JP2013011570A - Detection distance setting device and automatic faucet apparatus including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detection distance setting device capable of preventing deterioration of usability caused by an event that a determination distance becomes an extremely short value, and an automatic faucet apparatus including the same.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet apparatus 1 includes a spout 4, a cover 17, and a detection distance setting device 6. The spout 4 includes a water discharge port 8 and a detection sensor 9 at the tip end 4b thereof. The cover 17 is locked to the water discharge port 8, covers the detection sensor 9, and is attached to the tip end 4b of the spout 4. The detection distance setting device 6 includes the detection sensor 9 for detecting whether or not a detection object approaches the tip end 4b of the spout 4, and a controller. The controller causes an infrared light emitting element to emit light to the bottom face of a basin, compares a value from a position detection element with a set operation start value according to a predetermined set operation start distance, and when determining that the detection object is located outside the set operation start distance, starts the setting of a determination value.

Description

  The present invention provides, for example, a detection distance setting device for determining a reference value when a detection object is located within a determination distance from a position detection element such as an automatic water faucet device, and starts a water discharge operation, and the detection distance setting. The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet device provided with the device.

  Conventionally, an automatic faucet device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) has been used as an example of a device that starts an operation such as water discharge when a detected object is positioned within a determination distance from a position detection element. The automatic water faucet device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like guides water from a spout having a water outlet facing the bottom of a water receiver such as a bowl or a sink at the tip, and water from a water supply source to the water outlet. And a detection distance setting device including a pipe, an on-off valve capable of changing water discharge and water stop of the water flow in the pipe to change water discharge and water stop from the water discharge port.

  The detection distance setting device includes a detection sensor that is provided in the spout and detects whether a detection object such as a human hand is approaching the tip of the spout, and the open / close valve based on a value detected by the detection sensor And a control device for controlling.

  The detection sensor includes a light emitting element and a position detection element arranged in parallel with each other. For example, the light emitting element emits light toward the bottom of the water receiver. The detection sensor receives the reflected light from the detected object and outputs a value corresponding to the position of the received reflected light to the control device. The detection sensor emits light from the light emitting element, and the position detection element receives reflected light from the detected object, and outputs a value according to the position of the reflected light received by the position detection element toward the control device, The distance to the detection object is detected.

  The control device determines whether or not the distance to the detected object detected by the position detection element is equal to or smaller than the determination distance, and determines that the distance to the detected object detected by the position detection element is equal to or smaller than the determination distance. Open the valve and let the water spout out. When the control device determines that the distance to the detected object detected by the position detection element is not less than the determination distance, the control device closes the on-off valve or keeps the on-off valve closed, and does not discharge water from the water outlet.

  In addition, the control device, that is, the detection distance setting device, for example, sets the above-described determination distance when power from a battery as a power source is supplied. The control device causes the light emitting element to emit light toward the bottom of the water receiver, and causes the detection sensor to detect the distance to the bottom surface of the water receiver when there is no detection object such as a human hand or tableware. Then, the control device sets a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 cm) shorter than the distance to the bottom surface of the water receiver as the determination distance.

  When the detected object approaches the detection sensor and is located within the determination distance set by the detection distance setting device, the automatic faucet device described above opens the on-off valve and discharges water from the water outlet.

JP 2002-194783 A

  By the way, it is recommended that the automatic water faucet device described in Patent Document 1 and the like is attached with a battery as a power source after being installed in a building. If a battery as a power source is installed before the building is installed, the control device, that is, the detection distance setting device, starts the determination distance setting operation described above, so it is very dependent on the distance to the cover that covers the detection sensor. The determination distance may be a short distance or a very long distance according to the distance to the detected object farther from the bottom surface of the water receiver. In this case, it becomes impossible to discharge water unless the hand of the human body is brought close to the detection sensor, and usability deteriorates.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to set a determination distance to an appropriate distance and prevent a deterioration in usability and an automatic equipped with the detection distance setting apparatus. An object is to provide a faucet device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a detection distance setting device according to the present invention includes a main body to which a power source is attached, and a light emitting element that is attached to the main body and emits light at predetermined time intervals immediately after power is supplied from the power source. A position detection element that emits light from the light emitting element to receive reflected light from the detected object and outputs a value that changes depending on the distance to the detected object, and the position Compare the value according to the distance to the detected object detected by the detection element and the determination value output by the position detection element when receiving the reflected light from the detected object located at the determination distance, And a determination unit that determines whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance, and immediately after power is supplied from the power source, the value from the position detection element , Predetermined A setting unit that starts setting the determination value when it is determined that the detected object is located outside the set operation start distance corresponding to the set operation start value. The distance from the detection sensor of the reflection part that covers the light emitting element and the position detection element and reflects the light from the light emitting element when attached to the main body is detachable from the detection sensor. A cover attached to a distance shorter than the operation start distance, and the setting unit compares the value from the position detection element with the set operation start value, and the detected object starts the set operation. If it is determined that the position is within the distance, setting of the determination value is prohibited.

  In the detection distance setting device, the position detection element compares the value from the position detection element with the value corresponding to the set operation start distance that is longer than the distance between the reflection part of the cover and the detection sensor. The determination distance setting operation is not started until it is determined that the detected object is located outside the set operation start distance. For this reason, since the setting of the determination value is not started in a state where the cover is attached, it is possible to prevent the determination distance from being set to be extremely short. The determination distance setting operation does not start until it is determined that the detected object whose distance has been detected by the position detection element is located outside the set operation start distance. It is possible to prevent the setting from being started and the determination distance from being set to be extremely short. Furthermore, since it is determined whether or not the detected object whose position detection element has detected the distance is located outside the set operation start distance, setting of the determination value is started, so that the cover is removed and installed in the building. After that, the determination value setting is started immediately. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the judgment distance from becoming a very short value and prevent the water from being discharged unless the hand of the human body is brought close to the detection sensor, and the judgment distance can be set to an appropriate distance, thus deteriorating usability. Can be prevented.

  In the detection distance setting device, the power source is preferably a battery that supplies power to the light emitting element, the determination unit, and the setting unit when attached to the main body.

  In this detection distance setting device, a battery that immediately supplies power to a light emitting element or the like when attached to the main body is used as a power source. Therefore, the detection distance setting device can be installed in a place where no power supply facility is conventionally provided.

  An automatic faucet device according to the present invention includes the detection distance setting device according to claim 2, and the light emitting element and the position detection element are provided in a spout as the main body relative to a water receiver, and An automatic water faucet device that discharges water from the spout when the light emitting element emits light toward the water receiver and the determination unit determines that the detected object is positioned within the determination distance, Is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the spout of the spout.

  In this automatic water faucet device, since the detection distance setting device described above is provided and the cover has a locking portion that locks to the spout water outlet, the cover can be prevented from unexpectedly falling off the spout, It is possible to prevent the setting of the judgment value from being started before installation on a building.

  The detection distance setting device and the automatic water faucet device according to the present invention can prevent the water from being discharged unless the determination distance becomes a very short value and the hand of the human body is brought close to the detection sensor. Can be prevented.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment. Drawing 2 is a side view explaining the state where the automatic faucet device concerning an embodiment was installed. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery housing part of the spout of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view mainly showing a battery housing part of the spout of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is another perspective view mainly showing the battery housing part of the spout of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the control device of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment. Drawing 8 is an explanatory view showing the situation where the judgment value of the control device of the automatic faucet device concerning an embodiment is set up.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a detection distance setting device and an automatic water faucet device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same.

  1 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a state in which the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment is installed, and FIG. 3 is an automatic water faucet according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery housing part of the spout of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spout of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment. The perspective view which mainly shows a battery accommodating part, FIG. 6 is the other perspective view which mainly shows the battery accommodating part of the spout of the automatic faucet apparatus which concerns on embodiment, FIG. 7 is the automatic faucet apparatus which concerns on embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process of a control apparatus, FIG. 8 is explanatory drawing which shows the condition which sets the determination value of the control apparatus of the automatic water faucet apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

  The automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is typically installed in a sink or a wash basin of a building, and water from a water supply 2 (shown in FIG. 3) as a water supply source. Is discharged (discharged) toward the bowl 3 (shown in FIG. 2) as a water receiver such as the sink or sink of the sink.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the automatic faucet device 1 includes a spout 4 (shown in FIG. 1) as a main body, a pipe 15, and an electromagnetic valve 5 (shown in FIG. 3) as an on-off valve, and a detection A cover 17 as an object and a detection distance setting device 6 (shown in FIG. 3) are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the spout 4 has a base end 4 a installed on a wall surface 7 of the building. The spout 4 is formed in a columnar shape whose longitudinal direction is substantially perpendicular to the wall surface 7 and parallel to the horizontal direction. The spout 4 is installed above the bowl 3 as a water receiver installed on the wall surface 7. The spout 4 extends from the wall surface 7 toward the upper center of the bowl 3. The bowl 3 forms a relative detection object that faces a position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 described later. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 faces the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 along the vertical direction.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the spout 4 is provided in the front-end | tip part 4b of the spout 4. As shown in FIG. The water discharge port 8 is formed in a convex cylindrical shape from the lower surface of the spout 4. The planar shape of the water discharge port 8 is formed in a round shape. The water discharge port 8 is provided in the center of the spout 4 in the width direction. A filter that foams the water to be discharged is provided in the water discharge port 8.

  Further, an internal piping member 16 connected to the piping 15 is provided in the spout 4. The internal piping member 16 is made of, for example, a metal such as brass, and a flow path extending in the longitudinal direction and communicating with the water discharge port 8 is formed therein. The flow path is also opened at the base end portion 4 a of the spout 4.

  Further, a battery accommodating portion 18 is provided at the tip portion 4 b of the spout 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the battery housing portion 18 includes a battery housing space 19 in which an opening 19 a is provided on the tip surface of the spout 4, a battery holder 20, a battery 21 as a power source, and a detachable lid 22. I have. The battery housing space 19 is a space that extends along the longitudinal direction of the spout 4 and is provided in the spout 4. The battery holder 20 holds the battery 21. The battery holder 20 can be inserted into and removed from the battery accommodating space 19, that is, the spout 4 through the opening 19 a. The battery holder 20 can be inserted into and removed from the battery housing space 19, that is, the spout 4 through the opening 19 a, so that the battery 21 is inserted into and removed from the battery housing space 19, that is, the spout 4. In the present embodiment, two AA batteries 21 are provided as the batteries 21, and the battery holder 20 is fixed to the spout 4 with screws 30.

  In this embodiment, the detachable lid 22 is formed in a thin disk shape and is detachable from the spout 4. The detachable lid 22 closes the opening 19a when attached to the spout 4. In the present embodiment, the detachable lid 22 is connected to the spout 4 by the wire 23, and complete separation from the spout 4 is prevented. In the battery housing part 18, the battery holder 20 holding the battery 21 is housed in the battery housing space 19 through the opening 19a, and the opening 19a is closed by the detachable lid 22 attached to the spout 4 as shown in FIG. Then, the battery 21 is attached (accommodated) to the spout 4. When the battery accommodating portion 18 accommodates the battery 21 held by the battery holder 20 in the battery accommodating space 19, that is, the spout 4, the battery 21 immediately supplies power to the control device 10 (to be described later), the infrared light emitting element 12 of the detection sensor 9, and the like. To supply.

  One end of the pipe 15 is connected to the water supply 2 as a water supply source, is passed through the wall surface 7 of the building, and the other end is connected to the internal pipe member 16 of the spout 4. It communicates with the flow path. The pipe 15 guides water from the water supply 2 to the water outlet 8.

  The solenoid valve 5 is provided in the base end portion 4a of the spout 4 and its operating state is changed by a command from the control device 10 to be described later and flows through the opening / closing of the flow path in the internal piping member 16, that is, the water outlet 8. Water is discharged and stopped.

  The cover 17 is made of synthetic resin or paper. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the cover 17 includes a U-shaped portion 24, a tubular portion 25, and a locking piece 26 as a locking portion. The U-shaped portion 24 is formed in a U-shape with a curved central portion, and the tip portion 4b of the spout 4 can be passed through the inside. The U-shaped part 24 is attached to the outer periphery of the tip part 4 b of the spout 4 through the tip part 4 b of the spout 4 on the inside.

  The cylindrical portion 25 includes a bottom wall 27 as a reflecting portion and a plurality of peripheral walls 28 erected from the outer edge of the bottom wall 27 and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. In this embodiment, the cylindrical part 25 is formed in the square cylinder shape. Two circumferential walls 28 of the cylindrical portion 25 facing each other are connected to both ends of the U-shaped portion 24. When the U-shaped portion 24 is attached to the outer periphery of the tip end portion of the spout 4, the cylindrical portion 25 is opposed to the detection sensor 9 and the peripheral wall 28 surrounds the detection sensor 9. The bottom wall 27 of the cylindrical portion 25 reflects the light emitted from the infrared light emitting element 12 toward the position detecting element 13. The distance L from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 on the bottom wall 27 is shorter than the set operation start distance B described later. That is, the cover 17 is attached to the distal end portion 4 b of the spout 4 at a position where the distance L of the bottom wall 27 is shorter than the set operation start distance B.

  The locking piece 26 is formed in a flat plate shape, and a round hole 29 through which the water discharge port 8 can be passed is provided at the center thereof. When the U-shaped portion 24 is attached to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 4 b of the spout 4 and the bottom wall 27 is opposed to the detection sensor 9, the locking piece 26 extends from the peripheral wall 28 of the tubular portion 25 to the proximal end of the spout 4. It extends toward the portion 4a. The locking piece 26 is overlaid on the lower surface of the spout 4 in a state where the spout 8 is passed through the round hole 29. The locking piece 26 passes through the water outlet 8 in the round hole 29 and is locked to the water outlet 8. In addition, the engaging piece 26 has an edge that is continuous with the peripheral wall 28 so that the edge on the side away from the peripheral wall 28 contacts and separates from the lower surface of the spout 4. The locking piece 26 is detachable from the spout 8 by deforming the edge connected to the peripheral wall 28 so that the edge on the side away from the peripheral wall 28 contacts and separates from the lower surface of the spout 4.

  The U-shaped part 24 can pass the front-end | tip part 4b of the spout 4 inside, and the cover 17 is detachable with respect to the spout 4 because the latching piece 26 can be engaged / disengaged with the spout 8. .

  As shown in FIG. 3, the detection distance setting device 6 includes a detection sensor 9 and a control device 10 that serves as both a determination unit and a setting unit. The detection sensor 9 is provided in the front-end | tip part 4b of the spout 4 as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. Further, the detection sensor 9 is provided so as to be exposed on the above-described lower surface of the spout 4, and is provided closer to the tip of the spout 4 than the spout 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection sensor 9 includes a light receiving and emitting lens 11, an infrared light emitting element 12 as a light emitting element, and a position detecting element 13.

  The light receiving / emitting lens 11 is made of a synthetic resin having translucency and is formed in a flat plate shape. The light receiving / emitting lens 11 is attached to the lower surface of the spout 4 so as to be substantially flush with the lower surface of the spout 4. The infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 are accommodated in the tip portion 4 b of the spout 4 and provided at a position overlapping the light receiving and emitting lens 11. The infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the spout 4 (arranged in parallel).

  The infrared light emitting element 12 emits infrared rays or the like through the light receiving and emitting lens 11 toward the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 as a detection object such as a human hand 14 or a relative detection object. The position detection element 13 is a well-known PSD (Position Sensitive Detector), and receives a detection object such as a human hand 14 and reflected light reflected from the bottom surface 3 a of the bowl 3. The position detection element 13 outputs a signal toward the control device 10 when it receives a detection object such as a human hand 14 or reflected light reflected from the bottom surface 3 a of the bowl 3. The position detection element 13 changes the position of receiving the reflected light reflected from the detection object such as the human hand 14 and the bottom surface 3 a of the bowl 3 when the distance from the detection object and the bottom surface 3 a of the bowl 3 is different. When the position where the reflected light is received by the position detection element 13 changes, the current value or voltage value (corresponding to a value) of the signal output toward the control device 10 changes.

  In this way, the position detection element 13 changes the position where the reflected light is received when the distance from the detected object or the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is different, and the signal output toward the control device 10 when the received position changes. When the current value or the voltage value of is changed, a signal whose value such as a current value or a voltage value changes according to the distance to the detected object or the bottom surface 3 a of the bowl 3 is output to the control device 10. Thus, the detection sensor 9 outputs a signal whose current value or voltage value changes according to the distance from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 to the detected object or the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. In this embodiment, as the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the detected object or the bowl 3 increases, the signal output by the position detection element 13 is increased. The voltage value gradually decreases.

  The control device 10 is driven by electric power stored in a battery 21 as a power source or a capacitor (not shown). The control device 10 is an arithmetic device that is housed in the spout 4 and includes a RAM, a ROM, a CPU, an input / output port, and a storage device (not shown). At least the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is connected to the input port of the control device 10. At least the electromagnetic valve 5 and the infrared light emitting element 12 of the detection sensor 9 are connected to the output port of the control device 10. The control device 10 controls the entire automatic faucet device 1 based on a value indicating that a detection object such as the hand 14 has approached the spout 4 detected by the detection sensor 9.

  The control device 10 causes the infrared light emitting element 12 of the detection sensor 9 to emit light at predetermined time intervals when power is supplied from the battery 21 or the like as a power source and a determination value described later is written in the RAM or the like. That is, when the battery 21 is attached to the spout 4 and power is supplied, the control device 10 immediately drives to cause the infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light at predetermined time intervals. And the control apparatus 10 compares the signal according to the distance to the detected object from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 with the determination value written in RAM etc., and the detected object is It is determined whether or not it is located within the determination distance H (shown in FIG. 2). In the present embodiment, when the voltage value of the signal from the position detection element 13 is smaller than the determination value, the detected object is located outside the determination distance H from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9. When the voltage value of the signal from the position detection element 13 is greater than or equal to the determination value, it is determined that the detected object is located within the determination distance H from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13. When the control device 10 determines that the detected object is located outside the determination distance H from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9, the control device 10 keeps the electromagnetic valve 5 closed or closed, When it is determined that the detected object is located within the determination distance H from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9, the electromagnetic valve 5 is opened and water is discharged from the water outlet 8. Thus, when the battery 21 is attached to the spout 4 and power is supplied, the control device 10 is immediately driven to determine whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance H.

  The determination value is output by the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 when the detected object is positioned at a position where the distance from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is the determination distance H. This is the voltage value of the signal. The determination distance H means that the detection sensor 9 does not detect the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 as the detection object when the detection object such as the hand 14 approaches the tip 4b of the spout 4 and discharges water from the water discharge port 8. The distance from which the water discharged from the water discharge port 8 is immediately applied to the detected object such as the hand 14 does not cause a practical problem. That is, the determination distance H is shorter than the distance between the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3, and the water discharged from the water discharge port 8 is immediately applied to the detection object. The distance is not too far from the tip 4b of the spout 4.

  Moreover, the control apparatus 10 is the space | interval which light-emits the infrared rays light emitting element 12 when the electromagnetic valve 5 is opened rather than the predetermined time which is the space | interval which makes the infrared light emitting element 12 light-emit when the electromagnetic valve 5 is closed. The predetermined time is sufficiently shortened so that water discharge from the water discharge port 8 can be immediately followed according to the movement of the detected object. That is, in a state where water is being discharged from the water discharge port 8, the water can be stopped immediately when the detected object is separated from the tip of the spout 4 by the determination distance H.

  When the battery 21 as the power source is removed from the spout 4, the control device 10 volatilizes the determination value written in the RAM or the like and loses the determination value.

  The automatic faucet device 1 having the above-described configuration is attached to the wall surface 7 of the building as follows. With the cover 17 attached to the tip 4b of the spout 4, as shown in FIG. 4, the detachable lid 22 is removed from the tip 4b of the spout 4, and the battery holder 20 is pulled out of the battery housing space 19. Then, the battery 21 is attached to the battery holder 20. The battery holder 20 to which the battery 21 is attached is accommodated in the battery accommodating space 19, and the battery holder 20 is fixed to the spout 4 with screws 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the detachable lid 22 closes the opening 19a and spouts. 4 is attached. Then, the power of the battery 21 is immediately supplied to the control device 10 and the infrared light emitting element 12 of the detection sensor 9, and the control device 10 immediately causes the infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light at predetermined time intervals.

  And while the piping 15 is connected to the internal piping member 16, the base end part 4a of the spout 4 is attached to the wall surface 7. FIG. Thus, the spout 4 is attached to the wall surface 7. After the spout 4 is attached to the wall surface 7, the edge on the side away from the peripheral wall 28 is separated from the lower surface of the spout 4, and the locking of the spout 8 of the locking piece 26 is released. Thereafter, the cover 17 is removed from the tip 4b of the spout 4.

  In addition to causing the infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light at predetermined time intervals as described above, the control device 10 emits an example of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 when power is supplied from the battery 21 as a power source. Repeatedly.

  In step S1, the control device 10 determines whether or not a determination value is written in the RAM or the like. When it is determined that the determination value is written, the process proceeds to step S2, and when it is determined that the determination value is not written. Proceed to step S3. In step S2, it is determined whether or not the state in which the detection sensor 9 has not detected the detection object has continued for a predetermined time such as 1 hour 30 minutes. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the predetermined time has elapsed. If it is determined that it is not, the process returns to step S1. Thus, when the determination value is written, the operation of setting the determination value after step S3 is not performed until a state in which the detection sensor 9 does not detect the detected object continues for a predetermined time. That is, when the control device 10 frequently opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 5, the operation for setting the determination value after step S3 is not performed. In step S1, if it is determined that the determination value is not written, the process proceeds to step S3. If the determination value is not written, an operation for setting the determination value after step S3 is immediately performed.

  In step S3, the control device 10 determines whether or not the voltage value (detection value) of the signal from the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is equal to or greater than a predetermined set operation start value. Then, step S3 is repeated, and if it is determined that the set operation start value is below, the process proceeds to step S4.

  The set operation start value is a value that can determine whether or not the detection sensor 9 is covered by the cover 17. The set operation start value is based on a distance L (shown in FIG. 3) between the bottom wall 27 of the cover 17 attached to the tip 4b of the spout 4 and the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9. This is the voltage value of the signal output by the position detection element 13 that receives the reflected light from the detected object at a set operation start distance B (shown in FIG. 8) that is longer and shorter than the rated distance R1 described later, for example, 70 mm. ing. That is, the set operation start value is a value corresponding to the set operation start distance B.

  That is, the set operation start value is the voltage value of the signal from the position detection element 13 that receives the reflected light reflected from the bottom wall 27 of the cover 17 when the infrared light emitting element 12 emits light when the cover 17 is attached. Than the voltage value of the signal from the position detection element 13 that receives the reflected light reflected from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 and the detection object when the cover 17 is removed. A sufficiently large value. Thus, the control device 10 repeats step S3 until the cover 17 that protects the detection sensor 9 from the spout 4 is removed. Thus, the control device 10 sets the set operation start distance B longer than the value from the position detection element 13 and the distance L between the bottom wall 27 of the cover 17 and the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9. When the detected object is determined to be located outside the set operation start distance B by comparing with the value corresponding to the value, the setting of the determination value is started. That is, the control device 10 compares the value from the position detection element 13 with the set operation start value corresponding to the set operation start distance B, and determines that the detected object is located within the set operation start distance B. Then, setting of the judgment value is prohibited.

  In step S4, the control device 10 determines whether or not the voltage value (detection value) of the signal from the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is equal to or higher than the rated value. If it is determined that the value is lower than the rated value, the process proceeds to step S5. Note that this rated value is assumed that the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is sufficiently larger than a reference determination distance J (shown in FIG. 8) described later. The voltage value of the signal output from the position detection element 13 when the rated distance R1 (shown in FIG. 8) is short, such as 90 mm. That is, the rated value is determined in advance, and is output by the position detection element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at a rated distance R1 that is sufficiently shorter than the reference determination distance J is received. It is the voltage value of the signal.

  In step S7, the control device 10 determines a determination value based on the rated value, writes the determined determination value in a RAM or the like, and returns to step S1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the distance from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is shorter than the rated distance R1 by a predetermined distance P (shown in FIG. 8), such as 20 mm. A shortened value detected by the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 when the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located at a distance S1 (shown in FIG. 8) is determined as a determination value. The shortened value is a shortened distance S1 in which the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the rated distance R1 by a predetermined distance P. In this case, the voltage value of the signal output from the position detection element 13 is obtained. That is, the shortened value is a signal output from the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at a shortened distance S1 shorter than the rated distance R1 by a predetermined distance P is received. The voltage value is As will be described later, when the process proceeds to step S7 after repeating step S4 to step S6, the shortened distance S2, which is shorter than the rated distances R2, R3... (Shown in FIG. 8) by a predetermined distance P. A shortened value corresponding to S3 (shown in FIG. 8) is determined as a determination value.

  Thus, in step S7, when the distances between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 are shorter than the rated distance R1, based on the rated distance R1. The determination distance H is set. Thus, when setting the determination value, the control device 10 causes the infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light toward the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 to which the infrared light emitting element 12 is opposed, and the value from the position detecting element 13 is set in advance. The rated value output by the position detection element 13 when receiving the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at the rated distance R1 which is set and is shorter than the reference determination distance J such as 125 mm, for example, When it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located within the rated distance R1, a determination value is determined based on the rated value.

  In step S5, the control device 10 extends the rated distance R1 by a predetermined extension distance E (shown in FIG. 8) such as 10 mm, for example, and proceeds to step S6 as a new rated distance R2. In step S6, the control device 10 determines whether or not the reference determination value is equal to or greater than the new rating value. If it is determined that the reference determination value is equal to or greater than the new rating value, the control device 10 proceeds to step S8. Return. In addition, this new rated value is a position detection element when the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is a new rated distance R2. 13 is the voltage value of the signal output. That is, the new rated value is a voltage value of a signal output from the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at a new rated distance R2 is received.

  In step S8, the control device 10 determines a determination value based on the reference determination value, writes the determined determination value in a RAM or the like, and returns to step S1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the predetermined distance P, such as 20 mm, is shorter than the reference determination distance J, such as 125 mm, from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9. A shortened value detected by the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 when the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located apart from S (shown in FIG. 8) is defined as a determination value. The shortened value is a shortened distance S in which the distances between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 are shorter than the reference determination distance J by a predetermined distance P. In some cases, the voltage value of the signal output from the position detection element 13 is obtained. That is, the shortened value is output by the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at a shortened distance S shorter than the reference determination distance J by a predetermined distance P is received. It is the voltage value of the signal.

  Thus, in step S8, when the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is longer than the reference determination distance J, the reference determination distance J is set. Based on this, the determination distance H is set. Thus, when setting the determination value, the control device 10 causes the infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light toward the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 to which the infrared light emitting element 12 is opposed, and the value from the position detecting element 13 is set in advance. When the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at the determined reference judgment distance J is received, the reference judgment value output by the position detection element 13 is compared, and the bottom face 3a of the bowl 3 is the reference judgment distance. If it is determined that it is located outside J, a determination value is determined based on the reference determination value.

  Further, the control device 10 determines the rating until the reference determination value becomes larger than the new rated value, that is, until the rated distances R2, R3... RN (shown in FIG. 8) become longer than the reference determination distance J. Steps S4 to S6 are repeated while the distances R1, R2, R3. The control device 10 repeats the steps S4 to S6 while gradually increasing the rated distances R1, R2, R3,..., While increasing the rated distances R1, R2, R3. Is located outside the rated distances R1, R2, R3..., The rated distances R1, R2, R3. ... Based on the rated value by comparing the rated value output by the position detecting element 13 when receiving the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at the RN and the value from the position detecting element 13. To determine the judgment value. Thus, when power is supplied from the battery 21, the control device 10 immediately compares the value from the position detection element 13 with a predetermined set operation start value, and the detected object starts the set operation. When it is determined that the position is outside the set operation start distance B corresponding to the value, setting of the determination value is started.

  In the automatic faucet device 1 configured as described above, when a detection object such as a human hand 14 is positioned within the determination distance H of the detection sensor 9 provided at the tip of the spout 4, the control device 10 opens the electromagnetic valve 5. Then, water is continuously discharged from the water outlet 8. Further, the automatic faucet device 1 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and controls the determination value again when a predetermined time such as 1 hour 30 minutes elapses when the detection sensor 9 does not detect the detected object. Write to the RAM of the apparatus 10.

  The detection distance setting device 6 having the above-described configuration is set longer than the value from the position detection element 13 and the distance L between the bottom wall 27 of the cover 17 and the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9. The set operation start value corresponding to the operation start distance B is compared, and it is determined that the detected object whose position detection element 13 has detected the distance and the bottom surface 3a of the water receiver 3 are located outside the set operation start distance B. Until, the setting operation of the determination distance H is not started. For this reason, since the setting of the determination value is not started in the state where the cover 17 is attached, it is possible to prevent the determination distance H from being set to be extremely short. The detection distance setting device 6 sets the determination distance H until it is determined that the detected object whose position detection element 13 has detected the distance and the bottom surface 3a of the water receiver 3 are located outside the setting operation start distance B. Therefore, even if the cover 17 falls off in the packaging box, setting of the determination value is not started, and it is possible to prevent the determination distance H from being set to be extremely short. Further, since it is determined whether or not the detected object whose position detection element 13 has detected the distance and the bottom surface 3a of the water receiver 3 are located outside the set operation start distance B, the setting of the determination value is started. After the is removed and installed in the building, the determination value setting is started immediately. Therefore, it can be prevented that the determination distance H becomes a very short value and water can not be discharged unless the hand 14 or the like of the human body is brought close to the very vicinity of the detection sensor 9, and the determination distance H can be set to an appropriate distance. It can prevent the usability from deteriorating.

  In addition, since the detection distance setting device 6 uses a battery 21 that immediately supplies power to the infrared light emitting element 12 and the like when attached to the spout 4 as a power source, it is also installed in a place where no power supply facility is conventionally provided. can do.

  In addition, the detection distance setting device 6 having the above-described configuration is configured such that when the control device 10 sets a determination value, that is, a determination distance H, the value from the position detection element 13 and a bowl positioned at a predetermined reference determination distance J are set. It is determined whether or not the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located outside the reference determination distance J based on the reference determination value when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of 3 is received. When the control device 10 determines that the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located outside the reference determination distance J, the control device 10 determines the determination distance H based on the reference determination distance J. It can be prevented that the value is far away, that is, a relatively long value of about 1 m, for example. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position detection element 13 from detecting a detection object or the like that is relatively far from the detection sensor 9. Therefore, the detection distance setting device 6 is provided, and an unintended operation of the automatic water faucet device 1 or the like as a device that operates when the detected object is located within the determination distance H can be prevented. Usability such as can be improved.

  The detection distance setting device 6 has rated distances R1, R2 shorter than the reference determination distance J as values to be compared with the values from the position detection element 13 when the control device 10 sets a determination value, that is, the determination distance H. , R3..., And the rated value when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is received. And if it determines with the bottom face 3a of the bowl 3 being located in rated distance R1, R2, R3 ..., a determination value will be defined based on a rated value. For this reason, even when the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the reference determination distance J, the determination distance H is more sure than the reference determination distance J. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent malfunction of the automatic water faucet device 1 or the like as a device provided with the detection distance setting device 6. Further, if it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located outside the rated distances R1, R2, R3,..., The rated distances R1, R2, R3,. The determination distance H can be set to an appropriate distance based on the distance from the minimum rated distance R1 to the reference determination distance J. Therefore, an unintended operation of the automatic faucet device 1 or the like as a device provided with the detection distance setting device 6 can be reliably prevented, and the usability of the automatic faucet device 1 or the like can be reliably improved.

  The automatic faucet device 1 includes the detection distance setting device 6 described above, and the cover 17 includes a locking piece 26 that locks the spout 4 of the spout 4, so that the cover 17 is unexpectedly removed from the spout 4. It can be prevented from falling off, and setting of a judgment value can be prevented from being started before installation on a building.

  Moreover, the automatic faucet device 1 having the above-described configuration includes the detection distance setting device 6 described above, and when the rated distances R1, R2, R3,... Therefore, the determination distance H can be set to an appropriate distance based on the distance from the minimum rated distance R1 to the reference determination distance J, and automatic water within the determination distance H from the position detection element 13 can be obtained. The range in which the stopper device 1 starts water discharge can be reliably set between the position detection element 13 and the bowl 3, and unintentional operation of the automatic water stopper device 1, that is, unintentional water discharge can be reliably prevented. it can.

  Further, when the automatic faucet device 1 determines the determination value based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the shortened distances S1, S2, S3 shorter than the rated distance R1, R2, R3. Since the shortened value corresponding to... Is determined as the determination value, unintended operation, that is, unintentional water discharge can be more reliably prevented.

  In the embodiment described above, the determination distance H is set to the rated distances R1, R2, R3... Or the shortened distances S1, S2, S3... Shorter than the reference determination distance J by the predetermined distance P. It is not necessary to limit to this. That is, in the present invention, the automatic faucet device 1 sets the determination distance H to the rated distance if it is shorter than the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the water receiver 3. R1, R2, R3... Or the reference determination distance J may be equal, or the rated distances R1, R2, R3. In the above-described embodiment, the stretching distance E is made constant, but the present invention need not be limited to this. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 repeatedly executes the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7 as an example. However, the flowchart repeatedly executed by the control device 10 within a range in which the object of the present invention can be achieved. Of course, it may be changed as appropriate. In the above-described embodiment, the setting operation is started or the determination value is determined based on the voltage value of the signal as the value from the position detection element 13. However, in the present invention, for example, the setting is limited to the voltage value. Instead, it may be based on other values such as a current value.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detection distance setting device 6 used in the automatic faucet device 1 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention automatically applies the lid of the sitting toilet. The present invention can be applied to a detection distance setting device for opening the door, a detection distance setting device for use in an automatic faucet of a men's urinal, and the like. In this case, the relative detection object is of course not limited to the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. In the present invention, as a power source, other power sources such as a commercial power source may be used in addition to the battery 21.

  The detection distance setting device 6 and the automatic faucet device 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims. .

Industrial applicability

  As described above, the present invention provides a detection distance setting device used in a device that automatically operates when a detection object such as a part of a human body such as an automatic water faucet device approaches, and an automatic water equipped with the detection distance setting device. Useful for plug devices.

1 Automatic faucet device 3 Bowl (water tray)
4 Spout (body)
6 Detection distance setting device 10 Control device (determination unit, setting unit)
12 Infrared light emitting device (light emitting device)
13 Position detection element 14 Hand (detected object)
17 Cover (detection object)
21 Battery (Power)
26 Locking piece (locking part)
27 Bottom wall (reflection part)
B Setting operation start distance H Judgment distance

Claims (3)

A main body to which the power supply is attached;
A light emitting element that is attached to the main body and emits light at predetermined time intervals as soon as power is supplied from the power source, and the light emitting element emits light to receive reflected light from the detected object and to the detected object. A position detection element that outputs a value whose value changes according to the distance, and a detection sensor having
The value according to the distance to the detected object detected by the position detecting element is compared with the determination value output by the position detecting element when the reflected light from the detected object located at the determination distance is received. And a determination unit that determines whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance,
As soon as power is supplied from the power source, the value from the position detection element is compared with a predetermined set operation start value, and the detected object starts the set operation corresponding to the set operation start value. When determining that it is located outside the distance, a setting unit that starts setting the determination value;
The setting operation is such that the distance from the detection sensor of the reflection portion that is detachable to the main body and covers the light emitting element and the position detection element when reflected on the main body and reflects light from the light emitting element. A cover attached at a distance shorter than the starting distance,
When the setting unit compares the value from the position detection element with the set operation start value and determines that the detected object is located within the set operation start distance, the setting of the determination value is performed. Ban,
A detection distance setting device characterized by that. When the power source is attached to the main body, the battery supplies power to the light emitting element, the determination unit, and the setting unit.
The detection distance setting device according to claim 1. The detection distance setting device according to claim 2, and
The light emitting element and the position detecting element are provided in a spout as the main body relative to the water receiver and the light emitting element emits light toward the water receiver
When the determination unit determines that the detected object is located within the determination distance, an automatic faucet device that discharges water from the spout,
The cover includes an engaging portion that engages with the spout of the spout.
An automatic faucet device characterized by that.

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