Faucet system

Abstract

To provide a faucet system equipped with two types of touchless faucet devices, which is less prone to accidental operation. [Solution] The faucet system of the present invention comprises a faucet device and a second faucet device. The faucet device is arranged adjacent to one side of the second faucet device and comprises a first object detection sensor capable of detecting an object by transmitting and receiving a first signal through a first sensor window, a first spout to which the first object detection sensor is attached, and a first control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the first spout based on the detection state by the first object detection sensor. The first sensor window is arranged on the surface of the first spout facing the one side, and the first signal is transmitted from the first sensor window toward the one side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet system including a set of faucet devices arranged adjacent to each other.

Background Art

[0002] As a faucet system including a set of faucet devices arranged adjacent to each other, a faucet system including a hot and cold water mixing faucet device and a sterilized water faucet device is known (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, a touchless faucet device combining a pair of first human body sensing sensors whose sensing areas are directed leftward and rightward of the spout and a second human body sensing sensor whose sensing area is directed downward of the spout is known (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In commercializing a touchless faucet device capable of independently performing the opening and closing operations of a hot and cold water mixing faucet device and a sterilized water faucet device, the present inventor has repeatedly studied the optimization of the layout of the sensing areas of the human body sensing sensors.

[0006] In the layout described in Patent Document 1, when a human body sensing sensor is mounted on the sterilized water faucet device arranged on the right side in the left-right direction, if the sensing area is designed on the side of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device arranged on the left side in the left-right direction, during various operations on the hot and cold water mixing faucet device and / or due to the mere presence of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device, an unintended sensing output of the human body sensing sensor is likely to occur.

[0007] Furthermore, in the layout described in Patent Document 2, the sensing area of ​​the second human body detection sensor is directed downwards from the spout, which makes it prone to accidental operation such as unintended water flow control being performed during tasks like washing dishes.

[0008] This invention was conceived based on the above findings. The object of this invention is to provide a faucet system equipped with two types of touchless faucet devices that are less prone to accidental operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to a faucet device that is arranged adjacent to one side of a second faucet device, and comprises a first object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a first spout to which the first object detection sensor is attached, and a first control device that switches between discharging and stopping water from the first spout based on the detection state by the first object detection sensor, wherein the first object detection sensor is arranged such that its detection area is formed from the first spout toward the one side.

[0010] According to the present invention, the faucet device is positioned adjacent to the second faucet device on one side, and the first object detection sensor of the faucet device is positioned such that its detection area is formed from the first spout of the faucet device toward the aforementioned side. Therefore, operation of the second faucet device or the presence of the second faucet device itself prevents the first object detection sensor from producing an unintended detection output.

[0011] A faucet system comprising a faucet device having the aforementioned features and a second faucet device is also one aspect of the present invention.

[0012] The second faucet device includes, for example, a second object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a second spout to which the second object detection sensor is attached, and a second control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the second spout based on the detection state by the second object detection sensor.

[0013] Alternatively, the present invention relates to a faucet device positioned adjacent to one side of a second faucet device, which comprises a second object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a second spout to which the second object detection sensor is attached, and a second control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the second spout based on the detection state by the second object detection sensor, wherein the second object detection sensor is positioned such that its detection area is formed extending from the second spout toward the other side.

[0014] According to the present invention, the faucet device is positioned adjacent to one side (left or right) of the second faucet device, and the second object detection sensor of the second faucet device is positioned such that its detection area is formed extending from the second spout of the second faucet device toward the other side (left or right). Therefore, operation of the faucet device or the presence of the faucet device itself prevents the second object detection sensor from generating an unintended detection output.

[0015] A faucet system comprising a faucet device having the aforementioned features and a second faucet device is also one aspect of the present invention.

[0016] The faucet device includes, for example, a first object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a first spout to which the first object detection sensor is attached, and a first control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the first spout based on the detection state by the first object detection sensor.

[0017] Preferably, the detection area of ​​the first object detection sensor and the detection area of ​​the second object detection sensor are offset in the height direction, at least partially.

[0018] In this case, false detections that confuse the hand waving operation for the first object detection sensor (first sensor window) and the hand waving operation for the second object detection sensor (second sensor window) are unlikely to occur.

[0019] Also, it is preferable that the height of the faucet device is lower than the height at which it is attached to the second spout of the second object detection sensor.

[0020] In this case, it is more effectively prevented that the second object detection sensor generates a detection output unintended by the operation on the faucet device or the existence of the faucet device itself.

[0021] Also, it is preferable that the detection area of the first object detection sensor and the detection area of the second object detection sensor are at least partially offset in the front-rear direction.

[0022] Also in this case, false detections that confuse the hand waving operation for the first object detection sensor (first sensor window) and the hand waving operation for the second object detection sensor (second sensor window) are unlikely to occur.

[0023] Also, it is preferable that the first spout has a base end portion extending in the vertical direction or substantially the vertical direction, and a first sensor case that holds the first object detection sensor within the base end portion.

[0024] According to this, it is easy to set the detection area of the first object detection sensor so that an unintended detection output does not occur during operations such as dishwashing. Also, since the position and orientation of the first object detection sensor can be positioned with high precision within the base end portion by the first sensor case, the function of the first object detection sensor in accordance with the design content can be guaranteed, and the size of the first spout does not undesirably increase.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first spout further has a rotating portion provided rotatably with respect to the base end portion, and a fixing portion fixed to the base end portion is formed at the lower end portion of the first sensor case.

[0026] Even when the first spout has a rotating part, the fixing part of the first sensor case can accurately position the position and orientation of the first object detection sensor within the base end part. Therefore, the function of the first object detection sensor in accordance with the design content can be guaranteed.

[0027] Also, within the base end part, one or more harnesses (for example, LED harness: two power supply lines) extend on one side, either the front or the rear, of the first sensor case, and a water supply hose extends on the other side, either the front or the rear, of the first sensor case. Here, "front" refers to the direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction and faces the user, and "rear" refers to the direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the left-right direction and is away from the user.

[0028] According to this, within the base end part, the harness and the water supply hose can be arranged in a balanced manner, and the size of the first spout does not undesirably increase.

Effect of the Invention

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, since the faucet device is arranged adjacent to one of the left and right sides of the second faucet device, and the detection area of the first object detection sensor of the faucet device is arranged so as to be formed from the first spout of the faucet device toward the one side, it is possible to prevent the first object detection sensor from generating an unintended detection output due to an operation on the second faucet device or the presence of the second faucet device itself.

[0030] Alternatively, according to one aspect of the present invention, since the faucet device is arranged adjacent to one of the left and right sides of the second faucet device, and the detection area of the second object detection sensor of the second faucet device is arranged so as to be formed from the second spout of the second faucet device toward the other side of the left and right, it is possible to prevent the second object detection sensor from generating an unintended detection output due to an operation on the faucet device or the presence of the faucet device itself.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of a faucet system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the first water discharge state (soft discharge) of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the second water discharge state (water broom discharge) of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the pull-out function of a hot and cold water mixing faucet. [Figure 5] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-to-back direction of the vicinity of the raw water sensor case of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-to-back direction near the disinfectant water sensor case of the disinfectant water faucet device. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view in the left-right direction near the disinfectant water sensor case of the disinfectant water faucet device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a faucet system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The faucet system 100 of this embodiment includes a hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 (an example of a second faucet device) and a disinfecting faucet device 101 (an example of a faucet device). The hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 and the disinfecting faucet device 101 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, facing each other from the front, with the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 positioned on the left and the disinfecting faucet device 101 positioned on the right.

[0034] (Configuration of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1) The hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 is a hot and cold water mixing faucet that can adjust the flow rate and temperature of the raw water, and is also a faucet that can select and use purified water instead of raw water (hot and cold water), and is positioned, for example, on the back side (rear side) of a kitchen sink.

[0035] The lower wall of the kitchen sink is provided with a hot water inlet 2, a cold water inlet 3, and a purified water inlet 61. The hot water inlet 2 is connected to the hot and cold water mixing valve 21 in the base end 10 of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 via a hot water supply solenoid valve 52 and a hot water supply pipe 22. The cold water inlet 3 is connected to the same hot and cold water mixing valve 21 via a cold water supply solenoid valve 53 and a cold water supply pipe 23. The purified water inlet 61 is connected to the inlet of the purified water cartridge 63 via a purified water supply solenoid valve 54 and a purified water supply pipe 62.

[0036] The hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is a well-known configuration and uses a single-lever cartridge to control (operate) the flow rate and temperature. Specifically, hot water is supplied via the hot water supply pipe 22 and cold water via the cold water supply pipe 23. After mixing to achieve the desired flow rate and temperature according to the position and orientation of the single-lever cartridge, the water is discharged via the outlet pipe 24 and the cold water supply hose 25.

[0037] The water supply hose 25 is connected to the water outlet pipe 24 and its movement in the space below the kitchen sink is restricted by passing through a hose spacer guide 26 fixed to the water outlet pipe 24. Below the hose spacer guide 26, a stopper 27 is attached to the water supply hose 25 to limit the amount the water supply hose 25 can be pulled out.

[0038] A raw water / purified water branching fitting 65 is provided at the connection point between the water outlet pipe 24 and the water supply hose 25, and is connected to the outlet of the purified water cartridge 63 via the purified water outlet pipe 64.

[0039] The spout of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment comprises a roughly cross-shaped base end portion 10 having a protruding portion on the right side (one side) and a protruding portion on the left side (the other side), a flow control and temperature control lever 20 (an example of a flow control control part) provided on the right side (one side) of the protruding portion on the right side (one side) of the base end portion 10, and a rotating part 30 (including a water discharge head 36, which will be described later) provided on the upper surface of the base end portion 10 so as to be rotatable relative to the base end portion 10. The upper part of the rotating part 30 is an extension portion 30e that extends in the horizontal direction.

[0040] The hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 is fixed at its base end 10 to the rear side of the kitchen sink. The hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is housed inside the right-side (one-side) projection of the base end 10.

[0041] The hot and cold water mixing valve 21 is a single-lever cartridge valve, and its single-lever portion is a flow control and temperature control lever 20 (an example of an operating part that adjusts the flow rate of water discharged from the outlet).

[0042] (Rotating part 30) The extension 30e, which is the upper part of the rotating section 30, is provided with a single spout 41 for soft water discharge near its tip. In addition, multiple water spray holes 42 for water broom-like water discharge are arranged in a matrix pattern closer to the base end than the spout 41.

[0043] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the first water discharge state (soft water discharge) of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, and Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the second water discharge state (water broom water discharge) of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment.

[0044] The first water discharge state (soft discharge) shown in Figure 2 and the second water discharge state (water broom discharge) shown in Figure 3 can be switched at will by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension 30e.

[0045] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the pull-out function of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the tip of the extension portion 30e of the spout of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment is a water discharge head 36 that can be pulled out from the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30. The water supply hose 25 is inserted into the exterior member 31 and connected to the water discharge head 36.

[0046] (Raw water photoelectric sensor 33) Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the raw water sensor case 32 (second sensor case) of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the raw water sensor case 32, which holds the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 (an example of a second object detection sensor), is fixed to the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30.

[0047] In this embodiment, the raw water sensor case 32 is fixed inside the exterior member 31 such that the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 is located below the water supply hose 25 (so as to partition the water supply hose 25 and the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 vertically).

[0048] Furthermore, the raw water sensor case 32 of this embodiment has an ingress prevention wall portion 32w that slopes downward toward the ingress water outlet 31d provided on the exterior member 31 of the rotating portion 30.

[0049] The raw water photoelectric sensor 33 includes a raw water light-emitting element that emits raw water detection light (an example of a second signal) through a raw water sensor window 33w (see Figures 2 and 3), and a raw water light-receiving element that receives the reflected light of the raw water detection light emitted by the raw water light-emitting element through the raw water sensor window 33w. The raw water light-receiving element is preferably located behind the raw water light-emitting element.

[0050] The raw water sensor window 33w is positioned on the surface facing the right side (one of the left or right sides) of the spout extension 30e, and the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right.

[0051] (Water purification photoelectric sensor 13) Although detailed illustrations are omitted, a water purification sensor case that holds the water purification photoelectric sensor 13 is fixed to the external member of the base end 10.

[0052] The water purification photoelectric sensor 13 includes a water purification light emitting element that emits water purification detection light through a water purification sensor window 13w, and a water purification light receiving element that receives the reflected light of the water purification detection light emitted by the water purification light emitting element through the water purification sensor window 13w. The water purification light receiving element is preferably located behind the water purification light emitting element.

[0053] The water purification sensor window 13w is positioned on the surface facing the upper side of the left protruding portion 10p that protrudes to the left (an example of the other side of left and right) at the base end 10 of the spout, and the purified water detection light is transmitted from the water purification sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward (for example, at an angle of 60° with respect to the horizontal plane) toward the area behind the water outlet 41 and the spray holes 42, and toward the left side of the spout.

[0054] (Water flow control for hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1) The switching between shut-off and raw water discharge (first mode water discharge / shut-off control) is controlled by the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 detecting the user's "hand wave".

[0055] Specifically, the detection signal from the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 is transmitted to the controller box 55 (an example of a second control device) via a harness (not shown), and a predetermined drive signal is transmitted from the controller box 55 to the hot water supply solenoid valve 52 and the cold water supply solenoid valve 53 via a harness (not shown) (see Figure 1). In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of preventing burns to the user, the opening of the cold water supply solenoid valve 53 precedes the opening of the hot water supply solenoid valve 52 by a predetermined time.

[0056] The switching between raw water discharge and shut-off (discharge / shut-off control in the first mode) may be controlled by the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 detecting the user's "hand wave" again, or it may be configured to automatically shut off after a predetermined time or amount of water has been discharged.

[0057] The flow rate and temperature of the raw water being discharged are controlled by the user's manual operation of the flow rate and temperature control lever 20.

[0058] Furthermore, the soft water discharge (see Figure 2) and the water broom discharge (Figure 3) can be switched at will by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension 30e.

[0059] On the other hand, the switching between shut-off and purified water discharge (second mode of water discharge / shut-off control) is controlled by the purified water photoelectric sensor 13 detecting the user's "hand wave".

[0060] Specifically, the detection signal from the water purification photoelectric sensor 13 is transmitted to the controller box 55 via a harness (not shown), and a predetermined drive signal is transmitted from the controller box 55 to the water purification supply solenoid valve 54 via a harness (not shown) (see Figure 1).

[0061] The switching between purified water discharge and shut-off (second mode discharge / shut-off control) may be controlled by the purified water photoelectric sensor 13 detecting the user's "hand wave" again, or it may be configured to automatically shut off the water after a predetermined time or amount of water has been discharged.

[0062] The hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment does not have a flow rate control function or a temperature control function for the purified water that is discharged.

[0063] However, even when dispensing purified water, the soft water discharge (see Figure 2) and the water broom discharge (Figure 3) can be switched at will by manually rotating the rotary switch 43 at the tip of the extension 30e.

[0064] Although not shown in the diagram, the controller box 55 is connected to a commercial AC power supply. The harness connecting the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 and the purified water photoelectric sensor 13 to the controller box 55 includes signal lines and power supply lines. Similarly, the harness (not shown) connecting the controller box 55 to the hot water supply solenoid valve 52, the cold water supply solenoid valve 53, and the purified water supply solenoid valve 54 also includes signal lines and power supply lines.

[0065] (Configuration of the disinfecting water tap device 101) The disinfecting faucet device 101 is a faucet that can use disinfecting water and is located to the right of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1, for example, at the rear (back) of the kitchen sink.

[0066] Referring again to Figure 1, a disinfectant water inlet 161 is provided on the lower wall surface of the kitchen sink, and this disinfectant water inlet 161 is connected to the inlet of the disinfectant water cartridge 163 via a disinfectant water supply solenoid valve 154 and a disinfectant water supply pipe 162.

[0067] The water supply hose 125 is connected to the outlet of the disinfectant water cartridge 163 via the disinfectant water outlet pipe 164. The water supply hose 125 is inserted through the spout of the disinfectant water faucet device 101 and supplies disinfectant water towards the outlet 141.

[0068] The spout of the disinfecting faucet device 101 of this embodiment (an example of the first spout) comprises a base end portion 110 extending in the vertical direction and a rotating portion 130 rotatably provided on the upper surface side of the base end portion 110 relative to the base end portion 10. The upper part of the rotating portion 130 is an extension portion 130e extending in the horizontal direction.

[0069] The disinfecting faucet device 101 is fixed at its base end 110 to the rear side of the kitchen sink.

[0070] (Rotating part 130) The extension portion 130e, which is the upper part of the rotating portion 130, is provided with a single water outlet 141 for discharging disinfectant water near its tip.

[0071] (Disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113) Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the front-to-back direction near the disinfectant water sensor case 112 (an example of the first sensor case) of the disinfectant water faucet device 101, and Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the left-to-right direction near the disinfectant water sensor case 112 of the disinfectant water faucet device 101.

[0072] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a disinfectant water sensor case 112, which holds a disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 (an example of a first object detection sensor), is fixed to a rib portion 110r that protrudes inward from the inner surface of the outer surface member of the base end portion 110.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6, the rib portion 110r is provided on the front side (left side in Figure 6) and the rear side (right side in Figure 6). A fixing portion 112f extending in the front-rear direction at the lower end of the disinfectant water sensor case 112 is screwed in from below (with the head of the fixing screw 110s facing downwards) by a fixing screw 110s while in contact with the lower surface of the rib portion 110r.

[0074] The disinfectant water sensor case 112 extends upward so as to pass between a pair of front and rear rib portions 110r and along the left-right center line of the base end portion 110. It holds the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 in a vertical direction.

[0075] The disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 includes a disinfectant water light-emitting element 113a that emits disinfectant water detection light (an example of a first signal) through a vertically extending disinfectant water sensor window 113w (see Figures 2 and 3), and a disinfectant water light-receiving element 113b that receives the reflected light of the disinfectant water detection light emitted by the disinfectant water light-emitting element 113a through the disinfectant water sensor window 113w. The disinfectant water light-receiving element is preferably located behind the disinfectant water light-emitting element (to the left in Figure 7).

[0076] The disinfectant water sensor window 113w is positioned on the surface facing the right side (one of the left or right sides) of the base end 110 of the spout, and the disinfectant water detection light is transmitted from the disinfectant water sensor window 113w toward the right.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, within the base end portion 110, two harnesses 142h (harnesses for lighting the blue LED 142 that illuminates the disinfectant water discharge area) extend from the rear side of the disinfectant water sensor case 112 (an example of one side, either the front or the rear), and a water supply hose 125 (water passage hose) extends from the front side of the disinfectant water sensor case 112 (an example of the other side, either the front or the rear).

[0078] Furthermore, the harness 113h connecting the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 and the controller box 55 includes signal lines and power supply lines (a total of 4 wires), and extends below the disinfectant water sensor case 112 within the base end 110, almost directly beneath the disinfectant water sensor case 112. (The harness 142h connecting the controller box 55 and the LED 142 only requires power supply lines (2 wires).)

[0079] (Water discharge / stop control of the disinfectant faucet device 101) The switch between shutting off the water and dispensing disinfectant water is controlled by the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 detecting the user's "hand gesture".

[0080] Specifically, the detection signal from the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 is transmitted via harness 113h to the controller box 55 (an example of a first control device, which also serves as a second control device in this embodiment), and a predetermined drive signal is transmitted from the controller box 55 to the disinfectant water supply solenoid valve 154 via harness (not shown) (see Figure 1).

[0081] The switching between dispensing disinfectant water and stopping the water flow may be controlled by the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 detecting the user's "hand wave" again, or the water flow may be automatically stopped after a predetermined time or amount of water has been dispensed.

[0082] (Effects and benefits of the faucet system 100)

[0083] In the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the disinfecting faucet device 101 is positioned adjacent to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 on the right side, and the disinfecting water sensor window 113w of the disinfecting faucet device 101 is positioned on the surface of the base end 110 (spout) facing the right side. Since the disinfecting water detection light is transmitted from the disinfecting water sensor window 113w toward the right side, it is prevented that the disinfecting water photoelectric sensor 113 will produce an unintended detection output due to operation of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 or the presence of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 itself.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the disinfected water sensor window 113w and the raw water sensor window 33w are at different heights, and the disinfected water detection light is transmitted from the disinfected water sensor window 113w toward the right, and the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right, so the detection area of ​​the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 and the detection area of ​​the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 are at different heights.

[0085] This makes it less likely for false detections to occur, such as confusing a hand gesture with the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 (disinfected water sensor window 113w) and a hand gesture with the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 (raw water sensor window 33w).

[0086] Furthermore, as is clear from Figure 1, according to the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the height of the disinfecting faucet device 101 is lower than the height of the raw water sensor window 33w.

[0087] This more effectively prevents the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 from generating unintended detection outputs due to operation of the disinfection faucet device 101 or the presence of the disinfection faucet device 101 itself.

[0088] Furthermore, as is clear from Figures 2 and 3, in the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the disinfected water sensor window 113w and the raw water sensor window 33w are offset in the front-to-back direction. Since the disinfected water detection light is transmitted from the disinfected water sensor window 113w toward the right and the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right, the detection area of ​​the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 and the detection area of ​​the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 are also offset in the front-to-back direction.

[0089] This also makes it less likely for false detections to occur, such as confusing a hand gesture with the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 (disinfected water sensor window 113w) and a hand gesture with the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 (raw water sensor window 33w).

[0090] Furthermore, according to the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the spout of the disinfecting faucet device 101 has a base end portion 110 that extends in the vertical direction, and a disinfecting water sensor case 112 that holds a disinfecting water photoelectric sensor 113 within the base end portion 110.

[0091] This makes it easy to set the detection area of ​​the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 so as not to produce unintended detection outputs during tasks such as dishwashing. Furthermore, the disinfectant water sensor case 112 allows for high-precision positioning of the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 within the base end portion 110, thereby guaranteeing the function of the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 in accordance with the design specifications, and preventing the size of the base end portion 110 from becoming undesirably large.

[0092] Furthermore, according to the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, the spout of the disinfecting faucet device 101 further has a rotating part 130 that is rotatably provided with respect to the base end 110, and a fixing part 112f is formed at the lower end of the disinfecting water sensor case 112 that is fixed to the base end 110.

[0093] As a result, even if the spout of the disinfectant water faucet device 101 has a rotating part 130, the fixed part 112f of the disinfectant water sensor case 112 allows for high-precision positioning of the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 within the base end 110, thereby guaranteeing the function of the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 in accordance with the design.

[0094] Furthermore, according to the faucet system 100 of this embodiment, two harnesses 142h extend from the rear side of the disinfectant water sensor case 112 within the base end portion 110, and a water supply hose 125 extends from the front side of the disinfectant water sensor case 112.

[0095] This allows the harness 142h and the water supply hose 125 to be positioned in a balanced manner within the base end 110, preventing the base end 110 from becoming unnecessarily large.

[0096] (Other: Effects and functions of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1) As described above, the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that the raw water sensor window 33w is positioned on the surface facing the right side of the extension 30e that extends horizontally from the rotating part 30 of the spout, and raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward that right side. The purified water sensor window 13w is positioned on the surface facing the upper side of the left protruding part 10p that protrudes to the left at the base end 10 of the spout, and purified water detection light is transmitted from the purified water sensor window 13w toward the area on the left side of the spout. Therefore, the act of holding a hand over the raw water sensor window 33w and the act of holding a hand over the purified water sensor window 13w can be reliably distinguished and detected. As a result, it is less likely that erroneous operation will occur in which the water flow control of the unintended mode is executed.

[0097] Furthermore, in the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the purified water sensor window 13w is positioned lower than the raw water sensor window 33w. This design layout ensures that the height of the hand when placed over the raw water sensor window 33w is different from the height of the hand when placed over the purified water sensor window 13w, further reducing the likelihood of accidental operation where the water flow control of the unintended mode is executed.

[0098] Furthermore, according to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the spout has a base end portion 10 that extends vertically or substantially vertically, and an extension portion 30e (part of the rotating portion 30) that is provided above the base end portion 10 and extends horizontally. The raw water sensor window 33w is attached to the extension portion 30e, and the purified water sensor window 13w is attached to the base end portion 10. As a result, with a simple configuration, the purified water sensor window 13w is positioned lower than the raw water sensor window 33w.

[0099] Furthermore, according to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, a left-side projection 10p is provided that protrudes to the left side of the spout, and a water purification sensor window 13w is positioned on the surface facing the upper side of the projection 10p, and the water purification detection light is projected from the water purification sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward. By providing the projection 10p, it is easy to position the water purification sensor window 13w at a desired design position. In addition, because the water purification detection light is transmitted from the water purification sensor window 13w diagonally forward and upward, it is prevented that water will drip from the hand and wet the projection 10p when the hand is placed over the water purification sensor window 13w.

[0100] Furthermore, according to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the protruding portion 10p is provided to protrude to the left at the base end portion 10, and the extension portion 30e is provided with a water outlet 41 and a water spray hole 42, and the purified water detection light is projected toward the rear side of the water outlet 41 and water spray hole 42. As a result, the detection area by the purified water detection light is located behind the water discharge area from the water outlet 41 or water spray hole 42, making it less likely for unintended water discharge / stop control to be performed during tasks such as washing dishes. In addition, it is also effectively suppressed from water wetting the protruding portion 10p during washing.

[0101] Furthermore, in the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the flow rate and temperature control lever 20 is located on the right side of the spout, and the water purification sensor window 13w is located on the left side of the spout. This prevents the water purification photoelectric sensor 13 from malfunctioning (falsely detecting) when the flow rate and temperature control lever 20 is operated.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 of this embodiment, the spout has an external member 31 of the rotating part 30, a water outlet head 36 that can be pulled out from the external member 31, a water supply hose 25 that is inserted into the external member 31 and connected to the water outlet head 36, and a raw water sensor case 32 that holds a raw water photoelectric sensor 33. The raw water sensor case 32 is fixed inside the external member 31 such that the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 is located below the water supply hose 25. By using such a raw water sensor case 32, it is easy to position the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 towards the lower side inside the external member 31 and the water supply hose 25 towards the upper side inside the external member 31, and even if a pull-out water outlet head 36 is used, it is not necessary to increase the inner diameter of the external member 31.

[0103] Furthermore, the raw water sensor case 32 of this embodiment has an intrusion prevention wall portion 32w that slopes downward toward the intrusion water outlet 31d provided on the exterior member 31 of the rotating part 30 of the spout. This allows for more reliable discharge of intrusion water that has entered the spout.

[0104] (Another embodiment) A faucet system obtained by reversing the configuration of the disinfecting faucet device 101 from the faucet system 100 described above (the disinfecting water sensor window 113w is positioned on the surface facing the left side of the base end 110 of the spout, and the disinfecting water detection light is transmitted from the disinfecting water sensor window 113w toward the left), and by swapping the positions of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 and the disinfecting faucet device 101, is also covered by this application.

[0105] According to this modified embodiment, the disinfecting faucet device 101 is positioned adjacent to the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 on its left side, and the raw water sensor window 33w of the hot and cold water mixing faucet device 1 is positioned on the surface facing the right side of the spout. Since the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right side, operation of the disinfecting faucet device 101 or the mere presence of the disinfecting faucet device 101 prevents the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 from producing an unintended detection output.

[0106] Furthermore, in this modified embodiment, the disinfectant water sensor window 113w and the raw water sensor window 33w are at different heights, and the disinfectant water detection light is transmitted from the disinfectant water sensor window 113w toward the left, while the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right. As a result, the detection area of ​​the disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113 and the detection area of ​​the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 are at different heights.

[0107] This makes it less likely for false detections to occur, such as confusing a hand gesture with the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 (disinfected water sensor window 113w) and a hand gesture with the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 (raw water sensor window 33w).

[0108] Furthermore, even in this modified embodiment, the height of the disinfecting water faucet device 101 is lower than the height of the raw water sensor window 33w.

[0109] This more effectively prevents the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 from generating unintended detection outputs due to operation of the disinfection faucet device 101 or the presence of the disinfection faucet device 101 itself.

[0110] Furthermore, in this modified embodiment, the positions of the disinfected water sensor window 113w and the raw water sensor window 33w are offset in the front-to-back direction. Since the disinfected water detection light is transmitted from the disinfected water sensor window 113w toward the left and the raw water detection light is transmitted from the raw water sensor window 33w toward the right, the detection area of ​​the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 and the detection area of ​​the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 are also offset in the front-to-back direction.

[0111] This also makes it less likely for false detections to occur, such as confusing a hand gesture with the disinfected water photoelectric sensor 113 (disinfected water sensor window 113w) and a hand gesture with the raw water photoelectric sensor 33 (raw water sensor window 33w).

[0112] (Another type of sensor) In the embodiments described above, a photoelectric sensor was used as the object detection sensor. However, other methods may be used as the object detection sensor as long as they can detect objects without contact. For example, methods using electromagnetic waves such as microwaves, methods using changes in capacitance when a human body approaches, and methods using a camera and image recognition are possible. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0113] 1. Faucet device 2 Hot water outlet 3 Water inlet 10 Proximal end 10p Left side protrusion 13. Water purification photoelectric sensor 13W water filter sensor window 20 Temperature control lever 21. Hot and cold water mixing valve 22 Hot water pipe 23 Water supply pipe 24 Outlet pipe 25 Water supply hose 26 Hose Spacer Guide 27 Stopper 30 Rotating part 30e extension 31 Exterior components 31d Intrusion water outlet 32 Raw water sensor case 32w Water intrusion prevention wall 33 Raw water photoelectric sensor 33W Raw Water Sensor Window 36 Water outlet heads 41 Spout 42 sprinkler holes 43 Rotary switch 52 Hot water supply solenoid valve 53 Water supply solenoid valve 54 Water purification supply solenoid valve 55 Controller Box 61 Water inlet for water purification 62 Water treatment supply pipe 63 Water filter cartridge 64. Water purification outlet pipe 65 Water purification branch fitting 100 Faucet Systems 101 Disinfecting water faucet device 110 Proximal end 110r rib section 110s Fixing Screw 112 Disinfectant Water Sensor Case 112f Fixed part 113 Disinfectant water photoelectric sensor 113a Disinfectant water light projection element 113b Disinfectant water light receiving element 113h Harness 113W disinfectant water sensor window 125 Water supply hose 130 Rotating part 130e Extension 141 Spout 142 Blue LEDs 142h Harness 154 Disinfectant water supply solenoid valve 161 Water supply port for sterilized water 162 Sterilized water supply pipe 163 Disinfectant Water Cartridge 164 Sterilization water outlet pipe

Claims

1. A faucet device positioned adjacent to one side (left or right) of the second faucet device, A first object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, The first spout to which the first object detection sensor is attached, A first control device that switches between discharging and stopping the water discharged from the first spout based on the detection state by the first object detection sensor, Equipped with, The first object detection sensor is positioned such that its detection area is formed extending from the first spout toward one side. A faucet device characterized by the following features.

2. A faucet device according to claim 1, The second faucet device and, A faucet system equipped with a faucet.

3. The second faucet device is A second object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, The second spout to which the second object detection sensor is attached, A second control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the second spout based on the detection state by the second object detection sensor, The faucet system according to claim 2, characterized by including the following:

4. A faucet device is positioned adjacent to one side of a second faucet device, which comprises a second object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, a second spout to which the second object detection sensor is attached, and a second control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the second spout based on the detection state by the second object detection sensor, The second object detection sensor is positioned such that its detection area is formed extending from the second spout toward the left and right sides. A faucet device characterized by the following features.

5. The faucet device according to claim 4, The second faucet device and, A faucet system equipped with a faucet.

6. The aforementioned faucet device is A first object detection sensor capable of detecting objects without contact, The first spout to which the first object detection sensor is attached, A first control device that controls the discharge or cessation of water discharged from the first spout based on the detection state by the first object detection sensor, The faucet system according to claim 5, characterized by including the following:

7. The detection area of ​​the first object detection sensor and the detection area of ​​the second object detection sensor are at least partially offset in the height direction. The faucet system according to claim 3 or 6, characterized by the features described herein.

8. The height of the faucet device is lower than the height at which it is attached to the second spout of the second object detection sensor. The faucet system according to claim 3 or 6, characterized by the features described herein.

9. The detection area of ​​the first object detection sensor and the detection area of ​​the second object detection sensor are at least partially offset in the front-to-back direction. The faucet system according to claim 3, 6, 7, or 8, characterized by the features described above.

10. The first spout is, A base end extending in the vertical direction or substantially in the vertical direction, A first sensor case that holds the first object detection sensor within the base end, It has The faucet system according to claim 3, 6, 7, 8, or 9, characterized by the features described above.

11. The first spout further has a rotating portion that is rotatably provided with respect to the base end, A fixing portion is formed at the lower end of the first sensor case, which is fixed to the base end. The faucet system according to claim 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, characterized by the features described herein.

12. Within the aforementioned base end, One or more harnesses extend from either the front or rear side of the first sensor case. A water supply hose extends to the front or rear side of the first sensor case. The faucet system according to claim 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, characterized by the features described herein.

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