Multifunction Faucet Display Design for Concealed Sensor Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction fittings for fluid dispensing in sanitary systems lack intuitive operability and safety, particularly for users unfamiliar with their operation, due to concealed sensors and limited feedback mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction fitting with spatially assigned display elements to sensors and switches, forming a display ring that provides location and functional information, using LEDs for signaling, and an optional acknowledgment signal, enhancing user guidance and safety by indicating sensor positions, functions, and fluid properties like temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are concealed for protection reasons, then device reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot locate and understand sensor positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces display elements as intermediary components between the concealed sensors and the user. These display elements visually indicate the position and active area of each sensor without requiring the sensors themselves to be visible, thus maintaining both sensor protection and user understanding of sensor locations
Solution Approach 2:
The display elements provide visual feedback to users about sensor positions and their effective ranges. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand where to position their hands for proper sensor activation, resolving the contradiction between concealed sensors and ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used for different fluid functions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases making operation difficult for unfamiliar users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific display elements to specific sensors, creating a one-to-one correspondence that simplifies the user interface. Each display element provides localized information about its associated sensor's function and position, making the complex multi-sensor system easier to understand and operate
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is segmented into multiple individual display elements, each corresponding to a specific sensor and fluid function. This segmentation allows users to understand and interact with each function independently, reducing the perceived complexity of the overall system
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
Improves user guidance and safety by clearly indicating sensor locations and functions, reducing incorrect operation and enhancing operational safety and ease of use, while also enabling monitoring and logging of fluid usage for hygiene compliance.
Implementation Method 1
using LEDs for signaling
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-functional fitting (1) that has an outlet armature (2) for one or more fluids (I, II, III), the condition of which can be modified, an operating unit (36) comprising several distributed sensors (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) and/or switches (40, 42) for operating the multi-functional fitting (1) and a display (11). The display (11) has at least one display element (18), which is spatially and optionally functionally assigned to an associated sensor (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) and/or switch (40, 42). This permits the position, active area and optionally the function of the sensor or switch to be indicated to the user.