WO2021242198A1

WO2021242198A1 - Smart faucet

Info

Publication number: WO2021242198A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/051440
Authority: WO
Inventors: Recep Gökhan TÜRECİ; Muhammed Ali ERBİR; Recep GÜLDEREN
Original assignee: Kirikkale Üni̇versi̇tesi̇ Strateji̇ Gel. Dai̇re Başkanliği
Priority date: 2020-05-28
Filing date: 2020-12-29
Publication date: 2021-12-02
Also published as: TR202008206A2

Abstract

This invention is related to a water flow control system that can perform temperature and/or flow rate adjustment without contact and a unit that can perform this. The aim of this invention is to develop a smart faucet that can control only cold water flow rate in single inlet faucets and both hot water inlet and cold water inlet in the faucets with double inlets, hot and cold, simultaneously with fast response time. The designed system can be used not only for water but also for non-contact mixing of all fluids in desired proportions and quantities.

Description

SMART FAUCET

Technical Field

This invention is related to a smart faucet which can be adjusted in terms of temperature and flow without touching (contactless).

Prior Art

Faucet batteries are units containing an adjustable valve for each of the two lines to mix hot and cold water at different rates. By means of these valves, not only temperature adjustment but also flow adjustment can be made with up-down, and turning movements.

It is important that the water is not left open and the waste of water is prevented in sinks in public places such as public institutions, hospitals, shopping malls, which are used intensively. For this reason, photocell faucets are commonly used in such places and the flow of water is provided for a predefined period of time after sensing motion. Today, these systems have started to be used even in houses due to excessive need for hygiene and water saving. In home use, the need for temperature and flow adjustment is also considered, as well as the features of opening the water only and turning it off after a certain period of time. For this reason, there is a need to be able to adjust 3 different parameters, which are opening-closing, cold water amount and hot water amount, without human touch.

In the prior art, as in the US patent numbered US5868311, it is explained that the amount of hot and cold water will be adjusted by means of two proximity sensors.

Another example of the prior art is described in the patent application numbered US6019130. The invention in this application describes the control of hot and cold water by placing 3 sensors on the battery such as to face different regions. The Aim and Summary of the Invention

The aim of this invention is to develop a smart faucet that

1- does not require any contact and thus provides high hygiene,

2- saves water with fast response time, 3- can adjust only the flow of cold water in single inlet faucets,

4- can adjust the outlet water temperature and flow rate in faucets with double water inlets, being hot and cold, according to the user's preference (contactless).

There are two different system options in the invention, said two options being:

1- a system that can only provide contactless water flow in systems with single water inlet,

2- a system that can control the outlet water temperature and flow rate in systems with double water inlets.

In systems with double inlets, it is possible to use one of the inlets forwaterand the other for agricultural pesticides or fertilizers in liquid form. Thereby, the mixture can be delivered to the spray tank or directly to the field by dilution at a certain proportion by the user, who can decide the ratio of the mixture.

Similarly, in each situation that requires mixing chemicals in liquid form at certain ratios, the use of a system with double inlets can be achieved.

Definitions of Drawings Illustrating the Invention The figures and related explanations given for providing a better understanding of the smart faucet developed with this invention have been given below.

Figure 1 Side view of the smart faucet with double water inlet and feedback according to the invention.

Figure 2 Front view of the smart faucet with double water inlets according to the invention (with or without feedback). Figure 3 Perspective view of the faucet with double water inlets according to the invention (with or without feedback).

Figure 4 Side view of the smart faucet with double water inlets and without feedback according to the invention. Figure 5 Side view of the faucet with single water inlet according to the invention.

Figure 6 Front view of the smart faucet with single water inlet according to the invention.

Figure 7 Perspective view of the faucet with single water inlet according to the invention.

Figure 8 Flow control algorithm of a smart faucet with feedback according to the invention. Figure 9 Temperature adjustment algorithm of a smart faucet with feedback according to the invention.

Figure 10 Temperature control algorithm of a smart faucet without feedback according to the invention.

Figure 11 Flow control algorithm of a smart faucet with single inlet according to the invention.

Definitions of Elements Forming the Invention

In order to describe the smart faucet developed with this invention better, the parts and pieces in the figures have been numbered and the reference of each number has been given below. l. Smart faucet with double inlet

2. Body of the smart faucet

3. Hot water inlet

4. Cold water inlet

5. Hot water flow measurement sensor 6. Cold water flow measurement sensor

7. Temperature adjustment sensor

8. Outlet water flow adjustment sensor

9. Water outlet nozzle 10. Outlet water temperature sensor

11. Display area (LED or LCD panel)

12. Smart faucet with single inlet

13. Control box

14. Hot water servo valve 15. Cold water servo valve

16. T-pipe

17. Water line

Detailed Description of the Invention

In its most basic form, the double inlet smart faucet (1), which has two options, being the double-inlet with feedback and the double-inlet without feedback, consists of components, such as a sensor (5) that measures the flow of hot water with the hot water inlet (3) and cold water inlet (4) entering a smart faucet body (2), a cold water flow measurement sensor (6), a temperature adjustment sensor (7) to receive a temperature request from the user, an outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) to receive flow request from the user, a display area (11) that will display the desired temperature information within the memory to the user, an outlet water temperature sensor (10) that will measure the temperature of outlet water in the version with feedback, a water outlet nozzle (9), servo valves to be located under the counter, a control box (13) comprising an electronic circuit and rechargeable battery, a hot water servo valve (14) to adjust the water inlets at desired ratio, a cold water servo valve (15) and a T-pipe (16). In its most basic form, the single inlet faucet (12) consists of a cold water inlet (4) entering to the body (2) of the smart faucet, a cold water flow measurement sensor (6), an outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) that measures the distance by receiving flow request from the user, a water outlet nozzle (9), a control box (13) comprising an electronic circuit and battery to be located under the counter, a cold water servo valve (15) to adjust the water inlet to the desired ratio.

In cases where the hand or object moves away from the faucet for a brief period of time and the system is turned off, the smart faucet with double water inlets (1) will keep the hot water adjustment in memory such that no re-adjustment is required and the temperature will be returned to the default value if desired, after a certain period of time after it is turned off. Even if the temperature is kept in memory, the user can change the temperature at any time by giving a command.

The main aim of the invention is to provide the temperature and flow rate of the flowing water to be adjusted without contact. For this purpose, the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) of the double inlet smart faucet (1) will continuously control whether there is any movement or object in the Flow Rate Sensor Adjustment Volume (1001 - FRSA). During motion detection, a trap meter will be used, to eliminate noise data and short term sensor inputs from the sensors and to determine the time where a hand or object is not present. When any object is not detected within the specified period of time, the same trap meter will be used to return the temperature saved in the memory to default temperature.

Outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) will check if "there is any motion or object in 1001- FRSA" at intervals of 50 ms (milliseconds) for detection purposes (101). If the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) detects a motion or an object within 1001 - FRSA (102), the hot water servo valve (14) and the cold water servo valve (15) will be brought to the proper position for water flow according to the flow rate and the stored temperature in proportion to the distance and the water flow will begin (104). As long as the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) detects an object, the water flow will continue (105). The flow rate of the water can be updated depending on the distance detected by the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) continuously with the flow of water (102). As long as the object is detected, the trap meter will be kept at zero value (104). If the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) does not detect an object, the trap meter will be increased once, every 50 ms (106). The water flow will continue (105) until the trap meter (10) reaches the value of 10, but the trap meter will be reset when the object is detected (104). As long as the value of the trap meter is less than 10, the water flow will continue (105). When the trap meter value is 10, the water flow will stop (110), but the trap meter will continue to increase every 50 ms. When the trap meter reaches the value of 100, the desired temperature information will be returned to the default value (109). As long as the object is not detected, the trap meter will be kept at the value of 100 (111). It is possible for the user to change the flow rate and temperature of flowing water.

In order to change the flow rate, an object must be detected in the Flow Sensor Adjustment Volume (1001 - FRSA) located in front of the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8). Similarly, in order to change the temperature, an object must be detected in the Temperature Sensor Adjustment Volume (1002 - TSAV) located in front of the temperature adjustment sensor (7) that senses the temperature request.

Two codes running simultaneously with each other will be activated. With the controls to be made every 50 ms, the water will be switched on and off and the flow rate will be adjusted. In the second code part, as long as there is water flow it will be checked whether there is a new temperature request or not. Thus, two cycles will be executed simultaneously.

There is no temperature adjustment in the single inlet faucet (12) and the flow rate adjustment will only be controlled by the cold water servo valve (15). The flow chart and operating logic are exactly the same, only the steps 109 and 111 will not take place in the single inlet faucet. In the double inlet faucet without feedback (1), temperature control will start with the flow of water (152). The temperature control will not be required when the water is not flowing (153). In cases where there is no water flow, after a 20 ms waiting process (154), it will be checked again if water flow is present (152). If there is water flow, the temperature request will be detected from the external sensor (7) (155). If there is no temperature change request, water in accordance with the desired temperature value in the memory will continue to flow. It will be checked again by waiting 20 ms. If the temperature change request is received from the temperature adjustment sensor (7) while there is water flow, the desired temperature information in the memory will be updated (157). The status of the hot water servo valve (14) and the cold water servo valve (15) will be updated (160) so that the water reaches the target temperature. Controls will start from the beginning (152) after waiting for 20 ms.

In the double inlet faucet with feedback (1), temperature control will start with the flow of water (252). Temperature control will not be required when the water is not flowing (253). In cases where there is no water flow, after a 20 ms waiting process (254), it will be checked whether there is water flow again (252). If there is water flow, the temperature request will be detected from the temperature adjustment sensor (7) (255). If there is no temperature change request, the desired water temperature value in the memory will not be changed. If there is a change request coming from the temperature adjustment sensor (7) (256), the desired temperature value in the memory will be updated (257). The temperature value will be read from the outlet water temperature sensor (10) (258). It will be checked whether outlet water is supplied at the desired temperature value (259). If water is discharged at the desired temperature, after waiting for 20 ms, the controls will be restarted (254). If water is not discharged at the desired temperature, the status of hot water servo valve (14) and cold water servo valve (15) will be updated (260) and after waiting for 20 ms, the controls will be performed again (254).

If water is received from components such as a water heater, combi boiler or solar collector, in order not to experience discomfort due to sudden high temperature water or low temperature water, it will be ensured for the water temperature to be kept constant by adjusting the flow rate of water received from the hot water inlet (3) and the cold water inlets (4) of the smart faucet (1).

A Different Application of the Invention Data received by hot water flow measurement sensor (5), cold water flow measurement sensor (6) and outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) for adjusting the flow rate and temperature value of water are used in the double inlet smart faucet (1) and/or single inlet smart faucet (12) as disclosed above. After this data is transmitted to the control box (13), the hot water servo valve (14) and the cold water servo valve (15) are controlled separately. The connection of servos with sensors and control box (13) can be made in a wired or wireless way.

When wireless connection is preferred, the data of the sensors located on the double inlet smart faucet (1) and/or the single inlet smart faucet (12) will be wirelessly transmitted to a station. This station can be an integrated wireless transceiver system located inside the control box (13), or it can be a wireless transmitting transceiver system located at an external location.

The station sends the sensor data received wirelessly to the control box (13) for controlling the hot water servo valve (14) and the cold water servo valve (15). The station can directly record this data while controlling the valves and share it with receivers over the internet. Thereby, the opening time of the cold water and hot water valves at homes or workplaces, and the amount of water passing through the opened valve can be recorded.

In addition, not only sharing the usage data with an outside receiver, but also receiver's interfering with the valves from outside will be possible by sending instructions to the stations. Thus, it will be possible to detect that a faucet has been turned on more than necessary and that it has been left open, and it shall also be possible to even turn it off with an instruction sent by the receiver to the station.

Communication between the station and the double inlet smart faucet (1) and/or the single inlet smart faucet (12) and the control box (13) can be achieved over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RF frequencies. The data transmission of the station over the internet can take place via wired or wireless connections.

Claims

1. Single inlet smart faucet (12), comprising; a smart faucet body (2) a cold water flow measurement sensor (6), a flow adjustment sensor (8), for performing contactless flow adjustment characterized by a control box (13) comprising a electronic circuit and rechargeable battery that; senses the flow request from the user by means of the outlet water flow request sensor (8), which carries out distance measurement, and adjusts the cold water servo valve (15) for adjusting the water inlet at the desired rate.

2. A double inlet smart faucet (1) having two options, being with or without feedback, which can perform contactless sensor controlled flow adjustment and also contactless sensor controlled temperature adjustment areas provided with double inlets (with hot and cold water line) comprising;

- a smart faucet body (2),

- flow rate sensors (5, 6) for measuring the amount of water entering the smart faucet body (2), valves (14, 15) for adjusting the amount of water intake and the line (17) for delivering water that is proportional to the battery, that has been discharged from the control unit (13), a temperature sensor (10) for measuring the temperature of mixed water, an indicator (11) displaying the temperature of outlet water, a sensor (7) receiving the outlet water temperature request in order to carry out contactless temperature and flow adjustment; characterized by being constituted from a double inlet control box (13), wherein said double inlet control box (13) comprises an electronic circuit and rechargeable battery that, receives data from the temperature adjustment sensor (7), which shall receive a temperature request and from the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8), that shall receive a flow request from the user, controls the hot water servo valve (14) and cold water servo valve (15) in order to adjust the water inlets at the desired rate.

3. A double inlet smart faucet (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a display area (11), which displays the temperature information saved in the memory to the user.

4. A double inlet smart faucet (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a outlet water temperature sensor (10) that measures outlet water temperature in order to adjust it to the desired temperature.

5. A control system, that adjusts the flow amount of the fluids in proportion to the servo motor(s) according to the data obtained from the non-contact sensor(s).

6. A single inlet smart faucet (12) according to claim 1, characterized by a station, that transmits the data of the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) to the control box (13) wirelessly, in order for the valves to control the adjustment of the flow rate of water.

7. A double inlet smart faucet (1) according to claim 2, characterized by a station that transmits data received from the hot water flow measurement sensor (5), the cold water flow measurement sensor (6) and the outlet water flow adjustment sensor (8) to the control box (13) wirelessly, for the valves to control the adjustment of the temperature and flow rate value of water.