JP6930172B2 - Water supply device - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to water peripheral devices.

Conventionally, there is known an automatic faucet in which a sensor detects an object to be detected such as a hand and automatically discharges water. The detection direction and the water discharge direction of the sensor are preferably the same direction from the viewpoint of user-friendliness, and as a result, the sensor is preferably facing the washbasin. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic faucet control device in which the detection direction of the sensor is directed toward the washbasin.

In the automatic faucet control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the infrared light to be projected and the infrared light to be received are polarized, and the specular reflected light from the washbasin is not detected, and the diffuse reflected light from the human body is not detected. It is characterized by detecting only. By doing so, it is disclosed that erroneous detection does not occur even if the material of the wash basin mirror-reflects infrared light.

Japanese Patent No. 3726953

However, the automatic faucet control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems when spouting hot water. When hot water is spouted from the spout, steam is generated near the basin. Also, when equipment that uses hot water such as a bathtub is adjacent, steam may be generated near the washbasin. Since steam is a collection of water particles, the projected infrared light is diffusely reflected. Due to diffused reflection, the light that was polarized at the time of projection loses the polarization component. Then, by receiving the light that has lost the polarization component, the sensor may erroneously detect it, and there is a possibility that water may be erroneously discharged.

The present invention has been made based on the recognition of such a problem, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to the generation of steam, and more accurately stop water from the spout depending on the operation and presence / absence of the detected object. It is an object of the present invention to provide a controllable water supply device.

According to the first invention, a spout for discharging hot water or water supplied from a water supply path, an electromagnetic valve connected to the water supply path, a radio wave is emitted, and a reflected wave of the radio wave is received to be detected. Water including a radio wave sensor for detecting the operation of the In the surrounding device, the control unit drives the electromagnetic valve based on the detection results of the radio wave sensor and the reflection type sensor to control the water discharge stop of the spout, and the control unit controls the water discharge stop of the spout. And, when the reflection type sensor is in the detection state, it is a water supply device that controls the electromagnetic valve so that water is discharged from the spout.

According to this water supply device, the solenoid valve is driven based on the detection results of the radio wave sensor and the reflection type sensor. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately control the water discharge stop at the water discharge port depending on the operation and presence / absence of the detected body.

In the second invention, in the first invention, the detection area of the reflection type sensor is formed along the direction in which water is discharged from the spout, and the detection area of the radio wave sensor is the detection area of the reflection type sensor. It is a water supply device formed above.

According to this water-surrounding device, the reflection type sensor enables more accurate detection of the movement of the hand of the object to be detected. In addition, the radio wave sensor may erroneously detect that the object to be detected is approaching when water is stored below the spout, but the detection area of the radio wave sensor is above the detection area of the reflection sensor. By forming the radio wave sensor, such false detection of the radio wave sensor can be suppressed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second invention, the reflection sensor is provided at the same height as the spout or above the spout, and the radio wave sensor is at the same height as the spout. On the other hand, it is a water supply device provided above the spout.

According to this water supply device, the detection area of the reflective sensor is formed from the same height as the spout or above the spout toward the spout, so that the hand extended near the spout is more reliable. Can be detected. Further, when the radio wave radiated from the radio wave sensor is reflected by the water discharged from the spout, the radio wave sensor may erroneously detect that the object to be detected is separated. However, according to this water supply device, since the radio wave sensor is provided at the same height as or above the spout, it becomes difficult for radio waves to be radiated to the water discharged from the spout, and false detection in the radio sensor is detected. It can be suppressed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, when the radio wave sensor is in the non-detection state, the control unit has the spout, regardless of the detection result of the reflection sensor. It is a water supply device that controls the solenoid valve so that the water is stopped.

If steam is generated near the spout, the reflective sensor may erroneously enter the detection state, but since the radio waves are not affected by the steam, the radio wave sensor does not enter the detection state. Therefore, according to this water surrounding device, it is possible to more accurately control the spouting stop of the spout depending on the presence or absence of the detected object.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the reflection of the control unit when the radio wave sensor is in a non-detection state while water is being discharged from the spout. It is a water supply device that controls the solenoid valve so as to stop the water discharge regardless of the detection result of the type sensor.

According to this water peripheral device, even when steam is generated after use, it is possible to prevent the steam from being detected by the reflective sensor and being discharged from the spout.

A sixth aspect of the invention is the sixth aspect of the invention, wherein the reflection type sensor intermittently transmits the propagating wave, and the control unit intermittently transmits the radio wave sensor when the radio wave sensor is in a non-detection state. , A water-surrounding device that stops the transmission of the propagating wave of the reflection sensor or prolongs the period during which the propagating wave is not transmitted.

According to this water peripheral device, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the reflective sensor while suppressing the decrease in the detection accuracy of the object to be detected.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the control unit intermittently emits radio waves from the radio wave sensor when the radio wave sensor and the reflection type sensor are in the detection state. It is a water supply device.

According to this water peripheral device, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the radio wave sensor while suppressing a decrease in the detection accuracy of the detected object while water is being discharged from the spout.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the control unit sets the radio wave sensor in the standby mode when the reflection sensor is in the non-detection state, and the reflection sensor is not. When the detection state is changed to the detection state, the radio wave sensor is shifted from the standby mode to the normal mode, and the power consumption of the radio wave sensor in the standby mode is smaller than the power consumption of the radio wave sensor in the normal mode. It is a water supply device.

According to this water supply device, the power consumption of the radio wave sensor can be reduced. Further, when the reflective sensor is in the detection state, the radio wave sensor shifts to the normal mode, so that water discharge due to erroneous detection of the reflective sensor can be prevented.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the control unit continuously detects the detected object for the first hour while the radio wave sensor is in the detection state. If this is the case, it is a water supply device that controls the solenoid valve so that water is continuously discharged from the spout for a second time regardless of the subsequent detection result of the reflection sensor.

According to this water supply device, when the user wants to store water in a bucket or a washbasin, it is not necessary to extend his / her hand under the spout for a long time, and the usability of the water supply device can be improved.

According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water peripheral device capable of more accurately controlling the spouting stop of the spout depending on the operation and presence / absence of the detected body.

It is a front view which shows the water surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a side view which shows the water surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a side view which illustrates the operation of the water-surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the control in the water-surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the control in the water-surrounding device which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the water surrounding device which concerns on the modification of embodiment.

Hereinafter, the water supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

In the following embodiment, a case where the water peripheral device is a vanity will be described as an example.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the water peripheral device 1 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the water supply device 1 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing the water peripheral device 1 according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the operation of the water supply device 1 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water supply device 1 includes a radio wave sensor 10, a reflection sensor 20, a control unit 30, a spout 40, and a solenoid valve 50.

The radio wave sensor 10 radiates radio waves and receives reflected waves of radio waves. The radio wave sensor 10 detects the movement of the object to be detected based on the received reflected wave. The radio wave sensor 10 detects, for example, the movement of the human body approaching the water surrounding device 1 and the movement of the human body moving away from the water surrounding device 1.
The reflection type sensor 20 transmits a propagating wave such as infrared light and receives the reflected wave of the propagating wave. The reflection type sensor 20 detects the object to be detected based on the received reflected wave. The reflective sensor 20 detects, for example, a hand extended below the spout 40.

The spout 40 is provided above the washbasin. As shown in FIG. 2, the spout 40 is connected to a water supply source 41 such as a water pipe via a water supply path 42. The hot water or water supplied from the water supply source 41 to the water supply path 42 is discharged from the spout 40.
A solenoid valve 50 is connected to the water supply path 42. By opening and closing the solenoid valve 50, the water discharge stop of the water discharge port 40 is controlled. In addition to this, the user can also operate the water discharge stop of the water discharge port 40 by using the operation unit 45 shown in FIG.

In addition to these, the water peripheral device 1 may further include a cabinet 60 and a lighting unit 70, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The detection results of the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection sensor 20 are output to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 drives the solenoid valve 50 based on these detection results. As a result, the water discharge stop control of the water discharge port 40 is realized based on the detection results of the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection type sensor 20.

An example of the arrangement of the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection sensor 20 and the detection area of each sensor will be described with reference to FIG.
The detection region 21 of the reflection sensor 20 is formed along the direction in which water is discharged from the water discharge port 40. Further, the detection area 11 of the radio wave sensor 10 is formed above the detection area 21 of the reflection sensor 20.
The reflection type sensor 20 is provided at the same height as the spout 40 or above the spout 40. The radio wave sensor 10 is provided above the spout 40. The radio wave sensor 10 may be provided at the same height as the reflection sensor 20, or may be provided above the reflection sensor 20.

An example of the operation of the water supply device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the human body, which is the object to be detected, approaches the water surrounding device 1, the radio wave sensor 10 detects the movement. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the hand is extended below the spout 40, the reflective sensor 20 detects the hand. The control unit 30 controls the solenoid valve 50 so that when the radio wave sensor 10 detects the approach of the human body and the reflective sensor 20 detects the human body, water is discharged from the spout 40.

Here, the effect of the invention according to the present embodiment will be described.
Although the reflection type sensor 20 has high detection accuracy, as described above, if there is steam in the detection area 21 of the reflection type sensor 20, erroneous detection may occur.
To solve this problem, it is also possible to detect both the approach and separation of the detected object with respect to the water surrounding device 1 and the presence or absence of the detected object near the spout 40 by the radio wave sensor 10 which is not affected by steam. Conceivable. However, in this case, the radio wave sensor 10 may erroneously detect the flow of water discharged from the spout 40, the water stored in the basin below the spout 40, or the like as the operation of the object to be detected. be.
Further, it is conceivable to provide a radio wave sensor for detecting the approach and separation of the detected body and another radio wave sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the detected body near the spout 40. In this case as well. Since the radio waves of the two radio wave sensors interfere with each other, erroneous detection may occur.

On the other hand, the water supply device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a radio wave sensor 10 for detecting the operation of the object to be detected and a reflection sensor 20 for detecting the presence or absence of the object to be detected. Then, the control unit 30 drives the solenoid valve 50 based on the detection results of the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection sensor 20, and controls the water discharge stop of the water discharge port 40.
According to the water supply device 1 according to the present embodiment, the movement of the object to be detected is detected by the detection result of the radio wave sensor 10 which is not easily affected by steam, and the reflection type sensor has high detection accuracy in the absence of steam. 20 detects the presence or absence of a detected object near the spout 40. By doing so, even when steam is present in the vicinity of the spout 40, it is possible to more accurately control the spouting water stoppage at the spout 40 according to the presence / absence and operation of the detected object. ..

In order to further improve the detection accuracy, as shown in FIG. 3, the detection area 21 of the reflection sensor 20 is formed along the water discharge direction from the water discharge port 40, and the detection area 11 of the radio wave sensor 10 is formed. It is desirable that the reflection type sensor 20 is formed above the detection area 21. According to such a configuration, the reflective sensor 20 can more accurately detect the movement of the human hand. Further, the radio wave sensor 10 may erroneously detect that the object to be detected is approaching when water is stored in the washbasin below the spout 40. However, since the detection area 11 of the radio wave sensor 10 is formed above the detection area 21 of the reflection sensor 20, such false detection of the radio wave sensor 10 can be suppressed.

It is desirable that the reflective sensor 20 is provided at the same height as or above the spout 40. By doing so, the detection region 21 of the reflective sensor 20 is formed at the same height as the spout 40 or above it toward the spouting direction, so that the hand extended near the spout 40 is formed. It can be detected reliably.
Further, when the radio wave radiated from the radio wave sensor 10 is reflected by the water discharged from the spout 40, the radio wave sensor 10 may erroneously detect that the object to be detected is separated. Regarding this point, by providing the radio wave sensor 10 at the same height as or above the spout 40, it becomes difficult for radio waves to be radiated to the water discharged from the spout 40, and false detection in the radio sensor 10 is suppressed. can do.

Hereinafter, a more desirable operation of the water supply device 1 according to the embodiment will be described.
5 and 6 are schematic views illustrating control in the water supply device 1 according to the embodiment.
In the specification of the present application, for each of the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection sensor 20, the state in which the detected body is detected is referred to as a "detection state", and the state in which the detected body is not detected is referred to as a "non-detection state". ".

The control unit 30 controls the solenoid valve 50 so that water is discharged from the spout 40 when the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection sensor 20 are in the detection state. For example, when the radio wave sensor 10 is in the non-detection state and only the reflection sensor 20 is in the detection state, the reflection sensor 20 may erroneously detect steam or the like. Therefore, by spouting water from the spout 40 when both the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflective sensor 20 are in the detection state, it is possible to suppress spouting of water even though there is no object to be detected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the radio wave sensor 10 is in the non-detection state, the control unit 30 controls the solenoid valve 50 so that the water discharge port 40 is stopped regardless of the detection result of the reflection sensor 20. To control. When steam is generated near the spout 40, the reflective sensor 20 may erroneously enter the detection state, but since the radio waves are not affected by the steam, the radio wave sensor 10 does not enter the detection state. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately control the water discharge stop of the water discharge port 40 depending on the presence or absence of the detected body.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, when the radio wave sensor 10 is in the non-detection state while the water is being discharged from the spout 40, the control unit 30 does not care about the detection result of the reflection sensor 20. The solenoid valve 50 is controlled so as to stop the water discharge. By doing so, even when steam is generated after using the water peripheral device 1, it is possible to prevent the steam from being detected by the reflective sensor 20 and being discharged from the spout 40.

Further, the reflection type sensor 20 intermittently transmits the propagating wave, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, when the radio wave sensor 10 is in the non-detection state, the control unit 30 stops the transmission of the propagating wave of the reflection sensor 20 or prolongs the period during which the propagating wave is not transmitted. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the reflective sensor 20 while suppressing a decrease in the detection accuracy of the object to be detected.

The control unit 30 may intermittently radiate radio waves from the radio wave sensor 10 when the radio wave sensor 10 and the reflection type sensor 20 are in the detection state. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the radio wave sensor 10 while suppressing a decrease in the detection accuracy of the object to be detected while water is being discharged from the water discharge port 40.

Further, the control unit 30 sets the radio wave sensor 10 in the standby mode when the reflection sensor 20 is in the non-detection state, and waits for the radio wave sensor 10 when the reflection sensor 20 changes from the non-detection state to the detection state. You may shift from the mode to the normal mode. The power consumption of the radio wave sensor 10 in the standby mode is smaller than the power consumption of the radio wave sensor 10 in the normal mode. For example, the radio wave sensor 10 intermittently radiates radio waves or does not radiate radio waves in the standby mode.
By doing so, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the radio wave sensor 10 when the reflection sensor 20 is in the detection state. Further, when the reflective sensor 20 is in the detection state, the radio wave sensor 10 shifts to the normal mode, so that water discharge due to erroneous detection of the reflective sensor 20 can be prevented.

When the radio wave sensor 10 is in the detection state and the reflection sensor 20 continuously detects the object to be detected for the first time, the control unit 30 continues for the second time regardless of the subsequent detection result of the reflection sensor. Then, the solenoid valve may be controlled so that water is discharged from the spout. As an example, the first time is set to 10 seconds and the second time is set to 10 seconds.
According to such control, when the user wants to store water in a bucket or a washbasin, it is not necessary to extend his / her hand under the spout 40 for a long time, and the usability of the water supply device 1 can be improved. can.

(Modification example)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the water supply device 2 according to the modified example of the embodiment.
In the water supply device 2, the control unit 30 further controls devices other than the solenoid valve 50 based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates a configuration in which the solenoid valve 50 and the illumination unit 70 are controlled by the control unit 30. For example, the control unit 30 turns on the lighting unit 70 when the radio wave sensor 10 detects the approach of the human body, and turns off the lighting unit 70 when the radio wave sensor 10 detects the separation of the human body.

In this way, the usability of the water supply device 2 can be improved by controlling the devices other than the solenoid valve 50 based on the detection result of the radio wave sensor 10. Further, it is not necessary to separately provide a sensor used for controlling other devices, and the manufacturing cost of the water supply device 2 can be reduced and the size can be reduced.

In the example of the above-described embodiment, the case where the water-related device is a vanity is described, but the invention according to the present embodiment can be applied to a water-related device other than the vanity. For example, the invention according to the present embodiment can be suitably used for a bathroom washroom, a hand-washing place in a toilet room, a kitchen sink, and the like. By applying the invention according to the present embodiment to these water peripheral devices as well, it is possible to more accurately control the spouting and stopping water of the spout depending on the operation and presence / absence of the detected object.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. With respect to the above-described embodiment, those skilled in the art with appropriate design changes are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, dimensions, material, arrangement, installation form, and the like of each element included in the water peripheral device are not limited to those illustrated, and can be changed as appropriate.
In addition, the elements included in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as much as technically possible, and the combination thereof is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the features of the present invention are included.

1, 2 Water supply device, 10 Radio wave sensor, 11 Detection area, 20 Reflective sensor, 21 Detection area, 30 Control unit, 40 Water spout, 41 Water supply source, 42 Water supply path, 45 Operation unit, 50 Solenoid valve, 60 Cabinet , 70 Lighting unit

Claims (9)

A spout that discharges hot water or water supplied from the water supply path,
The solenoid valve connected to the water supply path and
A radio wave sensor that radiates radio waves and receives reflected waves of the radio waves to detect the operation of the object to be detected,
A reflective sensor that transmits a propagating wave and receives the reflected wave of the propagating wave to detect the object to be detected.
The control unit that drives the solenoid valve and
In the water supply device equipped with
Wherein the control unit is configured to drive the solenoid valve to control the吐止water in the spout on the basis of the detection result of the radio wave sensor and the reflection sensor,
The control unit is a water peripheral device that controls the solenoid valve so that water is discharged from the spout when the radio wave sensor and the reflection sensor are in the detection state. The detection region of the reflective sensor is formed along the direction in which water is discharged from the spout.
The water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection region of the radio wave sensor is formed above the detection region of the reflection sensor. The reflective sensor is provided at the same height as the spout or above the spout.
The water peripheral device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the radio wave sensor is provided at the same height as the spout or above the spout. When the radio wave sensor is in the non-detection state, the control unit controls the solenoid valve so that the spout is stopped regardless of the detection result of the reflection sensor. The water supply device according to one. When the radio wave sensor is in the non-detection state while the water is being discharged from the water discharge port, the control unit is the solenoid valve so as to stop the water discharge regardless of the detection result of the reflection sensor. The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The reflective sensor intermittently transmits the propagated wave and
When the radio wave sensor is in the non-detection state, the control unit either stops the transmission of the propagating wave of the reflection sensor, or prolongs the period during which the propagating wave is not transmitted. The water supply device described in 1. The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit intermittently radiates radio waves from the radio wave sensor when the radio wave sensor and the reflection type sensor are in the detection state. When the reflection type sensor is in the non-detection state, the control unit sets the radio wave sensor in the standby mode, and when the reflection type sensor changes from the non-detection state to the detection state, the control unit sets the radio wave sensor from the standby mode. Shift to normal mode and
The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power consumption of the radio wave sensor in the standby mode is smaller than the power consumption of the radio wave sensor in the normal mode. In the control unit, when the radio wave sensor is in the detection state and the reflection sensor continuously detects the object to be detected for the first time, the second time regardless of the subsequent detection result of the reflection sensor. The water supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the solenoid valve is controlled so that water is continuously discharged from the spout.

Images