Sensor-Activated Toilet Flush Dosing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet flushers rely on flushing water flow conditions, leading to inconsistent and inefficient release of active ingredients, potential water supply disruption, and unpleasant splash issues, requiring a solution that decouples active ingredient dosing from flushing processes without affecting water flow.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-activated dosing device with a pump, control unit, and dispensing element that detects flushing water flow without interfering, allowing precise and independent release of active ingredients into the toilet bowl, using a microprocessor-controlled system with a micropump and diaphragm pumps for accurate dosing and flexible application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a toilet flusher is positioned in or on the toilet bowl to release active ingredients during flushing, then active ingredient dosing is achieved, but the flushing water flow conditions become disrupted and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the dosing function from the flushing function. The toilet flusher is divided into independent components: a sensor unit that detects flushing without interfering with water flow, and a separate dosing mechanism that releases active ingredients based on sensor signals. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently without disrupting the other.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical sensor acts as an intermediary between the flushing water and the dosing mechanism. The sensor detects the presence of flushing water through optical means without physically interacting with the water flow, thereby mediating the trigger signal to the dosing pump without disrupting the flushing water flow patterns.
2Quantity of substance
If flushing water flows over the toilet flusher to trigger active ingredient release, then dosing is activated, but splash water increases and flushing performance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical interaction between flushing water and the toilet flusher is replaced with an optical sensing system. Instead of requiring water to physically flow over and activate the device, an optical sensor detects the flushing process through light detection, eliminating the need for water to interact mechanically with the dosing mechanism and thereby reducing splash and maintaining flushing performance.
3Quantity of substance
If the toilet flusher is connected to the flush water pipe for active ingredient release, then consistent dosing is achieved, but installation complexity increases requiring professional plumber intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The toilet flusher is designed as a self-contained unit that attaches to the toilet bowl without requiring connection to the flush water pipe. The device uses the toilet's existing flushing mechanism and an optical sensor to automatically detect and respond to flushing events, enabling consumer-level installation without professional plumbing intervention while maintaining consistent dosing performance.
4Quantity of substance
If the toilet flusher intervenes in the flushing water flow to control active ingredient release, then dosing control is improved, but flushing behavior is significantly altered
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing function is extracted from the flushing water flow path. The optical sensor detects flushing events, and the dosing pump releases active ingredients through a separate mechanism that does not interfere with the flushing water flow. This extraction ensures that the original flushing behavior remains unchanged while achieving precise active ingredient release control.
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
Ensures consistent and efficient release of active ingredients, conserves water, reduces splash issues, and allows for customizable dosing programs, enhancing cleaning and fragrance delivery while maintaining toilet performance.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor unit (5) detects a triggering of the rinsing water flow without intervening in the rinsing water flow and generates a sensor signal
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4a~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a toilet flusher (1) comprising an energy source (3), a control unit (4), a sensor unit (5), and at least one first container (9) that contains a first preparation (10) and may be coupled with the toilet flusher, wherein the sensor unit (5) detects an initiation of the flow of flushing water without engaging in the flow of flush water and generates a signal that is conducted to the control unit (4) that converts the sensor signal into a control signal for dispensing at least one preparation.