JP3189957B2 - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the supply of water to a kitchen sink,
The present invention relates to an automatic faucet used as a hot water supply facility.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various automatic faucets for kitchens have conventionally been used. This automatic faucet incorporates a sensor and a solenoid valve, for example, a system in which the sensor senses a human hand and continuously discharges water while performing washing work, and automatically stops water when the hand no longer senses. It is what it was.

[0003]

The automatic faucet is much easier to use than the manual faucet, such as a general hot and cold water faucet, because it does not require handling the operating handle.

However, in the case of automation, whether or not it can be effectively used in the whole of the washing work is often determined to some extent by use conditions and work patterns of users. For example, if the sensor discharges water while the sensor is sensing the hands or the dishes being washed, etc. Water stops when transferring to. For this reason, in general, it is more convenient to perform the washing operation while running down water, but on the other hand, the result is that the operation is automated, which is inconvenient.

[0005] In addition to the above problems, automatic faucets tend to have a subordinate relationship with the faucet being used by the faucet, which does not match the intention of the person, and impairs the meaning of automation. There is fear.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to further improve the usability as an automatic faucet by utilizing a combination of automatic and manual operations.

[0007]

The present invention achieves the above object.
To formed, and a control unit for controlling the water discharge state, the on-off valve that is driven by the control unit, a continuous water discharge switch for opening to continue the on-off valve, incorporated in the downstream of the water discharge head of the on-off valve a sensor for inputting a signal to the control unit senses a human hand or the like, an automatic mode is to operate the on-off valve on the basis of a signal from the sensor, the automatic mode
An automatic mode switch having an automatic mode switch for canceling a mode, wherein the automatic mode switch is
When it is in the state, the continuous water discharge switch it ON
Then, priority is given to continuous water discharge by this continuous water discharge switch, and
The automatic mode switch of the automatic mode switch is canceled .

Further, the control section may perform control for automatically stopping water after a certain period of time has elapsed after the start of continuous water discharge.

[0009]

[Action] If the automatic mode switch is set to the automatic mode, the solenoid valve is opened and water is discharged while the sensor is detecting a human hand, etc., and when the sensor is no longer detected, the electromagnetic valve is closed and water is stopped. Water discharge and water stoppage are carried out. If a continuous water discharge switch is used instead of the automatic mode, water is continuously discharged while the switch is on, and water is stopped when the switch is turned off. If the continuous mode switch is turned on when the automatic mode switch is on, the automatic mode is canceled and the mode is switched to continuous mode.

As described above, by simply turning on the continuous water discharge switch, it is possible to shift from automatic water discharge using a sensor to continuous water discharge, and only one switch must be handled by hand.

[0011]

1 is a perspective view of an automatic faucet of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view, and FIG. 3 is a side view.

In the drawing, an automatic water faucet includes a water discharge pipe 2 connected to a main body 1 and a water discharge head 3 provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe 2.
Is provided as a shell member.

FIG. 4 is a front vertical sectional view, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line A of FIG.

A water supply pipe 4 and a hot water supply pipe 5 are inserted into a sleeve 1a provided at a lower end of the main body 1, and upper ends of these pipes 4 and 5 are connected to a water supply chamber 1c and a hot water supply chamber 1b provided inside the main body 1. I have. A temperature adjustment handle 6 is provided at the right end of the main body 1, whereby a temperature control valve 7 for setting and automatically adjusting the water supply temperature is incorporated in the main body 1.

The temperature control valve 7 includes a water supply room 1c and a hot water supply room 1b.
And a temperature sensing element 7c that shifts the control valve element 7b in response to the temperature of hot water passing therethrough, while incorporating a control valve element 7b movably in the axial direction in a chamber 7a communicating with the chamber 7a. The temperature sensing element 7c has a wax pellet sealed therein, and a pin 7c-
One is sticking out. The control valve element 7b is
The water valve seat 7d and the hot water valve seat 7e in a are opened and closed on one axis to set the respective valve opening degrees and set the ratio of hot water to hot water to perform temperature adjustment. Then, when mixed water flows into the mixing chamber 8 formed from the front side to the left side of the main body 1 in communication with the chamber 7a, the pins 7c-1 of the temperature sensing element 7c appear and disappear due to expansion and contraction of the wax pellet, and the set temperature is reached. Automatically adjust so that it does not fluctuate from

A supply chamber 9 for the water discharge head 3 is formed between the mixing chamber 8 and the water discharge pipe 2, and a solenoid valve 10 for opening and closing a flow path from the mixing chamber 8 to the supply chamber 9 is incorporated in the main body 1. It is. The solenoid valve 10 has a diaphragm 10 a as a valve body, and opens and closes the on-off valve seat 8 a formed on the mixing chamber 8 side by the diaphragm 10. The solenoid valve 10 operates using a cartridge-type dry battery 10 b that can be freely inserted and removed from the left side of the main body 1, and controls various water discharge patterns from the water discharge head 3 by a control unit 11 built in the main body 1. Instead of using the dry battery 10b as a power source, the cord 10c may be used by connecting it to a general household power source as shown by a dashed line in FIG.

On the back of the main body 1, there is provided a manual handle 1 for manual use in the event of failure of the solenoid valve 10, running out of battery or power failure.
2 are provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the manual handle 12 has a spindle 12a rotatably inserted from the back of the main body 1 into the mixing chamber 8 on the back side, and a valve body 12b at the tip of the spindle 12a being a partition wall between the mixing chamber 8 and the supply chamber 9. Communication hole 8b
It can be opened and closed. The communication hole 8b is located downstream of the on-off valve seat 8a, and in the state shown in the figure, the communication hole 8b is closed by the valve body 12b, so that the water or hot water in the mixing chamber 8 passes through the diaphragm 10a of the solenoid valve 10. If you open it,
It flows to the supply chamber 9 and is supplied to the water discharge head 3. If the solenoid valve 10 cannot be operated, the manual handle 12 is rotated to move the spindle 1 to the left in FIG.
When the valve 2a is moved, the valve body 12b comes off the communication hole 8b, and the mixing chamber 8 and the supply chamber 9 are directly connected. Therefore, even if the solenoid valve 10 does not operate due to battery exhaustion or the like, the water or hot water can be discharged from the water discharge head 3 by using the manual handle 12. In addition, a drain hole 1d for draining water is formed in the lower part of the back of the main body 1.

The water discharge pipe 2 is provided at the upper end of the main body 1 so as to be freely rotatable and communicates with a supply chamber 9, and a wiring chamber 2 b for wiring a cord of an electric component incorporated in the water discharge head 3 to the control unit 11. Are integrated.
The base end of the water discharge pipe 2 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the main body 1 around the axis, and a groove 2c is engraved on the entire circumference of the installed part. A retaining pin 2d that can be rotated from the outside is engaged with the groove 2c, thereby preventing the water discharge pipe 2 from coming off. A projection 2 e is provided at the lower end of the water discharge pipe 2, and the projection 2 e can be engaged with the stopper 1 formed on the main body 1, and regulates the rotation angle of the water discharge pipe 2. The wiring chamber 2b is formed by a cover 2f made of a separate synthetic resin, and the cover 2f is fixed to the water discharge pipe 2 side by means of a screw 2h using an uneven fitting portion 2g. By providing such an uneven fitting portion 2g,
The cover 2f can be easily attached to the water discharge pipe 2 side.

The water discharge head 3 provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe 2
It is equipped with a sensor for automatic water discharge and water stoppage, and incorporates a water discharge adjustment mechanism for adjusting flow rate and switching between foam and shower. The details thereof are shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. 6 is a front longitudinal sectional view of the water discharge head 3, FIGS. 7 and 8 are a transverse sectional view taken along the line BB and an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 6, respectively. 5 corresponds to a vertical section taken along line DD.

Inside the water discharge head 3, the flow path 2 of the water discharge pipe 2 is provided.
The block 13 whose base end is connected to a is connected, and a flow rate adjusting handle 14 and a water discharge switching handle 15 are provided on the right and left sides, respectively, when viewed from the front. Block 13
A flow control chamber 13a is provided on the right side and a water discharge switching chamber 13b is provided on the left side.
6 and the water discharge switching valve element 17 are incorporated. A supply port 13c facing the flow path from the water discharge pipe 2 is opened in the peripheral wall of the flow rate adjustment chamber 13a, and the flow rate is adjusted to the water discharge switching chamber 13b via a total of five outlets 13d as shown in FIG. Water or hot water is supplied. Block 13
At the lower end of the sprinkler plate 18 is fixed a foam cap 19 at the center of the sprinkler plate 18 and a number of sprinkler holes 18
a water discharge switching chamber 13 so that it can be used by switching to spray water discharge from a and foam water discharge from the foam cap 19.
Connect the flow path from b.

The base end of the block 13 is connected to the distal end of the water discharge pipe 2 so as to be rotatable around an axis, and the block 13 is formed with a slot 13f in the circumferential direction. The screw 13g is passed through the long hole 13f, and the screw 13g is fixed to the peripheral wall of the water discharge pipe 2. With this structure, the screw 13
By using g as a guide, the block 13 can be rotated around its axis by the length of the opening of the long hole 13f.
When 3f is formed to have a central angle of 90 degrees,
As shown in FIG. 2, the water discharge head 3 can be set to a right-up and a left-up position within a range of 45 degrees. For this reason, the discharge direction of water from the water sprinkling hole 18a and the foam cap 19 can be changed, and besides washing by placing a dish or a pot directly below the water discharge head 3, it is possible to avoid washing next to the side and to perform washing work. It can be used without any problem even if it gets bigger.

The foam cap 19 is used for a normal faucet, and incorporates a pressure reducing plate 19a having a large number of small holes in an internal flow passage, so that the inside of the flow passage when the flow passes through these small holes can be used. The air is sucked from the outside by utilizing the reduced pressure in the flow path, thereby foaming the flow.

The flow control valve body 16 integrated with the flow control handle 14 has a cylindrical shape with one end opened, and rotates in close contact with the inner peripheral wall of the flow control chamber 13a. The supply port 1 opened on the peripheral wall of the flow rate control chamber 13a is provided on the peripheral wall.
An inlet 16a communicating with 3c is provided. This inlet 16
a is a supply port 13c depending on the rotation angle of the flow regulating valve body 16.
The flow rate from the water discharge pipe 2 is set by forming an opening shape that can change the area of the flow path from the outlet, for example, a triangular shape in the circumferential direction.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 6, and shows two leaf springs 20 integrated on the block 13 side.
Is bent to form an engaging portion 20a.
A notch 16c into which the hole 0a fits is formed in a cylindrical rib 16b inside the flow rate adjustment handle 16. Notch 16c
Are provided in total, and when the flow adjustment handle 16 is rotated to fit the engagement portion 20a into the notch 16c, the rotation angle of the flow adjustment handle 16 can be set to three stages and stopped. For this reason, the water discharge amount can be switched between large, medium, and small, and the rib 16b by the elastic force of the leaf spring 20 can be used without fitting the engaging portion 20a into the notch 16c.
Since the flow adjustment handle 16 can be stopped by the restraining reaction force, any angle can be set.

Further, in FIG. 8, the block 13 opens an opening 13e communicating with the foam cap 19 side, and the water discharge switching valve element 17 comes into contact with and separates around the opening 13e to open and close the flow path to the foam cap 19 side. . Further, a valve seat block 21 is incorporated in the water discharge switching chamber 13b, and a flow path is communicated from an opening 21e opened to the water spray hole 18a. Then, the water discharge switching valve element 17 contacts and separates around the opening 21a as a valve seat, and opens and closes a flow path to the water spray hole 18a side. In the state of FIG. 6, the water discharge switching valve 17 is
3 is closed, the opening 21a of the valve seat block 21 communicating with the sprinkling hole 18a side is opened, and water is discharged only from the sprinkling plate 18. When the water discharge switching valve 15 is turned to the left by turning the water discharge switching handle 15, the opening 13e is opened.
Gradually starts to open, and water is simultaneously discharged from the foam cap 19 and the water sprinkling hole 18a. Further, when the water discharge switching valve body 17 is moved to be seated around the opening 21a of the valve seat block 21, the water discharge from the water spray hole 18a is completely stopped, and the water discharge only from the foam cap 19 is performed.

Further, the water discharge head 3 incorporates a photoelectric sensor 22 for detecting a human hand and a continuous water discharge switch 23 for continuous water discharge. On the other hand, the main body 1 is provided with an automatic mode switch 24 capable of opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 10 in response to a signal from the sensor 22 to discharge and stop water, and a foot switch 25 having the same function as the continuous water discharge switch 23 as shown in FIG. (Not shown).

The sensor 22 is of a photoelectric type, and is incorporated in a position facing the outside from the lower surface of the tip of the water discharge head 3 as shown in FIG. 8, detects the presence of a human hand, a plate, etc., and outputs the detection signal. Input to the control unit 11. The continuous water discharge switch 23 is a tact switch type built into the upper surface of the water discharge head 3, and when pressed once, energizes the electromagnetic valve 10 to start water discharge,
If it is pressed again, the operation of closing the solenoid valve 10 and stopping water is performed. In addition, the foot switch 25 can perform the water discharge and the water stop operation by the same handling as the continuous water discharge switch 23. In addition, the automatic mode switch 24 is
Is set on the left side of the switch, and when the switch is pressed once by setting the tact switch type, the control unit 11 is set to the automatic mode, and
Pressing the button once cancels the automatic mode.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the electromagnetic valve 10 for automatic water discharge whose operation is controlled by the control unit 11. This solenoid valve 10 is miniaturized so that it can be incorporated into a limited space in the main body 1 without any trouble, and is fixed inside the main body 1 by a holder 10d as shown in FIG. This holder 10d has a cylindrical first yoke 10
e is fixed, and the open end of the first yoke 10e is
The yoke 10f is integrated. The coil 10g is housed inside, and the plunger 10h is movable in the axial direction. The plunger 10h moves to the right in the figure when the coil 10g is energized, and its tip abuts against the diaphragm 10a to open the flow path from the mixing chamber 8 to the supply chamber 9. Also, plunger 10
h is supported by a guide rod 10i, and the base end of the guide lot 10i is supported by a pole core 10j integrated with the second yoke 10f. Pole core 1
Oj is integrated with the second yoke 10f by a caulking method, so that it is possible to suppress the whole bulk and to reduce the size without the need for screws or other fixing means.

FIG. 11A is a cutaway view of the plunger 10h, and FIG. 11B is a view of the shape of the outer peripheral surface as viewed in the axial direction. As shown in the figure, corrugated ridges 10h-1 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plunger 10h in the axial direction, and only the distal ends of these ridges 10h-1 are connected to the guide sleeve 10k.
So that it comes into contact with the inner circumference. For this reason, when the plunger 10h moves in the guide sleeve 10k, the ridge 10h-1 comes into line contact, and the sliding resistance can be suppressed to a small value. Therefore, a small driving force is required when the plunger 10h starts moving, so that it is not necessary to increase the number of turns of the coil, and the bulk of the overall capacity is further reduced.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, on the left side of the automatic mode switch 24, there is provided a display panel 26 for displaying whether or not the automatic mode is set and for displaying that the battery has run out.
The display panel 26 uses a liquid crystal, and FIG. 12 shows a display pattern thereof. FIG. 7A shows a case where the power (dry battery) is not turned on, and nothing is displayed on the display panel 26. FIG. 14B shows a case where the power is turned on, and a display 26a is displayed. The same display 26a is used when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is turned on to continuously discharge water. FIG. 4C shows the case of the automatic mode, and the display panel 26 displays a display 26 b of the symbol projected by the sensor 22. This display 26b draws three lines vertically and repeats blinking in order from the top, thereby indicating the light emitting state of the sensor 22. (D) in the same figure is also in the case of the automatic mode, and a display 26c of a symbol representing a state in which a hand or a plate or the like is sensed by the sensor 22 and water is discharged is displayed. Display 26c in this case
Indicates that all three lines are lit. Further, (e) of the figure shows a case in which a notice of battery depletion is displayed, and a display 26d indicating that the battery will be depleted soon.
Is displayed.

The water discharge head 3 adjusts the flow rate as described above,
It is equipped with a water discharge switch, a human hand sensing function, a continuous water discharge operation unit, and the like.
3 to 15 may be used.

In these figures, a valve 30 for adjusting the flow rate is incorporated at the back of the water discharge head 3, and a spindle 30 a protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the flow adjustment handle 31. The valve body 30 is urged by a spring 33 toward a valve seat 32 provided between the water discharge head 3 and the water discharge pipe 2. A water discharge switching handle 34 is mounted coaxially with the flow rate adjustment handle 31.
The spindles 31a and 34a are connected to the spindles 1 and 34, respectively. Spindle 34a of water discharge switching handle 34
Is assembled in such a manner that the spindle 31a of the flow rate adjusting handle 31 is inserted into the sleeve, and these spindles 31a and 34a are rotatable independently of each other. A cam 31b having a peripheral surface is fixed to the spindle 31a of the flow rate adjustment handle 31 so as to face the tip of the spindle 30a of the valve body 30. A cam follower 30b that rotates by hitting the peripheral surface of the cam 31b is attached to the tip of the spindle 30a of the valve body 30. Further, first and second valve bodies 35a and 35b for water discharge switching are rotatably mounted around the spindle 31a with the cam 31b interposed therebetween, and the end face of the second valve body 35b is restrained by the spindle 34a of the water discharge switching handle 34. Have been.

The first and second valve bodies 35a and 35b are connected to the valve seat 3
Two flow paths are formed in the flow path communicating with the two sides and are formed from this flow path to the sprinkling plate 36 at the discharge end. One of them is a foam channel 37a whose channel is opened and closed by the first valve body 35a, and the other is a spray channel 37b which is opened and closed by the second valve body 35b. A foam cap 36a communicating with the foam channel 37a is incorporated in the center of the watering plate 36, and a number of small holes 36b communicating with the shower channel 37b having a separate channel are formed around the foam cap 36a. .

Here, in the state of FIG. 15, the first and second valve bodies 35a, 35b are separated from the respective valve seats 35c, 35d. For this reason, the water from the valve seat 30 side flows to both the foam flow path and the shower flow path 37a, 37b, and the foam water and the spray water are discharged from the foam cap 36a and the small hole 36b of the water spray plate 36. When the water discharge switching handle 34 is rotated to move the spindle 34a upward in FIG. 15, the first valve body 35a is seated on the valve seat 35c to close the foam flow path 37a, and the second valve body 35b is Seat 3
Open 5d fully. For this reason, water from the valve seat 32 side communicates only with the spray channel 37b, and the small holes 3
Water is sprayed from 6b. When the spindle 31a is moved in the reverse direction, the first valve body 35a is fully opened, and the second valve body 35b closes the spray channel 37b, and the foam cap 3a is closed.
Foam water is discharged from 6a.

When the cam 31b is turned counterclockwise in FIG.
Since 1b is eccentric, the peripheral surface gradually pushes the cam follower 30b, and pushes the spindle 30a to the left in proportion to the rotation amount of the flow rate adjustment handle 31. For this reason, the valve element 30 moves in the direction in which the valve opening increases, and the flow rate can be gradually increased.
The flow rate value of the water to be discharged by one rotation operation can be set arbitrarily.

Since the spindle 31a of the flow rate adjusting handle 31 is rotatably incorporated in the spindle 34a of the water discharge switching handle 34, the switching of water discharge and the flow rate adjustment can be performed independently, and they interfere with each other. Will not fit.

In the automatic faucet of the present invention, different water discharge conditions can be set by turning on or off the automatic mode switch 24, and this will be described with reference to the time charts of FIGS.

As described above, when the automatic mode switch 24 is pressed once, the control unit 11 is set to the automatic mode and is set to the automatic water discharge by the sensor 22, and when pressed again, the automatic mode is canceled. FIG. 16A is a time chart when the water is discharged using the continuous water discharge switch 23 when the cancel, that is, the automatic mode switch 24 is off. When the automatic mode switch 24 is off, there is no light emission from the sensor 22, and therefore no water is discharged even if the hand or the dish is placed under the water discharge head 3. Then, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed, the solenoid valve 10 normally operates to open the diaphragm 10a, and the mixed water is supplied to the water discharge head 3 and discharged. Then, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed again, the electromagnetic valve 10 normally operates to the closing side to stop water. As described above, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is used, the user can discharge water only for a required time, and even when washing dishes and the like and transferring them to a drainage shelf or the like, the water discharge is continued in a draining manner, and general water discharge is performed. It is the same convenience as a faucet.

When the foot switch 25 is used, the usability of the continuous water discharge switch 23 is completely the same. The water is discharged when the front of the foot switch 25 is kicked once, and automatically stopped when the foot switch 25 is kicked again. Then, the continuous water discharge switch 23 and the foot switch 25 can be used in combination. FIG. 16 (b) is a time chart for this combined use. First, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed, water is discharged as described above, and thereafter, when the foot switch 25 is kicked, the solenoid valve 10 is closed and water is stopped. After this, foot switch 2
Water is ejected by kicking 5, and the water is stopped by pressing the continuous water discharge switch 23. In this way, the operation of discharging water by the continuous water discharge switch 23 and stopping the water by the foot switch 25 or the reverse operation can be performed. In addition, in order to prevent forgetting to stop after the start of water discharge, the control unit 11 is configured to automatically stop water after a certain time (for example, 10 minutes) elapses.

FIG. 17 is a time chart for the case where the automatic mode switch 24 is depressed once and the sensor 22 is used to automatically discharge and stop water. When the automatic mode switch 24 is turned on, the display panel 26 performs the display of FIG. In this state, if a hand, a dish, or the like is held under the water discharge head 3, this is detected, and the detection signal is input to the control unit 11. With this input, the solenoid valve 10 is latched to the open side to open, and water is discharged from the water discharge head 3. At this time, the display panel 6 is
2 (d) is displayed. This water discharge is continued while the sensing signal is being input, that is, while the hand or the plate is under the water discharging head 3, and the hand or the plate disappears and the input of the detection signal is stopped for a certain period of time (for example, 0. After the elapse of 3 seconds), the solenoid valve 10 is normally operated to the closing side to stop water. Therefore, the water is continuously discharged even after the hand or plate of the person is displaced from the sensing area of the sensor 22. In such a case, the water discharge is continued, so that the interruption does not cause a decrease in work efficiency.

In the water discharge in the automatic mode, control is performed such that after a certain time (for example, one minute) elapses from the start of water discharge, the electromagnetic valve 10 is closed even if the sensor 22 inputs a sensing signal to the control unit 11. I do. Thus, even if a dish or the like is left alone and the sensor 22 senses this and continues spouting water, it is possible to eliminate water waste by stopping water for a fixed time. When the automatic mode switch 24 is turned on and water is discharged and stopped in the automatic mode several times, the normal operation of the solenoid valve 10 is continued even after a certain period of time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed since the last normal operation of the solenoid valve 10. If there is no operation, the automatic mode is canceled. That is, light emission and light reception from the sensor 22 are each stopped. Therefore, for example, when tableware or the like is placed under the water discharge head 3 at night or the like, the sensor 22 does not sense this and discharge water, and wasteful consumption of water can be prevented. In addition, since there is no unnecessary light projection by the sensor 22, power consumption can be suppressed.

FIG. 18 is a time chart in the case of a combination of continuous water discharge using the continuous water discharge switch 23 or the foot switch 25 from the automatic mode.

In the initial state, the automatic mode switch 24 is turned on to set the automatic mode. When the hand is held under the water discharge head 3, the sensor 22 detects this and normally operates to open the electromagnetic valve 10 to discharge water. are doing. If the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed or the front surface of the foot switch 25 is kicked during the water discharge, the automatic mode is canceled, the automatic mode switch 24 is turned off, and the signal sensed by the sensor 22 is stopped, and the continuous water discharge is performed. Therefore, even if the hand is moved from under the water discharging head 3, the water discharging is continued as it is. When the continuous water discharging switch 23 is pressed again or the front surface of the foot switch 25 is kicked again, the solenoid valve 10 is closed. Stop the water. After that, it is optional to set the automatic mode or continue the continuous water discharge.

Similarly, when the automatic mode is set and the water is not discharged, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed, the automatic mode switch 24 is turned off and continuous water discharge is performed.

As described above, when the continuous water discharge switch 23 is pressed while the automatic mode is set, the continuous water discharge is given priority. Therefore, it is possible to determine which of the automatic water discharge and the continuous water discharge is suitable for the work, and to set the water discharge conditions that are convenient for the person who uses the water immediately, thereby obtaining better usability according to the work purpose.

FIG. 19 is a time chart showing another example of the water discharge pattern. This is because the automatic mode switch 24 uses the sensor 22 to automatically discharge water.
After a lapse of a predetermined time after the detection by the sensor 2 is stopped, the operation is switched from automatic water discharge to manual water discharge by the continuous water discharge switch 23, and at the same time, the light emission from the sensor 22 is stopped.

FIG. 19A shows the case of the simplest pattern. When the automatic mode switch 24 is turned on, the automatic water discharge mode is set in the same manner as the time chart. If the solenoid valve 10 does not operate even after a certain period of time has elapsed after the turning on, the automatic mode switch 2
Even if 4 is not turned off, the mode returns to the manual water discharge mode. That is, after the mode is set to the automatic water discharge, if the time during which the sensor 22 does not detect a human hand or a plate or the like and the signal is not input to the control unit 11 is longer than a certain fixed time, the mode is switched to the manual mode. At the same time, the light emission from the sensor 22 is stopped. With such an operation, even when the automatic mode switch 24 is only pressed at the beginning of use, and thereafter the spouting is not required for other tasks, the operation is switched to the manual spouting and the sensor 22 is switched to the manual spouting. Power is saved because there is no light emission.

FIG. 19B shows a state in which the sensor 22 detects a hand, a plate, or the like and opens the solenoid valve 10 within a certain period of time (for example, 15 minutes) after the automatic mode switch 24 is turned on. In this case, when the sensor 22 does not input a detection signal to the control unit even after a certain period of time (15 minutes) has elapsed after the solenoid valve 10 is closed, the mode is automatically switched to manual water discharge. . Also in this case, the sensor 2
2 eliminates unnecessary light emission and helps to save power.

Further, FIG. 19C shows that when the continuous water discharge switch 23 or the foot switch 25 is turned on and manual water discharge is performed, these switches are turned off after a certain period of time (for example, 10 minutes). This is an example in which the electromagnetic valve 10 is automatically closed and water is stopped without turning it off. In this pattern, you can prevent forgetting to stop the water at the time of manual water discharge,
No waste of water.

FIG. 19 (d) shows that even if the sensor 22 continuously detects an object such as a hand or a dish for a certain period of time (for example, one minute) during automatic water discharge, this certain period of time has elapsed. After that, the electromagnetic valve 10 is automatically closed to stop water. In this case, it occurs when an error is output from the sensor 22 and a signal is output by mistake, or when an object such as tableware is placed in the sensing area of the sensor 2 and this is detected. Wasted water discharge is prevented.

[0051]

According to the present invention, the water discharge in the automatic mode using the sensor or the continuous water discharge without using the sensor can be performed, and the operation of the continuous water discharge is given priority over the automatic mode. For this reason, when water is discharged in the automatic mode, water discharge is likely to be interrupted when the hand or plate moves outside the sensing area of the sensor, whereas switching to continuous water discharge causes such interruption. No work can be done. Therefore, by setting the water discharge conditions according to the work purpose, the usability as a faucet for a kitchen or the like is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of an automatic faucet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the automatic faucet shown in FIG. 1 together with a piping system and the like.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the automatic faucet shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front vertical sectional view showing the automatic faucet shown in FIG. 1 in a cutaway manner.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4;

6 is a front vertical cross-sectional view of a water discharge head portion taken along a line DD in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a water discharge head portion taken along line BB of FIG. 6;

8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part taken along line CC of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure of a solenoid valve.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing details of a plunger to be incorporated in the solenoid valve.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an automatic mode switch and a display panel, and also shows a display in each mode.

FIG. 13 is a front vertical sectional view showing another embodiment of the water discharge head.

14 is a side longitudinal sectional view of the water discharge head of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the water discharge head of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a time chart in the case of continuous water discharge by a continuous water discharge switch and a foot switch.

FIG. 17 is a time chart showing a water discharge pattern when the automatic mode is set.

FIG. 18 is a time chart in the case of switching from the automatic mode to continuous water discharge.

FIG. 19 is a time chart for automatically setting a timer to a manual or water stop mode from an automatic mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Water discharge pipe 3 Water discharge head 4 Water supply pipe 5 Hot water supply pipe 6 Temperature control handle 7 Temperature control valve 8 Mixing chamber 9 Supply chamber 10 Solenoid valve 11 Control part 12 Manual handle 13 Block 14 Flow control handle 15 Water discharge switch handle 16 Flow control Valve 17 Water discharge switching valve 18 Watering hole 19 Foam cap 21 Valve seat block 22 Sensor 23 Continuous water discharge switch 24 Automatic mode switch 25 Foot switch 26 Display panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued from the front page (56) References JP-A-60-152737 (JP, A) JP-A-63-100560 (JP, U) JP-A-2-67176 (JP, U) JP-A-63 100560 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) E03C 1/05 F16K 31/06 310

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A control unit for controlling the water discharge state, the on-off valve that is driven by the control unit, a continuous water discharge switch for opening to continue the on-off valve, integrated downstream of the water discharge head of the on-off valve Re a sensor senses the hand or the like for inputting a signal to the control unit of the human, an automatic mode is to operate the on-off valve on the basis of a signal from the sensor, the automatic mode
An automatic mode switch for canceling a mode, wherein the continuous mode switch is turned on when the automatic mode switch is set to the automatic mode state.
Priority is given to continuous water discharge by the water switch and the automatic mode
An automatic faucet characterized by canceling an automatic mode state of a switch . 2. The automatic faucet according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls to automatically stop water after a certain time has elapsed after the start of continuous water discharge.