Faucet device

Abstract

To provide a faucet device in which a water discharge pipe is rotatably attached to a faucet body, and the water discharge pipe can be rotated without touching the water discharge pipe.SOLUTION: A faucet device 1 has: a faucet body 2 arranged in a kitchen or on a bathroom counter; a water discharge pipe 3 attached to the faucet body 2 so as to be rotatable in an approximately horizontal direction; an electric mechanism 6 for rotating the water discharge pipe 3 relative to the faucet body 2; a right sensor 10 and a left sensor 11 arranged on a surface of the water discharge pipe 3 and detecting the approach of a hand to emit an electric signal; and a control mechanism 4 for controlling the operation of the electric mechanism 6 based on the electric signal from the right sensor 10 or the left sensor 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and more particularly to a water faucet device in which a discharge pipe can be rotated without contact. [Background technology]

[0002] Some faucet devices installed around a kitchen sink have a faucet body fixed to the countertop around the sink, and the spout pipe is attached to the faucet body so that it can rotate horizontally. In the faucet device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the spout pipe can be grasped by hand and rotated to the desired position to the left or right to spout water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-285905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The faucet device described in Patent Document 1 above had the problem that when cooking and your hands are dirty, you have to grab the spout pipe to rotate it to the desired position, which causes the spout pipe to become dirty.

[0005] In view of such problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a faucet device in which the water discharge pipe is rotatably attached to the faucet body, and which allows the water discharge pipe to be rotated without touching the water discharge pipe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first invention of the present invention is a faucet device comprising a faucet body arranged on a kitchen or bathroom counter, a discharge pipe attached to the faucet body so as to be rotatable in an approximately horizontal direction, an electric mechanism for rotating the discharge pipe relative to the faucet body, a sensor arranged on the surface of the discharge pipe for detecting hand movements and emitting an electric signal, and a control mechanism for controlling the operation of the electric mechanism based on the electric signal from the sensor.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control mechanism operates the electric mechanism based on an electrical signal from a sensor that detects hand movement, causing the discharge pipe to rotate in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the faucet body. This allows the discharge pipe to rotate without touching it with one's hand.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first invention, the sensors are arranged on both the left and right sides of the water discharge pipe, and when they detect an approaching hand and emit an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in the opposite direction to the approaching hand.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a hand is brought close to the water discharge pipe, the water discharge pipe rotates in the opposite direction to the hand, so that the water discharge pipe can be rotated without contact.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the second invention, the sensor continues to emit an electrical signal when the distance from the hand that is brought close to the sensor becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, and does not emit an electrical signal when the distance becomes greater than the predetermined value.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the invention, when a hand is brought close to the discharge pipe, the pipe rotates away from the hand, so that the discharge pipe can be rotated easily and comfortably without touching the pipe, as if the pipe were being pressed and rotated without contact. Also, the rotation of the discharge pipe can be stopped at the position where the hand stops approaching, so the discharge pipe can be positioned as desired.

[0012] The fourth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the sensor is arranged on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, and when it detects the movement of a palm held over it and emits an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in accordance with the movement of the hand.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the water discharge pipe rotates in response to the movement of the palm of the hand held over the sensor, so that the water discharge pipe can be rotated in a desired direction by the movement of the palm.

[0014] The fifth invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the sensors include a first sensor arranged on both the left and right sides of the water discharge pipe and a second sensor arranged on the top surface of the water discharge pipe, and when the first sensor detects a hand being approached and emits an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in the opposite direction to the hand being approached, and when the second sensor detects the movement of a palm being held over and emits an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in accordance with the movement of the hand, and when the first sensor and the second sensor detect a hand simultaneously, either the first sensor or the second sensor has priority in emitting an electrical signal.

[0015] According to the fifth invention, when you want to quickly change the left-right position of the water discharge pipe, you can rotate the water discharge pipe by bringing your hands close to the first sensor from either side, and when you want to move the water discharge pipe to a desired left-right position, you can change the rotation angle of the water discharge pipe by moving your palm over the second sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a water faucet device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the water faucet device in the embodiment. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the water faucet device in the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 4]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the water faucet device in the embodiment as viewed from above. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the water faucet device in the embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the water faucet device in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water faucet device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the water faucet device in the embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the water faucet device in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water faucet device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system for the water faucet device in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] A water faucet device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the following description, directions will be described based on the up / down, front / back, left / right directions shown in each figure.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet device 1 is installed on the countertop of a sink or washbasin, mixes hot and cold water supplied from below, and discharges the water forward. The faucet device 1 has a faucet body 2, a gooseneck-shaped discharge pipe 3 attached to the faucet body 2 so that it can rotate horizontally, and a control mechanism 4 disposed below the countertop.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet body 2 has an internally disposed cartridge 5 and electric mechanism 6, and an externally disposed operating lever 7. The cartridge 5 is a device that mixes hot and cold water supplied from below to produce temperature-controlled water, which is then supplied to the discharge pipe 3. Specifically, the cartridge 5 is operated by the operating lever 7, and has the functions of adjusting the hot and cold water mixing ratio to change the temperature of the temperature-controlled water, and of changing the amount of temperature-controlled water that is sent to the discharge pipe 3. The electric mechanism 6 is composed of a motor and a reduction gear, and has the function of receiving an electrical signal from the control mechanism 4 to rotate the discharge pipe 3 left and right relative to the faucet body 2 about a central axis 8 that extends vertically.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the lower end of the discharge pipe 3 is attached to the faucet body 2 in a watertight state so that it can rotate left and right around a central axis 8. A discharge head 9 is attached to the tip of the discharge pipe 3. Near the top of the discharge pipe 3, a right sensor 10 is disposed on the right side, and a left sensor 11 is disposed on the left side. Both the right sensor 10 and the left sensor 11 include an optical sensor, and send an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 when they detect a human hand H approaching closer than a predetermined distance. Here, the right sensor 10 and the left sensor 11 each correspond to the "first sensor" in the claims.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a faucet device control system 12 that controls the rotation of the water discharge pipe 3 relative to the faucet body 2. The faucet device control system 12 is configured by electrically connecting a right sensor 10, a left sensor 11, and an electric mechanism 6 to a control mechanism 4. The control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 in response to electrical signals input from the right sensor 10 and the left sensor 11. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, when the right sensor 10 detects a hand H approaching closer than a predetermined distance, it sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, which then activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the left about the central axis 8. Also, as shown in Figure 4, when the left sensor 11 detects a hand H approaching closer than a predetermined distance, it sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, which then activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the right about the central axis 8.

[0022] A method of controlling the faucet device 1 by the faucet device control system 12 will be described based on the flowchart shown in Figure 5. In step 101, as shown in Figure 3, hand H is brought closer to the discharge pipe 3 from the right side, and when it reaches a predetermined distance, right sensor 10 detects hand H and sends an electrical signal to control mechanism 4 (YES in step 101). Then, the process proceeds to step 102, where control mechanism 4 activates electric mechanism 6 to rotate discharge pipe 3 to the left about central axis 8. Then, returning to step 101, as hand H continues to be brought even closer to discharge pipe 3, control mechanism 4 continues to activate electric mechanism 6 in step 102 to rotate discharge pipe 3 to the left about central axis 8. When discharge pipe 3 has rotated to the desired position and hand H no longer moves closer to discharge pipe 3, right sensor 10 no longer detects hand H in step 101, and stops sending an electrical signal to control mechanism 4 (NO in step 101). Then, the process proceeds to step 103, where neither the right sensor 10 nor the left sensor 11 detects the hand H and sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 (NO in step 103), so the rotation of the water discharge pipe 3 stops at that position. On the other hand, if the hand H is brought closer to the water discharge pipe 3 from the left side as shown in FIG. 4 in step 101, the right sensor 10 does not detect the hand H (NO in step 101), so the process proceeds to step 103, where the left sensor 11 detects the hand H when it has come within a predetermined distance and sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 (YES in step 103). Then, the process proceeds to step 104, where the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the right about the central axis 8. Then, the process returns to step 103, and as the hand H continues to approach the water discharge pipe 3 further, the control mechanism 4 continues to activate the electric mechanism 6 in step 104, so that the water discharge pipe 3 rotates to the right about the central axis 8. When the water discharge pipe 3 has rotated to the desired position and the hand H stops moving closer to the water discharge pipe 3, the left sensor 11 no longer detects the hand H in step 103 and stops sending an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 (NO in step 103). Then, neither the left sensor 11 nor the right sensor 10 detects the hand H and does not send an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, so the rotation of the water discharge pipe 3 stops at that position. As a result, when the hand H approaches the water discharge pipe 3, it rotates away from the approached hand H, so the water discharge pipe 3 can be rotated easily and comfortably without touching the water discharge pipe 3, with the feeling that it is as if the water discharge pipe 3 is being pressed and rotated without contact.Furthermore, since the rotation of the water discharge pipe 3 can be stopped at the position where the approach of the hand H is stopped, the water discharge pipe 3 can be placed at a desired position.

[0023] A modified example of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. The difference from the first embodiment is the method of controlling the faucet device 1 by the faucet device control system 12. In step 201, as shown in FIG. 3, hand H is brought closer to the discharge pipe 3 from the right side. When the hand H approaches the discharge pipe 3 within a predetermined distance, the right sensor 10 detects the hand H and sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 (YES in step 201). Then, in step 202, the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the discharge pipe 3 leftward about the central axis 8. Then, in step 203, the control mechanism 4 stops the operation of the electric mechanism 6 when the discharge pipe 3 has rotated a predetermined angle. On the other hand, when hand H is brought closer to the discharge pipe 3 from the left side in step 201 as shown in FIG. 4, the right sensor 10 does not detect hand H (NO in step 201). Therefore, in step 204, the left sensor 11 detects hand H when the hand H approaches the discharge pipe 3 within a predetermined distance and sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4 (YES in step 204). Then, the process proceeds to step 205, where the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the right around the central axis 8. Then, the process proceeds to step 206, where the control mechanism 4 stops the operation of the electric mechanism 6 at a position where the water discharge pipe 3 has rotated a predetermined angle. As a result, when a hand H is brought close to the water discharge pipe 3, the water discharge pipe 3 rotates a predetermined angle away from the approached hand H and then stops, so that the water discharge pipe 3 can be rotated without the hand touching it.

[0024] A water faucet device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 7 to 9. The difference from the above-described water faucet device 1 is that an upper front sensor 13 is provided on the water discharge pipe 3 instead of the right sensor 10 and left sensor 11. Accordingly, the water faucet device control system 12A and the control method of the water faucet device 1A are different. Components common to the water faucet device 1 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Here, the upper front sensor 13 corresponds to the "second sensor" in the claims.

[0025] As shown in Figure 7, an upper front sensor 13 is disposed near the top of the water discharge pipe 3, in a portion closer to the front. The upper front sensor 13 is configured to include an optical sensor, similar to the right sensor 10 and left sensor 11, and detects the movement of a person's hand H and transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the movement to the control mechanism 4.

[0026] Figure 8 shows a faucet device control system 12A that controls the rotation of the discharge pipe 3 relative to the faucet body 2. The faucet device control system 12A is configured by electrically connecting a front upper sensor 13 and an electric mechanism 6 to a control mechanism 4. The control mechanism 4 operates the electric mechanism 6 in response to an input of an electrical signal from the front upper sensor 13.

[0027] A control method for the faucet device 1A by the faucet device control system 12A will be described based on the flowchart shown in Figure 9. If the upper-front sensor 13 detects an open palm (paper) held above the upper-front sensor 13 in step 301, proceed to step 302 (YES in step 301). If the upper-front sensor 13 detects a clenched palm (fist) within a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) after detecting the paper in step 302, proceed to step 303 (YES in step 302). If the upper-front sensor 13 does not detect a fist within a predetermined time (e.g., 2 seconds) after detecting the paper in step 302, end the process (NO in step 302). If the upper-front sensor 13 detects the hand H moving to the right after detecting the fist in step 303, proceed to step 304 (YES in step 303). If the upper-front sensor 13 does not detect the hand H moving to the right after detecting the fist in step 303, proceed to step 308 (NO in step 303). In step 304, the front-upper sensor 13 sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, which then activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the right around the central axis 8. Then, proceeding to step 305, if the front-upper sensor 13 detects that the movement of the hand H to the right has stopped, proceed to step 306 (YES in step 305). If the front-upper sensor 13 does not detect that the movement of the hand H to the right has stopped in step 305, the process returns to step 304, where the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to continue rotating the water discharge pipe 3 to the right around the central axis 8 (NO in step 305). In step 306, the control mechanism 4 stops the operation of the electric mechanism 6 and proceeds to step 307. If the front-upper sensor 13 detects a par in step 307, it sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, which then ends the process (YES in step 307). If the front-upper sensor 13 does not detect a par in step 307, the process returns to step 303 (NO in step 307). If the front upper sensor 13 detects that the hand H has moved to the left after detecting the fist in step 308, proceed to step 309 (YES in step 308). If the front upper sensor 13 does not detect that the hand H has moved to the left after detecting the fist in step 308, proceed to step 313 (NO in step 308). In step 309, the front upper sensor 13 sends an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, and the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to rotate the water discharge pipe 3 to the left around the central axis 8.Then, proceed to step 310, and if the front-upper sensor 13 detects that the movement of the hand H to the left has stopped, proceed to step 311 (YES in step 310). If the front-upper sensor 13 does not detect that the movement of the hand H to the left has stopped in step 310, return to step 309, and the control mechanism 4 activates the electric mechanism 6 to continue rotating the water discharge pipe 3 to the left around the central axis 8 (NO in step 310). In step 311, the control mechanism 4 stops the operation of the electric mechanism 6 and proceeds to step 312. If the front-upper sensor 13 detects a par in step 312, an electrical signal is sent to the control mechanism 4, and the control mechanism 4 ends the processing (YES in step 312). If the front-upper sensor 13 does not detect a par in step 312, return to step 303 (NO in step 312). If the front-upper sensor 13 detects a par in step 313, an electrical signal is sent to the control mechanism 4, and the control mechanism 4 ends the processing (YES in step 313). If the front upper sensor 13 does not detect a "open" in step 313, the process returns to step 303 (NO in step 313). As a result, the water discharge pipe 3 rotates and stops in accordance with the palm movement (open and fist) of the hand held over the front upper sensor 13, so the water discharge pipe 3 can be positioned at a desired position by the palm movement.

[0028] A water faucet device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 10 and 11. The difference from the above-described water faucet device 1 is that a right sensor 10, a left sensor 11, and an upper front sensor 13 are arranged on the water discharge pipe 3. Accordingly, the control method of the water faucet device control system 12B and the water faucet device 1B are different. Components common to the water faucet device 1 are given the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0029] As shown in Figure 10, water faucet device 1B has a right sensor 10 disposed on the right side near the top of discharge pipe 3, and a left sensor 11 disposed on the left side. Both right sensor 10 and left sensor 11 include an optical sensor, and when they detect a person's hand H approaching within a predetermined distance, they send an electrical signal to control mechanism 4. Water faucet device 1B also has an upper-front sensor 13 disposed near the top of discharge pipe 3, closer to the front. Like right sensor 10 and left sensor 11, upper-front sensor 13 includes an optical sensor, and detects the movement of a person's hand H and sends an electrical signal corresponding to the movement to control mechanism 4.

[0030] 11 shows a faucet device control system 12B that controls the rotation of the discharge pipe 3 relative to the faucet body 2. The faucet device control system 12B is configured by electrically connecting a right sensor 10, a left sensor 11, a front upper sensor 13, and an electric mechanism 6 to a control mechanism 4. The control mechanism 4 operates the electric mechanism 6 in response to input of electrical signals from the right sensor 10, the left sensor 11, and the front upper sensor 13.

[0031] The control method of the faucet device 1B by the faucet device control system 12B will be described. When the right sensor 10 and / or the left sensor 11 detects a hand H first from the initial state, the control method proceeds according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. When the upper-front sensor 13 detects a hand H first from the initial state, the control method proceeds according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. When the right sensor 10 and / or the left sensor 11 and the upper-front sensor 13 simultaneously detect a hand H first from the initial state, the upper-front sensor 13 has priority in sending an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, and the control method proceeds according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. Then, the faucet device 1B returns to the initial state a predetermined time after the processing in either the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, or the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is completed. As a result, when it is desired to quickly change the position of the water discharge pipe 3 in the left-right direction, the hand H is brought close to the right sensor 10 or the left sensor 11 from the left or right to rotate the water discharge pipe 3, and when it is desired to move the water discharge pipe 3 to a desired position in the left-right direction, the rotation angle of the water discharge pipe 3 can be changed by moving the palm of the hand over the front upper sensor 13.

[0032] Although specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those external appearances and configurations, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, the following can be mentioned.

[0033] 1. In the third embodiment described above, when the right sensor 10 and / or the left sensor 11 and the upper-front sensor 13 simultaneously detect the hand H from the initial state, the upper-front sensor 13 has priority in sending an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, and the control method proceeds according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 9. However, this is not limiting, and the right sensor 10 or the left sensor 11 may have priority in sending an electrical signal to the control mechanism 4, and the control method may proceed according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6.

[0034] 2. In the second and third embodiments, the palm movements are an open hand and a fist, but the movements are not limited to these and may be other movements that can be recognized by the upper front sensor 13.

[0035] 3. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1, 1A, 1B faucet device, 2 faucet body, 3 discharge pipe, 4 control mechanism, 5 cartridge, 6 electric mechanism, 8 center shaft, 10 right sensor (first sensor), 11 left sensor (first sensor), 12, 12A, 12B faucet device control system, 13 front upper sensor (second sensor), H hand

Claims

1. A water faucet device, A faucet body disposed on a kitchen or bathroom counter; a discharge pipe attached to the faucet body so as to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal direction; an electric mechanism that rotates the water discharge pipe relative to the faucet body; a sensor disposed on the surface of the water discharge pipe that detects hand movement and generates an electrical signal; a control mechanism that controls the operation of the electric mechanism based on the electrical signal from the sensor; A faucet device having the same.

2. In claim 1, The sensor is disposed on both the left and right sides of the discharge pipe, and when it detects an approaching hand and emits an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the discharge pipe in the opposite direction to the approaching hand.

3. In claim 2, The sensor continues to emit an electrical signal when the distance between the sensor and the hand that is brought close to the sensor is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and does not emit an electrical signal when the distance exceeds the predetermined value.

4. In claim 1, The sensor is arranged on the upper surface of the water discharge pipe, and when it detects the movement of a palm held over it and emits an electrical signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in accordance with the movement of the hand.

5. In claim 1, The sensor includes a first sensor disposed on both the left and right sides of the discharge pipe, and a second sensor disposed on an upper surface of the discharge pipe, When the first sensor detects an approaching hand and generates an electric signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in the direction opposite to the approaching hand; When the second sensor detects the movement of the palm of the hand and generates an electric signal, the control mechanism activates the electric mechanism to rotate the water discharge pipe in accordance with the movement of the hand, When the first sensor and the second sensor simultaneously detect a hand, either the first sensor or the second sensor has priority in emitting an electrical signal.

Images