JP2003321856A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a usable automatic faucet which can be used unconsciously without anxiety and further, which is temperature-adjustable and flow rate adjustable. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic faucet is constituted of a water course for conveying water, a solenoid valve disposed in the middle of the water course to open/close the water course by an input of an electric signal, a controller for controlling the open/close motion of the solenoid valve, a sensor detecting approach of a delivery object and outputting an electric signal to the controller, a flow rate adjusting means arranged in the middle of the flow course, and a faucet body spouting a fluid. The flow rate adjusting means is provided with a cut-off preventive structure so as not to completely close the water course. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an automatic faucet used in public facilities, ordinary households and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an automatic faucet as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-30920. The automatic faucet disclosed in the above publication comprises a solenoid valve, a controller, a sensor, a faucet body having a manual operation lever capable of adjusting the temperature and flow rate of hot and cold water mixture, and an automatic / manual switch. With such a configuration, in the automatic mode, automatic water discharge by sensor detection is possible, and in the manual mode, the solenoid valve is kept open by the controller so that the flow path can be arbitrarily opened and closed by the manual operation. The amount and temperature of the mixed water can be adjusted.

[0003]

However, the automatic faucet disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-30920 has two major problems as described below. In the automatic mode in which the manual operation lever is set to the water stop position, there is a fatal defect in terms of usability that water is not discharged even when the sensor is sensed. Even though the automatic mode is set, water is not discharged even if the sensor senses it, and the user is confused. This is especially true for the elderly. Further, when the manual operation lever is set to the high temperature position, if the sensor is inadvertently sensed to discharge water, the hot water may spit unexpectedly and the user may be confused. Therefore, any of the malfunctions may give the user discomfort.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an automatic faucet with an adjustable flow rate which is easy to use and can be used without concern. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic water faucet that can be used without anxiety and can be used with peace of mind and that has excellent temperature control and flow rate control.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the invention, a flow path for conveying a fluid, an electromagnetic valve disposed in the middle of the flow path for opening and closing the flow path by inputting an electric signal, A controller for controlling the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve, a sensor for detecting the approach of a discharge target object and outputting an electric signal to the controller, a flow rate adjusting means arranged in the middle of the flow path, and a fluid discharge The automatic faucet is characterized in that the flow control means is provided with a water stop prevention mechanism for preventing the passage from being completely closed.

By adopting such a form, the user is free from the problem that water is not discharged even if the sensor detects it. In other words, if you put out your hand
Even if the amount of spouted water is very small, the user can easily notice that the spouting water flow rate is set to a low side and adjust the flow rate to the desired one, and the automatic faucet may be out of order. You can use the automatic faucet smoothly without any confusion.

In the second invention, the flow passage is a hot water supply passage for conveying hot water, a water supply passage for conveying water, and hot water and water supply from the hot water supply side passage. A flow path for mixed water that conveys mixed water in which water is mixed from the flow path on the side, and the flow rate adjusting means does not completely close the flow path for water supply. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, further comprising a water prevention mechanism.

With such a configuration, the water supply channel is always opened and the water is mixed, so that the water is discharged at an appropriate temperature, and unexpectedly high-temperature water is discharged and the user is confused. Never. Therefore, it is possible to use the automatic faucet without worrying about the temperature setting.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the flow rate adjusting means is operated by turning the manual lever, and the water stop prevention mechanism is composed of a projection portion for restricting the turning of the manual lever. The automatic faucet according to claim 1 or 2.

With such a configuration, the automatic faucet of the first and second inventions can be provided at low cost.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The automatic faucet of the present invention comprises: a flow path for carrying a fluid; an electromagnetic valve disposed in the middle of the flow path to open and close the flow path by inputting an electric signal; A controller for controlling the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve, a sensor for detecting the approach of a discharge target object and outputting an electric signal to the controller, a flow rate adjusting means arranged in the middle of the flow path, and a fluid discharge And a water stop preventing mechanism for preventing the flow passage from being completely closed. Further, in an automatic faucet provided with a hot water temperature adjusting means, the flow passage includes a hot water supply passage for conveying hot water, a water supply passage for conveying water, and a hot water supply side passage. And a flow path for mixed water that conveys mixed water in which water is mixed from the flow path on the water supply side and the hot water from the flow path, and the flow rate adjusting means completely closes the flow path for water supply. It is equipped with a water stop prevention mechanism to prevent it.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. An example will be described in which the flow rate adjusting means is a valve provided in the temperature / flow control valve body or the flow control valve body to control the flow rate of discharged water. Figure 1
It is a block diagram which shows the automatic water faucet which is embodiment. Figure 2
FIG. 6 is a behavior diagram of a temperature control / flow control valve main body and a manual lever that do not have a water stop function in the first embodiment. Figure 3
FIG. 7 is a behavior diagram of the rotation regulating means for the temperature adjustment rotation angle in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic faucet of the present embodiment has a hot water supply pipe 11 for conveying hot water and a water supply pipe 12 for conveying water, which are connected to the hot water supply port 9 and the water supply port 10, respectively.
From the temperature control / flow control valve main body 3 with a manual lever 2 connected to the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 to mix hot water and water and adjust the temperature and flow rate. Mixing water pipe 13 for conveying mixed water to the faucet body 1
And a faucet body 1 connected to the mixed water pipe 13 and having a water discharge port 4 at the tip, forms a flow path. The hot water supply passage is formed from at least the hot water supply pipe 11 and part of the temperature control / flow control valve body 3, and the water supply flow passage is at least one of the water supply pipe 12 and the temperature control / flow control valve body 3. And a flow path for mixed water is formed by at least a part of the temperature control / flow control valve main body 3, the mixed water pipe 13, and the faucet main body 1. The temperature control / flow control valve main body 3 moves the manual lever 2 installed on the upper part up and down and right and left to increase or decrease the flow passage area in proportion to the lever rotation amount inside the valve main body. The flow rate and the temperature are adjusted by changing the area ratio with the passage. An electromagnetic valve 7 and an electromagnetic valve 8 are installed in the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12, respectively, and are electrically connected to the controller 6. And, it is always equipped with the flow path opening / closing command transmitted from the controller 6. The sensor 5 is arranged above the water discharge port 4 located at the tip of the faucet body 1 with a predetermined sensing area. Like the solenoid valves 7 and 8, the sensor 5 is electrically connected to the controller 6, and repeatedly detects infrared rays, receives reflected light from the infrared rays, and transmits the reflected light to the controller 6 (for example, a hand). ) Has a role of monitoring the approach. Here, it goes without saying that various sensors such as an ultrasonic reflection type sensor can be substituted for the sensor 5 in addition to such an optical sensor. Further, the installation position of the sensor 5 is not limited to the tip of the faucet body 1, but the abdomen of the faucet body 1,
The faucet body 1 and the flow control / temperature control valve body 3 are provided with a side surface of the flow control / temperature control valve body 3 and a sensor as a dedicated unit.
It may be installed separately from.

When the sensor 5 detects the invasion of the detection object within the preset sensing area, it sends a signal to the controller 6, and the solenoid valve 7 and the solenoid valve 8 are opened by a command signal from the controller 6. When the solenoid valve 7 and the solenoid valve 8 are opened, hot water and water flow into the flow control / temperature control valve body 3 via the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12, respectively. The hot water and water that have flowed into the valve body are mixed at a flow rate and temperature corresponding to the position of the manual lever 2 to form mixed water, and then flow through the mixed water pipe 13 to the tip of the faucet body 1. The mixed water is discharged from the water discharge port 4 provided.

When the detection object disappears from the sensing area, the sensor 5 sends a signal to the controller 6, and the controller 6
In response to the command signal from the solenoid valve 7 and the solenoid valve 8, the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 are shut off, and the water discharge is completed.

In the automatic faucet of this embodiment, the temperature control
The flow control valve body 3 is provided with a water stop prevention mechanism so as not to stop water. In particular, it is preferable not to stop the water from the water supply pipe. The behavior of the temperature control / flow control valve body and the manual lever provided with this water stop prevention mechanism will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2A shows the manual lever 2 when the water discharge amount is maximum.
In this state, the flow path at this time is opened in an area corresponding to the lever angle α. FIG. 2B shows the state of the manual lever 2 when the water discharge amount is minimum. In the state shown in FIG. 2B, when the manual lever 2 is at the angle β before reaching the lever angle γ corresponding to the water stop, the protruding portion 2b of the manual lever 2 has an outer surface of the temperature control / flow control valve body 3. Because they are interfering with
Further rotation is blocked. At this time, the flow path is opened at least by an area corresponding to the lever angle β. That is, as shown in FIG. 2C, the manual lever 2 is prevented from rotating up to the lever angle γ where the water is stopped. This eliminates the problem that water is not ejected even if the sensor detects it even when the hand is extended to the sensor. In this case, the user is likely to be confused that the automatic faucet itself has broken down.

However, by providing a water stop prevention mechanism as shown in FIG. 2 (b), even if the amount of water spouted is very small, even if the amount of water spouted is very small, the amount of water spouted will always be equal to or larger than the minimum amount of water spouted when the user's hand is put out. Can easily notice that the discharge water flow rate is set to a small side, and the flow rate can be adjusted to a desired flow rate, and the automatic faucet can be used smoothly without any confusion. It is to be noted that the automatic water faucet of the present invention can be provided at the lowest cost by constructing the water stop prevention mechanism by providing the protrusion 2b on the manual lever 2 as shown in FIG. 2B, but it is not limited to this. Alternatively, for example, a protrusion may be formed on the outer surface of the temperature control / flow control valve body 3, and further, the opening position of the valve may be changed to operate the manual lever 2 as shown in FIG. 2C. Even in this case, the flow path may not be completely closed.

Further, in the automatic faucet for mixing hot water and hot water to discharge the mixed water, the rotation angle of the manual lever is adjusted so that the temperature control / flow control valve body 3 does not completely close the flow path on the water supply side. Is provided with a rotation restricting means. The mechanism of the rotation restricting means for the manual lever rotation angle will be described with reference to FIG.

The basic mechanism is the same as the water stop prevention mechanism described above. In the temperature adjustment operation performed by rotating the manual lever 2 in the rotational direction, the manual lever 2 is moved to the lever angle δ at which the hot water supply passage is fully closed and only the hot water supply passage is opened. Try not to reach. That is, the rotation restricting means is provided with the protrusion so as to restrict the rotation at the position of the lever angle ε. The lever angle ε is a lever angle in the case where the water has an appropriate temperature within a range where water is mixed so that the water discharge temperature does not become high. As described above, the rotation restricting means can be easily formed by providing the manual lever 2 or a member which rotates together with the manual lever 2 with the protrusion so as to interfere with the protrusion of the predetermined member at the position ε. can do.

As a result, even when the manual lever 2 is set on the hot water side, the water supply passage is always open,
Since the water is surely mixed, it is possible to use the automatic faucet that can perform this temperature control and flow control without worrying that the temperature is moderately adjusted and hot water is not accidentally discharged. I can.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The automatic faucet of the present embodiment includes a hot water supply pipe 11 and a water supply pipe 12 which are connected to the hot water supply port 9 and the water supply port 10, respectively.
And a temperature control / flow control valve body 3 with a manual lever 2 that is connected to the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 to mix hot water and water to adjust the temperature / flow rate of the mixed water, and the temperature control / flow control A mixed water pipe 13 for carrying mixed water from the valve body 3,
A flow path is formed from the faucet body 1 which is connected to the mixed water pipe 13 and has the water discharge port 4 at the tip. The temperature control / flow control valve body 3 also has a water stop prevention mechanism as in the first embodiment of FIG. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment in FIG. 1 is omitted.

When the sensor 5 detects the intrusion of a detection object within a preset sensing area, it sends a signal to the controller 6, and the solenoid valve 8 is opened by a command signal from the controller 6. When the solenoid valve 8 is opened, hot water and water flow through the hot water supply pipe 11 and the hot water supply pipe 12, respectively.
It flows into the temperature control valve body 3. The hot water and the water flowing into the valve body are mixed at a flow rate and temperature corresponding to the position of the manual lever 2 to form mixed water, and then, via the solenoid valve 8 and the mixed water pipe 13, the faucet body 1 The mixed water is discharged from the water discharge port 4 arranged at the tip of the.

When the detection object disappears from the sensing area, the sensor 5 sends a signal to the controller 6, and the controller 6
The solenoid valve 8 is closed by the command signal from the mixing water pipe 13
Is cut off, the supply of hot water and water from the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 is cut off, and the water discharge is completed.

In the automatic faucet of this embodiment, as described above, the secondary side (downstream side) of the temperature control / flow control valve body 3,
That is, the electromagnetic valve 8 was arranged in the middle of the mixed water pipe 13. As a result, the number of solenoid valves in the automatic faucet can be one to fulfill the functions of water discharge and water stop, and it is possible to provide a cheaper automatic faucet with excellent functions. In this case, it is preferable that the hot water supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 are each provided with a pressure control valve or a pressure reducing valve so that the temperature control / flow control valve main body 3 is not always subjected to a high water supply pressure.

The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The automatic faucet of the present embodiment supplies water or hot water having an appropriate temperature with an electric water heater or the like, and the valve body does not have a function of mixing hot water. Specifically, a flow path is formed from a faucet body 1a having a flow control valve body 3a with a manual lever 2a, and a water supply pipe 12 that connects the water supply port 10 and the water faucet body 1a to convey water or hot water. Is forming. The electromagnetic valve 8 is arranged in the middle of the water supply pipe 12.

When the sensor 5 detects the intrusion of the detection object within the preset sensing area, it sends a signal to the controller 6, and the command signal from the controller 6 opens the solenoid valve 8. When the solenoid valve 8 is opened, water or hot water of an appropriate temperature such as an electric water heater flows into the flow control valve body 3a via the water supply pipe 12. The water or hot water that has flowed into the valve body is discharged from the water discharge port 4 provided at the tip of the faucet body 1a at a flow rate corresponding to the position of the manual lever 2a.

When the detection object disappears from the sensing area, the sensor 5 sends a signal to the controller 6, and the controller 6
In response to a command signal from the electromagnetic valve 8, the solenoid valve 8 is closed, the water supply pipe 12 is shut off, and the water discharge is completed.

Also in the automatic faucet of this embodiment, the flow control valve body 3a is provided with a water stop prevention mechanism as in the first and second embodiments.

By adopting such a configuration, a small amount of water is always discharged when the sensor detects even in the case of a single water supply port, so the user may suspect that the automatic faucet is out of order. Without any confusion, it becomes possible to provide an automatic faucet with an adjustable flow rate that is easy to use, increasing the variety of products.

[0031]

According to the present invention, with the above structure, the user is free from the problem that water is not discharged even if the sensor detects it. In other words, since water is always ejected when the hand is put out, even if the amount of water spouted is very small, the user can easily notice that the water discharge flow rate is set to a small side and adjust the flow rate to the desired one. , You can use the automatic water faucet smoothly without being confused that the automatic water faucet is out of order. Moreover, since the water supply channel is always opened and the water is mixed, the water is discharged at an appropriate hot water temperature, so that unexpectedly high temperature hot water does not spoil the user.
Therefore, it is possible to use the automatic faucet without worrying about the temperature setting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a behavior diagram of a temperature control / flow control valve body and a manual lever that do not have a water stop function in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a behavior diagram of a rotation regulating means of a temperature adjustment rotation angle in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Faucet body 1a Faucet body 2 Manual lever 2a Manual lever 2b Manual lever protrusion 3 Temperature control / flow control valve body 3a Flow control valve body 4 spout 5 sensors 6 controller 7 Solenoid valve 8 solenoid valve 9 Hot water supply port 10 water inlet 11 Hot water supply pipe 12 Water pipe 13 Mixed water pipe α Manual lever angle at maximum water discharge β Manual lever angle for minimum water discharge γ Manual lever angle when water is stopped δ Lever angle for fully closing the water supply channel and discharging hot water ε Lever angle at an appropriate water discharge temperature that does not result in hot water

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flow passage for conveying a fluid, a solenoid valve disposed in the middle of the flow passage for opening and closing the flow passage by inputting an electric signal, and an opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve. A controller, a sensor for detecting an approach of an object to be ejected and outputting an electric signal to the controller, a flow rate adjusting means arranged in the middle of the flow path, and a faucet body for ejecting a fluid, and An automatic faucet characterized in that the flow rate adjusting means is provided with a water stop prevention mechanism for preventing the flow passage from being completely closed. 2. The hot water supply channel for carrying hot water, the hot water supply flow path for carrying water, the hot water from the hot water supply side flow path, and the hot water supply side flow path. And a flow path for mixed water for carrying mixed water in which water is mixed, and the flow rate adjusting means is provided with a water stop prevention mechanism for preventing the water supply flow path from being completely closed. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the automatic faucet is provided. 3. The flow rate adjusting means is operated by turning of a manual lever, and the water stop prevention mechanism is composed of a projection portion for restricting turning of the manual lever. Or the automatic faucet according to 2.