JPH045345A - Automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make hand automatically washable, even in a condition that an article is placed in a bowl, by calculating a distance to the article, placed in the bowl, by a distance arithmetic means and setting a detection area of the hand by an area setting means. CONSTITUTION:A distance from a reference position to the bottom surface of a bowl 6 or to the surface of an article 7, placed in the bowl 6, is calculated by inputting a signal from an ultrasonic sensor 1 to a distance arithmetic means in a condition that no hand is brought out below a faucet 5. Next, areas A, B, where the hand below the faucet 5 must to detected, are set in an area setting means based on the distance mentioned in the above. Thereafter, in the case of the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 1 being a reflection signal in the areas A, B, wash water is delivered from the faucet 5 by recognizing the hand brought out below the faucet 5 and controlling a solenoid valve so as to be opened, in a solenoid valve control means. In this way, even when the article 7 is placed in the bowl 6, a function of automatic washing can be displayed without removing the article.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is an automatic water dispenser for washing hands by detecting a hand held out below a faucet and automatically discharging washing water from the faucet. Relating to a plug device.

(Prior art) Conventionally, automatic faucets have been used to wash hands by detecting a hand held out below the faucet using an ultrasonic sensor, opening a solenoid valve, and automatically discharging washing water from the faucet. The device is now widely available.

This automatic faucet device opens a solenoid valve when a hand is held out within a predetermined distance from an ultrasonic sensor and the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor are reflected by the outstretched hand. It was designed to discharge washing water from a faucet.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the above-mentioned conventional automatic faucet device, when a plurality of stacked dishes, etc. are placed on the bottom of the bowl that receives discharge from the faucet, ultrasonic waves are generated on the surface of the topmost dish. Because the water is reflected, the water will automatically stop after being discharged from the faucet for a certain period of time.
When attempting to wash one's hands afterwards, there is a problem in that washing water cannot be discharged from the faucet unless the dish is removed and one's hand is held out.

Therefore, in the present invention, before a hand is held out, the distance to the reflective surface from which the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor are reflected is calculated, and an area for detecting the hand is created between the water faucet and the reflective surface. A technical problem to be solved is to enable water to be normally spouted by setting , for example, even when such a plate as described above is placed on the bottom of the pot.

(Means for solving the problem) The technical means for solving the above problem is to control the opening of a solenoid valve when a hand reaching out below the faucet is detected, and automatically flush water from the faucet. An automatic faucet device that discharges water and washes the user's hands is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by a reflective surface, and outputs a signal corresponding to the distance to the reflective surface; a distance calculating means for inputting a signal from the ultrasonic sensor to calculate the distance from the reference position to the reflecting surface; and a distance calculating means for calculating the distance from the reference position to the reflecting surface; an area setting means for setting an area for detecting the hand that has been placed under the faucet; and a solenoid valve control means for controlling opening of the solenoid valve to discharge cleansing water from the faucet.

(Function) According to the automatic faucet device having the above configuration, when no hand is extended below the faucet, the distance calculation means inputs the signal from the ultrasonic sensor and moves from the reference position to the bottom of the bowl or The distance to the surface of, for example, a plate placed on the bottom of the pot is calculated. The area setting means sets an area for detecting the hand held out below the faucet based on the distance.

Thereafter, if the signal from the ultrasonic sensor is a signal reflected within the area, the solenoid valve control means recognizes that the hand is extended below the faucet, and controls the solenoid valve to open. By doing so, washing water is discharged from the faucet.

By controlling as described above, even if something is placed on the body surface, hands can be automatically washed without removing the object.

(Example) Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an electrical control system diagram of an automatic faucet device.

The ultrasonic sensor 1 emits ultrasonic waves, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface, and outputs a signal corresponding to the distance to the reflecting surface. The microcomputer 2 includes a distance calculation means for inputting the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 1 and calculating the distance from the reference position to the reflecting surface, and a water faucet (first one) corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means. 2) area setting means for setting area A1, area B, etc. for detecting the hand held out below 5; When the judgment is made, it recognizes that a hand (not shown) has been extended below the faucet 5 and outputs a control signal for controlling the IE solenoid valve to open for a predetermined period of time. . A solenoid valve drive circuit 4 connected to the microcomputer 2 inputs the control signal outputted from the microcomputer 2, and supplies a drive current to the solenoid valve 3 to open the solenoid valve 3.

The ultrasonic sensor 1 is embedded in the tip of a water faucet 5 shown in FIG. It receives ultrasonic waves and outputs a signal corresponding to the distance from the ultrasonic sensor 1 to the reflecting surface.

FIG. 3 is a main flowchart of automatic faucet control by the microcomputer 2, and FIG. 4 shows a subroutine of automatic faucet control.

In step S1 of FIG. 3, the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 1 is input to determine the distance to the bottom of the pot 6, or if an object 7 such as a plate is placed on the bottom of the pot 6, the distance to the bottom of the pot 6 is determined. Calculate the distance to the top surface of In step S2, area A or area B for detecting the outstretched hand is set corresponding to the calculated distance. In step S3, when it is detected that a hand is extended to area A1 or area B based on the signal from the ultrasonic sensor 1, the solenoid valve 3 is opened and water is spouted for a predetermined period of time. The routine of returning to step S1 is repeated.

Next, the automatic faucet control subroutine shown in FIG. 4 will be explained.

In step S2 of the main routine, for example, area A
If the setting is complete, step S11 of the subroutine
If it is determined that automatic water dispensing is in progress,
In step S12, it is determined whether a predetermined water spouting time has elapsed. As a result of the determination, if the predetermined water spouting time has elapsed, it is determined in step S13 whether or not a hand has been detected. If it is determined that the hand is not held out, the process returns to step S1 of the main routine, while if it is determined that the hand is held out, the process returns to step Sll. If it is determined in step S12 that the predetermined water spouting time has not elapsed, steps S12 and 514 are repeated until it is determined in step 514 that the automatic water stop state has been reached.

As described above, even when plates, etc. are stacked on the bottom of the pot 6, the area where the hands are extended can be appropriately set, so there is no need to remove the plates, etc. Can be automatically washed.

(Effect of the invention) As described above, according to the present invention, before the hand is extended,
By calculating the distance from the ultrasonic sensor to the reflective surface where ultrasonic waves are reflected, and setting an area for hand detection between the reference position and the reflective surface corresponding to the distance, it is possible to This has the effect that even if a plate or the like is placed on the bottom of the machine, water can be spouted normally and hands can be washed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings relate to embodiments, and FIG. 1 is an electrical control block diagram of the automatic faucet device, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the automatic faucet device, and FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of the automatic faucet device.
The figure is a main flowchart of automatic faucet control by a microcomputer, and FIG. 4 is a subroutine flowchart of automatic faucet control. 1... Ultrasonic sensor 2... Microcomputer 3... Solenoid valve 4... Solenoid valve drive circuit 5... Water faucet 6... Bowl 7... Object
A, B...area patent applicant
Inax Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Kiyoshi
Yoshihisa Mizu Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In an automatic faucet device that, when a hand held out below a faucet is detected, controls the opening of a solenoid valve to automatically discharge cleansing water from the faucet to wash the hand. , an ultrasonic sensor that emits ultrasonic waves, receives the ultrasonic waves reflected by a reflective surface, and outputs a signal corresponding to the distance to the reflective surface, and inputs the signal from the ultrasonic sensor to move from the reference position. A distance calculation means for calculating the distance to the reflective surface, and an area for setting an area for detecting the hand held out below the faucet in accordance with the distance calculated by the distance calculation means. and a setting means, when it is determined that the signal from the ultrasonic sensor is within the area, recognizes that the hand is extended below the faucet, controls to open the solenoid valve, and removes the faucet from the faucet. An automatic faucet device comprising a solenoid valve control means for discharging wash water.