US20170247866A1 - Automatic water faucet - Google Patents
Automatic water faucet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170247866A1 US20170247866A1 US15/595,993 US201715595993A US2017247866A1 US 20170247866 A1 US20170247866 A1 US 20170247866A1 US 201715595993 A US201715595993 A US 201715595993A US 2017247866 A1 US2017247866 A1 US 2017247866A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- spout
- port member
- pipe
- spout port
- sensor
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
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
- E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors
-
- 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
- E03C1/025—Water supply lines as such, e.g. shower hoses
-
- 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
- E03C1/04—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths
- E03C2001/0415—Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths having an extendable water outlet
Definitions
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automatic water faucet according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the automatic water discharge sensor 40 is provided at the leading end 12 b of the spout pipe 12 .
- the automatic water discharge sensor 40 for example, is an infrared range finding sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
- the automatic water discharge sensor 40 projects light from the light emitting portion toward a space underneath the spout port 38 of the spout port member 30 , receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user or tableware, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area.
- the automatic water discharge sensor 40 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit.
- the rising portion 1030 c is connected to the planar portion 1030 a via the continuous curved surface 1030 e , even if water flows onto the planar portion 1030 a from the leading end 1014 e of the spout pipe main body 1014 a , the water is drained easily from the planar portion 1030 a .
- the portion that joins the planar portion 1030 a and the rising portion 1030 c is less likely to be stained, which thus can improve the ease of cleaning.
- One of an abutment portion of the spout port member and an abutment portion of the spout portion is formed into a convex shape, and the other one of the abutment portions is formed into a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape.
- a switch 2026 for switching between ON and OFF of the automatic sensor 2024 is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of the spout pipe 2014 .
- the automatic water discharge and water shutoff as described above is carried out only when the automatic sensor 2024 is ON.
- the guided portion 2040 b of the spout port member 2020 and the spout port member guide portion 2044 d of the spout pipe 2014 abut against each other and move along the corresponding concave and convex shapes, and thus the spout port member 2020 is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for housing.
- This configuration facilitates the operation of fitting the hose guide portion 2044 a of the spout pipe 2014 to the recess portion 2040 a of the spout port member 2020 , and thus the ease of housing the spout port member 2020 into the spout pipe 2014 can be enhanced.
- the spout port member is provided behind the automatic water discharge sensor (toward the counter) as viewed from the user.
- the stretched-out portion may be formed on the front side of the spout pipe (toward the sink), and the spout port member may be provided to the front of the automatic water discharge sensor.
- the sectional shape of the leading end portion of the spout pipe along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis may be a circular arc shape with a central angle exceeding 180 degrees.
- the housed member is embraced by circumferential direction end portions of the leading end portion of the spout pipe, and thus the housed member can be housed stably inside the spout pipe.
- the spout pipe 5014 includes a spout pipe main body 5014 a formed into a so-called gooseneck shape having an inverted U-shape and a stretched-out portion 5014 b that stretches out toward the back side (the side opposite to the user) from the intermediate portion to the leading end portion of the spout pipe main body 5014 a .
- the spout pipe main body 5014 a and the stretched-out portion 5014 b are formed integrally by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material.
- the spout pipe main body 5014 a has a shape that extends downward toward a leading end 5014 e from the portion of a maximum height, and the opening in the leading end 5014 e faces downward.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
Abstract
An automatic water faucet includes a spout pipe; a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout pipe such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out; and a sensor provided in the vicinity of the spout port for causing water to start being discharged upon detecting an object underneath the spout port. The spout port member is configured to be pulled out from a side behind the sensor in an axial direction of the spout pipe.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to automatic water faucets that with sensors control the discharge of water.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Automatic water faucets provided with a spout pipe, a sensor disposed at the leading end of the spout pipe, and a spout port member are widely used in kitchens, wash basins, and the like. When a detection object, such as a hand or tableware, placed underneath the spout port member is detected by the sensor, the automatic water facet is controlled to discharge water through a spout port in the spout port member.
- Among automatic water faucets are devices in which the spout port member can be pulled out from the main body of the spout pipe (for example, Patent Document 1).
- Patent Document 1 JP2013-108286
- Patent Document 2 JP2011-122359
- Patent Document 3 JP2011-94480
- Patent Document 4 JP5465687
- Patent Document 5 JP2011-137289
- In the automatic water faucet described in Patent Document 1, the spout port member, which can be pulled out, is disposed closer to the user than is the sensor on the leading end of the spout pipe, and the spout port member is configured so as to separate from the spout pipe at a faucet end lower than the sensor. Such a configuration leads to an increase in the distance between a light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port, which results in a problem in that the sensor is less responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port.
- The present invention has been made in view of such an issue and is directed to providing a technique for enhancing the usability of an automatic water faucet in which a spout port member can be pulled out from the leading end of a spout pipe.
- To address the above-described issue, an aspect of the present invention provides an automatic water faucet that includes a spout pipe; a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout pipe such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out; and a sensor provided in the vicinity of the spout port for causing water to start being discharged upon detecting an object underneath the spout port. The spout port member is configured to be pulled out from a side that is behind the sensor in an axial direction of the spout pipe.
- Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are meant to be exemplary, not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in several Figures, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with an automatic water faucet according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of an automatic water faucet; -
FIG. 3 is a side view of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out; -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a kitchen provided with an automatic water faucet according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the automatic water faucet according to the second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of a spout pipe as viewed from below; -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a kitchen provided with an automatic water faucet according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the automatic water faucet according to the third embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of a spout pipe as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which a spout port member is housed in the spout pipe; -
FIG. 13 illustrates an automatic water faucet as viewed from a rear side, illustrating a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out from a spout pipe along with a water supply hose; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a guide member; -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of a spout pipe as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out from the spout pipe; -
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with a water faucet according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view of a water faucet; -
FIG. 18 is a side view of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out; -
FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of a spout pipe as viewed from a different direction; -
FIG. 22 illustrates a spout port member as viewed from a back side; -
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with an automatic water faucet according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 24 is an overall perspective view of an automatic water faucet; -
FIG. 25 is a side view of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of a spout pipe; -
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out; -
FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of a spout pipe as viewed from a different direction; -
FIG. 29 is a plan view of the leading end of a spout pipe as viewed in the direction from a spout port; -
FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a kitchen provided with an automatic water faucet according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the automatic water faucet according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of a spout pipe as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which a spout port member is housed in the spout pipe; -
FIG. 33 illustrates an automatic water faucet as viewed from a rear side, illustrating a state in which a spout port member is being pulled out from a spout pipe along with a water supply hose; -
FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating a guide member; -
FIG. 35 illustrates a leading end portion of a spout pipe as viewed from below; and -
FIG. 36 illustrates an automatic water faucet according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. - Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Identical or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes illustrated in the drawings are given identical reference characters, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. In addition, the embodiments are not intended to limit the invention but are illustrative in nature. All of the features described in the embodiments and combinations thereof are not necessarily essential to the invention.
- An overview of a first embodiment will be given. An aspect of the present invention provides an automatic water faucet that includes a spout pipe; a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout pipe such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out; and a sensor provided in the vicinity of the spout port for causing water to start being discharged upon detecting an object underneath the spout port. The spout port member is configured to be pulled out from a side that is behind the sensor in an axial direction of the spout pipe.
- According to this aspect, the structure in which the spout port member is pulled out from a side that is behind the sensor in the axial direction of the spout pipe, or in other words, from the back side of the sensor makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the spout port member projects downward with respect to a light emitting portion of the sensor and to reduce the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port. Thus, the sensor is responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port, and the usability improves. In addition, a broad space can be secured underneath the spout port.
- The spout pipe may have a shape that expands from an intermediate portion to the leading end thereof, and the spout port member may be able to be pulled out from the expanded portion. This configuration can achieve a structure in which the spout port member is attached to the leading end of the spout pipe without increasing the diameter of the spout pipe along the entire length thereof. In addition, irregularity on the spout pipe can be kept minimum, which thus leads to an aesthetically pleasing design and increased ease of cleaning.
- The spout port member may have a shape that smoothly curves continuously from an upstream side of the spout pipe to the spout port member in a state in which the spout port member is being attached. This configuration can prevent a water supply hose connected to the spout port member from being caught inside the spout pipe when the spout port member is pulled out or housed, which thus facilitates the operation of the spout port member. In addition, the smooth spout pipe is easy to clean.
- The spout pipe may have a shape that expands in the depthwise direction toward the leading end as viewed from the user, and the spout port member may be able to be pulled out from either side of the portion that expands in the depthwise direction. This configuration makes the expanded portion less noticeable when the automatic water faucet is viewed from the side closer to the user and can give the user a generally compact and neat impression.
- The configurations described above can enhance the usability of the automatic water faucet in which the spout port member can be pulled out from the leading end of the spout pipe.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with anautomatic water faucet 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Akitchen 100 is provided with asink 102, and acounter 104 having a step with respect to a top surface is provided behind thesink 102. Theautomatic water faucet 10 is installed on the left side in thecounter 104, and apurified water faucet 106 is installed on the right side in thecounter 104. Theautomatic water faucet 10 is connected to a water service pipe and supplies regular tap water, whereas the purifiedwater faucet 106 is connected to a water purifying device installed underneath thesink 102 and supplies purified water. - Hereinafter, when the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “closer,” and “behind,” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of the
automatic water faucet 10 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view of theautomatic water faucet 10 illustrated inFIG. 1 . Theautomatic water faucet 10 primarily includes aspout pipe 12, abase end portion 24, and ahandle lever 22.FIG. 3 is a side view of thespout pipe 12 that is being detached from thebase end portion 24. - The
spout pipe 12 is formed into a so-called gooseneck shape in which anintermediate portion 12 a is curved into an inverted U-shape and aleading end 12 b extends obliquely downward. Thespout pipe 12 is formed by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. Although details will be given later, aspout port member 30 having aspout port 38 and an automaticwater discharge sensor 40 for controlling the water discharged through thespout port 38 are provided at theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , acoupling member 26 to be coupled to thebase end portion 24 is provided in thespout pipe 12 at a side toward the base end portion. - As illustrated in
FIG. 1 , thebase end portion 24 is disposed on the upper surface of thecounter 104 in the kitchen. Thehandle lever 22 is provided on the upper end of thebase end portion 24. - A cold-water pipe and a hot water pipe (not illustrated) connected to supply sources of cold water and hot water, respectively, extend inside the
base end portion 24. A solenoid valve (not illustrated) is provided between the cold-water pipe and hot water pipe and a water supply hose for supplying water to thespout port 38 housed in thespout pipe 12. This solenoid valve can open or close the valve under the control of a control unit, which is not illustrated, to control the flow of water from the cold-water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose. - A mixing valve (not illustrated) that mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature is provided inside the
base end portion 24. Thehandle lever 22 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and the horizontal pivot operation thereof adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, whereas the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The automatic
water discharge sensor 40 is provided at theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12. The automaticwater discharge sensor 40, for example, is an infrared range finding sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The automaticwater discharge sensor 40 projects light from the light emitting portion toward a space underneath thespout port 38 of thespout port member 30, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user or tableware, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. The automaticwater discharge sensor 40 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - A
proximity sensor 14 is provided on the front side of thespout pipe 12, or in other words, on the side that faces the user standing in the kitchen. Theproximity sensor 14 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. Theproximity sensor 14 projects light obliquely upward, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 14 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - The control unit is constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. The control unit opens or closes the solenoid valve on the basis of an output signal from the automatic
water discharge sensor 40 or theproximity sensor 14 and makes a switch as to whether water is supplied through thespout port 38 of thespout port member 30. The control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - It is to be noted that water is controlled to be supplied through the
spout port 38 only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 within the detection area, whereas water continues to be supplied through thespout port 38 even after a detection target that has once been detected by theproximity sensor 14 within the detection area becomes no longer detected. When a detection target is detected again within the detection area, the water supply through thespout port 38 is shut off. - An on/off
switch 16 of a push button type is provided on thespout pipe 12 on the side closer to the user and underneath the proximity sensor 14 (toward the leadingend 12 b). While the on/offswitch 16 is set to OFF, the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 is inactive, and water is not supplied through thespout port 38 even if an object is present underneath thesensor 40. - As can be seen from
FIG. 3 , thespout pipe 12 is formed to have a constant curvature in the first embodiment. - Furthermore, a hollow stretched-out
portion 18 that expands toward the lower side of thespout pipe 12 is formed from a portion near the top of theintermediate portion 12 a of thespout pipe 12 to theleading end 12 b. The lower surface of this stretched-outportion 18 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve extending from the side of thebase end portion 24 of thespout pipe 12 and having a curvature smaller than the curvature of thespout pipe 12. A leadingend 18 a of the stretched-outportion 18 is located further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of thespout pipe 12, the upper right side inFIG. 3 ) than is theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12. Methods of forming such a spout pipe include a bulge process, zinc die casting, and resin molding. - The
spout port member 30, which can be freely pulled out, is attached behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 at theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12 as viewed from the user. As can be seen fromFIG. 3 , thespout port member 30 is attached to the leading end of the stretched-outportion 18 and behind the leadingend 12 b of thespout pipe 12 as viewed from the user. In a state in which thespout port member 30 is being attached, the inner peripheral side of the curve of thespout port member 30 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve with the inner peripheral sides of thebase end portion 24 and the stretched-outportion 18 of thespout pipe 12. -
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12, andFIG. 5 illustrates a state in which thespout port member 30 is being pulled out. - The
spout port member 30 includes acover portion 32, aswitch operation portion 34, and thespout port 38. - As illustrated in
FIG. 5 , a flexible metalwater supply hose 50 is connected to thespout port member 30. The other end of thewater supply hose 50 is connected to the solenoid valve described above. Thewater supply hose 50 is housed such that thewater supply hose 50 can move by a predetermined length in the direction of the pipe axis inside thespout pipe 12 and the stretched-outportion 18. Thus, when thespout port member 30 is pulled out from thespout pipe 12, thewater supply hose 50 is also pulled out along therewith. The direction in which thespout port member 30 is pulled out substantially coincides with the axial direction of thespout pipe 12. When thespout port member 30 is attached to thespout pipe 12, thewater supply hose 50 moves toward thebase end portion 24 inside the stretched-outportion 18 and thespout pipe 12. The water that flows inside thewater supply hose 50 is discharged through thespout port 38. - The
cover portion 32 connects thewater supply hose 50 to theswitch operation portion 34 and also constitutes a portion that the user holds when removing thespout port member 30 from thespout pipe 12. In addition, thecover portion 32 serves as an attachment that enables thespout port member 30 to be easily attached to or detached from thespout pipe 12. - An
end surface 42 that is recessed toward the inside of the pipe is formed at theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12, and the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 is disposed to be flush with thisend surface 42. Apipe wall 12 c of thespout pipe 12 allows the surrounding of the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 to be located inward, which thus can prevent a hand of the user from making contact with thesensor 40 to contaminate the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the sensor or prevent tableware from hitting the sensor to cause damage thereto. - At the leading
end 12 b of thespout pipe 12, thepipe wall 12 c is partially cut out, and aconcave guide portion 44, which functions as a guide when thespout port member 30 is housed, is provided at the cut-out portion. Aconvex portion 39, which opposes theguide portion 44 when thespout port member 30 is housed, is formed on the upper surface (the front surface as viewed from the user) of thecover portion 32 of thespout port member 30. - A cylindrical
hose guide portion 52 having a hole into which thewater supply hose 50 is inserted is provided at theleading end 18 a of the stretched-outportion 18. Although not illustrated, a recess portion that receives thehose guide portion 52 is formed at the trailing end of thespout port member 30 that faces the stretched-outportion 18. - When the
spout port member 30 is housed, thewater supply hose 50 is pushed into the hole in thehose guide portion 52, and thus the trailing end of thespout port member 30 is guided to thehose guide portion 52. As thespout port member 30 continues to be pushed thereinto, theconvex portion 39 formed on the upper surface of thespout port member 30 is guided by theguide portion 44 of thespout pipe 12, and thespout port member 30 fits with thehose guide portion 52. Thus, thespout port member 30 is held by thespout pipe 12. When thespout port member 30 is pulled out, thespout port member 30 is pulled obliquely downward, and thus theconvex portion 39 is guided by the guide portion and pulled out therefrom. - As described above, the lower surfaces of the stretched-out
portion 18 and thespout pipe 12 are smoothly continuous with each other, and a corner or a large change in the curvature is not present inside the pipe. This configuration can prevent thewater supply hose 50 connected to thespout port member 30 from being caught inside thespout pipe 12 and the stretched-outportion 18 when thespout port member 30 is pulled out or housed, which thus facilitates the operation of thespout port member 30. In addition, the absence of any bent portion makes it easier to clean the outer surfaces of thespout pipe 12 and the stretched-outportion 18. - The leading
end 18 a of the stretched-outportion 18, with which the trailing end of thespout port member 30 in a housed state makes contact, is located further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of the spout pipe 12) than is theleading end 12 b of thespout pipe 12. Thus, in a state in which thespout port member 30 is housed, thespout port 38 of thespout port member 30 is located relatively close to the automaticwater discharge sensor 40. In this manner, the structure in which thespout port member 30 is pulled out from a side that is behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 40 in the axial direction of the spout pipe, or in other words, from the back side of thesensor 40 makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the spout port member projects downward with respect to the light emitting portion of thesensor 40 and to reduce the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port. Thus, the sensor becomes responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port. - The
switch operation portion 34 of thespout port member 30 is a member for switching the water flowing from thewater supply hose 50 to shower water discharge or straight water discharge. Theswitch operation portion 34 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower side of the outer periphery of thecover portion 32 and forms a cylindrical shape as a whole. Theswitch operation portion 34 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) about the center axis relative to thecover portion 32. Atab portion 36 for the user to hook his/her finger thereon is formed on the cylindrical surface of theswitch operation portion 34. The user can switch between the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge by rotating the position of thetab portion 36 by a predetermined angle. - As described thus far, according to the first embodiment, the structure in which the spout port member is pulled out from a side that is behind the automatic water discharge sensor in the axial direction of the spout pipe, or in other words, from the back side of the sensor makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the spout port member projects downward with respect to the light emitting portion of the sensor and to reduce the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port. Thus, the sensor is responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port, and the usability improves. In addition, the reduction in the amount by which the spout port member projects downward makes it possible to secure a broad space underneath the spout port.
- In addition, the spout pipe has the stretched-out portion that expands in the depthwise direction from the intermediate portion to the leading end as viewed from the user, and the spout port member can be pulled out from this stretched-out portion. This configuration can achieve a structure in which the spout port member is housed at the leading end of the spout pipe without increasing the diameter of the spout pipe along the entire length thereof. In addition, irregularity on the spout pipe can be kept minimum, which thus leads to an aesthetically pleasing design and increased ease of cleaning. Furthermore, by providing the stretched-out portion toward the back side in the axial direction of the spout pipe, the stretched-out portion becomes less noticeable when the automatic water faucet is seen from the front side as viewed from the user, which can give the user a generally compact and neat impression.
- In the first embodiment described above, the spout port member is provided behind the automatic water discharge sensor (toward the counter) as viewed from the user. Alternatively, the stretched-out portion may be formed on the front side of the spout pipe (toward the sink), and the spout port member may be provided to the front of the automatic water discharge sensor. In this case as well, an advantageous effect similar to that of the first embodiment can be expected as long as the boundary between the spout port member and the stretched-out portion is located behind the light emitting portion of the automatic water discharge sensor (toward the base end portion) in the axial direction of the spout pipe and the spout port member is pulled out therefrom.
- In place of the shape in which only the leading end side of the spout pipe expands in the depthwise direction as viewed from the user as in the stretched-out portion described in the first embodiment, a shape in which the spout pipe expands in the depthwise direction throughout its length may be employed, or a shape in which the spout pipe expands in the lateral direction throughout its length may be employed.
- The automatic water faucet according to the first embodiment can be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens. In addition, the counter has been illustrated as a base member to which the base end portion of the automatic water faucet is fixed.
- Alternatively, the base member may be a wall member or the like that defines the inside and the outside of a facility such as a bathroom.
- In addition, the shape of the spout pipe is not limited to the gooseneck shape, and the spout pipe may be formed into a different shape.
- Conventionally, there is known an automatic water faucet that includes a spout port member and a sensor provided at a leading end portion of a spout pipe and that discharges water through the spout port member upon detecting a detection target such as a hand with the sensor (see, for example, patent document 2).
- In such a conventional automatic water faucet as described above, when water is poured over the spout pipe, the water may run down the outer surface of the spout pipe to reach the leading end of the spout pipe, and water droplets may adhere to the sensor window of the sensor. When water droplets adhere to the sensor window, the sensor window is stained with the water droplets, which may result in a false detection.
- A second embodiment provides an automatic water faucet that can suppress adherence of water droplets onto a sensor window of a sensor.
- An overview of the second embodiment will be given. An automatic water faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spout portion; a sensor that detects the presence of a detection target; a spout port member that discharges water upon a detection target being detected by the sensor; and a holding member that holds the sensor inside the spout portion. The holding member includes a planar portion having a sensor window of the sensor and a rising portion formed to rise from a periphery of the planar portion.
- According to this aspect, the rising portion formed at the periphery of the planar portion makes water less likely to flow onto the planar portion from the leading end of the spout portion, and thus adherence of water droplets onto the sensor window of the sensor can be suppressed. As a result, the sensor window can be prevented from being stained, and a false detection can thus be suppressed.
- The spout portion may be a spout pipe. The sensor may be held at a leading end portion of the spout pipe. When the sensor is located at the leading end portion of the spout pipe, water droplets are more likely to adhere to the sensor window, and thus the rising portion is particularly effective.
- The planar portion may be disposed at a position more inward than the leading end of the spout portion, and the rising portion may be formed to rise along an inner wall of the spout portion. In this case, as the planar portion is located more inward than the leading end of the spout portion, water is even less likely to flow onto the planar portion from the leading end of the spout portion, and thus adherence of water droplets onto the sensor window of the sensor can be further suppressed. In addition, as the rising portion rises along the inner wall of the spout portion, the inner wall of the spout portion is covered by the rising portion, and thus the appearance can be improved.
- A leading end of the rising portion may project more than the leading end of the spout portion. In this case, water is even less likely to flow onto the planar portion from the leading end of the spout portion, and thus adherence of water droplets onto the sensor window of the sensor can be further suppressed.
- The rising portion may be connected to the planar portion via a continuous curved surface. In this case, even if water flows onto the planar portion from the leading end of the spout portion, the water is easily drained from the planar portion. In addition, the portion that joins the planar portion and the rising portion is less likely to be stained, which thus improves the ease of cleaning.
- The configurations described above makes it possible to suppress adherence of water droplets onto the sensor window of the sensor in the automatic water faucet.
-
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of akitchen 1100 provided with anautomatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Asink 1102 that is recessed in a concave shape is provided in thekitchen 1100. Theautomatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, apurified water faucet 1106 for supplying purified water, and astorage portion 1108 for storing various items such as a dishwashing detergent and a sponge are provided in acounter 1104 behind thesink 1102. When the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” and “outer” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of theautomatic water faucet 1010 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of theautomatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 7 , theautomatic water faucet 1010 includes a water faucetmain body 1012 erected on the counter and aspout pipe 1014, which serves as a spout portion, that extends from the upper end surface of the water faucetmain body 1012. Aspout port member 1020 having aspout port 1018 is provided at a leading end side of thespout pipe 1014 in the direction of the pipe axis. - The water faucet
main body 1012 includes a mixing valve (not illustrated) provided thereinside and alever handle 1016 for operating the mixing valve. The mixing valve mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature. The horizontal pivot operation of thelever handle 1016 adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The
spout pipe 1014 is constituted by a spout pipemain body 1014 a formed into a so-called gooseneck shape having an inverted U-shape and a stretched-outportion 1014 b that stretches out toward the back side (the side opposite to the user) from the intermediate portion to the leading end portion of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. The spout pipemain body 1014 a and the stretched-outportion 1014 b are formed integrally by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. The spout pipemain body 1014 a has a shape that extends downward toward aleading end 1014 e from the portion of a maximum height, and the opening in theleading end 1014 e faces downward. - A flexible water supply hose (not illustrated) is disposed inside the
spout pipe 1014. One end of the water supply hose is connected to thespout port member 1020. Thespout port member 1020 can be pulled out from thespout pipe 1014 along with the water supply hose. In a state in which thespout port member 1020 is housed in thespout pipe 1014, thespout port 1018 of thespout port member 1020 faces downward. - The other end of the water supply hose is connected to a solenoid valve (not illustrated). This solenoid valve is provided underneath the counter and controls the discharge and shutoff of the water through the
spout port 1018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not illustrated) constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. This control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - A
proximity sensor 1022, which serves as a first human body detection sensor, is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 1014. Theproximity sensor 1022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theproximity sensor 1022 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 1022 is provided such that asensor window 1022 a faces obliquely upward. - The
proximity sensor 1022 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand over the sensor window. When a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 1022, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged through thespout port 1018 of thespout port member 1020. Once a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 1022, the water continues to be discharged even after the body part becomes no longer detected. Thereafter, when theproximity sensor 1022 detects a body part again as the user places his/her hand over theproximity sensor 1022 again, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 1018 of thespout port member 1020. The presence of such aproximity sensor 1022 makes it possible to control the discharge and shutoff of the water without operating thelever handle 1016, and thus thelever handle 1016 is prevented from being stained even when the hands are not clean, for example. -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the leading end portion of thespout pipe 1014 as viewed from below. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , thespout port member 1020 is provided at the leading end portion of thespout pipe 1014 on the side away from the user, and anautomatic sensor 1024, which serves as a second human body detection sensor, is provided on the side closer to the user. Theautomatic sensor 1024 is provided inside aleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. Thespout port member 1020 is provided at aleading end portion 1014 d of the stretched-outportion 1014 b such that thespout port member 1020 can be pulled out along with the water supply hose. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , theleading end portion 1014 d of the stretched-outportion 1014 b does not extend to theleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a and has a shape in which the leading end portion of thespout pipe 1014 is partially cut out. The sectional shape of theleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis is a circular arc shape with a central angle of approximately 270 degrees. Thespout port member 1020 is formed such that a portion thereof follows along the cut-out portion of thespout pipe 1014 in a state in which thespout port member 1020 is being housed in thespout pipe 1014. - The
automatic sensor 1024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theautomatic sensor 1024 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theautomatic sensor 1024 is provided such that asensor window 1024 a faces downward. - The
automatic sensor 1024 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand underneath thespout port 1018. When a body part is detected by theautomatic sensor 1024, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged automatically through thespout port 1018 of thespout port member 1020. Thereafter, when the user pulls back the hand out of the detection area of theautomatic sensor 1024, theautomatic sensor 1024 no longer detects a body part. Thus, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 1018 of thespout port member 1020. The presence of such anautomatic sensor 1024 makes it possible to discharge water only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by theautomatic sensor 1024, and thus water consumption can be reduced. - A
switch 1026 for switching between ON and OFF of theautomatic sensor 1024 is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 1014. The automatic water discharge and water shutoff as described above is carried out only when theautomatic sensor 1024 is ON. -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the leading end portion of thespout pipe 1014.FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which the spout port member is being pulled out from thespout pipe 1014 and in which awater supply hose 1028 extends from thespout pipe 1014. - As illustrated in
FIG. 9 , theautomatic sensor 1024 is held inside theleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a by a holdingmember 1030. The holdingmember 1030 is made of resin and is formed integrally with aguide portion 1032 of thewater supply hose 1028 provided inside the stretched-outportion 1014 b. Theguide portion 1032 also serves the function of holding thespout port member 1020. - The holding
member 1030 includes aplanar portion 1030 a provided to cover the opening in theleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. Anopening 1030 b for exposing thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024 to the outside of thespout pipe 1014 is formed in theplanar portion 1030 a. In a state in which theautomatic sensor 1024 is held by the holdingmember 1030, thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024 may be flush with theplanar portion 1030 a of the holdingmember 1030. The light emitting surface of the light emitting portion and the light receiving surface of the light receiving portion are located on thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024. - In the second embodiment, the
planar portion 1030 a is disposed at a position more inward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis, or in other words, more toward the inside of the spout pipemain body 1014 a than theleading end 1014 e thereof in the direction of the pipe axis. - Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the holding
member 1030 includes a risingportion 1030 c formed to rise outward from the periphery of theplanar portion 1030 a in the direction of the pipe axis. As illustrated inFIG. 9 , aleading end 1030 d of the risingportion 1030 c projects more outward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis. The risingportion 1030 c is formed to rise along aninner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. The sectional shape of the risingportion 1030 c along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis is a circular arc shape with a central angle of approximately 270 degrees, similarly to theleading end portion 1014 c of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. In addition, the risingportion 1030 c is connected to theplanar portion 1030 a via a continuouscurved surface 1030 e. - An advantageous effect of the
automatic water faucet 1010 configured as described above will be described. When theautomatic water faucet 1010 is in use, water can be poured over the outer surface of thespout pipe 1014. This water poured over the outer surface of thespout pipe 1014 runs down the outer surface of thespout pipe 1014 due to the gravitational force and reaches theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a. When this water flows into thespout pipe 1014 and adheres to thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024, the sensor window may be stained, which may result in a false detection. - In the
automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the risingportion 1030 c formed at the periphery of theplanar portion 1030 a makes the water less likely to flow onto theplanar portion 1030 a from theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, and thus adherence of water droplets onto thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024 is suppressed. As a result, the sensor window can be prevented from being stained, and a false detection can thus be suppressed. - In addition, in the
automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, theleading end 1030 d of the risingportion 1030 c projects more outward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis. This configuration makes the water even less likely to flow onto theplanar portion 1030 a from theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, and thus adherence of water droplets onto thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024 is further suppressed. - In addition, in the
automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, theplanar portion 1030 a is disposed at a position more inward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis. Such a configuration makes the water even less likely to flow onto theplanar portion 1030 a from theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, and thus adherence of water droplet onto thesensor window 1024 a of theautomatic sensor 1024 is further suppressed. - Here, in a case in which the rising
portion 1030 c as in the second embodiment is not formed and theplanar portion 1030 a is simply disposed at a position more inward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis, theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a is exposed. When theinner wall 1014 f is exposed in this manner, the appearance can be degraded. The degradation of the appearance may possibly be suppressed by subjecting theinner wall 1014 f to surface treatment, but the manufacturing cost may increase in this case. In addition, dirt is more likely to sneak into the corner between theplanar portion 1030 a and theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, which may lead to reduced ease of cleaning. - In the
automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, the risingportion 1030 c is formed to rise along theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, and thus theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a is covered by the risingportion 1030 c. Therefore, theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a is not exposed, and thus the appearance can be improved even without subjecting theinner wall 1014 f to any special surface treatment. Since theinner wall 1014 f does not need to be subjected to any special surface treatment, an increase in the manufacturing cost can be suppressed. In addition, since the corner between theplanar portion 1030 a and theinner wall 1014 f of the spout pipemain body 1014 a is covered by the risingportion 1030 c, dirt does not sneak thereinto, which leads to the ease of cleaning. - Furthermore, in the
automatic water faucet 1010 according to the second embodiment, since the risingportion 1030 c is connected to theplanar portion 1030 a via the continuouscurved surface 1030 e, even if water flows onto theplanar portion 1030 a from theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a, the water is drained easily from theplanar portion 1030 a. In addition, the portion that joins theplanar portion 1030 a and the risingportion 1030 c is less likely to be stained, which thus can improve the ease of cleaning. - In the second embodiment described above, the
planar portion 1030 a is disposed at a position more inward than theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a in the direction of the pipe axis. However, the position of theplanar portion 1030 a is not limited thereto, and theplanar portion 1030 a may, for example, be flush with theleading end 1014 e of the spout pipemain body 1014 a or may project from theleading end 1014 e. - The shape of the spout portion is not limited to that of the spout pipe having a gooseneck shape as described above, and the spout portion may be formed into any well-known shape, as in a linear spout pipe or a box-shaped spout pipe. In addition, the spout portion need not be a member constituted by a single piece and may be constituted by a combination of a plurality of members.
- The automatic water faucet according to the second embodiment described above may be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens. In addition, an automatic water faucet provided with a proximity sensor has been illustrated in the second embodiment described above, but the proximity sensor is not an essential constituent element.
- Conventionally, a water faucet provided with a spout port member that can be pulled out from a spout pipe along with a water supply hose is known (see, for example, patent document 3). According to such a water faucet, water can be supplied throughout a sink, which makes it easier to clean the sink.
- In such a water faucet in which a spout port member can be pulled out from a spout pipe as described above, it is desirable that the spout port member can be housed into the spout pipe with ease.
- A third embodiment provides a technique by which ease of housing a spout port member into a spout portion can be increased in a water faucet provided with a spout port member that can be pulled out from a spout portion along with a water supply hose.
- An overview of the third embodiment will be given. A water faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spout portion; a water supply hose disposed inside the spout portion; and a spout port member connected to the water supply hose, the spout port member being provided such that the spout port member can be pulled out from the spout portion along with the water supply hose. When the spout port member is housed into the spout portion, a portion of a side surface of the spout port member can abut against a portion of a side surface of the spout portion. One of an abutment portion of the spout port member and an abutment portion of the spout portion is formed into a convex shape, and the other one of the abutment portions is formed into a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape.
- According to this aspect, when the spout port member that has been pulled out is housed into the spout portion, the abutment portion of the spout port member and the abutment portion of the spout portion move along the corresponding concave and convex shapes, and thus the spout port member is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for housing. This configuration facilitates the operation of housing the spout port member into the spout portion.
- The convex shape or the concave shape formed at the abutment portion of the spout port member may extend along a lengthwise direction of the water supply hose, and the convex shape or the concave shape formed at the abutment portion of the spout portion may extend along an axial direction of the spout portion. In this case, the ease of guiding the spout port member improves, which further facilitates the operation of housing the spout port member into the spout portion.
- In a state in which the spout port member is housed in the spout portion, the spout port member may be located behind the spout portion relative to the user. In this case, the spout port member is hidden behind the spout portion, and thus the spout port member is less visible, which can improve the appearance of the water faucet.
- The configurations described above can enhance the ease of housing the spout port member into the spout portion in the water faucet provided with the spout port member that can be pulled out from the spout portion along with the water supply hose.
-
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of akitchen 2100 provided with anautomatic water faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Asink 2102 that is recessed in a concave shape is provided in thekitchen 2100. Theautomatic water faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment, apurified water faucet 2106 for supplying purified water, and astorage portion 2108 for storing various items such as a dishwashing detergent and a sponge are provided in acounter 2104 behind thesink 2102. When the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” and “outer” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of theautomatic water faucet 2010 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of theautomatic water faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 11 , theautomatic water faucet 2010 includes a water faucetmain body 2012 erected on the counter and aspout pipe 2014, which serves as a spout portion, that extends from the upper end surface of the water faucetmain body 2012. Aspout port member 2020 having aspout port 2018 is provided at a leading end side of thespout pipe 2014 in the direction of the pipe axis. - The water faucet
main body 2012 includes a mixing valve (not illustrated) provided thereinside and alever handle 2016 for operating the mixing valve. The mixing valve mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature. The horizontal pivot operation of thelever handle 2016 adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The
spout pipe 2014 includes a spout pipemain body 2014 a formed into a so-called gooseneck shape having an inverted U-shape and a stretched-outportion 2014 b that stretches out toward the back side (the side opposite to the user) from the intermediate portion to the leading end portion of the spout pipemain body 2014 a. The spout pipemain body 2014 a and the stretched-outportion 2014 b are formed integrally by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. The spout pipemain body 2014 a has a shape that extends downward toward aleading end 2014 e from the portion of a maximum height, and the opening in theleading end 2014 e faces downward. - A flexible water supply hose (not illustrated) is disposed inside the
spout pipe 2014. One end of the water supply hose is connected to thespout port member 2020. Thespout port member 2020 can be pulled out from thespout pipe 2014 along with the water supply hose. In a state in which thespout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, thespout port 2018 of thespout port member 2020 faces downward. - The other end of the water supply hose is connected to a solenoid valve (not illustrated). This solenoid valve is provided underneath the counter and controls the discharge and shutoff of the water through the
spout port 2018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not illustrated) constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. This control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - A
proximity sensor 2022, which serves as a first human body detection sensor, is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 2014. Theproximity sensor 2022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theproximity sensor 2022 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 2022 is provided such that asensor window 2022 a faces obliquely upward. - The
proximity sensor 2022 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand over the sensor window. When a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 2022, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged through thespout port 2018 of thespout port member 2020. Once a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 2022, the water continues to be discharged even after the body part becomes no longer detected. Thereafter, when theproximity sensor 2022 detects a body part again as the user places his/her hand over theproximity sensor 2022 again, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 2018 of thespout port member 2020. The presence of such aproximity sensor 2022 makes it possible to control the discharge and shutoff of the water without operating thelever handle 2016, and thus thelever handle 2016 is prevented from being stained even when the hands are not clean, for example. -
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of thespout pipe 2014 as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which thespout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014. In addition,FIG. 13 illustrates theautomatic water faucet 2010 as viewed from the back side, illustrating a state in which thespout port member 2020 is being pulled out from thespout pipe 2014 along with awater supply hose 2028. - The
spout port member 2020 is provided at the leading end portion of thespout pipe 2014 on the side away from the user, and anautomatic sensor 2024, which serves as a second human body detection sensor, is provided on the side closer to the user. Theautomatic sensor 2024 is provided inside aleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a. Thespout port member 2020 is provided at aleading end portion 2014 d of the stretched-outportion 2014 b such that thespout port member 2020 can be pulled out along with thewater supply hose 2028. Theleading end portion 2014 d of the stretched-outportion 2014 b does not extend to theleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a and has a shape in which the leading end portion of thespout pipe 2014 is partially cut out. The sectional shape of theleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis is a circular arc shape with a central angle of approximately 270 degrees. - The
automatic sensor 2024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theautomatic sensor 2024 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theautomatic sensor 2024 is provided such that asensor window 2024 a faces downward. - The
automatic sensor 2024 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand underneath thespout port 2018. When a body part is detected by theautomatic sensor 2024, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged automatically through thespout port 2018 of thespout port member 2020. Thereafter, when the user pulls back the hand out of the detection area of theautomatic sensor 2024, theautomatic sensor 2024 no longer detects a body part. Thus, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 2018 of thespout port member 2020. The presence of such anautomatic sensor 2024 makes it possible to discharge water only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by theautomatic sensor 2024, and thus water consumption can be reduced. - A
switch 2026 for switching between ON and OFF of theautomatic sensor 2024 is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 2014. The automatic water discharge and water shutoff as described above is carried out only when theautomatic sensor 2024 is ON. - The
spout port member 2020 includes a water guiding member (not illustrated) for guiding water from thewater supply hose 2028 to thespout port 2018, acover member 2040 made of resin for covering the leading end portion of thewater supply hose 2028 and the water guiding member from the outside, and aswitch operation member 2042 that switches the water discharged through thespout port 2018 from the straight water discharge to the shower water discharge or vice versa. - A
guide member 2044 is provided inside the spout pipemain body 2014 a and the stretched-outportion 2014 b.FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating theguide member 2044. Theguide member 2044 is an integrally molded member made of resin and includes ahose guide portion 2044 a for guiding thewater supply hose 2028, asensor holding portion 2044 b for holding theautomatic sensor 2024, awire guide portion 2044 c for guiding a wire connecting theautomatic sensor 2024 to the control unit, and a spout portmember guide portion 2044 d for guiding thespout port member 2020. As illustrated inFIG. 13 , in a state in which theguide member 2044 is mounted inside the spout pipemain body 2014 a and the stretched-outportion 2014 b, thehose guide portion 2044 a projects from theleading end portion 2014 d of the stretched-outportion 2014 b. In addition, the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d covers the opening of the cut-out portion of the spout pipemain body 2014 a and constitutes a portion of thespout pipe 2014 together with the spout pipemain body 2014 a and the stretched-outportion 2014 b. - The
cover member 2040 has arecess portion 2040 a formed therein to fit with thehose guide portion 2044 a. When thespout port member 2020 is housed into thespout pipe 2014, thisrecess portion 2040 a fits with thehose guide portion 2044 a, and thus thespout port member 2020 is held by thespout pipe 2014. - In a state in which the
spout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, a guidedportion 2040 b, which is a portion of a side surface of thespout port member 2020, opposes the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d, which is a portion of a side surface of thespout pipe 2014. Here, the side surface of thespout port member 2020 is an outer peripheral surface that extends along substantially the lengthwise direction of the water supply hose 2028 (that is, the direction in which thespout port member 2020 is pulled out). In addition, the side surface of thespout pipe 2014 is an outer peripheral surface that extends along the direction of the pipe axis. When thespout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, thespout port member 2020 is located behind aleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a with respect to the user. In other words, in a state in which thespout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, the guidedportion 2040 b of thecover member 2040 of thespout port member 2020 is located on a side toward the user. -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the leading end portion of thespout pipe 2014 as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which thespout port member 2020 is being pulled out from thespout pipe 2014. As illustrated inFIG. 15 , the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 is formed into a convex shape. The convex shape of the guidedportion 2040 b extends along the lengthwise direction of thewater supply hose 2028. Meanwhile, the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 is formed into a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape of the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020. The concave shape of the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d extends along the direction of the pipe axis of the spout pipemain body 2014 a. - As illustrated in
FIG. 15 , aprojection portion 2044 e is formed on thehose guide portion 2044 a of thespout pipe 2014. Meanwhile, a groove portion (not illustrated) that engages with theprojection portion 2044 e is formed in therecess portion 2040 a of thespout port member 2020. Thespout port member 2020 is not held by thespout pipe 2014 unless thespout port member 2020 is in a predetermined posture in which theprojection portion 2044 e engages with the groove portion (that is, a posture in which the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 faces toward the user). - In the
automatic water faucet 2010 formed as described above, when thespout port member 2020 that has been pulled out is housed into thespout pipe 2014, the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 abut against each other and move along the corresponding concave and convex shapes, and thus thespout port member 2020 is guided to a predetermined posture suitable for housing. This configuration facilitates the operation of fitting thehose guide portion 2044 a of thespout pipe 2014 to therecess portion 2040 a of thespout port member 2020, and thus the ease of housing thespout port member 2020 into thespout pipe 2014 can be enhanced. In addition, the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 are curved along the shape of the spout pipe in the direction of the pipe axis, and thus moving the spout port member along the shape of the spout pipe naturally brings the spout port member to the predetermined posture suitable for housing. - In particular, in the third embodiment, in a state in which the
spout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, thespout port member 2020 is located behind theleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a with respect to the user. If the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 are not formed into the corresponding concave and convex shapes, the posture of thespout port member 2020 becomes less visible as thespout port member 2020 is hidden behind the spout pipemain body 2014 a, and thus it may become difficult to house thespout port member 2020 into thespout pipe 2014. In this respect, in theautomatic water faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment, thespout port member 2020 is guided to the predetermined posture suitable for housing due to the concave and convex shapes of the guidedportion 2040 b and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d, and thus even in a case in which it is difficult to visually observe the accurate posture of thespout port member 2020, thespout port member 2020 can be housed into thespout pipe 2014 with ease. - In addition, in the third embodiment, the guided
portion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 extends along the lengthwise direction of thewater supply hose 2028, and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 extends along the direction of the pipe axis of the spout pipemain body 2014 a. In this case, the guidedportion 2040 b can be slid along the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d, and thus the ease of guiding thespout port member 2020 can be improved, and in turn the ease of housing thespout port member 2020 into thespout pipe 2014 can be further enhanced. - In addition, in the third embodiment, in a state in which the
spout port member 2020 is housed in thespout pipe 2014, the guidedportion 2040 b of thespout port member 2020 and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d of thespout pipe 2014 have the concave and convex shapes that correspond to and follow along each other, and thus rattling in the housed state can be prevented, and a gap between thespout port member 2020 and thespout pipe 2014 is less noticeable when seen from the side. - Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the spout pipe
main body 2014 a can be disposed on the side closer to the user, and thespout port member 2020 can be disposed on the side away from the user without sacrificing the ease of housing, and thus the degree of freedom in the design of the automatic water faucet can be improved. For example, theautomatic sensor 2024 can be disposed on the front side of thespout port member 2020 with respect to the user, as in theautomatic water faucet 2010 according to the third embodiment. Disposing theautomatic sensor 2024 on the side toward the user is advantageous in that the detection sensitivity of a detection target can be increased. Furthermore, when the spout pipemain body 2014 a is disposed on the side closer to the user and thespout port member 2020 is disposed on the side away from the user as in the third embodiment, thespout port member 2020 is hidden behind the spout pipemain body 2014 a when theautomatic water faucet 2010 is viewed from the front, which makes thespout port member 2020 less visible, and the appearance of theautomatic water faucet 2010 can advantageously be improved. - In the third embodiment described above, the guided
portion 2040 b, which is the abutment portion of thespout port member 2020, has a convex shape, and the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d, which is the abutment portion of thespout pipe 2014, has a concave shape, but these shapes may be reversed. In other words, the spout portmember guide portion 2044 d, which is the abutment portion of thespout pipe 2014, may have a convex shape, and the guidedportion 2040 b, which is the abutment portion of thespout port member 2020, may have a concave shape. In this case as well, the ease of housing thespout port member 2020 into thespout pipe 2014 can be enhanced. - In the third embodiment described above, an automatic water faucet has been illustrated as the water faucet, but the type of the water faucet is not limited to an automatic water faucet, and any type of water faucet in which the
spout port member 2020 can be pulled out from thespout pipe 2014 along with thewater supply hose 2028 may be employed. - In the third embodiment described above, the
automatic sensor 2024 is provided inside theleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a, but another member may be provided therein. For example, a member that discharges foam soap may be provided inside theleading end portion 2014 c of the spout pipemain body 2014 a. - The shape of the spout portion is not limited to that of the spout pipe having a gooseneck shape as described above, and the spout portion may be formed into any well-known shape, as in a linear spout pipe or a box-shaped spout pipe.
- The water faucet according to the third embodiment described above may be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens.
- Conventionally, a water faucet provided with a spout port member that can be pulled out from a spout portion along with a water supply hose is known (see, for example, patent document 3). According to such a water faucet, water can be supplied throughout a sink, which makes it easier to clean the sink.
- When the user is to pull out the spout port member from the water faucet, water or suds are often on the user's hands. Therefore, the user may have difficulty in grasping and pulling out the spout port member.
- A fourth embodiment provides a technique that makes it easier to grasp a spout port member in a water faucet in which the spout port member can be pulled out from the leading end of a spout portion.
- An overview of the fourth embodiment will be given.
- An aspect of the present invention provides a water faucet that includes a spout portion; and a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout portion such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out. The spout port member includes a finger hooking portion on which a grasping unit is hooked in a pulling direction thereof when the spout port member is to be grasped. The grasping unit may, for example, be fingers of a user.
- According to this aspect, the grasping unit is naturally guided to the finger hooking portion when the user is to pull out the spout port member. In addition, even when water or suds are on the hands and the hands are slippery, the spout port member is easy to grasp, which facilitates the operation of pulling the spout port member.
- The finger hooking portion may have a shape in which a portion between a large diameter portion, which is a leading end side of the spout port member, and a small diameter portion, which is an inward side in the pulling direction, is tapered or recessed. This configuration makes the grasping unit fit well on the tapered or recessed portion and enables the grasping unit to be naturally hooked on the finger hooking portion.
- The spout port member may be located behind the spout portion as viewed from the user in the housed state. With this configuration, although the spout port member is less visible when the spout port member in the housed state is behind the spout portion as viewed from the user, the presence of the finger hooking portion does not hinder the pulling operation even if the spout port member is not easily visible.
- The spout portion includes a stretched-out portion that expands from the spout pipe from an intermediate portion to the leading end of the spout pipe, and a curved line that defines a boundary between the spout portion and the stretched-out portion and a curved line that defines a step of the finger hooking portion may be smoothly continuous with each other. With this configuration, as the grasping unit touches the boundary between the spout portion and the stretched-out portion, the grasping unit can be naturally guided to the finger hooking portion.
- The configurations described above makes it easier to grasp the spout port member becomes in the water faucet in which the spout port member can be pulled out from the leading end of the spout portion.
-
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with awater faucet 3010 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Akitchen 3100 is provided with asink 3102, and acounter 3104 having a step with respect to a top surface is provided on a back side of thesink 3102. Thewater faucet 3010 is installed on the left side in thecounter 3104, and apurified water faucet 3106 is installed on the right side in thecounter 3104. Thewater faucet 3010 is connected to a water service pipe and supplies regular tap water, whereas the purifiedwater faucet 3106 is connected to a water purifying device installed underneath thesink 3102 and supplies purified water. - Hereinafter, when the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “closer,” and “behind,” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of the
water faucet 3010 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 17 is an overall perspective view of thewater faucet 3010 illustrated inFIG. 16 . Thewater faucet 3010 primarily includes abase end portion 3024, ahandle lever 3022, and aspout pipe 3012, which serves as a spout portion, that extends from the upper end surface of thebase end portion 3024.FIG. 18 is a side view of thespout pipe 3012 that is being detached from thebase end portion 3024. - The
spout pipe 3012 is formed into a so-called gooseneck shape in which anintermediate portion 3012 a is curved into an inverted U-shape and aleading end 3012 b extends obliquely downward. Thespout pipe 3012 is formed by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. Although details will be given later, aspout port member 3030 having aspout port 3038 and an automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 for controlling the water discharged through thespout port 3038 are provided at theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012. As illustrated inFIG. 18 , acoupling member 3026 to be coupled to thebase end portion 3024 is provided in thespout pipe 3012 at a side toward the base end portion. - As illustrated in
FIG. 16 , thebase end portion 3024 is disposed on the upper surface of thecounter 3104 in the kitchen. Thehandle lever 3022 is provided on the upper end of thebase end portion 3024. - A cold-water pipe and a hot water pipe (not illustrated) connected to supply sources of cold water and hot water, respectively, extend inside the
base end portion 3024. A solenoid valve (not illustrated) is provided between the cold-water pipe and hot water pipe and a water supply hose for supplying water to thespout port 3038 housed in thespout pipe 3012. This solenoid valve can open or close the valve under the control of a control unit, which is not illustrated, to control the flow of water from the cold-water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose. - A mixing valve (not illustrated) that mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature is provided inside the
base end portion 3024. Thehandle lever 3022 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and the horizontal pivot operation thereof adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, whereas the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The automatic
water discharge sensor 3040 is provided at theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012. The automaticwater discharge sensor 3040, for example, is an infrared range finding sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 projects light from the light emitting portion toward a space underneath thespout port 3038 of thespout port member 3030, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user or tableware, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. The automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - A
proximity sensor 3014 is provided on the front side of thespout pipe 3012, or in other words, on the side that faces the user standing in the kitchen. Theproximity sensor 3014 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. Theproximity sensor 3014 projects light obliquely upward, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 3014 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - The control unit is constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. The control unit opens or closes the solenoid valve on the basis of an output signal from the automatic
water discharge sensor 3040 or theproximity sensor 3014 and makes a switch as to whether water is supplied through thespout port 3038 of thespout port member 3030. The control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - It is to be noted that water is controlled to be supplied through the
spout port 3038 only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 within the detection area, whereas water continues to be supplied through thespout port 3038 even after a detection target that has once been detected by theproximity sensor 3014 within the detection area becomes no longer detected. When a detection target is detected again within the detection area, the water supply through thespout port 38 is shut off. - An on/off
switch 3016 of a push button type is provided on thespout pipe 3012 on the side closer to the user and underneath the proximity sensor 3014 (toward theleading end 3012 b of the spout pipe 3012). While the on/offswitch 3016 is set to OFF, the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 is inactive, and water is not supplied through thespout port 3038 even if an object is present underneath thesensor 3040. - As can be seen from
FIG. 18 , thespout pipe 3012 is formed to have a constant curvature in the fourth embodiment. Furthermore, a hollow stretched-outportion 3018 that expands toward the lower side of thespout pipe 3012 is formed from a portion near the top of theintermediate portion 3012 a of thespout pipe 3012 to theleading end 3012 b of the spout pipe. The lower surface of this stretched-outportion 3018 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve extending from the side of thebase end portion 3024 of thespout pipe 3012 and having a curvature smaller than the curvature of thespout pipe 3012. Aleading end 3018 a of the stretched-outportion 3018 is located on the further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of thespout pipe 3012, the upper right side inFIG. 18 ) than is theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012. Methods of forming such a spout pipe include a bulge process, zinc die casting, and resin molding. - The
spout port member 3030, which can be freely pulled out, is attached behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 in thespout pipe 3012 as viewed from the user. As can be seen fromFIG. 18 , thespout port member 3030 is attached to the leading end of the stretched-outportion 3018 and behind theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012 as viewed from the user. In a state in which thespout port member 3030 is being attached, the inner peripheral side of the curve of thespout port member 3030 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve with the inner peripheral sides of thebase end portion 3024 and the stretched-outportion 3018 of thespout pipe 3012. -
FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012, andFIG. 20 illustrates a state in which thespout port member 3030 is being pulled out. - The
spout port member 3030 includes acover portion 3032, aswitch operation portion 3034, and thespout port 3038. - As illustrated in
FIG. 20 , a flexible metalwater supply hose 3050 is connected to thespout port member 3030. The other end of thewater supply hose 3050 is connected to the solenoid valve described above. Thewater supply hose 3050 is housed such that thewater supply hose 3050 can move by a predetermined length in the direction of the pipe axis inside thespout pipe 3012 and the stretched-outportion 3018. Thus, when thespout port member 3030 is pulled out from thespout pipe 3012, thewater supply hose 3050 is also pulled out along therewith. The direction in which thespout port member 3030 is pulled out substantially coincides with the axial direction of thespout pipe 3012. When thespout port member 3030 is attached to thespout pipe 3012, thewater supply hose 3050 moves toward thebase end portion 3024 inside the stretched-outportion 3018 and thespout pipe 3012. The water that flows inside thewater supply hose 3050 is discharged through thespout port 3038. - The
cover portion 3032 connects thewater supply hose 3050 to theswitch operation portion 3034 and also constitutes a portion that the user holds when removing thespout port member 3030 from thespout pipe 3012. In addition, thecover portion 3032 serves as an attachment that enables thespout port member 3030 to be easily attached to or detached from thespout pipe 3012. - An
end surface 3042 that is recessed toward the inside of the pipe is formed at theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012, and the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 is disposed to be flush with thisend surface 3042. Apipe wall 3012 c of thespout pipe 3012 allows the surrounding of the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 to be located inward, which thus can prevent a hand of the user from making contact with thesensor 3040 to contaminate the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the sensor or prevent tableware from hitting the sensor to cause damage thereto. - At the
leading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012, thepipe wall 3012 c is partially cut out, and aconcave guide portion 3044, which functions as a guide when thespout port member 3030 is housed, is provided at the cut-out portion. Aconvex portion 3039, which opposes theguide portion 3044 when thespout port member 3030 is housed, is formed on the upper surface (the front surface as viewed from the user) of thecover portion 3032 of thespout port member 3030. - A cylindrical
hose guide portion 3052 having a hole into which thewater supply hose 3050 is inserted is provided at theleading end 3018 a of the stretched-outportion 3018. Although not illustrated, a recess portion that receives thehose guide portion 3052 is formed at the trailing end of thespout port member 3030 that faces the stretched-outportion 3018. - When the
spout port member 3030 is housed, thewater supply hose 3050 is pushed into the hole in thehose guide portion 3052, and thus the trailing end of thespout port member 3030 is guided to thehose guide portion 3052. As thespout port member 3030 continues to be pushed thereinto, theconvex portion 3039 formed on the upper surface of thespout port member 3030 is guided by theguide portion 3044 of thespout pipe 3012, and thespout port member 3030 fits thehose guide portion 3052. Thus, thespout port member 3030 is held by thespout pipe 3012. When thespout port member 3030 is pulled out, thespout port member 3030 is pulled obliquely downward, and thus theconvex portion 3039 is guided by the guide portion and pulled out therefrom. - As described above, the lower surfaces of the stretched-out
portion 3018 and thespout pipe 3012 are smoothly continuous with each other, and a corner or a large change in the curvature is not present inside the pipe. This configuration can prevent thewater supply hose 3050 connected to thespout port member 3030 from being caught inside thespout pipe 3012 and the stretched-outportion 3018 when thespout port member 3030 is pulled out or housed, which thus facilitates the operation of thespout port member 3030. In addition, the absence of any bent portion makes it easier to clean the outer surfaces of thespout pipe 3012 and the stretched-outportion 3018. - The
leading end 3018 a of the stretched-outportion 3018, with which the trailing end of thespout port member 3030 in a housed state makes contact, is located further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of the spout pipe 3012) than is theleading end 3012 b of thespout pipe 3012. Thus, in a state in which thespout port member 3030 is housed, thespout port 3038 of thespout port member 3030 is located relatively close to the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040. In this manner, the structure in which thespout port member 3030 is pulled out from a side that is behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 3040 in the axial direction of the spout pipe in the direction of the pipe axis, or in other words, from the back side of thesensor 3040 makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the spout port member projects downward with respect to the light emitting portion of thesensor 3040 and to reduce the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port. Thus, the sensor becomes responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port, and the usability improves. In addition, the reduction in the amount by which the spout port member projects downward makes it possible to secure a broad space underneath the spout port. - The
switch operation portion 3034 of thespout port member 3030 is member for switching the water flowing from thewater supply hose 3050 to the shower water discharge or the straight water discharge. Theswitch operation portion 3034 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower side of the outer periphery of thecover portion 3032 and forms a cylindrical shape as a whole. Theswitch operation portion 3034 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) about the center axis relative to thecover portion 3032. Atab portion 3036 for the user to hook his/her finger thereon is formed on the cylindrical surface of theswitch operation portion 3034. The user can switch between the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge by rotating the position of thetab portion 3036 by a predetermined angle. -
FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of the spout pipe as viewed from a direction different from that ofFIG. 19 .FIG. 22 illustrates the back side (rear side) of the spout port member as viewed from the user. - A
finger hooking portion 3032 a for making it easier for the user to grasp thespout port member 3030 is provided on thecover portion 3032 of thespout port member 3030. Thisfinger hooking portion 3032 a may be a smooth step that increases in width in the lateral direction (the widthwise direction of the sink) inFIG. 22 , for example. To be more specific, thefinger hooking portion 3032 a has a shape in which a portion between a large diameter portion, which is the leading end side of thespout port member 3030, and a small diameter portion, which is the inward side in the pulling direction, is tapered or recessed. Thefinger hooking portion 3032 a is formed on the lower side of thecover portion 3032 of thespout port member 3030 so that the fingers are naturally hooked thereon in the pulling direction when the user is to pull out thespout port member 3030. In addition, it is preferable that thefinger hooking portion 3032 a be formed into a semicircular, smoothly curved surface facing downward so that the fingertips fit well thereon. The presence of such afinger hooking portion 3032 a makes it easier to grasp the spout port member even when water or suds are on the hands of the user and the hands are slippery, which facilitates the operation of pulling out thespout port member 3030. - As described above, the
spout port member 3030 is located behind thespout pipe 3012 as viewed from the user in the housed state. In the case of such a configuration, the spout port member is less visible from the user standing in front of the water faucet. However, as thefinger hooking portion 3032 a is provided in the lateral direction (the widthwise direction of the sink) of thespout port member 3030, the fingers are hooked on thefinger hooking portion 3032 a as the user moves his/her fingers along the pulling direction, and thus the pulling operation is not hindered even if thespout port member 3030 is not easily visible. In addition, it is easy to grasp thespout port member 3030 from the rear side of the spout pipe. - As illustrated in
FIG. 21 , as the stretched-outportion 3018 expands in the depthwise direction from thespout pipe 3012, acurved line 3060 that defines the boundary between thespout pipe 3012 and the stretched-outportion 3018 is present on the side surface of thespout pipe 3012. In addition, when thefinger hooking portion 3032 a is formed into a step, acurved line 3062 that defines the step from the side surface of thecover portion 3032 is present. When thewater faucet 3010 is observed from the side, thecurved line 3060 and thecurved line 3062 may be configured to be smoothly continuous with each other. With this configuration, the fingertips can be naturally guided to thefinger hooking portion 3032 a as the user moves his/her fingers downward after placing the fingers at the boundary portion between thespout pipe 3012 and the stretched-outportion 3018 when the user is to pull out thespout port member 3030. Thus, it becomes easier to pull out thespout port member 3030, for example, in a dark room or to operate theswitch operation portion 3034 located underneath thefinger hooking portion 3032 a. - As described thus far, according to the fourth embodiment, as the finger hooking portion is provided in the direction in which the spout port member is pulled out, the user can naturally guide his/her fingers to the finger hooking portion when trying to pull out the spout port member. In addition, even when water or suds are on the hands and the hands are slippery, the spout port member is easier to grasp, which facilitates the pulling operation.
- In addition, the spout pipe has the stretched-out portion that expands in the depthwise direction from the intermediate portion to the leading end as viewed from the user, and the spout port member can be pulled out from this stretched-out portion. This configuration can achieve a structure in which the spout port member is housed at the leading end of the spout pipe without increasing the diameter of the spout pipe along the entire length thereof. In addition, irregularity on the spout pipe can be kept minimum, which thus leads to an aesthetically pleasing design and increased ease of cleaning. Furthermore, by providing the stretched-out portion toward the back side in the axial direction of the spout pipe, the stretched-out portion is less noticeable when the water faucet is seen from the front side as viewed from the user, which can give the user a generally compact and neat impression.
- In the fourth embodiment, the spout port member is provided behind the automatic water discharge sensor (toward the counter) as viewed from the user. Alternatively, the stretched-out portion may be formed on the front side of the spout pipe (toward the sink), and the spout port member may be provided to the front of the automatic water discharge sensor.
- In place of the shape in which only the leading end side of the spout pipe expands in the depthwise direction as viewed from the user as in the stretched-out portion described in the fourth embodiment, a shape in which the spout pipe expands in the depthwise direction throughout its length may be employed. In addition, without expanding the spout pipe, the spout port member may be pulled out from the leading end of the spout pipe.
- The finger hooking portion may have a different shape such as a step-like shape or a shape including a groove or a projection for preventing slipping.
- The water faucet according to the fourth embodiment can be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens. In addition, the counter has been illustrated as a base member to which the base end portion of the water faucet is fixed. Alternatively, the base member may be a wall member or the like that defines the inside and the outside of a facility such as a bathroom.
- In addition, the shape of the spout portion is not limited to the spout pipe having a gooseneck shape, and the spout portion may be formed into any other shape such as a linear spout pipe or a box-shaped spout pipe.
- An automatic water faucet provided with a spout pipe, a sensor disposed at the leading end of the spout pipe, and a spout port member is widely used in kitchens, washing basins, and the like. When an object to be detected, such as a hand or tableware, placed underneath the spout port member is detected by the sensor, the automatic water facet is controlled to discharge water through a spout port in the spout port member (for example, patent document 1).
- Among automatic water faucets, there is one provided with a switch operation portion that can switch the water discharged through the spout port between the straight water discharge and the shower water discharge (for example, patent document 4). The switch operation portion is provided with a tab portion that projects outward to make it easier for a user to hook his/her fingers thereon.
- When the switch operation portion such as the one described in patent document 4 is provided in an automatic water faucet having a sensor for automatic water discharge, if the position of the sensor is not appropriate, the tab portion may be erroneously detected by the sensor.
- A fifth embodiment provides a technique for preventing a false detection of a sensor in an automatic water faucet in which the sensor for starting water discharge is located closer to the user than is the spout port as viewed from the user.
- An overview of the fifth embodiment will be given. An aspect of the present invention provides an automatic water faucet that includes a spout portion; a sensor that detects the presence of a detection target; a spout port that discharges water upon the detection target being detected by the sensor; and a switch operation portion that can switch a water discharge state from the spout port. The sensor is located closer to a user than is the spout port as viewed from the user. The switch operation portion includes a convex portion that is moved to a switching position of a corresponding water discharge state, and the switch operation portion is located behind the spout port no matter at which position the convex portion is located.
- According to this aspect, as the convex portion is disposed behind the spout port, even with the configuration in which the sensor is located to the front of the spout port as viewed from the user, the convex portion is not erroneously detected by the sensor. Therefore, the positions of the sensor and of the spout portion can be brought closer to each other, and the spout portion can be made compact. It is to be noted that “behind the spout port” may be behind the center of the spout port.
- The switching positions may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center axis. This configuration makes it easier to visually recognize at which switching position the convex portion is located when the spout portion is observed from the front.
- A pictogram that indicates a corresponding water discharge state may be provided at a position corresponding to the switching position in front of the spout portion. With this configuration, the user can find the current water discharge state with ease by looking at the switching position of the convex portion along with the pictogram.
- The upper portion of the convex portion may have a smooth tapered shape. With this configuration, the user can naturally guide his/her fingers to the convex portion when the user grasps the spout port member.
- The configurations described above makes it possible to prevent a false detection of the in the automatic water faucet in which the sensor for starting water discharge is located closer to the user than is the spout port as viewed from the user.
-
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a kitchen provided with anautomatic water faucet 4010 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Akitchen 4100 is provided with asink 4102, and acounter 4104 having a step with respect to a top surface is provided on a back side of thesink 4102. Theautomatic water faucet 4010 is installed on the left side in thecounter 4104, and apurified water faucet 4106 is installed on the right side in thecounter 4104. Theautomatic water faucet 4010 is connected to a water service pipe and supplies regular tap water, whereas the purifiedwater faucet 4106 is connected to a water purifying device installed underneath thesink 4102 and supplies purified water. - Hereinafter, when the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “closer,” and “behind,” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of the
automatic water faucet 4010 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 24 is an overall perspective view of theautomatic water faucet 4010 illustrated inFIG. 23 . Theautomatic water faucet 4010 primarily includes abase end portion 4024, ahandle lever 4022, and aspout pipe 4012, which serves as a spout portion, that extends from the upper end surface of thebase end portion 4024.FIG. 25 is a side view of thespout pipe 4012 that is being detached from thebase end portion 4024. - The
spout pipe 4012 is formed into a so-called gooseneck shape in which anintermediate portion 4012 a is curved into an inverted U-shape and aleading end 4012 b extends obliquely downward. Thespout pipe 4012 is formed by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. Although details will be given later, aspout port member 4030 having aspout port 4038 and an automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 for controlling the water discharged through thespout port 4038 are provided at theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012. As illustrated inFIG. 25 , acoupling member 4026 to be coupled to thebase end portion 4024 is provided in thespout pipe 4012 at a side toward the base end portion. - As illustrated in
FIG. 23 , thebase end portion 4024 is disposed on the upper surface of thecounter 4104 in the kitchen. Thehandle lever 4022 is provided on the upper end of thebase end portion 4024. - A cold-water pipe and a hot water pipe (not illustrated) connected to supply sources of cold water and hot water, respectively, extend inside the
base end portion 4024. A solenoid valve (not illustrated) is provided between the cold-water pipe and hot water pipe and a water supply hose for supplying water to thespout port 4038 housed in thespout pipe 4012. This solenoid valve can open or close the valve under the control of a control unit, which is not illustrated, to control the flow of water from the cold-water pipe and the hot water pipe to the water supply hose. - A mixing valve (not illustrated) that mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature is provided inside the
base end portion 4024. Thehandle lever 4022 is a lever for operating this mixing valve, and the horizontal pivot operation thereof adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, whereas the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The automatic
water discharge sensor 4040 is provided at theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012. The automaticwater discharge sensor 4040, for example, is an infrared range finding sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 projects light from the light emitting portion toward a space underneath thespout port 4038 of thespout port member 4030, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user or tableware, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. The automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - A
proximity sensor 4014 is provided on the front side of thespout pipe 4012, or in other words, on the side that faces the user standing in the kitchen. Theproximity sensor 4014 is an infrared light quantity sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. Theproximity sensor 4014 projects light obliquely upward, receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the projected light from a detection target, such as a hand of the user, and determines whether there is a detection target within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 4014 outputs a signal indicating the detection result of the detection target to the control unit. - The control unit is constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. The control unit opens or closes the solenoid valve on the basis of an output signal from the automatic
water discharge sensor 4040 or theproximity sensor 4014 and makes a switch as to whether water is supplied through thespout port 4038 of thespout port member 4030. The control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - It is to be noted that water is controlled to be supplied through the
spout port 4038 only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 within the detection area, whereas water continues to be supplied through thespout port 4038 even after a detection target that has once been detected by theproximity sensor 4014 within the detection area becomes no longer detected. When a detection target is detected again within the detection area, the water supply through thespout port 4038 is shut off. - An on/off
switch 4016 of a push button type is provided on thespout pipe 4012 on the side closer to the user and underneath the proximity sensor 4014 (toward theleading end 4012 b of the spout pipe 4012). While the on/offswitch 4016 is set to OFF, the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 is inactive, and water is not supplied through thespout port 4038 even if an object is present underneath thesensor 4040. - As can be seen from
FIG. 25 , thespout pipe 4012 is formed to have a constant curvature in the fifth embodiment. - Furthermore, a hollow stretched-out
portion 4018 that expands toward the lower side of thespout pipe 4012 is formed from a portion near the top of theintermediate portion 4012 a of thespout pipe 4012 to theleading end 4012 b of the spout pipe. The lower surface of this stretched-outportion 4018 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve extending from the side of thebase end portion 4024 of thespout pipe 4012 and having a curvature smaller than the curvature of thespout pipe 4012. Aleading end 4018 a of the stretched-outportion 4018 is located on the further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of thespout pipe 4012, the upper right side inFIG. 25 ) than is theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012. Methods of forming such a spout pipe include a bulge process, zinc die casting, and resin molding. - The
spout port member 4030, which can be freely pulled out, is attached behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 in thespout pipe 4012 as viewed from the user. As can be seen fromFIG. 25 , thespout port member 4030 is attached to the leading end of the stretched-outportion 4018 and behind theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012 as viewed from the user. In a state in which thespout port member 4030 is being attached, the inner peripheral side of the curve of thespout port member 4030 is formed to produce a continuous smooth curve with the inner peripheral sides of thebase end portion 4024 and the stretched-outportion 4018 of thespout pipe 4012. -
FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012, andFIG. 27 illustrates a state in which thespout port member 4030 is being pulled out. - The
spout port member 4030 includes acover portion 4032, aswitch operation portion 4034, and thespout port 4038. - As illustrated in
FIG. 27 , a flexible metalwater supply hose 4050 is connected to thespout port member 4030. The other end of thewater supply hose 4050 is connected to the solenoid valve described above. Thewater supply hose 4050 is housed such that thewater supply hose 4050 can move by a predetermined length in the direction of the pipe axis inside thespout pipe 4012 and the stretched-outportion 4018. Thus, when thespout port member 4030 is pulled out from thespout pipe 4012, thewater supply hose 4050 is also pulled out along therewith. The direction in which thespout port member 4030 is pulled out substantially coincides with the axial direction of thespout pipe 4012. When thespout port member 4030 is attached to thespout pipe 4012, thewater supply hose 4050 moves toward thebase end portion 4024 inside the stretched-outportion 4018 and thespout pipe 4012. The water that flows inside thewater supply hose 4050 is discharged through thespout port 4038. - The
cover portion 4032 connects thewater supply hose 4050 to theswitch operation portion 4034 and also constitutes a portion that the user holds when removing thespout port member 4030 from thespout pipe 4012. In addition, thecover portion 4032 serves as an attachment that enables thespout port member 4030 to be easily attached to or detached from thespout pipe 4012. - An
end surface 4042 that is recessed toward the inside of the pipe is formed at theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012, and the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 is disposed to be flush with thisend surface 4042. Apipe wall 4012 c of thespout pipe 4012 allows the surrounding of the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 to be located inward, which thus can prevent a hand of the user from making contact with thesensor 4040 to contaminate the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the sensor or prevent tableware from hitting the sensor to cause damage thereto. - At the
leading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012, thepipe wall 4012 c is partially cut out, and aconcave guide portion 4044, which functions as a guide when thespout port member 4030 is housed, is provided at the cut-out portion. Aconvex portion 4039, which opposes theguide portion 4044 when thespout port member 4030 is housed, is formed on the upper surface (the front surface as viewed from the user) of thecover portion 4032 of thespout port member 4030. - A cylindrical
hose guide portion 4052 having a hole into which thewater supply hose 4050 is inserted is provided at theleading end 4018 a of the stretched-outportion 4018. Although not illustrated, a recess portion that receives thehose guide portion 4052 is formed at the trailing end of thespout port member 4030 that faces the stretched-outportion 4018. - When the
spout port member 4030 is housed, thewater supply hose 4050 is pushed into the hole in thehose guide portion 4052, and thus the trailing end of thespout port member 4030 is guided to thehose guide portion 4052. As thespout port member 4030 continues to be pushed thereinto, theconvex portion 4039 formed on the upper surface of thespout port member 4030 is guided by theguide portion 4044 of thespout pipe 4012, and thespout port member 4030 fits thehose guide portion 4052. Thus, thespout port member 4030 is held by thespout pipe 4012. When thespout port member 4030 is pulled out, thespout port member 4030 is pulled obliquely downward, and thus theconvex portion 4039 is guided by the guide portion and pulled out therefrom. - As described above, the lower surfaces of the stretched-out
portion 4018 and thespout pipe 4012 are smoothly continuous with each other, and a corner or a large change in the curvature is not present inside the pipe. This configuration can prevent thewater supply hose 4050 connected to thespout port member 4030 from being caught inside thespout pipe 4012 and the stretched-outportion 4018 when thespout port member 4030 is pulled out or housed, which thus facilitates the operation of thespout port member 4030. In addition, the absence of any bent portion makes it easier to clean the outer surfaces of thespout pipe 4012 and the stretched-outportion 4018. - The
leading end 4018 a of the stretched-outportion 4018, with which the trailing end of thespout port member 4030 in a housed state makes contact, is located further back in the axial direction of the spout pipe (the upstream side of the spout pipe 4012) than is theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012. Thus, in a state in which thespout port member 4030 is housed, thespout port 4038 of thespout port member 4030 is located relatively close to the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040. In this manner, the structure in which thespout port member 4030 is pulled out from a side that is behind the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 in the axial direction of the spout pipe in the direction of the pipe axis, or in other words, from the back side of thesensor 4040 makes it possible to reduce the amount by which the spout port member projects downward with respect to the light emitting portion of thesensor 4040 and to reduce the distance between the light emitting portion of the sensor and the spout port. Thus, the sensor becomes responsive when a hand is placed underneath the spout port, and the usability improves. In addition, the reduction in the amount by which the spout port member projects downward makes it possible to secure a broad space underneath the spout port. - Configuring the
spout port member 4030 to be capable of being pulled out from the stretched-outportion 4018 can achieve a structure in which the spout port member is housed at the leading end of the spout pipe without increasing the diameter of thespout pipe 4012 along the entire length thereof. In addition, irregularity on the spout pipe can be kept minimum, which thus leads to an aesthetically pleasing design and increased ease of cleaning. Furthermore, by providing the stretched-outportion 4018 behind thespout pipe 4012, the stretched-out portion is less noticeable when theautomatic water faucet 4010 is viewed from the front side, which can give the user a generally compact and neat impression. - The
switch operation portion 4034 of thespout port member 4030 is a member for switching the water flowing from thewater supply hose 4050 to the shower water discharge or the straight water discharge. Theswitch operation portion 4034 has a shape that is smoothly continuous with the lower side of the outer periphery of thecover portion 4032 and forms a cylindrical shape as a whole. Theswitch operation portion 4034 is configured to rotate by a predetermined angle (for example, 90 degrees) about the center axis relative to thecover portion 4032. Aconvex portion 4036 for the user to hook his/her fingers thereon is formed on the cylindrical surface of theswitch operation portion 4034. The user can switch between the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge by rotating the position of theconvex portion 4036 by a predetermined angle. -
FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view of the leading end of the spout pipe as viewed from a direction different from that ofFIG. 26 . - A
finger hooking portion 4032 a for making it easier for the user to grasp thespout port member 4030 is provided on thecover portion 4032 of thespout port member 4030. Thisfinger hooking portion 4032 a may be a smooth step that increases in width in the lateral direction (the widthwise direction of the sink) inFIG. 29 , for example. To be more specific, thefinger hooking portion 4032 a has a shape in which a portion between a large diameter portion, which is the leading end side of thespout port member 4030, and a small diameter portion, which is an inward side in the pulling direction, is tapered or recessed. Thefinger hooking portion 4032 a is formed on the lower side of thecover portion 4032 of thespout port member 4030 so that the fingers are naturally hooked thereon in the pulling direction when the user is to pull out thespout port member 4030. In addition, it is preferable that thefinger hooking portion 4032 a be formed into a semicircular, smoothly curved surface facing downward so that the fingertips fit well thereon. The presence of such afinger hooking portion 4032 a makes it easier to grasp the spout port member even when water or suds are on the hands of the user and the hands are slippery, which facilitates the operation of pulling out thespout port member 4030. -
FIG. 29 is a plan view of theleading end 4012 b of thespout pipe 4012 as viewed from the direction from the spout port 4038 (from below). Theconvex portion 4036 of theswitch operation portion 4034 is movable between a shower water discharge position A and a straight water discharge position B. When theconvex portion 4036 is at the shower water discharge position A, shower water is discharged through thespout port 4038. When theconvex portion 4036 is at the straight water discharge position B, straight water is discharged through thespout port 4038. -
Pictograms leading end 4012 b of the spout pipe as viewed from the user by using, for example, a laser.FIG. 29 illustrates only the shapes of thepictograms pictogram 4060 b inFIG. 28 . Thepictogram 4060 a is marked on the side opposite to thepictogram 4060 b in the radial direction. - The
pictogram 4060 a indicates the shower water discharge, and thepictogram 4060 b indicates the straight water discharge. The positions at which thepictograms leading end 4012 b correspond, respectively, to the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B of theconvex portion 4036 of theswitch operation portion 4034. The user can find the current water discharge state with ease by looking at the switching position of theconvex portion 4036 along with the pictogram. - As illustrated in
FIG. 29 , theconvex portion 4036 is located behind the spout port 4038 (the lower side inFIG. 29 ) no matter at which of the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B theconvex portion 4036 is located. With such a configuration, even in a configuration in which the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 is closer to the user than is thespout port 4038 as viewed from the user, theconvex portion 4036 is not erroneously detected by the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040. Thus, the positions of the automaticwater discharge sensor 4040 and of thespout port 4038 can be brought closer to each other, and the leading end of the spout pipe can be made compact. - It is preferable that the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B be arranged symmetrically about the center axis and that the central angle D be approximately 90 degrees. With this configuration, even when the
automatic water faucet 4010 is observed from the front side as viewed from the user (the upper side inFIG. 29 ), it becomes easier to visually recognize at which of the shower water discharge position A and the straight water discharge position B theconvex portion 4036 is located. - As illustrated in
FIG. 28 , the upper portion of theconvex portion 4036 may have a smooth tapered shape. With this configuration, the user can naturally guide the fingers to the convex portion when the user tries to grasp the convex portion with the fingers. - The automatic water faucet according to the fifth embodiment can be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens. In addition, the counter has been illustrated as a base member to which the base end portion of the automatic water faucet is fixed.
- Alternatively, the base member may be a wall member or the like that defines the inside and the outside of a facility such as a bathroom.
- In addition, the shape of the spout portion is not limited to the spout pipe having a gooseneck shape, and the spout portion may be formed into any other shape such as a linear spout pipe or a box-shaped spout pipe. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to an automatic water faucet that is not provided with a pull-out type spout port member.
- In the fifth embodiment, the switch operation portion can switch between the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge, but in addition thereto, or in place thereof, the switch operation portion may be able to make a switch to another water discharge state.
- Conventionally, a water faucet in which members such as a sensor for automatic water discharge and a spout port member are housed inside a spout pipe is known (see, for example, patent document 5).
- In such a water faucet as described above, it is desirable that the housed members be housed stably inside the spout pipe.
- A sixth embodiment provides a water faucet in which a housed member can be housed stably inside a spout pipe.
- An overview of the sixth embodiment will be given. A water faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spout pipe of which a leading end portion is partially cut out; and a housed member to be housed inside the spout pipe. A holding unit for holding the housed member inside the spout pipe is formed at the leading end portion of the spout pipe.
- According to this aspect, even when the leading end portion of the spout pipe is partially cut out, the housed member can be housed stably without falling through a cut-out portion.
- The sectional shape of the leading end portion of the spout pipe along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis may be a circular arc shape with a central angle exceeding 180 degrees. In this case, the housed member is embraced by circumferential direction end portions of the leading end portion of the spout pipe, and thus the housed member can be housed stably inside the spout pipe.
- The housed member may include a sensor that detects the presence of a detection target. A spout port member that discharges water upon a detection target being detected by the sensor may be disposed at the cut-out portion of the spout pipe.
- The configurations described above can provide the water faucet in which the housed member can be housed stably inside the spout pipe.
-
FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of akitchen 5100 provided with anautomatic water faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Asink 5102 that is recessed in a concave shape is provided in thekitchen 5100. Theautomatic water faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment, apurified water faucet 5106 for supplying purified water, and astorage portion 5108 for storing various items such as a dishwashing detergent and a sponge are provided in acounter 5104 behind thesink 5102. When the terms indicating directions, such as “upper,” “underneath,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” and “outer” are used in the present specification, these terms indicate directions relative to the posture of theautomatic water faucet 5010 mounted to the kitchen or the like. -
FIG. 31 is a perspective view of theautomatic water faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated inFIG. 31 , theautomatic water faucet 5010 includes a water faucetmain body 5012 erected on the counter and aspout pipe 5014 that extends from the upper end surface of the water faucetmain body 5012. Aspout port member 5020 having aspout port 5018 is provided at a leading end side of thespout pipe 5014 in the direction of the pipe axis. - The water faucet
main body 5012 includes a mixing valve (not illustrated) provided thereinside and alever handle 5016 for operating the mixing valve. The mixing valve mixes cold water and hot water at a predetermined ratio to produce warm water of an appropriate temperature. The horizontal pivot operation of thelever handle 5016 adjusts the mixture ratio of cold water and hot water, or in other words, adjusts the temperature of the mixed water, and the vertical pivot operation thereof adjusts the flow rate of the discharged warm water. - The
spout pipe 5014 includes a spout pipemain body 5014 a formed into a so-called gooseneck shape having an inverted U-shape and a stretched-out portion 5014 b that stretches out toward the back side (the side opposite to the user) from the intermediate portion to the leading end portion of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. The spout pipemain body 5014 a and the stretched-out portion 5014 b are formed integrally by a casting of a metal material serving as a raw material. The spout pipemain body 5014 a has a shape that extends downward toward aleading end 5014 e from the portion of a maximum height, and the opening in theleading end 5014 e faces downward. - A flexible water supply hose (not illustrated) is disposed inside the
spout pipe 5014. One end of the water supply hose is connected to thespout port member 5020. Thespout port member 5020 can be pulled out from thespout pipe 5014 along with the water supply hose. In a state in which thespout port member 5020 is housed in thespout pipe 5014, thespout port 5018 of thespout port member 5020 faces downward. - The other end of the water supply hose is connected to a solenoid valve (not illustrated). This solenoid valve is provided underneath the counter and controls the discharge and shutoff of the water through the
spout port 5018. The solenoid valve is controlled by a control unit (not illustrated) constituted by a circuit board having a microcomputer mounted thereon. This control unit may be implemented through a combination of devices such as a CPU and a memory of a computer and a circuit. - A
proximity sensor 5022, which serves as a first human body detection sensor, is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 5014. Theproximity sensor 5022 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theproximity sensor 5022 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theproximity sensor 5022 is provided such that asensor window 5022 a faces obliquely upward. - The
proximity sensor 5022 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand over the sensor window. When a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 5022, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged through thespout port 5018 of thespout port member 5020. Once a body part is detected by theproximity sensor 5022, the water continues to be discharged even after the body part becomes no longer detected. Thereafter, when theproximity sensor 5022 detects a body part again as the user places his/her hand over theproximity sensor 5022 again, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 5018 of thespout port member 5020. The presence of such aproximity sensor 5022 makes it possible to control the discharge and shutoff of the water without operating thelever handle 5016, and thus thelever handle 5016 is prevented from being stained even when the hands are not clean, for example. -
FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a leading end portion of thespout pipe 5014 as viewed from below, illustrating a state in which thespout port member 5020 is housed in thespout pipe 5014. In addition,FIG. 33 illustrates theautomatic water faucet 5010 as viewed from the back side, illustrating a state in which thespout port member 5020 is being pulled out from thespout pipe 5014 along with awater supply hose 5028. - The
spout port member 5020 is provided at the leading end portion of thespout pipe 5014 on the side away from the user, and anautomatic sensor 5024, which serves as a second human body detection sensor, is provided on the side closer to the user. Theautomatic sensor 5024 is provided inside aleading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. Thespout port member 5020 is provided at aleading end portion 5014 d of the stretched-out portion 5014 b such that thespout port member 5020 can be pulled out along with thewater supply hose 5028. Theleading end portion 5014 d of the stretched-out portion 5014 b does not extend to theleading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. Therefore, thespout pipe 5014 has a shape in which the leading end portion is partially cut out along the direction of the pipe axis. Thespout port member 5020 is disposed at the cut-out portion of theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 in a state in which thespout port member 5020 is housed in thespout pipe 5014. - The
automatic sensor 5024 may be an infrared sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, for example. Theautomatic sensor 5024 receives, with the light receiving portion, reflected light of the light projected by the light emitting portion from a detection target and thus determines whether a detection target such as a hand of a person is present within a predetermined detection area. Theautomatic sensor 5024 is provided such that asensor window 5024 a faces downward. - The
automatic sensor 5024 detects the hand upon the user placing his/her hand underneath thespout port 5018. When a body part is detected by theautomatic sensor 5024, the control unit opens the solenoid valve, and water is discharged automatically through thespout port 5018 of thespout port member 5020. Thereafter, when the user pulls back the hand out of the detection area of theautomatic sensor 5024, theautomatic sensor 5024 no longer detects a body part. Thus, the control unit closes the solenoid valve, and the water stops being discharged through thespout port 5018 of thespout port member 5020. The presence of such anautomatic sensor 5024 makes it possible to discharge water only for the duration in which a detection target is being detected by theautomatic sensor 5024, and thus water consumption can be reduced. - A
switch 5026 for switching between ON and OFF of theautomatic sensor 5024 is provided on the front surface (the side toward the user) of thespout pipe 5014. The automatic water discharge and water shutoff as described above is carried out only when theautomatic sensor 5024 is ON. - The
spout port member 5020 includes a water guiding member (not illustrated) for guiding water from thewater supply hose 5028 to thespout port 5018, acover member 5040 made of resin for covering the leading end portion of thewater supply hose 5028 and the water guiding member from the outside, and aswitch operation member 5042 that switches the water discharged through thespout port 5018 from the straight water discharge to the shower water discharge or vice versa. - A
guide member 5044 is housed inside the spout pipemain body 5014 a and the stretched-out portion 5014 b.FIG. 34 is a perspective view illustrating theguide member 5044. Theguide member 5044 is an integrally molded member made of resin and includes ahose guide portion 5044 a for guiding thewater supply hose 5028, asensor holding portion 5044 b for holding theautomatic sensor 5024, awire guide portion 5044 c for guiding a wire connecting theautomatic sensor 5024 to the control unit, and a spout portmember guide portion 5044 d for guiding thespout port member 5020. As illustrated inFIG. 33 , in a state in which theguide member 5044 is mounted inside the spout pipemain body 5014 a and the stretched-out portion 5014 b, thehose guide portion 5044 a projects from theleading end portion 5014 d of the stretched-out portion 5014 b. In addition, the spout portmember guide portion 5044 d covers the opening at the cut-out portion of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. - The
cover member 5040 has arecess portion 5040 a formed therein to fit with thehose guide portion 5044 a. When thespout port member 5020 is housed into thespout pipe 5014, thisrecess portion 5040 a fits with thehose guide portion 5044 a, and thus thespout port member 5020 is held by thespout pipe 5014. -
FIG. 35 illustrates theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 as viewed from below.FIG. 35 illustrates a state in which the spout port member is being pulled out from thespout pipe 5014. Theguide member 5044 that includes theautomatic sensor 5024 is housed inside theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014. As described above, the leading end portion of thespout pipe 5014 is partially cut out. Therefore, in theautomatic water faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment, the sectional shape of theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis has a circular arc shape having a central angle θ of approximately 270 degrees. In other words, theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 has a substantially ¾th cylinder shape. When theleading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 is formed into such a shape, theguide member 5044 is embraced by the circumferentialdirection end portions leading end portion 5014 c, and thus theguide member 5044 is housed stably inside thespout pipe 5014 without falling through the cut-out portion of thespout pipe 5014. The circumferentialdirection end portions leading end portion 5014 c function as a holding unit for holding theguide member 5044 inside thespout pipe 5014. - It suffices that the sectional shape of the
leading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis be a circular arc shape with a central angle θ exceeding 180 degrees. When the central angle θ is no greater than 180 degrees, theguide member 5044 cannot be embraced by the circumferentialdirection end portions leading end portion 5014 c, and thus theguide member 5044 may fall through the cut-out portion of thespout pipe 5014. - The sectional shape of the
leading end portion 5014 c of thespout pipe 5014 along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis is not particularly limited to a circular arc shape, and any desired shape, such as a quadrangular shape, may be employed as long as a holding unit that holds theguide member 5044 inside thespout pipe 5014 is formed. - A seventh embodiment also provides a water faucet in which a housed member can be housed stably inside a spout pipe.
- An overview of the seventh embodiment will be given. A water faucet according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spout pipe; and a housed member to be housed inside the spout pipe. A holding unit for holding the housed member in a part of a space within the spout pipe is formed inside the spout pipe. According to this aspect as well, the housed member can be housed stably inside the spout pipe.
-
FIG. 36 illustrates anautomatic water faucet 5070 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In theautomatic water faucet 5070 illustrated inFIG. 36 , constituent elements that are identical or corresponding to those of theautomatic water faucet 5010 according to the sixth embodiment described above are given identical reference characters, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.FIG. 36 illustrates a state in which the spout port member is being pulled out from thespout pipe 5014. - In the
automatic water faucet 5070 illustrated inFIG. 36 as well, thespout pipe 5014 is constituted by the spout pipemain body 5014 a formed into a so-called gooseneck shape having an inverted U-shape and the stretched-out portion 5014 b that stretches out toward the back side from the intermediate portion to the leading end portion of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. In theautomatic water faucet 5070, theleading end portion 5014 d of the stretched-out portion 5014 b extends to theleading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. In other words, in theautomatic water faucet 5070, thespout pipe 5014 is not cut out. - As illustrated in
FIG. 36 , in theautomatic water faucet 5070 according to the seventh embodiment, apartition wall 5072 that defines an inner space of thespout pipe 5014 into a first space in which theautomatic sensor 5024 is housed and a second space in which thewater supply hose 5028 is housed is formed inside thespout pipe 5014. Thispartition wall 5072 holds thesensor holding portion 5044 b that includes theautomatic sensor 5024 in the first space inside thespout pipe 5014. The presence of thepartition wall 5072 inside thespout pipe 5014 makes it possible to house theautomatic sensor 5024 and thewater supply hose 5028 stably in separate spaces inside thespout pipe 5014. - In the seventh embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 36 , thepartition wall 5072 is provided inside thespout pipe 5014 to completely define the inner space of thespout pipe 5014 into the first space and the second space. However, thepartition wall 5072 does not have to be provided as long as thesensor holding portion 5044 b can be held in the first space. The sectional shape of the first space along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis inFIG. 36 is a circular arc shape with a central angle θ exceeding 180 degrees, and thus thesensor holding portion 5044 b is held stably in the first space even without thepartition wall 5072. Therefore, even in a case in which thepartition wall 5072 is removed from theautomatic water faucet 5070 illustrated inFIG. 36 , theautomatic sensor 5024 and thewater supply hose 5028 can be housed stably in separate spaces inside thespout pipe 5014. - The sectional shape of the
leading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a along a plane perpendicular to the direction of the pipe axis is not particularly limited to a circular arc shape, and any desired shape, such as a quadrangular shape, may be employed as long as a holding unit that holds the housed member such as thesensor holding portion 5044 b inside thespout pipe 5014 is formed. - In the sixth and seventh embodiments described above, an automatic water faucet has been illustrated as the water faucet, but the type of the water faucet is not limited to an automatic water faucet and may be an ordinary water faucet that discharges water upon a lever handle or the like being operated manually.
- In the sixth and seventh embodiments described above, the
automatic sensor 5024 is provided at theleading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a, but a different member may instead be provided therein. For example, a member that discharges foam soap may be provided inside theleading end portion 5014 c of the spout pipemain body 5014 a. - The shape of the
spout pipe 5014 is not limited to a gooseneck shape as described above, and the spout pipe may be formed into any well-known shape such as a linear spout pipe. - The water faucets according to the sixth and seventh embodiments described above may be used in facilities installed in buildings, ships, and the like and may be used in washing basins, hand washers, bathrooms, and so on, aside from kitchens.
- Thus far, the present invention has been described on the basis of embodiments, but the embodiments merely illustrate the principle and the applications of the present invention. In addition, a number of modifications or arrangement changes can be made to the embodiments within the scope that does not depart from the spirit of the present invention set forth in the claims.
Claims (24)
1. An automatic water faucet, comprising:
a spout portion;
a spout port member having a spout port, the spout port member being housed at a leading end of the spout portion such that the spout port member can be freely pulled out; and
a sensor provided in the vicinity of the spout port for detecting an object below the spout port to cause water discharge to start; wherein
the spout port member is configured to be pulled out from an end of the spout portion that is axially depthward of the sensor.
2. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein
the spout portion has a shape that is expanded in a section from an intermediate portion, to the leading end, of the spout portion, and
the spout port member can be pulled out from the expanded section.
3. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein the spout port member has a shape that in a state in which the spout port member has been housed smoothly curves continuously from an upstream side of the spout portion to the spout port member.
4. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein the spout portion has a shape in which a portion thereof expands in a depthwise direction toward the leading end as viewed from a user and is configured such that the spout port member can be pulled out from either side of the portion that expands in the depthwise direction.
5. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a holding member that holds the sensor inside the spout portion, wherein the holding member includes
a planar portion having a sensor window of the sensor, and
a rising portion formed to rise from a periphery of the planar portion.
6. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein:
the spout portion is a spout pipe; and
the sensor is held at a leading end portion of the spout pipe.
7. The automatic water faucet according to claim 5 , wherein:
the planar portion is disposed at a position that is more inward than is the leading end of the spout portion; and
the rising portion is formed to rise along an inner wall of the spout portion.
8. The automatic water faucet according to claim 5 , wherein a leading end of the rising portion projects more than the leading end of the spout portion.
9. The automatic water faucet according to claim 5 , wherein the rising portion is connected to the planar portion via a continuous curved surface.
10. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a water supply hose disposed inside the spout portion; wherein
the spout port member is connected to the water supply hose and is provided to be capable of being pulled out from the spout portion along with the water supply hose;
a portion of a side surface of the spout port member can abut against a portion of a side surface of the spout portion when the spout port member is housed into the spout portion; and
one of an abutment portion of the spout port member and an abutment portion of the spout portion is formed into a convex shape, and the other one of the abutment portions is formed into a concave shape corresponding to the convex shape.
11. The automatic water faucet according to claim 10 , wherein:
the either convex shape or concave shape formed at the abutment portion of the spout port member extends along a lengthwise direction of the water supply hose; and
the either convex shape or concave shape formed at the abutment portion of the spout portion extends along the axial direction of the spout portion.
12. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein in a state in which the spout port member is housed in the spout portion, the spout port member is located behind the spout portion relative to the user.
13. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein the spout port member includes a finger hooking portion that latches a grasping unit in a pulling direction thereof when the spout port member is grasped.
14. The automatic water faucet according to claim 13 , wherein the finger hooking portion is formed into a tapered shape or a concave shape at a portion between a large diameter portion, which is a leading end side of the spout port member, and a small diameter portion, which is an inward side in the pulling direction.
15. The automatic water faucet according to claim 13 , wherein the spout port member is located behind, as viewed from the user, the spout portion in a housed state.
16. The automatic water faucet according to claim 13 , wherein:
the spout portion includes a stretched-out portion that expands from the spout pipe from the intermediate portion to the leading end of the spout pipe; and
a curved line that defines a boundary between the spout portion and the stretched-out portion and a curved line that defines a step of the finger hooking portion are smoothly continuous with each other.
17. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a switch operation portion that can switch states of water discharge from the spout port; wherein
the sensor is located before the spout port as viewed from the user, and
the switch operation portion includes a convex portion that shifts into switched positions for the respective water discharge states, and is located depthward in the spout port no matter which position the convex portion is in.
18. The automatic water faucet according to claim 17 , wherein the switching positions are arranged symmetrically with respect to a center axis.
19. The automatic water faucet according to claim 17 , wherein a pictogram that indicates a corresponding water discharge state is provided at a position corresponding to the switching position on the front of the spout portion.
20. The automatic water faucet according to claim 17 , wherein an upper portion of the convex portion has a smooth tapered shape.
21. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein:
the spout portion is a spout pipe of which a leading end portion is partially cut out; and
a holding unit that holds a housed member inside the spout pipe is provided at the leading end portion of the spout pipe.
22. The automatic water faucet according to claim 21 , wherein a sectional shape of the leading end portion of the spout pipe along a plane perpendicular to the pipe axially is a circular arc shape with a central angle exceeding 180 degrees.
23. The automatic water faucet according to claim 21 , wherein:
the housed member includes a sensor that detects the presence of a detection target;
the spout port member is disposed at a cut-out portion of the spout pipe; and
water is discharged through the spout port upon the detection target being detected by the sensor.
24. The automatic water faucet according to claim 1 , wherein:
the spout portion is a spout pipe, and
a holding unit that holds a housed member in at least apart of a space inside the spout pipe is formed inside the spout pipe.
Applications Claiming Priority (13)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2014237184A JP6441045B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Automatic faucet |
JP2014237183A JP6441044B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Water faucet |
JP2014-237183 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2014237048A JP6367094B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Water faucet |
JP2014237181A JP6444703B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Water faucet |
JP2014-237184 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2014-237182 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2014236987A JP6367093B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Automatic faucet |
JP2014-237048 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2014-236987 | 2014-11-21 | ||
JP2014237182A JP6367096B2 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2014-11-21 | Automatic faucet |
JP2014-237181 | 2014-11-21 | ||
PCT/JP2015/079271 WO2016080122A1 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2015-10-16 | Automatic faucet |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2015/079271 Continuation WO2016080122A1 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2015-10-16 | Automatic faucet |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170247866A1 true US20170247866A1 (en) | 2017-08-31 |
Family
ID=56013679
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/595,993 Abandoned US20170247866A1 (en) | 2014-11-21 | 2017-05-16 | Automatic water faucet |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170247866A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3222788A4 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20170085501A (en) |
CN (1) | CN107002394A (en) |
AU (1) | AU2015351375A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2016080122A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4137410A4 (en) * | 2020-04-14 | 2024-05-01 | The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. | Automatic faucet device |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR102063927B1 (en) * | 2019-04-19 | 2020-01-08 | 송명훈 | Shower device for sink faucet |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060020090A1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2006-01-26 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Group III-B metal catalyst system |
US20070270538A1 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2007-11-22 | Marc Stacey Somers | Elastomeric compositions comprising butyl rubber and propylene polymers |
US20140116553A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | John Kevin Schoolcraft | Modular sensor activated faucet |
US20170328047A1 (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2017-11-16 | Toto Ltd. | Water faucet device |
Family Cites Families (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH0819701B2 (en) * | 1990-03-30 | 1996-02-28 | リンナイ株式会社 | Main stop type water heater |
JP2639268B2 (en) * | 1991-12-24 | 1997-08-06 | 株式会社イナックス | Control method of water discharge device with sensor |
DE19527232A1 (en) * | 1995-07-26 | 1997-01-30 | Grohe Armaturen Friedrich | Outlet fitting |
JP3655731B2 (en) * | 1997-04-28 | 2005-06-02 | 株式会社Inax | Faucet handle position indicator |
JP3908581B2 (en) * | 2002-03-29 | 2007-04-25 | 株式会社Inax | Water faucet |
JP2004278123A (en) * | 2003-03-17 | 2004-10-07 | Toto Ltd | Water faucet device |
US8939429B2 (en) * | 2004-01-12 | 2015-01-27 | Masco Corporation Of Indiana | Spout assembly for an electronic faucet |
US7313834B2 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2008-01-01 | Globe Union Industrial Corp. | Bathtub water tap |
US8104113B2 (en) * | 2005-03-14 | 2012-01-31 | Masco Corporation Of Indiana | Position-sensing detector arrangement for controlling a faucet |
JP2007270538A (en) * | 2006-03-31 | 2007-10-18 | Toto Ltd | Automatic faucet |
JP5078575B2 (en) * | 2007-11-30 | 2012-11-21 | 株式会社Lixil | Water discharge device |
CN201628015U (en) * | 2009-11-20 | 2010-11-10 | 江洪 | Extractable tap with ozone disinfection function |
CN103821988B (en) * | 2009-12-10 | 2017-12-19 | 骊住株式会社 | Automatic faucet and drainage arrangement |
JP5908690B2 (en) * | 2011-09-26 | 2016-04-26 | 株式会社Lixil | Faucet device |
CN202521053U (en) * | 2012-04-13 | 2012-11-07 | 阮文辉 | Drawer-type faucet |
JP6284465B2 (en) * | 2014-09-29 | 2018-02-28 | 株式会社Lixil | Automatic faucet and kitchen |
-
2015
- 2015-10-16 AU AU2015351375A patent/AU2015351375A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2015-10-16 WO PCT/JP2015/079271 patent/WO2016080122A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-10-16 CN CN201580060989.8A patent/CN107002394A/en active Pending
- 2015-10-16 EP EP15861145.9A patent/EP3222788A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2015-10-16 KR KR1020177012862A patent/KR20170085501A/en unknown
-
2017
- 2017-05-16 US US15/595,993 patent/US20170247866A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060020090A1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2006-01-26 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Group III-B metal catalyst system |
US20070270538A1 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2007-11-22 | Marc Stacey Somers | Elastomeric compositions comprising butyl rubber and propylene polymers |
US20140116553A1 (en) * | 2012-10-31 | 2014-05-01 | John Kevin Schoolcraft | Modular sensor activated faucet |
US20170328047A1 (en) * | 2014-12-02 | 2017-11-16 | Toto Ltd. | Water faucet device |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4137410A4 (en) * | 2020-04-14 | 2024-05-01 | The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. | Automatic faucet device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN107002394A (en) | 2017-08-01 |
AU2015351375A1 (en) | 2017-06-08 |
EP3222788A1 (en) | 2017-09-27 |
KR20170085501A (en) | 2017-07-24 |
WO2016080122A1 (en) | 2016-05-26 |
EP3222788A4 (en) | 2018-08-22 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20040025248A1 (en) | Device for controlling and/or regulating the supply of a medium, devices of this type comprising washing or drying units and a corresponding method | |
US20170247866A1 (en) | Automatic water faucet | |
US8876025B1 (en) | Variable flow showerhead | |
JP5027538B2 (en) | Bathroom vanity | |
JP2007037628A (en) | Soap liquid-dispensing device | |
JP2002356889A (en) | Automatic water discharge equipment | |
JP6441045B2 (en) | Automatic faucet | |
JP2020026668A (en) | Water discharge device and washstand | |
JP6367096B2 (en) | Automatic faucet | |
JP6441044B2 (en) | Water faucet | |
JP2007135906A (en) | Shower device | |
JP6875657B2 (en) | Faucet device and vanity equipped with it | |
JP6875656B2 (en) | Faucet device and vanity equipped with it | |
JP6382748B2 (en) | Automatic faucet | |
KR101632384B1 (en) | Faucet device that can control the water discharge method in three modes | |
JP6456188B2 (en) | Automatic faucet | |
JP6456190B2 (en) | Water faucet | |
JP6367094B2 (en) | Water faucet | |
JP6444703B2 (en) | Water faucet | |
US11313110B1 (en) | Water output device | |
JP2007135896A (en) | Bathroom unit | |
JP2023141503A (en) | Dresser washstand | |
JP6367093B2 (en) | Automatic faucet | |
JP2001061685A (en) | Washstand | |
CN104120763A (en) | Washstand convenient for draining waste water in wash basin |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LIXIL CORPORATION, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KESSOKU, SACHIKO;ITAZU, NOBUAKI;SHIRAI, YUKI;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20170424 TO 20170427;REEL/FRAME:042387/0161 |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |