Integrated Sensor Lavatory Body for User Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet systems with user detection sensors are vulnerable to damage from splashing water and vandalism, as the electronics are typically located outside the ceramic body.
Innovation Solution
The integration of sensors, including a differential transformer displacement sensor, within the ceramic body cavity protects them from water and mechanical damage, with a design that allows for easy assembly and calibration, ensuring reliable user detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sensor and electronics are arranged outside the ceramic body, then the installation and maintenance are easier, but the sensor is vulnerable to damage from splashing water and vandalism
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and electronics are nested inside the ceramic body cavity, utilizing the existing structural space. The sensor pin extends through the ceramic wall to the external mounting surface, allowing the sensitive components to be protected internally while maintaining external functionality for user detection
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic body itself acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the sensor electronics and the external environment. The ceramic material provides natural protection against water, dust, and physical damage, while the sensor pin transmits the detection function through this protective medium
2Reliability
If the sensor is integrated inside the ceramic body, then the protection against water and vandalism is improved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the ceramic body housing, the sensor unit with pin, the mounting plate, and the electronics. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled together, reducing overall assembly complexity despite the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural housing, acts as the protective barrier, and serves as the mounting surface for the sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall assembly process
3Measurement precision
If the sensor pin is spaced vertically from the fastening means, then the user detection accuracy is improved through pin displacement, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system utilizes the natural deformation of the fastening elements under user weight as its own measurement mechanism. The fastening elements serve dual purposes: securing the ceramic body and providing the displacement signal for user detection, eliminating the need for separate high-precision positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from absolute position to relative displacement. Instead of requiring the sensor pin to be positioned at a precise absolute location, the system measures the change in position (displacement) of the pin relative to its resting position, which is caused by the deformation of fastening elements when a user sits on the toilet
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 solution effectively safeguards the electronics from water and intentional damage while ensuring accurate user detection through precise displacement measurement, enhancing the durability and functionality of the toilet system.
Implementation Method 1
the displacement sensor is a differential transformer. Differential transformers make it possible to measure very small displacements of the pin
Data Source
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AI summary
Lavatory body (1) for mounting on a building mounting plate (25) or on a supporting frame, wherein the lavatory body (1) comprises: a) a ceramic body (2) comprising a building rear side (3), a top side (4), a cavity (5) open on the rear side (3) and means (6) for fastening the ceramic body (2) to a building mounting plate (25) or to a supporting frame; and b) a displacement sensor (7) which is fastened to the ceramic body (2), wherein the displacement sensor (7) is arranged in the cavity (5) of the ceramic body (2) and comprises a pin (8) which can be displaced substantially orthogonally with respect to a building wall and can be brought to rest against a building wall or against a building mounting plate (25) when the lavatory body (1) is mounted. The displacement sensor can therefore be used to determine when a user is sitting on the lavatory body via the deformation of the wall.