JP2013189791A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet that automatically updates a reference level of a reflection type sensor that detects hands of a user, capable of preventing a malfunction in water discharge when draining the water stored in a washbowl by water storing, and attaining high versatility without impairing general usability.SOLUTION: The automatic faucet comprises a controller that controls an on-off valve on a basis of a light-receiving level of a reflection type sensor. The controller memorizes a temporary earthenware level and a definite earthenware level as a reference level for a light-receiving level. When the light-receiving level is within fixed values and a first reference time passes from a predetermined reference point of time, the controller updates the temporary earthenware level. When the light-receiving level is within fixed values and a second reference time passes from a predetermined reference point of time, the controller updates the definite earthenware level. When the difference between the temporary earthenware level and the definite earthenware level becomes a fixed value or more, the controller changes the mode from a first control operation mode to a second control operation mode, which are different from each other in a water discharge condition.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that automatically discharges water by detecting an object such as a user's hand with a reflective sensor.

  Conventionally, as a faucet device for discharging water to a basin or the like, there is an automatic faucet that automatically discharges water by detecting an object such as a user's hand with a reflective sensor. The reflective sensor transmits a propagation wave such as infrared light, for example, and detects the presence / absence of the user's hand based on the level (size) of the detection data of the reflected wave of the propagation wave. Specifically, the automatic faucet detects the presence of the user's hand based on the deviation of the detection data level of the reflective sensor from the predetermined reference level and detects the presence of the user's hand. To do.

  In an automatic faucet using such a reflection type sensor, a reference level is set in accordance with the use environment or use situation of the automatic faucet as a reference level to be compared with the level of data detected by the reflection type sensor. Learning is done.

  Specifically, the learning of the reference level is performed on the condition that, for example, a state where the level of the detection data of the reflective sensor is stable continues for a predetermined time. That is, in this case, it is detected that the state of the reflected wave is stable in the reflective sensor, and the level of the detection data in the stable state is stored as the reference level, so that the reference level is changed. As a result, the reference level is automatically updated according to the use environment or use state of the automatic faucet. Regarding the learning of the reference level for such a reflective sensor, the following techniques exist.

  In Patent Document 1, in addition to automatic water discharge by a reflection type sensor, in a configuration that allows manual water discharge by a water discharge switch operated by a user, the sensor function for automatic water discharge is stopped. Techniques for solving problems that occur in some cases are disclosed. Specifically, it is as follows.

  When the sensor function is stopped, for example, when a state on the wash basin detected for determination of water discharge is changed, for example, an object is placed on the wash basin, the state change on the wash basin cannot be recognized. For this reason, when the stop of the sensor function is released, the basin whose state has changed may be detected, and water discharge (error water discharge) may be performed as a malfunction.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which the sensor itself is maintained in the driving state and the learning of the reference level is continued even in the sensor cut mode in which the sensor function is stopped. According to such a technique, even if the state on the wash basin changes, for example, when an object is placed on the wash basin in the sensor cut mode, the reference level is updated to reflect the change in the wash basin state. Therefore, erroneous water discharge does not occur when the sensor cut mode is canceled and the sensor function returns to an effective state.

  Further, as described above, in the configuration in which water is discharged by determining the presence or absence of an object such as a hand based on the detection data of the reflection type sensor, for example, reflection on the ball surface of the basin or water discharged from the spout There is a problem that erroneous water discharge occurs due to the influence of noise such as.

  Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for determining the presence / absence of an object such as a hand using a statistical value such as an average value, a variance value, or a standard deviation of detection data of a reflective sensor. According to such a technique, the influence of noise included in the detection data of the reflective sensor is reduced, the detection accuracy of the object is improved, and erroneous water discharge is prevented.

Japanese Patent No. 3456101 Japanese Patent No. 3569988

  By the way, in the wash basin installed with respect to the automatic faucet as described above, the user may perform a water sump action for accumulating water on the ball surface of the wash basin. The water collected on the ball surface by the water reservoir action is discharged from the basin by the water drain action.

  When the water pool action and the water drain action are performed in this manner, the above-described reference level learning may be performed in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface by the water pool action. It can be said that the reference level learned in such a case is an erroneous reference level with respect to the reference level learned in a state where water does not accumulate on the ball surface. Specifically, according to the reference level learned in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface, erroneous water discharge may occur due to the water level on the ball surface being lowered due to the water draining action.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 requires a separate switch for stopping the sensor function of the reflective sensor. For this reason, it is difficult to apply to a configuration that does not include a switch for stopping the sensor function, such as the configuration of the current product, and the versatility is poor.

  Further, regarding the problem of erroneous water discharge at the time of draining water as described above, the basin by a water pool act or the like is used by using statistical values such as standard deviation for the detection data of the reflective sensor as in the technique of Patent Document 2. It is considered that the state change can be recognized and erroneous water discharge can be suppressed to some extent.

  However, according to the method using statistical values such as standard deviation as in the technique of Patent Document 2, it takes time to detect an object as compared with detection of an object based on the level of normal detection data. For this reason, there exists a problem that the usability of an automatic faucet falls.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a configuration for automatically updating the reference level for a reflective sensor for detecting an object such as a user's hand, Can prevent erroneous water discharge at the time of draining the water stored on the ball surface of the basin, and can obtain high versatility without deteriorating usability during normal use. The purpose is to provide an automatic faucet.

  The automatic faucet according to the present invention detects an object present in the vicinity of the spout by receiving an on-off valve that opens and closes a water supply path to a spout that discharges water and a reflected wave of a transmitted propagation wave. An automatic faucet comprising a reflective sensor and a control unit that controls the opening / closing operation of the on-off valve based on the level of detection data of the sensor, the control unit corresponding to the level of the detection data As a reference level, a first reference level that defines a condition for opening the on-off valve and a second reference level that is updated independently of the first reference level are stored, and the level of the detection data is constant. The first reference level is updated by storing the level of the detection data as the first reference level on the condition that a first reference time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time in a state within the range of A record of the detected data The level of the detection data is stored as the second reference level on the condition that a second reference time longer than the first reference time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time in a state where the level is within a certain range. The second reference level is updated, and the difference between the first reference level and the second reference level is equal to or greater than a certain value, and the level of the detection data and the first reference level are From the first control operation state in which the opening / closing operation of the on / off valve is controlled by comparison, to the second control operation state in which the opening / closing operation of the on / off valve is controlled by comparing a statistical value for the detection data with a preset threshold value. It will be switched. According to such a configuration, in the configuration in which the reference level for the reflection type sensor for detecting an object such as a user's hand is automatically updated, the reference level is accumulated on the ball surface of the basin by a water reservoir action. In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge when draining water, and high versatility can be obtained without reducing usability during normal use.

  In the automatic faucet according to the present invention, preferably, in the second control operation state, the control unit prevents the passage of the second reference time so that the first reference level and the second reference Of the levels, only the first reference level is updated. According to such a configuration, it is possible to change the water discharge rule with good responsiveness corresponding to the state of water on the ball surface, and it is possible to effectively prevent erroneous water discharge during the water draining action.

  In the automatic faucet according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit has a difference between the first reference level and the second reference level equal to or less than a predetermined value in the second control operation state. On the condition, the first control operation state is restored. According to such a configuration, the control unit can be automatically returned from the second control operation state to the first control operation state, and the usability of the automatic water faucet can be improved.

  In the automatic faucet according to the present invention, preferably, the control unit has a level of the detection data within a certain range from the time when the first control operation state is switched to the second control operation state. And when the predetermined time longer than the second reference time has passed, the control returns to the first control operation state, and the first reference level at the time when the predetermined time has passed is set to the first control level. The second reference level is updated by storing the second reference level. According to such a configuration, the control unit can be automatically returned from the second control operation state to the first control operation state, and the usability of the automatic water faucet can be improved.

  In the automatic faucet according to the present invention, preferably, the control unit opens the on-off valve within a predetermined period after switching from the first control operation state to the second control operation state. On the condition that the predetermined number of times exceeds a predetermined number, the first control operation state is returned, and the first reference level at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed is stored as the second reference level. As a result, the second reference level is updated. According to such a configuration, the control unit can be automatically returned from the second control operation state to the first control operation state, and the usability of the automatic water faucet can be improved.

  In addition, the automatic faucet according to the present invention preferably further includes an operation unit that opens and closes the on-off valve by an external operation, and the control unit opens the on-off valve by the operation of the operation unit. In the state, only the first reference level of the first reference level and the second reference level is updated by preventing the passage of the second reference time. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge due to a water collecting action and a water draining action when the reflective sensor for detecting an object such as a user's hand and the operation unit are used in combination.

  According to the present invention, in a configuration in which the reference level for a reflective sensor for detecting an object such as a user's hand is automatically updated, the water stored on the ball surface of the basin by the water storage action. Water can be prevented from being accidentally discharged at the time of draining water, and high versatility can be obtained without deteriorating usability during normal use.

The figure which shows the structure of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the control structure of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing about the control content of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing about the control content of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing about the control content of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing about the control content of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control routine of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the control routine of the automatic water tap which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  The present invention automatically updates the reference level of a reflective sensor for detecting an object such as a user's hand, and the portion of the basin or the like that receives water discharge from a change in the reference level due to the update. By detecting a change in the state, a configuration is adopted in which the control operation state of the control unit that controls the on-off valve is switched to another control operation state with different conditions for water discharge. As a result, the present invention prevents erroneous water discharge due to unintentional renewal of the reference level accompanying changes in the state of the automatic faucet that receives water discharge, and obtains good usability and high versatility. It is about to try. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[Configuration of automatic faucet]
The configuration of the automatic faucet 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic faucet 1 according to the present embodiment detects an object such as a user's hand 2 and automatically discharges water, and is provided for a wash basin 3 provided on a wash basin. To discharge water.

  The basin 3 is configured as a pottery. A wash counter 4 is provided around the wash basin 3. On the wash counter 4, a faucet 5 is provided as a water discharge part constituting a spout for discharging water to the ball surface 3 a of the wash basin 3. The faucet 5 is provided in a state of being fixed to the upper surface of the wash counter 4 so as to discharge water from the water discharge port 5a to the ball surface 3a.

  The faucet 5 has a water outlet 5a that discharges water at the tip. Specifically, the water pipe 6 is accommodated in the faucet 5, and the water discharge port 5 a is configured by the tip opening of the water pipe 6. The faucet 5 is provided so that water discharged from the water outlet 5 a is discharged into the ball surface 3 a of the basin 3.

  Water discharged from the water outlet 5 a of the faucet 5 is supplied by the water supply path 7. The water supply channel 7 guides water supplied from a water supply source such as a water pipe to the water outlet 5a. The water supply path 7 is directly or indirectly connected to the end portion of the water pipe 6 accommodated in the faucet 5 on the side opposite to the water outlet 5a. The water supply passage 7 is appropriately provided with a manually operated stop valve, a constant flow valve for supplying a constant amount of water regardless of the water supply pressure, and the like.

  A drainage channel 8 is connected to the basin 3. The drainage channel 8 discharges water discharged from the water outlet 5a into the ball surface 3a of the basin 3.

  The automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment includes a solenoid valve 11, an optical sensor 12, and a control unit 13. The electromagnetic valve 11 is provided in the water supply channel 7 and opens and closes the water supply channel 7. By the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11, the water discharge state and the water stop state are switched for the water supplied from the water supply passage 7. That is, the automatic faucet 1 is in a water discharge state in which the water supplied from the water supply source to the water supply channel 7 is discharged from the water discharge port 5a when the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened, and the electromagnetic valve 11 is closed. Then, the water discharge state from the water discharge port 5a is stopped.

  The opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 is controlled by the control unit 13. For this reason, the solenoid valve 11 is connected to the control unit 13. The solenoid valve 11 is electrically controlled in accordance with a control signal from the control unit 13 to open and close the water supply channel 7. Thus, the electromagnetic valve 11 functions as an on-off valve that opens and closes the water supply path 7 to the water discharge port 5a that discharges water.

  The optical sensor 12 is a reflective sensor that detects an object existing in the vicinity of the spout 5a by receiving a reflected wave of a transmitted propagation wave. In the present embodiment, the optical sensor 12 transmits (projects) light such as infrared light or visible light as a propagation wave, and is a reflected wave reflected from an object such as the hand 2 that has received the transmitted light. By receiving (receiving) light, an object existing in the vicinity of the spout 5a is detected.

  The optical sensor 12 is connected to the control unit 13. A signal output from the optical sensor 12 is input to the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 detects the presence of an object such as the hand 2.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor 12 includes a light projecting unit 14 that projects light such as infrared light, and a light receiving unit 15 that receives reflected light from an object. The light projecting unit 14 is configured as a constant current drive circuit including a light emitting diode, an operational amplifier, a transistor, a resistor, and the like, for example. The light projecting unit 14 is driven by the control unit 13 and projects light such as infrared light as pulsed light having a predetermined output. The light projecting unit 14 receives a pulsed voltage applied from the control unit 13 to the operational amplifier, thereby supplying a pulsed constant current to the light emitting diode. Thereby, the light output level and output timing of the light projecting unit 14 are controlled by the control unit 13.

  The light receiving unit 15 receives reflected light from an object such as the hand 2, converts the received light into a voltage, and outputs the voltage. An output signal from the light receiving unit 15 is input to the control unit 13 as detection data of the optical sensor 12.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the optical sensor 12 is provided inside the faucet 5 at a position near the water outlet 5 a that is the tip of the water faucet 5, specifically, a position almost directly above the water outlet 5 a. Thereby, the optical sensor 12 is arrange | positioned so that light, such as infrared light, may be projected in the range including the ball | bowl surface 3a of the washbasin 3. FIG. Note that the arrangement of the optical sensor 12 is not limited to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, and may be arranged, for example, in an intermediate portion of the faucet 5, and appropriately varies depending on the shape of the spout. Moreover, the solenoid valve 11 and the control part 13 are accommodated under the wash counter 4, for example.

  The control unit 13 controls the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 based on the level (size) of the detection data of the optical sensor 12, that is, the level (size) of the output signal. For this reason, the output signal from the optical sensor 12 is input to the control unit 13 as described above. A control signal for the electromagnetic valve 11 is output from the control unit 13.

  The control unit 13 detects the presence of the hand 2 based on the detection signal sent from the optical sensor 12 when the optical sensor 12 detects the hand 2 that has been sent out to the position where the water discharged from the water outlet 5a is received. Detect. When detecting the presence of the hand 2 detected by the optical sensor 12, the control unit 13 opens the electromagnetic valve 11. Thereby, the automatic faucet 1 discharges water from the water outlet 5a and enters a water discharge state. When the hand 2 is no longer detected by the optical sensor 12, the state where the control unit 13 detects the presence of the hand 2 is released, and the control unit 13 causes the electromagnetic valve 11 to close. Thereby, the automatic faucet 1 stops water discharge from the water discharge port 5a and enters a water stop state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 13 includes a storage unit 16 and a time measurement unit 17 that measures time. Specifically, the control unit 13 includes various functional parts such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and an input / output interface that are connected to each other by a data communication bus or the like. The control unit 13 has an input interface for receiving an input signal from the optical sensor 12 and an output interface for outputting a control signal for the electromagnetic valve 11 as an input / output interface. The CPU included in the control unit 13 functions as a calculation unit that performs a predetermined calculation according to a control program or the like stored in the storage unit 16 or the like.

  The storage unit 16 stores a control program for the automatic faucet 1 and various data used for water discharge control in the automatic faucet 1 as described later. The storage unit 16 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory) connected to the CPU.

  In addition, the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment includes a stop switch 18. The stop switch 18 opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 11 by receiving an external operation such as an operation by the user of the automatic faucet 1. That is, the shutoff switch 18 opens and closes the solenoid valve 11 independently of the automatic opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve 11 based on the detection signal of the optical sensor 12 by an external operation, and the water discharge state and the water stop state. It is a switch for switching between.

  The stop switch 18 is configured as a push button switch, for example, and is switched on / off by a push operation. The stop switch 18 is connected to the control unit 13, and an on / off signal of the stop switch 18 is input to the control unit 13. Then, the control unit 13 controls the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 based on the signal input from the stop switch 18. That is, when the stop switch 18 is turned on, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened by the control unit 13, the automatic faucet 1 enters a water discharge state, and when the stop switch 18 is turned off, the control unit 13 sets the electromagnetic valve 11. Is closed, and the automatic faucet 1 enters a water stop state.

  The stop switch 18 is provided at a position that does not hinder light projection and reception by the optical sensor 12 for detecting an object such as the user's hand 2. That is, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened by the control unit 13 when the user's hand, arm, or the like is detected by the optical sensor 12 by an operation for operating the stop switch 18 by the user or the like. The stop switch 18 is arranged at a position where no water discharge occurs.

  Therefore, the stop switch 18 is disposed at a position where the user's hand 2 or arm or the like does not enter the light projection range effective for detecting the object by the optical sensor 12 by the operation for operating the stop switch 18. The Specifically, the position of the stop switch 18 is, for example, the position near the right faucet 5 with respect to the faucet 5 on the wash counter 4 or the position of the upper surface of the tip of the faucet 5. Etc. However, the arrangement position of the stop switch 18 is not particularly limited.

  As described above, the automatic faucet 1 according to the present embodiment is an operation unit that opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 11 by an external operation, and a switch 18 that switches between a water discharge state and a water stop state by an on / off switching operation. Is provided.

  As described above, the automatic water faucet 1 according to the present embodiment includes the electromagnetic valve 11, the optical sensor 12, and the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 determines the electromagnetic valve 11 based on the detection signal of the optical sensor 12. Controls the opening and closing operation. Thereby, when the user's hand 2 etc. approaches the water outlet 5a, automatic water discharge from the water outlet 5a is performed. In addition, in the automatic faucet 1, in addition to automatic water discharge using the optical sensor 12, or in place of this automatic water discharge, water discharge by an external operation using the stop switch 18 is also possible. . Hereinafter, the control content of the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

[Control details of automatic faucet]
In the automatic faucet 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the automatic water discharge from the water outlet 5a is performed by detecting the hand that has been inserted to the position where the water discharged from the water outlet 5a is received by the optical sensor 12. Is done. In the following description, the automatic water discharge (water discharge operation) based on the detection signal of the optical sensor 12 is referred to as “hand-held water discharge”, and the control of this automatic water discharge is referred to as “hand-held water discharge control”.

(Hand-held water discharge control)
In the hand-held water discharge control in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the level 2 of the detection data of the optical sensor 12 (hereinafter referred to as “light reception level”) is determined based on the deviation from a predetermined reference level. And the presence of the hand 2 is detected. In the hand-held water discharge control, the reference level is learned (updated) according to the use environment, the use situation, and the like of the automatic faucet 1 with respect to the reference level to be compared with the light reception level by the optical sensor 12.

  In the hand-held water discharge control in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, two reference levels are used as a reference level, that is, a temporary pottery level that is a first reference level and a final pottery level that is a second reference level. These two reference levels are stored in the storage unit 16 of the control unit 13. As described above, the control unit 13 included in the automatic faucet 1 stores the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level as the reference level for the light reception level of the optical sensor 12.

  In hand-held water discharge control, the temporary pottery level is a reference level that defines a condition for opening the electromagnetic valve 11, that is, a condition for water discharge from the water outlet 5a (water discharge condition). In the hand-holding water discharge control of the present embodiment, as the water discharge condition, it is used that the value of the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the value of the temporary pottery level.

  That is, assuming that the value of the temporary ceramic level is La, water discharge is performed when the value of the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 exceeds La + α. Specifically, when the control unit 13 determines that the value of the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 exceeds La + α, the control unit 13 opens the electromagnetic valve 11 and discharges water from the water discharge port 5a. Here, the predetermined value α added to the value of the temporary pottery level is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13.

  Moreover, regarding the two reference levels used for hand-holding water discharge control, the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level are independently updated. That is, the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level are updated under different conditions in a later-described learning routine for the reference level performed by the control unit 13.

  In the hand-held water discharge control of the present embodiment, learning of the reference level is performed on the condition that the state where the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is stable continues for a predetermined time. That is, the optical sensor 12 detects that the state of the reflected wave received by the light receiving unit 15 is stable, and stores the light reception level in the stable state as the reference level, thereby changing the reference level. Thereby, the reference level is automatically updated according to the use environment, use state, etc. of the automatic faucet 1.

  The temporary pottery level and the final pottery level are defined as update conditions, and the length of a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as “sensor level stable continuation time”) for the time during which the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 is stable is continued. Are different from each other. The sensor level stabilization duration for the temporary pottery level is short compared to the same time for the final pottery level.

  Specifically, the sensor level stabilization duration for the temporary pottery level is set to about 15 seconds, for example, and the sensor level stabilization duration for the final pottery level is set to about 3 minutes, for example. The sensor level stabilization duration for each of these reference levels is not particularly limited. For example, the sensor level stabilization duration for the temporary pottery level is set as a time within a range of several seconds to several tens of seconds. The sensor level stabilization duration for the final pottery level is set as a time within a range from several minutes to several tens of minutes. The sensor level stabilization duration time for each of these reference levels is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13.

  In the hand-held water discharge control of the present embodiment, the sensor level stabilization duration time for the temporary pottery level corresponds to the first reference time according to the present invention. In addition, the sensor level stabilization duration time for the final pottery level corresponds to the second reference time according to the present invention.

  Therefore, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 13 performs the light test on the condition that the first reference time has elapsed from the predetermined reference time while the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is within a certain range. By storing the light receiving level of the sensor 12 as a temporary pottery level, the temporary pottery level is updated. Further, the control unit 13 sets the condition of the optical sensor 12 on the condition that a second reference time longer than the first reference time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time in a state where the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is within a certain range. By storing the received light level as the final pottery level, the final pottery level is updated.

  As described above, in the hand-held water discharge control of the present embodiment, the temporary ceramic level and the final ceramic level are used as the reference levels for the light reception level of the optical sensor 12, and these reference levels are learned under different conditions ( Updated). In such hand-held water discharge control, water discharge (error water discharge) as a malfunction may be performed by performing a water pool action and a water drain action.

  Here, the act of pooling water is an act of pooling water on the ball surface 3a of the basin 3 (see FIG. 1) installed with respect to the automatic faucet 1, and in detail, opens to the ball surface 3a. This is an act of discharging water from the water outlet 5a in a state where the opening of the drainage channel 8 is closed with a plug or the like (not shown). On the other hand, in the draining action, the opening of the drainage channel 8 is opened by removing a plug that closes the opening of the drainage channel 8, and the water accumulated on the ball surface 3 a by the draining action is drained. It is an act to discharge by.

  When the water pool action and the water drain action are performed, the above-described learning at the reference level may be performed in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a by the water pool action. It can be said that the reference level learned in such a case is an erroneous reference level with respect to the reference level learned in a state where water does not accumulate on the ball surface 3a. Specifically, according to the reference level learned in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a, erroneous water discharge may occur due to a drop in the water level on the ball surface 3a due to the draining action. The erroneous water discharge by such a water sump action and a water drain action is demonstrated in detail using FIG.

  FIG. 3: shows the time chart as explanatory drawing about the erroneous water discharge which may arise in hand-holding water discharge control. The horizontal axis of the upper graph in FIG. 3 indicates the elapsed time, and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the light reception level of the optical sensor 12. In the upper graph of FIG. 3, the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level are also represented by the same coordinate axis as the light reception level of the optical sensor 12. In the upper graph of FIG. 3, the solid line indicates the light reception level of the optical sensor 12, the broken line with a narrow interval indicates the temporary ceramic level, and the broken line with a wide interval indicates the final ceramic level. The lower part of FIG. 3 shows the switching between the water discharge state and the water stop state of the automatic faucet 1 corresponding to the elapsed time of the graph in the upper part of FIG.

  The example shown in FIG. 3 shows a case where a water sump action is performed while hand-held water discharge is performed. As shown in FIG. 3, in the case of hand-held water discharge with a water reservoir action, the state at time t <b> 0 is a standby state of the automatic faucet 1. This state at time t0 is set as a reference state for the automatic faucet 1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, in the reference state of the automatic faucet 1, the values of any of the light receiving level, the temporary pottery level, and the final pottery level are the reference value L0.

  From the reference state of the automatic faucet 1, when the user's hand 2 is pushed out to a position where water is discharged from the spout 5a, and the hand 2 is held over a light projection range effective for detecting an object by the optical sensor 12, The presence of the hand 2 is detected by the optical sensor 12. Thereby, the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 starts to rise from the reference value L0 (time t1).

  When the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 rises and the light reception level value exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the reference value L0 which is the value of the temporary ceramic level, that is, when the light reception level value reaches L0 + α, Water discharge is started (time t2). Specifically, at time t2, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened by the control unit 13, and water is discharged from the water outlet 5a.

  From time t2 to time t3, hand-held water discharge is performed. That is, since the hand 2 is no longer detected by the optical sensor 12 from the state where the water discharge is started at the time t2, the water discharge is stopped and the water stop state is entered (time t3). Specifically, at time t3, the electromagnetic valve 11 is closed by the control unit 13, and water discharge from the water discharge port 5a is stopped. During the hand-held water discharge from time t2 to time t3, water discharged from the water discharge port 5a accumulates on the ball surface 3a.

  In the hand-holding water discharge control of the present embodiment, the condition for closing the solenoid valve 11, that is, the condition for stopping water discharge from the water outlet 5a (water stop condition) is, for example, a hysteresis in relation to the water discharge condition as described above. Have. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the hand 2 moves from the vicinity of the water outlet 5 a in the hand-held water discharge, the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 decreases, and the light reception level changes from the value L0 + α that defines the water discharge condition to the value Δ (Δ Water discharge is stopped at the time point <α) (time t3). That is, here, as the water stop condition, it is used that the light reception level is larger than the value L0 and lower than the value L0 + α by a value Δ (L0 + α−Δ). Note that the water stop condition in the hand-holding water discharge control is not limited to the case shown in FIG. 3, and it is appropriately adopted that a predetermined relationship is satisfied between the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 and the temporary ceramic level or the final ceramic level. Is done.

  After water stoppage is stopped at the time when the water stop condition is satisfied (time t3) while the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 is decreasing, the light receiving level continues to decrease and is stable in a state where the light receiving level becomes the value L1. To do. The light reception level value L1 is lower than the light reception level reference value L0 in the reference state of the automatic faucet 1.

  That is, the light reception level value L1 in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a is lower than the reference value L0 which is the light reception level in the reference state before water discharge is started in the automatic faucet 1. This is because, when water is present on the ball surface 3a, the amount of light reflected from the optical sensor 12 is reduced, so that the amount of light received by the optical sensor 12 is reduced. The degree of reduction in the amount of reflected light increases as the level of water stored on the ball surface 3a increases (the depth increases). That is, when the distance between the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 15 of the optical sensor 12 and the ball surface 3a is constant, the distance between the light receiving surface of the optical sensor 12 and the water surface of the water stored on the ball surface 3a becomes shorter. The light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 is lowered.

  When the value of the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 is stabilized at the value L1 and a predetermined time elapses, learning of the temporary pottery level as described above is performed, and the temporary pottery level is updated. That is, the light reception level is stored as the temporary ceramic level on the condition that the first reference time has elapsed from the predetermined reference time while the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is within a certain range. Is updated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the time t4 after the time t3 corresponds to the time when the first reference time has elapsed from the predetermined reference time in a state where the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is within a certain range. Therefore, at time t4, the light reception level value L1 at that time is stored as the temporary pottery level, the temporary pottery level is updated from the reference value L0 to the value L1, and learning of the temporary pottery level is completed.

  And in the example shown in FIG. 3, the draining action is started at time t5 after time t4. When the water draining action is started, the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a decreases. As the water level on the ball surface 3a decreases, the amount of reflection of light projected from the optical sensor 12 increases, and the light reception level increases.

  When the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 rises and the light receiving level value exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the temporary pottery level value L1 updated at time t4, that is, the light receiving level value reaches L1 + α. At the time, water discharge starts (time t6). Water discharged based on the temporary pottery level (value L1) updated in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a becomes erroneous water discharge.

  That is, according to the temporary pottery level updated with water accumulated on the ball surface 3a, the water accumulated on the ball surface 3a even though the hand 2 does not exist at the position where the water discharged from the water outlet 5a is received. Is discharged and the water level is lowered, the amount of reflection is increased, the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 is increased, and erroneous water discharge occurs. In other words, in the configuration in which the increase in the light reception level is detected with reference to the temporary pottery level and the water discharge is performed, the increase in the light reception level due to the hand-holding near the water discharge port 5a is detected and the water discharge is performed. By using the temporary pottery level learned at the time of the puddle action as a reference, an increase in the light reception level due to a drop in the water level due to the draining action is erroneously detected, and water is discharged.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, after erroneous water discharge is started at time t6 in the middle of the water draining action, all the water on the ball surface 3a is discharged, so that the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is the reference value L0. Return to. When a predetermined time elapses with the light receiving level value of the optical sensor 12 being the reference value L0, the temporary pottery level value returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning, and water discharge due to erroneous water discharge stops. The water is stopped (time t7).

  In order to prevent erroneous water discharge that may occur due to a water holding action and a water draining action in the above-described hand-holding water discharge control, the automatic water faucet 1 of this embodiment controls the electromagnetic valve 11 under predetermined conditions. The structure which switches the control operation state of the control part 13 to the other control operation state from which water discharge conditions differ is employ | adopted.

  One of the control operation states of the control unit 13 switched in this way is based on the relative relationship between the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 and the reference level (temporary ceramic level and final ceramic level) as described above. This is a control operation state for discharging water, and this control operation state corresponds to the first control operation state. That is, in the present embodiment, the first control operation state is a control operation state in which the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 is controlled by comparing the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 and the temporary ceramic level.

  In contrast, another control operation state that is switched from the first control operation state is a control operation state that uses a statistical value such as a standard deviation of the detection data of the optical sensor 12, unlike the first control operation state. Yes, this control operation state corresponds to the second control operation state. That is, in the present embodiment, the second control operation state is a control operation state in which the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 11 is controlled by comparing a statistical value for the detection data of the optical sensor 12 with a preset threshold value.

  Here, the second control operation state will be described. In the second control operation state, the statistical value (hereinafter referred to as “sensor data statistical value”) regarding the detection data of the optical sensor 12 is used as described above. Specifically, the sensor data statistical value is calculated from a plurality of continuous detection data including the latest data by periodically sampling the detection data from the optical sensor 12.

  Here, as the sensor data statistical value, for example, a standard deviation, an average value, a variance value, or the like for the detection data of the optical sensor 12 is adopted. The sampling period of the detection data of the optical sensor 12 is, for example, several tens to several hundreds ms, and specifically, for example, a value of 62.5 [ms] (= 16 [Hz]) is used.

  When 62.5 [ms] (= 16 [Hz]) is used as a sampling cycle of detection data of the optical sensor 12, detection data for one second is used as a plurality of continuous detection data including the latest data. If so, sensor data statistical values are calculated from 16 pieces of detection data including the latest data. For example, the sensor data statistical value is calculated by the arithmetic unit included in the control unit 13 based on the sampling data of the detection data of the optical sensor 12 stored in the storage unit 16 of the control unit 13 in the control unit 13.

  In the second control operation state, as the water discharge condition, it is used that the sensor data statistical value exceeds the water discharge threshold value as a preset threshold value. That is, in the second control operation state, water discharge is started when the sensor data statistical value calculated by the control unit 13 based on the detection data of the optical sensor 12 is equal to or greater than a predetermined water discharge threshold set in advance.

  In the second control operation state, in comparison with the first control operation state, the sensor data statistical value is used as detection data of the optical sensor 12 instead of the light reception level, and a value that defines the water discharge condition (water discharge threshold) Is different in that it is not updated by learning. The water discharge threshold used in the second control operation state is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the standard deviation of the detection data of the optical sensor 12 is adopted as the sensor data statistical value used in the second control operation state.

  As described above, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment having the first control operation state and the second control operation state as the control operation state of the control unit 13, the control unit 13 includes the temporary ceramic level, the final ceramic level, The first control operation state is switched to the second control operation state on condition that the difference between the two becomes a certain value or more. In the following description, a rule that defines water discharge conditions in the first control operation state (hereinafter referred to as “water discharge rule”) is referred to as a “light reception level rule”, and a water discharge rule in the second control operation state is referred to as a “standard deviation rule”. . That is, in the hand-holding water discharge control of the present embodiment, when the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level becomes a certain value or more, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule.

  “Constant” about the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level that defines the condition (hereinafter referred to as “rule change condition”) for the control operation state of the control unit 13 to switch from the first control operation state to the second control operation state. The “value” is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13. Then, the control unit 13 compares the difference between the determined ceramic level and the temporary ceramic level with a “constant value” that defines the rule change condition, and determines the rule change condition.

  The hand-held water discharge control performed by the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 4, following the example shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 4 shows the case where a water sump action is performed while hand-holding water discharge is performed similarly to the example shown in FIG.

  The upper graph of FIG. 4 shows temporal changes in the light reception level, the temporary ceramic level, and the final ceramic level of the optical sensor 12 as in the upper graph of FIG. The horizontal axis of the middle graph of FIG. 4 indicates the elapsed time, and the vertical axis of the graph indicates the standard deviation (hereinafter also simply referred to as “standard deviation”) of the detection data of the optical sensor 12 calculated by the control unit 13. Indicates. The elapsed time in the middle graph in FIG. 4 corresponds to the elapsed time in the upper graph in FIG. The lower part of FIG. 4 shows switching between the water discharge state and the water stop state of the automatic faucet 1 corresponding to the elapsed time in the graph of the upper part of FIG. 4, description will be made using the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the upper graph represents the first control operation state, that is, the light reception level rule, and the middle graph represents the second control operation state, that is, the standard deviation rule. As shown in FIG. 4, in the light reception level rule, as the water discharge condition, as described above, it is used that the value of the light reception level exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the value of the temporary ceramic level. In the standard deviation rule, as the water discharge condition, it is used that the standard deviation as the sensor data statistical value exceeds a preset water discharge threshold Lx.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the automatic faucet 1 is in the reference state at time t0, the light reception level rule is used. That is, the control unit 13 enters the first control operation state. Therefore, in this state, when the user's hand 2 is pushed out to a position for receiving water discharged from the water outlet 5a and the presence of the hand 2 is detected by the optical sensor 12, the light receiving level starts to rise from the reference value L0. At (time t1), when the light reception level value exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the reference value L0, which is the value of the temporary pottery level, water discharge is started (time t2).

  On the other hand, as shown in the middle graph of FIG. 4, when the automatic faucet 1 is in the reference state at time t0, that is, when the water is not accumulated on the ball surface 3a, the standard deviation is the reference value Ly. Show.

  From the time when water discharge is started (time t2) until the time when the water stop condition is satisfied and when water discharge stops (time t3), hand-held water discharge is performed, and light is received from the time near time t3 when water discharge stops. The level is within a certain range, and learning at the temporary pottery level begins. When learning of the temporary pottery level is started, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, at time t4, the light reception level value L1 at that time is stored as the temporary pottery level, and the temporary pottery level is a value from the reference value L0. It is updated to L1 and learning of the temporary pottery level is completed.

  In this way, at time t4 when the temporary pottery level is changed from the reference value L0 to the value L1 by learning, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule. That is, at time t4, the control unit 13 switches from the first control operation state to the second control operation state.

  Therefore, the value L1 of the temporary pottery level after being updated by learning at time t4 has a difference equal to or greater than a “constant value” that defines the rule change condition in relation to the reference value L0 that is the value of the final pottery level. . In other words, when β is a fixed value that defines the rule change condition, the relationship of the value of the final ceramic level (reference value L0) −the value of the temporary ceramic level (value L1) ≧ β is satisfied.

  On the other hand, as shown in the middle graph in FIG. 4, the standard deviation increases from the reference value Ly similarly to the light reception level after time t1 when the presence of the hand 2 is detected by the optical sensor 12, and the hand-holding water discharge ( It fluctuates in a period including time t2 to time t3). In the example shown in FIG. 4, the standard deviation that fluctuates during hand-held water discharge exceeds the water discharge threshold Lx that defines the water discharge condition as the standard deviation rule. Therefore, if the standard deviation rule is used in a range including the time from time t1 to time t3, water discharge is started when the standard deviation exceeds the water discharge threshold Lx (time tx). When the hand-held water discharge ends, the standard deviation returns to the reference value Ly.

  As described above, when the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule at time t4, and the water draining action is started at time t5, the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a is lowered. The reflection amount of light projected from the sensor 12 increases, and the light reception level increases.

  On the other hand, the standard deviation rises from the reference value Ly and fluctuates due to a drop in the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a (see the portion indicated by reference numeral M1). The deviation does not exceed the water discharge threshold Lx. Therefore, according to the standard deviation rule, erroneous water discharge is not performed in the process of lowering the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a due to the water draining action.

  When all the water on the ball surface 3a is discharged, the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 returns to the reference value L0, and the standard deviation also returns to the reference value Ly. When a predetermined time elapses with the light receiving level value of the optical sensor 12 at the reference value L0, the temporary pottery level value returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning the temporary pottery level (time t7). .

  Thus, at time t7 when the temporary pottery level is changed from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning, the water discharge rule returns from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule. That is, at time t7, the control unit 13 returns from the second control operation state to the first control operation state.

  In the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the control operation state of the control unit 13 that is switched from the first control operation state to the second control operation state when the rule change condition is satisfied is changed from the second control operation state to the first control. As a condition for returning to the operating state (hereinafter referred to as “rule return condition”), the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is a certain value or less. Therefore, the control unit 13 returns to the first control operation state on condition that the difference between the temporary ceramic level and the final ceramic level is equal to or less than a certain value in the second control operation state. That is, in the hand-holding water discharge control of the present embodiment, when the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level becomes a certain value or less, the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule.

  The “constant value” for the difference between the temporary ceramic level and the final ceramic level that defines the rule return condition is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13. Then, the control unit 13 compares the difference between the determined pottery level and the temporary pottery level with a “constant value” that defines the rule return condition, and determines the rule return condition.

  Since the reference value L0, which is the value of the temporary pottery level after being updated by learning at time t7 as described above, is the same value in relation to the reference value L0, which is the value of the final pottery level, the rule return condition The difference is equal to or less than a “constant value” that defines In other words, when the “constant value” that defines the rule return condition is γ, the relationship of the value of the final pottery level (reference value L0) −the value of the temporary pottery level (reference value L0) ≦ γ is satisfied. Here, the constant value γ that defines the rule return condition may be the same value or a different value in relation to the constant value β that defines the rule change condition as described above.

  According to the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment in which the hand-holding water discharge control as described above is performed, the reference level for the optical sensor 12 for detecting an object such as the user's hand 2 is automatically updated. In this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge at the time of draining the water accumulated on the ball surface 3a of the basin 3 due to the water reservoir action. That is, as in the example shown in FIG. 3, when only the light reception level rule is used as the water discharge rule, erroneous discharge water is caused by using the temporary pottery level updated while water is accumulated on the ball surface 3 a as a reference. In contrast, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule under the rule change condition as in the example shown in FIG. Can prevent accidental water discharge.

  The actions and effects obtained by the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail. First, the cause of erroneous water discharge in the light receiving level rule is that the temporary ceramic level is in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a. To be learned. In the configuration in which the temporary pottery level is learned in response to the state change on the basin 3, the temporary pottery level is learned to be lower than the original level because of the presence of water on the ball surface 3a due to the water pool action. become. Thus, when water is accumulated on the ball surface 3a, and the temporary ceramic level corresponding to such a state is used as a reference in the water discharge condition, the water discharge condition is satisfied by the increase in the light receiving level due to the water draining action, Incorrect water discharge occurs.

  Therefore, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule on the condition that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is a certain value β or more. Specifically, when the temporary pottery level is learned (updated) by the water accumulated on the ball surface 3a to a level smaller than the fixed pottery level by a certain value β or more, the water discharge rule is changed from the received light level rule to the temporary pottery level. It is changed to the standard deviation rule in which the water discharge condition unrelated to the reference level is used.

  In the standard deviation rule, water discharge is not performed as long as the standard deviation calculated at any time does not exceed the water discharge threshold Lx, regardless of the reference level for the light reception level such as the temporary pottery level. For this reason, the erroneous water discharge which arises in the above light reception level rules can be prevented. From this point of view, the water discharge threshold Lx that defines the water discharge condition in the standard deviation rule is, for example, the standard deviation calculated in the process of draining from the highest water level on the ball surface 3a by the water pool action. It is set to a value larger than the value. That is, the water discharge threshold Lx is a value that does not satisfy the water discharge condition in the standard deviation rule in the discharge process by draining the water stored on the ball surface 3a, in other words, the standard calculated in the process of discharging water by draining water. It is set to a value that does not exceed the maximum deviation.

  Moreover, in the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is used as the water discharge condition in the light reception level rule that the light reception level exceeds the temporary ceramic level + α. For this reason, in order to prevent erroneous water discharge during the water draining action as described above, the amount of increase in the light reception level due to the water draining action from the temporary pottery level that has been reduced by learning during the water draining action should be less than the value α. That's fine. Therefore, if the amount of decrease when the automatic faucet 1 is reduced from the reference value L0 of the temporary pottery level to the value L1 by the action of basin is less than the value α, it can be said that erroneous water discharge does not occur. From such a viewpoint, as the constant value β that defines the rule change condition, for example, a value that is the same as or smaller than the value α that defines the water discharge condition in the light reception level rule is adopted.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment, the usability at the time of normal use is not reduced. This point will be described in detail. First, the standard deviation rule is to send a standard deviation as a sensor data statistical value based on a plurality of detection data for the detection data of the optical sensor 12. For this reason, according to the standard deviation rule, it takes time to detect an object as compared with a light reception level rule that detects an object based on a level of normal detection data. As a specific feeling of use, under the standard deviation rule, a slight time lag is felt from the time the hand is held in the vicinity of the spout 5a until the spout is started.

  In this respect, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule only when the rule change condition is satisfied by the water reservoir action as described above. Therefore, the light reception level rule is used as the water discharge rule during normal use when the water sump action is not performed. For this reason, at the time of normal use, according to the standard deviation rule, there is no influence due to the relatively long time required to detect an object. As a result, the ease of use of the automatic faucet 1 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment, high versatility can be obtained. That is, the hand-holding water discharge control by the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment does not require a switch configuration for stopping the sensor function of the optical sensor 12. For this reason, it can be applied to a configuration that does not include a switch for stopping the sensor function, such as the configuration of the current product, and is highly versatile. Thus, according to the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily realize the control contents with the current product configuration without deteriorating the usability at the normal time.

  In addition, according to the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the difference between the temporary pottery level and the fixed pottery level is constant in the second control operation state as a rule return condition in which the water discharge rule returns from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule. The value of γ or less is used. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to automatically return the water discharge rule from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule after the water draining action. That is, after the water draining action, the control operation state of the control unit 13 can be automatically returned from the second control operation state to the first control operation state.

  Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the water draining action is started in the state of the standard deviation rule (time t5), the light reception level rises and returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0. As the pottery level is updated from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning, the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level becomes a certain value γ or less. Thereby, the rule return condition is satisfied, and the water discharge rule returns from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule.

  Thus, the usability of the automatic faucet 1 can be improved by automatically returning the water discharge rule from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule after the water draining action. In other words, by using the rule return condition based on the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level as described above, the water discharge rule is automatically set using the automatic learning control of the temporary pottery level following the received light level. It is possible to return from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule. This improves the usability of the automatic faucet 1 without continuing the standard deviation rule that takes a relatively long time to detect an object.

(Takeoff switch water discharge control)
Next, water discharge control (hereinafter referred to as “stop switch water discharge control”) performed by operating the stop switch 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) provided in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment will be described. In addition, description is suitably abbreviate | omitted about the part which overlaps with the hand-holding water discharge control mentioned above.

  In the stop switch water discharge control in the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment, the water discharge state and the water stop state of the automatic faucet 1 are switched by the on / off operation of the stop switch 18. Also in this stop switch water discharge control, erroneous water discharge occurs due to a water pool action and a water drain action, as in the case of hand-held water discharge control.

  FIG. 5 shows a time chart as an explanatory diagram of erroneous water discharge that may occur in the stop switch water discharge control. The example shown in FIG. 5 shows a case where a water reservoir action is performed while water is discharged by operating the stop switch 18 (hereinafter referred to as “stop switch water discharge”). As shown in FIG. 5, the state at time s <b> 0 is a standby state of the automatic water faucet 1 at the time of water discharge from the stop switch accompanied by a water sump action. This state at time s0 is set as a reference state for the automatic faucet 1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, in the reference state of the automatic faucet 1, the values of any of the light receiving level, the temporary pottery level, and the final pottery level are the reference value L0.

  When the stop switch (stop SW) 18 is turned on from the reference state of the automatic faucet 1, water discharge is started (time s1). Specifically, at time s1, the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened by the controller 13 that has received an ON signal from the turn-off switch 18, and water is discharged from the water outlet 5a.

  From time s1 to time s2, water discharge is performed by operating the stop switch 18. That is, when the discharge switch 18 is turned off from the state where the water discharge is started at the time s1, the water discharge is stopped and the water stop state is entered (time s2). Specifically, at time s2, the electromagnetic valve 11 is closed by the control unit 13 that has received the input of the off signal from the stop switch 18, and water discharge from the water outlet 5a is stopped. The water discharged from the water discharge port 5a accumulates on the ball surface 3a during the stop switch water discharge from time s1 to time s2.

  In the stop switch water discharge control, there is no fluctuation in the light receiving level due to the hand holding in the case of the stop switch water discharging and the hand holding water discharge. For this reason, as shown in the upper graph of FIG. 5, in the process where water accumulates on the ball surface 3a during the stop switch spouting from time s1 to time s2, as the light receiving level gradually decreases, It is possible that the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level follow the change in the light reception level by learning and gradually decrease in the same manner as the light reception level.

  More specifically, in the case of hand-holding water discharge control, since the fluctuation of the light reception level due to the movement of the hand being held is large, the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level do not follow the fluctuation of the light reception level. On the other hand, the fluctuation of the received light level due to the action of the water reservoir at the time of discharging the stop switch is smaller than the fluctuation due to the movement of the hand held over. For this reason, in the stop switch water discharge control, the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level follow the fluctuation of the light reception level during the stop switch water discharge.

  Water discharge stops at the time point when the stop switch 18 is turned off (time s2), and the state is stabilized in a state where the value of the light receiving level becomes the value L1. Further, the values of the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level that follow the change in the received light level by learning also have the value L1 as with the received light level. The light reception level, the temporary ceramic level, and the final ceramic level value L1 are lower than the light reception level reference value L0 in the reference state of the automatic faucet 1. This is because, as described above, when water is present on the ball surface 3a, the amount of reflected light decreases and the amount of light received by the optical sensor 12 decreases.

  And in the example shown in FIG. 5, the draining action is started at time s3 after time s2. When the water draining action is started, the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a decreases. As the water level on the ball surface 3a decreases, the amount of reflection of light projected from the optical sensor 12 increases, and the light reception level increases.

  When the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 rises and the light receiving level value exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the temporary ceramic level value L1 after time s2, that is, when the light receiving level value reaches L1 + α. Water discharge is started (time s4). Water discharged based on the temporary pottery level (value L1) updated in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a becomes erroneous water discharge.

  That is, according to the temporary pottery level updated in a state where water has accumulated on the ball surface 3a, the water accumulated on the ball surface 3a is discharged despite the state in which the stop switch 18 is turned off. As the water level decreases, the amount of reflection increases, the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 increases, and erroneous water discharge occurs. In other words, by using the temporary pottery level learned at the time of the puddle action as a reference, an increase in the light receiving level due to a drop in the water level due to the draining action is erroneously detected, and water discharge is performed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, after erroneous water discharge is started at time s4 in the middle of the water draining action, all the water on the ball surface 3a is discharged, so that the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is the reference value L0. Return to. When a predetermined time elapses with the light receiving level value of the optical sensor 12 being the reference value L0, the temporary pottery level value returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning, and water discharge due to erroneous water discharge stops. The water stop state is reached (time s5), and then the value of the final pottery level returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning (time s6).

  In order to prevent erroneous water discharge that may occur due to a water collecting action and a water draining action in the above-described stop switch water discharge control, the automatic water faucet 1 according to the present embodiment is based on predetermined conditions as in the case of hand-held water discharge control. Thus, a configuration is adopted in which the control operation state of the control unit 13 is switched from the first control operation state to the second control operation state, and the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule.

  In the stop switch water discharge control, as in the case of the hand-held water discharge control, the control unit 13 starts from the first control operation state on the condition that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level becomes a certain value or more. Switch to the second control operation state. That is, in the stop switch water discharge control, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule when the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level becomes a certain value or more.

  The stop switch water discharge control performed by the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 6, following the example shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 6 shows the case where the water reservoir action is performed while the stop switch water discharge is performed, as in the example shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, description will be made using the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 in accordance with the example shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 6, the upper graph represents the first control operation state, that is, the light reception level rule, and the middle graph represents the second control operation state, that is, the standard deviation rule. In the light reception level rule, as the water discharge condition, as described above, it is used that the value of the light reception level exceeds a predetermined value α with reference to the value of the temporary pottery level. In the standard deviation rule, as the water discharge condition, it is used that the standard deviation as the sensor data statistical value exceeds a preset water discharge threshold Lx.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the automatic faucet 1 is in the reference state at time s0, the light reception level rule is used. That is, the control unit 13 enters the first control operation state. In this state, when the stop switch 18 is turned on, water discharge is started (time s1), and when the stop switch 18 is turned off, water discharge is stopped (time s2).

  On the other hand, as shown in the middle graph of FIG. 6, when the automatic faucet 1 is in the reference state at time s0, that is, when water is not accumulated on the ball surface 3a, the standard deviation is the reference value Ly. Show.

  As the light reception level gradually decreases in the process of water collecting on the ball surface 3a from the time s1 to the time s2, the temporary pottery level follows the change in the light reception level by learning. As with the light reception level, it gradually decreases. In contrast, the confirmed pottery level is not updated by learning.

  Accordingly, in the process of discharging the stop switch from time s1 to time s2, the difference between the temporary ceramic level and the final ceramic level is a process in which the temporary ceramic level gradually decreases from the reference value L0 to the value L1 following the light reception level. The water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule at a time point (time s1a) that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value δ that defines the rule change condition. That is, at time s1a, the control unit 13 switches from the first control operation state to the second control operation state.

  Thus, in the stop switch water discharge control, in the process of the temporary pottery level gradually decreasing during the stop switch water discharge, the relationship of the value of the final pottery level (reference value L0) −the value of the temporary pottery level ≧ δ, that is, Rule change conditions are met. The constant value δ that defines the rule change condition in the stop switch water discharge control is the same as the value α that defines the water discharge condition in the light reception level rule, for example, the same as the constant value β that defines the rule change condition in the hand-held water discharge control. The value or a value smaller than the value α is adopted.

  On the other hand, as shown in the middle graph of FIG. 6, the standard deviation increases from the reference value Ly after time s1 when the on / off switch 18 is turned on, and the inside of the onset switch water discharge from time s1 to time s2. In the including period, the water discharge threshold Lx varies within a range not exceeding. When the stop switch water discharge ends, the standard deviation returns to the reference value Ly.

  When the discharge of the stop switch ends at time s2 and the water draining action starts at time s3, the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a decreases, and the light emitted from the optical sensor 12 is accordingly accompanied. The amount of reflection increases, and the light reception level increases.

  On the other hand, the standard deviation rises from the reference value Ly due to a decrease in the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a (see the portion indicated by reference numeral N1), but depending on the decrease in the water level due to this draining action, The deviation does not exceed the water discharge threshold Lx. Therefore, according to the standard deviation rule, erroneous water discharge is not performed in the process of lowering the water level accumulated on the ball surface 3a due to the water draining action.

  When all the water on the ball surface 3a is discharged, the light receiving level of the optical sensor 12 returns to the reference value L0, and the standard deviation also returns to the reference value Ly. Then, when a predetermined time elapses in a state where the light receiving level value of the optical sensor 12 becomes the reference value L0, the value of the temporary pottery level returns from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning the temporary pottery level (time s5). .

  Thus, at time s5 when the temporary pottery level is changed from the value L1 to the reference value L0 by learning, the rule return condition is satisfied, and the water discharge rule returns from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule. That is, at time s5, the control unit 13 returns from the second control operation state to the first control operation state. Note that the rule return condition here is the same as in the case of the above-described hand-held water discharge control.

  According to the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment in which the above-described stop switch water discharge control is performed, the configuration in which the optical sensor 12 for detecting an object such as the user's hand 2 and the stop switch 18 are used in combination. In this case, it is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge at the time of draining the water accumulated on the ball surface 3a of the basin 3 due to the water reservoir action. Moreover, high versatility can be acquired, without reducing the usability at the time of normal use similarly to the case of hand-held water discharge control.

[Automatic faucet control routine]
Below, the control routine performed in the automatic faucet 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 7 and FIG. Here, as a control routine executed in the automatic faucet 1, an example of a learning routine of a temporary pottery level and a final pottery level that are reference levels for the optical sensor 12, and an example of a routine for changing a water discharge rule will be described. These control routines are executed by the control unit 13.

(Reference level learning routine)
First, the learning routine of the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in this reference level learning routine, first, the temporary pottery level learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer are reset (S10).

  Here, the temporary pottery level learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer are configured to measure time independently of each other. After initialization (after reset), the predetermined time is measured by decreasing every certain time. To do. The time measured by each timer of the temporary pottery level learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer corresponds to the sensor level stabilization duration described above. That is, the time measured by the temporary pottery level learning timer is the sensor level stabilization duration for the temporary pottery level, and the time measured by the fixed pottery level learning timer is the sensor level stabilization duration for the fixed pottery level. is there.

  Therefore, regarding the initialization value of each timer, the initialization value of the temporary pottery level learning timer is set to a value (short time) sufficiently smaller than the initialization value of the fixed pottery level learning timer. Specifically, as described for the sensor level stabilization duration, the initialization value of the temporary pottery level learning timer is set to about 15 seconds, for example, and the initialization value of the fixed pottery level learning timer is about 3 minutes, for example. Set to In the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the temporary pottery level learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer are provided in the time measuring unit 17 (see FIG. 2) of the control unit 13. However, these timers may be provided separately from the control unit 13.

  When the temporary pottery level learning timer and the final pottery level learning timer are reset in step S10, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation of the received light level is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S20). In this step, it is determined whether or not the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is stable. Essentially, this step is used to determine whether or not the automatic faucet 1 is unused. Here, the “constant value” regarding the fluctuation of the received light level is stored in advance in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13.

  In the determination in step S20, the fluctuation of the light reception level is calculated from a plurality of continuous detection data including the latest data among the detection data from the optical sensor 12 periodically sampled as described above, for example. Value is used. Specifically, the difference between the average value of the sampling data and the value of each sampling data in a predetermined period, the fluctuation range of the standard deviation, the average value of the change rate of the sampling data, etc. are values representing fluctuations in the received light level. Used. However, the value representing the fluctuation of the light reception level is not particularly limited as long as it can determine whether or not the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is in a stable state.

  If it is determined in step S20 that the variation in the light reception level is not equal to or less than a predetermined value (S20, No), the process returns to step S10, and the temporary pottery level learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer are reset. That is, according to step S20, if the light reception level is disturbed, the temporary pottery level learning timer and the final pottery level learning timer are reset at that time, and the measurement from the initialization value of each timer is started again. Learning from the final pottery level will start over from the beginning.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the variation in the light reception level is equal to or less than a certain value (S20, Yes), it is determined whether or not the temporary pottery level learning timer has expired (S30). In this step, whether or not the sensor level stabilization duration time for the temporary pottery level has elapsed, in other words, the first reference time from the predetermined reference time (at the time of resetting the timer) while the light reception level is within a certain range. It is determined whether or not elapses.

  For example, when the initialization value of the temporary pottery level learning timer is 15 seconds, in step S30, the elapsed time from the time when it was reset in step S10 depending on whether the count of the temporary pottery level learning timer has become zero or not. It is determined whether or not 15 seconds have been reached. As described above, it is determined in steps S20 and S30 whether or not the state in which the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is stable continues for the sensor level stabilization duration time for the temporary pottery level.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S30 that the temporary pottery level learning timer has expired (S30, Yes), the temporary pottery level is updated to the current light receiving level (S40). In other words, in this case, the first reference time has elapsed since the temporary pottery level learning timer was reset while the light reception level was within a certain range, and the value of the light reception level at that time was the temporary pottery level. And the temporary pottery level is updated.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S30 that the temporary pottery level learning timer has timed out (S30, No), it is determined whether or not the water is being discharged by the stop switch 18 (S50). In this step, it is determined whether or not the stop switch spouting is caused by turning on the stop switch 18.

  In step S50, if it is determined that the water is being discharged by the stop switch 18 (S50, Yes), the fixed pottery level learning timer is reset (S60), and the process returns to step S20. According to these steps S50 and S60, the final pottery level is not updated by resetting the final pottery level learning timer during water discharge by the stop switch 18.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S50 that the water discharge by the stop switch 18 is not underway (S50, No), it is determined whether or not the water discharge rule is a standard deviation rule (S70).

  In step S70, when it is determined that the water discharge rule is a standard deviation rule (S70, Yes), the fixed pottery level learning timer is reset (S60), and the process returns to step S20. According to these steps S50, S70, and S60, when the water discharge rule is a standard deviation when the water discharge by the stop switch 18 is not performed, the fixed pottery level learning timer is reset to update the fixed pottery level. Will not be done.

  On the other hand, when it is not determined in step S70 that the water discharge rule is the standard deviation rule (S70, No), it is determined whether or not the fixed pottery level learning timer has expired (S80). In this step, it is determined whether or not the sensor level stabilization duration for the final ceramic level has elapsed, in other words, the second reference time from the predetermined reference time (when the timer is reset) while the light reception level is within a certain range. It is determined whether or not elapses.

  For example, when the initialization value of the fixed pottery level learning timer is 3 minutes, in step S80, the elapsed time from the time point reset in step S10 depends on whether the count of the fixed pottery level learning timer has become zero. It is determined whether or not it is 3 minutes. As described above, it is determined in steps S20 and S80 whether or not the state in which the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is stable continues for the sensor level stabilization duration time for the fixed ceramic level.

  Therefore, when it is determined in step S80 that the fixed pottery level learning timer has timed up (S80, Yes), the fixed pottery level is updated to the current light receiving level value (S90). In other words, in this case, the second reference time has elapsed since the fixed pottery level learning timer was reset while the received light level was within a certain range, and the value of the received light level at that time is the fixed pottery level. And the final pottery level is updated. After the confirmed pottery level is updated in step S90, the process returns to step S20.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S80 that the fixed pottery level learning timer has expired (S80, No), the process returns to step S20. In other words, in this case, the second reference time has not yet elapsed since the fixed pottery level learning timer was reset, and it is continuously determined whether or not the light reception level is within a certain range. The

  According to the learning routine for the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level as described above, only the temporary pottery level is updated and the final pottery level is not updated in the state where water discharge is performed by the stop switch 18. That is, in the learning routine described above, when the predetermined condition is satisfied in steps S20 to S40, the temporary pottery level is updated, whereas in step S50, it is determined that the stop switch is being discharged. In this case, by resetting the final pottery level learning timer in step S60, the passage of the second reference time is hindered, and the final pottery level is not updated.

  As described above, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 13 is a sensor for the final ceramic level in the state where the electromagnetic valve 11 is opened by the operation of the stop switch 18, that is, in the stop switch spout. By preventing the passage of the second reference time, which is the level stabilization duration, only the temporary pottery level of the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is updated.

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge due to a water collecting action and a water draining action when the optical sensor 12 for detecting an object such as the user's hand 2 and the stop switch 18 are used in combination. it can. Specifically, as shown in the upper graph of FIG. 6, by updating only the temporary pottery level without updating the final pottery level during the stop switch watering, the received light level is lowered due to the action of the puddle. A difference occurs between the final pottery level and the temporary pottery level, and the rule change condition is satisfied. As a result, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level to the standard deviation rule, and erroneous water discharge at the time of draining water is prevented.

  Further, according to the learning routine for the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level as described above, when the water discharge rule is the standard deviation rule, only the temporary pottery level is updated and the final pottery level is not updated. That is, in the learning routine described above, when a predetermined condition is satisfied in steps S20 to S40, the temporary pottery level is updated, whereas in step S70, the water discharge rule is determined to be the standard deviation rule. In this case, the final pottery level learning timer is reset in step S60, thereby preventing the second reference time from elapses and updating the final pottery level.

  Thus, in the automatic faucet 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 13 is the sensor level stabilization continuation time for the final pottery level when the water discharge rule is the standard deviation rule, that is, in the second control operation state. By interfering with the passage of the two reference times, only the temporary pottery level is updated out of the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level.

  According to such a configuration, the following effects can be obtained. The temporary pottery level is updated at a time interval shorter than the final pottery level, and the rule change condition and the rule return condition are defined by the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level. Therefore, when the water discharge rule is the standard deviation rule, the final pottery level is not updated, and only the temporary pottery level is updated, so that the water discharge with good responsiveness corresponding to the water state on the ball surface 3a is performed. The rule can be changed, and erroneous water discharge at the time of draining water can be effectively prevented.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, after the confirmed pottery level is updated in step S90, the process returns to step S20, but the return destination here may be set to step S10. In other words, after the final pottery level is updated, by resetting the temporary pottery level learning timer and the final pottery level learning timer, after the temporary pottery level and the learning pottery level are updated, these reference levels become the current received light level. You may make it not follow.

(Change routine of water discharge rule)
Next, a water discharge rule changing routine will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, in the water discharge rule changing routine, first, the water discharge rule is set as the light reception level rule (S110). That is, the control operation state of the control unit 13 is set to the first control operation state.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation of the light reception level is equal to or less than a certain value when the water discharge rule is the light reception level rule (S120). In this step, it is determined whether or not the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 is stable, as in step S20 in the reference level learning routine described above. This step is performed until it is determined that the fluctuation of the light reception level is not more than a certain value (S120, No).

  If it is determined in step S120 that the variation in the light reception level is equal to or less than a certain value (S120, Yes), it is determined whether or not the difference between the temporary ceramic level and the final ceramic level is equal to or greater than a certain value (S130). . In this step, it is determined whether or not the rule change condition as described above is satisfied. Specifically, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, the “constant value” in this step is a constant value β that defines the rule change condition. In this step, the value of the final ceramic level (reference value L0) −temporary ceramics It is determined whether or not the level value (value L1) ≧ β is satisfied.

  In step S130, when it is not determined that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S130, No), the process returns to step S120.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S130 that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is equal to or greater than a certain value (S130, Yes), the water discharge rule is changed from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule (S140). That is, in this case, since the rule change condition is satisfied, the water discharge rule is switched from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule, and the control unit 13 is switched from the first control operation state to the second control operation state.

  Subsequently, similarly to step S120, it is determined whether or not the variation in the light reception level is equal to or less than a certain value (S150). If it is determined in step S150 that the variation in the light reception level is equal to or less than the certain value (S150, Yes), it is determined whether or not the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is a predetermined value or less (S160).

  In step S160, it is determined whether the above-described rule return condition is satisfied. Specifically, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, the “constant value” in this step is a constant value γ that defines the rule return condition, and in this step, the value of the final ceramic level (reference value L0) −temporary ceramics It is determined whether or not the relationship of level value (value L1) ≦ γ is satisfied.

  In step S160, when it is determined that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is equal to or less than a certain value (S160, Yes), the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule (S170). That is, in this case, since the rule return condition is satisfied, the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, and the control unit 13 returns from the second control operation state to the first control operation state.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S160 that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S160, No), whether or not a period in which there is almost no fluctuation in the received light level has elapsed for a set time or more. Is determined (S180). Here, the state of “there is almost no change in the light reception level” is a state in which there is no change in the light reception level of the optical sensor 12 due to the accumulation of water on the ball surface 3a or the placement of an object. Level fluctuation is substantially zero.

  The state “there is almost no variation in the light reception level” in step S180 is a state in which the variation in the light reception level is relatively smaller than, for example, a fixed value for the variation in the light reception level determined in step S120 or the like. Therefore, a state where there is almost no variation in the light reception level is detected using, for example, a value smaller than the “constant value” used in step S120 or the like as a reference for the variation in the light reception level. The detection of the state of “almost no change in received light level” is intended to detect the standby state of the automatic faucet 1.

  In addition, the “set time” in step S180 is a time longer than the second reference time that is the sensor level stabilization continuation time for the final pottery level. For example, the second reference time is set as a time (for example, 3 minutes) within a range from several minutes to several tens of minutes as described above, whereas the “set time” in step S160 is, for example, about several hours ( For example, it is set as 3 hours). The “set time” in step S160 is preset and stored in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13.

  In step S180, when it is determined that a period in which there is almost no fluctuation in the light reception level has passed the set time or longer (S180, Yes), the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule (S170). On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S180 that a period in which there is almost no fluctuation in the light reception level has passed the set time (S180, No), it is determined whether or not the number of water discharges within a certain period is greater than or equal to the set number. (S190).

  The “certain period” in step S190 is, for example, a period of about half a day to several days (for example, one day). Further, the “set number of times” in step S190 is a value set for the number of water discharges of the automatic faucet 1, and is specifically set for the number of water discharges as hand-held water discharge based on the detection data of the optical sensor 12. This “set number of times” is set, for example, from several times to several tens of times. The “predetermined period” and the “set number of times” in step S190 are preset and stored in the storage unit 16 or the like in the control unit 13.

  If it is determined in step S190 that the number of water discharges within a certain period is equal to or greater than the set number of times (S190, Yes), the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule (S170). On the other hand, when it is determined in step S190 that the number of water discharges within a certain period is not equal to or greater than the set number (S190, No), the process returns to step S150.

  In step S170, after the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, the value of the temporary ceramic level is updated to the value of the final ceramic level, and the temporary ceramic level learning timer and the final ceramic level learning timer Is reset (S200), and the process returns to step S120. That is, after the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, the value of the temporary ceramic level at that time is used as the value of the final ceramic level, and the final ceramic level value is updated and the temporary ceramic level is updated. By resetting the learning timer and the fixed pottery level learning timer, the learning of the temporary pottery level and the fixed pottery level is restarted.

  According to the water discharge rule changing routine as described above, the rule return condition is that the difference between the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is equal to or less than a certain value (S160), and the period in which the received light level is almost unchanged. That the set time has elapsed (S180) and that the number of water discharges within a certain period of time has reached the set number (S190). Therefore, in the water discharge rule changing routine described above, the first condition based on the difference between the temporary ceramic level corresponding to step S160 and the final ceramic level, and the second condition based on the fluctuation of the received light level corresponding to step S180, A third condition based on the number of water discharges corresponding to step S190 is used.

  The rule return condition is determined in the order of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition. When any one of the conditions is satisfied, the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule (S170). The final pottery level is updated as the value of the temporary pottery level, and the time measurement for the learning of the temporary pottery level and the final pottery level is repeated from the beginning (S200).

  Thus, when any one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition return condition is satisfied, the water discharge rule is changed from the standard deviation rule that takes a relatively long time to detect the object to the light reception level rule. Since it returns, it can prevent that the usability of the automatic faucet 1 falls. Further, when any of these rule return conditions is satisfied, the temporary pottery level in that state is determined to be a fixed pottery level, so that learning of the reference level of the optical sensor 12 corresponds to a change in the received light level. be able to.

  Regarding the second condition, specifically, even if the first condition of the rule return condition is not satisfied, if about three or four hours have passed without a change in the light reception level, it is assumed that Even if it is in a state where an object is placed on 3a, this state is intended to be the normal state of the automatic faucet 1. Therefore, when the second condition is satisfied, the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, and the usability is prevented from being lowered, and the temporary pottery level in that state is set as the final pottery level, and the reference level Is confirmed.

  Regarding such a second condition, the control unit 13 is longer than the second reference time in a state where the light receiving level is within a certain range from the time when the first control operation state is switched to the second control operation state. On condition that the predetermined time (set time) has passed, it returns to the first control operation state, and the final pottery level is updated by storing the temporary pottery level when the set time has passed as the final pottery level. To do.

  Here, the time point when the first control operation state is switched to the second control operation state corresponds to the time point when the water discharge rule is changed from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule in step S140 in the water discharge rule change routine described above. . Further, the state where the light reception level is within a certain range corresponds to the state “there is almost no change in the light reception level” in step S180. Further, the predetermined time longer than the second reference time corresponds to the “set time” that is longer than the second reference time that is the sensor level stable continuation time for the final pottery level as described above.

  As for the third condition, specifically, even if the first condition of the rule return condition is not satisfied and the second condition is not satisfied, the hand-held water discharge is more than a certain number of times within a certain period. Even if it is performed, even if it is in a state where an object is placed on the ball surface 3a, the state is intended to be the normal state of the automatic water faucet 1. Therefore, when the third condition is satisfied, the water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, and the usability is prevented from being lowered, and the temporary pottery level in that state is set as the final pottery level, and the reference level Is confirmed.

  Moreover, about 3rd conditions, an effect is acquired at the time of the initial construction in the installation spot of the automatic faucet 1, for example. Specifically, the value for the reference level of the optical sensor 12 may be different before and after the initial construction of the automatic faucet 1. In such a case, once the water discharge rule is changed to the standard deviation rule once the automatic faucet 1 is installed incorrectly, there is a possibility that the light reception level rule will not be smoothly returned. Therefore, according to the third condition, even when the reference level of the optical sensor 12 fluctuates due to the initial construction of the automatic faucet 1, the number of times the hand-held water discharges is stable. The water discharge rule is returned from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, and the final pottery level is updated to the value of the temporary pottery level in that state.

  Regarding such a third condition, the controller 13 switches the first control operation state to the second control operation state and then opens the electromagnetic valve 11 within a certain period of time (hand-held water discharge water discharge). The number of times) exceeds the preset number of times set in advance, and it returns to the first control operation state and stores the temporary ceramics level at the time when a certain time has passed as the finalized ceramic level. Update the level.

  Here, the “constant period” corresponds to the “constant period” in step S190 of the water discharge rule changing routine described above, and is, for example, a period of about half a day to several days (for example, one day). The “predetermined number of times set in advance” corresponds to the “set number of times” in step S190 of the water discharge rule changing routine described above.

  Thus, according to the second condition and the third condition as the rule return condition, for example, by placing an object on the ball surface 3a, initial construction of the automatic faucet 1, cleaning of the ball surface 3a, etc. This is effective when the reference level is learned in a state before the light reception level changes greatly when the light reception level changes greatly for some reason, such as a change in the surface state. In other words, in the state where the reference level is learned in the state before the light reception level has changed significantly, the state after the light reception level has changed greatly, in the case of the second condition, the state is stable and continues for about several hours. In the case of the third condition, the water discharge rule returns from the standard deviation rule to the light reception level rule, and the temporary pottery level in that state is confirmed. Level.

  In this way, the second condition and the third condition as the rule return condition are such that the water discharge rule changed from the light reception level rule to the standard deviation rule is the standard deviation rule, even if the light reception level has changed greatly for some reason. In other words, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of usability by maintaining the state as it is, and to learn the reference level corresponding to the change in the light reception level. In other words, the second condition and the third condition as the rule return condition are in an insurance sense in the case where a state in which the light reception level has greatly changed due to some cause is generated. Based on the number of water discharges during the period, the state is regarded as the normal state of the automatic faucet 1, and the return of the water discharge rule to the light reception level rule and the update of the final ceramic level are performed.

1 Automatic faucet 3a Ball surface 5a Water outlet 7 Water supply path 11 Solenoid valve (open / close valve)
12 Optical sensor (reflective sensor)
13 Control Unit 16 Storage Unit 17 Time Measurement Unit 18 Release Switch (Operation Unit)

Claims (6)

An on-off valve that opens and closes a water supply path to a water discharge port that discharges water, a reflective sensor that detects an object existing near the water discharge port by receiving a reflected wave of a transmitted propagation wave, and A control unit for controlling the opening / closing operation of the on-off valve based on the level of detection data,
The controller is
As a reference level for the level of the detection data, a first reference level that defines a condition for opening the on-off valve and a second reference level that is updated independently of the first reference level are stored.
By storing the level of the detection data as the first reference level on condition that a first reference time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time in a state where the level of the detection data is within a certain range, One reference level is updated, and the detection data is stored on the condition that a second reference time longer than the first reference time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time in a state where the level of the detection data is within a certain range. Storing the second reference level as a second reference level to update the second reference level;
The opening / closing operation of the on-off valve is controlled by comparing the level of the detection data with the first reference level on condition that the difference between the first reference level and the second reference level is a certain value or more. The first control operation state is switched to a second control operation state for controlling the opening / closing operation of the on-off valve by comparing a statistical value for the detection data with a preset threshold value.
Automatic faucet characterized by that. In the second control operation state, the control unit updates only the first reference level out of the first reference level and the second reference level by preventing the passage of the second reference time.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit returns to the first control operation state on the condition that a difference between the first reference level and the second reference level is a predetermined value or less in the second control operation state.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The control unit has a predetermined time longer than the second reference time in a state where the level of the detection data is within a certain range from the time when the first control operation state is switched to the second control operation state. On the condition that it has elapsed, the second reference level is stored by returning to the first control operation state and storing the first reference level at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed as the second reference level. Update,
The automatic water faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The control unit is provided with a condition that, after switching from the first control operation state to the second control operation state, the number of times that the on-off valve is opened within a certain period exceeds a predetermined number of times set in advance. In addition, the second reference level is updated by returning to the first control operation state and storing the first reference level at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed as the second reference level.
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein An operation unit for opening and closing the on-off valve by an external operation;
In the state where the on-off valve is opened by the operation of the operation unit, the control unit prevents the second reference time from elapses, so that the first reference level and the second reference level out of the first reference level. Update only the base level,
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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