Sensor-Guided Toilet Flush Control for Variable Paper Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toilet flush mechanisms are inflexible and fail to adjust to varying user needs and toilet paper usage, leading to issues like water wastage, clogs, and overflows due to mismatched water flow rates and toilet paper usage.
Innovation Solution
A smart flush toilet system that dynamically adjusts flush water volume and length based on the amount of toilet paper dispensed, using sensors to track usage and communicate with a controller to optimize flushing, and includes features like wireless notifications for low toilet paper levels and automatic reordering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rate flush mechanism is used, then the toilet flush system is simple and reliable, but it causes water wastage when over-flushing or clogs when under-flushing due to inability to adapt to varying toilet paper usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs sensors (optical, capacitive, inductive, resistive, or ultrasonic) to detect the amount of toilet paper dispensed and provides feedback to the controller. The controller then adjusts the flush water volume and duration based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying usage conditions while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flush mechanism transitions from a fixed, static rate to a dynamic, adjustable rate. The controller dynamically modifies the flush water volume and duration based on real-time sensor data about toilet paper usage, allowing the system to adapt its behavior to match actual needs rather than operating at a constant predetermined rate.
2Reliability
If the flush water volume is increased to prevent clogs, then flushing effectiveness improves, but water wastage increases when less toilet paper is used
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of the flush operation (water volume and duration) based on detected toilet paper usage. When sensors detect higher toilet paper usage, the controller increases flush parameters to ensure effective clearing. When usage is lower, the controller reduces flush parameters to conserve water, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing water wastage through parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of always applying maximum flush force (excessive action), the system applies just enough flush force needed for the detected usage level (partial action). This prevents over-flushing and water wastage when minimal toilet paper is used, while still providing sufficient flushing power when needed, avoiding both extremes.
3Productivity
If sensors and controllers are added to track toilet paper usage, then flush optimization is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting toilet paper usage for flush optimization, monitoring toilet paper inventory levels, and providing data for analytics. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single sensor infrastructure, improving overall system productivity and value.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks toilet paper usage and self-adjusts flush parameters without requiring user intervention. The controller autonomously processes sensor data and modifies flush operations, reducing the need for complex user interfaces or manual adjustments while maintaining high flush efficiency through automated decision-making.
4Ease of operation
If the toilet paper dispenser is integrated with the flush controller, then coordinated control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the toilet paper dispenser control and flush controller into a unified system. The sensor network and controller that manage toilet paper dispensing are merged with the flush control functions, allowing coordinated operation where toilet paper usage data directly informs flush decisions. This integration simplifies the overall system architecture by combining previously separate functions into a single coordinated control mechanism.
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 system ensures efficient and effective flushing, reduces water waste, prevents clogs and overflows, and automatically manages toilet paper replenishment, enhancing user convenience and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
one or more water level displacement sensors may detect a water level displacement within a bowl of the toilet
Implementation Method 2
Toilet paper dispenser sensors may be optical, capacitive, inductive, resistive, and/or ultrasonic and may provide information about the thickness, weight and length of the toilet paper used
Implementation Method 3
Toilet paper dispenser sensors may be optical, capacitive, inductive, resistive, and/or ultrasonic
Implementation Method 4
Toilet paper dispenser sensors may be optical, capacitive, inductive, resistive, and/or ultrasonic
Data Source
AI summary
A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper.