Contactless Actuation Using Motion Thresholds to Prevent False Triggers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch-screen and mechanical actuation systems face issues with sensitivity variability, wear, contamination risks, and reliability, particularly in collective use settings, as they can be triggered by unintended objects or fail when users wear gloves or have varying humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
An actuation device utilizing dual detection means, one emitting and receiving electromagnetic waves and the other detecting physical quantities, to determine the position and speed of an object, ensuring reliable actuation only when the object is stationary and within a predefined speed and intensity threshold, thereby reducing false triggers and maintaining hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitive actuation means are used, then contactless operation is enabled, but false detections occur when objects like dishtowels interfere with the electromagnetic field
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically evaluates multiple parameters including detection intensity, rate of change of detection intensity, and position stability over time. By requiring the object to remain stationary within a threshold period and showing stable detection characteristics, the system distinguishes between intentional user interaction and incidental object interference, thereby maintaining contactless operation while reducing false detections
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors detection intensity and its rate of change, using this feedback to determine whether an object represents a valid actuation. By analyzing the temporal evolution of detection signals and comparing them against predefined thresholds, the system can reliably differentiate between deliberate user gestures and spurious detections caused by environmental objects
2Ease of operation
If touch-screen interfaces are used, then actuation is simplified, but sensitivity varies and successive presses cause wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces mechanical touch-screen pressing with contactless electromagnetic detection. By using electromagnetic fields to detect object presence and characteristics without physical contact, the system eliminates wear from successive presses while maintaining simplified actuation through gesture-based interaction
3Reliability
If mechanical push buttons or switches are used, then actuation is reliable, but operation is deteriorated when debris is introduced into the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical push buttons and switches with contactless electromagnetic detection. This substitution eliminates moving parts and mechanical contact points where debris could accumulate, thereby maintaining reliable actuation while improving ease of operation by removing sensitivity to environmental contamination
4Ease of operation
If mechanical equipment or touch-screens are used, then actuation is direct, but hygiene and contamination risks worsen in collective use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces direct mechanical contact and touch-screen contact with contactless electromagnetic detection. By detecting objects through electromagnetic field interference without requiring physical contact, the system maintains direct and intuitive actuation while eliminating hygiene and contamination risks associated with shared mechanical surfaces
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 solution provides reliable, hygienic, and durable actuation by accurately distinguishing between intended and unintended interactions, reducing wear and contamination risks while enhancing the reliability of actuation systems.
Implementation Method 1
detection means configured to supply a position of an object interfering with at least one electromagnetic field
Implementation Method 2
second detection means: detecting the presence and position of an object as a function of a physical quantity; the physical quantity detected by the second detection means differing by at least one characteristic from the wave received by the first detection means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuation device (10) comprising: detection means configured to supply a position of an object interfering with at least one electromagnetic field; a means for determining a speed of motion of the object according to the position of the object supplied by the detection means; and actuation means configured to actuate an action if: the detection means supply a position of the object, and the speed of the object is lower than a predefined speed value.