Induction electric eye and water feeder

Abstract

The utility model discloses an induction electric eye and a water feeder, the induction electric eye comprises a mounting bracket and a circuit board, the circuit board is provided with an infrared transmitting module and an infrared receiving module, and the mounting bracket is provided with a signal transmitting hole and a signal receiving hole which are separated from each other; infrared light emitted by the infrared emission module forms an emission angle range under the light insulation effect of the peripheral hole wall of the signal emission hole, and the infrared receiving module is used for receiving the infrared light emitted by the infrared emission module and forms a receiving angle range under the light insulation effect of the peripheral hole wall of the signal receiving hole. And the transmitting angle range and the receiving angle range intersect, so that a signal transmission blind area is formed between the signal transmitting hole and the signal receiving hole. The transmitting angle range and the receiving angle range of the induction electric eye are changed, the area of a signal transmission blind area, namely a water drop interference resisting area, is increased, the probability that signals are reflected by water drops is further reduced, and generation of effective signals is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automatic induction water supply, in particular to an induction electric eye and a water feeder. Background Art

[0002] Currently, common induction electric eyes on the market typically use infrared sensors, whose electronic components consist of a combination of an infrared transmitter and a receiver. Contactless water supply devices (such as faucets, urinals, and squat toilets) utilize contactless control to automatically turn water on and off. Infrared sensing utilizes the principle of controlling solenoid valves to open and close, automatically controlling the flow of water through the valves. Infrared sensing works by transmitting infrared light through a transmitter and detecting the reflected infrared light through a receiver. The reflected infrared light changes as an object approaches, and the infrared electric eye detects the object's presence.

[0003] At present, infrared sensing type induction electric eyes mainly adopt the embedded installation method commonly used in the market. The induction electric eye is embedded in the product shell by matching the shell size of the induction electric eye with the shell installation size of the main product. Therefore, the shell panel of the induction electric eye is directly exposed to the product application environment. This application leads to the following problems during the use of the induction electric eye: (1) Water droplet interference problem: In an environment where water splashing is common, the use is limited, and water droplets are easy to adhere to the shell surface of the induction electric eye. The transmission process of the induction signal through the water droplets will cause the signal strength and direction to change, thereby affecting the signal transmission process between the signal transmitter and the receiver; (2) False triggering and missed triggering problems: Due to the adhesion of water droplets, the infrared induction electric eye may miss triggering or false triggering, resulting in the device not being able to be used normally and reducing the user experience; (3) Resource waste problem: In the application of automatic induction water supply equipment, the induction electric eye may be falsely triggered or missed triggering due to water droplet interference, which may lead to water waste. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems in the related art to a certain extent. To this end, the present invention proposes an induction electric eye.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the utility model is as follows:

[0006] The utility model also provides a water feeder with the above-mentioned induction electric eye.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the induction electric eye includes a mounting bracket and a circuit board, the circuit board is embedded in the mounting bracket, the mounting bracket is made of non-transparent material, an infrared transmitting module and an infrared receiving module are provided on the circuit board, and a signal transmitting hole and a signal receiving hole are provided on the mounting bracket, the signal transmitting hole corresponds to the position of the infrared transmitting module, and the signal receiving hole corresponds to the position of the infrared receiving module. The infrared light emitted by the infrared transmitting module forms an emission angle range under the light isolation effect of the hole wall around the signal transmitting hole, and the infrared receiving module is used to receive the infrared light emitted by the infrared transmitting module and receive the infrared light at the signal receiving hole. A receiving angle range is formed under the light-isolating effect of the hole walls around the hole. The emission angle range intersects with the receiving angle range, thereby forming a signal transmission blind spot between the signal emission hole and the signal receiving hole. The side wall of the signal emission hole close to the signal receiving hole is the first hole wall, and the side wall of the signal receiving hole close to the signal emission hole is the second hole wall. The distance from the first hole wall to the second hole wall is d2, and the distance from the infrared emission module to the infrared receiving module is d3. Water droplets with a diameter of d can be attached between the first hole wall and the second hole wall, and at least one water droplet satisfies d3 / 2<d<d2. The area range of the signal transmission blind spot can completely cover the water droplet.

[0008] The induction electric eye according to the embodiment of the utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0009] 1. The intersection of the angular ranges for the sensor's signal transmission and reception creates an angled region. This angled region creates a signal transmission blind spot with the sensor's panel. Signals cannot directly pass through this region, requiring reflection and refraction to reach it. Water droplets adhering to this region are unaffected by signal transmission, making it immune to water droplet interference. However, existing sensor eyes have a wide angular range for both signal transmission and reception, resulting in a relatively small anti-water droplet interference region. Water droplets adhering to the sensor's panel are typically larger than this anti-water droplet interference region. Multiple reflections of infrared signals from an external water source gradually weaken the sensing signal. A valid signal is generated by no more than two reflections in water droplets, allowing the sensor to function normally. However, if the signal reflects three or more times in water, no valid signal is generated, and the sensor cannot receive a valid signal, resulting in a failure to sense the signal. To address these shortcomings, the present invention features an embedded mounting structure. By adjusting the internal structure of the mounting bracket, such as adjusting the size of the signal transmitting and receiving holes, the sensor's transmitting and receiving angles are altered, increasing the signal transmission blind zone, or the area of ​​the water droplet interference resistance zone. This reduces the probability of the signal being reflected by water droplets, avoids multiple reflections of the sensing signal in attached water droplets, and ensures the generation of an effective signal. This new design improves the sensor's water droplet interference resistance and accuracy, reduces water waste due to false triggering, and enhances the user experience.

[0010] 2. The product iteration and update of the utility model are convenient. The commonly used induction electric eyes on the market are all embedded installation structures. The structural form of the utility model has not changed and is still an embedded installation structure.

[0011] 3. The development cost is low, there is no need to replace product materials and electronic components, and it does not affect other structures of the product. The resistance of the induction electric eye to water drop interference can be improved by simply changing the through-hole design structure of the mounting bracket.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a housing is further included, the mounting bracket is embedded in the housing, and the housing has a light-transmitting panel, which covers the signal transmitting hole and the signal receiving hole.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the signal transmitting hole and the signal receiving hole are arranged along the length direction of the light-transmitting panel (910), and the width of the light-transmitting panel is d1, d2>d1.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, 1.2d1<d2<1.7d1.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the distance from the intersection of the emission angle range and the receiving angle range to the light-transmitting panel is h1, and h1>0.7d1.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, d1

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving angle range is larger than the transmitting angle range.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the infrared emission module deviates from the central axis of the signal emission hole in the vertical direction and is close to the first hole wall.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the infrared receiving module deviates from the central axis of the signal receiving hole in the vertical direction and is close to the second hole wall.

[0020] The water dispenser according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes the induction electric eye.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and will become apparent from the following description or learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of signal transmission of the induction electric eye of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of large water droplets attached to the light-transmitting panel of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of signal transmission of a traditional induction electric eye;

[0026] Figure 4 This is an external structural diagram of the light-transmitting panel of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the induction electric eye of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure numerals: mounting bracket 100, signal transmitting hole 110, first hole wall 111, signal receiving hole 120, second hole wall 121, circuit board 200, infrared transmitting module 300, infrared receiving module 400, transmitting angle range 500, receiving angle range 600, signal transmission blind spot 700, water droplets 800, housing 900, light-transmitting panel 910. ​DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following describes in detail embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0031] Reference Figure 1-5An induction electric eye includes a mounting bracket 100 and a circuit board 200. The circuit board 200 is embedded in the mounting bracket 100. The mounting bracket 100 is made of non-transparent material. An infrared transmitting module 300 and an infrared receiving module 400 are provided on the circuit board 200. The mounting bracket 100 is provided with a signal transmitting hole 110 and a signal receiving hole 120 separated from each other. The signal transmitting hole 110 corresponds to the position of the infrared transmitting module 300, and the signal receiving hole 120 corresponds to the position of the infrared receiving module 400. The infrared light emitted by the infrared transmitting module 300 forms an emission angle range 500 under the light isolation effect of the hole wall around the signal transmitting hole 110. The infrared receiving module 400 is used to receive the infrared light emitted by the infrared transmitting module 300 and forms a receiving angle range under the light isolation effect of the hole wall around the signal receiving hole 120. 600, the emission angle range 500 intersects with the receiving angle range 600, thereby forming a signal transmission blind spot 700 between the signal transmission hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120, the side wall of the signal transmission hole 110 close to the signal receiving hole 120 is the first hole wall 111, the side wall of the signal receiving hole 120 close to the signal transmission hole 110 is the second hole wall 121, the distance between the first hole wall 111 and the second hole wall 121 is d2, the distance between the infrared transmission module 300 and the infrared receiving module 400 is d3, water droplets 800 with a diameter of d can be attached between the first hole wall 111 and the second hole wall 121, and at least one water droplet 800 satisfies d3 / 2<d<d2, and the area range of the signal transmission blind spot 700 can completely cover the water droplet 800. Specifically, the mounting bracket 100 is made of rubber, the upper part of the inner side of the mounting bracket 100 is installed with a circuit board 200, and the lower part is a signal transmitting hole 110 and a signal receiving hole 120. The circuit board 200 is embedded in the mounting bracket 100, and the induction electric eye transmits and receives signals through the signal transmitting hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120.

[0032] When the product is used for a long time, the dust in the environment will gradually cover the surface of the sensor panel. At this time, the water droplets 800 falling on the surface will adhere to it. The surface of the sensor panel can be attached with water droplets 800 of the same size as the panel width. Figure 2 If the attached water droplets 800 are small and located in the signal transmission blind spot 700, the transmission and reception of the sensing electric eye signal will not be reflected by the water droplets 800, causing little interference with the signal transmission process, and the sensing electric eye can operate normally. If the attached water droplets 800 are large or there are many of them, the transmission and reception of the sensing electric eye signal will be reflected by the water droplets 800. If the number of reflections reaches three or more, no effective sensing signal can be formed, causing the electric eye to fail to perform its sensing function, posing a risk of insensitivity.

[0033] The infrared signal is transmitted and received in the full range, but because the mounting bracket 100 is made of a non-transparent material, the sensing signal can only be transmitted and received through the signal transmitting hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120 of the mounting bracket 100. At this time, the signal transmission and receiving range of the sensing electric eye is limited by the size of the signal transmitting hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120. The traditional sensing electric eye does not impose any restrictions on the structure of the signal transmitting and receiving holes. The internal features of the signal transmission hole before the improvement are relatively simple, and the signal transmission hole is larger. The sensing signal has a larger angular transmission range, which makes the signal transmission blind area 700 smaller. The signal transmission is easily interfered by water droplets 800, such as Figure 3 As shown. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the internal structure of the mounting bracket 100, change the emission angle range 500 and receiving angle range 600 of the sensor eye, expand the signal transmission blind zone 700 on the surface of the sensor eye panel, and reduce the multiple reflections and refractions of the sensing signal by the water droplets 800 when large and numerous water droplets 800 adhere to the panel. Methods for expanding the signal transmission blind zone 700 include, but are not limited to, changing the size of the signal transmission hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120, adjusting the relative positions of the infrared transmission module 300 and the signal transmission hole 110, the infrared receiving module 400 and the signal receiving hole 120, and adding light shielding. This utility model primarily describes the method of changing the size of the signal transmission hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120.

[0034] Some embodiments of the present invention further include a housing 900, within which the mounting bracket 100 is embedded. The housing 900 includes a light-transmitting panel 910, which covers the signal transmitting port 110 and the signal receiving port 120. The light-transmitting panel 910 has good infrared transmittance, allowing infrared rays emitted by the infrared transmitting module 300 to pass smoothly and enabling the infrared receiving module 400 to receive signals more accurately. Furthermore, the light-transmitting panel 910, covering the exterior of the mounting bracket 100, not only serves a decorative purpose but also shields the mounting bracket from external moisture, air, and dust, protecting internal electrical components.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4-5 As shown, the signal transmitting hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120 are arranged along the length direction of the light-transmitting panel 910. The width of the light-transmitting panel 910 is d1, and d2>d1. It should be noted that the edge of the panel is usually designed with a chamfer feature. When the edge of the light-transmitting panel 910 has a chamfer, the width d1 of the light-transmitting panel 910 refers to the width of the panel plane remaining after removing the chamfer width, as shown in FIG. Figure 4As shown. Preferably, the light-transmitting panel 910 is runway-shaped or rectangular. Specifically, a light-isolating structure of a certain thickness is added to the left side of the inner wall of the signal transmitting hole 110 of the traditional induction electric eye, so that the emission range on the left side of the signal transmitting hole 110 is reduced. Similarly, a light-isolating structure of a certain thickness is added to the right side of the inner wall of the signal receiving hole 120, so that the receiving range on the right side of the signal receiving hole 120 is reduced. At this time, the unilateral ranges of both the emission angle range 500 and the receiving angle range 600 are reduced, and the emission angle range 500 and the receiving angle range 600 are deviated to the outside of the central area of ​​the induction electric eye, thereby increasing the signal transmission blind area 700. The improved signal transmission hole is reduced to half the size of the original hole. Since water droplets 800 of the same size as the width of the panel can be attached to the surface of the transparent panel 910, that is, the diameter d of the largest water droplet is equal to the width d1 of the transparent panel 910, the design d2>d1 allows the largest water droplet attached to the transparent panel 910 between the signal transmitting hole and the signal receiving hole to be completely within the signal transmission blind spot 700.

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, 1.2d1<d2<1.7d1. The larger d2 is, the larger the signal transmission blind area 700 is, but the sensing performance of the induction electric eye itself needs to be taken into account. The signal transmission and reception range of the induction electric eye itself has a strong working area and a weak working area. The weak working area is the edge area of ​​the transmission / reception range. The signal transmission capability is strong in the strong working area, and the signal transmission capability is average outside the area. When determining the preferred range of the signal transmission blind area 700, it is best to limit the emission angle range 500 and the reception angle range 600 to the strong working area of ​​the induction electric eye, which can maximize the signal transmission blind area 700 while ensuring that the optimal performance of the induction electric eye is not affected.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the distance from the intersection of the emission angle range 500 and the reception angle range 600 to the light-transmitting panel 910 is h1, and h1>0.7d1. The radius of the largest water droplet 800 that can adhere to the light-transmitting panel 910 is half the width of the light-transmitting panel 910, that is, 0.5d1. Designing h1>0.7d1 ensures the formation of an effective signal transmission blind zone 700.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, d1

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiving angle range 600 is greater than the transmitting angle range 500 .

[0040] ​In some embodiments of the present invention, the infrared emitting module 300 is vertically offset from the central axis of the signal transmitting hole 110 and is positioned closer to the first hole wall 111. The proximity of the infrared emitting module 300 to the first hole wall 111 can move the intersection of the transmitting angle range 500 and the receiving angle range 600 downward, thereby increasing the signal transmission blind zone 700.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the infrared receiving module 400 is vertically offset from the central axis of the signal receiving hole 120 and is close to the second hole wall 121. The proximity of the infrared receiving module 400 to the second hole wall 121 can move the intersection of the emission angle range 500 and the receiving angle range 600 downward, thereby increasing the signal transmission blind zone 700.

[0042] A water dispenser includes an induction electric eye.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the induction electric eye is applied to an induction faucet product. There are two main installation methods for induction faucets: the first is that the induction electric eye is installed directly in front of the faucet outlet, close to the faucet outlet, so that when in use, the human hand or object will first enter the sensing range; the second is that the induction electric eye is installed on the faucet body close to the countertop, far away from the outlet. It should be noted that no matter how the induction electric eye is used, the human hand or object needs to be placed under the faucet outlet. This process exists within the sensing range, and signal transmission can be performed within the sensing area. Except for the interference of water droplets 800 and product damage, the induction electric eye can work normally. Therefore, the large-angle range sensing area designed by the traditional induction electric eye is redundant. The present invention limits the emission angle range 500 and the receiving angle range 600 to the strong working area, thereby increasing the signal transmission blind area 700 and avoiding the phenomenon of signal failure or self-induction caused by the interaction of the signal with the attached water droplets 800 in the weak sensing area between the signal transmitting hole 110 and the signal receiving hole 120. The improved induction electric eye can still meet the overall use environment of the product and will not cause a decline in the overall performance of the product.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the inductive electric eye is applied to urinals or squat toilets. When applied to urinals, there are two main installation methods for the inductive electric eye: first, the inductive electric eye is directly integrated with the water outlet nozzle as an integral component and is installed on the ceramic body through a threaded connection; second, the inductive electric eye is installed on the wall via a panel bracket. Due to the correlation between the inductive electric eye and the product's installation design, in the application scenarios of these two urinal products, the inductive electric eye is installed on the central axis of the product. Therefore, no matter which urinal product the inductive electric eye is applied to, when using the product, the user will be located in the center range area perpendicular to the inductive panel, that is, in the center range position of the inductive area.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An induction electric eye, characterized in that: The invention comprises a mounting bracket (100) and a circuit board (200), wherein the circuit board (200) is embedded in the mounting bracket (100), the mounting bracket (100) is made of a non-light-transmitting material, an infrared emitting module (300) and an infrared receiving module (400) are provided on the circuit board (200), and a signal emitting hole (110) and a signal receiving hole (120) separated from each other are provided on the mounting bracket (100), the signal emitting hole (110) corresponds to the position of the infrared emitting module (300), and the signal receiving hole (120) corresponds to the position of the infrared receiving module (400), the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitting module (300) forms an emission angle range (500) under the light-isolating effect of the hole walls around the signal emitting hole (110), and the infrared receiving module (400) is used to receive the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitting module (300) and forms an infrared receiving angle range (500) under the light-isolating effect of the hole walls around the signal receiving hole (120). The receiving angle range (600) is formed by the transmission angle range (500) intersecting with the reception angle range (600), thereby forming a signal transmission blind area (700) between the signal transmission hole (110) and the signal receiving hole (120), the side wall of the signal transmission hole (110) close to the signal receiving hole (120) is a first hole wall (111), and the side wall of the signal receiving hole (120) close to the signal transmission hole (110) is a second hole wall ( 121), the distance between the first hole wall (111) and the second hole wall (121) is d2, the distance between the infrared transmitting module (300) and the infrared receiving module (400) is d3, a water droplet (800) with a diameter of d can be attached between the first hole wall (111) and the second hole wall (121), and at least one water droplet (800) satisfies d3 / 2<d<d2, and the area range of the signal transmission blind zone (700) can completely cover the water droplet (800).

2. The induction electric eye according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device further comprises a housing (900), wherein the mounting bracket (100) is embedded in the housing (900), and the housing (900) is provided with a light-transmitting panel (910), wherein the light-transmitting panel (910) covers the signal transmitting hole (110) and the signal receiving hole (120).

3. The induction electric eye according to claim 2, characterized in that: The signal transmitting hole (110) and the signal receiving hole (120) are arranged along the length direction of the light-transmitting panel (910), and the width of the light-transmitting panel (910) is d1, and d2>d1.

4. The induction electric eye according to claim 3, characterized in that: 1.2d1<d2<1.7d1.

5. The induction electric eye according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distance from the intersection of the emission angle range (500) and the reception angle range (600) to the light-transmitting panel (910) is h1, and h1>0.7d1.

6. The induction electric eye according to claim 5, characterized in that: d1<h1<6d1.

7. The induction electric eye according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving angle range (600) is greater than the transmitting angle range (500).

8. The induction electric eye according to claim 3, characterized in that: The infrared emission module (300) deviates from the central axis of the signal emission hole (110) in the vertical direction and is close to the first hole wall (111).

9. The induction electric eye according to claim 3, characterized in that: The infrared receiving module (400) deviates from the central axis of the signal receiving hole (120) in the vertical direction and is close to the second hole wall (121).

10. A water dispenser, characterized in that: The invention comprises the induction electric eye as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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