JP5947739B2 - Automatic faucet - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that automatically detects water discharge by detecting a detection object such as a human hand or tableware.

  Conventionally, an electronic water faucet for a kitchen has been realized in which a sensor surface of a touchless sensor is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of a water discharge pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With this electronic water faucet, you can switch between water discharge and water stop without contact by simply holding your finger or hand over the sensor surface, which is very convenient when your hand is wet. If the sensor surface is arranged near the water discharge pipe at the front end side of the water discharge pipe, it is possible to operate on the near side without having to extend the hand beyond the sink, so that the usability is improved. On the other hand, in the case of holding a wash such as a large pan or platter with both hands, in order to switch between water discharge and water stoppage, it is necessary to place the wash on the counter top and then perform a hand-holding operation each time.

  For example, a faucet for a wash basin is provided with an object detection sensor that receives reflected light generated in response to a light emission operation and detects a hand inserted into a water discharge area, and the object detection sensor includes a hand etc. An automatic faucet that automatically starts water discharge when detected is realized. If the electronic faucet for kitchens equipped with water discharge operation means using the touchless sensor as described above is combined with the structure of an automatic water faucet for a wash basin, water can be discharged just by inserting the wash into the water discharge area. May be able to further improve convenience.

JP 2010-127010 A

  However, in a kitchen faucet, there is a specific usage that is not found in a washstand, such as washing dishes while storing water in a washing bowl. When combining the configuration of an automatic faucet for a wash basin with an electronic faucet for a kitchen, for example, after collecting water in the wash basin by a watering operation such as holding the touchless sensor, light is reflected by fluctuations in the water surface, etc. There is a high possibility that erroneous detection occurs when the direction changes and reflected light is incident on the object detection sensor, resulting in erroneous water discharge.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and is an automatic water faucet that can be manually operated to switch water discharge, for example, erroneous water discharge to a pooled washbasin, etc. It is an invention which intends to provide an automatic faucet with high operational reliability in which the malfunction of the system is suppressed.

The present invention includes a water outlet for discharging water supplied from a water supply channel toward a water discharge area,
An on-off valve that opens and closes a flow path from the water supply path to the water outlet;
A spouting water operating means for accepting a user operation for switching the open / closed state of the on-off valve;
An object detection sensor including a light emitting unit that projects light toward the water discharge region, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the detection target;
Object determination means for determining whether or not a detection object exists in the water discharge region using a sensor signal output by the object detection sensor;
Continuous water discharge control means for executing opening / closing control of the on-off valve according to the operation of the water discharge operation means, and switching between a continuous water discharge state and a water stop state;
Automatic water discharge control means for executing open / close control of the open / close valve using a determination result by the object determination means;
A stored water determination means for determining whether or not a stored water state in which water is stored and a water surface is formed is generated in the water discharge region,
When switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state by the control of the continuous water discharge control means, it is determined that the water storage state has not occurred by the water storage determination means after the switching control is executed. The operation mode is different between the water storage determination period until and the non-determination period after it is determined that the water storage state has not occurred.
In the accumulated water determination period, the automatic water faucet operates in an erroneous water discharge prevention mode for preventing erroneous water discharge by the control of the automatic water discharge control means.

  The automatic water faucet of the present invention can start water discharge by manual operation using the water discharge operation means, and has an operation specification that can automatically start water discharge when a hand or tableware is inserted into the water discharge area. It is a faucet. For example, in application to a kitchen, there is a high possibility that manual operation will be performed using the spout water operation means when water is stored in a washing bowl. The water storage state may occur.

  The automatic water faucet of the present invention includes the water storage determining means, and can determine whether or not the water storage state is occurring. In this automatic water faucet, when the continuous water discharge state is switched from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state according to the operation of the water discharge operation means, the operation mode depends on whether the water retention determination period or the non-determination period. Is different. In the accumulated water determination period, the operation is performed in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode for preventing erroneous water discharge by the control of the automatic water discharge control means.

  If it is an automatic faucet that operates in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode during the accumulated water determination period, for example, when the accumulated water state is generated because water is accumulated in a washing bowl or the like, the user does not intend It is possible to suppress the possibility of the water discharge operation and improve the operation reliability of the automatic faucet.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is an automatic faucet that can be manually operated to switch the water discharge, and, for example, erroneous water discharge to a stored washbasin or the like is reliably suppressed. An automatic faucet with high operational reliability can be provided.

  As a configuration in which the object detection sensor included in the automatic water faucet of the present invention receives reflected light, for example, a light receiving element such as a phototransistor or a photodiode, a semiconductor position detection element such as PSD (Position Sensitive Detector), An imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be used. In the case of a light receiving element such as a phototransistor, it is also possible to estimate the degree of distance to the detection target by measuring the amount of received light. If a semiconductor position detection element, an image sensor, or the like is used, the distance to the detection target can be measured according to the incident position of the reflected light, and the detection accuracy can be improved. Furthermore, in the case of an image sensor, there is a possibility that disturbance light or the like can be eliminated by paying attention to the shape of the received light waveform.

  The automatic faucet of the present invention is suitable as a faucet for kitchens where water is often stored in, for example, a washing bowl or a bowl for rice labs. Is also possible. When the automatic water faucet of the present invention is applied to a washstand, it is possible to suppress operation unintended by the user during use in which water is stored in a washbasin and improve operational reliability.

  Examples of the discharge water operation means in the automatic water faucet of the present invention include, for example, a touchless switch using a photoelectric sensor, a touch switch using an electrostatic sensor, a manually operated lever switch, and a push button. There are various means that can be operated manually, such as a slide switch and a foot switch operated by foot.

  In the automatic water faucet of the present invention, when the on-off valve is switched from the open state to the closed state in accordance with the determination result by the object determination means, it is the accumulated water determination period or the non-determination period. It is also possible to set the same control specifications without making a difference in the feasibility of valve opening control depending on whether or not there is. In this case, for example, after the dish washed using automatic water spouting is transferred to a draining basket or the like, it is possible to quickly cope with the next dish washing operation by automatic water spouting.

In the erroneous water discharge prevention mode of the automatic faucet according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the open / close valve is held in the closed state even when the object determination means determines that the detection object exists. Is the operation mode to be performed (Claim 2).
In this case, if the water discharge is restricted (prohibited) by holding the open / close valve in the closed state during the accumulated water determination period, the erroneous discharged water during the accumulated water state can be avoided with high reliability.

The object determination means in the automatic faucet according to a preferred aspect of the present invention is configured such that the detection object is detected by threshold processing relating to a numerical index represented by the sensor signal or a numerical index calculated using the sensor signal. Configured to determine whether it exists,
The erroneous water discharge prevention mode is an operation mode in which a threshold that is difficult to determine that the detection target exists is applied to the threshold processing executed by the target determination unit (claim 3).

  In this case, it is possible to reduce the possibility that it is determined that the detection target exists in the accumulated water determination period, and thereby it is possible to suppress the possibility of erroneous water discharge. In addition, the threshold value which does not have a possibility of determining a detection target object can also be applied in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode. On the other hand, for example, it is also possible to apply a threshold value that causes a certain degree of determination possibility in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode, assuming a washing operation of tableware soaked in a washing bowl containing water.

A preferred embodiment of the automatic water faucet according to the present invention includes a water surface detection sensor that optically detects the presence or absence of the water surface by receiving reflected light generated according to a light emitting operation.
The accumulated water determination means is a period during which the water surface detection state is continued by the water surface detection sensor and until a predetermined time elapses after the detection result by the water surface detection sensor is switched from the detection state to the non-detection state. It is determined that the accumulated water state is occurring,
After the detection result by the water surface detection sensor is switched from the detection state to the non-detection state, it is determined that the accumulated water state has not occurred when the non-detection state is maintained beyond the predetermined time. Item 4).

  For example, on the surface of stored water such as a washing bowl, the situation where the reflection direction of light fluctuates due to water shaking or the like, and the situation where the reflected light enters the water surface detection sensor or deviates without entering is repeated. Such incident state of reflected light also occurs in the object detection sensor in the same manner, and there is a very high possibility that an erroneous determination by the object determination means is induced. Under such circumstances, if the water storage determination means immediately determines that the water storage state has not occurred, triggered by switching to the non-detection state by the water surface detection sensor, an erroneous determination by the object determination means. The possibility of accidental water discharge due to this is extremely high. Therefore, if the predetermined time is set as a grace period until the determination result of the water storage state is changed after the switching from the detection state by the water surface detection sensor to the non-detection state as described above, Incorrect water discharge caused by erroneous determination by the object determination means can be avoided in advance.

  If the water storage state actually occurs, even if the water level detection sensor once enters the non-detection state, there is a high possibility that it will immediately return to the detection state. Is likely to end with For example, switching between the detection state and the non-detection state is highly likely to occur in synchronization with a cycle such as water shaking. The predetermined period may be set in consideration of a cycle such as water shaking.

The automatic water discharge control means included in the automatic water faucet according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the on-off valve is opened according to the determination result by the object determination means, regardless of the determination result by the accumulated water determination means. As long as it is determined by the object determination means that the detection object exists, the valve-open state is maintained, and when it is determined that the detection object does not exist, the valve is closed (Claim 5).
In this case, when it is desired to collect water by automatic water discharge, it is possible to prevent water from stopping due to the occurrence of the accumulated water state.

The perspective sectional view which shows the kitchen counter provided with the automatic water tap in Example 1. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of a detection sensor in Example 1 (AA arrow directional cross-sectional view in FIG. 1). FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a line sensor in the first embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a human body detection sensor in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a received light waveform of reflected light when light is emitted by a light emitting unit in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing explaining the calculation method and detection method of the gravity center position of a light reception waveform in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining the principle of triangulation in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the spitting water control in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the erroneous water discharge prevention mode determination process in Example 1. FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the stored water determination process in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of distance measurement determination processing in the first embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the 1st operation example of a general automatic faucet. Explanatory drawing of the 1st operation example of an automatic faucet in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the 2nd operation example of a general automatic faucet. Explanatory drawing of the 2nd operation example of an automatic water tap in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the 3rd operation example of an automatic faucet in Example 1. FIG.

The embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the following examples.
Example 1
This example is an example relating to an automatic faucet 1 for a kitchen having an automatic water discharge function. The contents will be described with reference to FIGS.
The automatic faucet 1 in FIG. 1 is a faucet applied to the kitchen counter 15. The kitchen counter 15 is provided with a sink 151 that is recessed in a concave shape, and a drain port 152 is provided at the deepest part of the sink 151. The faucet fitting 16 of the automatic faucet 1 is erected on a counter top 156 that forms the upper surface of the kitchen counter 15.

  The faucet fitting 16 has a water discharge pipe 160 in which the letter “J” is turned upside down, and a base portion 161 that forms a base for the counter top 156. In the water discharge pipe 160, a straight portion standing on the base portion 161 has a substantially circular cross section, while a tip surface facing the sink 151 has a substantially rectangular shape. The cross-sectional shape of the water discharge pipe 160 smoothly changes toward the front end surface after exceeding the portion corresponding to the bent portion of the letter “J”.

  A sensor surface of a non-contact type touchless sensor 167 is disposed on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe 160. The touchless sensor 167 as the spout water operation means is a photoelectric proximity sensor that is a combination of a light receiving element such as a phototransistor and a light emitting element. The touchless sensor 167 determines that it is detected and outputs a touch operation signal representing a touch operation when the light receiving element can receive light reflected by a hand or finger in the vicinity of a detection range of several centimeters from the sensor surface. If a manual operation of holding a finger or hand over the sensor surface is performed, the continuous water discharge state and the water stop state can be alternately switched according to the detection by the touchless sensor 167.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a filter plate 165 forming a detection surface is disposed on the upper stage side, and a water discharge port 168 having a substantially rectangular cross section is provided on the lower stage side of the distal end surface of the water discharge pipe 160 having a substantially rectangular shape. . The filter plate 165 is a resin filter that selectively transmits light in the infrared region. A detection sensor (a sensor that serves both as an object detection sensor and a water surface detection sensor) 2 (FIG. 2) for realizing an automatic water discharge function is disposed inside the filter plate 165 that corresponds to the back side. The sensing area of the detection sensor 2 is set toward the water discharge area where water is discharged from the water outlet 168.

  The automatic faucet 1 in FIG. 1 is an open / close valve provided in a water supply pipe (flow path) 12 in addition to a detection sensor 2 incorporated in a faucet fitting 16 and a touchless sensor 167 as discharge water operation means. A certain solenoid (open / close valve) 11 and a control unit 3 for controlling the solenoid 11 are included.

  This automatic water faucet 1 is characterized in that, in addition to the touchless sensor 167, a detection sensor 2 incorporated at the tip of the water discharge pipe 160 is provided. If only the touchless sensor 167 is used, when washing a large pan or dish that needs to be supported with both hands, it is necessary to place the pan or dish on the countertop 156 and then hold it over the sensor surface of the touchless sensor 167. is there. On the other hand, in the case of the automatic faucet 1 of this example in which the detection sensor 2 is incorporated at the tip of the water discharge pipe 160, the operation is performed by inserting a pan, a dish or the like supported by both hands into the water discharge region on the tip side of the water discharge pipe 160. Water discharge can be started. When washing is completed, it is convenient to stop the water just by removing the pan or dish from the water discharge area.

  The detection sensor 2 in FIG. 2 is an optical sensor in which an LED element 251 and a line sensor (imaging element) 261 are housed in a housing 21, and operates by receiving power supply from the control unit 3. In the detection sensor 2, the light emitting unit 25 and the imaging unit 26 are arranged in parallel facing the filter plate 165.

  The light emitting unit 25 that emits infrared light includes an LED element 251 and a light projecting lens 255. The imaging unit 26 that functions as a light receiving unit includes a line sensor 261 and a condenser lens 265. The light emitting unit 25 and the imaging unit 26 are arranged offset in the horizontal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) with the partition wall 211 having light shielding properties interposed therebetween.

  2 is a light emitting element in which an LED chip 250 mounted in a cavity of a package substrate is sealed with a transparent resin 254. In the light emitting unit 25, the LED element 251 is covered with a light-shielding element case 252 provided with a slit hole 253. According to the light emitting unit 25 including the vertical slit hole 253, it is possible to project sharp light with the horizontal divergence angle suppressed toward the detection target.

  The line sensor 261 in FIGS. 2 to 4 is a one-dimensional imaging sensor in which pixels 260 that convert a received light amount into an electrical physical amount are linearly arranged. The line sensor 261 includes 64 pixels 260 as effective pixels. In the line sensor 261, a light receiving region 263 is formed by these 64 pixels 260. The line sensor 261 includes an electronic shutter (not shown), and the light reception (exposure) time can be adjusted using the electronic shutter. The line sensor 261 outputs imaging data as a sensor signal each time a light receiving operation is executed in synchronization with the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 25. The imaging data in this example is one-dimensional digital data in which pixel values of 256 gradations corresponding to the amount of received light are arranged in the order in which the pixels 260 are arranged. In the detection sensor 2, the line sensor 261 is incorporated so that the longitudinal direction of the light receiving region 263 coincides with the offset direction of the light emitting unit 25 and the imaging unit 26.

  The control unit 3 in FIGS. 1 and 4 is a unit that controls the detection sensor 2 and the solenoid 11, and operates by receiving power from a commercial power source. The control unit 3 includes a control board 30 that controls the detection sensor 2 and the solenoid 11. The control board 30 is provided with an imaging control unit 31 that controls the line sensor 261 and the LED element 251, a detection processing unit 32 that executes detection processing, and a water supply control unit 33 that controls spouting water. .

The imaging control unit 31 has functions as an imaging control unit 311 that controls the LED element 251 and the line sensor 261 and a reading unit 312 that reads imaging data from the line sensor 261.
The imaging control unit 311 controls the line sensor 261 so that an intermittent operation in which an operation period in which an imaging operation is performed and a non-operation period are alternately performed is performed. The imaging control means 311 stops supplying power to the line sensor 261 until a predetermined interval time (in this example, about 0.3 to 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the end of the previous operation period. A non-operation period is set, and when the interval time elapses, the power supply is resumed to set the operation period.

  The imaging control means 311 performs light reception (exposure) of the line sensor 261 synchronized with light emission (LED light) of the LED element 251 and light reception (exposure) of the line sensor 261 under no light emission in one imaging operation. The process is executed continuously, and the difference in the amount of received light at the time of receiving light twice is obtained for each pixel. In this difference light reception waveform, the influence of ambient light is suppressed, and the component of the reflected light caused by the LED light is extracted.

  The water supply control unit 33 has a function as water discharge control means for controlling the solenoid 11. As the function of the water discharge control means, the solenoid 11 is controlled in accordance with the operation of the touchless sensor 167, and the function as the continuous water discharge control means 331 for alternately switching between the continuous water discharge state and the water stop state, and the detection by the detection sensor 2 There is a function as automatic water discharge control means 332 for opening the solenoid 11 according to the above.

  The detection processing unit 32 includes a distance measuring unit 320 that measures the distance to the detection target, a target determination unit 321 that determines whether or not the detection target exists in the water discharge area, and water is stored in the washing bowl. A function as a detection output means 325 for outputting a detection result based on the determination results of the determination means 321 and 322 to the water supply control unit 33 to determine whether or not a water storage state such as the above has occurred. I have.

  The distance measuring means 320 measures the distance (measurement distance) to the detection object using the principle of triangulation based on the incident position (distance index) of the reflected light according to the light emission of the light emitting unit 25. The distance measuring means 320 uses the received light waveform (image data in which the amount of light received by each pixel 260 is distributed) acquired in response to one imaging operation including the light emitting operation of the light emitting unit 25 to reflect the reflected light. The incident position is specified, and the distance corresponding to the incident position is measured. Note that the horizontal axis x in FIG. 5 indicates the pixel number (pixel position), and the vertical axis D (x) indicates the amount of received light (pixel value) of the pixel 260 with the pixel number x.

  The distance measuring means 320 in this example handles the barycentric position of the received light waveform as the incident position. In specifying the position of the center of gravity, first, as shown in FIG. 6, the received light amount data D (x) for each pixel constituting the received light waveform is integrated to obtain the sum SD of the pixel values of 64 pixels. This total SD corresponds to the area of the region indicated by hatching in the lower right direction in FIG. The position of the pixel with the pixel number N (shown by a black circle) when the integrated value obtained by integrating the pixel values of the pixels 260 in order from the pixel 260 with the pixel number zero at the left end of the light receiving region 263 reaches SD / 2. Calculated as the barycentric position of the received light waveform. Here, the integrated value SD / 2 corresponds to the area of the region indicated by the hatching with the upward slope. This region is included in the region of the total sum SD, and is grasped as a cross hatch region in FIG. The distribution of the amount of received light for each pixel in FIG. 6 schematically represents the received light waveform in FIG.

  The principle of triangulation used by the distance measuring means 320 will be described with reference to FIG. 7 schematically showing the positional relationship between the detection sensor 2, the inner peripheral surface 150 of the sink 151, and the user's hand in the kitchen counter 15 of this example. Is done. When the reflected light from the hand that is the detection target of the LED light enters the line sensor 261, the incident position (distance index) varies depending on the distance H to the detection target. As the distance H is shorter, the incident position of the reflected light incident on the line sensor 261 is on the upper side in the figure, and as the distance H is longer, the incident position is on the lower side. Thus, the incident position of the reflected light with respect to the line sensor 261 is proportional to the distance to the detection target, and can be a distance index (numerical index) representing the degree of this distance.

  The object determination unit 321 determines whether or not there is an object to be detected in the water discharge area using the incident position specified by the distance measuring unit 320. In this example, the detection distance range shown in FIG. 7 is set as the detection target range. The detection area (FIG. 6) set in the light receiving area 263 is an area corresponding to this detection distance (FIG. 7). The determination (threshold value processing) of whether or not the incident position of the reflected light (in this example, the center of gravity position) calculated as described above is within the detection region of FIG. 6 is the distance to the detection object that returns the reflected light. Is substantially synonymous with the determination of whether or not belongs to the detection distance range of FIG. The object determination means 321 of this example determines whether or not a detection object exists in the water discharge area depending on whether or not the incident position belongs to the detection area of FIG.

  The accumulated water determination means 322 determines whether or not a accumulated water state has occurred by using a detection result of the surface of the accumulated water serving as a light reflecting surface. Similar to the object determination unit 321, the stored water determination unit 322 of this example detects the presence or absence of the surface of the stored water depending on whether the incident position of the reflected light (in this example, the position of the center of gravity) belongs to the detection region of FIG. Then, using the detection result, it is determined whether or not a accumulated water state has occurred. Note that the absolute range of the detection area is set in the object determination unit 321 and the stored water determination unit 322, respectively.

  The detection output unit 325 outputs the detection target and the detection result of the water storage state to the water supply control unit 33. The detection results output by the detection output unit 325 include the detection result of the detection target based on the determination result by the target determination unit 321 and the detection result of the accumulated water state based on the determination result by the stored water determination unit 322. The detection output means 325 outputs the detection result of the object detection when the object determination means 321 determines that the detection object exists, and outputs the detection result of the object non-detection otherwise. In addition, the detection result of the accumulated water state is output when it is determined by the accumulated water determination means 322 that the accumulated water state is occurring, and the detection result of the non-detected water state is output otherwise.

Hereinafter, the operation of the automatic faucet 1 will be described with reference to the control flow by the control unit 3 of FIGS.
When the automatic faucet 1 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 3 first determines whether or not the manual operation on the touchless sensor 167 is performed manually. The continuous water discharge state determination process P11 which determines whether or not is executed. When it is determined that there is a manual operation (manual device), the control unit 3 executes the spouting water control process P15 according to the manual operation in preference to the subsequent processes of P12 to P14.

  If the water discharge state is continuous when the manual operation is performed, the control unit 3 executes water stop control for switching the solenoid 11 to the valve closing state. On the other hand, if the water is stopped when the manual operation is performed, the control unit 3 executes continuous water discharge control for switching the solenoid 11 to the valve open state.

  When the manual operation is not performed, the control unit 3 first executes a distance measurement process P12 that measures the distance to the detection target. In this example, the incident position of the reflected light in the light receiving region 263 of the line sensor 261 is specified as a distance index to the detection target. The control unit 3 calculates the position of the center of gravity of the received light waveform as described above with reference to FIG. 6 as the incident position of the reflected light.

  The control unit 3 executes an erroneous water discharge prevention mode determination process P13 following the distance measurement process P12. In the erroneous water discharge prevention mode determination process P13 of FIG. 9, the control unit 3 first determines whether or not it is immediately after the continuous water discharge is ended by a manual operation (S101). Here, “immediately after the end of continuous water discharge” means that in the process flow of FIG. 8 that is repeatedly executed in time, when the erroneous water discharge prevention mode determination process P13 of the previous process loop is executed, the continuous water discharge state is the current process. It means the timing at which the continuous water discharge state is ended by switching to the water stop state when executing the erroneous water discharge prevention mode determination process P13 of the loop.

  If it is immediately after completion | finish of continuous water discharge (S101: YES), the control unit 3 will perform the stored water determination process P131 mentioned later. On the other hand, if it is not immediately after the end of continuous water discharge (S101: NO), the control unit 3 determines whether or not an erroneous water discharge blocking mode for preventing automatic water discharge due to malfunction is being executed (S112). If the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is being executed (S112: YES), the control unit 3 executes the accumulated water determination process P131, just like the end of continuous water discharge.

  When the accumulated water state is detected by the accumulated water determination process P131 (S102: YES), the control unit 3 starts or maintains the erroneous water discharge prevention mode (S103). On the other hand, if the accumulated water state is not detected (S102: NO), the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is terminated (S113). As described above, in the automatic faucet 1 of this example, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is set in the water storage determination period until the water storage state is not detected after switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state by manual operation. The erroneous water discharge prevention mode is canceled in the non-determination period after the accumulated water state is not detected.

  In the stored water determination process P131 of FIG. 10, the control unit 3 first determines whether it is immediately after the end of continuous water discharge (S201). If it is immediately after completion | finish of continuous water discharge (S201: YES), the control unit 3 will determine with a stored water state detection based on the estimation that the stored water state may have generate | occur | produced (S202). On the other hand, if it is not immediately after the end of continuous water discharge (S201: NO), the control unit 3 determines that the measurement distance (incident position of reflected light as a distance index) by the distance measurement process P12 in FIG. 8 is within a predetermined water surface detection distance. It is determined whether or not (S212).

  If the measurement distance is within the water surface detection distance (S212: YES), the control unit 3 is a predetermined time (1 second in this example) that is a grace period when switching from the accumulated water state detection to the unreserved water state detection. The time measured by the timer for measuring the time is reset (S213). On the other hand, if the measurement distance exceeds the water surface detection distance (S212: NO), it is determined whether or not the measurement distance by the distance measurement process P12 in the previous processing loop is within the water surface detection distance (S223).

  If the current measurement distance exceeds the water surface detection distance (S212: NO), but the previous measurement distance is within the water surface detection distance (S223: YES), the control unit 3 measures the predetermined time. The timing of the timer to be started is started (S224). On the other hand, if the measurement distance exceeds the water surface detection distance both in the previous time and this time (S212: NO → S223: NO), the control unit 3 has a predetermined time for the time measured by the timer that started the time measurement in step S224. It is determined whether it is within 1 second (S234).

  If the time measured by the timer is within 1 second (S234: YES), the control unit 3 maintains the state of the accumulated water state detection as it is (S202). On the other hand, when the time measured by the timer exceeds 1 second (S234: NO), the time measurement by the timer is terminated (S245), and it is determined that the accumulated water state is not detected (S245). S246).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 3 executes a distance measurement determination process P14 subsequent to the accumulated water determination process P131. In the distance measurement determination process P14 of FIG. 11, the control unit 3 first determines whether or not it is in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode (S301). If not in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode (S301: NO), the control unit 3 sets the object detection distance (threshold) for detecting the object for automatic water discharge to the normal distance A (S312). On the other hand, if the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is in effect (S301: YES), the object detection distance is set to a distance B shorter than the distance A so that erroneous water discharge caused by erroneous detection of the water surface of the stored water can be avoided. (S302).

  The control unit 3 executes a comparison between the measurement distance by the distance measurement process P12 (FIG. 8) and the object detection distance (S303). If the measurement distance is within the object detection distance (S303: YES), the control unit 3 determines that the object is detected indicating that the object exists in the water discharge area (S304), and the measurement distance is the object. If it exceeds the detection distance (S303: NO), it is determined that the object is not detected (S314).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 3 executes the spouting water control process P15 subsequent to the distance measurement determination process P14. When it is determined that there is a manual operation in the manual operation presence / absence determination process P10, the spouting water control corresponding to the manual operation is executed. On the other hand, in the case of no manual operation, water discharge control is executed according to the result of object detection by the distance measurement determination process P14, and automatic water discharge is executed according to the object detection.

An operation example of the automatic faucet 1 of the present example having the above configuration will be described. 12 and 14 show a comparative example of a general automatic faucet other than the automatic faucet 1 of this example, and FIGS. 13, 15 and 16 show an operation example of the automatic faucet 1 of this example. ing.
FIG. 12 is an example of another automatic faucet that has a function of detecting a stored water state and that sets an erroneous water discharge prevention mode in accordance with the detection of the stored water state. When the automatic faucet is intended to store water in a container such as a bowl for automatic water discharge, automatic water discharge is started by inserting the container into the water discharge area (the state of the circled numeral 1 in the figure). When the water surface rises as the accumulated water progresses, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is set by the detection of the accumulated water state (the state of the circled numeral 2 in the figure). When the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is set, automatic water discharge is prohibited even if a detection object is detected, and water discharge is terminated without completing the accumulated water (the state of the circled numeral 3 in the figure) ).

  On the other hand, in the case of the automatic aqueous solution 1 of this example, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is started only after manual switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state. In the case of the automatic aqueous solution 1 of this example, as shown in FIG. 13, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is not started in response to the detection of the water storage state in the water storage by the automatic water discharge. → As shown in 3, the water can be completed by automatic water discharge.

  The operation example of FIG. 14 is different from this example in the detection specification of the accumulated water state, and is an operation example of another automatic faucet that immediately switches to the unreserved water state detection when the measurement distance deviates from the water surface detection distance. is there. If continuous water discharge is set by manual operation as indicated by a circled numeral 1 in the figure, water can be stored in a container such as a bowl. If water is stopped by manual operation when the amount of water has become sufficient, continuous water discharge can be terminated (the state indicated by the circled number 2 in the figure). If the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is set, automatic water discharge unintended by the user can be avoided.

  When the accumulated water state occurs in the detection area, the light reflection direction may fluctuate due to shaking of the water surface, and the measurement distance may deviate from the water surface detection distance. At this time, if the state is immediately switched to non-detection of the accumulated water state and the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is canceled, the reflected light enters the detection sensor again, the measurement distance is within the water surface detection distance, and automatic water discharge is started. (The state of circled numeral 3 in the figure).

  On the other hand, in the case of the automatic faucet 1 of FIG. 15, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode set by the manual operation for switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state is immediately canceled even if the measurement distance deviates from the water surface detection distance. If the measurement distance falls within the water surface detection distance again within a predetermined time (in this example, 1 second is set), the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is maintained as it is. Therefore, as shown by the circled numeral 3 in the figure, while the accumulated water is present in the water discharge area, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode can be stably maintained and unintended automatic water discharge can be avoided.

  After that, when the water pool is removed as indicated by the circled numeral 4 in the figure and the measurement distance deviates from the water surface detection distance, the erroneous water discharge blocking mode is maintained for 1 second, and then the erroneous water discharge blocking mode is maintained. Is released and the machine returns to a state where automatic water discharge is possible. As described above, according to the automatic faucet 1 of the present example, automatic water discharge unintended by the user can be reliably prevented after the accumulated water is completed by manual operation and before the accumulated bowl is removed.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another operation example of the automatic aqueous solution 1. Tableware etc. may be piled up in the sink 151 under the continuous water discharge state by manual operation (the state of the circled number 2 in the figure). For example, in the case of pickling and washing, it may be switched to a water-stopped state by manual operation and left as it is (the state of circled numeral 3 in the figure).

  In the automatic water-based 1 of the present example, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is set by a manual operation for switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state. Therefore, even if the water discharge state is left as described above, the automatic water discharge that is not intended by the user is performed. Less likely to occur. After that, if the shaking of the stored water is settled for a long time as indicated by the encircled number 5, the stored water state is stably detected, and the erroneous water discharge prevention mode is continuously set. The Thus, with the automatic faucet 1 of the present example, even when left in a state of accumulated water, automatic water discharge that is not intended by the user can be avoided with high certainty.

  As described above, the automatic faucet 1 of the present example is an automatic faucet that can be manually operated to switch the water discharge, and, for example, malfunctions such as erroneous water discharge to the stored washbasin are suppressed. It is an automatic faucet with high operational reliability.

  In this example, after the measurement distance deviates from the water surface detection distance, 1 second (predetermined time) is set as a delay time until it is determined that the accumulated water state is not detected. This grace time can be changed as appropriate. The appropriate grace time depends on the period in which the reflection direction of the light varies due to the shaking of the stored water, and is preferably set in consideration of the water shaking period. In a large-diameter dish and a small-diameter dish, the larger-diameter dish tends to have a longer period of water shaking. It is preferable to set a predetermined time so as to cover a long period of water shaking. Furthermore, the size of the reservoir for storing water differs between large and small sinks. In the case of a small sink, it is only necessary to be able to cope with water stored in a small-diameter container, so it is also possible to set a predetermined time shorter than that of a large sink. If the predetermined time can be shortened, it is possible to shorten the period during which automatic water discharge cannot be performed after water is stored in the washing bowl.

  In this example, the position of the center of gravity of the received light waveform is used as the incident position of the reflected light. Instead of the position of the center of gravity, the peak position of the received light waveform may be specified as the incident position. Furthermore, in this example, the center of gravity position is calculated by simple calculation. However, if there is a margin in calculation processing capacity, the center of gravity position may be calculated mathematically strictly.

In addition, although this example is an example which applied the automatic faucet 1 to the kitchen counter 15, the automatic faucet of a washbasin may be sufficient.
In this example, the detection sensor 2 and the control unit 3 are configured separately. Instead of this, the detection sensor 2 and the control unit 3 may be configured integrally and accommodated in the automatic faucet 1.

In this example, in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode, the object detection distance that is the threshold for object determination is shortened. In at least some of the situations in which the object is detected during the non-determination period, in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode, it is possible to determine that the detection object does not exist by shortening the object detection distance. Yes. As described above, the erroneous water discharge prevention mode of this example is an operation mode in which the possibility of detecting an object is lowered by facilitating determination that the detection target does not exist, and erroneous water discharge can be suppressed in advance. Instead of this, automatic water discharge may be prohibited by avoiding object detection by setting the object detection distance under the erroneous water discharge prevention mode to zero or the like. Alternatively, in the erroneous water discharge prevention mode, the solenoid 11 may be controlled to be closed so that automatic water discharge is not performed even if object detection occurs.
In this example, the incident position of reflected light is adopted as a numerical index that is a target of threshold processing for object determination. The numerical index may be another index such as the intensity of reflected light.

  As described above, specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail as in the embodiments. However, these specific examples merely disclose an example of the technology included in the scope of claims. Needless to say, the scope of the claims should not be construed as limited by the configuration, numerical values, or the like of the specific examples. The scope of the claims includes techniques in which the specific examples are variously modified, changed, or appropriately combined using known techniques and knowledge of those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic faucet, 15 ... Kitchen counter, 16 ... Faucet metal fitting, 11 ... Solenoid (open / close valve), 12 ... Water supply piping (flow path), 167 ... Touchless sensor (discharging water operation means), 2 ... Detection Sensor (object detection sensor, water surface detection sensor), 25... Light emitting unit, 251... LED element, 26... Imaging unit (light receiving unit), 260. ... Control unit, 30 ... Control board, 31 ... Imaging control unit, 311 ... Imaging control unit, 312 ... Reading unit, 32 ... Detection processing unit, 321 ... Object judging unit, 322 ... Stored water judging unit, 325 ... Detection output Means 33 ... Water supply control unit, 331 ... Continuous water discharge control means, 332 ... Automatic water discharge control means

Claims (5)

A water outlet for discharging water supplied from the water supply channel toward the water discharge area;
An on-off valve that opens and closes a flow path from the water supply path to the water outlet;
A spouting water operating means for accepting a user operation for switching the open / closed state of the on-off valve;
An object detection sensor including a light emitting unit that projects light toward the water discharge region, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light from the detection target;
Object determination means for determining whether or not a detection object exists in the water discharge region using a sensor signal output by the object detection sensor;
Continuous water discharge control means for executing opening / closing control of the on-off valve according to the operation of the water discharge operation means, and switching between a continuous water discharge state and a water stop state;
Automatic water discharge control means for executing open / close control of the open / close valve using a determination result by the object determination means;
A stored water determination means for determining whether or not a stored water state in which water is stored and a water surface is formed is generated in the water discharge region,
When switching from the continuous water discharge state to the water stop state by the control of the continuous water discharge control means, it is determined that the water storage state has not occurred by the water storage determination means after the switching control is executed. The operation mode is different between the water storage determination period until and the non-determination period after it is determined that the water storage state has not occurred.
An automatic water faucet that operates in an erroneous water discharge prevention mode for preventing erroneous water discharge by the control of the automatic water discharge control means during the accumulated water determination period.   In Claim 1, the said erroneous spitting water prevention mode is an operation mode in which the said on-off valve is hold | maintained even if it is a case where it is determined with the said object determination means that the detection target object exists. Automatic faucet. The object determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the object determination unit determines whether or not the detection object is present by a threshold process related to a numerical index represented by the sensor signal or a numerical index calculated using the sensor signal. Configured to determine,
The erroneous water discharge prevention mode is an automatic faucet that is an operation mode in which a threshold that is difficult to determine that the detection target exists is applied to the threshold processing executed by the target determination unit. In any one of Claims 1-3, The water surface detection sensor which optically detects the presence or absence of the water surface by receiving the reflected light generated according to the light emission operation,
The accumulated water determination means includes a period during which the detection state of the water surface by the water surface detection sensor continues and a predetermined time elapses after the detection result by the water surface detection sensor switches from the detection state to the non-detection state. While determining the period until the occurrence of the accumulated water state,
After the detection result by the water surface detection sensor is switched from the detection state to the non-detection state, when the non-detection state is maintained beyond the predetermined time, it is determined that the accumulated water state has not occurred. Automatic faucet made up.   5. The automatic water discharge control means according to claim 1, when the automatic water discharge control means opens the on-off valve in accordance with a determination result by the object determination means, regardless of a determination result by the accumulated water determination means. The valve opening state is maintained as long as it is determined that the detection target exists by the target determination means, and the valve is closed when it is determined that the detection target does not exist. Automatic faucet.

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