Gesture Sensor Water Tap Contactless Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional infrared sensor water taps and toilets lack the ability to control the discharge or output amount of water flow, limiting their functionality compared to traditional taps and toilets.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a gesture sensor system that includes an image sensing unit and a processing unit to capture and interpret user gestures, sending control commands to a control valve to adjust the flow discharge or output amount, allowing for various flow settings without physical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional infrared sensor water taps and toilets are used, then contactless operation is achieved, but the ability to control discharge or output amount of water flow is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless operationVSAvoidcontrol discharge or output amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts water flow discharge by recognizing different hand gesture patterns. The gesture sensor captures hand movements, and the processor interprets these gestures to control the control valve, enabling variable discharge levels (first discharge, second discharge) based on the recognized gesture type, thus making the system adaptable while maintaining contactless operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the discharge parameter of water flow by sending different control commands (first-discharge command, second-discharge command) to the control valve based on recognized gestures. This allows the water discharge amount to be varied between different levels (first discharge larger than second discharge) without physical contact, resolving the contradiction between contactless operation and flow control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional water taps and toilets are used, then various discharge settings are available, but physical contact with contaminated surfaces is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevarious discharge settingsVSAvoidcontact with contaminated surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical contact-based control (buttons, switches) with a gesture recognition system using image sensing and processing. Users control water discharge by making hand gestures in the air, which are captured by the gesture sensor and interpreted by the processor to send appropriate control commands to the valve, eliminating the need for physical contact with potentially contaminated surfaces while maintaining various discharge settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The gesture sensor and processing unit act as an intermediary between the user's hand gestures and the control valve. Instead of direct contact with the valve or buttons, the system translates visual information from hand gestures into control signals, providing a non-contact interface that preserves both hygiene and functional control over water discharge

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If gesture sensor and control valve integration is implemented, then flow discharge control is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow discharge controlVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control valve serves multiple functions: it can respond to different gesture types to produce different discharge levels (first discharge, second discharge), and can be controlled contactlessly. By making the valve a multi-functional component that handles various control commands from the gesture recognition system, the patent reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each discharge level, thereby managing complexity while providing versatile flow control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

Enables users to control water supply, taps, and toilets by gestures, reducing contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and providing customizable flow settings, enhancing hygiene and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The image sensing unit captures the gesture image performed by the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20240329752A1Apparatus having gesture sensor

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 PIXART IMAGING INC

AI summary

An apparatus having a gesture sensor is provided. The apparatus is a satellite navigation apparatus which includes a display device, a controller and a gesture sensor. The controller establishes a signal link with the display device so as to allow map information and coordinate information to be transmitted to the display device. The processing unit is electrically connected to the image sensing unit and establishes a signal link with the controller. The processing unit may send at least one gesture control signal to the controller according to at least one gesture image, and the controller is used to control the display mode of map and coordinate information on the display device according to the gesture control signal.