JPH10311071A - Water feed device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a water feed device from being judged faulty when it delivers water so as to charge a battery. SOLUTION: A water feed device is provided with a first mode means 171 which opens a water path 11 by a solenoid valve 34 so as to deliver water from a delivery port 15 only when a man uses water and a second mode means 172 which opens the water path 11 by the solenoid valve 34 so as to deliver water from the delivery port 15 when the man uses water and also opens the water path 11 by the solenoid valve 34 so as to deliver water from the delivery port 15 when the man is not present in order to generate power by a hydraulic power generator 35. Also it is provided with a mode determining means 170 which reads the detaching and attaching conditions of the battery to a battery installation part 850 so as to select either of the first and second modes. By this, when the device is installed where men are present all the day long, the battery is installed so as to operate the first mode and, when it is installed where there is a time band in which men are not present, the battery is detached so as to operate the second mode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply device for detecting a human body such as a human hand and discharging water from a water discharge portion.
The present invention relates to a water supply device that stores power of a hydroelectric generator that generates electric power by a water flow at the time of water discharge in a storage battery and uses the storage battery as a power supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a water supply device such as an automatic faucet device used for a hand-washing device or a urinal flushing faucet, an electromagnetic valve and a hydraulic generator are provided in a water passage from a water source to a water discharge port. When a person's hand is put out of the water outlet or the user finishes using the urinal, this information is sensed by a sensor or the like and input to the electric control device, and the electromagnetic valve is operated by the electric control device. is open. As a result, the water is discharged from the water outlet and the hydraulic power generator generates electric power. Therefore, the power of the hydraulic power generator is stored in the storage battery, and the storage battery is used as a power supply.

[0003] Regarding the automatic flushing stopper for urinals,
In order to prevent the trap and the drain pipe from drying out, water is discharged at predetermined intervals (for example, every 8 hours) for a predetermined time. In addition, since the hydraulic power generator generates power by this water discharge, the storage battery can also be charged.

[0004]

However, in the water supply device, when water is discharged to store power in the storage battery, water is discharged from the water discharge port without detection of a human hand or the like. When a person visually recognizes, the water supply device is mistakenly regarded as having failed. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to prevent a time when water is discharged to store power in a storage battery from being mistaken as a failure of a water supply device.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors discharge water from a water discharge section (15) when water is used by a person.
That is, the hydroelectric generator (35) operates and the storage battery (16)
It is not necessary to discharge water for power storage, and when there is no person, water is not discharged from the water discharge port (15).
That is, the hydroelectric generator (35) does not operate and the storage battery (16)
Focusing on the fact that it is necessary to discharge water for power storage because it is not stored in water, a mode in which water is not discharged for power storage is activated in places where people are present all day, that is, where water is used all day. In a place where there is a time zone where no person is present, that is, in a place where there is no time zone where water is not used, it has been found that the above-mentioned object is achieved by activating a mode in which water is discharged for power storage in this time zone. Was.

That is, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, the water passage (1) extending from the water supply source to the water discharge section (15).
1) The opening / closing means (33, 34) and the hydroelectric generator (3)
5) is provided, and the storage battery (16) for storing electric power from the hydroelectric generator (35) is used as a power source, and the water passage (11) is opened by the opening / closing means (33, 34) only when a person uses water. Mode means (17) for discharging water from the water discharging section (15)
1) and opening and closing means (33, 3) when a person uses water.
In 4), the water passage (11) is opened to discharge water from the water discharge section (15).
3, 34) to open the water passage (11) and discharge the water (15)
And a second mode means (172) for causing the hydraulic power generator (35) to generate power by discharging water from the first mode means (171), or a second mode means (172) by the first mode means (171). Instruction means (8) for generating a mode instruction signal for instructing a mode in response to a human selection operation
5, 850) and a mode instruction signal from the instruction means (85, 850) to determine which of the first mode means (171) and the second mode means (172) to operate. 170).

[0007] According to such means, in a water supply device installed in a place where people (for example, people working in a building) exist all day, a person (for example, a building manager) designates the instruction means (85, 8).
The first mode means (171) is determined by selecting the first mode by selecting and operating (50), and the water can be discharged from the water discharging section (15) only when a person uses water. Therefore, since water discharge for power storage is not performed all day, there is no possibility that a person is mistaken for a failure.

Also, in a water supply device installed in a place where there is no time zone (for example, at night or on holidays), a person selects and operates the instruction means (85, 850) to select the second mode. , The second mode means (172) is determined, and the time period during which no person exists, that is, the storage battery (16)
Can be discharged when there is a high possibility that the storage voltage of the storage battery becomes insufficient, and the storage battery (16) can be stored satisfactorily without being mistaken by a person as a failure.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply connection part (850) to which a backup power supply (85) for the storage battery (16) is electrically connected, and the instruction means (85, 8).
50) is composed of a backup power supply (85) and a power supply connection part (850), and the mode determination means (170) is connected to the first power supply part (850) when the backup power supply (85) is connected to the power supply connection part (850). 171), and when the backup power supply (85) is not connected to the power supply connection part (850), the second mode means (172) is determined to be operated.

According to such a configuration, the dry battery (85)
The first and second mode selection operations can be performed by attaching / detaching to / from the power supply connection portion (850).
No special operation means such as an operation switch for selecting the second mode is required, and the cost is low. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the backup power supply is constituted by the dry battery (85), a known water supply device can be used as it is.

According to the present invention, when the mode determining means (170) determines to operate the second mode means (172) and when a person uses water. When no water is discharged for a predetermined time (T1), water is discharged when no person is present. Thus, the present invention can be satisfactorily implemented.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the mode determining means (173) determines to operate the second mode means (172), the water discharge when no person is present is the water discharge. The operation of discharging water for a short time (T3) from the section (15) is repeated a plurality of times at predetermined time (T4) intervals. Here, for example, even if there is a person who accidentally goes to work on a holiday, since the operation of discharging water for a short time is repeated a plurality of times, the probability of being visually recognized by a person is lower than in the case of continuously discharging water, and it is mistaken as a failure. The fear is low.

[0013] In the invention according to claim 6, the first,
The second mode means (171, 172) includes a storage battery (16).
Detecting means (S54, S20) for detecting the charged amount (V2) of
4), and when the charged amount (V2) is equal to or less than the predetermined amount (E1, E2), the opening / closing means (33, 34) uses the water passage (1).
1) is opened to discharge water from the water discharge section (15). Accordingly, by setting the charged amount (for example, 3.65 V) that is considered to be sufficient as the power supply of the water supply device to the predetermined amount (E1), it is only necessary to discharge water when no person is present (that is, the charged amount is equal to or less than the charged amount). (When the amount is smaller than the predetermined amount (E1)), and water can be saved. In addition, by setting the minimum storage amount (for example, 3.6 V) required as a power supply of the water supply device to the predetermined amount (E2), it is possible to satisfactorily prevent a system down of the water supply device.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. (First Embodiment) In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a water supply device such as a washroom in a house. As shown in FIG. 1, the water supply device 1 of the present embodiment is disposed below a basin 12 on which a water discharging unit 10 is installed, and is mounted on a wall near the basin 12. The water supply device 1 includes a case 14. The case 14 can be divided into a rear case 140 disposed on the wall side (the back side of the paper in FIG. 1) and a front case 141 disposed on the front side of the rear case 140 (the front side of the paper in FIG. 1). Has become.

As shown in FIG. 2, the water passage 11 penetrates the case 14 (specifically, the rear case 140). One end of the water passage 11 communicates with a water supply pipe (water supply source) (not shown) embedded in the wall, and the other end of the water passage 11 communicates with the water outlet 15 through a water pipe 44. doing. In the water passage 11, a water stopcock 31 integrated with a check valve 32, a main valve portion 33, and a hydroelectric generator 35 are arranged from upstream to downstream. Reference numeral 34 in FIG.
Is an electromagnetic valve (opening / closing means) functioning as a pilot valve, and opens and closes a main valve portion 33 provided on the water passage 11 to adjust the amount of flowing water in the water passage 11. The hydraulic power generator 35 rotates the impeller arranged on the water passage 11 by running water to generate electric power, and stores the electric power in the storage battery 16 (see FIG. 3) arranged in the front case 141.

According to the water supply apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the water from the water supply pipe reaches the main valve section 33 via the water stop passage 31 and the check valve 32 via the water passage 11. When the main valve portion 33 is opened by the operation of the solenoid valve 34, the water supply elbow 42 corresponding to the outlet portion of the water passage 11 and the impeller of the generator 35 are rotated via the main valve portion 33, and
The water is supplied to the water discharge port 15 of the water discharge section 10 through the water supply pipe 44 connected to the water supply elbow 42.
Water is discharged from 5.

On the other hand, inside the front case 141, a storage battery 16 (not shown in FIG. 2) and an electric control device 17 are accommodated. And front case 1
In the front surface of the case 41 (in other words, the surface of the case 14 along the vertical direction), the case 1
A battery box (not shown) having a rectangular concave shape is provided inward of 41. It should be noted that reference numeral 56 in FIGS.
Is a lid that covers the battery box.

In this battery box, a dry battery mounting portion (power supply connecting portion) 850 (see FIG. 3) for mounting three dry batteries 85 (see FIG. 3) as a backup power source, and a main for turning on and off the water supply device 1 are provided. Switch 52 (see FIG. 3)
Are provided. The dry cell mounting portion 850 is provided with a pair of voltage application terminals 851 that are electrically connected to a pair of terminals of the dry cell 85. The power of the dry battery 85 is automatically supplied to the storage battery 16 when the storage amount of the storage battery 16 decreases.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge section 10 is provided inside the case 24 as a water guide pipe 44 on the water discharge port 15 side and as a human body detecting means for detecting a human body (a human hand in the main tree-closing mode). And the infrared sensor 18 (see FIG. 3). Note that 70 in FIG.
7 is a lead wire for electrical connection. The infrared sensor 18 includes a light emitting element that emits infrared light toward the lower part of the water outlet 15 and a light receiving element that generates a light receiving voltage in accordance with the amount of infrared light incident on itself. Then, the first mode means 171 and the second mode means 1 of the electric control device 17
72 (described later) reads the light receiving voltage of the sensor 18 and determines the presence or absence of a human hand according to the voltage change.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart starts when the main switch 52 is turned on. Note that the electric control device 17 includes timers 174, 17
5 built-in. First, the voltage V1 between the terminals 851 of the dry battery mounting unit 850 is read in step S10, and it is determined in step S20 whether the voltage V1 is greater than zero. Thereby, the mounting state of the dry battery 85 is determined. When the dry battery 85 is installed, the voltage V1 is larger than zero. Therefore, the first mode from the step S31 is operated by the first mode means 171 (see FIG. 3).

In the first mode, first, at step S3
At 1, by reading the voltage of the sensor 18,
The presence or absence of a human hand below the water outlet 15 is determined. When a human hand is present (that is, when the human hand is detected by the sensor 18), the electromagnetic valve 34 is opened in step S32 (that is, the water passage 11 is opened by the electromagnetic valve 34). Thereafter, the presence or absence of a human hand is determined again in step S33, and when it is determined that there is no human hand, step S34 is performed.
Closes the electromagnetic valve 34 (that is, closes the water passage 11 with the electromagnetic valve 34).

The first mode means 171 performs steps S31, S32, S33 and S34 (for example,
Means for determining the presence or absence of a human hand below the water outlet 15;
Means for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 34 according to the presence or absence of a human hand). When the dry battery 85 is not mounted, the voltage V1 is zero, and the determination result in step S20 is NO. Therefore, the second mode from the step S41 is performed by the second mode means 172 (see FIG. 3). Let it run. In the second mode, first, in step S41, the presence or absence of a human hand below the water outlet 15 is determined. When there is a human hand, the solenoid valve 3 is determined in step S42.
4 is opened. Thereafter, in step S43, the presence or absence of a human hand is determined again. If it is determined that there is no human hand, the electromagnetic valve 34 is closed in step S44.

If it is determined in step S41 that there is no human hand, the timer 175 is started in step S51, and the timer 1 is determined in step S52.
It is determined whether the measurement time t1 of 75 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T1 (for example, 4 hours). If the measured time t1 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T1, the timer 175 is reset in step S53, the storage voltage (storage amount) V2 of the storage battery 16 is read in step S54, and the process proceeds to step S53.
From 55, it is determined whether or not the storage voltage V2 is higher than the first predetermined voltage E1 (for example, 3.65 V). Here, the first predetermined voltage E1 is a storage voltage considered to be sufficient as a power supply of the water supply device.

The storage voltage V2 is equal to the first predetermined voltage E1.
In the following cases, it is determined that the power needs to be stored, and the process proceeds to step S100 to activate the water discharging mode for power storage. In this mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the timer 175 is started in step S101, the solenoid valve 34 is opened in step S102, the rotation speed of the hydroelectric generator 35 is detected in step S103, and the power storage of the storage battery 16 is performed in step S104. The amount is calculated, and the total X of the amount of power stored in the storage battery 16 is calculated in step S105.

Here, since the amount of power stored in the storage battery 16 is proportional to the number of rotations of the hydraulic power generator 35, in the present embodiment, the relationship between the number of rotations of the hydroelectric generator 35 and the amount of stored power is stored in the electric control device 17 in advance. The power storage amount is calculated based on the detected rotation speed. Then, in step S106, it is determined whether or not the measurement time t2 of the timer 175 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T2 (short time, for example, 10 seconds). If the measured time t2 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T2, the timer 175 is reset in step S107, the solenoid valve 34 is closed in step S108, and the process proceeds to step S10.
9, it is determined whether or not the sum X is greater than the predetermined charge amount X0.

When the total X is equal to or less than the predetermined charge amount X0, the timer 175 is started in step S110, and in step S111, it is determined whether or not the measured time t3 of the timer 175 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time T3 (for example, 5 minutes). Is determined. If the measured time t3 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T3, the timer 175 is reset in step S112, and the process returns to step S101. If the sum X is larger than the predetermined charge amount X0 in step S109, the process returns to the start.

In step S52 shown in FIG. 4, when the measured time t2 of the timer 175 is smaller than the predetermined time T2, the presence or absence of a human hand is determined in step S56. Resets the timer 175 and proceeds to step S42 and below. If there is no human hand, the process again proceeds to step S52 and below. Note that the second mode means 172 (see FIG. 3)
41, S42, S43, S44, S51, S52, S5
3. Means for performing S54, S55, S56, S57, and S100 (that is, when no person is present, the water passage 11 is opened by the solenoid valve 34 and water is discharged from the water outlet 15 to generate power from the hydraulic power generator 35). Means, when water discharge when a person uses water is not performed for a predetermined time T1,
A means for discharging water when no person is present, a means for opening the water passage 11 with the solenoid valve 34 to discharge water from the water outlet 15 when the storage voltage V2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage E1,
In this mode, when there is no person, means for discharging the water from the water outlet 15 for a predetermined time T2 a plurality of times at predetermined time T3 intervals is provided.

Steps S10 and S2
0 constitutes the mode determining means 170 shown in FIG. In addition, the dry battery 85 and the dry battery
0 constitutes the instruction means in the claims. In the above control, step S105 and step S105
106, and between step S110 and step S110.
111, the presence or absence of a human hand is determined. If it is determined that a human hand is present, step S42 is performed.
Proceed to the following.

In parallel with the above control, the dry cell 8
Control is performed to prevent the electric control device 17 from going down when the device 5 is not mounted.
That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the timer 174 is started in step S201, and in step S202, it is determined whether or not the measured time t4 of the timer 174 has passed a predetermined time T4 (for example, one hour).
When the measurement time t4 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T4, the timer 174 is reset in step S203, and the storage voltage V2 of the storage battery 16 is determined in step S204.
Read.

Then, in step S205, the storage voltage V2 of the storage battery 16 becomes the second predetermined voltage E2 (for example, 3.6).
0V) is determined. Here, the second predetermined voltage E2 is a minimum storage voltage required as a power supply of the water supply device. If the storage voltage V2 is higher than the second predetermined voltage E2, it is determined that the system will not be shut down, and the process returns to the start. When the storage voltage V2 is the second
If the voltage is equal to or lower than the predetermined voltage E2, it is determined that the system is down. Then, in step S206, the dry battery 8
5 is determined, and when the dry battery 85 is not mounted, the process proceeds to step S207, and the emergency power storage water discharge mode is executed. In this emergency storage water discharge mode, water is continuously discharged for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds).

On the other hand, when the dry battery 85 is installed, the process proceeds to step S208 to stop the function. That is,
Stop reading the light receiving voltage of the sensor 18 and
The energization of the solenoid valve 34 is stopped. At this time, a dead battery lamp indicating that the battery is dead is provided, and this lamp is turned on in step S209.
This indicates that the battery needs to be replaced.

Next, the effects of the present embodiment will be described. First, for example, in a building, in a water supply device installed in a place where people are present all day, the manager of the building uses dry batteries 8.
The first mode can be selected and the first mode means 171 can be operated by attaching the battery 5 to the dry cell installation section 850. In the first mode, since water can be discharged from the water discharge port 15 only when a person uses water, the water discharge for power storage is not performed all day, and the person is not mistaken for a failure.

Also, in a water supply device installed in a place where there are no people (for example, at night or on holidays), the manager of the building removes the dry battery 85 from the dry battery installation section 850 to switch the second mode. And the second mode means 172 can be activated. In the second mode, water can be discharged during a time period when no person is present, that is, when there is a high possibility that the storage voltage of the storage battery 16 will be insufficient.
It is possible to store electricity satisfactorily.

Further, since the first and second mode selection operations can be performed by attaching and detaching the dry battery 85 to and from the dry cell installation section 850, a special operation switch such as an operation switch for performing the first and second mode selection operation can be provided. Simple operation means are not required, and the cost is low. In addition, when water is discharged for power storage, the operation of discharging water for a short time is repeated a plurality of times. small.

Further, since the storage voltage V2 considered to be sufficient as the power supply of the water supply device is set as the first predetermined voltage E1, water discharge when no person is present is required only when necessary (ie,
(When the storage voltage V2 is lower than the first predetermined voltage E1), and water can be saved. In addition, by setting the minimum storage amount (for example, 3.6 V) required as a power supply of the water supply device to the predetermined amount (E2), it is possible to satisfactorily prevent a system down of the water supply device.

(Other Embodiments) First, in the above embodiment, the dry battery 85 is housed in the power supply installation section 850, but a commercial power supply may be used as a drive power supply using an AC adapter. This AC adapter includes an adapter body, a dummy battery body, and a cord connecting them.

In the above embodiment, the infrared sensor 1
In place of 8, another sensor (for example, an ultrasonic sensor or the like) may be installed, or a water discharge switch manually operated by a user may be installed. Note that the water discharge switch may be configured to cause the water to be discharged from the water discharge port 15 for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) after being turned on, and then to automatically stop the water, or may be turned on and then turned on again. May be used to stop water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a basin peripheral portion in a state where a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an electric block diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in first and second modes according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in a power storage water discharge mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in the emergency power storage water discharge mode according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 11: water passage, 15: water outlet (water discharge part), 34: solenoid valve (opening / closing means), 35: hydraulic power generator, 16: storage battery, 17
... Electrical control device, 85 ... Dry cell (instruction means, backup power supply), 850 ... Dry cell installation part (instruction means), 18 ...
Infrared sensor (input means), 170 mode determining means,
171, 172: First and second mode means.

Claims (6)

[Claims] An opening / closing means (33, 34) provided in a water passage (11) extending from a water supply source to a water discharge part (15) for opening and closing the water passage (11), and provided in the water passage (11). And a power generator (35) for generating electric power by flowing water in the water passage (11); and storing power from the hydraulic power generator (35).
A storage battery (16) constituting a power supply, and the opening / closing means (33, 3
4) The water passage (11) is opened to open the water discharge section (1).
5) a first mode means (171) for discharging water, and when a person uses water, the opening / closing means (33, 34) opens the water passage (11) to discharge water from the water discharging section (15). In addition, when there is no person, the opening / closing means (33, 34) opens the water passage (11) to discharge water from the water discharging part (15), thereby generating power from the hydraulic power generator (35). Two-mode means (172)
Instruction means (85) for generating a mode instruction signal for instructing the first mode by the first mode means (171) or the second mode by the second mode means (172) in response to a human selection operation. , 850), and a mode instruction signal from the instruction means (85, 850), and a mode determination for deciding which of the first mode means (171) and the second mode means (172) to operate. Means (170). 2. A power supply connection part (850) to which a backup power supply (85) of the storage battery (16) is electrically connected, wherein the instruction means (85, 850) is provided with the backup power supply (85) and the backup power supply (85). A power connection section (850), wherein the mode determination means (170) includes the power connection section (8).
When the backup power supply (85) is connected to the power supply (85), it is determined that the first mode means (171) is to be operated, and the backup power supply (85) is connected to the power supply connection part (850). Not when the second
The water supply according to claim 1, characterized in that it decides to activate the mode means (172). 3. The backup power source is a dry battery (85).
The water supply device according to claim 2, comprising: 4. When the mode determining means (170) determines that the second mode means (172) is to be operated, and when the person uses water for a predetermined time ( The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the operation is not performed during T1), water is discharged when the person is not present. 5. When the mode determining means (173) determines that the second mode means (172) is to be operated, water discharge when the person is not present is performed by the water discharging section (15). The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an operation of discharging water for a short time (T3) is repeated a plurality of times at predetermined time (T4) intervals. 6. The first and second mode means (171, 1).
72) includes detecting means (S54, S204) for detecting the charged amount (V2) of the storage battery (16), and when the charged amount (V2) is equal to or less than a predetermined amount (E1, E2), the opening / closing means. (33, 34) at the water channel (1
The water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein 1) is opened to discharge water from the water discharge section (15).