JP2012007376A - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inexpensively provide an automatic faucet device which uses a water heater as a hot water supply source and capable of filling a tank of the water heater by continuously supplying required amount of water to the tank at the time of installing the device.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet device using a water heater 20 as a hot water supply performs, when a sensor 18 detects a detection object for a period equal to or longer than a first set period T, a normal water discharge mode to stop continuous water discharge at a time when lapse time reaches the first set period T. When the sensor 18 detects the detection object within a prescribed short time after power activation, the device performs a long time water discharge mode to continue supplying water to a tank until the lapse time reaches a second set period Twhich is set longer than the first set period Tand then switches the mode to the normal water discharge mode.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet device that automatically discharges water from a water outlet and stops water discharge based on detection or non-detection of a detection target by a sensor, and more particularly, an automatic water faucet using a hot water storage type hot water heater as a hot water supply source Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, a tank has been equipped with a heater, and has a hot water heater that supplies water into the tank by opening the water supply valve and discharges hot water stored in the tank, and a sensor and a control unit that controls opening and closing of the water supply valve. While the detection target is being detected, the water supply valve is kept open, the water heater is used as the hot water supply source, water is discharged from the water outlet, and the water supply valve is closed by the non-detection of the detection target by the sensor to automatically stop the water discharge. Water faucets are widely used.

In this type of automatic faucet device, if the sensor is covered with, for example, a handkerchief or towel, the sensor will continue to detect this.
In this case, if water is continuously discharged while the sensor is detecting the detection target, water will be discharged from the water outlet for a long time.
In order to prevent such inconvenience, the conventional automatic water faucet device is usually provided with a function of automatically stopping water discharge as a safety function when water discharge continues for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute).
That is, the controller provided in the automatic water faucet device determines that an abnormality has occurred and forcibly stops water discharge from the water outlet.

By the way, in the automatic water faucet device using the above hot water storage type hot water heater as a hot water supply source, the tank is empty at the beginning of installation and construction at the site, so the power is turned on in that state and the heater switch is turned on. If you put in, the tank will be blown empty.
Therefore, at the time of installing and installing the automatic faucet device, water is first supplied into the tank to fill the tank.

The above-mentioned automatic faucet device that uses a hot water heater as the hot water supply source opens the water supply valve when water is discharged from the water outlet, and supplies water from the water supply source into the tank of the water heater, while simultaneously discharging hot water in the tank. Since it is of a type that guides water to the water mouth and discharges water, it is performed by hand-operating in front of the sensor as an operation for supplying water to the tank, and this is detected by the sensor.
If it does in this way, a water supply valve will open and the water from a water supply source will flow in in a tank.

However, in this type of automatic faucet device, as described above, even if the sensor continues to detect the detection target for a long time, if the water discharge continues for a predetermined time, for example, if it continues for 1 minute, the water discharge automatically stops there. It is not possible to supply water continuously for a long time.
Therefore, for example, when only one-tenth of the tank capacity can be supplied with one continuous water supply, the detection and non-detection of the hand or the like by the sensor must be repeated 10 times, which makes the operation extremely complicated and troublesome. .

  Therefore, with the aim of solving this problem, the following Patent Document 1 is provided with a switch for switching between water discharge and water discharge stop provided in the automatic water faucet device, and this switch is continuously operated for a long time (for example, 6 seconds). ) It is disclosed that the water supply valve is opened for a long time by continuing to push and water is continuously supplied into the tank for a long time (for example, 10 minutes).

However, in this case, the automatic faucet device must be provided with a switch for enabling water supply for a long time, which increases the cost of the automatic faucet device.
Furthermore, pressing the switch for a long time is also a troublesome task.

  In Patent Document 2 below, for the purpose of solving the same problem, when a sensor repeatedly detects and non-detects a detection target a plurality of times within a predetermined time, for example, the sensor detects four or more times in 10 seconds. It is disclosed that when non-detection is repeated, the water supply valve is opened and water is continuously supplied into the tank for a predetermined long time, for example, 5 minutes.

  However, even in this case, detection and non-detection of a hand or the like by a sensor must be repeated within a short time, and the work is troublesome and time-consuming. Regardless of whether the power is turned on at the beginning of installation, if the same operation is mistakenly performed even under normal use conditions, the tank will automatically be supplied with water for a long time. is there.

Further, Patent Document 3 below discloses that a water supply valve is opened and water is continuously supplied for a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) or until a water heater detects that water is full when power-on is detected.
However, in the device disclosed in Patent Document 3, not only when the apparatus is installed and installed, but also when the power is turned on again after a power failure, regardless of the operator's intention, water is automatically supplied to the hot water tank and water is stored there. In addition to the problem of trying to do so, it is necessary to provide a timer or a water level sensor for stopping the water supply when the tank is full of water, which complicates the apparatus configuration.

JP 2009-270367 A JP 2004-85113 A JP-A-8-302774

  The present invention is based on the above circumstances, and does not require any special elements such as a special switch, timer, or water level sensor for continuous water supply to the tank, and is easy to operate for continuous water supply. The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic water faucet device using a hot water heater as a hot water supply source at a low cost, which can continuously supply water in a required amount in the tank during installation and construction.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, (A) a tank is provided with a heater, water is supplied into the tank by opening a water supply valve, and hot water stored in the tank is discharged, and (B ) A control unit that controls opening and closing of the sensor and the water supply valve, and while the sensor detects a detection target, keeps the water supply valve open and discharges water from the water outlet using the water heater as a hot water supply source. And an automatic faucet that closes the water supply valve to stop water discharge by non-detection of the detection target by the sensor, and the control unit continues to detect the detection target for the first set time or more. Sometimes, when the first set time elapses, the water supply valve is closed to perform a normal water discharge mode in which continuous water discharge is stopped, while the sensor detects the detection target within a predetermined short time after turning on the power. When the sensor is longer than the first set time A long-time water discharge mode in which the water supply valve is maintained in the open state for the second set time when the detection target is continuously detected, and then the water supply valve is closed to stop water supply when the detection target is continuously detected. It is performed, and it switches to execution of the said normal water discharge mode after that, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the control unit closes the water supply valve to stop the water supply when the sensor has not detected the detection target before the second set time has elapsed. The normal water discharge mode is switched to execution.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first and second aspects, a sensor cover that covers the sensor is detachably provided.

Effects and effects of the invention

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the sensor detects a detection target within a predetermined short time (for example, a range from 0 second to 10 minutes) after turning on the power, the time is longer than the first set time in the normal water discharge mode. After the set second set time (for example, 10 minutes), when the sensor continues to detect the detection target, the water supply valve is kept open for the second set time and the water supply in the tank is continued, and then the water supply valve is closed The long-time water discharge mode for stopping water supply is executed, and then the operation is switched to the normal water discharge mode.

  According to the present invention, by appropriately setting the second set time without repeatedly detecting a hand or the like with respect to the sensor, water is continuously supplied into the tank for a long time and water is stored in the tank. Therefore, there is no need to provide a special operation switch for long-time water supply or to provide a water level sensor or the like in the tank of the water heater.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the automatic faucet device can be constructed at low cost, and the water can be easily stored in the tank to the full state when the automatic faucet device is installed and installed. Can be prevented.

  In order to keep the sensor in the detection state, it is possible to keep the hand in front of the sensor, or to cover the sensor with something that is detected by a sensor such as a towel or a handkerchief without doing so. In this case, detection by the sensor may be continued.

In the present invention, when the sensor becomes non-detected before the second set time elapses, the water supply can be stopped at that time to switch to the execution of the normal water discharge mode (Claim 2). .
The tank capacity of the water heater varies depending on the automatic faucet device, and the length of the second set time can be determined accordingly.
However, even if the second set time is not changed in accordance with the tank capacity, according to the second aspect, it is confirmed that the tank is almost full and the hand, towel or other detection target is detected from the sensor. By making the removal non-detection, the inside of the tank can be filled with water appropriately and appropriately at the installation construction site of the automatic faucet device regardless of the tank capacity.

Next, according to the third aspect of the present invention, a sensor cover that covers the sensor is provided so as to be removable. According to the third aspect, the sensor can be easily detected by simply mounting the sensor cover so as to cover the sensor. Can be maintained in a state.
This sensor cover can be mounted in advance before turning on the power.
In this case, it is possible to automatically supply water to the tank for a long time simply by turning on the power, and the tank of the water heater can be easily filled when the automatic faucet device is installed.
Further, by attaching the sensor cover, the sensor can be protected at the time of transfer or construction of the automatic faucet device.

It is the figure which showed the automatic water tap apparatus which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the water discharging part in the embodiment with the sensor cover. It is the figure which showed the water discharge state where the water discharge from a water discharge port is unstable, and the stable water discharge state. It is the figure which showed the control content of the operation | movement in this embodiment with the flowchart.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic water faucet, which has a water discharge portion 14 erected from an attachment surface 12 such as a counter upper surface.
The water discharge portion 14 is provided with a water discharge port 16, and a sensor 18 is provided in the vicinity of the water discharge port 16 and at an upper position.
The sensor 18 is an infrared and reflective sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and emits light from the light emitting part toward the detection target.
And a detection target is detected by receiving the reflected light from a detection target in a light-receiving part.
However, other types of sensors can be used as the sensor 18.

A hot water storage type electric water heater 20 includes a tank 22 and an electric heater 24 provided therein.
The tank 22 is also provided with a temperature-controlled bimetal 26 and an overheated bimetal 28.
Here, the temperature control bimetal 26 adjusts and maintains the hot water stored in the tank 22 at a set temperature by turning on and off the switch, and the overheated bimetal 28 is inoperable due to the temperature control bimetal 26 being broken or the like. It is provided for safety when it becomes.
This excessively rising bimetal is switched off when the temperature rises excessively and stops heating by the heater 24.
At this time, the switch 30 is automatically turned off. The heater 24 can be heated only when the switch 30 is turned on from outside.
Even when the heater 24 is aired, the overheated bimetal 28 is turned off by preheating, and heating by the heater 24 is stopped.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a pipe for supplying water from a water supply source to the water discharger 14 and the tank 22, and a strainer 34, a constant flow valve 36, a check valve 38, and an electromagnetic valve 40 as a water supply valve are provided in the pipe 32. Is provided.
The pipe line 32 is branched into pipe lines 42 and 44 downstream of the electromagnetic valve 40, and one pipe line 42 is connected to the bottom of the tank 22, and the other pipe line 44 is connected to the mixing valve 46. It is connected.

From the upper part of the tank 22, a pipe line 48 for discharging hot water in the tank 22 extends and is connected to the mixing valve 46.
A pipe line 50 extends from the mixing valve 46, and its tip is connected to the water discharger 14.
That is, the hot water from the tank 22 of the electric water heater 20 and the water from the pipe line 44 are mixed at a constant ratio by the mixing valve 46 to obtain mixed water having an appropriate temperature, and the mixed water is supplied to the water discharger 14 through the pipe line 50. It has come to be sent.
The pipe 50 is provided with an aspirator 52 and a check valve 54.
Here, the aspirator 52 has a function of allowing the expanded water from the tank 22 to escape to the drainage channel.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a controller, from which a power cord 58 extends.
The controller 56 includes a control unit in the automatic faucet 10 and a power supply circuit that converts an AC power source into a DC power source.
The control unit can also be arranged on the water discharge unit 14 side on the mounting surface 12.
Here, the control unit is connected to the electromagnetic valve 40 by a wiring 60 and is connected to the sensor 18 by a wiring 62. The sensor 18 and the power supply circuit are connected by a wiring 63.

The control unit controls the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 40 based on detection / non-detection of the detection target by the sensor 18.
Specifically, when the sensor 18 detects the detection target, the electromagnetic valve 40 is opened to supply water from the pipe 32 to the tank 22 and the mixing valve 46, and the sensor 18 determines that the detection target is not detected. When this happens, the electromagnetic valve 40 is closed to stop water supply.

When water is supplied to the bottom of the tank 22 through the pipe 42, the hot water stored in the tank 22 is pushed up from the upper part of the tank 22 and flows out to the mixing valve 46 through the pipe 48.
Then, the water sent to the mixing valve 46 through the pipe 44 and the hot water sent through the pipe 48 are mixed there and sent to the water discharge section 14 through the pipe 50 as an appropriate temperature mixed water. It is done.
Then, the mixed water sent to the water discharge unit 14 is discharged from the water discharge port 16 to the outside.

The electric water heater 20, the pipes 32, 42, 44, 50, the controller 56, and the like are disposed below the mounting surface 12 such as below the counter.
In this embodiment, the automatic faucet 10 is constituted by a portion excluding the hot water storage type electric water heater 20 having the tank 22, the heater 24, the temperature control bimetal 26, the overheating bimetal 28, the switch 30, and the like.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the sensor 18 detects the detection target, the control unit opens the electromagnetic valve 40 as a water supply valve, and water from the water supply source passes through the pipe line 32 and passes through the pipe line 44. Water is supplied to the mixing valve 46, and at the same time, water is supplied to the bottom of the tank 22 through the pipe 42. At the same time, the hot water stored in the tank 22 is discharged from the upper part of the tank 22 to the pipe 48 and supplied to the mixing valve 46. The mixed water from the mixing valve 46 is discharged from the water outlet 16.
Further, when the sensor 18 does not detect the detection target, the electromagnetic valve 40 is closed and the water supply to the water discharger 14 is stopped. That is, water discharge from the water discharge port 16 is stopped.

As described above, in this automatic water faucet device, water is discharged from the water discharge port 16 when the sensor 18 detects the detection target.
The water discharge is continuously performed while the sensor 18 detects the detection target. However, if the water discharge portion 14 is covered with a handkerchief or a towel, the sensor 18 continuously detects this for a long time. Become.
At this time, if water is continuously discharged from the water outlet 16 for the detection time, the water will be discharged from the water outlet 16 for a long time regardless of the presence of the user.

Therefore, in the automatic faucet device 10, the detection time by the sensor 18 continues for the first set time (here, 1 minute) during normal use, and water is discharged from the water outlet 16 continuously for the first set time. Then, the continuous water discharge from the water discharge port 16 is stopped there.
The control unit controls the operation of the electromagnetic valve 40 as such.

In the automatic water faucet device of this embodiment, the water supply to the tank 22 of the electric water heater 20 is performed simultaneously with the water discharge from the water discharge port 16 as described above. The inside of the tank 22 is always kept in a full state by supplying water to the tank 22.
However, when the automatic faucet device is installed and constructed, the inside of the tank 22 is empty.
Therefore, if the power is turned on in this state and the switch 30 is turned on, the heater 24 heats up while the tank 22 is empty. That is, the heater 24 performs emptying.

  In this case, the electromagnetic valve 40 may be opened by holding the hand in front of the sensor 18 to supply water into the tank 22, but in this case, the first set time, that is, 1 minute from the water outlet 16. When water is continuously discharged, that is, when water is continuously supplied into the tank 22 for one minute, continuous water discharge from the water outlet 16 is stopped at that time, and water supply to the tank 22 is stopped.

Therefore, in order to fill the inside of the tank 22 with water, an operator holds the sensor 18 in front of the sensor 18 to keep the sensor 18 in a detection state for one minute and then pulls the hand from the sensor 18. This is not detected, and the sensor 18 is set to the detection state continuously for one minute, and thereafter, it is necessary to repeat the same operation many times to supply water to the tank 22 a plurality of times.
For example, if one water supply to the tank 22 is 1/10 of the capacity of the tank 22, this must be repeated 10 times.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to perform such a troublesome and troublesome work for a long time, so that the water discharged from the water discharge port 16 can be discharged for a long time immediately after the power is turned on, and the tank 22 is discharged for a long time. Supply water continuously to make it full.

When the inside of the tank 22 is not yet full, water is supplied only to the water outlet 16 through the pipes 44 and 50.
Accordingly, water discharged from the water discharge port 16 at this time becomes unstable water discharge as shown in FIG.
Stable water discharge from the water discharge port 16 shown in FIG. 3 (A) is possible only after the tank 22 is full.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the control unit during the long-time water discharge, that is, the long-time continuous water supply, together with the control contents in the normal water discharge mode.
As shown in the figure, it is determined whether or not the sensor 18 has detected a detection target within a predetermined short time t ₁ (here, t ₁ = 1 second) after the power is turned on (step S10, step S12). When it is a detection, the normal water discharge mode of step S14 is performed.

In this normal water discharge mode, water is discharged from the water outlet 16 while the sensor 18 is detecting the detection target, and water discharge from the water outlet 16 is stopped when the sensor 18 is not detected. When 18 continues to detect the detection target for the first set time T ₁ (here, T ₁ = 1 minute), the continuous water discharge from the water discharge port 16 is stopped in one minute.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the sensor 18 has detected the detection target within the predetermined short time t ₁ = 1 second, the long-time water discharge mode is subsequently executed.
Specifically, while the water discharge in step S16 is performed and the sensor 18 continues to detect the detection target for the second set time T ₂ (here, T ₂ = 10 minutes), continuous water discharge from the water discharge port 16 (long-time water discharge) ) Is executed. That is, water is supplied to the tank 22 for a long time (steps S16, S18, S20).
Then, when T ₂ = 10 minutes have elapsed, water discharge is stopped, that is, water supply to the tank 22 is stopped (step S22), and then the normal water discharge mode of step S24 is executed.

On the other hand, before the second set time T ₂ = 10 minutes elapses, the operator removes his / her hand or handkerchief or any other object (detection target) detected by the sensor 18 from the front of the sensor 18 and turns off the sensor 18. When the detection state is set, the water discharge is stopped, that is, the water supply to the tank 22 is stopped before the second set time elapses (step S26), and then the normal water discharge mode is switched to (step S28).

In addition, it is difficult for the operator to keep holding the hand in front of the sensor 18 for a long time T ₂ (10 minutes) as described above, and prepare a towel or the like so as to cover the sensor 18. Covering the water discharge part 14 is also troublesome as such.
Therefore, here, the sensor cover 64 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the sensor cover 64 has a cap 66 that covers the upper end of the water discharger 14 and a plate-like cover that hangs downward along the water discharger 14 and covers the sensor 18 forward. A portion 68 and a connecting portion 69 for connecting the cap portion 66 and the cover portion 68 are provided.
The cover portion 68 has a fitting portion 70 that fits into the water discharge port 16 at the lower portion. The fitting portion 70 has a circular fitting hole 72 having a shape corresponding to the water discharge port 16, and further has a cut 74 extending from the fitting hole 72 to the lower end of the fitting portion 70.

In the present embodiment, the sensor cover 64 is mounted on the upper part of the water discharge unit 14 in advance, and the power is turned on in this state.
Then, when the sensor 18 starts sensing after the power is turned on, the sensor 18 detects the sensor cover unit 68, and the control unit subsequently executes the long-time water discharge mode of steps S16 to S22.

The sensor cover 64 still covers the sensor 18, and therefore water is discharged from the water outlet 16 for a long time without the operator performing a special hand-holding operation on the sensor 18.
Therefore, at the time of construction of the automatic water faucet device, it is possible to supply water into the tank 22 for a long time very easily and to fill it up.

  Further, when the automatic faucet device is transferred or constructed with the sensor cover 64 attached to the water discharge section 14, the sensor 18 can be protected by the sensor cover 64, and the sensor 18 may be damaged during the transfer or construction. Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent the subsequent sensing operation from being hindered.

According to the present embodiment as described above, simply by previously only properly set the T ₂ the second set time keep the sensor cover 64, the tank 22 at the time of installation and construction of the automatic faucet device In this case, it is not necessary to provide a special operation switch for supplying water for a long time, or to provide a water level sensor or the like in the tank 22 of the water heater 20.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the automatic faucet device can be inexpensively constructed, and water can be easily stored in the tank 22 until it is full when the automatic faucet device is installed. It is possible to prevent idling by the heater 24.

In the present embodiment, the water supply is stopped by the non-detection of the sensor 18 before the second set time T ₂ elapses above, can be made to switch to the execution of the normal water discharge mode.
Without various configuration changes in accordance with this second set time T ₂ to the tank capacity, after confirming that the tank 22 is nearly full level by a non-detecting sensor 18, the tank capacity In any case, the tank 22 can be filled with water appropriately and appropriately at the installation construction site of the automatic faucet device.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example.
For example, in the above embodiment, water from the pipe 32 is supplied to the tank 22 of the electric water heater 20 through the pipe 42 and simultaneously supplied to the mixing unit 46 through the pipe 44. And the water from the pipe 44 are mixed in the mixing section 46 and supplied to the water discharge section 14. However, the pipe 44 and the mixing section may be omitted in some cases, and water is preliminarily supplied by the electric water heater 20. It is possible to supply water to the water discharger 14 directly without mixing it with water at an appropriate temperature.
However, in this case, when the long-time water discharge mode is executed, the water is not actually discharged from the water outlet 16 before the tank 22 becomes full. In this case, the long-time water discharge mode means a long-time water supply mode to the tank 22.
In addition, according to the present invention, the electromagnetic valve 40 and other water supply valves may be provided not on the upstream side of the tank 22 but on the downstream side of the tank 22, specifically, on the water discharge unit 14 itself or on the upstream side in the immediate vicinity thereof. The present invention can be configured in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic faucet 16 Water outlet 18 Sensor 20 Electric water heater 22 Tank 24 Electric heater 40 Solenoid valve (water supply valve)
64 Sensor cover T ₁ first set time T ₂ second set time

Claims (3)

(A) A tank is provided with a heater, and a hot water heater for supplying water into the tank by opening the water supply valve and discharging hot water stored in the tank, and (B) controlling opening and closing of the sensor and the water supply valve. A control unit that maintains the water supply valve in an open state while the sensor detects a detection target, discharges water from a water outlet using the water heater as a hot water supply source, and does not detect the detection target by the sensor An automatic faucet that closes the water supply valve to stop water discharge,
While the control unit continues to detect the detection target for a first set time or longer, the control unit executes a normal water discharge mode in which the water supply valve is closed and continuous water discharge is stopped when the first set time elapses. ,
When the sensor detects the detection target within a predetermined short time after turning on the power, and then the sensor continues to detect the detection target for a second set time set in a time longer than the first set time. After maintaining the water supply valve in the open state for the second set time, a long-time water discharge mode is executed in which the water supply valve is closed to stop water supply, and then the normal water discharge mode is switched to. An automatic faucet device characterized by that.   2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit closes the water supply valve to stop water supply when the sensor is not detected before the second set time elapses, and performs the normal water discharge mode. Automatic faucet device characterized by being switched.   3. The automatic water faucet device according to claim 1, wherein a sensor cover that covers the sensor is detachably provided.

Images