Automatic Bidet with Optical Detection for Hygienic Hands-Free Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic bidets require users to physically interact with control panels, which can lead to bacterial transmission, balance issues, and increased mental effort, particularly for elderly and physically challenged individuals, and do not provide hands-free operation.
Innovation Solution
An automatic bidet system that uses cameras and sensors to detect user gender and elimination positions, allowing for hands-free operation by automatically directing water streams and air dryers to the user's elimination areas without the need for manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users physically interact with control panels to operate bidet functions, then bidet devices can be controlled and operated, but bacterial transmission occurs and hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical button pressing with optical detection systems (cameras and sensors) that automatically detect user presence, gender, and elimination positions. This substitution eliminates physical contact with control panels while maintaining full bidet functionality through automated control based on visual and sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The bidet system performs self-service by automatically detecting user characteristics and autonomously controlling water stream direction, temperature, and airflow without requiring user input. The system serves itself by using its own sensors and processors to make all operational decisions, completely eliminating the need for manual panel interaction.
2Ease of operation
If users lean or shift balance to reach control panels, then bidet functions can be activated, but balance issues and safety risks increase for elderly and physically challenged individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical reaching and button pressing with an optical detection system that identifies user presence and characteristics from a distance. Cameras and sensors mounted on the bidet automatically track and analyze user position, eliminating the need for users to lean or shift their balance to access controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection and analysis of user characteristics (gender, elimination position) before any control action is needed. By pre-determining the appropriate bidet settings through automatic detection, the system eliminates the subsequent need for users to physically interact with controls, thereby preventing balance issues before they occur.
3Ease of operation
If control panels require active user input to operate bidet functions, then bidet devices can be controlled, but mental effort and cognitive load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bidet system completely automates the control process by using its own sensors, processors, and algorithms to detect user characteristics and determine appropriate settings. The system serves itself by making all operational decisions without requiring any user cognitive input, thereby eliminating mental effort while maintaining full functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the cognitive-mechanical interaction of reading control panels and making decisions with an automated optical-detection-and-control system. Cameras and sensors capture user characteristics, processors analyze the data, and the system automatically adjusts bidet functions, substituting user mental effort with automated computational processes.
4Ease of operation
If touch screens and physical buttons are used for control, then bidet functions can be selected and adjusted, but bacterial contamination is transmitted to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical control interfaces (touch screens and buttons) with a contactless optical detection and control system. Cameras and sensors mounted on the bidet detect user characteristics from a distance, and the system automatically controls bidet functions based on this data, eliminating any physical surface that could transmit bacteria to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical fields and sensor detection as intermediaries between the user and the bidet control system. Instead of direct physical contact, the interaction is mediated through light and electromagnetic fields that detect user characteristics without requiring user contact with any surfaces, thereby preventing bacterial transmission while maintaining control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic bidet automatically washes a user, after they have eliminated, while sitting on a toilet. The bidet uses a camera connected to a computer, to identify a user's gender, and to identify elimination from the users front or back location, the information is used direct water to the user's elimination positions, after eliminating. When washing the user, an automatic water aiming device, can also be used, to automatically target and direct water, to the user's elimination positions, without the user, having to move their body, to the water stream. A bottom air drier automatically dries the user's bottom, after washing. The automatic bidet decreases the transmission, of possibly harmful bacteria and viruses, to the user, by relieving them of manually having to operate, a possibly bacteria contaminated bidet control panel. Bidet automation frees the user, from expending effort, and needing knowledge to operate a bidet.