JP6966879B2 - Faucet automation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a faucet automation device that enables remote control of water discharge / stop of an existing manual faucet.

Conventionally, when changing an existing manual faucet to an automatic faucet, the method of replacing the faucet itself with an automatic faucet is taken, but the automatic faucet is expensive and the faucet replacement work occurs. The burden on users is not small. In addition, if there is no automatic faucet that applies to the conventional installation conditions, it is not possible to switch to the automatic faucet.

Therefore, as a method of automating the existing manual faucet, a method of attaching an automatic faucet device to the spout, a method of additionally installing a solenoid valve on the water supply / hot water supply pipe and an operation switch and a wiring adapter body on the faucet body, A method of remotely operating the opening and closing of a solenoid valve with a remote control switch and a method of replacing the handle portion of a single faucet with a deck with an automatic faucet device are disclosed.
For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a box-type automatic faucet device equipped with a photoelectric distance measuring sensor, a solenoid valve, a drive circuit, and a battery is attached to the tip of a water discharge pipe of an existing faucet fixture. Is disclosed.

In the following Patent Document 2, a hand operation switch for switching between water discharge and water stop from the water discharge port is added to the tip of the water discharge pipe of the existing mixing faucet to connect the electrical wiring, and this hand operation switch is connected to the inside of the cabinet. The structure connected to the control box is disclosed. Then, the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve incorporated in each of the supply pipes connected to the mixing faucet is controlled in accordance with the ON operation and the OFF operation of the hand operation switch via the control circuit provided in the control box. Is disclosed.

The following Patent Document 3 discloses a wireless faucet in which solenoid valves are attached to each of two pipes connected to the faucet main body, and a control unit for controlling these solenoid valves and a remote control switch are provided. There is. According to the structure described in Patent Document 3, a device capable of automating a faucet by retrofitting a solenoid valve, a control unit, a receiver, and a remote control switch to an existing faucet is disclosed.

In the following Patent Document 4, the automatic faucet unit is attached to the portion where the handle mechanism of the existing manual faucet is removed so as to cover the automatic faucet unit. The built-in configuration is disclosed. The configuration described in Patent Document 4 discloses a configuration in which a sensor unit is arranged near the discharge port of a water discharge pipe, the movement of the user's hand is detected by the operation of the sensor unit, and an automatic faucet is realized. ..

Japanese Patent No. 2791526 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-131547 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-160615 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-204949

However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a problem that the faucet to which the automatic faucet device can be attached is limited by the shape of the spout. In addition, when the water is stopped, water pressure is constantly applied to the water pipe from the water stop part of the faucet to the spout of the automatic faucet device, but usually it is not designed under such usage conditions, and the piping There was a risk of water leakage from the connection part and the like. In addition, the area around the faucet spout becomes huge due to the automatic faucet device, which deteriorates the appearance and cleanability, and the automatic faucet device becomes an obstacle to work near the faucet. There was a problem such as deterioration of work efficiency.

In the structure described in Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to make a hole in the faucet installation stand, but since the adapter main body is installed in the faucet mounting hole, the faucet attachment / detachment work is required. In addition, as an installation condition, it is necessary to devise a shape that can be fitted to the faucet pedestal and prevent water leakage, and it is necessary to prepare an adapter body that matches the outer diameter and shape of the faucet pedestal, resulting in poor versatility. There is. Furthermore, by providing the hand operation switch on the spout or arm, there is a problem that the wiring and rod-shaped members are exposed on the spout pipe and the faucet body, and these wirings and members deteriorate the appearance around the faucet and deteriorate the cleanability. , And it became an obstacle to the work near the spout, and there was a problem that the work efficiency around the water was deteriorated.

In the structure described in Patent Document 3, since remote control is performed by a wireless remote controller, a transmission / reception device is required, which causes a problem of high cost. Further, the transmission of the wireless signal is easily obstructed by the housing of the equipment, and there is a risk of causing a malfunction or the like due to noise or distortion in the transmitted signal, and there is anxiety about reliability. In addition, standby power on the wireless receiver side is constantly generated, which is problematic from the viewpoint of energy saving.
Further, the remote control switch instructs to open / close the solenoid valve, and cannot instruct operations other than continuous water discharge, which has a problem in terms of usability.

The structure described in Patent Document 4 has an automatic faucet unit structure dedicated to a single faucet with a deck, and has problems such as lack of adaptability to other faucets and lack of versatility.
Further, in the structure of Patent Document 4, the area around the faucet becomes huge due to the automatic faucet unit, which deteriorates the appearance and cleanability, and the automatic faucet unit becomes an obstacle to work near the spout. There was a problem such as deterioration of work efficiency around water.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can be installed in many types of existing manual faucets installed in ordinary water pipes, and parts can be attached to or removed from the main body of the manual faucet. It is an object of the present invention to provide a faucet automation device that can be used as an automatic faucet by a simple installation method without performing the above.

The present invention has the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.
(1) The faucet automation device of the present invention is driven by a manual faucet, a solenoid valve connected to a supply pipe for supplying water and / or hot water to the manual faucet, and a drive circuit for opening and closing the solenoid valve. A unit, a control unit that controls the drive unit, one or more sensors that instruct the control unit to open / close the solenoid valve, and one or more display units that display the control state of the solenoid valve on the control unit. The control unit is provided with a signal line for transmitting and receiving signals from the control unit, the drive unit, and the solenoid valve, and an electric wiring for supplying the control unit, the drive unit, and the solenoid valve from the power supply unit. The unit is arranged separately from the manual faucet, and a through hole for communicating the signal line and / or the electrical wiring connecting the control unit and the drive unit is provided on the installation surface of the control unit. It is a feature.

(2) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, a configuration in which the control unit according to (1) is arranged in the vicinity of the manual faucet can be adopted .

( 3 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, the power supply unit according to (1) or (2) is a commercial power supply or a storage battery.
( 4 ) In the control unit of the faucet automation device according to any one of (1) to ( 3 ), regarding the operating state of the solenoid valve, the operating state of opening and closing the solenoid valve and the operating state of opening the solenoid valve. It is preferable to have a selection control function for the operating state held by.

( 5 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to any one of (1) to (4), the manual faucet stands on a faucet installation stand at the rear of the sink. and setting a first sensor for the region of the faucet installation stand around the sink area and the first sensor detection zone to the control unit, the second sensor to the second sensor detection zone and the control unit over the region The configuration to be provided can be adopted.
( 6 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, when the first sensor or the second sensor detects an object in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to (5), the solenoid valve is opened and the first sensor is opened. A configuration in which the solenoid valve is closed when the 1-sensor or the 2nd sensor stops detecting an object can be adopted.

( 7 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, the solenoid valve is opened when the first sensor or the second sensor detects an object in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to (5), and this state. A configuration in which the solenoid valve is closed when the second sensor detects an object again can be adopted.
( 8 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, the object detection by the first sensor is not reflected in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to (5). A configuration can be adopted in which the solenoid valve is opened when the two sensors detect an object, and the solenoid valve is closed when the second sensor detects an object again in this state.

( 9 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, the object detection by the first sensor or the second sensor is all reflected in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to (5). It is possible to adopt a configuration in which the mode 4 is provided.
( 10 ) In the faucet automation device of the present invention, the control unit described in (5 ) has the mode 1 described in (6 ), the mode 2 described in (7 ), and the mode 3 described in (8). A configuration in which at least two or more modes among the modes 4 described in 9 ) are provided and the control unit is provided with switching means for switching the plurality of modes can be adopted.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to attach / detach the existing manual faucet body or attach parts, and it is possible to easily switch to the automatic faucet by using the existing manual faucet as it is. By arranging the control unit separately from the manual faucet, a single faucet, a two-handle mixing faucet, a single lever mixing faucet, a mixing mixing faucet, a thermostat mixing faucet, and a wall-mounted type Many types of manual faucets, such as those with a stand, can be converted into automatic faucets.

In addition, by arranging the control unit near the manual faucet, the faucet can be automated without the occurrence of obstacles around the existing manual faucet and its spout, so the operation of the automatic faucet and the area around the spout can be automated. Work can be done in cooperation without any trouble.

If it is not possible to provide a space for wiring the signal lines and / or electrical wiring of the control unit and drive unit around the existing manual faucet, a small through hole for wiring is provided on the manual faucet mounting surface. It can be handled by various processing. Therefore, the faucet automation device of the present invention is excellent in workability at the time of installation.

According to the faucet automation device of the present invention, depending on whether or not the power supply unit is installed around the existing manual faucet, the power source for driving the faucet automation device may be a commercial power source or a battery such as a storage battery in a timely manner. Can be done.

In addition, the control unit controls the operation state of opening and closing the solenoid valve and the operation state of keeping it open, which enables the use of both automatic faucets and manual faucets, which makes the faucet easier to use. It can be further improved.

The perspective view which shows the state which attached the faucet automation apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention to an existing faucet. The perspective view which shows an example of the control part provided in the faucet automation apparatus. The perspective view which shows an example of the drive part provided in the faucet automation apparatus. The flow diagram for demonstrating four modes provided in the control part. The flow diagram for explaining the operation of the control part and the drive part provided in the faucet automation device. The explanatory view which shows the 2nd example of the mode transition flow of the control part provided in the faucet automation apparatus.

"First embodiment"
Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a manual faucet, 2 is a sink, 16 is a top plate of a sink 2, 8 is a sink provided in the sink 2, 9 is a cabinet on the lower side of the sink 8, and 20 is the front side of the cabinet 9. Each door is shown. A faucet installation table 7 is formed on the sink 8 or the top plate 16, and an existing manual faucet 1 is erected on the upper surface of the faucet installation table 7.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the manual faucet 1 has an operating lever 5 at the upper end of the faucet main body 1A, and a water spouting pipe 6A having a spouting port 6 is provided slightly below the operating lever 5. It is said that. The manual faucet 1 applicable to this embodiment is not limited to the configuration of the mixing faucet shown in FIG. 1, a single faucet, a two-handle mixing faucet, a mixing mixing faucet, a thermostat mixing faucet, and a wall-mounted type. Any type of manual faucet may be used, such as a faucet with a stand or a faucet with a stand.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a water faucet installation table 7 having a triangular plate shape in a plan view is formed so as to horizontally protrude toward the sink 8 at a position which is one step lower than the top plate 16 at the upper part on the back surface side of the sink 8. A manual faucet 1 is erected on the upper surface of the faucet installation table 7. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a part of the top plate 16 on the back side of the sink 8 is lowered by one step, and a part of the top plate 16 is extended so as to protrude toward the center of the sink 8 so that the faucet installation table 7 is formed. It is installed horizontally. The faucet installation table 7 may be provided on a part of the top plate 16, may be provided separately from the top plate 16, or a part of the top plate 16 may be used as a faucet installation table.

Two water supply pipes 3 connected to the manual faucet 1 are installed so as to penetrate the faucet installation stand 7 up and down, and the lower end side of the two water supply pipes 3 is the internal side of the cabinet 9 supporting the sink 8. Is located in. Further, the lower ends of the two water supply pipes 3 are connected to the water stopcocks 4 which are separately arranged on the left and right in the cabinet. Of the two water supply pipes 3, one is a water supply pipe and the other is a hot water supply pipe. The water stopcock 4 is connected to the water pipe installed in the building where the sink 2 is installed, and the water supply pipe 3 for hot water supply is connected to the water heater (not shown) so that hot water can be supplied by the operation of the water heater. It is configured.

In each water supply pipe 3, a solenoid valve 13 is incorporated in a portion close to the water stop valve 4, and a mounting box 12A accommodating a drive unit 12 having a drive circuit for opening / closing these is installed in the vicinity of the left and right solenoid valves 13. Has been done.
Further, a columnar control box 10A containing the control unit 10 is installed at a position isolated on the right-hand side of the manual faucet 1 on the top plate 16 on the back side of the sink 8 shown in FIG. There is.
If the pipes and wiring are hidden by the cabinet 1, the sink 8, and the top plate 16 in FIG. 1 and the pipes and wiring cannot be visually recognized, the positions of the pipes and wiring cannot be recognized. Therefore, in FIG. 1, the cabinet 1, the sink 8, and the top plate 16 are seen through. The solid line is displayed so that the installation position of piping, wiring, and other equipment can be visually recognized. Actually, the piping and wiring are hidden by the cabinet 1, the sink 8, and the top plate 16.

As shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 2, the non-contact type first sensor 17 is attached to the central portion of the side surface (front surface) of the control box 10A on the sink side, and the non-contact type second sensor 18 is attached to the central portion of the upper surface. ing. An operation unit 10a consisting of operation buttons is provided on the upper side (front surface) of the control box 10A, a display unit 10b is provided below the operation unit 10a, and a mode switching unit consisting of a mode changeover switch is provided on the right side of the first sensor 17 below the display unit 10b. Switching means) 10c is provided. Further, a notification unit 10d having a built-in speaker is provided on the lower side (front surface) of the control box 10. In the present embodiment, the display unit 10b adopts a configuration in which a plurality of LED (light emitting diode) lights are arranged at equal intervals.

As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 12 is provided with a drive circuit for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 13 inside the mounting box 12A, and the solenoid valve opening switch 12a for opening the solenoid valve 13 is provided on the upper surface of the mounting box 12A. It is provided, and a power storage unit 12b is provided inside. The power storage unit 12b includes a storage battery or a capacitor that serves as a backup power source for energizing the drive circuit. Further, an electric wiring 14 for energizing from an external power source and a signal line 11 for receiving a control signal from the control unit 10 in the drive circuit are connected to the drive circuit inside the mounting box 12A.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first sensor 17 is a chain line in FIG. 1 extending from the front side of the manual faucet 1 to the diagonally right back side with a certain height and width range (both are in a range of about several tens of centimeters). It is an object sensing sensor whose detection range is the first sensor detection area 17a shown.
The second sensor 18 is an object sensing sensor in which the upper region of the upper surface of the control box 10A is a region slightly wider than the upper surface and the detection range is about several cm to several tens of cm.
The first sensor 17 is a sensor for detecting the presence of an object such as a faucet user's hand in the first inspection detection area 17a and performing the operation described later. The second sensor 18 is an object sensing sensor for detecting the existence of an object such as a faucet user's hand above the control box 10A and performing the operation described later.

The sensors 17 and 18 mounted on the control unit 10 are more specifically sensors having different detection ranges. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first sensor 17 arranged on the side surface side (front side) of the control unit 10 is located on the sink 8 side from the front surface of the control unit 10 in a range of, for example, about 40 cm (the first sensor shown in FIG. 1). It is an object sensing sensor that detects the sensor detection area 17a). Further, the second sensor 18 arranged above the control unit 10 covers a range slightly wider than the upper surface of the control unit 10, for example, about 10 cm above (second sensor detection area 18a shown in FIG. 1). It is an object detection sensor to detect.
The detection range of the sensors 17 and 18 described above is an example, and various usage conditions can be met by appropriately setting the detection range according to the installation position of the control unit.

The electric circuit provided in the control unit 10 and the drive circuit provided in the drive unit 12 are interconnected by a signal line 11 and an electric wiring 14, and the drive unit 12 and the two solenoid valves 13 are connected to another signal line 11. And are interconnected by electrical wiring 14. Further, although omitted in FIG. 1, a part of the electrical wiring 14 is connected to a power supply unit 21 such as an outlet provided inside the cabinet 9, or an outlet provided on the wall 19 around the cabinet. It is connected to the power supply unit 21 such as, and is configured to be able to supply power to the drive unit 12 and the control unit 10.
Although not particularly described in FIG. 1, when the electric wiring 14 is not connected to the power supply unit 21, a power source such as a storage battery is separately provided in the cabinet 9, and the drive unit 12 and the control unit are provided from the storage battery via the electric wiring 14. You may supply power to 10. Further, the power storage unit 12b built in the mounting box 12A serves as a temporary power source for the operation of the drive unit 12 in an emergency such as a power failure.

Wiring of the signal line 11 and / or the electrical wiring 14 can be performed by using a gap between the back surface of the top plate 16 and the wall 19, a gap between the door 20 on the front surface of the sink 2, and the cabinet 9. If the wiring is exposed, a through hole 15 is provided in the installation portion of the control unit 10, for example, the faucet installation base 7 or the top plate 16 so that the through hole 15 directly reaches the inside of the cabinet 9. Can be wired. In that case, the hole diameter of the through hole is small enough to allow wiring to be inserted, so that the hole processing can be reduced. Further, the control unit 10 can be arranged above the through hole 15 and the through hole 15 can be covered with the control box 10A, whereby the wiring passed through the through hole 15 can be prevented from being exposed.

The faucet automation device of the present embodiment includes a control unit 10, a drive unit 12, electromagnetic valves 13, 13 and a signal line 11 and an electrical wiring 14 connecting them.

In the installation of the faucet automation device of the present embodiment, the faucet 4 is operated in the closed state, the connection portion between each supply pipe 3 and the faucet 4 is separated, and then each supply pipe 3 and the faucet 4 are installed. The solenoid valve 13 is sandwiched between the two, one supply pipe 3 is connected to one solenoid valve 13, and the other supply pipe 3 is connected to the other solenoid valve 14.
After that, the drive unit 12 is arranged on the bottom plate, side plate, back plate side, etc. in the cabinet 9, and the electrical wiring 14 is connected. Finally, a through hole 15 is provided in the top plate 16 or the faucet installation table 7, a signal line 11 and / or an electric wiring 14 is inserted into the through hole 15 and pulled out onto the top plate 16 or the faucet installation table 7 for control. By connecting to the unit 10, the control unit 10 and the drive unit 12 can be connected to the signal line 11 and the electric wiring 14.
The portion where the signal line 11 and the electric wiring 14 are pulled out on the top plate 16 through the through hole 15 and the peripheral portion thereof can be covered by installing the control box 10A on the top plate 16.

When the control unit 10 is installed on the sink 2, it is not necessary to attach / detach the existing manual faucet body or attach parts, so that it can be arranged according to the purpose of use of the user. If installed in, it can be used like a general automatic faucet.
For example, when used by elderly people, wheelchair users, etc., by arranging the control unit 10 in front of the existing manual faucet 1, the automatic faucet can be operated at hand, and each sensor can operate the water. The automatic faucet, which is integrated with the faucet, can be used for a wide range of purposes.

Whether the power supplied to the drive unit 12 and the control unit 10 installed in the faucet automation device of the present embodiment is a commercial power source or a storage battery depends on whether or not a power source is installed around the existing manual faucet 1. It can be selected, and as an example, a method of using an AC adapter and a storage battery properly can be selected.

Further, regarding the power supply method, if the power is supplied to either the drive unit 12 or the control unit 10 and the power is distributed to the other by the electric wiring 14, the power supply is installed inside or outside the cabinet 9. Even if it can be dealt with. In addition, if a configuration in which a power source is provided individually is adopted, if a commercial power source cannot be used, the storage batteries can be distributed to each device to suppress the increase in size of each device, and in particular, the control unit. With respect to 10, the degree of freedom in selecting the installation location is increased, and the shape can be made preferable in terms of appearance, so that it can be widely used for various installation conditions of the manual faucet 1.

Further, in the faucet automation device of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to attach new parts or attach / detach the faucet body to the existing manual faucet 1, and the faucet automation device of the present embodiment does not need to be installed. The appearance of the manual faucet 1 can be maintained. Further, since it is possible to eliminate the occurrence of obstacles around the existing manual faucet 1 and its spout, it is possible to perform the automated operation of the faucet and the work around the spout portion in cooperation without any trouble.

The solenoid valve 13 is incorporated between a supply pipe 3 for supplying hot water or water to an existing manual faucet 1 and a water stop faucet 4, and is connected to a drive unit 12 by an electric wiring 14. Water and hot water are supplied to the existing manual faucet 1 by the valve opening operation of 13, and the supply of water or hot water to the manual faucet 1 is stopped by the valve closing operation.
Therefore, by opening the water stop valve 4 and adjusting the opening degree of the operation lever 5 in advance, the structure is such that water can be discharged / stopped from the water discharge port 6 by opening / closing the solenoid valve 13. There is.

In the faucet automation device of the present embodiment, the water amount and temperature adjusted in advance by the operation lever 5 of the existing manual faucet 1 by remotely controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 13 by the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18. Hot water can be automatically discharged and stopped from the discharge port 6, and the amount of water and the water temperature can be adjusted by the operation lever 5 even during water discharge.

In the structure shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 10 has a logic for individually controlling the operation unit 10a, the display unit 10b, the mode switching unit 10c, and the notification unit 10d in addition to the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 described above. A circuit 25 (see FIG. 5) is provided.

The mode switching unit (switching means) 10c is a switch for switching a plurality of operation modes, and in the present embodiment, each time a switch such as a button is pressed, the mode switching unit (switching means) 10c shifts to four operation modes described later one by one. Can be done.

The logic circuit 25 receives the object detection result of the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 and uses the solenoid valve 13 for the drive unit 12 according to each operation mode of modes 1 to 4 selected by the mode switching unit 10c. A circuit that issues an open / close command, receives a voltage abnormality detection result from the drive unit 12, and controls the display unit 10b or the notification unit 10d to notify the user by light emission, blinking, and / or sound. be.
The logic circuit 25 is provided with a central processing unit 25a, and has a function of sending an opening / closing operation command (output signal) to the logic circuit 26 built in the drive unit 12 according to the result of object detection by the sensors 17 and 18. .. Further, the on-off valve operation command is sent to the logic circuit 26 and executed according to the selected mode of any of modes 1 to 4 among the four operation modes selected according to the switch operation of the mode switching unit 10c. Has a function.

The central processing unit 25a has a built-in storage unit that stores the detection status of the sensors 17 and 18, the current solenoid valve open / closed status, and the current operation mode. ) Is lit and displayed on the display unit 10b, or has a function of operating as a display sound, an alarm sound, or the like via the notification unit 10d.
In the control unit 10 having the configuration shown in FIG. 5, an AC adapter (power supply device) 28 or a battery 29 that can be connected to a power supply unit 21 such as a commercial power supply is installed, and from any of these, a logic circuit 25 and a display unit 10b are provided. It is configured to be able to individually supply the required power to each of the notification units 10d.

The drive unit 12 is separately provided with a logic circuit 26 for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 13 in response to an opening / closing operation command (output signal) from the logic circuit 25. The logic circuit 26 operates by receiving power from an AC adapter (power supply device) 30 connected to a commercial power source such as an outlet or power from a separately provided battery 31 or the like, and controls the opening / closing operation of the solenoid valves 13 and 13. do.
Further, the logic circuit 26 is provided with a function of detecting a voltage drop when the battery 31 is used as a power source, and when a voltage abnormality signal of the battery 31 is detected, a detection signal equal to or higher than the voltage is sent to the central processing unit 25a. It has a function of displaying a warning state on the display unit 10b via the central processing unit 25a or generating a warning sound from the speaker of the notification unit 10d.

The display unit 10b and the notification unit 10d display the current object detection status of the sensors 17 and 18 and the operation mode and the open / close command status of the solenoid valve 13, and output different light emission, blinking and / or sound when each state changes. be able to.

In the faucet automation device shown in FIG. 1, four types of operation modes, modes 1 to mode 4, are provided as shown in FIG. These modes 1 to 4 are recorded in a storage unit such as a memory built in the logic circuit 25.
The purpose of mode 1 is to save water by opening the solenoid valves 13 and 13 when the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 detects an object and closing the solenoid valves 13 and 13 when the sensors 17 and 18 stop detecting an object. This mode is controlled by the operation of the solenoid valve 13 linked to the object detection of the sensors 17 and 18. According to this mode 1, the solenoid valve 13 is opened while the user's hand is present in the first sensor detection area 17a or the second sensor detection area 18a and the sensors 17 and 18 detect the presence of the hand. It enables water to be discharged from the water discharge port 6.

In mode 2, the solenoid valves 13 and 13 are opened when the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 detects an object, and the solenoid valves 13 are closed when the second sensor 18 detects an object again in this state. This mode is aimed at water.
In the control of this mode 2, when the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 detects an object, the numerical value 1 is internally stored in the memory (not shown) provided in the logic circuit 25, and the second sensor 18 is in this state. When the sensor 18 detects an object, the numerical value 1 stored in the memory is reset to 0. If the numerical value of the information stored in the memory is 1, the solenoid valve 13 is opened, and if the numerical value is 0, the solenoid valve 13 is opened. This is a mode in which the solenoid valve 13 is operated as closed.
By opening the solenoid valve 13, it is possible to manually switch between water supply and hot water supply using the manual faucet 1, and by closing the solenoid valve 13, the water supply or hot water supply from the manual faucet 1 is automatically stopped. can.

In mode 2, it is preferable to have a function of automatically closing the solenoid valve 13 after a lapse of a certain period of time after the solenoid valve 13 is opened by the numerical value 1 recorded in the memory.

Mode 3 is a mode in which the object detection by the first sensor 17 is not reflected in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve 13 among the operations of mode 2, and water does not come out even if the object moves around the sink 8 such as when washing dishes. This is the mode to do.
When the second sensor 18 detects an object in this mode 3, the same operation as in mode 2 is performed. Therefore, it is possible to control the sink 8 so that water does not come out even if an object moves around it, such as when washing dishes. However, when the user brings his / her hand close to the second sensor 18, the numerical value of the information stored in the memory is numerical. If the value is 1, the solenoid valve 13 is open, and if the value is 0, the solenoid valve 13 is closed and the solenoid valve 13 can be operated. Therefore, even if an object moves around the sink 8 such as when washing dishes, the water supply or hot water supply from the manual faucet 1 can be continued or the water supply or hot water supply can be stopped without being affected by the movement. ..

Therefore, even if the hand is moved by washing the dishes in the sink 8, it is possible to continue washing the dishes while continuously discharging hot water or water from the spout 6.
To stop the discharge of hot water or water from this state, either operate the operating lever 5 of the manual faucet 1 to manually stop the hot water or water, or move your hand to the second sensor detection area 18a. 2 Hot water or water can be automatically stopped by operating the sensor 18.

Mode 4 is a mode in which all object detection by the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 is not reflected in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve 13. The solenoid valve 13 opens when switching to the mode 4, and then switches to another mode. Unless the switch is made, the solenoid valve 13 is fixed in the open state, so that the manual faucet 1 can be manually operated and the manual faucet 1 can be used as in the conventional mode.

The operation mode can be switched in the direction of 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 each time the switch of the mode switching unit 10c installed in the control unit 10 is pressed, and 4 when the current mode is 4. The operation of switching from → 3 to 2 to 1 can be repeated, and the state can be notified by light emission or blinking on the display unit 10b and / or by sounding or the like on the notification unit 10d.

The above-mentioned switching between the operation modes 1 to 4 may be set in the memory as a substitute for the switch operation of the mode switching unit 10c by causing the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 to detect an object substantially at the same time. can.
If this setting is stored in the memory, all operations can be performed by repeating the operation of causing the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 to detect an object substantially at the same time without touching the control unit 10 in normal times. , The manual faucet 1 and the control unit 10 can be operated without getting wet at the time of operation and avoiding soiling them.

In the faucet automation device of the present embodiment, as another type of operation mode, the first sensor 17 is set to automatic water discharge, the second sensor 18 is set to continuous water discharge in mode 1, and the object in the second sensor 18 is set in mode 2. The detection is set to a mode that does not reflect the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 13, the mode 3 sets the mode in which the object detection by the first sensor 17 is not reflected in the opening / closing control of the electromagnetic valve 13, and the mode 4 sets the first sensor 17 or Can prepare an operation mode optimal for the usage conditions of the faucet automation device of the present embodiment, such as setting a mode in which all object detection by the second sensor 18 is not reflected in the open / close control of the electromagnetic valve 13. For the setting of these operation modes, necessary information may be written in the memory built in the logic circuit 25, and the necessary settings may be made according to the user's preference.

Further, the switching order of the operation modes can be set according to the user's preference, such as the switching order in which the modes are repeated in the order of 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4.

The open / closed state of the solenoid valve 13 before energizing the faucet automation device of the present embodiment is closed when the power is cut off in the operation mode of the object detection standby of modes 1 to 3, but it is open in other cases. Since it is in a state, when the energization of this device is started, the solenoid valve closing operation is automatically performed once, and the state of the solenoid valve is unified to the closed position before the control is started. , It is possible to prevent inadvertent water discharge when energized.
It is preferable to set the control operation to start in the operation mode 1 first when the faucet automation device of the present embodiment is energized.

After that, the operation mode can be switched to either mode 2 or mode 4 by operating the mode switching switch of the mode switching unit 10c.
Alternatively, the operation mode can be set to any of the target modes 1 to 4 by bringing the sensors 17 and 18 close to each other to detect both at the same time and substituting the switch operation for mode switching, and the manual faucet. 1 can be used as an automatic faucet based on 4 modes.

In FIG. 1, the solenoid valve opening / closing command from the control unit 10 is an opening / closing command according to the operation mode from the control unit 10 when the non-contact type first sensor 17 or the non-contact type second sensor 18 detects an object. Is output to the drive circuit of the drive unit 12, and the drive circuit supplies the power required for opening and closing to the solenoid valve 13 to operate the solenoid valve 13.
Since the solenoid valve 13 is a latch type and requires power only when the opening / closing operation is performed, the current state can be maintained and power consumption can be suppressed unless the next opening / closing power is supplied. ..
Therefore, if the power is cut off when the solenoid valve 13 is closed, the solenoid valve 13 can be fixed in the open state by supplying open power to the solenoid valve once, so that the manual faucet 1 can be used as it is. It has become.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the mode transition flow in the control unit provided in the faucet automation device according to the present invention.
In this example, the first operation mode (mode 1) is set to be selected as the initial setting value when the power is turned on, and in the first operation mode (mode 1), both the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 are objects. This mode performs automatic water discharge control to detect the existence. When both the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 detect an object, water is discharged or stopped, so that this is an operation mode in which water can be saved.
The second operation mode (mode 2) is a mode in which continuous water discharge is possible when both the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 detect an object.
The fourth operation mode (mode 4) is a mode in which detection is disabled for both the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18, and manual water discharge control is performed with the solenoid valve 13 in the open state.
In this example, the mode is set so that the mode can be moved one by one in the reciprocating direction each time the switch of the mode switching unit 10c is operated. That is, the mode can be selected in the order of 1 → 2 → 4 → 2 → 1 → 2, or the mode can be selected in the order of 4 → 2 → 1 → 2 → 4.

In this mode transition flow, the flow is switched to the temporary mode transition 1 flow on the right side of FIG. 6 by simultaneous object detection of the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18, and the return is performed after a certain period of time (for example, after 10 minutes have elapsed). ) Can be set to automatically return. The time for automatic recovery is not limited to 10 minutes, and may be any time such as 3 minutes or 5 minutes.
In this operation mode, the object detection of the first sensor 17 is invalidated in the mode 1, and the water is discharged or stopped by the object detection of the second sensor 18, so that the water can be saved. In the mode 2, the object detection of the first sensor 17 is invalidated, and the object detection of the second sensor 18 results in continuous water discharge, so that the operation mode enables continuous water discharge.
Mode 3-1 in which the detection of the first sensor 17 is invalidated by simultaneous object detection of the first sensor 17 and the second sensor 18 while mode 1 or mode 2 is selected, and water can be saved only by the second sensor 18, and a mode in which continuous water discharge is possible. You can select 3-2.

Further, by setting the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 to continuous detection for a long time (for example, detection for 3 seconds), the flow is switched to the temporary mode transition 2 flow at the lower side of FIG. If it is water-saving, it can be switched to continuous water only once, and if it is continuous, it can be switched to water-saving only once (next time, return to the original).
In the first operation mode (mode 1), when the second sensor 18 detects an object, water saving starts to be discharged, but when a continuous object is continuously detected for 3 seconds or more, the water discharge is automatically switched to continuous discharge only at the time of this water discharge. Can be done.
In the second operation mode (mode 2), continuous water discharge is started by the object detection of the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18, but when the object is continuously detected for 3 seconds or more, the water saving is automatically switched only at the time of this discharge. Can be done.
By switching to the operation mode flow shown in FIG. 6, the user temporarily switches to mode 1 (mode 2) ← → 1st sensor with 1 action (both the 1st sensor 17 and the 2nd sensor 18 detect the existence of an object). It is possible to move to and return to the invalid state. Further, the long-term detection of the first sensor 17 or the second sensor 18 makes it possible to automatically switch water saving ← → continuously only temporarily at the time of discharge.

By selecting the mode transition shown in FIG. 6, the following problems in the case of the mode transition shown in FIG. 4 can be solved.
In the case of the previous mode transition, if you want to detect and disable only the first sensor, shift from mode 1 to mode 3, and if you want to return to mode 1 again, shift to mode 1 → mode 2 → mode 3 as an operation. In order to return, it is necessary to sequentially shift to mode 3 → mode 4 → mode 3 → mode 2 → mode 1, which causes a problem that it takes time.
On the other hand, according to the flow of FIG. 6, it can be automatically restored after a certain period of time has elapsed. For example, the dishes can be washed with continuous spouting water, and after 10 minutes have passed, the mode can be automatically returned to the original mode. Further, in the conventional mode 3, the second sensor is fixed by continuous discharge, but in the flow of FIG. 6, the second sensor is saved by performing the temporary mode transition 1 while the mode 1 is selected. Can be done.
Further, in the case of the mode transition shown in FIG. 4, in the order of mode 1 → mode 2, and then returned, the order is mode 2 → mode 3 → mode 4 → mode 3 → mode 2 → mode 1. Therefore, mode 1 There is a problem that it takes time to return to.

On the other hand, according to the flow of FIG. 6, when the first sensor 17 is continuously detected for a long time (for example, 3 seconds), the second sensor 18 is detected for a continuous long time (for example, 3 seconds) if it is continuous only at the time of water discharge. Then, only when the water is discharged, it can be changed to continuous water saving if it is continuous, and to water saving if it is continuous, and it has a feature that the time can be shortened.
That is, by properly using the mode selection on the right side or the mode selection on the lower side shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to temporarily switch to a state close to modes 2 and 3 while mode 1 is selected, and mode 2 is selected. You can temporarily go back and forth between modes 1 and 3 inside. Therefore, it has a feature that all a series of operations can be performed in one mode.
Therefore, in this case, the normal mode selection in FIG. 6 means the initial setting, and the mode selection is performed by the mode switching unit 10c, but once the mode is selected, all subsequent normal operations can be performed without contact. ..
By extending the time for simultaneous detection, it is possible to switch modes in a non-contact manner, but since there is a possibility that the mode will switch against the will of the user, switching by operating the mode switching unit 10c with priority on usability. Is preferable.

1 ... Manual faucet, 2 ... Sink, 3 ... Supply pipe (water supply / hot water supply), 4 ... Water stop faucet, 5 ... Operation lever,
6 ... spout, 7 ... faucet installation stand, 8 ... sink, 9 ... cabinet, 10 ... control unit,
10A ... Control box, 10a ... Operation unit, 10b ... Display unit, 10c ... Mode switching unit (switching means), 10d ... Notification unit, 11 ... Signal line, 12 ... Drive unit, 12A ... Mounting box,
12a ... Solenoid valve open switch, 12b ... Storage unit, 13 ... Solenoid valve, 14 ... Electrical wiring,
15 ... through hole, 16 ... top plate, 17 ... first sensor, 17a ... first sensor detection area,
18 ... 2nd sensor, 18a ... 2nd sensor detection area, 19 ... wall, 20 ... door, 21 ... power supply unit,
25, 26 ... Logic circuit, 28, 30 ... AC adapter, 29, 31 ... Battery.

Claims (10)

A manual faucet, a solenoid valve connected to a supply pipe that supplies water to and / or hot water to the manual faucet, a drive unit that drives the opening and closing of the solenoid valve, a control unit that controls the drive unit, and the control unit. One or more sensors instructing the opening and closing of the solenoid valve and one or more display units for displaying the control state of the solenoid valve are provided in the control unit, and signals from the control unit, the drive unit, and the solenoid valve are transmitted. It is provided with a signal line for transmission and reception, and an electric wiring for supplying the control unit, the drive unit, and the solenoid valve from the power supply unit.
The control unit is arranged separately from the manual faucet, and a through hole for communicating the signal line and / or the electrical wiring connecting the control unit and the drive unit is provided on the installation surface of the control unit . A faucet automation device that features this. The faucet automation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged in the vicinity of the manual faucet. The faucet automation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply unit is a commercial power source or a storage battery. In the control unit of the faucet automation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, regarding the operating state of the solenoid valve, the operating state of opening and closing the solenoid valve and the operating state of the solenoid valve are open. A faucet automation device characterized by having a selection control function of an operating state to be held. In the control unit of the faucet automated apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the manual faucet erected to sink rear faucet installation base, the sink region to the control unit A faucet automation device characterized in that a first sensor having an area around the faucet installation table as a first sensor detection area and a second sensor having an area above the control unit as a second sensor detection area are provided. .. When the first sensor or the second sensor detects an object in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to claim 5, the solenoid valve is opened, and the first sensor or the second sensor detects the object. A faucet automation device provided with a mode 1 for closing the solenoid valve when the solenoid valve is no longer used. When the solenoid valve is opened when the first sensor or the second sensor detects an object in the control unit of the faucet automation device according to claim 5, and the second sensor detects the object again in this state. A faucet automation device characterized by providing a mode 2 for closing a solenoid valve. The control unit of the faucet automation device according to claim 5 does not reflect the object detection by the first sensor in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve, and opens the solenoid valve when the second sensor detects an object. A faucet automation device provided with a mode 3 for closing a solenoid valve when the second sensor detects an object again in this state. The control unit of the faucet automation device according to claim 5 is provided with a mode 4 in which all object detection by the first sensor or the second sensor is not reflected in the opening / closing control of the solenoid valve. Faucet automation device. The control unit according to claim 5, at least two of mode 4 according to claim 9 and Mode 3 according to Mode 2 and claim 8 according to Mode 1 and claim 7 according to claim 6 The faucet automation device according to claim 5 , wherein the above modes are provided, and the control unit is provided with a switching means for switching the plurality of modes.

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