Rotating Faucet Handle Sensing for Accurate Flow and Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucet apparatuses with acceleration sensors struggle to accurately detect the attitude and rotating movement of the operating unit when the sensor is stationary within the horizontal plane, leading to difficulties in flow and temperature adjustments, and are prone to noise interference due to external vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A faucet apparatus design where the acceleration sensor rotates with the operating unit, avoiding horizontal plane rotation and being positioned to detect attitude and movement changes, with the sensor placed at a location less susceptible to external influences, allowing for accurate flow and temperature adjustments without striding across the horizontal plane during operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the acceleration sensor is provided in the distal end of the operating lever to detect attitude and rotating movement, then the detection capability is improved, but the sensor is easily influenced by external vibration and noise, reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterweight as an intermediary element between the operating lever and the acceleration sensor. The counterweight balances the operating lever, creating a stable platform that isolates the acceleration sensor from vibrations and noises generated during lever operation, thereby improving detection accuracy while maintaining sensor positioning capability
2Measurement precision
If the acceleration sensor detects gravitational acceleration to determine operating lever attitude, then the operating state detection is improved, but the sensor cannot accurately detect attitude when stationary or rotating within the horizontal plane where gravitational acceleration does not change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static gravitational acceleration detection method to a dynamic detection approach by incorporating a gyro sensor. The gyro sensor detects angular velocity around the vertical axis, enabling accurate attitude determination during horizontal plane rotations and stationary states where gravitational acceleration remains constant, thus improving adaptability across all operating conditions
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 the accuracy of flow and temperature adjustments by preventing sensor detection issues and reducing noise interference, thereby improving operability and reliability in water spouting states.
Implementation Method 1
the acceleration sensor provided in the distal end portion of the operating lever detects an acceleration that acts on the operating lever based on the gravitational acceleration
Data Source
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AI summary
A faucet apparatus includes a rotating operation unit that rotationally operates water spouting and shutting off operations, and a flow adjustment operation and a temperature adjustment operation of hot and cold water, an acceleration sensor that detects an attitude and a rotating movement of the rotating operation unit, and a control unit. The rotating operation unit moves without striding across a horizontal plane at a time of performing a rotating operation from a first operation position to a second operation position around a predetermined rotation axis in the water spouting state. The acceleration sensor is set in a state where a rotation axis at a time of rotating within a predetermined plane in response to the flow adjustment operation and temperature adjustment operation of the hot and cold water does not coincide with a gravity direction axis.