Restroom Sensor Network for Consumable Level Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial restrooms face challenges in efficient maintenance and monitoring, leading to suboptimal operating conditions, increased costs, and user dissatisfaction due to lack of automation and effective data utilization from sensors, resulting in wasted resources and inefficient service delivery.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensors that monitor and communicate data on restroom conditions, including water flow, air quality, and user traffic, to provide real-time information for maintenance scheduling and consumable replenishment, using a network of sensors and controllers to optimize resource allocation and user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual monitoring and maintenance of restroom fixtures and consumables is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but maintenance efficiency and resource allocation are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The restroom monitoring system enables self-service by automatically detecting consumable levels, fixture status, and usage patterns through sensors and controllers. The system self-reporting eliminates the need for manual inspection, allowing the restroom infrastructure to monitor and communicate its own status needs without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical inspection methods are replaced with electronic sensor-based monitoring systems. Controllers collect data from multiple sensors and transmit information electronically, substituting the mechanical process of physical inspection with automated electronic detection and communication systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If frequent routine maintenance is performed on all fixtures, then reliability is improved, but time and resource waste increases for low-usage areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixture reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance schedule transitions from static (fixed routine intervals) to dynamic (usage-based). The system continuously monitors fixture usage patterns and adjusts maintenance timing accordingly, performing maintenance based on actual wear and usage conditions rather than predetermined schedules, thereby optimizing both reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of maintenance needs through continuous sensor monitoring. By detecting early signs of consumable depletion, fixture malfunctions, or usage pattern changes, the system enables proactive maintenance scheduling before actual failures occur, allowing maintenance to be performed at optimal times rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and controllers are deployed for comprehensive monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestroom status detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor network complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: collecting data from various sensors, processing information, determining maintenance needs, scheduling service tasks, and communicating status. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate devices into a single universal controller, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensing functions and control operations are merged into an integrated system. The controller combines data from temperature, humidity, occupancy, and consumable level sensors into a unified monitoring framework, merging discrete monitoring tasks into a cohesive system that reduces complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If real-time monitoring data is collected and analyzed, then resource allocation is optimized, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential and actionable information from the collected sensor data, such as consumable levels below thresholds, fixture malfunction indicators, and usage pattern anomalies. By filtering and extracting only critical data points needed for maintenance decisions, the system reduces information processing load while maintaining effective resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10430737B2Restroom convenience center

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 SLOAN VALVE CO

AI summary

A restroom monitoring system for monitoring attributes of fixtures within a restroom using sensors. Additional attributes are determined from the monitored attributes. Consumable usage levels are estimated based on predetermined consumption levels associated with usage states of the fixtures. The restroom monitoring system provides an indication of the need for replenishment of consumables based on the monitored attributes of the fixtures. In addition, restroom monitoring system may provide additional information regarding the restroom attributes to a service provider, a manager or a user.