JP2005076301A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a spouting even when a human body or a body is detected in a spouting detecting area when the human body or the body such as a cleaning tool is detected in a cutoff detecting area (a cleaning-work region). <P>SOLUTION: The automatic faucet is composed of a spouting sensor detecting the human body or the body in the spouting detecting area B, a cutoff sensor detecting the human body or the body in the cutoff detecting areas AL and AR, and a solenoid valve mounted on its midway to a water supply path communicating with a faucet tool 3. The automatic faucet is further composed of a control circuit opening the solenoid valve when only the spouting sensor detects the human body or the body and closing the valve when the cutoff sensor detects the human body or the body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a human body or object of a user who uses water discharged from a faucet of a wash basin (which means the concept of a so-called object including both) and a human body or object of a person who cleans the wash basin. The present invention relates to a technique in which a solenoid valve is forcibly closed when a human body or an object of a cleaner is detected and water is not discharged to the cleaner.

  In a washbasin equipped with an automatic faucet, the solenoid valve provided in the middle of the water supply channel is opened by detecting a part (hand) of the user's human body with the human body detection sensor installed on the faucet. The water supply is started from the water outlet. When the human body is no longer detected, the solenoid valve is closed and the water is stopped. Thereby, it is possible to perform automatic water supply or water stop.

The automatic faucet described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a human body detection sensor in the vicinity of the mounting base of the faucet in order to prevent the human body detection sensor from erroneously detecting the discharged water or pottery. The overlapping angle with the axis of the sensor directing direction is set to 70 degrees or less. The automatic water faucet described in Patent Document 2 is intended to prevent the influence of ambient light, and detects the output of the light receiver at the first light reception timing within the non-light projection period. A human body is detected by detecting the output of the light receiver at the second light receiving timing within the light period. The automatic faucet described in Patent Document 3 has a radio wave sensor installed on the outer surface of the basin, detects the user's hand in the basin through the basin, and automatically opens and closes the faucet. I try to control it.
JP 7-229183 A JP 20002-48877 A JP 2003-64741 A

  However, in the techniques described in these Patent Documents 1 to 3, when any hand is put out to the lower region of the faucet, the human body detection sensor detects this and opens the electromagnetic valve, Become. For this reason, when the washbasin is being cleaned, if a part of the human body enters the human body detection area below the faucet, the water discharge state may occur and the clothes of the cleaning operator may be wetted. During the cleaning work, it is common for a part of the human body of the worker to suddenly enter the detection area, resulting in unintentional water discharge. There was a drawback that the case had to be dealt with after wetting the clothes.

  The present invention has been improved and removed in view of the above-described problems, and when a human body is detected in the water stop detection area (cleaning work area), water is not discharged even if the human body is detected in the water discharge detection area. An automatic faucet equipped with a cleaning mode is provided.

  Thus, in order to solve the above problems, the means of claim 1 adopted by the present invention includes a water discharge sensor that detects an object in the water discharge detection area, a water stop sensor that detects an object in the water stop detection area, A solenoid valve provided in the middle of the water supply channel leading to the stopper, and a control circuit that opens the solenoid valve when only the water discharge sensor detects an object, and closes the solenoid valve when the water stop sensor detects the object It is an automatic faucet characterized by comprising

  Further, the means of claim 2 employed by the present invention is the automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the water discharge sensor and the water stop sensor are constituted by one sensor.

  In the invention described in claim 1, a part of the human body (hand or arm), a cleaning tool, etc. in the region below the water spout of the faucet while cleaning the back of the basin Even if an object enters, the water discharge sensor does not start water discharge. This is the water stop detection area (cleaning work area) at the back of the basin, and a part of the human body (finger or hand) of a worker who has a cleaning tool such as a rag or brush in the water stop detection area. This is because the water stop detection sensor detects this as long as it is present, and the control circuit determines that the worker is performing the cleaning operation and maintains the solenoid valve in the closed state to bring it to the water stop state.

  On the other hand, when a detection signal for a human body or any object is output only in the area below the spout of the faucet, the control circuit determines that the faucet is in use and opens the solenoid valve to discharge water. Get to the state. Thus, the invention of claim 1 can easily obtain the water discharge state during use of the faucet and the water stop state during the cleaning operation, and can maintain the water stop state during the cleaning operation. The worker's clothes will not be sprinkled with water.

  In the invention described in claim 2, the water discharge sensor and the water stop sensor are constituted by one sensor. A microwave Doppler sensor is known as a sensor having such a function. This microwave Doppler sensor can divide a detection region into a plurality of regions, and can detect a plurality of objects by providing individual threshold values in the plurality of regions. Therefore, it is possible to detect a human body in a plurality of areas of the water discharge detection area and the water stop detection area with one sensor, and it is not necessary to install a dedicated sensor in each detection area. It is possible to simplify the configuration and reduce the cost.

  The configuration of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. 1 and 2 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire washbasin 1. FIG. 2 is a function as a human body sensor in a water discharge detection area B and a water stop detection area. FIG. 2 shows a microwave Doppler sensor (hereinafter referred to as a microwave sensor) 2 having two detection functions as functions of a human body detection sensor in AL and AR, and FIG. (B) is a block circuit diagram thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the microwave sensor 2 is attached to the lower surface side of the water discharge pipe of the water faucet 3 erected on the upper surface of the counter of the basin 1. Further, although not shown, the water faucet is omitted. A solenoid valve is attached in the middle of the three water supply channels.

  This microwave sensor 2 divides a detection area into three detection areas AL, AR, and B by installing two beam control components 6 on the exit side of a waveguide 5 that emits microwaves from a probe 4. doing. Then, by setting the threshold values for the water stop areas AL and AR and the water discharge area B separately, a plurality of detection operations set for each detection area can be performed by one detection sensor. For example, the water discharge area B is for detecting a part (hand) of a human body or a cleaning tool or the like that is provided below the water discharge port in the space below the water faucet 3. Is close and the threshold is set high. The water stop areas AL and AR are for detecting a part (hand) of the human body of the cleaning worker or a cleaning tool or other object in the back of the counter upper surface of the basin 1, and the distance from the probe 4. Since the distance is far, the threshold is set low.

  The output from the microwave sensor 2 is input to a control circuit that controls opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve. In the control circuit, when the detection signal of the water stop area AL or AR exceeds a threshold value, it is determined that a part of the human body or an object such as a cleaning tool has been detected in the cleaning work area, and the electromagnetic valve is forced. Is set to output a closing signal. Further, when the detection signal of the water discharge area B exceeds the threshold value in a state where the detection signals of the water stop areas AL and AR do not exceed the threshold value (a state where the cleaning worker is not detected), It is determined that the object held in the hand is pushed out below the water outlet of the faucet 3, and a signal for opening the solenoid valve is output so that water supply is started from the water outlet of the faucet 3. Yes. Further, when the detection signal of the water discharge area B changes below the threshold value from this water discharge state, it is determined that the user has stopped use, and a signal is output so as to close the solenoid valve. . Furthermore, in the water discharge state, if the detection signal of the water stop area AL or AR exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the water discharge may be applied to the user's clothes, and the solenoid valve is forcibly closed. ing.

  As described above, in the automatic faucet according to the present embodiment, the faucet 3 detects the use of the faucet and discharges water, and the water stop sensor detects the cleaning worker and stops the water. By attaching one microwave sensor 2 having two sensor functions, the faucet 3 is automatically controlled to be opened or closed to be in a water supply or water stop state. Therefore, it is possible to detect a human body or an object in a plurality of areas of the water discharge detection area and the water stop detection area with one sensor, and it is not necessary to install a dedicated sensor in each detection area, thus saving space. In addition, the system configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, in this automatic faucet, it is determined whether or not the faucet 3 is in use or not in use by detecting whether or not the user's hand or object has been pushed out below the spout. By using a water supply or water stop state, the intended use of the faucet 3 is secured. If it is detected by the sensing action (human body detection action) in the water stop areas AL and AR that the cleaning operation is in progress, the solenoid valve can be forcibly closed to make the water stop state. Make sure that your clothes do not spill water.

  By the way, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A suitable change is possible. For example, as a sensor that senses a plurality of detection areas with a single sensor, a sensor that captures images of the detection areas B, AL, and AR as information other than the microwave sensor 2 can be applied.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole washbasin which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. 1A and 1B show a microwave sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view for explaining an operation principle, and FIG. 1B is a block circuit diagram of the microwave sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Basin without overflow hole, 2 ... Microwave sensor, 3 ... Water faucet, 4 ... Probe, 5 ... Waveguide, 6 ... Beam control component

Claims (2)

Only a water discharge sensor that detects an object in the water discharge detection area, a water stop sensor that detects an object in the water stop detection area, an electromagnetic valve provided in the middle of the water supply channel leading to the faucet, and the water discharge sensor detected the object. An automatic faucet comprising a control circuit that opens a solenoid valve sometimes and closes the solenoid valve when the water stop sensor detects an object. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1, wherein the water discharge sensor and the water stop sensor are constituted by one sensor.

Images