Faucet Sensor Control Using Passive Trigger for Ultrasonic Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet systems lack efficient and power-conserving methods for hands-free and touch-activated fluid delivery, often relying on continuously powered sensors that consume excessive energy.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a low-power capacitive sensor and a high-power ultrasonic sensor, where the capacitive sensor detects user presence to enable the ultrasonic sensor, reducing power usage by activating it only when necessary, and controlling fluid flow through a controller connected to both sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a continuous ultrasonic sensor is used for hands-free detection, then detection reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic sensor operates in periodic intervals rather than continuously. The controller activates the ultrasonic sensor only when motion is detected by the passive infrared sensor or after a predetermined time interval, thereby maintaining detection reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive infrared sensor performs preliminary detection of motion in the environment before activating the ultrasonic sensor. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate when hands-free detection will be needed, enabling the ultrasonic sensor to be activated proactively rather than continuously, thus saving energy while maintaining reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a passive capacitive sensor is used for user presence detection, then energy consumption is reduced, but detection precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the outputs of two different sensor types: the passive capacitive sensor for initial user presence detection and the active ultrasonic sensor for precise hands-free detection. By combining these sensors, the system achieves both low energy consumption (from the passive sensor) and high detection precision (from the active sensor when activated).
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that processes signals from the passive capacitive sensor and determines when to activate the ultrasonic sensor. This intermediary function allows the system to use the low-power passive sensor as a trigger mechanism, activating the high-precision active sensor only when necessary, thus balancing energy consumption and detection precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are integrated in the faucet system, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes signals from both passive and active sensors, controls water flow activation, manages power consumption by selectively enabling sensors, and handles various detection modes (touch, hands-free, presence detection). This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate control systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced functionality.
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 solution enables hands-free and touch-activated fluid delivery while significantly reducing energy consumption by selectively powering the ultrasonic sensor based on user presence, as detected by the capacitive sensor, thereby optimizing power usage and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a passive (e.g., capacitive) sensor configured to define a sensing field in an area near the spout to detect a presence of a user
Implementation Method 2
a normally disabled active (e.g., ultrasonic) sensor located adjacent the spout, wherein the active sensor is configured to detect the presence of a user adjacent the spout when enabled
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid delivery apparatus includes a spout, an active sensor, and a passive sensor. The active sensor is configured to detect the presence of a user adjacent the spout when enabled. The passive sensor is configured to define a sensing field in an area near the spout and also to detect a presence of a user. A controller is coupled to the passive sensor and the active sensor. The controller is programmed to detect the presence of a user in the sensing field based on an output signal from the active sensor in response to detecting the presence of the user in the sensing field with the passive sensor, thereby reducing the amount of power used by the active sensor.