US3799198A - Electronic automatic faucet device - Google Patents

Electronic automatic faucet device Download PDF

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Publication number
US3799198A
US3799198A US31332472A US3799198A US 3799198 A US3799198 A US 3799198A US 31332472 A US31332472 A US 31332472A US 3799198 A US3799198 A US 3799198A
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Prior art keywords
circuit
control means
timing
transistor
state
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English (en)
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S Kijimoto
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Aiden KK
ITARU OTSU
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Aiden KK
ITARU OTSU
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Priority claimed from JP1094572U external-priority patent/JPS4889150U/ja
Priority claimed from JP1276572U external-priority patent/JPS49764U/ja
Priority claimed from JP4508272U external-priority patent/JPS496227U/ja
Priority claimed from JP4605472U external-priority patent/JPS496523U/ja
Priority claimed from JP5459472U external-priority patent/JPS4914526U/ja
Priority claimed from JP5629972U external-priority patent/JPS4916829U/ja
Priority claimed from JP9768372U external-priority patent/JPS4955423U/ja
Application filed by Aiden KK, ITARU OTSU filed Critical Aiden KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3799198A publication Critical patent/US3799198A/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/02—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices electric; magnetic
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
    • E02F9/00—Component parts of dredgers or soil-shifting machines, not restricted to one of the kinds covered by groups E02F3/00 - E02F7/00
    • E02F9/20—Drives; Control devices
    • E02F9/2025—Particular purposes of control systems not otherwise provided for
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/941—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated using an optical detector
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86389—Programmer or timer

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT An electronic automatic faucet device wherein an [30] Foreign Apphcauon Pnomy Data emitting element of visible or invisible rays, a receiv- Jan. 27, 1972 Japan 47-10945 ing element for i rays and a magnet valve are 1972 Japan 4742765 vided for the faucet of a water conduit, wherein the Apr. 18, 1972 Japan 47-45082 beam path between both the elements is momentarily Apr.
  • the present invention relates to an electronic automatic faucet device which is disposed in the way of a water conduit for a wash-stand, a cookery, etc., so as to automatically control the water supply. More particularly, it relates to improvements in an electronic automatic faucet device of a system in which the beam path between a ray emitting portion and a ray receiving portion containing therein a photoelectric semiconductor element is momentarily intercepted, whereby a switching circuit formed of a semiconductor element is onoff-controlled to open and close a magnet valve disposed on the output side of the switching circuit.
  • momentary interception of the beam path means that the beam path is temporarily intercepted, being crossed by a hand or by an object, whereupon the original irradiating state is immediately recovered. It does not mean that any interrupting operation is rapidly effected.
  • a ray irradiated on a photoelectric element accommodated in a ray receiving portion is momentarily intercepted, whereby a bistable multivibrator circuit of vacuum tubes or transistors is caused to conduct in an inverting operation. Due to the inversion, a switching circuit connected on the output side of the multivibrator circuit is changed in operation to the on state. Through a relay incorporated into the switching circuit, a magnet valve is energized to open a water conduit.
  • the bistable circuit employed in the automatic faucet device of the prior-art system is indefinite as to which one of a pair of transistors constituting the bistable circuit falls into the cut-off state or the on" state at switching on of a power source due to, for example, recovery of a power supply in case of service interruption.
  • the present invention has been accomplished in view of these points, and has its object in providing an electronic automatic faucet device constructed such that a switching circuit is brought into the off state automatically at the time of lapse of a fixed period after initiation of water feed or, when it is desired to stop water before the lapse of the fixed period, by performing a momentary interception of a beam path at such time, that a magnet valve is thereby deenergized so as to close a water conduit, and that the magnet valve is brought into the closed state at switching on of a power source without fail, whereby the inconveniences in the prior-art device as above stated can be eliminated.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which an electronic automatic faucet device according to the present invention is mounted on a wall;
  • FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are a side sectional view and a plan sectional view, respectively, showing a ray emitting element and a ray receiving element;
  • FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic views showing different arrangement systems for the ray emitting element and the ray receiving element;
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a detailed circuit diagram of the embodiment.
  • FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a further embodiment of the present invention.
  • numeral 1 designates the body of a faucet portion as a reflecting mirror, for example consisting of a nickel-chrome-plated casting, a stainless case or a die casting case.
  • Shown at 2 is a universal water feed cock.
  • Numeral 3 indicates an adaptor for regulating the amount of water, which is fixedly mounted on a wall 4 and which is simply connected to the faucet portion body through a box nut 5.
  • the adaptor 3 is provided with a universal water feed cock (which is different from that 2, and which is not shown since it extends towards the back of the drawing) which can be subjected to an opening or closing operation by means of a knob 6.
  • Numeral 9 represents an infrared ray filter which is attached to the front of each of the ray emitting and receiving portions 10 as will be stated below with reference to FIG. 2, and which is watertightly set in a beam path window 11.
  • a bottom cover plate 12 tightly clamps and fixes thereon the faucet portion body 1 through clamp nuts 13 at the water inlet part of a magnet valve 14 (shown in phantom outline) and the port part of the universal water feed cock 2, to thereby form a perfect waterproof structure.
  • Reference numeral 15 designates in phantom outline an excitation coil of the solenoid valve 14.
  • FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams of an embodiment of the ray emitting and receiving portions, in which the former is a side sectional view and the latter a plan sectional view thereof.
  • numeral 16 designates a cassette of the ray emitting and receiving portions 10 (refer to FIG. 1).
  • Numeral 17 indicates a semiconductor photo-diode, while numeral 18 represents a condensing lens. In this case, the distance between the photo-diode l7 and the condensing lens I8 is adjusted so that a focus 20 may be located on a mirror 19, whereby reflection beam paths are made parallel lines.
  • the inclination angle of the mirror 19 is adjusted so that a photoelectric element constituting the ray receiving portion, for example, a silicon photodiode or phototransistor 21 may receive the reflected light rays.
  • the photoelectric element 21 has its internal resistance rapidly changed without time delay in such way that the beam path of invisible rays 22 transmitting through the infrared ray filters 9 and reflecting upon the mirror 19 is intercepted by a hand or by an object.
  • a photoelectric conversion portion for the invisible rays is formed by the infrared ray emitting diode l7 and the photoelectric element 21.
  • the ray emitting portion and the ray receiving portion are closely provided at one set, and reflected rays are utilized as illustrated in FIG. 3(a).
  • the ray emitting and receiving portions can also be disposed so as to oppose to each other. With either system, no difference occurs in the function. and the effect of the present invention as will be stated below.
  • FIG. 4 is a block circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a practical circuit arrangement thereof.
  • infrared rays which are emitted from a radiant element contained in a ray emitting portion 26 are irradiated on a ray receiving element contained in a ray receiving portion 27.
  • the change in the electric resistance of the ray receiving element between a case where an obstacle, such as fingers, is inserted into the beam path between the ray receiving and emitting elements and a case where it is not inserted, is derived as a signal.
  • a control device is actuated by the signal, to subject a switching circuit 28 to on-off control and thereby open and close a magnet valve 29.
  • the control device is composed of a bistable multivibrator circuit 33 for feeding signals to the switching circuit 28, a timer circuit 32 for imparting a time limit property to one of the output signals of the multivibrator circuit 33, a trigger input circuit 36 receiving trigger input signals from the ray receiving portion 27 and the timer circuit 32, a circuit 35 for subjecting output signals of the trigger input circuit 36 to wave-form shaping, a bistable input circuit 34 receiving outputs of the waveform shaping circuit 35 and having the function of making negative pulse signals to the bistable circuit 33, and although being omitted from FIG. 4, a starting compensator circuit which serves to always settle the bistable circuit 33 in one of the stable states when a power source is made on, etc.
  • the apparatus of the invention is provided with a power source portion 23 for supplying DC voltages to the whole control device, the ray emitting portion 26 and the ray receiving portion 27, a full-wave rectifier circuit 24, smoothing circuits 25 and 30, and a constant-voltage circuit 31.
  • the power source portion 23 comprises a transformer T which has the primary side connected to an AC power source a.c., and has the secondary side connected to the full-wave rectifier circuit 24.
  • the full wave rectifier circuit 24 is formed of four diodes D to D,,. It supplies direct current to the control device, the switching circuit 28, etc., and supplies direct current to the ray emitting portion 26 which is interposed between the connection ends of the diodes D and D and an intermediate terminal of the secondary winding of the transformer T.
  • a diode D, and a capacitor C constitute a smoothing circuit which serves to remove ripples from a direct current flowing through the ray emitting'portion 26.
  • the switching circuit 28 employs a thyristor SCR and is constructed such that a series circuit consisting of the thyristor and a solenoid coil RY of a relay is connected across the DC output terminals of the full-wave rectifier circuit 24.
  • a control signal is fed to the control terminal G of the thyristor SCR, it is turned on.
  • the solenoid coil RY is thereby rendered conductive, to close its normally-open contact a and open a magnet valve MGV.
  • the control terminal G of the thyristor SCR is connected through a resistor R to the earth side, and is connected through a resistor R to the collector terminal of one transistor TR, of a bistable circuit.
  • the bistable circuit is a multivibrator constructed such that the collector terminals of a pair of transistors TR;, and TR, are connected to the base terminals of the other transistors via resistors R and R respectively. When one transistor is in the on state, other transistor is in the off state. When a negative pulse signal is inputted to an input terminal or the common emitter terminal of the transistors TR;, and TR, in the circuit of the embodiment, the transistor having been of then, is
  • bistable multivibrator circuit In the general bistable circuit of this type, however, it is indefinite which transistor is turned on or of at switching on of the power source.
  • the output signals of the bistable circuit are utilized to effect the on-off control of the switching circuit 28
  • the state of the bistable circuit is such that the magnet valve is always brought into the closed state at, e.g., the switching on of the power source due to recovery of service interruption.
  • a starting compensator circuit for the bistable circuit is provided in the embodiment in FIG. 5.
  • the starting compensator circuit is constructed in such manner that a switching transistor TR is connected between the base terminal of one transistor TR, of the bistable circuit 33 and the earth, that the collector terminal of the switching transistor TR; is connected to the side of the DC power source through a resistor R and that the base terminal thereof is connected to the side of the DC power source through a capacitor C and to the earth side through a parallel circuit consisting of a resistor R and a diode D
  • a switching transistor TR is connected between the base terminal of one transistor TR, of the bistable circuit 33 and the earth, that the collector terminal of the switching transistor TR; is connected to the side of the DC power source through a resistor R and that the base terminal thereof is connected to the side of the DC power source through a capacitor C and to the earth side through a parallel circuit consisting of a resistor R and a diode D
  • one transistor TR of the bistable circuit 33 has its base terminal grounded through the transistor TR, and falls into the of state, while the transistor TR, falls into the on" state. For this reason, no control signal is applied to the control terminal G of the thyristor SCR as being connected to the collector terminal of the transistor TR The thyristor SCR accordingly continues the nonconductive state, to keep the magnet valve MGV closed. Subsequently, the capacitor C is charged in saturation after a time predetermined by the time constant between it and the resistor R for example, several tens to several hundreds milliseconds. Thus, the transistor TR, falls into the of state, and the bistable circuit 33 falls into a state under which it can conduct the inverting operation in response to arrival of an input signal.
  • the reason why the diode D in the reverse direction is connected in parallel with the resistor R in the above starting compensator circuit is that, at service interruption or the like, the stored charge of the capacitor C, instantaneously discharged through the diode D in subsequence to the service interruption.
  • the interruption of service is recovered within the usual discharging time of the capacitor C, (i.e., the discharging time in the case where the diode D is not comprised), e.g., within several tens to several hundreds milliseconds and the DC voltage is again applied, the transistor TR, falls into the on state simultaneously with the voltage application, and the bistable circuit 33 is brought into the stable state under which the side of the transistor TR, is cut off.
  • the starting compensator circuit has been described as being constructed of the transistor, a thyristor is similarly employable instead of the transistor.
  • the timer circuit 32 is constructed as below.
  • a time constant circuit in which a resistor R and a capacitor C, are connected in series, and a voltage divider circuit in which two resistors R and R, are connected in series are arranged in parallel.
  • the emitter terminal A of a programmable unijunction transistor PUT is connected to the connection point between the resistor R and the capacitor C of the time constant circuit.
  • the second base G is connected between the resistors R and R, of the voltage divider circuit.
  • the first base C is connected to the trigger input terminal of the bistable circuit 33 through a diode D, and a resistor R
  • the emitter terminal A is further connected to the collector terminal of one transistor TR, of the bistable circuit 33 through a short-circuiting transistor TR which is arranged in parallel with the voltage divider resistor R,.
  • the wave-form shaping circuit 35 is composed of a Schmitt trigger circuit consisting of transistors TR and TR, and a wave-form reversing circuit formed by a transistor TR,.
  • the collector terminal of the transistor TR, for the wave-form reversing circuit is connected to the common emitter terminal of the bistable circuit 33, and serves as an input terminal for inverting the bistable circuit.
  • the Schmitt trigger circuit is a circuit having the function of shaping continuous waves into square waves, and the base terminal of the transistor TR, of the circuit is connected through a resistor R to the trigger input terminal 37.
  • the potential of the trigger input terminal 37 is normally lower than the emitter potential of the transistor TR,. Therefore, the transistor TR, is in the off state, the transistor TR, is accordingly in the on state, and the transistor TR, is in the off state. Thus, the bistable circuit 35 sustains the stable state.
  • the trigger input terminal 37 is at an intermediate connection point of an integrating circuit composed of a series circuit consisting of a diode D and a capacitor C One end of the capacitor C being remote from the connection point is grounded.
  • One end of the diode D being remote from the connection point is connected to the collector terminal of the transistor TR, and is connected through a resistor R to the side of the DC power source.
  • the emitter terminal of the transistor TR is grounded, while the base terminal is connected through a resistor R to a series circuit consisting of the ray receiving portion 27 and a resistor R
  • One end of the ray receiving portion 27 is connected to the side of the DC power source, and another end is grounded through the resistor R
  • the bistable circuit 33 has no input signal, and is stably maintained with one transistor TR, in the on" state and the other transistor TR, in the off state. Since the transistor TR, is in the on" state, the control signal to the control terminal of the thyristor.
  • the transistor TR has its base potential lowered abruptly, and is cut off. The transistor TR, is turned on, the transistor TR, is turned off, and the transistor TR, is turned on.
  • a negative pulse signal is generated at its collector terminal or the common input terminal of the bistable circuit 33.
  • the negative pulse signal inverts into the on state the state of the transistor TR, having been of then, and into the off" state the state of the transistor TR, having been on.
  • a signal 1 is applied to the control terminal G of the thyristor SCR, the solenoid coil RY is rendered conductive, its normallyopen contact a is closed, the excitation current is caused to flow through the magnet valve MGV, and the water conduit is brought into the water feeding state.
  • the bistable circuit 33 does not effect the inverting operation. That is to say, according to the circuit arrangement of the embodiment in FIG. 5, the magnet valve MGV having been in the water stopping state till then is brought into the water feeding state by the momentary interception of the beam path, and the water feeding state can be continued thenceforth.
  • the bistable circuit 33 having effected the inversion operation by the momentary interception of the beam path as described above, at the same time that the transistor TR, falls into the on state due to the inversion, the short-circuiting transistor TR of the timer circuit 32 is cut off, and the transistor PUT is accordingly cut off.
  • charging is initiated for the capacitor C,.
  • the transistor PUT is turned on.
  • the voltage at the first base terminal C of the transistor PUT is supplied through the diode D and the resistor R, to the trigger input terminal 37.
  • the transistor TR is turned on, TR, is turned off, and TR, is turned on.
  • a negative pulse signal is fed to the input side of the bistable circuit 33 so as to again invert the circuit to return to the original state.
  • the transistor TR returns to the on state, and the transistor TR, to the off" state.
  • the thyristor SCR of the switching circuit 28 becomes off, the excitation current of the magnet valve MGV vanishes, and the water conduit falls into the water stopping state.
  • the water feeding state is once brought by the momentary interception of the beam path, it is automatically turned into the water stopping state at the time of lapse of the fixed time limit. Therefore, even when it is forgotten to stop water, useless water feed is avoided.
  • the water feeding state can be changed to the water stopping state similarly in such way that the ray irradiation on the ray receiving portion 27 is momentarily intercepted by a hand or an object. Since this can be easily understood from the above explanation, a repetitive detailed description is omitted.
  • the bistable circuit is uncertain as to which transistor falls into the on state or the off state when the power source is turned on
  • the circuit arrangement of the embodiment in FIG. 5 is provided with the starting compensator circuit with which, as has been already stated, the side of the transistor TR is always brought into the cut-off state or the water stopping state is always brought forth at the switching on of the power source. The useless water feed can also be prevented in this respect.
  • FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention, which employs a latching relay L RY in place of the bistable circuit.
  • the latching relay is a self-holding type relay, It has such property that when it has power supplied by applying a pulse signal thereto, the contact alternately opening or closing operation is effected, that even if the power supply is released, the contact state is self-held as it is, and that the contact state is returned to the original one by applying the next pulse signal.
  • the holding is effected magnetically or mechanically, and either type can be employed for the circuit arrangement of the embodiment in FIG. 6.
  • Reference numerals and characters of the respective components in FIG. 6 are the same as in FIG. 5.
  • a indicates a normally-open contact of the latching relay L RY, and b a normallyclosed contact thereof.
  • the normallyopen contact a is connected in series with the magnet valve MGV, and besides, connected to one terminal of the AC power source a.c.
  • the normally-closed contact b is connected in parallel with the capacitor C 3 of the time constant circuit of the timer circuit 32.
  • the Schmitt trigger circuit 35 and the circuit on the input side thereof are quite the same as in FIG. 5.
  • the transistor TR, connected on the output side of the Schmitt trigger circuit 35 effects a switching action similar to that of the thyristor SCR in the case of FIG. 5, and the coil of the latching relay L RY is connected on the collector side of the transistor.
  • the infrared ray irradiation on the ray receiving portion 27 is now intercepted momentarily.
  • the transistor TR is turned off, the transistor TR, is turned on, while the transistor TR, is cut off.
  • the switching transistor TR is turned on, to bring the latching relay L RY into the power-supplied state. Due to the power supply, the normally-open contact a is closed, an excitation current flows through the magnet valve MGV, and the valve is opened into the water feeding state.
  • the transistor TR When the momentary interception of the beam path of the infrared rays falling on the ray receiving portion 27 is completed to recover the original irradiating state, the transistor TR, is brought into the on" state. As a result, the switching transistor TR, is cut off, and the power supply to the latching relay L RY vanishes. As previously stated, however, the contact a is still kept closed, and the water feeding state is continued.
  • the normallyclosed contact b connected in parallel with the capacitor C of the time constant circuit of the timer circuit 32 is opened.
  • the potential of the second base C is suddenly raised to cut off the programmable unijunction transistor PUT, and charging is initiated for the capacitor C
  • the transistor PUT turns on at that time.
  • the present invention it is also possible that, after starting water feed by the momentary interception of a beam path to a ray receiving portion and before lapse of a certain fixed time, the state of stopping water is reverted by artificially conducting the interception of the beam path. Even when, for example, the artificial interception of the beam path is forgotten, water can be automatically stopped by and at the lapse of the predetermined time.
  • the predetermined time can be freely fixed merely by changing capacitance or resistance. It is possible to apply the device of the present invention to all kinds of faucet devices for a cookery, a washstand, etc. by simply altering the set time.
  • the fixed time is determined in conformity with the sizes of the respective containers for a cookery, a washstand, etc., it is possible to automatically stop water when the containers fall into the filled state.
  • the waste of water for use can be reduced. Accordingly, the invention is greatly effective in practical use.
  • the arrangement of this invention may obviously be employed to control the operation of the magnet valve 14 with any combinations of any emitting and receiving elements 26 and 27.
  • the magnet valve 14 of this invention would operate when the resistor R30 changes its value, and consequently many various means such as visible and invisible rays, electromagnetic waves of any wave length, X-rays, supersonic wave, etc., are possible to be used.
  • An automatic electronic faucet device comprising: a fluid faucet which includes control means to open and close a fluid conduit; first means for causing a change in the electrical impedance of an electrical element in response to a controlling event; switching means responsive to said change in the electrical impedance of said element to energize said control means in response to a first occurrence ofthe controlling event and thereby open said fluid conduit, and to deenergize said control means in response to a second occurrence of the same controlling event and thereby close said fluid conduit; and timing means for generating a timing signal for said control means independently of said switching means after a predetermined time has elapsed after said control means has been energized, the operation of said timing means starting about simultaneously with the energization of said control means.
  • said first means includes a ray-emitting element and a rayreceiving element in an operative association, said electrical impedance being the electrical resistance of said ray-receiving element and said controlling event being the interception of a beam path between said rayemitting element and said ray-receiving element, whereupon the electrical resistance of said rayreceiving element changes in response to said interception.
  • said switching means includes a pulse generating circuit for providing electrical pulse signals each time the electrical resistance of said ray-receiving element changes, and a bistable multivibrator circuit which conducts an inverting operation in response to said pulse signals from said pulse generating circuit, the on-off state of said switching means being controlled by the output signals from said bistable multivibrator circuit, said control means being controlled to be opened and closed by the output signals from said switching means, said timing means starting its operation at the same time that said control means is energized and generating said timing signal and thereby closing said fluid conduit when said predetermined time has elapsed.
  • control means is a magnetically actuated valve
  • pulse-generating circuit is a semiconductor circuit
  • timing means is a semiconductor timing circuit
  • a base terminal of one of a pair of transistors comprising said bistable multivibrator circuit is grounded through a collector and an emitter of a third transistor, and a base terminal of said third transistor is connected to an intermediate connection point of a time constant circuit which comprises a capacitor connected in series with a parallel circuit comprising a resistor and a diode, whereby said bistable circuit is always stabilized into an identical state at switching on of said power source.
  • control means is a magnetically actuated valve and wherein said switching means is connected to a latching relay which operates to control said magnetically actuated valve to open and close said valve each time the electric impedance of said electrical element is changed.
  • An automatic electronic faucet device comprising: a fluid faucet which includes control means to open and close a fluid conduit; first means for causing a change in the electrical impedance of an electrical element in response to a controlling event; switching means responsive to said change in the electrical impedance of said element to energize said control means in response to said controlling event and thereby open said fluid conduit and to deenergize said control means in response to a second controlling event; timing means for generating a timing signal for said control means independently of said switching means after a predetermined time has elapsed after said control means has been energized, the operation of said timing means starting about simultaneously with the energization of said control means; a source of DC power; and said timing means includes a semiconductor timing circuit comprising a time constant circuit including a capacitor and a resistor connected in series, a voltage divider circuit in which at least two resistors are connected in series, and said time constant circuit and said voltage divider circuit being connected in parallel across said DC power source, and a unijunction transistor including an emitter terminal operatively
  • An automatic electronic faucet device comprising: a fluid faucet which includes control means to open and close a fluid conduit; first means for causing a change in the electrical impedance of an electrical element in response to a controlling event; switching means responsive to said change in the electrical impedance of said element to energize said control means in response to said controlling event and thereby open said fluid conduit and to deenergize said control means in response to a second controlling event; timing means for generating a timing signal for said control means independently of said switching means after a predetermined time has elapsed after said control means has been energized, the operation of said timing means starting about simultaneously with the energization of said control means; and a source of DC power, wherein said timing means includes a semiconductor switching circuit comprising a parallel circuit which includes a relay coil for controlling said control means comprising a magnetically actuated valve, a diode in the circuit with said coil, and a thyristor connected in series with said parallel circuit, the series circuit being connected across said source.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Electronic Switches (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
US31332472 1972-01-27 1972-12-08 Electronic automatic faucet device Expired - Lifetime US3799198A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1094572U JPS4889150U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-01-27 1972-01-27
JP1276572U JPS49764U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-02-01 1972-02-01
JP4508272U JPS496227U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-04-18 1972-04-18
JP4605472U JPS496523U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-04-20 1972-04-20
JP5459472U JPS4914526U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-05-12 1972-05-12
JP5629972U JPS4916829U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-05-16 1972-05-16
JP9768372U JPS4955423U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-08-23 1972-08-23

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US3799198A true US3799198A (en) 1974-03-26

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US31332472 Expired - Lifetime US3799198A (en) 1972-01-27 1972-12-08 Electronic automatic faucet device

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AU (1) AU454573B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA984030A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2169311B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1416262A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT978559B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL159486B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US4022421A (en) * 1975-12-01 1977-05-10 Carlin Jack M Delayed release valve for a fire hydrant
US4070700A (en) * 1974-12-05 1978-01-24 Carba S.A. Detecting element for a control device for invalids
US4741363A (en) * 1986-10-29 1988-05-03 Hydrotek Corporation Fluid faucet
EP0260303A4 (en) * 1986-02-28 1988-10-05 Recurrent Solutions Ltd AUTOMATIC FLOW CONTROL DEVICE.
US4782424A (en) * 1986-08-30 1988-11-01 Hansa Metallwerke Ag Circuit arrangement for the non-contacting control of a sanitary fitting
US4915347A (en) * 1989-05-18 1990-04-10 Kohler Co. Solenoid operated faucet
US4928732A (en) * 1986-10-29 1990-05-29 Hydrotek Corporation Fluid faucet
EP0372115A1 (en) * 1987-04-08 1990-06-13 COYNE & DELANY COMPANY Method and apparatus for preventing unwanted operation of sensor-activated flush valves
ES2114378A1 (es) * 1994-05-06 1998-05-16 Univ Catalunya Politecnica Sistema de suministro automatico de liquido a temperatura regulable, con calentador instantaneo.
US20040221899A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2004-11-11 Parsons Natan E. Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US20050199842A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2005-09-15 Parsons Natan E. Automated water delivery systems with feedback control
US6968860B1 (en) 2004-08-05 2005-11-29 Masco Corporation Of Indiana Restricted flow hands-free faucet
CN101886713A (zh) * 2010-07-12 2010-11-17 厦门市易洁卫浴有限公司 利用超声波控制开关的龙头及其开关方法
CN103306336A (zh) * 2013-06-07 2013-09-18 无锡天惠塑机有限公司 智能化厨房水池
CN103321280A (zh) * 2013-06-07 2013-09-25 无锡天惠塑机有限公司 具有滤波电路的智能化厨房水池
US9695579B2 (en) 2011-03-15 2017-07-04 Sloan Valve Company Automatic faucets
US10508423B2 (en) 2011-03-15 2019-12-17 Sloan Valve Company Automatic faucets

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1984004145A1 (en) * 1983-04-13 1984-10-25 Auto Aqua Pty Ltd Faucet system
DE3408261A1 (de) * 1984-03-07 1985-09-19 Hansa Metallwerke Ag, 7000 Stuttgart Annaeherungsschalter sowie steuerschaltungsanordnung hierfuer
NZ216634A (en) * 1986-01-07 1989-01-06 Malcolm Leonard Stephen Dean Hot water supply above wash basin, with flash heater
GB2195763B (en) * 1986-09-13 1991-01-09 Theodoros Mastichiadis Water tap
US4872485A (en) * 1987-12-23 1989-10-10 Coyne & Delany Co. Sensor operated water flow control
US5033508A (en) * 1987-12-23 1991-07-23 Coyne & Delany Co. Sensor operated water flow control
US5025516A (en) * 1988-03-28 1991-06-25 Sloan Valve Company Automatic faucet
DE3922977A1 (de) * 1989-07-12 1991-01-24 Texas Instruments Deutschland Trimmschaltung und unter verwendung einer solchen trimmschaltung ausfuehrbares abgleichverfahren

Citations (3)

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US2663477A (en) * 1947-12-18 1953-12-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Food dispensing apparatus control system
US3328592A (en) * 1964-09-14 1967-06-27 Ii Howard R Shaw Photoelectric wall switch and relay system
US3480787A (en) * 1965-06-30 1969-11-25 Servodan As Automatic installation for washing hands

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US3551199A (en) * 1967-11-20 1970-12-29 Exxon Research Engineering Co Wire coating composition and microwave heating curing process

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2663477A (en) * 1947-12-18 1953-12-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Food dispensing apparatus control system
US3328592A (en) * 1964-09-14 1967-06-27 Ii Howard R Shaw Photoelectric wall switch and relay system
US3480787A (en) * 1965-06-30 1969-11-25 Servodan As Automatic installation for washing hands

Cited By (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4070700A (en) * 1974-12-05 1978-01-24 Carba S.A. Detecting element for a control device for invalids
US4022421A (en) * 1975-12-01 1977-05-10 Carlin Jack M Delayed release valve for a fire hydrant
EP0260303A4 (en) * 1986-02-28 1988-10-05 Recurrent Solutions Ltd AUTOMATIC FLOW CONTROL DEVICE.
US4782424A (en) * 1986-08-30 1988-11-01 Hansa Metallwerke Ag Circuit arrangement for the non-contacting control of a sanitary fitting
AU589545B2 (en) * 1986-08-30 1989-10-12 Hansa Metallwerke A.G. Circuit arrangement for the non-contacting control of a sanitary fitting
AT397292B (de) * 1986-08-30 1994-03-25 Hansa Metallwerke Ag Schaltungsanordnung zur berührungslosen steuerung einer sanitärarmatur
US4741363A (en) * 1986-10-29 1988-05-03 Hydrotek Corporation Fluid faucet
US4928732A (en) * 1986-10-29 1990-05-29 Hydrotek Corporation Fluid faucet
EP0372115A1 (en) * 1987-04-08 1990-06-13 COYNE & DELANY COMPANY Method and apparatus for preventing unwanted operation of sensor-activated flush valves
US4915347A (en) * 1989-05-18 1990-04-10 Kohler Co. Solenoid operated faucet
ES2114378A1 (es) * 1994-05-06 1998-05-16 Univ Catalunya Politecnica Sistema de suministro automatico de liquido a temperatura regulable, con calentador instantaneo.
US7069941B2 (en) 2001-12-04 2006-07-04 Arichell Technologies Inc. Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US20100269923A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2010-10-28 Parsons Natan E Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US8496025B2 (en) 2001-12-04 2013-07-30 Sloan Valve Company Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US20040221899A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2004-11-11 Parsons Natan E. Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US7690623B2 (en) 2001-12-04 2010-04-06 Arichell Technologies Inc. Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US20070063158A1 (en) * 2001-12-04 2007-03-22 Parsons Natan E Electronic faucets for long-term operation
US7383721B2 (en) 2002-06-24 2008-06-10 Arichell Technologies Inc. Leak Detector
US20090179165A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2009-07-16 Parsons Natan E Automated water delivery systems with feedback control
US20060202051A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2006-09-14 Parsons Natan E Communication system for multizone irrigation
US20050199842A1 (en) * 2002-06-24 2005-09-15 Parsons Natan E. Automated water delivery systems with feedback control
US9763393B2 (en) 2002-06-24 2017-09-19 Sloan Valve Company Automated water delivery systems with feedback control
US6968860B1 (en) 2004-08-05 2005-11-29 Masco Corporation Of Indiana Restricted flow hands-free faucet
CN101886713B (zh) * 2010-07-12 2012-03-28 厦门市易洁卫浴有限公司 利用超声波控制开关的龙头及其开关方法
CN101886713A (zh) * 2010-07-12 2010-11-17 厦门市易洁卫浴有限公司 利用超声波控制开关的龙头及其开关方法
US9695579B2 (en) 2011-03-15 2017-07-04 Sloan Valve Company Automatic faucets
US10508423B2 (en) 2011-03-15 2019-12-17 Sloan Valve Company Automatic faucets
CN103306336A (zh) * 2013-06-07 2013-09-18 无锡天惠塑机有限公司 智能化厨房水池
CN103321280A (zh) * 2013-06-07 2013-09-25 无锡天惠塑机有限公司 具有滤波电路的智能化厨房水池
CN103306336B (zh) * 2013-06-07 2015-02-04 无锡天惠塑机有限公司 智能化厨房水池

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT978559B (it) 1974-09-20
NL159486B (nl) 1979-02-15
AU454573B2 (en) 1974-10-31
FR2169311B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1975-10-31
NL7301186A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-07-31
CA984030A (en) 1976-02-17
GB1416262A (en) 1975-12-03
AU5130173A (en) 1974-07-25
FR2169311A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-09-07

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