JP2008248474A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet which enables a generator to be stably operated while being compactly built in a spout. <P>SOLUTION: In the inside of the main body portion of this automatic faucet provided are a water passage, an electromagnetic valve for opening/closing the water passage, a sensor for detecting a user, the generator for generating electric power by using a water flow running through the water passage, and a control portion for controlling the electromagnetic valve on the basis of output from the sensor. The automatic faucet is also equipped with a water ejection joint which is fixed to the main body portion and the leading end of which is provided with an spout; a leading end, which allows the water flow to run into the generator, is supported on the side of the main body portion; and a back end, which allows the water flow to run out from the generator, is supported on the side of the water ejection joint. Thus, the generator is fixed by being held in the state of being sandwiched between the side of the main body portion and that of the water ejection joint. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that automatically discharges water when a hand is held out.

The automatic faucet that discharges water only while the user puts out a hand using a sensor is not only convenient, but also hygienic because it is non-contact type, and `` forget to close '' Since the water-saving effect by eliminating this is high, it is spreading widely. In order to realize such an automatic function, an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes water discharge and a control unit that controls the electromagnetic valve based on the output of the sensor are necessary. Providing a generator for supplying power to these elements eliminates the need for an external power supply and dramatically improves the degree of freedom in installing an automatic faucet. An automatic faucet incorporating these solenoid valve, control unit, and generator in a spout on the upper surface of the counter is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-336882 A

  However, the shape and size of the spout installed on the counter is limited. Therefore, various technical devices are required to make the generator compactly housed together with the solenoid valve and the control unit so as to stably operate while suppressing noise and vibration.

  The present invention provides an automatic faucet that can stably operate while suppressing noise and vibration while incorporating a generator in a spout in a compact manner.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a water passage, an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the water passage, a sensor that detects a user, a generator that generates electric power by a water flow flowing through the water passage, An automatic faucet provided in the main body with a control unit for controlling the electromagnetic valve based on an output, further comprising a water discharge joint fixed to the main body and provided with a water discharge port at a tip, The front end into which the water flow flows is supported on the main body side, and the rear end from which the water flow flows out from the generator is supported on the water discharge joint side, so that the generator is on the main body side. An automatic faucet is provided that is sandwiched and fixed between the water discharge joint and the side of the water discharge joint.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the automatic faucet which can operate | move stably is provided, incorporating a generator in a spout compactly.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an automatic faucet according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of the automatic faucet, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view of the main body 3a as viewed from above with the lid 3c of the automatic faucet removed. (C) is the sectional view on the AA line of Fig.1 (a).

  The main body 3 of the automatic faucet of the present embodiment is attached to a base 2 such as a washstand, for example. The main body 3 of the automatic water faucet is connected to a supply source such as tap water through the pipes 4A and 4B. The main body 3 includes a main body portion 3a and a lid body 3c. The lid 3c is detachably fixed to the main body 3a. The main body 3a and the lid 3c can be integrally formed of metal, resin, or the like. For example, the main body 3a can be integrally formed as a metal casting.

  An opening 30 is formed in the lower surface near the tip of the main body 3a downward, and the water outlet 6 is disposed in the opening 30. The water discharge port 6 is open to a foam cap 66 attached to the tip of the water discharge joint 20. A sensor 7 is disposed in the vicinity of the water outlet 6. Specifically, the sensor 7 is arranged along the water outlet 6, and the water discharge direction of the water discharged from the water outlet 6 and the directivity characteristic of the sensor 7 are made substantially the same, so that the detection characteristics are improved and the usability is improved. Get better. Further, by disposing the sensor 7 at a position slightly retracted inward from the opening end of the opening 30, disturbance to the sensor 7 can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to suppress the incidence of light from the outside and prevent malfunction.

  The automatic faucet of the present embodiment is a hot water mixing type automatic faucet. That is, the main body 3a is provided with a pipe 4A for supplying water and a pipe 4B for supplying hot water. A water supply channel (water channel) 10 that guides the water supplied through the pipe 4 to the water outlet 6 is formed in the main body 3a. The mixing ratio of the water and hot water supplied from the pipes 4 </ b> A and 4 </ b> B to the water supply channel 10 is adjusted at the mixing valve 80. Further, a strainer 82 is inserted into the mixing valve 80 so that foreign matters such as dust and cutting powder can be removed upstream of the electromagnetic valve 8. Note that the mixing valve 80 can be pulled out to the left in FIG. 1C, and for example, maintenance work such as cleaning and replacement of the strainer 82 can be easily performed.

  In the present embodiment, the main body joint 40 is provided on the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 8, and the high cut valve 84 is inserted into the main body joint 40. The high cut valve 84 has a role of preventing passage of hot water exceeding a predetermined temperature. That is, even when hot water is temporarily supplied to the automatic faucet, by providing the high cut valve 84, the user can be prevented from being burned and can be used safely.

  A faucet generator (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “generator”) 11 is incorporated in the main body 3 a downstream of the high cut valve 84. On the other hand, a lid 3c provided with a battery 56 and a control unit 57 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 3a. Further, the control unit 57 is provided with a waterproof connector (not shown) so that the electrical wiring can be attached and detached while maintaining the waterproof property of the electrical connection with the sensor 7 or the electromagnetic valve 8.

  In the automatic faucet configured as described above, when the user holds his / her hand under the spout 6, this is detected by the sensor 7, and the control unit 57 opens the electromagnetic valve 8. Thereby, water is supplied to the generator 11, and electric power is generated in the generator 11, and the water that has flowed through the generator 11 is discharged from the water outlet 6. The generated electric power is stored in a capacitor provided in the control unit 57, and is supplied from the battery 56 as necessary, and is used for driving the electromagnetic valve 8, the sensor 7, and the control unit 57, for example. And if a user moves a hand away from under the spout 6, the solenoid valve 8 will be closed and water will stop automatically.

  In the present embodiment, the water discharge joint 20 is fixed to the main body portion 3a, while the main body joint 40 is fixed to the main body portion 3a, and the generator 11 is sandwiched between the water discharge joint 20 and the main body joint 40. It is fixed. Specifically, the water discharge joint 20 is fixed to the main body 3 a by screws 22. On the other hand, the main body joint 40 is fixed to the main body portion 3 a by screws 42. The generator 11 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the main body joint 40 and the water discharge joint 20. The main body joint 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 provided in the main body part 3 a, and the joint is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 14. Further, the tip into which the water flow flows into the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 of the main body joint 40, and the joint portion is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 13. On the other hand, the rear end from which the water flow flows out of the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 of the water discharge joint 20, and the joint is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 12.

  That is, according to this embodiment, the generator 11 is not directly fixed to the main body portion 3a, but is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the water discharge joint 20 and the main body joint 40. In this way, it is possible to provide an automatic faucet that is compact and difficult to transmit vibrations and that eliminates rattling of the spout 6.

  For example, in FIGS. 11 and 12 of Patent Document 1, a structure having a power generation means and a solenoid valve is connected to a water discharge joint with a hose clamp-like structure, and the inside of a casing formed by an upper cover and a lower cover. The structure housed in is shown. However, in the case of this automatic faucet, the water discharge joint is not fixed to the upper cover or the lower cover.

  If the water discharge joint is not fixed to a support such as a housing, the water discharge port may move or vibrate due to the force of water discharge. In addition, vibration due to rotation of the rotating body provided in the generator is transmitted to the water discharge joint and amplified, and the water discharge port may vibrate more greatly. Further, the generator and the water discharge joint may resonate. In such a case, it is conceivable that the water discharge is shaken, or the water discharge joint collides with the main body (lower case) to generate abnormal noise such as “katakata”. Further, when the water discharge joint vibrates in this way, the rotation of the generator is also affected, and the power generation efficiency and mechanical life may be reduced.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the main body joint 40 is fixed to the main body part 3 a with screws 42, and the water discharge joint 20 is fixed to the main body part 3 a with screws 22. The generator 11 is fixed so as to be sandwiched between 40 and the water discharge joint 20. By fixing the water discharge joint 20 to the main body 3a, the position of the water discharge port 6 can be fixed reliably, and displacement and vibration of the water discharge port 6 can be prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent noise caused by “blurring” of the water discharge and hitting the main body 3a.

  Furthermore, by adopting a structure in which the generator 11 is not directly fixed to the main body 3a, the whole can be made compact, and the generation of vibrations and abnormal noise can be suppressed. That is, in order to directly fix the generator 11 to the main body 3a, for example, it is necessary to provide an extension for fixing in the generator 11, and to make a screw hole in the extension to screw the main body 3a. There is. However, if the extending portion is provided in the generator 11 in this way, the size is increased accordingly, and the size of the main body portion 3a needs to be increased in order to accommodate this.

  In addition, since the rotating body rotates in the generator 11 during water discharge, a sound such as “hue” or slight vibration is generated. When the generator 11 is directly fixed to the main body 3a, such sound and vibration may be directly transmitted to the main body 3a and amplified in the main body 3a. When the sound and vibration of the generator 11 are amplified by the main body 3a, not only does the user feel uncomfortable, but the mechanical elements of the generator 11 and the electromagnetic valve 8 incorporated in the main body 3a are mechanically affected. There is a risk that the service life may be reduced.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the automatic faucet can be made compact by making the generator 11 not directly fixed to the main body portion 3a, and the generation of vibrations and abnormal noises can be suppressed and the user-friendliness can be improved. It can provide an automatic faucet with good mechanical reliability.
In particular, in the specific example shown in FIG. 1, the generator 11 is supported via the seal member 13 on the main body joint 40 side and supported via the seal member 12 on the water discharge joint 20 side. Yes. These sealing materials 12 and 13 are formed of an O-ring made of an elastic material such as rubber. That is, both ends of the generator 11 are supported by an elastic material, and vibration generated from the generator 11 is difficult to be transmitted to the main body 3a and the water outlet 6 and the generator 11 is also connected to the generator from the main body 3a and the water outlet 6. 11 is a structure in which vibration is not easily transmitted. Therefore, the generation of abnormal noise and vibration can be more effectively suppressed.

  The assembly procedure of the automatic water faucet of the present embodiment will be described. First, the main body joint 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 provided in the main body portion 3a together with the sealing material 14, and is screwed with the screw 42. And the front-end | tip of the generator 11 is inserted with the sealing material 13 in the insertion hole 25 of the main body coupling 40, the insertion hole 26 of the water discharge joint 20 is inserted with the sealing material 12 in the rear end of the generator 11, and the water discharge joint 20 is screwed. 22 is screwed to the main body 3a. Alternatively, the generator 11 and the water discharge joint 20 are connected first, and then the tip of the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 of the main body joint 40, and then the water discharge joint 20 is attached to the main body 3a with the screw 22. It may be screwed.

In the present embodiment, the battery 56 and the control unit 57 accommodated in the lid 3c are waterproofed by the waterproof means 60. Examples of the waterproof means 60 include potting with resin. That is, a waterproof layer that covers the battery 56 and the control unit 57 is formed by dripping and curing a resin such as epoxy, silicone, and urethane from the battery 56 and the control unit 57 accommodated in the lid 3c. Can be formed.
In addition, as the waterproof means 60, for example, varnish treatment, a method of covering the battery 56 and the control unit 57 with a waterproof cover, and the like can be used.

  By providing the control unit 57 in the lid 3c disposed on the upper part of the main body 3a, even when water enters from the opening 30, for example, the control unit 57 can be prevented from getting wet. In addition, by disposing the control unit 57 at a position higher than the lowermost end of the opening 30, even when the water level that has entered the inside of the main body 3 a rises, by draining from the opening 30 or the drain hole 90, It is possible to prevent the control unit 57 from being submerged.

  In addition, by providing the waterproof means 60, even if water reaches the control unit 57, it is possible to suppress a short circuit or a failure. Furthermore, since the lid 3c that accommodates the control unit 57 is detachable from the main body 3a, the control unit 57 can be inspected, maintained, repaired, and exchanged.

In the present embodiment, the first flat surface 3d and the lower second flat surface 3e are provided, and the drainage from the third flat surface 3f to the opening 92 via the drainage hole 90 is provided. A route is provided. In the middle of this drainage path, there is no reverse slope or a step that prevents the outflow of water. As a result, the water that has entered the main body 3a can be drained smoothly and quickly.
(Second embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of an automatic faucet according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the lid 3c is removed from the automatic water faucet of the present embodiment. In these figures, elements similar to those described above with reference to FIG.

  The main body 3 of the automatic faucet of the present embodiment also includes a main body portion 3a and a lid body 3c. The lid 3c is fixed in a state where it is pressed forward from the back by a screw 330, and is detachable from the main body 3a.

  The main body 3a is formed with a water supply passage 10 that guides the water supplied through the pipe 4 to the water outlet 6. The main body 3a includes a built-in electromagnetic valve 8 that opens and closes the water supply flow path 10, and further includes a constant flow valve 55 that restricts the amount of water discharged to a downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 8. In addition, a pressure reducing valve or a pressure regulating valve (not shown) for reducing the pressure when the water supply source pressure is too higher than the working pressure is built in upstream of the electromagnetic valve 8. The constant flow valve 55, the pressure reducing valve, and the pressure regulating valve are provided as necessary, and their positions can be changed as appropriate.

  In this embodiment, a main body joint 40 in which the constant flow valve 55 is stored is provided. The main body joint 40 is inserted into the main body portion 3a. And the front-end | tip in which a water flow flows in into the generator 11 is inserted in the main body coupling 40, the rear end in which a water flow flows out from the generator 11 is inserted in the water discharge joint 20, and the water discharge joint 20 is being fixed to the main-body part 3a. . That is, the generator 11 is sandwiched and fixed between the water discharge joint 20 and the main body portion 3 a via the main body joint 40. More specifically, the main body joint 40 in which the constant flow valve 55 is stored is inserted into the main body part 3a in the water supply passage of the main body part 3a on the downstream side of the electromagnetic valve 8. The water discharge joint 20 is fixed to the main body 3 a by screws 22. The generator 11 is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the main body joint 40 and the water discharge joint 20. The main body joint 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 24 provided in the main body part 3 a, and the joint is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 14. Further, the tip of the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 25 of the main body joint 40, and the joint is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 13. On the other hand, the rear end of the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole 26 of the water discharge joint 20, and the joint is maintained liquid-tight by the sealing material 12.

  That is, also in this embodiment, the generator 11 is not directly fixed to the main body 3a, but is fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the water discharge joint 20 and the main body 3a. In this way, as in the case described above with respect to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an automatic water faucet that is compact and difficult to transmit vibrations and that eliminates rattling of the water discharge port 6.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the main body joint 40 that supports the distal end side of the generator 11 is not directly fixed to the main body portion 3a with screws or the like, but is inserted through the sealing material 14 made of an elastic material or the like. It is supposed to be in a state. Therefore, it can suppress more effectively that a vibration is transmitted to the main-body part 3a via the main body coupling 40 from the generator 11, and conversely, it vibrates from the main-body part 3a to the generator 11 via the main-body coupling 40. Can be effectively suppressed.

  In this embodiment as well, the battery 56 and the control unit 57 housed in the lid 3c are waterproofed by the waterproof means 60. By providing the control unit 57 on the lid 3c disposed on the upper part of the main body 3a, even when water is scattered from the opening 30, for example, the control unit 57 can be prevented from getting wet. Further, by disposing the control unit 57 at a position higher than the lowermost end of the opening 30, even when the water level that has entered the inside of the main body 3a rises, the control unit 57 can be drained from the opening 30 so that the control unit 57 You can avoid being submerged.

  In addition, by providing the waterproof means 60, even if water reaches the control unit 57, it is possible to suppress a short circuit or a failure. Furthermore, since the lid 3c that accommodates the control unit 57 is detachable from the main body 3a, the control unit 57 can be inspected, maintained, repaired, and exchanged.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples.
However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples.
For example, without providing the main body joint 40 in the first embodiment or the main body joint 40 in the second embodiment, the front end of the generator 11 is inserted into the insertion hole provided in the main body portion 3a, and the rear end of the generator 11 is inserted. The generator 11 may be fixed by the main body 3a by inserting the water discharge joint 20 and fixing the water discharge joint 20. Further, another member may be interposed between the generator 11 and the water discharge joint 20.

  Moreover, the main body part which comprises the automatic water faucet of this invention, a water discharge joint, a main body joint, a control part, a solenoid valve, a constant flow valve, a generator, a water discharge port, a sensor, a control part, a primary battery, a secondary battery, and Even if a person skilled in the art appropriately changes the shape, structure, material, size, and the like of the standing portion and the accommodating portion, they are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the gist of the present invention.

It is a schematic diagram showing the automatic faucet concerning the 1st example of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the automatic faucet concerning the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing the state which removed the cover body 3c in the automatic water tap of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  3 body, 3a body, 3c lid, 3d flat surface, 3e flat surface, 3f flat surface, 4 piping, 4A piping, 4B piping, 6 water outlet, 7 sensor, 8 solenoid valve, 10 water supply flow path, 11 power generation Machine, 12 Sealing material, 13 Sealing material, 14 Sealing material, 20 Water discharge joint, 22 Screw, 24 Insertion hole, 25 Insertion hole, 26 Insertion hole, 27 Solenoid valve, 30 Opening, 40 Body joint, 42 Screw, 55 Constant flow rate Valve, 56 battery, 57 control unit, 60 waterproofing means, 66 foam cap, 80 mixing valve, 82 strainer, 84 high cut valve, 90 drain hole, 92 opening

Claims (8)

A water passage, an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the water passage, a sensor that detects a user, a generator that generates electric power by a water flow flowing through the water passage, and the electromagnetic valve that is controlled based on an output from the sensor An automatic faucet provided in the main body,
Further comprising a water discharge joint fixed to the main body portion and provided with a water discharge port at the tip,
The front end from which the water flow flows into the generator is supported on the main body side, and the rear end from which the water flow flows out from the generator is supported on the water discharge joint side, whereby the power generator is connected to the main body. An automatic faucet characterized by being sandwiched and fixed between the side of the part and the side of the water discharge joint.   The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the front end and the rear end of the generator are each supported via a sealing material made of an elastic material. The main body is made of metal,
A part of the water passage is formed integrally with the main body,
The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electromagnetic valve is fixed to the main body. Further comprising a body joint fixed to the body portion;
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tip of the generator is supported by the main body joint.   5. The automatic water faucet according to claim 4, wherein at least one of a constant flow valve for maintaining a constant flow rate and a high cut valve for preventing passage of high-temperature water are provided in the main body joint.   The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the rear end of the generator is supported by the water discharge joint.   The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a detachable lid is provided on an upper surface of the main body.   The automatic faucet according to claim 7, wherein the lid is fixed to the main body in a state of being pressed from the back toward the front.

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