Device comprising an actuating device with user recognition für sanitary faucet and a faucet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for sanitary fittings suffer from unreliable user identification, leading to incorrect activations and 'ghost flushes, due to complex manufacturing processes and susceptibility to vandalism.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a housing containing an optoelectronic sensor unit that emits and receives light waves at a shallow angle, improving user recognition and security by positioning the transmission area on the side surface, which is protected from water splashes and design restrictions, allowing for more accurate user identification and reduced vandalism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged in a housing with front panel monitoring, then user identification can be performed, but the manufacturing process becomes very complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the transmission area from the front panel to the side surface of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of sensor arrangement. This allows the sensor unit to emit and receive light waves laterally rather than through the front panel, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining user identification functionality
2Measurement precision
If the transmission area is on the front surface, then user recognition can be performed, but the device is vulnerable to vandalism and soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission area is relocated from the front surface to the side surface of the housing. This positional change in a different dimension protects the transmission area from water splashes, fingerprints, and vandalism that typically affect the front surface, while still enabling accurate user recognition through lateral light wave emission and reception
3Productivity
If light waves are emitted at a steep angle, then user detection may be more direct, but false activations occur when persons merely walk past
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the emission angle parameter of light waves to a shallow angle (close to parallel with the side surface). This parameter modification creates a more selective detection pattern that accurately identifies users intending to use the sanitary fitting while filtering out passing persons, thereby reducing false activations
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
Enhances user recognition accuracy, reduces false activations, and increases security against vandalism by using an optoelectronic sensor unit with a transmission area on the side surface, which is protected from soiling and design limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter for emitting light waves and a receiver for detecting the light waves reflected by a user
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
An actuating device (1) for a sanitary fitting (2) for the purpose of triggering a function when a user is detected comprises a housing (3) with a side surface (5) which extends substantially in a horizontal direction in the installed position, and a sensor unit (6) arranged at least partially in the housing (3), in particular an optoelectronic sensor unit (6), with a transmitter (7) for emitting light waves (L7) and a receiver (8) for detecting the light waves (L8) reflected by a user, wherein a transmission area (9) is arranged in the area of the side surface (5) through which the light waves (L7) can be emitted or reflected.the reflected light waves (L8) are receivable, and the actuating device (1) further comprises an optical unit (10), wherein the optical unit (10) is designed and arranged such that the light waves (L7) can be coupled from the transmitter into the optical unit (10) and can be coupled out from the optical unit (10) at an angle (α) in the range of 5° to 30°, in particular 10° to 25°, to the horizontal through the transmission area (9), and wherein the reflected light waves (L8) can be coupled into the optical unit (10) at an angle (β) equal to the said angle (α) through the transmission area (9) and can be coupled out to the receiver (8).