Sensor-Controlled Faucet Operation for Hygienic Touchless Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Faucets require manual operation and cleaning, leading to additional resource consumption and inconvenience, especially when hands are dirty.
Innovation Solution
A faucet equipped with an electrically controllable valve, contact sensing unit, motion sensing unit, and control unit that allows for automatic on-off operation based on signals from these units, enabling touch or motion-activated control and reducing manual interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to turn on the faucet, then the faucet can be controlled, but the switch gets polluted and requires additional cleaning resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical switch operation with an automatic sensor-based control system. Motion sensors and proximity sensors detect user presence and hand movements, automatically activating the faucet without requiring physical contact with the switch, thereby eliminating pollution of the switch mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The faucet system uses automated sensors to detect user needs and independently activates water flow without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically turning on and off based on detected motion or proximity, eliminating the need for users to physically operate the switch
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple sensing units are added to enable automatic operation, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions by processing signals from different types of sensors (motion sensors, proximity sensors, contact sensors) and coordinating the electrically controllable valve operations. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate control mechanisms for each sensor type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (motion detection, proximity detection, contact detection) into an integrated control system that manages all inputs through a single control unit. This merging of sensing and control functions reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each sensing type
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 solution provides a hygienic and convenient operation by minimizing manual contact with the faucet, reducing resource consumption, and allowing for multiple operation modes based on user interaction, ensuring reliable operation with a power module and indication unit.
Implementation Method 1
The contact sensing unit includes a sensing end, where the sensing end is disposed on or electrically connected to the faucet body, to respond, based on whether the faucet body is contacted by an object, a change of a first signal output from the contact sensing unit
Implementation Method 2
The motion sensing unit includes a movable part, where the movable part is disposed on the faucet body, to respond, based on a motion of a part of the faucet body, a change of a second signal output from the motion sensing unit
Implementation Method 3
The electrically controllable valve is connected between the water inlet end and the water outlet end, to allow or block the connection between the water inlet end and the water outlet end based on an on-off state of the electrically controllable valve
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet is provided, and the faucet includes a faucet body, an electrically controllable valve, a contact sensing unit or a proximity sensing unit, a motion sensing unit, and a control unit. The control unit determines an operation mode of the faucet based on a signal of the contact sensing unit or the proximity sensing unit, and a signal of the motion sensing unit, and controls an on-off state of the electrically controllable valve.