JP5577985B2 - Water supply equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water supply device, and more specifically, to a water supply device that automatically discharges and stops water according to the detection status of a sensor that detects an object.

Automatic faucets with the function of automatically discharging and stopping water when a hand is brought close to or away from the water discharge member can be used in office buildings, hotels, railway stations and public facilities such as toilets and toilets. Widely used in the center. Various improvements have been added to such an automatic faucet, for example, a so-called pull-out type in which the water discharge member can be pulled out from the holding member together with the water supply hose when the water discharge member is grasped by hand and pulled in the axial direction. An automatic water faucet has been developed and disclosed in Patent Document 1.
In the water discharge device with sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, water discharge and water stop are automatically performed based on the signal of the detection sensor, and a manual operation switch Water discharge and water stop can also be performed by this signal, and when the water discharge member is removed from the holding member, water discharge and water stop are performed based only on the signal of the manual operation switch. When the water discharge member is removed from the holding member, water discharge and water stop are performed only by operating the manual operation switch, so that unexpected water discharge can be prevented.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-96798

However, in the water discharge device with a sensor described in Patent Document 1, when the water discharge member is removed from the holding member and used, water discharge and water stop are not performed unless the manual operation switch is operated, so that it is not easy to use. It was inconvenient for the person.
In particular, when the water discharge member is pulled out and used to repeat water discharge and water stop many times, the manual switch must be operated each time. Such an operation has been a heavy burden for the elderly and children who have difficulty with fingertips.
This invention was made in order to solve the said problem, and the subject of this invention is providing the water supply apparatus which enables the automatic water discharge by a human body detection sensor even in the state which removed the water discharge member from the holding member. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a water supply hose is connected, a water discharge member having a water discharge port for discharging water supplied from the water supply hose, and the water discharge member are detachably held. Holding member, a solenoid valve connected to the water supply hose, a human body detection sensor that radiates toward the vicinity of the water discharge port and detects the presence or absence of an object based on a reflection level thereof, and the water discharge to the holding member In a water supply apparatus including an attachment / detachment sensor for detecting an attachment / detachment state of a member and a control unit for driving the electromagnetic valve, the control unit is configured such that the water discharge member is attached to the holding member by the attachment / detachment sensor. In the detected state, a first automatic mode operation is performed in which the electromagnetic valve is opened when the human body detection sensor is detected, and the electromagnetic valve is closed when the human body detection sensor is not detected. Wherein in the state has been detected departure from the holding member and the jetting member, and performing the second automatic mode driving of repeating opening and closing of the solenoid valve every time the human body detection sensor detects the.

  As a result, in the act of detaching and using the water discharge member, water discharge can be continued even when the water discharge member and the hand holding the water discharge member are moved outside the detection range of the human body detection sensor. Convenient for storing water in buckets and cleaning basins. Further, since the water discharge / water stop operation based on the human body detection sensor can be performed, it is not necessary to contact the operation unit and is hygienic, and there is no need to separately provide a switch or a water discharge lever.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the time required for detection is longer in the second automatic mode operation than in the first automatic mode operation.
As a result, in the act of separating and using the water discharge member, it is difficult for the water discharge member and the hand holding the water discharge member to switch between water discharge and water stop for the operation of passing through the detection range of the human body detection sensor. Therefore, even if it passes through the detection range of the human body detection sensor unintentionally at the time of actions such as cleaning the washbasin, water discharge (or water stoppage) is continued, and it is easy to use.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the controller detects the detachment of the water discharging member from the holding member by the attachment / detachment sensor, even if the human body detection sensor is detected, The electromagnetic valve is closed, and then the second automatic mode operation is performed when the human body detection sensor changes from non-detection to detection, and the electromagnetic valve is opened.
Thus, in the act of removing and using the water discharging member, even if the human body detection sensor detects the hand and discharges water to grasp the water discharging member by hand, the water is stopped when the detachable sensor detects separation. Less waste. Furthermore, if the return condition is satisfied, the operation returns to the second automatic mode operation and the water discharge / water stop operation based on the human body detection sensor becomes possible, so that it is easy to use and there is no need to provide a separate switch or water discharge lever.

According to the invention of claim 4, when the controller detects that the water discharging member that has been detached from the holding member is attached by the attachment / detachment sensor, the human body detection sensor is Even if it is detected, the solenoid valve is closed, and thereafter, when the human body detection sensor is detected from non-detection, the first automatic mode operation is performed, and the solenoid valve is opened. .
As a result, in the act of attaching the water discharging member that has been detached, even if the human body detection sensor detects the hand holding the water discharging member and discharges water, the water is stopped when the attachment / detachment sensor detects the attachment, so water is wasted. Is less. Furthermore, if the return condition is satisfied, the operation returns to the first automatic mode operation and the water discharge / water stop operation based on the human body detection sensor becomes possible, which is easy to use and does not require a separate switch or water discharge lever.

  According to the present invention, the present invention has been made based on recognition of such a problem, and a water supply device is provided that enables automatic water discharge by a human body detection sensor even when the water discharge member is detached from the holding member. .

It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the water supply apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which illustrates the water supply apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the usage type of the water supply apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a time chart figure of the water supply apparatus concerning the specific example of this embodiment. It is a time chart figure of the water supply apparatus concerning the other specific example of this embodiment. It is a time chart figure of the water supply apparatus concerning the other specific example of this embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.
1 and 3 are schematic views illustrating a water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a water supply apparatus according to this embodiment.
The water supply device according to the present embodiment includes a human body detection sensor 1, a control unit 2, a water supply source 3, an electromagnetic valve 4, and a flexible water supply hose 5 connected to a base end portion and supplied via the water supply hose 5. A water discharge member 6 having a water discharge port for discharging water supplied from the water source 3 and a holding member 7 that detachably holds the water discharge member 6 are provided.

The user mainly uses the water discharging member 6 while being attached to the holding member 7 at the time of hand-washing, and the user mainly detaches the water discharging member 6 from the holding member 7 at the time of cleaning or hair washing of the bowl portion. use.
The human body detection sensor 1 is provided in the back of the counter 13 of the bathroom vanity 12, and has a detection region 14 so as to detect a user's hand or the like put out near the water outlet. The human body detection sensor 1 is a sensor called a reflection type integral sensor having an infrared light projecting element and a light receiving element, for example. However, the installation position of the sensor and the type of the human body detection sensor are not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate.

  Further, the holding member 7 is provided with a detachable sensor 8 for detecting the detachment and mounting state of the water discharging member 6 with respect to the holding member 7. The detachable sensor 8 is a sensor called a magnetic sensitive sensor having a reed switch 9 and a magnet 10, for example. The reed switch 9 is provided in the vicinity of the base end portion that holds the water discharge member 6 of the holding member 7, and the magnet is provided at the rear end of the water discharge member 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be changed as appropriate.

The control part 2 is provided in the lower part of the washstand, and the human body detection sensor 1, the electromagnetic valve 4, and the attachment / detachment sensor 8 are connected by wiring that transmits an electrical signal.
The light projected from the light projecting element 1a of the human body detection sensor 1 is reflected by, for example, the bowl part or the user's hand, and the light receiving element 1b receives the reflected light. The human body detection sensor 1 compares the reflection level received by the light receiving element 1b with a preset threshold value, and determines that there is an object if it is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and if there is less than the threshold value, there is no object. And the detection result is output as an electric signal to the control unit 2 through the wiring.
The control unit 2 controls the driving of the electromagnetic valve 4 according to the detection result received from the human body detection sensor 1.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a time chart of the water supply apparatus according to a specific example of the present embodiment.
When the water discharge member 6 is attached to the holding member 7, when the human body detection sensor 1 detects an object, the controller 2 opens the electromagnetic valve 4 to start the water discharge operation (time T10). When the human body detection sensor 1 no longer detects an object, the control unit 2 closes the electromagnetic valve 4 and stops water (time T11). As described above, this is mainly a hand washing action as a user action. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as a first automatic mode operation.

Subsequently, the detachment of the water discharge member 6 is detected by the attachment / detachment sensor 8 (time 12). When the human body detection sensor 1 detects an object in this state, the control unit 2 opens the electromagnetic valve 4 to start the water discharge operation ( Time 13). Then, when the human body detection sensor 1 detects the object again, the control unit 2 drives the electromagnetic valve 4 to close to stop water (time 14).
This is because, for example, when the user removes the water discharge member 6 and performs the cleaning action of the bowl portion or the water storage action in the bucket, the hand holding the water discharge member 6 moves outside the detection region of the human body detection sensor 1. However, it becomes possible to continue water discharge. The operation of switching between water discharge and water stop based on the detection of the human body detection sensor 1 while the water discharge member 6 is detached is hereinafter referred to as a second automatic mode operation.

  In this way, in the cleaning action of the basin or the puddle action of the bucket performed by detaching the water discharge member 6, it is not always necessary to place the hand holding the water discharge member 6 in the detection region of the human body detection sensor 1. Since the water discharge operation is continued, it is easy to use. Further, since the water discharge / water stop operation is switched in a non-contact manner based on the human body detection sensor 1, it is not necessary to provide a separate switch or a water discharge lever, and the hygiene is excellent.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of a water supply apparatus according to still another specific example of the present embodiment.
Since the schematic diagram, block diagram, and automatic mode operation of the water supply apparatus are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the water discharge member 6 is attached to the holding member 7, when the human body detection sensor 1 receives the light reception signal once, the human body detection sensor 1 regards that the object detection is confirmed, and starts water discharge (time T20). Further, when the water discharge member 6 is detached from the holding member 7, the human body detection sensor 1 considers that the object detection is confirmed when the light reception signal is received twice, and starts water discharge (time T20). In FIG. 5, the time between the received light signals is set to 0.5 seconds, but is not limited to this and may be changed as appropriate.

  Thus, in the state where the water discharge member 6 is detached, the human body detection is performed in the cleaning action of the basin or the puddle action of the bucket by increasing the number of times of receiving the light reception signal and providing time until the detection is confirmed. When the hand holding the water discharge member 6 is moved in the detection region of the sensor 1 or the water discharge member 6 is changed, unexpected water discharge / water stop operation can be prevented from being switched.

FIG. 6 is a time chart of a water supply apparatus according to a specific example of the present embodiment.
Since the schematic diagram, block diagram, and automatic mode operation of the water supply apparatus are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the description thereof is omitted.
When the water discharge member 6 is attached to the holding member 7, when the human body detection sensor 1 detects an object, the water discharge operation is started (time T30). Then, when the water discharge member 6 is detached from the holding member 7 during the water discharge, the control unit 2 drives the electromagnetic valve 4 to be closed to stop water (time T31). That is, when detachment of the water discharge member 6 is detected by the attachment / detachment sensor 8 during water discharge in the automatic mode, the water is forcibly stopped even if the human body detection sensor 1 detects an object.

  This is because, for example, when the user performs a cleaning action or a hair washing action of the bowl portion, the human body detection sensor 1 whose detection region is set in the vicinity of the water discharge port grips the water discharge member 6 when the water discharge member 6 is removed. By detecting the hand, the discharged water is stopped. This operation of forcibly stopping water while the water discharge member 6 is detached regardless of the detection result of the human body detection sensor 1 is hereinafter referred to as an automatic prohibition mode.

  After the user removes the water discharging member 6, the user continues to clean and wash the bowl, but once the human body sensor 1 is not detected, the controller cancels the automatic prohibit mode and automatically Return to the mode (time T32). Then, when the human body detection sensor 1 detects the object again, the water discharge operation is started (time T33).

  In this manner, in the act of detaching and using the water discharge member 6, even if the human body detection sensor 1 detects the hand and discharges water in order to grasp the water discharge member 6, it will stop when the detachable sensor 8 detects the separation. Since it is watered, there is little waste of water. Furthermore, even when the human body detection sensor 1 is not detected even during separation, the automatic mode is restored and the water discharge / water stop operation based on the human body detection sensor 1 is possible. There is no need to provide a lever.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. As long as the features of the present invention are provided, those skilled in the art appropriately modified the design of the above-described embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, etc. of each element included in the water supply device and the like, the installation form of the human body detection sensor, and the detachable sensor are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate.

  Moreover, each element with which each embodiment mentioned above is provided can be combined as long as technically possible, and the combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention. For example, control combining the time chart described in FIG. 4 and the time chart described in FIG. 5 can be easily invented from the features of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Human body detection sensor 1a ... Light projecting element 1b ... Light receiving element 2 ... Control part 3 ... Water supply source 4 ... Solenoid valve 5 ... Water supply hose 6 ... Water discharge member 7 ... Holding member 8 ... Detachable sensor 9 ... Reed switch 10 ... Magnet 11 ... Detection area 12 ... Bathroom 13 ... Counter

Claims (4)

A water supply hose is connected, a water discharge member having a water discharge port for discharging water supplied from the water supply hose, a holding member for detachably holding the water discharge member, an electromagnetic valve connected to the water supply hose, A human body detection sensor that radiates toward the vicinity of the water discharge port and detects the presence or absence of an object based on the reflection level, an attachment / detachment sensor that detects the attachment / detachment state of the water discharge member with respect to the holding member, and the electromagnetic valve are driven. In a water supply apparatus comprising a control unit,
In a state where the attachment / detachment sensor detects that the water discharge member is attached to the holding member, the control unit opens the electromagnetic valve when the human body detection sensor is detected, and when the detection is not detected, Perform the first automatic mode operation to close the solenoid valve,
In addition, in a state where the detachment sensor detects the detachment of the water discharge member from the holding member, a second automatic mode operation is performed in which the electromagnetic valve is repeatedly opened and closed each time the human body detection sensor detects it. Water supply device. 2. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit makes the time required for detection longer in the second automatic mode operation than in the first automatic mode operation. When the detachment sensor detects the detachment of the water discharge member from the holding member, the control unit closes the electromagnetic valve even if the human body detection sensor is detected. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic valve is opened when the human body detection sensor is detected from non-detection. When the control unit detects that the water discharging member that has been detached from the holding member is attached by the attachment / detachment sensor, the control unit closes the electromagnetic valve even if the human body detection sensor is detected. 2. The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply device is in a state, and thereafter, when the human body detection sensor is detected from non-detection, the first automatic mode operation is performed and the electromagnetic valve is opened.

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