Knock-Activated Front Panel Opening With Dual Vibration Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for furniture and appliances that use structure-borne noise sensors for activation suffer from unreliable operation due to background noise and significant service time, leading to potential operating errors.
Innovation Solution
The actuating device employs two structure-borne sound sensors, one aligned with the front element and another with the furniture body at a 90° angle, to differentiate between intended knocking signals and background vibrations, with signal comparison and evaluation in a control unit to ensure reliable activation of the drive unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single structure-borne noise sensor is used for activation, then the device can respond to knocking signals, but background noise causes false triggering and unreliable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The single noise sensor is divided into two separate structure-borne noise sensors positioned at different locations and orientations. One sensor is aligned with the front element surface while the other is oriented at approximately 90 degrees relative to it. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between intentional knocking signals (detected by both sensors with characteristic signal patterns) and background noise (detected differently or only by one sensor), thereby eliminating false triggering while maintaining ease of activation.
2Shape
If structure-borne noise sensors are used for activation, then the external appearance remains clean and concealed, but the service time and reaction time are considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The two structure-borne noise sensors are pre-positioned in optimal locations with predetermined orientations during device assembly. The evaluation unit is pre-programmed with the characteristic signal patterns that distinguish intentional knocking from background noise. When activation occurs, the system immediately compares the incoming signals against these pre-established criteria, enabling rapid determination of whether activation is warranted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time analysis, significantly reducing reaction time while maintaining the concealed sensor arrangement for aesthetic purposes.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor alignment is optimized for front element detection, then knocking signals are detected sensitively, but other vibrations and background noise cause false triggering
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using symmetric sensor arrangements that would equally detect all vibrations, the system employs asymmetric positioning and orientation of the two structure-borne noise sensors. One sensor is aligned with the front element surface to maximize knocking signal detection, while the other is oriented at approximately 90 degrees to detect vibrations from different directions. The evaluation unit analyzes the asymmetric signal patterns produced by intentional knocking versus background noise sources, enabling the system to maintain high detection sensitivity while rejecting false triggers through the distinctive asymmetric signature of valid knocking signals.
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 configuration allows for quick, safe, and sensitive activation of the device, minimizing false triggering and enabling reliable motorized operation of pull-out elements while maintaining a clean external appearance.
Implementation Method 1
Structure-borne noise sensors of this kind—often also referred to as knock sensors—can react to vibrations or knock signals or vibrations on the front element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuation device for pull-outs, shelf boards, flaps, or other such elements to be opened, particularly front elements of particularly kitchen and office furniture, kitchen appliances and flush-mounted appliances, product dispensing devices, and the like, having components comprising a corpus, wherein the element to be opened can be transferred into an open position relative to the corpus 2 by way of a drive unit 5, the drive unit 5 can be activated by way of control means, and the control means comprise a front body sound sensor 6 that is associated with the front element 3. In order to create an actuation device, the front surface of which is to be configured in a manner that is free of impairment, the control means have a second corpus body sound sensor 7 (solid body sound sensor) that is disposed at a distance from the front body sound sensor 6 in or on the corpus interior 4, wherein the corpus sound signals of the front body sound sensor 6 and of the corpus body sound sensor 7 can be compared to each other in an analysis unit of the control means, and the drive unit 5 can be activated by way of the control means as a function of the result of the signal comparison.