JP2017066693A - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic faucet device which suppresses mistaken water discharge caused by detecting the water bouncing back from the depths side of the bowl part.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet device 2 in this invention comprises a water discharge part 6 having a water discharge port 8, a bowl part 4 to receive the water discharged from the water discharge port 8, a sensor part 12 arranged behind the bowl part 4, and a control part 14 which controls discharge and cutoff of the water from the water discharge port 8 of the water discharge part 6 on the basis of the detection signal output from the sensor part 12. The sensor part 12 is arranged at a height equal to or higher than the level of the water discharge port 8. The bowl part 4 comprises a water-receiving region 4a including a water-receiving surface 4e to receive the water discharged from the water discharge port 8, and a sensor-arranging region 4b including a sensor-arranging surface 4f where the sensor part 12 is placed. Radio wave attenuation means to attenuate the radio waves emitted from the sensor part 12 is arranged in the sensor-arranging region 4b at a position lower than the water discharge port 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Aspects of the present invention relate to an automatic faucet device.

  Conventionally, there has been known an automatic faucet device that detects the moving speed of an object to be detected (for example, a user's hand) such as a radio wave sensor (microwave Doppler sensor) and automatically discharges and stops water. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the automatic faucet device described in Patent Document 1 (see FIG. 1 and the like), the radio wave sensor is disposed at a low position of the bowl portion, and the radio wave is irradiated obliquely upward from the radio wave sensor. Yes. In other words, the radio wave irradiation direction is directed in the direction in which the user's hand extends toward the water outlet, thereby making it easy to detect the movement of the user's hand. However, in this configuration, since the radio wave is directed outside the bowl part, for example, the approaching action of the user outside the bowl part when the user looks into the mirror is erroneously detected as the movement of the user's hand. There is a risk of erroneous water discharge.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 describes an automatic water faucet device (see FIG. 11 and the like) in which radio waves are irradiated downward from a radio wave sensor arranged at a position higher than a water outlet. In this automatic water faucet device, radio waves are selectively irradiated in three directions. Specifically, the angles of the three radio wave irradiation directions are set stepwise so as to detect the movement of the hand in the movement locus of the user's hand inserted into the upper space of the bowl portion. Therefore, in this automatic faucet device, since the radio wave irradiation direction is directed downward, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the approaching action of the user outside the bowl portion as in the device of Patent Document 1. .

JP 2009-150190 A JP 2006-283441 A

  However, in the automatic faucet device described in Patent Document 2, radio waves are emitted from the back side of the bowl part toward the inner side of the front side (hand insertion side). There has been a risk of misdetecting a hand swipe operation of soapy water performed with the hand retracted from the water mouth or a draining operation of draining water on the hand as a hand insertion operation. For this reason, in the apparatus of Patent Document 2, there was a concern that unnecessary water discharge continued.

  In order to solve this problem, the present inventor has to reset the inclination angle further downward in the radio wave irradiation direction so that the detection range of the radio wave sensor does not include a space for hand-knitting operation or draining operation. investigated. And this inventor came to the conclusion that it is possible to provide the water-saving automatic faucet device by which water discharge is not continued by this operation and water draining operation by this structure.

However, in the automatic faucet device in which the inclination angle of the radio wave irradiation direction is reset as described above, the radio wave irradiation direction faces the bottom surface of the bowl portion. For this reason, for example, when the user puts the water in the cup into the bowl, if the momentum of the discarded water is strong, the water will bounce off the back of the bowl, and the radio wave sensor will detect the bounced water. There is concern that accidental water discharge will occur.
That is, the radio wave sensor does not detect this laminar flow while flowing as a laminar flow flowing on the inner surface of the bowl portion. However, this laminar flow causes water to jump up behind the bowl portion, the water that has jumped up approaches the radio wave sensor, and the water that has jumped up is turbulent after rising to fall and form a large detection area and fall. There is a concern that the movement may be detected by the radio wave sensor as the movement of the user's hand, resulting in erroneous water discharge.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described new problem, and provides an automatic water faucet device that suppresses erroneous water discharge by detecting water that has bounced back on the back side of the bowl portion. It is aimed.

  An automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge portion having a water discharge port, a bowl portion that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl portion and radiates downward. An automatic water faucet comprising: a sensor unit that acquires information about a detection target based on a reflected wave; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit. In the apparatus, the sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water discharge port, and the bowl unit includes a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water discharge port and forms the bottom of the bowl unit, and the sensor unit A radio wave attenuating means for attenuating radio waves radiated from the sensor unit is provided below the water discharge port. Place in the sensor placement area at the position It is characterized in that is.

  According to this configuration, the radio wave attenuating means for attenuating the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit is arranged in the sensor arrangement area, and the radio wave attenuating means is located below the water outlet. Thereby, even if the water which flows through a water receiving surface flows to a sensor arrangement | positioning area | region, it becomes difficult for the electromagnetic wave radiated | emitted from a sensor part by the electromagnetic wave attenuation means to reach the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region. Therefore, it can suppress that a sensor part misdetects the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region.

  In the automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention, preferably, the radio wave attenuation means is a radio wave attenuation unit that is integral with the bowl unit and protrudes from the sensor arrangement region.

  According to this configuration, the radio wave attenuating means is a radio wave attenuating part that is integral with the bowl part and protrudes from the sensor arrangement region. Thereby, a bowl part comprises a radio wave attenuation means. Therefore, the radio wave attenuation means can be configured with a simple structure.

  In the automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention, preferably, the thickness of the sensor arrangement region is smaller than the thickness of the radio wave attenuator.

  According to this configuration, the thickness of the sensor arrangement region is smaller than the thickness of the radio wave attenuation unit. Thereby, the radio wave radiated below the radio wave attenuator can be attenuated while suppressing the attenuation of the radio wave radiated to the bowl part. Therefore, erroneous detection can be suppressed without impairing ease of hand washing.

  The automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the width in the front-rear direction of the radio wave attenuating portion increases as it goes downward.

  According to this structure, the width | variety of the front-back direction of a radio wave attenuation part becomes large as it goes below. This makes it difficult for radio waves to attenuate near the water outlet. Therefore, erroneous detection can be suppressed without impairing ease of hand washing.

  An automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge portion having a water discharge port, a bowl portion that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl portion and radiates downward. An automatic water faucet comprising: a sensor unit that acquires information about a detection target based on a reflected wave; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit. In the apparatus, the sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water discharge port, the bowl unit includes a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and forms a bottom portion of the bowl unit, and a sensor unit A radio wave attenuating means for attenuating radio waves radiated from the sensor part is separate from the bowl part. Radio wave attenuating member placed in the bowl Yes, the radio wave attenuating member is extended toward the sensor arrangement area, and the radio wave attenuation member and the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part are in contact with each other, or between the radio wave attenuation member and the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part. A gap is formed in the surface.

  According to this configuration, the radio wave attenuating member and the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part are in contact with each other, or a gap is formed between the radio wave attenuating member and the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part. Thereby, even if the water which flows through a water receiving area | region flows to a sensor arrangement | positioning area | region, it becomes difficult for the electromagnetic wave radiated | emitted from a sensor part by the electromagnetic wave attenuation member to reach the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region. Therefore, it can suppress that a sensor part misdetects the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region.

  In the automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention, preferably, the width of the radio wave attenuating means in the left-right direction is larger than the detection area by the sensor unit.

  According to this configuration, the width of the radio wave attenuating means in the left-right direction is larger than the detection area by the sensor unit. This makes it difficult for radio waves radiated from the sensor unit to go around the radio wave attenuation unit. Therefore, erroneous detection can be more reliably suppressed.

  In the automatic water faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention, preferably, a radio wave absorbing member that absorbs radio waves radiated from the sensor unit is provided on the water discharge port side of the radio wave attenuating means.

  According to this configuration, the radio wave absorbing member is provided on the water discharge port side of the radio wave attenuating means. Thereby, the radio wave absorbing member absorbs radio waves radiated from the sensor unit. Therefore, the possibility that radio waves reach the water that has flowed to the sensor placement area is reduced, and it is possible to further suppress the sensor unit from erroneously detecting the water that has flowed to the sensor placement area.

  An automatic faucet device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a water discharge portion having a water discharge port, a bowl portion that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl portion and radiates downward. An automatic water faucet comprising: a sensor unit that acquires information about a detection target based on a reflected wave; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit. In the apparatus, the sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water discharge port, the bowl unit includes a water receiving region including a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and a sensor arrangement surface on which the sensor unit is disposed. And a connection area that connects the water receiving area and the sensor arrangement area, and the connection area is arranged behind the detection area by the sensor unit.

  According to this configuration, the connection region is arranged on the rear side of the detection region by the sensor unit. Thereby, for example, when the user throws away water that has entered the cup vigorously on the water receiving surface, water flows from the water receiving area toward the connection area, and along the connection area, rather than the detection area by the sensor unit. Water bounces back. Therefore, the splashed water can be out of the range of the detection area of the sensor unit, and the sensor unit can be prevented from erroneously detecting the water bounced in the connection area.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the erroneous water discharge by detecting the water which bounced in the back | inner side of the bowl part can be suppressed.

It is a perspective view showing the automatic faucet device concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing showing the automatic water faucet apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing showing the automatic water faucet apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the automatic faucet device concerning a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the sensor part and control part which concern on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which represented typically the flow of the water of the bowl part which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the automatic faucet device concerning a second embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing showing the automatic water faucet apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the automatic faucet device concerning a third embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing showing the automatic water tap apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view showing the automatic water faucet device concerning a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing seen along the XII-XII line | wire of FIG. It is side surface sectional drawing showing the automatic water faucet apparatus which concerns on 4th embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

(First embodiment)
<Configuration of automatic faucet device>
First, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the structure of the automatic water tap apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are side sectional views showing the automatic faucet device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the automatic faucet device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sensor unit and the control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic faucet device 2 includes a bowl portion 4 and a water discharge portion 6.
A water discharge port 8 is formed at the tip of the water discharge unit 6, and water is discharged from the water discharge port 8 toward the bowl unit 4. The bowl portion 4 is made of earthenware and receives water discharged from the water discharge port 8. The water received in the bowl part 4 is discharged to the outside from a drain port 10 formed in the bowl part 4. In the present specification, water includes hot water.

  Further, in the present specification, the automatic faucet device 2 is normally used with the direction in which the water discharger 6 is provided with respect to the bowl 4 being upward (upward) and the opposite side being downward (downward). The direction in which the water discharger 6 is provided to the user is the rear direction (rear), the opposite side is the front direction (front), and the right side is the right side facing the rear in the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The direction (right) and the left side are left (left).

As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic faucet device 2 further includes a sensor unit 12 and a control unit 14. The sensor unit 12 is a microwave sensor that radiates microwaves. The frequency used is, for example, about 10 GHz or about 24 GHz.
The sensor unit 12 is disposed on the back side of the bowl unit 4 and radiates radio waves downward, and acquires information on the detected object based on the reflected waves of the radiated radio waves. Then, the acquired information is transmitted to the control unit 14. The sensor unit 12 is disposed on the back side of the bowl unit 4 and at a position higher than the height position of the water discharge port 8. Therefore, the spout 8 is included in the detection area A of the sensor unit 12 described later.
The control part 14 is provided in the back side of the bowl part 4 so that it cannot be visually recognized from a user. The control unit 14 receives information related to the detected object from the sensor unit 12 and controls the water discharged from the water outlet 8.

On the back side of the bowl portion 4, a water supply pipe 16 extending from the downstream side of the water discharge portion 6 is provided. The water supply pipe 16 is connected to a water supply source (not shown). In the middle of the water supply pipe 16, an on-off valve 18 for discharging water from the water discharge unit 6 and stopping water is provided. The on-off valve 18 is opened and closed by a command from the control unit 14, and the water discharged from the water outlet 8 is controlled.
In addition, let the part exposed to the bowl part 4 be the water discharging part 6, and let the upstream side rather than the part exposed to the bowl part 4 be the water supply pipe 16. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the bowl portion 4 includes a water receiving region 4a that forms the bottom of the bowl portion 4, and a sensor arrangement region 4b that is formed to extend upward from the rear of the water receiving region 4a. And having. In addition, the bowl portion 4 is formed with a wall portion 4d that rises from the front end portion, the left end portion, and the right end portion of the water receiving area 4a.

  A water receiving surface 4e that receives water discharged from the water discharge port 8 is formed on the upper surface of the water receiving region 4a, and a drain port 10 is provided on the center rear side of the water receiving region 4a. The front side of the water receiving surface 4e is inclined downward from the front end toward the drain port 10, and the rear side of the water receiving surface 4e is directed from the rear end (sensor arrangement region 4b side) toward the drain port 10. Inclined downward. The front side and the rear side of the water receiving surface 4e are substantially flat. Further, the drain port 10 communicates with a drain pipe 20 extending downward from the drain port 10, and water received at the water receiving surface 4 e is discharged to the drain pipe 20 through the drain port 10.

The sensor placement area 4b is formed so as to extend upward from the water receiving area 4a, and on the rear side surface of the sensor placement area 4b when viewing FIG. 3 from the front (the back side face of the sensor placement area 4b). A sensor arrangement surface 4f is formed. A sensor unit 12 is provided above the sensor placement surface 4f. Further, the front surface (surface opposite to the sensor placement surface 4f) of the sensor placement region 4b when FIG. 3 is viewed from the front is below the sensor portion 12 and above the upper end of the wall portion 4d. The water discharge part 6 is provided so that the water discharge port 8 may be located in the front. The front surface of the sensor placement region 4b is formed as a substantially flat surface.
The sensor placement area 4b is provided with a plate-shaped radio wave attenuating portion 22a (radio wave attenuation means) that is integral with the bowl portion 4 and protrudes forward from the sensor arrangement area 4b. The radio wave attenuation unit 22a is located below the sensor unit 12 and the water discharge port 8 and above the water receiving region 4a. In other words, the radio wave attenuating unit 22a is provided between the sensor unit 12 and the water outlet 8 and the water receiving region 4a.

  The water receiving surface 4e and the front surface of the sensor placement region 4b (the surface opposite to the sensor placement surface 4f) may not be formed as a flat surface, and at least a part thereof may be formed as a curved surface.

The radio wave attenuating unit 22 a is formed of ceramics like the bowl unit 4 and attenuates radio waves radiated from the sensor unit 12. Further, the thickness in the front-rear direction of the sensor arrangement region 4b is formed to be smaller than the thickness in the vertical direction of the radio wave attenuator 22a.
The thickness of the sensor arrangement region 4b in the front-rear direction is such that the radio wave easily transmits, for example, half the wavelength of the radio wave attenuating part of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12, and the vertical direction of the radio wave attenuating part 22a. The thickness is preferably formed such that the radio wave is difficult to transmit, for example, 3/4 wavelength times the radio wave attenuation part of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12.
Moreover, the bowl part 4 does not need to be formed with earthenware, for example, should just be formed with the material which has the property which permeate | transmits an electromagnetic wave like resin or artificial marble. Furthermore, the radio wave attenuating portion 22a may not be formed of earthenware, and may be formed of a material having a property of attenuating radio waves such as resin or artificial marble.

A radio wave absorbing member 24 is provided on the water discharge port 8 side (upper side) of the radio wave attenuation unit 22a so as to cover the upper surface of the radio wave attenuation unit 22a. The radio wave absorbing member 24 absorbs radio waves radiated from the sensor unit 12. The radio wave absorbing member 24 is obtained by kneading a magnetic material such as sendust or ferrite in a rubber-like base material such as silicon. Radio waves are absorbed by the magnetic loss of this magnetic material.
The radio wave absorbing member 24 may be any member that absorbs radio waves. For example, the radio wave absorbing member 24 may be a member that reflects radio waves on the front and back surfaces of the member and absorbs the radio waves by the phase difference of the reflected waves. In addition, the radio wave absorbing member 24 is not necessarily provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the detection region A is formed in a substantially elliptical shape so that the region gradually expands from the sensor unit 12 toward the front lower side due to the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12. ing. Here, since the sensor unit 12 is a microwave sensor, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 and the reflected wave thereof pass through the sensor arrangement region 4 b of the bowl unit 4 provided on the front side of the sensor unit 12. . Further, the width of the radio wave attenuator 22a in the left-right direction is formed to be larger than the width in the horizontal direction of the detection area A of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12.

  The left and right end portions of the radio wave attenuating portion 22a may be formed integrally with at least one of the left or right wall portions 4d.

  The radio wave detection area A is a radio wave area having a predetermined intensity, and is defined by a threshold value for detecting the detected object by the control unit 14 described later. That is, if the threshold value for detecting the detection object is lowered, the detection area A becomes larger. Conversely, if the threshold value is raised, the detection area A becomes smaller.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor unit 12 includes a transmission unit 12a, a reception unit 12b, an oscillation circuit 12c, and a mixer circuit 12d.
First, a radio wave signal radiated from the oscillation circuit 12c is generated and transmitted to the transmission unit 12a and the mixer circuit 12d. The radio wave signal transmitted from the oscillation circuit 12c to the transmission unit 12a is directly radiated from the transmission unit 12a to the bowl unit 4 as a radio wave. And the reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave radiated | emitted from the transmission part 12a is received by the receiving part 12b. The radio wave signal received by the receiving unit 12b is transmitted to the mixer circuit 12d. The mixer circuit 12 d generates a detection signal based on the transmission wave signal transmitted from the transmission unit 12 a and the reflected wave signal received by the reception unit 12 b, and transmits the detection signal to the control unit 14.

The control unit 14 includes a determination unit 14a and a storage unit 14b.
The determination unit 14a of the control unit 14 receives the detection signal transmitted from the mixer circuit 12d of the sensor unit 12, and determines whether or not the detected object is detected based on the signal. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the detection signal is less than a threshold value set in the storage unit 14b. If it determines with the determination part 14a having detected the to-be-detected body, a signal will be sent to the on-off valve 18 from the determination part 14a, the on-off valve 18 will be in an open state, and water will be discharged from the spout 8. On the contrary, if the determination unit 14a determines that the detected object is not detected, a signal is sent from the determination unit 14a to the on-off valve 18, the on-off valve 18 is closed, and water is stopped from the spout 8. Watered.

  In addition, the control part 14 may memorize | store the frequency | count and the time slot | zone which determined with the determination part 14a having detected the to-be-detected body in the memory | storage part 14b, and may be made to perform learning control based on the memorize | stored information. Specifically, based on the information stored in the storage unit 14b, the detected object is frequently detected (or not detected), that is, the automatic faucet device 2 is frequently used (or used). Determine the time zone. Then, for example, in the time zone in which the automatic faucet device 2 is determined to be a frequently used time zone, the detection area A of the sensor unit 12 is expanded, and it is determined to be a time zone that is not often used. In the time zone, the detection area A of the sensor unit 12 is reduced. Therefore, power consumption can be reduced while improving the usability of the user.

<Operation>
Next, the operation of the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the flow of water in the bowl portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the user holds his / her hand in the detection area A of the automatic water faucet device 2, the sensor unit 12 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 14 for detecting the hand that is the detection target. Based on the detection signal received from the sensor unit 12, the control unit 14 determines that a hand, which is a detection target, has been detected, and performs control to open the on-off valve 18. When the on-off valve 18 is opened, water is discharged from the water outlet 8 to the bowl portion 4 through the water supply pipe 16 and the water discharge portion 6. The user can wash hands with the discharged water.

  Here, a case where the radio wave attenuation unit 22a is not provided will be described. For example, when the user throws away the water or the like that has entered the cup into the water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving area 4a, water flows from the water receiving area 4a toward the lower side of the sensor arrangement area 4b, and then from the water receiving surface 4e. Water rebounds along the order of the front side surface (surface opposite to the sensor placement surface 4f) of the sensor placement region 4b. Then, there is a concern that the rebounded water enters the detection area A, the water rebounded by the sensor unit 12 is detected as a detected body, and erroneous water discharge occurs.

  On the other hand, in the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a radio wave attenuating unit 22 a is provided below the sensor unit 12 and the water outlet 8. Thereby, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is attenuated by the radio wave attenuation unit 22a, and the reflected wave reflected after passing through the radio wave attenuation unit 22a is also attenuated by the radio wave attenuation unit 22a. Therefore, for example, it is suppressed that the sensor unit 12 detects water bounced from the water receiving area 4a to the sensor arrangement area 4b.

  In addition, since the radio wave absorbing member 24 is provided above the radio wave attenuating unit 22 a, the radio wave absorbing member 24 absorbs radio waves radiated from the sensor unit 12. Therefore, compared with the case where the radio wave absorbing member 24 is not provided, for example, the sensor unit 12 is further suppressed from detecting water bounced from the water receiving area 4a to the sensor arrangement area 4b.

  According to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave attenuator 22a (radio wave attenuating means) for attenuating the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is arranged in the sensor arrangement area 4b, and the radio wave attenuation is performed. The part 22a is located below the water outlet 8. Thereby, even if the water flowing on the water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving area 4a flows to the sensor arrangement area 4b, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 by the radio wave attenuation section 22a reaches the water that has flowed to the sensor arrangement area 4b. It becomes difficult. Therefore, it can suppress that the sensor part 12 misdetects the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region 4b.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave attenuating means is the radio wave attenuating part 22a which is integral with the bowl part 4 and protrudes from the sensor arrangement area 4b. Thereby, the bowl part 4 comprises an electromagnetic wave attenuation means. Therefore, the radio wave attenuation means can be configured with a simple structure.

  Furthermore, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the thickness of the sensor arrangement region 4b is smaller than the thickness of the radio wave attenuating unit 22a, so that the radio wave radiated to the bowl unit 4 is attenuated. It is possible to attenuate radio waves radiated below the radio wave attenuator 22a while suppressing the radio waves. Therefore, erroneous detection can be suppressed without impairing ease of hand washing.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the width in the left-right direction of the radio wave attenuating unit 22a is larger than the detection area A by the sensor unit 12. Thereby, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is less likely to go around the radio wave attenuation unit 22a. Therefore, erroneous detection can be more reliably suppressed.

  Furthermore, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave absorbing member 24 is provided on the water discharge port 8 side of the radio wave attenuating portion 22a. Thereby, the radio wave absorbing member 24 absorbs the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12. Therefore, the possibility that radio waves reach the water that has flowed to the sensor placement area 4b is reduced, and the sensor unit 12 can be further prevented from erroneously detecting the water that has flowed to the sensor placement area 4b.

(Second embodiment)
<Configuration of automatic faucet device>
Next, an automatic faucet device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing an automatic faucet device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8, the same parts as those in the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the sensor arrangement area 4b is provided with a radio wave attenuating part 22b (radio wave attenuating means) that is integral with the bowl part 4 and protrudes forward from the sensor arrangement area 4b. The radio wave attenuating unit 22b is located below the sensor unit 12 and the water outlet 8 and above the water receiving region 4a. In other words, the radio wave attenuating unit 22b is provided between the sensor unit 12 and the water discharge port 8 and the water receiving region 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of the radio wave attenuating portion 22b is gently formed so as to be along the sensor placement region 4b, and the radio wave attenuating portion 22b is formed so that the width in the front-rear direction increases toward the lower side. Yes. In other words, the upper surface of the radio wave attenuating portion 22b is formed so as to incline downward from the rear to the front. Thereby, the water adhering to the upper surface of the radio wave attenuating portion 22 b flows toward the water receiving region 4 a of the bowl portion 4.

  Although illustration is omitted, the width of the radio wave attenuator 22b in the left-right direction is formed to be larger than the width of the radio wave detection area A radiated from the sensor unit 12 in the horizontal direction.

  According to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave attenuating unit 22b (radio wave attenuating means) for attenuating the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is arranged in the sensor arrangement region 4b. The part 22b is located below the water outlet 8. Thereby, even if the water flowing on the water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving area 4a flows to the sensor arrangement area 4b, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 by the radio wave attenuation section 22b reaches the water that has flowed to the sensor arrangement area 4b. It becomes difficult. Therefore, it can suppress that the sensor part 12 misdetects the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region 4b.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave attenuating means is the radio wave attenuating part 22b which is integral with the bowl part 4 and protrudes from the sensor arrangement area 4b. Thereby, the bowl part 4 comprises an electromagnetic wave attenuation means. Therefore, the radio wave attenuation means can be configured with a simple structure.

  Furthermore, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the width in the front-rear direction of the radio wave attenuating portion 22b increases as it goes downward. This makes it difficult for the radio wave to attenuate near the water outlet 8. Therefore, erroneous detection can be suppressed without impairing ease of hand washing.

  Moreover, according to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the width in the left-right direction of the radio wave attenuating unit 22b is larger than the detection area A by the sensor unit 12. Thereby, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is less likely to go around the radio wave attenuation unit 22b. Therefore, erroneous detection can be more reliably suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the bowl portion 4 may not be formed of earthenware, and may be formed of a material having a property of transmitting radio waves, such as resin or artificial marble. Furthermore, the radio wave attenuating portion 22a may not be formed of earthenware, and may be formed of a material having a property of attenuating radio waves such as resin or artificial marble.
Further, the radio wave absorbing member 24 may be provided above the radio wave attenuating portion 22b.

(Third embodiment)
<Configuration of automatic faucet device>
Next, an automatic faucet device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing an automatic faucet device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
9 and 10, the same parts as those of the automatic faucet device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, a plate-shaped radio wave attenuating member 22 c that attenuates radio waves radiated from the sensor unit 12 is disposed in the bowl part 4. The radio wave attenuating member 22 c is formed separately from the bowl portion 4.
The radio wave attenuating member 22c may be made of the same earthenware as the bowl portion 4, or may be formed of a material having a property of attenuating radio waves such as resin, artificial marble, metal, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 10, the radio wave attenuating member 22c is located below the sensor unit 12 and the water discharge port 8 and above the water receiving region 4a. In other words, the radio wave attenuating member 22c is provided between the sensor unit 12 and the water discharge port 8 and the water receiving region 4a. The radio wave attenuating member 22 c extends toward the sensor arrangement area 4 b of the bowl portion 4, and the rear end of the radio wave attenuating member 22 c is in contact with the sensor arrangement area 4 b of the bowl portion 4.
The thickness in the front-rear direction of the sensor arrangement region 4b is smaller than the thickness in the vertical direction of the radio wave attenuating member 22c.

  Note that a gap may be formed between the radio wave attenuating member 22c and the sensor arrangement region 4b. In this case, the width in the front-rear direction of the gap formed between the radio wave attenuating member 22c and the sensor arrangement region 4b can prevent the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 from passing through the gap below the radio wave attenuating member 22c. It is preferably as small as possible.

A support rod is provided below the radio wave attenuating member 22c so as to extend vertically downward from the bottom surface of the radio wave attenuating member 22c toward the drain port 10 and the drain pipe 20. This support bar is formed integrally with the radio wave attenuating member 22 c and is supported in the drain pipe 20. When the automatic faucet device 2 is viewed from above, the drain port 10 is concealed by the radio wave attenuating member 22c.
In addition, you may comprise so that the electromagnetic wave attenuation member 22c may move up and down with a support bar by operating the operation part which is not shown in figure, and the drain port 10 will be obstruct | occluded by moving the electromagnetic wave attenuation member 22c to the lowest part. That is, the radio wave attenuating member 22c may be configured to function as a pop-up drain plug.

  According to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention described above, the radio wave attenuating member 22c is in contact with the sensor arrangement region 4b of the bowl part 4, or the radio attenuating member 22c and the sensor of the bowl part 4 are in contact with each other. A gap is formed between the arrangement region 4b. Thereby, even if the water flowing on the water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving area 4a flows to the sensor arrangement area 4b, the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 by the radio wave attenuating member 22c reaches the water that has flowed to the sensor arrangement area 4b. It becomes difficult. Therefore, it can suppress that the sensor part 12 misdetects the water which flowed to the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region 4b.

  In the present embodiment, the radio wave absorbing member 24 may be provided above the radio wave attenuating member 22c.

  The radio wave attenuating member 22c may be provided so as to cover the entire water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving region 4a. In this case, a gap is provided between the rear end portion of the radio wave attenuating member 22c and the sensor arrangement region 4b.

(Fourth embodiment)
<Configuration of automatic faucet device>
Next, an automatic faucet device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 is a top view illustrating an automatic faucet device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 12 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. FIG. 13 is a side sectional view showing an automatic water faucet device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, in FIG. 11-FIG. 13, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the part same as the automatic faucet device 2 by 1st embodiment of this invention mentioned above, and those description is abbreviate | omitted. 13 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-II in FIG. 11, similarly to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the bowl portion 4 includes a water receiving region 4 a that forms the bottom of the bowl portion 4, and a sensor that is formed to extend upward from the rear of the water receiving region 4 a. It has the arrangement | positioning area | region 4g and the connection area | region 4c which connects the water receiving area | region 4a and the sensor arrangement | positioning area | region 4g. Further, the bowl portion 4 is formed with a wall portion 4d that rises from the front end portion, the left end portion, and the right end portion of the water receiving area 4a.

  A water receiving surface 4e that receives water discharged from the water discharge port 8 is formed on the upper surface of the water receiving region 4a, and a drain port 10 is provided on the center rear side of the water receiving region 4a. The water receiving surface 4e is inclined downward from the front end portion toward the drain port 10.

  The sensor placement area 4g is formed so as to extend from the connection area 4c toward the front upper side, and on the rear side face of the sensor placement area 4g (the back face of the sensor placement area 4g) when FIG. 12 is viewed from the front. The sensor arrangement surface 4f is formed. A sensor unit 12 is provided above the sensor placement surface. Further, on the front surface (surface opposite to the sensor placement surface 4f) of the sensor placement region 4g when FIG. 12 is viewed from the front, it is below the sensor portion 12 and above the upper end of the wall portion 4d. The water discharge part 6 is provided so that the water discharge port 8 may be located in the front. The front surface of the sensor placement region 4g is formed as a substantially flat surface.

  The water receiving surface 4e and the front surface of the sensor arrangement region 4g (the surface opposite to the sensor arrangement surface 4f) may not be formed as a flat surface, and may be formed as a curved surface.

The connection region 4c is formed continuously from the rear end of the water receiving region 4a, and is formed on the rear side of the rear end of the drain port 10 and on the rear side of the detection region A of the sensor unit 12. ing. Further, a sensor arrangement region 4g is continuously formed from the upper end of the connection region 4c toward the front upper side. Here, that the connection region 4c is formed on the rear side of the detection region A of the sensor unit 12 in FIG. 11 on a line (XII-XII line) extending in the center front-rear direction of the sensor unit 12. This means that the connection region 4 c is formed on the rear side of the detection region A of the sensor unit 12.
Further, a portion where an angle C between the normal M in the maximum directivity direction N of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 and the front surface of the connection region 4c when viewed from the front in FIG. 13 is 90 ° or more. The connection region 4c is provided so that the rear end of the connection region 4c is formed in the connection region 4c.
The maximum directivity direction of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12 is a direction in which the radio wave is radiated at the farthest distance from the sensor unit 12 under the same intensity of the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit 12. . In the present embodiment, the direction is the center of the sensor unit 12 and perpendicular to the surface from which the radio wave is emitted.

  Here, for example, when water or the like that has entered the cup is thrown into the water receiving surface 4e of the water receiving area 4a of the bowl portion 4 by water, water flows from the water receiving area 4a toward the connection area 4c. Then, water rebounds along the front surface of the connection region 4c. On the other hand, the connection region 4 c is formed on the rear side of the detection region A of the sensor unit 12. Therefore, the bounced water does not enter the detection area A of the sensor unit 12 and falls to the water receiving surface 4e or flows down through the connection area 4c.

  According to the automatic faucet device 2 according to the above-described fourth embodiment of the present invention, the connection region 4 c is disposed on the rear side of the detection region A by the sensor unit 12. Thereby, for example, when the user throws away water or the like that has entered the cup into the water receiving surface 4e, water flows from the water receiving area 4a toward the connection area 4c and follows the connection area 4c. Water rebounds behind the detection area A. Therefore, the bounced water can be out of the range of the detection region A of the sensor unit 12, and the sensor unit 12 can be prevented from erroneously detecting the water that has flowed to the connection region 4c.

  The water receiving surface 4e and the front surface of the sensor arrangement region 4g (the surface opposite to the sensor arrangement surface 4f) may not be formed as a flat surface, and at least a part thereof may be formed as a curved surface.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.
The elements included in each of the embodiments described above can be combined as much as technically possible, and combinations thereof are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

2 Automatic faucet device 4 Bowl part 4a Water receiving area 4b, 4g Sensor arrangement area 4c Connection area 4d Wall part 4e Water receiving surface 4f Sensor arrangement surface 6 Water discharging part 8 Water discharging port 10 Drainage port 12 Sensor part 12a Transmission part 12b Reception part 12c Oscillation circuit 12d Mixer circuit 14 Control unit 14a Determination unit 14b Storage unit 16 Water supply pipe 18 On-off valve 20 Drain pipe 22a, 22b Radio wave attenuation unit 22c Radio wave attenuation member 24 Radio wave absorption member

A Detection area

Claims (8)

A water discharge unit having a water discharge port, a bowl unit that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and information relating to the object to be detected based on a reflected wave of a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl unit and radiates downward. In an automatic water faucet device comprising: a sensor unit to acquire; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit.
The sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water outlet.
The bowl portion includes a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water outlet and forms a bottom portion of the bowl portion, and a sensor arrangement surface on which the sensor portion is disposed and includes a sensor arrangement surface that is located above the water receiving region from above. A sensor placement area extending toward
An automatic faucet device, wherein radio wave attenuating means for attenuating radio waves radiated from the sensor unit is arranged in the sensor arrangement region at a position below the water outlet.   The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave attenuating means is a radio wave attenuating part that is integral with the bowl part and protrudes from the sensor arrangement region.   The automatic faucet device according to claim 2, wherein a thickness of the sensor arrangement region is smaller than a thickness of the radio wave attenuator.   The automatic faucet device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a width of the radio wave attenuating portion in the front-rear direction increases as it goes downward. A water discharge unit having a water discharge port, a bowl unit that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and information relating to the object to be detected based on a reflected wave of a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl unit and radiates downward. In an automatic water faucet device comprising: a sensor unit to acquire; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit.
The sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water outlet.
The bowl portion includes a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water outlet and forms a bottom portion of the bowl portion, and a sensor arrangement surface on which the sensor portion is disposed and includes a sensor arrangement surface that is located above the water receiving region from above. A sensor placement area extending toward
The radio wave attenuating means for attenuating the radio wave radiated from the sensor unit is a radio wave attenuating member disposed separately from the bowl unit and disposed in the bowl unit,
The radio wave attenuating member is extended toward the sensor placement region;
The automatic water, wherein the radio wave attenuating member is in contact with the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part, or a gap is formed between the radio wave attenuating member and the sensor arrangement area of the bowl part. Stopper device.   The automatic faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a width of the radio wave attenuating unit in a left-right direction is larger than a detection area of the sensor unit.   The radio wave absorbing member that absorbs radio waves radiated from the sensor unit is provided on the water discharge port side of the radio wave attenuation means. Automatic faucet device. A water discharge unit having a water discharge port, a bowl unit that receives water discharged from the water discharge port, and information relating to the object to be detected based on a reflected wave of a radio wave that is disposed on the back side of the bowl unit and radiates downward. In an automatic water faucet device comprising: a sensor unit to acquire; and a control unit that controls water discharge from a water discharge port of the water discharge unit based on a detection signal output from the sensor unit.
The sensor unit is disposed at a height equal to or higher than the height of the water outlet.
The bowl portion includes a water receiving surface that receives water discharged from the water outlet and forms a bottom portion of the bowl portion, and a sensor arrangement surface on which the sensor portion is disposed and includes a sensor arrangement surface that is located above the water receiving region from above. A sensor arrangement area extending toward the area, and a connection area connecting the water receiving area and the sensor arrangement area,
The automatic faucet device, wherein the connection region is arranged on a rear side of a detection region by the sensor unit.

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