JP6218107B2 - Faucet device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a faucet device that detects the presence or absence of a human body with an optical sensor and performs a water-stopping operation.

  In the faucet device, water is controlled by detecting a human body with a sensor and driving an electromagnetic valve. In particular, a faucet device that employs a latch-type solenoid valve only consumes power instantaneously when switching between open / close operations, and usually requires power to maintain an open or closed state. Compared with the solenoid valve, the drive power is less, and it is effective for power saving. However, when an optical sensor is used as the sensor, the sensor may be erroneously detected by sunlight.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 is known as a technique for preventing erroneous detection of an optical sensor by sunlight. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 discloses an off detection technique for confirming that no reflected light is input when the sensor output is off.

JP 2002-168966 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 frequently detects OFF, and consumes a lot of electric power to drive the optical sensor each time. Therefore, this technology cannot be installed in a faucet device that uses a latch-type solenoid valve to save power.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to reliably detect light other than reflected light without consuming unnecessary power in a faucet device using an optical sensor. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a faucet device that does not malfunction due to light other than reflected light.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the faucet device includes: a light projecting unit that projects light; and a first light receiving unit that receives the reflected light that is reflected when the light hits an object. Means, an output means for outputting a reception signal in response to the reflected light, a solenoid valve for opening and closing the water supply path provided in a water supply path for supplying water to the water discharger, and a second light receiving light other than the reflected light. The light receiving means, a process for determining the presence or absence of a human body when the output value of the output means reaches a predetermined state, and the first value when the output value of the output means exceeds a first threshold value. And a control means for driving the two light receiving means to determine the presence or absence of light other than the reflected light.

  Accordingly, the check process for light other than the reflected light is not frequently executed, but the check process for light other than the reflected light is executed in a situation where light other than the reflected light is assumed to exist. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect light other than the reflected light without wasteful power consumption and prevent malfunction caused by the light other than the reflected light.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, the operations of the light projecting means and the output means are prohibited. And

  Thereby, the light projection operation of the optical sensor is stopped during a period in which the optical sensor cannot perform a normal detection operation due to the presence of light other than the reflected light. This is because during the period in which light other than the reflected light is present, accurate detection and determination cannot be performed even if the light projecting operation of the optical sensor is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent wasteful power consumption by stopping the light projecting operation of the optical sensor during the period in which light other than the reflected light is present.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means provides a reference for determining that the output level of the output means is absent when the output fluctuation amount of the output means is within a predetermined range during a predetermined period. It is stored as a level, and when the light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, updating of the reference level is prohibited.

  Thereby, the update of the reference level is prohibited during a period in which the optical sensor cannot perform a normal detection operation due to the presence of light other than the reflected light. This is because, during the period in which light other than the reflected light exists, accurate reflection amount data cannot be obtained even if the light projecting operation of the optical sensor is performed, and the reference level cannot be updated accurately. Therefore, during the period when light other than reflected light exists, the reference level used for human body detection is prohibited from being updated, so that the reference level is not affected by light other than reflected light. It was possible to keep the accuracy of human detection.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means determines that the human body is present if the output of the output means is equal to or greater than a value obtained by adding a second threshold value to the reference level. The threshold value of 1 is less than or equal to the second threshold value.

  As a result, the light other than the reflected light is always checked before the detection state of the human body is switched. If light other than reflected light is present, the optical sensor cannot perform a normal detection operation. However, if it is not affected to such an extent that the detection determination is switched, the necessity for checking light other than reflected light is low. In other words, light other than the reflected light may be checked before the detection state of the optical sensor is about to change.

  In other words, the light check conditions other than the reflected light need not be stricter than the switching conditions for the presence or absence of a human body. On the other hand, if the check conditions for light other than reflected light are made stricter, there is a possibility that the optical sensor will make a false detection. By doing so, the presence of light other than the reflected light can be checked more reliably, and erroneous detection of the optical sensor can be prevented more reliably.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means drives the second light receiving means when the determination is switched from having a human body to having no human body.

  Thus, when a human body is not detected, light other than reflected light is always checked. If there is light other than the reflected light, the reflected light from the human body is drowned out, so the optical sensor can easily determine that the human body is not detected. Therefore, when the human body is switched from the detection state to the non-detection state, it may be affected by light other than the reflected light, so if you check the light other than the reflected light at this timing, It is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the optical sensor.

  As a result, it is possible to further reduce the frequency of checking light other than the reflected light while preventing erroneous detection of the optical sensor, thus enabling driving with even lower power consumption.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control means detects light other than the reflected light by driving the second light receiving means, the electromagnetic valve is driven to stop and water is stopped. It is characterized by that.

  Thus, when light other than the reflected light appears in the water discharge, the water is forcibly stopped regardless of the detection state of the optical sensor. This is a safe stop operation for a faucet device mainly used for hand washing. In a faucet device for hand-washing, water is discharged during a period when a human body (hand) is detected, and water is stopped when it is not detected. Here, if the detection operation of the optical sensor cannot be performed accurately by light other than the reflected light during detection (water discharge), the non-detection cannot be determined and the water stop operation cannot be performed. Therefore, when light other than reflected light appears in the water discharge, the water faucet device can be safely stopped by reliably performing a water stop operation.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the control means detects light other than the reflected light by driving the second light receiving means, if the accumulated time of human body detection is a predetermined value or more, The electromagnetic valve is driven to perform a water discharging operation for a predetermined time.

  Thereby, when light other than reflected light appears during the detection of the human body, the water discharge operation is switched according to the detection time until then. This is a safe stop operation for a faucet device mainly used for cleaning filth. In a faucet device for cleaning filth, once a human body is detected, then when it is not detected, toilet cleaning (water discharge operation) is performed for a certain period of time. Here, if the detection operation of the optical sensor cannot be performed with light other than the reflected light during human body detection, the non-detection cannot be determined and the toilet bowl cannot be cleaned. Therefore, when light other than reflected light appears during human body detection, the faucet device can be safely stopped by washing the toilet bowl and reliably washing away the filth.

  According to the present invention, in a faucet device using an optical sensor, a faucet device that reliably detects light other than reflected light without wasteful power consumption and does not malfunction due to light other than reflected light. Can be provided.

  In addition, the present invention is a technique applicable to both a faucet device that discharges water while detecting a human body and a faucet device that discharges water after detecting a human body once and then non-detection, and other than reflected light When this light is detected, a safe stop can be surely performed.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline of the water faucet device concerning 1st Embodiment in cross section. It is a circuit diagram of the faucet device of the present invention. It is a timing chart which shows operation at the time of performing detection operation of a sensor. It is a timing chart which shows operation | movement of a sensor when light other than reflected light exists. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the faucet apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the sensor light projection subroutine operation | movement of the water tap apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the saturation check subroutine operation | movement of the faucet device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detection determination subroutine operation | movement of the faucet device of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the update content of the sensor data group of the faucet device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the reference | standard level update subroutine operation | movement of the faucet apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the faucet apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline of the water faucet device concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline of the water faucet device concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the faucet apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the toilet bowl washing | cleaning subroutine operation | movement of the faucet device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the faucet apparatus concerning 4th Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline of the faucet apparatus concerning 5th Embodiment.

(1) First embodiment:
Drawing 1 is a mimetic diagram showing the outline of the faucet device concerning this embodiment in section. The faucet device 100 detects an object (such as a human body or an object) and automatically stops water. The water faucet device 100 performs water discharge on the basin 1 provided in the washstand.

  The basin 1 is provided on the upper surface of the basin counter 2. A faucet 3 constituting a spout for discharging water to the bowl surface 1 a of the basin 1 is provided on the basin counter 2. The faucet 3 has a water outlet 3 a that discharges water, and is provided such that water discharged from the water outlet 3 a is discharged into the bowl surface 1 a of the basin 1.

  The water discharged from the water faucet 3 a by the faucet 3 is supplied by the water supply channel 4. The water supply channel 4 guides water supplied from a water supply source such as a water pipe to the water outlet 3a. A drainage channel 5 is connected to the basin 1. The drainage channel 5 discharges water discharged from the water outlet 3a into the bowl surface 1a of the basin 1.

  The faucet device 100 includes an electromagnetic valve 6, an optical sensor unit 8, and a controller unit 9. The optical sensor unit 8 and the controller unit 9 are separated, the optical sensor unit 8 is accommodated in the faucet 3, and the electromagnetic valve 6 and the controller unit 9 are accommodated below the washstand.

  The optical sensor unit 8 and the controller unit 9 are connected by a connection cable 7. The controller unit 9 supplies a power supply voltage to the optical sensor unit 8 via the connection cable 7 and controls the optical sensor unit 8 via the connection cable 7.

  The electromagnetic valve 6 is provided in the water supply channel 4 and opens and closes the water supply channel 4. When the electromagnetic valve 6 is opened, the water supplied from the water supply path 4 is discharged from the water outlet 3a. When the electromagnetic valve 6 is closed, the water supplied from the water supply path 4 is not discharged from the water outlet 3a. It becomes a water state.

  The electromagnetic valve 6 is connected to the controller unit 9, and the controller unit 9 drives the electromagnetic valve 6 to control the opening / closing operation. The solenoid valve 6 is electrically controlled in accordance with a control signal from the controller unit 9 to open and close the water supply channel 4. Thus, the electromagnetic valve 6 functions as a water supply valve that opens and closes the water supply path 4 of water discharged from the water outlet 3a.

  The solenoid valve 6 is a self-holding solenoid valve (latched solenoid valve) called a so-called latching solenoid valve, and operates (opens) from a closed state to an open state by energizing the solenoid coil in one direction. After that, even if the solenoid coil is cut off, the open state is maintained, and the solenoid coil is energized in the other direction to operate from the open state to the closed state (closed operation). Also holds the closed state.

  The optical sensor unit 8 detects an object (such as a hand) that approaches the water outlet 3a. The water discharge destination of the water discharge port 3 a becomes a detection region of the optical sensor unit 8. The optical sensor unit 8 detects the position, movement, and the like of the object by transmitting the propagation wave and receiving the propagation wave reflected from the object such as a human body that has received the transmitted propagation wave.

  For example, an optical sensor such as infrared light or visible light can be used as the optical sensor unit 8.

  The optical sensor unit 8 is provided inside the faucet 3 near the water outlet 3a, and is arranged to transmit a propagation wave toward the user side (left side in FIG. 1) of the washstand. Thereby, the optical sensor part 8 can detect that the human body has approached the water discharge port 3a, that the hand has been put out toward the water discharge port 3a from the human body that has approached the water discharge port 3a, and the like.

  The optical sensor unit 8 is connected to the controller unit 9. A signal output from the optical sensor unit 8 is input to the controller unit 9, and the position and movement of the object are detected based on this signal. Then, the electromagnetic valve 6 is controlled based on the detection result.

  The controller unit 9 controls the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 6 based on the signal output from the optical sensor unit 8. For this reason, an output signal from the sensor unit 8 is input to the controller unit 9. The controller unit 9 outputs a control signal to the optical sensor unit 8 to control the sensing operation of the optical sensor unit 8.

  As described above, the faucet device 100 of this embodiment includes the electromagnetic valve 6, the optical sensor unit 8, and the controller unit 9, and the controller unit 9 controls based on the detection signal of the optical sensor unit 8. Thus, the opening / closing operation of the electromagnetic valve 6 is controlled. Thereby, the water discharge according to the detection result (movement of the user of a washstand, etc.) of the target object which approaches the water discharge port 3a is performed.

  Further, the optical sensor unit 8 is not always operating, but the controller unit 9 controls so as to operate at a timing that requires sensing. Thereby, the power consumption of the optical sensor unit 8 can be reduced. The controller unit 9 can reduce the power consumption of the faucet device 100 as a whole by reducing the frequency of the sensing operation of the optical sensor unit 8 to such an extent that the user does not feel inconvenience.

Next, the detection operation of the sensor will be described.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the faucet device 100 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation when the detection operation of the sensor is performed. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sensor when light other than reflected light is present.

  The light other than the reflected light is light other than the light emitted from the optical sensor unit 8, and is a light sensor of another device, illumination light, sunlight, or the like.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 40 denotes a light projecting element that projects infrared light that is an output signal of the optical sensor unit 8, and reference numeral 30 denotes a light receiving element that receives infrared light reflected from an object. Reference numeral 22 denotes control means for controlling the circuit of the faucet device 100 including the optical sensor unit 8, and the electromagnetic valve driving means 23 is driven according to the detection result of the optical sensor unit 8 to automatically discharge the faucet.

  The controller unit 9 described in FIG. 1 corresponds to the control means 22 and the electromagnetic valve driving means 23 in FIG. The FET 42 and the resistor 41 are circuits for causing a predetermined current to flow through the light projecting element 40, and are formed by the light projecting means 50 in which the light projecting element 40 projects light in accordance with a timing signal (LEDOUT) output from the control means 22. Has been.

  The resistor 31 and the OP amplifier 32 constitute a light receiving means 51, and the light receiving element 30 converts a photocurrent generated in proportion to the amount of received light into a voltage. The AC component of this voltage is input to the amplifying means 52 including the resistors 10 and 11 and the OP amplifier 12 via the capacitor 33 and amplified. The output of the amplifying unit 52 is input to the inverting unit 53 including the resistors 13 and 14 and the OP amplifier 15. In the inverting means 53, the signal amplitude is equal and the polarity is inverted.

  The output of the light receiving means 51 is also input to the control means 22 (ADIN2). Since this output does not pass through the capacitor 33, it becomes a signal including not only the AC component but also the DC component.

  Further, the output of the amplifying unit 52 is input to the integrating unit 54 via the analog switch 16, and the output of the inverting unit 53 is input to the integrating unit 54 via the analog switch 17. The analog switches 16 and 17 are turned on / off by timing signals S2 and S3 output from the control means 22, respectively.

  The integrating means 54 includes a resistor 18, a capacitor 19, and an OP amplifier 20. Reference numeral 21 denotes an analog switch that is turned on / off by a timing signal S1 output from the control means 22, and discharges the capacitor 19 (reset of the integrating means 54). The output of the integrating means 54 is input to the control means 22 (ADIN1).

  The circuit configuration for performing the series of light projecting and receiving operations described so far corresponds to the sensor unit 8 described in FIG.

  The amplifying unit 52, the inverting unit 53, and the integrating unit 54 convert the output signals of the light receiving unit 51, and hence are collectively referred to as an output unit 55. The output of the integrating means 54 is equal to the output of the output means 55.

  Then, the signals S1, S2 and S3 are controlled by the control means 22, and effective signal integration and noise removal can be performed by synchronizing the light projection timing and the integration timing. This conventionally known operation will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation when the sensor detection operation is performed.
First, before performing pulse projection, the analog switch 21 is turned on by a signal S1 for a predetermined time from the timing T0 in FIG. In this state, the output voltage of the integrating means 54 (output of the OP amplifier 20) becomes the reference (the zero position of the reflected signal).

  At the timing of T1, the LEDOUT signal is turned on, the FET 42 is turned on, and the light projecting element 40 emits light. At the same time, the signal S2 is turned on and the analog switch 16 is turned on, and the integrating means 54 integrates the amplification means output, which is a signal proportional to the reflected light, in synchronization with the light projection of the light projecting element 40.

  The LEDOUT signal is turned off at the timing T2. At the same time, the signal S2 is turned off, the signal S3 is turned on, and the analog switch 17 is turned on. Here, the received signal in a state where the light projecting element 40 is not projecting light is inverted by the inverting means 53 and integrated by the integrating means 54. At the timing T3, the signal S3 is turned off and the signal S2 is turned on, and the operation at the timings T1 to T3 is repeated. In addition, the time interval of T1-T2 and T2-T3 is the same time. Thus, the same operation is repeated twice until the timing of T5 in FIG.

  By integrating the amplification means output in synchronization with the light projection of the light projecting element 40, the integration means output outputs a reflected light reception amount (ADIN1) proportional to the number of light projections. In the case of the circuit of FIG. 2, the reflected light from the detection target, that is, a signal synchronized with the light projection pulse is integrated on the side where the integration means output increases.

  Note that this is the case with the configuration of FIG. 2. For example, depending on the mounting polarity of the light receiving element 30, the configuration of the amplification means 52 (inversion type or non-inversion type), and the number of amplification stages, the integration means output may be reduced. Sometimes integrated. It is not an essential problem whether the signal is integrated in the rising or falling direction.

  Further, by integrating the output of the amplification means and the output of the inverting means for the same time and the same number of times, it is possible to cancel out the component that is not synchronized with the light projection, that is, the random noise in the operating environment of the optical sensor unit 8. Thus, by repeating the light projection and integration operation, the amount of reflected signal (integrating means output) increases, the noise component decreases, and the S / N ratio of the sensor improves. The above is a well-known synchronous integration operation.

  As described above, FIG. 3 shows the operation in the case where there is no light other than intense reflected light such as light sensors of other devices, illumination light, sunlight, or the like.

Next, the sensor operation when light other than reflected light is present will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the sensor when light other than reflected light is present.

  Various timing controls by the control means 22 are exactly the same as in FIG. Here, if the power of light other than the reflected light is intense, a large photocurrent flows through the light receiving element 30 and the output of the OP amplifier 32 increases. In this situation, if the photocurrent value has a surplus with respect to the output dynamic range (output limit value) of the OP amplifier 32, the output waveforms of the OP amplifier 12, the OP amplifier 15, and the OP amplifier 20 are formed in the same manner as in FIG. However, when there is no margin for the output dynamic range (output limit value) of the OP amplifier 32, no signal is generated at the inverting input of the OP amplifier 12, and the OP amplifier 12, the OP amplifier 15, and the OP amplifier 20 The output waveform is as shown in FIG.

  This is because the above-described capacitor 33 is provided so that only the output of the AC component of the OP amplifier 32 is transmitted to the inverting input of the OP amplifier 12, but when the output of the OP amplifier 32 is saturated, the AC component is reduced. It is because it does not occur. Since no signal is generated at the inverting input of the OP amplifier 12, the integration means output (the output amount of the OP amplifier 20) finally becomes zero. That is, the signal amount (ADIN1) of the integrating means 54 cannot be correctly extracted depending on the presence or absence of light other than intense reflected light.

  This situation occurs, for example, when the faucet device 100 is installed at a place where sunlight is inserted. Moreover, illumination with high illuminance is installed at the ceiling position of the faucet device 100, and it may occur even when the illumination is turned on. Thus, in a situation where light other than intense reflected light is present, there is a risk that the accurate reflected light reception amount cannot be taken out, the optical sensor unit 8 erroneously detects, and the faucet device 100 erroneously discharges water. there were.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the output signal of the OP amplifier 32, that is, the output (ADIN2) of the light receiving means 51 is checked to prevent this erroneous water discharge, and its operation is illustrated. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the faucet device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, a light projection timer and a reference level timer are started (S100). Next, it loops and waits until the light emission timer has passed 0.5 seconds (S101). This 0.5 second is the light projection period of the optical sensor unit 8 and may be changed according to the installation situation. When 0.5 second has elapsed (YES in S101), the light emission timer is reset and started (S102). This is because the next light projection period (0.5 seconds) is measured again.

  Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the saturation flag is set to 1 (S103). The condition for setting the saturation flag to 1 will be described later. The role of the saturation flag is to indicate whether the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated by light other than reflected light.

  If the saturation flag is set to 1 (YES in S103), the saturation check subroutine is executed (S104). The processing of the saturation check subroutine will be described later. In this subroutine, it is checked whether or not the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated by light other than the reflected light, and if it is saturated, the saturation flag is set to 1. If not saturated, the saturation flag is cleared to zero.

  After the processing of the saturation check subroutine is completed, the process returns to the position A, and waits in a loop until the light emission timer reaches 0.5 seconds again (S101).

  On the other hand, if the saturation flag is cleared to 0 in step S103 (NO in S103), a sensor projection subroutine is executed (S110). In the sensor projection subroutine, the optical sensor unit 8 executes the operation of the time chart described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the sensor projection subroutine operation of the faucet device 100 of the present invention. This is a flowchart of the processing of the time charts of FIGS. 3 and 4.

  First, the counter is cleared to 0 (S200). This counter is for measuring the number of times of light emission of the projection pulse. Next, the light receiving circuit is turned on (S201). The light receiving circuit is a circuit including the light receiving means 51, the amplifying means 52, the inverting means 53, and the integrating means 54 described above. There are a plurality of OP amplifiers in the light receiving circuit, and power is consumed if power is always supplied to them. Thus, the power consumption is reduced by supplying power only at the timing of performing the light projecting operation.

  Subsequently, S1 is turned on for a predetermined time (S202). This corresponds to the resetting operation of the integrating means described with reference to FIGS. In the flowchart, the ON time is set to 100 us, but the ON time may be changed according to circuit characteristics.

  Subsequently, LEDOUT and S2 are turned on for a certain time (S203). This corresponds to the operation from T1 to T2 described in FIGS. In the flowchart, the ON time is set to 100 us, but the ON time may be changed according to circuit characteristics.

  Subsequently, S3 is turned on for a predetermined time (S204). This corresponds to the operation from T2 to T3 described with reference to FIGS. In the flowchart, the ON time is set to 100 us, but the ON time may be changed according to circuit characteristics.

  Thereafter, the counter is incremented by 1 (S205), and it is checked whether the counter has reached 2 (S206). If the counter has not reached 2 (NO in S206), the operation returns to the ON operation of LEDOUT and S2 again (S203). This corresponds to the operation from T3 to T5 described with reference to FIGS. The counter represents the number of times of light emission of the projection pulse. When the light is emitted twice as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the comparison value of the counter is 2.

  When the counter reaches 2 (YES in S206), ADIN1 is measured (S207). ADIN1 is an output value of the integrating means 54, and indicates the amount of reflected light received (sensor data) by the current light projecting operation. The human body is detected based on the change in the amount of reflected light, and hereinafter, the amount of reflected light is referred to as sensor data. In other words, this sensor data becomes the output of the output means 55. After completion of the measurement of ADIN1, the light receiving circuit is turned off and the process returns to the main flow in FIG. 5 (S208).

  Subsequently, in the main flow of FIG. 5, it is checked whether or not the sensor data has changed (S111). Specifically, the current sensor data result (current ADIN1 measurement value) and the previous sensor data result (previous ADIN1 measurement value) are compared to check whether there is a difference.

  For example, if there is no light other than the reflected light at the time of the previous sensor operation, the sensor data shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. If light other than the reflected light is present at the time of the current sensor operation, the light is shown in FIG. It becomes sensor data. In this case, since a difference occurs in the result of the sensor data, “Sensor data is changed” (YES in S111).

  Note that the threshold value (first threshold value) at which this difference has occurred may be appropriately set according to the installation status of the faucet device 100. For example, if the sensor data when the faucet device 100 is not used is about 40, the difference threshold value can be about 5. That is, if the difference between the current sensor data and the previous sensor data is 5 or more, “the sensor data has changed”.

  Further, as another method for checking whether or not the sensor data has changed, a difference from a reference level described later may be compared. The reference level is a sensor data value in a state where no human body is detected, and an average value of a plurality of sensor data is used to absorb a subtle error. If there is a difference between the current sensor data and the reference level, it may be determined that “the sensor data has changed”.

  Also in this case, when the reference level is 40, the difference threshold value (first threshold value) may be set to 5.

  When the sensor data has changed (YES in S111), a saturation check subroutine is executed (S112).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a saturation check subroutine operation of the faucet device 100 of the present invention.

  First, the light receiving circuit is turned on (S300). Similar to the sensor projection subroutine described with reference to FIG. 6, the light receiving circuit is turned on only when necessary, so that it is not necessary to consume useless power. Next, ADIN2 is measured (S301). ADIN2 is an output value of the light receiving means 51, and this output value varies depending on the presence of light other than the reflected light. In the circuit configuration of the present embodiment, the value of ADIN2 increases as the light other than the reflected light becomes stronger. Light other than the reflected light is detected based on the measured value of ADIN2, and the value of ADIN2 is hereinafter referred to as optical data other than the reflected light.

After the measurement of the optical data other than the reflected light is completed, the light receiving circuit is turned off (S302).
In the saturation check subroutine, it is not necessary to measure ADIN1 (the output of the integrating means 54). Therefore, the power supply supplied to the light receiving circuit may be only the light receiving means 51. By doing so, further reduction in power consumption can be realized.

  Then, it is checked whether the optical data value other than the measured reflected light is large (S303). Here, “whether or not the optical data value other than the reflected light is large” means whether or not the output value of the light receiving means 51 has reached the vicinity of the output limit value of the OP amplifier 32, that is, the output of the OP amplifier 32. Is checking whether or not is saturated.

  For example, if the output limit value of the OP amplifier 32 is set to 3.0 V, if the measured optical data value other than the reflected light is equal to or higher than 3.0 V, “the optical data value other than the reflected light is large”. This is considered saturated.

  Note that the threshold value regarded as saturation may be set slightly lower than the output limit value of the OP amplifier 32. This is because the performance of the OP amplifier 32 tends to become unstable near the output limit value, and the frequency characteristics of the sensor data and the linearity of the output are lost. For example, if the output limit value of the OP amplifier 32 is 3.0V, more stable sensor data can be obtained by setting the saturation threshold to about 2.5V.

  Thus, it is also included in the technical scope of the present invention that the output of the light receiving means 51 (output of the OP amplifier 32) is regarded as “saturated” before it is completely saturated.

  If the measurement value is large according to the measurement result of the optical data value other than the reflected light (YES in S303), the saturation flag is set to 1 and the process returns to the main flow (S304). If the measured value is not large (NO in S303), the saturation flag is cleared to 0 and the process returns to the main flow (S305).

  Returning to the main flow of FIG. 5, it is checked whether the saturation flag is set to 1 (S113). If it is cleared to 0 (NO in S113), a detection determination subroutine is executed (S130). It should be noted that step S130 is also executed when there is no change in the sensor data in step S111 (NO in S111).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detection determination subroutine operation of the faucet device 100 of the present invention.

  Here, whether or not the measured value of the sensor data (current sensor data measured in step S110) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (a value obtained by adding the detection threshold (second threshold) to the reference level). Is checked (S400). If it is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in S400), the detection flag is set to 1 and the process returns to the main flow (S401). Otherwise (NO in S400), the detection flag is cleared to 0 and the process returns to the main flow (S402).

  Here, the reference level is a calculated value of the sensor data group when no human body is detected, and a change in the output state of sensor data that is equal to or higher than a detection threshold (second threshold) with respect to the reference level. If there is, it detects that there is a human body. The reference level setting means will be described in a later-described reference level update subroutine.

  For example, if the reference level is 40 and the detection threshold value (second threshold value) is 10, if the sensor data by the current sensor light projecting operation is 50 or more, the presence of a human body is detected. Become.

  The magnitude of the detection threshold (second threshold) may be changed as appropriate according to the installation status of the faucet device 100.

  Subsequently, in the main flow of FIG. 5, a sensor data history update process is executed (S131). This is a process of managing a plurality of sensor data results as a history when a sensor light projecting operation was performed in the past. The sensor data history managed here is used in step S111 and a reference level update subroutine to be described later.

  In step S111, since the difference between the current sensor data and the previous sensor data is checked, the previous sensor data is required for the processing in step S111. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the previous sensor data as the sensor data history.

  In a reference level update subroutine to be described later, a reference level is calculated from past sensor data groups.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the update contents of the sensor data group of the faucet device 100 of the present invention.

  There are four block areas for storing sensor data (M1 to M4). Before executing step S131, M1 is the previous sensor data (the first sensor data in the past), M2 is the second sensor data in the past, M3 is the third sensor data in the past, and M4 is the fourth sensor data in the past. Sensor data is stored.

  After step S131 is executed, M1 represents the current sensor data, M2 represents the previous sensor data (the first sensor data in the past), M3 represents the second sensor data in the past, and M4 represents the third sensor data in the past. The sensor data is stored and updated. That is, sensor data for the past four times is always updated from M1 to M4.

  Here, at the stage of executing step S111, since the sensor data group is not updated, the previous sensor data is stored in M1. That is, in step S111, the difference between the current sensor data and the sensor data in the M1 area is checked. In the present embodiment, the number of storage blocks is four, but the number of storage blocks may be increased or decreased as appropriate. Subsequently, in the main flow, a reference level update subroutine is executed (S132).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the reference level update subroutine operation of the faucet device 100 of the present invention.

  First, it is checked whether the sensor data is stable (S500). The sensor data being stable means that the fluctuation amount of the sensor data group sampled in a predetermined period is within a predetermined range. Here, the sensor data group described in FIG. 9 is calculated to check the stability of the sensor data. Specifically, the maximum value and the minimum value are found from the sensor data group of M1 to M4, and the difference is checked. If the difference is small, it is determined that “sensor data is stable”. For example, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is 3 or less, it can be determined that the sensor data is stable. As a situation for determining that the sensor data is not stable, it is assumed that the sensor data is greatly increased by detecting a human body, or the sensor data is greatly decreased by light other than reflected light.

  As a method for checking the stability of the sensor data, the standard deviation value may be used instead of the method described above, or the difference value between the maximum value (or minimum value) and the average value may be used. Good. Various other check methods are conceivable, but the check method itself does not limit the characteristics of the present invention.

  In step S500, if the sensor data is stable (YES in S500), it is checked whether or not the reference level timer has passed 60 seconds (S501). The reference level timer is started first in the main flow of FIG. 5 (S100).

  If 60 seconds have passed (YES in S501), the sensor data average value is updated as the reference level, and the process returns to the main flow (S502). Here, the sensor data average value is an average value of sensor data groups stored in M1 to M4. On the other hand, if 60 seconds have not elapsed (NO in S501), the process returns to the main flow without doing anything.

  If it is determined in step S500 that the sensor data is not stable (NO in S500), the reference level timer is reset and returned to the main flow (S503).

  As described above, in the reference level update subroutine, if the state where the sensor data is stable continues, the sensor data in the stable state is updated as the reference level. Since the reference level is updated to the optimum value according to the surrounding environment, a stable sensor detection operation can be realized.

  In the present embodiment, the duration is set to 60 seconds, but the time may be appropriately changed according to the installation status of the faucet device 100 or the like.

  Subsequently, when returning to the main flow of FIG. 5, it is checked whether or not the water discharge flag is set to 1 (S140). The water discharge flag indicates the current water discharge state, and is set to 1 during water discharge.

  When the water discharge flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S140), the detection flag is checked (S141).

  If the detection flag is set to 1 (YES in S141), the electromagnetic valve is opened to start water discharge (S142). And a water discharge flag is set to 1 (S143), and it returns to A point (before S101). If the detection flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S141), the process returns to point A (before S101) as it is.

  On the other hand, if the water discharge flag is set to 1 in step S140 (YES in S140), the detection flag is checked (S151).

  If the detection flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S151), the solenoid valve is driven to close and the water discharge ends (S152). Then, the water discharge flag is cleared to 0 (S153), and the process returns to point A (before S101). If the detection flag is set to 1 (YES in S151), the process returns to point A (before S101).

  Thus, the process after step S140 is the control content which continues water discharge during the period which has detected the human body. This is a treatment content suitable for a faucet device for hand washing.

  Here, processing contents that have not been described in the main flow of FIG. 5 will be described. In the process of step S113, when the saturation flag is set to 1 (YES in S113), the detection flag is cleared to 0 (S120).

  Then, it is checked whether or not the water discharge flag is set to 1 (S121). If the water discharge flag is set to 1 (YES in S121), it is driven to close (S122), the water discharge flag is cleared to 0 (S123), and the process returns to the point A (before S101). If the water discharge flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S121), the process returns to the point A (before S101) as it is.

  Steps S120 to S123 are processing contents for forcibly stopping water when the output of the light receiving means 51 is considered to be saturated.

  When the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated, the output of the integrating means 54 is lost as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the saturation of the light receiving means 51 is detected, the water faucet device 100 is forcibly stopped so as to stop safely.

  Further, in steps S103 to S104, when the output of the light receiving means 51 is considered to be saturated, the normal main operation is prohibited (omitted) and waiting for the timing to release the saturated state.

  This is because the sensor light projection subroutine (S110), the detection determination subroutine (S130), the sensor data history update (S131), the reference level update subroutine (S132), and the water discharge process (S132) under the situation where the light receiving means 51 is saturated. This is because the processing from S140 to S153) leads to erroneous detection of the optical sensor unit 8 and erroneous water discharge of the controller unit 9.

  When there is no light other than the reflected light and the saturation state is canceled by the saturation check subroutine in step S104 (when the saturation flag is cleared to 0), the normal main operation is resumed (S110 and subsequent steps are executed). .

  Further, the saturation check subroutine is executed in step S112 in addition to step S104. The processing of the saturation check subroutine in step S112 is executed when there is a change in the sensor data (YES in S111), and is not executed when the sensor data is stable.

That is, when the state of the time chart of FIG. 3 is continuing (in a situation where there is no light other than reflected light), the saturation check subroutine is not executed, and when the state is switched from FIG. 3 to FIG. Executed when switching to a situation where there is light.

  In this way, the saturation check subroutine is executed in a situation where light other than reflected light is not frequently checked, but light other than reflected light is present. Therefore, it is possible to reliably detect light other than the reflected light, and finally prevent erroneous water discharge.

  The output of the light receiving means 51 is directly input to the control means 22 as ADIN 2, and is also input to the control means 22 as ADIN 1 through the capacitor 33 and the output means 55. As already described, the former is used for checking whether the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated by light other than the reflected light, and the latter is used for detection detection of the human body.

  In human body detection determination, since the reflected light is very small, accurate detection determination cannot be performed with the signal amount as it is. The reason for the small amount of reflected light is that the current flowing through the light projecting element 40 is made extremely small in order to reduce the power consumption of the faucet device 100, and that the light is greatly attenuated when the light is reflected on the human body. It is. Therefore, the signal is amplified by the amplifying means 52.

  Further, in order to increase noise resistance, synchronous integration is performed using the inversion means 53 and the integration means 54. In this way, random noise represented by white noise can be removed.

  On the other hand, when the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated by light other than the reflected light, light power that is overwhelmingly larger than the light projecting power of the light projecting element 40 is received. Therefore, signal processing using the output means 55 is unnecessary, and sufficient detection is possible with the signal amount of the photocurrent received by the light receiving means 51.

  That is, when detecting a human body, a complicated light receiving circuit is required because a minute signal is processed. However, when checking light other than reflected light, a huge light signal is processed, so that a complicated light receiving circuit is not necessary.

  As described above, the light receiving means 51 can be used for both the human body detection determination and the light check other than the reflected light. That is, the light receiving means (first light receiving means) that receives reflected light for human body detection and the light receiving means (second light receiving means) that receives light other than reflected light that is noise are one light receiving means 51. It is also used in.

  Of course, it is possible to provide a light receiving means for detecting a human body and to provide another light receiving means for checking light other than the reflected light. However, as long as the light receiving means for detecting a human body can cover the light receiving means, It is possible to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of the light receiving circuit by consolidating the number 51 into one.

  When the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated due to the presence of light other than the reflected light, the normal main operation is omitted (prohibited). The main operation includes a sensor light projecting operation (S110) and a reference level updating process (S132).

  As described above, when the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated with light other than reflected light, the human body cannot be detected normally. That is, during the saturated period, it is useless to perform the light projecting operation of the sensor.

Therefore, by prohibiting the light projecting operation of the sensor, it is possible to reduce the power consumption during the period in which light other than the reflected light is detected.

  Similarly, when the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated due to the presence of light other than reflected light, the reference level necessary for the determination of human body detection cannot be updated normally. That is, an accurate amount of reflected light cannot be obtained even if the light projecting operation of the sensor is performed.

  Therefore, by prohibiting the update process of the reference level, the stored reference level is not affected by light other than the reflected light, the reference level can be maintained in a normal state, and the accuracy of human body detection is improved. Don't drop it.

  Further, the relationship between step S111 in FIG. 5 and step S130 (especially S400 in FIG. 8) will be additionally described.

  Here, it is desirable that the condition for proceeding to check whether the light is saturated with light other than the reflected light (YES in S111) is looser than the condition for switching the detection state of the human body.

  For example, assuming that the reference level is 40 and the detection threshold value (second threshold value) is 10 in step S400, it is determined that the human body is present when the sensor data becomes 50 or more (YES in S400). That is, the detection state is switched when a change amount of 10 or more with respect to the reference level occurs.

  On the other hand, as a condition for proceeding to check whether the light is saturated with light other than the reflected light, a change amount of 5 or more (first threshold value or more) of the sensor data with respect to the reference level occurs. Whether or not.

  By doing so, a check process for light other than the reflected light is performed before the detection state of the human body is switched.

  If light other than reflected light is present, normal human body detection operation cannot be performed, but it is not necessary to check light other than reflected light unless it is affected to the extent that detection determination is switched. In other words, light other than the reflected light may be checked before the human body detection operation is about to change. On the other hand, if the conditions for checking light other than reflected light are made stricter, there is a possibility that a human body is erroneously detected.

  That is, it is desirable that step S130 (detection determination subroutine) is not executed with priority over step S112 (saturation check subroutine).

  By doing so, the presence of light other than the reflected light can be checked more reliably, and erroneous detection of the human body can be more reliably prevented.

  In addition, when light other than reflected light appears in the water discharge, the water is forcibly stopped. This is a safe stop operation for the faucet device 100 mainly used for hand-washing.

  In the faucet device 100 for hand-washing, water is discharged during the period when the human body (hand) is detected, and water is stopped when it is not detected.

  Here, if an accurate human body detection operation cannot be performed with light other than the reflected light during detection (water discharge), non-detection cannot be determined and the water stop operation cannot be performed. Therefore, when light other than the reflected light appears in the water discharge, the water faucet device 100 is safely stopped by reliably performing a water stop operation.

(2) Second embodiment:
From here, the second embodiment will be described.
Since the basic configuration and control contents of the faucet device 100 according to the second embodiment are the same as the contents described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
The difference from the first embodiment is the processing content of the main flow described in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a main operation of the faucet device 100 according to the second embodiment. The difference from the main flow of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment is that step S111 is eliminated and steps S160 and S161 are added instead. Moreover, the position of step S130 has changed.

  Hereinafter, details of portions different from FIG. 5 will be described.

  Steps S100 to S110 are the same as those in FIG. Following the sensor projection subroutine in step S110, the detection determination subroutine in step S130 is moved. Steps S160 and S161 are newly added. Step S111 is deleted.

  After the processing of the sensor projection subroutine in step S110, a detection determination subroutine is executed (S130). Then, it is checked whether or not the detection flag is set to 1 (S160). If the detection flag is set to 1 (YES in S160), the process proceeds to step S131.

  The processing after step S131 is the same as that described in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the detection flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S160), the process proceeds to step S161 to check whether or not the previous detection result was detection. Whether or not the previous detection was detected may be stored in a memory or the like, or may be determined with reference to the previous sensor data described with reference to FIG. If the previous time was detection (YES in S161), a saturation check subroutine is executed (S112). Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the saturation flag is set to 1 (S113). If the saturation flag is set to 1 (YES in S113), the process proceeds to step S120.

  The processing after step S120 is the same as that described in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the previous detection was not detected in step S161 (NO in S161), the process proceeds to step S131. If the saturation flag is cleared to 0 in step S113 (NO in S113), the process proceeds to step S131.

  In the present embodiment, the route for executing the saturation check subroutine in step S112 is different from that in the first embodiment. Specifically, when this time is non-detection and the previous time is detection, S112 is executed.

  Hereinafter, the grounds set for this condition will be described.

  When the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated, the sensor data (output of the integrating means 54) approaches zero. Further, according to the processing content of the detection determination subroutine described in FIG. 8 (particularly, S400), when the sensor data approaches 0, it is not detected (the detection flag is cleared to 0).

  That is, when the detection state continues, when the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated by light other than the reflected light, the detection state is switched to the non-detection state. Therefore, when the detection state is switched to the non-detection state, there is a possibility that the light is not influenced by the reflected light. Therefore, the saturation check subroutine is executed at this timing.

  And when it is judged that it is a saturated state, forced water stop is carried out for safe operation.

  Further, it can be assumed that light other than the reflected light is generated even when the non-detection state continues or the detection state continues. However, since it is not affected to the extent that a change in the detection state leading to erroneous water discharge occurs, depending on the installation status of the faucet device 100, the saturation check subroutine can be omitted even in this case.

  As described above, it is possible to further reduce power consumption by further reducing the frequency of executing the light check processing other than the reflected light while preventing erroneous detection of the human body.

(3) Third embodiment:
From here, the third embodiment will be described.
The faucet device according to the first and second embodiments described so far is a faucet device for hand-washing installed in a washroom or the like as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, the faucet device according to the third embodiment to be described below is a faucet device for filth washing used in a toilet 200 or the like.

  The faucet device for hand washing uses water discharge during detection of the human body and stops water during non-detection. On the other hand, the faucet device for filth washing uses a toilet for a certain period of time (water discharge operation) when the human body is detected once and then becomes non-detected.

  Further, a faucet device for cleaning filth installed in the urinal 300 as shown in FIG. 13 is also included in the scope of the present embodiment.

In addition, since the basic configuration and control contents of the faucet device according to the present embodiment are the same as the contents described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
Also, the processing content of the main flow described in FIG. 5 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a main flow of the faucet device 100 according to the third embodiment. The difference from the main flow of FIG. 5 described in the first embodiment is that steps S170 to S173 are included instead of steps S120 to S123, and steps S180 to S193 are replaced instead of steps S140 to S153. In.

  In the following, details of processing portions different from those in FIG. 5 will be described.

  When the processing of the reference level update subroutine in step S132 is completed, it is checked whether or not the detection flag is set to 1 (S180). When the detection flag is set to 1 (YES in S180), it is checked whether or not the detection timer is stopped (S181).

  The detection timer is a timer that measures the time during which the human body is detected. When the measurement time (integrated time) exceeds a predetermined value, toilet cleaning is performed when the human body is not detected. In other words, even if a human body is detected, if the accumulated time is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value, toilet cleaning is not performed. This is to prevent the toilet bowl from being erroneously executed when a person passes in front of the faucet device 100.

  In the present embodiment, the predetermined value is described as 5 seconds, but the time may be appropriately changed according to the installation status of the faucet device 100.

  If the detection timer is stopped (YES in S181), the detection timer is reset to start and returns to the position A (before step S101) (S182). That is, measurement of the human body detection time is started by executing step S182.

  On the other hand, if the detection timer is not stopped (NO in S181), since the measurement has already started, the process returns to the position A (before step S101) without doing anything.

  In step S180, if the detection flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S180), it is checked whether the measurement time of the detection timer is 5 seconds or more (S191). That is, when a human body is detected, the measurement timer is reset and started in step S182, and when the human body is not detected, the current human body detection time is checked. If the measurement time of the detection timer is 5 seconds or more (YES in S191), the process proceeds to step S192, and the toilet bowl cleaning subroutine is executed.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the toilet bowl washing subroutine operation of the faucet device 100 of the present invention.

  First, the electromagnetic valve 6 is opened to start water discharge (S600). Next, the process waits until a certain time (4 seconds) has elapsed since the start of water discharge (S601). When 4 seconds have elapsed (YES in S601), the solenoid valve 6 is driven to close to discharge water, and the process returns to the main flow (S602).

  That is, in this embodiment, the fixed time for toilet cleaning is set to 4 seconds. Of course, a time other than 4 seconds may be set as appropriate.

When returning to the main flow of FIG. 14, the detection timer is stopped and the position returns to the position A (S193).
On the other hand, if the detection timer is not 5 seconds or longer in step S191 (NO in S191), the detection timer is stopped and returned to the position A without performing toilet flushing (S193).

  Thus, in the faucet device 100 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when light other than the reflected light is detected, the toilet flushing operation is executed according to the detection time until then. This is because, unlike a faucet device for hand washing, in a faucet device for filth cleaning, if the water is forcibly stopped, the filth in the toilet cannot be washed away.

  Therefore, when normal detection operation is not possible due to light other than reflected light, the human body detection status until immediately before is confirmed, and if it is assumed that the user was in use, the toilet cleaning operation is executed. Thus, it is possible to reliably perform a safe operation for washing away filth and the like.

(4) Fourth embodiment:
From here, the fourth embodiment will be described.
Since the basic configuration and control contents of the faucet device according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the contents described in the third embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The difference from the third embodiment is the processing content of the main flow described in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the main operation of the faucet device 100 according to the fourth embodiment.

  The difference from the main flow of FIG. 14 described in the third embodiment is that step S111 is eliminated and steps S160 and S161 are added instead. Moreover, the position of step S130 has changed. That is, the difference between the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment is the same as the difference between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, details of portions different from FIG. 14 will be described.

  Steps S100 to S110 are the same as those in FIG.

  Following the sensor projection subroutine in step S110, the detection determination subroutine in step S130 is moved. Steps S160 and S161 are newly added. Step S111 is deleted.

  After the processing of the sensor projection subroutine in step S110, a detection determination subroutine is executed (S130). Then, it is checked whether or not the detection flag is set to 1 (S160).

  If the detection flag is set to 1 (YES in S160), the process proceeds to step S131.

  The processing after step S131 is the same as that described in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the detection flag is cleared to 0 (NO in S160), the process proceeds to step S161 to check whether or not the previous detection result was detection. Whether or not the previous detection was detected may be stored in a memory or the like, or may be determined with reference to the previous sensor data described with reference to FIG. If the previous time was detection (YES in S161), a saturation check subroutine is executed (S112). Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the saturation flag is set to 1 (S113). If the saturation flag is set to 1 (YES in S113), the process proceeds to step S170.

  The processing after step S170 is the same as that described in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the previous detection was not detected in step S161 (NO in S161), the process proceeds to step S131. If the saturation flag is cleared to 0 in step S113 (NO in S113), the process proceeds to step S131.

  In the present embodiment, the route for executing the saturation check subroutine in step S112 is different from that in the third embodiment. Specifically, when this time is non-detection and the previous time is detection, S112 is executed.

  The reason set for this condition is the same as the content described in the second embodiment, and the content of the safe operation is replaced by the toilet bowl cleaning operation.

(5) Fifth embodiment:
From here, the fifth embodiment will be described.
Since the basic configuration and control contents of the faucet device according to the fifth embodiment are the same as those described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The difference from the first embodiment is that a stop water switch 400 capable of manually stopping water is provided as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the faucet device 100 according to the present embodiment.

  Regardless of the detection state of the optical sensor unit 8, it is possible to repeat water discharge and water stop every time the water discharge switch 400 is operated by the water discharge switch 400. The water-stopping operation by the water-stopping switch 400 is often used when storing water in a cup, a basin or the like. An operation signal of the water discharge switch 400 is transmitted to the controller unit 9 via the connection cable 401.

  As described above, in the faucet device 100 provided with the discharge water switch 400, even if the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated and the sensor operation is stopped, the discharge water operation can be performed by the discharge water switch 400. Therefore, it is possible to perform a hand-washing action and the usability is not impaired.

  Of course, the same applies to the case where the faucet device for performing toilet cleaning as shown in FIGS. That is, even if the output of the light receiving means 51 is saturated and the sensor operation is stopped, the water stop operation can be performed by the water stop switch 400, so that the toilet bowl can be washed and the usability is not impaired.

(6) Summary:
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the installation forms such as the shape, size, material, and arrangement of each element included in the faucet device 100 are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate. Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Basin 1a ... Bowl surface 2 ... Wash counter 3 ... Water faucet 3a ... Water outlet 4 ... Water supply path 5 ... Drainage path 6 ... Solenoid valve 7 ... Connection cable 8 ... Optical sensor part 9 ... Controller part 10 ... Resistance 11 ... Resistor 12: OP amplifier of amplification means 13 ... Resistance 14 ... Resistance 15 ... OP amplifier of inversion means 16 ... Analog switch turned on when integrating amplification means output 17 ... Analog switch turned on when integrating output of inversion means 18 ... Resistor 19 ... Capacitor 20 ... OP amplifier of integrating means 21 ... Analog switch for resetting integrating means 22 ... Control means 23 ... Solenoid valve driving means 30 ... Light receiving element 31 ... Resistance 32 ... OP amplifier of light receiving means 33 ... Capacitor 40 ... Emitting element 41 ... resistance 42 ... FET
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Light projection means 51 ... Light reception means 52 ... Amplification means 53 ... Inversion means 54 ... Integration means 55 ... Output means 100 ... Water faucet device 200 ... Toilet bowl 201 ... Main body case 300 ... Urinal 400 ... Discharge water switch 401 ... Connection cable

Claims (7)

A light projecting means for projecting light;
First light receiving means for receiving reflected light reflected by the light hitting the object;
Output means for outputting a received signal in response to the reflected light;
An electromagnetic valve that is provided in a water supply channel for supplying water to the water discharge unit and opens and closes the water supply channel;
Second light receiving means for receiving light other than the reflected light;
A process of determining the presence or absence of a human body when the output value of the output means is in a predetermined state; and the second light receiving means when the output value of the output means exceeds a first threshold value. Control means for driving and determining the presence or absence of light other than the reflected light; and
A faucet device comprising: When light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, the operation of the light projecting means and the output means is prohibited.
The faucet device according to claim 1. The control means includes
When the output fluctuation amount of the output means is within a predetermined range in a predetermined period, the output level of the output means is stored as a reference level for determining that there is no human body,
When the light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, the updating of the reference level is prohibited.
The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that. The control means includes
If the output of the output means is equal to or greater than a value obtained by adding a second threshold value to the reference level, it is determined that the human body is present,
The first threshold is less than or equal to the second threshold;
The faucet device according to claim 3. The control means includes
When the determination is switched from having a human body to having no human body, driving the second light receiving means;
The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is provided. The control means includes
When light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, the solenoid valve is driven to stop water,
The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The control means includes
When light other than the reflected light is detected by driving the second light receiving means, if the accumulated time of human body detection is a predetermined value or more, the electromagnetic valve is driven to perform a water discharging operation for a predetermined time.
The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

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