TW201307641A - Detection distance setting device and automatic faucet device having detection distance setting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A detection distance setting device includes: a light-emitting element configured to emit light; a position detecting element configured to receive reflected light from an object to be detected when the light-emitting element emits the light to the object to be detected to output a value that varies depending on a distance to the object to be detected; a determining unit configured to compare the value output by the position detecting element that varies depending on the distance to the object to be detected with a determination value output by the position detecting element when the light-emitting element emits the light to the object to be detected located at a determination distance and the position detecting element receives the reflected light from the object to be detected located at the determination distance to determine whether the object to be detected is located within the determination distance; and a setting unit configured to compare a value output by the position detecting element when the light-emitting element emits the light to an opposing object to be detected located opposite the light-emitting element and the position detecting element receives the reflected light from the opposing object to be detected with a reference determination value output by the position detecting element when the light-emitting element located at a reference determination distance set in advance and the position detecting element receives the reflected light from the opposing object to be detected located at the reference determination distance to determine whether the opposing object to be detected is located outside the reference determination distance and to set the determination value based on the reference determination value when the setting unit determines that the opposing object to be detected is located outside the reference determination distance.

Description

Detection distance setting device and automatic faucet device having the same

The present invention relates to, for example, a detection distance setting device and an automatic faucet device including the detection distance setting device for determining whether to start water discharge or the like when the object to be detected is located within a determination distance from a position detecting element such as an automatic faucet device or the like. The judgment value of the benchmark at the time of operation.

In the past, an example of a device that performs an operation such as water discharge when the detected object is within the determination distance from the position detecting element is, for example, an automatic faucet device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The automatic faucet device shown in Patent Document 1 or the like includes a spout that is provided with a water outlet that faces a bottom of a water tank such as a basin and a water tank at a front end portion, and a pipe that guides water from a water supply source. To the water outlet; the on-off valve changes the water discharge and the water stop of the water flow in the pipe, and changes the water discharge and the water stop of the water from the water outlet; and the detection distance setting device.

The detection distance setting device includes a detection sensor and a control device, and the detection sensor is disposed at the outlet pipe and detects whether a detected object such as a human body is close to a front end portion of the water outlet pipe, and the control device is based on the foregoing The value detected by the sensor is detected to control the aforementioned on-off valve.

The detection sensor includes a light-emitting element and a position detecting element that are juxtaposed to each other. The light-emitting element emits light toward the bottom of the sink, for example. The detecting sensor receives the reflected light from the detected object and outputs a value corresponding to the received reflected light to the control device. Detecting the sensor by illuminating The component emits light and the position detecting element receives the reflected light from the detected object, and outputs a value corresponding to the position of the reflected light received by the position detecting element to the control device to detect the distance to the detected object. .

The control device determines whether the distance detected by the position detecting element to the object to be detected is equal to or less than the determination distance, and when the distance detected by the position detecting element to the object to be detected is determined to be equal to or less than the determination distance, the opening and closing valve is opened. And make it out of the water outlet. On the other hand, when it is determined that the distance detected by the position detecting element to the detected object is not below the determination distance, the control device closes the switching valve or maintains the state of closing the switching valve without discharging water from the water outlet.

Further, the control device, that is, the detection distance setting device sets the determination distance. The control device causes the light-emitting element to emit light toward the bottom of the water tank, and causes the detection sensor to detect the distance from the bottom surface of the water tank in a state where there is no object of the human body and the object to be detected. Then, the control device sets the distance shorter than the predetermined distance (for example, about 10 cm) from the bottom surface of the water tank to the determination distance.

The automatic faucet device opens the on-off valve and discharges water from the water outlet when the detected object approaches the detection sensor and is within the determination distance set by the detection distance setting device.

(previous technical literature) (Patent Literature)

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-194783

However, the automatic faucet device described in Patent Document 1 sets the determination distance based on the distance to the bottom surface of the water tank. On the other hand, the automatic faucet device is installed in a wide variety of places such as a drinking place in the field, a hand washing place in the room, and a kitchen. That is, the automatic faucet device is disposed at a distance from the detecting sensor to the bottom surface of the sink to be included in the detectable range of the detecting sensor. Therefore, the automatic faucet device is substantially equal in distance from the detection sensor to the bottom surface of the water tank.

In the automatic faucet device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, when the distance from the sensor to the bottom surface of the water tank is set to a long distance, the distance from the detecting sensor to the bottom surface of the water tank is included in the detection. When the sensor is within the detectable range, the determination distance also becomes a longer distance. Therefore, the automatic faucet device discharges water from the water outlet when the detected object is separated from the outlet pipe and is located near the bottom surface of the water tank, even if water is not required to be discharged. As described above, the automatic faucet device disclosed in Patent Document 1 may inadvertently perform water discharge, that is, inadvertently, and may cause deterioration in usability.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a detection distance setting device capable of preventing an inadvertent operation and an automatic faucet device including the detection distance setting device.

In order to achieve the above object, the detection distance setting device of the present invention includes: a light-emitting element that emits light; and a position detecting element that receives the reflection by the position detecting element when the light-emitting element emits light and is reflected by the detected object. The light emitted is outputted in accordance with the distance from the object to be detected; the determining unit is a value corresponding to the distance from the position detecting element to the object to be detected, and the receiving is from The determination value outputted by the position detecting element when comparing the reflected light of the object to be detected is compared to determine whether the detected object is located within the determination distance; and the setting unit sets the determination value; When the determination value is set, the light-emitting element emits light relative to the object to be detected with respect to the light-emitting element, and the value from the position detecting element is opposite to the value from the predetermined reference distance set in advance. When the reflected light of the object to be detected is received, the reference determination value outputted by the position detecting element is compared, and when it is determined that the relative object to be detected is outside the reference determination distance, the determination value is set based on the reference determination value.

In the detection distance setting device, when the setting unit sets the determination value, that is, the determination distance, the setting unit receives the reflected light from the position detecting element and the reflected light from the object to be detected located at the predetermined reference distance. The reference determination value determines whether or not the detected object is outside the reference determination distance. Then, when it is determined that the object to be detected is outside the reference determination distance, the setting unit determines the distance based on the reference determination distance. Therefore, the detection distance setting means can prevent the determination distance from becoming a value deviating from the reference determination distance, that is, a relatively long value such as about lm. Therefore, in the detection distance setting device, it is possible to prevent the position detecting element from detecting the detected object or the like far from the detecting sensor. Therefore, when the detection distance setting device is provided and the detected object is located within the determination distance, the operation is performed. This prevents unintentional movements and improves ease of use.

Further, in the above-described detection distance setting device, it is preferable that the setting unit sets the value from the position detecting element and the rated distance from the position set in advance and shorter than the reference determination distance when the determination value is set. When the reflected light of the object to be detected is received, the rated value output by the position detecting element is compared, and when it is determined that the relative object to be detected is within the rated distance, the determination value is set based on the rated value. When the relative object to be detected is located outside the rated distance, the predetermined distance is extended stepwise, and the position is received when the reflected light from the relative object to be detected is located at the rated distance extending stepwise. The rated value outputted by the detecting element is compared with a value from the position detecting element, and is set to the determination value based on the rated value. When the rated distance exceeds the reference determination distance, the reference value is set based on the reference determination value. The aforementioned determination value.

In the detection distance setting device, the setting unit sets the determination value, that is, when the distance is determined, as a value to be compared with the value from the position detecting element, the relative distance from the rated distance shorter than the reference determination distance is used. The rated value of the reflected light of the test object when it is received. Then, when it is determined that the object to be detected is within the rated distance, the setting unit sets the determination value based on the rated value. Therefore, even if the distance between the position detecting element and the relative object to be detected is shorter than the reference determination distance, the detection distance setting means can surely make the determination distance shorter than the reference determination distance, and can surely prevent the detection distance from being provided. Inadvertent action of the device of the setting device. Further, when the setting unit determines that the object to be detected is outside the rated distance, The rated distance is extended stepwise and the determination value is set. Therefore, the detection distance setting means can set the determination distance to an appropriate distance based on the distance from the minimum rated distance to the reference determination distance. Therefore, the apparatus provided with the detection distance setting means can surely prevent inadvertent movement and can surely improve the usability.

Further, the automatic faucet device of the present invention includes the detection distance setting device according to claim 2, and the light-emitting element and the position detecting element are opposed to a water tank as the relative object to be detected, and the components are The light-emitting device is disposed in the water outlet pipe, and the light-emitting element emits light toward the water tank, and when the determination unit determines that the object to be detected is located within the determination distance, the water is discharged from the water outlet pipe.

The automatic faucet device includes the above-described detection distance setting means, and when the rated distance is extended stepwise, the stage is relatively close to the water tank as the relative object to be detected, so that the distance from the minimum rated distance to the reference determination distance can be determined. The determination distance is set to an appropriate distance. Further, the automatic faucet device can surely set the range of the water discharge to be surely set between the position detecting element and the water tank, and can reliably prevent inadvertent movement, that is, inadvertent water discharge.

Further, in the automatic faucet device, preferably, when the setting unit sets the determination value based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the relative object to be detected is shorter than the rated distance or the reference determination value. When the distance is shortened, the shortened value detected by the position detecting element is set as the aforementioned determination value.

This automatic faucet device is set according to the rated value or the reference judgment value. When the value is determined, the shortening value corresponding to the shortening distance shorter than the rated distance or the reference determination distance is set as the determination value, so that inadvertent operation, that is, inadvertent water discharge can be reliably prevented.

In the detection distance setting device and the automatic faucet device of the present invention, since the determination distance does not become a value deviating from the reference determination distance, it is possible to prevent inadvertent operation and to be easy to use.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the detection distance setting device and the automatic faucet device of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. Further, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the following embodiments include elements that can be replaced and are easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same elements.

1 is a perspective view showing an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment is provided, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing of the control device of the automatic faucet device of the embodiment, and Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing the state of setting the determination value of the control device of the automatic faucet device according to the embodiment.

The automatic faucet device 1 of the present embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is typically installed in a flow table and a washstand of a building, and is supplied from a water supply system 2 as a water supply source (Fig. 3). The water is discharged (discharged) to the basin 3 (shown in Fig. 2) of the sink which is the sink of the flow table and the sink.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the automatic faucet device 1 includes an outlet pipe 4 (shown in FIG. 1), a pipe 15, a solenoid valve 5 as an on-off valve (shown in FIG. 3), and a detection distance setting. Device 6 (shown in Figure 3).

The outlet pipe 4 is as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the base end portion 4a is provided on the wall surface 7 of the building or the like. The outlet pipe 4 has a long side that is substantially orthogonal to the wall surface 7 and is parallel to the horizontal direction. The outlet pipe 4 is formed in a columnar shape. The water outlet pipe 4 is disposed above the basin 3 which is provided as a water tank on the wall surface 7. The water outlet pipe 4 extends from the wall surface 7 toward the upper side of the center of the basin 3. Further, the basin 3 is formed to face the object to be detected with respect to the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 to be described later. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 faces the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in Fig. 1, a water outlet 8 is provided at the front end portion 4b of the outlet pipe 4. The water outlet 8 is opened below the outlet pipe 4. The planar shape of the water outlet 8 is formed in a circular shape. The water outlet 8 is provided at the center in the width direction of the water outlet pipe 4. In the water outlet 8, a filter for causing the water of the effluent to generate foam is provided.

Further, an internal piping member 16 connected to the pipe 15 is provided in the outlet pipe 4. The internal piping member 16 is made of, for example, a metal such as brass, and has a flow path extending in the longitudinal direction and communicating with the water outlet 8 in the inside. Further, the flow path system is also opened to the base end portion 4a of the outlet pipe 4. Further, the water outlet pipe 4 houses a battery and a capacitor as power sources for opening and closing the electromagnetic valve 5.

The piping 15 is connected at one end thereof to the water supply system 2 as a water supply source, and is also passed through the wall surface 7 of the building. The piping 15 is connected at the other end. The inner pipe member 16 of the water pipe 4 is in communication with the flow path of the inner pipe member 16. The piping 15 guides the water from the water supply system 2 to the water outlet 8.

The solenoid valve 5 is disposed in the base end portion 4a of the outlet pipe 4. The solenoid valve 5 changes the operating state by a command from the control device 10 to be described later, and performs water discharge and water stoppage of the water flowing through the water outlet port 8 which is a switch of the flow path in the internal piping member 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detection distance setting device 6 includes a detection sensor 9 and a control device 10 that forms both the determination unit and the setting unit. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the detecting sensor 9 is provided at the front end portion 4b of the water outlet pipe 4. Further, the detecting sensor 9 is provided to be exposed in the form of the lower surface of the water outlet pipe 4, and is disposed closer to the front end of the water outlet pipe 4 than the water outlet 8. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection sensor 9 includes a light-receiving light-emitting lens 11, an infrared light-emitting element 12 as a light-emitting element, and a position detecting element 13.

The light-receiving lens 11 is made of a translucent synthetic resin and formed into a flat plate shape. The light-receiving lens 11 is attached to the lower surface of the water outlet pipe 4 in a state of being substantially flush with the lower surface of the water outlet pipe 4. The infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 are housed in the front end portion 4b of the water outlet pipe 4, and are provided at a position overlapping the light-receiving light-emitting lens 11. The infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the water outlet pipe 4 (in parallel arrangement).

The infrared light-emitting element 12 passes through the light-receiving lens 11 and emits infrared rays or the like to the object to be detected such as the hand 14 of the human body and the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 as the object to be detected. The position detecting element 13 is a well-known PSD (Position Sensitive Detector) receives reflected light from the object 14 such as the human body and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. The position detecting element 13 outputs a signal to the control device 10 when receiving the reflected light reflected from the object 14 such as the hand 14 of the human body and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. The position detecting element 13 is a position at which the reflected light reflected from the object 14 such as the hand 14 of the human body and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is received, and changes depending on the distance from the bottom surface 3a of the object or the pot 3. When the position at which the reflected light is received changes, the current value and the voltage value (corresponding to the value) of the signal output from the position detecting element 13 toward the control device 10 change.

In this manner, when the position detecting element 13 is different from the bottom surface 3a of the object or the pot 3, the position at which the reflected light is received changes, and the current value of the signal output to the control device 10 when the position of the received light changes is The voltage value will change. The position detecting element 13 outputs a signal indicating a change in the values of the current value and the voltage value to the control device 10 in accordance with the distance from the detected object to the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. In this manner, the detecting sensor 9 outputs a value such as a current value and a voltage value which change from the infrared ray emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 to the distance between the detected object and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3. Further, in the present embodiment, as the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the detected object and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 becomes long, the signal output from the position detecting element 13 The voltage value will slowly become smaller.

The control device 10 is driven by electric power stored in a battery and a capacitor as a power source. The control device 10 is housed in the water outlet pipe 4 while It is an arithmetic unit including a RAM, a ROM, a CPU, an input/output port, and a memory device (not shown). At the input port of the control device 10, at least the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 is connected. At least the electromagnetic valve 5 and the infrared ray-emitting element 12 of the detecting sensor 9 are connected to the output of the control device 10. The control device 10 controls the control of the entire automatic faucet device 1 based on the value when the detected object such as the hand 14 detected by the sensor 9 is detected to approach the water outlet pipe 4.

The control device 10 supplies electric power from a battery or the like as a power source, and when the determination value to be described later is written in the RAM or the like, the infrared light-emitting element 12 of the detection sensor 9 is caused to emit light at intervals of predetermined time intervals. Then, the control device 10 compares the signal corresponding to the distance from the infrared ray element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 to the object to be detected, and the determination value written in the RAM or the like to determine the Whether or not the detected object is located within the determination distance H (shown in Fig. 2). In the present embodiment, the voltage value of the signal from the position detecting element 13 is smaller than the determination value, and it is determined that the infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detected object distance detecting sensor 9 are located outside the determination distance H. When the voltage value of the signal from the position detecting element 13 is equal to or greater than the determination value, it is determined that the object to be detected is located within the determination distance H from the infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13. Then, when the control device 10 determines that the object to be detected is located outside the determination distance H from the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13, the control device 10 is in a state in which the electromagnetic valve 5 is closed or maintained, and is determined to be the detected object distance position detection. When the element 13 is within the determination distance H, the solenoid valve 5 is opened and water is discharged from the water outlet 8.

In addition, the determination value is a voltage value of a signal output from the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 when the detected object is located at a position at which the distance from the infrared ray emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 becomes the determination distance H. The determination distance H is a distance, and when the detected object such as the hand approaches the front end portion 4b of the water outlet pipe 4 and is discharged from the water outlet 8, the detecting sensor 9 does not perform the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 as the object to be detected. The water which is detected and the water discharged from the water outlet 8 is immediately splashed onto the object of the hand 14 or the like, which is practically not problematic. That is, the determination distance H is shorter than the distance between the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3, and the water discharged from the water outlet 8 immediately splashes the object to be detected, that is, it is practically not to be detected. The detector 9, that is, the front end portion 4b of the outlet pipe 4 is too far away.

Further, the control device 10 sufficiently shortens the predetermined time interval at which the infrared ray emitting element 12 emits light when the electromagnetic valve 5 is opened, compared to a predetermined time interval at which the infrared ray emitting element 12 emits light when the electromagnetic valve 5 is closed. The control device 10 can immediately follow the water from the water outlet 8 in accordance with the action of the object to be detected. In other words, when the detected object is farther from the front end portion of the outlet pipe 4 than the determination distance H in the state where the water is discharged from the water outlet 8, the control device 10 can immediately stop the water.

Further, when the control device 10 is configured to remove the battery as the power source from the water outlet pipe 4, the control value written in the RAM or the like is volatilized, and the determination value is lost.

In addition, when the control device 10 supplies electric power from a battery or the like as a power source, a flowchart of an example shown in FIG. 4 is repeatedly executed in addition to the illumination of the infrared light-emitting element 12 at the predetermined time interval.

In step S1, the control device 10 determines whether or not the determination value is written in When it is determined that the determination value is written in the RAM or the like, the process proceeds to step S2, and when it is determined that the determination value is not written, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S2, the control device 10 determines that the detection sensor 9 has not detected whether the state of the detected object continues for a predetermined time such as 1 hour 30 minutes or the like, and determines that the predetermined time has elapsed, proceeds to step S3, and determines When the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S1. As described above, when the determination value is written, the control device 10 detects that the sensor 9 has not detected the state of the detected object for a predetermined period of time, and does not perform the operation of determining the value after the step S3. In other words, the control device 10 does not perform the operation of setting the determination value after the step S3 in a state where the electromagnetic valve 5 is frequently turned on/off. Further, in step S1, when the control device 10 determines that the determination value is not written, the control device 10 proceeds to step S3. Therefore, when the determination value is not written, the operation of setting the determination value after step S3 is immediately performed.

In step S3, the control device 10 determines whether or not the voltage value (detected value) of the signal from the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 is equal to or greater than the initial value set in advance, and is determined to be repeated when it is determined to be equal to or greater than the initial value. In step S3, if it is determined that the value is lower than the initial value, the process proceeds to step 4. Further, the initial value means that it is possible to determine whether or not a cover (not shown) covers the value of the detecting sensor 9. That is, the initial value means that the voltage value of the signal from the position detecting element 13 that receives the reflected light reflected from the inner surface of the cover when the infrared ray emitting element 12 is covered when the cover is covered is much smaller than that of the signal when the cover is removed. The light source 12 emits light and the voltage value of the signal from the position detecting element 13 that receives the reflected light reflected from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 or the object to be detected is much larger. Thus, the protection detecting sensor 9 is detached from the water outlet pipe 4 The control device 10 repeats step S3 until the lid is closed.

In step S4, the control device 10 determines whether or not the voltage value (detected value) of the signal from the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 is equal to or higher than the rated value, and determines that the value is equal to or higher than the rated value, and proceeds to step S7. When it is judged that it is lower than the rated value, it progresses to step S5. In addition, the nominal value means that the distance between the infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is a reference determination distance J (the fifth drawing, which will be described later, for example, 125 mm). When the rated distance R1 (shown in FIG. 5) such as 90 mm is sufficiently short, the voltage value of the signal output from the position detecting element 13 is obtained. That is, the rating is a value set in advance. The rated value is the voltage value of the signal output from the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 located at a position far enough shorter than the reference determination distance J is received.

In step S7, the control device 10 sets the determination value based on the rated value, and writes the set determination value to the RAM or the like, and returns to step S1. Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is assumed to be located at a predetermined distance P from the infrared light-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 at a distance shorter than the rated distance R1 by, for example, 20 mm. When the position of the shortening distance S1 (shown in FIG. 5) such as 70 mm is shortened, for example, the control device 10 sets the shortened value detected by the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 as the determination value. Assuming that the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the predetermined distance P by the predetermined distance P from the rated distance R1, the shortened value becomes The letter output by the position detecting element 13 The voltage value of the number. In other words, when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 located at a shorter distance S1 than the predetermined distance p from the predetermined distance p is received, the shortened value becomes the voltage of the signal output from the position detecting element 13. value. Further, as will be described later, after step S4 to step S6 are repeated, when the process proceeds to step S7, the control device 10 will shorten the predetermined distance by a predetermined distance R2, R3, R4‧‧ (shown in Fig. 5). The shortening distance of P is set to the judgment value of the shortening value of S2, S3, and S4‧‧ (shown in Fig. 5).

Thus, in step S7, when the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the rated distance R1, the control device 10 is set according to the rated distance R1. Determine the distance H. In this manner, when the control device 10 sets the determination value, the infrared light-emitting element 12 is caused to emit light toward the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 toward the infrared light-emitting element 12, and the value from the position detecting element 13 and the value from the position setting are set in advance. When the reflected light of the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 having the rated distance R1 shorter than the reference determination distance J is received, the rated value output by the position detecting element 13 is compared, and when it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is within the rated distance R1, The judgment value is set according to the rated value.

In step S5, the control device 10 extends the rated distance R1 by an extension distance E (shown in FIG. 5) such as 10 mm set in advance, and proceeds to step S6 as a new rated distance R2. In step S6, the control device 10 determines whether or not the reference determination value is equal to or greater than the new rated value. If it is determined to be equal to or greater than the value, the control device 10 proceeds to step S8, and when it is determined that the value is lower than the new rated value, it returns to Step S4. In addition, it is assumed that the infrared illuminating of the detecting sensor 9 is When the distance between the element 12 and the position detecting element 13 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is the new rated distance R2, the new rated value becomes the voltage value of the signal output from the position detecting element 13. That is, when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 located at a position away from the new rated distance R2 is received, the new rated value becomes the voltage value of the signal output from the position detecting element 13.

In step S8, the control device 10 sets the determination value based on the reference determination value, writes the set determination value to the RAM or the like, and returns to step S1. Further, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is shortened by a predetermined distance p, for example, 105 mm, which is set shorter than the reference determination distance J from the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9. When the distance from the position of S (shown in Fig. 5) is reached, the control device 10 sets the shortened value detected by the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 as the determination value. It is assumed that the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the reference determination distance J by the shortened distance S of the predetermined distance P set in advance. It becomes the voltage value of the signal output from the position detecting element 13. In other words, when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 located at a position shorter than the reference determination distance J by a predetermined distance P from the reference determination distance J is received, the shortened value is outputted by the position detecting element 13. The voltage value of the signal.

As described above, in step S8, when the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is longer than the reference determination distance J, the control device 10 determines the distance J based on the reference. Come Set the judgment distance H. In this manner, when the control device 10 sets the determination value, the infrared ray-emitting element 12 is caused to emit light toward the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 facing the infrared ray-emitting element 12, and the value from the position detecting element 13 is set in advance. The reference determination value J is determined by comparing the reference determination values outputted by the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light of the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is received. When it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is outside the reference determination distance J, the determination value is based on the reference value. To set the judgment value.

Further, the control device 10 sets the reference determination value to be larger than the new rated value, that is, the rated distance R2, R3, R4‧‧ RN (shown in FIG. 5) becomes greater than the reference determination distance J. When the length is gradually increased, the rated distances R1, R2, R3, and R4‧‧ are gradually extended by the extension distance E, and steps S4 to S6 are repeatedly performed. The control device 10 gradually extends the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧ ‧ by the extension distance E step by step, and repeats steps S4 to S6, and determines that the determination value is When the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is located outside the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧, the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧ are extended stepwise and will be extended from this stage The rated value output by the position detecting element 13 when the reflected light of the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 of the R2, R3, R4‧‧ RN is received is compared with the value from the position detecting element 13, and is rated according to the rating The value is used to set the judgment value.

In the automatic faucet device 1 configured as described above, the detected object such as the hand 14 of the human body is located within the determination distance H from the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 provided at the front end portion of the water outlet pipe 4. At this time, the control device 10 opens the solenoid valve 5 and continuously discharges water from the water outlet 8. Further, the automatic faucet device 1 executes the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 when the state in which the detected sensor 9 does not detect the detected object has elapsed for a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour and 30 minutes, and again, the determination value is written. Go to the RAM of the control device 10, and the like.

The detection distance setting device 6 having the above-described configuration is based on the value from the position detecting element 13 and the bottom surface of the bowl 3 from the predetermined setting distance J when the control device 10 sets the determination value, that is, the determination distance H. The reference determination value at the time of reception of the reflected light of 3a determines whether or not the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is outside the reference determination distance J. When the control device 10 determines that the bottom surface 3a of the tub 3 is outside the reference determination distance J, the determination distance H is set based on the reference determination distance J, so that the determination distance H can be prevented from deviating from the reference determination distance J, that is, For example, a relatively long value such as lm. Therefore, the position detecting element 13 can prevent the detected object or the like from being detected far from the detecting sensor 9. Therefore, when the detected distance setting device 6 is provided and the detected object is located within the determination distance H, the automatic faucet device 1 or the like as the device for performing the operation can prevent inadvertent operation and improve the usability.

Further, when the control device 10 sets the determination value, that is, the determination distance H, the detection distance setting means 6 uses a value which is shorter than the reference determination distance J as a value compared with the value from the position detecting element 13. The rated value when the reflected light from the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 of R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧ is received. Then, when it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is located within the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧, the control device 10 is based on the rated value To set the judgment value. Therefore, even if the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the position detecting element 13 and the bottom surface 3a of the bowl 3 is shorter than the reference determination distance J, the detection distance setting means 6 can surely make the determination distance H ratio The reference determination distance J is shorter. As the automatic faucet device 1 or the like including the device having the detection distance setting device 6, it is possible to surely prevent erroneous operation. Further, when it is determined that the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3 is located outside the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧, the control device 10 sets the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧ stepwise to set Judgment value. Therefore, the detection distance setting device 6 can set the determination distance H to an appropriate distance based on the distance from the minimum rated distance R1 to the reference determination distance J. Therefore, the automatic faucet device 1 or the like including the device having the detection distance setting device 6 can reliably prevent inadvertent operation and can surely improve the usability.

Further, the automatic faucet device 1 having the above-described configuration includes the above-described detection distance setting device 6, and the rated distances R1, R2, R3, R4, ‧ ‧ are gradually extended to the bottom surface 3a of the tub 3 as a water tank The determination distance H can be set to an appropriate distance based on the distance from the minimum rated distance R1 to the reference determination distance J. The automatic faucet device 1 can surely set the range in which the automatic faucet device 1 in the determination distance H starts to discharge water from the position detecting element 13 between the position detecting element 13 and the tub 3. Therefore, the automatic faucet device 1 can surely prevent inadvertent movement, that is, inadvertent effluent.

Further, when the determination value is set based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the automatic faucet device 1 will be compared with the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧ or The shortening distances R1, R2, R3, and R4‧‧, which are shorter than the reference determination distance J, are set as the determination values. Therefore, the automatic faucet device 1 can more reliably prevent inadvertent movement, that is, inadvertent effluent.

In the above embodiment, the determination distance H is set to be shorter than the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧ or the reference determination distance J by the predetermined distance P by the shortening distance S1, S2, S3, S4‧‧. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. That is, in the present invention, the automatic faucet device 1 can set the determination distance H as long as the distance between the infrared ray-emitting element 12 and the position detecting element 13 of the detecting sensor 9 and the bottom surface 3a of the water tank 3 is shorter. It is equal to the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧ or the reference determination distance J, or longer than the rated distance R1, R2, R3, R4‧‧‧ or the reference determination distance J. Further, in the above embodiment, the extension distance E is made constant, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 10 repeatedly executes the flowchart of an example shown in FIG. 4, and the flowchart of the control device 10 may be appropriately executed within the scope of the object of the invention. change. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the determination value is set based on the voltage value of the signal as the value from the position detecting element 13. In the present invention, for example, the voltage value is not limited, and other values such as the current value may be used. To set the judgment value.

Further, in the above embodiment, the detection distance setting device 6 used in the automatic faucet device 1 is displayed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is applicable to a detection distance setting device for automatically opening a lid of a toilet seat, or a detection distance setting device for using an automatic faucet for a male urinal. In addition, in the above case, when compared with the detected object However, it is not limited to the bottom surface 3a of the basin 3.

Further, the detection distance setting device 6 and the automatic faucet device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

1‧‧‧Automatic faucet device

2‧‧‧Water supply system

3‧‧‧ pots (sinks, relative objects)

3a‧‧‧ bottom

4‧‧‧Outlet pipe

4a‧‧‧ base end

4b‧‧‧ front end

5‧‧‧ solenoid valve

6‧‧‧Detection distance setting device

7‧‧‧ wall

8‧‧‧Water outlet

9‧‧‧Detection sensor

10‧‧‧Control device (decision unit, setting unit)

11‧‧‧Acceptable light-emitting lens

12‧‧‧Infrared light-emitting elements (light-emitting elements)

13‧‧‧ Position detection component

14‧‧‧Hand (tested object)

15‧‧‧Pipe

16‧‧‧Internal piping components

E‧‧‧Extended distance

H‧‧‧Determination distance

J‧‧‧ benchmark distance

P‧‧‧Predetermined distance

R1, R2, R3, R4, RN‧‧‧ rated distance

S, S1, S2, S3, S4, SN‧‧‧ shortened distance

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the automatic faucet device of the embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the automatic faucet device of the embodiment is provided.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic faucet device of the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing of the control device of the automatic faucet device of the embodiment.

Fig. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the determination value of the control device of the automatic faucet device of the embodiment is set.

1‧‧‧Automatic faucet device

2‧‧‧Water supply system

3a‧‧‧ bottom

4‧‧‧Outlet pipe

4a‧‧‧ base end

4b‧‧‧ front end

5‧‧‧ solenoid valve

6‧‧‧Detection distance setting device

8‧‧‧Water outlet

9‧‧‧Detection sensor

10‧‧‧Control device (decision unit, setting unit)

11‧‧‧Acceptable light-emitting lens

12‧‧‧Infrared light-emitting elements (light-emitting elements)

13‧‧‧ Position detection component

14‧‧‧Hand (tested object)

15‧‧‧Pipe

16‧‧‧Internal piping components

Claims (4)

A detection distance setting device includes: a light-emitting element that emits light; and a position detecting element that receives the reflected light by the position detecting element when the light-emitting element emits light and is reflected by the detected object, and is detected according to the foregoing A value that changes in accordance with the distance of the object is output; the determination unit is configured to receive the reflected light from the object to be detected from the determination distance according to the value of the distance detected by the position detecting element up to the object to be detected. The determination value outputted by the position detecting element is compared to determine whether the detected object is located within the determination distance; and the setting unit sets the determination value; and the setting unit sets the determination value to cause the illumination The element is emitted toward the object to be detected with respect to the light-emitting element, and the position detection is performed when the value from the position detecting element and the reflected light from the relative object to be detected located at a predetermined reference distance are received. Comparing the reference judgment values output by the components, when determining the relative When the detection object is located outside the reference distance is determined according to the determination reference value is set to the determination value. The detection distance setting device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets the value from the position detecting element and the source to be located in advance when the determination value is set. Comparing the rated value output by the position detecting element when the reflected light of the detected object is received at a predetermined distance shorter than the reference determination distance, and determining that the relative detected object is within the rated distance And determining the determination value according to the predetermined value, and determining that the relative detection object is outside the predetermined distance, extending the predetermined distance stepwise, and from the rated distance extending in the stage When the reflected light of the object to be detected is received, the rated value output by the position detecting element is compared with a value from the position detecting element, and the determination value is set based on the rated value, and the rated value is set. When the distance exceeds the reference determination distance, the determination value is set based on the reference determination value. An automatic faucet device comprising the detection distance setting device according to claim 2, wherein the light-emitting element and the position detecting element are opposed to a water tank as the relative object to be detected, and the components are disposed In the water pipe, the light-emitting element emits light toward the water tank, and when the determination unit determines that the object to be detected is located within the determination distance, the water is discharged from the water outlet pipe. The automatic faucet device according to the third aspect of the invention, wherein the setting unit sets the determination value based on the rated value or the reference determination value, the relative object to be detected is located at a predetermined distance or the reference The value is shortened when the predetermined distance is shortened. The shortening value detected by the position detecting element is set to the aforementioned determination value.