Water Spout Control Device with Multi-Region Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water spout control systems face low detection accuracy due to limited detection regions, which can lead to improper water discharging, especially when transparent objects are not clearly detected.

Innovation Solution

A water spout control device with multiple detection regions, including a target object detector and a holding object detector, uses image information to determine the position of objects within these regions, allowing for precise control of water discharging based on predefined conditions, with stricter conditions for the holding object detector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single detection region in front of the faucet spout port is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of object detection becomes low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection region configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detection region is divided into multiple segments: a first detection region directly in front of the faucet spout port for detecting target objects, and a second detection region surrounding the first detection region for detecting holding objects. This segmentation allows each region to have specialized detection functions, improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different detection regions are assigned different detection conditions and parameters. The first detection region uses conditions optimized for detecting target objects directly under the faucet, while the second detection region uses conditions optimized for detecting holding objects in the surrounding area. This local quality differentiation enhances measurement precision without requiring uniform complex processing across all regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If multiple detection regions with different water spout conditions are implemented, then the reliability of water discharging control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharging controlVSAvoidcontrol system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically selects which water spout condition to apply based on which detection region detects the object. When the target object detector detects an object in the first detection region, the first water spout condition is applied; when the holding object detector detects an object in the second detection region, the second water spout condition is applied. This dynamic adaptation improves reliability without requiring a static complex control structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different water spout conditions with different parameter settings are defined for different detection regions. The first water spout condition has parameters optimized for target objects directly under the faucet, while the second water spout condition has parameters optimized for holding objects in the surrounding area. By changing parameters based on detection region, the system achieves reliable control without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a stricter second water spout condition is applied for the holding object detector, then the measurement precision is improved, but the productivity of water discharging control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject position determinationVSAvoidwater discharging response

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The second water spout condition applies stricter detection criteria than the first condition, representing excessive action in terms of precision. This is acceptable because it is applied only partially - specifically when objects are detected in the second detection region. The system accepts reduced productivity for this specific case to ensure high precision for holding object detection, while maintaining faster response for target object detection in the first region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11306465B2Water spout control device, water spout control system, and water spout control method

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 LIXIL CORP

AI summary

Provided is a water spout control device that has a target object detector configured to: detect whether a target object exists in a first detection region and to determine a position of the target object when the target exists in the first detection region according to an image information of a regional image; a holding object detector configured to detect whether a holding object holding the detection target exists in a second detection region different from the first detection region and to determine a position of the holding object when the holding object exists in the second detection region; and a controller configured to control water discharging according to a detection result by the target object detector and a detection result by the holding object detector, wherein water spout conditions in the plurality of detection regions for controlling the water discharging from a faucet spout are different from each other.