Kohler
Ventilated Toilet Kit (VTK)
Kohler engaged D2M to investigate a leading edge technology from Livermore Labs utilizing Ultra-Wideband Micro Impulse Radar, a sensing technology that Kohler wished to integrate into a ventilation kit for the toilet. This new technology allowed the sensing technology to hide within the porcelain product enclosures which in turn improved the appearance and enhanced the reliability of the touch less sensor. D2M helped Kohler integrate this technology into a toilet ventilation kit – which upon activation, pulls air from the toilet, filters it, and re-releases it into the air.
D2M and Kohler have worked over the years on a variety of projects ranging from innovative mechanical solutions to shower door installations to touchless control of faucets and toilets.
Client Testimonial
“Without question D2M is one of the elite product development firms in America. They have incredible talent but most importantly they have the "on the street experience" to help any firm turn a good product or program into a great one...I was very impressed with their insight, engineering prowess, and capacity for speed and clarity.."
- Frank J. Feraco, Former President Sector Executive of Kohler International
The Details
The Ultra-Wideband Micro Impulse Radar is used to detect physical presence in absence of an IR window, which is commonly used in touchless sensors found on faucets and other plumbing fixtures. D2M was first employed to convert this highly experimental, lab-level technology into a repeatable commercial system. Once developed, D2M then spearheaded the investigation of a variety of wideband Microimpulse Radar (wideband) applications and concepts to leverage active proximity sensing in support of Kohler's identified goals. The investigation lead to the integrated product development of the Ventilated Toilet Kit activated by an "invisible" micro impulse sensor positioned within the ceramic tank. D2M managed the program development of a consumer retrofit implementation, developing the mechanical and hardware design, Asian sourcing and production of the kits. In support of Kohler's overall goal of leveraging wideband technology, D2M's engineers provided expert testimony to FCC Committee hearings governing the rules and qualification of wideband certification standards for commercial products.