Dog Toilet Urination Sensor Vertical Electrode Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dog toilets face issues with erroneous operation of the operating device due to the urination detection sensor's conducting state persisting after urination, leading to incorrect timing detection and failure in detecting subsequent urinations.
Innovation Solution
A dog toilet design featuring a urination detection sensor with a first and second electrode, where at least one electrode is spaced apart from the receptacle, and an insulating member is used to prevent continuous conduction, ensuring accurate detection of urination timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the urination detection sensor is placed in contact with the receptacle bottom, then urination detection sensitivity is improved, but erroneous operation occurs due to continuous conducting state after urination
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode arrangement transitions from a horizontal planar contact to a vertical stacked configuration. The first electrode contacts the receptacle bottom while the second electrode is positioned above it, creating a vertical detection path through the urine stream. This dimensional change allows the sensor to detect urination when urine passes between the electrodes without maintaining continuous contact with the receptacle bottom, thereby preventing erroneous continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The second electrode acts as an intermediary element positioned between the first electrode (contacting the receptacle) and the urine source. Instead of having both electrodes directly contact the receptacle bottom, the second electrode悬浮 in space above the receptacle, creating an indirect detection path. Urine must pass through this intermediate space to complete the circuit, providing clear start and end signals for urination detection.
2Measurement precision
If the urination detection sensor remains in conducting state until urine dries, then detection coverage is maximized, but the completion timing of urination cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging electrodes vertically with the second electrode suspended above the receptacle bottom, the detection mechanism changes from surface-based to volume-based. Urine must physically pass through the space between electrodes to trigger detection, creating a natural start and end point for the conducting state that corresponds to the actual urination flow, thereby enabling accurate timing detection.
3Measurement precision
If the conducting state continues for extended period, then all urination instances are captured, but detection of second and subsequent urinations fails
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical electrode arrangement creates a transient conducting state that exists only when urine actively flows between the electrodes. Once urination completes and urine recedes, the conducting state naturally terminates. This allows the sensor to reset and detect subsequent urination events, maintaining both comprehensive detection and high detection rate.
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
This design effectively prevents erroneous operation of the operating device, allowing for precise detection of urination and reducing the risk of false triggers, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the urination detection system.
Implementation Method 1
a urination detection sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode; and an operating device configured to operate based on a conducting state of the first electrode and the second electrode
Data Source
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AI summary
A dog toilet includes: a receptacle (21) in which a dog urinates; a urination detection sensor (40) including a first electrode (41) and a second electrode (42) ; and an operating device (52) configured to operate based on a conducting state of the first electrode (41) and the second electrode (42) of the urination detection sensor (40). At least either one of the first electrode (41) and the second electrode (42) is spaced apart from the receptacle (21).