Side-Mounted Sensor Actuation for Sanitary Fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation devices for user recognition in sanitary fittings face reliability issues due to incorrect actuation from people passing by, as the detection area is typically in front of the device, leading to unwanted triggering.
Innovation Solution
An actuation device with a detection sensor that emits and receives electromagnetic waves via a transmission area on the side of the housing, allowing for reliable user detection without interference from installation materials, using high-frequency sensors and patch antennas for efficient wave propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the detection sensor is arranged to detect users in front of the device, then user recognition function is provided, but incorrect actuation occurs from people passing by
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection direction from the front (horizontal dimension) to the side (vertical dimension). The transmission area is positioned on the side surface of the housing, causing electromagnetic waves to propagate vertically downward to detect users below the device, thereby avoiding detection of people passing by in front of the device
2Ease of manufacture
If the transmission area is made of material transparent to electromagnetic waves, then wave propagation is enabled, but installation materials may obstruct the detection area
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the transmission area on the side surface rather than the front surface, the patent directs electromagnetic waves vertically downward through gaps in installation materials to the detection area below, avoiding obstruction from front-facing installation materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gaps in the installation materials as intermediary pathways for electromagnetic wave propagation. The transmission area is designed to work in conjunction with these gaps, allowing waves to pass through the installation structure to reach the detection zone below
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 ensures accurate user recognition and prevents incorrect actuation by directing the detection area to the side, allowing electromagnetic waves to pass through without obstruction, enhancing the reliability of the actuation process regardless of installation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The detection sensor emits electromagnetic waves via the transmitter and receives the electromagnetic waves reflected from the user via the receiver
Implementation Method 2
The transmission area is arranged in the area of the side surface or in the side surface... The transmission area is transparent or transparent to the electromagnetic waves
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An actuating device (1) for a sanitary fitting for the purpose of triggering a function, wherein the actuating device (1) comprises a housing (2) with a front (13) and a rear (14) and a detection sensor (3) with a transmitter (4) and a receiver (5) for detecting a user, wherein the detection sensor (3) emits waves via the transmitter (4) and receives them via the receiver (5). The detection sensor (3) is arranged in a cavity (6) of the housing (2), wherein the cavity (6) has a transmission area (7a) in the direction of said waves, which is transparent to said waves; and wherein the housing (2) is designed such that it can be mounted with a gap (7b) to a mounting plane (ME) specified on the customer's premises, which gap (7b) is positioned relative to said transmission area (7a) such that the emitted as well as the received waves are guided through the gap (7b).