Adjustable Sensor Assembly for Plumbing Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern plumbing fixtures with sensors often experience false positives due to reflective surfaces, leading to unintended activation, as the sensors cannot differentiate between the presence of a person or object and reflections from surfaces like stainless steel or mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device with an adjustable sensor assembly that allows for angular adjustment to minimize or eliminate false positives by positioning the sensor to avoid reflections from nearby reflective surfaces, featuring a fastener system that enables easy alignment and orientation adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a sensor is used to detect presence in plumbing fixtures, then automatic control of water flow is achieved, but false positives occur due to reflections from nearby surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is made dynamically adjustable through a threaded fastener system that allows rotation and repositioning of the sensor. This enables the sensor to be oriented at different angles and positions to avoid reflective surfaces, converting a static sensor into a dynamically adjustable one that can adapt to different installation environments and eliminate false positives from reflections.
2Device complexity
If the sensor position is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but the sensor cannot avoid reflections from reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor mounting structure incorporates a threaded fastener that transforms a fixed mounting into an adjustable one. The fastener allows the sensor assembly to be rotated and repositioned along the threaded body, providing multiple angular positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the sensor assembly is made adjustable, then false positives from reflections are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses a simple threaded fastener system that provides rotational adjustability without requiring motors, actuators, or complex mechanical linkages. The threaded body and fastener head create a straightforward screw-adjustment mechanism that adds minimal complexity while enabling the sensor to be positioned at different angles to avoid reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be manually operable without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The threaded fastener allows installers or users to manually rotate and position the sensor assembly to the desired angle, making the adjustment process self-service and eliminating the need for additional actuators or motors.
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
The adjustable sensor assembly effectively reduces false positives by aligning the sensor to avoid reflections, ensuring accurate detection of presence and absence, thereby preventing unintended activation of plumbing fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
sensors are employed in automatic flushometers to control delivery of fluid... The sensor generates a signal that is used by the flushometer to determine when to flush the toilet. The sensors used in modern plumbing fixtures commonly employ an emitter that emits an electromagnetic wave (e.g., an infrared wave) and a receiver that detects a reflection of the wave
Implementation Method 2
Reflective surfaces disposed near the fixture—including, for example, stainless steel stalls or trough sinks and mirrors—will also reflect waves emitted by the emitter of the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing device for a plumbing fixture includes an electronics housing including a rear wall. The rear wall includes a tool passage therethrough and a fastener head pocket in communication with the tool passage. The device further includes a fastener including head carried in the fastener head pocket of the rear wall of the electronics housing and a body extending away from the head and establishing a fastener axis. The device further includes a sensor assembly including a sensor housing having a first portion coupled to the electronics housing and a second portion carried on the body of the fastener and configured for movement relative to the electronics housing along the body of the fastener.