How to Tell if a Portable Toilet is Occupied
Determining whether a portable toilet is occupied is mainly achieved through various human body sensors. These sensors can accurately perceive the status of the toilet cubicle and interact with display devices to provide users with clear occupancy information.
Laser infrared human body sensors are one of the common technologies. Their working principle is based on the emission and reflection of laser beams. When the toilet cubicle is unoccupied, the emitted laser beams propagate in space with no reflected signals returning. Once someone enters the cubicle, the laser beams reflect off the human body's surface and return. The sensor can then determine that the cubicle is occupied by receiving and analyzing the reflected signals. This type of sensor is sensitive to dynamic targets and is suitable for most portable toilet scenarios.
Millimeter-wave radar human body sensors utilize electromagnetic waves in the millimeter-wave frequency band for detection. Millimeter waves have strong penetration and good anti-interference capabilities, allowing them to penetrate non-metallic obstacles such as clothing. This sensor emits millimeter waves and receives echo signals, analyzing changes in parameters such as frequency and phase of the signals. It can not only detect static human bodies (such as those sitting or standing) but also perceive subtle movements, such as the rise and fall of the chest caused by breathing. Even if a person remains stationary in the cubicle for an extended period, millimeter-wave radar can accurately determine their presence, avoiding false judgments.
Lidar human body sensors construct three-dimensional images by emitting laser pulses and receiving reflected signals. They can precisely measure the distance, shape, and position information of objects within the cubicle to determine if someone is present. Since lidar can automatically adapt to different sensing heights, it can achieve accurate detection for both squatting positions and toilet seats, and is not affected by factors such as ambient light and temperature, offering high stability.
In addition, infrared sensors determine if an object has entered the cubicle by emitting and receiving infrared light. When a human body enters the sensing range, it blocks or reflects the infrared light, triggering the sensor signal. Pressure sensors are installed beneath the toilet seat and determine if the cubicle is occupied by detecting pressure changes. When someone sits down, the pressure increases, and the sensor feeds the signal back to the control system. Microwave radar sensors utilize electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency band to detect targets and determine if someone is in the cubicle by analyzing the echo signals, featuring a wide detection range and fast response speed.
These sensors are usually intelligently linked with devices such as cubicle occupancy indicators, control terminals, and guidance screens. For example, the cubicle occupancy indicator will display green (available) or red (occupied) based on the sensor feedback, allowing users to quickly identify the cubicle status.
