JP2003166267A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet provided with a function of usual automatic faucet when a water discharging member is attached, and such a function that water is automatically discharged and stopped by not only manual operation but also access and separation of the water discharging member to/from a material when the water discharging member is separated from a holding member. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic faucet is provided with a water discharging member 3 to which a warm water supply hose 2 is connected, a holding member 4 detachably holding the water discharging member 3, an electromagnetic valve 8 disposed to a water supply pipe 6 and a hot water supply pipe 7 connected to the warm water supply hose 2 through a hot water and water mixing appliance 5, a proximity sensor 9 equipped in the water discharge member 3 to transmit an on/off signal based on detection of access/separation of a material, and a manual switch 10 provided in the water discharging member 3 to manually transmit an on/off signal. Attaching/ detaching operation of the water discharging member 3 to the holding member 4 is detected by an attach/detach discrimination switch 11. A detection range control means narrowing and restoring detective zone of the proximity sensor, or the like is installed in a centralized control apparatus 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic faucet which automatically discharges water when a hand or the like is brought close to a water spouting member, wherein the water spouting member is detachable from a holding member together with an extension hose, a so-called pull-out type. Regarding automatic faucets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Automatic faucets with the function of automatically discharging and stopping water by moving a hand or the like close to or away from a water discharge member are known as toilets in office buildings, hotels, railway stations and public facilities. It is widely used mainly in washrooms. Although various improvements have been made to such an automatic faucet, in recent years, by grasping the water discharge member by hand and pulling it in the axial direction, it is possible to remove the water discharge member together with the water supply hose from the holding member, so-called. A pull-out type automatic faucet has been developed, and is disclosed in JP-A-4-73333 and JP-A-5-
No. 171665 is disclosed.

In the automatic faucet disclosed in the above publication, when the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, water discharge and water stop are automatically performed based on the detection signal of the sensor, and manual operation is performed. Water discharge and water stop can also be performed by operating the switch, and when the water discharge member is removed from the holding member, water discharge can be performed only by operating the manual operation switch.
It has the function of stopping water. If you install such an automatic faucet as a hair wash vanity or shower facility for the bathroom,
The water discharge member can be brought close to the object to be washed, such as the hair, the face, or the bath to discharge water.

[0004]

In the automatic faucet disclosed in the above publication, when the water discharge member is used by removing it from the holding member, water discharge and water stop are performed unless the manual operation switch is operated. Since it does not exist, it is inconvenient and inconvenient for the user. In particular, when using to repeat water discharge and water stop many times with the water discharge member pulled out,
It is troublesome because the operation of the manual switch must be repeated each time. Further, the repetition of such a manual operation is a considerable burden for an old person, a child, or the like whose fingertips cannot be moved.

The present invention exerts the function of an ordinary automatic faucet when the water discharge member is mounted, and is automatically operated by manually operating or by moving the water discharge member toward or away from the object when the water discharge member is separated from the holding member. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic faucet having a function of discharging water and stopping water.

[0006]

An automatic faucet of the present invention is connected to a water discharge member to which a hot water supply hose is connected, a holding member which detachably holds the water discharge member, and a hot water supply hose. An on-off valve, an approach sensor provided on the water discharge member for sending an open / close signal to the open / close valve upon detecting approach / separation of an object, and the water discharge for sending an open / close signal to the open / close valve by a manual operation. An automatic faucet provided with a manual switch provided on a member, the detection area control means for changing and restoring the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to detachment and attachment operation of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member. It is characterized by being provided. Here, changing the detection area of the proximity sensor means reducing, enlarging, or moving the detection area, but the detection area of the proximity sensor is zero, that is, the detection function of the proximity sensor is It does not include stopping.

With such a structure, when the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, the proximity sensor automatically detects the approach and separation of an object with respect to the water discharge member, and automatically opens and closes the open / close valve. Since water spouting and water stoppage are performed and water spouting and water stoppage can be performed by manually operating the manual switch, the function as a normal automatic faucet is exhibited. Also,
When the water discharge member is detached from the holding member, the detection area control means detects it and changes the detection area of the proximity sensor, but the proximity detection function is maintained and the water discharge member is moved closer to or away from the object. Not only water is automatically discharged and water is stopped, but also water can be discharged and stopped by operating a manual switch, so that the water discharging member can be conveniently used when detached, which is convenient.

Further, the detection area of the proximity sensor changes in accordance with the detachment of the water discharge member from the holding member and the mounting operation.
Since it is restored, the water discharge member in the separated state approaches the object,
When separated, it will be possible to obtain water spouting and water stop action in the approach distance and approach direction different from when the water spout member is attached,
When the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, the detection area is automatically restored, which improves convenience. Whether the detection area of the proximity sensor is reduced, expanded, or moved when the water discharge member is detached from the holding member is determined according to the installation location and usage of the automatic faucet. It is possible to preset the means, and since the setting can be changed after that, it is possible to appropriately respond to a change in the usage situation.

Here, the detection area control means is provided with a function of reducing or restoring the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to detachment of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member and mounting operation, so that the detection area control means is detached from the holding member. The water-discharging member in the activated state will not discharge water unless it is brought closer to the object than when it is worn, so it is possible to intensively discharge water toward only the object, and when moving the water-discharging member. It also prevents accidental water discharge, further improving usability. When the detached water discharge member is attached to the holding member as before, the detection area of the proximity sensor is restored to the original state, so that the function as a normal automatic water faucet is maintained. The reduction detection area of the proximity sensor in the state where the water discharge member is detached can be set in advance in the detection area control means, and this set value can be changed thereafter, so that it is suitable for use conditions. Settings can be made.

As a concrete method for reducing the detection area of the proximity sensor by the detection area control means, for example, an infrared ray emitting section for emitting infrared ray and an infrared ray emitted from the infrared ray emitting section and reflected by hitting an object are received. In the case of an infrared proximity sensor that includes an infrared light receiving unit, and outputs an opening / closing signal when the amount of received infrared light received by the infrared light receiving unit exceeds or falls below a certain value (hereinafter referred to as “threshold”), It is preferable to increase the threshold value of the light receiving section to weaken the light receiving sensitivity or reduce the light projection amount of the infrared light emitting section.

Further, it is desirable to provide a priority control means for giving priority to an opening / closing signal from either the manual switch or the proximity sensor when the water discharge member is separated from the holding member. By providing the priority control means that gives priority to the opening / closing signal from the manual switch, it is possible to perform the water discharge and the water stop as the user intends by operating the manual switch without confirming whether the sensor is sensing or not sensing. Therefore, by providing a priority control means that gives priority to the opening / closing signal from the proximity sensor, the sensing function of the sensor is used without confirming the water discharge or water stop by the manual switch, and the water discharge or stop is also performed as intended by the user. It becomes possible to water.

When the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, it is preferable to give priority to the signal of the proximity sensor or the manual switch which has issued the opening signal first. Thus, after the water discharge is started by the signal from the proximity sensor or the manual switch, the water can be continuously discharged without being interrupted by the signal from the other proximity sensor or the manual switch.

Further, by providing an automatic water stop means for automatically closing the opening / closing valve when continuous water discharge from the water discharge member which is in a state of being separated from the holding member exceeds a certain time, the water discharge member is separated from the holding member. If the water spouting member is left in the presence of an object in the detection area of the proximity sensor, such as when the water spouting member is left on the washbasin or the bathroom floor, water will continue to be discharged. It is possible to prevent the surrounding area from being flooded and tap water from being wasted. The fixed time period can be set in advance, and then can be shortened or extended depending on the usage conditions.

In this case, the automatic water stopping means is provided with a reset function for restarting the measurement of the fixed time when an object is approached or separated from the proximity sensor or the manual switch is operated within the fixed time. Is desirable. Here, the restart means restarting the measurement of the fixed time from 0. With this, when it is desired to continuously discharge water for a long time with the water discharging member detached, a manual switch is operated during water discharging, or the water discharging member is brought close to an object,
If they are separated from each other, the reset function restarts the measurement of the fixed time from the beginning, so that it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that water discharge is interrupted during cleaning.

[0015]

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an arrow A in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block control diagram of the automatic faucet shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which a water discharge member of the automatic faucet shown in FIG. 1 is detached.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment is also called a pull-out type automatic faucet, in which a flexible hot and cold water supply hose 2 is connected to a base end portion to supply hot and cold water. A water discharge member 3 having a water discharge port 3a for discharging hot water supplied through the hose 2, a holding member 4 for detachably holding the water discharge member 3, and a hot and cold water supply hose 2 including a hot and cold water mixing device 5. Water supply pipe 6 and hot water supply pipe 7 connected via
And the electromagnetic open / close valves 8 and the like arranged in the water supply pipe 6 and the hot water supply pipe 7, respectively, and the proximal ends of the water supply pipe 6 and the hot water supply pipe 7 are respectively connected to the water pipe C and the hot water supply pipe via the electromagnetic open / close valve 8. Piped to H.

As will be described later, when the electromagnetic on-off valve 8 is opened, the hot water and water supplied from the water pipe C and the hot water supply pipe H flow into the hot and cold water mixing device 5, where they are mixed with each other and at an appropriate temperature. The hot water thus discharged is discharged from the water discharge port 3a via the hot water supply hose 2 and the water discharge member 3.

Further, the water discharge member 3 has an approach sensor 9 for detecting the approach and separation of an object with respect to the water discharge port 3a and sending an opening / closing signal to the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8 by manual operation.
A manual switch 10 for sending an open / close signal is provided to the holding member 4, and the holding member 4 is provided with an attachment / detachment identification switch 11 for identifying the detachment / attachment state of the water discharge member 3 with respect to the holding member 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the proximity sensor 9,
The manual switch 10, the attachment / detachment identification switch 11, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8 are all electrically connected to the integrated control device 12. The proximity sensor 9 includes a light emitting unit 9a that emits infrared rays when power is supplied from the integrated control device 12, and the light emitting unit 9a.
It is composed of a light receiving portion 9b which receives the infrared rays emitted from the object and reflected by the object.

When the water discharge member 3 is attached to the holding member 4, the proximity sensor 9 sends a signal according to the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving section 9b to the general control device 12.
As shown in FIG. 5, the amount of infrared light received by the light-receiving unit 9b exceeds a preset constant value (threshold value) by extending the hand to the spout 3a at time t1, or the released hand is retracted at time t2. As a result, when the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving unit 9b falls below a threshold value, the signal sent to the integrated control device 12 changes, so that the integrated control device 12 sends an open signal to the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8 and closes it based on the signal change. A signal is sent to open / close the electromagnetic on-off valve 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the general control device 12 switches the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 from a normal wide state to a narrow state in response to the detachment and mounting operation of the water discharge member 3 with respect to the holding member 4. Alternatively, a detection area control means having a function of restoring from a narrow state to a wide state is provided. In the present embodiment, when the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, the light receiving sensitivity is weakened by increasing the threshold value of the light receiving portion 9b of the proximity sensor 9 to the threshold value X as shown in FIG. A method of reducing the detection area of the sensor 9 is adopted. That is, the detection area is reduced and restored by increasing and returning the threshold value of the light receiving portion 9b of the proximity sensor 9 in response to the detachment of the water discharge member 3 from the holding member 4 and the mounting operation.

Therefore, when the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, the threshold value of the light receiving portion 9b rises to the threshold value X as shown in FIG. 7, so that the object approaches the water discharge port 3a at the time t3 and receives infrared rays. Spout 3a even if the volume increases to R1
When the object further approaches the water outlet 3a and the infrared ray reception amount increases to R2 and exceeds the threshold X, water is discharged from the water outlet 3a.

Incidentally, the detection area control means for switching the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 from the normal wide state to the narrow state in response to the detachment of the water discharge member 3 from the holding member 4 and the mounting operation is not limited to this. In addition to the above-described method, a method of reducing or restoring the detection area by reducing or returning the infrared light projection amount of the light emitting unit 9a in response to the detachment of the water discharge member 3 from the holding member 4 or the mounting operation is also adopted. It is possible.

In the case of this method, the threshold value is not changed and remains unchanged, but when the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, the infrared projection amount of the light emitting portion 9a decreases, and as a result, as shown in FIG. Since the amount of light received by the portion 9b also decreases to R3, even if the object approaches the water outlet 3a at time t4 and the amount of infrared light received increases to R4, water is not discharged from the water outlet 3a, and the object is further discharged. When approaching the water outlet 3a and increasing the infrared ray reception amount to R5 and exceeding the threshold value, water is ejected from the water outlet 3a.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the water discharge member 3 is attached to the holding member 4, it is recognized that the detachment / attachment identification switch 11 is in the attached state, and the integrated control device 12 detects the detection area of the proximity sensor 9. Is kept in a so-called wearing mode (wide state), when the hand or the like is brought close to the water discharge port 3a of the water discharge member 3, the proximity sensor 9 detects it and the general control unit 1
2, an electromagnetic open / close valve 8 is opened based on this signal, and hot and cold water having a temperature set by the hot and cold water mixing device 5 is discharged from the water discharge port 3a.

When the hand or the like near the spout 3a is moved away, the proximity sensor 9 detects it and the integrated control device 1
A closing signal is sent to 2, the two electromagnetic on-off valves 8 are closed based on this signal, and the water discharge from the water discharge port 3a is stopped.
When the water discharge member 3 is attached to the holding member 4,
It is also possible to perform water discharge and water stop by operating the manual switch 10. Such water discharge and water stop operations are the same as those of a normal automatic faucet.

In the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment, when the water discharge member 3 is attached to the holding member 4, whichever of the proximity sensor 9 and the manual switch 10 has issued a signal first. The integrated control device 12 is provided with the advance priority control means that prioritizes the opening / closing signal from the above and does not accept the opening / closing signal of the one who issued the signal later. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the proximity sensor 9 (or the manual switch 10)
When the water discharge is started by the signal from, the water discharge is not stopped by the signal even if a signal is subsequently issued by the manual switch 10 (or the proximity sensor 9), and the proximity sensor 9 that first issued the signal The effect is obtained that (or the manual switch 10) continuously discharges water until the next signal is emitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, the detachment / attachment identification switch 11 recognizes it and sends a signal to the overall control device 12, so that the overall control device 12 approaches. The detection area of the sensor 9 is reduced to change to a so-called separation mode (narrow state). As a result, the water discharging member 3 in the state of being detached from the holding member 4 will not discharge water unless it is brought closer to the object than in the wearing mode, so that only the target object in a relatively narrow area such as the hair part. Since it is possible to intensively discharge water toward and to prevent accidental water discharge when the water discharge member 3 is moved to the use position, it is convenient and convenient.

Further, since the water discharge and the water stop are automatically performed only by bringing the water discharge member 3 close to and away from the object, the physical burden in the case where the water discharge and the water stop are repeated many times is reduced. Not only can it be performed, but it can be easily used by an elderly person, a child, or a physically handicapped person who is not good at operating the manual switch 10.

Further, the separated water discharge member 3 is held by the holding member 4.
If it is attached to the general control unit 1 again, the detachment identification switch 11 detects it and sends a signal to the general control unit 12.
The signal from 2 restores the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 to the original state, so that the function as a normal automatic faucet is restored.
The narrow state detection area of the proximity sensor 9 in the state where the water discharge member 3 is detached can be set in advance in the detection area control means in the overall control device 12, and this set value can be changed thereafter. Therefore, the setting suitable for the use condition can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the water discharge member 3 is separated from the holding member 4, the integrated control device 12 is provided with a priority control means capable of switching the opening / closing signal from the manual switch 10 to give priority. ing. Therefore, when the water discharge member 3 is disengaged from the holding member 4 in the state where the manual switch 10 is switched to priority, as shown in FIG. 10, water discharge and water stop are also performed by the open / close signal from the proximity sensor 9, but manually. When the switch 10 issues an open / close signal, even if the proximity sensor 9 issues an open / close signal later, this is ignored.

With such priority control means, it is possible to perform water discharge and water stop as intended by the user simply by operating the manual switch 10 without confirming whether the proximity sensor 9 detects or does not detect. The effect is obtained. It is also possible to set the opening / closing signal from the proximity sensor 9 to be prioritized by switching the priority control means in the integrated control device 12.

Further, in the present embodiment, the integrated control device is an automatic water stop means for automatically closing the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8 when the continuous water discharge from the water discharge member 3 which is in a state of being separated from the holding member 4 exceeds a certain time. It is provided in 12. Further, within the fixed time, the proximity sensor 9 within the detection area of the proximity sensor 9
The automatic water stop means is provided with a reset function for restarting the measurement for the predetermined time when an object approaches or separates from the object or when the manual switch 10 is operated.

Therefore, water is discharged while the object is present in the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 such as leaving the water discharging member 3 that is discharging water in a state of being separated from the holding member 4 on the wash basin or the bathroom floor. When the water discharge member 3 of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, if there is a signal from the manual switch 10 during the water discharge, the reset function is activated, and the water discharge is continued until a certain time elapses from this point.
When the object is separated from the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 by lifting the, the water discharge is stopped. On the other hand, after starting water discharge,
When the state where the manual switch 10 is not operated exceeds a certain time, the automatic water stop means determines that it is an abnormal situation and automatically stops the water discharge.

Further, similarly to the above, when the water discharge member 3 in the water discharge is left with the object existing in the detection area of the proximity sensor 9, as shown in FIG. 12, the water discharge member 3 is moved during the water discharge. Then, if an object is moved toward or away from the proximity sensor 9 within the detection area of the proximity sensor 9, the total control device 12 changes the infrared light reception amount of the light receiving portion 9b (changes in the area exceeding the threshold value). Detects and activates the reset function,
The water discharge is continued until a certain time has elapsed from this point, but thereafter, if the object is separated from the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 by lifting the water discharge member 3 or the like, the water discharge is stopped. On the other hand, after the start of water discharge, if the object does not approach or separate from the proximity sensor 9 within the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 and there is no change in the amount of infrared rays received by the light receiving section 9b, the automatic water stop means becomes abnormal. It judges that it is a situation and automatically stops the water discharge.

That is, after the approach sensor 9 of the water discharge member 3 which is in the detached state from the holding member 4 detects the approaching object and the water discharge is started, the manual switch 1 is operated within the predetermined time.
When 0 is not operated, or when there is no approach or separation of an object from the proximity sensor 9 in the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 within the fixed time, it is judged as an abnormal situation in any case and the water is automatically stopped. It

By providing such an automatic water-stopping means, the water-discharging member left in a water-discharging state on the washbasin, bathroom floor, etc. due to the user's forgetting or the like continues to spout water and the surroundings are flooded, It is possible to prevent tap water from being wasted. The fixed time can be set in advance by adjusting the automatic water stop means in the integrated control device 12, and then the fixed time can be shortened or extended depending on the usage conditions.

Further, since the automatic water stop means operates the reset function when the object approaches or separates from the proximity sensor 9 or the operation of the manual switch 10 is performed within the fixed time, the water discharge member 3 is turned on. When it is desired to continuously discharge water for a long time in the separated state, if the manual switch 10 is operated during water discharge, or the water discharge member 3 is moved closer to or farther from the target within the range of the detection area, It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that water discharge is interrupted during a time-consuming cleaning operation.

As described above, in the automatic faucet 1, when the water discharge member 3 is attached to the holding member 4, the proximity sensor 9 detects the approach and separation of an object with respect to the water discharge member 3 and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 8 is detected. Water is automatically discharged by opening and closing the
Since water is stopped and water can be discharged and stopped by manually operating the manual switch 10, it functions as a normal automatic water faucet. When the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, the detachment / attachment identification switch 11 detects it and reduces the detection area of the proximity sensor 9.
The proximity detection function of the proximity sensor 9 is maintained, and not only the water discharge member 3 can be automatically discharged and stopped by moving the water discharge member 3 closer to and away from the object, but also the water discharge and water stop can be performed by operating the manual switch 10. The convenience of the water discharge member 3 at the time of separation is good and convenient.

It should be noted that when the water discharge member 3 is detached from the holding member 4, it depends on whether the detection area of the proximity sensor 9 is reduced, enlarged, or moved.
Can be set in advance in the detection area control means in the general control device 12 according to the installation location and usage of the device, and the setting can be changed thereafter, so that it can be accurately changed even when the usage situation changes. Can respond.

[0040]

The present invention has the following effects.

(1) A water discharge member to which a hot and cold water supply hose is connected, and a holding member which holds the water discharge member detachably.
An on-off valve connected to the hot and cold water supply hose, an approach sensor provided on the water discharge member to detect an approach and separation of an object and send an open / close signal to the on-off valve, and the on-off valve by manual operation. An automatic faucet equipped with a manual switch provided on the water discharge member for sending an opening / closing signal changes or restores the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to detachment of the water discharge member from the holding member or mounting operation. By providing the detection area control means, when the water spouting member is attached, the function of a normal automatic faucet is exerted, and the water spouting member which is detached from the holding member is automatically spouted and stopped even when it approaches or separates from the object. Since water is supplied, it is convenient and convenient.

(2) The detection area control means is provided with a function of reducing or restoring the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to the detachment of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member and the mounting operation, so that the detection area control means is detached from the holding member. The water-discharging member in the activated state will not discharge water unless it is brought closer to the object than when it is worn, so it is possible to intensively discharge water toward only the object, and when moving the water-discharging member. It also prevents accidental water discharge, further improving usability.

(3) When the water discharge member is separated from the holding member, by providing priority control means for giving priority to the opening / closing signal from the manual switch, it is possible to confirm whether the sensor is detected or not. By operating the manual switch, it is possible to discharge and stop the water as intended by the user, and by providing priority control means that gives priority to the open / close signal from the proximity sensor, there is no need to confirm the water discharge or water stop by the manual switch. In addition, it is possible to discharge and stop water as intended by the user by sensing the sensor.

(4) Detection of the proximity sensor by providing an automatic water stop means for automatically closing the opening / closing valve when continuous water discharge from the water discharge member which is in a state of being separated from the holding member exceeds a certain time. It is possible to prevent the surroundings from being flooded and the tap water from being wasted when the water discharge member that is discharging water is left in a state where an object is present in the area.

(5) The automatic water stopping means is provided with a reset function for restarting the measurement of the fixed time when an object is approached or separated from the proximity sensor or the manual switch is operated within the fixed time. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of interrupting the water discharge when it is desired to continuously discharge the water for a long time with the water discharge member detached.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view on arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the automatic faucet shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a state in which the water discharge member is detached from the automatic faucet shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a change in the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving unit and a threshold value.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a relationship between a detached state of the water discharge member and a change in a detection area of the proximity sensor.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the change in the amount of infrared light received by the light receiving unit and the threshold value when the water discharge member is removed.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between a change in the infrared light receiving amount of the light receiving unit and a threshold value when the infrared light emitting amount of the light emitting unit is reduced.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing water discharging and water stopping operations in a state where the water discharging member is attached to the holding member.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a water discharge and water stop operation in a state where the water discharge member is separated from the holding member.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a function of the automatic water stop means in a state where the water discharge member is separated from the holding member.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a function of the automatic water stop means in a state where the water discharge member is separated from the holding member.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Automatic faucet 2 Hot and cold water supply hose 3 Water discharge member 3a spout 4 holding member 5 Hot and cold water mixing equipment 6 water pipe 7 Hot water supply pipe 8 solenoid valve 9 Proximity sensor 10 Manual switch 11 Detachment identification switch 12 Integrated control device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A water discharge member to which a hot water supply hose is connected, a holding member which detachably holds the water discharge member, an opening / closing valve connected to the hot water supply hose, and an approach of an object,
An approach sensor provided on the water discharge member for detecting a separation and sending an open / close signal to the open / close valve, and a manual switch provided on the water discharge member for sending an open / close signal to the open / close valve by a manual operation. An automatic water faucet provided with a detection area control means for changing and restoring the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to detachment and mounting operation of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member. plug. 2. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the detection area control means has a function of reducing or restoring the detection area of the proximity sensor in response to detachment and mounting operation of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member. . 3. The priority control means according to claim 1, further comprising a priority control means for giving priority to an opening / closing signal from either the manual switch or the proximity sensor when the water discharge member is separated from the holding member. Automatic faucet. 4. An automatic water shutoff means for automatically closing the on-off valve when continuous water spouting from the water spouting member in a state of being separated from the holding member exceeds a certain time.
The automatic faucet according to any one of 3 above. 5. The automatic water stopping means is provided with a reset function for restarting the measurement of the fixed time when an object is approached or separated from the proximity sensor or the manual switch is operated within the fixed time. The automatic faucet according to claim 4.