Automatic Faucet Sensor Dynamic Detection Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic faucets using reflected light detection struggle with accurate human body detection, especially with transparent or reflective surfaces, leading to unreliable water supply control during dishwashing, as they fail to maintain detection accuracy due to insufficient reflected light and ambient light interference.
Innovation Solution
A human body detection sensor that combines distance measurement and moving object determination methods using a photoelectric sensor with a light emitting portion and a light reception portion, employing a first light emitting unit for distance measurement and a second for moving object detection, with a shared light reception unit to improve detection accuracy and reliability by selectively using threshold-based determination methods based on light reception amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single threshold-based detection method is used, then the device complexity is low, but the detection precision deteriorates when washing transparent or reflective objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two detection methods based on real-time light reception amounts. When washing transparent or reflective objects that cause insufficient reflected light, the system automatically transitions from threshold-based detection to distance-based detection, maintaining detection precision without requiring complex manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter dynamically by switching between threshold-based determination and distance-based determination methods. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different object types (transparent/reflective vs. ordinary objects) and maintain high detection precision across various washing scenarios
2Reliability
If only threshold-based detection is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to ambient light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces distance measurement as an intermediary verification mechanism. When light reception amount is insufficient (indicating potential ambient light interference or transparent object washing), the system uses distance measurement results as a mediator to confirm whether an object is present, thereby maintaining reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors light reception amounts and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the detection method. When reflected light is insufficient, the feedback triggers switching to distance-based detection, ensuring reliable operation under varying lighting conditions and when washing different object types
3Ease of operation
If the sensor is positioned close to the spout for improved usability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the detection precision deteriorates due to insufficient reflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic detection method selection based on light reception quality. When the sensor is positioned close to the spout and light reception is insufficient (as happens when washing transparent objects), the system automatically switches to distance-based detection, maintaining both the close sensor positioning for usability and the detection accuracy
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 sensor enhances detection performance and operational reliability of automatic faucets by reducing false non-detection states during dishwashing, ensuring continuous water supply even with insufficient reflected light, and minimizing errors caused by ambient light changes.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting portion which projects light to a detection target and a light reception portion which receives reflected light caused by the light projected from the light emitting portion
Data Source
AI summary
A human body sensor has a light emitting portion to emit light to an object, a light reception portion to receive the light reflected from the object, a light reception amount determiner, a distance measurement determiner, a moving object determiner, and a detection determiner. When an amount of the reflected light is a threshold or more under the detection state, the detection determiner determines to switch the determination from the detection state to the non-detection state under a condition that the distance measurement determiner determines that the detection target does not exist, and when an amount of the reflected light is less than the predetermined threshold under the detection state, the detection determiner determines to switch the determination from the detection state to the non-detection state under a condition that the moving object determiner determines that the object does not exist.