JP2022033461A - Automatic faucet device and faucet pole - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic faucet device that can be incorporated into a faucet pole erected outdoors to perform non-contact water delivery and is highly effective, particularly in infectious disease countermeasures.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet device 2 is incorporated into a faucet pole 1 that is erected outdoors with a water supply pipe 30 inside a hollow support column 10 and a water pipe 40 having a water outlet 44 outside, comprising: a solenoid valve 20 provided inside the support column 10 to open and close the flow path that communicates the water supply pipe 30 and the water pipe 40; a non-contact sensor 17 that senses the body part that the user holds over; and a control unit 14 that controls the drive of the solenoid valve 20 by inputting the sensing signal from the non-contact sensor 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic faucet device incorporated in a faucet pillar erected outdoors, and the faucet pillar.

Conventionally, faucet columns installed outdoors have been widely used mainly for gardening, watering, car washing, etc. (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-67263, Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7- 180194 (see). A typical faucet column is equipped with a water flow pipe to which a faucet or other faucet device is attached. In addition, those with a design to improve the aesthetic appearance and those with a heat insulating structure to prevent freezing have also appeared.

Jitsuzensho 55-67263 Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-180194

By the way, the recent corona disaster has caused a change in lifestyle, and hand washing is being enforced as one of the basic measures against infectious diseases. Normally, when you return from the office, you wash your hands in a washroom in the room, but it is not enough as a measure to prevent viruses from being brought into the room.

Therefore, if the hands can be washed before entering the room, a high effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of preventing viruses and the like from being brought into the room. Here, it is conceivable to let water flow out from the faucet pillar installed outdoors to wash the hands, but the conventional faucet pillar is not configured in consideration of measures against infectious diseases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is incorporated into a faucet pillar erected outdoors to be able to send water in a non-contact manner, and an automatic faucet that is particularly effective in infectious disease control. It is an object of the present invention to provide the device and the faucet column.

As an embodiment, the problem is solved by a solution means as disclosed below.

The disclosed automatic faucet device is an automatic faucet device in which a water supply pipe is provided inside a hollow support column and a water pipe having a water outlet is provided outside and is incorporated in a faucet column erected outdoors. A solenoid valve provided inside the support column to open and close the flow path connecting the water supply pipe and the water pipe, a non-contact sensor for detecting a body part held by the user, and the non-contact sensor. It is characterized by including a control unit for controlling the drive of the solenoid valve by inputting a sensing signal of the contact sensor.

Lifestyle changes have occurred due to the corona sickness, and hand washing is being enforced as one of the basic measures against infectious diseases. In social communal living, "non-contact" is the basis for everything, and automatic faucet devices that can send water in a non-contact manner are attracting attention. Conventionally, it has been common to wash hands at the time of returning home after going out in social life by using water in an indoor washroom or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be said that it is sufficient as a measure to prevent viruses and the like from being brought into the room.

With respect to this problem, according to the disclosed automatic faucet device, it is possible to wash hands without contact before entering the room, so that an extremely high effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of preventing viruses and the like from being brought into the room. Furthermore, it can be expected to have an effect that leads to the habit of washing hands. Naturally, it is highly convenient and hygienic even in the case of hand washing when the hands are dirty due to gardening or the like.

In addition, it is basically configured to be incorporated in outdoor faucet pillars (including so-called faucets and watering faucets), which are widely used as water services that are relatively easy to install for gardening, watering plants, or car washing. There is. Therefore, since it is not necessary to newly install a faucet for hand washing near the entrance, the increase in installation cost is suppressed and the design and construction of the house is not greatly restricted. The disclosed automatic faucet device can be easily installed on an existing faucet pillar by retrofitting.

In this way, the disclosed automatic faucet device is not only incorporated into a faucet pillar installed outdoors to enable non-contact water supply, but also has a design and use that makes you want to wash your hands. At the same time as improving the feeling, it also realizes ease of installation, maintenance, repair, structure assuming parts replacement, outdoor waterproofing, and weather resistance. It is possible to make it a habit to "wash hands first after going out and before entering the room", and realize a new lifestyle product as a water supply device in the era of infectious diseases.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of the automatic faucet apparatus and faucet pillar which concerns on this embodiment. It is an enlarged view (partial perspective view) of the part A shown in FIG. It is an exploded perspective view of the part shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the automatic faucet device and the faucet pillar which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the automatic faucet device and the faucet pillar which concerns on this embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view (perspective view) showing an example of a faucet column 1 in which the automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment is incorporated. Further, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 1 (the broken line indicates the internal configuration). Further, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the portion shown in FIG. 2. Further, in all the drawings for explaining the embodiment, the members having the same function may be designated by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof may be omitted.

The automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration of being incorporated in a faucet pillar 1 erected outdoors. In addition, although the structure is basically incorporated at the time of manufacturing the faucet column 1, it is also possible to retrofit the faucet column 1 in a state of being erected outdoors through a remodeling process.

First, the configuration of the faucet column 1 to be incorporated will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the faucet column 1 includes a hollow column portion 10. A water supply pipe 30 is provided inside the support column 10. Further, a water pipe 40 having a water outlet 44 is provided on the outside. Further, a cap 12 is fitted on the upper portion. Here, reference numeral 48 shown in FIG. 1 is a water supply port provided at the end of the water supply pipe 30, which is an area buried in the ground when installed outdoors, and is an underground water pipe (not shown). Is connected to. As a result, tap water is supplied to the water supply pipe 30. A heat insulating material (not shown) that covers the water supply pipe 30 is provided inside the support column 10, and an antifreeze heater (not shown) may be further provided.

As an example, the strut portion 10 is formed by using a metal material having weather resistance (stainless steel alloy, aluminum alloy, decorative steel plate using zinc alloy, etc.) or a resin material. Further, the water supply pipe 30 is formed by using a metal material or a resin material for piping. Further, the water pipe 40 is formed in a tubular shape using a metal material or a resin material whose outer surface is plated, and in the present embodiment, an internal pipe 42 for water passage (for example, an elastomer pipe) is formed inside the water pipe 40. Etc.), and wiring (not shown) to the non-contact sensor 17 (described later) is installed. One end of the internal pipe 42 communicates with the water outlet 44, and the other end communicates with the outlet 22 of the solenoid valve 20 (described later) to allow water to flow.

Subsequently, the configuration of the automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a solenoid valve 20 provided inside the support column 10 for opening and closing a flow path communicating the water supply pipe 30 and the water supply pipe 40 (that is, the internal pipe 42) is provided. There is. Further, a non-contact sensor 17 (for example, infrared rays described later, which will be described later) for detecting a body part held by the user (for example, a hand, an arm, an elbow, a foot, etc., including an object held by the user in a broad sense). (Sensor, etc.) and the control unit 14 (for example, a control board having a microcomputer or the like) that controls the drive (on / off) of the electromagnetic valve 20 by inputting the sensing signal of the non-contact sensor 17. It is equipped with. A battery 16 (as an example, DC3V) is used as a power source. However, a configuration in which a commercial power supply (AC100V) is used may be used (not shown).

According to this configuration, when the user is detected by the non-contact sensor 17, the solenoid valve 20 is driven to open the flow path that communicates the water supply pipe 30 and the water pipe 40 (that is, the internal pipe 42). , And water is discharged from the water outlet 44. In this way, it is possible to discharge water in a non-contact manner in the faucet column 1 erected outdoors. That is, since the hand can be washed without contact before entering the room, an extremely high effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of preventing viruses and the like from being brought into the room.

As an example, the solenoid valve 20 according to the present embodiment has a configuration for opening and closing a flow path through which water flows. Specifically, the inflow port 21 and the outflow port 22 are formed as openings on the outside, and a flow path (not shown) is provided inside so as to communicate the water from the inflow port 21 to the outflow port 22. ing. Further, a differential pressure transfer type diaphragm valve (not shown) that opens and closes the flow path and a valve box (not shown) in which one end is a moving space for the diaphragm valve are communicated with each other and the other end is arranged with a diaphragm valve. The exhaust pressure drain flow path (not shown) that communicates with the flow path at a position downstream from the position where it is installed and the movable iron core (not shown) of the solenoid unit 24 are connected to open and close the exhaust pressure drain flow path. A pilot valve (not shown) is provided. However, the configuration is not limited to this.

By the way, as a result of diligent research by the inventor of the present application, regarding the automatic faucet device 2, a problem unique to the configuration incorporated in the faucet pillar 1 erected outdoors has been clarified. I came up with a plan.

First, the faucet pillar 1 is erected outdoors with its lower end buried in the ground and the water supply port 48 connected to a water pipe in the ground. Therefore, in the unlikely event that a malfunction occurs in the solenoid valve 20, the solenoid valve 20 cannot be taken out unless the faucet pillar 1 is dug out from the ground and disassembled, which is an extremely large-scale work. On the other hand, the automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the solenoid valve 20 is detachably attached to a pedestal 18 connected to a water supply pipe 30. The pedestal 18 has a piping portion 18a at the center in the radial direction, and has a screw hole 18c in the flange portion 18b for screwing a screw 19 for fixing the solenoid valve 20. According to this configuration, the lower end portion of the pedestal 18 (that is, the lower end portion of the piping portion 18a) is provided at the upper end portion of the water supply pipe 30 and the pipe joint 32 (separate from the water supply pipe 30 but may be integrated). (Although it is bonded, it may be screwed with a screw portion), and the upper end portion of the pedestal 18 (that is, the upper end portion of the piping portion 18a) is connected to the inlet 21 of the solenoid valve 20. As a state (screw provided with a screw portion, but a fitting provided with a seal portion may be used), the solenoid valve 20 is detachably fixed to the pedestal 18 by screwing the screw 19 into the screw hole 18c. be able to. Therefore, when a problem occurs in the solenoid valve 20, the cap 12 of the support column 10 is opened, the screw 19 is loosened, and the internal pipe 42 is separated from the inflow port 21 without digging out and disassembling the faucet column 1. The solenoid valve 20 can be taken out only by disconnecting the wiring 23 from the control unit 14. As described above, since the internal pipe 42 is made of an elastomer pipe or the like, the connection / disconnection with the inflow port 21 can be easily performed because only the insertion / removal operation is required. In this way, the solenoid valve 20 can be replaced or repaired extremely easily. As a matter of course, maintenance work such as replacement of the battery 16 becomes easy.

As a modification, the pedestal 18 may be omitted, and the solenoid valve 20 may be detachably attached to the water supply pipe 30 directly or via a pipe joint (not shown). With this configuration, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Next, the faucet pillar 1 is generally erected outdoors and exposed to sunlight. Here, as the non-contact sensor 17 according to the present embodiment, an inexpensive and highly reliable infrared sensor is used. However, when the infrared sensor is used outdoors, the incident of sunlight on the sensing unit causes malfunction (immobility, malfunction, etc.). On the other hand, in the automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor 17 is provided outside the water pipe 40 in an arrangement in which sunlight does not directly enter the sensing unit 17a. Specifically, the sensing portion 17a is arranged at the lower end portion on the outer peripheral surface of the water pipe 40. According to this configuration, since it is possible to realize a configuration in which sunlight does not directly enter the sensing unit 17a, it is possible to use an inexpensive and highly reliable infrared sensor for the non-contact sensor 17, and it also malfunctions (immobility) even outdoors. , Malfunction, etc.) can be prevented. As a modification, the sensing unit 17a may be provided in the support column 10 in an arrangement in which sunlight is not directly incident (not shown).

In addition, as a configuration unique to the faucet pillar 1 erected outdoors, the following modified examples can be considered. The faucet pillar 1 is primarily used outdoors for gardening, watering, car washing, and the like. Therefore, a configuration in which water is discharged only when the user is detected by the non-contact sensor 17 is not suitable for this application. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, as the automatic faucet device 2 according to the modified example, the water flow is always turned on and off on the outside (for example, the upper surface) of the cap 12 fitted to the upper end of the support column 10. A switch 50 for performing the operation may be provided and connected to the control unit 14. Specifically, as the switch 50, a contact-type switch that is turned on and off by the user's touch is preferably used instead of a non-contact type switch using an infrared sensor that may cause the above-mentioned problems. The signal from the switch 50 (“on” signal, “off” signal) is transmitted to the control unit 14 to drive the solenoid valve 20. According to this configuration, apart from the user's detection by the non-contact sensor 17, the user can arbitrarily perform water discharge at all times, so that gardening, watering, car washing and the like can be efficiently performed.

As another problem, since the faucet pillar 1 is erected outdoors, the water supply pipe 30 and the like may explode due to freezing during the winter, especially in cold regions. On the other hand, as the automatic faucet device 2 according to the modified example, a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the outside air or the temperature inside the support column 10 is provided, and the detection temperature in the control unit 14 is determined to prevent freezing. When the temperature becomes equal to or less than a value (for example, 0 ° C. or 1 ° C. for safety), the driving of the solenoid valve 20 may be controlled so that water flows out at a predetermined interval for a predetermined time. According to this configuration, for example, when the detected temperature becomes a predetermined value (for example, 0 ° C. or 1 ° C., etc.) or less, a predetermined water flow operation can be performed, so that the pipe burst due to freezing is prevented. It becomes possible.

Further, as a modification of the faucet column 1 provided with the automatic faucet device 2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a predetermined position of the column portion 10 (for example, a distance of about 20 to 30 cm downward from the water outlet 44). The water receiving sink 3 may be attached to the position where the water receiving sink 3 is installed. Conventional faucet columns are generally configured to have a drainage port (water receiving port) on the ground, so it is not impossible to wash by hand, but water splashes and it is never easy to wash by hand. It wasn't a composition. On the other hand, by providing a water receiving sink 3 at a predetermined position of the support column 10 (for example, a position separated from the water outlet 44 by about 20 to 30 cm), water splashing is suppressed and hand washing is comfortable. It can be performed. Therefore, it can be expected to have an effect that leads to the habit of washing hands. As a modification, a configuration in which the detergent receiver is provided integrally or separately in the inner region or the outer region of the water receiving sink 3 or a configuration in which the water receiving sink is omitted and only the detergent receiver is provided can be considered (both are not possible). Illustrated).

As described above, according to the disclosed automatic faucet device, in the outdoor faucet pillar in which the automatic faucet device is incorporated, water is discharged in a non-contact manner by sensing the body part and the like held by the user with a non-contact sensor. Can be done. Therefore, since the hand can be washed without contact before entering the room, an extremely high effect can be obtained from the viewpoint of preventing viruses and the like from being brought into the room. Furthermore, it can be expected to have an effect that leads to the habit of washing hands.

In addition, since it is basically configured to be incorporated into an outdoor faucet pillar, which is widely used as a water supply facility that is relatively easy to install, the increase in installation cost is suppressed and there are no major restrictions on the design and construction of the house. It is also possible to install it on the existing faucet pillar by retrofitting.

Further, in the state where the faucet pillar is installed outdoors, operations such as maintenance, repair, and parts replacement can be performed extremely easily.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be variously modified without departing from the present invention.

1 Faucet pillar 2 Automatic faucet device 3 Water receiving sink 10 Strut 12 Cap 14 Control unit 17 Non-contact sensor 18 Pedestal 19 Screw 20 Solenoid valve 21 Inflow port 22 Outlet 30 Water supply pipe 40 Water supply pipe 42 Internal piping 44 Outlet

Claims (6)

It is an automatic faucet device that is built into a faucet column that is installed outdoors with a water supply pipe provided inside the hollow column and a water pipe with a water outlet outside.
A solenoid valve provided inside the support column to open and close the flow path that communicates the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe.
A non-contact sensor that detects the body part held by the user,
An automatic faucet device comprising: a control unit for controlling the drive of the solenoid valve by inputting a sensing signal of the non-contact sensor. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve is detachably attached to a pedestal connected to the water supply pipe or the water supply pipe. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-contact sensor is provided outside the support column or the water pipe in an arrangement in which sunlight does not directly enter the sensing portion. .. It also has a switch that constantly turns on and off the water.
The automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the switch is provided on the outside of a cap fitted to the upper end of the support column portion and is connected to the control unit. Device. Further equipped with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the outside air or the inside of the support column,
The control unit is characterized in that, when the temperature becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value for preventing freezing, the control unit controls the drive of the solenoid valve so that water flows out at a predetermined interval for a predetermined time. The automatic faucet device according to any one of the above. A faucet pillar provided with the automatic faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A faucet column characterized in that at least one of a water receiving sink and a detergent receiver is attached to a predetermined position of the column portion.

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