JP2003056027A - Faucet temperature indication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a faucet temperature indication device capable of indicating a discharging state of a water temperature dangerous for a user. SOLUTION: For a faucet by mixing hot water with cold water to make it a proper temperature, the faucet temperature indication device is constituted by having a water temperature detecting section 11 provided to a downstream side after the hot water and the cold water has been mixed with each other, a control section 12 converting the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting section 11 into a temperature indication signal, a water temperature indicating section 14 capable of indicating a color corresponding to the water temperature by using a mixed light of an LED having two or more kinds of colors by the signal from the control section and an electric power source section 13 for operating the water temperature indicating section or the like, and when a value detected by the water temperature detecting section 11 indicates the water temperature beyond the scope capable of being actually used, the luminescence at the water temperature indicating section 14 is controlled so as to turn it ON/OFF.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a faucet temperature display device capable of displaying the temperature of water discharged from a faucet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been a device in which the water temperature desired to be used in the bathroom can be visually recognized. In Japanese Patent No. 2847404, the water temperature measured by the water heater is used for the water heater in the bathroom. A configuration has been proposed in which a remote control is used to display the light of an LED. However, the patent 28474
In the example of No. 04, there is a problem that only the water temperature of 36 ° C. to 60 ° C. is displayed, and the dangerous water temperature cannot be displayed. Further, in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3001405 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-275110, it is proposed to provide a temperature notification device in the vicinity of a shower head or a water outlet, but the temperature indicator is only turned on or off. It was impossible to express a dangerous water temperature condition. Further, in any of the conventional cases, no measures have been taken to prevent an erroneous display when the water temperature detection unit becomes defective.

[0003]

The present invention has been devised in view of the above problems of the prior art. When the water temperature is unusable, the user can be alerted and the water temperature detection can be performed. The purpose of the invention is not to provide a temperature display device for a faucet that can notify the occurrence of a defect in a part.
In a faucet that mixes hot water and water to an appropriate temperature, a water temperature detection unit provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and water, and a control unit that converts the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit into a temperature expression signal And a water temperature display unit capable of expressing a color corresponding to the water temperature by using mixed light of LEDs of two or more kinds of colors by a signal from the control unit, and operating the water temperature display unit, the water temperature detection unit, and the control unit. When configured with a power supply unit, when the water temperature detection value in the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature outside the range that can actually be used,
The control is made so that the light emission in the water temperature display section is made to blink. The second gist is that, when the water temperature detector detects a water temperature that may cause burns, the water temperature indicator flashes the light emission in a warm color. Also, the third
The point of is that, when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature that may cause freezing, the light emission of the water temperature display unit blinks in a cold color. Further, a fourth gist is, in a faucet that mixes hot water and water to obtain an appropriate temperature, a water temperature detection unit provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and water, and a water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit. A control unit for converting into a temperature expression signal, a water temperature display unit capable of expressing a color corresponding to the water temperature by using a mixed light of two or more kinds of LEDs by a signal from the control unit, the water temperature display unit and the water temperature By including a power supply unit for operating the detection unit and the control unit, and when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature that cannot be measured, the water temperature display unit is controlled to display a defective state. is there.

[0004]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the inside of a bathroom. A bathtub 2 is provided in the bathroom 1, a bathroom window is formed above the bathtub 2, and a washbasin is placed on the wall surface on the side of the washroom 3. A shelf that can be opened is provided, and the faucet device 4 is installed above it. An illuminator R is provided on the ceiling side to illuminate the inside of the bathroom.

FIG. 2 is a schematic piping configuration diagram of the faucet device 4, and in the faucet of this example, a hot and cold water mixing section 5 for mixing hot water with water.
From the water temperature adjusting unit 6 (which also serves as the shower / water outlet switching unit 7) for adjusting the water amount to the water temperature detecting unit 1
1 is provided, and the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit 11 is transmitted to the control unit 12 by a signal, and the control unit 12 performs control for converting the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit 11 into a temperature expression signal,
A signal is sent to the water temperature display unit 14 composed of LEDs, and a color corresponding to the water temperature can be expressed by using mixed light of two or more kinds of LEDs in the water temperature display unit 14. A power supply unit 13 is connected to the control unit 12, and the water temperature detection unit 11 and the water temperature display unit 14 are also configured to operate by the power from the power supply unit 13.

The water temperature detection unit 11 can be constructed by providing a temperature sensor (thermistor) on the outer circumference of a pipe through which the mixed water mixed in the hot water mixing unit 5 is passed. Further, the water temperature indicator 14 can be configured, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, and the case 18 can emit a red first LED 19 capable of emitting red light and a green light. The green second LED 20 and the blue third LED 21 capable of emitting blue light are arranged, and these three L
A transparent or semi-transparent translucent portion 23 can be provided in front of the EDs 19, 20, 21 with a light mixing space 22 interposed therebetween.

With respect to the water temperature display portion 14 having such a structure,
From the control unit 12, as shown in FIG.
A control signal for causing the 9, 20, and 21 to emit light in pulses is sent, the emission pulse width of each of the LEDs 19, 20, and 21 is controlled, and from the translucent portion 23, as the water temperature rises, the light gradually changes from blue light. Yellow light is emitted to the water, and when the water temperature further rises, it is controlled so that the yellow light gradually emits red light.

In FIG. 4, until the point P1 at which the hot water mixed in the hot / water mixing section 5 reaches 30 ° C., the control section 12 turns on the blue third LED 21 by the signal from the water temperature detection section 11 and turns on the red color. The first LED 19 and the green second LED 20 are controlled to be in the OFF state. Therefore, blue light is emitted from the translucent portion 23, and the low water temperature is displayed. Up to the point P2 at which the hot water mixed in the hot / water mixing unit 5 reaches 35 ° C., the control unit 12 is based on the signal from the water temperature detection unit 11.
Then, the blue third LED as the water temperature rises from point P1
The pulse width for lighting 21 is gradually shortened, and conversely,
The pulse width of the red first LED 19 and the green second LED 20 to be lit is controlled to be gradually widened, whereby the blue light is gradually weakened, and the green and red lights are strengthened,
At P2 point of 35 ° C., the blue third LED 21 is turned off, and the red first LED 19 and the green second LED 2 are turned on.
The yellow light in which 0 is mixed is emitted from the light transmitting portion 23. In this case, since the light mixing space 22 is formed, the light is well mixed in the space 22 to become a good yellow light, and the light is emitted from the light transmitting portion 23 to the outside. Become.

During the period from the point P2 to the point P3 at which the water temperature rises to 40 ° C., the blue third LED 21 becomes O.
The FF state is maintained, the red first LED 19 is maintained in the ON state, and the light emission pulse width of the green second LED 20 is controlled, whereby the light gradually changes from yellow to red, and at the point P3, the green second LED 20 is changed. Is also turned off, and the red light emitted only from the first LED 19 is emitted to the outside from the light transmitting portion 23. Therefore, the user who visually recognizes the red light can recognize that hot water of 40 ° C. is discharged from the water discharge port 10.

In this example, the water temperature detection unit 11 is provided at a position immediately after the hot and cold water mixing unit 5, and the water temperature is detected at a position immediately after the hot and cold water is mixed.
The water temperature display unit 14 can display a water temperature display very close to the water temperature actually discharged from 0.

The temperature of the water discharged from the water discharge port 10 is 40.degree.
The water temperature is displayed by the red light emitted from the first LED 19 during 45 ° C, but the discharged water temperature is P4 at 45 ° C.
If the water temperature is higher than that, there is a risk of burns if water is directly sprayed on the hands, etc. Therefore, at 45 ° C or higher at the P4 point, the light emission pulse of the first LED 19 is controlled to cause red flashing light emission. It is controlled so that the user can be alerted by flashing red light. In addition, especially in a faucet of the type that manually mixes water and hot water, high-temperature water of 45 ° C or higher may be discharged, so be especially careful with such a faucet by blinking red light. It will be something that can be encouraged.

In this example, since the red flashing light emission starts when the water discharge temperature reaches 45 ° C., when the red flashing light emission starts, the water temperature 45 from the water outlet 10 is reached.
Since the water is discharged at ℃, it is possible to adjust the position of the handle of the faucet on site so that the faucet bracket shows a temperature display of 45 ° C when the red flashing starts. Water temperature adjustment is also easy.

While the discharge water temperature is between 45 ° C. and 100 ° C., flashing red light is emitted, but at the P5 point or higher above 100 ° C., all of the red first LED 19, green second LED 20, and blue third LED 21 are turned on. It is configured to flash at the same time so that white light, which is a mixture of blue, green, and red lights, flashes and emits light. After blinking white light for 10 seconds, all LEDs are turned off. It is configured to control. That is, there is no discharge of water at P5 point of 100 ° C. or higher, and this state is an abnormality of the thermistor that constitutes the water temperature detection unit 11, and it is assumed that the thermistor has a short circuit failure. , The water temperature detector 11 for the user
It informs that there is a problem in.

On the contrary, when the temperature of the water discharged from the water discharge port 10 becomes 5 ° C. (point P) or less, there is a fear of freezing. Therefore, in order to call attention to the freezing, the temperature should be 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. The blue third LED 21 is controlled to blink with respect to the spouted water, and the blue blinking light is configured to notify the necessity of drainage work for preventing freezing.

Further, when the discharge water temperature of 0 ° C. or lower is detected at the point P0, it is assumed that the thermistor constituting the water temperature detection unit 11 is abnormal, that is, the thermistor has an open defect, and the first LED 19, the second LED 20, Third LED2
Flashing 1 at the same time, flashing white light for 10 seconds,
It is controlled so that the user is notified of the occurrence of a malfunction of the thermistor and then all the LEDs are turned off.

[0016]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, in a faucet that mixes hot water and water to an appropriate temperature, the water temperature detecting section provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting section A control unit for converting the temperature expression signal, a water temperature display unit capable of expressing a color corresponding to the water temperature by using a mixed light of two or more kinds of LEDs by a signal from the control unit, a water temperature display unit and a water temperature detection unit, By configuring with a power supply that operates the control unit, by controlling the light emission on the water temperature display to blink when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature outside the range that can actually be used. When the water temperature is normally usable, only the light is turned on, but when the water temperature is not usable, the user can be alerted by blinking the light.

Further, when the water temperature detecting section detects a water temperature which may cause burns, the light emission of the water temperature display section is made to blink in a warm color. Therefore, for example, in the case of a water temperature of 45 ° C. or higher, a red color is emitted. By blinking the light emission, it is possible to prevent burns due to high-temperature water, and it is possible to utilize the timing of blinking red when adjusting the temperature of the faucet on site.

Further, when the water temperature detecting portion detects a water temperature which may cause freezing, the light emission in the water temperature display portion is made to blink in a cold color, so that, for example, in the case of a water temperature of 5 ° C. or less, a blue light is emitted. By blinking the light emission, it is possible to notify the danger of damage to the faucet device due to freezing and the necessity of draining work.

In addition, in a faucet that mixes hot water and water to an appropriate temperature, a water temperature detection unit provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and water and the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit are used as temperature expression signals. Operates the control unit that converts, the water temperature display unit that can express the color corresponding to the water temperature by using the mixed light of the LEDs of two or more colors by the signal from the control unit, the water temperature display unit, the water temperature detection unit, and the control unit. Since it is configured to include a power supply unit that allows the water temperature detection unit to detect a water temperature that cannot be measured, the water temperature display unit is controlled to display a defective state.
By detecting a defect (short or open) of the temperature detecting element (thermistor) used in the water temperature detecting section, it is possible to prevent a problem in use due to an erroneous display. For example, when 0 ° C. or lower or 100 ° C. or higher, which is not possible at the water temperature, is detected, it is determined that the water temperature detection device is defective, and the water temperature display section blinks and then goes out. Can be notified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective configuration diagram of a bathroom.

FIG. 2 is a schematic piping configuration diagram of a water faucet.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing an example of a water temperature display unit.

FIG. 4 is a control configuration diagram when the control unit controls the light emission pulse width of the LED of the water temperature display unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 faucet device 5 Hot water mixing section 6 Water volume adjustment unit 7 Shower / spout switch 10 spout 11 Water temperature detector 12 Control unit 13 power supply 14 Water temperature display 19 First LED 20 Second LED 21 Third LED 22 Light mixing space 23 Translucent part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water faucet that mixes hot water and water to obtain an appropriate temperature, and a water temperature detection unit provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and water, and a water temperature detection signal indicating the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit. A water temperature display unit capable of expressing a color corresponding to a water temperature by using mixed light of LEDs of two or more kinds of colors with a signal from the control unit, a water temperature display unit and the water temperature detection unit, It is configured to include a power supply section for operating the control section, and controls to blink the light emission in the water temperature display section when the water temperature detection section detects a water temperature out of the actually usable range. A temperature display device for a faucet characterized by the above. 2. The water faucet according to claim 1, wherein when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature at which there is a risk of burns, the light emission at the water temperature display unit is made to blink in a warm color. Temperature display device. 3. The water faucet according to claim 1, wherein when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature that may cause freezing, the light emission in the water temperature display unit blinks in a cold color. Temperature display device. 4. A water faucet which mixes hot water and water to obtain an appropriate temperature, and a water temperature detection unit provided on the downstream side after mixing the hot water and water, and a water temperature detection signal indicating the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection unit. A water temperature display unit capable of expressing a color corresponding to a water temperature by using mixed light of LEDs of two or more kinds of colors with a signal from the control unit, a water temperature display unit and the water temperature detection unit, The control unit is configured to include a power supply unit for operating, and when the water temperature detection unit detects a water temperature that cannot be measured, the water temperature display unit is controlled to display a defective state. Temperature display device for faucets.