Faucet equipment

Abstract

This allows the user to recognize whether the device is controlling automatic water shutoff or continuous water discharge, thereby improving usability. [Solution] The faucet comprises a faucet body with a water outlet, a control unit that switches between water discharge and water stop from the water outlet, an operation unit that controls the flow rate and / or temperature (mixture ratio of hot and cold water) of water discharged from the water outlet, and a capacitance sensor that detects contact with a human body; when the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor is above a first threshold and below a second threshold, it determines that a user has approached, and when the user's proximity continues for a predetermined period of time, water is discharged, and when the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor is above the second threshold, it determines that a user has come into contact, and water discharge begins.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and more particularly to a water faucet device that allows contactless operation using a capacitance sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] Faucet devices that control water flow and stop by detecting a human body without contact have been known for some time. There are two main types: one is an automatic stop type that continues to dispense water while detecting a human body and stops when the human body is no longer detected, and the other is a continuous water dispense type that switches between dispensing and stopping water when a human body is detected. When washing hands, it is preferable for water to flow only while hands are detected, so the former automatic stop control is preferred, while the latter continuous water dispense control tends to be preferred for actions such as drawing water at home.

[0003] Therefore, a water faucet device equipped with both of these types of control has been proposed (Patent Document 1), but this requires two sensors. Also, because infrared sensors are used, two black windows are required for each sensor, which places constraints on the design. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2007-315042 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a faucet that is easy to use while using a capacitance sensor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, a faucet comprises a faucet body with a water outlet, a control unit that switches between discharging and stopping water from the water outlet, an operation unit that controls the flow rate and / or temperature (mixture ratio of hot and cold water) of water from the water outlet, and a capacitance sensor that detects human contact, and when the capacitance change of the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold and equal to or less than a second threshold, it determines that a user has approached, and when the user's proximity continues for a predetermined time, it starts discharging water, and when the capacitance change of the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than the second threshold, it determines that the user has made contact, and starts discharging water. With this configuration, when the capacitance exceeds the first threshold and is less than the second threshold, it determines that the user has made a hand gesture (proximity), and when proximity continues for a certain period of time, it starts discharging water, while when the capacitance change exceeds the second threshold, it determines that contact has occurred and starts discharging water, improving usability.

[0007] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable that measurement is started when the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor exceeds the first threshold, and that proximity is determined to have occurred and water discharge is started when the time integral value of the change in capacitance during measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold. By configuring in this way, water discharge can be started in a short time when the capacitance change can be clearly determined to be proximity (the user's proximity distance), but when the capacitance change is questionable as to whether it is proximity, detection must be continued for a long time, thereby reducing false detections and improving usability.

[0008] In addition, in the present invention, if water discharge is initiated when a user approaches, it is preferable to stop the water discharge when the user stops approaching for a certain period of time. By configuring it in this way, water discharge can be continued only while the user holds out their hand when washing their hands, and the water can be stopped by pulling their hand back, improving usability.

[0009] In addition, in the present invention, when water discharge is initiated by contact with the user, it is preferable that water discharge continue even after the user's contact is released, and that water stop when it is detected that the user has contacted the device again. By configuring it in this way, continuous water discharge becomes possible when a contact operation is performed, thereby improving usability.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, if the user makes contact after starting water discharge due to the user's proximity, it is preferable that the water discharge continue even if the user's contact is released, and stop water discharge when it detects that the user has made contact again. By configuring it in this way, even if the user makes a contact operation and mistakenly determines that the device is in proximity and starts water discharge before contact, if it subsequently determines that the device is in contact, it can transition to continuous water discharge in the same way as a contact operation, so that the operation is as intended by the user and usability can be prevented from being impaired.

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, when water discharge is initiated by contact with the user, it is preferable that water discharge continue even if the user's proximity is detected during water discharge. By configuring in this way, continuous water discharge can be maintained even if the user approaches to draw water, etc., during continuous water discharge, thereby improving usability.

[0012] In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable that after the start of water discharge due to contact by the user, water is stopped after a certain time has passed and water discharge determination due to proximity is resumed. By configuring in this way, if continuous water discharge is started by mistake or if the user leaves the area during continuous water discharge, water can be automatically stopped after a certain time has passed, thereby preventing unnecessary water consumption and improving usability.

[0013] In addition, in the present invention, it is preferable to provide a display unit that displays whether water is being discharged by proximity or contact. By configuring in this way, the user can know whether the device is currently controlling automatic water stop or continuous water discharge, thereby improving usability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, there is an effect of improving the usability of a water faucet device that detects a human body using a capacitance sensor. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of a water faucet device 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a water faucet device 1 according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the distance between the water faucet device 1 of the present invention and the user, and the change in capacitance detected at that time. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the process of discharging and stopping water in the water faucet device 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] 4 is a time chart relating to the proximity operation of the water faucet device 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6] 4 is a time chart relating to the contact operation of the water faucet device 1 of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 is a time chart relating to contact operations during close-in water discharge of the water faucet device 1 of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a time chart relating to the proximity operation during contact water discharge of the water faucet device 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a time chart for automatic water shutoff during contact water discharge of the water faucet device 1 of the present invention.

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a faucet device 1 according to the present invention. The faucet device 1 is broadly composed of a faucet body 10 and a spout 12 that includes a water outlet. The faucet body 10 is equipped with an operating lever 14 that operates a built-in single-lever cartridge (not shown) to stop water discharge, adjust the temperature, and adjust the flow rate, as well as an LED 16 that displays various information.

[0017] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a faucet device 1 according to the present invention. The faucet device 1 has a hot water supply line 30 and a water supply line 40 connected to a hot water source and a cold water source (not shown). Stop valves 32 and 42 are provided between the hot water source and the hot water supply line 30 and between the cold water source and the water supply line 40, respectively. Solenoid valves 36 and 46 are provided in each line to control the flow of hot water and cold water. Filters 34 and 44 are provided upstream of the solenoid valves 36 and 46 to capture debris flowing in from the upstream side and prevent the solenoid valves 36 and 46 from becoming entangled in the debris. Check valves 38 and 48 are provided downstream of the solenoid valves 36 and 46 to prevent backflow of hot water into the cold water flow line or vice versa when the pressure difference between the hot water and cold water is large.

[0018] The faucet device 1 also has a control unit 20. The control unit 20 is equipped with a power supply unit 22 that converts the commercial power supply into the required voltage and current, a solenoid valve drive unit 24 that drives the solenoid valves 36 and 46, and a detection unit 26 that detects a human body by changes in capacitance. A detection electrode 28 provided on the spout 12 is connected to the detection unit 26 to detect changes in capacitance between the cathode and anode, and is configured to be able to determine the proximity or contact of a human body. By providing the detection electrode 28 on the spout 12, it is thought that it will be easier to detect the placement of a hand near the spout.

[0019] Figure 3 shows the change in capacitance when a human body approaches the faucet device 1. The dotted line indicates the distance between the human body and the faucet device 1, and the solid line indicates the change in capacitance. As the human body approaches the faucet device 1, once the distance falls below a certain level, static electricity moves through the air, causing a gradual change in capacitance. Then, when the distance between the human body and the faucet device 1 becomes zero, that is, when the human body comes into contact with the faucet device 1, a sudden and large change in capacitance occurs. At this time, by setting the capacitance change during the gradual change in capacitance as S1 as the threshold for determining proximity, and the capacitance change in the region where a sudden change in capacitance occurs as S2 as the threshold for determining contact, it is possible to determine whether a human body is approaching or in contact.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an operational flowchart of the water faucet device 1 according to the present invention. When the water faucet device 1 is in the water discharge acceptance state (normal standby state) (S100), it first checks whether a change in capacitance greater than S1, which is the threshold for determining proximity, has occurred (S200). If a change in capacitance greater than S1 has occurred, it then determines whether the change in capacitance exceeds S2, which is the threshold for determining contact (S300). If the change in capacitance exceeds S1 but is less than S2, it is determined that the user has approached (held their hand over the spout), and the system transitions to proximity water discharge mode (S400). If the change in capacitance exceeds S2, it is determined that the user has made contact with the water faucet device 1 (touch operation), and the system transitions to contact water discharge mode (S500).

[0021] In the proximity water discharge mode (S400), first, a water discharge process (S410) is performed in which the solenoid valves 36, 46 are opened, and a proximity water discharge display (S420) is performed in which the notification LED 16 is turned on to notify that proximity water discharge has begun. Then, monitoring begins to determine whether the capacitance change falls below S1 (S430). If the capacitance change falls below S1, it is determined that proximity has ended (the user has withdrawn their hand), and a water stop process (S440) is performed in which the solenoid valves 36, 46 are closed, and the notification LED 16 is turned off to end the proximity water discharge display (S450), and the process returns to water discharge reception (S100).

[0022] Meanwhile, in the proximity water discharge mode (S400), if S1 is exceeded while monitoring the capacitance change (S430), a check is made to see if S2 is also exceeded (S460). This is to determine whether the user has approached and then continued to approach without making contact. If S2 is exceeded, it is determined that contact has occurred (touch operation), and the system transitions to contact water discharge mode (S500). (Since water discharge has already started, the system transitions to contact water discharge display (S520), which displays contact water discharge.)

[0023] Next, the contact water discharge mode (S500) will be described. If the capacitance change exceeds S2 and it is determined that the user has touched the water faucet device 1 (a touch operation), and the system transitions to the contact water discharge mode (S500), the system performs a water discharge process (S510) that opens the solenoid valves 36 and 46, and a contact water discharge display (S520) that flashes the notification LED 16 to indicate contact water discharge. As mentioned above, if the capacitance change exceeds S2 during the proximity water discharge mode (S400), water discharge has already begun, so the system skips the water discharge process (S510) that opens the solenoid valves 36 and 46 and transitions to the contact water discharge display (S520) that flashes the lit notification LED 16 to indicate contact water discharge. Then, the system determines whether the capacitance change falls below S2 (S530). This is to monitor whether the touch operation has been completed (whether the user has released their hand). Once it is determined that the touch operation has been completed, the process then monitors whether a touch operation is performed again, i.e., whether the capacitance change does not exceed S2 (S540). If it is determined that the capacitance change exceeds S2, it is determined that a human body has made contact (a touch operation has been performed), and a water stop process is performed by closing the solenoid valves 36 and 46 (S550), and the contact water discharge display is terminated by turning off the notification LED 16 (S560). Thereafter, it is determined whether the capacitance change falls below S2, i.e., whether the touch operation has been completed (whether the user has released their hand) (S570). If the capacitance change falls below S2 and it is determined that the touch operation has been completed (whether the user has released their hand), the process returns to water discharge reception (S110).

[0024] In the contact water discharge mode (S500), when the capacitance change is monitored (S530, S540), the time elapsed since the start of water discharge is also monitored (S535, S545). If a certain amount of time has passed since the start of water discharge, it is determined that the user has moved away from the faucet while water was being discharged or that water discharge was initiated due to a malfunction, and the system performs a water stop process (S580) by closing the solenoid valves 36, 46 and ends the contact water discharge display (S590) by turning off the notification LED 16, before returning to water discharge reception (S110).

[0025] Note that S2', which is smaller than S2, may be used to determine whether the touch operation has been completed. This prevents contact and non-contact determinations from occurring repeatedly in a short period of time when a change in capacitance occurs near S2, preventing unintended repetition of water stoppage. The same effect can be achieved by using S1', which is smaller than S1, to determine when proximity has ended, as with S1, which determines proximity.

[0026] Next, each operation will be explained using a time chart. FIG. 5 shows a time chart for transitioning to the proximity water discharge mode (S400). When the user extends their hand toward the spout 12, the capacitance of the detection electrode 28 gradually changes. If the capacitance exceeds the first threshold S1 and a certain period of time has passed, it is determined that a human body has approached, and the solenoid valves 36 and 46 are opened to begin dispensing water, and the notification LED 16 is turned on. Next, when the user withdraws their hand, the capacitance change gradually subsides. If the capacitance continues to fall below the first threshold S1 for a certain period of time, it is determined that the approach has ended (the user has moved their hand away), and the notification LED 16 is turned off, and the solenoid valves 36 and 46 are closed to stop dispensing water. This is the series of operations in the proximity water discharge mode (S400).

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a time chart for transitioning to the contact water dispensing mode (S500). When a user touches spout 12, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and a sudden, large change in capacitance occurs upon contact. As a result, if the capacitance change of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold value S2, it is determined that a human body has contacted spout 12 (a touch action has been performed), solenoid valves 36 and 46 are opened, water dispensing begins, and notification LED 16 is flashed. When the user then removes their hand from spout 12, the capacitance change suddenly stops. However, because it is determined that contact has occurred, water dispensing (opening of solenoid valves 36 and 46) continues even if the capacitance change falls below S2 or S1. When the user then touches spout 12 again, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and a sudden, large change in capacitance occurs again upon contact. As a result, when the change in capacitance of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold value S2, it is determined that a human body has made contact (a touch action has been performed), and notification LED 16 is turned off, solenoid valves 36, 46 are closed, and water discharge is terminated (stopped). This is the series of operations in contact water discharge mode (S500).

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a time chart for transitioning to contact-type water dispensing mode (S500) after detecting human contact following transition to proximity water dispensing mode (S400). When a user extends their hand toward spout 12, the capacitance of detection electrode 28 gradually changes. If the capacitance exceeds first threshold S1 and a certain period of time passes, it is determined that a human body has approached, and solenoid valves 36, 46 are opened to begin dispensing water. In this state, if the user brings their hand even closer to spout 12 and performs a touch action, a large capacitance change occurs suddenly at the moment of contact. If the change in capacitance of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold S2, it is determined that a human body has contacted (a touch action has been performed), notification LED 16 is flashed, and the mode transitions to contact-type water dispensing mode (S500). Thereafter, even if the user releases their hand and the capacitance falls below the first threshold S1, the system has transitioned to the contact water dispensing mode (S500), so water dispensing (opening of the solenoid valves 36, 46) continues. When the user then touches the spout 12 again, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and once contact is made, a sudden large change in capacitance occurs again. As a result, when the capacitance change of the detection electrode 28 detected by the detection unit 26 exceeds the second threshold S2, it is determined that a human body has contacted the spout 12 (a touch action has been performed), and the notification LED 16 is turned off, the solenoid valves 36, 46 are closed, and water dispensing is terminated (water is stopped).

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a time chart when proximity is detected during contact water dispensing mode (S500). When a user touches spout 12, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and a sudden, large change in capacitance occurs at the point of contact. As a result, when the capacitance change of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold value S2, it is determined that a human body has contacted (a touch action has been performed), solenoid valves 36 and 46 are opened, water dispensing begins, and notification LED 16 is flashed. Thereafter, when the user removes their hand from spout 12, the capacitance change suddenly stops. However, because contact has been determined, water dispensing (opening of solenoid valves 36 and 46) continues even if the capacitance change falls below S2 or S1. Furthermore, even if the capacitance again exceeds first threshold value S1 due to the user washing their hands, the system does not perform processing such as transitioning to proximity water dispensing mode (S400), and water dispensing (opening of solenoid valves 36 and 46) continues. Thereafter, when the user touches spout 12 again, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and a sudden large change in capacitance occurs again at the point of contact. As a result, when the change in capacitance of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold value S2, it is determined that a human body has made contact (a touch action has been performed), and notification LED 16 is turned off, solenoid valves 36, 46 are closed, and water discharge is terminated (water is stopped).

[0030] Figure 9 shows a time chart for when water discharge continues for a certain period of time or more during contact mode (S500) and then automatically stops. When a user touches spout 12, a gradual change in capacitance occurs as the user's hand approaches, and a large change in capacitance occurs suddenly at the point of contact. As a result, when the change in capacitance of detection electrode 28 detected by detection unit 26 exceeds second threshold value S2, it is determined that a human body has contacted (a touch action has been performed), solenoid valves 36, 46 are opened, water discharge begins, and notification LED 16 is flashed. Thereafter, when the user removes their hand from spout 12, the change in capacitance suddenly stops, but because it is determined that contact has occurred, water discharge (opening of solenoid valves 36, 46) continues even if the change in capacitance falls below S2 or S1. In this state, if water continues to flow for a certain period of time (10 minutes), it is determined that the user has moved away from the faucet while water is still flowing, or that water flow has started due to a malfunction, and the alarm LED 16 is turned off, and the solenoid valves 36 and 46 are closed to end water flow (stop water flow).

[0031] Up to this point, an embodiment of the present invention has been described using diagrams, flowcharts, and time charts. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, while the notification means has been described as lighting or flashing the notification LED 16, other notification methods such as audio notification or color change by the LED are also conceivable. Furthermore, while a system using a solenoid valve for water discharge / stop and a single-lever cartridge for temperature and flow rate adjustment has been described, it is also conceivable that a single electronic valve could be used for these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1...Faucet device 10... Faucet body 12...Spout 14...Operating lever 16...Notification LED 20...Control unit 22...Power supply section 24...Solenoid valve drive unit 26...Detection unit 28...Detection electrode 30, 40...Drive unit 32, 42...Stop valve 34, 44...filter 36, 46...Solenoid valve 38, 48...Check valve

Claims

1. A faucet body having a spout; a control unit for switching between discharging and stopping water from the water outlet; An operation unit for operating the flow rate and / or temperature (mixture ratio of hot and cold water) of water discharged from the water discharge port; a capacitance sensor that detects contact with a human body; When the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than a first threshold value and equal to or less than a second threshold value, it is determined that a user has approached, and when the user's proximity continues for a predetermined time, water is discharged; A water faucet device characterized in that, when the change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, it is determined that a user has touched the device and water discharge is initiated.

2. starting measurement when a change in capacitance of the capacitance sensor exceeds the first threshold; 2. The water faucet device according to claim 1, wherein when a time integral value of the change in capacitance during measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that the object is approaching and water discharge is initiated.

3. 3. The water faucet device according to claim 1, wherein when water discharge is started in response to a user's approach, water is stopped when the user's approach is interrupted for a certain period of time.

4. The faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when water discharge is initiated by contact with the user, the water discharge continues even after the user's contact is released, and the water discharge stops when it detects that the user has contacted the device again.

5. The faucet device according to claim 3, characterized in that after water discharge is initiated by the user's proximity and the user comes into contact with the device, the device continues to discharge water even after the user's contact is released, and stops water discharge when it detects that the user has come into contact again.

6. The water faucet device according to claim 4, wherein when water discharge is initiated by contact with the user, water discharge is continued even if the proximity of the user is detected during water discharge.

7. 3. The water faucet device according to claim 1, wherein after water discharge is initiated in response to contact by a user, water is stopped after a certain period of time has elapsed, and water discharge determination due to proximity is resumed.

8. The water faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an indicator that indicates whether water is discharged by proximity or contact.

Images