Wireless Sensor Faucet Control for Retrofitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hands-free electronic faucets lack the ability to control hot and cold water flow separately, require a fixed activation zone, restrict aesthetic design, and cannot be retrofitted to traditional faucets, limiting their functionality and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A wireless on-demand electronic system with a remote sensor unit and wireless control valves that allow for independent control of hot and cold water flow, enabling separate control of water temperature and volume, and can be positioned flexibly, including manual activation options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fixed sensor is integrated into the faucet for hands-free detection, then automatic water flow control is achieved, but the aesthetic design options are restricted and retro-fitting to traditional faucets is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hands-free faucet into separate functional modules: a wireless sensor unit that can be positioned independently, and the faucet body that maintains its traditional design. The sensor unit communicates wirelessly with the faucet's control valve, eliminating the need to integrate sensors into the faucet structure itself. This segmentation allows the faucet to retain aesthetic design freedom and enables retro-fitting to existing faucets without modifying their appearance or structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the sensor unit and the faucet's water control mechanism. The sensor unit detects hand presence and transmits signals wirelessly to the faucet's control valve, which then activates water flow. This intermediary wireless communication layer allows automatic control functionality to be added without physical integration, preserving aesthetic design options and enabling retro-fitting to traditional faucets.
2Reliability
If a fixed position sensor is used for detection, then the activation zone is defined, but the user flexibility for different applications proximate the sink is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is made mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned according to different user needs and applications. The wireless communication ensures continuous reliable detection regardless of the sensor's position within range. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to various sink-related tasks while maintaining reliable hand detection through the wireless link.
3Ease of operation
If separate control of hot and cold water is implemented, then temperature control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless sensor unit serves multiple functions: it detects hand presence for activation, determines user intent for hot or cold water through detection patterns, and communicates control signals to the appropriate valves. This multi-functionality allows separate hot and cold water control to be achieved without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same wireless communication infrastructure handles multiple control tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
An on-demand electronic faucet system for providing a faucet with a flow of water in response to a stimulus. A sensor unit is positioned remote from the faucet and in wireless communication with a wireless valve control unit. The wireless valve control unit controls a valve in the water supply line that feeds the faucet. In response to a stimulus, the sensor signals the wireless valve control unit to change the status of the valve in the water supply line from open to closed or closed to open and other states affecting flow and temperature.