Capacitive Faucet Using Conductive Polymer Insulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capacitive sensing electronic faucets face challenges in achieving a consistent signal amplitude due to varying overlap of metal between the hub and spout, which affects the accuracy of user input detection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrically conductive polymer insulator between the faucet body hub and spout to establish a capacitive coupling, allowing for differentiation between user interactions with the handle and spout by adjusting the conductivity of the insulator to achieve a predetermined signal amplitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If metal overlap between hub and spout is adjusted to achieve desired signal amplitude, then signal amplitude is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
An insulator material is introduced as an intermediary component between the metallic hub and spout. This insulator creates a capacitive coupling that provides a consistent electrical pathway, eliminating the need for precise metal-to-metal overlap adjustments while maintaining reliable signal amplitude for touch detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical metal-to-metal contact system is replaced with an electrical capacitive coupling system. Instead of relying on physical metal overlap to establish electrical connection, the patent uses capacitive sensing through the insulator, substituting mechanical alignment requirements with electrical field-based detection.
2Measurement precision
If metal overlap between hub and spout is increased to improve signal amplitude, then signal amplitude is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulator serves as a mediator that standardizes the electrical coupling between hub and spout. By providing a consistent dielectric material with controlled properties, it ensures uniform capacitive coupling regardless of variations in metal overlap, thereby maintaining signal amplitude consistency while relaxing manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of electrical coupling from direct metal contact to capacitive coupling through an insulator. This parameter change transforms the relationship between hub and spout, allowing signal amplitude to be controlled by insulator properties rather than metal overlap dimensions, thus reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enables precise detection of user touch on either the handle or spout, allowing for controlled water flow and temperature adjustments without manual adjustment, enhancing user convenience and operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an insulator defining a capacitive coupling between the faucet body hub and the spout, wherein the insulator is formed from an electrically conductive polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive sensing faucet is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a a faucet body hub; a spout coupled to the faucet body hub; an insulator defining a capacitive coupling between the faucet body hub and the spout, wherein the insulator is formed from an electrically conductive polymer; a capacitive sensor having an electrode coupled to the faucet body hub; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller determining if the spout is touched by a user based on an output signal from the capacitive sensor.