JPH022123Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automatic faucet that automatically controls the start and stop of water supply based on a sensing signal from a detector.

Various structures have been known for this automatic faucet, but the simplest one is the one made by the Japanese government in 1977-937.
There is a publication number.

To explain the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 37-937, a light emitter is attached to the front of the base of the water spouting device, and a light receiver is attached near the spout at the tip, so that the solenoid valve opens while the light beam is blocked by hand. It is composed of

However, with this conventional system, the light rays are blocked by the water flow, resulting in a sensing state, and even if you withdraw your hand, the water may not flow, or the water spewed out from the spout may scatter and reach the vicinity of the spout. There is a risk that the water will adhere to the installed light receiver and block the light beam, resulting in a sensing state and water continuing to flow.

Therefore, the technical problem that this invention aims to solve is to install a photoelectric detector in a place where the water discharged from the water spout is difficult to adhere to, and to sense the discharged water flow so that it does not generate a sensing signal. be.

The technical means taken by the present invention in order to achieve the above-mentioned technical problem is comprised of a water washer, a base part, and an arm part that extends forward continuously from the base part and has a water spout on the lower surface of its front end. The water dispensing device is formed of a water washer, the base part is attached to the counter surface of the water washer, and the water spout faces the bowl part of the water washer, and a light emitter and a light receiver are provided. a diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector that generates a sensing signal when the reflected light is received by a light receiver; an electric control section that generates an output while the sensing signal is being generated; and an electromagnetic valve that opens in response to water discharge and supplies water to the water washer, and a cover for a mounting hole in which the emitter and receiver of the detector are provided on the front surface of the base of the water discharge device. A cylindrical guide that is fitted into a cylindrical guide formed integrally on the back of the plate, arranged in the mounting hole, and into which the floodlight is fitted is formed so as to be slightly tilted to the side with respect to a perpendicular line passing through the center of the cover plate. , the central axis of the projected light beam from the projector,
The spout is projected diagonally forward to avoid a projection space formed by projecting the water spout in a vertical direction onto the water washer.

Since the photoelectric detector is installed on the base of the water spout, it is difficult for the water discharged from the water spout to adhere even if it scatters. Since the projected light beam is directed diagonally forward, avoiding the projection space formed by projecting in the vertical direction, the projected light beam is not reflected by the discharged water and received by the light receiver.

Since the present invention has the above configuration, it has the following unique effects.

A diffuse reflection photoelectric detector is used as a detector,
Since it is provided at the base of the water spout, it is unlikely that the water spouted from the water spout will scatter and block the light beam, resulting in a sensing state and the inconvenience of water continuing to flow.

The central axis of the projected light beam from the projector was directed diagonally forward, avoiding the projection space formed by projecting the water spout perpendicularly to the water washer, so that the light beam was blocked by the water flow and a sensing state occurred. , water will not continue to flow even after washing hands.

The floodlight is installed by fitting it into a cylindrical guide that is integrally formed on the back of the cover plate through the center of the cover plate and tilted slightly to the side with respect to the perpendicular to the mounting hole provided on the front surface of the base of the water dispensing device. The optical axis of the device can be reliably tilted at a predetermined angle, and there is no variation in the angular direction of the optical axis depending on the device.
It is possible to reliably and stably project a light beam while avoiding the discharge water flow, and there is no need for troublesome work such as optical axis adjustment on site.

Since a diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector is used as a detector, the emitter and receiver are provided adjacent to each other, making wiring easy and easy to install inside the water discharging device.

An example of implementing the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

In this embodiment, an automatic faucet is used for hand washing, and in the figure, a shows a water washer, here it is a hand wash, which is attached to a building wall 8, and a water spout b is attached to the rear of the counter surface 4. It is provided.

The water discharging tool b is formed into a roughly shaped side surface by a base part 1 and an arm part 3 extending diagonally upward and forward continuously from the upper end of the base part 1, and has a discharge water flow path 9 therein, On the lower surface of the front end of the arm portion 3, a water spout 2 communicating with the discharge water flow path 9 is opened downward and slightly tilted forward. A foaming device f is attached to the spout 2 to prevent water from scattering.

This water spout b has a cylindrical attachment part 10 at the lower end of the base part 1, and the attachment part 10 penetrates the counter surface 4 of the wash basin a and extends to the back surface of the wash basin a, and the outer peripheral surface thereof Screw nut 11 on.

That is, the base portion 1 of the water spouting device b is attached to the counter surface 4 of the washbasin a by tightening the nut 11, and the spout 2 faces the ball portion 5 of the washbasin a.

A secondary side water supply connecting pipe 12 communicating with the secondary side of a solenoid valve e, which will be described later, is inserted into the water discharging tool b from the mounting portion 10 and connected to the discharge water flow path 9.

Further, the water discharging tool b is provided with a diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector c on the front surface of the base portion 1.

The diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector c is equipped with a light emitter 6 such as a light emitting diode and a light receiver 7 such as a phototransistor. Vessel 7
It is configured to emit a sensing signal when it receives light, and is fitted in a cartridge style into a mounting hole 13 made on the front surface of the base 1 of water spouting tool b, and is secured with a screw. It is pulled out from the mounting part 10 to the back side of the wash basin a and connected to a control part d, which will be described later, with a connector or the like 15.

This diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector c moves the projector 6 diagonally forward so that the center axis A of its projected light beam avoids the projection space B formed by projecting the water spout 2 in a direction perpendicular to the washbasin a. Directed.

Generally, the water spout 2 is tilted slightly forward as in this embodiment so that the water is discharged ahead of the water spout b in order to prevent hands from touching the water spout b when washing hands. It opens downward.

When the water force is strong, the discharged water is discharged in the direction of the spout 2, and when the water force is weak, the water is discharged in the projection space B formed by projecting the spout 2 in the vertical direction to the washbasin a. Follow the instructions and dispense.
(See Figure 4) Therefore, at least when the water force is weak, the floodlight 6
It is sufficient to prevent the infrared rays emitted from hitting the discharged water.

In other words, the infrared rays projected from the projector 6 may avoid the projection space B formed by projecting the spout 2 in a direction perpendicular to the washbasin a.

In addition, the direction of the water spout 2 may be substantially vertically downward.

In the present invention, the light emitter 6 and light receiver 7 of the diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector c are connected to the mounting hole 13 on the front surface of the water discharging device base 1.
Main body 1
6 is fitted into a cylindrical guide 18 provided integrally with the front cover plate 17, and the cylindrical guide 18 into which the projector 6 is fitted is aligned with respect to a perpendicular line passing through the center of the cover plate 17.
It is tilted to the side by about 13 degrees.

The light emitter 6 and the light receiver 7 face the user's side in front of the washbasin a via a filter section 19 provided at the center of the cover plate 17 that allows only infrared rays to pass through.

Therefore, the infrared rays projected from the projector 6 are projected forward in the direction of extension of the cylindrical guide 18, that is, tilted to the side by about 13 degrees, and the water spout 2 is projected in a direction perpendicular to the washbasin a. outside of the projected space. In other words, it does not come into contact with the discharged water.

It will be more effective if a flow regulating member such as a foaming device f is attached to the spout 2 to prevent the discharged water from twisting or scattering.

Furthermore, since the photoelectric detector c is shaped like a cartridge, when the photoelectric detector c breaks down, the main body 16 can be removed from the water discharging tool b and easily replaced with another photoelectric detector c.

On the other hand, the solenoid valve e is a known solenoid valve that opens when energized and closes when the energization is cut off, and the control unit d
It is housed in a case 20 and placed in the space below the wash basin a, and is connected to a water supply pipe 22 with an inlet 21 buried in the wall surface 8 through a primary water supply connection pipe 25 equipped with a water stop valve 23 and a strainer 24. Connect the outlet 26 to the water discharging tool b via the secondary water supply connection pipe 12.
Connect to.

The control section d receives a sensing signal from the diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector c and controls the energization of the solenoid valve e, and the detector c starts sensing and a predetermined sorting time elapses.
After T ₁ (for example, several msec. to 0.5 sec.), the solenoid valve e is continuously energized while the detector c is sensing the human body, and after the sensing is finished, a predetermined delay closing time T ₂ ( For example, the electromagnetic valve e is configured to stop energizing the solenoid valve e after 0.5 sec. to 2 sec.).

Furthermore, the control unit d determines that if the energization time to the solenoid valve e, that is, the water spouting time, is set to be slightly longer than the time required for normal hand washing or washing the face, then continuous water spouting is prohibited for a period _T3 .
(for example, 2 min. to 4 min.), and is configured to stop discharging water when the continuous water discharging time reaches the prohibition time _T3 even during sensing.

That is, as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 9, the control section d generates an activation signal when the detection signal of the detector c is generated and this generation continues for a selection time _T1 ,
And the sensing signal disappears, and this disappearing state is the delayed closing time.
The malfunction prevention circuit d-1 eliminates the generation of the start signal when the start signal continues for T ₂ , and generates a time-up signal only when the start signal continues for a prohibited time T ₃ , and resets when the start signal disappears. A timer circuit d-2, an output generation prevention circuit d-3 that generates an output generation prevention signal based on the time-up signal, and an output generation prevention circuit d-3 that generates an output to drive the solenoid valve e when only the activation signal is generated, and the activation signal is An output circuit d-4 is provided which stops generation of the output when the output generation prevention signal is absent or when the output generation prevention signal is generated together with the activation signal.

In this automatic faucet, when a person stands in front of the washbasin a for hand washing, the detector c automatically detects this and sends a signal to the control unit d, which in turn receives this signal. Based on this, the solenoid valve e is opened to start water supply.

This water supply starts after a sorting time _T1 after the detector e starts sensing the user's hand, etc., and stops after a delay closing time _T2 after the detection disappears.

If the water supply continues abnormally longer than the time required for normal hand washing or washing, the water supply will automatically stop after the prohibition time _T3 even if sensing is in progress. The time chart is shown in Figure 10.

The prohibition time _T3 is provided to prevent water from flowing out due to some reason, such as soap liquid adhering to the detector c and being detected.

In the above example, when you put your hand out to the wash basin a,
This can be called an automatic sensing method that automatically senses this and starts water supply regardless of whether or not there is an intention to wash hands. a malfunction prevention circuit d-1 that generates a start signal when the start signal rises, and a bistable multivibrator circuit that generates an output generation signal at the rise of the first start signal and is reset and stops generating the output signal at the rise of the next start signal. d-5
The inhibition time starts from the start of output signal generation.
a timer circuit d-2 that generates a time-up signal after _T3 and resets when the output signal disappears;
A bistable multivibrator reset circuit d-6 resets the bistable multivibrator circuit d-5 based on the time-up signal, and generates an output to drive the solenoid valve e while the bistable multivibrator circuit d-5 is generating an output signal. Output circuit d-
4, when you want to wash your hands, you consciously hold your hand in front of the detector e before washing your hands to start water supply at the sorting time _T1 and start washing your hands.
It is also possible to incorporate what can be called an intention detection method that stops the water supply after the sorting time T ₁ by waving your hand in front of the detector c again after washing your hands, so that the control unit for both types can be used in one circuit. It is.

Its block diagram is shown in FIG. In this block diagram, the mode changeover switch circuit d-7 and the output control circuit d-8 are used to switch between the automatic sensing method and the volitional sensing method. In this way, it is only necessary to prepare one control section d, and management is easy.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a circuit in which the mode changeover switch circuit d-7 is configured with a manual changeover switch.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, an automatic sensing type detector c is installed on the front surface of the base 1 of the water discharging device b.
It is also possible to provide an intention-sensing type detector c' for each, and to automatically set the mode changeover switch circuit d-7 depending on which detector c is used first.

In addition, 27 in the figure is a drain pipe, 28 is a soap liquid container, 2
9 is a bypass valve for power outage compensation.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, water supply and
Although the system is stopped, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, it is also possible to configure the water discharging device b to discharge mixed water at a desired temperature.

That is, a hot water mixing faucet 32 connected to a water side pipe 30 and a hot water side pipe 31 is installed on the upstream side of the solenoid valve e,
The mixed water outlet 33 of this hot water mixing faucet 32 and the solenoid valve e
It is only necessary to connect the inlet 21 of the inlet. Hot water mixing faucet 3
For example, if you use a thermostatic mixing valve that automatically adjusts the mixed water temperature to the desired temperature,
It's convenient.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of an automatic water faucet in use, showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side view with a portion cut away, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged front view of the water discharging device.
Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the - line in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a front view of the diffuse reflection photoelectric detector, Figure 6 is a side view, Figure 7 is a partially cutaway plan view, and Figure 8 is the back side. 9 is a block diagram, FIG. 10 is a time chart, and FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an electric circuit thereof, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are front views of still other embodiments of the automatic faucet. a... Water washer, b... Water discharging tool, c... Diffuse reflection photoelectric detector, d... Electric control unit, e... Solenoid valve, 1... Base part of the water discharging tool, 2... Water discharging tool spout, 3... arm of water spout, 4... counter surface of washer, 5... bowl of washer, 6... emitter of detector, 7... light receiver of detector, 13... ...Mounting hole, 17...Lid plate, 18...Cylindrical guide.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] It is formed approximately in the shape of a water washer, a base part, and an arm part that extends forward continuously from the base part and has a water spout on the lower surface of its front end, and the base part is attached to the counter surface of the water washer. A water spout is provided with a water spout whose spout faces the bowl of the washer, a light emitter and a light receiver.The light beam projected from the light emitter is reflected on the hand of the washer user, and the light receiver receives the reflected light. a diffuse reflection type photoelectric detector that generates a sensing signal; an electric control unit that generates an output while the sensing signal is being generated; and a solenoid valve for supplying water, and the emitter and receiver of the detector are fitted into a cylindrical guide integrally formed on the back surface of the cover plate of the mounting hole provided on the front surface of the base of the water discharging device. At the same time, a cylindrical guide into which the floodlight is fitted is formed slightly tilted to the side with respect to a perpendicular line passing through the center of the lid plate, so that the central axis of the projected light beam from the floodlight is aligned with the water spout. An automatic faucet device characterized in that the faucet is directed diagonally forward, avoiding a projection space formed by projecting the faucet in a direction perpendicular to the faucet.