Bidet Power Saving Control via User Contact Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bidets with self-generation functions face power usage challenges due to insufficient generation capacity, leading to excessive power consumption when not in use, as they are often left in standby mode for 96% of the day.

Innovation Solution

A power-saving control system comprising a sensing unit, latch unit, and switch unit that detects user contact to activate the system and deactivates it when not in use, eliminating the need for continuous power supply and minimizing standby power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the bidet is left in standby mode to be ready for use, then the convenience of use is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing unit performs preliminary detection of user approach or contact before full system activation. When the sensing unit detects user presence or contact, it triggers the latch unit to activate the power supply in advance, ensuring the bidet is ready for use only when needed, thus balancing convenience with power saving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bidet uses a self-generation function to overcome power supply restrictions, then the adaptability to installation locations is improved, but the power usage amount increases due to insufficient generation capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to installation locationsVSAvoidpower usage amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply state of the bidet is made dynamic rather than static. The switch unit, controlled by the latch unit responding to sensing unit detection, dynamically connects or disconnects the power supply path based on actual usage conditions. This allows the bidet to adapt its power consumption to the limited self-generation capacity while maintaining functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the bidet is continuously powered to ensure immediate availability, then the reliability of operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of operationVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing unit continuously monitors user presence or contact and provides feedback to the latch unit. The latch unit uses this feedback to control the switch unit, which adjusts the power supply state accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the bidet is reliably available when users need it while minimizing energy loss during periods of non-use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2378621B1Apparatus and system for controlling power saving in a bidet

Publication Date: 2021.06.16 WOONGJIN COWAY

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AI summary

Disclosed is an apparatus and system for controlling power saving. The system for controlling power saving includes: a battery supplying power (300); a power saving controlling apparatus (100) including a sensing unit (110) detecting a user's contact and generating an activation signal when a user's contact is acknowledged, a latch unit (120) maintaining the activation signal which has been received from the sensing unit, and a switch unit (140) disposed on a current path that delivers power, and connecting the current path according to the activation signal from the latch unit; and a microcomputer (200) controlling an operation of the system connected upon receiving power from the power saving controlling apparatus.