Dual Sensing Zone Trashcan Lid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor-activated trashcans face challenges in calibrating the sensor sensitivity to avoid accidental lid movement due to passing individuals or stationary objects, leading to power exhaustion and component wear, while being too sensitive or not sensitive enough.
Innovation Solution
A trashcan assembly with a dual sensing zone system, featuring a vertical and horizontal sensing zone, where the sensor assembly includes transmitters and receivers to detect objects and control the lid movement, with a controller managing the power-operated drive mechanism to open and close the lid based on object detection and presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is made more sensitive to detect objects, then the lid opens more reliably when needed, but accidental lid movement occurs more frequently due to passing individuals or stationary objects
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensors (first sensor, second sensor, third sensor) with different sensing zones and functions. The first sensor detects objects in the first zone, the second sensor detects objects in the second zone, and the third sensor detects motion in the third zone. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between intentional trash disposal actions and accidental movements by analyzing patterns across multiple sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from multiple sensors simultaneously and processes this information to determine whether to open the lid. The system monitors signals from all three sensors and uses logical conditions (object detected in first zone AND second zone, plus motion detection in third zone) to make an informed decision, reducing false activation while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor is made more sensitive to trigger lid movement, then the lid responds better to user intent, but power consumption increases and components wear down from overuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its sensitivity and activation conditions based on real-time sensor inputs. Rather than using a single high-sensitivity sensor that triggers on any movement, the controller evaluates multiple sensor signals and applies logical conditions to determine activation. This dynamic evaluation reduces unnecessary lid movements and conserves power while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate trash disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by requiring simultaneous detection from multiple sensors before triggering lid movement. This multi-parameter verification approach (object presence in first zone, object presence in second zone, motion detection in third zone) effectively raises the activation threshold, reducing power consumption and component wear while preserving user convenience.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to detect objects, then the device complexity is reduced, but the precision of object detection and determination of user intent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into three separate sensors, each responsible for a specific sensing zone. The first sensor monitors the first zone, the second sensor monitors the second zone, and the third sensor monitors motion in the third zone. This segmentation provides precise spatial information about object location and movement patterns, enabling accurate determination of user intent despite increased component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds spatial dimensions to detection by distributing sensors across different zones (first zone, second zone, third zone) rather than using a single sensor. This multi-dimensional sensing approach captures both object presence and motion patterns, significantly improving detection precision and user intent recognition.
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 dual sensing zone system effectively reduces accidental lid openings, conserves power, and allows for precise control of lid movement, ensuring the lid remains open only when intended for use.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor assembly that includes a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and one or more receivers... receiving, from the one or more receivers, a first indication that an object is detected in a first region
Data Source
AI summary
A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.