Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
  • G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
  • G01J1/10—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void
  • G01J1/20—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void intensity of the measured or reference value being varied to equalise their effects at the detectors, e.g. by varying incidence angle
  • G01J1/28—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void intensity of the measured or reference value being varied to equalise their effects at the detectors, e.g. by varying incidence angle using variation of intensity or distance of source
  • G01J1/30—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void intensity of the measured or reference value being varied to equalise their effects at the detectors, e.g. by varying incidence angle using variation of intensity or distance of source using electric radiation detectors
  • G01J1/32—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter by comparison with reference light or electric value provisionally void intensity of the measured or reference value being varied to equalise their effects at the detectors, e.g. by varying incidence angle using variation of intensity or distance of source using electric radiation detectors adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
  • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
  • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
  • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
  • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
  • E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors

Definitions

• the invention relates to improvements in automated fluid flow systems. In particular, improvements in control devices and fluid flow devices for such systems. Background of the invention
• Control devices for use with automated systems have applications in a number of fields. For example, water outlets that operate automatically when objects are placed in the pathway of an activation beam, garage doors that operate when a car is driven within a certain distance of the door and security systems which are operated if a beam across, for example, a door is broken by an object.
• US patent no. 4972070 (Laverty) This patent discloses a control system for a water fountain. It is comprised of three circuits. The first defines a sensing zone which relies upon the predetermined synchronisation between the transmitter and the receiver. If an object is placed in the fountain then another circuit serves a time-out function after a predetermined period.
• US patent no. 4941219 (Van Marcke); US patent no. 5086526 (Van Marcke)
• valve systems which integrate the use of various appliances eg washbasin and soap dispenser and hand drier. In each case before the valve is opened when activated by the presence of a user, a test of the battery which causes the operation of the appliance, is made.
• This patent discloses a control device and calibration device for an automated water flow system. These devices are designed to re-calibrate to compensate for a stationary object which may be placed in the sensing field. This approach is reliant upon a level of reflected signals always being present. Compensation is achieved by either increasing or decreasing the emitted signal to maintain a steady state signal. Once this reflected signal level is increased it causes the water to flow.
• the conventional automatic water flow system comprises a spout, a water control valve arrangement connected at one end to sources of hot and cold water and to the spout at the other end, a mixing valve upstream of the water control valve to permit the amounts of hot and cold water fed to the water control valve arrangement to be varied, a sensing system (usually employing an infrared sensor) and a solenoid to open and close the valve arrangement to regulate the flow of water from the water source to the spout.
• a mounting is also provided to affix the spout to a predetermined surface such as a wall or sink.
• the mixing valve it is common in such type of systems for the mixing valve to be located separately of the spout and water control valve arrangement eg under a bench. It is also common for the spout to be connected directly onto the outlet of the water valve arrangement whilst the mixing arrangement itself is located elsewhere eg under the sink.
• IQUA has produced a spout in which the water control valve arrangement with a solenoid and mounting means can be located in a lower portion of the spout.
• the solenoid has an arm which directly drives the valve to open or close the water flow in response to the sensing system.
• a separate water conduit is connected to the outlet of that arrangement and runs inside the spout to the water outlet.
• the solenoid which is used to permit direct operation of the valve has had to be specially designed for that application given the pressures which are involve to regulate the water flow.
• spout has a recess formed in its underneath surface to permit location of the sensing system in the spout.
• This spout has also has an integrally formed conduit to isolate the physical passage of water from the sensing system.
• a control device for an automated fluid flow system which includes an overriding device for enabling or disabling the automated fluid flow system in which a transmitter emits signals and reception of reflected signals by a receiver is used to initiate predetermined actions, which overriding device comprises:
• comparison means to compare the amount of light measured by the light sensing means to at least one predetermined threshold amount of light and in response to such comparison initiate an enabling signal if the threshold amount has been exceeded or a disabling signal if the threshold amount has not been exceeded;
• overriding means to receive the enabling signal and cause the automated system to be enabled and to receive the disabling signal and cause the automated system to be disenabled.
• a method is also provided of enabling or disabling an automated fluid flow system in which a transmitter emits signals and reception of reflected signals by a receiver is used to initiate predetermined actions which method comprises the steps of:
• step (b) comparing the amount of light measured by step (a) to at least one predetermined threshold amount of light and in response to such comparison initiate an enabling signal if the threshold amount has been exceeded or a disabling signal if the threshold amount has not been exceeded;
• the automated system will be deactivated when the light level at or adjacent to the automated fluid flow system falls below a predetermined minimum and then reactivated when the light level exceeds this or another predetermined amount.
• control device For example, if the control device is located in a wash room, when the light is switched off and there is no other source of light, the control device will be maintained in the deactivated phase. Upon a user entering the wash room and switching on the light, the control device would be reactivated when the light sensing means senses the increased light level exceeding the predetermined level.
• the light sensitive means may be a cadmium sulphide cell or a phototransistor, though other alternatives will be readily apparent to those skilled in these devices.
• the light sensitive means may include different light threshold levels and means to periodically sample the light.
• a cadmium sulphide cell is incorporated into the circuitry to deactivate the infrared sensor which sensor is normally present in an automated fluid flow system to give a signal to initiate flow.
• the cell deactivates the sensor.
• a lower light level threshold may be easily set by changing the resistor in the bridge detector circuit.
• the cadmium sulphide resistance is monitored immediately the microprocessor recovers from its "sleep mode". This test only takes a few microseconds of processor time and therefore negligible energy is consumed. If the cell resistance is above the 200 kilo ohms level then this denotes light which is darker than the threshold, and the microprocessor will return to the "sleep mode" without attempting to sense the presence of the object.
• the process is periodically repeated (eg every 2 seconds) until the cell resistance falls below a new threshold of 180 kilo ohms which indicates the presence of more light and the normal operation of the control device resumes.
• the differing thresholds are adopted so that aberrant changes in light levels do not prematurely cause erratic mode setting of the microprocessor.
• This invention makes it possible to cause the control device to be in a shut down mode thus saving precious battery life when the water outlet is not in constant use but also being capable of rapid re-activation should the light conditions increase during these normally seldom used periods.
• a spout which comprises
• a spout housing having a lower chamber, an upper chamber and an intermediate chamber, wherein (a) the upper chamber is integrally formed with the lower chamber and has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet to permit fluid to pass through at least a portion of the spout housing and (b) the intermediate chamber is adjacent the upper chamber and extends from the lower chamber to receive sensing means and control means to regulate the flow of fluid from the spout housing.
• a body portion located in and attached to the lower chamber of the spout housing and having at least one fluid inlet to receive fluid from an external source of fluid and a fluid outlet which is aligned with and sealingly communicates with the fluid inlet of the upper chamber, the body portion including:
• a primary chamber having an inlet aperture to receive the fluid from the external source of fluid and an outlet aperture to pass the fluid to the fluid outlet of the body portion;
• valve means movable within the primary chamber to regulate the flow of fluid from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture;
• solenoid means to control the flow of fluid in the servo chamber and thereby the movement of the valve means in the primary chamber.
• the body portion has at least two fluid inlets and further includes a mixing valve arrangement to receive and mix fluid from the at least two fluid inlets.
• the mixing valve arrangement has means to vary the respective amounts of the fluids flowing into the mixing valve arrangement.
• the fluid is water and two streams of water, one being hot water and the other cold water, flow into the mixing valve arrangement.
• the arrangement may also include an automatic self regulating fluid flow control to maintain a predetermined substantially constant flow rate of fluid through the spout.
• the arrangement may also comprise a non return valve located in the fluid flow.
• the mixing valve arrangement has a cylinder or spool valve located in and axially rotatable within the chamber. The spool valve has a set of primary radial offset passageways for predetermined variable communication with the inlets for hot and cold water. Therefore by rotating the spool it is possible for the amount of hot and/or cold water passing into the primary chamber to be infinitely varied.
• the first chamber is divided into a first sub chamber and a second sub chamber by the valve means.
• the first sub chamber receives fluid from the inlet aperture of the primary chamber.
• the valve means has an opening of predetermined size to permit fluid to pass from the first sub chamber to the second sub chamber.
• the first sub chamber has the outlet aperture from the primary chamber which is opened and closed by movement of the valve means.
• the servo chamber communicates with the second sub chamber and has an opening to permit fluid passing from the second sub chamber into the opening to be expelled.
• the solenoid selectively closes that opening to build pressure in the second sub chamber thereby forcing the valve means to close against the outlet aperture.
• the regulating means further includes mounting means extending from the body portion to mount the body portion to a predetermined surface.
• the mounting means are at least two threaded fasteners, each with an associated locking member.
• the various aspects of the invention when combined result in it being possible to locate in the lower chamber of a spout, the mixing and valve assemblies, as well as the mounting means. It also means the upper chamber can be formed as an integral part of the spout housing along with the lower chamber thereby avoiding additional assembly costs normally associated with fixing a separate conduit inside the spout housing. Consequently, this is a more compact unit than hitherto known and substantially reduces the installation time which would be otherwise needed for installing a separate valve assembly and mixing assembly.
• Figure 1 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of a spout incorporating the three inventions
• Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the valve system used in the spout of figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a flow chart of an electronic controller circuit according to the first aspect of the invention.
• a spout 10 is provided having a spout housing 11.
• Spout housing has a lower chamber 12, an upper chamber 13 defined by integral inner wall 14 and an intermediate chamber 15 defined by the integral wall 14 and a removable cover 16.
• Valve assembly 17 is located and fixed into lower chamber 12. Assembly 17 is connected to hot and cold water sources via connector 18. Threaded holes 19 form part of the mounting means for spout 10.
• Bolts (not shown) pass through the surface (also not shown) to which the spout 10 is to be attached and into holes 19.
• the fluid outlet 20 of assembly 17 abuts against and is sealed with fluid inlet 26 to the upper chamber 13. This seal is achieved by use of an O-ring and a pair of connecting bolts (not shown).
• a fluid outlet 21 which is fitted with an aerator 22.
• Intermediate chamber 15 houses the sensor assembly 23.
• This assembly includes a infrared transmitters 24 designed to emit infrared beams away from the spout towards an area where water will fall.
• a receiver 25 is designed to detect reflected infrared beams.
• the transmitters 24 and receiver 25 are mounted on circuit board 28 and are powered by a battery 27.
• a signal is sent to the solenoid 29 of the valve assembly 17 to open or close the water flow to upper chamber 13 and hence fluid outlet 21.
• the solenoid 29 is also powered by the battery 27.
• the cover 16 upon which the above components are mounted is releasably secured to the spout housing 11 via a tongue 30 and pin 31.
• the spout 10 may be easily serviced should there be a need to address issues in the electronics, battery or transmitters and receiver.
• valve assembly 17 will now be explained in detail with reference to figure 2.
• Connector 18 has two openings 32 and 33 to receive respective hot and cold water.
• Mixing valve arrangement 34 includes a cylinder which is sealed in an opening with O-rings. That cylinder has a pair of offset transverse holes 35 and 36 so that rotation of the cylinder permits different relative amounts of hot and cold water to pass to the primary chamber 37.
• This primary chamber 37 has a flexible valve 39 which can move up and down under the influence of pressure to open or close off outlet 38. When the valve 39 is lifted water passes into outlet 38 into outlet passageway 40 which leads to fluid outlet 20. As indicated previously in figure 1, this outlet 20 sealingly engages fluid inlet 26 of upper chamber 13.
• the primary chamber 39 also has an upper sub chamber 41.
• Flexible valve 39 has a hole
• solenoid 29 is activated so as to open passageway 45. In doing so it permits the pressure of the water applied to the upper side of valve 39 to lessen and move upwardly. Water then flows from the mixing valve arrangement 34 into the primary chamber 37, outlet 38 and inturn to outlet passageway 40 and into the upper chamber 13.
• the solenoid 29 is activated and causes the passageway 45 to close. Pressure builds up in the upper sub chamber 41 forcing the valve 39 to close outlet 38.
• the first aspect of the invention is illustrated in figure 3.
• the electronic controller circuit may be located in a wash room (not shown) which has both windows to allow naturally light to enter as well as an electric light operable by an on/off switch.
• the washroom may have a basin to which the automated water flow system is fitted. That system will typically be microprocessor based and is used in combination with a: (a) a light sensing device;
• calibration means to set the infrared transmission signal strength to define an area in the basin to be sensed for objects and movement
• the microprocessor control device is initially in the SLEEP mode. Periodically, a light sensing device is interrogated in the DAYLIGHT? mode. If there is no light measured at all or the level of light sensed is below a predetermined threshold level, the microprocessor is returned to its SLEEP mode. If the light measured is above the predetermined threshold level, the microprocessor then enters CALIBRATION REQUIRED mode and interrogates the calibration or sensitivity of the calibration means by comparing it to a preset calibration. If needed, re- calibration occurs in the CALIBRATION RANGE mode.
• the microprocessor enters the ACTIVITY TIMER EXPIRED mode. In this mode, the timer which normally times out the maximum time the water is to run for, is interrogated. If it has expired then the SLEEP mode is set for 2 second intervals. If the activity has not expired then the SLEEP mode is set for 1 second intervals. In this way, power is saved by reducing the activity of the system. At the end of each SLEEP mode interval, the microprocessor is reactivated and an infrared pulse is transmitted in the TRANSMIT PULSE mode into the basin.
• this pulse into the basin tests for any target now located in the basin (eg a user's hands). If no signal is received then the system returns to the SLEEP mode. If a signal is received, the SLEEP mode timer is set to 1 second and the system enters the WATER ON ALREADY mode. If the water is already flowing the DECREMENT SAFTEY TIMER interrogates the timer which controls the timed out function to cease water flow. If the timer has timed out then the water is turned off in the TURN OFF WATER mode. If the timer has not timed out, the system is returned to the SLEEP mode. The timer will time out in any event and the water flow will cease.
• the control device when the light is switched off and there is no other source of light, the control device will be maintained in the deactivated phase.
• the control device Upon a user entering the wash room and switching on the light, the control device would be reactivated when the light sensing means senses the increased light level exceeding the predetermined level.
• This invention makes it possible to cause the control device to be in a shut down mode thus saving precious battery life when the water outlet is not in constant use but also being capable of rapid re-activation should the light conditions increase during these normally seldom used periods.
• the word 'comprising' as used in this description and in the claims does not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or additions which are obvious to the person skilled in the art and which do not have a material effect upon the invention.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
• Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

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• 1998
  • 1998-09-18 EP EP98943571A patent/EP1018062A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-09-18 WO PCT/AU1998/000775 patent/WO1999014647A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-09-18 CA CA002304091A patent/CA2304091A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (2)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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