Concealed Capacitive Toilet Flush Actuation Without Tank Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet flushing systems require direct contact with the toilet handle, lacking the convenience of touchless operation and often require modifications to the toilet's structure for installation of advanced sensors.
Innovation Solution
A touchless actuation system for toilets, comprising a projected capacitive sensor that projects an electromagnetic field through the toilet reservoir's surface, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit to detect objects without an optical path, allowing users to flush the toilet by waving their hand over the lid, with components fully concealed within the reservoir.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touchless sensor is installed to enable hands-free flushing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor, motor assembly, and processing circuit are merged into a single integrated actuation system that is completely concealed within the reservoir. This consolidation improves ease of operation by providing touchless control while managing device complexity through unified design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical flush handle operation is replaced with an automated sensor-based system. The touchless sensor detects hand presence and automatically triggers the motor assembly to activate the flushing mechanism, eliminating the need for manual contact and reducing operational complexity for the user.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are exposed outside the reservoir for detection, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir lid serves as an intermediary medium that allows the electromagnetic field to pass through while concealing the sensor inside the reservoir. The projected capacitive sensor can detect objects through the non-conductive lid material, maintaining detection precision without requiring precise external positioning or modifications to the toilet structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is nested within the reservoir housing, completely concealed inside the toilet tank. This nesting arrangement allows the sensor to function through the reservoir walls while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the sensor does not require precise external positioning or structural modifications to the toilet.
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuation system is completely concealed within the reservoir, then ease of manufacture is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
All actuation components (sensor, motor, processing circuit) are merged into a single concealed package that fits within the reservoir. This unified design simplifies manufacturing by treating the actuation system as one integrated unit rather than multiple separate installations, reducing the complexity of integration into existing toilets.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning bracket enables the actuation system to be self-positioned and self-contained within the reservoir during installation. The bracket allows adjustment of the system's position relative to the reservoir upper surface, facilitating easy installation without complex external modifications while maintaining complete concealment.
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 convenient, hands-free flushing and seamless integration into existing toilet designs without visible sensors or modifications, ensuring complete containment of the system within the toilet reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
The projected capacitive sensor may project an electromagnetic field through a surface of the closed reservoir, defining a detection region outside the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The processing circuit may be configured to detect the presence of an object (e.g., an electromagnetic field-absorbing object or an electrically conductive object) within the detection region
Data Source
AI summary
A touchless actuation system for a toilet includes a touchless sensor, a motor assembly, and a processing circuit. The touchless sensor is located within a closed reservoir of the toilet. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal from the touchless sensor and to detect an object within a detection region based on the signal. The detection region is external to the closed reservoir. The processing circuit is configured to facilitate flushing of the toilet through interaction with the motor assembly when the object is detected.