JP4655402B2 - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic water faucet device that detects a detected object such as a human body or a hand and supplies and stops water, and particularly relates to a water supply control device that enables further water saving.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, what is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-29349 is known as a water supply control of an automatic faucet device used in, for example, a hand-washer. According to this, there is provided a main water passage from the water supply source to the faucet outlet, and a sub water passage for pilot-operating a diaphragm type main valve provided in the main water passage, and this sub water passage An electromagnetic valve for opening and closing is provided.
[0003]
And, a person's hand is put out to the faucet, this information is detected by the detecting means and input to the faucet controller, and by opening a valve opening command from this faucet controller to the solenoid valve, The main valve is opened when water is passed to the sub-waterway side and the water pressure on the main chamber side is lowered, and water is discharged from the water outlet of the faucet. When the detected object such as a human hand disappears, the detection means detects this and inputs it to the faucet controller, and outputs a valve closing command from the faucet controller to the solenoid valve. The main valve is closed and water discharge from the faucet is stopped by shutting off the water flow on the water channel side and increasing the water pressure on the main chamber side.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-mentioned publication, wasted water due to a response delay occurs until the valve closing command is output from the faucet controller to the solenoid valve, the main valve is closed and the water flow through the main water passage is stopped. This will be explained with reference to the time chart shown in FIG. 4. For example, when the user puts his hand into the faucet and performs hand washing, the detection means detects and outputs a valve opening command as shown in FIG. The delay in the valve opening response until the water is discharged from the faucet is generally about 0.1 seconds. However, there is a delay in the valve closing response until the water discharge from the faucet stops after the hand washing time ends and the hand is retracted.
Waste water of 1.5 seconds or more is generated. Here, the reason why there is a response delay from when the hand is retracted until the detection means detects is because the detection means detects the presence or absence of a detection object every Ts (for example, 0.25 seconds). Waste water is also generated due to the difference between the timing when the user retracts his hand and the timing when it is detected.
[0005]
In addition, the above-mentioned waste water is generated every time hand washing, and in an automatic faucet device that is installed in public facilities and used frequently by many users, the waste water is saved as much as possible. It is requested.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to take the above-mentioned points into consideration, and by outputting a valve closing command to the electromagnetic valve before the completion of hand washing, automatic water that can reduce the amount of discharged waste water. A stopper device is provided.
[0007]
In order to achieve the above object, claims 1 to 5 The technical means described in is adopted. That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the detection means (53) for detecting the presence or absence of the detection object in the predetermined detection region, the main valve (7) for opening and closing the main water passage (6), and the sub water passage (14). A water supply device that has an electromagnetic valve (17) for opening and closing the main valve (7) and that opens and closes the main valve (7) in response to the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve (17) and has a delay in the opening of the main valve (7) In the automatic faucet device comprising (1) and a control means (50) for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve (17) in accordance with the detection output of the detection means (53), the control means (50) includes the detection means (53 ) During the period of detecting the detected object, One cycle of valve opening command and valve closing command combining a first predetermined time (Tc) from the valve opening command to the valve closing command and a second predetermined time (To) from the valve closing command to the valve opening command As the open / close control means (50b), The electromagnetic valve (17) is controlled to open and close in response to the valve opening command and the valve closing command, with a predetermined cycle shorter than the valve closing response delay time of the main valve (7).
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the main valve (7) is opened and closed by the pilot operation of the electromagnetic valve (17) for opening and closing the sub-water passage (14) to supply and stop water in the main water-passage (6). In an automatic water faucet device that controls the valve, generally, a valve closing command to the electromagnetic valve (17) is output, the main valve (7) is closed, and water flow through the main water passage (6) is stopped. Waste water is generated due to response delay. Further, the valve closing response delay from the valve closing command to water stop is generally about 1.5 seconds. Therefore, the present invention provides a control means (50) for outputting opening / closing control to the electromagnetic valve (17) during a period in which the detection means (53) detects the detected object. One cycle of valve opening command and valve closing command combining a first predetermined time (Tc) from the valve opening command to the valve closing command and a second predetermined time (To) from the valve closing command to the valve opening command As the open / close control means (50b), By generating the main valve (7) with a predetermined cycle shorter than the valve closing response delay time, and opening / closing the solenoid valve (17) according to the valve opening command and the valve closing command. , Inspection When the intelligent object is no longer detected, the hand washing is completed, so that the valve closing command is output before the detection means (53) stops detecting the detected object, thereby shortening the valve closing response delay. . As a result, the amount of wasted water discharged is reduced and water can be saved.
[0011]
Claim 2 In the invention described in (5), when the detecting means (53) stops detecting the detected object, the opening / closing control means (50b) generates an opening / closing repetition command within the second predetermined time (To) from the valve closing control immediately before it. It is characterized by being canceled.
[0012]
Claim 2 According to the invention described in the above, the valve closing command is output before the detecting means (53) stops detecting the detected object by stopping the generation of the opening / closing repeated command within the second predetermined time (To). And claims 1 and Has the same effect.
[0013]
Claim 3 In the invention described in (1), the opening / closing control means (50b) includes a first predetermined time (Tc) and a second predetermined time (To) until the predetermined number of cycles is reached while the detection means (53) detects the detected object. When the detection means (53) no longer detects the detected object after the predetermined number of cycles have elapsed, the detection means (53) no longer detects the detected object. It is characterized by controlling to command.
[0014]
Claim 3 According to the invention described in, the hand washing time varies widely depending on the use of the user, but in the experimental results measured in a public toilet, the result of finishing in a relatively short time of 6 to 8 seconds or less is obtained. Obtained. Therefore, according to the present invention, while the detecting means (53) detects the detection, the valve opening command is output from the valve opening command until the predetermined number of cycles, and the valve opening command is issued after the predetermined number of cycles. When a detected object is no longer detected after commanding, a predetermined number of cycles is set in advance in a water supply device such as a public toilet where the hand washing time is relatively short by controlling to command a valve closing command. By doing so, the number of intermittent operations of the solenoid valve (17) and the main valve (7) can be reduced, and further water saving can be achieved for the layer that ends within the predetermined number of cycles.
[0015]
Claim 4 In the invention described in (4), the opening / closing control means (50b) stores and accumulates the water discharge time (Tw) until the detection means (53) detects the detected object and stops detecting it, depending on how the user uses it. Learning control to set a predetermined number of cycles.
[0016]
Claim 4 According to the invention described in the above, for example, in a public toilet, the intermittent operation of the solenoid valve (17) can be performed by setting the predetermined number of cycles described in the previous section by performing learning control so as to store and accumulate hand washing time. The number of times can be reduced, and water can be saved for a layer that ends within a predetermined number of cycles.
[0017]
Claim 5 In the invention described in item 1, the second predetermined time (To) is longer than the first predetermined time (Tc).
[0018]
Claim 5 According to the invention described in the above item, by increasing the second predetermined time (To), the valve closing command is output before the detection means (53) stops detecting the detected object, so that 1 and Has the same effect.
[0019]
In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means of embodiment mentioned later.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the automatic faucet device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the present invention is applied to a water supply apparatus such as a washroom. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment is arrange | positioned in the lower part of the washbasin (not shown) in which a water tap (not shown) is installed, and can stop and supply water electrically. At the same time, it can generate electricity when water is supplied.
[0021]
In the water supply device 1, bodies 2 a and 2 b made of bronze casting are connected and fixed by bolts 3, and an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 are connected to the body 2 b and a main water channel 6 (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1). ) Is formed. A diaphragm main valve 7 is sandwiched between the bodies 2a and 2b in the middle of the main water passage 6. A diaphragm plate 8 as an orifice plate is fixed to the main valve 7 by a diaphragm holder 9. The main valve 7 can be seated on the valve seat 10 and is urged in the seating direction by a spring 11.
[0022]
The inflow port 4 is provided with a strainer 13 of about 30 mesh. The strainer 13 is for preventing large dust from flowing into the main water passage 6 and biting into the valve seat 10 to cause a valve seal failure or the like.
[0023]
The diaphragm plate 8 made of synthetic resin is formed with a plurality of orifice holes 8a penetrating the main water passage 6 and a main chamber 12 described later.
[0024]
In addition, the outflow port 5 is connected to the water tap provided in the hand-washing machine through the water supply piping which is not shown in figure.
[0025]
Next, the main chamber 12 is defined by the main valve 7, and the main chamber 12 communicates with the main water passage 6 upstream of the main valve 7 through the orifice hole 8 a of the diaphragm plate 8. The main chamber 12 communicates with the sub chamber 16 through a passage 15a formed in the body 2a, and the sub chamber 16 communicates with a second storage chamber R2 of a water turbine 27 described later through the passage 15b. Is formed.
[0026]
And the electromagnetic valve 17 for opening and closing the channel | path 15a and the channel | path 15b of the subwater flow path 14 is arrange | positioned. This electromagnetic valve 17 is provided with a columnar movable core 18 in the sub chamber 16 so that the front end surface of the movable core 18 can be seated on the opening surface of the passage 15b to close the passage 15b. In addition, the fixed core 19 is opposed to the rear end surface of the movable core 18 with a slight gap. The fixed core 19 is fixed in the coil 20, and the coil 20 is fixed to the body 1 via a yoke 21, a first ring 22, an annular magnet 23, and a second ring 24. The annular magnet 23 is magnetized in the thickness direction.
[0027]
Further, a cylindrical cylinder 25 is provided so as to pass through the inner holes of the coil 20, the rings 22, 24, and the annular magnet 23, and the fixed core 19 is inserted therein, and the movable core 18 is movable in the axial direction. Has been inserted. A compression coil spring 26 is interposed between the movable core 18 and the fixed core 19 to urge the movable core 18 in the seating direction. The electromagnetic valve 17 is controlled by receiving an open / close signal from a faucet controller 50 which is a control means described later.
[0028]
Next, the power generator A is disposed on the downstream side of the auxiliary water passage 14. In this power generator A, a recess 28 for accommodating the water wheel 27 is formed in the body 2b. The turbine 27 is a Francis type turbine, and is fixed to a polyacetal turbine main body 29 with a stainless steel shaft 30 penetrating therethrough. The water turbine body 29 has a large number of blades 32 projecting radially from the lower surface of a disc-shaped back plate 31. In addition, the back plate 31 of the main body 29 is provided with a large number of through holes 33 on the center side thereof. A permanent magnet 34 is fixed to the upper portion of the back plate 31 of the turbine body 29, and the permanent magnet 34 is alternately magnetized with N and S poles in the circumferential direction of the turbine 27.
[0029]
An annular pedestal 35 is inserted into the recess 28 of the body 2b, and an inclined portion 35a is formed on the inner peripheral side of the pedestal 35. The outer peripheral portion of the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27 is placed on the inclined portion 35 a of the pedestal 35. A case 36 made of a stainless steel thin plate is disposed above the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27 so as to surround the water wheel 27 and the permanent magnet 34.
[0030]
Further, the lower end portion of the shaft 30 of the water turbine 27 is supported by a radial bearing 38 fixed to the body 2 b, and the upper end portion is supported by a radial bearing 39 fixed to the case 36. Further, the water turbine 27 is configured such that the shaft 30 can slide in the radial bearings 38 and 39 to move in the axial direction (thrust direction). The radial bearings 38 and 39 are made of Teflon. (Teflon is a registered trademark) It consists of a resin.
[0031]
Further, a yoke 40 made of a soft magnetic material is fixed to the body 2b with a bolt 41 so as to be in contact with the case 36 on the outer peripheral side of the permanent magnet 34, and a coil bobbin 45 around which a stator coil 42 is wound is mounted inside the yoke 40. Has been. The stator coil 42 is connected to an external faucet control device 50 at a terminal 43. The body 2b and the case 36 are sealed with an O-ring 37.
[0032]
Further, a vortex chamber 44 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 28 of the body 2 b, and this vortex chamber 44 is connected to the main water passage 6 on the downstream side of the main valve 7. Thus, the water wheel 27 and the permanent magnet 34 are structured to be submerged in the case 36 in the recess 28 of the body 2b.
[0033]
In addition, the first storage chamber R1 is below the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27 in the recess 28 of the body 2b, and the second storage chamber R2 is above the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27. As described above, the passage 15b communicates with the second storage chamber R2, and the second storage chamber R2 and the first storage chamber R1 communicate with each other through the through-hole 33. The second storage chamber R2 and the through hole 33 communicate with the first storage chamber R1 on the downstream side of the water turbine 27.
[0034]
In the present embodiment, the auxiliary water passage 14 including the main chamber 12, the passage 15a, the auxiliary chamber 16, and the passage 15b is configured, and the movable core 18, the fixed core 19, the coil 20, the yoke 21, and the first ring. The solenoid valve 17 is composed of the 22, the magnet 23, the second ring 24, the cylindrical cylinder 25, the compression coil spring 26, and the like.
[0035]
Next, the faucet control device 50 is provided with a power storage control means 50a and an opening / closing control means 50b, and also stores a storage battery 51 that stores the power generated by the power generation device A. The power storage control unit 50a is a control circuit for storing the power generated by the power generator A in the storage battery 51. Thereby, this storage battery 51 is a power source for operating the faucet controller 50. Furthermore, a dry battery 52 is connected as a backup power source for automatically supplying the storage battery 51 when the storage amount of the storage battery 51 decreases.
[0036]
The opening / closing control means 50b is a program for performing drive control on the electromagnetic valve 17 for opening / closing the water flow in the sub-water passage 14 described above, and the presence / absence of a human body (in this embodiment, a human hand) is determined. The presence or absence of a detection object is input from an infrared sensor 53 serving as a detection means for detection, and is connected to output to the electromagnetic valve 17.
[0037]
The infrared sensor 53 is a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a detection object in a predetermined area, and is provided in a discharge unit of a faucet of a washbasin (not shown), and a light-emitting element that emits infrared light toward a lower portion of the water discharge unit. A light-receiving element that emits a light-receiving voltage according to the amount of incident infrared rays, reads the light-receiving voltage of the light-receiving element, and determines the presence or absence of a human hand in a predetermined region according to the voltage change.
[0038]
The open / close control means 50b provides a valve opening command for causing the electromagnetic valve 17 to pass water between the passage 15a and the passage 15b of the sub-water passage 14, and a valve closing command for blocking the passage between the passage 15a and the passage 15b. It is generated at a predetermined cycle. This predetermined cycle is set to a cycle shorter than the valve closing response delay time of the main valve 7 that opens and closes the main water passage 6 of the water supply device 1. Then, a person's hand is put in and out of the basin by the infrared sensor 53, and water supply and water stoppage are controlled from the faucet discharger.
[0039]
Here, the operation of the electromagnetic valve 17 when receiving the valve closing command and the valve opening command will be described. First, when a valve closing command is received, no power is supplied to the coil 20, so the magnetic flux from the annular magnet 23 causes the second ring 24, the movable core 18, the fixed core 19, the yoke 21, the first ring 22, and the annular magnet 23. It flows in the order. As a result, a suction force acts between the movable core 18 and the fixed core 19. However, since the separation distance between the fixed core 19 and the movable core 18 is large, the attractive force between the cores is weak, the urging force of the spring 26 exceeds the magnetic attractive force, and the movable core 18 continues to be closed.
[0040]
Next, when a valve opening command is received, when a current is passed in a direction in which the magnetic flux is generated in the same direction as the magnetic flux in the coil 20 in the closed state of the movable core 18 (this is defined as a positive direction), the annular magnet 23 As a result, the movable core 18 overcomes the urging force of the spring 26 and approaches the fixed core 19. Once the movable core 18 begins to approach the fixed core 19, the gap between the cores 18 and 19 becomes smaller, the magnetic flux attracting force further increases, and the movable core 18 is firmly sucked and held. The valve opens.
[0041]
Even when the coil 20 is turned off when the movable core 18 is opened, the gap between the cores 18 and 19 is small, so that the spring 26 is attached only by the magnetic attractive force due to the magnetic flux of the annular magnet 23. The force exceeds the power, and the movable core 18 continues to open.
[0042]
When the coil 20 is energized so as to generate a magnetic flux in a direction opposite to the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet from the opened state of the movable core 18 (this is defined as the reverse direction), the magnetic flux from the annular magnet 23 is applied to the fixed core 19. A magnetic flux in the opposite direction is generated, the urging force of the spring 26 exceeds the magnetic attractive force, and the movable core 18 is separated from the fixed core 19 to be in a valve-closed state.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 1, when the movable core 18 is closed and the main valve 7 is seated on the valve seat 10, the main water passage 6 and the main chamber 12 upstream of the main valve 7 are connected to the orifice hole 8a. , The water pressure in the upstream main water passage 6 and the main chamber 12 becomes equal, and the force by the water pressure of the difference between the urging force of the spring 11 and the pressure receiving area acts, and the main valve 7 is moved to the valve seat 10. The state of being seated on is maintained.
[0044]
In this state, when a current in the positive direction is applied to the coil 20, the movable core 18 moves to open the opening of the passage 15b, and the passage 15a, the sub chamber 16, the passage 15b, the second storage chamber R2, the through hole 33, the first One storage chamber R1 communicates, and the inside of the main chamber 12 communicates with the main water passage 6 on the downstream side of the water turbine 27. Then, the water in the main chamber 12 flows through the passage 15a, the sub chamber 16, the passage 15b, the second storage chamber R2, the through hole 33, and the first storage chamber R1 to the main water passage 6 on the downstream side of the water turbine 27. The pressure in the chamber 12 becomes lower than the pressure in the main water passage 6 on the upstream side, and the main valve 7 is separated from the valve seat 10 by the water pressure in the main water passage 6 on the upstream side of the main valve 7, so that the water passage state is established.
[0045]
In this water flow state, when a current in the reverse direction is passed through the coil 20, the movable core 18 is closed, water gradually flows into the main chamber 12 through the orifice hole 8a, and the main valve 7 gradually enters the valve seat 10. When it approaches, it will stop water.
[0046]
Next, the operation of the power generator A on the downstream side by opening and closing the auxiliary water passage 14 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the main valve 7 is closed, between the first storage chamber R <b> 1 with the blade portion 32 and the second storage chamber R <b> 2 without the blade portion 32 with respect to the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27. There is no differential pressure, and the turbine 27 is placed on the inclined portion 35a of the pedestal 35 due to its own weight.
[0047]
When the main valve 7 is opened from this state, the water flow from the vortex chamber 44 hits the blade portion 32 of the water wheel 27, and the water wheel 27 rotates away from the inclined portion 35 a of the pedestal 35. Water flows from the first storage chamber R1 to the second storage chamber R2 through the opening on the outer periphery of the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27 by the centrifugal force accompanying the swirling of water, and the pressure in the second storage chamber R2 increases. The turbine 27 receives a thrust force F. As the pressure in the second storage chamber R2 increases, water flows from the second storage chamber R2 to the first storage chamber R1 through the through hole 33 of the water turbine 27, and the water turbine 27 moves toward the first storage chamber R1 by the thrust force. It moves and the opening area of the outer peripheral part of the back plate 31 of the water wheel 27 becomes small.
[0048]
And the opening area of the outer peripheral part of the predetermined back plate 31, that is, the opening area where the pressure in the first storage chamber R1 and the pressure in the second storage chamber R2 are balanced and the thrust force F is not generated is maintained. Kept in a state. In addition, the permanent magnet 34 is rotated with the rotation of the water turbine 27, the flow of magnetic flux transmitted from the permanent magnet 34 to the yoke 40 is changed, and a current flows through the stator coil 42 in such a direction as to prevent the change, thereby generating power. .
[0049]
Next, regarding the water supply control of the water supply device 1 having the above configuration, the control processing of the opening / closing control means 50b in the faucet control device 50, which is the main part of the present invention, will be described based on the time chart shown in FIG.
[0050]
First, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the infrared sensor 53 that detects a detection object such as a human body or a hand detects a light reception voltage every detection time Ts (for example, 0.25 seconds). The presence or absence of human hands is then determined. Then, when the infrared sensor 53 detects the presence of the detected object by inserting a hand into the washbasin, as shown in FIG. 2B, a valve opening command to the electromagnetic valve 17 is output, and the auxiliary water passage 14 is output. The main valve 7 is opened and water is discharged from the discharge part of the faucet to the basin, so that hand washing can be performed. In addition, the valve opening response delay in which the solenoid valve 17 is actuated to open the main valve 7 and discharge water into the basin is about 0.1 seconds.
[0051]
And although hand washing is continued, even if the valve opening command is output and the hand washing continues and the detected object is being detected, the valve closing command and the valve opening command are intermittently repeated during the detection period. Take control. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2C, the infrared sensor 53 outputs the valve closing command immediately after detecting the detected object and outputting the valve opening command. The elapsed time from the valve opening command to the valve closing command is set to a first predetermined time Tc (for example, 0.25 seconds). Then, the valve opening command is output immediately after the valve closing command is output. The elapsed time from the valve closing command to the valve opening command is set to a second predetermined time To (for example, 1.0 second). The control from the valve opening command to the next valve opening command is one cycle and is repeated several cycles until hand washing is completed. The cycle (Tc + To) of this one cycle is set to a predetermined time shorter than the valve closing response delay time (about 1.5 seconds) of the main valve 7.
[0052]
Then, when the hand washing is completed and the hand is withdrawn from the washbasin and the infrared sensor 53 stops detecting the detected object, the next cycle is stopped. In other words, this predetermined time is set to an allowable time during which the main valve 7 is not closed during the detected object detection period, and is set to an allowable time when the detected object is no longer detected. The valve closing operation can be performed early for the second predetermined time To.
[0053]
As a result, the valve closing command is output before the time point when the infrared sensor 53 stops detecting the detected object, and when the infrared sensor 53 stops detecting the detected object, waste water is emitted as compared with the conventional case where the valve closing command is issued. The amount of water discharge can be reduced.
[0054]
Note that the above-described cycle is preset as one cycle from the valve opening command to the next valve opening command, and is stored in a ROM (not shown) in the faucet controller 50.
[0055]
Moreover, the valve closing response delay in which the solenoid valve 17 receives the valve closing command and the main valve 7 is closed and the basin is stopped is about 1.5 seconds. Therefore, here, the second predetermined time To is set to, for example, 1.0 seconds, but the amount of wasted water discharged can be reduced with a valve closing response delay of 1.5 seconds or less.
[0056]
Although the first predetermined time Tc is 0.25 seconds here, the valve opening response delay is 0.1 seconds, so that the water is not stopped when the opening / closing command is issued.
[0057]
According to the above embodiment, when the control of the opening / closing control means 50b to the electromagnetic valve 17 that opens and closes the water flow through the sub-water channel 14 is inserted into the washbasin and the infrared sensor 53 detects the detected object, the hand washing is completed. The hand washing is completed and the infrared sensor 53 detects the non-detection of the detected object by performing control to alternately repeat the valve opening command and the closing command with the first predetermined time Tc and the second predetermined time To until Since the valve closing command is output before the time when the waste water is discharged, the amount of wasted water discharged can be reduced.
[0058]
Further, the first predetermined time Tc is set to 0.25 seconds, the second predetermined time To is set to 1.0 second, and the second predetermined time To is set longer than the first predetermined time Tc, so that the valve closing command is executed. By detecting when the infrared sensor 53 no longer detects the detected object, the valve closing response delay can be shortened, and the amount of wasted water discharged can be reduced.
[0059]
(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, during the detection period from when the infrared sensor 53 detects the detected object to before detecting the detected object, the valve closing command and the valve opening command are intermittently and repeatedly controlled. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the valve closing command and the valve opening command are intermittently repeated until a predetermined number of cycles. After the predetermined number of cycles, the valve opening command is output, When the sensor 53 stops detecting the detected object, a valve closing command may be output.
[0060]
That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in a hand-washing machine such as a public toilet, the result of an experiment in which the hand washing time after addition is measured is the result that most people have finished in a relatively short hand washing time within approximately 6 seconds. Got. Therefore, in the present embodiment, during the detection period from when the infrared sensor 53 detects the detected object to before detecting the detected object, first, from the valve opening command to the valve closing command until a predetermined number of cycles is set. After the predetermined number of cycles has elapsed, the valve opening command is issued, and when the infrared sensor 53 no longer detects the detected object, the valve closing command may be output. For example, if the number of cycles is set to about 5 times, the hand washing time is about 6 seconds, and water can be saved within the hand washing time that occupies most layers. Further, reliability can be improved by reducing the number of intermittent operations of the solenoid valve 17 and the main valve 7.
[0061]
For example, in a hand-washing machine such as a public toilet, the time until the infrared sensor 53 detects the detected object and stops detecting the detected object so that the hand-washing time, which is the water discharge time Tw, is stored and accumulated. Is stored and accumulated, and the number of cycles of the solenoid valve 17 and the main valve 7 is reduced by learning a predetermined number of cycles, for example, of most layers that occupy 70 to 80% of the accumulated hand washing time. In addition, it is possible to save water for most layers that end within a predetermined number of cycles.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a water supply apparatus 1 related to an automatic faucet apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a control process of an opening / closing control means 50b that outputs to an electromagnetic valve 17 in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram in which hand washing time is measured with a washbasin of a public toilet according to another embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing a control process for outputting opening / closing control to a solenoid valve in a conventional automatic faucet device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Water supply device
6 ... Main waterway
7 ... Main valve
14 ... Deputy waterway
17 ... Solenoid valve
50. Water faucet control device (control means)
50b ... Opening / closing control means
53 ... Infrared sensor (detection means)
Tc: First predetermined time
To ... Second predetermined time
Tw ... hand washing time (water discharge time)

Claims (5)

It has a detection means (53) for detecting the presence or absence of a detection object in a predetermined detection area, a main valve (7) for opening / closing the main water passage (6), and an electromagnetic valve (17) for opening / closing the sub water passage (14). The water supply device (1) which opens and closes the main valve (7) in response to the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve (17) and has a valve closing response delay in the opening and closing operation of the main valve (7), and the detection means ( 53) an automatic faucet device comprising a control means (50) for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve (17) in accordance with the detection output of 53)
The control means (50) includes a first predetermined time (Tc) from the valve opening command to the valve closing command and the valve closing command during the period in which the detection means (53) detects the detected object. Opening and closing control means (50b) that repeats the valve opening command and the valve closing command combined with a second predetermined time (To) until the valve opening command as one cycle, the one cycle being the main valve (7 said generated in a predetermined short period from the time of the closing valve response delay of), automatic faucet apparatus characterized by controlling opening and closing the solenoid valve (17) in response to said closing command and the valve-opening command. When the detecting means (53) no longer detects the detected object, the opening / closing control means (50b) stops generating an opening / closing repetition command within the second predetermined time (To) from the valve closing control immediately before it. automatic faucet device according to claim 1, characterized in that. The opening / closing control means (50b) includes the first predetermined time (Tc) and the second predetermined time (To) until the predetermined number of cycles is reached during the period in which the detection means (53) detects the detected object. When the detection means (53) no longer detects the detected object after the valve opening command and the valve closing command combined with each other are repeatedly issued and the valve opening command is issued after the predetermined number of cycles have elapsed. the automatic faucet apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls so as to command the closing command. The opening / closing control means (50b) stores and accumulates the water discharge time (Tw) until the detection means (53) detects the detected object and stops detecting it, and the predetermined cycle according to how the user uses it. 4. The automatic faucet device according to claim 3 , wherein learning control is performed so as to set the number . The automatic faucet device according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the second predetermined time (To) is longer than the first predetermined time (Tc) .

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