JP5158573B2 - Water faucet device equipped with water discharge device or water discharge device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water discharge device, and more specifically, a water discharge device that is provided in a hand washing place, a toilet, a kitchen, and the like and detects water to be detected using a radio wave sensor such as a microwave, or water discharge thereof The present invention relates to a faucet device provided with the device.

As a water discharge device that detects a human body and automatically starts water discharge, there is one that starts water discharge when it is detected that a human body that is a detection target has reached an arrival point. Also, in order not to falsely detect other objects, the detection range of the sensor is limited to an area where only the human hand can be detected, and water discharge is started when the human hand reaches the arrival point near the water outlet. was there.

In addition, by receiving a reflected wave or transmitted wave generated when a transmission wave such as a microwave hits an object to be detected, the power spectrum of the Doppler frequency signal is obtained, and the peak value is compared with a predetermined threshold value. A human body detection device that detects a human body is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-80150

  However, if water discharge is started after detecting that a human hand has reached the vicinity of the water discharge port, there is a problem that the timing of water discharge actually discharged tends to be slower than the timing of water discharge desired by the user. It was. In addition, since the power spectrum of the Doppler frequency signal depends on the distance to the sensor and the area and shape of the reflector, an attempt was made to preliminarily detect a human body approaching the water discharge device in order to solve the delay in water discharge timing. In this case, in the human body detection method using only the threshold of the power spectrum, the value of the power spectrum varies depending on the individual, so only the approximate positional relationship of the human body is known, and when the human body passes the arrival point, the water discharge device is used. There was a risk of starting water discharge regardless of the intention. Even when only the hand is detected, a reflected wave with sufficient intensity may not be obtained depending on the orientation of the palm of the hand inserted under the spout, and the inserted hand may not be detected reliably. It was.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention senses the time-series change of the detection signal obtained from the detected object and the velocity information, and responds to the movement of the detected object such as immediately before the human hand reaches under the spout. Provided is a water discharging device capable of starting water discharge at an optimal timing.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a water discharger,
A sensor unit that obtains information on the movement of the detected object by the reflected wave of the radiated radio wave;
A control unit for controlling water discharge from the water discharge unit based on a detection signal from the sensor unit;
With
The control unit is configured to start the water discharge before the detected body reaches the water discharger, and after the speed of the detected object approaching the water discharger is substantially constant for a predetermined time, A water discharge device is provided that detects a change in speed and starts the water discharge.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit detects the deceleration of the detected object in the speed change and starts the water discharge. A device can be provided.

  Moreover, according to one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a water receiving unit that receives water discharged from the water discharging unit, and the sensor unit has a detection area in the water receiving unit or in the vicinity of the outside of the water receiving unit. The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2 can be provided.

  Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the sensor unit includes a first detection area provided near the outside of the water receiving unit in order to detect the approach of the body to be detected to the faucet device; In order to detect the approach of the body to be detected to the water discharge unit, the detection detection area is configured by a second detection area provided in the water receiving unit, and the control unit includes The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water discharge is started based on information on the first or second detection area.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the control unit determines that the speed of the detected object is substantially constant for a predetermined time in the first detection area, and then determines the second detection area. Then, after the speed in the approaching operation of the detected body to the water discharge portion is substantially constant for a predetermined time, the detected body is detected to decelerate and the water discharge is started. The faucet device according to Item 4, can be provided.

  According to the present invention, water discharge is started when it is detected that the speed of the detected body has changed after approaching the water discharge apparatus at a constant speed for a predetermined time, so that water discharge is started at an optimal timing according to the movement of the detected body. can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Drawing 1 is a figure showing the composition of the discharging apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a sectional side view. This water discharge device includes a sensor unit 100 and a control unit 200, and constitutes a water faucet device together with a water supply hose 10, a water discharge port (spout) 30, a water receiving unit 40, and the like. In the subsequent drawings, the same elements as those described with reference to the previous drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  2 and 3 are specific block diagrams of the sensor unit 100 and the control unit 200. FIG. The sensor unit 100 includes an antenna 112, a transmission unit 114, a reception unit 116, and a difference detection unit 118. The antenna 112 emits radio waves in a frequency band of 10 kHz to 100 GHz such as a high frequency, a microwave, and a millimeter wave generated by the transmission unit 114. Specifically, in Japan, for the purpose of detecting a human body, a frequency in the range of 10.50 to 10.55 GHz or 24.05 to 24.25 GHz can be used. A transmission wave T1 having a frequency of .525 GHz is emitted. A reflected wave or transmitted wave T <b> 2 from a detection object such as a human body is input to the receiving unit 116 via the antenna 112. Here, the antenna may have a common transmitter and receiver as shown in FIG. 2, and different antennas 112a and 112b may be provided for the transmitter and receiver as shown in FIG. The detection signal output from the difference detection unit 118 is output to the control unit 200. The control unit 200 is provided with a filter 210, a frequency detection unit 220, a determination unit 230, a storage unit 240, and a valve 250 as the first determination unit 300. In the first determination unit 300, an output from the sensor unit is provided. It is determined whether or not to start water discharge based on the detected signal. From the detection signal output from the difference detection unit 118, first, a high frequency component is removed by the filter 210. Since the speed of approaching or moving away from the body or hand of a user who uses the water discharger is often 100 Hz or less in terms of Doppler frequency, disturbance can be eliminated by setting the cutoff frequency of the filter 210 to about 100 Hz. Can be detected accurately.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the detected object. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining an operation of using the water discharge device by using the human body of the user as the detection target a and the detection target a approaching the water discharge device. . FIG. 5A shows an example of “speed change over time” when the detected object a in FIG. 4A approaches the faucet device. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing the “frequency change over time” of the detection signal (the output signal from the filter 210) obtained from the detection target a at that time. From FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, it can be seen that the frequency of the detection signal changes corresponding to the speed of the detection object. Therefore, the speed of the detected object can be detected from the frequency of the detection signal. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing the amplitude (voltage value) of the detection signal obtained from the detected object a at that time. In Fig.4 (a), the to-be-detected body a approaches toward a water discharging apparatus first. At this time, the speed of the detected object a is substantially constant during a predetermined time t0 to t1. The substantially constant speed indicates that the speed is within the detection resolution range in the frequency detection unit 220. For example, the frequency detection unit 220 is a band-pass filter, and when having a filter every 10 Hz from 0 Hz to 100 Hz, the substantially constant speed indicates a range from 10 Hz to 19 Hz, for example. Further, the amplitude at this time continues to increase because the detected object approaches the water discharging device. Then, when it approaches to the position where the automatic faucet is to be used, for example, just below the water discharger 30, it decelerates and stops. In the conventional automatic faucet, the determination is made at time t2 when the detected object reaches the position where the automatic faucet is desired. However, from the time when the user reaches the position where the automatic faucet is desired to be used until the water is discharged, the time required for the determination of the sensor and the time after opening the valve 250 after the determination until the water is discharged from the water outlet. Since the time required will inevitably take, the timing of water discharge desired by the user will be delayed. On the other hand, as described above, before using the water discharge device, the detected object a is always accompanied by a constant speed approach to the water discharge device for a predetermined time before stopping. In the water discharge device according to the present invention, the constant velocity approach is detected and the water discharge device is brought into a water discharge ready state, so that the valve 250 is opened at the instant t1 when the detected object a starts to decelerate, and the user's hand is the water discharge device. By starting the water discharge before reaching the position where the user wants to use the water, it becomes possible to start the water discharge without lagging the timing of the water discharge desired by the user.

  Next, FIG.4 (b) is a figure explaining the operation | movement which uses the water discharging apparatus for the to-be-detected body a approaching a water discharging apparatus by making a user's human body into the detected body a. Also in this case, as in the hand of FIG. 4A, the detected object a first approaches the water discharger at a substantially constant speed from a predetermined time t0 to t1. Eventually, when it reaches a position where water is to be used, for example, in front of the hydrogen spout, it decelerates and stops. Thus, even when the human body approaches the water discharge device, the change with time in speed as shown in FIG. 5 is shown. Therefore, when the human body is a body to be detected, it is detected that the human body has approached at a constant speed and at a substantially constant speed for a predetermined time, transitions to a water discharge preparation state, and a determination is made at time t1 when the human body begins to decelerate. Water discharge can be started when the person reaches a position where the person wants to use the water discharge device. By performing water discharge before the user puts out his hand, for example, when the shape of the water discharger 30 is novel and the user cannot predict the water discharge from the water discharger 30, the water trajectory is used in advance. Can be shown to the user, and the user can present his / her hand with peace of mind.

  Further, FIG. 4 (c) shows that while the human body is approaching the faucet device, the human body or a body to be cleaned such as a toothbrush or a cup held by the hand is detected by the body to be detected a. Represents the case of being presented. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating changes in the frequency of the detection signal obtained when the human body and the body to be cleaned approach the faucet device or the water discharge unit 30. In this case, the user's human body approaches the water discharger at a substantially constant speed from a predetermined time t0 to t1. On the other hand, at time t1 ′ between predetermined times t0 and t1, the hand starts to be pushed out toward the water discharger. In this case, the hand-out speed is higher than the moving speed of the human body because it is supplied from the moving human body. Thereafter, when the human body reaches the faucet device and when the body to be cleaned reaches the water discharger 30, both speeds decrease and eventually stop. In such a case, as in the case of FIGS. 4 (a) and (b), it is detected that the hand or human body has approached at a substantially constant speed for a predetermined time, and a transition is made to a water discharge preparation state. The valve 250 may be opened at a time t1 at which the valve starts to decelerate, but by opening the valve 250 at a timing t1 ′ at which a frequency faster than the human body frequency is detected by hand insertion, water is discharged to the user at a faster timing. Can be provided.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a range (hereinafter, detection area) A in which the faucet device and the sensor unit 100 can acquire a detection signal in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the detection area A is provided over the inner side of the water receiving unit 40 and the outer partial space. In the case of the detection method using only the received voltage or power value as in the conventional automatic faucet, if the detection area A is provided outside the water receiving part, the faucet device regardless of whether or not the detected body uses the faucet Just being in the vicinity or just passing through will cause water discharge. Therefore, it is necessary to limit the detection area to the vicinity of the water discharge portion. In the present invention, since the speed as described above is sensed in addition to the time-series change of the detection signal, the user can surely grasp the preliminary operation to use the faucet device, cross the front of the faucet device, It is possible to prevent erroneous water discharge for an action that does not use the faucet device that is said to be far away, and water discharge can be reliably started without delay when the detected object reaches the arrival point.

The sensor 110 acquires only speed information on a straight line connecting a radio wave transmission source and the detected object, among the speed information of the detected object. Therefore, if the sensor 110 is installed on a substantially extended line in the direction in which the approach of the detected object is predicted as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the frequency at the time of the approach of the detected object can be detected easily and accurately. It is preferable because it is possible. Conversely, when the sensor 110 is installed substantially perpendicular to the approaching direction of the detected object, if the actual moving speed of the detected object is v, the speed vd detected by the sensor is

vd = v cos θ Equation (2)
Where vd: speed of the object to be detected acquired by the sensor v: true speed of the object to be detected θ: angle formed by a straight line connecting the sensor and the object to be detected and the moving direction of the object to be detected

Since θ changes depending on the position of the detected object, the speed vd of the detected object acquired by the sensor changes even if the detected object has a constant velocity.
Therefore, in order to accurately acquire the speed of the detected object, a correction unit that takes the above influence into consideration is necessary. For example, by adding a distance sensor that can detect distance information of the detected object in addition to the above sensor, it is possible to perform correction according to the position of the detected object and accurately calculate the speed of the detected object. . Further, by providing a proximity sensor that detects that the detected object has come to a certain point in space, the change in the velocity of vd during constant speed operation passing through that point is stored in the storage means, and The true speed is calculated from the speed information when the sensing object passes that point, and thereafter the true speed is calculated by analyzing the detected waveform of the sensing object based on the saved speed change during constant velocity motion. May be. In the case of FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the above-described method can calculate the true speed more accurately when the approaching direction of the detected object is slightly deviated. Become.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a water discharge start procedure by the control unit 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The control unit 200 acquires a detection signal from the sensor unit 100 (step S1), and obtains the frequency of the detected object from the detection signal (step S2). In this case, for example, the frequency having the maximum amplitude in the entire frequency band (0 to 100 Hz) of the detection signal is obtained as the frequency of the detected object.

  On the other hand, the amplitude of the detection signal is obtained and it is determined whether or not the amplitude increases with time (step S3). As a method for determining whether or not it has increased, for example, based on the detection signal sampling time of the control unit 200, the detection signal sampled at a certain time is compared with the amplitude of the detection signal sampled at the next timing. However, when the difference exceeds the range of the amplitude resolution of the control unit 200, the increase may be determined. The amplitude resolution in this case refers to the resolution of the A / D converter, for example. In addition, in order to prevent false detection due to disturbance or noise of the sensor unit, it may be determined that the above condition increases when the above condition continues for a plurality of times, or the difference between a certain time and the next sampled detection signal is a constant threshold value. It may be determined that there is an increase only when there is more.

  When the condition of step S3 is satisfied (Yes in step S3), the frequency band of the detection signal at that time is stored in the storage unit 240 (step S4). When the amplitude decreases in the middle (No in step S3), the process returns to step S1.

  After that, it is determined whether the amplitude continues to increase for a predetermined time and the frequency is substantially constant. When the condition is satisfied (Yes in step S5), the detected object can use the faucet device. It judges that there is property, and transfers to the water discharge preparation stage (step S6). At this time, by notifying the user with sound, light, etc., the user can grasp the state of the faucet device, and can use the faucet device with confidence without hesitation. On the other hand, when the above conditions are not satisfied (No in step S5), the process returns to step S1.

  After transitioning to the water discharge preparation stage, it is determined whether the amplitude continues to increase and the frequency has changed. If the condition is satisfied (Yes in step S7), water discharge is started (step S8). When the condition is not satisfied (No in step S7), the water discharge preparation stage is canceled (step S9), and the process returns to step S1. As a case where the condition is not satisfied, for example, a case where the human body passes in front of the faucet device can be considered. In this case, the amplitude increases when approaching, and the frequency is substantially constant, so the process proceeds to the water discharge preparation stage.After that, the frequency is constant, but the amplitude decreases as the distance from the faucet device decreases. Absent.

According to the first embodiment described above, the speed at which the detected object approaches the water discharging device is substantially constant, and when it is detected that the speed has changed thereafter, the discharged object is started. As soon as you reach the target destination, water is discharged and you can use it comfortably.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a range (hereinafter, detection area) A in which the faucet device and the sensor unit 100 can acquire a detection signal in the present embodiment. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the sensor unit 100 has a detection area B provided inside the water receiving unit 40 in addition to the detection area A provided near the outside of the water receiving unit 40. By identifying the detection signals from the respective detection areas, it is possible to more reliably identify the preliminary operation in which the user intends to use the faucet device, and perform water discharge more suitable for the timing desired by the user. It becomes possible. For example, when the approach of the human body and the approach of the hand occur simultaneously as shown in FIG. 4C, it is possible to distinguish the detection signal of the human body outside the water receiving unit and the detection signal of the hand reaching the inside of the water receiving unit It becomes. As a result, even in a place where the human body is expected to perform various actions outside the water receiving unit 40, such as a bathroom at home, only the act of the user trying to use the faucet device is performed. It becomes possible to identify with certainty.

As a means for identifying the detection area, for example, the antenna 112 is an antenna that can switch radio waves in a plurality of directions, and by switching the radiation direction at a sufficiently high speed with respect to the operation of the detected object, A detection signal in a plurality of directions can be identified without degrading the amplitude detection performance. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the antenna 112 that can switch radio waves in a plurality of directions.
The antenna includes a feeding element that is fed on a surface of the substrate and fed with a high-frequency signal, a plurality of parasitic elements that are spaced apart from the feeding element by a predetermined inter-element space, and the parasitic power It has a switch for switching the radiation direction of the radio wave by switching whether the element and the ground electrode are electrically short-circuited or opened. The configuration of the switch is not particularly limited as long as the phase of the high frequency can be switched.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a water discharge start procedure by the control unit 200 in the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 200 acquires a detection signal from the sensor unit 100 (step S1), and obtains the frequency of the detected object from the detection signal (step S2). In this case, for example, the frequency having the maximum amplitude in the entire frequency band (0 to 100 Hz) of the detection signal is obtained as the frequency of the detected object.

  On the other hand, the amplitude of the detection signal is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the amplitude increases with time and the frequency is substantially constant for a predetermined time (step S3). As a method for determining whether or not it has increased, for example, based on the detection signal sampling time of the control unit 200, the detection signal sampled at a certain time is compared with the amplitude of the detection signal sampled at the next timing. However, when the difference exceeds the range of the amplitude resolution of the control unit 200, the increase may be determined. The amplitude resolution in this case refers to the resolution of the A / D converter, for example. In addition, in order to prevent false detection due to disturbance or noise of the sensor unit, it may be determined that the above condition increases when the above condition continues for a plurality of times, or the difference between a certain time and the next sampled detection signal is a constant threshold value. It may be determined that there is an increase only when there is more.

  When the condition of step S3 is satisfied (Yes in step S3), it is determined that the detected object may use the faucet device, and the process proceeds to the water discharge preparation stage (step S4). At this time, by notifying the user with sound, light, etc., the user can grasp the state of the faucet device, and can use the faucet device with confidence without hesitation. When the amplitude decreases in the middle or when the frequency changes (No in step S3), the process returns to step S1.

  After transitioning to the water discharge preparation stage, it is determined whether the amplitude continues to increase and the frequency decreases, and if the condition is satisfied (Yes in step S5), the detection signal from the second detection area B is viewed (step) S6). Then, the frequency of the detection signal is obtained (step S7), and it is determined whether or not the amplitude increases with time for a predetermined time and the frequency is substantially constant (step S8). When the above conditions are satisfied (Yes in step S8), it is determined that the object to be cleaned such as a hand is presented toward the water outlet 30 following the human body. When the above conditions are not satisfied (No in Step S8), the water discharge preparation stage is canceled (Step S11), and the process returns to Step S1.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the amplitude continues to increase in the detection area B and the frequency has decreased (step S9). If the condition is satisfied (Yes in step S9), the detected object uses the faucet device. It discriminate | determines that it is going to be performed, and starts water discharge (step S10). On the other hand, when the above conditions are not satisfied (No in step S9), the water discharge preparation stage is canceled (step S11), and the process returns to step S1.

  The determination in step S5 and the determination in step S8 may be mixed depending on the situation of the user. As shown in FIG. 11, when the user approaches the faucet device and decelerates or stops and pushes out the object to be cleaned such as a hand toward the water outlet, the determination can be made by performing the above-described steps. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4D, in the case where the human body approaches and puts out a hand, the determination in step S8 may occur before the determination in step S5. Therefore, in such a case, the process from S6 to S8 is performed even after receiving the No determination in step S5 (step S6B, step S7B, step S8B). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the amplitude continues to increase in the first detection area A and the frequency has decreased (step S5B). If the condition is satisfied (Yes in step S5B), the process proceeds to step S9.

By performing the above determination, it is possible to identify the movement of the human body and the movement of the body to be cleaned such as the hand, and to determine the movement in more detail, so that the water discharge can be controlled at a more optimal timing for the user. Become.

It is a figure showing the structure of the water discharging apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram of a specific example of a sensor unit 100 and a control unit 200. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a specific example of a sensor unit 100 and a control unit 200. FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the to-be-detected body in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the characteristic of the above-mentioned detection signal outputted from sensor part 100 in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the change of the frequency of the detection signal with respect to the distance from the target arrival point of the to-be-detected body in 1st Embodiment. It is a side view explaining the positional relationship between the faucet device and the detection area in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in 1st Embodiment. It is a side view explaining the positional relationship of the faucet device and detection area in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the antenna structure for having the detection area in several directions in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the water discharge start procedure by the control part 200 in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Water supply hose, 30 Water discharge port, 40 Water receiving part, 100 Sensor part, 101 Board | substrate, 112, 112a, 112b Antenna, 114 Transmission part, 116 Reception part, 118 Difference detection part, 121, 22, 123, 124 Parasitic element 129 Power supply element 151, 152, 153, 154 Switch 200 control unit 210 filter 220 frequency detection unit 230 determination unit 240 storage means 250 valve

Claims (5)

A water discharge part,
A sensor unit that obtains information on the movement of the detected object by the reflected wave of the radiated radio wave;
A control unit for controlling water discharge from the water discharge unit based on a detection signal from the sensor unit;
With
The control unit is configured to start the water discharge before the detected body reaches the water discharger, and after the speed of the detected object approaching the water discharger is substantially constant for a predetermined time, A water discharger characterized by detecting a speed change and starting the water discharge.   The water discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects the deceleration of the detected object in the speed change and starts the water discharging.   It further comprises a water receiving part that receives water discharged from the water discharging part, and the sensor part is provided such that the inside of the water receiving part or the outside of the water receiving part is a detection area. The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2.   The sensor unit includes a first detection area provided near the outside of the water receiving unit to detect the approach of the detected body to the faucet device, and the approach of the detected body to the water discharge unit. In order to detect the above, the detection detection area is configured by a second detection area provided inside the water receiving unit, and the control unit includes information on the first or second detection area. The faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the water discharge is started based on the water discharge.   The control unit, after determining that the speed of the detected object is substantially constant for a predetermined time in the first detection area, to the water discharging unit of the detected object in the second detection area. The faucet device according to claim 4, wherein after the speed of the approaching operation is substantially constant for a predetermined time, it is detected that the detected object is decelerated and the water discharge is started.

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