Method and assembly for operating a sanitary device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary facility control systems require complex and unnatural operating concepts or numerous sensors to implement automatic or demand-oriented functions, often resulting in inefficient energy and water usage, and are not adaptable to changes in the environment.
Innovation Solution
A method and arrangement using a sensor device with infrared LED light emitters and receivers to divide the environment into zones, monitor changes, and trigger actions based on detected situations, allowing for automatic and energy-saving operation of sanitary facilities with reduced technical complexity and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple sensors are used to detect environmental situations and trigger actions, then the automation level and functionality are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor device performs multiple functions: it detects presence, determines gestures, identifies user movements, and triggers different actions based on the detected situation. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining high automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device automatically adapts to changes in the environment by learning and recognizing new situations without requiring manual reconfiguration or additional sensors. The system self-adjusts to maintain optimal automation performance.
2Device complexity
If binary signals from sensors are used to control sanitary facilities, then the signal processing is simplified, but the ability to fully control multiple functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from binary signal processing to continuous parameter analysis by detecting gesture characteristics, movement patterns, and environmental changes. This allows nuanced control of multiple sanitary facility functions while maintaining manageable processing complexity through focused parameter measurement.
3Reliability
If environmental changes are not adapted to, then the system operation is stable, but the adaptability to new situations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device continuously monitors environmental situations and uses the detected information to adapt its operation. The system incorporates feedback loops that allow it to learn from environmental changes and adjust its behavior accordingly, maintaining both stability and adaptability.
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
Enables efficient, automatic, and adaptive operation of sanitary facilities with reduced technical effort, ensuring robust signal evaluation and energy-saving operation by interpreting user movements and gestures to initiate actions such as preheating, disinfection, or cleaning, while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device comprises a plurality of infrared LED light emitters, which can reach several zones around the sanitary facility separately
Implementation Method 2
at least one light receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for operating a sanitary facility (1), comprising at least the following steps: a) defining a plurality of zones (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) of an environment (8) of the sanitary facility (1); b) detecting a current environmental situation by means of a sensor device (9); c) establishing a default environmental situation; d) monitoring the plurality of zones (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) using the sensor device (9); e) triggering an action of the sanitary facility (1) if a characterizable change in the environmental situation is detected in step d). In addition, an arrangement (16) that is suitable and set up for this purpose is specified, which comprises at least one sensor device (9) and a sanitary facility (1), the sanitary facility (1) having a control unit (17) for setting at least one actuator (14) of the sanitary facility ( 1), wherein the sensor device (9) has a measuring unit (18) for detecting situations surrounding the sanitary facility (1), and in which the measuring unit (18) is connected to the control unit (17) in a data-conducting manner.