JP2003105817A - Feed water control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a feed water control system in which mistaken sensing by the detection of members excepting a hand during the rotary-handle or level-handle operation of a faucet, the detection of the hand during washing operation or the like is reduced, to provide the feed water control system, in which the front end section of a spout is not enlarged and the appearance of the spout is not impaired and which has excellent design properties, and to improve workability by installing the feed water control system to the spout in maintenance inspection. SOLUTION: In the feed water control system with an on-off valve unit opening and closing a flow path by a detecting section having a human-body detecting means and an input from the detecting section, a controller controlling the unit and a discharging section discharging a liquid fed by the unit, an electrostatic-capacitance detection type sensor is mounted on the feed water control system as the detecting section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water supply control device used in a kitchen or a washroom, and more particularly to a water supply control device for detecting a human body by a human body detecting means and automatically stopping water supply.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a faucet device in which a pedestal part of a faucet is provided with a rotary handle or a lever handle for regulating a flow rate and a temperature, a sensor (usually having a light emitter and a light receiver is provided at a tip of a water outlet or the like. It is known that a reflection type photoelectric sensor) is provided, and water is discharged when a hand is held over the sensor, and water is stopped when the hand is held again. Regarding the reflection type photoelectric sensor provided at the tip of the water outlet of the conventional water supply control device, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-86159, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-306483, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-147942.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-220179.

It is also known that a tact switch type operation switch is provided at the tip of the water discharge port of a water faucet to discharge water when the switch is input and to stop the water when the switch is input again. Further, the tact switch type operation switch provided at the tip of the water outlet of the conventional water supply control device has been already known.

On the other hand, a water supply control device using a capacitance detection type sensor is provided on the back side of a ball or counter, and water is discharged by bringing a hand close to the surface of the ball or counter or by simply touching the ball and inputting again. There is known a water supply control device that shuts off the water when it detects a. And as a capacitance detection type sensor of the conventional water supply control device, it is proposed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-56178.

[0005]

However, the conventional water supply control device described above has the following problems.

When the detection direction of the sensor is directed forward, as in the water supply control device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-86159, a part other than the user's hand (for example, arm or body) is erroneously sensed. , There is a risk that water will be discharged when the user is not aware. In addition, JP-A-10-3064
When the detection direction is directed obliquely upward and forward as in the water supply control device shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 83, when the sensor part is held by the user's hand while using the faucet, water droplets, soap, etc. Whenever dirt such as oil is operated, it falls on the sensor part or the faucet part in the vicinity thereof, which may cause erroneous sensing or the faucet itself may become dirty. If the sensor detection direction is directed downward, there is a risk that the hand during the washing work will be detected and malfunction will occur. In the water supply control device disclosed in JP-A-3-147942, since the sensor is built in the faucet head portion, the tip portion becomes large and the design is poor, and when the sensor is installed sideways, the user There was a problem that the sensor erroneously sensed the arm when operating the rotating handle or lever handle provided on the pedestal part of the faucet, and water was discharged when the user was unaware. In the water supply control device shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-220179, when the sensor detection direction is directed to the upper right side or the upper left side in the range of 10 to 80 degrees from the vertical plane with reference to the vertical plane passing through the center of the spout, When the sensor is installed on the right side when facing the user from the faucet side, it is not convenient for right-handed users, and when it is installed on the left side, it is convenient for left-handed users. Will be bad. As described above, in the water supply control device using the sensor, there are problems such as erroneous detection at the location where the sensor is installed and poor usability.

In the water supply control device having a tact switch type operation switch which has been already known, it is necessary to provide a key top on the upper part of the tact switch and further to attach a surface sheet on the key top, which increases the size and improves the design. There was the problem of making it worse. Further, there is a problem that the surface sheet is peeled off or scratched, thereby significantly impairing the appearance. Further, the surface sheet may be peeled off or torn, so that water may enter into the switch portion, failing to maintain the sealed structure and causing a malfunction.

In the water supply control device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-56178, the capacitance detection type sensor is provided not on the faucet but on the back side of the ball or counter.
When carrying out maintenance and inspection of the sensor, there was a problem that the work could not be done unless the ball or counter was removed by sneaking in under the ball or counter on the system kitchen or vanity.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and water supply is less likely to be erroneously sensed due to detection of a hand other than the one during operation of the faucet rotary handle or lever handle, detection of a hand during washing work, and the like. The main purpose is to provide a control device. Also, the tip of the spout is not large,
It is also an object to provide a water supply control device excellent in design without damaging the appearance of the spout. Furthermore, it is intended to improve workability by installing it on a spout for maintenance and inspection.

[0010]

Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects A water supply control device according to the first aspect of the present invention is a detection part having a human body detection means, and an opening / closing means for opening / closing a flow path by an input from the detection part. In a water supply control device including a valve unit, a controller that controls the on-off valve unit, and a discharge unit that discharges the liquid supplied by the on-off valve unit, a capacitance detection sensor is provided as the detection unit. It is characterized by

As described above, the electrostatic capacity detection type sensor is constructed so that water is discharged by bringing the surface of the electrostatic capacity detection type sensor close to or touching the surface of the electrostatic capacity detection type sensor and stopping the water when the input is detected again. This solves the problem of erroneous sensing that may occur in the reflective photoelectric sensor. Further, since the tact switch type operation switch is not used, the size of the sensing portion can be suppressed, and the possibility of impairing the design can be eliminated. Furthermore, by disposing a capacitance detection type sensor in the water supply control device, it has become possible to improve usability and improve workability such as maintenance and inspection.

In the water supply control device of the second invention, the capacitance detection type sensor is characterized in that the detection distance can be freely set.

Since the detection distance can be arbitrarily determined by the user as described above, the detection distance can be set according to the purpose of use of the user and the usability can be improved.

In the water supply control device of the third invention, the capacitance detection type sensor is characterized in that the user selects and sets it in two stages of a contact type and a non-contact type.

By using the two-stage structure of the contact type and the non-contact type as described above, it is possible to properly use them depending on the installation location, such as use in a house and non-house. In other words, there are many people who want to avoid touching the faucet because non-residents use it by an unspecified number of people. On the other hand, in housing,
Since the number of users is limited, there is a need for a device that is easy to operate and has a good design, instead of requiring no contact.
It becomes possible to satisfy both of these demands.

In the water supply control device of the fourth invention, the detection area can be freely changed by connecting a plurality of the capacitance detection type sensors in parallel.

Since a plurality of devices can be connected in parallel in this way, the detection area can be freely set, and even a person with a physical disability can use it as a switch having a large area. Moreover, since the size of the switch can be changed according to the size of the water supply control device, the degree of freedom in design is increased.

In the water supply control device of the fifth invention, the capacitance detection type sensor is arranged at the tip of the water discharge port, and the tip of the water discharge port can be drawn out freely.

With such a structure, since the work of discharging water and stopping water can be performed at the water discharge port part that has been drawn out, it is possible to form a small head part.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a water supply controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a water supply controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a water supply controller of the present invention. 4 is a side view of FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a top view of the water supply control device of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a single capacitance detection sensor, and FIG. It is sectional drawing at the time of connecting a detection type sensor in parallel.

A system of a water supply controller according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The detection unit 4 changes the electrostatic capacity by bringing a hand close to the surface of the detection unit 4 or by touching it lightly, and the change causes the controller 5 to operate the on-off valve units 1a and 1b. The water is discharged from the discharge part 3 provided in the faucet body 6. In addition, the electrostatic capacitance is changed again by bringing the surface of the detection unit 4 close to the hand or touching the surface again, and the change causes the controller 5 to operate,
The on-off valve units 1a and 1b are operated to stop water.

The structure of the water supply controller according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

A valve 13 of a single cartridge type for adjusting the flow rate and the temperature is attached to the pedestal 9, and the lever handle 12 can adjust the flow rate and the temperature.

A straight base of a tubular spout 8 made of metal, for example, is inserted into the pedestal 9 so as to be swingable, and the discharge position of the liquid from the discharge port 11 can be freely changed. Connected so that you can. The liquid adjusted by the valve for adjusting the flow rate and / or the temperature is sent to the flexible hose 14 in the spout 8 in the pedestal 9.

A hose stopper 19 is attached to the tip of the flexible hose 14, and is screwed with a hose joint 15 and a set screw 17. The capacitance detection type sensor 7 is fixed to the hose joint 15, and is inserted and fixed to the cut portion of the cover 12. A hose guide 16 is attached to the tip of the spout 8, and a snap fit is provided on the hose joint 15 so that the discharge part 3 does not come off, and the hose guide 16 is fixed.

When the user wants to pull out and use the discharge part 3 when cleaning the inside of the sink or the like, when the discharge part 3 is pulled out, the snap fit of the hose joint 15 is disengaged, and the discharge can be performed freely. . Further, even if the electrostatic capacitance detection sensor 7 is arranged in the ejection portion 3 and is pulled out, an easy operation is possible and it is very easy to use.

In this embodiment, the capacitance detection type sensor 7 is preferably provided on the upper part of the faucet body. By providing it on the top of the faucet body, there is no risk of impairing operability for both right-handed and left-handed people. Further, it is desirable that the capacitance detection type sensor 7 is provided on a slightly inclined surface instead of a horizontal surface. By providing it on the inclined surface, dirt is prevented from remaining on the detection surface, and there is no risk of false detection. Further, in order to prevent adhesion of dirt, it is preferable that the detection surface is a curved surface.

Although not shown, a capacitance detection type sensor-7
It is preferable to interpose a variable resistor so that the resistance value can be freely set. By changing the resistance value and changing the current flowing through the electrostatic capacitance detection sensor-7, the detection distance of the electrostatic capacitance detection sensor-7 can be freely set. In this case, a volume type switch may be used as the variable switch. In addition, a contact type or capacitance detection type sensor-7 in which the resistance value is set so that the user can detect when the user contacts a predetermined resistance value (capacity detection type sensor-7) using a dip switch or the like. It is preferable to be able to select a non-contact type in which a resistance value is set so that it can be sensed only by bringing it close.

The detection area may be freely changed by connecting a plurality of capacitance detection type sensors in parallel. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, one electrostatic capacitance detection type sensor 7 is used in the present embodiment, but as shown in FIG. It can be used as a sensor. At this time, it is desirable to prevent erroneous detection by providing a partition 23 between each substrate. Furthermore, this partition 1
It is desirable that 3 is the size of a finger (about 10 mm) or less.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the number of lever handles for adjusting the flow rate may be two or more. Further, the water supply control device can be used in combination with a single faucet (only the flow rate is adjusted but the temperature is not adjusted), and further, the rotary handle can be used instead of the lever handle. Then, two capacitance detection type sensors may be arranged and the hot water supply and hot water supply on-off valve units may be respectively operated to be used for hot and cold water switching. By arranging a plurality of pieces as described above, they can be used for multiple purposes.

[0033]

As described above, by using the electrostatic capacitance detection type sensor, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous detection failure that may occur in the reflection type sensor and the aged appearance defect that may occur in the tact switch type operation switch. By arranging on the faucet body, the operation range of the user can be minimized and the workability can be improved.

Further, by connecting a plurality of capacitance detecting type sensors in parallel and using them as one sensor, even a person with a physical disability can easily operate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a water supply control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the water supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the water supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the water supply control device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a single capacitance detection sensor.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view when capacitance detection sensors are connected in parallel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b: open / close valve unit 2: valve
3: Discharge part 4: Detection part 5: Controller 6: Faucet body 7: Capacitance detection type sensor 8: Spout
9: Pedestal 10: Cover 11: Discharge port 12: Handle 13: Single cartridge type valve 14: Flexible hose 15: Hose joint 16: Hose guide
17: Set screw 18: Nipple 19: Hose stopper
20: Cover 21: Substrate 22: Cover 23: Partition

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit having a human body detection unit, an opening / closing valve unit for opening and closing a flow path by an input from the detection unit, and a controller for controlling the opening / closing valve unit.
A water supply controller provided with a discharge part for discharging the liquid supplied by the on-off valve unit, wherein a water discharge controller is provided with a capacitance detection type sensor as the detection part. 2. The water supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance detection type sensor can freely set a detection distance. 3. The water supply control device according to claim 2, wherein the capacitance detection type sensor is selected and set by a user in two stages of a contact type and a non-contact type. 4. The water supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the detection area can be freely changed by connecting a plurality of the capacitance detection type sensors in parallel. 5. The water supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance detection type sensor is arranged at the tip of the water discharge port, and the tip of the water discharge port can be drawn out freely. .