Urinal Sensor System for Pipe Blockage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urinal sensor systems are ineffective in detecting blockages in the outlet pipe and require urine to contact the sensor at a specific position, leading to unsanitary leakage issues and inaccurate usage monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system positioned directly underneath the outlet pipe, using non-contact sensors like inductive or capacitive sensors, or pressure sensors to detect fluid presence, generating signals for processing to determine usage frequency, blockages, and controlling flush operations, with adjustable pipe lengths for retrofitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is located on the back of the urinal bowl to detect usage, then the sensor can detect when urine contacts the urinal, but it cannot detect blockages in the outlet pipe and requires precise positioning that leads to unsanitary leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor location is moved from the vertical back surface of the urinal bowl to the horizontal outlet pipe area. This dimensional shift allows the sensor to detect fluid presence in the outlet pipe flow path, enabling blockage detection while maintaining usage detection capability through a different spatial arrangement
2Ease of operation
If the sensor requires urine to contact at an exact position to detect usage, then usage can be detected, but the system becomes sensitive to positioning errors and cannot detect outlet pipe blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet pipe serves as an intermediary element between the urinal bowl and the sensor. By positioning the sensor to detect fluid in the outlet pipe rather than directly in the bowl, the system gains a reliable detection zone that is less sensitive to precise positioning while still accurately detecting both usage and blockage conditions
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
Accurately monitors urinal usage and blockages, preventing further flushing to prevent problems, and provides usage statistics, enhancing sanitation and maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor may be a non-contact sensor, such as an inductive sensor
Implementation Method 2
or a capacitive sensor, for detecting fluid through the outlet pipe
Implementation Method 3
In other embodiments, the sensor may be a pressure sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
A urinal 10 comprising an outlet pipe 12 and a sensor 20 attached to the outlet pipe 12; wherein the sensor 20 is operable to detect the presence of fluid in the outlet pipe 20, and is configured to output at least one first signal containing first information relating to the presence of fluid in the outlet pipe 12. The output from the sensor 20 may be used to a monitor the usage of the urinal 10, or to detect a blockage in the outlet pipe 20. The output from the sensor may be used to control the operation of a flush valve 50 and may be output to a handheld device or a computer, which may be used to control the operation of the sensor 20.