JP2010144495A - Water discharge device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water discharge device which can start discharge at an optimal timing before an object to be detected reaches a water-discharge section by detecting the acceleration of the object to be detected. <P>SOLUTION: The device includes: a water-discharge section, a sensor for obtaining information about the movement of the object to be detected by the reflex wave of an emitted electric wave, a control section for controlling discharge from the water-discharge section based on a detection signal from the sensor, and a water receiving section for receiving water discharged from the water-discharge section. The control section of the water discharge device starts discharge before the object to be detected reaches the water-discharge section after having detected the acceleration of the object to be detected in the sensor, when it is detected that the speed of the object to be detected reaches at least a predetermined speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water discharge device that is provided in a faucet facility such as a toilet, a wash basin, and a kitchen, detects a detected object using a radio wave sensor, and controls water discharge.

Some conventional water discharge devices automatically start water discharge after detecting that a hand, which is a detection target, has arrived in front of a water discharge port using an infrared sensor or the like. In addition, by utilizing the fact that microwaves are reflected by the human body, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a microwave sensor is installed in the faucet device, and water discharge is performed based on the amplitude of the Doppler signal reflected to the hand that is put out to the water discharge port. A faucet device that initiates the process is disclosed. In such a case, the timing of water discharge will be delayed if water discharge is started after detecting that the hand, which is the detection target, has reached the arrival point. Further, when water discharge is controlled only by the amplitude of the Doppler signal, there is a problem in that it is difficult to discharge water at an optimal timing because the detection distance varies depending on the shape, area, and material of the object to be detected.
JP 2006-193954 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to start water discharge at an optimal timing.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a water discharge unit, a sensor unit that acquires information on the movement of a detected object by reflected waves of emitted radio waves, and a detection signal from the sensor unit A control unit that controls water discharge from the water discharge unit, and a water receiving unit that receives water discharged from the water discharge unit, and the control unit detects acceleration of the detection object by the sensor unit, When it is detected that the speed of the detected body is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, it is possible to provide a water discharge device that starts water discharge before the detected body reaches the water discharge section.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, there exists an effect that water discharge can be started at the optimal timing before a to-be-detected body reaches | attains a water discharging part by detecting the acceleration of a to-be-detected body.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a water discharger according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view. The water discharge device includes a sensor unit 100 and a control unit 200, and forms a water faucet device together with a water discharge port (spout) 30, a water receiving unit 40 made of ceramics, and the like.

  The sensor unit 100 radiates (transmits) a high-frequency radio wave such as a microwave or a millimeter wave, receives a reflected wave generated by the reflected radio wave being reflected on the detection target, and detects the detection target within the detection range A. The presence or absence is discriminated by the detection signal.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are block diagrams for illustrating the sensor unit 100 and the control unit 200. The sensor unit 100 includes an antenna 112, a transmission unit 114, a reception unit 116, and a mixer unit 118. The antenna 112 connected to the transmission unit 114 emits radio waves in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 100 GHz such as high frequency, microwave, or millimeter wave. Specifically, a transmission wave T1 having a frequency of 10.525 GHz is radiated from the antenna 112, for example. A reflected wave or transmitted wave T <b> 2 from a detection object such as a human body is input to the receiving unit 116 via the antenna 112. Here, the antenna may have a common transmission side and reception side as shown in FIG. 3A, or an antenna 112a is connected to the transmission unit 114 as shown in FIG. 3B. The antenna 112b may be connected to the receiving unit 116.
A part of the transmission wave and the reception wave are respectively input to the mixer unit 118 and synthesized, and for example, a detection signal (reflection signal) reflecting the Doppler effect is output. The detection signal output from the mixer unit 118 is output toward the control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes a filter 210, a frequency detection unit 220, a determination unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a valve 250. From the detection signal output from the difference detection unit 118, first, a high frequency component is removed by the filter 210. The filtering frequency at this time can be set to 100 Hz, for example. In many cases, the speed of approaching or moving away from the body or hand of a user who uses an automatic water faucet (water discharge device) is 100 Hz or less. Thus, disturbances can be removed and accurately detected.
The detection signal output from the difference detection unit 118 has a waveform in which a high frequency signal is superimposed on a low frequency baseline. The high frequency component includes information on the Doppler effect. That is, when the detected object such as the body moves, the wavelength of the reflected wave shifts due to the Doppler effect. The Doppler frequency ΔF (Hz) can be expressed by the following equation (1).

ΔF = Fs−Fb = 2 × Fs × v / c Equation (1)

Where Fs: transmission frequency (Hz)
Fb: reflection frequency (Hz)
v: object moving speed (m / s)
c: speed of light (= 300 × 10 ⁶ m / s)

When the object to be detected moves relative to the sensor unit 100, an output signal including a frequency ΔF proportional to the velocity v can be obtained as represented by Expression (1). The output signal has a frequency spectrum, and there is a correlation between the peak frequency corresponding to the peak of the spectrum and the velocity v of the moving object. Therefore, the velocity v can be obtained by measuring the Doppler frequency ΔF. In Japan, frequencies in the range of 10.50 to 1055 GHz or 24.05 to 24.25 GHz can be used for the purpose of detecting a human body.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the characteristics of the detection signal output from the filter 210. FIG. 4A is an example of the time characteristic of the speed of the human body as the detection target. As the operation starts, the moving speed accelerates (region A), then maintains a constant speed (region B), and then decelerates and approaches the target point (region C) when approaching the arrival point.

  FIG. 4B shows a detection signal (output signal from the filter 210) when the edge is separated from the front surface of the sensor unit 100 at a constant speed as in the region B of FIG. 4A. When separating from the front surface of the sensor unit 100 at a constant speed, the frequency of the detection signal is constant, but the intensity of the radio wave reaching the detected body from the antenna transmitted by the sensor unit 100 decreases due to the diffusion of the radio wave, Since the reflected wave from the body is attenuated by diffusion before reaching the receiving antenna, the amplitude of the detection signal gradually decreases.

  FIG. 5A shows a trajectory of movement of the sensor unit 100 and the detected object when the sensor unit 100 passes through the substantially orthogonal direction at a constant speed. FIG. 5B shows the frequency obtained from the detection signal that appears in FIG. The detection signal of the sensor unit 100 includes information on the speed at which the detected object approaches or moves away from the sensor unit 100, so that the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 as shown in FIG. The frequency of the detection signal gradually decreases when approaching, and increases when moving away from the vicinity of the sensor unit 100. Since this phenomenon does not depend on the direction in which the sensor unit 100 is installed or the direction of radio wave emission, acceleration is achieved by directing the direction of radio wave emission only in the direction away from the object to be detected, even when traversing at a constant speed. Can only be obtained as a detection signal. In this case, it is possible to detect that the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 has been crossed by combining the decrease in amplitude when separated from the sensor unit 100 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, even when the crossing operation is performed at a constant speed, only the deceleration can be obtained as the detection signal by directing the radiation direction of the radio wave only in the direction in which the detected object approaches. In this case, it is possible to detect that the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 is about to be crossed by combining the increase in the amplitude of the detection signal when approaching as shown in FIG. Similarly, even in a crossing operation at a constant speed, both deceleration and acceleration can be obtained as detection signals by directing the radiation direction of the radio wave in a direction in which the detected object can detect both approaching and separating. In this case, it is possible to detect that the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 has been crossed by combining the amplitude of the detection signal when approaching and the decrease of the amplitude when separating.

  In the present embodiment, for example, this determination can be made in the determination unit 220 (FIG. 3A or 3B).

  In addition, the acceleration shown by this invention is that the frequency judged by the control part 200 exceeds the frequency of last time and the last time. This is because the frequency may be increased by actually increasing the moving speed of the detected object within the detection range A, but the control is performed even if the moving speed of the detected object is not increased (constant speed or deceleration). It is sufficient that the frequency determined by the unit 200 is increased. This is because the frequency of the detection signal of the Doppler sensor is the speed at which the detection target moves with respect to the sensor unit 100. Therefore, when the frequency detected by the sensor unit 100 is changed even at a constant speed as shown in FIG. 5B, an increase in frequency can be detected. In addition, even when the moving speed of the detection target is a deceleration, if the speed to the sensor unit 100 increases, the control unit 200 can detect an increase in frequency.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the detected object. FIG. 6A shows a case where it is detected that a human hand is a detected object a and the frequency of a detection signal due to the movement of the detected object a is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency. FIG. 6 (b) detects that the frequency of the detection signal due to the movement of the detected body a is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency, with the person's hand having a body to be cleaned such as a toothbrush or cup as the detected body a. Represents the case. FIG. 6C shows that the object to be cleaned such as a toothbrush or a cup held in a human hand is the object to be detected a, and the frequency of the detection signal due to the movement of the object to be detected is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency. Indicates the case of detection.

  In the present embodiment, when the user's hand or the object to be cleaned approaches the automatic faucet, the sensor unit 100 detects acceleration and controls water discharge.

  In the present invention, controlling water discharge means that a signal for controlling the valve 250 is transmitted to the valve 250, and has started even when water discharge is started from the water discharge port of the water discharge unit 100. It is not necessary.

  In the specific example shown in FIG. 6, the detection output from the sensor unit 100 to the control unit 200 when the detected object moves and enters the detection range A of the sensor unit 100 and the distance from the arrival point is e1. The frequency of the signal to be detected is the threshold f1 (FIG. 7A). At this timing, the determination unit 230 opens the valve 250 to start water discharge. Eventually, the detected object reaches the arrival point, but when it reaches before that point (e1), the determination unit 230 controls the water discharge start timing so as to start the water discharge by opening the valve 250. When the body reaches the arrival point, water discharge starts without delay. It is not necessary to open the valve 250 immediately after detecting acceleration from the detection signal, and water discharge may be started after waiting for a certain time.

  FIG.7 (b) is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The control unit 200 acquires a detection signal from the sensor unit 100 (step S1), and obtains and stores the frequency of the detected object from the detection signal (step S2). In this case, for example, the frequency having the maximum amplitude in the entire frequency band (0 to 100 Hz) of the detection signal is obtained as the frequency of the detected object.

  Next, the control part 200 determines whether it became more than fixed speed based on the calculated | required frequency of the to-be-detected body (step S3). This acceleration determination of the detected object is determined by comparing the frequency of the detected object determined this time with the frequency of the detected object already determined before the previous time and a preset threshold f1.

  The acceleration determination procedure in this case is, for example, that the frequency of the detected object obtained last time and before the previous time is lower than the threshold value f1, and the frequency of the detected object determined this time is equal to or higher than the threshold value f1 (accordingly, the detection signal of the previous time). If it is higher than the frequency), it is determined that the detected object has accelerated with respect to the sensor unit 100. Otherwise, it is determined that the detected object has not accelerated with respect to the sensor unit 100. . It should be noted that the frequency of the detected object obtained last time and the last time can be stored in the storage means 240 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and read out.

  As a result, when it is determined that the sensor unit 100 of the detected object is not accelerated (NO in step S3), the process returns to step S1 and the detection signal is acquired again. If it is determined that the detected object has accelerated (YES in step S3), the valve 250 is opened to start water discharge (step S9).

  According to the first embodiment described above, when it is detected that the detected object has accelerated to the predetermined frequency f1 or more, the detected object reaches the target arrival point by starting water discharge. At the same time, water is discharged and it can be used comfortably.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when it is detected that the detected object is accelerated and exceeds the predetermined frequency (assumed to be f1), it is assumed that the detected object approaches the target arrival point. Start watering.

  Thereby, since water discharge is started before a to-be-detected body reaches an arrival point, it can be used comfortably.

  FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a specific example of the detection target in the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8 (a), a person's hand is a detected object a, and the detected object a has moved to the vicinity of the upper edge of the water receiving portion and has become a predetermined frequency f1 or more immediately after it has become a predetermined frequency f0 or less. This represents the case where this is detected. In FIG. 8B, a person having a body to be cleaned, such as a toothbrush or a cup, is a body to be detected a, and the body to be detected a moves in the vicinity of the upper edge of the water receiving portion to become a predetermined frequency f0 or less. This represents a case where it is detected that the frequency f1 or higher has been reached immediately after. FIG. 8C shows a body to be cleaned such as a toothbrush or a cup held in a human hand as a body to be detected a. This represents a case where it is detected that the frequency f1 or more is detected immediately after

  In the present embodiment, when the user's hand or the object to be cleaned approaches the automatic faucet, the sensor unit 100 detects that the frequency due to the movement of the object to be cleaned has decreased, and then the movement of the object to be cleaned. Water discharge is controlled by detecting that the frequency has increased.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where the sensor unit 100 is installed in the water receiving unit so that the user passes through the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 when moving the object to be cleaned to the water outlet in order to discharge the automatic faucet. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the frequency of the detection signal and the algorithm of water discharge.

  When the object to be cleaned passes in the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 at f1 or more, it is detected that the frequency decreases and falls below f1 as it approaches the sensor unit 100 (step S30), and the time at that time is stored as t1. (Step S30). Thereafter, it is detected that the detected frequency has increased to f2 (S31), and the time t2 at that time is stored (step S41). When t1 and t2 satisfy a certain threshold value (for example, the difference between t1 and t2 is within the threshold value), it can be determined by the control unit 200 that deceleration and acceleration are continued, and water discharge is performed as having passed through the upper edge of the water receiving unit. Is controlled (step S90). At this time, the timing t2 for detecting exceeding f2 and the timing t3 for controlling the valve 250 may be the same (t2 = t3) or different (t2 <t3). Further, f1 and f2 may be the same or different.

  Thus, water discharge can be started before the object to be cleaned reaches the arrival point.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, in order to allow the detected object to pass through the detection range A with certainty, the water receiving unit is provided with guiding means 50 that prompts the proximity of the sensor unit 100.

  The guiding means 50 is installed on the upper edge of the water receiving part. The upper edge of the water receiving portion is a place having a substantially horizontal surface other than the surface capable of receiving water as indicated by the shaded portion in FIG. Since an object to be cleaned such as a hand passes through the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 by the guiding means 50 installed on the upper edge of the water receiving unit, if the detection range A is provided substantially vertically and on the upper side, the frequency change of the detection signal is changed. It becomes larger and it becomes easier to detect deceleration and acceleration due to the movement of the object to be cleaned (FIGS. 12A and 12B), and an increase or decrease in amplitude becomes significant (FIG. 4B). Combining the fact that remote information can be obtained makes it possible to detect acceleration with higher accuracy and realize optimal water discharge timing.

  The shape of the guiding means 50 is, for example, FIG. Further, letters including the words “sensor” and “switch” (FIG. 13B), a circular mark (FIG. 13C), and a square mark (FIG. 13D) may be used. Further, the guiding means 50 may be printed on the water receiving part, or a part of the water receiving part may be cut out and turned on or blinked by an LED or the like.

  FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are examples of the detection signal of the third embodiment. When the guiding means 50 is installed in the vicinity of the sensor unit 100, when the detected object moves from the outside of the water receiving unit to the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 attached to the water receiving unit, the frequency decreases and the amplitude increases. . Further, when the detected object moves from the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 to the vicinity of the water outlet, the frequency increases and the amplitude decreases.

  FIG. 15 is an example of a water discharge algorithm according to the third embodiment. The frequency is obtained from the detection signal (step S10 and step S20), and it is determined whether the detected object is decelerating with respect to the sensor unit 100 (step S30). Otherwise, the deceleration detection is continued as NO. As for the approach, for example, as shown in FIG. 4B, it can be determined that the amplitude of the detection signal increases with time by using the fact that the detection signal has a larger amplitude than the position far from the sensor. Good (step S40). Therefore, even if a deceleration is detected, if the amplitude is decreasing, it is determined that the upper edge of the water receiving unit is not passed, and the process returns to the determination of deceleration from step S10. If it is decelerated and the amplitude is increasing, it is determined that it is passing through the upper edge of the water receiving section, the frequency is again obtained from the detection signal (S11 and S21), and the routine proceeds to step S31 for determining acceleration. If it is determined that acceleration has occurred from the frequency information, it is determined that the amplitude of the detection signal at that time has decreased, it is determined to be far away, and it is determined that the upper edge of the water receiving unit has passed, and water discharge is controlled (step S90). If it is not determined to be far away, the process returns to the step of detecting deceleration from step S10.

  According to the third embodiment, since the detected object crosses the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 by the guiding means 50, it becomes easy to detect deceleration and acceleration from the movement of the detected object at a constant speed toward the arrival point. In addition to making it easier to determine the frequency of passing through the vicinity of the water receiving unit 40 and going to the water outlet from the frequency, it is possible to determine the approach and the distance from the amplitude of the detection signal, so that water can be discharged at a more optimal timing.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, an arrow heading from the place where the guiding means 50 is installed to the destination, a character diagram including the words “sensor” and “switch”, a circular mark, and a corner It may be a sign of the mold. Further, the guiding means 50 may be printed on the water receiving part, or a part of the water receiving part may be cut out and turned on or blinked by an LED or the like.

  The guiding means 50 is installed on the operation surface provided between the upper edge of the water receiving portion and the wall surface of the water receiving portion capable of receiving water (FIG. 16). The shape of the operation surface may be a flat surface as shown in FIG. 16 (a) or a curved surface as shown in FIG. 16 (b), and the material of the operation surface can receive water from the adjacent upper edge. It may be the same as the wall or different. In this case, when the radiation direction of the radio wave from the sensor unit 100 is directed to the water discharge port, acceleration can be detected by the movement of the detection object passing through the vicinity of the sensor unit 100, so that an optimal water discharge timing can be realized.

  FIG. 17 is an example of a detection signal according to the fourth embodiment. When the guiding means 50 is installed in the vicinity of the sensor unit 100, when the detected object moves from the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 attached to the water receiving unit to the vicinity of the water outlet, the frequency of the detection signal increases and the amplitude increases. Decrease.

  FIG. 18 is an example of a water discharge algorithm according to the fourth embodiment. The frequency is obtained from the detection signal (step S10 and step S20), and it is determined whether the detected object is accelerating with respect to the sensor unit 100 (step S30). (Step S40) For example, since the amplitude of the detection signal at that time is decreasing, it is determined that the object is far away, and it is determined that the detected object is moving from the water receiving part toward the water outlet, Is controlled (step S90). If it is not determined to be far away, the process returns to the step of detecting acceleration from step S10.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the object to be detected crosses the vicinity of the sensor unit 100 by the guiding means, so that acceleration from the movement of the object to be detected at a constant speed toward the arrival point can be easily detected. In addition to making it easy to determine the movement from the vicinity of 40 toward the water discharge port from the frequency, it is possible to determine the distance from the amplitude of the detection signal, so that water can be discharged at a more optimal timing.

It is a perspective view showing the structure of the water discharging apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is side sectional drawing showing the structure of the water discharging apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram of a specific example of a sensor unit 100 and a control unit 200. FIG. (A) shows the temporal change in speed when the detected object moves, and (b) shows the amplitude of the detection signal obtained from the sensor unit 100 in the speed change in the area B of (a). It is. The frequency of the detection signal obtained when passing the vicinity of the sensor part 100 is shown. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the to-be-detected body in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the change of the frequency of the detection signal with respect to the distance from the target arrival point of the to-be-detected body in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the to-be-detected body in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of the change of the frequency of the detection signal with respect to the distance to the target arrival point of the to-be-detected body in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the upper edge of a water receiving part. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the locus | trajectory of passage at the time of passing the vicinity of the sensor part 100, and the frequency of a detection signal. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the shape of the guidance means 50 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the change of the frequency of the detection signal in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the specific example of the installation position of the guidance means 50 in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the change of the frequency of the detection signal in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Water outlet, 40 ... Water receiving part, 50 ... Guidance means, 100 ... Sensor part, 112, 112a, 112b ... Antenna, 114 ... Filter, 220 ... Frequency detector, 230 ... Judgment part, 250 ... Valve

Claims (5)

A water discharge part,
A sensor unit that obtains information on the movement of the detected object by the reflected wave of the radiated radio wave;
A control unit for controlling water discharge from the water discharge unit based on a detection signal from the sensor unit;
A water receiving part for receiving water discharged from the water discharging part;
With
The controller is
After detecting the acceleration of the detected object based on the detection information from the sensor unit, if it is detected that the speed of the detected object is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, before the detected object reaches the water discharge unit A water discharge device characterized by causing water discharge to start. The said sensor part is installed in the water receiving part so that it may have a detection area for detecting a to-be-detected body between the water discharging part and the wall surface which can receive water of a water receiving part. The water discharge apparatus of description. In order to detect acceleration when the detected object passes near the upper edge of the water receiving part,
The water discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the water discharging device is installed in the water receiving portion so as to radiate radio waves upward and upward from the opening surface of the water receiving portion. The said water receiving part has the guidance means for guiding a to-be-detected body to the place in which the said sensor part is installed in the upper edge of the said water receiving part, The Claim 2 or Claim characterized by the above-mentioned. Item 4. The water discharge device according to any one of Items 3 to 4. The water receiving part is
A wall surface capable of receiving water discharged from the water discharging unit;
An operation surface for operating water discharge from the water discharge unit;
Have
4. The water discharge device according to claim 2, wherein guiding means for guiding the detected object to a place where the sensor unit is installed is provided on the operation surface. 5.

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