Conductive Sensor Self-Cleaning Mechanism for Urinal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional infrared sensors in urinals face detection failures due to low reflectivity issues and inefficient water flushing, while conductive sensors suffer from electrode fouling, leading to unreliable detection and water wastage.
Innovation Solution
A conductive sensor with a self-cleaning device is installed in the urinal's sewer pipe, featuring a piston unit and brush head to clean the detecting electrode using tap water, ensuring reliable detection and preventing fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive sensor is used to detect urine conductivity, then detection reliability is improved, but the electrode surface becomes covered by deposited ordure leading to sensing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive sensor system performs self-cleaning by utilizing the detected urine flow itself as the cleaning medium. When urine is detected, the system activates flushing water that automatically cleans the electrode surface, eliminating the need for external maintenance while ensuring continuous reliable detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of urine contact (which causes fouling) into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. By using flushing water activated upon urine detection, the system transforms the problematic interaction between urine and electrode into a self-cleaning process that prevents fouling accumulation
2Extent of automation
If traditional infrared sensors are used for automatic flushing, then automatic detection is achieved, but water is wasted by flushing regardless of actual usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical detection system (infrared sensors) with an electrical conductivity-based detection system. This substitution enables direct measurement of urine presence through conductivity changes, allowing the system to distinguish between actual urine usage and mere presence, thereby enabling precise water dispensing only when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the conductivity of liquid in the trap. The detection results directly control the flushing valve operation, creating a closed-loop system that adjusts water dispensing based on real-time detection of actual urine presence, eliminating unnecessary flushing
3Extent of automation
If infrared sensors operate in active sensing mode, then automatic sensing is achieved, but detection fails when infrared rays irradiate objects with low reflectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical sensing mechanism (infrared emission and reflection detection) with an electrical conductivity measurement system. This substitution fundamentally changes the detection principle from measuring reflected light intensity to measuring electrical conductivity of the liquid, thereby eliminating the reflectivity limitation entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from optical reflectivity to electrical conductivity. By measuring the conductivity of liquid in the trap rather than the reflectivity of surfaces, the system achieves reliable detection independent of the optical properties of objects or surfaces in the detection area
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 self-cleaning mechanism enhances the reliability of the conductive sensor's detection and maintains the device's performance by effectively removing ordure deposits, reducing water wastage and improving flushing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a detecting electrode installed at the insulating body to detect the electric conductivity of the liquid in the sewer pipe
Implementation Method 2
a brush head used for cleaning the end of the detecting electrode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a conductive sensor and a urinal having conductive sensor. Said conductive sensor is installed in the sewer pipe of the urinal or toilet, which comprises an insulating body and a detecting electrode used for detecting the electric conductivity of the liquid in the sewer pipe. Said conductive sensor also comprises a self-cleaning device used for cleaning the end of the detecting electrode. Said self-cleaning device comprises a housing, a piston unit and a brush head unit. A water inlet pipe connected with the tap water pipe and a water outlet pipe connected with the sewer pipe are installed to said housing. Said brush head unit comprises a brush head used for cleaning the end of the detecting electrode. Thus, the detected result of conductive sensor and the urinal having conductive sensor are more reliable and the device is easy to be maintained.