Power Operated Lid Motor Control for Sensor Accuracy and Battery Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power operated trash cans with motion sensors face issues such as incomplete lid closure due to high trash levels, sensitivity to varying user skin and clothing colors, false triggering by ambient light, voltage fluctuations, and inability to reopen the lid during closing, leading to battery drain and motor wear.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a motor and gear assembly that can operate regardless of lid closure, a light read module to filter out ambient light interference, a power supply sense module to adjust motor drive based on battery voltage, a pre-sensor to monitor door position, and a door movement trigger module to allow partial reopening during closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the motion sensor is calibrated to be highly sensitive to detect user movement, then the activation accuracy is improved, but false triggering by ambient light increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor activation accuracyVSAvoidfalse triggering

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration by storing ambient light values before normal operation begins. This preliminary action establishes a baseline that allows the sensor to distinguish between ambient light changes and actual user presence, enabling high sensitivity without false triggering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously compares current sensor readings against the stored ambient light baseline and adjusts its response accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the sensor to maintain high sensitivity while compensating for ambient light variations in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the sensor detection range is extended to cover more user positions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the frequency of accidental triggering increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor activation convenienceVSAvoidaccidental triggering frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its detection parameters based on the calibrated baseline, allowing the detection range to be effectively extended while maintaining reliability through adaptive thresholding that responds to actual user presence rather than static environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the motor operates continuously to ensure complete lid closure, then the reliability of lid closure is improved, but the battery drain and motor wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid closure completenessVSAvoidbattery drain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the weight of the lid itself and gravitational force to assist in the closing operation. The motor provides only the necessary force to overcome friction and initiate movement, while the lid's own weight completes the closing action, reducing motor runtime and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages gravitational force as a counterweight mechanism, where the lid's weight acts in the same direction as the desired motion (closing), thereby reducing the motor's workload and energy requirements while ensuring complete closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Productivity

If the lid closes automatically after opening, then the productivity is improved, but the user convenience deteriorates when rapid sequential access is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic lid closure efficiencyVSAvoidrapid sequential access

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic sensing during the lid closure process to detect user presence. If motion is detected while the lid is closing, the system periodically checks again and can interrupt the closure sequence, allowing rapid sequential access while maintaining automatic closure for normal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Ensures continuous operation despite high trash levels, reduces false triggering, maintains consistent motor performance, prevents battery drain, and allows for partial reopening of the lid during closure, enhancing user convenience and device longevity.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a light read module to filter out false triggers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

a motor and gear assembly configured to move the door between the opened and closed positions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

a power supply sense module to adjust motor drive based on battery voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentUS8569980B2Trash can with power operated lid

Publication Date: 2013.10.29 SIMPLEHUMAN LLC

AI summary

A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.