In the current era of rapid technological development, the smart home field is constantly innovating, and the sanitary ware industry is also actively embracing intelligent transformation. As an advanced sensing technology, the radar module is gradually being integrated into sanitary ware products, bringing users an unprecedented convenient experience. At the same time, it is promoting the industry to develop in a more intelligent, efficient, and energy-saving direction.
I. Working Principle of the Radar Module
The radar module is designed based on the radar principle, and its core is to detect and identify targets by transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals. Specifically, the transmitting antenna is responsible for sending out radio frequency signals. When these signals encounter a target object (such as a human body), they will be reflected, and the receiving antenna is responsible for capturing the reflected signals. The signal processing circuit conducts a series of complex processing on the received reflected signals. By analyzing information such as the time difference, phase difference, or frequency change of the signals, it can accurately determine the key parameters of the target, such as distance, speed, and direction. The control circuit makes corresponding reactions according to the results output by the signal processing circuit to achieve intelligent control of the sanitary ware equipment. For example, in the application of a smart toilet, the radar module can output corresponding electrical signals according to the detected actions of a human body approaching or leaving, and then control the automatic opening and closing of the toilet lid, as well as the execution of functions such as flushing.
Compared with traditional sensing technologies (such as infrared sensing), radar sensing has significant advantages. Infrared sensing is easily interfered by factors such as ambient light and temperature. When there is direct strong light or a large change in ambient temperature, misjudgment or sensing failure may occur. However, radar sensing is not affected by these environmental factors, and it has higher stability and accuracy, and can work reliably in various complex environments, providing a solid guarantee for the intelligent control of sanitary ware.
II. Application Scenarios of the Radar Module in Sanitary Ware
(1) Smart Toilet
The smart toilet is one of the products in which the radar module is most widely applied in the sanitary ware field. When a user approaches the smart toilet and is within the effective sensing range of the radar module (generally up to about 2 meters), the module can quickly detect the user's approaching action and output a GPIO signal to the connected single-chip microcomputer. After receiving the signal, the single-chip microcomputer immediately controls the toilet lid to slowly rise automatically. There is no need for the user to operate it manually, which greatly improves the convenience of use. When the user finishes using the toilet and leaves, the radar module detects the signal of the human body moving away again, triggering the single-chip microcomputer to control the toilet to flush automatically and close the toilet lid. This series of automated operations not only facilitates the user but also effectively avoids the risk of cross-infection that may be brought about by hand contact with the toilet lid and the flush button, which is in line with modern people's pursuit of a healthy and hygienic life.
In addition, some advanced radar modules also support the gesture recognition function. Within a range of about 1 meter from the toilet, the user only needs to make a specific gesture (such as a waving action), and the radar module can recognize this gesture and output a corresponding signal to the single-chip microcomputer, thus achieving the automatic flushing function. This non-contact operation mode further improves the user experience, especially suitable for use in scenarios where the hands are inconvenient or hygiene needs to be maintained.
(2) Smart Vanity Mirror Lights
The application of the radar module in smart vanity mirror lights has realized the intelligent automatic control of the vanity mirror lights. When someone approaches the mirror, the radar sensor detects the presence of the human body in real time and quickly transmits the signal to the control circuit. After receiving the signal, the control circuit immediately activates the vanity mirror lights to provide sufficient lighting for the user. When the person leaves the mirror, the radar sensor detects that the human body is no longer present, and the control circuit automatically turns off the vanity mirror lights, achieving the intelligent effect of "the light turns on when people come and turns off when people leave". This intelligent lighting control mode not only facilitates the user's use without the need to manually turn the lights on and off but also effectively saves energy and avoids the waste of electric energy caused by forgetting to turn off the lights. Especially when getting up at night, the automatic lighting function of the smart vanity mirror lights can provide the user with soft light, avoiding the strong light from irritating the eyes, and at the same time ensuring the user's safety when moving in the dark environment.
(3) Smart Bathroom Heaters
When using traditional bathroom heaters, users need to manually adjust parameters such as temperature and wind speed, and the operation is relatively cumbersome. However, the smart bathroom heater equipped with a radar module has realized intelligent automatic adjustment. When someone approaches the smart bathroom heater, the radar sensor detects the presence of the human body in real time and transmits the signal to the control system of the bathroom heater. The control system automatically adjusts the temperature and wind speed of the bathroom heater according to the preset program and algorithm to meet the user's bathing needs and provide the user with a more comfortable bathing environment. For example, in the cold winter, when the user enters the bathroom and approaches the bathroom heater, the bathroom heater can quickly heat up and adjust to an appropriate warm air speed, allowing the user to feel warm in the shortest possible time. After the user leaves the bathroom, the radar sensor detects the signal of the human body moving away, and the bathroom heater automatically turns off the temperature and wind speed adjustment function and enters the energy-saving mode, which not only avoids energy waste but also extends the service life of the bathroom heater.
III. The Value Brought by the Radar Module to the Sanitary Ware Industry
(1) Improving User Experience
The application of the radar module makes sanitary ware products have more intelligent and user-friendly functions, greatly improving the user's experience. Functions such as automatic sensing switching, automatic flushing, and automatic adjustment of temperature and wind speed allow users to enjoy convenience and comfort during use, reducing cumbersome manual operations and bringing a more relaxed and pleasant bathroom experience to users. Especially for the elderly and children with limited mobility, as well as modern consumers who value hygiene and convenience, the advantages of smart sanitary ware are particularly obvious.
(2) Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection
Through accurate human body sensing control, the radar module realizes the operation of sanitary ware equipment on demand. For example, the smart toilet automatically enters the sleep state when not in use, and the smart vanity mirror lights and bathroom heater automatically turn off after people leave, avoiding the ineffective operation of the equipment and energy waste. This is not only in line with the development concept of energy conservation and environmental protection in modern society but also can save energy costs for users and reduce long-term use costs. According to statistics, smart sanitary ware products using radar sensing control can reduce energy consumption by 30% - 50% compared with traditional products, which has significant energy conservation and environmental protection benefits.
(3) Improving Product Competitiveness
In the increasingly competitive sanitary ware industry, the intelligence level of products has become one of the important factors to attract consumers. By introducing advanced intelligent technologies such as radar modules into products, enterprises can increase the added value and differentiated competitiveness of products, meet consumers' needs for intelligent and high-end sanitary ware products, and thus occupy a more favorable position in the market. Smart sanitary ware products equipped with radar modules are often more likely to be favored by consumers, which helps enterprises expand their market share and improve their brand awareness and reputation.
