Trashcan Lid Control via Dual Sensing Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor-activated trashcans face challenges in accurately calibrating lid movement, often leading to accidental openings due to sensitivity issues or stationary objects, and difficulty in distinguishing between intended and unintended user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A trashcan assembly with dual sensing zones, featuring a vertical and horizontal sensor system that requires concurrent detection in both zones for lid activation, and a controller that manages lid movement based on object presence and user proximity, preventing accidental openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is made more sensitive to detect user intent, then the lid opens more reliably when needed, but false triggers from stationary objects or accidental movements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensors positioned at different locations (e.g., above the lid, to the side, at different heights). Each sensor monitors a specific zone, and the controller integrates signals from multiple sensors to determine true user intent, reducing false triggers from stationary objects while maintaining reliable detection of actual usage.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor sensitivity is increased to ensure lid opens on intent, then detection accuracy improves, but power consumption increases due to frequent activation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system operates in periodic cycles with varying sensitivity levels. During normal operation, sensors monitor at lower sensitivity to conserve power. When motion is detected in preliminary zones, the system transitions to higher sensitivity modes, activating the lid only when multiple sensors confirm genuine user intent, thus balancing detection accuracy with power conservation.
3Loss of energy
If the sensor calibration is adjusted to reduce false triggers, then power conservation improves, but the lid becomes harder to open when needed
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor signals are merged and evaluated together by the controller. The system requires concordant signals from multiple sensors (e.g., motion detected in specific zones, presence in detection areas) to trigger lid opening. This combination approach maintains ease of operation for genuine users while filtering out false triggers, as stationary objects or accidental movements rarely activate multiple sensors simultaneously in the required pattern.
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 dual sensing zone system effectively reduces false triggers, conserves power, and ensures the lid opens only when intended, enhancing user experience and extending component lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor assembly may include a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and one or more receivers. A transmission axis of the first transmitter may be generally perpendicular to a transmission axis of the second transmitter.
Data Source
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AI summary
A trashcan assembly (20) including a body portion (22), a lid portion (24) pivotably coupled with the body portion (22), and a sensor assembly (102) configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly (102) can include a plurality of transmitters (112a-112d) having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at 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 (70) can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism (58) for moving the lid portion (24) from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly (102) detecting the object.