Spatially Reactive Water System With Non-Tactile Control Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchless water control systems face challenges in accurately detecting hand movements and controlling water flow, temperature, and pressure without being affected by stationary objects or increasing the size of the faucet's top part, while maintaining a good design and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A touchless water control system utilizing a combination of sensors, including infrared, sonic, and capacitance sensors, spaced away from the faucet to create a spatial field that detects hand movements in three dimensions, controlling water flow, temperature, and pressure through a processor-activated proportional valve, with visual and audio indicators for user feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are mounted close to the faucet outlet, then control precision is improved, but the faucet top part size increases and appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into two separate components: the sensor module is mounted on the wall or surface away from the faucet outlet, while the faucet maintains its original compact design. This segmentation allows precise hand movement detection without increasing the faucet's top part volume, as the sensor is positioned in a separate location to detect hand gestures in the spatial field.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used to detect three-dimensional hand movements, then control versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality to detect hand movements in three-dimensional space across multiple directions. A single sensor module incorporates the capability to detect gestures in various spatial orientations, allowing one sensor system to perform multiple control functions (turning water on/off, adjusting temperature, controlling flow rate) without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A processor serves as an intermediary between the sensor and the faucet control mechanisms. The sensor detects hand gestures and transmits signals to the processor, which interprets the gestures and activates the appropriate proportional valves. This intermediary simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the control logic, reducing the complexity that would otherwise be distributed across multiple direct control circuits.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor field is activated by hand movement, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential false detection of stationary objects
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to detect dynamic hand movements rather than static positions. The sensor field monitors changes in the spatial field caused by moving hands, and the processor is programmed to recognize specific movement patterns (such as sweeping gestures or circular motions) that indicate intentional user commands. This dynamic detection approach distinguishes between intentional hand gestures and stationary objects, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
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
Enables precise control over water variables by interpreting hand movements in a three-dimensional space, ignoring stationary objects and maintaining a compact design, providing a hygienic and user-friendly interface with programmable functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A water faucet is disclosed that is automatically turned on and off in response to the proximity of the user's hand or other object to the faucet. An ultrasonic transducer is located in the faucet near the water outlet and transmits bursts of ultrasonic waves. When a wave reflects off a user's hand and creates an echo signal, the echo is detected by the ultrasonic transducer.
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic transducer is located in the faucet near the water outlet and transmits bursts of ultrasonic waves. When a wave reflects off a user's hand and creates an echo signal, the echo is detected by the ultrasonic transducer. Circuitry connected to the ultrasonic transducer determines when an object is within a predetermined distance of the faucet by measuring the time elapsed between the transmission of the burst and the reception of the echo.
Data Source
AI summary
A touchless water control system having at least one sensor capable of determining hand movement from point A to point B in a first direction, from point C to point D in a second direction and from point E to point F in a third direction thereby establishing a spatial field spaced away from a faucet through which a user's hand can be moved to initiate or terminate water flow, water temperature and water pressure.