Sanitary Fitting with Imaging Sensor for Contactless Gesture Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fittings face challenges in reliably controlling fluid flow without contact, particularly in noisy environments, and there is a need for improved automatic recognition and execution of user actions across various applications.
Innovation Solution
A fitting with an imaging sensor, such as a camera, is used to recognize objects using a self-learning neural network, allowing for contactless control of sanitary elements by detecting and responding to user gestures and feedback, with optional remote processing and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If infrared or capacitive sensors are used for contactless control, then user convenience is improved, but reliability in noisy environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional infrared or capacitive sensors with an imaging sensor (camera) that captures visual images for object recognition. This substitution uses optical field detection instead of electromagnetic or capacitive field detection, providing more reliable contactless control that is not affected by electromagnetic interference or noise in the environment.
2Ease of operation
If voice-controlled fittings are used, then user convenience is improved, but adaptability to different applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional control system that can recognize various objects (hands, kitchen utensils, cleaning utensils) and interpret different gestures or presence patterns. The neural network is trained to identify multiple object types and trigger different sanitary element actions accordingly, enabling a single fitting to adapt to diverse applications including hand washing, dish washing, and surface cleaning without requiring voice commands.
3Device complexity
If traditional sensors are used for object detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple proximity sensors with an imaging sensor that captures detailed visual information. Combined with a neural network for image processing and object recognition, this substitution significantly improves measurement precision in identifying object types, gestures, and positions while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated processing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a self-learning neural network is implemented, then adaptability to different objects is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-learning neural network that can automatically train and improve its object recognition capabilities through exposure to various objects and gestures. The system adapts to different applications and object types without requiring manual reconfiguration, learning from training data to improve recognition precision over time while the control unit manages the complexity of training and inference processes.
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fitting (1), in particular a spout fitting, for a sanitary installation. The fitting (1) comprises a control unit (3) and a sanitary element (4) controllable by the control unit (3). The fitting (1) additionally has at least one imaging sensor (5). The control unit (3) is configured to trigger an action of the sanitary element (4) depending on object recognition based on at least one output signal from the at least one imaging sensor (5). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a fitting arrangement with a fitting according to the invention and to a method for controlling a fitting according to the invention.