JP7354002B2 - Faucet control device and automatic faucet using it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a faucet control device and an automatic faucet using the same. Specifically, a faucet control device having a motion sensor that detects the movement of a detection target, and a water discharge control unit that outputs an instruction to change the water discharge state based on a detection signal from the motion sensor, and an automatic faucet control device using the same. Regarding faucets.

Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a human body detection sensor that detects the movement of a human body in a non-contact manner is provided on the top plate of a faucet body. The human body detection sensor is composed of a reflective infrared sensor consisting of a combination of three light emitters and a light receiver arranged on the same plane. The human body detection sensor detects the movement of a human body by reading the order in which a user's hand passes through each detection area formed by each combination of a light emitter and a light receiver.

Patent No. 5909761

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, if the wavelength range of the infrared light emitted from each light projector is approximate, there is a possibility that a light receiver other than the corresponding light receiver may mistakenly receive the reflected light. Therefore, the present invention provides a faucet control device that can more appropriately detect the movement of an object to be detected, and an automatic faucet using the same.

In order to solve the above problems, the faucet control device of the present invention takes the following measures. That is, the faucet control device includes a motion sensor that detects the movement of a detection target, and a water spouting control section that outputs an instruction to change the water spouting state based on a detection signal from the motion sensor. The motion sensor includes a plurality of light projectors and one light receiver that receives reflected light of light projected from the plurality of light projectors. The water discharging control unit includes a distribution output means for sequentially outputting pulsed light from the plurality of light emitters at mutually different timings, and a distribution output means for sequentially outputting pulsed light from the plurality of light emitters at mutually different timings, and a distribution output means for sequentially outputting pulsed light from the plurality of light emitters at different timings. and a movement identifying means for specifying the movement of the detection target based on the temporal change in the received light intensity, and changing the water spouting state assigned to the movement of the detection target identified by the movement identifying means. It is configured to output operation instructions.

According to the above configuration, even if there is only one light receiver, it is possible to appropriately detect a change over time in the received light intensity of reflected light of light projected from a plurality of light projectors for each light projector. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately detect the direction in which the user moves his/her finger or the like in front of the motion sensor based on the change over time in the received intensity of the reflected light from each light projector. In addition, the motion sensor can have a rational configuration in which there is one light receiver for a plurality of light projectors.

Moreover, the faucet control device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. A plurality of projectors are arranged on the same plane. In the initial stage of use, the water spouting control unit does not output an operation instruction to change the water spouting state even if it detects the movement of the detection target due to the movement of the detection target approaching the motion sensor in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which multiple floodlights are lined up. It is configured to be able to switch from a change operation invalid mode to a change operation valid mode in which a change operation instruction for the water discharging state is output in accordance with the movement of the detection target.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the water spouting control unit from erroneously outputting an instruction to change the water spouting state due to unintentional movements of the user's fingers or the like.

Moreover, the faucet control device of the present invention may be further configured as follows. A plurality of projectors are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of the polygon. Further, a light receiver is arranged at a position inside the polygon.

According to the above configuration, the motion sensor can be made more compact.

Furthermore, in order to solve the above problems, the automatic faucet of the present invention takes the following measures. That is, the automatic faucet includes the above-mentioned faucet control device, and a water discharge mechanism including a water discharge/water stop switching means, a water discharge amount changing means, and a water discharge temperature changing means. The water spouting mechanism is configured to be operated to change the water spouting state based on a water spouting state changing operation instruction output from the faucet control device.

According to the above configuration, based on the detection of the movement of the object to be detected by the faucet control device, the user can switch between discharging and stopping water, and change the amount of discharging water by a gesture of moving a finger or the like in front of the motion sensor. , it is possible to easily perform operations to change the water discharge state, such as changing the water discharge temperature.

Moreover, the automatic faucet of the present invention may be further configured as follows. A plurality of floodlights are arranged on the top surface of the faucet body.

According to the above configuration, the user can easily change the water discharge state by an intuitive operation of placing his or her hand over the upper surface of the faucet body to be used.

Moreover, the automatic faucet of the present invention may be further configured as follows. The water discharge control unit operates the water discharge/water stop switching means based on the detection signal from the water discharge stop sensor that detects whether or not an object to be detected is presented to the water spout of the automatic faucet, and The configuration is such that the water spouting amount changing means and the spouting water temperature changing means are operated based on the detection signal.

According to the above configuration, water discharging/water stopping, which is relatively frequently used, can be easily performed by the user simply by extending/withdrawing his or her hand from the water spout without making any particular gesture in front of the motion sensor. can. Therefore, the convenience of the automatic faucet can be further improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a faucet control device and an automatic faucet according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a faucet control device. It is a schematic diagram showing how to use an automatic faucet. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how reflected light of light projected from each light projector is received by a light receiver. It is a time chart showing the relationship between processing of each light projector and light receiver. It is a graph showing the change over time in the received light intensity of reflected light for each projector. It is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a faucet control device. 8 is a flowchart showing details of the initialization process shown in FIG. 7. 8 is a flowchart illustrating details of input signal processing of water cutoff shown in FIG. 7; 8 is a flowchart showing details of input signal processing of the change operation shown in FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between a movement in which a user approaches a motion sensor from above with a hand and a change operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the movement of the user moving his hand from left to right on the motion sensor and the change operation. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the movement of a user moving his or her hand from right to left on a motion sensor and a changing operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the movement of the user moving his hand from the front to the back on the motion sensor and the change operation. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the correspondence between the movement of a user moving his or her hand from the back to the front on the motion sensor and a change operation. It is a table showing related information between the user's hand movements and the water spouting state changing operation, which are stored in advance.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing.

《First embodiment》
(About the schematic configuration of the faucet control device 10 and the automatic faucet 1 using the same)
First, the configuration of a faucet control device 10 and an automatic faucet 1 using the same according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 16. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right are indicated, the respective directions shown in each figure are referred to. That is, it refers to the front, back, right and left, and up and down directions of the automatic faucet 1, based on the direction in which the user looks at the automatic faucet 1 from the position where the user stands in front of the automatic faucet 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic water faucet 1 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a top plate of a kitchen counter K on the back side of a sink S. The automatic faucet 1 has a faucet main body 2 extending from the top plate bent into a gooseneck shape toward the inside of the sink S, and is configured to spout hot water from a spout 2A at the end of the faucet body 2. Ru.

In the automatic faucet 1, when a user holds out an object (detection target object) such as a hand or tableware below the spout 2A, the water discharge stop sensor 11 installed near the spout 2A detects the object. It has an automatic water spouting function that automatically spouts hot water from the water spout 2A. In addition, the automatic faucet 1 described above can be activated by a motion control system provided on the top surface 2B of the faucet main body 2 by the user holding an object (detection target object) such as a hand or tableware over the top surface 2B of the faucet body 2 and performing a predetermined gesture. It has a setting function that allows the sensor 12 to detect various movements of objects and adjust the temperature, flow rate, etc. of the hot water to be discharged.

Each of the above functions includes a faucet control device 10 installed in the automatic faucet 1, and a faucet that changes the water discharging state, that is, switching between water discharging and water stop, and changing the water temperature and water flow rate, based on instructions from the faucet control device 10. This is executed in cooperation with the mechanism 20. In FIG. 1, the solid lines connecting each component schematically show piping through which hot water flows, and the dashed-dotted lines schematically show electrical connections. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of each part of the faucet control device 10 and the water discharging mechanism 20 will be described in detail.

(About the configuration of the faucet control device 10)
As shown in FIG. 2, the faucet control device 10 includes a water discharge stop sensor 11, a motion sensor 12, and a water discharge control section 13. The water discharge sensor 11 and the motion sensor 12 each include an infrared sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, the water discharge stop sensor 11 is provided near the water spout 2A, and detects whether an object (detection target) such as a user's hand or tableware is held out below the water spout 2A. The structure is such that it can be detected without contact.

As shown in FIG. 2, the motion sensor 12 has a configuration including three light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C, and one light receiver 12D that receives reflected light of the light projected from each of the light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C. It is said that As shown in FIG. 3, the motion sensor 12 is provided on the top surface 2B of the faucet main body 2, and when an object (detection target) such as a user's hand or tableware is held over the top surface 2B, some movement is performed. The device is configured to be able to detect the movement without contact when the device is moved.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water spouting control section 13 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and includes functional sections such as a CPU 13A, a distributor 13B, a storage device 13C such as a Flash ROM, a timer 13D, and a motion specifying section 13E. Here, the distributor 13B corresponds to the "distribution output means" of the present invention. Further, the motion specifying unit 13E corresponds to the "motion specifying means" of the present invention.

The water discharge control section 13 is electrically connected to the water discharge stop sensor 11 and the motion sensor 12. When the water discharge control unit 13 is powered on and starts its function, the water discharge control unit 13 sequentially instructs the water discharge stop sensor 11 and the motion sensor 12 to detect the water at a predetermined detection time length and time interval (for example, 0.015 seconds). and operate them sequentially.

Specifically, the water spouting control unit 13 causes the distributor 13B to sequentially output pulsed light from each of the light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C of the motion sensor 12 at mutually different timings. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 receives a signal regarding the intensity of the reflected light from each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C received by the light receiver 12D. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 uses the movement identifying unit 13E to arrange the received light intensity of the reflected light from each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C obtained by repeating the above process in chronological order for each order of light projection, and The movement (direction of movement) of an object (detection target) such as a hand or tableware is determined based on changes in the received light intensity over time.

Then, the water spouting control unit 13 detects the movement of an object (detection target object) such as a hand or tableware identified by the movement identification unit 13E, and the movement pattern of the object related to the change operation stored in advance in the storage device 13C (Fig. 16), and it is determined whether the movement of the specified object is a movement as a change operation. When the water spouting control unit 13 determines that the movement of the object is a movement as a changing operation, the water spouting control unit 13 sends an instruction signal related to the changing operation assigned to the movement (changing faucet status such as spouting water temperature and water spouting flow rate). signal) to the water spouting mechanism 20, and the water spouting mechanism 20 is operated based on the instruction signal.

(Regarding the arrangement of motion sensor 12)
Next, the flow from detecting the movement of an object to specifying the movement using the motion sensor 12 will be described in detail using a specific example. As shown in FIG. 3, three light projectors 12A, 12B, 12C and one light receiver 12D constituting the motion sensor 12 are arranged on the upper surface 2B of the faucet main body 2 as follows. That is, the three projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C are arranged on the upper surface 2B of the faucet body 2 at positions corresponding to the vertices of the triangle. The light receiver 12D is arranged at a position inside the virtual triangle connecting the three light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C.

Specifically, the three projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C are arranged side by side on the left and right, and the projector 12C is located at the far side on the perpendicular bisector of the imaginary line connecting the projectors 12A, 12B. It is assumed that the configuration is arranged. The light receiver 12D is arranged at the midpoint of a virtual line connecting the projectors 12A and 12B. Each of the above-mentioned light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C is configured to diffusely project light onto the faucet main body 2, respectively. The light receiver 12D is configured to receive a portion of the reflected light that is diffusely reflected when a portion of the light projected from each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C hits an object (detection target) such as a hand or tableware. Ru.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when an object approaches one of the three light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C, the motion sensor 12 detects the reflected light received by the light receiver 12D as the object moves. The intensity of the received light gradually increases. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user makes a gesture of waving his hand to the right from the left side of the left projector 12A toward the right projector 12B, as time passes, first, the left projector 12A The reflected light of the light projected from the light receiver 12D is received by the light receiver 12D, and the intensity of the received light increases as time passes.

Then, as time further elapses, the reflected light of the light projected from the light projector 12B located on the right side of the light projector 12A also comes to be received by the light receiver 12D, and the received light intensity increases as time passes. Here, FIG. 5 shows a time chart showing changes over time in the intensity of the reflected light received by each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C when the user's hand swings from the left side to the right side. . As shown in this time chart, when the user's hand swings over the motion sensor 12 from the left side to the right side, the reflected light of the light projected from the light emitter 12A is first received by the light receiver 12D with low reception intensity. Ru.

Then, as the user's hand gradually moves to the right as time passes, the intensity of the received light reflected from the light projector 12A gradually increases. Furthermore, in addition to the light projector 12A, the reflected light of the light projected from the light projector 12C located on the back side between the light projector 12A and the light projector 12B is also received by the light receiver 12D at a low reception intensity.

Then, as the user's hand further moves to the right, the intensity of the received light reflected from the light projector 12C gradually increases. Furthermore, the reflected light of the light projected from the rightmost projector 12B is also received by the light receiver 12D with low reception intensity. Then, as the user's hand further swings to the right, the intensity of the received light reflected from the light projector 12B gradually increases.

The received light intensity of the reflected light from each of the light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C obtained by repeating the above process is arranged in time series according to the order of light projection in the movement identification section 13E of the water spouting control section 13, as shown in FIG. It will be done. Then, in the motion identifying section 13E, the motion (movement direction) of the object is identified based on the temporal change in each received light intensity. That is, when the user's hand swings from the left side to the right side as described above, the peak of the received light intensity appears in the order of the light projector 12A, the projector 12C, and the projector 12B as time passes from the start of detection. .

Accordingly, the movement identification unit 13E determines that the user's hand has passed from the left side of the light projector 12A to the light projector 12A, the light projector 12C, and the light projector 12B in this order, that is, that the user's hand has moved from the left side to the right side on the motion sensor 12. be identified. Similarly, when the user shakes his or her hand on the motion sensor 12 from the right side to the left side, from the front side to the back side, or from the back side to the front side, the detected peak of the received light intensity is They are identified by the order in which they appear.

Specifically, when the user performs a gesture of waving his hand from the right side to the left side on the motion sensor 12, the peak of the received light intensity appears in the order of the light projector 12B, the light projector 12C, and the light projector 12A. Further, when the user performs a gesture of waving his hand from the front side to the back side on the motion sensor 12, the peak of the received light intensity appears in the order from the light projector 12A or 12B to the light projector 12C. Further, when the user performs a gesture of waving his hand from the back side to the front side on the motion sensor 12, the peak of the received light intensity appears in the order from the light projector 12C to the light projector 12A or the light projector 12B.

Furthermore, when the user performs a gesture of approaching the motion sensor 12 from the upper side to the lower side, the received light intensity of the reflected light from each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C increases simultaneously over time. It appears. Furthermore, when the user performs a gesture of moving the hand held over the motion sensor 12 upward, the received intensity of the reflected light from each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C decreases all at once as time passes. appears.

In this way, it is possible to determine in which direction an object (detection target) such as a user's hand or tableware is moved on the motion sensor 12, based on changes over time in the intensity of the reflected light received by each of the projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C. It is possible to identify whether After identifying the movement of the object by the movement specifying unit 13E, if the water spouting control unit 13 determines that the movement is a movement as a changing operation, the water spouting control unit 13 sends an instruction signal (water spouting temperature - A signal for changing faucet status such as water discharge flow rate) is output, and the water discharge mechanism 20 is operated based on the instruction signal. The specific change operation will be described later.

(About the configuration of the water discharging mechanism 20)
Next, a specific configuration of the water discharging mechanism 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The water discharging mechanism 20 includes a water supply pipe 21 that supplies water to the automatic faucet 1, a hot water supply pipe 22 that supplies hot water, a mixing valve 23 that internally mixes the supplied hot water, and water discharging/stopping from the water spout 2A. It has an on-off valve 24 that switches between the two, and a flow rate adjustment valve 25 that adjusts the flow rate of water when discharging water. Here, the mixing valve 23 corresponds to the "discharge water temperature changing means" of the present invention. Moreover, the on-off valve 24 corresponds to the "water discharge/water cutoff switching means" of the present invention. Further, the flow rate adjustment valve 25 corresponds to the "discharging amount changing means" of the present invention.

The mixing valve 23 is composed of an electric three-way valve connected to the water supply pipe 21, the hot water supply pipe 22, and piping connected to the on-off valve 24. The mixing valve 23 adjusts the opening degree of the connection port between the water supply pipe 21 and the hot water supply pipe 22 by an electric motor 23A electrically connected to the water discharge control unit 13, and controls the mixing ratio of hot water flowing into the interior, i.e. The configuration is such that the water discharge temperature is adjusted. In the mixing valve 23, the electric motor 23A is operated by the water discharge control unit 13 based on a detection signal from a temperature sensor 23B provided in a piping route leading to the on-off valve 24, so that the water discharge temperature becomes a set temperature. The configuration is subject to change operations.

The on-off valve 24 is composed of a solenoid valve electrically connected to the water discharge control section 13. The on-off valve 24 is configured to be changed and operated by the water discharge control unit 13 to switch between opening and closing. By switching the on-off valve 24 to the closed state, water spouting from the water spout 2A is completely stopped. Further, by switching the on-off valve 24 to the open state, hot water is spouted from the water spout 2A.

The flow rate adjustment valve 25 is a control valve that can change the flow rate of hot water discharged from the on-off valve 24. The flow rate adjustment valve 25 is configured such that an electric motor 25A electrically connected to the water spout control unit 13 adjusts the opening degree of the connection port with the piping connected to the water spout 2A of the faucet main body 2. The configuration is such that the flow rate of hot water spouted from the tank is adjusted. The flow rate adjustment valve 25 is configured to set a water discharge flow rate by operating an electric motor 25A by the water discharge control unit 13 based on a detection signal from a flow rate sensor 25B provided in a piping route connecting the upstream opening/closing valve 24. The structure is configured such that the flow rate is changed.

(About the processing procedure of the faucet control device 10)
Next, the processing procedure of the faucet control device 10 will be explained with reference to FIG. That is, when the faucet control device 10 is powered on and starts functioning, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S100 and executes an "initialization process." Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S200 and determines whether it is the processing timing. The processing timing is, for example, the timing of the processing of issuing a detection instruction to the water discharge stop sensor 11 or the motion sensor 12 described above in FIG. 2, and is set as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 7, if the water spouting control unit 13 determines in step S200 that it is not the processing timing (No), the process returns to step S200. On the other hand, when the water spouting control unit 13 determines that it is the processing timing in step S200 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S300, and executes "water spouting cutoff input signal processing". The water spouting control unit 13 then advances the process to step S400 and executes "input signal processing for changing operation". After processing step S400, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200.

(About "Initialization processing")
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the "initialization process" in step S100 shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. When the water spouting control unit 13 enters the "initialization process" in step S100, the process proceeds to step S101. In this step S101, the water spouting control unit 13 turns the setting mode OFF, that is, even if the user performs a gesture to change the faucet status such as spouted water temperature or spouted water flow rate, the water spouting control unit 13 does not output an instruction regarding the changing operation. is set to "operation disabled mode".

Further, the water spouting control unit 13 sets each electric motor 23A, 25A of the water spouting mechanism 20 described above in FIG. 1 to a preset reference position. Furthermore, the water discharge control unit 13 sets the on-off valve 24 to a closed state. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of process timing) shown in FIG.

(About "input signal processing of discharge stop water")
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the "discharge cutoff water input signal processing" in step S300 shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. When the water spouting control unit 13 enters "water spouting input signal processing" in step S300, the process proceeds to step S301. In step S301, the water discharge control unit 13 issues a detection instruction to the water discharge stop sensor 11 with a predetermined detection time length and a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.015 seconds), and receives a detection signal of reflected light.

Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S302, and determines whether or not the water spouting sensor 11 detects a detection target (an object such as a user's hand or tableware). If it is determined that the detection target object has been detected (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S303. In this step S303, the water spouting control unit 13 starts a water spouting timer. At this time, the water discharge control unit 13 restarts (resets) the water discharge timer if the water discharge timer has already started due to repetition of the overall process.

Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S304. In addition, when it determines with the detection target object not being detected in step S302 (No), the water spouting control part 13 skips step S303 and advances a process to step S304. In this step S304, the water spouting control unit 13 determines whether or not the water spouting timer has started and is within a preset predetermined time.

If it is determined that the water discharge cutoff timer has started and the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the water discharge control unit 13 advances the process to step S305, and performs water discharge processing, that is, opens the on-off valve 24. Execute the processing to be performed. If not (No), that is, if it is determined that the water stop timer has not started or a predetermined time has elapsed, the water spout control unit 13 advances the process to step S306 and stops the water spout. Water treatment, that is, a process of closing the on-off valve 24 is executed. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S400 (“change operation input signal processing”) shown in FIG.

(About "input signal processing for change operations")
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the "input signal processing of change operation" in step S400 shown in FIG. 7 will be described in detail. When the water spouting control unit 13 enters "input signal processing for changing operation" in step S400, the process proceeds to step S401. In step S401, the water spouting control unit 13 issues a detection instruction to the motion sensor 12 with a predetermined detection time length and a predetermined time interval (for example, 0.015 seconds), and receives a detection signal of reflected light.

Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S402, and performs synthesis of the received light intensity of the reflected light of each of the light projectors 12A, 12B, and 12C (process of arranging them in chronological order for each light projecting order). Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S403, and determines whether or not the movement of the detection target is a specific movement based on the temporal change in the combined received light intensity. If it is determined that the movement of the detection target is a specific movement (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S404. In this step S404, the water spouting control unit 13 starts a setting timer. At this time, if the setting timer has already started due to repetition of the overall process, the water spouting control unit 13 restarts (resets) the setting timer.

Next, the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S405. Note that if the water spouting control unit 13 determines in step S403 that the movement of the detection target is not a specific movement (No), it skips step S404 and advances the process to step S405. In this step S405, the water spouting control unit 13 determines whether the setting timer is activated and within a preset predetermined time.

If it is determined that the setting timer has not started or that the predetermined time has elapsed (No), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S407. In this step S407, the water spouting control unit 13 executes processing to turn off the setting mode. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of process timing) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting timer is activated and the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S406. In step S406, the water spouting control unit 13 determines whether the specified movement is a movement to turn on the setting mode. If it is determined that the specified movement is a movement that turns on the setting mode (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S408, and turns on the setting mode, that is, the water spouting temperature and the spouting water are adjusted by the user. When a gesture is made to change the state of the faucet, such as the flow rate, the device is set to a "change operation valid mode" that outputs an instruction regarding the change operation. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of process timing) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S406 that the specified movement is not a movement that turns the setting mode ON (No), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S409, and determines whether the setting mode is ON. Determine whether or not. If the setting mode is not ON at this point (No), the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of process timing) shown in FIG.

On the other hand, in step S409, if the setting mode is ON (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S410. In this step S410, the water spouting control unit 13 determines whether the specified movement is a movement to change the setting contents, that is, the faucet status such as the spouted water temperature or the spouted water flow rate. If it is determined that the specified movement is not a movement that changes the setting contents (No), the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of processing timing) shown in FIG. 7.

However, if it is determined in step S410 that the specified movement is a movement that changes the setting contents (Yes), the water spouting control unit 13 advances the process to step S411. In this step S411, the water spouting control unit 13 outputs an operation instruction to change the water spouting state assigned to the above movement. Then, the water spouting control unit 13 returns the process to step S200 (determination of process timing) shown in FIG. The above is the procedure related to the overall processing of the faucet control device 10.

(Regarding the correspondence between the movement of the detected object and the change operation)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16, the correspondence between the movement of a detection target (an object such as a user's hand or tableware) and a change operation will be explained. FIGS. 11 to 15 show the correspondence between the movement of the object to be detected and the operation for changing the water discharge state. FIG. 16 shows a movement pattern of a detection target related to an operation for changing the water discharging state, which is stored in advance in the storage device 13C described above with reference to FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a movement in which the user approaches the hand (detection target) onto the motion sensor 12 from above. When such a movement is performed, the water spouting control unit 13 determines, based on the information in the table of FIG. 16, that the movement of the identified object to be detected is a movement that turns on the setting mode.

FIG. 12 shows a movement in which the user moves his hand (detection target) from left to right on the motion sensor 12. When such a movement is performed, the water spouting control unit 13 determines, based on the information in the table of FIG. 16, that the movement of the identified object to be detected is a movement that increases the water spouting flow rate.

FIG. 13 shows the movement of the user's hand (detection target object) from right to left on the motion sensor 12. As shown in FIG. When such a movement is performed, the water spouting control unit 13 determines, based on the information in the table of FIG. 16, that the movement of the identified object to be detected is a movement that reduces the water spouting flow rate.

FIG. 14 shows a movement in which the user moves his hand (detection target) on the motion sensor 12 from the front to the back. When such a movement is performed, the water spouting control unit 13 determines, based on the information in the table of FIG. 16, that the movement of the identified object to be detected is a movement that increases the water spouting temperature.

FIG. 15 shows a movement in which the user moves his hand (detection target) on the motion sensor 12 from the back to the front. When such a movement is performed, the water spouting control unit 13 determines, based on the information in the table of FIG. 16, that the movement of the identified object to be detected is a movement that lowers the water spouting temperature.

In addition, when the water spouting control unit 13 identifies a movement other than the above, based on the information in the table of FIG. It is determined that the movement is not a manipulation.

(summary)
To summarize the above, the faucet control device 10 and the automatic faucet 1 using the same according to the first embodiment have the following configuration. Note that the reference numerals given in parentheses below are the reference numerals corresponding to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiments.

That is, the faucet control device (10) includes a motion sensor (12) that detects the movement of a detection target, and a water spout control unit that outputs an operation instruction to change the water spout state based on a detection signal from the motion sensor (12). (13). The motion sensor (12) includes a plurality of light projectors (12A, 12B, 12C) and one light receiver (12D) that receives reflected light of the light projected from the plurality of light projectors (12A, 12B, 12C); has.

A water spouting control unit (13) includes a distribution output means (13B) that sequentially outputs pulsed light from a plurality of light emitters (12A, 12B, 12C) at mutually different timings, and a plurality of light emitters that are received by a light receiver (12D). a movement identifying means (13E) for arranging the received light intensities of the reflected lights from (12A, 12B, 12C) in time series according to the order of light projection and identifying the movement of the detection target based on the change in each received light intensity over time; and is configured to output an operation instruction for changing the water spouting state assigned to the movement of the detection object specified by the movement specifying means (13E).

According to the above configuration, even if there is only one light receiver (12D), the change over time of the received light intensity of the reflected light projected from the plurality of light projectors (12A, 12B, 12C) is measured by the light receivers (12A, 12B, 12C). 12C) can be appropriately detected. Therefore, the direction of movement when the user moves his or her finger in front of the motion sensor (12) can be appropriately detected based on the change over time in the received intensity of the reflected light from each of the projectors (12A, 12B, 12C). can do. In addition, the motion sensor (12) can have a rational configuration in which there is only one light receiver (12D) for a plurality of light projectors (12A, 12B, 12C).

Moreover, a plurality of projectors (12A, 12B, 12C) are arranged on the same plane. The water discharging control unit (13) detects the movement of the detection target by the motion of the detection target approaching the motion sensor (12) in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the plurality of floodlights (12A, 12B, 12C) are arranged. The configuration is such that the changing operation invalid mode at the initial stage of use, in which no instruction to change the water spouting state is outputted, can be switched to the valid changing operation mode, in which an instruction to change the water spouting state is output in response to the movement of the detected object. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress the water spouting control unit (13) from erroneously outputting an instruction to change the water spouting state due to unintentional movements of the user's fingers or the like.

Further, a plurality of projectors (12A, 12B, 12C) are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of the polygon. Further, a light receiver (12D) is placed inside the polygon. According to the above configuration, the motion sensor (12) can be made more compact.

Further, the automatic faucet (1) includes the faucet control device (10), a water discharge/water stop switching means (24), a water discharge amount changing means (25), and a water discharge temperature changing means (23). It has a water discharging mechanism (20). The water spouting mechanism (20) is configured to be operated to change the water spouting state based on a water spouting state changing operation instruction output from the faucet control device (10). According to the above configuration, based on the appropriate detection of the movement of the object to be detected by the faucet control device (10), the user can perform water discharging/stopping by a gesture of moving a finger or the like in front of the motion sensor (12). You can easily perform operations to change the water spouting state, such as switching, changing the water spouting amount, and changing the water spouting temperature.

Moreover, a plurality of floodlights (12A, 12B, 12C) are arranged on the top surface (2B) of the faucet body (2). According to the above configuration, the user can easily change the water discharge state by an intuitive operation of placing his/her hand over the top surface (2B) of the faucet main body (2) to be used.

Further, the water spout control unit (13) based on the detection signal from the water discharge stop sensor (11) that detects whether or not a detection target is presented to the water spout (2A) of the automatic faucet (1). The water discharge/water stop switching means (24) is operated, and the water discharge amount changing means (25) and the water discharge temperature changing means (23) are operated based on the detection signal from the motion sensor (12). . According to the above configuration, for water spouting/water shutoff, which is relatively frequently used, the user can simply extend/withdraw his/her hand from the water spout (2A) without making any particular gesture in front of the motion sensor (12). , can be easily performed. Therefore, the convenience of the automatic faucet (1) can be further improved.

《Other embodiments》
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above using one embodiment, the present invention can be implemented in various forms shown below in addition to the above embodiment.

1. The correspondence relationship between the movement of the object to be detected with respect to the motion sensor and the operation for changing the water discharge state is not limited to the correspondence relationship shown in the above embodiment, but may be a correspondence relationship different from the above. For example, a movement in which the user brings his or her hand (detection target) close to the motion sensor from above may be specified as a movement to switch between water spouting and water stopping. Furthermore, the movement of the object to be detected is not limited to the pattern shown in the above embodiment, but a diagonal movement or a movement of moving the hand (the object to be detected) upward from above the motion sensor is specified as a movement for changing the water spouting state. It may be something.

2. The motion sensor may be installed at a location other than the top surface, such as the front side surface of the faucet body. Furthermore, the motion sensor may be installed not on the faucet body but at a location away from the faucet body, such as a top plate of a kitchen counter.

3. The number of floodlights provided in the motion sensor may be two or four or more. In addition, the plurality of floodlights may be arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of a polygon depending on the number of floodlights provided, or may be arranged at positions corresponding to the sides of the polygon in addition to the vertices of the polygon. It's okay. Furthermore, the plurality of floodlights do not necessarily have to be arranged on the same plane; for example, the plurality of floodlights may be installed separately on an angled surface of the faucet body, or on the front side and top surface of the faucet body. It may also be a configuration in which it is provided as follows.

Furthermore, the light receiver may be placed either inside or outside the polygon in which the projectors are arranged. If it is placed inside, the motion sensor structure can be more compactly accommodated.

4. The faucet control device may be configured to switch between discharging and stopping water by detecting movement using a motion sensor. Automatic faucets can be applied not only to kitchens but also to faucets used in sinks, bathrooms, and outdoors. The automatic faucet may be a mixed faucet whose temperature can be adjusted or a single faucet whose temperature cannot be adjusted.

5. The distribution output means may output pulsed light from the plurality of projectors in any order. The water spouting control unit may be configured to be always in the change operation valid mode. The movement of the object to be detected when the water discharging control unit is switched from the initial change operation disabled mode to the change operation enable mode is set to a movement other than approaching motion, such as holding the object over multiple floodlights for a certain period of time. You can leave it there.

1 automatic faucet 2 faucet body 2A spout 2B top surface 10 faucet control device 11 water discharge stop sensor 12 motion sensor 12A floodlight 12B floodlight 12C floodlight 12D light receiver 13 water discharge control unit 13A CPU
13B Distributor (distribution output means)
13C Storage device 13D Timer 13E Movement specifying unit (movement specifying means)
20 Water discharge mechanism 21 Water supply pipe 22 Hot water supply pipe 23 Mixing valve (means for changing discharge water temperature)
23A Electric motor 23B Temperature sensor 24 Open/close valve (water discharge/water stop switching means)
25 Flow rate adjustment valve (means for changing the amount of water discharged)
25A Electric motor 25B Flow rate sensor K Kitchen counter S Sink

Claims (6)

A faucet control device comprising a motion sensor that detects movement of a detection target, and a water discharge control unit that outputs an operation instruction to change the water discharge state based on a detection signal from the motion sensor,
The motion sensor includes a plurality of light projectors and one light receiver that receives reflected light of the light projected from the plurality of light projectors,
The water spouting control unit includes a distribution output means for sequentially outputting pulsed light from the plurality of light projectors at mutually different timings, and a distribution output means that outputs pulsed light from the plurality of light projectors in sequence at mutually different timings, and a distribution output unit that determines the received light intensity of the reflected light from the plurality of light projectors that is received by the light receiver in the order of light projection. and a motion specifying means for specifying the movement of the detection target based on the change in the received light intensity over time in each case, and a motion specifying means for specifying the movement of the detection target based on the change in the received light intensity over time. A faucet control device configured to output an operation instruction for changing the water discharge state. The faucet control device according to claim 1,
the plurality of floodlights are arranged on the same plane,
The water spouting control unit may issue an operation instruction to change the water spouting state even if a movement of the detection target is detected due to a movement of the detection target approaching the motion sensor in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the plurality of floodlights are arranged. A faucet control device configured to switch from a change operation invalid mode in the initial stage of use in which no output is made to a change operation valid mode that outputs a change operation instruction for the water spouting state in accordance with the movement of a detection target. The faucet control device according to claim 1 or 2,
A faucet control device, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged at positions corresponding to vertices of a polygon, and the light receiver is arranged at a position inside the polygon. A faucet control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A water spouting mechanism comprising a water spouting/water stop switching means, a water spouting amount changing means, and a spouting water temperature changing means,
The automatic faucet is configured such that the water spouting mechanism is operated to change the water spouting state based on an operation instruction for changing the water spouting state output from the faucet control device. The automatic faucet according to claim 4,
An automatic faucet in which the plurality of floodlights are arranged on the upper surface of a faucet main body. The automatic water faucet according to claim 4 or claim 5,
The water discharge control unit operates the water discharge/water stop switching means based on a detection signal from a water discharge stop sensor that detects whether a detection target is presented to the water spout of the automatic faucet; An automatic faucet configured to operate the water spouting amount changing means and the spouting water temperature changing means based on a detection signal from the motion sensor.

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