JP7643262B2 - Faucet equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a water faucet device.

A touchless water faucet device is known that combines a first human body detection sensor whose sensing area faces the front direction of the spout with a second human body detection sensor adjacent to the first human body detection sensor whose sensing area also faces the front direction of the spout (Patent Document 1). For example, the first human body detection sensor is used to control the discharge and stopping of raw water, and the second human body detection sensor is used to control the discharge and stopping of purified water.

There is also a known touchless faucet device that combines a pair of first human body detection sensors with sensing areas facing to the left and right of the spout and a second human body detection sensor with a sensing area facing downward from the spout (Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-154512 A JP 2012-127155 A

In order to commercialize a touchless faucet device that can perform two types of water discharge and stop operations independently, the inventors have repeatedly considered optimizing the layout of the sensing area of the human body detection sensor.

In the layout described in Patent Document 1, the sensing areas of both human body sensors are oriented in the front direction of the spout, making it difficult to distinguish between the two, which means that it is easy to mistakenly operate the unintended water discharge stop operation.

In the layout described in Patent Document 2, the sensing area of the second human body sensor is oriented downward from the spout, which can easily lead to erroneous operation such as unintended water discharge and stop during tasks such as washing dishes.

The present invention was created based on the above findings. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a touchless faucet device that can independently perform two types of water discharge and stop operations and is less likely to be operated incorrectly.

The present invention is a water faucet device comprising a first object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a second object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a spout to which the first object detection sensor and the second object detection sensor are attached, and a control device that controls the spouting and stopping of water discharged from the spout, the control device switching between a first mode of water discharge and water stop based on the detection state of the first object detection sensor, and switching between a second mode of water discharge and water stop that is different from the first mode based on the detection state of the second object detection sensor, the first object detection sensor being positioned so that its detection area is formed toward one of the left and right sides from the spout, and the second object detection sensor being positioned so that its detection area is formed from the spout toward the upper side of the spout and within the area on the other left and right side of the spout.

According to the present invention, the first object detection sensor is positioned so that its detection area is formed toward one of the left and right sides from the spout, and the second object detection sensor is positioned so that its detection area is formed from the spout toward the upper side of the spout and toward the other of the left and right sides of the spout, so that the detection area of the first object detection sensor and the detection area of the second object detection sensor can be reliably distinguished. In other words, erroneous operation in which water discharge and stop control is executed in an unintended mode is unlikely to occur.

For example, the first object detection sensor can detect an object by transmitting and receiving a first signal through a first sensor window, and the second object detection sensor can detect an object by transmitting and receiving a second signal through a second sensor window, the first sensor window is disposed on a surface facing one of the left and right sides of the spout, the first signal is transmitted from the first sensor window toward an area on the one side, the second sensor window is disposed on a surface facing the upper side of the spout, the second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window toward an area on the other of the left and right sides of the spout, and the second sensor window is disposed at a lower position than the first sensor window.

In this case, the first sensor window is disposed on the surface facing one of the left and right sides of the spout, and the first signal is transmitted from the first sensor window toward the area on that one side, and the second sensor window is disposed on the surface facing the upper side of the spout, and the second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window toward the area on the other of the left and right sides of the spout. This makes it possible to reliably distinguish and detect the act of placing a hand over the first sensor window from the act of placing a hand over the second sensor window. In other words, it is unlikely that an erroneous operation in which water discharge/stop control is executed in an unintended mode will occur.

It is preferable that the second sensor window is positioned lower than the first sensor window.

In this case, it is easy to adopt a design layout in which the height position of the hand when it is held over the first sensor window differs from the height position of the hand when it is held over the second sensor window, making it even less likely that an erroneous operation such as the water discharge/stop control of the unintended mode will be executed.

For example, the spout has a base end that extends vertically or approximately vertically, and an extension portion that is provided above the base end and extends horizontally or approximately horizontally, the first sensor window is attached to the extension portion, and the second sensor window is attached to the base end.

This allows the second sensor window to be positioned lower than the first sensor window with a simple configuration.

It is also preferable that the spout has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the other side, the second sensor window is attached to the protruding portion, and the second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window toward an obliquely forward and upward direction. Here, "forward" refers to a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction, toward the user.

By providing a protrusion, it becomes easy to position the second sensor window in the desired design position. In addition, by transmitting the second signal from the second sensor window diagonally forward and upward, when a hand is held over the second sensor window, water dripping from the hand and wetting the protrusion is prevented.

In this case, it is further preferable that the protruding portion is provided at the base end so as to protrude toward the other side, a water outlet is provided in the extension portion, and the second signal is transmitted toward the rear side of the water outlet.

With this, the detection area for the second signal is located behind the area where water is discharged from the water outlet, making it less likely that erroneous operation such as unintentional water discharge stop control will be performed during operations such as washing dishes. In addition, water from the washing operation is effectively prevented from wetting the protruding part.

It is also preferable that an operating unit for adjusting the water flow rate from the water outlet is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the spout, and the second sensor window is disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the spout.

This prevents the second object detection sensor from malfunctioning (false detection) when operating the operating part that adjusts the water flow rate from the water outlet.

The spout also has an exterior member, a water discharge head that can be pulled out from the exterior member, a water supply hose that is inserted into the exterior member and connected to the water discharge head, and a first sensor case that holds the first object detection sensor, and it is preferable that the first sensor case is fixed within the exterior member so that the first object detection sensor is located below the water supply hose.

By using the first sensor case, it is easy to position the first object detection sensor toward the lower side of the exterior component and the water supply hose toward the upper side of the exterior component, so there is no need to increase the inner diameter of the exterior component even when a pull-out water discharge head is used.

In this case, it is further preferable that the first sensor case has a water intrusion prevention wall portion that slopes downward toward the water intrusion discharge port provided in the spout.

This allows water that has entered the spout to be more reliably removed.

According to the present invention, the first object detection sensor is positioned so that its detection area is formed toward one of the left and right sides from the spout, and the second object detection sensor is positioned so that its detection area is formed from the spout toward the upper side of the spout and toward the other of the left and right sides of the spout, so that the detection area of the first object detection sensor and the detection area of the second object detection sensor can be reliably distinguished. In other words, erroneous operation in which water discharge and stop control is executed in an unintended mode is unlikely to occur.

1 is a schematic front view of a water faucet device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first water discharge state (soft water discharge) of the water faucet device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a second water discharge state (water broom discharge) of the water faucet device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a pull-out function of the water faucet device of FIG. 1 . 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first sensor case of the water faucet device of FIG. 1 in the front-rear direction.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a water faucet device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The faucet device 1 of this embodiment is a hot and cold water mixing faucet that can adjust the flow and temperature of raw water, and can also selectively use purified water instead of raw water (hot and cold water), and is placed, for example, at the rear (back) of a kitchen sink.

The lower wall surface of the kitchen sink is provided with a hot water inlet 2, a water inlet 3, and a purified water inlet 61. The hot water inlet 2 is connected to a hot water mixing valve 21 in the base end 10 of the faucet device 1 via a hot water supply solenoid valve 52 and a hot water supply pipe 22. The water inlet 3 is connected to the same hot water mixing valve 21 via a water supply solenoid valve 53 and a water supply pipe 23. The purified water inlet 61 is connected to the water inlet of the purified water cartridge 63 via a purified water supply solenoid valve 54 and a purified water supply pipe 62.

The hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is of a known configuration and is capable of controlling (operating) flow and temperature adjustments using a single lever cartridge. Specifically, hot water is supplied through a hot water supply pipe 22, and cold water is supplied through a water supply pipe 23. After being mixed to the desired flow rate and temperature depending on the position and orientation of the single lever cartridge, the water is discharged through a water outlet pipe 24 and a water supply hose 25.

The water supply hose 25 is connected to the water outlet pipe 24, and passes through a hose spacer guide 26 fixed to the water outlet pipe 24, restricting its movement in the space below the kitchen sink. In addition, a stopper 27 is attached to the water supply hose 25 below the hose spacer guide 26, restricting the amount that the water supply hose 25 can be pulled out.

A raw water/purified water branch fitting 65 is provided at the connection between the water outlet pipe 24 and the water supply hose 25, and is connected to the water outlet of the water purification cartridge 63 via the purified water outlet pipe 64.

The spout of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment has a roughly "Cross"-shaped base end 10 with a right-side (one side) protruding portion and a left-side (other side) protruding portion, a flow and temperature adjustment control lever 20 (an example of a flow adjustment control portion) provided on the right-side (one side) side of the right-side (one side) protruding portion of the base end 10, and a rotating portion 30 (including a discharge head 36 described later) provided on the upper surface side of the base end 10 so as to be rotatable relative to the base end 10. The upper portion of the rotating portion 30 is an extension portion 30e that extends horizontally.

The faucet device 1 is fixed to the rear side of a kitchen sink at the base end 10. A hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is housed inside the protruding portion on the right side (one side) of the base end 10.

The hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is a single-lever cartridge valve, and the single lever portion serves as the flow and temperature control lever 20 (an example of an operating part that adjusts the water flow rate from the water outlet).

(Rotating portion 30)
A single water outlet 41 for soft water spouting is provided near the tip of the extension 30e, which is the upper part of the rotating part 30. In addition, a plurality of water spouting holes 42 for water broom spouting are arranged in a matrix on the base end side of the water outlet 41.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first water discharge state (soft water discharge) of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment, and Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the second water discharge state (water broom water discharge) of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment.

The first water discharge state (soft water discharge) shown in FIG. 2 and the second water discharge state (water broom water discharge) shown in FIG. 3 can be arbitrarily switched by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension portion 30e.

Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the pull-out function of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the tip side of the extension part 30e of the spout of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment is a water discharge head 36 that can be pulled out from the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30. The water supply hose 25 is inserted into the exterior member 31 and connected to the water discharge head 36.

(First photoelectric sensor 33)
5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction near the first sensor case 32 of the faucet device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the first sensor case 32 that holds the first photoelectric sensor 33 (an example of a first object detection sensor) is fixed to the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30.

In this embodiment, the first sensor case 32 is fixed inside the exterior member 31 so that the first photoelectric sensor 33 is located below the water supply hose 25 (so as to separate the water supply hose 25 and the first photoelectric sensor 33 from each other).

In addition, the first sensor case 32 in this embodiment has a water intrusion prevention wall portion 32w that slopes downward toward the water intrusion drainage port 31d provided in the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30.

The first photoelectric sensor 33 has a first light-emitting element that emits a first detection light (an example of a first signal) through a first sensor window 33w (see Figs. 2 and 3), and a first light-receiving element that receives, through the first sensor window 33w, the reflected light of the first detection light emitted by the first light-emitting element. It is preferable that the first light-receiving element is disposed on the rear side of the first light-emitting element.

The first sensor window 33w is located on the surface facing the right side (one example of the left or right side) of the spout extension 30e, and the first detection light is transmitted from the first sensor window 33w toward the right side.

(Second photoelectric sensor 13)
Although detailed illustration is omitted, a second sensor case that holds a second photoelectric sensor 13 (an example of a second object detection sensor) is fixed to the exterior member of the base end portion 10 .

The second photoelectric sensor 13 has a second light-emitting element that emits a second detection light (an example of a second signal) through the second sensor window 13w, and a second light-receiving element that receives the reflected light of the second detection light emitted by the second light-emitting element through the second sensor window 13w. It is preferable that the second light-receiving element is disposed behind the second light-emitting element.

The second sensor window 13w is located on the surface facing the upper side of the left protrusion 10p that protrudes to the left side (an example of the other side) at the base end 10 of the spout, and the second detection light is transmitted from the second sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward (for example, at an angle of 60° with respect to the horizontal plane), toward the rear of the water outlet 41 and the water spray holes 42, and toward the area on the left side of the spout.

(Water discharge/stop control of the faucet device 1)
The switching from stopped water discharge to raw water discharge (first mode water discharge/stop control) is controlled by the first photoelectric sensor 33 detecting the user's "waving of the hand."

Specifically, the detection signal of the first photoelectric sensor 33 is transmitted to a controller box 55 (an example of a control device) via a harness (not shown), and a predetermined drive signal is transmitted from the controller box 55 to the hot water supply solenoid valve 52 and the water supply solenoid valve 53 via a harness (not shown) (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing the user from getting burned, the water supply solenoid valve 53 opens a predetermined time before the hot water supply solenoid valve 52 opens.

The switch from raw water discharge to water stop (first mode water discharge/water stop control) may be controlled by the first photoelectric sensor 33 detecting the user's "hand wave" again, or the water may be automatically stopped after a predetermined time or amount of water discharge.

The flow and temperature of the raw water being discharged are controlled by the user's manual operation of the flow and temperature control lever 20.

In addition, the soft water discharge (see Figure 2) and water broom water discharge (Figure 3) can be switched between at will by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension portion 30e.

On the other hand, the switch from stopped water discharge to purified water discharge (second mode water discharge/stop control) is controlled by the second photoelectric sensor 13 detecting the user's "hand wave."

Specifically, the detection signal of the second photoelectric sensor 13 is transmitted to a controller box 55 (an example of a control device) via a harness (not shown), and a predetermined drive signal is transmitted from the controller box 55 to the purified water supply solenoid valve 54 via a harness (not shown) (see FIG. 1).

The switch from purified water discharge to water stop (second mode water discharge/stop control) may be controlled by the second photoelectric sensor 13 detecting the user's "hand wave" again, or the water may be automatically stopped after a predetermined time or amount of water discharge.

The faucet device 1 of this embodiment does not have a flow rate adjustment function or a temperature adjustment function for the purified water that is discharged.

However, even when discharging purified water, the soft water discharge (see Figure 2) and water broom water discharge (Figure 3) can be switched at will by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension portion 30e.

Although not shown in the figure, a commercial AC power source is connected to the controller box 55. The harness connecting the first photoelectric sensor 33 and the second photoelectric sensor 13 to the controller box 55 includes a signal line and a power supply line. Similarly, the harness (not shown) connecting the controller box 55 to the hot water supply solenoid valve 52, the cold water supply solenoid valve 53, and the purified water supply solenoid valve 54 also includes a signal line and a power supply line.

(Actions and Effects of the Faucet Device 1)
According to the water faucet device 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the first sensor window 33w is arranged on a surface portion facing the right side of the horizontally extending extension portion 30e of the rotating portion 30 of the spout, and the first detection light is transmitted from the first sensor window 33w toward the right side, and the second sensor window 13w is arranged on a surface portion facing the upper side of the left side protrusion 10p that protrudes to the left side at the base end portion 10 of the spout, and the second detection light is transmitted from the second sensor window 13w toward the left side area of the spout, so that the act of placing a hand over the first sensor window 33w and the act of placing a hand over the second sensor window 13w can be reliably distinguished and detected. This makes it less likely that an erroneous operation in which water discharge and stop control is performed in an unintended mode will occur.

In addition, according to the faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the second sensor window 13w is positioned lower than the first sensor window 33w. This allows for a design layout in which the height position of the hand when the hand is held over the first sensor window 33w is different from the height position of the hand when the hand is held over the second sensor window 13w, making it even less likely that an erroneous operation such as the water discharge/stop control of an unintended mode will be executed.

In addition, according to the faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the spout has a base end 10 that extends vertically or approximately vertically, and an extension portion 30e (part of the rotating portion 30) that is provided above the base end 10 and extends horizontally, and the first sensor window 33w is attached to the extension portion 30e, and the second sensor window 13w is attached to the base end 10. This allows the second sensor window 13w to be positioned lower than the first sensor window 33w with a simple configuration.

In addition, according to the water faucet device 1 of this embodiment, a left-side protrusion 10p is provided that protrudes to the left side of the spout, and a second sensor window 13w is disposed on the surface facing the upper side of the protrusion 10p, and the second detection light is projected from the second sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward. By providing the protrusion 10p, it is easy to position the second sensor window 13w in the desired design position. In addition, by transmitting the second detection light from the second sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward, when a hand is held over the second sensor window 13w, water is prevented from dripping from the hand and wetting the protrusion 10p.

Furthermore, according to the faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the protrusion 10p is provided so as to protrude to the left side at the base end 10, the extension 30e is provided with the water outlet 41 and the water spray holes 42, and the second detection light is projected rearward from the water outlet 41 and the water spray holes 42. As a result, the detection area by the second detection light is located rearward of the water discharge area from the water outlet 41 or the water spray holes 42, making it less likely that erroneous operation such as unintended water discharge stop control will be performed during work such as washing dishes. In addition, water used during washing work is effectively prevented from wetting the protrusion 10p.

In addition, according to the faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the flow and temperature control lever 20 is located on the right side of the spout, and the second sensor window 13w is located on the left side of the spout. This prevents the second photoelectric sensor 13 from malfunctioning (false detection) when the flow and temperature control lever 20 is operated.

In addition, according to the water faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the spout has an exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30, a water discharge head 36 that can be pulled out from the exterior member 31, a water supply hose 25 inserted into the exterior member 31 and connected to the water discharge head 36, and a first sensor case 32 that holds a first photoelectric sensor 33. The first sensor case 32 is fixed in the exterior member 31 so that the first photoelectric sensor 33 is located on the lower side of the water supply hose 25. By using such a first sensor case 32, it is easy to position the first photoelectric sensor 33 on the lower side within the exterior member 31 and the water supply hose 25 on the upper side within the exterior member 31, and even if a pull-out water discharge head 36 is adopted, there is no need to increase the inner diameter of the exterior member 31.

The first sensor case 32 of this embodiment also has a water intrusion prevention wall portion 32w that slopes downward toward the intrusion water outlet 31d provided in the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30 of the spout. This allows water that has invaded the spout to be more reliably discharged.

In this embodiment, a photoelectric sensor is used as the object detection sensor, but the object detection sensor may be of another type as long as it can detect an object without contact. For example, a method using electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, a method using a change in capacitance when a human body approaches, or a method using a camera and image recognition may be considered.

1 Faucet device 2 Hot water inlet 3 Water inlet 10 Base end 10p Left side protrusion 13 Second photoelectric sensor 13w Second sensor window 20 Temperature control lever 21 Hot water/cold water mixing valve 22 Hot water supply pipe 23 Water supply pipe 24 Water outlet pipe 25 Water supply hose 26 Hose spacer guide 27 Stopper 30 Rotating portion 30e Extension portion 31 Appearance member 31d Intrusion water drain port 32 First sensor case 32w Intrusion water prevention wall portion 33 First photoelectric sensor 33w First sensor window 36 Water discharge head 41 Water discharge port 42 Sprinkler hole 43 Rotating switch 52 Hot water supply solenoid valve 53 Water supply solenoid valve 54 Purified water supply solenoid valve 55 Controller box 61 Purified water supply port 62 Purified water supply pipe 63 Purified water cartridge 64 Purified water outlet pipe 65 Purified water branch fitting

Claims (8)

A water faucet device,
A first object detection sensor capable of detecting an object in a non-contact manner;
A second object detection sensor capable of non-contact detection;
a spout to which the first object detection sensor and the second object detection sensor are attached;
A control device for controlling the spout to stop the water discharge;
Equipped with
The control device switches between a first mode of water discharge and a water stop based on a detection state by the first object detection sensor, and switches between a second mode of water discharge and a water stop that is different from the first mode based on a detection state by the second object detection sensor.
The first object detection sensor is disposed so that a detection area thereof is formed toward one of the left and right sides from the spout,
The second object detection sensor is disposed such that its detection area is formed from the spout toward an area above the spout and toward the other of the left and right sides of the spout ,
the first object detection sensor is capable of detecting an object by transmitting and receiving a first signal through a first sensor window;
the second object detection sensor is capable of detecting an object by transmitting and receiving a second signal through a second sensor window;
The first sensor window is disposed on a surface facing one of the left and right sides of the spout,
The first signal is transmitted from the first sensor window toward the one side region,
the second sensor window is disposed on an upwardly facing surface of the spout;
The second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window toward the other side of the spout,
The second sensor window is disposed at a lower position than the first sensor window.
A water faucet device characterized by the above. The spout is
A base end portion extending in a vertical direction or a substantially vertical direction;
An extension portion provided on an upper side of the base end portion and extending in a horizontal direction or a substantially horizontal direction;
It has
the first sensor window is attached to the extension portion,
The water faucet device according to claim 1 , wherein the second sensor window is attached to the base end portion. The spout is provided with a protruding portion protruding to the other side,
the second sensor window is attached to the protrusion;
The water faucet device according to claim 1 , wherein the second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window obliquely toward the front and upper side. The spout is provided with a protruding portion protruding to the other side,
the second sensor window is attached to the protrusion;
The water faucet device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the second signal is transmitted from the second sensor window diagonally forward and upward. The protruding portion is provided at the base end portion so as to protrude toward the other side,
The extension portion is provided with a water outlet,
The water faucet device according to claim 4, wherein the second signal is transmitted toward a rear side of the water outlet. An operating unit for adjusting the water flow rate from the water outlet is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the spout,
The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second sensor window is arranged on the other of the left and right sides of the spout. The spout is
Appearance members;
A water spouting head that can be pulled out from the exterior member;
A water supply hose inserted into the exterior member and connected to the water spouting head;
a first sensor case that holds the first object detection sensor;
It has
The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first sensor case is fixed within the exterior member so that the first object detection sensor is located below the water supply hose. The water faucet device according to claim 7, wherein the first sensor case has a water intrusion prevention wall portion that slopes downward toward an intrusion water drainage outlet provided in the spout.

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