Faucets and water purifiers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a faucet and a water purifier, and relates to the technical field of kitchen and bathroom products, and is used to solve the problem that water still drips after the water outlet of the existing faucet is turned off. The faucet of the present invention includes a faucet body, and the faucet body includes a water outlet and a water outlet waterway, and the water outlet is arranged at the highest point of the water outlet waterway. Compared with the existing technology, the present invention solves the problem that the water flow in the large-diameter water outlet pipe drips due to gravity after the water outlet is turned off by changing the pitch shape of the faucet water outlet and arranging the water outlet at the highest point of the waterway; by making the height of the faucet body on the mounting column adjustable, different usage requirements are met; by adopting a pilot-type electric control valve body to control the waterway, the limitation of the original faucet that the switch can only be controlled by manually turning the handle and the problem of water sealing failure after aging of the original component are solved; through the metering control mechanism of the flow meter, the water output is controlled by the program, which effectively solves the problem of overflowing kettle caused by the user forgetting to turn off the water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of kitchen and bathroom products, and in particular to a faucet and a water purifier. Background Art

[0002] The outlet of a water purifier is typically equipped with a faucet. Common water purifiers on the market today often feature a gooseneck mechanical faucet. Over the past decade, gooseneck faucets have gained widespread popularity for their low price and reliable water sealing. However, gooseneck faucets typically have a downward-curving pipe at the end. When the pipe is large in diameter, some water may continue to drip out due to gravity even after the faucet is turned off, resulting in continued dripping.

[0003] In addition, the main flow rate of existing water purifiers cannot keep up with the municipal water flow, and users usually have to wait 1 to 2 minutes to collect water. If users walk away in the middle of collecting water, they are very likely to forget, resulting in overflowing water.

[0004] The mechanical faucets commonly used in households rotate the mechanical valve core by manually turning the handle, and then seal the water through the ceramic sealing plate. The ceramic valve plate will gradually wear out during use, causing the water sealing to fail and leak.

[0005] Kitchen faucets are usually installed next to cabinet sinks to control water flow. The sizes and bottom depths of sunken sinks on the market vary, and the sizes of users' household kettles also vary. As a result, some users can only place the kettle in a water-filled basin when collecting water. The conductive concentric rings at the bottom of the kettle pose a risk of contact with water, and users need to wipe them when using them. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a faucet, which is used to solve the problem that water still drips after the water flow of the existing faucet is turned off.

[0007] The present invention provides a faucet, comprising a faucet body. The faucet body comprises a water outlet and a water outlet waterway connected to the water outlet. The water outlet is arranged at the highest point of the water outlet waterway.

[0008] In one embodiment, a control module is further included. The control module includes a controller and a first valve. The controller controls the opening and closing of the first valve to control the on-off of the water flow in the outlet waterway.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first valve is an electronic valve, an electric ball valve, or a multi-speed flow valve.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first valve is a pilot solenoid valve, which includes an armature module, a valve body and a water sealing module; the water sealing module divides the valve body into three cavities, the cross-sectional area of ​​the water sealing module in the first cavity is larger than its cross-sectional area in the second cavity, the first cavity is connected to the second cavity and the third cavity through the first hole and the second hole respectively, and the armature module is used to control the opening and closing of the second hole, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the pilot solenoid valve.

[0011] In one embodiment, the control module further includes a flow meter for detecting the flow value of water flowing into the outlet waterway and transmitting the flow value to the controller. The controller is configured to calculate the water output based on the flow value and control the first valve to close when the water output reaches the set water volume.

[0012] In one embodiment, the flow meter includes a rotor and a counter, wherein the rotor is installed inside a pipe connected to the outlet waterway, and the counter is installed outside the pipe.

[0013] In one embodiment, the control module also includes a water level detection device, which is used to continuously detect the water level characteristics in the water receiving container from the start of water discharge from the faucet and continuously feed back the water level characteristics to the controller; the controller is constructed to calculate the water level height difference based on the water level characteristics, and calculate the bottom area in the water receiving container based on the water level height difference and the water output, and then calculate the water receiving volume based on the bottom area and the water level height difference before and after water receiving. When the water receiving volume is greater than the set water volume, the controller controls the first valve to close.

[0014] In one embodiment, the water level detection device is an infrared proximity sensor, a visual analysis device or an ultrasonic distance measuring device.

[0015] In one embodiment, the water outlet waterway is a water outlet hose provided in the faucet body, and one end of the water outlet hose connected to the water outlet is formed in a stepped shape.

[0016] In one embodiment, a mounting column is further included, the faucet body is mounted on the mounting column, and the mounting height of the faucet body on the mounting column is adjustable.

[0017] In one embodiment, the faucet body is connected to the mounting post via threads, and the mounting height of the faucet body on the mounting post can be adjusted by rotating the faucet body or the mounting post.

[0018] In one embodiment, a check valve is further included, wherein the check valve is used to prevent water in the faucet from flowing back.

[0019] The present invention also provides a water purifier, wherein the water outlet of the water purifier is provided with the faucet as described above.

[0020] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of the present invention are that by changing the pitch shape of the faucet outlet, the original gooseneck faucet with a bent neck is changed, and the outlet is set at the highest point of the water channel, the problem of water dripping due to gravity in large-diameter water outlet pipes after the water outlet is turned off is solved; by making the height of the faucet body on the mounting column adjustable, different usage requirements are met; by using a pilot-operated electric control valve body to control the water channel, the limitation of the original product that can only be controlled by manually turning the handle is solved, and the pilot-operated water sealing method is used to solve the problem of water sealing failure after aging of the original component is solved; by including a metering control mechanism including a flow meter, the water output can be controlled by program, effectively solving the problem of the kettle overflowing due to the user forgetting to turn off the water; based on the flow counting, a proximity sensor is set near the water inlet to detect the water level, and the water level difference before and after the water is connected is calculated to estimate the water volume, and a secondary safety judgment is made to avoid the problem of water overflow. The flow meter is split into a rotor and a counter. This method can make the assembly position of the flow meter more flexible and lower the cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a faucet body in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the faucet body on the installation column in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a faucet in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a faucet in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a control module in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a pilot-operated solenoid valve according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a control module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Cross-sectional view at AA in the middle.

[0030] Reference numerals:

[0031] 100. Faucet assembly module; 200. Control module; 300. Faucet body; 1. Water outlet; 2. Water outlet hose; 3. Shaping rib; 4. Base; 5. Mounting column; 6. Locking nut; 7. Locking block; 8. Infrared proximity sensor; 9. First valve; 10. Check valve; 11. Flow meter; 12. Controller; 13. Waterway plate assembly; 14. Bottom plate; 15. External terminal; 16. Shell; 17. Switch; 18. Main board; 19. First cavity; 20. Second cavity; 21. Third cavity; 22. First hole; 23. Second hole; 24. Water sealing rib; 25. Armature module; 26. Armature; 27. Magnetic module; 28. Valve body; 29. ​​Water sealing module; 30. Flow meter rotor; 31. Hall counter; 32. Fixing nut. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] The present invention provides a faucet, which at least includes a faucet body 300 . Figure 1 The structure of the faucet body 300 is roughly shown, and arrows are used in the figure to indicate the flow direction of water in the faucet body 300.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, the faucet body 300 includes a water outlet 1, a water outlet hose 2 and a shaping rib 3. The water outlet 1 is fixed by a fixing nut 32. One end of the water outlet hose 2 is connected to the water outlet 1, and the other end is the water inlet end of the faucet (when the faucet is used in a water purifier, this end is connected to the purified water outlet of the water purifier body), which plays a role in guiding water. The water outlet hose 2 forms the water outlet waterway of the faucet. The front end of the water outlet of the entire faucet is set horizontally. The water outlet hose 2 is limited by the two-step shaping rib 3 set at the position of the faucet near the water outlet 1. After being limited, the water outlet hose 2 also forms a stepped shape, and appears to be raised near the water outlet 1, so that the water outlet 1 is located at the highest position of the water outlet waterway. In this way, after the waterway is cut off, the water flow filled in the water outlet hose 2 will not flow and drip along the water outlet 1.

[0035] In one embodiment, the faucet further includes a mounting column 5 , and the faucet body 300 is installed and fixed via the mounting column 5 . The faucet body 300 and the mounting column 5 together constitute the faucet assembly module 100 . Figure 2 FIG. 3 shows the installation method of the faucet body 300 on the installation column 5. Figure 2As shown, a base 4 is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the faucet body 300. The faucet body 300 is threadedly connected to the mounting post 5 via the base 4. The base 4 can be rotated to adjust its position on the mounting post 5. The base 4 is locked with a locking block 7 and a locking nut 6 to achieve the adjustment of faucets at different heights to accommodate the height of kettles and sink depths of different users' homes. The base can be adjusted to its position on the mounting post by sliding it and locked with a pin or the like to achieve the adjustment of faucets at different heights.

[0036] Figure 3 FIG1 shows the structure of a faucet in another embodiment, in which arrows are used to indicate the direction of water flow in the faucet. Figure 3 As shown, the faucet includes a control module 200 and a faucet assembly module 100. The control module 200 is located on the water inlet side of the faucet assembly module 100 and is used to control the flow of water in the faucet assembly module 100. During use, the user can input commands to the control module 200 through touch operation via the touch screen to activate or deactivate water flow.

[0037] See also Figures 5 to 8 The control module 200 includes a housing 16 and a flow meter 11, a waterway plate assembly 13, a bottom plate 14, a first valve 9, a check valve 10, a controller 12 and an external connection terminal 15, etc., which are arranged in the housing 16.

[0038] The external connection terminal 15 is used to connect the water outlet hose of the faucet body 300; the bottom plate 14 mainly plays a supporting role, and the waterway plate assembly 13, the valve body, and the controller 12 are all arranged on the bottom plate 14; the waterway plate assembly 13 is used to connect the external connection terminal 15, the flow meter 11, the check valve 10 and the first valve 9 in sequence.

[0039] The flowmeter 11 is used to detect the flow rate of water flowing into the outlet waterway and transmit the flow rate value to the controller 12. The flowmeter 11 includes a flowmeter rotor 30 and a Hall effect counter 31. The flowmeter rotor 30 is installed inside the pipeline near the water outlet of the waterway plate assembly 13, and the Hall effect counter 31 is installed outside the pipeline. When water flows through the flowmeter rotor 30, it drives the flowmeter rotor 30 to rotate. The Hall effect counter 31 receives the signal from the flowmeter rotor 30 and feeds it back to the controller 12, which then calculates the flow rate value through internal logic.

[0040] The first valve 9 is used to control the on-off of the water flow in the faucet. The first valve 9 is preferably a pilot-operated solenoid valve, see Figure 6The pilot-operated solenoid valve includes an armature module 25, a valve body 28, and a water-sealing module 29; the water-sealing module 29 divides the valve body 28 into three cavities, and the first cavity 19 and the second cavity 20 are connected by the first hole 22. In the water-off state, the water pressure in these two cavities is consistent. The cross-sectional area of ​​the water-sealing module 29 in the first cavity 19 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the water-sealing module 29 in the second cavity 20. When the water pressure is constant, the water pressure will force the water-sealing module 29 to be pressed against the water-sealing rib 24, thereby achieving the function that the stronger the water pressure, the more reliable the water sealing. The first cavity 19 and the third cavity 21 are connected by the second hole 23, and the armature module 25 is used to control the opening and closing of the second hole 23. The armature module 25 includes an armature 26 and a magnetic module 27. The magnetic module 27 is used to adsorb the armature 26, and the armature 26 is used to control the opening and closing of the second hole 23. When the water is turned off, the armature 26 blocks the second hole 23; when the water is released, the armature 26 is attracted by the magnetic module 27, and the channel of the second hole 23 connecting the first cavity 19 and the third cavity 21 is opened. The first cavity 19 loses pressure, the water sealing module 29 is no longer pressed on the water sealing rib 24, the second cavity 20 is connected with the third cavity 21, and the water channel is unblocked.

[0041] The check valve 10 is used to prevent the water in the faucet from flowing back.

[0042] After the first valve 9 is opened, the water flows through the check valve 10 first, and then drives the flowmeter rotor 30 to rotate when flowing through the flowmeter rotor 30. After receiving the signal from the flowmeter rotor 30, the Hall effect counter 31 calculates the flow value through internal logic and feeds it back to the controller 12. The controller 12 calculates the water output based on the flow value. When the water output reaches the set water volume, the controller 12 controls the first valve 9 to close, and the water supply is stopped. In other embodiments, the flowmeter can also be an integrated flowmeter.

[0043] In another embodiment, an infrared proximity sensor 8 is also installed near the water outlet 1. The infrared proximity sensor 8 detects the initial water level characteristics when the faucet starts to discharge water, and continuously feeds back the water level characteristics to the controller 12 during the water collection process. The controller 12 calculates the water level height difference based on the water level characteristics, and estimates the bottom area of ​​the water collection container based on the water level height difference and the water output in the corresponding time period, and then calculates the water collection volume based on the bottom area and the water level height difference before and after water collection. When the water collection volume is greater than the set water volume, the controller 12 controls the first valve 9 to close and stop the water supply, thereby avoiding the overflow problem. The overflow prevention is performed based on the direct flow detection of the flow meter 11 as the first layer of anti-overflow measure when the faucet and the water purifier equipped with the faucet discharge too much water. The secondary anti-overflow control based on the infrared proximity sensor 8 forms the second layer of anti-overflow measure when the faucet and the water purifier equipped with the faucet discharge too much water, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of water overflow.

[0044] While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and equivalent components may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various technical features described in the various embodiments may be combined in any manner, provided no structural conflicts exist. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A faucet, characterized in that: The faucet comprises a faucet body, the faucet body comprises a water outlet and a water outlet waterway connected to the water outlet, the water outlet is arranged at the highest point of the water outlet waterway; the control module comprises a controller and a first valve, the controller controls the opening and closing of the first valve to control the on-off of the water flow in the water outlet waterway; the control module further comprises a flow meter, the flow meter is used to detect the flow value of water flowing into the water outlet waterway, and transmit the flow value to the controller, the controller is configured to calculate the water output according to the flow value, and control the output when the water output reaches the set water volume The first valve is closed to implement a first layer of overflow prevention measures; the control module also includes a water level detection device, which is used to continuously detect the water level characteristics in the water receiving container from the start of water discharge from the faucet and continuously feed back the water level characteristics to the controller; the controller is constructed to calculate the water level height difference according to the water level characteristics, and calculate the bottom area in the water receiving container according to the water level height difference and the water discharge, and then calculate the water receiving volume according to the bottom area and the water level height difference before and after water receiving. When the water receiving volume is greater than the set water volume, the controller controls the first valve to close to implement a second layer of overflow prevention measures.

2. The faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that The first valve is an electronic valve, an electric ball valve or a multi-speed flow valve.

3. The faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that The first valve is a pilot solenoid valve, which includes an armature module, a valve body and a water sealing module; the water sealing module divides the valve body into three cavities, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the water sealing module in the first cavity is larger than its cross-sectional area in the second cavity. The first cavity is connected to the second cavity and the third cavity through the first hole and the second hole respectively. The armature module is used to control the opening and closing of the second hole, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the pilot solenoid valve.

4. The faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that The flow meter includes a rotor and a counter. The rotor is installed inside a pipeline connected to the water outlet waterway, and the counter is installed outside the pipeline.

5. The faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that The water level detection device is an infrared proximity sensor, a visual analysis device or an ultrasonic distance measuring device.

6. The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The water outlet waterway is a water outlet hose arranged in the faucet body, and one end of the water outlet hose connected to the water outlet is formed in a stepped shape.

7. The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting column, on which the faucet body is mounted, and the mounting height of the faucet body on the mounting column is adjustable.

8. The faucet according to claim 7, characterized in that: The faucet body is connected to the mounting post via threads, and the mounting height of the faucet body on the mounting post can be adjusted by rotating the faucet body or the mounting post.

9. The faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A check valve is also included, and the check valve is used to prevent water in the faucet from flowing back.

10. A water purifier, characterized in that: The water outlet of the water purifier is provided with a faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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