EP1693523A3 - Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers - Google Patents

Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1693523A3
EP1693523A3 EP06011070A EP06011070A EP1693523A3 EP 1693523 A3 EP1693523 A3 EP 1693523A3 EP 06011070 A EP06011070 A EP 06011070A EP 06011070 A EP06011070 A EP 06011070A EP 1693523 A3 EP1693523 A3 EP 1693523A3
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
automatic
bathroom
bathroom flushers
automatic faucets
light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06011070A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1693523A2 (en
Inventor
Natan E. Parson
Fatih Guler
Yue Zhang
Xiaoxiong Mo
Kay Herbert
Haiou Wu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arichell Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Arichell Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/038758 external-priority patent/WO2003048464A2/en
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/038757 external-priority patent/WO2003048463A2/en
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/041576 external-priority patent/WO2003058102A1/en
Application filed by Arichell Technologies Inc filed Critical Arichell Technologies Inc
Priority claimed from EP03796714A external-priority patent/EP1567730B1/en
Publication of EP1693523A2 publication Critical patent/EP1693523A2/en
Publication of EP1693523A3 publication Critical patent/EP1693523A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/10—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
    • E03D5/105—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl touchless, e.g. using sensors
    • 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Abstract

A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling, for example, the operation of automatic faucets (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) or automatic bathroom flushers (100, 100A). The passive optical sensors provide signals to flow controllers, including control electronics (400) and flow valves (38, 140) and require only very small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. To control the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers based on ambient light, the controller executes novel algorithms (600, 900).
EP06011070A 2002-12-04 2003-12-04 Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers Withdrawn EP1693523A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2002/038758 WO2003048464A2 (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers
PCT/US2002/038757 WO2003048463A2 (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Electronic faucets for long-term operation
PCT/US2002/041576 WO2003058102A1 (en) 2001-12-26 2002-12-26 Bathroom flushers with novel sensors and controllers
US51372203P 2003-10-22 2003-10-22
EP03796714A EP1567730B1 (en) 2002-12-04 2003-12-04 Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03796714.8 Division 2003-12-04
EP03796714A Division EP1567730B1 (en) 2002-12-04 2003-12-04 Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1693523A2 EP1693523A2 (en) 2006-08-23
EP1693523A3 true EP1693523A3 (en) 2010-06-23

Family

ID=36676385

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06011070A Withdrawn EP1693523A3 (en) 2002-12-04 2003-12-04 Passive sensors for automatic faucets and bathroom flushers

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1693523A3 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5906372B2 (en) * 2011-09-30 2016-04-20 株式会社テージーケー Control valve

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1314632A (en) * 1970-05-15 1973-04-26 American Standard Inc Control apparatus for a plumbing fixture
GB1532210A (en) * 1975-10-27 1978-11-15 Reed International Ltd Valve assemblies
WO1985005648A1 (en) * 1984-05-31 1985-12-19 Robotronics Limited Flush control apparatus
DE29717352U1 (en) * 1997-04-09 1998-01-08 Brandenburger, Markus, 56479 Liebenscheid Moisture protection for opto-sensor
US5915417A (en) * 1997-09-15 1999-06-29 T&S Brass And Bronze Works, Inc. Automatic fluid flow control apparatus

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1314632A (en) * 1970-05-15 1973-04-26 American Standard Inc Control apparatus for a plumbing fixture
GB1532210A (en) * 1975-10-27 1978-11-15 Reed International Ltd Valve assemblies
WO1985005648A1 (en) * 1984-05-31 1985-12-19 Robotronics Limited Flush control apparatus
DE29717352U1 (en) * 1997-04-09 1998-01-08 Brandenburger, Markus, 56479 Liebenscheid Moisture protection for opto-sensor
US5915417A (en) * 1997-09-15 1999-06-29 T&S Brass And Bronze Works, Inc. Automatic fluid flow control apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1693523A2 (en) 2006-08-23

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