JPH03126109A - Multifunctional electronic faucet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To use functions of a multifunction electronic faucet even in the power failure state by informing a faucet user of a power failure at the time of the occurrence of the power failure and automatically switching the power source from a DC power source incorporated in a power supply part to an auxiliary battery. CONSTITUTION:When the AC power source which supplies power to a power source part 17 is broken, the power source is automatically switched from a DC power source 14 to an auxiliary battery 16 by a power source switching circuit 23 for power failure. It is detected whether a power failure occurs or not by a power failure detecting circuit 24; and when the occurrence of a power failure is discriminated, the occurrence of the power failure is reported to the faucet user by a display element 3. Thus, functions of the multifunction electronic faucet can be used even in the power failure state, and an alarm is given when he forgets to stop water, and he is prevented from forgetting to stop water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an electronic faucet that electronically controls the flow rate of a liquid such as tap water.

[Conventional technology] Conventional multi-functional electronic faucets have no effective countermeasures against power outages, so the only option is to switch over manually, and if the faucet is left discharging water, it will automatically shut off water after a certain period of time. was.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, in the multifunctional electronic faucet configured as described above,
■During a power outage, the functions of multi-function electronic faucets cannot be used. - Automatically shuts off water against the will of the faucet user when it is desired to continue discharging water beyond a certain water shutoff time. (2) If the water stop time is too long for the faucet user, a large amount of water will be wasted before the water stops automatically.

There was a problem. The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. (1) In the event of a power outage, it is notified that the power is out, and the power is automatically switched to the auxiliary battery, so that the functions of the multifunctional electronic water faucet can be used even in a power outage state. ■The automatic water stop function can be canceled and water can continue to flow, and the faucet user can set the automatic water stop function to any time in advance. To automatically stop water when the water stop time comes and use tap water effectively without wasting it, thereby preventing water from being overflowed. - Constantly charge the auxiliary battery with the charging reflammation to keep it fully charged for one color and ensure the operation of the multi-function electronic faucet during a power outage.

There are things that are aimed at.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the multi-function electric faucet of the present invention includes a flow rate selection switch corresponding to the amount of liquid flow rate and an operation display of the flow rate selection switch. an operating section including a display element for displaying the flow rate selection switch and a sounding element for notifying the operation of the flow rate selection switch by sound or sound; a valve provided in the flow path, the flow rate of which can be varied by the flow rate setting circuit; a valve position detection circuit that detects the position of the valve corresponding to the opening/closing degree of the valve; an A/D converter that individually converts analog signals into digital signals; a digital signal value corresponding to a valve position preset by the flow rate setting circuit; and a valve position detected by the valve position detection circuit. a control section capable of outputting an electric signal that commands the operating direction and operating speed of the valve based on a difference between the value of the digital signal corresponding to the control section; and an actuator that drives the valve using the electric signal output from the control section. A power supply unit that operates the flow rate setting circuit, the valve position detection circuit, and the control unit, respectively; and the power supply unit that is generated from the AC power supply by AC/DC conversion when the AC power supply that supplies power to the power supply unit is cut off. an auxiliary battery that supplies power to the setting circuit, the detection circuit, and the control unit in place of the DC power supply of the power supply unit; and a power outage switching circuit that automatically switches the power supply from the DC power supply of the power supply unit to the auxiliary battery; a power outage detection circuit that detects that the AC power source is cut off;

comprising a notification means for notifying a power outage state detected by the detection circuit, a timer circuit capable of outputting an input signal to a control unit, and an automatic water stop time setting switch capable of setting an automatic water stop time; The control unit includes a command means capable of issuing a water cutoff operation command only when the count time of the timer circuit and the water cutoff time set by the automatic water cutoff time setting switch match, and further includes a command means for issuing a water cutoff operation command, and further includes a command means for setting an automatic water cutoff function and An automatic water stop selection switch that selects release, a notification means that notifies when the set water stop time is approaching, a charging circuit for the auxiliary battery, and a charging current for the charging circuit that corresponds to quick charging and normal charging. a charging current switching circuit that alternately switches the value to be used, a voltage comparison circuit that compares whether the voltage value of the auxiliary battery is a value that allows operation with a DC power supply, and a comparison signal output from the comparison circuit in the control unit. and command means capable of issuing a switching command to the charging current switching circuit in accordance with the charging current switching circuit.

[Function] In the multifunctional electronic faucet based on the present invention, when the AC power supply that supplies power to the power supply section 17 is cut off.

During a power outage, the power supply switching circuit 23 automatically switches the power from the DC power source 14 to the auxiliary battery 16, the power outage detection circuit 24 detects whether there is a power outage, and if there is a power outage, the display element 3 notifies the faucet user. It notifies you of a power outage, allowing you to use the functions of the multifunctional electronic faucet even in a power outage state, and if you forget to turn off the water, there is an automatic water stop time setting switch that presets the time counted by the timer circuit 20. When the automatic water stop time set by 21 approaches, the display element 3 and the sounding element 4 issue an alarm in response to a command signal from the control section 11.

When the water stop time comes, the control section 11 outputs an electric signal for water stop operation to the actuator 12, and the valve 13 is activated.
The DC power source 1 can be operated to the water stop position to automatically stop the water, thereby preventing forgetting to flush tap water, etc.
A voltage comparator circuit 27 compares the voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 with a preset reference voltage to compare the voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 with a preset reference voltage. If the voltage is equal to or higher than the reference voltage value, normal charging with a low charging current is performed, and if it is determined that the voltage is low, the charging current is switched to a higher current by the charging current switching circuit 26 to perform rapid charging, thereby constantly charging the auxiliary battery 16. By keeping the device in a charged state, the multifunctional electronic water faucet can be operated reliably even during a power outage.

[Example] Hereinafter, nine embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of nine embodiments of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a flow rate selection switch, which has numbers corresponding to at least three or more different flow rates, and by operating the switch, the flow rate is selected and water is spouted. 3 is a display element that notifies the user of the faucet of the manual state of the flow rate selection switch 1 and the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a sounding element which generates a sound when the flow rate selection switch 1 is operated to notify the faucet user that the switch has been operated.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation unit for selecting the flow rate selection switch 1. The display element 3
．． and the sound generating element 4. Reference numeral 6 denotes a flow rate setting circuit, which corresponds to the flow rate selection switch 1 and initializes the flow rate value, which is differentiated into at least three stages, to a required flow rate value. 7 is a valve position detection circuit that detects the degree of opening and closing of a valve provided in a flow path. Reference numeral 8 denotes an A/D converter that converts analog values from the flow rate setting circuit 6 and the valve position detection circuit 7 into digital values individually. 9 is a microcomputer that uses the difference between the digital value of the valve position preset by the flow rate setting circuit 6 and the digital value of the valve position detected by the valve position detection circuit 7 to
Obtain command information for operating direction and operating speed. Reference numeral 10 denotes an actuator drive circuit that operates the actuator 12 based on command information obtained by the microcomputer 9. 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes a control section, which includes a microcomputer 9 and an actuator drive circuit 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes an actuator, which is driven by an electric signal from the actuator drive circuit 10. A valve 13 is provided in the flow path and opens and closes by mechanically connecting with the actuator 12 to vary the flow rate of tap water or the like. A DC power supply 14 supplies power to the actuator drive circuit 10. 15 is a stabilized power supply.

The flow rate setting circuit 6, the valve position detection circuit 7, the A/D converter 8, and the microcomputer 9 are operated. 16 is an auxiliary battery.

Supply power during power outage. Reference numeral 17 denotes a power supply section, which includes the DC power supply 14, the stabilized power supply 15, and the auxiliary battery 16. 20 is a timer circuit that counts time based on a certain reference time. 21 is an automatic water stop time setting switch, which allows you to set the automatic water stop time to the desired time. Reference numeral 22 denotes an automatic water stop selection switch, which can monitor the counting operation of the timer circuit 20 and cancel the automatic water stop operation.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a power supply switching circuit during a power outage, which automatically switches the power source from the DC power supply 14 to the auxiliary battery 16 during a power outage. 24 is a power outage detection circuit that detects a power outage when the DC power source 14 is cut off and outputs an electric signal to the control unit 11 indicating that there is a power outage. A charging circuit 25 charges the auxiliary battery 16. A charging current switching circuit 26 switches the charging current of the charging circuit 25 between low current charging and rapid charging. A voltage comparison circuit 27 compares whether the auxiliary battery 16 has a preset reference voltage or higher or not.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained. By operating the flow rate selection switch 1 of the operating section 5.

For example, the display element 3 corresponding to the flow rate selection switch 1 lights up, and the sound generating element 4 makes a short sound to notify that the switch has been operated.
The control unit 11 outputs a command signal to the actuator 12 to vary the opening/closing degree of the valve 13 so that the flow rate value preset in the flow setting circuit 6 matches the value obtained from the valve position detection circuit 7. When the AC power supply that supplies power to the power supply unit 17 is cut off, the water is discharged at a preset flow rate.

The power supply switching circuit 23 automatically switches the power from the DC power supply 14 to the auxiliary battery 16 during a power outage, and the power outage detection circuit 24 detects whether there is a power outage. The user of the faucet is notified of the power outage, and the functions of the multifunctional electronic faucet can be used even during a power outage. Further, when the automatic water stop selection switch 22 is released, the automatic water stop operation can be disabled, and when the automatic water stop selection switch 22 is not released, the time counted by the timer circuit 20 is set by the automatic water stop time setting switch 22. For example, 30 seconds before the preset automatic water shutoff time, the sounding element 4 will intermittently repeat the sound to alert the faucet user that they have forgotten to flush the water, and within 30 seconds, the flow selection switch will be turned off. If the operation 1 is not performed or if the automatic water shutoff selection switch 22 is not released, the water is automatically shut off to prevent forgetting to flush tap water or the like. Furthermore, the charging circuit 25 does not constantly charge the auxiliary battery 16 by supplying power from the DC power source 14 in the energized state other than during a power outage.

In the voltage comparison circuit 27, the voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 is compared with a preset reference voltage, and if it is determined that the voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 is higher than the reference voltage, normal charging is performed with a small charging current, and the voltage of the auxiliary battery 16 is lower. If it is determined that this is the case, the charging current switching circuit 26 switches the charging current to a larger current to perform rapid charging, and the auxiliary battery 16
It is possible to keep the battery fully charged and ensure reliable operation during power outages.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, in the event of a power outage, faucet users are notified of the power outage, and the power source is automatically switched from the DC power supply built into the power supply unit to the auxiliary battery, thereby preventing the power outage. You can also use the functions of a multifunctional electronic faucet in any state. In addition, if the automatic water stop function is canceled and water continues to be discharged, and the user forgets to turn off the tap water, it will alert the faucet user that they have forgotten to turn off the water, and the water will be automatically turned off at the set time. This allows you to use the faucet without wasting a large amount of water. Furthermore, the charging circuit does not charge the auxiliary battery at all times and keeps it fully charged, thereby ensuring reliable operation during power outages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a flowchart showing initial settings, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of the initial water stop operation. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing details of actuator drive processing, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing details of switch input processing, Figure 6 is a flowchart showing details of charging current switching processing, and Figure 7 is details of automatic water shutoff processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of flow ffi setting change processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of water stop/return processing and flow selection switch manual processing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of timer interrupt processing. It is a flowchart. 4... Sound generating element, 5... Operation section, 6... Flow rate setting circuit, 7... Valve position detection circuit, 8... A/D conversion section, 11... Control section, 12.・Actuator,
13... Valve, 14... DC power supply, 16... Auxiliary battery 17... Power supply section, 20... Timer circuit, 21... Automatic water stop time setting switch, 22...
- Automatic water stop selection switch, 23... Power supply switching circuit during power outage, 24... Power outage detection circuit, 25... Charging circuit, 26... Charging current switching circuit, 27... Voltage comparison circuit.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An operation comprising a flow rate selection switch corresponding to a greater or lesser flow rate of liquid, a display element that displays the operation of the flow rate selection switch, and a sounding element that notifies the operation of the flow rate selection switch by sound. a flow rate setting circuit that can arbitrarily set the flow rate in advance in accordance with the operation of the flow rate selection switch; a valve provided in the flow path and capable of varying the flow rate by the flow rate setting circuit; and a valve that corresponds to the opening/closing degree of the valve. a valve position detection circuit that detects the position of the valve; an A/D converter that individually converts analog signals obtained from the flow rate setting circuit and the detection circuit into digital signals; Outputs an electric signal that commands the operating direction and operating speed of the valve based on the difference between the value of the digital signal corresponding to the position of the valve and the value of the digital signal corresponding to the position of the valve detected by the valve position detection circuit. an actuator that drives the valve using an electric signal output from the control unit;
A power supply unit that operates the flow rate setting circuit, the valve position detection circuit, and the control unit, respectively; and the power supply unit that is generated from the AC power supply by AC/DC conversion when the AC power supply that supplies power to the power supply unit is cut off. an auxiliary battery that supplies power to the setting circuit, the detection circuit, and the control unit in place of the DC power supply of the power supply unit; and a power outage switching circuit that automatically switches the power supply from the DC power supply of the power supply unit to the auxiliary battery; It consists of a power outage detection circuit that detects that the AC power supply is cut off, and a notification means that notifies the power outage state detected by the detection circuit. A multifunctional electronic faucet that can control the flow rate. 2. Both have a timer circuit that can output an input signal to the control unit and an automatic water stop time setting switch that can set the automatic water stop time, and the count time of the timer circuit and the automatic water stop time are set in the control unit. It is equipped with a command means that can issue a water shutoff operation command only when the water shutoff time set by the water time setting switch matches, and further includes an automatic water shutoff selection switch that can select setting and cancellation of the automatic water shutoff function, and 2. The multifunctional electronic faucet according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the approach of water time. 3. A charging circuit for the auxiliary battery, a charging current switching circuit that alternately switches the charging current of the charging circuit between values corresponding to quick charging and normal charging, and a voltage value of the auxiliary battery that can be operated by a DC power source. 2. A voltage comparison circuit for comparing whether or not the current value is the same, and a command means in a control unit capable of issuing a switching command to the charging current switching circuit in accordance with a comparison signal output from the comparison circuit. The multifunctional electronic faucet according to item 2.