JPS59155666A - Automatic cock - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to use a single automatic cock in both systems where water supply is stopped in the absence of sensing, and water supply is started by a first sensing and is stopped by a second sensing. CONSTITUTION:A control unit 2 is composed of a first control circuit for automatically sensing an action that a hand is brought to a water closet and starting water supply irrespective of one's will of hand washing, and a second control circuit for sensing an action that the hand is willingly brought to a sensing unit 1 for purpose of hand washing and starting water supply. Either of the first or second circuit is selected by a selecting circuit consisting of a mode selecting circuit 2-g and an output control circuit 2-h.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention consists of 1. The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that automatically controls the start and stop of water supply based on the detection of a human body by a sensing section.

Various structures are known for this automatic faucet, and representative ones include the one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 37-937 and the one disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 43-16196.

The above publications all include a sensing part that senses the human body,
An automatic water system equipped with a control section that generates an output based on the sensing signal, a drive section that receives the output from this control section and drives it, and a water supply section that supplies water to the water washer in conjunction with the operation of this drive section. In the former case, the control unit continues to generate an output to supply water while a sensing signal is being generated, and when the sensing signal disappears, the output from the control unit disappears and the water supply is stopped.
In the latter case, the control unit starts generating an output when the first sensing signal occurs, and stops generating the output when the next sensing signal occurs, that is, water supply starts at the first sensing, and starts at the second sensing. This will stop the water supply.

When installing automatic faucets, the current situation is to select and install one of the above two types of automatic faucets depending on the situation at the site.

Therefore, in such a situation, once an automatic faucet of one type is installed, if a problem arises regarding that type of automatic faucet. I have to replace the automatic faucet with another type of automatic faucet, but it is difficult and wasteful to do so.

In addition, it is not only difficult to manufacture and manage the two types of automatic faucets separately, but it also cannot be expected to be effective in mass production, and the cost is inevitably high.

The technical problem of the present invention is that there are two methods: a system that supplies water to one automatic faucet while sensing and then stops the water supply when the sensing goes off, and a system that starts water supply at the first detection and stops water supply at the second detection. It can be used by both parties.

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem includes a sensing section that senses a human body, a control section that generates an output based on the sensing signal, and a drive section that receives and drives the output from the control section. , and a water supply unit that supplies water to the water washer in conjunction with the operation of the drive unit, the control unit includes a first control circuit that continues to generate an output while the sensing signal is being generated, and a first control circuit that continues to generate an output while the sensing signal is being generated; a second control circuit that starts generating an output after a sensing signal is generated, and stops generating an output when a sensing signal tangent to the first sensing signal disappears; the first control circuit and the second control circuit; and a switching circuit for selecting one of the control circuits.

Therefore, the first control circuit and the second control circuit are manually or automatically selected and switched by the switching circuit, and if the former is selected, the timer port where the sensing signal is generated continues to output output. Therefore, water can be supplied while the sensor is sensing, and water can be stopped when the sensor stops sensing.If the latter is selected, the control unit will generate an output when the sensor detects the first time, and the water will be supplied when the sensor stops sensing the second time. Since the control unit stops output generation upon detection, it is possible to start water supply at the first detection and stop water supply at the second detection.

Therefore, even if one automatic faucet is configured to supply water while the sensor is sensing and stop supplying water when the sensor stops sensing, the water supply will start at the first sensing of the sensor, 2
It can also be used as an automatic faucet that stops water supply at the first detection, so even if one method is inconvenient due to changes in the installation site after it has been installed, a different method can be used. There is no need to replace an automatic faucet, and it can be handled by simply switching the control circuit, eliminating the difficulty and waste of replacing an automatic faucet.

Since the present invention has the above configuration, it has the following advantages.

■ Whichever method you choose, the sensing part and water supply part can be used together, and the cost is low.

■ Even if one control circuit breaks down, the automatic faucet can be used again by switching to the other control circuit.

Hereinafter, an example of implementation of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

In this example, an automatic faucet is used for hand washing.
In the figure, (4) is a faucet, here it is a hand wash basin, and the building wall (6) is a faucet.
), and a water spouting device (7) connected to a water supply section (5) to be described later is provided on the rear upper edge surface thereof.

The water spout (7) has a body (7a) rising upward from the upper edge surface of the wash basin (4), and a discharge opening (7b) at the upper end facing the bowl part of the wash basin (4) from above. Water spout (7)
A secondary water supply connection pipe (9) connected to the outlet (8>) of the water supply part (5) is inserted and connected to the wash basin (4) from the back side.

The water supply part (5) has an inlet (1
A diaphragm-shaped valve body (14) is provided between the valve seat (12) and the outflow port (8) and forms a valve portion (13) corresponding to the valve seat (12). Inlet (1
A primary water supply connection pipe (18) equipped with a stop valve (16) and a strainer (17) and a variable orifice type flow control (27>) are attached to the water supply pipe (15) in which 1) is buried in the wall (6). The outflow port (, 8) is connected to the water spouting device (7) via the secondary side water supply connection pipe (9), and is installed in the space below the washbasin (4).

Moreover, the water supply part (5> is a drive part (5) that operates the valve body (14).
3) is integrated.

The drive unit (3) is composed of an electromagnet, and is a plunger ψ- that moves forward and backward by turning on and off the power to the electromagnetic coil (3').
(19).

Behind the valve body (14), a pressure chamber <29) is formed which is constantly in communication with the next side of the flow path through a small hole (14) bored in the peripheral edge of the valve body (14). The chamber (29) communicates a pilot hole (30) formed in the center of the valve body (14) with the secondary side of the flow path.

The plunger (19) is constantly urged by a spring (not shown) in the direction of closing the valve seat (12) with the valve body (14), and the tip of the plunger (19) is pressed into the pilot hole. (30) is closed.

This drive unit (3) is connected to a power source (20) via a control unit (2).
The control unit (2) controls the energization of the electromagnetic coil (3')/\ based on the sensing of the sensing unit (1).
This energization control moves the plunger (19) forward and backward.

That is, when the electromagnetic coil (3'') is not energized, the plunger (19) uses the force of the spring to close the pilot hole (30) and presses the valve body (14) to push it against the valve seat (12). ) to close the valve part (13).

In this state, water is not supplied to the water discharging tool (7).

Further, when the electromagnetic coil is energized, the plunger (19) resists the biasing force of the spring and the electromagnetic coil (3
′).

In this state, the pilot hole (<30), which had been closed by the plunger (19), opens, and the water in the pressure chamber (29) is discharged from the pilot hole (30) to the secondary side of the flow path, and the valve body ( 14) is pushed away from the valve seat (12) by the water supply pressure, the valve part (13) opens, and the water supply part (5
) supplies water to the washbasin (4) via the water spout (7).

In this embodiment, the sensing unit (1) includes a light emitter (21) and a light receiver (22), and infrared light projected from the light emitter (21) is diffusely reflected when it hits a human body, for example, a hand, and receives this reflected light. This is a so-called diffuse reflection infrared photoelectric sensor that detects light when it is received by the washbasin (22).The sensor is a so-called diffuse reflection infrared photoelectric sensor that detects light when it is received by the washbasin (22). Can be attached.

The sensing part (1) is electrically connected to the control part (2), and when it senses a human body, sends a sensing signal to the control part.

The control unit (2) automatically senses when you put your hand out to the handwash basin (4) and starts supplying water regardless of whether you intend to wash your hands or not, and the sensing unit (1). One circuit doubles as the second control circuit that senses the intention to wash your hands by consciously holding your hand over it and supplies water, and the mode switching circuit (2-(+) A switching circuit consisting of a control circuit (2-h) and a control circuit (2-h) is configured to selectively switch to either the first or second control circuit.

A block diagram is shown in FIG. 4.

That is, the first control circuit generates the sensing signal of the sensing section (1),
a malfunction prevention circuit (2-a) that generates a start signal when this generated state continues for a selection time T1, and the sensing signal disappears, and that when this disappearing state continues for a delay time T1, the generation of the start signal disappears; A timer circuit (2-b) that generates a time-up signal only when the activation signal continues to be generated for a prohibition time T3 and resets when the activation signal disappears.
an output generation prevention circuit (2-c) that generates an output generation prevention signal based on the time-up signal; and an output generation prevention circuit (2-c) that generates an output that drives the drive section 3) when only the start signal is generated;
It is equipped with an output circuit (2-d) that stops generation of output when the activation signal disappears or when an output generation prevention signal is generated together with the activation signal, and the sensing part (1) starts sensing and detects a predetermined state. The sorting time TJ (for example, several seconds, ~0.
After 5 sec, ), the driving part (3) is continuously energized while the sensing part (1) is sensing the human body, and after the sensing is finished, a predetermined delay time T2 (for example, 0.5SeC1 to 2
Abnormal continuous water spouting is configured to stop energizing the drive unit (3) after SeC1), and the time for energizing the drive unit (3), that is, the water spouting time, is set to be slightly longer than the time required for normal hand washing or washing the face. prohibited time T3 (for example, 2 m
in, ~4 min, ), and is configured to stop water spouting when the continuous water spouting time reaches the prohibition time -1 even during sensing.

The purpose of providing the sorting time T1 is to prevent your hands from getting wet if, for example, you hold out your hand but suddenly decide not to wash it.

In addition, the reason why the delay time T2 is provided is that, for example, when a hand momentarily comes out of the sensing area during hand washing and the sensing disappears, the water supply is prevented from stopping due to this instantaneous disappearance of the sensing. This is to prevent failure of the drive unit (3) and occurrence of water hammer due to frequent starting and stopping, and also to clean dirt adhering to the wash basin (4) after washing hands.

Furthermore, the prohibition time T3 is provided in order to prevent water from flowing out due to some reason, for example, soap liquid adhering to the sensing part (1) and being left in a sensed state. FIG. 5 shows a time chart when the first control circuit is selected.

On the other hand, the second control circuit includes a malfunction prevention circuit (2-a) that operates in the same way as the first control circuit and generates a start signal, and a malfunction prevention circuit (2-a) that generates an output generation signal at the rise of the first start signal and generates an output signal at the rise of the first start signal. A bistable multivibrator circuit (2-e) that is reset at the rising edge and stops generating the output signal, and a bistable multivibrator circuit (2-e) that starts from the start of output signal generation, generates a time-up signal after the prohibition time T3, and resets when the output signal disappears. A timer circuit (2-b) and a bistable multivibrator reset circuit (2-f) that resets the bistable multivibrator circuit (2-e) based on the time-up signal.
) and an output circuit (2-d) that generates an output to drive the drive unit (3) while the output signal of the bistable multivibrator circuit (2-e) is being generated. The drive unit (3) is configured to be energized to open the valve, and upon the next detection, the energization to the drive unit (3) is stopped and the valve is closed.

The second control circuit C also has a selection time T1, a delay time T2, and a prohibition time T3, similar to the first control circuit described above.

The delay time T2 is such that when a hand is held in front of the sensing part (1), a sensing signal is repeatedly generated and extinguished due to the existence of a space between the fingers, and water supply starts and stops repeatedly. It helps prevent things from happening.

In addition, the sorting interval T1 saves water by not flushing the water immediately when you first put your hand over it, but flushing it after T1 hours, and when you put your hand over it after washing, the water supply is not stopped immediately and is T1. The water supply will be stopped after the specified time, so you can use the hand wash basin (
4) It is useful for removing stains.

Of course, even if you forget to stop the water supply after the water supply starts, the water supply will be automatically stopped after the prohibition time T3.

FIG. 6 shows a time chart when this second control circuit is selected. .

Above, the control section that switches between the first control circuit and the second control circuit (
2> mode switching circuit (2-(1) may be configured with a manual selection switch, or a water discharging device (7) as shown in Figure 7).
An automatic detection type sensing part (1) is installed on the front of the body part (7a) of the
Furthermore, it is also possible to install a will-sensing type sensing section (1) on each building wall (6), and set the mode switching circuit (2-!II) automatically depending on the sensing section (1) used first. good.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a circuit in which the mode changeover circuit (2-g) is configured with a manual changeover switch.

In the embodiments described above, the sensing section is a photoelectric sensor, but it is also possible to use an electrostatic or ultrasonic sensor. Of course, there is no need to set mountain time, 12 hours, and 13 hours.

In the drawing, (23) is a drain pipe, (24) is a liquid soap container, (25) is a bypass valve for power outage compensation, (
26) is a case that houses the control section (2), drive section (3), and water supply section (5).

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the water supply is automatically stopped, but for example, as shown in FIG.
It can also be constructed so that mixed water at a desired temperature is discharged from the tank. That is, the water side piping (31) is installed upstream of the water supply section (5).
A hot water mixing faucet (33) connected to the hot water side piping (32) is installed, and the mixed water outlet (34) of this drought mixing faucet (33) is installed.
What is necessary is just to connect the inlet (11) of the water supply part (5).

For example, it is convenient to use a thermostatic mixing valve that automatically adjusts the temperature of the mixed water to a desired temperature as the hot water mixing tap (33).

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view of an example of an automatic faucet in use, showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partially cutaway side view, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part, and Fig. 4 is a block diagram. Figure 5 is a time chart when the first control circuit is selected, Figure 6 is a time chart when the second control circuit is selected, Figure 7 is an electric circuit, and Figures 8 and 9 are other examples. FIG. 1... Sensing section 2... Control section 3... Drive section 4... Water washer 5... Water supply section

Claims (1)

[Claims] A sensing unit that senses a human body, a control unit that generates an output based on the sensing signal, a drive unit that receives the output from this control unit and drives it, and supplies water to the water washer in conjunction with the operation of this drive unit. and a first control circuit that continues to generate an output while a sensing signal is generated; and a first control circuit that generates an output after the first sensing signal is generated; a second control circuit that stops generating an output when a second sensing signal is generated after the first sensing signal disappears; and a switching circuit that selects one of the first and second control circuits. An automatic faucet characterized by the fact that it is equipped with.