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
10. A sanitary device (3) equipped with the sensor device described in claim 8.