JP5683531B2 - Automatic toilet flushing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic flusher which is easily maintained and has high reliability.SOLUTION: A toilet flusher includes a body. The body includes: an inlet 64 in communication with a supply line and an outlet 32 in communication with a flush conduit; a valve assembly 514 in the body positioned to control a flow from the inlet to the outlet by closing a water flow between the inlet and the outlet upon sealing action of a flexible member 528 in a lip seal 525; and an actuator 50 for actuating operation of a movable member.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications This application is a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 012,252 entitled “Adaptive Object-Sensing System for Automatic Flushers” filed Dec. 4, 2001, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. US Patent Application No. 10 / 012,226 entitled “Automatic FlowController Employing Energy-Conservation Mode” filed on December 4, 2001, “Assemblyof Solenoid controlled Pilot-Operated Valve” filed on December 4, 2001 US Patent Application No. 10 / 011,390 entitled “Controllinga Solenoid Based on Current Time Profile” filed on March 5, 2002, US Patent Application No. 60 / 012,252 filed on June 24, 2002 US Patent Application No. 60 / 391,282 entitled "HighFlow-Rate Diaphragm Valve And Control Method", 2002
Claims priority from US Patent Application No. 60 / 424,378 entitled "AutomaticBathroom Flushers for Long-Term Operation" filed on November 6,
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is directed to an automatic toilet flusher and a method for operating and controlling the flusher.
Background Information Automatic water flow control systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially in both urinals and urinals of public toilet facilities. Automatic faucets and running water devices contribute to hygiene, equipment cleanliness and water saving. In such a system, the object sensor detects the user and operates the running water control valve in response to detecting the user. For example, in the case of an automatic faucet, water usually flows from the faucet as a result of the presence or movement of the user's hand near the faucet. In the case of an automatic flusher, the detection of the fact that the user has approached the facility and then left is generally triggered by the flushing action.

  The concept of automatic water flow control based on such an object sensor is not new, but its application has been quite limited until recently. Its use has become more widespread due to the availability of recent battery powered conversion kits. These kits make it possible to convert manual equipment to automatic equipment with simple parts replacement that does not require hiring an electrician into the supply network. Using such a battery-powered system will eventually require replacing the battery.

  There still exists a need for an automatic flusher that is very reliable and that can be operated with no or minimal maintenance for a long period of time.

  The invention described herein is directed to an automatic toilet flusher and a method of operating and controlling the flusher.

  According to one aspect, the present invention is a toilet flusher. The toilet flushing device includes a main body, a valve assembly, and an actuator. The body has an inlet and an outlet, and the valve assembly is positioned within the body and positioned to stop water flow between the inlet and outlet during a sealing operation of the moving member in the valve seat; Thereby, the water flow from the inlet to the outlet is controlled. The actuator initiates the movement of the moving member.

The moving member may be a high flow rate diaphragm member or a standard diaphragm or piston. The toilet flushing device may further include an infrared sensor assembly that detects a urinal or a toilet user. Furthermore, toilet flushers can include different types of electromechanical, hydraulic or just mechanical actuators.

  According to another aspect, the present invention is a toilet flusher comprising a cover attached to the body and defining a pressure chamber by a valve assembly. The toilet flushing device further includes a flexible member secured to the cover at one end of the flexible member and the other end of the flexible member attached to the movable member of the valve assembly, There is a passage in the flexible member that is arranged to reduce the pressure in the pressure chamber. The flexible member can be a hollow tube.

  Preferably, the toilet flusher includes an automatic flow control system. Automatic flow control systems can use infrared type object sensors.

Another important aspect of the present invention is a new design of an infrared type object sensor including a display. In the infrared sensor, an infrared source (usually an infrared light emitting diode) is placed behind the infrared transmission aperture to send infrared light to the target area. The indicator can be a visible light emitting diode included in the LED combination device connected antiparallel to the infrared light emitting diode. When the combination device is driven in one direction, the infrared source will shine normally through the appropriate aperture. When the device is driven in the other direction, visible light shines instead through the same aperture through which the infrared rays passed. This arrangement eliminates the provision of separate facilities for visible light location or transmission.

  Yet another important aspect of the present invention is a new algorithm for operating an automatic flusher. The automatic flusher uses an infrared type object sensor to provide an output upon which the control circuit determines whether to flush the toilet. After each pulse of transmitted radiation, the control circuit determines whether the proportion of reflected radiation obtained is significantly different from the previous one and determines whether the change in the proportion is positive or negative. From the determined next data having a predetermined direction and the sum of its values, the control circuit determines whether the user has approached and left the facility. Based on this determination, the controller operates the valve of the flusher. That is, the control circuit determines the running water reference based on whether there is a period (according to an appropriate access criterion) in which the reflection ratio has increased before a period (in accordance with an appropriate evacuation criterion) in which the ratio of reflection has decreased. In this embodiment, the control circuit does not determine whether the user has approached the toilet based on whether the rate of reflection has exceeded a predetermined threshold, but whether the user has left the toilet. No determination is made based on whether the ratio is lower than a predetermined threshold.

  Yet another important aspect of the present invention is a new system and method for storing and transporting the automatic flusher described above. The automatic flusher includes an object sensor (eg, an infrared sensor) and a manual push button actuator. When the flusher is operating, the push button is designed to provide a signal to the user to open the flusher valve to the control circuit. However, when the button actuator remains pressed for a long time, the control circuit takes a power saving mode in which power consumption is negligible. The storage or transport container is designed to activate the button actuator while the container is closed. As a result, it is possible to pack the running water device with the control circuit batteries attached, and not to consume the batteries significantly during storage and transportation. Alternatively, the storage or transport container includes an external magnet arranged to cooperate with a lead sensor connected to the control circuit. If the magnet continues to operate the lead sensor for a long time, the control circuit will enter a power saving mode and consume very little power. There are also "power saving mode induction" devices that can be fitted with batteries without consuming significant batteries during storage and transport.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a new valve device and corresponding method for controlling the flow rate of liquid between the inlet and outlet ports of the valve device. The new valve device includes a fluid inflow port and a fluid outflow port, a valve body, and a fram assembly. The valve body defines a valve cavity and includes a valve closure surface. The fram assembly has two pressure zones and is movable in the valve cavity relative to the guide member. The fram assembly is configured to move to an open position so that liquid can flow from the fluid inlet port to the fluid outlet port during pressure reduction in the first pressure region of the two, and when the pressure in the first pressure region is increased. It is configured to move to the closed position and to seal with the valve closing surface.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the two pressure zones are formed by two chambers separated by a fram assembly and the first pressure zone includes a pilot chamber. The guide member can be a pin or an inner wall of the valve body.

  The fram member (assembly) includes a flexible member and a rigid member, where the flexible member contacts the valve closure surface to form a seal in the closed position (eg, at a seal lip located on the valve closure surface). It is configured as follows. The valve device includes a bias member. The bias member is constructed and arranged to help the fram member move from the open position to the closed position. The bias member can be a spring.

For example, the valve is controlled by an electromechanical operator configured and arranged to relieve pressure in the pilot chamber, thereby initiating movement of the fram assembly from the closed position to the open position. Operators can use latch actuators (as described in US Pat. No. 6,293,516, incorporated herein by reference), non-latch actuators (US Pat. No. 6,305,662 incorporated herein by reference). Or as an isolated operator (as described in PCT application PCT / US01 / 51098, which is incorporated herein by reference)
Can be included. The valve is also controlled and includes a manual operator configured and arranged to relieve pressure within the pilot chamber, thereby initiating movement of the fram member from the closed position to the open position.

  A novel valve device that includes a fram assembly is used to regulate water flow in an automatic or manual toilet flusher.

  According to another aspect, the present application is a new electromagnetic actuator and method for operating and controlling the electromagnetic actuator. The electromagnetic actuator includes a solenoid wound around an armature housing configured and arranged to receive an armature that includes a plunger partially surrounded by a membrane. The armature provides a fluid path for movement of the armature fluid between the distal and proximal portions of the armature, thereby energetic efficient movement of the armature between the closed and open positions Enable. The membrane is secured to the armature housing and arranged to seal the armature fluid within an armature pocket having a constant volume, where movement of the plunger (ie, the distal portion or armature) causes the membrane to Is displaced relative to the valve passage, thereby opening or closing the passage. Thereby, long time operation | movement is attained by a low energy battery.

  Preferred embodiments of this aspect include one or more of the following features. The actuator may be a latch actuator of a non-latching actuator (including a permanent magnet for holding the armature). The distal portion of the armature cooperates with different types of diaphragms that are designed to operate against the valve seat when the armature is positioned at its extended armature position. Has been placed. The electromagnetic actuator is connected to a control circuit configured to apply driving of the coil to the coil in response to an output from an arbitrary armature sensor.

  The armature sensor senses an armature at which the armature reaches the end position (open position or closed position). The control circuit can guide the application of the drive signal of the coil to the coil in the first drive direction, and sets a predetermined first current stop reference for starting or stopping the application of the coil drive to the coil in the first drive direction. Responds to the output from a sensor that satisfies. The control circuit can induce or stop the application of the coil drive signal to the coil in accordance with the output from the sensor that satisfies the predetermined criteria.

  According to another aspect, the present invention is a novel assembly of an electromagnetic actuator and pilot button. The pilot button has an important new function to achieve uniform and long-term operation of the main valve. The present invention is also a new method of assembling an automatic flow regulator with pilot valve operation that achieves uniform long-term operation.

  A method of assembling an automatic flow regulator by pilot valve operation includes providing a main valve assembly and a pilot valve assembly, the pilot valve assembly including a stationary actuator and a pilot body member, the pilot body member including a pilot body member. A valve inlet, pilot valve seat, and pilot valve outlet are included. This method allows the liquid flowing through the pilot valve assembly from the main valve pressure release outlet to pass through the pilot valve seat, through the pilot valve inlet, and to flow through the pilot valve outlet. Securing the pilot valve assembly to the main valve assembly such that the pilot valve assembly is arranged to control the release of pressure in the pressure chamber (ie, pilot chamber) of the main valve assembly. The main valve assembly includes a main valve body having a main valve inlet, a main valve seat, a main valve outlet, a pressure chamber (ie, a pilot chamber), and a pressure release outlet capable of releasing pressure in the pressure chamber (pilot chamber). . The main valve member (eg, diaphragm, piston or diaphragm member) is sealed against the main valve seat, thereby preventing a flow from the main inlet to the main outlet and an open position allowing such a flow. It is possible to move between. During operation, the main valve member is relieved of pressure so that the pressurized pilot chamber urges the main valve member to its closed position and is not pressurized (using the pilot valve assembly). Is exposed to the pressure of the pressure chamber (ie, the pilot chamber) to place the main valve member in its open position.

  According to yet another aspect, the present invention is a new electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic actuator system includes an actuator, a controller, and an actuator sensor. The actuator includes a solenoid coil and an armature housing configured and arranged to receive a movable armature. The controller is coupled to a driver configured to provide a drive signal to the solenoid coil to move the armature, thereby opening or closing a valve passage through which fluid flows. The actuator sensor is constructed and arranged to sense the position of the armature and provide a signal to the controller.

  Preferred embodiments of this aspect include one or more of the following features. The sensor is configured to detect a voltage induced by the movement of the armature. Alternatively, the sensor is constructed and arranged to detect changes to the drive signal due to armature movement.

  Alternatively, the sensor includes a resistor arranged to receive at least a portion of the drive signal and a voltmeter configured to measure a voltage across the resistor. Alternatively, the sensor includes a resistor arranged to receive at least a portion of the drive signal and a differentiating circuit that receives the current flowing through the resistor.

  Alternatively, the sensor includes a coil sensor configured and arranged to sense a voltage induced by armature movement. The coil sensor can be connected to a feedback arrangement for a signal conditioner that provides a conditioned signal to the controller. The signal conditioner includes a preamplifier and a low pass filter.

  Alternatively, the system includes two coil sensors each configured and arranged to sense a voltage induced by armature movement. The two coil sensors are connected to a feedback arrangement for a differential amplifier that is configured to provide a differential signal to the controller.

  The actuator sensor includes an optical sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, or a bridge that sensitively detects a change in signal due to movement of the armature.

  The actuator has an armature housing that is constructed and arranged so that the armature moves linearly when the solenoid receives the drive signal. The actuator may be a latching actuator configured to hold the armature in an open path with no drive signal reaching the solenoid coil. The latch actuator can include permanent magnets arranged to hold the armature in an open path. The latch actuator further includes a bias spring arranged and arranged to bias the armature toward the extended position, leaving the path closed with no drive signal reaching the solenoid coil.

  The controller is configured to guide the drive and provide drive signals at various levels according to signals from the actuator sensors. The drive signal can be a current. The system may include a booster that provides a voltage to the driver.

  The controller is configured to induce the drive and provide a drive signal in the first drive direction, thereby creating a force on the armature to reach the first end position. The controller is configured to determine whether the armature has moved in the first direction based on a signal from the actuator sensor, and if the armature does not move within a predetermined first drive time, the controller Is an elevated drive level in the first direction that is higher than the initial level of the drive signal, leading the application of the drive signal in the first direction to the coil.

  The controller is configured to trigger the drive to provide a drive signal in a first drive direction, thereby creating a force on the armature to reach the first end position. The controller is configured to determine whether the armature has moved in the first direction based on a signal from the actuator sensor. When the armature has moved, the controller moves the coil in the first direction. Application of the drive signal is guided by a drive level in the first direction lower than the initial level of the drive signal.

  The actuator system may include a controller configured to determine a characteristic of the fluid in the passage based on a signal from the actuator sensor. The fluid characteristic can be pressure, temperature, density or viscosity. The actuator system can additionally include a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the fluid.

  The actuator system may include a controller configured to determine the pressure of the fluid in the passage based on a signal from the actuator sensor. The actuator system can receive a signal from an external drive sensor or human detection sensor that is coupled to the controller.

It is a side view of a toilet and the automatic flushing device accompanying it. It is a side view of a urinal and the automatic flushing device accompanying it. It is a figure which shows the relationship between FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. It is sectional drawing of 1st Example of a flowing water apparatus. It is sectional drawing of 1st Example of a flowing water apparatus. It is a figure which shows the relationship between FIG. 2A and FIG. 3B. It is sectional drawing of 2nd Example of a flowing water apparatus. It is sectional drawing of 3rd Example of a flowing water apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control circuit of a flowing water apparatus. It is an expanded sectional view of the valve | bulb which controls the flow volume of the stopper shown to FIG. 2A and 4A. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the valve shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the valve shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the valve shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a front view of an alternative form of transmitter and receiver lens and front circuit housing component. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a container that can be used in a subassembly of a flusher conversion kit. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the 6C-6C line | wire of FIG. 6B. Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a container that can be used in the flushing device conversion kit of the type shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3. It is detailed sectional drawing of the button pushing-in apparatus contained in the container. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an electromechanical actuator for controlling any one valve shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the electromechanical actuator shown in FIG. 7. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an electromechanical actuator for controlling the valve shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an electromechanical actuator for controlling the valve shown in FIGS. 7B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a membrane used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7-7C. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a membrane and pilot button used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7-7C. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the armature bobbin used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a control system for controlling the operation of the electromechanical actuator shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C. 8 is a block diagram of yet another embodiment of a control system for controlling the operation of the electromechanical actuator shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of data inflow to a microcontroller used in the flow control system of FIG. 8A or FIG. 8B. FIG. 8 shows the current versus time relationship for the valve actuator shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C connected to a 0 Pa (0 psi) counter pressure water supply. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between current and time for the valve actuator shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C connected to a water supply with a back pressure of 8.27 × 10 ⁵ Pa (120 psi). It is a figure which shows concretely the dependence of the latch time with respect to the water pressure regarding the actuator shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B or FIG. 7C. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a running water cycle used to control the running water device shown in FIG. 2, 3 or 4. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit used by a flushing device to drive a light emitting diode. It is a figure which shows the relationship of FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B, and FIG. 12C. FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a routine executed by the control circuit of FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the relationship between FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B. FIG. 13 shows a more detailed flowchart of the steps in the routines of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C. FIG. 13 shows a more detailed flowchart of the steps in the routines of FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C. It is a figure which shows concretely the new algorithm for controlling operation | movement of a flowing water apparatus. It is a front view of another Example of an automatic water flow apparatus. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected by the 15A-15A line | wire of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows a flushing device 10 which receives pressurized water from a supply line 12 and generally uses an infrared-type object sensor to draw water from the feed line 12 to the flushing conduit. Responsive to the movement of the object in the target area 14 by selectively opening a valve that allows it to flow through the toilet bowl 18 through 16. FIG. 1A shows a flushing device 10 for automatically flushing a urinal 18A. As described above, the flush device 10 receives pressurized water from the supply line 12 and utilizes an object sensor to allow water to flow from the supply line 12 through the flush conduit 16 to the urinal 18A. Reacts to the movement of the object in the target area 14A.

2A and 2B show in detail a first embodiment of the automatic flusher 10. FIG. 2B shows the supply line 12 in communication with an annular inlet chamber 20 defined by an inlet chamber wall 22 formed near the upper end of the flow conduit 16. A pressure cap 24 secured to the chamber housing by a retaining ring 25 lies between the housing of the outer edge 26 of the flexible diaphragm 28 disposed on the main valve seat 30 formed by itself and the mouth of the flow conduit 16. tighten.

  The supply pressure spreading into the inlet chamber 20 tends to push the flexible diaphragm 28 and thereby allow water to flow from the supply line 12 into the interior 32 of the flush conduit 16. However, the diaphragm 28 is sealed because the outflow holes 34 normally formed by the diaphragm 28 tend to equalize the pressure between the inlet chamber 20 and the main pressure chamber 36 formed by the pressure cap 24. Yes. Specifically, the pressure in the inlet chamber 20 spreads only outside the flowing water conduit 16, whereas the pressure in the main pressure chamber 36 spreads everywhere outside the diaphragm feed pipe 38, resulting in the upper chamber. The pressure spreading to 36 exerts a stronger force on the diaphragm 28 than the same pressure in the inlet chamber 20.

The flushing device may also include any known solenoid or solenoid actuation that may include the actuator assembly 40 described in US Pat. Nos. 6,293,516 or 6,305,662, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. Includes actuator assembly. Alternatively, the solenoid actuated actuator assembly is detailed in PCT Application No. PCT / US01 / 51098, filed Oct. 25, 2001, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. It includes the described insulated actuator assembly 40A. The insulated actuator assembly 40A is referred to herein as an operator's sealed type.

  In order to flush the toilet 18, a solenoid actuated actuator assembly 40, controlled by a circuit 42, regulates the pressure in the main pressure chamber 38 in a manner that will be described in greater detail below, and the pilot housing portion of the pressure cap 24. 48 by releasing fluid flow between outlet channels 44 and 46 formed by 48. A detailed description of the operation is given below.

FIG. 3 (consisting of FIGS. 2A and 3B) shows in detail a second embodiment of the automatic flusher 10. In this embodiment, a new high flow rate valve 600 (shown in FIG. 3B) is used which utilizes a fram assembly which will be described in detail in connection with FIG. 5C below. With reference to FIGS. 2A and 3B, the automatic flusher 10 receives an inflow of water from the supply line 12 that is in communication with a flexible member 628 that is supported by a support 632 of the flam member 626. Grooves 638 and 638A provide a water flow path to pilot chamber 642. The actuator releases the pressure in pilot chamber 642 and thus begins to open valve 600. The water then flows from the inlet line 12 to the outlet chamber 32 by the valve seat 625. The total flow cycle is a solenoid actuated actuator assembly 40 controlled by the circuit 42 shown in FIG. 2A.
Is controlled by. A detailed description of the operation is given below.

FIG. 4 shows in detail a third embodiment of the automatic flushing device 10. The automatic water flow device 10 is a high-performance, water-flow system without an electronically or manually controlled tank. Water flows in through an inflow union 12 which is preferably formed from a suitable plastic resin. The union 12 is attached via screws to an inflow joint 12A that interacts with the building water supply system. Furthermore, the union 12 is designed to rotate around its own axis to align with the inlet supply line when there is no water.

  Still referring to FIG. 4, the union 12 is attached to the inlet pipe 64 by fasteners 60 and radial seals 62 so that the union 12 can move in or out along the inlet pipe 64. This movement allows the inlet to be aligned with the supply line. However, when the fastener 60 is fixed, pressure is applied to the inflow port 64 by the joint portion of the union 12. As a result, a device that is fixed and sealed via the seal member 62 is formed. Feed water travels through the union 12 to the inlet 64 and through the inlet valve assembly in the direction of elements 76, 78, 70, 72, 74. The automatic flusher 10 also includes an inlet screen filter 80 in the passage formed by the member 82 and in communication with the main valve seat 525, the operation of the main valve as a whole with respect to FIGS. explain.

  As will be described in connection with FIGS. 5, 5A and 5B, the electromagnetic actuator 50 controls the operation of the main valve. In the open state, water flows to the main outlet 532 through the flow path 528, the flow path 528A, and the flow path 528B. In the closed state, the fram element 528 seals the main seat 525 of the valve.

The automatic flusher 10 is an adjustable inflow valve that is controlled by the rotation of a valve element 54 that is threaded together with valve elements 514 and 540 that are sealed from an object 54 via 84 and 54A to an O-ring seal. 72. The assembly of valve elements 514 and 540 is held down by screwed element 52 when element 52 is screwed to the end. The resulting force pushes down the element 82 above the valve element 72, creating a path from the inlet 78 to the flow path of the object 82. When the valve element 52 is not screwed to the end, the valve assemblies 514 and 540 move upward due to the spring force located within the adjustable valve 70. The spring force combined with the inlet fluid pressure from 78 presses the element 72 against the seat 72A, resulting in a sealing action. The sealing element 74 prevents all water from flowing into the flow path inside 82 and thereby eliminates the need to stop the feed water at the inlet 12 without any internal valves including the elements 82, 50, 514, 50, 528. Inspection of elements becomes possible. This is a great advantage of this embodiment.

According to another function of the adjustable valve 70, the threaded retainer is fixed in the middle so that the object elements 514 and 82 only partially depress the valve seat 72. There is a partial opening that provides flow restriction and reduces the flow of incoming water through valve 70. This new function is designed to meet the special requirements of the application. To allow the installer to use the flow restriction, the inside of the valve body 54 includes a special mark for applications such as a 1.6WC 1.0GPF urinal.

The automatic flush device 10 is disposed within the housing 144 and includes an electronic flush system based on the sensors described in connection with FIG. 2A. Furthermore, the sensor-based electronic flushing system can be replaced with any mechanical activation button or lever. Alternatively, the flush valve can be controlled by a hydraulic synchronous mechanical actuator that operates a hydraulic delay arrangement. Such a hydraulic system can be disposed within the housing 144. The water pressure system can be adjusted to a delay time that corresponds to the amount of water required for a given facility, such as 1.6GPFW.C. The water pressure delay mechanism can open the pilot zone outlet opening for a time equal to the installer's preset value instead of the electromagnetic actuator 50 (shown in FIG. 4).

  Alternatively, the control circuit 42 can be modified to replace the sensing element housed in the housing 144 with a synchronous control circuit. When the flushing device is activated by an electromechanical switch (or capacitive switch), the control circuit activates the flushing cycle by actuating the electromagnetic actuator 50 for a duration equal to a preset level. This level is set at the factory or by installers in the field. This arrangement can be combined with the hydrostatic pressure measurement mechanism described below to offset the effect of pressure on the desired amount for each flow.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 has several advantages. The hydraulic or electromechanical control system can be checked without having to shut off the water supply to the facility. In addition, the valve mechanism allows control of the amount of liquid passing through the facility. The mainstream water valve includes the design shown in detail in connection with FIGS. This flow valve arrangement provides a high flow rate (relative to its size) when compared to a conventional diaphragm type flow valve as shown in FIG. 2B.

  The embodiment of FIG. 4 when combined with the described control circuit provides a fluid control valve with a low power bistable electromagnetic actuator that can accurately control the amount of water delivered with each flow. As explained below, by changing the ability to measure fluid static pressure and then the opening time of the main valve, the amount of water delivered can be dynamically controlled. That is, the system can deliver a selected amount of water regardless of pressure fluctuations in the water supply line.

  The system may include a flexible conductive spring contact arrangement for converting electrical control signals from the control electronics to the electromagnetic actuator without using a wire / connector arrangement. The system also uses a direct mechanical lever or mechanical level to trigger a water pressure delay arrangement that then functions as the main valve pilot arrangement to enable operation of the main flow water valve. Individual functions are described in detail below.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a valve 500 used in the faucet embodiment shown in FIG. The valve device 500 includes a valve body 513 that provides a cavity for a valve assembly 514, an inlet port 518, and an outlet port 520. The valve assembly 514 includes a base body 522, a distal body 524, and a fram member 526 (FIG. 5A). The fram member 526 includes a flexible member 528 and a support member 532. The flexible member 528 can be a diaphragm-like member having a slide seal. The support 532 may be a plunger-like member or a piston-like member, but has structural and functional characteristics that are different from conventional plungers or pistons. The valve assembly 514 also includes a guide member, such as a guide pin 536 or a slide surface, and includes a spring 540.

Base body 522 includes a threaded surface 522A sized to cooperate with threaded surface 524A of distal body 524. The fram member 526 (and therefore the flexible member 528 and the plunger-like member 532) includes an opening 527 that is configured and arranged to receive the guide pin 536. Flam member 526 defines a pilot chamber 542 that is positioned to fluidly couple to actuator bore 550 via control passages 544A and 544B. Actuator hole 550 is fluidly coupled to discharge port 520 via control passage 546. Guide pin 536 includes a V-shaped or U-shaped groove 538 configured and arranged with flam opening 527 (FIG. 5A) to provide a pressure transmission passage between inflow chamber 519 and pilot chamber 550.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the distal body 524 includes an annular lip seal 525 disposed with a flexible member 528 to provide a seal between the inflow port chamber 529 and the outflow port chamber 521. Distal body 524 also includes one or several channels 517 that provide communication (in an open state) between inflow chamber 519 and outflow chamber 521. The flexible member 528 also includes sealing members 529A and 529B arranged to provide a sliding seal between the pilot chamber 542 and the exhaust chamber 521 relative to the valve body 522. There are various possible implementations of seals 529A and 529B (FIG. 5). This seal may be single-sided like seal 530 (shown in FIG. 5A) or double-sided seals 529A and 529B shown in FIG. In addition, there are various additional examples of slide seals including O-rings and the like.

The present invention contemplates valve devices 10 of various dimensions. For example, in the "normal" dimension embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the pin diameter A = 0.178 cm (0.070 inch) and the spring diameter B = 0.914 cm (0.360).
Inch), flexible member diameter C = 1.85 cm (0.730 inch), overall fram and seal diameter D = 2.06 cm (0.812 inch), pin length E = 1.14 cm (0.450 inch), body height F = 0.965 cm (0.380
Inch), pilot chamber height G = 0.711 cm (0.280 inch), flam member dimension H = 0.406 cm (0.160 inch), and fram moving range I = 0.254 cm (0.100 inch). The overall height of the bulb is about 3.53 cm (1.39 inches) and the diameter is about 2.99 cm (1.178 inches).

The "half" size embodiment (for the valve shown in FIG. 2) has the following dimensions with the same reference characters (each character includes the subscript 1) as shown in FIG. . In this “half” size valve, A ₁ = 0.178 cm (0.070 inch), B ₁ = 0.762 cm (0.30 inch), C ₁ = 1.42 cm (0.560 inch), D ₁ = 1.65 cm (0.650 inch), E ₁ = 0.965 cm (0.38 inch), F ₁ = 0.787 cm (0.310 inch), G ₁ = 0.546 cm (0.215 inch), H ₁ = 0.316 cm (0.125 inch), I ₁ = 1.52 cm (0.60 inch). The overall length of the half-sized embodiment is about 1.350 inches and the diameter is about 0.855 inches. Similarly, the valve device of FIG.
There can be various larger or smaller dimensions.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 5B, the valve 500 receives liquid at the inlet port 518 and applies pressure to the diaphragm-like member 528 to provide a seal when closed with the lip member 525. Groove passage 538 provides pressure transmission with pilot chamber 542 in communication with actuator bore 550 via communication passages 544A and 544B. Actuator (Fig. 4A
And 5C) seals passages 544A and 544B, and thus pilot chamber 542, at surface 548 to provide a seal. As the plunger of actuator 142 or 143 moves away from surface 548, fluid flows through passages 544A and 544B to control passage 546 and to outlet port 520. This causes a pressure drop in the pilot chamber 542. Accordingly, the diaphragm-like member 528 and the piston-like member 532 move linearly within the hole 542, thereby providing a relatively large fluid opening at the lip seal 525. A large amount of fluid can flow from the inflow port 518 to the outflow port 520.

  When the plunger of the actuator 142 or 143 seals the control passages 544A and 544B, the pressure increases in the pilot chamber 542 as it passes from the inlet port 518 through the groove 538. The increased pressure in the pilot chamber 542 moves with the force of the spring 540 sliding the fram member 526 linearly over the guide pin 536 toward the seal lip 529. When there is sufficient pressure in pilot chamber 542, diaphragm-like flexible member 528 seals inflow port chamber 519 at lip seal 525. Preferably, the soft member 528 is designed to clean the groove 538 of the guide pin 536 during sliding.

  The embodiment of FIG. 5 shows that the valve 500 has an inflow chamber 519 (and a guide pin 536) that is arranged symmetrically with respect to the passages 544A, 544B and 546 (and the position of the plunger of the actuator 701). . However, the valve device 500 may have passages 544A, 544B (not shown) and an inflow chamber 519 (and guide pins 536) that are asymmetrically disposed with respect to the passage 546. That is, the valve has an inflow chamber 519 (and a guide pin 536) that is asymmetrically arranged with respect to the position of the plunger of the actuator 142 or 143. Symmetric embodiments and asymmetric embodiments are equivalent.

Referring to FIG. 5C, the valve device 600 includes a valve body 613 that provides a hole in the valve assembly 614, an inflow port 618, and an outflow port 620. The valve assembly 614 includes a base body 602, a distal body 604, a fram member or assembly 626. The fram member 626 includes a flexible member 628 and a support member 632. The flexible member 628 can be a diaphragm-like member having a slide seal. The support member 632 can be a plunger-like member or a piston-like member, but has structural and functional characteristics that are different from conventional plungers or pistons. The valve body 602 provides a guide surface 636 that is disposed on the inner wall that includes one or several grooves 638 and 638A. These are novel grooves that are configured to provide a flow path from an inflow chamber located at the periphery (different from the central inflow chamber shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A).

The fram member 626 defines a pilot chamber 642 that is arranged in fluid communication with the actuator bore 650 via control passages 644A and 644B. Actuator hole 650 is in fluid communication with outflow chamber 621 via control passage 646. Groove 638 (or grooves 638 and 638A) provides a communication path between inflow chamber 619 and pilot chamber 642. Distal body 604 includes an annular lip seal 625 arranged to cooperate with flexible member 628 to seal between inflow port chamber 619 and outflow port chamber 621. The distal body 624 also includes a flow path 617 that communicates (in an open state) between the inflow chamber 619 and the outflow chamber 621 and allows a large amount of fluid to flow. A flexible member 628 is also arranged to provide a sliding seal for the valve body 622 between the pilot chamber 642 and the inflow chamber 619.
9B (or a single-sided seal member depending on pressure conditions). (Of course, as explained above, the groove 638 allows control of the flow rate from the inflow chamber 619 to the pilot chamber 642.)
Further, the process proceeds to a system for controlling the operation. With respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the operation control circuit 42 is accommodated in a circuit housing including three parts, ie, a front part 116, a central part 118, and a rear part 120. A screw (not shown) secures the front portion 116 to the central portion 118, and the rear portion 120 is then secured by a screw such as a screw 122. The screw engages a bushing 124 that is ultrasonically welded to the recess formed by the central housing portion 118 for that purpose. A main circuit board 126 on which many components such as a capacitor 128 and a microprocessor (not shown) are mounted is mounted in the housing. The auxiliary circuit board 130 is then attached to the main circuit board 126. Attached to the auxiliary circuit board 130 is a light emitting diode 132, partially surrounded by a transmitter hood 134, also mounted on the board.

  The front circuit housing portion 116 forms a transmitter lens portion 136 having front and rear polishing surfaces 138 and 140. The transmitter lens unit collects infrared rays from the light-emitting diodes 132 formed in the water flow device housing 146 at the focal point through the infrared transmission window 144. The pattern 148 in FIG. 1 represents the resulting radiant power distribution. The light-receiving lens 152 formed by the component 116 focuses the received light on a photodiode 154 mounted on the main circuit board 126, which is a pattern of sensitivity in FIG. 1 for light reflected from the object. Result.

Like the transmitter light emitting diode 132, the photodiode 154 is provided with a hood, in this case the hood 156. Hoods 134 and 156 are opaque and tend to reduce noise and crosstalk. The circuit housing also limits optical noise. The central portion 118 and the rear portion 120 are formed from an opaque material such as Lexan 141 polycarbonate, while the front portion 116 is formed from a transparent material such as LexanOQ2720 polycarbonate so that effective lenses 136 and 152 can be formed. And having a rough and / or coated outer surface on the non-lens portion to reduce transmission therethrough. An opaque blinder 158 attached to the front section 116 leaves a central opening 160 for infrared transmission from the light emitting diode 132, while preventing transmission of stray light that may contribute to crosstalk. Also to prevent crosstalk, an opaque stopper 162 is secured to a slot provided in the front portion 116 of the circuit housing for that purpose.

In the arrangement of FIG. 2A, the transmitter and receiver lenses are integrally formed with a portion of the circuit housing, which provides manufacturing advantages over an arrangement in which the lenses are separated from the housing. However, embodiments in which the lens is manufactured separately may be preferred because material selection for both the lens and circuit housing can be made with greater flexibility. 6 and 6A are alternative front and cross-sectional views that utilize this approach. An alternative solution includes a front circuit housing portion 116 'that is remote from the lenses 136' and 152 '. The housing portion 116 'is formed with a teardrop shaped edge 164 that cooperates with a flange 166 formed in a similar shape on the lens 136' during assembly to weld the lens ultrasonically. Orient the lens in its proper position on the teardrop shaped shoulder 168. Referring to FIG. 6A, the teardrop shape ensures proper orientation of the lens. A light receiving lens 152 ′ is similarly attached. The front circuit housing part 116 ′ and the lenses 136 ′ and 152 ′ do not have to be formed of the same material, and the housing part 116 ′ can be formed integrally with the housing part 116 ′ with the blinder 170 and the stopper 172. It can be formed from an opaque material. As described with respect to FIG. 2A, the circuit housing includes circuitry that controls the valve operator and other flusher components.

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram of the circuit. A microcontroller-based control circuit 180 operates a peripheral circuit 182 that controls the valve operator. The transmitter circuit 184 including the light emitting diode 132 of FIG. 2 is also operated by the control circuit 180, and the light receiving circuit 186 includes the photodiode 154 and sends its response to the resulting echo to the control circuit. Although the circuit of FIG. 4A can be implemented to operate with household power, it is more common to be battery powered, and FIG. 4A clearly shows a battery powered power supply 188. This is because the control circuit 180 not only receives stabilized power from the power supply, as described below, but also senses unregulated power for the purposes described below. It also controls the application of power to the various circuit components of FIG. 4A.

Since circuits are most often battery powered, an important design consideration is that power is not used unnecessarily. As a result, the circuit based on the microcontroller is usually in a “power saving” mode and continues to refresh a particular volatile memory and draws only enough power to operate the timer 190. In the illustrated embodiment, the timer 190 generates an output pulse every 250 milliseconds, and the control circuit reacts to each pulse by performing a short operating routine before returning to the power save mode. FIGS. 12A and 12B (collectively “FIG. 12”) are flowcharts that clearly illustrate certain aspects of these operations.

  The automatic flusher shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 may utilize various embodiments of the insulated actuator shown in FIGS. 7, 7B and 7C. Insulating actuator 701 includes an actuator base 716, a ferromagnetic pole piece 725, and a ferromagnetic armature 740 that is slidably mounted within an armature pocket formed in bobbin 714. The ferromagnetic armature 740 includes an armature hole 750 having a distal end 742 (ie, plunger 742) and a coil spring 748. Coil spring 748 includes reduced ends 748a and 748b for mechanical manipulation. The ferromagnetic armature 740 has an armature 740 in the armature hole 750 and pole piece 725 from the distal end of the armature 740 (outside of the actuator base 716) so that fluid can easily move during movement of the armature. One or several grooves or passages 752 may be included that communicate with the proximal end.

The insulated actuator body 701 also includes a solenoid bobbin 714 and a solenoid winding 728 wound around a magnet 723 located within the magnet recess 720. The insulated actuator body 701 also includes an elastically deformable O-ring 712 that forms a seal between the solenoid bobbin 714 and the actuator base 716 and an elastic deformation that forms a seal between the solenoid bobbin 714 and the pole piece 725. All of which are held together by a solenoid housing 718, including possible O-rings 730. The solenoid housing 718 (ie, can 718) is bent at the actuator base 716 to hold the magnet 723 and pole piece 725 against the bobbin 714, thereby securing the winding 728 and the actuator base 716 together.

The insulating actuator 700 also includes an elastic membrane 744 that may have various embodiments shown and described in connection with FIGS. 7D and 7E. As shown in FIG. 7, the elastic membrane 764 is mounted between the actuator base 716 and the pilot button 705 and contains the armature fluid located in the fluid-sealed armature chamber that communicates with the armature port 752. . Elastic membrane 764 includes a distal end 766, an O-ring-like portion 767, and a flexible portion 768.
Distal end 766 contacts the sealing surface in area 708. The elastic membrane 764 is exposed to the regulated fluid pressure provided through the conduit 706 of the pilot button 705 and is therefore subject to substantial external forces. Further, the elastic membrane 764 is configured to have relatively low permeability and high durability to withstand thousands of opening and closings over many years of operation.

Still referring to FIG. 7, the insulated actuator 701 has a cap 703 that seals against the distal portion of the actuator base 716 and the pilot button 705 using an elastically deformable O-ring 732 for storage and transport purposes. It is provided. The storage and transport cap 703 typically includes water that balances the fluid contained by the elastic membrane 744, thereby eliminating or greatly limiting the diffusion of fluid through the elastic membrane 744. The

  Still referring to FIG. 7, the actuator base 716 includes a wide base portion that is substantially disposed inside the can 718 and a narrow base that is threaded on its outer surface to receive the cap 703. Includes extension. The inner surface of the base extension portion is threadedly engaged with complementary screws provided on the outer surface of the pilot button 705. The membrane 764 includes a thick peripheral edge 767 disposed between the lower surface of the base extension 32 and the pilot button 705. This creates a fluid tight seal so that the membrane protects the armature from exposure to external fluid flowing in the main valve.

For example, the armature fluid may be water mixed with a corrosion inhibitor such as a 20% mixture of polypropylene glycol and potassium phosphate, for example. Alternatively, the armature fluid can include silicon-based fluids, polypropylene polyethylene glycol, or other fluids with large molecules. The armature fluid is generally any liquid that has a low viscosity and is preferably non-compressible, preferably non-corrosive to the armature. Alternatively, the armature liquid can be Fomblin or other liquid of low vapor pressure (but preferably of a polymer size that prevents diffusion).

With non-corrosive protection, the armature material can be low carbon steel, iron or some soft magnetic material, and the corrosion resistance is not as great a factor as the other elements. In other embodiments, an armature material such as 420 or 430 stainless steel is used. It is only necessary for the armature to consist essentially of a ferromagnetic material, ie a material that the solenoid and magnet can attract. Nevertheless, it may include non-ferromagnetic, so-called flexible or other chip-like parts.

  The elastic membrane 764 encloses the armature fluid in the fluid-tight armature chamber that communicates with the armature port 752 or 790 formed by the armature body. Furthermore, the elastic membrane 764 is exposed to the liquid pressure regulated in the main valve and is therefore subject to considerable external forces. However, because the conduit pressure is transmitted through membrane 764 to the incompressible armature fluid in the armature chamber, armature 740 and spring 750 need not overcome this force. The force resulting from the pressure in the chamber is therefore approximately balanced with the force exerted by the conduit pressure.

Still referring to FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, the armature 740 is free to move relative to the fluid pressure in the chamber between the retracted position and the extended position. Armature port 752 or 790 allows force balancing fluid to travel from the lower well of the armature chamber to a portion of the armature chamber via the spring hole 750, and thus the upper end of the armature (ie The distal end) is retracted from it during operation. Armature fluid can also flow around the sides of the armature, but in arrangements where rapid movement of the armature is required, a relatively low flow resistance, such as one that the ports 752 or 790 help form. A route should be provided. Similar considerations support the use of relatively low viscosity armature chamber liquids. Therefore, only a small amount of electrical energy is required for operation of the insulation operator (ie, actuator 700) and is therefore unmatched for battery operation.

  In the embodiment of the latch shown in FIG. 7, the armature 740 is kept in the retracted position by the magnet 723 because no solenoid current flows. Driving the armature to the extended position therefore requires an armature current in a direction and magnitude that opposes the magnet's magnetic force to such an extent that the resulting magnetic force dominates the spring force. is there. When that happens, the spring force moves the armature 740 to its extended position, where it seals the outer surface of the membrane against the valve seat (eg, the seat of the pilot button 705). In this position, the armature is sufficiently separated from the magnet by the spring force so that the spring force can keep the armature extended without the aid of a solenoid.

  In order to return the armature to the retracted position, and thereby cause fluid to flow, the current is driven through a solenoid in a direction that the resulting magnetic field intensifies the magnetic field of the magnet. As explained above, the force exerted on the armature in the retracted position of the magnet 723 is large enough to hold the armature there against the spring force. However, in a non-latching embodiment that does not include a magnet 723, the armature 740 is maintained in the retracted position only while the solenoid conducts sufficient current to cause the resulting magnetic force to exceed the spring force of the spring 748. .

  Advantageously, the diaphragm film 764 protects the armature 740 and forms a hole that is substantially filled with a non-corrosive liquid, which allows the actuator designer to use a highly corrosion resistant, high permeability material. A more advantageous selection can be made from the inside. In addition, the membrane 764 provides a barrier to metal ions and other debris that tend to migrate into the pores.

Diaphragm membrane 764 includes a sealing surface 766 that is associated with the seat opening area, both of which can be expanded or contracted. The sealing surface 766 and the seat surface of the pilot button 705 can be optimized for the pressure range in which the valve actuator is designed to operate. Reducing the sealing surface 766 (and the corresponding armature 740 tip) reduces the area of the plunger involved in compressing the membrane, thus reducing the spring force required for a given upstream fluid line pressure. To do. On the other hand, if the tip region of the plunger is too small, the diaphragm membrane 764 tends to be damaged when the valve is closed over time. A preferable range of the tip contact area with respect to the sheet opening area is 1.4 to 12.3. The actuator of the present invention is suitable for a variety of controlled fluid pressures including about 1.03 × 10 ⁶ Pa (150 psi).
Without substantial modification, the valve actuator can be used at water pressures from about 2.07 x 10 ⁵ Pa (30 psi) to 5.52 x 10 ⁵ Pa (80 psi), or even about 8.62 x 10 ⁵ Pa (125 psi) is there.

Still referring to FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B, and 7C, the pilot button 705 has an important new function to achieve a consistent guidance over time of the diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 2B or the diaphragm valve shown in FIG. 3B. ing. The solenoid actuator 701 together with the pilot button 705 is attached together to the electronic faucet as one assembly, so that in the pilot seat in the area 708 (FIGS. 7, 7B, 7C) relative to the closure surface (detailed in FIG. 7E) Variations in the pilot valve stroke are minimized, and in the absence of this, the pilot operation is impaired due to variations. This device is faster and simpler than known devices.

  The assembly of the operator 701 and the pilot button 705 are typically assembled at the factory where the diaphragm membrane 764 and pressurized armature fluid (at a pressure corresponding to the pressure of the controlled fluid) are retained. Connected. The pilot buttons 705 are both thin on the actuator base 716 utilizing a complementary screw or slide mechanism that ensures a reproducibly fixed distance between the distal end 766 of the diaphragm 764 and the sealing surface of the pilot button 705. Connected to the tip. The connection between the operator 701 and the guide button 705 can be permanently fixed (or fixed firmly) using an adhesive, a fixing screw, or a pin. Alternatively, one member can include an extended area that is utilized to bend the edges of the two members together after screwing or sliding into the pilot button 705.

Although it is possible to attach the solenoid actuator 701 without the pilot button 705, this process is somewhat troublesome. In the state without the pilot button 705, it is necessary to first position the pilot valve body with respect to the main valve in the installation process, and then to fix the actuator assembly to the main valve in order to hold the pilot valve body in the correct position. Become. Without proper treatment, the pilot body position will vary due to various part tolerances and possible deformations. This variation causes variations in the stroke of the pilot valve member. In low-power pilot valves, even relatively small fluctuations can have a negative or negative impact on the sealing force and possibly even completely prevent the pilot valve from opening and closing . It is therefore important to reduce this variation during installation, field maintenance or replacement. On the other hand, when assembling the solenoid actuator 701 with the pilot button 705, this variation is eliminated or greatly reduced in the manufacturing process, so no special action need be taken during field maintenance or replacement.

  As described above, the main valve assembly includes a main valve inlet, a main valve seat, a main valve outlet, a pressure chamber (ie, a pilot chamber), and a pressure relief outlet that can relieve pressure in the pressure chamber (pilot chamber). The main valve member can be a diaphragm 28 (FIG. 2B), a piston or a diaphragm member (FIG. 3B or 4), all of which seal the main valve seat, Moving between closed states thereby preventing flow from the main inlet (eg, inlet 12 of FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B or FIG. 4) to the main outlet (eg, outlet 34 of FIG. 2B, FIG. 3B or FIG. 4) To do.

Referring to FIGS. 7D and 7E, as described above, the diaphragm membrane 764 includes an outer ring member 767, a flexible section 768, a tip or sheet section 766. The distal end of the plunger is housed in a pocket flange behind the seal area 766. Diaphragm membrane 764 is preferably formed from EPDM because of its low durometer, compression set by NSF component 61, and a relatively low diffusion rate. The low diffusion rate is important to prevent encapsulated armature fluid from leaking during movement or during the installation process. Alternatively, the diaphragm member 764 can be made from a soft, low compression rubber such as fluororubber such as VITON or CRI-LINER® fluororubber manufactured by CRI-TECHSP-508. Alternatively, the diaphragm member 764 may be made from a Teflon-type rubber or may simply include a Teflon coating. Alternatively, the diaphragm member 764 is a NBR (hardness 40-50 durometer) as a way to reduce the effects of variations in the molding process that produce a flow mark that causes a small amount of leakage of fluid contained in the surrounding environment.
Natural rubber). Alternatively, the diaphragm member 764 includes a metal coating that reduces the rate of diffusion through the diaphragm member when the other is dry and exposed to air during storage or transportation of the assembled actuator.

  Preferably, the diaphragm member 764 has high elasticity and low compressibility (which is relatively difficult to achieve). Diaphragm member 764 can have several parts formed from a low durometer material (ie, parts 767 and 768) and other parts of a high durometer material (front surface 766). The low compressibility of the diaphragm member 764 is important to minimize fluctuations in the armature stroke over long periods of operation. The contact 766 is thus made from a high durometer material. High resiliency is necessary to easily bend the diaphragm member 764 in the area 768. Furthermore, the diaphragm component 768 is relatively thin so that the diaphragm can bend and the plunger can be moved with very little force. This is important for long-term battery operation.

Referring to FIG. 7E, another embodiment of a diaphragm membrane 764 is shown, which includes a front slug hole 772 (in addition to a rear plunger hole that is shaped to accommodate the plunger tip). It is formed to include. The front slug hole 772 is filled with plastic or metal slug 774. The front surface 770 including the surface of the slug 774 is arranged to cooperate with the sealing surface of the pilot button 705. Specifically, the sealing surface of the pilot button 705 may include a pilot seat 709 that is formed from a different material having the characteristics designed for the slug 774. For example, the high durometer pilot seat 709 can be made from a high durometer material. Accordingly, the resilient and relatively hard slug 772 contacts the relatively soft pilot seat 709 during the sealing operation. This new arrangement of diaphragm membrane 764 and pilot button 705 provides a highly reproducible sealing action over time.

Diaphragm member 764 is made by a two-stage molding process using an overmolding process where the outer portion is molded from a softer material and the inner portion in contact with the pilot seat is molded from a harder rubber or thermoplastic material. Can do. The front-facing insert 774 is made from a hard injection molded plastic such as an acceptable copolymer or a molded metal disc made of a corrosion-resistant non-magnetic material such as 300 series stainless steel. In this arrangement, the pilot seat 709 is further modified to include a structure that retains a pilot seat structure formed from a relatively high durometer rubber, such as an EPDM 60 durometer. Utilizing this design of transferring the compliant member of the sealing surface to the valve seat of the pilot button 705 (rather than the diaphragm member 764) draws several important advantages. Specifically, the diaphragm member 764 is a highly compliant material. Substantial improvements are seen in the process related to maintaining a proper pilot seat structure without any flow marks (a common phenomenon that requires careful process control and vigilance for continuous quality control). This design allows the use of rubber members having hardness optimized for the application.

  FIG. 7F is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an armature bobbin used in the actuator shown in FIGS. 7-7C. The body of the bobbin is configured to have low permeability to the armature fluid. For example, the bobbin 714 includes a metal region 713 that is in contact with the armature fluid and a plastic region 713a that is not in contact with the armature fluid.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a flow control system for the latch actuator 801. The flow control system also includes a microcontroller 814, a power switch 818, and a solenoid driver 820. As shown in FIG. 7, the latch actuator 701 includes an armature, preferably formed from a permanent magnet, and at least one drive coil 728 wound on a bobbin. Microcontroller 814 provides control signals 815 A and 815 B to current driver 820 that drives solenoid 728 for moving armature 740. Solenoid driver 820 receives DC power from battery 824 and voltage regulator 826 regulates battery power and provides a substantially constant voltage to current driver 820. Coil sensors 843A and 843B capture the induced voltage signal due to movement of armature 740 and provide this signal to a regulated feedback loop including preamplifiers 845A and 845B and low pass filters 847A and 847B. This means that coil sensors 843A and 843B are used to monitor the position of the armature.

The microcontroller 814 is also designed for efficient power handling. Between activations, the microcontroller 814 automatically enters a low frequency power saving mode and all other electronic elements (eg, input elements or sensors 818, power drivers 820, voltage regulators or voltage boosters 826, The signal conditioner 822) is reduced in energy consumption. Upon receiving an input signal from, for example, a motion sensor, microcontroller 814 turns on power consumption controller 819 (ie, switches on transistor Q1 in FIG. 3B). The power consumption controller 819 increases the energy consumption of the signal conditioner 822.

Referring also to FIG. 7, to close the fluid passage 708, the microcontroller 814 provides a “close” control signal 815A to the solenoid driver 820, and the drive voltage is applied to the coil terminals. A “closed” control signal 815 A provided to the microcontroller 814 activates a drive voltage having a polarity in the solenoid driver 820 that causes the resulting magnetic flux to repel the magnetic field provided by the permanent magnet 723. This breaks the force holding the armature 740 of the magnet 723 and the return spring 748 moves the valve member 740 toward the valve seat 708. In the closed position, the spring 748 keeps the diaphragm member 764 pressed against the valve seat of the pilot button 705. In the closed position, the distance between the distal end of the armature 740 and the pole piece 725 is wider. Thus, the magnet 723 imparts a magnetic force to the armature 740 that is weaker than the force provided by the return spring 748.

To open the fluid path, the microcontroller 814 provides an “open” control signal 815 B (ie, a latch signal) to the solenoid driver 820. “Open” control signal 815B
Activates a drive voltage in the solenoid driver 820 having a polarity in which the resulting magnetic flux repels the force provided by the bias spring 748. The resulting magnetic flux strengthens the magnetic flux provided by the permanent magnet 723 and exceeds the force of the spring 748. Permanent magnet 723 provides a force that is large enough to keep armature 740 in the open position, without the need for any required magnetic force generated by coil 728, against the force of return spring 748.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the microcontroller 814 stops current flow after the armature 740 reaches the desired open or closed state by an appropriate control signal 815A or 815B applied to the solenoid driver 820. Pickup coils 843A and 843B (or generally any sensor) monitor the movement (or position) of the armature 740 to determine whether the armature 740 has reached its end point. Based on the coil sensor data from the pickup coils 843A and 843B (or sensors), the microcontroller 814 stops applying the coil drive and increases or decreases the coil drive.

To open the fluid path, the microcontroller 814 sends an OPEN signal 815B to the power driver 820 to provide drive current to the coil 842 in the direction that it retracts the armature 740. At the same time, coils 843A and 843B provide inductive signals to a regulated feedback loop that includes a preamplifier and a low pass filter. The output of the differentiator 849 is calibrated and selected for an armature 740 that reaches a selected position (eg, an intermediate point between an extended position and a retracted position, or a fully retracted position, or other position). The microcontroller 814 keeps the asserted “OPEN” signal 815B if the value is less than the threshold value. Armature 7
If no 40 movements are detected, the microcontroller 814 applies a different level of the OPEN signal 815B to increase the drive current provided by the power driver 820 (
Up to several times the normal drive current). This method allows the system to move the armature 740 that has been stuck due to deposits or other problems.

Microcontroller 814 can detect armature movement (or even monitor armature movement) using inductive signals in coils 843A and 843B provided to the regulation feedback loop. As the output from the differentiator 849 changes in response to the movement of the armature 740, the microcontroller 814 can apply a different level of the OPEN signal 815B or turn off the OPEN signal 815B, which The driver 820 is directed to apply different levels of drive current. This result is usually required to reduce the drive current, or the duration of the drive current, to open the fluid path under worst-case conditions (which must be used without using an armature sensor). It was to make it much shorter than the time it was done. Thus, the system of FIG. 8 saves significant energy and thus extends the life of battery 824.

Advantageously, the arrangement of coil sensors 843A and 843B can detect the latching and unlatching operations of the armature 740 with high accuracy. (However, a single coil sensor or multiple coil sensors or capacitive sensors can also be used to detect movement of the armature 740.) The microcontroller 814 is a drive having selected features applied by the power driver 820. A current can be guided. Various features can be stored in the microcontroller 814, including fluid type, hydraulic pressure, fluid temperature, time the actuator 840 has been operating since installation or last maintenance, battery level, input from external sensors (eg, motion sensing) Device or human detection sensor) or other factors.

Optionally, the microcontroller 814 can include a communication interface for data transfer, eg, a wireless communication interface (eg, RF interface) serial port, parallel port, USB port. The communication interface is used to download data to the microcontroller 814 (eg, drive curve characteristics, calibration data) or reprogram the microcontroller 814 to control different types of operations or calculations. .

Referring to FIG. 7, the electromagnetic actuator 701 is connected in a reverse flow arrangement when water inflow is provided through the passage 706 of the pilot button 705. Alternatively, the electromagnetic actuator 701 is connected in a forward flow arrangement when water inflow is provided through the passage 710 of the pilot button 705 and water exits through the passage 706. In the forward flow arrangement, the plunger is “directly opposed” to the controlled fluid pressure released by the passage 710. That is, the corresponding fluid force acts against the spring 748. In both the forward and reverse flow arrangements, the latch time or unlatching time depends on the fluid pressure, but the actual latch time dependence is different. In the backflow arrangement, the latch time (ie, the time taken to retract the plunger 740) increases with fluid pressure substantially linearly as shown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, in a forward flow arrangement, the latch time decreases with fluid pressure. Based on this latch time dependency, the microcontroller 814 can calculate the actual water pressure and thus control the amount of water discharged.

FIG. 8A schematically shows a flow control system for another embodiment of a latch actuator. The flow control system also includes a microcontroller 814, a power consumption controller 819, a solenoid driver 820 that receives power from the battery 824 or voltage booster 826, and an indicator 828. The microcontroller 814 operates in both a power saving mode and an operating mode as described above. Microcontroller 814 receives input signals from input element 818 (or any sensor) and provides control signals 815A and 815B to current driver 820, which drives the solenoid of latch valve actuator 701. The solenoid driver 820 receives DC power from the battery 824 and the voltage regulator 826 regulates the battery power supply. The power monitor 872 monitors the power signal sent to the drive coil of the actuator 701 in a feedback configuration having an operational amplifier 870 and provides the power monitor signal to the microcontroller 814. The microcontroller 814 and the power consumption controller 19 are designed to operate efficiently as described above.

Referring also to FIG. 3, to close the fluid path, the microcontroller 14 provides a “close” control signal 815 A to the solenoid driver 820, and the solenoid driver 820.
Applies a drive voltage to the actuator terminal, thus driving a current through coil 728. The power monitor 872 can be a resistor connected to flow an applied drive current (or a portion of the drive current). The power monitor 872 may alternatively be a coil or other element. The output from the power monitor 872 is provided to the differentiator of the signal conditioner 870. The differentiator is used to determine the latch point, as shown in FIG. 9A.

Similar to that described in connection with FIG. 8, to open the fluid path, the microcontroller 814 sends a CLOSE signal 815A or OPEN signal 815B to the valve driver 820, which sends the drive current to the coil 728, The armature 740 is provided in the direction of extending or retracting (and closing or opening the passage 708). At the same time, power monitor 872 provides a signal to operational amplifier 870. The microcontroller 814 determines whether the armature 740 has reached a desired state using the power monitor signal. For example, if the output of the operational amplifier 870 initially indicates that it is not in a latched state with respect to the armature 740, the microcontroller 814 will either hold the OPEN signal 815B or provide a higher level OPEN signal as described above. Apply and apply higher drive current. On the other hand, if the armature 740 reaches a desired state (eg, the latched state shown in FIG. 9A), the microcontroller 814 applies a lower level OPEN signal 815B or turns off the OPEN signal 815B. This usually reduces the duration of the drive current or the level of drive current compared to the time or current level required to open the fluid path under worst-case conditions. Thus, the system of FIG. 8A saves significant energy and thus extends the life of battery 824.

Referring to FIG. 10, a flow diagram 900 illustrates the operation of the microcontroller 814 during a running water cycle. The microcontroller 814 is in a power saving mode as described above. With an input signal from an input element or external sensor, the microcontroller 814 is initialized and the timer is set to zero (step 902). In step 904, when the valve actuator performs the full flow process, the time T _bas becomes equal to T _full (step 9).
06). If the whole running process is not performed, in step 910, the timer is set so that _Tbas and _Thalf are equal. In step 912, the microcontroller samples the battery voltage before actuating the actuator in step 914. After the actuator solenoid is activated, the microcontroller 814 looks for a latch point (see FIG. 9 or 9A). When the timer reaches the latch point (step 918), the microcontroller 814 stops the operation of the solenoid (step 920). In step 922, based on the latch time, the microcontroller 814 uses the stored calibration data to calculate the corresponding water pressure. Based on the water pressure and the known amount of water released by the tank flusher, the microcontroller determines the actuator unlatching time (ie, closing time) (step 926). When the latch time is reached, the microcontroller 14 provides a “close” signal to the current driver 820 (step 928). From this point on, the entire cycle shown in flow diagram 900 is repeated.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, blocks 200 and 202 indicate that the controller remains in power save mode until timer 190 generates a pulse. When a pulse occurs, the processor begins executing the stored program at the predetermined entry point indicated by block 204. Proceed to the operation of the particular initialization operation embodied by the block 206 step of setting the various port states and the block 208 step of detecting the state of the push button 210 of FIG. The push button is mounted on the flusher housing 146 for quick access by the user, but includes a magnet 210a that increases proximity to the main circuit board 126 when the button is pressed. The circuit board includes a reed switch 211 that produces an input to the control circuit in response to the resulting amplified magnetic field on the circuit board 126, as suggested by FIG.

  The main purpose of push button 210 is to allow the user to manually operate the flusher. As shown by blocks 212, 214, 216, 217, 218 in FIG. 12, the control circuit 180 typically responds to the button being pushed in, no flushing operation is currently in progress, and the button is 30 seconds long. If it is not pushed in continuously from before until now, the running water operation is started.

This 30 second condition allows the battery to be installed during manufacturing without significant energy consumption between when the battery is installed in the device and when the device is installed in the toilet system. It is imposed to do. Specifically, the package of the running water device is
When closed, push button 210 is pushed in and the push button is designed to remain depressed as long as the package is closed. In this situation, as shown by block 220 in FIG. 12, it will normally remain closed for more than 30 seconds, causing the controller to consume more power than necessary to perform a few instructions. The controller returns to the power saving mode. That is, the controller does not provide power to some circuits used to transmit infrared or drive current through the flush valve operator.

  Among the ways in which the power saving mode saves power is that the microprocessor circuit does not measure time, but some power to maintain a certain minimum register state that includes a predetermined fixed value of some selected register bits. Is still applied to the circuit. When a battery is first installed in a flusher, not all of those register bits still have a predetermined value. Block 222 represents the determination of whether there are those values. Without those values, the controller concludes that the battery has just been installed and enters the start-up mode as block 224 indicates.

The activation mode addresses the fact that in the absence of a user, the proportion of sensor radiation reflected to the sensor receiver is different in different environments. The purpose of the start-up mode is to allow the installer to tell the system what percentage is in the environment where the flusher is installed. This allows the system to later ignore background reflections. During the start-up mode, the object sensor operates without opening the valve in response to detecting the object. Instead, whenever a target is detected, the visible LED is activated, and the installer adjusts the potentiometer, for example, to show that the visible LED illumination indicates that the target was detected when there is no valid target. Set the transmitter output just below This tells the system what is the maximum allowable radiation level possible for this installation.

  Some of the steps involved in entering this start-up mode may be to apply power to certain subsystems that, when activated, must remain on continuously. Among these are, for example, light receiving circuits of sensors. Infrared transmitters need only generate pulses, and power does not need to be applied between pulses, while receivers need to be constantly powered between pulses so that pulse echoes can be detected .

In the illustrated embodiment, another subsystem that requires continuous power application is a battery power drop detector. As mentioned above, the control circuit accepts the unregulated output from the power source and infers whether the battery level is low from the voltage at that output, as block 226 indicates. If so, a visible light emitting diode or other indicator, represented by block 228 in FIG. 4A, is activated, giving the user a low battery status indication.

  Furthermore, since the battery check operation represented by block 226 can be accomplished without the system performing the operation of block 224 in the same cycle, after the battery check operation of block 226, the system represented by block 230 is The step continues to determine whether currently in start-up mode.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the system is tuned to operate in this activation mode for 10 minutes after the installation process is presumably completed and the visible object detection indicator is no longer needed. If the system is indeed in start-up mode, as determined by the operation of block 230, determining whether the system has been in that mode for more than 10 minutes, the calibration interval of the intended length, block 232 I do. If so, reset the system so that it does not determine that it is in boot mode the next time it boots.

  However, for the current cycle, it is still in start-up mode and performs a specific start-up mode operation. One of them, represented by block 234, is determining from the unregulated power output whether any batteries are installed in the wrong direction. If it is installed in either wrong direction, the system simply returns to power saving mode, as block 236 indicates. Otherwise, as block 238 indicates, the system checks its memory and closes the flush valve five times in succession to the valve operator as the specific example requires in start-up mode. It is determined whether or not We have therefore found that inadvertent running water can be prevented during the initial installation by instructing the valve to close when the system is first installed.

As block 242 indicates, the system further determines whether an object has been detected. If detected, the system will provide a sign and indicate that the visible LED should be turned on, as indicated by block 244, thereby informing the installer of this fact. Thereby, the operation unique to the start mode is completed.

Furthermore, the system proceeds to operations that are not specific to that mode. In the illustrated embodiment, these additional operations are actually intended to be performed only once per second, while the timer activates the system every 250 milliseconds. Therefore block 24
As indicated by 6, the system determines whether a full second has elapsed since the last action to be performed was performed. If not, the system simply returns to power save mode, as block 248 indicates.

On the other hand, if a full second has elapsed, the system turns on the visible LED if it has previously set some indication that this is an LED state. Blocks 250 and 25
This operation, represented by 2, is followed by the step of block 254 which determines whether the valve is already open. If so, the routine indicated by block 256 further calls the routine to determine if the valve should be closed with reference to a timer or the like. If so, the routine closes the valve. The system then returns to power saving mode.

  If the valve has not been opened previously, the system applies power to the subsystem that needs to be powered continuously, as block 258 indicates. If this step is reached from start-up mode, power is already applied, but not yet applied in normal operating mode.

  The application of power is necessary at this point because the subsystem that checks the remaining battery power is required. As blocks 260 and 262 indicate, the output of that subsystem is then tested. If the result is a conclusion that the remaining battery level is insufficient, the system sets a sign indicating that a startup mode is assumed and then performs the steps of block 264 and block 266 to return to the power saving mode. To do. By setting the indicator, every subsequent start-up cycle can include valve closure, thereby preventing uncontrolled flow that might otherwise result from power loss.

From a maintenance point of view, it is desirable that the system does not pass for too long without running water. If 24 hours have passed without the system responding to the subject by flowing water, the routine thus causes running water and then enters a power saving mode, as blocks 268, 270, 272 indicate. Otherwise, as indicated by block 274, the system transmits infrared light to the target area and senses any resulting echo. The system also determines whether the resulting sensed echo meets certain criteria for valid objects, as indicated by block 276.

Further, the result of this determination is sent to a series of tests, as indicated by block 278, to determine whether or not to cause running water. A typical test is to determine if the user has been there for at least a predetermined minimum time and then left, but some other situations can also result in a determination of whether to open the valve. There is sex. If any of these situations occur, the system opens the valve, as block 280 indicates. If the visible LED and analog power are on at this point, as block 282 indicates,
These are turned off. As block 284 indicates, the system then enters a power saving mode.

  The act of block 276 that determines whether there is a valid target includes a routine that FIGS. 13A and 13B together describe (“FIG. 13”). If the system is in start-up mode, as determined by the step represented by block 288 in the figure, background gain is established in the manner described above. Block 290 represents the determination of that level.

  Since the purpose of the activation mode is to set the background level and prevent the flow valve from being activated, the background determination step 290 is followed by a block 292, which, when set, produces an indicator that causes another routine to open the flow valve. The reset operation continues. Further, as shown by block 294, the routine of FIG. 13 returns.

  If the step in block 288 instead indicates that the system is not in start-up mode, the system moves to obtain an indication of what percentage of the transmitted radiation is reflected back to the sensor. Any method for obtaining such an indication is suitable for use in the present invention, but a power-saving method is able to find the transmitted power level that results in a predetermined set of acceptable powers. In this method, the transmission power is changed. The transmission power level identified thereby is a (reciprocal) representation of the reflection ratio. By utilizing this approach, the system can operate with its transmitted power limited to the level necessary to obtain a detectable echo.

  In principle, the embodiment shown specifically follows this approach. In fact, because the system is tuned to transmit only at specific individual power levels, a set of individual transmit power levels can be determined by bundling a given set of powers that the reflected power level accepts. Is actually identified. Specifically, determine if the reflected infrared brightness exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if so, reduce the system sensitivity until the reflected light intensity falls below the threshold-usually reducing the transmitted infrared brightness Proceed to block 296 and block 298 steps. As a result, the highest gain value is obtained that does not result in any object display.

  However, in some cases, when the sensitivity is further increased, if the system detects (unintentionally) a background object such as a partition door that should not cause running water due to its presence, the brightness of the reflected light May fall below threshold. The purpose of the step in block 290 is to determine what this sensitivity is, and the step represented by blocks 300 and 302 is that if the infrared echo is combined with the gain at this maximum background level is below the threshold. Set the no target sign. As the figure shows, this situation also results in the flush indicator being reset and the routine returning immediately.

If the step in block 300 instead results in an indication that the echo intensity can be lower than the threshold returns only if there is an object that is less sensitive than the background level and is not exactly background. For example, the routine proceeds to the step of imposing a standard that is intended to detect when the user leaves the facility after using it. To impose these criteria, the routine maintains a pushdown stack that sometimes pushes down the input. Each input has a gain region, a timer region, and an input / output region.

  Block 304 represents a determination of whether the absolute value of the difference between the current gain and the gain listed in the top stack input exceeds a threshold gain change. If not, the current determination of this routine is that no new input is pushed onto the stack, but the contents of the timer area of the existing top input is increased, as block 306 indicates. If the result of the step in block 304 is not and the absolute value of the gain change is actually above the threshold, the routine pushes the new input onto the stack, puts the current gain in the gain area of that input, Is given a value of zero. In short, a new input is added whenever the distance of interest changes with a given step size, and how much the user stays in the same place without moving as much as the size of that step. Record.

  As blocks 310, 312, 314 indicate, the routine also provides an “out” value to the input / output area of the input if the current gain exceeds the gain of the previous input, and the subject is removed from the flusher. If it is far away and the current gain is less than the gain of the previous input, give the area an “on” value. In either case, the routine then performs the step of block 306 which increments the timer (to a value of “1”) and moves from the routine stack holder to the portion where the valve opening criteria is actually applied.

  Block 316 represents the application of the first criterion, i.e., whether the top input in / out region indicates that the object is away. If the subject does not meet this criteria, the routine performs the block 292 step of setting the flush indicator to a value that prevents the next routine from opening the flush valve, and the routine returns as indicated by block 294. On the other hand, if the criteria are met, the routine will have a top input that indicates that the subject is away and any previous input that is a series of predetermined inputs that indicate that the subject is coming in. The block 318 step is performed to determine whether prior to minimal input. If this is not the case, it is unlikely that the user has actually approached, used, or left the equipment, so the routine returns again after resetting the running sign. Note that the criteria to which the block 318 step is applied is independent of absolute reflectance. The reference is based only on the change in reflectance, and it is necessary to exceed the minimum range each time the reflectance increases.

  If the step in block 318 determines that the input indicating the required number of entries was before the input indicating the exit, the routine sets a timer indicating that the last entry action indicates at least 5 seconds, for example. Impose criteria for block 320 to determine if it has. This criterion is imposed to prevent running water from being triggered when the equipment is not actually used. Again, if this criterion is not met, the routine returns after resetting the flush indicator.

  On the other hand, if the criteria are met, the routine imposes the criteria of blocks 322, 324, 326 that are intended to determine if the user has been sufficiently away. If the subject appears far enough to exceed the threshold, as determined by block 322, or does not reach the threshold slightly, but exceeds a predetermined duration as determined by blocks 324 and 326 If so, the routine issues a running sign before returning, as indicated by block 328. Otherwise reset the running water sign.

The test of FIG. 13 is generally just one of the various tests included in operation 276 of FIG. 12B. However, an example of how the described system reduces the problem of color variations in user clothing should be more common. As can be seen by reading FIG. 13, the determination of whether the user has arrived and / or left is not based on an absolute gain value, but on a relative value resulting from a comparison of a series of measurements. . This reduces the problem of lighter-colored clothing being more sensitive than dark-colored clothing, which undermines other detection strategies.

It has been mentioned above that the described system uses visible light emitting diodes (“visible LEDs”). In most cases, the location of the visible LED is not important as long as the light is really visible to the user. For example, one location can be immediately next to the photodiode. FIG. 4A shows a non-roughened area 330 in the flange of the light receiving lens portion 152 ′, and a visible LED can be placed in alignment with this area. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, such a separate visible LED is not seen. This is because the visible LED in that embodiment is provided as part of the combined LED device 132 that also includes the infrared source of the transmitter.

To operate a bi-color LED, the transmitter and indicator circuits 184 and 228 (FIG. 4A) both have the shape shown in FIG. The circuit is connected to the terminals 332 and 334 of the two-color LED. The control circuit is activated separately by selectively driving the control lines 336, 338, 340 for the two color LED infrared light emitting diode D1 and the visible light emitting diode D2. Specifically, when drive line 340 is driven at a high voltage, transistors Q1 and Q2 are turned on and therefore visible if at least line 338 is kept at a high voltage to keep transistor Q3 off. The light emitting diode D2 is driven. If one line 340 is driven at a low voltage and the other line 338 is also driven at a low voltage, the infrared light emitting diode D1 is conducted with power determined by the voltage applied to the line 336 controlling the transistor Q4.

If the push button has been depressed for more than 30 seconds, the system enters a power saving mode, as described above in connection with blocks 214, 217, 220 of FIG. Figure 6 shows a package that takes advantage of this feature to keep power consumption very low before the kit is installed, even if the kit is in stock or in transit. Indicates. In order to adapt a previously manual system to automated operation, future users will have a flow controller that includes all components except for the diaphragm feedthrough 38 depicted in FIG. 2A, for example. . This flow controller, identified by reference numeral 348 in FIG. 15, is delivered in a container consisting of a generally rectangular cardboard box 350. The top of the box includes an inner flap 352 that is initially closed and an outer flap 354 that closes over the inner flap. Tabs 356 that fit into slots 358 provided in the box body keep the box closed. To keep the button pressed while the box is closed, a button activation device 360 is mounted on the inner flap 352 so that the button is aligned with the push button 310 when the flap is closed. . The package is provided with an insert (not shown) so that the push button of the flow controller is accurately aligned with the activation device.

FIG. 6E is a detailed cross-sectional view of the button activation device 360 showing the button activation device 360 mounted on the inner flap 352 and the outer flap 354 closed on it. The illustrated activation device 360 is typically a generally annular plastic part. This forms an annular stop ring 362 that engages the top of the flow controller housing 146 (FIG. 2), with the central ridge 364 pushing the push button by the appropriate amount. In order to attach the activation device 360 to the inner flap, the activation device is provided with a sharp post 366. The post 366 is formed with a central slot 368 that allows the post to be deformed so that the key fits through the hole 370 in the inner flap 352. The outer flap 354 forms another hole 372 and accommodates a sharp post 366.

In other arrangements, the button actuator can be located elsewhere in the container.
For example, it may be placed on the bottom wall of the container, with the top force flapping against the flow controller.

  Now, even before assembly in the housing, it is sometimes necessary to place the battery in the circuit and transport the battery-mounted circuit to a remote location for its assembly process. Since there is no housing yet, the circuit cannot be put into power saving mode by pressing and holding the button on the housing. In such a situation, the technique described in FIGS. 6B and 6C can be used.

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6D, but the contents 376 of the package 350 ′ of FIG. 6B are only part of the kit 348 that the package 350 includes. This may, for example, eliminate the housing 146 and pressure cap 24 of FIG. 2 and the solenoid and pilot valve members mounted thereon. Accordingly, the example package 350 ′ of FIG. 6B does not include a button activation device such as that included in the box 350. Instead, as FIG. 6C shows, a magnet 380 is glued to the inner surface of the bottom wall surface 382 of the package 350 ′, and a hole 384 in the insertion board 386 on the bottom wall surface 382 receives the magnet.

The circuit assembly 376, omitted for convenience in FIG. 6C, is positioned such that the circuit reed switch is positioned next to the magnet. Therefore, the switch closes when the push button is operated, so the circuit remains in power saving mode.

15 and 15A illustrate another embodiment of an automatic flushing device that includes a flexible tube that eliminates the dynamic seal used in the flushing device described in connection with FIG. The automatic controller schematically shown in FIG. 15 described above includes a transmitter and a light-receiving lens and a front circuit housing component. The automatic flusher includes an insulated operator 701 in the side (vertical) position.

  The flush valve body is shown at 10 and comprises an inlet opening 12 and a bottom guiding outlet opening 14. The area between the lower side of the inner cover 1030 and the upper side of the diaphragm 1032 forms a pressure chamber 1038. The water pressure in this chamber holds a diaphragm 1032 on a sheet 1040 that is formed at the upper end of the vessel forming a conduit between the inlet 12 and outlet 14.

Details of this operation are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,244,179 and US Pat. Nos. 4,309,781 and 4,793,588. The water flow through the inlet 12 reaches the pressure chamber 38 via a filter and bypass ring, details of which are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,967,182. Therefore, water from the water flow valve inlet reaches the pressure chamber and maintains the closed membrane, and the pressure chamber is passed through the pressure chamber by operation of the solenoid when the water flows upward through the passage 44, It flows further into the chamber 1046 and then through a flexible tube passage, which is described in US Pat. No. 6,382,586, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

  The flexible tube 1050 is hollow and forms a flexible sleeve. The sleeve includes a coil spring 1052 that prevents the tube from collapsing due to water pressure flowing down through the disc of the assembly. At its upper end, a flexible tube 1050 is attached to the inner cover adapter or other component.

A replenishing head including a diaphragm 1032 is fixed to an upper portion of the upper end of the guide, and the diaphragm is sandwiched between the upper surface of the replenishing head and the lower surface of the radially extending portion of the disk. The diaphragm, disc, and guide all move together when the pressure in the chamber 1038 is released, and the diaphragm moves upward, making a direct connection between the flush valve inlet 12 and the flush valve outlet 14. When this happens, the disc moves upward and carries the lower end of the flexible tube 1050 together. Therefore, since the upper end of the flexible tube is fixed in the passage of the inner cover 1030, it must be bent. However, the flexible tube always provides a reliable air passage for the operation of the valve assembly.

Claims (24)

An electric valve operable by applying a control signal between an open state through which water flows and a closed state which prevents water from flowing therethrough;
A control circuit for sending radiation to the target area, the control circuit detecting the radiation reflected by the control circuit as a result of the reflectivity, and a reflectivity satisfying a predetermined access criterion in at least one operation mode By applying a control signal to the electric valve so that the electric valve can be operated in its open state in response to a period in which the series of reflectances that meet a predetermined evacuation criterion following an increasing period falls. An automatic flusher that responds to changes in reflectivity independently of the absolute value of reflectivity. The automatic flushing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that a length of time of a period in which the reflectance increases exceeds a predetermined approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The predetermined holding criterion, the length of time period during which the reflectivity is lowered automatic flusher as defined in claim 2, including the requirement that exceeds the period in which the predetermined retreat. The automatic flushing device according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined evacuation standard includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the evacuation period. In addition, the control circuit maintains a pushdown stack of inputs including respective time and field directions, and when the change in reflectance exceeds a threshold rate of change, a new input is pushed onto the pushdown stack, Replacing with an in-situ direction indicating whether the reflectivity is increasing or decreasing, and when the change in reflectivity does not exceed the threshold change rate, the contents of the top input timer area increase. Item 7. An automatic water flow apparatus according to item 6. The control circuit compares a predetermined approach period with a sum of contents of the input timer area indicating a reflectivity with an increased field direction, so that a time length of a period in which the reflectivity increases is a predetermined length . The automatic flushing device according to claim 7, wherein it is determined whether or not the approaching period has been exceeded. Wherein the control circuit, the length of time period to decrease in reflectivity by comparing the sum of the contents of the timer area of the input indicating the reflectance of the direction of the field period is reduced that a predetermined holding is given The automatic flushing device according to claim 8, wherein it is determined whether or not a retreat period has been exceeded. Whether the reflectivity has exceeded a minimum range during the approach period by comparing the number of inputs during a given approach period with the number of inputs indicating the reflectivity with increased field direction . The automatic flushing device according to claim 9 which judges. The control circuit determines whether the reflectance has exceeded a minimum range during the evacuation period by comparing the number of inputs during a predetermined evacuation period with the number of inputs indicating a reflectance with a reduced field direction. The automatic flushing device according to claim 10. The automatic flushing device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that a reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined evacuation standard includes a requirement that a reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the evacuation period. In addition, the control circuit maintains a pushdown stack of inputs including respective time and field directions, and when the change in reflectance exceeds a threshold rate of change, a new input is pushed onto the pushdown stack, Replacing with an in-situ direction indicating whether the reflectivity is increasing or decreasing, and when the change in reflectivity does not exceed the threshold change rate, the contents of the top input timer area increase. Item 14. An automatic watering device according to item 13. Whether the reflectivity has exceeded a minimum range during the approach period by comparing the number of inputs during a given approach period with the number of inputs indicating the reflectivity with increased field direction . The automatic water flow apparatus of Claim 14 which determines. The control circuit determines whether or not the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the evacuation period by comparing the number of inputs during a predetermined evacuation period with the number of inputs indicating the reflectance with a reduced field direction. The automatic flushing device according to claim 15. An electric valve operable by applying a control signal between an open state through which water flows and a closed state which prevents water from flowing therethrough;
A control circuit for delivering radiation to the target area, the control circuit detecting radiation reflected to the control circuit as a result of the reflectivity,
Wherein the control circuit uses to change the intensity of the transmitted radiation to find the intensity of the transmitted radiation to be reflected intensity approaches a predetermined value as a result, the intensity of the transmitted radiation found as showing reflectance,
In at least one operation mode, the control circuit controls the electric valve according to a period in which a series of reflectances satisfying a predetermined evacuation criterion decreases after a period in which the reflectance satisfying a predetermined approach criterion is increased. An automatic flusher that responds to changes in reflectivity independently of the absolute value of reflectivity by applying a control signal to the electric valve so that it can be operated in its open state. The automatic flushing device according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that a time length of a period in which the reflectance increases exceeds a predetermined approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 18, wherein the predetermined evacuation criterion includes a requirement that a length of time during which the reflectance is lowered exceeds a predetermined evacuation period. 21. The automatic flusher according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 21, wherein the predetermined evacuation standard includes a requirement that the reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the evacuation period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined approach criterion includes a requirement that a reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the approach period. The automatic flushing device according to claim 23, wherein the predetermined evacuation standard includes a requirement that a reflectance exceeds a minimum range during the evacuation period.

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