Sensor-Activated Trash Can Lid Control for False Trigger Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor-activated trashcans face challenges in calibrating the sensor to accurately trigger lid movement only when intended by the user, leading to unnecessary power consumption and component wear due to accidental activation by people or stationary objects.
Innovation Solution
A trashcan assembly with a sensor assembly that includes multiple transmitters and receivers, configured to emit and detect electromagnetic energy in specific sensing regions, and a controller that adjusts sensing thresholds to avoid accidental activation, allowing for different modes of operation and calibration based on environmental changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is calibrated to be highly sensitive to detect user intent, then the lid movement can be accurately triggered when intended, but accidental lid movement occurs due to stationary objects triggering the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning the sensor system from a static sensitivity threshold to a dynamic adaptive threshold that automatically adjusts based on environmental conditions. The controller continuously monitors sensor readings and modifies the threshold to distinguish between stationary objects and moving users, resolving the contradiction between high detection accuracy and low accidental activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensor threshold parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed. The controller adjusts the sensitivity parameter based on ambient conditions and detected object characteristics, allowing the system to maintain high detection precision while adapting to different environments and minimizing false triggers from stationary objects.
2Reliability
If the sensor is calibrated to be less sensitive to avoid accidental activation, then stationary objects do not trigger the sensor, but it becomes difficult to trigger lid movement when intended
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensor threshold based on real-time environmental conditions and object characteristics. This allows the threshold to be low enough to avoid stationary objects while remaining sensitive enough to detect intentional user approaches, resolving the contradiction between avoiding accidental activation and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from continuous sensor monitoring to automatically adjust the threshold. By analyzing patterns in sensor data over time, the system learns to distinguish between legitimate user intent and stationary objects, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation without manual calibration.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is too sensitive to detect user intent, then lid movement is triggered accurately, but power source is exhausted quickly due to frequent activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the sensor threshold parameter to optimize the balance between detection accuracy and power consumption. By adjusting the threshold based on environmental conditions and usage patterns, the system maintains accurate user intent detection while minimizing unnecessary activations that would drain the power source.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically manages the sensor threshold without user intervention, optimizing power consumption based on detected conditions. The system self-adjusts to maintain accurate detection while conserving energy, eliminating the need for users to manually balance sensitivity and power usage.
4Measurement precision
If the sensor is too sensitive to detect user intent, then lid movement is triggered accurately, but motor and components wear down from over use
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensor threshold to optimize the balance between accurate user intent detection and component protection. By adapting the threshold to environmental conditions and usage patterns, the system maintains detection accuracy while minimizing unnecessary motor activations that would cause wear and reduce component lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from sensor data analysis to distinguish between legitimate user intent and false triggers from stationary objects. This intelligent discrimination reduces unnecessary motor activations and component wear while maintaining accurate response to genuine user requests.
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 effectively reduces accidental lid movements, conserves power, and extends component lifespan by accurately detecting user intent while minimizing interference from stationary objects.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters configured to emit infrared light into a sensing region and a plurality of receivers configured to detect reflected light from objects within the sensing region
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of receivers configured to detect reflected light from objects within the sensing region
Data Source
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AI summary
A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A. transmission axis of least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position when the sensor assembly detects the object within the sensing region.