JP4203305B2 - Water supply control device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water supply control apparatus suitable for application to a water supply control apparatus for washing water for an automatic hand-washing faucet or toilet.
[0002]
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventionally, a human body detection sensor that is driven at a predetermined cycle and transmits a human body detection signal, a water supply valve that controls water supply based on human body detection / non-detection by the human body detection sensor, and a signal from the human body detection sensor A water supply control device comprising a control unit that controls the operation of a water supply valve, a generator that generates electricity by a water flow flowing through a water channel, and a power storage means that receives and stores power from the generator is mainly a drive-in or other public toilet It is used as a water supply control device for automatic hand-washing faucets or the like, or as a water supply control device for controlling the supply of toilet flush water.
[0003]
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose examples in which this type of water supply control device is applied to a water supply control device for an automatic hand-washing faucet.
In this type of water supply control device, normally, as a backup battery connected in parallel with the power storage means so that the amount of power generated by the generator is small and the device can be operated without any trouble even when the voltage in the power storage means decreases. Primary batteries are provided.
[0004]
However, even when the voltage of the power storage means decreases and the device is operated by supplying electricity from the primary battery, the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor is the same as usual, that is, the voltage of the power storage means is sufficiently high. If the same cycle as when the device is operated as a power source is maintained, the primary battery consumes a large amount of electricity, and the primary battery reaches the end of its life. Therefore, the battery must be replaced frequently. Cause problems.
[0005]
On the other hand, a remote control receiving unit that receives a signal from the remote control, a water supply valve that controls water supply based on reception of the signal in the remote control reception unit, and a control unit that controls operation of the water supply valve based on reception of the signal from the remote control reception unit; A water supply control device including a generator that generates electricity by a water flow flowing through a water channel and a power storage means that receives power from the generator to store electricity is used as a water supply control device that controls the supply of flush water in a toilet, particularly a toilet. It is used.
[0006]
This water supply control device also includes a primary battery as a backup battery.
In this case, normally, the remote control receiving unit is normally kept in an on state, that is, a driving state so that the remote control receiving unit can reliably receive a signal whenever it is transmitted.
[0007]
However, as with the above water supply control device, even if the device operates with the primary battery as the power source due to the voltage drop of the power storage means, if the remote control receiver is kept in a constantly driven state, Electricity consumption becomes large, and the primary battery reaches the end of its life quickly, and the battery must be replaced frequently.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-158130 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-207498
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The water supply control device of the present invention has been devised to solve such a problem.
Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, (a) a human body detection sensor which is driven at a predetermined cycle and transmits a human body detection signal, and (b) water supply is controlled based on human body detection / non-detection by the human body detection sensor And (c) a control unit for controlling the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor and controlling the operation of the water supply valve in response to a signal from the human body detection sensor, and (d) power generation by the water flow through the water channel A generator that performs power supply, (e) power storage means that receives and stores power from the power generator, and (f) a primary battery as a backup battery that supplies electricity when the voltage of the power storage means decreases. A water supply control apparatus comprising: a voltage of the primary battery as a reference voltage, the voltage of the primary battery is compared with the voltage of the power storage means, and the voltage of the power storage means is supplied by the primary battery That the voltage drops to A voltage detection circuit is provided as supply detection means for detecting whether or not electricity is supplied from the primary battery to the power storage means, and when the voltage of the power storage means drops below the voltage of the primary battery, determines that began electrical supply from the next cell to the accumulating means, in detecting the supply detection means electrical supply to the power storage means from the primary battery, the driving of the human body detection sensor in the control unit It is characterized in that the cycle is changed to a long cycle.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, (a) a remote control receiving unit that receives a signal from the remote control, (b) a water supply valve that controls water supply based on reception of the signal at the remote control receiving unit, and (c) the remote control reception A control unit that controls driving / stopping of the unit and controls the operation of the water supply valve based on reception of a signal from the remote control receiving unit, (d) a generator that generates power by a water flow through the water channel, and (e) A water supply control device comprising: a power storage means for storing electricity by receiving power from the generator; and (f) a primary battery as a backup battery for supplying electricity when the voltage of the power storage means decreases, The voltage of the primary battery is compared with the voltage of the power storage means using the voltage of the primary battery as a reference voltage, and it is detected that the voltage of the power storage means has dropped to the voltage supplied by the primary battery. Voltage detection circuit Provided as supply detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of electricity supply from the primary battery to the power storage means, and when the voltage of the power storage means drops below the voltage of the primary battery, the primary battery to the power storage means of it it is determined that the electrical supply has started, the in detecting the supply detection means electrical supply to the power storage means from the primary battery repeats the remote control receiver to alternately stop and drive in the controller It is characterized in that intermittent driving is performed.
[0011]
[Operation and effect of the invention]
As described above, the invention according to claim 1 is configured to control the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor in the control unit, and to provide supply detection means for detecting the presence or absence of electricity supply from the primary battery to the power storage means, and When the supply detection means detects the supply of electricity from the primary battery to the power storage means, the controller changes the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor to a long period. According to the present invention, the primary battery Since the human body detection sensor is driven at a longer cycle than before, the battery life of the primary battery can be suppressed and the battery life can be extended. .
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the problem that the primary battery reaches the end of its life early and the battery must be replaced frequently.
[0012]
The present invention does not simply change the driving cycle when the voltage of the power storage means drops to the set level, but changes the driving cycle longer when the electric supply from the primary battery is started, It has the feature that the primary battery can surely reduce the electric consumption and can effectively extend its life.
[0013]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water supply control device including a remote control receiving unit, wherein when the supply detection unit detects an electric supply from the primary battery to the power storage unit, the control unit intermittently drives the remote control reception unit. Even in this case, the electric power consumption of the primary battery can be effectively reduced as compared with the case where the remote control receiving unit is always kept in an on state, that is, always kept in a driving state, and the battery life is thus reduced. Can be extended and the problem of frequent battery replacement can be improved.
[0014]
Even when the remote control receiving unit is intermittently driven in this way, it is possible to reliably receive the signal when the signal is transmitted from the remote control by setting the drive cycle appropriately. It is.
[0015]
In the present invention, the supply detection means compares the voltage of the power storage means with the voltage of the primary battery, and the voltage of the power storage means is a predetermined voltage relative to the voltage of the primary battery, that is, the primary battery supplies electricity. when reduced to a voltage which is a state in which the structure to contact Ku as a voltage detection circuit for detecting this (claim 2).
[0016]
Simply detecting only the voltage of the power storage means and monitoring the decrease in the voltage cannot accurately detect the start of the supply of electricity from the primary battery to the power storage means. This is because the voltage of the primary battery itself decreases with use depending on the type.
[0017]
Therefore, by configuring the supply detection means as a voltage detection circuit that detects the voltage difference between the primary battery and the storage battery, it is possible to accurately detect whether or not electricity is supplied from the primary battery, and as a result, the primary battery. When the power supply from the battery is started, it is possible to accurately change the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor to a long cycle, or switch the remote control receiving unit from continuous driving to intermittent driving.
[0018]
A capacitor can be used as the power storage means.
Here the water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, Ri suitably applicable der as water supply control apparatus for an automatic Tearaimizu plug and the water supply control apparatus according to claim 1, 2, water supply control for supplying water controlled washing water of the toilet Ru preferred der applied to an apparatus.
[0019]
【Example】
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, 10 is an automatic hand-washing faucet, and 12 is the water discharge part.
The water discharge part 12 is provided in the state which stands up from the upper surface of the hand-washing machine 13 substantially upwards.
The water discharge portion 12 is provided with a water discharge port 14 and a human body detection sensor 16.
[0020]
The human body detection sensor 16 includes a light emitting unit (transmitting unit) 18 and a light receiving unit (receiving unit) 20, and transmits a human body detection signal from the light emitting unit 18 at a predetermined cycle.
The reflected light from the human body is received by the light receiving unit 20, and the presence or absence of the human body is detected by the light received by the light receiving unit 20.
[0021]
Reference numeral 22 denotes a main body portion of the automatic hand basin faucet 10, in which an electromagnetic valve 24 as a water supply valve and a generator 26 are accommodated.
Here, the electromagnetic valve 24 opens and closes a water supply channel 28 (see FIG. 2) from the water supply source to the water discharge unit 12, specifically the water discharge port 14, and controls water supply from the water discharge port 14, that is, water discharge and water stoppage. .
Further, the generator 26 generates power by the flow of water flowing through the water channel 28, specifically, by the rotation of an impeller provided on the water channel 28.
[0022]
A conduit 28 a for guiding water to the water discharge port 14 extends from the main body portion 22.
Further, an electrical wiring 30 for electrically connecting a substrate 34 (described later) provided in the water discharger 12 and the main body 22 extends from the main body 22.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the water discharger 12 is provided with a substrate 34 together with the human body detection sensor 16.
A control unit 36 (see FIG. 3) made of a microcomputer is mounted on the substrate 34, and the operation of the electromagnetic valve 24 is controlled by the control unit 36.
Specifically, the controller 36 controls the energization of the electromagnetic coil 38 of the electromagnetic valve 24 based on the detection or non-detection of the human body by the human body detection sensor 16, thereby automatically discharging water from the water outlet 14 and stopping water. Done.
[0024]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 40 denotes a capacitor (power storage means), and the human body detection sensor 16 is driven by using the capacitor 40 as a main power source (normal power source).
Specifically, the human body detection sensor 16 emits (transmits) a human body detection signal from the light emitting unit 18 at a predetermined period, and receives (receives) light at the light receiving unit 20.
[0025]
Reference numeral 42 denotes a full-wave rectifier composed of a diode bridge. An alternating current output from the generator 26 is converted into direct current by the full-wave rectifier 42, and is fed and stored in the capacitor 40.
[0026]
Reference numeral 44 denotes a dry battery (primary battery) as a backup battery. When the voltage of the capacitor 40 becomes equal to or lower than the voltage of the dry battery 44 (strictly, the voltage expected from the voltage drop of the backflow prevention diode 46), the dry battery 44 Is supplied, and the electromagnetic coil 38, the human body detection sensor 16, the control unit 36, etc. in the electromagnetic valve 24 are driven.
[0027]
Reference numeral 48 denotes a voltage detection circuit (supply detection means), which uses the voltage of the dry battery 44 (voltage at point a in the figure) as a reference voltage, and the voltage of the dry battery 44 and the voltage of the capacitor 40 (voltage at point b in the figure). And when the voltage of the capacitor 40 drops to a certain voltage, it is detected that the battery 40 is in a state of being electrically supplied from the dry battery 44 to the capacitor 40.
[0028]
The voltage of the capacitor 40 is usually about 4.5V, for example, and the voltage of the dry battery 44 is 3V, for example.
In this case, when the voltage of the capacitor 40 decreases to the voltage 3V of the dry battery 44 (strictly to the voltage obtained by subtracting the voltage drop of the backflow prevention diode 46 as described above), the electric supply from the dry battery 44 is started. Is determined.
[0029]
The result is input to the control unit 36, where the control unit 36 changes the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 from the short cycle to the long cycle.
[0030]
In the case of this example, the control unit 36 has a capacitor 40 holding a sufficient voltage, and when this is used as a power source, the human body detection sensor 16 is driven with a short cycle of 0.5 seconds shown in FIG. After the supply of electricity from 44 is started, the human body detection sensor 16 is driven with a long cycle of 1.0 seconds.
[0031]
FIG. 5 specifically shows the contents of control by the control unit 36.
As shown in the figure, here, the presence or absence of human body detection is determined after driving the human body detection sensor 16 (steps S10 and S12), and when a human body is detected in the still water, the electromagnetic valve 24 is opened to discharge the human body. Water is discharged from the water port 14 (steps S14 and S16).
[0032]
Thereafter, the driving of the human body detection sensor 16 is temporarily stopped (step S18), and then a comparison determination is made between the voltage of the dry battery 44 and the voltage of the capacitor 40 (step S20).
When the voltage of the capacitor 40 is high, the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 is set to a short cycle of 0.5 seconds (step S22), and then step S10 and subsequent steps are executed.
[0033]
When the user pulls his hand from the spout 14 during the execution process and the human body detection sensor 16 is not detected, the electromagnetic valve 24 is closed (steps S24 and S26), and then the steps S18 and S20 are performed. Is executed.
[0034]
In step S20, when it is determined that the voltage of the capacitor 40 is higher than the voltage of the dry battery 44 and is supplied with electricity from the capacitor 40, the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 is as short as 0.5 seconds. On the other hand, when the amount of power generated by the generator 26 is small and the voltage of the capacitor 40 becomes lower than the voltage of the dry battery 44, and as a result, electricity is supplied from the dry battery 44 to the capacitor 40, the step is started. S28 is executed, and the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 is changed from a short cycle of 0.5 seconds to a long cycle of 1.0 seconds.
[0035]
According to this example, since the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 is changed to a long cycle of 1.0 seconds when the dry cell 44 is used as a power source, the battery consumption of the dry cell 44 is suppressed. Battery life can be extended.
Therefore, according to this example, it is possible to improve the problem that the dry battery 44 reaches the end of its life early and the batteries must be replaced frequently.
[0036]
In the present invention, the voltage difference between the dry battery 44 and the capacitor 40 is detected to detect whether or not electricity is supplied from the dry battery 44. Therefore, only the voltage of the capacitor 40 is detected and As in the case of merely monitoring the decrease, the voltage of the dry battery 44 gradually decreases with use, and it is not possible to accurately detect that the electric supply from the dry battery 44 has been started. It is possible to accurately detect whether or not electricity has been supplied from the power source, and to change the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 at the time when the electricity supply from the dry battery 44 is accurately started.
[0037]
While the above is an example of a water supply control device in an automatic hand-washing faucet, FIG. 6 is an example in which the present invention is applied to a water supply control device for flush water in a urinal.
In the figure, 50 is a urinal, and 52 is a spreader that ejects washing water into the urinal 50 to perform toilet flushing. An electromagnetic valve 24 is provided on the water channel 28 for supplying washing water to the spreader 52. And a generator 26 are provided.
[0038]
A human body detection sensor 16 and a substrate 34 are provided on the upper portion of the urinal 50.
The circuit configuration on the board 34 and the control contents of the control unit 36 comprising a microcomputer mounted thereon are basically the same as in the above embodiment.
In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0039]
Next, FIGS. 7 to 10 show an example in which the present invention is applied to a flush water supply control device for a toilet with a remote control.
First, in FIG. 7, reference numeral 54 denotes a toilet having a rim water supply channel 56 and a jet injection hole 58, and the toilet bowl is constituted by the flow of cleaning water from the rim water supply channel 56 and the injection of cleaning water from the jet injection hole 58. Wash.
[0040]
In this example, the water channel 28 for supplying wash water to the toilet 54 is branched into branch water channels 28-1 and 28-2, and the branch water channel 28-1 is connected to the rim water supply channel 56 and the branch water channel 28. -2 is connected to the jet injection hole 58.
Electromagnetic valves 24-1 and 24-2 are provided in the respective branch water channels 28-1 and 28-2.
A generator 26 is provided on the main water channel 28-3 before branching.
[0041]
The toilet 54 includes a remote control light receiving unit (remote control receiving unit) 64 that receives (receives) a light emission signal from a light emitting unit (transmitting unit) 62 of a wall-mounted remote control (wireless remote control) 60, and a remote control light receiving unit 64. There is provided a substrate 34 on which a control unit 36 made of a microcomputer is mounted for controlling the operation of the electromagnetic valves 24-1 and 24-2 based on reception of signals.
[0042]
The circuit configuration of the substrate 34 is basically the same as that of the above embodiment.
However, in the above embodiment, the control unit 36 controls the driving cycle of the human body detection sensor 16 based on the detection result of the voltage detection circuit 48. However, as shown in FIG. 36 controls the drive of the remote control light receiving unit 64 based on the detection result of the voltage detection circuit 48.
[0043]
Specifically, when the voltage detection circuit 48 detects that the voltage of the capacitor 40 has decreased to the voltage of the dry battery 44 and is supplied with electricity from the dry battery 44, the control unit 36 starts from the voltage detection circuit 48. In response to the signal, the remote control light-receiving unit 64 is changed from an always-on state up to that point, that is, from an always-driving state to intermittent driving in which driving and stopping are alternately repeated every 0.5 seconds as shown in FIG. Switch.
[0044]
FIG. 10 shows the control contents of the control unit 36 at that time.
As shown in the figure, after the remote control light receiving unit 64 receives a signal from the remote control 60, it is determined whether or not the voltage of the capacitor 40 has decreased to the voltage of the dry battery 44 (steps S30 and S32). When it is determined that the electric supply from the dry battery 44 has been performed, the remote control light receiving unit 64 is switched to intermittent driving (step S36).
On the other hand, when the voltage of the capacitor 40 is still higher than the voltage of the dry battery 44 and the capacitor 40 continues to function as the main power source, the remote control light receiving unit 64 is maintained in the continuous drive state as it is (step S34).
[0045]
In this example, the remote control light receiving unit 64 is intermittently driven in the control unit 36 when the electric supply from the dry battery 44 is detected, so that the remote control light receiving unit 64 is always kept on, that is, always driven. Compared to the case, the electric consumption of the dry battery 44 can be effectively reduced, thereby extending the battery life and improving the problem that the battery must be replaced frequently.
[0046]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, this is merely an example.
For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the controller 36 controls the supply of toilet flush water, that is, controls the electromagnetic valve 24 for supplying / stopping wash water. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a water supply control device in which the control unit 36 controls the operation of an electromagnetic valve that supplies and stops cleaning water for local body cleaning from the cleaning nozzle.
[0047]
In the above example, the supply detection means for detecting the electric supply from the dry battery 44 is configured by the voltage detection circuit 48. However, the supply detection means may be configured to detect the current detection from the dry battery 44 in some cases. The present invention can be configured in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a water supply control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a hand-washer and the like.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a water supply control device according to the embodiment together with a water discharger and the like.
3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the substrate of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a driving cycle of the human body detection sensor of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control contents of a control unit in the same embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the substrate of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a driving cycle of the remote control light receiving unit of FIG. 7 in a time chart.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the control content of the control unit of FIG. 8;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Automatic hand-washing faucet 16 Human body detection sensor 24, 24-1, 24-2 Electromagnetic valve (water supply valve)
26 Generator 28 Water channel 36 Control unit 40 Capacitor (power storage means)
44 Dry battery (primary battery)
48 Voltage detection circuit (supply detection means)
50 urinal 54 urinal 60 remote control 64 remote control light receiving part (remote control receiving part)

Claims (2)

(B) a human body detection sensor that is driven in a predetermined cycle and transmits a human body detection signal; (b) a water supply valve that controls water supply based on human body detection / non-detection by the human body detection sensor; and (c) the human body detection sensor. A control unit that controls the operation of the water supply valve in response to a signal from the human body detection sensor, (d) a generator that generates power by a water flow flowing through the water channel, and (e) a generator from the generator A water supply control device comprising: a storage means for storing electricity by receiving power; and (f) a primary battery as a backup battery for supplying electricity when the voltage of the storage means decreases.
The voltage of the primary battery is compared with the voltage of the power storage means using the voltage of the primary battery as a reference voltage, and it is detected that the voltage of the power storage means has dropped to the voltage supplied by the primary battery. A voltage detection circuit is provided as supply detection means for detecting whether or not electricity is supplied from the primary battery to the power storage means, and when the voltage of the power storage means drops below the voltage of the primary battery, the primary battery It is determined that the electricity supply to the power storage means has started,
Water said supply detecting means is detecting a possible electrical supply to the power storage means from the primary battery, which is characterized in that in the control unit are no to change the driving period of the human body detecting sensor to the long period Control device. (B) a remote control receiving unit for receiving a signal from the remote control; (b) a water supply valve for controlling water supply based on reception of the signal at the remote control receiving unit; and (c) controlling driving / stopping of the remote control receiving unit. A control unit for controlling the operation of the water supply valve based on reception of the signal from the remote control receiving unit, (d) a generator for generating power by a water flow flowing through the water channel, and (e) receiving and storing power from the generator. A water supply control device comprising: a power storage means; and (f) a primary battery as a backup battery that supplies electricity when the voltage of the power storage means decreases,
The voltage of the primary battery is compared with the voltage of the power storage means using the voltage of the primary battery as a reference voltage, and it is detected that the voltage of the power storage means has dropped to the voltage supplied by the primary battery. A voltage detection circuit is provided as supply detection means for detecting whether or not electricity is supplied from the primary battery to the power storage means, and when the voltage of the power storage means drops below the voltage of the primary battery, the primary battery It is determined that the electricity supply to the power storage means has started,
Said supply detecting means is detecting a possible electrical supply to the power storage means from the primary battery, that is without such causing the intermittent driving of repeating the remote control receiver to alternately stop and drive in the controller A water supply control device.

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