Wall-Mounted Toilet Sensor Positioning for Human-Pet Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart toilets often mistakenly open the toilet seat for pets due to inaccurate human-pet differentiation, leading to confusion and unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent wall-mounted toilet system that uses a microwave sensor and laser sensor combination, with adjustable detection angles and speeds, to accurately distinguish between humans and pets, controlling a motor system for seat and cover operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a sensor is used to detect motion or heat for automatic toilet seat operation, then the toilet can automatically open or close the seat cover, but it mistakenly detects pets as humans and opens the seat improperly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic seat cover operationVSAvoidhuman-pet differentiation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is segmented into multiple independent sensor systems: a microwave sensor for detecting motion and heat signals, and a laser sensor for detecting presence. Each sensor handles a specific aspect of detection, and their combined signals enable more accurate human-pet differentiation than a single sensor could achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is designed to process multiple types of sensor signals (microwave and laser) universally, integrating data from different sensing modalities to make a single decision about whether to open the seat cover. This multi-functional approach allows the system to distinguish between pets and humans by analyzing patterns across multiple signal types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the toilet seat opens automatically upon detecting any object, then convenience is improved, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of automatic openingVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors sensor signals and uses feedback from the microwave sensor (detecting motion and heat) combined with the laser sensor to determine whether opening the seat is appropriate. This feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary opening operations by verifying that the detected object is indeed a human requiring toilet use, thereby reducing wasted power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the microwave sensor detection range is increased to improve detection capability, then more areas are covered, but pets in the expanded range may be detected causing false activations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidfalse activation from pets
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system adds a vertical dimension to detection by positioning the microwave sensor at a higher mounting position and setting a minimum detection height parameter. This dimensional change allows the sensor to cover a broader horizontal area while filtering out low-lying pets that would otherwise cause false activations, as the detection zone is elevated above typical pet heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 recognizes human motion to open the toilet seat and cover, reducing false activations and optimizing power usage by differentiating pets from humans.

Implementation Method 1

A microwave sensor is provided on one side of the second motor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation detection: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

A laser sensor is provided at the bottom of the toilet body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser detection: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP4588413A1An intelligent wall-mounted toilet
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP4588413A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4588413A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4588413A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a toilet, especially to an intelligent wall-mounted toilet, comprising a fixed support assembly, an enclosure, a toilet body, an upper cover and a toilet seat. The upper cover and the toilet seat are connected above the toilet body rotatably through a hinge structure. The enclosure is provided above the toilet body. A master control system is provided inside the enclosure. The fixed support assembly is provided at the back of the enclosure and the toilet body to install the toilet on the wall by suspension. A M-ATX mainboard, a first motor element and a second motor element are provided inside the enclosure. A microwave sensor is provided on one side of the second motor element. A laser sensor is provided at the bottom of the toilet body. The present invention increases the mounting height of the microwave sensor in the enclosure, increases the sensing height of the microwave sensor accordingly, provides strong and weak sensing areas and matches the moving speed of an object so as to accurately recognize the human motion and pet motion.