Water intake tap equipped with a concealed ultrasonic converter

Abstract

Water intake tap equipped with a concealed ultrasonic converter. Said tap (2) comprises a basic body (8) having an inlet end (10) with a water inlet (12) for water (6) and an outlet end (14) with a water discharge spout (16), the extent of which follows a path (18). Said body (8) has a wall (20) with a visible outer surface (24), which surrounds a channel (22) running through the internal space of said body (8) and extending from the inlet (12) to the discharge spout (16). An ultrasonic converter (30) housed within the internal space of the body (8) targets the detection of a hand (4) potentially located on the tap (2), in order to control a flow of water (6) circulating through the channel (22).A zone (36) of the wall (20), including at least a portion of the visible surface (24), is traversed by ultrasonic signals from the converter (30) when it is in operation. This zone (36) is constructed, in the region of said converter (30), with a thickness (W1, W2) less than that of said wall (20) in an environment (40) of said zone (36). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Water intake tap equipped with a concealed ultrasonic converter

[0001] The present invention relates to a water tap that can be activated without contact when a person places their hands near said tap in order to draw water from it, for example to rinse their hands with water or to wash them.

[0002] According to document DE-OS 27 21 217 A1, a tap is known comprising a water discharge orifice and a connecting piece for connecting said tap to the water pipe, which tap includes an electromechanical shut-off device controlled by an ultrasonic motion detector equipped with an ultrasonic transmitter converter and an ultrasonic receiver converter. Said transmitter converter is also provided as a receiver converter, the emission and reception radiation lobe of said converter being directed obliquely downwards describing an angle [3] with respect to the exiting water jet, and through said exiting jet, such that [3] is less than 90° - a / 2 for a finely oriented radiation lobe having the opening angle a.

[0003] According to document JP H04 - 50 575 A, an automatic tap equipped with a detection sensor and delivering water from a discharge spout is known, based on the detection operated by said sensor.

[0004] According to document DE 691 00 077 T2, a tap comprising a water circulation arrangement extending from a zone dedicated to receiving the supply water to a zone designed to dispense the water; a valve which is integrated into said circulation arrangement and causes at least the interruption, or an adjustment of the flow rate of the water circulating in said arrangement; and a pilot device assigned to the actuation of the valve, an ultrasonic transmitter, dedicated to the emission of an ultrasonic signal controlling said valve, and a receiver intended to receive this ultrasonic signal, being located separately from each other, knowing that an ultrasonic signal delivered by said transmitter propagates in the circulation arrangement and can be received by said receiver, and that said pilot device can be controlled by a signal received by said receiver.

[0005] The present invention aims to propose improvements to a tap of the aforementioned type.

[0006] The tap according to the invention serves, or is respectively designed to dispense water by hand from said tap, in particular for rinsing the hand with water, for example for handwashing. Said tap is notably of the type intended for mounting on a handwashing basin.

[0007] The tap includes a basic body having an inlet end having a water inlet through which said tap can be connected to a water pipe subjected to hydraulic pressure, for the purpose of supplying said tap with water.

[0008] The base body is provided with an outlet end fitted with a water discharge spout, which discharges water from the tap at this location, for example to rinse the hand.

[0009] The extent of the basic body follows a path that starts from the input end and reaches the output end.

[0010] The base body includes a channel for water, which runs through the internal space of the base body and extends from the inlet to the outlet. The body has a wall surrounding the channel and having a visible outer surface, or a surface of the tap. In other words, at least a portion of the wall forms at least a portion of the outer wall / visible surface of the tap.

[0011] The tap is equipped with an ultrasonic converter which serves, or is respectively designed, to detect a hand or a hand potentially located on said tap. Manual detection (or the absence of detection if no hand to be detected is actually present) aims to control a flow of water circulating through the channel. In other words, said flow is released if the hand is detected by the ultrasonic converter, and blocked if no hand is detected.

[0012] The ultrasonic converter is housed within the internal space of the base body, in a radial direction, between the channel and a section of the wall. This radial direction is related to the extent of the channel, or rather to its longitudinal direction, and extends perpendicularly to it at the corresponding location. This section of the wall encompasses at least a portion of the visible surface and is therefore also a wall section delimiting the valve towards the external space. Consequently, the converter is integrated within the internal space of the base body and is therefore not visible from the outside, as the latter is covered by the wall (the aforementioned section of said wall). The converter is thus concealed within the internal space of the base body.

[0013] This results in a tap that is particularly attractive from an aesthetic point of view, the visible surface of which is not aesthetically influenced by the ultrasonic converter. Furthermore, the converter is well protected within the internal space of the tap, being, for example, protected from deterioration, scaling, fouling, etc.

[0014] According to the invention, the wall area is made with a lesser thickness compared to that of said wall which surrounds said area in its environment, said area consequently being thinner than that of the wall in said environment. In other words, the wall is thinned at the location occupied by the ultrasonic converter, specifically by a milled recess cut from the inside into the wall. The thickness of this area of ​​the wall measures, in particular, a maximum of 1 mm. Consequently, ultrasonic signals from the converter (transmission signal and return signal) can indeed pass through this area to reach the vicinity of the valve from the converter, and then return, from this vicinity, to the converter located in the valve.

[0015] The transmission signal is the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic converter, the return signal constituting a potentially backscattered portion of said transmission signal. Return signals occur, in particular, as portions of the transmission signals that are backscattered / backscattered by the hand. Thus, in particular, said return signal is triggered by a detected and moving hand.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic converter is applied to an inner face of the wall area, with an interposed coupling element. This latter element is, in particular, slightly elastic, is in the form of a synthetic polymer, and serves to improve the transmission of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic converter and the environment of the tap, and thus through said wall area. With respect to the tap, this consequently improves the decoupling of the ultrasonic emission signal and the coupling of the ultrasonic return signal.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ultrasonic converter is provided with an ultrasonic diffusion window, which window is, respectively, a spatial area or a spatial angle area extending from said converter. Within this spatial area, said converter preferably delivers, respectively, the transmission signal or the main part of its transmission signal, and receives any return signal. This window therefore describes a direction / detection area of ​​said converter within which it is capable of detecting the hand.

[0018] The ultrasonic converter is protected by acoustic insulation (coordinated with the ultrasonics of said converter), located outside the diffusion window, at least partially in the direction of the remaining part of the valve. In other words, said acoustic insulation is arranged all around said converter, with only the diffusion window being unobstructed. In this way, ultrasound generated by said converter cannot, or can scarcely, reach unwanted directions, primarily into the internal space of the valve, for example, by pointing towards the channel. By analogy, the same considerations apply to the respective coupling of the feedback signal or disturbing signals emanating from unwanted directions, i.e. directions located outside the broadcast window.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tap contains a control unit associated with the ultrasonic converter, electrically connected to the latter, and arranged to perform manual identification (manual identification algorithm / method) based on the feedback signal received by said converter. Consequently, components external to said tap are unnecessary for performing manual identification. This identification is successful because the feedback signals differ depending on the scenario (hand near the tap, or not; hand in motion, or not) and can, according to professional practice, be evaluated accordingly by the control unit.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the control unit is arranged to separate, by filtering, a constant signal from the feedback signal, initially, i.e., to eliminate, respectively, the constant signal or a DC component from said feedback signal. The remaining feedback signal is in the form of a substitute signal (free of offset / free of DC component). The control unit is designed to perform manual identification using said remaining residual feedback signal, which is presented as the time-dependent substitute signal.

[0021] The control unit / manual identification (algorithm) is also designed to detect the hand only when such a rate of variation (amplitude) of the substitute signal exceeds a threshold value, which can be specifically selected / modified. This allows, in particular, the successful elimination, by filtering, of disturbing influences on the return signal, or their exclusion, which could otherwise result in erroneous detection of the presence or absence of a hand.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of this feature, the manual identification has at least one delay period and / or at least one hysteresis with respect to the positive and / or negative exceedance(s) of the threshold value by the rate of change. This makes it possible to avoid short disturbances in the feedback signal, or, respectively, erroneous detections or excessively frequent / erroneous openings and interruptions of the water flow under the action of the tap.

[0023] Here again, a time delay period and / or hysteresis can be selected / modified, for example in order to adapt it (them) to the particular circumstances of the environment such as, for example, a specific size or shape of a washbasin on which the tap is mounted, or to integrate it (them) respectively into the evaluation of manual identification.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tap body is made of a metallic and / or synthetic material. This allows for a wide range of design possibilities for the tap, particularly with regard to its external / visible surface.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the visible surface of the base body is provided, at least in the area of ​​the wall, i.e., in the vicinity of the ultrasonic converter, with a flattened profile. In this way, said flat region is located in the vicinity of said converter and constitutes the area of ​​the wall and the visible surface through which, in operation, the transmission / return signal passes. This has the effect of allowing said converter to be mounted in the area of ​​the wall / flat region, namely a flat wall area, in a particularly simple manner and with good sound coupling properties.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of this design, the basic body is provided, along the outline of the surface, with at least one section dimensioned such that it includes the planar region. With respect to said outline, said section has a cross-section comprising at least two corners (in particular, a semi-circular cross-section), said planar region extending between two of said corners. Said basic body is, in particular, triangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, or semi-circular in shape. The polygonal cross-section gives rise, respectively, at least between two corners or two edges, to a planar surface which then includes the planar region. The ultrasonic converter can thus be integrated into the valve in a particularly convenient manner.

[0027] The invention is based respectively on the experiences acquired, the observations or the reflections stated below, and also includes the preferred embodiments mentioned below, which are also referred to as "the invention", partly for simplification, and may also include parts or combinations of the embodiments described above or correspond to them, and / or also, where appropriate, embodiments not yet noted.

[0028] A "touchless" tap is provided in accordance with the invention.

[0029] This results in a detection mechanism operating on the basis of ultrasound and designed for taps (water outlet taps) primarily intended, in particular, for use in public sanitary facilities. The sensor is not visually detectable from the outside. Moreover, the software control (control unit) is specifically adapted to minimize water waste.

[0030] The invention is based on experience whereby, as a general rule, the detection mechanism is implemented using infrared light in existing faucets. If an object is detected in the sink area, the water flow is then activated for a fixed interval of x seconds, which frequently results in the water continuing to flow for a few seconds after the hands have been removed.

[0031] Accordingly, such touchless taps always have a small black window at the respective level of their "base" or "frame". This is necessary so that infrared light can reach the outside.

[0032] On the one hand, the invention solves the problem of the potential aesthetic discontinuity resulting from the integration of the device in black-colored glass and, on the other hand, water consumption is reduced to a minimum following a redesign of the conventional algorithms (manual identification according to the invention). According to the invention, instead of allowing the water flow to run continuously for a fixed interval, upon detection, said flow only becomes active (including a short pause) in the presence of a rate of change conditioned by the movement of the hands during the washing process.

[0033] The invention results in the following features: - sensor not visible from the outside; - absence of detection error due to different skin pigmentations; - absence of detection error caused by ambient light; - absence of detection errors resulting from soiling of the glass dedicated to infrared light; and - lower water consumption thanks to adapted algorithms.

[0034] A fundamental idea of ​​the invention lies in the implementation of ultrasound for the detection of a presence in taps, particularly public ones, as well as in the integration of the measuring device (ultrasound converter) not visible from the outside.

[0035] The invention can be used, in particular:

[0036] 1) in the contactless lavatories of an aircraft cabin; and

[0037] 2) in all other public sanitary facilities.

[0038] According to the invention, an innovative technology is provided for water taps, based on ultrasound and offering a non-visible solution to the problems related to the variable sensitivity and delayed reaction time of conventional ultrasonic systems. Furthermore, the product makes a positive impression since the sensor cannot be seen by the user.

[0039] To this end, high-frequency (inaudible) sound waves are used to identify hands or objects in the sink area. The use of ultrasound also minimizes possible interference from ambient light or other light sources. The invention promises a more efficient and user-friendly experience, particularly in public restrooms and other sanitary facilities.

[0040] The invention is based on the observations listed below.

[0041] Touchless taps are ubiquitous, and in times of heightened hygiene awareness, such devices, which detect the presence of hands using time-offlight (ToF) (time-of-flight) methods and control the valve leading to the water supply based on this signal, can hardly be ignored. In this case, commercially available systems use a light signal in the infrared spectrum for obstacle detection.

[0042] This approach nevertheless has some drawbacks: - detection errors may occur due to external factors such as sunlight, reflections or other light sources in the environment; - many systems have different sensitivities to different skin types, so that the system does not react at all in certain circumstances; - Deposits of limescale or grime on the sensor's glass casing can negatively affect its performance; and Many systems exhibit a noticeable delay between the moment hands are placed under the tap and the start of the water flow. The same is true when hands are removed, as the water often continues to flow for several seconds afterward. This results in large quantities of water being wasted.

[0043] In most conceptual designs, moreover, the optical sensor is visible to the naked eye, which may not correspond to each user's perception of aesthetics. A concealed integration of said sensor would be desirable, particularly in fields where the emphasis is on aesthetics or conceptual design.

[0044] All the aforementioned problems can be solved by the invention, which provides, in particular, for an implementation of manual detection using a high-frequency ultrasonic sensor that is mounted frontally in the tap's "frame," on the inner face, and sends sound waves outwards through the housing, via a coupling element in particular. The system The proposed solution is suitable for both synthetic and metal taps.

[0045] The key feature of the invention lies, in particular, in an ultrasonic converter element positioned on the inner face of the faucet, facing the sink. A coupling material with slight elasticity, made in particular of a synthetic polymer such as silicone, is interposed between the converter and the faucet (metal / synthetic material) in order to improve the transmission of ultrasonic waves from the converter to the faucet. At the location where the sensor is installed, the faucet wall should be particularly thin, achieved by milling (the thickness of the wall should not exceed 1 mm at this location, including any coatings). Acoustic sound-absorbing foam, made in particular of polyurethane, permanently affixed around the converter element, dampens sound waves traveling laterally and to the rear.Consequently, acoustic energy is also not significantly propagated through water pipes.

[0046] The converter emits a continuous, high-frequency, high-amplitude sound wave, which is transmitted to the faucet via the coupling element. Due to the particularly thin wall at this location, the faucet can propagate the longitudinal wave outwards into the area of ​​the sink. Depending on the presence of a hand or other object in the space surrounding the sink, the sound waves are reflected and absorbed with varying intensity. The return signal subsequently received at the converter exhibits a different signal pattern in the various scenarios, which is used to detect an object located in front of the faucet.

[0047] The switching of the valve and the influx of water into the sink nevertheless govern, by themselves, a modified scenario in which the water jet would cause an unintentional signal change. To prevent this from occurring, the integrated control electronics must specifically adapt the sensor's sensitivity to the presence of the water flow. An even more precise and faster approach then lies in filtering the constant signal (direct current) and correlating the evaluation of the actual substitute signal (alternating current). Therefore, it would be particularly appropriate for the control electronics to open the valve only when the return signal exhibits a sufficient rate of change. Since it is common to move one's hands during the washing process, the valve would remain open in this case.However, the water flow would be immediately stopped as soon as the said rate of change no longer exceeds a certain threshold value, which must, in particular, be set individually. Using the appropriate parameter, the closure... The valve can operate with very little delay, which would save considerable amounts of water in the long term.

[0048] An artificial delay or hysteresis is respectively integrated so that the system does not react too quickly and this does not result in erroneous interpretations. Exceeding the threshold value is therefore also, in particular, coupled to a temporal component.

[0049] A square or rectangular shape of the valve in the region of the armature is recommended, in particular, for the purpose of simplifying the integration of the ultrasonic converter into the internal space of the valve, including the control electronics, and maintaining the convenience of the overall manufacturing process.

[0050] The technology also lends itself to subsequent adaptive redesign, depending on the design of existing taps. The system can also, of course, be implemented in narrower taps or taps of other configurations.

[0051] Additional features, effects and advantages of the invention are highlighted by the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided below, and by the accompanying schematic drawings in which:

[0052] [Fig-1] is a conceptual illustration, in cross-section, of a tap (water intake taps);

[0053] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the reception signal (return signal); And

[0054] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the tap presented as an inspiration creative.

[0055] Figure 1 represents a water tap 2 with which a person, not shown in detail, washes their hand 4 using water 6. To do this, they hold their hand 4 in an environment 3 either close to or directly above the tap 2, namely, either in a hand basin 26 on which the tap 2 is mounted, or above the basin. In the figure, the water 6 or the direction of its flow is indicated by flow arrows.

[0056] The tap 2 includes a base body 8 made of metal, in this case, and provided with an inlet end 10 by which said base body 8, and therefore said tap 2 in its entirety, are mechanically mounted / fixed to the hand basin 26. A water inlet 12 6, present at said inlet end 10, is connected to a water supply line 6, i.e. to a water pipe 28 subjected to hydraulic pressure.

[0057] Opposite the inlet end 10, the base body 8 is provided with an outlet end 14 at the level of which there is a water discharge spout 16 6.

[0058] The base body 8 extends along a path 18, that is, from the inlet end 10 to the outlet end 14, and it has a wall 20. A channel 22, extending in the internal space of said body 8, reaches the discharge spout 16 from the inlet 12 and serves to guide the water 6. The wall 20 surrounds said channel 22.

[0059] The base body 8, or even the wall 20 thereof, is respectively provided with a visible external surface 24 which, therefore, materializes the external surface of the tap 2. Said wall 20, or the entirety of said body 8, are made of a metallic material in the present case.

[0060] The tap 2 contains an ultrasonic converter 30 used to detect a hand 4 potentially located on said tap 2. The detection process ultimately aims to control the flow of water 6 circulating through the channel 22, that is, currently, to allow or block it. This is achieved, in this case, by means of a valve 32 which is integrated into said channel 22 or acts on it, respectively, and is controlled, respectively, by said converter 30 or its detection signal, which is not discussed further.

[0061] With respect to a radial direction 34 referred to the trace 18 of the extent, the ultrasonic converter 30 is located between the channel 22 and a zone 36 of the wall 20, which zone 36 offers the visible surface 24. Said converter 30 is, consequently, housed in the internal space of the base body 8. A permanent locking or a mechanical mounting of said converter 30, carried out respectively in the valve 2 or on said base body 8, then takes place by means of fastening spacers not further discussed which are respectively fixed, in turn, to said body 8 or to said wall 20.

[0062] Zone 36 of the wall is made with a wall thickness W1 measuring 1 mm in the region of the ultrasonic converter 30. It is of a thinner design, compared to the wall 20, in an environment 40 of said zone 36 in which, in fact, a wall thickness W2 is 3 mm. The reduction in thickness W1 compared to that, W2, present in said environment 40, is obtained because said wall 20 has, at the location considered, a milled draft 42 made from the inside, that is to say from the respective internal space of the base body 8, or of the valve 2.

[0063] The ultrasonic converter 30 is applied against an inner face 44 of the zone 36 of the wall, with interposition of a coupling element 46, in order to improve the acoustic transmission between said converter 30 and the environment 3 in both directions.

[0064] The ultrasonic converter 30 has an ultrasonic scattering window 50, identified by a dotted line in this case, and occupying a substantially conical region in space. Outside said window 50, the converter 30 is protected by acoustic insulation 52 with respect to the rest of the tap 2. In operation, said converter 30 delivers an emission signal 58 in the form of ultrasound inside said window 50. Said ultrasound is reflected / backscattered by structures / objects located in the environment 3, therefore in particular in the presence of the hand 4. A part of the backscattered / reflected signal 58 forms a return signal 56 which is received by said converter 30 inside said window 50.

[0065] Fig. 2 schematically and qualitatively shows the basic shape, at time _t, of the return signal 56 chosen respectively as an example, which signal 56 has a constant part illustrated by a constant signal 60. It also has a changing part presented as a substitute signal 62 which is formed by the difference between the return signal 56 and the constant signal 60 and therefore takes positive and negative values ​​(said constant signal 60 constitutes a fictitious zero line attributed to said substitute signal 62).

[0066] The tap 2 contains a control unit 54 associated with the ultrasonic converter 30 to which it is electrically connected in the case considered. Thus, said unit 54 is arranged to perform manual identification (hand identification 4) in support of the feedback signal 56 possibly received by said converter.

[0067] The control unit 54 is arranged to initially separate the constant signal 60 from the feedback signal 56 by filtering, that is, to eliminate it. Consequently, only a "residual" feedback signal 56 remains, taking the form of the time-domain replacement signal 62.

[0068] Manual identification is then designed to detect hand 4 only when a rate of variation 64 (amplitude of the substitute signal 62 referred, in the figure, to the constant signal 60 as zero line) exceeds a threshold value SW.

[0069] In this case, a delay period VZ1 is provided for in the manual identification, or the latter includes said period VZ1 in relation to exceeding the threshold value SW. In the example of [Fig. 2], this means that hand 4 is identified only after the expiration of the delay period VZ1 following said exceeding of the threshold value SW. Said manual identification includes a second delay period VZ2: the hand is no longer identified after a negative exceedance of the threshold value SW, and only after the expiration of said delay period VZ2, these conditions not being met in the present case.

[0070] In other words, a hysteresis is thus realized with regard to the positive and negative exceedances of the threshold value SW.

[0071] Figure 3 is a more detailed perspective view, showing the valve 2 of Figure 1. Dotted lines symbolize the position of the ultrasonic converter 30 in the respective internal space of the base body 8 or of the valve 2, which is not perceptible from the outside (when the eye is directed, respectively, towards the surface or the visible surface 24 of said tap 2 / of said body 8). For illustrative and explanatory purposes, said converter 30 is placed with a particularly pronounced recess in relation to the surface 24.

[0072] The visible surface 24 is provided with a flat region 70 at the level of the area 36 of the wall below, or behind, the ultrasonic converter 30. Put another way, said surface 24 has a flattened profile in said flat region 70, as can be explained below.

[0073] The area 36 of the wall is supported by a section 74 of the base body 8, or the latter is provided with said area 36. At said section 74, and therefore at said area 36, ​​said body 8 has a polygonal cross-section 72, rectangular in this case. A portion of said cross-section (namely the flat "front face", in the present case) of said body 8 is provided with the flat region 70.

[0074] It is understood that many modifications can be made to the invention as described and illustrated, without departing from the scope of the content disclosed in this memorandum.

[0075] The elements, objects, indications and information illustrated in the figures are referenced as follows:

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[0095] 2: Water intake tap 3: Tap surroundings 4: Person's hand 6: Water 8: Tap base body 10: Base body inlet end 12: Water inlet 14: Base body outlet end 16: Water discharge spout 18: Base body extent outline 20: Wall of the base body 22: channel running through base body 24: visible surface of base body 26: hand basin 28: water pipe 30: ultrasonic converter 32: valve integrated into base body 34: radial direction 36: wall area 40: environment (around) wall area (36).

[0096] 42 milled recess in the wall

[0097] 44 inner face of the wall area

[0098] 46 coupling element between the converter and the inner face

[0099] 50 converter diffusion window

[0100] 52 converter acoustic insulation

[0101] 54 valve control unit

[0102] 56 feedback signal

[0103] 58 transmission signal emanating from the converter

[0104] 60 constant signal

[0105] 62 substitute signal

[0106] 64 rate of change

[0107] 70 planar region of the visible surface

[0108] 72 cross-section of the base body

[0109] 74 section of the base body

[0110] SW: threshold value of the rate of change [YES] VZ1, 2: manual identification timeout periods

[0112] W1, 2: wall thicknesses

[0113] t: time

[0114] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated to the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Demands

1. Water intake tap (2) from which water (6) is dispensed by means of a hand (4), said tap (2) includes a base body (8) having an inlet end (10) having an inlet (12) for water (6) and an outlet end (14) having a spout (16) for discharging water (6), and the extent of which follows a path (18) which starts from said inlet end (10) and reaches said outlet end (14), said base body (8) includes a wall (20) enclosing a channel (22) which is intended for water (6), runs through the internal space of said body (8) and extends from the inlet (12) to the discharge spout (16), said wall (20) having an external surface visible (24) of said tap (2);and also includes an ultrasonic converter (30) designed to detect a hand (4) potentially located at or on the tap (2), in order to control a flow of water (6) circulating through the channel (22), said converter (30) being housed within the internal space of the base body (8), in a radial direction (34) relative to the trace (18) of the extent, between said channel (22) and an area (36) of the wall (20) encompassing at least a portion of the visible surface (24), said area (36) of the wall (20) being traversed by ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic converter (30) when said converter (30) is in operation, provided that said area (36) of the wall (20) is made, in the region of said converter (30), with a wall thickness (W1) less than that (W2) of said wall (20) in an environment (40) of said area (36).;

2. Faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic converter (30) is applied against an inner face (44) of the area (36) of the wall, with interposition of a coupling element (46).

3. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ultrasonic converter (30) has an ultrasonic diffusion window (50), and said converter (30) is protected by acoustic insulation (52) outside said diffusion window (50), at least partially in the direction of the remaining part of said valve (2).

4. Valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said valve (2) contains a control unit (54) associated with the ultrasonic converter (30) and arranged to perform manual identification in support of a return signal (56) received by said converter (30).

5. Faucet according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (54) is arranged to separate by filtering a constant signal (60) from the return signal (56), initially, and to perform manual identification in support of the remaining residual return signal (56), in the form of a substitute signal (62), which manual identification is designed to detect the hand (4) only in the presence of a rate of change (64) of said substitute signal (62) exceeding a threshold value (SW).

6. Tap according to claim 5, characterized in that the manual identification has at least one time delay period (VZ1, VZ2) and optionally, or alternatively, at least one hysteresis concerning the positive overshoot and optionally, or alternatively, the negative overshoot of the threshold value (SW) by the rate of change (64).

7. Tap according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall (20) is made of a metallic material and optionally, or alternatively, of a synthetic material.

8. Faucet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the visible surface (24) of the base body (8) is provided, at least at the level of the area (36) of the wall, with a flat region (70) offering a flattened profile.

9. Faucet according to claim 8, characterized in that the basic body (8) is provided, along the path (18) of the extent, with a section (74) having the flat region (70), knowing that, with respect to said path (18), said section (74) has a cross section (72) having at least two corners, said flat region (70) extending between two of said corners.

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