Automatic Faucet Detection Unit Segmentation for Hygiene and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic faucet devices for aircraft lavatories require separate manufacturing for non-contact and contact sensor types, leading to increased costs and longer production times to meet customer specifications focusing on hygiene or cost performance.
Innovation Solution
An automatic faucet device design that allows for the detachable attachment of either a non-contact sensor detection unit or a contact sensor detection unit, enabling easy selection and replacement to meet specific customer requirements, thereby reducing production complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-contact sensor is used in the automatic faucet device, then hygiene performance is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit is segmented from the main faucet body, allowing it to be detached and replaced. This segmentation enables the use of complex non-contact sensors in specific applications while keeping the base faucet结构简单, resolving the contradiction between hygiene performance and overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit attachment portion is designed to accommodate both non-contact sensors and contact sensors through a universal interface. This multi-functionality allows the same faucet body to support different sensor types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining hygiene performance options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate manufacturing for non-contact and contact sensor types is performed, then customer specifications are met, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the detection unit from the main faucet body, the manufacturer can produce standardized faucet bodies in bulk and then attach different detection units according to customer requirements. This significantly reduces production time while maintaining the ability to meet diverse customer specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable detection unit design introduces dynamic configurability to the manufacturing process. Instead of producing different faucet models for different sensor types, the system allows dynamic assembly of detection units onto standardized bodies, improving productivity while maintaining adaptability.
3Device complexity
If a contact sensor is used in the automatic faucet device, then cost is reduced, but hygiene performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The universal detection unit attachment portion allows the faucet to be configured with either contact or non-contact sensors depending on the hygiene requirements and budget. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing cost-effective contact sensors to be used when hygiene is less critical while enabling non-contact sensors for high-hygiene applications.
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
This solution allows for the rapid and cost-effective production of automatic faucet devices that meet customer specifications, reducing the need for multiple manufacturing setups and enabling quick replacements of detection units without replacing the entire faucet device.
Implementation Method 1
a first detection unit including a non-contact sensor configured to detect human body part in a non-contact manner
Implementation Method 2
a second detection unit including a contact sensor configured to detect part of a human body when contacted by the part of the human body
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic faucet device includes one of a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a third detection unit selected as a detection unit and attached to a detection unit attachment portion. Selecting the first detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using a non-contact sensor, selecting the second detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using a contact sensor, or selecting the third detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using both the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor.