Sanitary Actuation Panel With 60 GHz Radar Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for water dispensing systems, such as flush triggering, require multiple sensors to detect user movements at different distances, which is inefficient and complex, and existing sensors like capacitive and infrared sensors only work within a specific detection range, limiting user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A single radar sensor operating at 55 to 65 GHz, preferably 60 GHz, is used to detect user movements at various distances, allowing precise position detection and triggering multiple functions on sanitary fixtures like toilets or urinals, with defined detection areas for manual and automatic flushing, and additional functions like odor extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple sensors are used to detect user movements at different distances, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor is designed to perform multiple detection functions within a single device. It can detect user movements at different distances (close-range for manual flush, long-range for automatic flush) and determine positional information, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized sensors. This multi-functional capability resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive detection coverage while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radar sensor operates at a specific frequency range (55-65 GHz, preferably 60 GHz) that enables it to penetrate typical front panel materials (4-12 mm thickness) while providing sufficient resolution for position detection. This parameter optimization allows a single sensor to achieve both long-range detection capability and precise position resolution, eliminating the need for multiple sensors with different characteristics.
2Device complexity
If capacitive or infrared sensors are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection range is limited to a specific area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces capacitive or infrared sensors with a radar-based detection system. Radar technology inherently provides longer detection ranges and better penetration capabilities through materials compared to capacitive or infrared sensors. This substitution maintains relatively simple device architecture while dramatically expanding the effective detection area to cover both close-range (5-15 cm) and long-range (120-150 cm) zones.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used for user detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the position detection precision may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The radar sensor operates at an optimized frequency (55-65 GHz, preferably 60 GHz) that provides the right balance between detection range and position resolution. This frequency enables the single sensor to achieve sufficient precision for distinguishing between close-range hand movements and long-range user presence, resolving the contradiction between using a simple single-sensor design and achieving adequate position detection accuracy.
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
The single radar sensor provides reliable and simple detection of user movements across different ranges, enabling efficient triggering of various functions on sanitary fixtures with a straightforward design, offering increased design freedom and reducing the need for multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a single sensor designed for user detection, which sensor is a radar sensor arranged behind the front panel with a radar frequency in the range of 55 to 65 GHz
Implementation Method 2
the radar waves can penetrate a wide variety of materials with a plate thickness of 4 to 12 millimeters
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An actuating device (1) for triggering a function on a sanitary article (2) comprises a front panel (3), a single sensor designed for user detection, which sensor is a radar sensor (4) arranged behind the front panel (3) with a radar frequency in the range of 55 to 65 GHz, in particular with a radar frequency of 60 GHz, and a control unit (5) functionally connected to the radar sensor (4), wherein the radar sensor (4) monitors a detection space (E) located in front of the front panel (3) such that a user movement performed in the detection space (E) can be detected with respect to its position in the detection space (E), wherein the radar sensor (4) provides a signal representing the position upon detection of a user movement and transmits it to the control unit (5), and wherein the control unit (5) is designed such thatthat the control unit (5) can provide a control signal (S) based on the signal from the radar sensor (4), which is assigned to the detected position of the user movement, such that a function assigned to the control signal (S) can be triggered on the sanitary article (2) on the basis of the control signal (S).