ES2209256T3 - WATER FAUCET KNOB. - Google Patents

Abstract

The controller has a detection device (1) with at least one transmitter (2) and receiver (3), with which the presence of a user can be detected, whereby evaluation electronics perform intensity selective evaluation of the detection signal. The controller switches between a normal or operating mode, in which the water throughput is controlled depending on the user, and a programming or special mode, depending on the detected intensity level. The controller has a time switch which sets the controller from normal mode to changeover or special mode after a defined time at the defined intensity level. The required intensity level is fixed so that it is achieved when an object, e.g. the user's hand, is brought near (6) the detector.

Description

Water faucet control.

The invention relates to a faucet control of water with a detection device comprising at least one sender and receiver, with which the presence of a user, having planned an electronic analysis system with which a selective evaluation of intensity of the detection signal generated by the detection device, where to from a certain intensity level the control switches, in programmable mode or reserved mode, from normal mode to mode operating in which the water flow is controlled according to the user.

A water faucet control of this type is known for the German publication DE 44 20 335 Al. However, in this device, it is necessary that for the adjustment of the remote control Use a special reflection card.

The objective of the invention is to follow simplifying the adjustment of the water tap control.

This objective is achieved according to the invention. by equipping the controller with a timer which, with the intensity level set after a time t changes the knob from normal mode to switching mode or reserved mode, where the required intensity level has been set so that it is reached by an object entered in the approach area of the detection device, such as a user's hand.

Other claims 2 to 7 are described. configurations of the invention.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention consist especially in that the selection of functions special or a modification of the operating parameters of the command it is possible without additional auxiliary means and without having to open or Well intervene in the water faucet. In addition, it is possible simplify the command, since switches are no longer necessary mechanics, potentiometers or special control buttons, and why These tasks are performed directly by the electronic system. In addition, the proposed adjustment possibility for the faucet control of water has virtually no wear since it is done without contact and no mechanical switch buttons or a special reflector card.

Examples of embodiment of the invention which are described in more detail at continuation. The drawings show:

- Figure 1, in schematic representation, a Water tap installed in a sink, in side view.

- Figure 2, in schematic representation, a washing device for a urinal in side view.

In the exemplary embodiment according to figure 1, has mounted a water tap 5 in a sink 7 represented partially. Water tap 5 is connected to one or more water supply pipes - not shown in the drawing -, and the water outlet is determined by an integrated valve, of preference, in the water outlet tap, with an electronic control and a detection device 1. From a valve mouth comes a water jet through a nozzle 50. The device detection 1 is designed here so that it is activated by register a body, for example a user's hand, to a small distance in front of the outlet nozzle 50 of the water outlet tap water outlet 5. The device detection 1 has here an emitter that preferably emits light infrared, and a receiver 3 that receives the reflected infrared light by a user's body or hand generating a signal that leads to command which, after an analysis process, Activate the necessary water flow.

At this switching distance, for the tap activation corresponds to a defined reception level of the receiver.

Now, it is already known that in all optical controls the intensity of the reflection signal increases as it reduce the reflective distance according to a law, so called, of distance intensity, or that the reception level increases by corresponding form. This effect can be used to roughly determine the distance of a reflector. Yes Now, for example, a hand of the user to the device of detection of a water tap with command without contact, a reception level is received at the receiver relatively high as a reflection signal. Through a corresponding sequence programming of the command, this high intensity level can now be used to switch the remote to a switching mode or reserved mode after elapsing a certain minimum time of having exceeded the level of intensity during which this high level of intensity.

The water tap 5 is provided here an approach area 6, at a distance of 5 cm to 10 cm approximately of the detection device 1. Here, the control is equipped with a timer and has been designed so that when the user enters an object, for example the user's hand, for more than 10 seconds in the approach area 6, switch the command to a reserved mode which, after a while minimum of 10 seconds of exceeding the intensity level, indicates by a light signal of a light diode 4, of preference by rapid blinking. If now the user withdraws your hand from the approach area 6, this is signaled by the command, preferably for a cyclic repeat sequence from:

1 flash pulse - pause - 2 flashing pulses - pause - 3 flashing pulses - 1 flashing pulse - pause - 2 ...

If the user enters again in this phase his hand in the approach area 6 of the detection device 1, it adjusts, depending on which of the three phases was active at the time (1 flashing pulse + pause, 2 flashing pulses + pause ...), a inertia time of one second, two seconds or three seconds during which the water outlet of the outlet tap is prolonged water 5.

Through a hierarchical structuring corresponding adjustment modes (for example, the three phases above are not used to modify the inertia time but to select three other adjustment modes) you can select virtually all special functions that are want to adjust system parameters. Each special function It can also contain other adjustment functions. Through a corresponding identification signage, it is possible to inform to the user through a current level of hierarchy and / or function of setting (interactive system parameterization).

Using the device described above you can make, therefore, a "virtual" control button using the which through impulses (when exceeding a level of intensity determined for a defined time) or groups of impulses (at beginning by exceeding and then by not reaching the level of determined intensity) you can activate different programs of the faucet control

The selection of special functions and / or command parameter changes can also be achieved, by example, by establishing a correlation of different time windows, during which the determined intensity level, with different functions. Yes here, for example, the intensity level is reached or exceeded determined for a time t_ {1} with t_ {1min} <t_ {2} <t_ {2max} function 1 is activated if the level of commutation. If the switching level exists for a while t_ {2} with t_ {1max} <t_ {2} <t_ {2max} is activated at then function 2 etc.

It is also advantageous here, if after having positioned the control in the switching mode using the switching level maintenance for the minimum duration of exceeding the intensity level, the user is offered a possibility of selecting several functions through a signaling, for example flicker signals or acoustic signals, which is repeated regularly at short intervals, functions that can be assigned to the signals and that the user can then select by new initiation of the level of intensity necessary during the corresponding signal.

In figure 2 of the drawing, another Execution example, where it has been represented schematically a washing device 15 for a urinal 17. The device for wash 15 is arranged with a water connection 18 on a wall of building 8 above a urinal 17 represented in part. The washing device 15 is connected here with the urinal 17 by means of a washing tube 19. On the front of the washing device 15 a detector device 10 has been formed in which an emitter 12 for infrared light and a receiver 13 for reflected infrared light. In addition, it has arranged in the area of the detection device 10 a diode bright 14.

With normal operation, the device detection registers a user of the urinal 17 and the corresponding signal to the command, which causes the necessary washing of the urinal after an analysis process.

If the user now enters an object or hand of the user in an approach area of the detection device 10, approximately 5 cm to 10 cm, the level of intensity required for switching to reserve mode and the LED indicates this mode by constant light. Through The following steps can be adjusted, then, by means of the detection device 10, for example, the amount of water of washed.

1. Place the hand 5 cm to 10 cm in front of the sensor system. The LED remains illuminated constant.

2. After about 10 seconds, the LED Start with a quick blink.

3. Take out your hand. The LED no longer indicates anything.

4. Over the next 20 seconds place your hand again 5 cm to 10 cm in front of the system sensor.

5. The LED starts flashing with a rhythm from:

==> the rhythm of numbers of Flickering signals develops as follows:

two - pause - three - pause - ... - six - pause - seven - pause - two - pause - three - pause - ...

The number of flashing signals ( BZA ) is proportional to the amount of wash water.

6. Remove the hand from the sensor system, if BZA corresponds to the amount of wash water desired.

(see table)

7. A wash is performed with a relative amount of wash water corresponding to the last BZA shown.

==> during this wash the LED indicates with the number of flashing signals the amount of water relative wash now adjusted.

8. If the amount of wash water obtained is the correct one, you cannot place any object in front of the sensor system for approximately 20 seconds, after which command goes into normal operating mode (no indication mode by LED, with blocking time ....) and stores as an adjustment of the user the amount of wash water last obtained.

==> Yes, however, the amount of wash water is still too high or reduced, you can start over at point 4 over the course 20 seconds after starting the last wash.

==> Remove the hand only with a BZA lower or higher than the last shown.

TABLE Number of flashing signals / amount of water washed

No. of signals from flicker Amount of wash water approx. l / min to 3 bar (with (BZA) (+/- versus adjustment since constriction) factory) ** - two *** adjustment from factory 3 **** + 4 ***** ++ 5 ****** +++ 6 ******* ++++ 7 ** - two

The washing device described above is Powered by electric power through a battery. Setting running or a battery change of the washing device can be perform here according to the following sequence:

Power-up routine with indication of the registration of an object and immediate washing:

1) Active: for approximately 3 minutes after placing a battery (with sufficient voltage).

2) When entering the registration area previously adjusted from the sensor system this is immediately indicated by the LED.

==> LED indication with constant brightness while an object is detected (Body).

==> the LED goes out and goes produces an immediate wash if no longer registered object.

==> during washing, the amount of relative washing water is indicated by an LED with a number of flashing signals ( BZA ) (factory setting = 3 flashing signals).

Claims (7)

1. A water tap control with a detection device (1.10) comprising at least one transmitter (2.12) and one receiver (3, 13), a detector with which the presence of a user, having provided an electronic analysis system with which a selective evaluation of intensity of the detection signal generated by the detection device is performed, where from a certain level of intensity the command switches, in programmable mode or reserved mode , from the normal mode to the operating mode in which the water flow is controlled according to the user, characterized in that the control is equipped with a timer which, with the determined intensity level, places the command after a time t from normal mode to switching mode or reserved mode, the required intensity level being determined so that it is reached by an object introduced in the approach area (6, 16) of the detector device (1, 10), How can the user's hand be? 2. Water faucet control according to claim 1, characterized in that the timer resets, with a certain intensity level after a time t, the control from the switching mode or reserved mode to the normal mode or operating mode. 3. Water faucet control according to claim 1, characterized in that the control automatically switches to normal mode or operating mode after a time of approximately 10 seconds to 30 seconds, preferably 20 seconds, during which no object is detected in the approach area (1, 16). 4. Water faucet control according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the time t is approximately 2 seconds to 20 seconds, preferably 10 seconds, an indicating device indicating the connected reserved mode being provided on the control with a light signal and / or an acoustic signal. 5. Water faucet control according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control has different time windows in which different functions can be selected by generating the determined intensity level. 6. Water faucet control according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control offers the user in the reserved mode a possibility of selecting several functions by means of the corresponding signaling by means of light and / or acoustic signals, which can be Repeat regularly at short intervals, functions that can be selected during the indication signal by generating the determined intensity level. 7. Water faucet control according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the approach area (6, 16) is approximately 5 cm to 10 cm to the detection device (1, 10).