Touchless Lavatory Flap Actuation Using Vertical Motion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft lavatory space is shrinking, leading to increased congestion and unintended actuation of the waste bin flap due to movement within the lavatory, which is a nuisance and may increase maintenance time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A touchless actuation system using a processor to control a sensor assembly with infrared emitters and sensors, which determines the direction of motion and activates the waste bin flap actuator only when the motion is vertical, thereby reducing unnecessary flap actuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motion sensors are used to control waste bin flap actuation, then touchless operation is enabled, but unnecessary flap actuation occurs due to inadvertent motion triggering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple sensors positioned at different locations (first sensor above the second sensor) to detect motion in specific zones. Each sensor monitors a particular area, and the controller analyzes the spatial pattern of detections to distinguish intentional downward motion toward the bin from incidental lateral or upward movements, thereby reducing false actuation while maintaining touchless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional motion detection to multi-dimensional analysis by employing sensors arranged vertically (first sensor above second sensor) that detect motion along the vertical axis. The controller evaluates the sequence and direction of motion across multiple spatial dimensions, determining whether motion is directed downward toward the bin versus lateral or upward movements, thus discriminating between intentional and inadvertent gestures.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are deployed to detect motion direction, then false actuation is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor assembly into distinct functional components: a first sensor positioned above a second sensor, each detecting motion in their respective zones. This segmentation allows the controller to analyze motion patterns from multiple discrete points, improving the ability to distinguish intentional downward motion from incidental movements while keeping each individual sensor simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly serves multiple functions: detecting lateral motion, upward motion, and downward motion toward the bin. By making the sensor system multi-functional through strategic positioning of multiple sensors, the same hardware configuration can identify various motion types and directions, reducing the need for additional specialized sensors and maintaining relative simplicity while achieving high actuation 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 system effectively reduces the number of unnecessary waste bin flap actuations, thereby extending the lifespan of the flap and actuator, and improving the overall operational efficiency and passenger experience in aircraft lavatories.
Implementation Method 1
the first emitter illuminating an object with infrared light
Implementation Method 2
the second signal providing an indication of motion of the object based on a first reflection from the object
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed herein. The method includes sending a first signal to a first emitter in an aircraft lavatory to activate the first emitter, the first emitter illuminating an object with infrared light, receiving a second signal from a first sensor in the aircraft lavatory, the second signal providing an indication of motion of the object based on a first reflection from the object, receiving a third signal from a second sensor in the aircraft lavatory, the third signal providing an indication of motion of the object based on a second reflection from the object, determining that the object is moving in a vertical direction based on the second signal and the third signal, and activating an actuator in response to the determining that the object is moving in the vertical direction, the actuator coupled to a waste bin flap that opens into a wall of the aircraft lavatory.