US10385555B2 - Electronic faucet - Google Patents

Electronic faucet Download PDF

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Publication number
US10385555B2
US10385555B2 US15/611,863 US201715611863A US10385555B2 US 10385555 B2 US10385555 B2 US 10385555B2 US 201715611863 A US201715611863 A US 201715611863A US 10385555 B2 US10385555 B2 US 10385555B2
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
delivery system
liquid delivery
automated liquid
control valve
flow control
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
US15/611,863
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English (en)
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US20170350105A1 (en
Inventor
Charles Kerwin BRADDOCK
Thomas Stuart DEBAUGH
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MAAX Bath Inc
Original Assignee
MAAX Bath Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MAAX Bath Inc filed Critical MAAX Bath Inc
Priority to US15/611,863 priority Critical patent/US10385555B2/en
Publication of US20170350105A1 publication Critical patent/US20170350105A1/en
Assigned to MAAX BATH INC. reassignment MAAX BATH INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DEBAUGH, THOMAS STUART, BRADDOCK, CHARLES KERWIN
Priority to US16/211,466 priority patent/US11064844B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US10385555B2 publication Critical patent/US10385555B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0404—Constructional or functional features of the spout
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
    • E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
    • E03C1/0412—Constructional or functional features of the faucet handle
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
    • F16K31/60—Handles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of faucets, and more particularly to electronic faucets.
  • an electronic faucet or shower head is required.
  • Such an automated water delivery system may be remotely controlled to remotely control the flow of water. Therefore, electrical power must be provided to the automated water delivery system.
  • Connecting the automated water delivery system to the power grid may require construction work such as removing the bathtub or making holes in a wall to electrically connect the automated water delivery system to the power grid, which is time-consuming and expensive.
  • an automated liquid delivery system comprising: a housing defining an internal chamber, the housing comprising at least one delivery hole; a flow control valve inserted into the internal chamber and connectable to a source of liquid, the flow control valve for controlling a flow of liquid coming from the source of liquid; at least one pipe inserted into the internal chamber and connected to the flow control valve for delivering the liquid coming from the flow control valve through the delivery hole of the housing; a controller inserted into the internal chamber for controlling the flow control valve, the flow control valve and the controller being powerable by a battery insertable into the housing; and a cover securable to the housing for enclosing the flow control valve, the pipe, the controller and the battery therein.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises the battery.
  • the battery comprises a rechargeable battery.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a solar panel for charging the rechargeable battery.
  • the solar panel is secured to the cover.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a communication unit inserted into the internal chamber for at least receiving activation commands.
  • the communication unit comprises a wireless communication unit.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises an activation key for activating the flow control valve.
  • the activation key comprises one of a press button and a motion sensor.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a temperature sensor inserted into the internal chamber for monitoring a temperature of the liquid to be delivered by the pipe.
  • the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor secured to an outer surface of the pipe.
  • the temperature sensor is inserted into the flow control valve.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a flow meter for monitoring a flow rate of the liquid.
  • control flow valve comprises a mixing valve fluidly connectable to two sources of liquid.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a level sensor for monitoring a level of liquid in a container in which the automated liquid delivery system is to deliver the liquid.
  • the level sensor comprises an ultrasonic level sensor.
  • the automated liquid delivery system further comprises a contactless temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the liquid when contained in a container in which the automated liquid delivery system is to deliver the liquid.
  • the contactless temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature sensor.
  • the housing comprises a faucet housing, the automated liquid delivery system corresponding to an electronic faucet.
  • the housing comprises a shower head housing, the automated liquid delivery system corresponding to an electronic shower head.
  • the housing comprises a shower head housing, the automated liquid delivery system corresponding to an electronic shower head.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic faucet comprising a cover, in accordance with a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic faucet of FIG. 1 with the cover omitted, in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the electronic faucet of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an electronic faucet provided with a level sensor and a contactless temperature sensor, in accordance with a second embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for an electronic faucet, in accordance with an embodiment
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a cover for an electronic faucet provided with a solar panel, in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the electronic faucet 10 that may be used in connection with a bathtub, a sink, or the like.
  • the electronic faucet 10 comprises a housing 12 defining an internal chamber 14 and a cover 16 that is removably securable to the housing 12 .
  • the housing 12 and the cover 16 are shaped so that the housing with the cover secured thereto has the shape of a faucet.
  • the electronic faucet 10 further comprises a flow control valve for receiving water from a source of water and controlling the flow of water to be delivered by the electronic faucet.
  • the input of the flow control valve 18 is fluidly connected to a first pipe 20 in which water flows from the source of water.
  • the output of the flow control valve 18 is fluidly connected to the input of a second pipe 22 .
  • a temperature sensor 24 such as a thermistor is secured to the outer surface of the pipe 22 in order to measure the temperature of the water flowing into the pipe 22 .
  • the output of the second pipe 22 is fluidly connected to the input of a flow meter 26 that is adapted to monitor the flow of the water flowing therethrough.
  • the output of the flow meter 26 is fluidly connected to a water delivery pipe 28 which may have a curved shape as illustrated in FIG.
  • the water is delivered via the output of the pipe 28 .
  • the housing 12 comprises a water delivery hole 13 on its bottom face to allow the water delivered by the pipe 28 to fall into the bathtub.
  • the output of the pipe 28 is inserted into the water delivery hole 13 .
  • the electronic faucet 10 further comprises a battery 30 and a controller (not shown).
  • the battery 30 is used for powering at least the controller and the flow control valve 18 .
  • the battery may also be used for powering other components such as temperature sensors, flow rate sensors, etc.
  • the battery 30 is a rechargeable battery.
  • the internal chamber 14 may extend from the top of the housing 12 and the cover 16 is then securable on the top of the housing 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the flow control valve 18 , the second pipe 22 , the temperature sensor 24 , the flow meter 26 , the pipe 28 , and the battery 30 are received within the internal chamber 14 of the housing 12 .
  • the flow control valve 18 is directly connected to a single source of water.
  • the temperature sensor 24 may be omitted.
  • the flow control valve 18 is fluidly connected to a mixing valve that is fluidly connected to a source of hot water and a source of cold water.
  • the controller may be adapted to control the operation of the mixing valve in order to control the temperature of the water to be delivered by the electronic faucet 10 .
  • the flow control valve 18 may be a mixing valve fluidly connected to both a source of hot water and a source of cold water.
  • the controller is adapted to control the flow control valve 18 to adjust the flow of hot water and the flow of cold water flowing therethrough and adjust the temperature of the water delivered by the electronic faucet 10 .
  • the electronic faucet 10 further comprises a communication unit 31 such as a wireless communication unit for receiving commands for the activation of the electronic faucet.
  • the electronic faucet 10 may be remotely controlled by a user using a remote control such as a mobile device.
  • the remote control sends a command indicative of the opening for the electronic faucet to the electronic faucet 10 .
  • the controller of the electronic faucet 10 receives the command via the communication unit 31 and opens the flow control valve according to the received command to deliver water.
  • the remote control sends a command indicative of the closing for the electronic faucet to the electronic faucet 10 .
  • the controller of the electronic faucet 10 receives the command via the communication unit 31 and closes the flow control valve according to the received command to deliver water.
  • the controller may be adapted to receive the measured temperature of the water flowing into the pipe 22 from the temperature sensor 24 and transmit the measured temperature via the communication unit 31 .
  • the controller may be adapted to receive the flow of the water measured by the flow meter 26 and transmit the measured flow via the communication unit 31 .
  • the controller may be adapted to receive from a remote control a desired temperature for the water to be delivered via the communication unit 31 .
  • the controller may be adapted to adjust the flows of hot and cold water by controlling the mixing valve so that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 24 substantially corresponds to the temperature desired by the user.
  • the electronic faucet 10 comprises no temperature sensor 24 and the controller comprises a database containing mixing valve setting conditions for different water temperatures.
  • the controller retrieves from the database the mixing valve setting conditions that correspond to the received desired temperature and applies the retrieved mixing valve setting conditions to the mixing valve in order to obtain water having the desired temperature.
  • the controller may apply a feedback loop control method to obtain the desired temperature.
  • the controller receives the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 24 and adjusts the mixing valve setting conditions until the desired temperature is obtained.
  • the controller may be adapted to receive from a remote control a desired flow for the water to be delivered via the communication unit 31 .
  • the controller may be adapted to adjust the flow of water by controlling the control flow valve 18 so that the flow measured by the temperature sensor 24 substantially corresponds to the received desired flow.
  • the electronic faucet 10 may be provided with an activation device for opening and closing the faucet 10 .
  • the electronic faucet may be provided with an activation key 11 such as a press button for opening and closing the electronic faucet.
  • the activation device may be a motion sensor.
  • the electronic faucet 10 further comprises a level senor such as a contactless level senor for measuring the level of water in the container with which the electronic faucet 10 is used.
  • the electronic faucet 10 may comprise a dual ultrasonic sensor 40 adapted to measure the distance between the water within the bathtub and the sensor 40 .
  • the dual ultrasonic sensor 40 is adapted to emit two ultrasound wave beams 44 which reflected by the surface of the liquid, e.g. water, and to detect the reflected ultrasound wave beams to measure the distance between the surface of the liquid and the dual ultrasonic sensor 40 .
  • the controller may then determine the level of liquid within the container or the volume of liquid in the container using from the measured distance between the surface of the liquid and the dual ultrasonic sensor 40 .
  • the controller is adapted to receive a command indicative of a desired level of water within the bathtub.
  • the controller is adapted to receive the measured level of water from the level sensor 40 close the control flow valve 18 when it determines that the measured level substantially corresponds to the desired level.
  • the electronic faucet further comprises a contact less temperature sensor 42 for remotely measuring the temperature of the liquid contained in the container.
  • the contactless temperature sensor may be an infrared temperature sensor 42 .
  • the infrared temperature sensor 42 is adapted to emit a beam 46 of infrared light which is reflected by the surface of the liquid contained in the container, and to detect the reflected light beam to measure the temperature of the liquid.
  • the controller is adapted to receive a command indicative of a desired temperature for the water in the bathtub and the measured temperature from the contactless temperature sensor 42 . The controller then compares the measured temperature to the desired temperature and controls the mixing valve to add water having an adequate temperature until the measured temperature substantially corresponds to the desired temperature. If the measured temperature is less than the desired temperature, the controller is adapted to control the mixing valve so as to add hot water. If the measured temperature is greater than the desired temperature, the controller is adapted to control the mixing valve so as to add cold water.
  • the contactless level sensor 40 and the contactless temperature sensor 42 may be positioned at any adequate location on the housing 12 of the electronic faucet 10 as long as they can sense the water contained in the bathtub.
  • the housing comprises holes on its wall that faces the bottom of the bathtub once installed, adjacent to the output of the pipe 28 .
  • the contactless level sensor 40 and the contactless temperature sensor 42 face the bottom of the bathtub.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary controller contained in the electronic faucet 10 , in accordance with some embodiments.
  • the processing module 100 typically includes one or more Computer Processing Units (CPUs) or Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) 102 for executing modules or programs and/or instructions stored in memory 104 and thereby performing processing operations, memory 104 , and one or more communication buses 106 for interconnecting these components.
  • the communication buses 106 optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components.
  • the memory 104 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices.
  • the memory 104 optionally includes one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU(s) 102 .
  • the memory 104 or alternately the non-volatile memory device(s) within the memory 104 , comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.
  • the memory 104 , or the computer readable storage medium of the memory 104 stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset thereof:
  • Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above.
  • the above identified modules or programs i.e., sets of instructions
  • the memory 104 may store a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.
  • the memory 104 may store additional modules and data structures not described above.
  • FIG. 5 shows a processing module 100
  • FIG. 3 is intended more as functional description of the various features which may be present in a management module than as a structural schematic of the embodiments described herein.
  • items shown separately could be combined and some items could be separated.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate cover 16 ′ which may be used when the battery 30 is a rechargeable battery.
  • the cover 16 ′ is provided with a solar panel 32 comprising photovoltaic cells for charging the rechargeable battery.
  • the solar panel 32 is electrically connected to the battery 30 via a permanent electrical connection or a disconnectable electrical connector. It should be understood that the solar panel 32 may be secured at any adequate position on the housing 12 or the cover 16 ′. For example, the solar panel 32 may be secured on the top face of the cover 16 ′ as illustrated in FIG. 6 .
  • the housing and the cover may be chosen so that the present system applies to any adequate type of automated liquid delivery systems.
  • the automated liquid delivery system may be shower head.
  • the housing is shaped and sized to correspond to a shower head housing and the cover is chosen so as to correspond to a shower head cover.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
US15/611,863 2016-06-01 2017-06-02 Electronic faucet Active US10385555B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/611,863 US10385555B2 (en) 2016-06-03 2017-06-02 Electronic faucet
US16/211,466 US11064844B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2018-12-06 Water management system and method for managing water

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662345508P 2016-06-03 2016-06-03
US15/611,863 US10385555B2 (en) 2016-06-03 2017-06-02 Electronic faucet

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/611,870 Continuation-In-Part US10774510B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2017-06-02 Overflow system for a fluid container

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US15/611,870 Continuation-In-Part US10774510B2 (en) 2016-06-01 2017-06-02 Overflow system for a fluid container
US15/611,856 Continuation-In-Part US20170348481A1 (en) 2016-06-01 2017-06-02 Water delivery system and method for delivering water

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US20170350105A1 US20170350105A1 (en) 2017-12-07
US10385555B2 true US10385555B2 (en) 2019-08-20

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Cited By (6)

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US20190113144A1 (en) * 2017-10-13 2019-04-18 Lily Gabriel Valve Assembly
US20200072650A1 (en) * 2019-03-18 2020-03-05 Nir Pechuk Container Filling or Emptying Guidance Device
US20220325508A1 (en) * 2021-04-07 2022-10-13 Spectrum Brands, Inc. Electronic faucet with auto focus
US11788263B2 (en) * 2017-10-13 2023-10-17 Lily Herron Valve enclosure
US20240081285A1 (en) * 2020-01-08 2024-03-14 James Dykstra Automatic faucet for animals
US12042043B2 (en) 2020-06-11 2024-07-23 Kohler Co. Temperature tracking mirror

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US20180355592A1 (en) * 2017-06-13 2018-12-13 Evan MANDEL Fluid metering and dispensing apparatus
GB2569631B (en) * 2017-12-21 2022-10-19 Kohler Mira Ltd A flow dispersion device

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CA2969339A1 (fr) 2017-12-03
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