JP2007315041A - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet device having a compact and inexpensive faucet and enabling the improved working efficiency when the faucet is assembled and the device is maintained. <P>SOLUTION: In this automatic faucet device 12, a sensor 18 for automatically discharging or stopping water is fitted to the end of a water discharge pipe in the direction of discharged water from the water discharge port 16 of the pipe. A water sensor 20 and a hot water sensor 22 each formed of a palm sensor are disposed at the end of the water discharge pipe 10 in the directions different from the sensor 18 for automatically discharging and stopping water. The sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 are formed integrally with a common control board to form them as a sensor unit 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet device, and more particularly, includes an automatic spout water sensor that detects a human body in a non-contact manner at a tip of a water discharge pipe, discharges water during human body detection, and stops water by non-detection of a human body. The present invention relates to an automatic faucet device.

Conventionally, a sensor for automatic water discharge is provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe in the direction of water discharge from the water discharge port to stop water contact during non-contact detection and cause water discharge during human detection. An automatic faucet device is widely used in public toilets.
Further, as this automatic faucet device, there is known an automatic faucet device in which an operation portion for changing the state related to the water stoppage other than the automatic water stoppage by the automatic water discharge sensor is provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe.
For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses such an automatic faucet device.
In the automatic faucet device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a manual switch for alternately performing water discharge and water stop every time a push operation is performed is provided separately from the automatic water stop sensor.

  As described above, in the automatic faucet device that includes the automatic spout water sensor and the operation unit for the state change related to the spout water separately from this, the signal from the automatic spout water sensor and the operation section A control board for performing output control when outputting the signal for driving the electromagnetic valve or the like is also provided.

In this case, if the control board for the automatic spout water sensor and the control board for the other operation unit are separated, a plurality of control boards are required, and power supply is provided to each of them. At least three wires for signal supply and grounding must be wired and connected, and when these electrical wires are installed inside the faucet, the inside of the faucet becomes complicated and the space inside the faucet As a result, the faucet becomes larger and costs increase.
Moreover, the workability | operativity at the time of performing the assembly | attachment operation | work of a faucet or the maintenance operation | work after installation will also deteriorate.

  However, the control board is shared by the automatic spout water sensor and a separate operation section, and the automatic spout water sensor and the operation section are connected to the control board through electrical connectors. However, in this case, a connector is required, and the connector is bulky. Therefore, the connector occupies a wide space inside the faucet, and the faucet is enlarged as described above. It becomes a factor to end up.

Further, when assembling the water faucet or performing maintenance work, it is necessary to connect electrical wiring with a connector, and workability deteriorates as described above.
In addition, there is a risk of wiring mistakes. In this case, it is necessary to devise the connector shape or change the color in order to prevent the wiring mistakes, which all lead to an increase in the cost of the faucet.

JP 2003-239338 A

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an automatic faucet device that can make the faucet compact and inexpensive, and that can improve the workability at the time of faucet assembly and subsequent maintenance work. It was made for the purpose of doing.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic water discharge sensor for detecting the human body in a non-contact manner at the tip of the water discharge pipe and discharging the water during the human body detection, and stopping the water when the human body is not detected. In the automatic water faucet device provided toward the direction of water discharge from the water outlet, at the tip of the water discharge pipe, apart from the automatic water discharge sensor, other than automatic water discharge by the automatic water discharge sensor The operation unit for changing the state related to water discharge is disposed in a direction different from that of the automatic water discharge sensor, and the automatic water discharge sensor and operation unit are disposed in the automatic water discharge. The water sensor and a common control board that outputs and controls signals from the operation unit are integrated into a single unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the operation unit is configured by a hand-held human body detection sensor that alternately turns on and off every time a human body is detected without contact. .

Effects and effects of the invention

  As described above, in the present invention, the operation unit for changing the state related to the water stoppage other than the automatic water discharge by the automatic water discharge sensor is separate from the automatic water discharge sensor and in a different direction. The automatic spout water sensor and the operation unit are integrated into a common control board that outputs and controls signals from them, and the whole is configured as one unit.

  According to the present invention, it is only necessary to connect three electric wirings for power supply, signal supply, and grounding to a common control board, and an automatic spout water sensor and other operation parts are required. There is no need to separately connect the three electric wirings to each other as in the case where the control boards are provided correspondingly to each of them. Therefore, when the electrical wiring is provided inside the faucet, the space occupied by the electrical wiring can be reduced, and workability during faucet assembly work or subsequent maintenance work can be improved.

In addition, it is possible to eliminate the need for a separate sensor for automatic spitting water and a connector for connection between the operation unit and the control board, so that the connector is required as a separate part, and the connector is located inside the faucet. There is no need to design products that lead to increased costs, such as occupying a large space, and changing connector shapes and colors so that incorrect connections are not made when connecting with connectors. As a result, the required cost for manufacturing the faucet can be reduced.
Moreover, since the electrical wiring and the connector for wiring connection do not occupy a large space inside the faucet, the faucet can be made compact and its aesthetics can be enhanced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the automatic water stop sensor and the operation unit are oriented in different directions, the automatic water discharge sensor erroneously detects this when the hand is pushed out to operate the operation unit. Thus, it is possible to prevent malfunctions such as unintentionally performing automatic spitting water.
In addition, when the operation unit is a non-contact type sensor, when the user puts out his / her hand so that the automatic spout water sensor can detect the hand, the operated hand is made up of a non-contact type sensor. It is possible to avoid the problem of erroneous detection by the section.

  Here, as an operation unit for changing the state related to water discharge, an operation unit for performing continuous water discharge, an operation unit for switching water discharge between hot water and water, and an operation for switching water discharge between raw water and purified water And an operation unit for switching water discharge between middle water and clean water, an operation unit for adjusting the flow rate, an operation unit for switching water discharge from the water discharge port between straight water discharge and shower water discharge, etc. it can.

A second aspect of the present invention comprises a hand-holding type human body detection sensor that alternately turns on and off each time the operation unit is detected in a non-contact manner.
In recent years, it has been desired to be able to use a faucet without touching it directly in public toilets and washrooms, etc. in order to improve hygiene awareness.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation for automatic spitting water, the operation itself for other state change related to the spitting water can be performed in a non-contact manner. Since it can be used without touching the faucet, there is an advantage that the faucet is not soiled.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a water discharge pipe (a water discharge portion) in the automatic faucet device 12 for face-to-face makeup, and is provided in a state of standing from an attachment surface 14 such as a counter upper surface.
The water discharge pipe 10 has a gooseneck shape as a whole, and is provided with a water discharge port 16 on the tip surface.

An automatic spout water sensor 18 is also provided on the distal end surface of the spout pipe 10 at a position above the spout 16 in the direction of water discharge from the spout 16.
This automatic spout water sensor 18 detects this without contact (detects a human body) when the user puts his hand in front of the spout 16 and performs water discharge from the spout 16 during human body detection. If the human body is not detected by pulling the hand back, the water discharge from the water discharge port 16 is stopped there. That is, the water is stopped.

  Further, the water discharge pipe 10 has a water sensor 20 on the tip and right side thereof, and a hot water sensor 22 on the left side, which are directed to the right side and the left side, respectively, as operation units for changing the state relating to water discharge. Arranged.

The water sensor 20 is a human body detection sensor that detects a human body in a non-contact manner, and is configured as a hand-holding sensor that alternately turns on and off every time a human body is detected.
Specifically, when the user puts his hand to the side of the tip of the water discharge pipe 10 (in front of the water sensor 20, hereinafter referred to as the side of the water sensor 20), the water sensor 20 detects this. Water is selected from the spout 16 and discharged.
The water sensor 20 once discharges water from the water outlet 16 and then continues to discharge water even if the user pulls his hand back, that is, no human body is detected.
When the user again puts his hand to the side of the water sensor 20, the water sensor 20 detects this and stops (stops water discharge) water from the water discharge port 16.

The hot water sensor 22 is also a human body detection sensor that detects a human body in a non-contact manner, and includes a hand-hold sensor that alternately turns on and off every time a human body is detected.
The hot water sensor 22 operates as follows. That is, when a user puts his hand over the side of the hot water sensor 22 (strictly speaking, this will be described below as a side), the hot water sensor 22 detects this and detects hot water (temperature to an appropriate temperature). The adjusted hot water) is selected and discharged from the water outlet 16.
Thereafter, even if the user pulls his hand back and the hot water sensor 22 is not detected by the human body, the hot water discharge from the water discharge port 16 is continued.
When the user again places his hand on the side of the hot water sensor 22, the hot water sensor 22 detects this and stops (stops water) the hot water discharged from the water outlet 16.

In this embodiment, the water sensor 20 and the hot water sensor 22 both function as flow rate adjustment sensors.
That is, when the user continues to hold the hand to the side of the water sensor 20 after the hand is held over the water sensor 20 to discharge water from the water outlet 16, the water discharge port 16 is controlled according to the operation duration time. After the water discharge flow rate increases or the water discharge flow rate reaches the maximum flow rate, the water discharge flow rate is decreased.
Similarly, if the user continues to hold the hand to the side of the hot water sensor 22, the hot water discharge flow rate from the water discharge port 16 increases according to the operation duration time, or also decreases after reaching the maximum flow rate. Change.

In the present embodiment, the water sensor 20 and the hot water sensor 22 are configured as an integrated sensor unit 24 together with the above-described automatic spout water sensor 18.
FIG. 2A shows the sensor unit 24, and one electric wiring cord 26 is connected to the sensor unit 24 by wiring.
Here, the electrical wiring cord 26 includes at least three electrical wirings for power supply, signal supply, and ground.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 23 denotes a casing (here, resin) in the sensor unit 24, and a control board having a control unit (microcomputer) 28 mounted on a resin board 27 as shown in FIGS. 30 is housed inside.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a resin plate integrated with the control board 30, and the infrared light emitting element 34 and the light receiving element 36 in the automatic spout water sensor 18 are attached and held on the plate 32.
Reference numeral 38 denotes a cover portion (in this case, made of resin) in the sensor 18 for automatic spout water, which receives a slit 40 for guiding and radiating light from the light emitting element 34 in a certain direction and a part of reflected light therein. And a slit 42 for guiding the light receiving element 36.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the slits 40 and 42 are oriented so that the automatic spout water sensor 18 does not detect the pot surface 49. That is, the orientation of the slits 40 and 42 is determined so that the bowl surface 49 does not enter the detection area S determined by the orientation of the slits 40 and 42.

The water sensor 20 is also composed of an infrared human body detection sensor, and includes an infrared light emitting element 44 and a light receiving element 46 that receives reflected light, and is attached to the control board 30 toward the right side in FIG. Is held.
Reference numeral 48 denotes a cover portion (made of resin) in the water sensor 20, and slits 50 and 52 are provided corresponding to the light emitting element 44 and the light receiving element 46, respectively.

The hot water sensor 22 is also configured basically in the same manner as the water sensor 20.
That is, the hot water sensor 22 is also composed of an infrared human body detection sensor, and corresponds to the light emitting element 53 and the light receiving element 54 provided in the infrared light emitting element 53, the light receiving element 54, the cover part 56, and the cover part 56, respectively. The slits 58 and 60 are provided.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, all of the automatic water stop sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 are integrated on the common control board 30, and they are formed as a single sensor unit as a whole. 24 is constituted. The electric wiring cord 26 is connected to the common control board 30 by wiring.

In this embodiment, the signal output from the automatic spout water sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 is output controlled by a common control board 30, and a control valve such as an electromagnetic valve or a flow control valve is used. It is supplied to the valve controller as a signal for operating.
In some cases, a valve control unit may also be mounted on the control board 30.
In this case, a drive signal is directly supplied to the control valve.

In the case where the automatic spout water sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 are separately provided at separate positions, and a control board is provided for each of them, an electric wiring cord is provided for each control board. The wiring must be connected.
Alternatively, even when a common control board is used, each sensor must be connected to the control board by electrical wiring using a connector.
However, in this embodiment, the automatic spout water sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 are integrated into a common control board 26 to form a single sensor unit 24. Benefits are gained.

  That is, according to this embodiment, it is only necessary to connect the three electric wirings for power supply, signal supply, and ground to the common control board 30, and therefore the electric wiring is placed inside the faucet. In the case of providing, the space occupied by the electric wiring can be reduced, the faucet can be made compact, and workability during faucet assembly work and subsequent maintenance work can be improved.

  Alternatively, it is unnecessary to connect each sensor and a common control board via a connector, a problem that the connector is required as a separate part, a problem that the connector occupies a large space inside the faucet, and Therefore, it is not necessary to design a product that leads to an increase in cost, such as changing the shape and color of the connector so that an incorrect connection is not made at the time of connection by the connector.

In the present embodiment, the automatic discharge water sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 have different directions, so that the water sensor 20 and the hot water sensor 22 are operated by hand. When the hand is pushed out, the automatic water-stopping water sensor 18 erroneously detects this, and it is possible to effectively prevent a malfunction that the automatic water-stopping water is unintentionally performed.
Further, it is possible to avoid the problem that the water sensor 20 or the hot water sensor 22 erroneously detects this when the user puts out a hand so that the automatic spout water sensor 18 can detect the hand. it can.

Further, when the automatic water-stopping water sensor 18, the water sensor 20, and the hot water sensor 22 are provided separately and independently, a corresponding number of resin casings 23 are also required, but according to this embodiment. A single casing 23 is sufficient, and the required cost for the casing can be reduced.
Further, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the operation for automatic spitting water, the selection or switching of the water spout and hot water spout and the flow rate adjustment can be performed in a non-contact manner, so that the faucet can be used hygienically Moreover, since this can be used without touching the faucet, there is an advantage that the faucet is not soiled.

Next, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is an example in which a first hand-holding sensor 62, a second hand-holding sensor 64, and a third hand-holding sensor 66 are provided in the sensor unit 24 in addition to the automatic spitting water sensor 18.

Here, the first hand-holding sensor 62 is oriented toward the right side, the second hand-holding sensor 64 is oriented toward the left side, and the third hand-holding sensor 66 is oriented upward.
The configuration of each sensor is basically the same as that of the water sensor 20 and the hot water sensor 22.

In this case, the first hand-holding sensor 62 is configured as the water sensor and the second hand-holding sensor 64 is configured as the hot water sensor, or any two of the three hand-holding sensors. Can be configured as a water sensor, a hot water sensor, or three sensors can be configured for other purposes.
As described above, even when the three hand-holding sensors 62, 64, 66 are provided in addition to the automatic spitting water sensor 18, they are configured as a single sensor unit 24 together with the common control board 30. Thus, it is sufficient to connect the single electric wiring cord 26 by wiring.

The above is an example in the case where two or more hand-holding sensors, that is, an operation unit for changing the state related to the water stoppage, is provided in addition to the automatic water stoppage water sensor 18, as shown in FIG. In addition to the automatic water spouting sensor 18, one hand-holding sensor 68 may be provided to form a single sensor unit 24.
In FIG. 7, the hand-holding sensor 68 is oriented upward in the figure, but of course, it is oriented in the right direction, left direction, or other direction (however, different from the direction of the automatic spitting water sensor 18). It is also possible.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples.
For example, in each of the above examples, a hand-holding sensor is provided as a state change operation unit. However, the operation unit can be configured as a contact type operation unit, and selection or switching between water and hot water as described above. In addition to adjusting the flow rate, the continuous water discharge is performed by the operation, the raw water and the purified water are switched, the middle water and the clean water are switched, and the water is discharged from the water outlet. The present invention can be configured in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention, such as an operation unit for switching from straight water discharge in a rectifying state to shower water discharge or vice versa. .

1 is an overall view showing an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure of the sensor unit in the embodiment. It is a perspective view of the sensor unit. It is sectional drawing of the sensor unit. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the sensor unit. It is a figure of the sensor unit in other embodiments of the present invention. It is a figure of the sensor unit in further another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water discharge pipe 12 Automatic faucet device 16 Water outlet 18 Automatic water stop sensor 20 Water sensor 22 Hot water sensor 24 Sensor unit 30 Control board 62, 64, 66, 68 Hand holding sensor

Claims (2)

An automatic spout water sensor is provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe to detect the human body in a non-contact manner and to discharge water during human body detection, and to stop water when the human body is not detected, in the direction of water discharge from the spout. In the automatic water faucet device, the tip of the water discharge pipe, for the state change related to water discharge, other than the automatic water discharge by the automatic water discharge sensor, besides the automatic water discharge sensor, The operation unit is arranged in a direction different from that of the automatic water stop sensor, and the automatic water stop sensor and the operation unit are connected with signals from the automatic water stop sensor and the operation unit. An automatic water faucet device that is integrated with a common control board for output control and is configured as a single unit.   2. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is configured by a hand-held human body detection sensor that alternately turns on and off every time a human body is detected without contact.

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