JP2014066102A - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet which can solve a problem the faucet is erroneously operated due to erroneous detection of a detection sensor and which is convenient to use.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet 20 includes: a water discharge pipe 16; a non-contact type detection sensor 54 provided in the water discharge pipe 16; and a control valve for performing water discharge state control on the basis of a detection signal from the detection sensor 54. The detection sensor 54 comprises a state change sensor for changing a current water discharge state by object detection and a state maintenance sensor for maintaining a current water discharge state by object detection. A first detection area 61 which is a detection area of the state change sensor is set on the front side of the water discharge pipe 16, while a second detection area 62 which is a detection area of the state maintenance sensor is set on the back side of the water discharge pipe 16 with respect to the first detection area 61. In the state the state maintenance sensor performs object detection in the second detection area 62, change in water discharge state is not performed even if the state change sensor performs object detection.

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet in which a water discharge pipe that discharges water toward a water tank is provided with a detection sensor. .

  Conventionally, a water discharge pipe that discharges water from the water outlet at the tip toward the water tank, a detection sensor that is provided in the water discharge pipe and detects a human body or other object in a non-contact manner, and a water discharge state control based on a detection signal from the detection sensor An automatic faucet having a control valve for performing the above is widely used.

As this type of automatic faucet, a hand-hold type detection sensor that detects an object in a non-contact manner is provided upward at the tip of the water discharge pipe, and this detection sensor changes the water discharge state each time an object is detected. A state change sensor that performs a water discharge amount of zero (that is, a water stop state is also included in the state), for example, a structure that is configured as a water discharge sensor that alternately performs water discharge and water stop is known. is there.
Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of this type of automatic faucet.

With this automatic faucet, water can be discharged even if the hand is removed from the detection area after the hand is placed over the hand-held detection sensor that is facing upward and water discharge is started. This is highly convenient. .
This automatic faucet is also suitable as an automatic faucet for a kitchen.
Specifically, when this automatic faucet is used as an automatic faucet for a kitchen, it is possible to continue water work by removing the hand from the detection area after holding the hand over the detection sensor provided upward and starting water discharge. Then, after the water work is completed, the water can be stopped by holding the hand over the detection sensor again, so that the water work in the kitchen can be easily performed.
However, in this automatic water faucet, since the detection sensor is provided on the water discharge pipe upward (as an alternate sensor), there is a problem that the user tends to unconsciously hold a part of the human body over the detection sensor.

  Therefore, in the device described in Patent Literature 1, even if the user unconsciously holds a part of the human body over the detection sensor while water discharge continues, water discharge is prevented so as not to stop water discharge unintentionally. After the start, the detection distance of the detection sensor is switched short.

  By the way, the kitchen is a face-to-face kitchen, and in detail, the kitchen is not completely separated from the dining room and living room (below, the dining room will be described as a representative). There is a face-to-face kitchen with the body facing the cafeteria. In this face-to-face kitchen, a counter provided with a dish or the like is generally provided between the kitchen and the dining room.

If the automatic faucet of the above type is used as a faucet for this face-to-face kitchen, that is, an automatic faucet that alternates between water discharge and water stop every time a hand is placed over the detection sensor provided on the water discharge pipe, When a standing user tries to put an object such as a dish on the counter or extends his arm to take an article from the counter, he unconsciously holds his arm over the detection sensor, which is unintended. It may occur that water is discharged from the water outlet.
Also, when the electric lift shelf installed above the sink is lowered, the detection sensor of the water discharge pipe detects the lift shelf, and water is unintentionally discharged from the spout. Can occur.
Such a problem cannot be solved by the method disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The method disclosed in Patent Document 1 switches the detection distance of the detection sensor shortly after the start of water discharge, and cannot solve the problem of unintentional water discharge due to erroneous detection by the detection sensor in a water stop state.
In order to prevent false detection by the detection sensor, it may be possible to keep the detection distance of the detection sensor always short. However, in this case, it is necessary to operate the hand as close as possible to the detection sensor. End up.

  As mentioned above, although the case where the detection sensor is a spout water sensor was described, when the state change sensor is a flow control sensor that changes the flow rate of the spout by holding the hand, a temperature control sensor that changes the temperature of the spout The same problem may occur when the sensor is a water quality change sensor that changes the water quality such as a change in the water discharge state, such as a change in raw water and purified water.

The following Patent Document 2 discloses an invention about an “automatic faucet”, in which a water discharge sensor provided downward on a water discharge pipe, and a water stop for detecting an object in a water stop detection area at the back of the basin. It is disclosed that the sensor is provided with a sensor and is forced to stop when an object is placed in the water stop detection area, thereby preventing the clothes from getting wet during cleaning.
However, the one disclosed in Patent Document 2 is intended to stop water and does not maintain the current water discharge state when the state change sensor makes a false detection, and an object is placed in the water stop detection area. This is different from the present invention in that there is a problem that the water stops unintentionally when it is used.

JP 2007-138573 A Japanese Patent No. 4264485

  The present invention has been made for the purpose of providing an easy-to-use automatic water faucet that can solve the problem that the water faucet malfunctions due to erroneous detection of the detection sensor.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a water discharge pipe that discharges water from the water outlet at the tip to the water tank, and (b) a detection that is provided in the water discharge pipe and detects a human body or other object in a non-contact manner. In an automatic water faucet having a sensor and (c) an electric control valve that performs water discharge state control based on a detection signal from the detection sensor, the detection sensor changes the current water discharge state by subject detection. A state change sensor and a state maintenance sensor that maintains the current water discharge state by subject detection, and the state detection sensor has a first detection area that is a detection area on the front side of the water discharge pipe. In a state where a second detection area which is a detection area of the sensor is set on the back side of the water discharge pipe with respect to the first detection area, and the state maintaining sensor detects an object in the second detection area, the state change sensor Even if the target is detected Wherein the are form so as not to change state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the second detection area has an area extending in the orthogonal direction longer than the end of the first detection area in the orthogonal direction to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the entire length of the second detection area in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis is longer than the length of the first detection area.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the position of the second detection area can be changed in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe. The extension amount from the water discharge pipe on one end side in the orthogonal direction is large, and the extension amount on the other end side is changed small.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the second detection by the state maintenance sensor according to any one of the first to fourth aspects when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond a set time. The object detection in the area is invalidated, and the water discharge state can be changed based on the object detection by the state change sensor regardless of the object detection by the state maintenance sensor in the second detection area. .

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state beyond the set time in the second detection area, the state maintenance sensor is in a non-detection state. The length from the water discharge pipe of the second detection area, which is the detection distance of the state maintaining sensor, is shortened to the water discharge pipe side until it becomes.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the detection distance of the state change sensor when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond the set time in any one of the fifth and sixth aspects. The first detection area is characterized in that the length from the water discharge pipe is shortened toward the water discharge pipe.

Effects and effects of the invention

As described above, the automatic faucet of the present invention comprises a detection sensor including a state change sensor that changes the current water discharge state by target detection and a state maintenance sensor that maintains the current water discharge state by target detection, The first detection area that is the detection area of the state change sensor is set to the front side of the water discharge pipe, and the second detection area that is the detection area of the state maintenance sensor is set to the back side of the discharge pipe with respect to the first detection area. However, in the state where the target is detected in the second detection area, even if the state change sensor detects the target, the water discharge state is not changed.
In the present invention, the change in the water discharge state includes a change from water discharge to water stop or vice versa, a change in water discharge flow rate, a change in water discharge temperature, a change in water quality such as a change from raw water to purified water or vice versa, etc. .

  In the automatic water faucet of the present invention, when the user holds the hand over the state change sensor for the purpose of changing the water discharge state, for example, for changing the water discharge state from stop water to water discharge or vice versa, the state change sensor However, this is detected in the first detection area, and the water discharge state is changed such as changing from water stoppage to water discharge.

  On the other hand, when the arm is extended without aiming at the operation of the state change sensor, for example, an object such as a dish is placed on the counter on the back side of the sink (water tank) or the dish is removed from the counter. When the arm is extended, the state change sensor detects the arm at this time, and the state maintaining sensor detects the arm in the second detection area at the back side, thereby detecting the human body (target) by the state change sensor. Regardless of the condition, the current water discharge state is maintained and the change of the water discharge state is prohibited.

For example, in the case where the state change sensor is a water discharge sensor, the state maintenance sensor detects the arm pushed out in the second detection area, thereby prohibiting the change from the current water stop state to the water discharge state. .
Further, when the state change sensor is a flow adjustment sensor that adjusts the flow rate of discharged water, or a temperature adjustment sensor that adjusts the temperature of discharged water, the current flow rate adjustment state or temperature adjustment state changes state. Is prohibited.

  Even when the state change sensor detects an article around the water discharge pipe, when the state maintenance sensor detects the article in the second detection area on the back side, the detection by the state change sensor is detected by the user. It is determined that the movement for the purpose of operation is not detected, and the change of the current water discharge state is similarly prohibited.

  For example, when the state change sensor and the state maintenance sensor are provided upward on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, when the state change sensor detects this when the electric lift shelf provided above the sink descends However, at this time, the state maintenance sensor detects the descent of the lifting shelf in the second detection area on the back side of the first detection area, so that the detection by the state change sensor moves for the user's operation. It determines with not having detected, and prevents changing a water discharge state accidentally.

As described above, the present invention can effectively prevent malfunction of the faucet due to erroneous detection of the state change sensor and improve the usability of the automatic faucet.
Further, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to always keep the detection distance of the state change sensor short, so it is possible to ensure good operability when operating the faucet.

In the present invention, one of the state change sensor and the state maintenance sensor may be constituted by one sensor, and the other sensor may be constituted by another other sensor, or the state change sensor and the state maintenance sensor may be configured. The two sensors may be configured by a single common sensor.
For example, a two-dimensional area image sensor may be used as a sensor, a specific pixel area portion may be configured as a state change sensor, and another specific pixel area portion may be configured as a state maintenance sensor.

In this invention, a state change sensor and a state maintenance sensor can be provided in the surface except the lower surface of the water discharge pipe, for example, the upper surface or side surface of a water discharge pipe.
In addition, the second detection area can be set in a state of overlapping (overlapping) the first detection area as viewed in the tube axis direction of the water discharge pipe.

For example, the state change sensor and the state maintenance sensor are provided on the upper surface or side surface of the water discharge pipe so as to face upward or sideways, and the first detection area and the second detection area overlap when viewed in the tube axis direction. As described above, the first detection area and the second detection area can be set in advance.
In addition, in some cases, the second detection area may be composed of a set of a plurality of spot-like areas in addition to a case where the entire second detection area is a single continuous integrated area.
In the present invention, as the state change sensor, a flow adjustment sensor for changing the flow rate of discharged water and a temperature adjustment sensor for changing the temperature of discharged water can be provided.
Moreover, the water discharge sensor which changes a water discharge state from water stop to water discharge or the reverse can be provided as this state change sensor.
In this case, the water discharge sensor can be an alternating sensor that changes the water discharge state from water stop to water discharge or vice versa each time an object is detected.
The state maintenance sensor can be a sensor that prohibits the change of the water discharge state from the water stop to the water discharge based on the target detection by the state maintenance sensor regardless of the target detection by the water discharge sensor. .

In the present invention, the second detection area may have an area extending longer in the same direction than the end of the first detection area in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe (claim 2). ).
In this way, for example, when a user standing in front of a sink in a face-to-face kitchen reaches out to the counter, especially when the hand is extended obliquely to the water discharge pipe, this is detected. It is easy to prevent the malfunction of the faucet due to erroneous detection of the state change sensor more effectively.

In this case, the entire length of the second detection area in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis can be made longer than the length of the first detection area.
In these cases, the state change sensor and the state maintenance sensor are provided on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, the first detection area and the second detection area are provided upward from the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, and the second detection area is first viewed in plan view. An area having a curved shape centered on one detection area can be set.
If it does in this way, when an arm is extended toward a counter etc. in the state where it inclined incline with respect to the water discharge pipe, it will be easier to detect this in the 2nd detection area.

In the present invention, the position of the second detection area can be changed in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe, and the change extends the amount of the second detection area extending from the water discharge pipe in the orthogonal direction on one end side. The extension amount on the other end side can be changed to be small (claim 4).
In this way, since the position of the second detection area can be appropriately adjusted according to the inclination of the water discharge pipe, for example, when the user extends his arm toward the counter, the state maintaining sensor in the second detection area However, it is easier to detect this, so that the malfunction of the faucet can be prevented more effectively.

In this case, the state change sensor and the state maintaining sensor are provided on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, and the first detection area and the second detection area are provided upward from the water discharge pipe, respectively, and the tip of the water discharge pipe in a plan view. When the water discharge pipe is tilted in the right direction located on the right side of the rear end side of the water discharge pipe as viewed from the user, or in the left direction located on the left side, or when the water discharge pipe is rotated in a tilted state, Compared to the case where the water discharge pipe is not inclined and extends straight in the front-rear direction when viewed, the overall position of the second detection area can be changed to the right or left in plan view.
In this case, an inclination angle detection sensor for detecting the direction (inclination angle) of the water discharge pipe in plan view is provided, and the second detection is performed according to the direction (inclination angle) of the water discharge pipe detected by the inclination angle detection sensor. The area position can be changed.

  In the present invention, when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond the set time, the detection by the state maintenance sensor is invalidated and the object detection by the state change sensor is performed regardless of the detection by the state maintenance sensor. Based on the above, it is possible to change the water discharge state (claim 5).

For example, when the state maintenance sensor detects the lowering of the lifting shelf as described above, the water discharge state cannot be changed by operating the state change sensor if the detection state continues for a long time.
For example, when the water is discharged from the water outlet, the lifting shelf comes down, and if the state maintenance sensor detects this in the second detection area and continues the detection, even if you want to stop the water, you cannot do this. End up.
Or if the state maintenance sensor fails for some reason, or if a water drop adheres to the state maintenance sensor and the state maintenance sensor continues to detect, water is discharged from the spout. It can happen. This is naturally undesirable.

  Therefore, in claim 5, in such a case, the detection by the state maintaining sensor in the second detection area is invalidated, and the water discharge state can be changed by the target detection by the state change sensor. The continuation of the detection state by the state maintenance sensor can effectively prevent the faucet from being inoperable, that is, locked, and can operate the automatic faucet appropriately as in the case where the state maintenance sensor is not provided. It becomes like this.

  On the other hand, the sixth detection area is the second detection area which is a detection distance of the state maintenance sensor until the state maintenance sensor becomes a non-detection state when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond the set time. In this case, the prohibition of changing the water discharge state can be canceled by shortening the detection distance of the state maintenance sensor, As a result, the automatic faucet can be freely operated by operating the state change sensor.

In any of these claims 5 and 6, when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond the set time, it is from the water discharge pipe of the first detection area which is the detection distance of the state change sensor. It is desirable to make a change in which the length is shortened toward the water discharge pipe (claim 7).
In this way, the state change sensor prevents the operation of the state change sensor from being substantially disabled by continuing to detect, for example, the above-described lift shelf, and hinders the change of the water discharge state by the operation of the state change sensor. It becomes possible to do without.

It is the perspective view which showed the automatic faucet which is one Embodiment of this invention with the peripheral part. It is a side view of the water discharge pipe of the automatic water tap of FIG. It is the figure which showed the structure of the automatic water tap of FIG. It is the figure which showed the structure of the detection sensor of FIG. It is the figure which showed the shape of the detection area in the same embodiment by the relationship with the water discharge pipe. It is the figure which showed the shape of the detection area following FIG. 5 by the relationship with the water discharge pipe. It is the table | surface and time chart which showed the operation | movement of the automatic water tap of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of other operation | movement of the automatic water tap of the embodiment. It is a time chart regarding the operation | movement of FIG. It is the figure which showed the principal part of other embodiment of this invention.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a sink (water tank) provided on the countertop 12 of the face-to-face kitchen, and reference numeral 14 is a counter provided on the back side of the sink 10 on which various articles such as dishes can be placed. It is.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a water discharge pipe of an automatic faucet 20 provided in a state of standing from a top surface 18 around the sink 10 in the cooking table 12, and has a water discharge port 22 for discharging water toward the sink 10 at the tip.
The water discharge pipe 16 has a lower portion 24 standing upright from the top surface 18 and an upper portion 26 having an inverted U-shaped gooseneck shape.
In this embodiment, the upper portion 26 is rotatable with respect to the lower portion 24.
In the face-to-face kitchen of this example, as shown in FIG. 8, an elevating shelf 25 is provided above and below the sink 10 to elevate and lower electrically.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 27 denotes a water supply channel, and 28 denotes a hot water supply channel. The water from the water supply channel 27 and the hot water from the hot water supply channel 28 are mixed by the mixing unit 29 and sent to the spout 22 through the mixed water channel 30. It has become.
On the water supply passage 27 and the hot water supply passage 28, control valves 32 and 34 for controlling the water discharge state from the water discharge port 22 are provided.
These control valves 32 and 34 have a valve portion 36 and an electric motor (here, a stepping motor) 38 that drives the valve body of the valve portion 36.

The control valves 32 and 34 discharge and stop the water from the water outlet 22 by opening and closing the valve portion 36 by the motor 38, and also control the flow rate and temperature of the discharged water by changing the opening degree of the valve portion 36. Do.
These control valves 32 and 34 are electrically connected to the control unit 40, and the operation of the control valves 32 and 34 is controlled by the control unit 40.

The water discharge pipe 16 is provided with an inclination angle detection sensor 42 for detecting the inclination angle of the water discharge pipe 16 in plan view, specifically, the inclination angle of the upper portion 26.
The inclination angle detection sensor 42 has a plurality of detection units 44 provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction at the upper end portion of the lower portion 24, and a detected portion 46 provided at the lower end portion of the upper portion 26.

The detection unit 44 includes a light projecting unit 48 and a light receiving unit 50 provided to face each other, and the detected unit 46 enters between the light projecting unit 48 and the light receiving unit 50, A light shielding unit 52 that shields light from the light projecting unit 48 to the light receiving unit 50 is provided.
The detecting unit 44 detects the detected unit 46 by the light blocking unit 52 entering between the light projecting unit 48 and the light receiving unit 50 to block light from the light projecting unit 48 to the light receiving unit 50.
A magnet may be used as the detected portion 46 and a Hall IC may be used as the detecting portion 44.

In the tilt angle detection sensor 42 of this example, the detected portion 46 rotates with the rotation of the upper portion 26, and the detected portion 46 is detected by any one of the detection portions 44, whereby the tilt angle (rotation angle) of the upper portion 26 is detected. ) Is detected.
The inclination angle detection sensor 42 is electrically connected to the control unit 40, and a detection result by the inclination angle detection sensor 42 is input to the control unit 40. Based on the detection result, that is, according to the inclination angle of the upper portion 26, the control unit 40 controls movement of a second detection area 62 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a human body or the like is not in contact with the upper surface of the distal end portion of the water discharge pipe 16, more specifically, the upper surface of the middle portion from the water discharge port 22 to the uppermost position of the upper portion 26. A detection sensor 54 is provided facing upward.
In this embodiment, an area image sensor in which a large number of pixels 60 are two-dimensionally arranged is used as the detection sensor 54 as shown in FIG.
And in the specific pixel area part, every time it detects objects, such as a human body, the spouting water sensor (state change sensor) 56 which performs water spouting and water stopping alternately is comprised. In addition, the current water discharge state is maintained in another specific pixel area, specifically, the water stop state is maintained when a human body or the like is detected in the water stop state, and the human body or the like in the water discharge state. When the target is detected, a state maintaining sensor 58 is configured to maintain the water discharge state.

In this embodiment, when the state maintenance sensor 58 is detecting a target such as a human body, even if the spout water sensor 56 detects a human body or the like, the water discharge state is not changed. Specifically, the water discharge state is not changed from water stoppage to water discharge or vice versa.
The area image sensor in this example is an optical sensor, which projects light from a light projecting unit through a light projecting lens, and receives reflected light from an object such as a human body at each pixel 60 through the light receiving lens. Based on the above, an object such as a human body is detected.

In FIG. 2, 61 indicates a first detection area by the water discharge sensor 56, and 62 indicates a second detection area by the state maintenance sensor 58.
In this example, the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 are provided upward from the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 16, specifically the upper part 26.
Further, the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 are arranged so that the axes passing through the centers of the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 are located on a vertical plane passing through the axis in the pipe axis direction of the upper portion 26 of the water discharge pipe 16.
Furthermore, the 1st detection area 61 is arrange | positioned here in the front side (front side of a user side) of the water discharge pipe 16, and the 2nd detection area 62 is arrange | positioned in the back | inner side of the water discharge pipe 16 with respect to the 1st detection area 61.

The first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 are provided so as to face upward from the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 16.
Each of the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 is provided obliquely upward and forward, but the second detection area 62 has a large inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction relative to the first detection area 61, and It extends to a position higher than the one detection area 61.
The first detection area 61 has a circular projection shape on the projection plane orthogonal to the axis, and the second detection area 62 has a first detection shape projected on the projection plane orthogonal to the axis. It has a curved shape that is concave on the area 61 side.

5 and 6 show the shapes and sizes of the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 in a plan view in relation to the water discharge pipe 16.
In any of the states shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6C, the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 overlap when viewed from the direction of the pipe axis of the water discharge pipe 16. Yes.
And as shown to (A), the state in which the water discharge pipe 16 turned to the front-back direction in the center of the sink 10 seeing from the user K side which faced the sink 10, and a planar view non-inclined state in dimensions (length) W ₂ of the second detection area 62 in the tube axis direction perpendicular to the water discharge pipe 16, the dimension (length) of the first detection area 61 W greater than _1, the second detection area 62 The first detection area 61 is expanded in the direction orthogonal to the tube axis.

Here, both the second detection area 62 and the first detection area 61 are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis P of the upper portion 26 of the water discharge pipe 16 in the state of FIG.
Further, in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the right end and the left end of the second detection area 62 in the drawing are the dimensions of the right end and the left end of the first detection area 61 in the drawing, respectively. a and dimension b greatly extend in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Here, a and b have the same dimensions.
The second detection area 62 has a curved shape with the first detection area 61 as a center and a concave portion on the first detection area 61 side.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the water discharge pipe 16 is installed at the left back corner of the sink 10 when viewed from the user K side, and the water discharge pipe 16 is more specifically tilted rightward at an angle α (discharge). This represents a state in which the front end side of the water tube is inclined to the right side in plan view with respect to the rear end side).
In this example, at this time, the second detection area 62 is moved in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe 16. Specifically, the second detection area 62 is moved around the first detection area 61 in the right direction in the drawing with respect to the water discharge pipe 16, and the position thereof is adjusted.

As a result, in the second detection area 62, the right end side in the figure extends greatly in the direction perpendicular to the water discharge pipe 16, and the left end side in the figure extends to the discharge pipe 16 smaller than the right end side.
That is, the amount of extension from the water discharge pipe 16 on the right end side of the second detection area 62 (the amount of extension from the water discharge pipe 16) increases, and the amount of extension from the water discharge pipe 16 on the left end side decreases. The position of the second detection area 62 changes.
In the state shown in FIG. 5B, the positional relationship between the first detection area 61 and the second detection area 62 is the same as the state shown in FIG. . The moving direction and moving amount of the second detection area 62 are determined as such.

In FIG. 6C, conversely to that shown in FIG. 5B, the water discharge pipe 16 is installed at the right back corner of the sink 10 when viewed from the user K side, and the water discharge pipe 16 has an angle β. The state when tilted is shown.
At this time, the second detection area 62 moves to the left in the figure with respect to the water discharge pipe 16, and as a result, even in the state shown in FIG. The positional relationship with the detection area 62 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B).
The moving direction and the moving amount of the second detection area 62 are automatically determined by the control unit 40 based on the detection of the tilt angle by the tilt angle detection sensor 42 shown in FIG.

  Thus, in this embodiment, as viewed from the user K side facing the sink 10, the entire second detection area 62 is always located on the far side opposite to the first detection area 61. In addition, the second detection area 62 greatly expands in the left-right direction with respect to the first detection area 61 when viewed from the user K side, and the second detection area 62 has a curved shape around the first detection area 61. Therefore, when the user K extends his arm toward the counter 14, the second detection area 62 can easily detect the user K's arm.

The movement of the second detection area 62 accompanying the change in the inclination angle of the water discharge pipe 16 as described above is such that the water discharge pipe 16 is in the state shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6C when the faucet 20 is installed. This is performed when installed, and also when the water discharge pipe 16, more specifically, the upper portion 26 thereof is rotated after the installation.
At this time, the moving direction and the moving amount of the second detection area 62 are controlled by the control unit 40 in accordance with the inclination angle of the upper portion 26.
As a result, regardless of the inclination angle of the water discharge pipe 16 in plan view, the center of the second detection area 62 (center in plan view) is viewed in the front-rear direction viewed from the user K side facing the sink 10. The state is located behind the center of the first detection area 61.

Next, the operation of the automatic faucet of this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the user K holds the first detection area 61 so as to be placed on the first detection area 61, the water discharge sensor 56 detects this, and starts water discharge from the water discharge port 22 based on the detection signal.
Since the water discharge sensor 56 is an alternate sensor that alternately performs water discharge and water stop every time the hand is held over, even if the user K pulls the hand and removes it from the first detection area 61, the water discharge remains as it is. Is continued.
Then, when the user K puts his hand in the first detection area 61 again and operates the water discharge sensor 56, water discharge from the water discharge port 22 is stopped here. That is, the water is stopped.

On the other hand, when the user K puts an article such as a dish on the counter 14 or extends an arm toward the counter 14 in order to take an article such as a dish from the counter K, the spout water sensor 56 in FIG. It may be detected.
However, at this time, the state maintaining sensor 58 usually also detects the extended arm together with the water discharge sensor 56. Therefore, the change of the water discharge state is prohibited by the detection, and regardless of the detection by the water discharge sensor 56. The current water discharge state is maintained.

  Specifically, for example, if the initial state before extending the arm is a water stop state, the water stop state is maintained as it is. If the initial state is a water discharge state, the water discharge state is maintained as it is. That is, the water stoppage is not switched to the water discharge state by detecting the arm, or the water discharge state is not switched to the water discharge state.

FIG. 7A shows the initial state before the user K stretches the hand or arm and the presence or absence of a change in the water discharge state due to the extension of the hand or arm. This is shown in relation to the presence or absence.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the user K puts out his hand under the original water stop condition, only the water stop sensor 56 detects this, and the state maintenance sensor 58 does not detect it. If water is discharged, and the state maintenance sensor 58 is also in the detection state at the same time by extending the arm, the water stop state is maintained as it is.

  On the other hand, if both the water stop sensor 56 and the state maintenance sensor 58 are not detected, the initial water stop state is naturally maintained as it is, and the water stop sensor 56 is not detected and only the state maintenance sensor 58 detects. Even in this case, the water stop state is maintained as it is.

  On the other hand, when only the water discharge sensor 56 detects when the initial state is the state of water discharge, the state is switched from the water discharge to the water stop state, and both the water discharge sensor 56 and the state maintenance sensor 58 are connected. When detected, the original water discharge state is maintained as it is.

  If both the water discharge sensor 56 and the state maintenance sensor 58 are not detected, the state of water discharge is naturally maintained as it is, and the water discharge sensor 56 is not detected and only the state maintenance sensor 58 detects. However, the state of water discharge is maintained as it is.

  FIG. 7 (B) shows these operations as a time chart. As shown in the drawing, the water stop sensor 56 has a cooking tool such as a bowl held by the user K's hand or hand in the first detection area 61. When the other state is detected, if the state maintaining sensor 58 is not detected in the second detection area 62 at this time, the state change (state switching) is performed from the water stop state to the water discharge state, and then the state When the water discharge sensor 56 detects a hand or the like again in the first detection area 61 under the state where the maintenance sensor 58 is not detected, the state is changed from the water discharge state to the water stop state.

If the water stop sensor 56 detects a hand or the like again in the first detection area 61, and the state maintenance sensor 58 also detects a hand or the like in the second detection area 62 at this time, the initial water stop state remains unchanged. Maintained.
Then, under the state maintenance sensor 58 non-detection, when the water discharge sensor 56 detects a hand or the like next, the state is changed from the water stop to the water discharge state.

  Thereafter, even if the water discharge sensor 56 detects a hand or the like, when the state maintenance sensor 58 detects a hand or the like at this time, the water discharge state is not changed and the water discharge state is maintained as it is. When only the water discharge sensor 56 detects a hand or the like, the state of water discharge so far is changed to a water stop state.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which the spout water sensor 56 detects this by the lowering of the lifting shelf 25 above the sink 10.
As shown in the figure, even when the lifting / lowering shelf 25 detects the lowered shelf 25 here, the state maintaining sensor 58 detects the lifting / lowering shelf 25 in the second detection area 62 at this time. Maintain the water discharge state.
That is, for example, in the initial water stop state, the state is not changed from the water stop state to the water discharge state even when the elevating shelf 25 is lowered.
In this case, if the state maintaining sensor 58 continues to detect the elevating shelf 25 for a long time, the water is discharged from the water discharge port 22, and at this time, the water cannot be stopped even by a hand-holding operation on the water discharge sensor 56. End up.

In this way, the state maintaining sensor 58 continues to detect for a long time, which does not occur in the normal operation of the user. Therefore, here, when the state maintaining sensor 58 continues to detect for a long time exceeding the set time, Is determined not to be a conscious operation by a person, and the detection distance of the state maintenance sensor 58 is changed short. That is, the length of the second detection area 62 is shortened to the side of the water discharge pipe 16 until the state maintaining sensor 58 does not detect the lifting shelf 25.
Here, the locked state by the state maintaining sensor 58 is released.

However, at this time, if the detection distance of the water discharge sensor 56 remains long, that is, if the length of the first detection area 61 from the water discharge pipe 16 remains long, the lock by the state maintenance sensor 58 is released. However, since the detection state of the elevating shelf 25 by the water discharge sensor 56 continues, water discharge cannot be stopped, that is, water cannot be stopped.
Therefore, here, in addition to shortening the second detection area 62, the length of the first detection area 61 is also shortened. That is, the detection distance by the spouting water sensor 56 is changed short.
By doing in this way, it can stop water without hindrance by operating by holding it over the water stop sensor 56 after that.

In this embodiment, the second detection area 62 rises upward at a steep angle with respect to the first detection area 61, and therefore, when the lifting shelf 25 is lowered in some cases, the spout water sensor 56 does not lift the lifting shelf 25. There is a possibility that only the state maintaining sensor 58 is in the detection state by the detection.
In this embodiment, even in such a case, the change of the water discharge state by the detection of the water discharge sensor 56 is prohibited and locked.

FIG. 9 shows the operation at this time as a time chart.
As shown in the figure, here, only the state maintaining sensor 58 detects the lifting shelf 25 at t ₁ , and the spout water sensor 56 is not detected. In this case, as long as the state maintains the sensor 58 is then also detected state, even吐止water sensor 56 as吐止water sensor t ₂ detects the holding up the hand of the user operation or the like, the water discharge from the water stop Do not change state (or vice versa).

Meanwhile detects the state maintaining sensor 58 lifting shelf 25 at t _3, if continued detects this as long, where has elapsed set time T (t _4), the state maintaining sensor 58 lifting shelf 25 The second detection area 62 is changed to be shorter until no detection is made.
In addition, the first detection area 61 is also shortened at the same time.
Thus when吐止water sensor 56 in subsequent t ₅ is manually held up operation is a state change in the water stopping from the water discharge at the time.

  In addition, when the set time T has elapsed, the second detection area 62 is not shortened, but the detection of the state maintaining sensor 58 in the second detection area 62 is invalidated, and the detection by the state maintaining sensor 58 in the second detection area 62 is performed. Nevertheless, it is possible to change the state between water discharge and water stop by operating the water discharge stop sensor 56.

At this time, if the spouting water sensor 56 is in a state where the lifting shelf 25 is not detected, the length of the first detection area 61 is left as it is, and the spouting water sensor 56 is operated by hand, so that the water spouting is stopped. The state can be changed. Or conversely, the state can be changed from water stoppage to water discharge.
However, even in this case, the length of the first detection area 61 may be shortened, and the state may be changed between water discharge and water stop by the hand-holding operation of the water discharge stop sensor 56.

In particular, the processing for invalidating the detection by the state maintenance sensor 58 after the set time T has elapsed is that the state maintenance sensor 58 has some trouble, and the state change by the stop water sensor 56 as a stop water sensor is prohibited and locked. This is effective in the case where the state maintenance sensor 58 continues to be detected for a long time due to water droplets or other foreign matters adhering to the state maintenance sensor 58.
In such a case, even if the detection distance of the second detection area 62 is shortened, it is difficult to effectively prevent the above problems.
Further, in such a case, even if the first detection area 61 is not shortened, the water is stopped by the hand-holding operation of the water stop sensor 56 while maintaining the length of the first detection area 61. The state can be changed.

  According to the present embodiment as described above, it is possible to effectively prevent the malfunction of the faucet due to erroneous detection of the spout water sensor 56 as the state change sensor, and to improve the usability of the automatic faucet 10.

The above embodiment is an example in which the detection sensor 54 is provided upward on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 16, but the detection sensor 54 may be provided on the side surface of the water discharge pipe 16. FIG. 10 shows an example in that case.
In this case, the 1st detection area 61 and the 2nd detection area 62 will be in the state extended in the direction to the side direction of the water discharge pipe 16 in equality.
Even in this case, it is desirable that the second detection area 62 be curved around the first detection area 61.
Further, when the detection sensor 54 is provided on the side surface of the water discharge pipe 16 in this way, it is desirable to provide it on both the right side surface and the left side surface.
In this way, even if the person is a right-handed person, left-handed person, right-handed operation, or left-handed operation, the spout water sensor 56 can be easily operated by hand. it can.

Although the said embodiment is an example which provided the spouting water sensor 56 as a state change sensor, in this invention, the temperature sensor which changes the flow rate of discharged water as a state change sensor, or the temperature which changes the temperature of discharged water. It is also possible to provide a tone sensor.
In this case, the water can be stopped by a separate water stop sensor or other water stop means provided elsewhere.
These flow control sensors and temperature control sensors can be provided on the side surface of the water discharge pipe 16 in addition to the case where the flow control sensor and the temperature control sensor are provided on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 16.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example, and the present invention can be configured in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 Sink (aquarium)
16 Water discharge pipe 20 Automatic faucet 22 Water discharge port 32, 34 Control valve 54 Detection sensor 56 Water discharge sensor (state change sensor)
58 State maintenance sensor 61 First detection area 62 Second detection area

Claims (7)

(a) a water discharge pipe that discharges water from the water outlet at the tip toward the water tank, (b) a detection sensor that is provided on the water discharge pipe and detects a human body or other object in a non-contact manner, and (c) the detection sensor In an automatic faucet having an electric control valve that performs water discharge state control based on the detection signal of
The detection sensor includes a state change sensor that changes the current water discharge state by target detection, and a state maintenance sensor that maintains the current water discharge state by target detection,
The first detection area that is the detection area of the state change sensor is on the front side of the water discharge pipe,
A second detection area that is a detection area of the state maintaining sensor is set on the back side of the water discharge pipe with respect to the first detection area;
An automatic water faucet configured to prevent the water discharge state from being changed even when the state change sensor detects an object when the state maintenance sensor detects the object in the second detection area.   In Claim 1, The said 2nd detection area has an area extended in this orthogonal direction longer than the end of the said orthogonal | vertical direction with the pipe axis of the said water discharge pipe of the said 1st detection area. Automatic faucet.   The automatic faucet according to claim 2, wherein the second detection area has an overall length in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis that is longer than a length of the first detection area.   The position of the second detection area in any one of claims 1 to 3 can be changed in a direction orthogonal to the tube axis of the water discharge pipe, and one end side of the second detection area in the orthogonal direction can be changed by the change. An automatic faucet characterized in that the amount of extension from the water discharge pipe is large and the amount of extension on the other end side changes small.   5. The object detection in the second detection area by the state maintenance sensor is invalidated when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond a set time in any one of claims 1 to 4. The water faucet can be changed based on the object detection by the state change sensor regardless of the object detection by the state maintenance sensor in the second detection area.   5. The state maintaining sensor according to claim 1, wherein when the state maintaining sensor continues the detection state in the second detection area beyond a set time, the state maintaining sensor is in a non-detection state. An automatic faucet characterized by changing the length of the second detection area, which is a detection distance, from the water discharge pipe to a side closer to the water discharge pipe.   In any one of Claims 5 and 6, when the state maintenance sensor continues the detection state beyond the set time in the second detection area, the first detection area is the detection distance of the state change sensor. An automatic faucet characterized by performing a change to shorten the length from the water discharge pipe toward the water discharge pipe side.

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