Touchless Faucet Spout Detection for False Activation Control
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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 undesired 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 outlet, allowing the sensor to detect the presence of a user by interrupting the beam, controlling water flow through a control circuit, and enabling operation without intersecting the water spray area.
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 room elements such as mirrors or shiny sink surfaces can reflect light back to the sensor causing false activation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of light beam transmission by directing the beam horizontally along the spout rather than downward into the flow region. This dimensional shift allows the sensor to detect reflected light from users approaching the faucet without capturing reflections from mirrors or shiny surfaces positioned vertically behind or beside the faucet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the detection zone from the flow region by positioning the light beam path separately from the water spray area. The beam is directed along the spout in a horizontal plane while water flows downward vertically, creating spatial separation that prevents false activation from objects in the flow region while maintaining accurate user detection.
2Ease of operation
If the light beam intersects the flow region beneath the spout to detect user presence, then touchless activation is enabled, but the faucet cannot be used safely for kitchen tasks such as draining water from cooking pots or cutting vegetables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent redirects the light beam horizontally along the spout in a plane separate from the vertical flow region. This allows the beam to detect users approaching for hand washing without intersecting objects placed in the basin for kitchen tasks, enabling the faucet to distinguish between hand washing activities and other sink uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing the light beam specifically along the spout path where users approach for hand washing, rather than illuminating the entire flow region. This localized detection zone maintains touchless activation capability for hand washing while allowing other kitchen activities to proceed without false activation.
3Extent of automation
If the light sensor detects reflected light from the light beam to activate the faucet, then automatic operation is achieved, but water may overflow the sink when unattended objects block the drain opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the light beam horizontally along the spout, creating a detection plane that is spatially separated from the vertical flow region and drain area. This allows the sensor to detect users for automatic activation while preventing false activation from unattended objects in the basin that could block the drain, thereby reducing water overflow risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the spout as an intermediary structure to carry both the light beam path and the water flow, but in separate spatial dimensions. The horizontal light beam travels along the spout while water flows downward through it, allowing the sensor to detect users without being triggered by objects in the basin that could cause overflow.
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 faucet assembly effectively prevents false activations and allows safe use of sinks for tasks other than hand washing by ensuring water flow is only initiated when a user intentionally interrupts the light beam, reducing water waste and overflow risks.
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.
Implementation Method 2
A common sensing technique, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,347, involves transmitting an infrared light beam into a flow region underneath the outlet of the faucet spout, where a user's hands or other objects are placed for washing. A hand or object so placed reflects some of the infrared light beam back toward the faucet, where that reflected light is detected by a sensor mounted either on or adjacent the faucet. Detection of reflected light at the sensor indicates the presence of a user in front of the faucet. In response to receiving the reflected light, the sensor emits an electrical signal that causes the solenoid valve to open, sending water from the faucet.
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.