KR20030012689A - The faucet automatic controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An automatic control system of a faucet is provided to prevent dysfunction of an automatic faucet and waste of water, and to minimize power consumption. CONSTITUTION: The automatic control system of a faucet comprises: a power supply unit(102) as a small-sized battery to supply working voltage to a faucet; a rectifying unit(103) lowering the supplied voltage in the appointed level, then equalizing and outputting; a discharge timing unit(101) integrating the voltage supplied form the power supply unit(102) for the preset hours, then outputting; a foothold switch(104) operated to supply and intercept water; a mode selective switch(105) selecting a kitchen mode and a shower mode; a microprocessor unit(100) reset for the appointed hours by the voltage supplied from the charge timing unit(101) and controlling the entire operation of a faucet according to the operation of the foothold switch(104) and the mode selective switch(105) after dissolving the reset state; primary and secondary solenoid driving units(107,108) supplying or intercepting water by controlling the operation of primary and secondary solenoid valves(109,110) installed to the faucet according to the control of the microprocessor unit(100).

Description

Faucet automatic controller

The present invention relates to an automatic faucet with an automatic water supply control function, and more particularly, to automatically perform all functions of the faucet with a small battery, and also to generate an automatic water generated when the battery is replaced. The present invention relates to an automatic control system of a water tap, which minimizes power consumption while suppressing malfunction of a challenge and waste of water.

Recently, with the development of industrialization, the number of multi-unit houses has increased, and the residential culture and bathroom culture are changing.

As described above, automatic water taps for automatically opening and closing operations by applying a sensor as a method for reducing water consumption in a kitchen have been disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,741,363.

However, in the conventionally proposed faucet, all parts are separated from each other and are combined separately, so that the miniaturization and weight obtained by combining all parts as a group cannot be achieved, and the function of the faucet is not only simple but also in appearance. It could not achieve the expected effect as an automatic faucet.

In addition, when the sensor detects an object in the automatic water faucet, the solenoid coil driven by the small battery is magnetized, and the diaphragm is opened to allow water to pass rapidly. As the applied power is cut off, the diaphragm closes suddenly and the flow of water stops abruptly.As a result, the water pressure phenomenon occurs due to the high water pressure difference that occurs at this time. Whenever the water supply pipe is shocked and not only sounds, but also lasts for a long time, the water supply connection is loosened or broken and water leaks.

In particular, in the automatic water faucet, when the small battery for driving the solenoid valve runs out, and replaces it with a new one, it is necessary to replace the new small battery after discharging all the voltages charged by the previous small battery. There is no malfunction of the automatic faucet. In the conventional automatic faucet, since there is no discharge circuit for discharging the remaining voltage, the system is immediately operated without being reset at the time of replacing a small battery. Regardless of the user, the solenoid valve is opened, and there is a problem that the water is momentarily discharged, and the structure is very complicated.

As a way to prevent this, whenever the small battery is replaced, the remaining voltage must be discharged and maintained at an initial state. In this case, the user must artificially discharge the residual voltage by using a tool such as a conductor rod. It is pointed out as an uncomfortable problem.

Therefore, it is possible to heal the above problems, but in terms of cost, and in terms of reliability. It is desirable to provide a water tap.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide convenience in use by fully automating all functions of the tap water.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the malfunction occurring during the initial driving of the faucet by completely discharging the previous residual voltage when the small battery is replaced.

Another object of the present invention is to minimize the consumption of power by allowing the automatic water supply valve of the tap water to perform the opening and closing operation by a small battery.

Another object of the present invention is to allow anyone to easily and simply install when replacing the existing faucet with automatic faucet.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment provided for the description of the automatic control of the water tap according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram illustrating the discharge timing unit of FIG. 1 in more detail.

3 is a signal flow diagram for automatically controlling a water tap according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: microprocessor unit 101: discharge timing unit

102: power supply 103: rectifier

104: foot switch 105: mode selection switch

106: display unit 107: first solenoid drive unit

109: first solenoid 111: encoder portion

Automatic water supply control device according to the present invention for achieving the above objects, (1) a power supply unit, such as a small battery for supplying an operating voltage to the water supply; (2) a rectifier for lowering the supplied voltage to a predetermined level and smoothing the output voltage; (3) a discharge timing unit for integrating and outputting the voltage supplied from the power supply unit for a set time constant; (4) scaffolding switch for operation of water supply and shut off; (5) a mode selection switch for selecting a kitchen mode and a shower mode; (6) a microprocessor unit which is reset by a voltage supplied from the discharge timing unit for a predetermined time and controls the entire operation of the water tap according to the operation of the scaffolding switch and the mode selection switch after the reset release; (7) The first and second solenoid driving unit for controlling the amount of opening and closing of the first and second solenoid valves installed in the main body of the faucet in accordance with the control of the micro processor unit so that water is supplied and shut off.

Preferably, the discharge timing unit initializes the microprocessor unit by integrating the voltage supplied from the power supply unit with a set resistance value and a capacitor value, and when the power supply is cut off from the power supply unit, the discharge timing unit stores the voltage accumulated in the capacitor. It is characterized by an integrated circuit for discharging.

In this way, when the small battery is replaced, the discharge timing unit automatically discharges the previously accumulated voltage to keep the microprocessor unit in an initial state, and the first and second solenoid valves are connected to the small battery voltage and the microprocessor unit. By controlling the opening and closing amount can be seen that the water is blocked and watered.

As a result, the malfunction of the water tap generated every time the small battery is replaced is prevented and the first and second solenoid valves are opened and closed by the small battery, thereby minimizing power consumption and providing convenience in use. In addition, the first and second solenoid valve has the advantage that a more sure water-saving effect can be obtained.

And, there may be a plurality of embodiments of the present invention, the following will be described in detail for the most preferred embodiment.

Through this preferred embodiment, the objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description with an embodiment according to the present invention in connection with the accompanying drawings shown for illustrative purposes.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the automatic control apparatus of the faucet according to the present invention.

In addition, the following description considers the example applied to the sink stand of a kitchen as an automatic control apparatus of a water tap.

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment provided in the description of the automatic control of the water tap according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram showing in more detail the discharge timing portion of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic control apparatus of the faucet according to the present embodiment includes a small battery that supplies an operating voltage to operate the faucet main body (not shown in the drawing) installed on a wall on the kitchen sink. The power supply unit 102, the rectifier unit 103 which lowers and smoothes the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 102 to a predetermined level, and outputs the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 102 is a resistor R1. Discharge timing unit 101 for integrating and outputting and discharging to the value of R2 and the value of condenser C1, scaffolding switch 104 installed at the right place for water supply and interruption, and kitchen mode. And a mode selection switch 105 which selects and inputs a shower mode, and is reset for a predetermined time by an operating voltage supplied from the discharge timing unit 101, and the footswitch switch 104 and the mode selection switch 105 are released after the reset is released. Operation Accordingly, the first and second solenoids generating an opening / closing operation voltage under the control of the microprocessor unit 100 and the voltage supplied from the power supply unit 102 and the microprocessor unit 100. Water is supplied to the water supply pipe by being magnetized and non-magnetized by an opening and closing operation voltage supplied from the driving units 107 and 108 and the first and second solenoid driving units 107 and 108. The microprocessor unit 100 senses the operation time of the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 and the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 which supply and shut off water through the conductive body. The encoder unit 111 is provided, and the display unit 106 visually displays the operation state of the water tap under the control of the microprocessor unit 100.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention made as described above will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

First, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the DC voltage of a predetermined level is supplied from the power supply unit 102 such as a small battery to the rectifying unit 103 and the discharge timing unit 101 and the first and second solenoids which will be described later. When applied to the driving units 109 and 110, the rectifying unit 103 lowers and smoothes the input DC voltage to provide the operating voltage of the microprocessor unit 100. The discharge timing unit 101 supplies the DC voltage of a predetermined level supplied from the power supply unit 102 to the time constants of the resistors R1 (R2) and the capacitor C1 ((T = (R1 + R2) * C1)). During the integration, the microprocessor unit 100 is provided with a low voltage (0V), and when the time constant T elapses, a high voltage (5V) is applied.

At this time, the microprocessor unit 100 is initialized when a low voltage is applied from the discharge timing unit 101, and when the high voltage is applied from the discharge timing unit 101, the initial operation for releasing the initialization and driving the faucet, that is, The scaffold switch 104 and the mode selection switch 105 are scanned (step S10).

If the mode switch 105 is not input in step S10, the sleep mode is performed (step S11). If the mode selection switch 105 is input in step S10, the mode selected from the mode selection switch 105 is performed. It is determined whether the shower mode or the kitchen mode (step S12).

If it is determined in the step S12 in the kitchen mode, the encoder unit 111 detects whether the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 installed in the main body of the faucet are opened (step S13). When the second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are open, the microprocessor unit 100 controls the first and second solenoid drive units 107 and 108 to control the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110. (Step S14) and perform a sleep mode (step S15).

Here, the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 may be valves for automatically adjusting hot water, valves for automatically adjusting cold water, or valves for automatically adjusting only cold or hot water. . This is the user's choice, that is, by connecting the valves to the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe, or to the cold water pipe or the hot water pipe, respectively, to discharge cold water or hot water through the water main body, or to mix cold and hot water to the water main body. It can be discharged.

Subsequently, if the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are closed in step S13, the scaffold switch 104 is scanned (step S16). At this time, when the user presses the foot switch 104, the microprocessor unit 100 determines whether the foot switch 104 has been pressed for a predetermined time, for example, 1.5 seconds or more (step S17). If the scaffold switch 104 is pressed for 1.5 seconds or more in step S17, it is detected whether water is being jetted from the faucet main body through the encoder unit 111 (step S18). The processor unit 100 drives the first and second solenoid drivers 107 and 108 to gradually open the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 installed in the main body of the water supply (step S19). The first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are opened by the microprocessor unit 100 during the time when the foot switch 104 is pressed, so that water is discharged through the main body.

If water is being jetted from the tap water main body in step S18, the first and second solenoid valves 107 and 108 are closed through the first and second solenoid bent parts 107 and 108, and again the foot switch ( If 104 is re-entered (step S21) and the step switch 104 is re-entered, the process after step S17 is repeated.

If the foot switch 104 is not pressed for 1.5 seconds or more in the above-described step (S17), it is searched whether the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are open (step S22).

If the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are open in step S22, the valves are closed, the timer configured in the microprocessor unit 100 itself is cleared (step S24), and the sleep mode is performed. (Step; S25).

If the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are closed in step S22, the first and second solenoid driving units 107 and 108 are controlled to control the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110. ) To open (step S26) the zoom and drive a 2-minute timer configured in the microprocessor unit 100 itself (step S27), and then set the first and second solenoid operation times through the encoder unit 111. (Step S28) During that time, water is jetted through the main body of the faucet.

Subsequently, the time set through the encoder unit 111 and the driving time of the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are compared and determined in step S35 to determine the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110. When the driving time of e) passes the set time of the encoder unit 111, the 2 minute timer is cleared (step S36), and then the first and second solenoid driving units 107 and 108 are controlled to control the first and second units. The solenoid valves 109 and 110 are closed (step S37) and a sleep mode is performed (step S38).

On the other hand, if the mode selected through the mode selection switch 105 in the step (S12) is a shower mode, the microprocessor unit 100 controls the first, second solenoid drive unit 107 (108) to the first, second solenoid The valves 109 and 110 are opened (step S29), and then the operating time of the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 is set through the encoder unit 111 (step S30).

In addition, the time set by the encoder unit 111 and the driving time of the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 are determined in step S31, and the driving time of the valve is set by the encoder unit 111. If the elapsed time is not passed, the valves are continuously opened to discharge water, and when the driving time of the valve passes the set time of the encoder unit 111, the body timer of the microprocessor unit 100 is cleared (step S32). The first and second solenoid driving units 107 and 108 are controlled to close the first and second solenoid valves 109 and 110 to perform a sleep mode (steps S33 and S34).

On the other hand, when the small battery is removed from the power supply unit 102 by replacing the small battery configured in the power supply unit 102, the voltage accumulated in the condenser C1 of the discharge timing unit 101 becomes small. The battery is bypassed and discharged to the ground through the resistor R2 at the same time, so that the microprocessor unit 100 is initialized by the discharge timing unit 101 even after a new small battery is replaced and supplied with power. Since the operation starts, the malfunction of the water tap generated when replacing the existing small battery does not occur.

On the other hand, as a comparative example, when the conventional technology, that is, the small battery for driving the solenoid valve runs out and replaces it with a new one, the voltage stored by the previous small battery is not discharged and thus, Unlike the system malfunctioning, the present invention, when the small battery is replaced, the discharge timing unit automatically discharges the previously accumulated voltage to maintain the initial state, and the first and second solenoid valves are opened and closed by the small battery It can be seen that the water is shut off and watered.

As a result, according to the present invention, the malfunction of the water tap generated every time the small battery is replaced in advance, and the first and second solenoid valves are opened and closed by the small battery, thereby minimizing power consumption and convenience of use. There is an advantage to get it.

In addition, while specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is obvious that the present invention may be variously modified and implemented by those skilled in the art.

Such modified embodiments should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention, and such modified embodiments should fall within the appended claims of the present invention.

According to the automatic faucet control apparatus of the present invention apparent from the above description, the discharge timing unit automatically discharges the previously accumulated voltage at the time of replacing the small batteries, thereby maintaining the water faucet in an initial state, so that each time the small batteries are replaced. The malfunction of the tap water generated is prevented in advance, and the solenoid valve is opened and closed by a small battery, thereby minimizing power consumption and providing convenience in use.

Claims (2)

In automatic water taps, which are connected to the faucet bracket to supply and shut off the water: (1) a power supply unit such as a small battery for supplying an operating voltage to the water supply; (2) a rectifier for lowering the supplied voltage to a predetermined level and smoothing the output voltage; (3) a discharge timing unit for integrating and outputting the voltage supplied from the power supply unit for a set time; (4) scaffolding switch for operation of water supply and shut off; (5) a mode selection switch for selecting a kitchen mode and a shower mode; (6) a microprocessor unit which is reset by a voltage supplied from the discharge timing unit for a predetermined time and controls the entire operation of the water tap according to the operation of the scaffolding switch and the mode selection switch after the reset release; And (7) characterized in that it comprises a first, second solenoid drive unit for controlling the opening and closing of the first, second solenoid valves installed in the main body of the water supply under the control of the micro processor unit to supply and shut off water Automatic control of tap water. The method according to claim 1, The discharge timing unit initializes the microprocessor unit by integrating the voltage supplied from the power supply unit with a set resistance value and a capacitor value, and integrates the discharged voltage stored in the capacitor when the power supply is cut off from the power supply unit. An automatic control apparatus for waterworks, characterized in that a circuit.