JP2013015335A - Detection distance setting device and automatic faucet apparatus including detection distance setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a detection setting part capable of preventing malfunction of an apparatus, and an automatic faucet apparatus including the detection distance setting device.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet apparatus 1 includes a spout 4, an electromagnetic valve 5, and a detection distance setting device 6. A water discharge port 8 is provided at the leading end 4b of the spout 4. The electromagnetic valve 5 can change over between the discharge and the stop of water from the water discharge port 8. The detection distance setting device 6 includes a detection sensor 9 for detecting whether or not a detection object approaches the leading end 4b of the spout 4, and a controller 10. The controller 10 causes an infrared light emitting element 12 to emit light to the bottom face 3a of a basin 3, compares a value from a position detection element 13 and a reference determination value which the position detection element 13 outputs when receiving reflected light from the bottom face 3a of the basin 3 located within a predetermined reference determination distance, and determines a determination value on the basis of the reference determination value when determining that the bottom face 3a of the basin 3 is located outside the reference determination distance.

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.

  Further, the control device, that is, the detection distance setting device sets the determination distance described above. 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, the automatic water faucet device described in Patent Literature 1 sets the determination distance based on the distance to the bottom surface of the water receiver. On the other hand, the automatic faucet device described above is installed in various and diverse places such as outdoor drinking fountains, indoor hand washing places, and kitchens. In other words, the automatic water faucet device is installed in a place where the distance from the detection sensor to the bottom surface of the water receiver is included in a range that can be detected by the detection sensor. For this reason, in the automatic faucet device described above, the determination distance described above is substantially equal to the distance from the detection sensor to the bottom surface of the water receiver.

  The automatic water faucet device described in Patent Document 1 or the like is installed between the detection sensor and the bottom surface of the water receiver, particularly when installed in a place where the distance to the bottom surface of the detection sensor is relatively long. When the distance is within the range that can be detected by the detection sensor, the determination distance is also a relatively long distance. For this reason, when the detected object is located near the bottom surface of the water receiver, the automatic water faucet device discharges water from the water discharge port even when water discharge is unnecessary. As described above, the automatic faucet device described in Patent Document 1 described above may cause water discharge when not intended, that is, perform an unintended operation, and may deteriorate usability.

  This invention is made | formed in view of said situation, Comprising: It aims at providing the automatic faucet apparatus provided with the detection distance setting apparatus which can prevent the operation | movement which is not intended, and this detection distance setting apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a detection distance setting device according to the present invention includes a light emitting element that emits light, and the light emitting element emits light to receive reflected light from a detection object, and according to the distance to the detection object. A position detecting element that outputs a value that changes in value, a value according to the distance to the detected object detected by the position detecting element, and reflected light from the detected object located at a determination distance A determination unit that compares the determination value output from the position detection element to determine whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance; and a setting unit that sets the determination value. In the detection distance setting device, when the setting unit sets the determination value, the light emitting element is caused to emit light toward a relative detection object opposed to the light emitting element, and a value from the position detecting element, Positioned at a predetermined reference judgment distance A reference determination value output by the position detection element when receiving reflected light from the relative detection object, and determining that the relative detection object is located outside the reference determination distance; The determination value is determined based on the reference determination value.

  In the detection distance setting device, when the setting unit sets a determination value, that is, a determination distance, when a value from the position detection element and reflected light from a relative detection object located at a predetermined reference determination distance are received. Based on the reference determination value, it is determined whether or not the relative detection object is located outside the reference determination distance. When the setting unit determines that the relative detection object is located outside the reference determination distance, the determination unit determines the determination distance based on the reference determination distance. Therefore, the determination distance is a value that is far from the reference determination distance, for example, about 1 m. A relatively long value or the like can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the position detection element from detecting a detection object or the like that is relatively far from the detection sensor. Therefore, the detection distance setting device is provided, and an unintended operation of the device that operates when the detected object is located within the determination distance can be prevented, and the usability of the device can be improved.

  Further, in the detection distance setting device, when the setting unit sets the determination value, the value from the position detection element and the relative position that is set in a rated distance that is predetermined and shorter than the reference determination distance. When comparing the rated value output by the position detection element when receiving reflected light from the detected object and determining that the relative detected object is located within the rated distance, it is based on the rated value. Determining the determination value and determining that the relative detection object is located outside the rated distance, the rated distance is increased stepwise, and the relative position positioned at the rated distance extended stepwise is determined. The rated value output from the position detection element when receiving reflected light from the sensing object is compared with the value from the position detection element, and the determination value is determined based on the rated value, and the rating The distance is the reference judgment distance By weight, it is preferable to determine the judgment value based on the reference judgment value.

  In this detection distance setting device, when the setting unit sets a determination value, that is, a determination distance, a value to be compared with a value from the position detection element is reflected from a relative detection object located at a rated distance shorter than the reference determination distance. Use the rated value when receiving light. When it is determined that the relative detected object is located within the rated distance, a determination value is determined based on the rated value. For this reason, even if the distance between the position detection element and the relative detection object is shorter than the reference determination distance, the determination distance can be reliably made shorter than the reference determination distance. It is possible to reliably prevent unintentional operation of the apparatus having the above. In addition, when it is determined that the relative detection object is located outside the rated distance, the rated distance is increased stepwise and the determination value is determined, so the determination distance is appropriate based on the distance from the minimum rated distance to the reference determination distance. Distance. Therefore, an unintended operation of the device provided with the detection distance setting device can be reliably prevented, and the usability of this device can be improved with certainty.

  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 relative to a water receiver as the relative detection object. In addition, the light emitting element emits light toward the water receiver, and water is discharged from the spout when the determination unit determines that the detected object is located within the determination distance.

  This automatic faucet device is equipped with the detection distance setting device described above, and when the rated distance increases stepwise, it will gradually approach the water receiver as a relative detection object. An appropriate distance can be set based on the distance to the judgment distance, and the range where the automatic water faucet device within the judgment distance from the position detection element starts water discharge is reliably between the position detection element and the water receiver. It can be set, and unintentional operation of the automatic faucet device, that is, unintentional water discharge can be reliably prevented.

  Furthermore, in the automatic faucet device, when the setting unit determines the determination value based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the shortening distance is shorter by a predetermined distance than the rated distance or the reference determination value. It is preferable that a shortening value detected by the position detection element when the relative detection object is positioned is set as the determination value.

  In this automatic faucet device, when the determination value is determined based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the shortened value corresponding to the shortened distance shorter than the rated distance or the reference determination distance is determined as the determination value. Unintentional water discharge can be prevented more reliably.

  In the detection distance setting device and the automatic faucet device according to the present invention, since the determination distance does not become a value far from the reference determination distance, an unintended operation can be prevented and the usability is good.

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 a flowchart showing processing of the control device of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment. Drawing 5 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 a flowchart showing processing of the control device of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 5 sets determination values of the control device of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the condition to do.

  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), a pipe 15, an electromagnetic valve 5 (shown in FIG. 3) as an on-off valve, and a detection distance setting device. 6 (shown in FIG. 3).

  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 opens on 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, the spout 4 accommodates a battery and a capacitor as a power source for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 5.

  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.

  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 or a capacitor as a power source. 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 a battery as a power source and a determination value described later is written in the RAM or the like. 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. If 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 detecting element 13, the control device 10 keeps the electromagnetic valve 5 closed or closed so that the detected object is positioned. If it determines with it being located in the determination distance H from the detection element 13, the electromagnetic valve 5 will be opened and water will be discharged from the spout 8.

  The determination value is a voltage of a signal output from 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 is the determination distance H. Value. The determination distance H means that when a detection object such as a hand approaches the tip 4b of the spout 4 and discharges water from the water discharge port 8, the detection sensor 9 does not detect the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 as a detection object. This is the distance where water discharged from the water discharge port 8 is immediately applied to a detected object such as the hand 14 and 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.

  Further, when the battery 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.

  Further, the control device 10 emits the infrared light emitting element 12 at every predetermined time interval when the power from the battery as the power source is supplied, and the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 shows an example. Run 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 the 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 initial value. If S3 is repeated and it is determined that the value is lower than the initial value, the process proceeds to step S4. The initial value is a value that can determine whether or not the detection sensor 9 is covered with a cover (not shown). That is, the initial value is sufficiently smaller than the voltage value of the signal from the position detecting element 13 that receives the reflected light reflected from the inner surface of the cover when the infrared light emitting element 12 emits light when the cover is covered, The value is sufficiently larger 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 infrared light emitting element 12 emits light when the cover is removed. Thus, the control device 10 repeats step S3 until the cover that protects the detection sensor 9 from the spout 4 is removed.

  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. The rated value is assumed to be a reference determination distance J (shown in FIG. 5), for example, 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 125 mm described later. ) Is a voltage value of a signal output from the position detection element 13 when the rated distance R1 is 90 mm or less (for example, shown in FIG. 5). 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 predetermined distance P (shown in FIG. 5) that is predetermined from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is 20 mm shorter than the rated distance R1, for example, 70 mm or the like. 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 positioned at a distance S1 (shown in FIG. 5) 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 from step S4 to step S6 and then proceeds to step S7, the shortened distance is shorter by a predetermined distance P than the rated distances R2, R3, R4 (shown in FIG. 5). A shortened value corresponding to S2, S3, S4 (shown in FIG. 5) 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 bottom surface of the bowl 3 is compared with the rated value output by the position detection element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 positioned at the rated distance R1 which is set and shorter than the reference determination distance J is received. If it is determined that 3a 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. 5) 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 distance from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 is shorter than the reference determination distance J by a predetermined distance P shorter than a shortened distance S (shown in FIG. 5) such as 105 mm. The shortened value detected by the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 when the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is positioned is determined as the 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 continues until the reference determination value becomes larger than the new rated value, that is, until the rated distances R2, R3, R4... RN (shown in FIG. 5) become longer than the reference determination distance J. .., Step S4 to step S6 are repeated while the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. The controller 10 repeats steps S4 to S6 while gradually increasing the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. When it is determined that the bottom surface 3a is located outside the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4,..., The rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. The rated value output from the position detection element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at the rated distances R2, R3, R4... RN is received and the value from the position detection element 13 are compared. Then, a determination value is determined based on the rated value.

  In the automatic faucet device 1 having the above-described configuration, when a detection object such as a human hand 14 is located within a determination distance H from the infrared light emitting element 12 and the position detection element 13 of the detection sensor 9 provided at the tip of the spout 4. The control device 10 opens the electromagnetic valve 5 and continuously discharges water from the water outlet 8. Further, the automatic faucet device 1 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 when the state in which the detection sensor 9 has not detected the detected object has elapsed, for example, 1 hour 30 minutes, and controls the determination value again. Write to the RAM of the apparatus 10.

  When the control device 10 sets the determination value, that is, the determination distance H, the detection distance setting device 6 having the above-described configuration is configured so that the value from the position detection element 13 and the pot 3 positioned at the predetermined reference determination distance J are set. Whether or not the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located outside the reference determination distance J is determined based on the reference determination value when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a 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, R4..., 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, R4 ..., a determination value will be defined based on a rated value. For this reason, even if the distance between the infrared light emitting element 12 of the position detection element 13 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 determined as the reference determination. The distance J can be surely shortened, and malfunction of the automatic water faucet device 1 or the like as a device including the detection distance setting device 6 can be reliably prevented. Further, if it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is located outside the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4..., The rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. 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. 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.

  Moreover, the automatic faucet device 1 having the above-described configuration includes the above-described detection distance setting device 6 and when the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. 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 within the determination distance H from the position detection element 13. The range in which the automatic water faucet 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 faucet device 1, that is, unintentional water discharge is reliably prevented. be able to.

  Furthermore, 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 shorter than the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4. , S3, S4... Are determined as determination values, so that 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, R4... Or the shortened distances S1, S2, S3, S4. In the present invention, 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, R4... Or the reference determination distance J may be equal, or the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4. In the above-described embodiment, the stretching distance E is made constant, but the present invention need not be limited to this. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 repeatedly executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 as an example. However, the flowchart repeatedly executed by the control device 10 within a range where the object of the present invention can be achieved. Of course, it may be changed as appropriate. In the above-described embodiment, the determination value is determined based on the voltage value of the signal as the value from the position detection element 13, but in the present invention, for example, the current value is not limited to the voltage value. The determination value may be determined based on other values.

  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.

  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 receiver, relative detection object)
4 Spout 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)
E Extension distance H Determination distance J Reference determination distance P Predetermined distance R1, R2, R3, R4, RN Rated distance S, S1, S2, S3, S4, SN Shortened distance

Claims (4)

A light emitting element that emits light;
The light emitting element emits light and receives reflected light from the detected object, and outputs a value whose value changes according to the distance to the detected object;
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. A determination unit that determines whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance;
A setting unit for setting the determination value;
In the detection distance setting device with
When the setting unit sets the determination value,
The light emitting element is caused to emit light toward a relative detection object to which the light emitting element is opposed, and a value from the position detection element and reflected light from the relative detection object located at a predetermined reference determination distance are received. When the relative determination object is determined to be located outside the reference determination distance by comparing the reference determination value output by the position detection element, the determination value is determined based on the reference determination value. ,
A detection distance setting device characterized by that. When the setting unit sets the determination value,
A value from the position detection element, and a rated value output by the position detection element when receiving reflected light from the relative detection object that is predetermined and located at a rated distance shorter than the reference determination distance, Compared to,
When determining that the relative detection object is located within the rated distance, and determining the determination value based on the rated value,
When it is determined that the relative detection object is located outside the rated distance, the rated distance is increased stepwise and the reflected light from the relative detection object positioned at the stepped extended distance is received. When comparing the rated value output by the position detection element and the value from the position detection element, the determination value is determined based on the rated value,
When the rated distance exceeds the reference determination distance, the determination value is determined based on the reference determination value.
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 detection element are provided in a spout relative to the water receiver as the relative detection object, 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, water is discharged from the spout.
An automatic faucet device characterized by that. When the setting unit determines the determination value based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the position is determined when the relative detection object is positioned at a shortened distance shorter than the rated distance or the reference determination value by a predetermined distance. The shortened value detected by the detection element is set as the determination value.
The automatic faucet device according to claim 3.

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