TW201441519A - Faucet device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is provided with a control section which activates and deactivates an automatic water discharge mode, and which, in the automatic discharge mode, performs control for discharging water from a spout in a state where detection is made of an object in a detection region, and for stopping the discharge of water from the spout in a state where no detection is made of an object in the detection region. The control section is configured so that when a human body sensor detects that a person is in a detection region in front of a water discharge section, an automatic water discharge mode is activated.

Description

Faucet device

The present invention generally relates to a faucet device, and more particularly to a faucet device for automatically detecting water from an object on the underside of the nozzle.

An automatic faucet is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-154587 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1). The automatic faucet uses a human body detecting sensor to detect the user's hand that protrudes below the water outlet, and automatically discharges water during the detection of the user's hand.

Moreover, when the document 1 controls the automatic water discharge, for example, the human body detecting sensor erroneously detects the sunlight or the dish placed in the water tank during the washing, etc., causing the faucet to malfunction. Here, for example, it is conceivable that the switch of the automatic water discharge mode in which the water is discharged only in the state where the human body detecting sensor detects the object on the lower side of the water outlet can be switched by the operation of the operation unit. However, if the user shifts to the automatic water discharge mode, the user must touch the operation unit with his or her hand. At this time, if the user's hand is contaminated by oil or detergent or wetted by water, oil or detergent, water, or the like may adhere to the operation portion. In this automatic faucet, the user may also be annoyed by the operation of "opening" the automatic water discharge mode.

Here, the object of the present invention is to provide a faucet device which can suppress the human body detecting sensor from malfunctioning due to false detection, and is difficult to contaminate the water outlet or water due to the user's hand touch, and can be easily transferred to the automatic Water outlet mode.

The faucet device according to the present invention comprises: a water outlet portion having a water outlet for spraying water toward the lower side; and a detecting portion for detecting the presence or absence of an object in a region on a lower side of the water outlet in a non-contact manner; and a control unit, Switching the switch of the automatic water discharge mode, in the automatic water discharge mode, when the detecting unit detects the presence of the object, the water is spouted from the water outlet, and the object is not detected by the detecting portion In the state, the water is stopped from the water outlet; the faucet device is characterized by: further comprising a human body detecting sensor, wherein the human detecting sensor uses the front side of the water outlet as a detecting area to detect in a non-contact manner The presence or absence of the human body in the detection area is measured, and the control unit activates the automatic water discharge mode when the human body detecting sensor detects the presence of the human body.

Another feature of the present invention includes an operation unit for manually switching whether water is discharged from the water outlet when the automatic water discharge mode is off.

In another feature of the present invention, the water outlet portion includes a conduit, and the water outlet is disposed at a front end of the conduit, the conduit is configured to be rotatable relative to the installation portion of the water outlet portion, and is configured to detect the human body detection The detection area of the device does not move with the rotational position of the catheter, and is often located on the front side of the water outlet.

In another feature of the present invention, the control unit turns off the automatic water discharge mode without detecting the presence of the human body by the human body detecting sensor.

And another feature of the present invention, further comprising a notification portion, the detecting portion as a detecting sensor, comprising: a first sensor for detecting an object in a first region on a lower side of the water outlet Existence or not; And a second sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object in the second area on the lower side of the water outlet; and in the automatic water discharge mode, detecting the output according to the output of the first sensor An object exists in the first area, and according to the output of the second sensor, when an object exists in the second area, water is spouted from the water outlet, and in the automatic water discharge mode, according to the first sensor The output detects that an object exists in the first area, and according to the output of the second sensor, when the object is not detected in the second area, the notification notified by the notification unit is performed.

In still another feature of the invention, the first region includes an area on a front side of the second region.

In another feature of the invention, the first sensor is a distance measuring sensor, and the second sensor is a photo-electrical sensor.

In another feature of the present invention, the detecting portion includes a third sensor, the third sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of an object in a third region on a lower side of the water outlet, and the third region includes In the area on the front side of the second area, in the automatic water discharge mode, when the object is detected in the third area according to the output of the third sensor, the control unit ejects water from the water outlet.

In another feature of the invention, the third sensor is a photo-electrical sensor.

In another feature of the present invention, the detecting unit includes a detecting sensor, and the detecting sensor detects the presence or absence of an object in the limited detection area away from the water outlet. In the water outlet mode, when the detecting sensor detects that an object exists in the detecting area, water is spouted from the water outlet. The faucet device includes a notification portion and a distance detecting portion, and the distance detecting portion is configured by the detecting sensor or other sensors, and the detecting area and the detecting portion of the detecting sensor When there is an object in the area between the nozzles, the output changes according to the distance from the object to the detection area of the detecting sensor, and the control unit is in the automatic water discharging mode, and the detecting sensor When there is an object in the area between the detection area and the water outlet, the notification by the notification unit is performed, and when the notification is made, the notification of the notification by the notification unit changes according to the output of the distance detection unit. .

In another feature of the present invention, the second distance detecting unit is configured by the distance detecting unit or another sensor, and the detecting is performed on the detecting sensor. Outside the area, when an object exists in an area other than the area between the detection area of the detecting sensor and the water outlet, the detection area corresponding to the detecting area from the object is detected. The control unit is in the automatic water outlet mode, outside the detection area of the detecting sensor, and in the detecting area of the detecting sensor and the water outlet When there is an object in an area other than the area, the notification by the notification unit is performed, and when the notification is made, the notification of the notification by the notification unit changes in response to the output of the second distance detecting unit.

In another feature of the present invention, the notification unit emits a sounding portion of the notification sound, and the notification sound emitted by the notification unit changes according to the distance between the detection area of the sensor for detecting and the object.

In another feature of the invention, the distance detecting unit is configured by the detecting sensor.

In another feature of the present invention, the detecting sensor is configured to define a reflective photo-electrical sensor, comprising: a light projecting portion, and the detecting region is irradiated with light; The light receiving unit receives the light reflected by the detection area; and the light projecting direction of the light projecting unit is different from the light receiving direction of the light receiving unit.

1‧‧‧Water tap device

2‧‧‧流台

3‧‧‧Water Department

4‧‧‧Water supply road

5‧‧‧ valve

6‧‧‧Detection Department

7‧‧‧Control Department

10, 10A‧‧ Notification Department

11‧‧‧ Distance Detection Department

12‧‧‧Second distance detection department

20‧‧‧Sink

21‧‧‧ upper

22‧‧‧Upper surface

30‧‧‧ base

31‧‧‧ catheter

32‧‧‧Setting Department

60~62‧‧‧ sensor

63‧‧‧Human detection sensor

65‧‧‧Object detection area

80~83‧‧‧ arrow

90‧‧‧ objects

91‧‧‧Water source

100‧‧‧Lighting Department

101, 101A‧‧‧Sounds Department

200‧‧‧ bottom

201‧‧‧Upper end

300‧‧‧Upper surface

310‧‧‧Water outlet

311‧‧‧ base end

600‧‧‧The First Projector

601‧‧‧First Light Department

602‧‧‧Detection area

603‧‧‧non-repeating area

610‧‧‧Second Projector

611‧‧‧Second Light Department

612‧‧‧Detection area

620‧‧ Third Light Projector

621‧‧‧The third light department

622‧‧‧Detection area

623‧‧‧non-repeating area

630‧‧‧Detection area

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description and appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a flow table provided with a faucet device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a flow table of a light projecting area and a light receiving area of the faucet device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a system configuration diagram of a faucet device of the first embodiment.

4A is an explanatory view showing illumination light of the first sensor in the automatic water discharge mode of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a second sensor showing the automatic water discharge mode of the first embodiment. FIG. 4C is an explanatory view showing the irradiation light of the third sensor in the automatic water discharge mode of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a flow table provided with a faucet device of a second embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a flow table provided with a faucet device of a third embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a system configuration diagram of a faucet device according to a third embodiment.

8A is an explanatory view showing a state in which only the first sensor detects the presence of an object in the third embodiment, and FIG. 8B shows a first to third sensing in the third embodiment. An illustration of the state in which the object is detected.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a faucet device of a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a system configuration diagram of a faucet device of a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a timing chart showing the detection pulse of the light-emitting pulse of the third light projecting portion and the third light-receiving portion of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the detected voltage of the third light receiving unit of the fourth embodiment and the distance from the object from the water outlet.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory view showing a period in which the notification sound is emitted when the object is located at the positions P1 to P4 in the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[First Embodiment]

Fig. 1 shows a flow table 2 provided with a faucet device 1 of the present embodiment. In the following, the direction in which the faucet device 1 is placed in the state of the flow table 2 will be described as a reference. In the following, as viewed from the flow table 2, one side of the user standing is forward, and the side opposite to the side on which the user stands is rearward as viewed from the flow table 2.

A water tank 20 is provided in the upper portion 21 of the flow table 2. The water tank 20 is opened upward above the flow table 2. The bottom surface 200 (the upper surface of the bottom) of the water tank 20 is substantially horizontal. The faucet device 1 has a function of ejecting water from the upper side of the flow table 2 toward the water tank 20. The bottom surface 200 (bottom portion) of the water tank 20 constitutes a water receiving portion that receives water spouted from the faucet device 1.

The user of the faucet device 1 stands before the front of the flow table 2 (front side). The user can use the water spouted from the faucet device 1 to clean the object to be cleaned in the water tank 20. Examples of the object to be cleaned include tableware, cooking utensils, and foodstuffs.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the system configuration of the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment. The faucet device 1 contains a water outlet system. The water outlet system includes a water outlet portion 3, a water supply path 4, and a valve 5.

The water supply path 4 is provided inside the flow table 2. On the upstream side of the water supply path 4, as a water supply source 91, a water pipe (not shown) and a hot water supply (not shown) are connected.

The end portion on the downstream side of the water supply path 4 is connected to the water discharge portion 3. The water of the water pipe is mixed with the hot water produced by the hot water supply. The water (mixed water) thus mixed is supplied to the water discharge unit 3 from the water supply path 4.

The valve 5 is provided in the water supply path 4. The valve 5 is, for example, a solenoid valve that can be opened and closed. Valve 5 switches the water supply path 4 is a tradable state and a non-circulating state.

When the valve 5 is opened, the water supply path 4 is in a flowable state, and the water supply unit 91 supplies water to the water discharge unit 3 via the water supply path 4. When the valve 5 is closed, the water supply path 4 is blocked, and the water supply unit 3 cannot be supplied with water. In other words, the valve 5 constitutes a water discharge switching unit that switches the presence or absence of water from the water outlet unit 3 (details, a water outlet 310, which will be described later).

The water outlet portion 3 constitutes the body of the faucet device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge unit 3 is provided on the upper surface portion 22 of the flow table 2 behind the water tank 20. Further, the water discharge portion 3 may be provided outside the upper surface portion 22 of the flow table 2 behind the water tank 20. For example, the water discharge unit 3 may be provided on a flange portion that protrudes rearward from the upper end portion 201 of the water tank 20 or the like.

The water discharge portion 3 includes a vertically long base portion 30 rising from the upper surface portion 22 of the flow table 2, and a duct 31 rising from the upper surface portion 300 of the base portion 30.

The base portion 30 constitutes a bottom portion (a root portion) of the water discharge portion 3 that protrudes upward from the flow table 2. The base 30 is fixed to the flow table 2 and is not rotatable relative to the flow table 2. The base end portion 311 (end portion on the root side) of the duct 31 is provided, and the crucible is rotatable about the longitudinal axis with respect to the upper surface portion 300 of the base portion 30. Thereby, the duct 31 can be rotated left and right with respect to the upper surface portion 22 of the flow table 2. That is, the duct 31 is provided, and the crucible is rotatable relative to the installation of the water outlet portion 3. Here, the direction around the vertical axis means that the direction of the rotation axis is parallel to the up and down direction.

The range of rotation of the conduit 31 is set to a limited extent, for example, the water outlet 310 is often positioned on the front side of the base 30 in plan view. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 1, when the duct 31 protrudes forward, that is, when the base portion 30 is viewed in a front view, the duct 31 is disposed in the left-right direction with the base portion 30. The direction in the state of the overlapping position is the reference description.

The duct 31 is formed in a side view and has a tubular shape bent in an inverted U shape. That is, the duct 31 protrudes upward from the base portion 30 and then folds downward on the front side. The duct 31 protrudes forward from the base 30 in a plan view. The front end of the conduit 31 is located in front of the base 30 and above the sink 20. At the front end of the duct 31, a water outlet 310 opening downward is provided.

A water outlet (not shown) for supplying water to the water outlet 310 is formed inside the water discharge unit 3. The water outlet extends from the lower end of the base 30 to the water outlet 310 of the conduit 31.

The end portion on the upstream side of the water discharge path is connected to the end portion on the downstream side of the water supply path 4 shown in Fig. 3 . When the valve 5 is opened, water is supplied from the water supply path 4 to the water outlet, and the water is discharged from the water outlet 310 toward the lower water tank 20.

The faucet device 1 further includes a detecting unit 6 and a control unit 7. The detecting unit 6 is configured by a plurality of detecting sensors (sensors 60 to 62). The control unit 7 has an automatic water discharge mode as a water discharge mode (a mode in which water is discharged). The control unit 7 switches the switch of the automatic water discharge mode. The automatic water outlet mode is used to save water.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "on", the faucet device 1 detects the presence or absence of the object 90 (refer to FIG. 4) in the region 65 (refer to FIG. 1) on the lower side of the nozzle 310 by using the detecting portion 6. 90 does exist). Examples of the object 90 detected by the detecting unit 6 include a part of a human body (such as a user's hand), a tableware such as a dish, a cooking utensil, and a foodstuff. Hereinafter, the description area 65 is the object detection area 65 as needed.

The detection using the detecting unit 6 is performed frequently or intermittently in the automatic water discharge mode under the control of the control unit 7.

The object detection area 65 is an area where the detection area 602 of the sensor 60, the detection area 612 of the sensor 61, and the detection area 622 of the sensor 62 completely overlap.

The object detecting area 65 is located at a position away from the water outlet 310 toward the lower side and away from the bottom surface 200 (bottom) of the water tank 20, and is located above the water outlet 310 and the bottom of the water tank 20. The object detecting area 65 is overlapped with a part of the area (outlet area) through which the water spouted from the water outlet 310 passes. The object detection area 65 is located in front of the base 30.

When the detecting unit 6 detects that the object 90 is present in the object detecting area 65 in the automatic water discharging mode, the faucet device 1 automatically switches to the water discharging state of the spouting water from the water outlet 310. When the faucet device 1 detects the absence of the object 90 in the object detection area 65, the faucet device 1 automatically switches to the cessation stop state of the effluent from the water outlet 310. That is, when the faucet device 1 is in the automatic water discharge mode, when the detecting unit 6 does not detect that the object 90 exists in the object detecting area 65, it automatically switches to the water discharging stop state.

That is, the faucet device 1 is in the automatic water discharge mode, and only when the object detecting area 65 has the object 90, it is in a water discharge state.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the water discharge unit 3, sensors 60 to 62 are provided as detection sensors constituting the detecting unit 6. The sensors 60-62 are used for the opening and closing of the control valve 5 in the automatic water discharge mode. Hereinafter, it is described that the sensor 60 is the first sensor 60, the sensor 61 is the second sensor 61, and the sensor 62 is the third sensor 62.

The first sensor 60 is a distance measuring sensor that measures the distance to the object in a triangulation manner. In detail, the first sensor 60 is a distance measuring type reflective photodetector (distance setting type photodetector).

The first sensor 60 includes a first light projecting portion 600 and a first light receiving portion 601. The first light projecting unit 600 and the first light receiving unit 601 are provided in the base portion 30.

The first light projecting unit 600 is configured by a light projecting element. The first light projecting unit 600 emits infrared rays as irradiation light. Further, the first light projecting unit 600 is not limited to irradiating infrared rays, and may irradiate, for example, visible light. The illumination direction of the light of the first light projecting portion 600 is set to be obliquely downward before the object detection region 65 and the bottom of the water tank 20 are present. In a state where the object 90 is not present in the object detection region 65, the light (irradiation light) irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 passes through the object detection region 65 and reaches the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20.

The first light receiving unit 601 is constituted by a position detecting element (for example, a PSD (Position Sensiteive Detector). The first light receiving unit 601 receives light from the object detecting area 65 and the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20. The first light emitting unit 600 is irradiated with light. The light is reflected by the object 90 existing in the object detection area 65 or the bottom of the water tank 20, and then reaches the first light receiving unit 601.

The detection region 602 of the first sensor 60 is a repeating portion of the light projecting region of the first light projecting portion 600 and the light receiving region of the first light receiving portion 601. Hereinafter, the detection area 602 is described as the first area 602 as needed. A portion of the first region 602 is overlapped with the object detection region 65.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in a state where the object 90 is present in the first region 602, the light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 is reflected by the object 90, and then proceeds as indicated by an arrow 80 to reach the first light receiving portion 601. At this time, a light spot is formed at a position on the first light projecting portion 600 side of the first light receiving portion 601. On the other hand, in a state where the object detection region 65 (specifically, the first region 602) does not have the object 90, the light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 passes through the object detection region 65. Further, the light passing through the object detecting region 65 is reflected by the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20, and thereafter proceeds as indicated by an arrow 81 to reach the first light receiving portion 601. At this time, a light spot is formed at a position where the first light receiving unit 601 is away from the first light projecting unit 600. That is, the position of the light spot formed in the first light receiving unit 601 changes in accordance with the distance from the first light projecting unit 600 to the object. Therefore, by detecting the position of the light spot formed in the first light receiving portion 601 by the first sensor 60, the distance to the object can be measured.

In Fig. 2, the light projecting area or the light receiving area of the sensors 61, 62 are indicated by double dashed lines. The second sensor 61 is a transmissive photodetector configured to define a reflective photoinductor. The limited reflection type photo-electrical sensor has a strong light-receiving output, and the pointing angle of the light-receiving light is small. In the limited reflection type photoconductor, the projection axis and the receiving axis intersect at a relatively large angle. Therefore, the operation region of the limited reflection type photo-sensitometer is limited to a region (limited region) where the light-emitting ray (the light emitted from the light-emitting portion) and the light-receiving ray (the light received by the light-receiving portion) intersect.

The second sensor 61 includes a second light projecting portion 610 and a second light receiving portion 611 shown in FIG. 2 . The second light projecting unit 610 is provided in the setting unit 32. The setting portion 32 is provided at the front end side portion of the duct 31. The installation portion 32 protrudes rearward from the front portion of the duct 31 which is folded downward. The setting portion 32 is located at the water outlet 310 nearby.

The second light projecting unit 610 is configured by a light projecting element. The second light projecting portion 610 emits infrared rays downward as the irradiation light. Further, the second light projecting unit 610 is not limited to irradiating infrared rays, and may irradiate, for example, visible light. The light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 passes through the light projecting region of the second light projecting portion 610.

The second light receiving unit 611 is configured by a light receiving element. The second light receiving unit 611 is provided in the base portion 30 of the water discharge unit 3 . The second light receiving portion 611 is located further rearward than the second light projecting portion 610. The second light receiving portion 611 is provided to receive light from the front obliquely downward. That is, the light receiving direction of the second light receiving portion 611 is set to be obliquely downward before the bottom of the water tank 20 exists.

The light projecting axis of the second light projecting portion 610 and the light receiving axis of the second light receiving portion 611 substantially intersect the upper surface of the bottom portion of the water tank 20. That is, the action area of the second sensor 61 is defined near the upper surface of the bottom of the water tank 20. The action area of the second sensor 61 is located farther from the object detecting area 65 as viewed from the second light projecting portion 610.

The detection area 612 for detecting the presence or absence of the object 90 by the second sensor 61 is an area through which the light irradiated by the second light projecting portion 610 passes. That is, the region between the second light projecting portion 610 and the portion of the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20 that is illuminated by the second light projecting portion 610 is the detection region 612. The portion of the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20 that is illuminated by the second light projecting portion 610 and the region between the second light receiving portion 611 are also the detection regions 612. Hereinafter, the detection area 612 is described as the second area 612 as needed.

A portion of the light projecting region of the second light projecting portion 610 overlaps with the first region 602. And the first region 602 includes a non-repetitive region 603 located on the front side of the region overlapping the second region 612 and not overlapping the second region 612.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the state where the object 90 is present in the second region 612, the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 is blocked by the object 90. Therefore, it is difficult for the light irradiated from the second light projecting unit 610 to reach the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20, and it is difficult to reach the second light receiving unit 611.

On the other hand, in a state where the object 90 is not present in the second region 612, the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 passes through the object detecting region 65 and reaches the bottom of the water tank 20. Further, as shown by the arrow 82, the light reaching the bottom of the water tank 20 is reflected toward the second light receiving portion 611 side by the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20. Therefore, the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 easily reaches the second light receiving portion 611.

Therefore, the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit 611 (the amount of light received by the second light receiving unit 611) changes depending on the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detecting area 65. Thereby, by detecting the change in the amount of received light of the second light receiving portion 611, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detecting region 65.

The third sensor 62 is a reflective photoinductor configured to define a reflective photoinductor. The third sensor 62 includes a third light projecting portion 620 and a third light receiving portion 621 shown in FIG. 2 . The third light projecting unit 620 is provided in the setting unit 32. The third light projecting portion 620 is located behind the second light projecting portion 610.

The third light projecting unit 620 is configured by a light projecting element. The third light projecting portion 620 is irradiated with light, and is irradiated with infrared rays obliquely downward. Further, the third light projecting unit 620 is not limited to irradiating infrared rays, and may irradiate, for example, visible light.

The third light projecting portion 620 illuminates the light obliquely downward from the rear side of the second light projecting portion 610, and traverses the light that is irradiated downward from the second light projecting portion 610. In a state where the object 90 is not present in the light projecting region of the third light projecting portion 620, the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 passes through the object detecting region 65, and the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20 is irradiated. This light is on the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20, and reaches the front side of the area where the illumination light of the second light projecting portion 610 is irradiated.

The light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 passes through the irradiation region of the light that is irradiated downward from the third light projecting portion 620. Further, the light irradiated from the first light projecting unit 600 may be overlapped with the light irradiation region of the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 on the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20.

The third light receiving unit 621 is configured by a light receiving element. The third light receiving unit 621 is provided in the base portion 30 of the water discharge unit 3 . The third light receiving unit 621 is located on the rear side of the third light projecting unit 620. Providing a third light receiving unit 621, The raft receives light from the object detection area 65 existing under the front oblique direction. That is, the light receiving direction of the third light receiving portion 621 is set to be obliquely downward before the object detecting region 65 exists. The light projecting direction of the third light projecting unit 620 is lower than the light receiving direction of the third light receiving unit 621, and the light projecting direction of the third light projecting unit 620 is different from the light receiving direction of the third light receiving unit 621.

The light projecting axis of the third light projecting portion 620 and the light receiving axis of the third light receiving portion 621 intersect with the object detecting region 65. That is, the action area (detection area) of the third sensor 62 is limited to the object detection area 65.

The detection area 622 of the third sensor 62 is an area in which the light projecting area of the third light projecting unit 620 overlaps with the light receiving area of the third light receiving unit 621. That is, the detection area 622 of the third sensor 62 overlaps with the action area of the third sensor 62. Hereinafter, the detection area 622 is described as the third area 622 as needed.

The third area 622 is located on the lower side of the water outlet 310 and faces the water outlet 310 toward the lower side. The third region 622 includes a non-repeating region 623 that is located on the front side of the region that overlaps the second region 612 and that does not overlap the second region 612. A portion of the non-repetitive region 623 overlaps with the non-repeating region 603 of the first region 602.

The upper, lower, front, rear, left, and right sides of the third region 622 are excluded from the non-detected region of the action region (detection region 622) of the third sensor 62. In the present embodiment, the third region 622 is set in a range from 100 mm to 150 mm in the vertical direction from the water outlet 310. The left and right widths and the front and rear widths of the third region 622 are set to 50 mm. Further, the distance from the water outlet 310 of the third region 622 or the left and right width and the front and rear width of the third region 622 are not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in the state where the object 90 is present in the third region 622, the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 is reflected by the object 90 existing in the third region 622. The light reflected by the object 90 advances toward the third light receiving unit 621 side as indicated by an arrow 83. Therefore, the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 easily reaches the third light receiving portion 621.

On the other hand, in a state where the object 90 is not present in the third region 622, the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 passes through the object detecting region 65 and reaches the bottom of the water tank 20. Therefore, it is difficult for the light irradiated from the third light projecting unit 620 to reach the third light receiving unit 621. That is, the amount of light received by the third light receiving unit 621 changes depending on the presence or absence of the object 90 in the third region 622. Therefore, by detecting the change in the amount of received light of the third light receiving portion 621, the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detecting region 65 can be detected.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 constantly or intermittently irradiates light from the first light projecting unit 600 toward the bottom of the water tank 20 while monitoring the output of the first light receiving unit 601. When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 emits light from the second light projecting portion 610 toward the bottom of the water tank 20 at the same time as the light from the first light projecting portion 600 is irradiated or offset. At the same time, the output of the second light receiving unit 611 is monitored. When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 emits light from the third light projecting portion 620 toward the object detecting region 65 simultaneously with the light irradiation from the second light projecting portion 610 or offset for a short time. At the same time, the output of the third light receiving unit 621 is monitored. Further, when the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 determines based on the distance to the object measured by the first sensor 60, the output of the second light receiving unit 611, and the output of the third light receiving unit 621. The presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detection area 65. Further, when the automatic water discharge mode is used, the object 90 is not detected by the sensors 60 to 62.

Table 1 shows a criterion for determining whether or not the object 90 in the object detection area 65 exists by the control unit 7.

【Table 1】

"Yes" in Table 1 means that the outputs of the sensors 60-62 are displayed when the object detecting area 65 has the object 90. And "None" in Table 1 means that the outputs of the sensors 60-62 are displayed when the object detecting area 65 does not have the object 90.

The control unit 7 measures the distance to the object measured by the first sensor 60 to be less than or equal to a predetermined distance, and the output of the second light receiving unit 611 (for example, the detection voltage) is below a predetermined first threshold (described below) In the first case, it is determined that the object detecting area 65 has the object 90. When the output (for example, the detection voltage) of the third light receiving unit 621 is greater than the second threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the second case), the control unit 7 determines that the object detection area 65 has the object 90. Further, in the case where the control unit 7 is other than the above two examples, it is determined that the object detecting area 65 has no object 90. That is, the control unit 7 determines that the object detecting area 65 has no object 90 when neither of the first case nor the second case is present.

The predetermined distance is shorter than the distance from the first light projecting portion 600 to the bottom of the water tank 20 and is longer than the distance from the first light projecting portion 600 to the object detecting region 65. The first critical value is a value smaller than the output (detected voltage value) of the second light receiving portion 611 when the illumination light of the second light projecting portion 610 is reflected by the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20. The first critical value is a value larger than the output (detected voltage value) of the second light receiving portion 611 when the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 is reflected by the object 90 existing in the object detecting region 65. The second threshold value is a value smaller than the output (detected voltage value) of the third light receiving portion 621 when the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 is reflected by the object 90 existing in the object detecting region 65. And the second critical value is compared with the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 through the object detecting region. When the 65 reaches the bottom of the water tank 20, the output of the third light receiving unit 621 is large. For example, the second critical value (refer to X1 in FIG. 12) can be set to 250 mV.

Here, the second sensor 61 or the third sensor 62, which is the first sensor 60 of the distance measuring reflective type photodetector, detects whether the object 90 exists or not, corresponding to the change of the corresponding received light amount, and is suitable for the second sensor 61 or the third sensor 62. The presence or absence of an object 90 having a low reflectance is detected. However, the first sensor 60 detects that the sensitivity is high. Therefore, when there is water vapor or the like in the first region 602, the light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 may be reflected by water vapor or the like to reach the first light receiving portion 601. The first sensor 60 measures the distance to the object below a predetermined distance. However, at this time, the output of the second light receiving unit 611 exceeds the first critical value, and the output of the third light receiving unit 621 is a value equal to or lower than the second critical value. Therefore, the control unit 7 determines that the object detection area 65 has no object 90.

And the light receiving area of the third sensor 62 is wider than the light receiving area of the second sensor 61, and the third sensor 62 is compared with the second sensor 61 to detect the sensitivity of the object 90 with low reflectivity. low. Therefore, when there is an object 90 having a low reflectance in the object detecting region 65, the output of the third light receiving portion 621 may be a value equal to or lower than the second critical value. However, at this time, the light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 reaches the first light receiving portion 601 due to the reflection of the object 90 existing in the object detecting region 65, and the distance measured by the first sensor 60 to the object is at Below the established distance. The light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 is shielded by the object 90 existing in the object detecting region 65, and the output of the second light receiving portion 611 is equal to or lower than the first critical value. Therefore, the control unit 7 determines that the object 90 is present in the object detection area 65.

The light receiving area of the first sensor 60 and the light receiving area of the second sensor 61 are narrower than the light receiving area of the third sensor 62. Therefore, even if there is a small object 90 or a hand holding it on the lower side of the water outlet 310, the light irradiated from the first light projecting portion 600 may not be illuminated by the object 90, and is measured by the first sensor 60. The distance to the object exceeds the established distance. At this time, the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 may not be illuminated by the object 90, and the output of the second light receiving portion 611 may exceed the first critical value. However, at this time, the light receiving area of the third sensor 62 is wide, so that the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 is reflected by the object 90 existing in the object detecting area 65, and the output of the third light receiving unit 621 exceeds the second. The value of the threshold. Therefore, the control unit 7 determines that the object 90 is present in the object detection area 65.

When a load such as a pot is placed on the bottom of the water tank 20, the light irradiated from the second light projecting portion 610 may be shielded by the object, and the object 90 is not present in the object detecting region 65, and the output of the second light receiving portion 611 is not present. It is below the first critical value. However, at this time, the distance to the object measured by the first sensor 60 exceeds a predetermined distance. The light emitted from the third light projecting portion 620 passes through the object detecting region 65, and the output of the third light receiving portion 621 is a value equal to or lower than the second critical value. Therefore, the control unit 7 determines that the object detection area 65 has no object 90.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 switches the water outflow of the water portion 3 based on the detection result, that is, based on the determination result of the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detection region 65 (from the water outlet 310). Whether to spit water). The control unit 7 drives the valve 5 shown in Fig. 3 to open and close the switching valve 5, thereby switching the presence or absence of the water.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 determines that the object 90 is present in the object detection area 65, opens the valve 5, and ejects water from the water outlet 310 to the water tank 20. The user can clean the object 90 by causing the water thus ejected from the water outlet 310 to impinge on an object 90 such as a hand or a dish below the water outlet 310. When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 determines that the valve 90 is not closed when the object detection area 65 does not have the object 90, and stops the water from the water outlet 310.

Moreover, when the automatic water discharge mode is "OFF", water can be discharged from the water outlet portion 3, and water can not be discharged. Here, when the automatic water discharge mode is "closed", when the water is discharged from the water discharge unit 3, for example, the user can switch the operation unit provided in the water discharge unit 3 by manual operation, thereby switching the presence or absence of water from the water discharge unit 3. Further, the operation portion may be provided in either the base portion 30 or the duct 31. Further, the operation portion may be provided outside the water discharge portion 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a human body detecting sensor 63 is provided on the front surface of the base portion 30 of the water discharge portion 3. The human body detecting sensor 63 is used for the switch that automatically switches the automatic water discharging mode.

The human body detecting sensor 63 is, for example, a reflective photoinductor. Although not shown in the drawings, the human body detecting sensor 63 includes: a light projecting portion that irradiates infrared rays or visible light; The light receiving unit receives light reflected by the human body after being irradiated from the light projecting unit.

Moreover, the human body detecting sensor 63 can be the same as the second sensor 61 or the third sensor 62, and can also be used to define a sensor other than the reflective photoinductor. .

The human body detecting sensor 63 is located below the catheter 31. The detection area 630 of the human body detecting sensor 63 is an area facing the front surface of the base 30. That is, the detection area 630 of the human body detecting sensor 63 is away from the front side from the base 30, and is located in the area where the user on the front side of the water tank 20 exists. Hereinafter, the detection area 630 of the human body detecting sensor 63 is described as a human body detecting area 630 as needed.

The human body detecting sensor 63 is provided at a base 30 fixed to the flow table 2. Therefore, the human body detection area 630 is fixed. That is, the human body detecting sensor 63 is set so as not to follow the rotational position of the catheter 31, and the human body detecting area 630 is often located on the front side of the water outlet portion 3. Therefore, when the faucet device 1 is changed to any position at the rotational position of the catheter 31, the human body detecting sensor 63 can be used to detect the presence or absence of a human body in the human body detecting region 630 on the front side of the water portion 3.

The control unit 7 does not have a switch for the automatic water discharge mode, and constantly or intermittently emits light from the light projecting portion of the human body detecting sensor 63 while monitoring the output of the light receiving portion of the human body detecting sensor 63. When the amount of light received by the light receiving unit of the human body detecting sensor 63 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 7 determines that the human body detecting area 630 has a human body, and when the threshold value is equal to or less than the threshold value, the human body detecting area 630 is determined. No body. That is, according to the output of the light receiving portion of the human body detecting sensor 63, it is detected whether the human body detecting region 630 on the front side of the base portion 30 has a human body.

The control unit 7 automatically switches the switch of the automatic water discharge mode based on the detection result detected by the human body detecting sensor 63. Specifically, the control unit 7 detects that the human body detecting area 630 is in the state of the human body by the human body detecting sensor 63, and the automatic water discharging mode is "on" (transfer to the automatic water discharging mode). Moreover, the control unit 7 does not detect that the human body detection area 630 is in the state of the human body, and the automatic water discharge mode is "off". Thereby, the automatic water discharge mode is "on" only when it is detected that the human body detection area 630 exists in the human body.

Therefore, the user can stand in the automatic water discharge mode "on" by standing on the front side of the water tank 20 of the flow table 2 only when the flow table 2 is used. Moreover, the user only ends the use of the flow table 2 and moves to a position away from the front side of the water tank 20, so that the automatic water discharge mode is "closed".

[Second embodiment]

Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the following description, elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals and the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the matters overlapping with the matters described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the human body detecting sensor 63 is provided at the base portion 30. However, the human body detecting sensor 63 of the present embodiment is provided in the duct 31 as shown in FIG.

The human body detecting sensor 63 is provided on a portion of the front surface of the duct 31 that protrudes from the upper side toward the lower side. The detection area (human body detection area 630) of the human body detecting sensor 63 is an area facing the front surface of the catheter 31. That is, the human body detecting area 630 is the front side of the duct 31, and is located in the area where the user of the faucet device 1 on the front side of the water tank 20 exists.

Further, in the first embodiment, the human body detecting sensor 63 is provided on the base portion 30 fixed to the flow table 2. Therefore, the human body detecting area 630 does not depend on the rotational position of the duct 31, and is often located on the front side of the water outlet portion 3. However, the human body detecting sensor 63 of the present embodiment is provided on the rotatable duct 31. Therefore, the human body detecting area 630 may be deviated from the area on the front side of the water discharge portion 3 accompanying the rotation of the duct 31. Here, in the present embodiment, as the human body detecting sensor 63, a sensor having a wider detection area 630 than the human body detecting sensor 63 of the first embodiment is used. Specifically, the human body detecting area 630 of the present embodiment is wider than the human body detecting area 630 of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the catheter 31 is rotated to any position within its rotation range, the detection area 630 of the human body detecting sensor 63 often also includes the front side of the water outlet portion 3. That is, in the present embodiment, the human body detecting region 630 is not always set to the front side of the water discharge portion 3 depending on the rotational position of the duct 31.

Therefore, in the embodiment, the human body detecting sensor 63 is provided to be rotatable relative to the flow table 2 The catheter 31 is moved, but the presence or absence of the user standing on the front side of the water outlet 3 can be detected, and the switch of the automatic water discharge mode can be easily switched.

[Third embodiment]

Next, the third embodiment will be described. In the following description, elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals and the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the matters overlapping with the matters described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 6 shows a flow table 2 provided with the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment. The faucet device 1 includes a notification portion 10 as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the faucet device 1, the notification unit 10 includes a light-emitting unit 100 and a sound-emitting unit 101.

As shown in FIG. 6, the light-emitting portion 100 is provided on the upper surface portion of the duct 31. Further, the light-emitting unit 100 may be provided at another place of the water discharge unit 3 or outside the water discharge unit 3.

The light-emitting unit 100 is configured by, for example, a light-emitting diode in which an illuminating color is orange. The light-emitting unit 100 can be changed to any of a light-on state, a blinking state, and an extinguished state. The control unit 7 changes the lighting state, the blinking state, and the extinguishing state of the light-emitting unit 100.

The sounding portion 101 is provided, for example, at the base portion 30. Further, the sounding unit 101 may be provided in the duct 31 or may be provided outside the water outlet unit 3. The sounding unit 101 is constituted by, for example, a horn.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 controls the light-emitting unit 100 and the sounding unit 101 as follows based on the outputs of the sensors 60 to 62 detected by the monitoring in the automatic water discharge mode.

In the automatic water discharge mode, the control unit 7 detects that the object 90 exists in the first region 602, and detects that the second region 612 and the third region 622 do not have the object 90, and performs the first notification. That is, when the water is discharged from the water outlet 310, the object 90 is detected in the first region 602, and when the object 90 is detected in the second region 612, the first notification is performed. And the control unit 7 detects that the object 90 exists in the second area 612 in the automatic water discharge mode, and detects the When the first region 602 and the third region 622 do not have the object 90, the second notification is performed. Further, the control unit 7 does not notify the light-emitting unit 100 and the sound-emitting unit 101 when they are outside the two examples. That is, when none of the first notification and the second notification is performed, the light-emitting unit 100 is turned off, and the sound is not emitted from the sound portion 101.

In the first notification, the light-emitting portion 100 is lit in an orange color, and the spontaneous sound portion 101 emits a sound. At this time, the sound emitted by the spontaneous sounding portion 101 urges, for example, the user to change the position and direction of the object 90, and the object 90 is detected by all of the sensors 60-62.

When the first notification is made, it is assumed that the object 90 exists in the non-repetitive area 603 on the front side of the second area 612 in the first region 602 as shown in FIG. 8A. It is assumed that the light irradiated from the third light projecting portion 620 is reflected to the object 90 and is reflected in a direction other than the third light receiving portion 621 side. Therefore, the sound generated by the spontaneous sound portion 101 in the first notification should promptly move the object 90 to the rear side of the object detecting region 65 and to tilt toward the rear side of the third light receiving portion 621.

In the first notification described above, the light-emitting portion 100 is lit, and the spontaneous sound portion 101 emits a sound. Therefore, the user can recognize that the object 90 exists in the first region 602 but does not exist in the second region 612 and the third region 622.

And in the automatic water discharge mode, detecting that the object 90 is present in the second region 612, and detecting that the first region 602 and the third region 622 are not present in the second notification, the light emitting portion 100 The orange color is flashing. That is, the light-emitting portion 100 blinks in the same illuminating color as in the first notification. In the second notification, the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 100 is changed. Therefore, the user can recognize that the object 90 exists in the second region 612 but does not exist in the first region 602 and the third region 622. Further, at the time of the second notification, the sounding unit 101 does not emit a sound.

In the second notification, it is assumed that the illumination light of the second light projecting portion 610 is placed on an object 90 such as a dish placed on the bottom surface 200 of the water tank 20, or an object placed on the upper surface portion 22 of the flow table 2 or the like. 90 shaded. Therefore, when the user confirms the flicker of the light-emitting unit 100, the object 90 placed on the bottom surface of the water tank 20 or the dish on the flow table 2 is moved to the outside of the second region 612, etc. The detection of the detectors 60~62 can be automatically and automatically discharged.

Further, at the time of the second notification, the sounding unit 101 can also emit a sound. As an example of the sound emitted at the time of the second notification, a sound that prompts the user to move the object 90 in the second region 612 to another place, for example, may be cited.

[Fourth embodiment]

Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description, elements having the same functions as those of the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals and the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description of the matters overlapping with the matters described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

Fig. 9 shows a faucet device 1 of the present embodiment. When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment is notified by the notification portion 10A (see FIG. 10) when the object 90 is disposed at a position close to the third region 622. Moreover, this notification is only made when the object detection area 65 does not have the object 90. That is, when the water is not discharged in the automatic water discharge mode, the object 90 is notified by the notification unit 10A when it is disposed at a position close to the third region 622.

The faucet device 1 of the present embodiment includes the notification unit 10A, the distance detecting unit 11, and the second distance detecting unit 12 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the distance detecting unit 11 is described as the first distance detecting unit 11 as needed.

In the faucet device 1, the sounding portion 101A shown in Fig. 10 is included as the notification portion 10A. The sounding unit 101A is constituted by, for example, a horn. The sounding portion 101A is provided in the duct 31 or the base portion 30. Further, the sounding unit 101A may be provided outside the water discharge unit 3 as long as it is in a position where the user of the faucet device 1 can be notified.

The first distance detecting unit 11 outputs a distance change from the object 90 to the third area 622 when the object 90 exists in the area between the third area 622 and the water outlet 310. The first distance detecting unit 11 of the present embodiment is constituted by a third sensor 62.

When the second distance detecting unit 12 is outside the third area 622 and the object 90 exists in an area other than the area between the third area 622 and the water outlet 310, the distance from the object 90 to the third area 622 varies. Output. The second distance detecting unit 12 of the present embodiment is configured by a third sensor 62.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 determines whether or not the object 90 is disposed at a position close to the third region 622 based on the output of the third sensor 62. Specifically, the control unit 7 detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detection area 65 in the automatic water discharge mode, and emits the third light projecting part 620 of the third sensor 62 as shown in FIG. Pulse signal. Further, when the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 monitors the output of the third light receiving unit 621. The third light projecting portion 620 is caused to emit light with a certain amount of light, thereby emitting a pulse signal.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the detection pulse of the third light-emitting portion 620 and the detection potential of the third light-receiving portion 621. P1 to P4 shown in FIG. 11 are displayed on the detection voltage of the third light receiving portion 621 when the objects P1 to P4 are arranged as shown in FIG.

The amount of light received by the third light receiving unit 621 varies depending on the position of the object 90 existing in the light projecting area of the third light projecting unit 620 or in the vicinity of the light projecting area. Therefore, the detection voltage of the third light receiving portion 621 also changes depending on the position of the object 90 as shown in FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 11, the object 90 existing in or near the light projecting region of the third light projecting portion 620 is farther away from the center portion of the third region 622, and the amount of light received by the third light receiving portion 621 is smaller. Therefore, as is clear from FIG. 12, the farther the object 90 is from the third region 622, the smaller the detection voltage of the third light receiving portion 621 is. Therefore, the distance from the center portion of the object 90 to the third region 622, or the distance from the object 90 to the third region 622, and the distance from the water outlet 310 to the object 90 can be measured from the detected voltage of the third light receiving portion 621. Further, P1 to P4 in the graph shown in Fig. 12 are data points when the objects 90 are arranged in the respective P1 to P4 shown in Fig. 9.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "on", the control unit 7 inputs the detection result detected by the detecting unit 6 (the presence or absence of the object 90 in the object detection area 65), and the input as the third sensor 62. The detection voltage of the third light receiving unit 621 is output, and the sounding unit 101A is controlled.

In the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, the third critical value and the fourth critical value which are the criteria for determining the detected voltage of the third light receiving unit 621 are set in advance. The third threshold value is set to be lower than the second threshold value, and the fourth threshold value is set to be lower than the third threshold value.

Hereinafter, when the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 controls the sounding unit 101A. When the control unit 7 detects that the object 90 is present in the object detection area 65 based on the detection result of the sensors 60 to 62, the control unit 7 does not perform the notification by the sounding unit 101A. According to the detection result of the sensors 60-62, when the object 90 is not detected in the object detection area 65, even when the voltage detected by the third light receiving unit 621 is less than the fourth critical value, Nor is it notified by the vocal part 101A.

When the automatic water discharge mode is "ON", the control unit 7 performs the first notification when the voltage detected by the third light receiving unit 621 is less than the fourth critical value or less than the third critical value. In this first notification, the utterance unit 101A emits a sound every time a predetermined first predetermined time elapses. Therefore, for example, when the object 90 is disposed at the position indicated by P1 or P4 in Fig. 9, the first notification is performed. Thereby, the user hears the sound emitted by the spontaneous sound portion 101A, and recognizes that the object 90 is at a position close to the third region 622 to some extent.

The control unit 7 performs a second notification different from the first notification when the voltage detected by the third light receiving unit 621 is greater than or equal to the third threshold value and less than the second threshold value. In this second notification, the utterance unit 101A emits a sound every time a predetermined second predetermined time elapses. The second predetermined time is shorter than the first predetermined time.

For example, when the object 90 is disposed at the position indicated by P2 or P3 in Fig. 9, the second notification is performed. Thereby, the user hears the sound emitted by the spontaneous part 101A, and the object 90 is recognized to be closer to the third area 622 than when the first notification is made.

Specifically, when the object 90 exists at the position indicated by P1 to P4 in Fig. 9, as shown in Fig. 13, the spontaneous sound portion 101A emits a sound.

As described above, in the faucet device 1 of the present embodiment, since the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90 is notified differently, the user can be urged to bring the object 90 closer to the third region 622.

The faucet device 1 of each embodiment described above includes the water discharge unit 3, the detecting unit 6, and the control unit 7. The water outlet portion 3 is provided with a water outlet 310 for discharging water to the lower side. The detecting unit 6 detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the region 65 (the object detecting region 65) on the lower side of the nozzle 310 in a non-contact manner. The control unit 7 can switch the switch of the automatic water discharge mode. In the automatic water discharge mode, the control unit 7 sprays water from the water outlet 310 in a state where the detecting unit 6 detects the presence of the object 90, and does not stop the self-out in the state where the detecting unit 6 detects the presence of the object 90. The nozzle 310 is out of water. The faucet device 1 further includes a human body detecting sensor 63. The human body detecting sensor 63 detects the presence or absence of a human body in the detecting area 630 in a non-contact manner with the front side of the water outlet portion 3 as a detecting area 630 (human body detecting area 630). The control unit 7 sets the automatic water discharge mode to "on" when the human body detecting sensor 63 detects the presence of the human body. The faucet device 1 prevents the automatic water discharge mode from being "closed", and the detecting portion 6 erroneously detects sunlight or a dish placed in the water tank 20. Therefore, occurrence of malfunction of the faucet device 1 can be suppressed. Moreover, the automatic water discharge mode of the faucet device 1 is only "open" by the human body detection area 630 on the front side of the user entering the water discharge portion 3. At this time, the user does not need to touch the water discharge portion 3 when the automatic water discharge mode is "on". Therefore, the oil adhering to the user's hand, the detergent, water, or the like is less likely to adhere to the water discharge portion 3.

As described in the first embodiment, the faucet device 1 of each embodiment preferably includes an operation unit for manually switching the presence or absence of water from the water outlet 310 when the automatic water discharge mode is off.

In the faucet device 1, as in each embodiment, the water discharge unit 3 preferably includes a duct 31, and a water outlet 310 is provided at an end portion of the duct 31, and a duct 31 is provided, and a raft is provided with respect to the installation where the water outlet unit 3 is provided (flow station 2). It can be rotated. In the faucet device 1, the user can rotate the catheter 31 to a convenient position. At this time, it is preferable to set the detection area 630 (human body detection area 630) of the human body detecting sensor 63, and the rotational position of the catheter 31 is not always on the front side of the water outlet part 3. Thereby, even if the user turns the catheter 31 to any position, the human body detecting sensor 63 can detect the presence or absence of the human body on the front side of the water portion 3. That is, the user can easily switch automatically without depending on the rotational position of the catheter 31. The switch of the water outlet mode.

In the faucet device 1, as in each embodiment, the control unit 7 should make the automatic water discharge mode "OFF" without detecting that the human body detecting area 630 exists in the human body by the human body detecting sensor 63. In the faucet device 1, the user can simply turn the automatic water discharge mode to "OFF" by moving the human body detection area 630 on the front side of the water discharge portion 3 to another place.

Further, as in each embodiment, the faucet device 1 preferably has the following configuration. That is, the detecting unit 6 has a third sensor 62 (detection sensor) that detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the defined third region 622 (detection region) away from the water outlet 310. In the automatic water discharge mode, the faucet device 1 detects that the object 90 is present in the third region 622 by the third sensor 62, and spouts water from the water outlet 310. The faucet device 1 is in the third region 622 (in detail, the non-repetitive region 623 on the front side of the second region 612). When the object 90 is present, the object 90 is detected by the third sensor 62, thereby being self-drainable. 310 spit water.

In the faucet device 1, as in each embodiment, the first sensor 60 is preferably a distance measuring sensor, and the second sensor 61 and the third sensor are optical sensors. The faucet device 1 can utilize the characteristics of the first sensor 60 as the distance measuring sensor and the characteristics of the second sensor 61 and the third sensor 62 as photodetectors, and appropriately detect the object 90. .

Specifically, the second sensor 61 according to each embodiment is a transmissive photodetector. That is, the second sensor 61 includes: a second light projecting portion 610, the light irradiation region is set to a reflector disposed farther than the object detection region 65, the illumination light passes through the object detection region 65; and the second light receiving region The portion 611 receives the light that is reflected by the second light projecting portion 610 and reflected by the reflector.

And the third sensor 62 is a reflective photo-electrical sensor. That is, the third sensor 62 includes: a third light projecting portion 620 that emits light toward the object detecting region 65; and a third light receiving portion 621 that is received from the third light projecting portion 620, because the object is detected Light reflected by object 90 in region 65.

Here, the first sensor 60 as the ranging sensor is adapted to detect the presence or absence of the object 90 having a low reflectance compared to the second sensor 61 or the third sensor 62. Further, the second sensor 61 and the third sensor 62 can detect that the object 90 is not present in the detection area even if water vapor or the like is present in the detection area, which is superior to the first sensor 60. Therefore, the presence of the object 90 in the object detection area 65 can be correctly detected using the sensors 60-62. For example, when there is water vapor in the object detecting area 65, the object 90 is detected in the object detecting area 65 according to the outputs of the second sensor 61 and the third sensor 62. Moreover, the second sensor 61, which is a transmissive photodetector, is superior in sensitivity to the third sensor 62 as a reflective photoinductor. Therefore, when the third sensor 62 detects that the object 90 on the lower side of the water outlet 310 exists, the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 61 can detect the presence of the object 90, and correctly detect the object 90. The presence of object 90.

Further, the faucet device 1 preferably has the following configuration as in the third embodiment. The faucet device 1 further includes a notification portion 10. The detecting unit 6 serves as a detecting sensor and includes a first sensor 60 and a second sensor 61. The first sensor 60 detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the first region 602 on the lower side of the nozzle 310. The second sensor 61 detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the second region 612 on the lower side of the nozzle 310. In the automatic water discharge mode, the faucet device 1 detects that the object 90 exists in the first region 602 according to the output of the first sensor 60, and detects the second region 612 according to the output of the second sensor 61. When the object 90 is present, water is spouted from the water outlet 310. In the automatic water discharge mode, the faucet device 1 detects that the object 90 exists in the first region 602 according to the output of the first sensor 60, and is not detected in the second region 612 according to the output of the second sensor 61. When the object 90 is present, the first notification is performed by the notification unit 10. The faucet device 1 can correctly detect the presence of the object 90 in the object detecting area 65 on the lower side of the water outlet 310 according to the outputs of the two sensors 60, 61. Moreover, according to the detection result, water can be appropriately discharged from the water outlet 310. The user can recognize that the object 90 exists in the first region 602 but does not exist in the second region 612 by the light emitting unit 100 being illuminated or the spontaneous sound portion 101 emitting a sound. Therefore, users who wish to start the water can easily understand the reason for the lack of water. Therefore, the user can move the object 90, detect the object 90 with the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 61, or change the direction of the object 90, and the third sensor 62 detects the Start to get out of the water quickly.

And as in the third embodiment, the first region 602 (in detail, the non-repetitive region 603) should be included The region located on the front side of the second region 612 is included. Thereby, when the object 90 is disposed in the region of the first region 602 located on the front side of the second region 612 (in detail, the non-overlapping region 603), the first notification is performed. Therefore, the user can first recognize that the object 90 is located on the front side of the second region 612 by the first notification, for example, when the object 90 such as the hand or the dish under the water outlet 310 protrudes from the front side. The user can also recognize that the object 90 is in a position close to the area that can be detected by the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 61 by the first notification. Thereby, the user can move the object 90 to observe from the user as the inner rear side or the like, and simply position the object 90 at an area detectable by the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 61. Therefore, the user can easily spout water from the faucet device 1.

Further, as in the third embodiment, the faucet device 1 preferably includes a region on the front side of the second region 612. Therefore, when the object 90 exists on the front side (non-repetitive area 623) of the second detection area 612, the third sensor 62 can detect the water from the water outlet 310.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the faucet device 1 preferably has the following configuration. The detecting unit 6 includes a third sensor 62 (detection sensor) that detects the presence or absence of the object 90 in the defined third region 622 away from the water outlet 310. In the automatic water discharge mode, the faucet device 1 detects that the object 90 is present in the third region 622 when the third sensor 62 detects the presence of the object 90 from the water outlet 310. The faucet device 1 includes a notification portion 10A and a first distance detecting portion 11. The first distance detecting unit 11 is configured by the third sensor 62. When the object 90 exists in the area between the third area 622 and the water outlet 310, the distance is changed from the object 90 to the third area 622. In the automatic water discharge mode, the control unit 7 notifies the notification unit 10A when the object 90 exists in the area between the third area 622 and the water outlet 310. When the notification is made, the output of the first distance detecting unit 11 is correspondingly The notification aspect of the notification notified by the notification department 10A. When the user of the faucet device 1 positions the object 90 in the third region 622 from the water outlet 310, it is easy to recognize that the object 90 approaches the third region 622 by the change of the notification state notified by the sounding portion 101A. . That is, the third region 622 is located away from the water outlet 310 and is defined. Therefore, although it is difficult for the user to recognize the position of the third region 622, this can be improved. Therefore, the convenience of the faucet device 1 can be improved.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the faucet device 1 preferably has the following configuration. Faucet device 1 pack The second distance detecting unit 12 is included. The second distance detecting unit 12 is configured by a first distance detecting unit (third sensor 62). When the second distance detecting unit 12 is outside the third region 622 and the object 90 exists in a region other than the region between the third region 622 and the water outlet 310, the distance from the object 90 to the third region 622 is changed and output. The control unit 7 notifies the notification unit 10 when the object 90 exists outside the third region 622 and in a region other than the region between the third region 622 and the water outlet 310 in the automatic water discharge mode. When the control unit 7 reports this, the output corresponding to the second distance detecting unit 12 changes the notification state notified by the notification unit 10. The user of the faucet device 1 can easily recognize that the object 90 approaches the third region 622 even if the object 90 exists in an area other than between the third region 622 and the water outlet 310. Further, the region other than the third region 622 and the water outlet 310 is located in the vicinity of the third region 622, and exists in the region below the third region 622, the front side, the rear side, the left side, and the right side.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the faucet device 1 preferably has the following configuration. The notification unit 10A is a sounding unit 101A that emits a notification sound, and the notification sound emitted by the notification unit 10A changes the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90. In the faucet device 1, the user can urge the object 90 to approach the third region 622 by the notification sound emitted from the notification portion 10A. Moreover, the user can easily recognize that the object 90 approaches the third area 622 by the change of the notification sound sent from the notification unit 10A.

Further, as in the fourth embodiment, the first distance detecting unit 11 is preferably constituted by the third sensor 62. Thereby, the sensor different from the third sensor 62 can be omitted, and the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90 can be determined, according to which the notification state is changed.

As in the fourth embodiment, the third sensor 62 is preferably a reflective photo-sensitometer. That is, the third sensor 62 preferably includes a third light projecting portion 620 that illuminates the third region 622, and a third light receiving portion 621 that receives light reflected by the third region 622. The third light projecting portion 620 The light projecting direction is different from the light receiving direction of the third light receiving unit 621.

Thereby, whether or not the object 90 exists in the third region 622 can be detected according to the change in the amount of received light of the third light receiving portion 621.

In addition, in each embodiment, the object 90 is detected in the first region 602 according to the output of the first sensor 60, and is detected in the second region 612 according to the output of the second sensor 61. When the object 90 is present, water is discharged from the water outlet 310. And the water out state at this time may be different from the presence of the object 90 detected by the first sensor 60 in the first region 602, and when the second sensor 61 detects that the object 90 is present in the second region 612, It can be the same. As an example of not being the case, for example, the amount of water discharged from the water outlet 310 per unit time is smaller than when the object 90 is detected in the first region 602 and the object 90 is present in the second region 612.

The non-repetitive region 623 of the first region 602 of the embodiment that is not overlapped with the second region 612 is located on the front side of the second region 612, but may be located on the side or the rear side of the second region 612. The non-repetitive region 623 of the third region 622 that is not overlapped with the second region 612 may also be located on the side or the rear side of the second region 612.

Further, the sensors 60 to 63 are not limited to the respective embodiments, and other sensors known from the prior art may be used.

In each of the embodiments, the duct 31 is provided, and the crucible is rotatable relative to the base portion 30 fixed to the flow table 2. However, the entire water discharge portion 3 can also be rotated relative to the flow table 2. That is, at this time, the duct 31 is provided, and the crucible is fixed to the base portion 30, and the base portion 30 is rotatable left and right with respect to the flow table 2. Further, when the duct 31 is arbitrarily rotatable with respect to the installation portion of the water discharge portion 3, as described above, the entire water discharge portion 3 can be rotated relative to the flow table 2. When the water outlet portion 3 as a whole is rotatable relative to the flow table 2, it is also preferable to expand the detection region of the human body detecting sensor 63 disposed on the catheter 31 so that the human body detecting region 630 does not depend on the water portion 3. The rotational position is set to the front side of the water discharge portion 3.

In each of the embodiments, the duct 31 is rotatable relative to the flow table 2, but the duct 31 may not be rotatable relative to the base portion 30.

Further, the faucet device 1 according to each embodiment may include a notification unit for notifying which state the current automatic water discharge mode is "on" or "off". Further, in the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment, the notification unit is provided separately from the notification unit 10 or the notification unit 10A. As The notification unit includes, for example, a surface portion 300 provided on the upper surface portion 300 of the base portion 30 of the water discharge portion 3, and displays a display portion in which the current automatic water discharge mode is "on" or "off". By providing such a notification unit, the user can easily recognize which state the automatic water discharge mode is in "on" or "off". For example, when the notification unit is the display unit, the display unit can be visually confirmed to recognize which of the “on” or “off” states the automatic water discharge mode is.

The faucet device 1 of each embodiment includes only one human body detecting sensor 63. However, the faucet device 1 can also include a plurality of personal body detecting sensors 63 for detecting the presence or absence of a human body in the detecting area 630 based on the detection results of the plurality of human body detecting sensors 63. As an example, for example, the human body detecting sensor 63 is provided on the duct 31 and the base portion 30. At this time, the control unit 7 determines the human body on the front side of the water outlet portion 3 based on the detection result of the human body detecting sensor 63 provided on the catheter 31 and the detection result of the human body detecting sensor 63 provided on the base portion 30. Existence or not, according to the result of this determination, the switch of the automatic water discharge mode is switched.

Further, in the first to third embodiments, the third sensor 62 may be omitted. At this time, for example, in the automatic water discharge mode, only the object 90 is detected in the first region 602 by the first sensor 60, and the object 90 is detected in the second region 612 by the second sensor 61. When you get out of the water.

The faucet device 1 of the third embodiment includes the light-emitting unit 100 and the sound-emitting unit 101. However, the notification unit 10 may include only the light-emitting unit 100 or only the sound-emitting unit 101. Further, the sounding unit 101 is not limited to emitting a sound, and may emit a signal sound or the like. Further, the notification unit 10 may be a display unit that displays characters or graphics. Further, the water discharge unit 3 of the third embodiment can be arbitrarily rotated with respect to the flow table 2.

The first notification notified by the notification unit 10 according to the third embodiment urges the user to move the object 90 to be detected by all of the first sensor 60, the second sensor 61, and the third sensor 62. region. However, this notification may also urge it to be moved to an area that can only be detected by the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 61.

Further, in the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the base may be used. The portion 30 is arbitrarily rotatable, and the human body detecting sensor 63 is disposed on the duct 31.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, although the two notifications of the first notification and the second notification are performed, the three-stage or more notification may be performed in accordance with the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90.

Further, in the fourth embodiment, the interval (period) at which the notification sound is emitted from the spontaneous sound portion 101A is different depending on the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90. However, the aspect in which the notification sound is changed is not limited to this, and the notification sound may be changed, for example, by a difference in volume or sound. Further, although the notification unit 10A of the fourth embodiment is the utterance unit 101A, it may be notified by means other than sound, for example, it may be notified by light or by displaying characters or figures. It can also be notified by a combination of sound and other means. Of course, in such a case, the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90 may be different, so that the notification state notified by the notification portion 10A is different.

In the fourth embodiment, the distance from the third region 622 to the object 90 is determined (measured) according to the output (output amount) of the third sensor 62 for detecting the presence or absence of the object 90 in the third region 622. . However, a distance from the third region 622 to the object 90 can also be determined using a different sensor than the third sensor 62. That is, the first distance detecting unit 11 and the second distance detecting unit 12 may each be a different sensor than the third sensor 62. For example, as the first distance detecting unit 11 and the second distance detecting unit 12, one or a plurality of other sensors may be provided.

In the faucet device 1 of the fourth embodiment, when the object 90 exists in a region other than the third region 622 (except when the object 90 is present in the first region 602 and the second region 612), the notification state notified by the notification portion 10A The sample will change. However, the faucet device 1 may also be located only outside the third region 622, and in the region between the third region 622 and the water outlet 310, corresponding to the distance between the third region 622 and the object 90, so that the sounding portion 101A Notification of changes in the notification.

Further, the present invention is also applicable to a faucet device provided in a chamber other than the flow table 2 such as a washstand.

Although the invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art may Various modifications and variations are possible in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

1‧‧‧Water tap device

2‧‧‧流台

3‧‧‧Water Department

20‧‧‧Sink

21‧‧‧ upper

22‧‧‧Upper surface

30‧‧‧ base

31‧‧‧ catheter

32‧‧‧Setting Department

63‧‧‧Human detection sensor

65‧‧‧Object detection area

200‧‧‧ bottom

201‧‧‧Upper end

300‧‧‧Upper surface

310‧‧‧Water outlet

311‧‧‧ base end

Claims (14)

A faucet device comprising: a water outlet portion having a water outlet for spraying water toward the lower side; and a detecting portion for detecting the presence or absence of an object in a region on a lower side of the water outlet in a non-contact manner; and a control unit, switching automatically The switch of the water outlet mode, in the automatic water discharge mode, the water is spouted from the water outlet when the detecting unit detects the presence of the object; and the object is not detected by the detecting portion In the state, the water is stopped from the water outlet; the faucet device is characterized by: further comprising a human body detecting sensor, wherein the front side of the water detecting portion is a detecting area and is detected in a non-contact manner The presence or absence of the human body in the detection area is such that the automatic water discharge mode is turned on when the human body detecting sensor detects the presence of the human body. The faucet device of claim 1, comprising an operation portion for manually switching whether water is discharged from the water outlet when the automatic water discharge mode is off. The faucet device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the water outlet portion comprises a conduit, the water outlet is disposed at a front end of the conduit, the conduit is configured to be rotatable relative to the setting of the water outlet portion, and is set to The detection area of the human body detecting sensor is independent of the rotational position of the catheter, and is often located on the front side of the water outlet. The faucet device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the automatic water discharge mode to be off in a state where the presence of the human body is not detected by the human body detecting sensor. The faucet device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a notification portion, the detecting portion as a detecting sensor, comprising: a first sensor for detecting a lower side of the water outlet a presence or absence of an object in the first area; and a second sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object in the second area on the lower side of the water outlet; and in the automatic water discharge mode, according to the first sensing Output of the device, detected in the first An object exists in the area, and according to the output of the second sensor, when an object exists in the second area, water is spouted from the water outlet, and in the automatic water discharge mode, according to the output of the first sensor And detecting that the object exists in the first area, and according to the output of the second sensor, when the object is not detected in the second area, the notification is notified by the notification unit. The faucet device of claim 5, wherein the first region comprises an area on a front side of the second region. The faucet device of claim 5, wherein the first sensor is a distance measuring sensor, and the second sensor is a photo-electrical sensor. The faucet device of claim 5, wherein the detecting portion includes a third sensor, the third sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of an object in a third region on a lower side of the water outlet, the first The third area includes an area on a front side of the second area. In the automatic water discharge mode, when the object is detected in the third area according to the output of the third sensor, the control unit spits from the water outlet. water. The faucet device of claim 8, wherein the third sensor is a photo-electrical sensor. The faucet device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the detecting portion includes a detecting sensor, and the detecting sensor detects an object separated from the water outlet and exists in a limited detection area Or, in the automatic water discharge mode, when the detecting sensor detects that an object exists in the detecting area, the water is spouted from the water outlet, wherein the water tap device includes a notification portion and a distance detector The detecting unit is configured by the detecting sensor or other sensors, and when there is an object in the area between the detecting area of the detecting sensor and the water outlet, The output is changed from the distance of the object to the detection area of the detecting sensor, and the control unit selects the detection area and the output of the detecting sensor in the automatic water discharging mode. When there is an object in the area between the nozzles, the notification unit notifies the notification, and when the notification is made, the notification is changed according to the output of the distance detecting unit. For example, the faucet device of claim 10, wherein Further comprising a second distance detecting unit, wherein the second distance detecting unit is formed by the distance detecting unit or other sensors, in an area outside the detecting area of the detecting sensor, and When an object exists in an area other than the area between the detection area of the detecting sensor and the water outlet, the distance is changed according to the distance from the object to the detecting area of the detecting sensor. Outputting, the control unit is in the automatic water discharge mode, in an area outside the detection area of the detecting sensor, and between the detecting area of the detecting sensor and the water outlet When there is an object in an area other than the area, the notification unit notifies the notification, and when the notification is made, the notification by the notification unit is changed according to the output of the second distance detecting unit. For example, in the faucet device of claim 10, wherein the notification unit sends a sounding portion of the notification sound, because the notification sound sent by the notification unit corresponds to the distance between the detection area of the sensor and the object. Variety. The faucet device of claim 10, wherein the distance detecting unit is configured by the detecting sensor. The faucet device of claim 10, wherein the detecting sensor defines a reflective optical sensor, comprising: a light projecting portion, illuminating the detecting region; and a light receiving portion received at the The light reflected by the detection area is detected; and the light projection direction of the light projecting portion is different from the light receiving direction of the light receiving portion.