Touch-Controlled Faucet With Segmented Sensing Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing body induction touch control faucets face issues with accidental activation due to entire faucet body being a touch sensing zone, signal interference from ambient humidity and external signals, mechanical wear in temperature adjustment, and limited water temperature options.

Innovation Solution

A body induction touch control faucet with specific sensing zones, a touch sensing module using a human body touch sensing chip, voltage detecting module, delay selection switch, and water temperature indicating devices, allowing for precise touch control, voltage monitoring, and selection among cold, warm, and hot water types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the entire faucet body is configured as a touch sensing zone, then touch control functionality is achieved, but accidental operation occurs when users touch the faucet unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch control functionalityVSAvoidaccidental operation prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The faucet body is divided into multiple independent touch sensing zones: a first touch sensing zone for controlling water flow and a second touch sensing zone for adjusting water temperature. Each zone has dedicated functional responsibility, preventing accidental activation of wrong functions and allowing users to intentionally trigger only the desired control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the entire faucet body is configured as a touch sensing zone, then touch control is enabled, but signal identification is affected by ambient humidity and external signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch control capabilityVSAvoidsignal identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensing module includes multiple independent sensing circuits corresponding to different zones. Each circuit processes signals from its specific zone separately, allowing the control unit to identify which zone was touched and filter out interference from other sources, improving signal identification accuracy in humid environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a mechanical valve is used for temperature adjustment, then temperature control is achieved, but mechanical wear occurs and adjustment is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmechanical wear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical temperature adjustment valve is replaced with an electronic control system. The second touch sensing zone detects user intent for temperature adjustment, and the control unit electronically regulates the mixing ratio of hot and cold water through an electromagnetic valve, eliminating mechanical wear while providing precise digital control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical valve is used for temperature adjustment, then temperature control is possible, but adjustment can only be gradual instead of direct switching among water types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater temperature optionsVSAvoidadjustment speed and directness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control system allows direct switching between different water temperature modes (cold, warm, hot) through digital control of the electromagnetic valve. Users can quickly select desired temperature by touching the second sensing zone, and the system responds immediately with pre-programmed mixing ratios, eliminating gradual mechanical adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 touch sensing accuracy, prevents accidental operation, reduces mechanical wear, provides flexible water temperature options, and includes features like power alarming and delay selection for efficient water use.

Implementation Method 1

a touch sensing module adapted for detecting and processing touch signal of the sensing zone to output an induction signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2669558B1Human body sensitive touch-controlled water outlet device and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 GUANGZHOU SEAGULL KITCHEN AND BATH PRODUCTS CO LTD
  • EP2669558B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2669558B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2669558B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A body induction touch control faucet device comprises a faucet body, a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe and a switch unit comprising a touch sensing module, a control module and a power module, and wherein, when the sensing zone for switch control or sensing zone for water temperature switching arranged on the faucet body is touched by a human body, the induction signal may be identified by the touch sensing module, and corresponding induction signal may be outputted to the control module, which may open or close the faucet device in terms of selected type of water to be supplied based on the induction signal. The body induction touch control faucet device is easy to use, has a high accuracy for touch sensing and is highly intelligent.