JP2554465Y2 - Faucet device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and more particularly to a water faucet device in which switching of water discharge / stop water and adjustment of water discharge amount are performed by a switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, water discharge /
Water faucet devices for controlling water stoppage and water discharge are widely used. A conventional faucet device mechanically or electrically adjusts a valve opening degree by a foot switch.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional faucet device, it is necessary to keep stepping on the foot switch with the same strength in order to keep the same amount of water discharged, and it is difficult to use the device for a short time (for example, drinking water). However, there is a problem that it cannot be applied to long-time continuous spouting (for example, kitchen faucet) even if it can be provided.

[0004]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The faucet device of the present invention comprises a faucet body having a water outlet, a flow control valve provided in a flow path for supplying water to the water outlet, a drive device for driving the flow control valve, In a water faucet device having a control device for controlling the device, the control device outputs a signal corresponding to a stepping pressure, and a level of a signal from the foot switch is a predetermined value with a fluctuation value within a predetermined range. Means for storing a signal of the level when the time has elapsed, and control signal output means for controlling the driving device based on a signal from the storage means, and the control means has a predetermined strength or more. On-off control signal output means for switching between water discharge and water stop when a signal is input from a foot switch is provided.

[0006] The water faucet device of the present invention, it is preferable before Symbol switch is a foot switch.

[0007]

[Action]

In the water faucet device of the present invention, when the switch is pressed strongly once, the water discharge and the water stop are switched. That is, if the water is stopped, the water discharge is started, and if the water is stopped, the water is stopped.

If the switch is pressed with substantially the same strength for a predetermined time or more, the amount of water discharge according to the stepping strength is stored. Then, even if the body is released from the switch, the water discharge is continued at the flow rate.

[0010]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a kitchen sink provided with a water faucet device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the water faucet device, and FIG. 3 explains the operation of the water faucet device. It is a control flowchart.

In FIG. 1, a sink 12 is installed in a cabinet 10, and a faucet main body 14 is installed in a back side thereof. A mixing valve 16 and a flow control device 18 are installed in the cabinet 10.
0 and the hot water supply pipe 22 are connected. 24 is a pipe connecting the flow control device 18 and the faucet main body 14. Also 2
Reference numeral 6 denotes a temperature control handle provided on the faucet main body 14. A signal from the temperature control handle 26 is input to the mixing valve 16, and the temperature of the mixed water supplied to the faucet main body 14 is controlled to a desired value. It is possible to set the temperature.

A foot switch 28 is provided on the floor in front of the cabinet 10.
And the flow control device 18 are connected by a lead wire 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, this flow control device 18
Will be described. A flow control valve 32 is installed in the pipe 24, and the opening degree of the valve is adjusted by a step motor 34 so that switching of water discharge and stoppage of water and adjustment of the flow rate flowing through the pipe 24 are possible.

The signal from the foot switch 28 is input to a microcomputer 38 via an A / D converter 36. The microcomputer 38 has a well-known configuration, and includes a ROM, a RAM, a CPU, an input / output device, a data bus, and the like. This microcomputer 3
8 outputs a control signal to a motor drive circuit 40, and the motor drive circuit 40 supplies operating power to the step motor 34.

The foot switch 28 has a pressure-sensitive element for outputting a signal of a voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the depression (pressure).

In the flow rate adjusting device thus constructed, when the foot switch 28 is depressed once, a high-level signal is output. Accordingly, the flow control valve 32
Is opened or closed. That is, the valve is closed if the valve is in the open state, and is opened if the valve is in the closed state.

When the foot switch 28 is depressed at an intermediate stepping pressure for a predetermined time or more, the microcomputer 38 stores the amount of water discharged in accordance with the pressure, and controls the stepping motor 34 so that the amount of water discharged becomes the same. By actuating, the flow control valve 32 is set to a valve opening that matches the flow rate. Accordingly, when the foot switch 28 is depressed for a predetermined time with a certain strength, the water discharge from the faucet main body 14 is continued at a desired flow rate even after the foot is released from the foot switch 28.

Next, a program for executing this series of operations will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 3, in the initial state, the flow control valve 32 is set in a water stop (fully closed) state. When the foot switch 28 is depressed once, the process proceeds from step 1 to step 2, and the opening of the valve 32 is set to an intermediate amount.
That is, water discharge is started at this intermediate amount. Then, the process proceeds to a step 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the depression pressure of the foot switch 28 is substantially constant. If the stepping pressure is substantially constant, the process proceeds from step 3 to step 4 to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed.

If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the flow returns from step 4 to step 3 to determine whether or not the depression pressure of the foot switch 28 has fluctuated. If there has been no fluctuation, the flow returns to step 4 again. Return. Then, when the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds from step 4 to step 5, in which the stepping pressure during this period is stored, and the opening of the valve 32 is adjusted so that the amount of water discharged in accordance with that level is obtained.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 6, where it is determined whether or not a strong depression has occurred. If the strong depression is not performed, the process proceeds from step 6 to step 7, where it is determined whether the signal level is 0, that is, whether the foot switch 28 is depressed. If the foot switch 28 is not depressed, the signal level is 0, and the process returns to step 6 to continue water discharge with the water discharge amount set in step 5 described above.

In step 7, if the signal level is not 0, that is, if the foot switch 28 is depressed, the process returns from step 7 to step 3, and the foot switch 28 is depressed with a substantially constant pressure for a predetermined time or more. If so, the opening of the valve 32 is adjusted so that the amount of water discharged is adjusted accordingly.

If it is determined in step 6 that there is a strong depression, the process proceeds to step 8 where the valve 32 is fully closed to stop water. Then, the process returns to step 1.

The above flowchart is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the faucet apparatus is applied to a kitchen sink, but may be applied to other places, for example, a washing sink.

In the present invention, a switch such as a knee switch pressed by a knee or the like may be provided on a cabinet, a wall, or the like, instead of a foot switch stepped on by a foot.

[0027]

[0028]

As described above, according to the water faucet device of the present invention, the control of water discharge and water stoppage and the flow rate adjustment can be performed by the switch. Further, by continuing the pressing force of the switch for a predetermined time, even if the foot is released from the switch thereafter, the water can be continuously discharged at a water discharging amount corresponding to the pressing force up to that time. Therefore, water can be discharged at a stable constant flow rate. Further, it is not necessary to continuously step on or press the switch during the water discharge period, so that the feet are not tired.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a kitchen sink provided with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the embodiment device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cabinet 12 Sink 14 Faucet main body 16 Mixing valve 18 Flow control device 26 Temperature control handle 28 Foot switch 32 Flow control valve 38 Microcomputer

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A faucet body having a water outlet, a flow control valve provided in a flow path for supplying water to the water outlet, a driving device for driving the flow control valve, and a control device for controlling the driving device In the faucet device having a switch, the control device outputs a signal corresponding to the pressing force, and when the level of the signal from the switch elapses a predetermined time with a fluctuation value within a predetermined range, a signal of the level is output. Means for storing, and control signal output means for controlling the drive device based on a signal from the storage means, and the control means receives a signal having a predetermined strength or more from the switch. A faucet device comprising an on / off control signal output means for switching between water discharge and water stoppage. 2. The faucet device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is a foot switch.