Touchless Faucet Beam Path Layout to Prevent False Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touchless faucets are prone to false activation due to reflections from room elements and inanimate objects, leading to water wastage and potential overflow, and are not suitable for kitchen sinks where water flow is not desired during certain activities.
Innovation Solution
A faucet assembly with a light emitter and sensor mounted on the spout that projects a light beam away from the water flow region, allowing the control circuit to activate water flow only when the beam is interrupted by a user's hand, and featuring a control circuit that manages solenoid valves based on user input and beam interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a light beam is transmitted into the flow region beneath the faucet outlet to detect user presence, then the faucet can be activated touchlessly for hands-free operation, but false activation occurs when room elements or inanimate objects reflect light back to the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light beam transmission path from the flow region beneath the faucet outlet. Instead of transmitting light into the flow region where hands are placed, the system transmits light along the spout body toward the spout outlet, separating the sensing path from the water flow path to eliminate false reflections from sink surfaces and mirrors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the spout body as an intermediary medium for light transmission. The light beam travels through or along the spout body rather than directly through the flow region, using the spout as a guide to reach the sensor while avoiding reflection from surrounding surfaces
2Extent of automation
If the light sensor detects reflected light from objects in the flow region, then user presence can be sensed for automatic faucet activation, but water is wasted when inanimate objects trigger the solenoid valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light detection function from the flow region beneath the outlet and relocates it to the spout outlet area. This extraction ensures that only intentional hand gestures at the correct location can interrupt the light beam, preventing automatic activation by misplaced objects and eliminating water wastage
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light beam intersects the flow region to enable hand detection, then touchless faucet operation is achieved, but the faucet cannot be used for other sink activities without false activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing the light beam specifically toward the spout outlet rather than uniformly across the entire flow region. This localized light path creates a precise detection zone at the spout outlet, allowing the system to distinguish between intentional hand gestures for water activation and other activities in the sink basin
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 water control without false activations, allowing safe use of sinks for tasks other than hand washing by ensuring water flow is activated only when intended, thus preventing water wastage and overflow.
Implementation Method 1
A light emitter and a light sensor are mounted to the spout. The light emitter projects a beam of light toward the spout base without the beam of light intersecting the flow region beneath the spout where the water sprays from the outlet. The light sensor produces a signal indicating whether the beam of light is striking the light sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet assembly includes a base for mounting adjacent a basin of a sink and a spout projecting upward and outward away from the base and terminating at a water outlet. A light emitter is mounted to one section of the spout and emits a beam of light directed toward another section of the spout, wherein the beam of light does not intersect a region beneath the outlet. A light sensor, mounted to the spout, produces a signal indicating whether the beam of light is striking the light sensor. A control circuit responds to the signal by opening a valve that thereby conveys water to the spout.