CA2875565C

CA2875565C - Drinking fountain flow control

Info

Publication number: CA2875565C
Application number: CA2875565A
Authority: CA
Inventors: David Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-23
Filing date: 2014-12-23
Publication date: 2017-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-23
Also published as: CA2875565A1

Abstract

A drinking water fountain varies the outlet pressure as a function of the distance of a user's face from the outlet. The flow is responsive to the user allowing the user to drink lightly or to produce a stronger stream depending on distance. In an alternative embodiment, the speed or the acceleration with which the user approaches the outlet determines the pressure of the water.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION
DRINKING FOUNTAIN FLOW CONTROL
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to water fountains. More particularly, this invention relates to drinking water fountains and to a means for controlling the dispensing of water.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known to provide a drinking water fountain equipped with a sensor to commence dispensing a stream of drinking water when a user is within a predetermined distance of the water outlet. U.S. Patent No. 5,033,508 to Laverty, Jr. discloses such a system. U.S. Patent No. 7,430,998 to Perlsweig et al. discloses the use of a light beam, which when interrupted causes the dispensing of water for consumption by animals. It is also known to automatically dispense water from an appliance, such as a refrigerator, when a glass or other container is inserted into a dispensing area.
Ideally, the flow from a drinking fountain is at a sufficiently high pressure to create a clean arc of water from which the user may drink. In some cases, the pressure in the water fountain is too high with the result that the water is ejected beyond the basin or it sprays onto the user. Conversely, older public drinking zo fountains often have an inadequate flow of water at the outlet such that a person's mouth must touch or come close to touching the outlet in order to drink the water. The volume of water available in such cases also often frustrates drinkers. Indeed, a drinker may be content to sip lightly from the edge of a modest flow while others might wish for a higher volume directly into the user's mouth. Manual controls for fountains are usually not suitable for such fine adjustments of the water flow.

2 It is a further object of the invention to provide a drinking fountain that provides a stream of water at a distance that is convenient for drinking. It is a further object to accommodate a drinker's preference as to the rate of flow (volume per second) of the water being dispensed or the distance at which the user prefers to drink.
These and other objects of the invention will be better understood by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which follows. Note that the objects referred to above are statements of what motivated the invention rather than promises and that not all of the objects are necessarily met by all to embodiments of the invention described below or by the invention defined by each of the claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided a drinking water fountain with a mechanism for varying the water pressure that is presented to the outlet of the fountain. A sensor detects the distance of a user's face from the outlet or from some other reference point as the user's face approaches the reference point and the sensor communicates with a controller that regulates the water pressure as some function of that distance. For example, the pressure at which the water is dispensed may increase the closer the face gets to the reference point, it may vary with the speed at which the face approaches, or with the rate of change of speed of the user's face, i.e. its acceleration.
Preferably, the water pressure has a predetermined range of acceptable dispensing pressures and the specific pressure within that range is determined by some function of the distance of the user's face as sensed by the sensor.
The pressure is initially provided at a nominal non-zero starting pressure or a pressure at the low end of the predetermined range, and may increase at least to the point of producing an arch of water of a height predetermined to be suitable

3 for most drinkers when the user's face reaches the apex of the arch. The apex of such arch can be taken as the reference point for the distance of the user's face.
For example, the pressure may increase in an inverse proportion to the distance of the user. Once the user has reached the stream of water and ceases to approach further, the flow stabilizes. This allows the user to sip from the stream of water. However, if the rate of flow of the water is unsatisfactory to the user, he/she approaches closer (past the apex or closer to the outlet than the apex) thereby increasing the pressure and the rate of flow and allowing a higher volume of water per second.
In another embodiment, the function of distance may be the rate of change of distance of the user's face from the outlet (or from some other reference point).
If the user approaches the outlet more rapidly, the pressure at each distance will be greater (within a predetermined range). This allows the water to reach farther for a given distance of the user's face and enables users to drink at different distances, which may be of convenience for taller users.
In another embodiment, the function of distance may be the rate of change of speed (acceleration) of the user's face toward the outlet or toward some other reference point.
In one aspect, the invention is therefore a drinking water fountain comprising a water outlet, at least one distance sensor, and means for varying the water pressure that is responsive to the output of the sensor to vary the water pressure as a function of the distance of a user's face as measured by the sensor. The distance may be evaluated between the user's face and the outlet or between the user's face and another reference point, which may be a point in space corresponding to the apex of a predetermined arc of water.

4 In a more particular aspect, the function is an inverse proportion to the distance.
In another more particular aspect, the function is the speed of the user's face as it approaches the outlet or the point in space corresponding to the apex. In an aspect, the means continues to increase the pressure as the user's face passes the point in space, corresponding to when the user leans further into the stream of water.
In another more particular aspect, the function of distance is acceleration toward the outlet or other reference point, such that the means varies the water pressure as a function of the acceleration of the user's face.
In another aspect of the invention, the means is calibrated to cause the water to meet the user's face at a predetermined convenient height above the outlet.
The invention therefore provides a non-contract and intuitive means to adapt and adjust the water output to the distance of the user as the user approaches the outlet, and that is responsive to the behavior of the user.
The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments. Moreover, this summary should be read as though the claims were incorporated herein for completeness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be described by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and to the drawings thereof in which:
Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a drinking fountain according to the preferred embodiment of the invention; and, Fig. 2 is a cross-section view of a drinking fountain according to an embodiment of the invention with a vertical jet of water rather than an arc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

5 Fig. 1 illustrates a drinking fountain 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.
Drinking fountain 10 includes a water outlet 12 arranged to project an arched stream of water 14 at a given operating pressure.
Fountain 10 further comprises a distance sensor 16 capable of outputting a io signal that corresponds to the distance of the user's face 18. The distance sensor 16 is preferably located in close proximity to the outlet 12 so as to effectively determine the distance of a user's face 18 from the outlet 12 while avoiding undue interference from the stream of water or from the other components of the fountain.
According to the preferred embodiment, the distance sensor 16 is an optical triangulation range sensor capable of image capture and of producing outputs at a frequency of 200 Hz. During installation, the sensor 16 may be adjusted so that its field of view avoids encompassing portions of the drinking fountain or alternatively, the sensor output might be calibrated to discount the presence of such features. In the illustrated embodiment, sensor 16 is mounted slightly above and behind an apex point 20 of an arch of water of a predetermined height considered suitable for most users.
A plurality of sensors may also be used to determine more accurately the distance of a user's face or to properly assess distances when a user approaches from different directions or when a user leans downward into the water stream with the objective of further increasing the flow of water. A
suitable

6 calibration and configuration interface (not shown) is provided within the drinking fountain housing 22.
A controller 24 receives the output of the sensor 16 and controls a pressure regulator 26 in water supply line 28.
The output of the sensor 16 is a signal that corresponds to the distance of an object in the measuring range of the field of view of the sensor. The output is fed to the controller 24 which determines the actual distance that the signal represents. The sensor 16 and the controller 24 are preferably configured to cause the sensor 16 to determine distances at intervals of approximately 5 ms once an object enters the field of view. That period allows for effective tracking of the distances, of the rate of change of distance and/or of the rate of change of speed (for the alternative embodiments described below) as a user's face approaches the outlet 12 but other sensing periods may be considered suitable.
In an embodiment, the distance of the user's face is measured in relation to the outlet 12. As the user approaches the outlet, the controller 24 causes the arc of water to gradually increase in height in inverse proportion to the distance of the user's face 18 from the outlet 12. The system is calibrated to have the apex of the arch meet the user's face 18 at a convenient, standard height A for the average user (6 cm in the preferred embodiment). However, if the user's face continues to approach the outlet 12 itself (i.e. the user leans further into the stream of water), the flow continues to increase so as to deliver more volume to the user.
A distance of 1.0 meter from the outlet 12 is preferred as a triggering threshold for the initial activation of the water flow. At that distance, the controller causes the regulator 26 to initialize with a minimal, nominal flow of water from the outlet 12. A "nominal" flow can be taken to mean, for the purposes of this application and the claims, an initialization flow at the low end of a predetermined

7 range of dispensing pressures. The pressure is then further adjusted within that range according to the proximity of the user's face. The system is calibrated such that when the user's face 18 is at a position corresponding to the standard height A, the pressure will be such as to produce an arc of water that just meets the user.
The controller 24 causes the regulator 26 to increase the flow of water to the outlet in direct inverse proportion to the distance of the user's face (between 1.0 and 0.0 meter from the outlet), with a nominal flow at the triggering threshold of 1.0 meter and a flow sufficient to reach apex A when the user's face is at 0.0 meter from the outlet 12.
As a user comes within the triggering range of a fountain, the flow is initialized at a nominal flow. As the user then approaches his or her face to the outlet 12, the flow increases in direct inverse proportion to the distance of the user's face from outlet 12. The resulting effect is a smooth transition from an initial flow and culminating in a standard flow just as the user's face reaches the apex point A (of the standard flow). There is also the pleasing effect of being directly responsive to the user.
If the user prefers to sip lightly from the edge of the flow rather than from its apex, the user will stop short at which point the flow will be slightly less than the standard flow but the user will be able to drink from the downward edge of the arch. Other users will prefer to drink directly from the apex and will lean in until the arc of water rises to meet the user at that point to deliver a moderate volume of water per second. When a user prefers to receive a greater volume of water, the user leans further into the water (closer to the actual outlet) which is detected by the sensor 16 and by the controller 24 which then causes the pressure to increase further to deliver a stronger flow of water to the user. The user therefore controls the volume of water desired and the height of the arch.

8 The invention therefore provides the ability to provide a stream of water that is responsive to the distance of the user to the outlet, allowing a weaker flow for the user that prefers to drink from the side of the arch, a standard flow for the drinker preferring a standard flow of water and a stronger flow for the thirstier drinker. As the thirstier drinker backs off from drinking deeply into the water stream, the stream decreases to avoid splashing the user's face.
In another embodiment, the distance of the user's face is measured in relation to a point in space P that corresponds to a predetermined convenient apex height A
of the arc of water for the average user. The sensor(s) 16 and controller 24 determine the distance of the user's face 18 from point P. If the distance is 0.0 meter, the pressure is controlled to produce an arc of water corresponding to the predetermined standard pressure and apex height A. If the user leans downward past point P (effectively a negative distance from point P), the controller 24 will continue to increase the pressure to deliver a greater volume of water.
In a further alternative embodiment, the controller 24 is configured to receive the successive distance inputs from the sensor 16 and to determine the rate of change of distance. The controller 24 then increases the relative flow of water from a baseline nominal flow according to the speed at which the user approaches the outlet 12 or the apex point P as the case may be. As the speed of approach increases, the rate of water flow at each distance increases as compared to the water flow at the same distance in a slower approach.
According to this embodiment, the maximum pressure and apex may be adjusted upward to accommodate the greater flows contemplated for a fast approaching user. Thus a taller person might lean into the drinking fountain faster and thereby generate a higher apex and a relatively stronger flow of water than a more slowly approaching user.

9 In yet another embodiment the function of distance is acceleration toward the outlet or toward apex point A. When the user is within the activation range (e.g.
1.0 meter), the flow is initialized at a nominal flow. As the user approaches, the controller interprets the successive sensor outputs to derive an acceleration of the user's face. A greater acceleration triggers a greater water pressure, but constrained within the acceptable dispensing range of water pressures.
Various modifications to the embodiments and to the invention may be contemplated. For example, rather than supplying an arc of water, the fountain may generate a vertical stream of water as illustrated in Fig. 2. In such case, the operative direction of approach of the user to be evaluated may be chosen to be the vertical direction. The positioning and field of views of any sensors would be adjusted accordingly and may be directed upward from a suitable vantage point toward the approach user's face. The system may be configured for a standard apex height of the jet of water such that the pressure gradually increases until the user's face meets the apex of the stream at a convenient, standard apex height.
As the user leans farther into the stream, the pressure increases to provide a greater volume of water. As the user withdraws from the stream, the pressure immediately decreases to avoid splashing the user's face.
It will be appreciated that various locations and configurations of a sensor or of a zo plurality of sensors may be used to achieve accurate readings of the distance and pose of a user's face, so as to discount possible sources of error such as the presence of the user's forehead, and interference by the stream of water and the fountain hardware itself.
Various operational parameters can further be determined for the system. For example, the controller may be configured to deactivate the fountain entirely if the user overshoots the outlet by a predetermined amount. In the alternative embodiment, an upper limit may be placed on the increase in pressure as a function of speed of the user. The system may be configured to allow the sensor-based invention to be overridden by a manual control. Other variations to the described embodiments and their operational parameters may be contemplated.
5 Indeed, in the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof.
However, they are merely embodiments illustrative of the principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the io description as a whole. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A drinking water fountain comprising a water outlet, at least one distance sensor for measuring the distance of a user's face, a controller in communication with said sensor, at least one valve for varying the water pressure, said valve being responsive to the output of said controller to produce a water pressure that varies continuously as a function of the distance of said user's face as measured by said sensor.

2. The drinking water fountain of claim 1 wherein said function is an inverse proportion.

3. The drinking water fountain of claim 2 wherein said water pressure is varied from a predetermined initial non-zero operating pressure to a pressure sufficient to create an arch of water of a predetermined height at which a user's face is at a distance of zero meters from the apex of said arch.

4. The drinking water fountain of claim 3 wherein said water pressure is further increased when a user's face extends closer to said outlet than said apex.

5. The drinking water fountain of claim 1 wherein said function is a rate of change of said distance.

6. The drinking water fountain of claim 1 wherein said function is the acceleration of said user's face.

7. The drinking water fountain of claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said water pressure is varied from a predetermined initial non-zero operating pressure and a pressure sufficient to create an arch of water of a predetermined height at which a user's face is at a distance of zero meters from the apex of said arch.

8. The fountain of claim 1 wherein said distance is a distance evaluated between said user's face and a point in space corresponding to the apex of a predetermined an arc of water and wherein said means further increases the water pressure as said user's face passes said point.

9. The fountain of claim 1 wherein said distance is a distance evaluated between said user's face and said outlet.

10. The fountain of claim 1 wherein said distance is a distance evaluated between said user's face and a point in space corresponding to the apex of a predetermined arc of water.

11. The drinking water fountain of claim 1, 2, 5 or 6 wherein said means causes the water pressure to gradually increase so that the water meets said user's face at a predetermined height above said outlet.

12. A drinking water fountain comprising a water outlet, at least one distance sensor for measuring the distance of a user's face, a controller in communication with said sensor, a valve means for varying the water pressure, said valve means being responsive to the output of said controller to produce a water pressure that varies as a function of the distance of said user's face as measured by said sensor, said function being an inverse proportion.

13. In a drinking fountain having a distance sensor for measuring the distance of a user's face, a method of automatically controlling the non-zero pressure of water delivered to an outlet of said fountain, comprising:
providing means for varying said non-zero water pressure; and under control of a controller associated with said drinking fountain, gradually varying said non-zero water pressure as a function of the distance of said user's face as said user approaches said outlet.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said function is an inverse proportion.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said function is a rate of change of said distance.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said function is the acceleration of said user's face.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said water pressure is gradually varied between a predetermined initial non-zero operating pressure and a pressure sufficient to create an arch of water of a predetermined height when said user's face meets the apex of said arch at said predetermined height.