MX2010001228A - Electronic system for supplying and saving water activated by infrared light technology, the same having a sensor carrier base with leds and process for operating the same. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention refers to an electronic system for supplying and saving water activated by infrared light technology, the same having a sensor carrier base, with LEDS, where faucets or mono faucets are assembled thereto, the invention being characterised in that it includes a central control and processing module joined to the faucet assembly, which is connected to a power supply source or battery and to an electro valve mounted to the duct intended to supply cold water to the faucet and connected to sensors arranged integrally in the faucet body or to a sensor carrier base, the shape of this latter element depending on the type of faucet and being adapted to receive the sensor means including leds indicating the state of operation of the system and/or illuminating the contour thereof; said base is arranged over a plate for supporting and fixing the faucet and between a lower gasket of the base and an upper gasket of the faucet.

Description

ELECTRONIC SYSTEM OF SUPPLY AND SAVING OF WATER ACTIVATED BY INFRARED LIGHT TECHNOLOGY, WITH BASE SENSOR HOLDER WITH LIGHT EMITTERS AND PROCEDURE OF OPERATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to the means and i 'devices used for the control and feeding of water to sinks or sinks and lava frets and more specifically relates to the electronic systems of supply, control and water saving in mixing or single-lever mixers for washing hands and lava frets and at least one sensor holder base activated by infrared light technology, capacitive, resistive, magnetic effect, piezoelectric effect or some combination; which allows the drive without the intervention of the hand of man. 1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I Currently, water saving systems activated by infrared light technology, are installed mainly in plates with only one hole, these systems do not have an indicator that shows the state of operation of the system that is operating continuously. These devices are integral, that is, the sensor and the tap are a single unit. These characteristics limit the use of systems in existing installations, requiring the complete change of faucets and mixer or mixer keys.

The systems that integrate the sensor directly to the body of the tap, basically work by trigger timing ', that is, when the sensor is activated, the control system allows the water to escape' for 5, 7, 10, seconds.

The systems known in the market, must be installed by a specialist technician, since they must follow a complicated configuration procedure. Also in the case that they run out of electrical power or when the backup batteries are exhausted, it is necessary to repeat this reconfiguration procedure. Also I Faulty firing problems can occur when the fixture is mounted on a very bright or bright surface, or when the ambient light is too bright. In commercial terms, they are very expensive products, therefore the spare parts are also expensive. The vast majority of these products are imported, so if any change, modification or improvement is required, it is quite difficult to achieve it.

It was thought to develop a system with sensor holder bases, for that the end user could choose between changing his mixer for an integral tap, or to keep the mixer or tap that he already has installed, adding one of these sensor holder bases and automate the operation of his mixers or grifs,; to control the water supply and use the minimum quantity indispensable. Likewise, the user is provided with means to know the state that the system keeps (scanning or activated), according to the rhythm of the light emitting diode (s) on and off, which eventually illuminate the environment in which the install ' OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The main objective of the present invention is to make available said electronic water supply and saving system that can be installed both in homes as well as in places where users require hand washing: (institutional use), it is adaptable to any mixer of 4 or 8 inches between holes, as well as single-lever mixers of any type.

Another objective of the invention is to allow said electronic system to supply and save water activated by infrared light technology, which is also structurally simple, easy to install and inexpensive.

Another objective of the invention is to allow said electronic system for supplying and saving water activated by infrared light technology, which also has the particularity of being able to be installed in taps or mixer and monoblock keys already installed, without the need to buy the completely new assembly. .

Another objective of the invention is to allow said electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, which in addition the sensor holder base is thin enough so that it does not constitute a mounting problem with the user's mixer or mixer, also guaranteeing the tightness of the connections. ¡' Another objective of the invention is to allow said electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, which can also be installed without the need for specialized personnel.

Another objective of the invention is to allow said electronic system to supply and save water activated by infrared light technology, which is also versatile and flexible to take advantage of what the end user already has previously installed, and the ease of operation and installation of the system .

And all those qualities and objectives that will be apparent to the I; : i i make a general and detailed description of the present invention supported by the illustrated modalities. ! BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In general, the system consists of a base for housing and carrying infrared sensor means, which can be metallic, plastic or other suitable material, whose shape is a function of the type of mixing or single-handle key and is adapted for receiving said sensor means and to be arranged above a support plate and fixation of the mixer or single-handle key and between a lower gasket or gasket of said base and an upper gasket or packing of the mixer, without any need, without having the need to buy a new tap or change it for a new one, likewise, it can be included internally in integral forrrva with the body of the tap that incorporate the sensor as factory equipment. : Said sensor base comprises a central hole or three holes, one central and two lateral, depending on the type of key, mixer or single-lever and therefore of the type of support plate of one or three holes; said central hole is adapted to allow the passage of cables that are connected to said sensor means and to a central control and processing module; said side holes being adapted to allow the hot and cold water connection pins of the mixer key to pass through; in the case of the base that includes a single central hole, this also allows the passage of the cable, the passage of the spigot of water connection of the single lever, where the iron comprises only a central hole.

The system includes a solenoid valve mounted on the cold water supply juct of the mixer or tap before the section where a stopcock is mounted which allows or blocks the passage of water from the water supply source; said electrovalve is connected through a lead wire of the activation electric pulse for closing or opening from said central control and processing module comprising a housing and being fixed below the mixer assembly, either in a wall or in another medium of sopprte1 and from which comes a third cable that is connected to the power supply socket.

Said sensor means are therefore housed and disposed in said fixed base in the assembly of a sink or dishwasher dish, and connected by means of a cable to the control, central and processing module, to which the electro valve is also connected. Since both the sensor cable and the valve cable were connected to the control module, the module is closed and the line cable of the same and is connected to the nearest electrical outlet at that time the system starts its operation. The firing range is 2 to 12 centimeters from the edge of the sensor holder base.

This sensor holder base is installed in both 4 and 8 inch handwashes and washes 8-inch household frets, as well as handwashing irons with a single hole. The sensors described herein include one or more light emitting diodes, the one or which indicate the state of the system (scanning or activated,), and / or illuminate the environment, as well as the operation of the infrared light sensor, together with the consensus trigger algorithm.! The system of our invention can work by trigger timing, but also manages a mode of operation on demand, that is when the hands are approached, the system is triggered and if they are removed the system closes.

| I It also has a safety procedure to avoid burning the solenoid valve and wasting water. If the sensor is blocked by an object, the equipment will fire for 20 seconds, after 20 seconds have elapsed, stop the flow for 1 second, fire again, for another similar period, stop the supply, fire for the third time, and if the continuous object present, stops the supply and no longer delivers water1 until If the object is to be removed, this feature can be considered useful, if you want to fill a container.

In order to better understand the characteristics of the invention, the present description, as an integral part thereof, is accompanied by the drawings, which are illustrative but not limitative, which are described below. ? \ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figures 1a and 1b show a front view and one. top view, respectively, of a sensor base of the electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, for washing dishes and washing hands of 8 inches, in one of the modes of the sensor holder base, in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 2a and 2b show a front view and juna, top view, respectively of a sensor holder base of the electronic water supply and water saving system activated by infrared light technology, for washing dishes and washing hands of 4 inches, in another of the modes of the sensor holder base, in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 3a, 3b; 4a, 4b and 5a, 5b, respectively show a front view and a top view of other embodiments of the sensor base of the electronic water supply and water saving system activated by infrared light technology, for single lever controls where an assembly plate is used and fixing the one-hole single lever mixer.

Figure 6 shows an explosive of a water mixer with the incorporation of the electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with a sensor holder base as shown in figures 2a and 2b.

Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the electronic control system divided into four blocks. i For a better understanding of the invention, a detailed description will be made of some of the modalities thereof, shown in the drawings, for illustrative purposes; but not restrictive are appended to the present description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ! I! I! The characteristic details of the electronic water supply and water saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with foundation light emitters in unstable floors, are clearly shown in the following description and in the attached illustrative drawings, serving the same reference signs to indicate the same parts.

With reference to figures (1a, 1b) and (2a, 2b), which show a front view and a top view, respectively, of a sensor holder base of the electronic supply system! and water saving activated by infrared light technology, for washing dishes and washing hands of 8 inches, in one of the modes of the sensor holder base, in accordance with the present invention. In said figures, the sensor holder base 1 having the shape of a thin rectangular plate, which takes the form of the base of a mixing key, with a slight frontal projection 2 where the emitting diodes of > light 3 and / or proximity sensors. Said base includes three holes, one center 4 and two sides 5 and 6, the side holes 5 and 6 adapted to receive the connection pins (not shown) of the mixer keys and the central hole 4 adapted to receive a cable of connection (not shown) connecting the light emitting diodes with a central control and processing module (not shown).

With reference to figures 3.a, 3b; 4a, 4b and 5a, 5b, respectively showing a front view and a top view of other embodiments of the sensor base of the electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared l technology, for single-lever mixers where an iron is used of assembly and fixation of the single-hole single-lever mixer. In these figures it can be seen that the sensor base 1 in the case of figures 3 a and 3 b has a quadrangular shape which obeys the shape of the base of assembly of a single-lever mixer with a single central hole 4 adapted to allow the passage of the spigot of the tap connector to the water supply duct and to allow passage of the connection cable (not shown) that connects Ips l emitting diodes with a central control and processing module (not shown).

In figures 4a and 4b it can be seen that the sensor holder base 1 is circular, comprising a sl recess 7 in the front part where the l emission diodes and the sensor means 3 are arranged. Also comprising a single central hole 4.

In the case of figures 5a and 5b, the configuration of said sensor holder base 1 is completely circular, showing the same numerical references showing the same parts as used in figures 4a and 4b.

In any of Figures 1a to 5b, the base comprises three holes in the front in some of its different forms. In the central hole, the visible l emitting diode is housed which indicates the operating state of the system (scanning or activated), when the l emitting diode is scanning, it turns on and off at a slow pace, but when the system optical infrared l, capacitive, resistive, magnetic effect; Piezoelectric effect or some combination, detects an object, and triggers the electrovalve, the flashing rhythm of the diode or l emitting diodes, becomes faster, indicating to the user that the valve is triggered and must deliver water.

This arrangement allows two or more l-emitting diodes to be installed in the side holes that may or may not indicate the operating status of the system, or may simply illuminate the environment, these diodes can be installed either on the front and on the periphery of base. j The advantage of having one or more l-emitting diodes, which indicate the operating status of the system, is that they show the user exactly what the system is doing, whether it is scanning the movement or whether the solenoid valve has been activated.

Referring to figure 6 which shows an explosive of a water mixer with the incorporation of the electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared l technology, with a sensor holder base as shown in figures 2a and 2b. This figure shows the configuration of the system that includes a sensor holder base 1 for 4 inches with a single l emitting diode 3 integrated to the infrared l sensor, however, the procedure for the installation of the sensor holder bases of 8 inches for hand washing and dishwashing, and the sensor holder base for one or three barrettes! for hand washers, it is the same as shown in this figure.

If the mixer is new, it is installed using the normal installation principle with the inclusion of the system of the present invention and if this is already installed, it must be disassembled for the incorporation of the system of the present invention.

The system includes the sensor holder base 1 of figures 2a and 2b; which is adapted to receive said sensor means, 3 and to be arranged above a rectangular plate 8 for supporting and fixing the mixer or single-handle key and between a lower gasket or packing 9 of said base and an upper gasket or packing 10 of the mixer or mixer. Said sensor portal base comprises three holes or holes, one central 4 and two laterals 5 and 6; said central hole 4 being adapted to allow the passage of cables 11 that are connected to said sensor means 3 and in a central control and processing module 12; said side holes 5 and 6 being adapted to pass through the connection pins 13 and 14 that are connected to the cold water 17 and hot water ducts 22 of the mixing key 15, through nuts and washers 23 and 24. system includes a solenoid valve 16 mounted in the cold water supply duct 17 of the mixer or tap before the section where a stopcock 18 is mounted which allows or blocks the passage of water from the water supply source; said solenoid valve 16 is connected through a cable 19 for sending the electric activation pulse for closing or opening from said central control and processing module 12 which comprises a housing 20 and which is fixed below the assembly of the mixer 15 , either in a wall or in another support means and from which a third cable 21 connects to the power supply socket ii. < ' Said sensor means 3 are therefore housed and disposed in said fixed base 1 in the assembly of a sink or dishwasher, and connected by means of the cables 11 to the central control and processing module 12, to which it is connected as well.

I i the electrovalve 16 through the cable 19. Since both the cable 11 of the sensor means 3 and the cable were connected; 19 from the solenoid valve 16 to the control module 12, the module is closed and Take the line 21 cable and connect it to the nearest electrical outlet at that moment the system starts its operation. The firing range is 2 to 12 centimeters from the edge of the base, i! i In the assembly procedure, the cable 11 of the sensor means 3 is passed through the central bore of both the rectangular support and fixing plate 8 and the sensor base joint 9 and the central bore 4 of the base 1, install the mixer or faucet 15, and the upper gasket or packing 10 is placed on the sensor holder base 1, the whole assembly is placed in its position and it is ensured with the set of nuts 23 and washers 24. The solenoid valve is assembled 16 in the cold water supply duct 17, above where the corresponding stop valve 18 is disposed and the hot water duct 22 is reinstalled in its previous position. i i The lid of the housing 20 of the control module 12 is removed, the cable 11 of the sensor means 3 of the sensor holder base 1 is connected to the corresponding receptacle, the cable 19 of the solenoid valve 16 is connected to the corresponding connection block, and install the cover of the module in its previous position; the cable marked with the number 21 is connected to the power outlet, at that moment; the diode I e emitter of light of the central hole of the plate porta sensor 1, will begin to flash, indicating that the system is in operation.

Subsequently, the valves of step 18 are opened and it is verified that there are no water leaks.

When placing the hand in front of the light emitting diode, this should activate the infrared light sensor, capacitive, resistive, magnetic effect, piezoelectric effect or some combination, and a click should be heard in the electrovalve 16, which will open allowing the passage of water, the speed of the light emitting diode flash will become faster, indicating that the system has been activated, when removing the hand, the flow of water will stop and the flash of the diode, light emitter will become more slow.

With the installation of sensor plates can automate any type of sinks or lava frets, 4 and 8 inches, as well as plates wash hands one or three holes.

Referring to Figure 7 which shows a schematic diagram of the electronic control system divided into four blocks. In this figure, the power supply without transformer of 120 VAC 25, is composed of a bridge rectifier which subsequently delivers the signal already rectified, for its subsequent filtering and conditioning, which is used to feed the microcontroller, sensor 3 and the electro valve 16 (see figure 6).

The control is based on a microcontroller, for greater versatility and adaptability 26. The microcontroller 26 uses the combination of the synchronous detection of signals in the infrared detector and a consensus algorithm for the assurance of the detection of objects placed in front of the infrared sensor within a predefined area, likewise it decides the shot and the; duration of the opening of the electro valve that supplies the water. The consensus algorithm that lies in the program installed within the microcontroller, is to determine if a minimum number of positive detections have been met as described ! I go ahead, if you get this number of positive detections !; during a period of time during which I is activated < reference signal, repeatedly at a predetermined rate, it is considered that there is indeed an object in front of the sensor, and that it also remains there, in this condition the solenoid valve 16 is activated for the water supply. In this case, false tripping conditions due to reflections or changes in ambient light are discarded, and the reliability of the detection is increased. 1 i of objects in front of the sensor. Through this technique it is possible to have an approximation of the distance to which an object is located in front of the infrared sensor and if this estimated distance is within a defined interval for a positive detection the solenoid valve 16 is activated. j I The operation indicator by means of light emitting device (LED), as well as proximity sensor based on devices of I emission and detection of infrared light 27. The synchronous detection of the signal is done through the comparison of a reference signal sent by the infrared emitter against the signal received by the infrared detector before, during, and after the activation of the Reference signal, then the received signal is quantified including the intensity of ambient light present at the time and it is decided if it meets the requirements of a known signal for an object in front of the infrared sensor, this condition is a positive detection that exists: an object that reflects the infrared light of the emitter.

The triggering of the valve is by thyristor with zero-crossing operation for lower electrical noise 28, if the triggering conditions are met, the microcontroller decides if it emits the signal that polarizes the thyristor, which energizes the electro: valve, i; allowing the flow of water. ¡¡ It is considered that the present description is sufficiently detailed so that any expert in the field understands the scope of the invention, as well as its operation and the advantages that derive from it.

The terms in which this report has been written should be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

The materials, form and arrangement of the elements are and will be susceptible to variation as long as this does not entail the alteration of the characteristics of the invention, which are claimed below. j The invention has been described sufficiently so that a person with average skill in the art can reproduce and obtain the results that we mentioned in the present invention. However, any person skilled in the art who is competent in the present invention may be able to make modifications not described in the present application, however, if for the application of these modifications in a certain structure or in the manufacturing process thereof, the subject matter claimed in the following claims is required, said structures should be understood within the scope of the invention. !

Claims (14)

CLAIMS Having sufficiently described the invention, the content of the following claim clauses is claimed as property.

1. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, for mixer or mixer key assemblies, characterized in that it includes a central control module and processing attached to the mixer or single-lever assembly , connected to a power source or battery-powered and connected to a solenoid valve mounted on the cold water supply pipe of the mixer or single-lever mixer and connected with sensor means arranged either integrally in the body of a tap a mixed or single-lever or in a sensor holder base whose shape is a function of the type of mixer or single-handle key and is adapted to receive said sensor means integrated by one more light-emitting diodes indicating the operation state of the system (scanning or activated) ), and / or illuminate the environment, activated by sensors of infrared light technology, capacitance effect active, resistive, magnetic, piezoelectric effect or some combination of these; said base being disposed above a support plate and fixing the mixer or single-handle key and between a lower gasket or gasket of said base and a gasket. top of the mixer or mixer.

2. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor base comprises a central hole or three holes, one central and two side, depending on the type of key, mixer or mixer and therefore the type of support plate one or three holes. |

3. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that on said base carries sensors; of three holes, the central hole is adapted to allow the passage of cables that are connected to said sensor means and to said central control module, and said lateral holes being adapted to let pass the hot and cold water connection pins of the mixing key

4. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that in said base carries sensors of a single central hole, this is adapted to allow the passage of both the connection cables of said sensor means, such as the passage of the connection pin to the water duct of the single-lever mixer, where the plate comprises a single central hole.

5. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that said sensor holder base, is installed in both handwashes of 4 and 8 inch and wash 8-inch household frets, as well as three-hand washer plates! drill holes or one hole.

6. - Electronic water supply and saving system; activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that it operates by timer of: firing i deactivating after a predetermined time or on demand, deactivating once the object is removed.;

7. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that said light emitting diodes activated by infrared light technology sensors are arranged axially in said sensor holder base; said means being I sensors encapsulated in a tablet outside the basepara i avoid noise problems and ensure effective shots.

8. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that said sensor base includes two or more light emitting diodes that may or may not indicate the operating status of the system, or they can simply illuminate the environment; said diodes being arranged either in (the front part and the periphery of said base.

9. - Electronic water supply and saving system I activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that said control module comprises a power supply composed of a rectifier bridge on the which later delivers the already rectified signal, for its later filtering and conditioning, which feeds the micro controller, the sensor and the electrovalve. !

10. - Electronic water supply and saving system; activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said microcontroller uses the combination i of the synchronous detection of signals in the infrared detector and a consensus algorithm for the assurance of the detection of objects placed in front of the infrared sensor within a predefined area, likewise it decides the firing and duration of the opening of the electrovalve that supplies the water.

11. - Electronic water supply and saving system: activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said consensus algorithm of the microcontroller, determines whether a minimum number has been met of positive detections during a period of time during which the reference signal is activated, repeatedly at a predetermined rate, to validate the presence of an object in front of the sensor, activating the solenoid valve for the water supply.

12. - Electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to claim 11, characterized in that the synchronous detection of the signal is carried out through the comparison of a signal reference sent by said infrared emitter against the signal received by the infrared detector before, during, and after activation of the reference signal; the received signal is quantified including the ambient light intensity present at the moment and it is determined if it complies with I The requirements of a known signal for an object in front of the infrared sensor, this condition is a positive detection that there is an object that reflects the infrared light of the emitter. j

13. - Electronic water supply and saving system; activated by infrared light technology, with sensor base with light emitters, according to the previous claims, characterized in that the tripping of said solenoid valve is performed by thyristor with zero crossing operation for lower noise.

14. - Method of operation of an electronic water supply and saving system activated by infrared light technology, with sensor holder base with light emitters, as claimed in claims 1 to 7, characterized by comprising the steps of: scanning through said diode of emission of visible light that turns on and off at a slow pace; detection of an object and activation of the solenoid valve allows the passage of water to the tap, increasing the: rate of flashing of said light-emitting diode, indicating to the user the operation of the solenoid valve; deactivation of the solenoid valve after a predetermined time by timed or once the object is moved away, the rhythm of the flashing of said light emitting diode decreasing again.