JP2004332379A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve easiness-to-use of an automatic faucet, by switching a water discharge flow rate to a plurality of stages on the basis of will of a faucet user, in the automatic faucet for discharging and cutting off water on the basis of sensing of the human body by human body sensing sensors. <P>SOLUTION: This automatic faucet 18 has the human body sensing sensors 42R and 42L, and automatically discharges or cuts off the water from a water discharge port 26 on the basis of sensing of the human body by the human body sensing sensors 42R and 42L. These human body sensing sensors 42R and 42L are constituted as a noncontact type sensor with the water discharge pipe 22 side as a sensing area; preset a selectable water discharge flow rate in a plurality of stages; and discharges the water from the water discharge port 26, by selecting any water discharge flow rate preset in response to the length of time for sensing the human body by the human body sensing sensors 42R and 42L. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet for discharging water based on human body detection by a human body sensor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a human body sensor is provided, and when a hand is put below the water outlet, water is automatically discharged from the water outlet based on the human body detection by the human body sensor, and when the hand is pulled from below the water outlet, the human body sensor is provided. Automatic faucets that automatically stop (stop) water discharge when the human body is not detected are widely used as faucets for public toilets and the like.
This type of conventional automatic faucet is used exclusively as a faucet for hand washing, so that the water discharge flow rate from the water discharge port is constant, and the user cannot change the water discharge flow rate as necessary. there were.
[0003]
On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 below discloses an invention relating to an automatic water discharge device, in which a human body sensor which has a water receiving area below the water discharge port as a sensing area is provided, and water reception below the water discharge port is provided. When the hand reaches out to the area, water is automatically discharged from the water outlet based on the human body detection by the human body detection sensor, and when the sensing time is short, water is discharged at a small flow rate. Is switched to a large flow rate.
[0004]
Further, Patent Literature 2 below discloses an invention relating to an automatic faucet. In the same manner, when a hand is put in a water receiving area from a water outlet, a human body sensor detects this and automatically discharges water from the water outlet. Discloses that water is discharged at a small flow rate for a few seconds, and the water discharge flow rate is switched to a large flow rate after a few seconds if the human body sensor continues to sense a hand.
[0005]
Those disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 are not limited to the case where the hands are simply taken out of the water receiving area and the hands are washed, and the case where the water is accumulated in the cup or the hands are washed with the soap solution. In this case, since the required water discharge time and the required water discharge flow rate are different, the water discharge flow rate is switched to a large flow rate when the sensing time of the human body sensor becomes longer.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-40724 A [Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-279746 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, those disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 each use the water receiving area from the water discharge port as the sensing area of the human body sensor, and depending on the length of time during which the hand or the like receives water. That is, by the duration of use of the faucet, the water discharge flow rate is automatically switched regardless of the user's intention, so that the water discharge cannot be continued unless the hand is continuously sensed, and when the predetermined time elapses. Since the water discharge flow rate is automatically switched from the small flow rate to the large flow rate, there has been a problem that the water discharge cannot be continued at the small flow rate.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The automatic faucet of the present invention has been devised to solve such a problem.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic faucet including a human body sensor and automatically discharging or stopping water from a water outlet based on human body detection by the human body sensor. A non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor having an area other than the water receiving area receiving the water discharged from the water discharge port as a sensing area, and a selectable water discharge flow rate is set in advance at a plurality of stages. One of the preset water discharge flow rates is selected according to the length of the human body detection time by the human body detection sensor, and water is discharged from the water discharge port.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the human body sensor starts water discharge at the water discharge flow rate selected according to the detection time after the human body detection, and continues water discharge at the water discharge flow rate even after the human body is not detected. And water is stopped by sensing the human body again.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, the human body sensor is provided on a lateral side surface or a distal end surface of the distal end portion of the water discharge pipe.
[0011]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the automatic faucet includes a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing the flow path, and controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of on-off valves to discharge the water. It is characterized in that the flow rate is changed stepwise.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the automatic faucet is a single lever type faucet.
[0013]
[Action and effect of the invention]
As described above, the present invention provides a human body sensor as a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor having an area other than the water receiving area as a sensing area, and sets a selectable water discharge flow rate in advance in a plurality of stages. According to the present invention, one of the water discharge flow rates is selected and discharged from the water discharge port according to the length of the human body detection time by the human body detection sensor. , The amount of water discharged from the water outlet can be freely selected or switched, and the usability of the automatic faucet is improved.
[0014]
Here, the human body detection sensor starts water discharge at a water discharge flow rate selected according to the detection time after the human body detection, continues water discharge at the water discharge flow rate even after the human body is not sensed, and stops water by re-detecting the human body. (Claim 2).
[0015]
By doing so, the faucet user can start discharging water once at the selected water discharge flow rate and continue discharging water from the water discharge port while receiving water discharge from the water discharge port.
For example, it is possible to perform washing and other kitchen work while discharging water in a kitchen or the like. On the other hand, after the water stopping operation, washing and other work can be performed below the water outlet while maintaining the water stopping state.
[0016]
Here, the human body sensor can be provided on a lateral side surface or a distal end surface of the distal end portion of the water discharge pipe (claim 3).
By doing so, the operation for using the automatic faucet can be easily performed with a small movement.
[0017]
In the present invention, the automatic faucet is provided with a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing the flow path, and by controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of on-off valves, the water discharge flow rate can be changed stepwise. (Claim 4).
In this way, when the water discharge flow rate is selected, the water discharge can be immediately performed at the desired water discharge flow rate, and when the detection time of the human body sensor is short, the water discharge is performed at a large flow rate, and the detection time is long. At this point, it is possible to freely switch the water discharge flow rate to a small flow rate or a middle flow rate.
[0018]
The present invention is also particularly preferable when applied to a single lever type faucet (claim 5).
[0019]
【Example】
Next, an embodiment in which the automatic faucet of the present invention is used as a faucet for a kitchen will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, 10 is a sink installed in a kitchen, 12 is a sink, 14 is a cabinet, 16 is a counter, and a single lever type automatic faucet of this example (hereinafter simply referred to as a faucet) is placed on the counter 16. 18 are installed.
[0020]
The faucet 18 is provided above the faucet body 20, a faucet pipe 22 extending forward from the faucet body 20 toward the sink 12, and a water faucet pipe 22 extending upward from the counter 16. A single lever operation unit 24 is provided, and by operating the single lever operation unit 24, water is discharged and water is stopped from a downward water outlet 26 at the tip of the water discharge pipe 22.
[0021]
More specifically, in this example, the single lever operation unit 24 is rotated left and right to adjust the mixing ratio of water and hot water, that is, the temperature is adjusted. And the flow rate of the water is adjusted.
[0022]
2, reference numerals 28 and 30 denote a water supply channel and a hot water supply channel for supplying cold water (tap water) and high-temperature hot water, respectively. Cold water and hot water are supplied into the faucet body 20 through the water supply channel 28 and the hot water supply channel 30, respectively. You.
The supplied cold water and hot water are mixed at a predetermined ratio by the mixing valve part 32 and temperature-controlled, and once flow out of the faucet main body 20 through the outflow passage 34, and then through the water discharge pipe 22 to the water discharge port 26. It is led.
The mixing valve section 32 changes the operating state by manual operation of the single lever operation section 24, adjusts the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water, and also performs opening / closing of the outflow passage 34, that is, water discharge and water stoppage.
[0023]
A branch path 36 branches off and extends from the water supply path 28, and its tip is connected to the outflow path 34.
Two solenoid valves 38-1 and 38-2 as on-off valves are provided in parallel in the outflow passage 34 on the upstream side of this connection portion, and two solenoid valves as on-off valves are also provided on the branch passage 36. 40-1 and 40-2 are provided in parallel.
The operation of the solenoid valves 38-1, 38-2 and 40-1, 40-2 is controlled by the control unit 41.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tip of the water discharge pipe 22 and the right side and the left side sense the human body in a non-contact manner. Infrared human body sensors 42R and 42L for sensing are provided.
[0025]
These human body sensors 42R and 42L are electrically connected to the control unit 41, respectively, and are configured to input signals to the control unit 41 when they detect a human body.
The control unit 41 receives this signal and controls the operation of the solenoid valves 38-1, 38-2 and 40-1, 40-2.
[0026]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 4 (I), when a hand is put on the side of the human body sensor 42R on the right side surface of the water discharge pipe 22, the human body sensor 42R detects this, and based on this, the control unit 41 detects. Opens the electromagnetic valves 40-1 and 40-2 on the branch path 36, and discharges cold water from the water discharge port 26 through the outflow path 34 (see FIG. 4 (II)).
[0027]
At that time, in this example, the control unit 41 opens one or both of the solenoid valves 40-1 and 40-2 in accordance with the time during which the hand is held, and the water is discharged from the water discharge port 26 at a small flow rate or a large flow rate. Let the water spout.
More specifically, when the time during which the hand is held is short, the control unit 41 opens only one of the solenoid valves 40-1 and 40-2 to discharge water at a small flow rate (small water discharge) from the water discharge port 26. When the holding time is long, the control unit 41 opens both of the two solenoid valves 40-1 and 40-2 to discharge water from the water discharge port 26 at a large flow rate (large water discharge).
[0028]
Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (III), when the hand is again held over the side of the human body sensor 42R while the water discharge is continued, the human body sensor 42R detects this, and the control unit 41 causes the electromagnetic valve during valve opening to open. One or both of the valves 40-1 and 40-2 are closed to stop or stop the discharge of cold water from the water discharge port 26 (see FIG. 4 (IV)).
[0029]
On the other hand, in a state in which the single lever operation unit 24 has been opened and the temperature has been adjusted in advance, when the user puts his hand on the side of the human body sensor 42L on the left side surface of the water discharge pipe 22, the human body sensor 42L detects this. The control unit 41 opens the solenoid valves 38-1 and 38-2 on the outflow path 34 based on.
Thereby, the appropriate temperature water whose temperature has been adjusted in advance is discharged from the water discharge port 26.
[0030]
At this time, as in the case of cold water spouting, water is spouted at a small flow rate or a large flow rate from the water discharge port 26 according to the length of time during which the hand is held over the side of the human body sensor 42L.
More specifically, when the time during which the hand is held is short, the control unit 41 opens only one of the solenoid valves 38-1 and 38-2, and discharges appropriate temperature water at a small flow rate from the water discharge port 26 (small water discharge). .
When the hand is held for a long time, the control unit 41 opens both of the two solenoid valves 38-1 and 38-2, and discharges the appropriate temperature water at a large flow rate from the water discharge port 26 (large water discharge).
[0031]
Then, when the hand is again held to the side of the human body sensor 42L while the water is being continuously discharged, the controller 41 detects one of the electromagnetic valves 38-1 and 38-2, which are being opened, based on the human body detection of the human body sensor 42L. Both valves are closed, and the discharge of the appropriate temperature water from the water discharge port 26 is stopped (water stoppage).
[0032]
In this example, after the human body sensors 42R and 42L first detect the human body, if the human body sensors 42R and 42L subsequently detect the human body for a set time (1 second in this example), the detection is invalidated. The control unit 41 performs the control operation as described above.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows a control procedure of the control unit 41.
In the present example, is first set in step S10 the current time t, the body sensitive sensor 42R or ineffective time t ₁ to invalidate the body sensitive due _42L, 0 further any number senses counted by the human body detection sensor 42R or 42L .
Thereafter, t is counted up by one each time 0.1 second elapses (steps S12, S14).
T by the execution of step S12, S14 becomes larger than _{t 1.}
[0034]
Then, when the faucet user holds his hand over the side of the human body sensor 42R or 42L in order to perform water discharge from the water outlet 26, the human body sensor 42R or 42L detects this, and the number of detected counts is first counted. (Steps S16, S18, S20, S22).
Then, step S30 is performed through steps S24, S26, and S28, and water is discharged from the water discharge port 26 at a predetermined small flow rate (small water discharge).
[0035]
After the execution of step S30, the setting of t ₁ = 10 is made in step S32.
That is, when the operation of the automatic faucet 18 changes from the water stopping state to the water discharging state, an invalid time (waiting time) for one second is set thereafter, and the human body sensor 42R or 42L senses the hand again during the one second. Even if the sensing is invalid.
[0036]
Specifically, by setting t ₁ = 10 in step S32, the control operation of the control unit 41 jumps from step S16 to step S24 bypassing steps S18, S20, and S22, and proceeds to step S24. The control operation is performed ignoring the human body detection by 42L.
[0037]
Then, every time 0.1 seconds elapses, t is incremented by one, and when t becomes exactly 11, that is, after elapse of one second, steps S16, S18, S20, S22 are executed.
At this time, if the faucet user holds his hand over the side of the human body detection sensor 42R or 42L, the detection count is incremented by one in step S22, and step S34 is performed through steps S24 and S26. The water discharge flow is switched to the large water discharge where the small water discharge was performed up to that time (step S36). That is, the water discharge flow rate from the water discharge port 26 is switched from the set small flow rate to the set large flow rate.
At this time, the invalid time for one second is set again (step 38).
[0038]
If the hand continues to be held, the water discharge from the water discharge port 26 is stopped (stopped) after one second (steps S12, S14, S16, S18, S20, S22, S24, S26, S40, S42).
At this time, the invalid time for one second is set (step S44).
[0039]
That is, after the operation is changed from the water discharge state to the water stop state, the human body detection by the human body detection sensors 42R and 42L is treated as invalid for one second.
That is, for one second thereafter, the water stopping state is maintained regardless of whether or not the human body sensors 42R and 42L detect the human body.
[0040]
In the automatic faucet 18 of this example, after the hand is put out into the sensing area beside the human body detecting sensors 42R and 42L and small or large water is spouted from the spout 26, even if the hand is immediately removed from the sensing area, small spouting is performed. Alternatively, large spouting is continued.
By removing the hand from the sensing area of the human body sensing sensors 42R and 42L, the sensing count is reset to 0 after one second (step S46).
[0041]
Then, when the hand is again put into the sensing area under such a continuous water discharge state, the human body sensor 42R or 42L detects the hand there, and steps S28 and S48 are executed, and the water discharge from the water discharge port 26 is stopped ( (Water stoppage).
[0042]
At this time, the water stop state is also maintained for one second thereafter (step S50).
That is, for one second after the water stop operation, the human body detection by the human body detection sensors 42R and 42L is invalidated, and the water stop state by executing step S48 is maintained for one second.
[0043]
According to the automatic faucet 18 of the present embodiment, the water discharge flow rate is selected according to the length of the human body detection time by the human body detection sensors 42R and 42L and the water is discharged from the water discharge port 26. Becomes easier to use.
[0044]
In the automatic faucet 18 of this example, the hand inserted to the side of the water discharge pipe 22 is detected by the human body detection sensors 42R and 42L, and the water discharge is started at a water discharge flow rate selected according to the detection time. After the detection, the water discharge is continued at the water discharge flow rate, and the water is stopped by re-detecting the human body.Therefore, freely select or switch the water discharge flow based on the will of the faucet user. Can be.
[0045]
Further, after the faucet user once starts water discharge at the selected water discharge flow rate, the water discharge from the water discharge port 26 can be continued while receiving the water discharge from the water discharge port 26. Washing and other kitchen work can be performed while being performed.
On the other hand, after the water stopping operation, washing and other work can be performed below the water discharge port 26 while maintaining the water stopping state.
[0046]
In this example, since the human body sensors 42R and 42L are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the distal end portion of the water discharge pipe 22, the operation when using the automatic faucet 18 can be easily performed with a small movement of the hand.
[0047]
Further, in this example, the automatic faucet 18 is provided with solenoid valves 38-1, 38-2, 40-1, 40-2 as on-off valves for opening and closing the flow path, and the plurality of solenoid valves 38-1 are provided. , 38-2, 40-1, and 40-2 are controlled by the control unit 41 to change the water discharge flow in a stepwise manner. Water can be discharged at a flow rate.
[0048]
Therefore, in the automatic faucet 18 of this example, it is necessary to discharge water at a large flow rate when the sensing time by the human body detecting sensors 42R and 42L is short, and to switch the water discharging flow rate to a small flow rate when the sensing time is long. It can be easily set accordingly.
[0049]
In addition, in the above example, the water discharge flow rate is switched to two stages of small water discharge and large water discharge, but it is also possible to switch the water discharge flow at three stages of small water discharge, medium water discharge, and large water discharge. .
In this example, the water discharge flow rate is switched one second after the hand is held over the side of the human body sensor 42R or 42L. However, the water discharge flow rate is switched after a shorter time, for example, 0.5 seconds. It is also possible to do so, or, conversely, to switch the water discharge flow after a lapse of time longer than 1 second.
[0050]
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when water is discharged at a small flow rate, the constant flow rate valve 46 is connected in series with one of the solenoid valves 38-1 and 38-2 (here 38-1) on the outflow passage 34. When discharging at a large flow rate, water is discharged at a flow rate set by the single lever 24, and when discharging at a small flow rate, water is discharged at a constant flow rate based on the constant flow rate action of the constant flow rate valve 46. It is also possible.
[0051]
FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for example, a speaker 44 is provided near the human body sensor 42R or 42L at the tip of the water discharge pipe 22 to discharge water and stop water. When the water discharge flow rate is selected or switched, the user is notified by voice.
[0052]
The speaker 44 can be installed at an appropriate position. For example, the speaker 44 can be provided in the cabinet 14.
Alternatively, a display unit may be provided separately from or in addition to the speaker 44, and the display may be displayed there.
[0053]
FIG. 8 shows still another embodiment of the present invention.
In this example, human body sensors 42R and 42L are provided on the distal end surface of the water discharge pipe 22.
In this case, the human body detection sensors 42R and 42L can be configured as a capacitance type sensor or a radio wave type sensor and the like, which is sensed by the user touching or approaching the finger. The discharge water and the flow rate can be selected.
This is the same in the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0054]
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but this is merely an example.
For example, in the above example, two types of water having different temperatures are subjected to water discharge and flow rate selection or flow rate switching based on the detection by the human body sensor, but only one temperature water is discharged and the water is discharged. In such a case, it is possible to select or switch the spout flow rate based on the operation of the faucet user, and it is also possible to apply the present invention to a mixed faucet other than a single lever faucet. The present invention can be configured in a form in which various changes are made without departing from the spirit thereof.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing an automatic faucet according to one embodiment of the present invention installed on a sink.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing components of the automatic faucet of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a human body detection sensor and a detection area of the automatic faucet of the embodiment together with a peripheral portion.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the automatic faucet of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a control unit in the automatic faucet of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 of an automatic faucet according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a main part of an automatic faucet according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an automatic faucet according to still another embodiment of the present invention when installed on a sink.
[Explanation of symbols]
18 automatic faucet 22 water discharge pipe 26 water discharge ports 38-1, 38-2, 40-1, 40-2 solenoid valve (open / close valve)
42R, 42L Human body sensor

Claims (5)

An automatic faucet comprising a human body detection sensor and configured to automatically discharge or stop water from a water outlet based on human body detection by the human body detection sensor,
The human body sensor is provided as a non-contact type sensor or a contact type sensor having an area other than a water receiving area receiving water discharged from the water discharge port as a detection area, and a selectable water discharge flow rate is set in a plurality of steps in advance. Wherein the predetermined water discharge flow rate is selected in accordance with the length of the human body detection time by the human body detection sensor to discharge water from the water discharge port. plug. 2. The human body detection sensor according to claim 1, wherein the human body detection sensor starts water discharge at the water discharge flow rate selected according to the detection time after the human body detection, continues water discharge at the water discharge flow rate even after the human body is not sensed, and performs human body detection again. The automatic faucet is characterized in that water is stopped by the automatic faucet. The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the human body sensor is provided on a lateral side surface or a distal end surface of a distal end portion of the water discharge pipe. The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a plurality of on-off valves for opening and closing the flow path, and controlling the opening and closing of the plurality of on-off valves to change the water discharge flow rate stepwise. Automatic faucet, characterized in that: The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the automatic faucet is a single lever type faucet.

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