Capacitive Occupancy Sensing in Automated Recliner Furniture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional occupancy-detection technologies, such as pressure sensors and mechanical triggers, face challenges in integrating with automated furniture items like recliners and lift chairs, often resulting in false presence indications and limited compatibility with automated bedding systems, hindering seamless control of features and accessories.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing system is integrated into furniture items, utilizing detection pads, grids, and sinuous wires to monitor changes in capacitance, with a processor determining occupancy through software analysis, enabling reliable presence detection and controlling corresponding features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensors and mechanical triggers are used for occupancy detection, then presence detection capability is provided, but false presence indications occur and integration with automated furniture is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical occupancy detection systems (pressure sensors and mechanical triggers) with a capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by the proximity or contact of the human body, eliminating the need for mechanical components while providing more reliable occupancy detection and easier integration with automated furniture items.
2Ease of operation
If traditional occupancy detection technology is used, then presence detection is possible, but seamless control of features and accessories is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitive sensing system replaces traditional mechanical occupancy detection, enabling more reliable presence detection that seamlessly controls features and accessories. The system provides accurate occupancy information that can be integrated with automated furniture controls, allowing users to access and control features based on reliable presence detection.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection devices are monitored, then comprehensive presence detection is achieved, but false indications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple mechanical detection devices with a single capacitive sensing system that monitors capacitance changes. This substitution eliminates the false indications that occur when multiple mechanical sensors are used together, while maintaining comprehensive presence detection capability through the sensitive capacitive measurement.
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 capacitive sensing system provides accurate occupancy detection, preventing false indications and enabling seamless integration with automated furniture, allowing for controlled activation of features and accessories based on presence or absence.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive sensing system is integrated into furniture items, utilizing detection pads, grids, and sinuous wires to monitor changes in capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for incorporating occupancy-detecting technology into furniture is provided. More particularly, the invention relates to direct-connect device, system, and method for determining presence with respect to an automated furniture item, such as a recliner mechanism. In some aspects, a sensor is provided based on coupling one or more conductive features to a control component of the capacitance detector control component. A controller may determine the corresponding response based on occupancy detection and/or presence detection. A processor may receive information regarding changes in capacitance and determines when a change in voltage satisfies a threshold. Based on a determination of occupancy and/or presence, a variety of corresponding features of the adjustable recliner may be activated.