Image-Guided Excretion Container Cleaning Program Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning and disinfection devices for containers holding human waste face challenges in accurately detecting the type and degree of soiling, leading to incorrect program selection, inefficient resource use, and potential infection risks due to manual subjective decisions and malfunctions from unsuitable container handling.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning and disinfection device equipped with an image detector, such as a camera, that captures images of the container before it is introduced into the cleaning chamber, allowing for automatic detection of the container's properties and influencing the cleaning program accordingly, ensuring flexible adaptation to different types and soiling levels, and preventing incorrect operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual subjective decision is used for program selection, then the device is simple to operate, but the cleaning program selection is inaccurate leading to incorrect operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of container propertiesVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and subjective program selection with an automated image detection system. A camera captures images of the container, and image processing algorithms automatically identify container type, soiling degree, and select the appropriate cleaning program, substituting human mechanical decision-making with automated optical detection and computational analysis.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the cleaning device to automatically detect container properties and select cleaning programs without human intervention. The image detector and processing system allow the device to serve itself by making intelligent decisions about the appropriate cleaning cycle based on visual analysis of the container and its soiling condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If image detector is added for automatic detection, then the cleaning program selection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of cleaning program selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of control system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by using the image detector to continuously monitor container properties and adjusting the cleaning program selection based on the detected information. The controller receives image data, processes it to determine container type and soiling degree, and automatically selects the appropriate cleaning program, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image processing algorithm as an intermediary between the physical container and the cleaning program selection. The algorithm acts as a mediator that translates visual information from the camera into actionable decisions about which cleaning cycle to execute, simplifying the control logic while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If incorrect program is selected, then the device is easy to operate, but resource usage becomes inefficient and infection risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of program selectionVSAvoidinefficient resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows the cleaning device to automatically select the appropriate cleaning program based on image analysis of the container, eliminating the need for user decision-making. This self-service capability ensures that the correct program is always selected, optimizing resource consumption while maintaining ease of operation, as the device makes the selection autonomously without requiring user knowledge or judgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual program selection with automated image-based detection and decision-making. The system captures images, processes them to identify container type and soiling degree, and automatically selects the optimal cleaning program, substituting human mechanical selection with automated optical detection and computational analysis to prevent incorrect program selection.

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

4Device complexity

If manual program selection is used, then the device structure is simple, but the risk of incorrect operation due to subjective decisions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of device structureVSAvoidreliability of cleaning operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and subjective program selection with an automated image detection system. A camera captures images of the container, and image processing algorithms automatically identify container type, soiling degree, and select the appropriate cleaning program, substituting human mechanical decision-making with automated optical detection and computational analysis to eliminate errors.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the image detector to continuously monitor container properties and adjusting the cleaning program selection based on the detected information. The controller receives image data, processes it to determine container type and soiling degree, and automatically selects the appropriate cleaning program, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2755695B1Cleaning and disinfecting apparatus for treating containers for human excretions
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2755695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2755695B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) for treating at least one container (112) for human excretions. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (114) having at least one fluid device (136) for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the container (112). The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) is designed to perform at least one cleaning program, wherein in the cleaning program the container (112) is drained and the cleaning fluid is applied to the container. The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) also has at least one image detector (158). The image detector (158) is designed to detect at least one property of the container (112). The cleaning and disinfecting apparatus (110) is designed to influence the cleaning program according to the detected property.