Faucet equipment

Abstract

To provide a faucet device capable of appropriately preventing water from entering a sound collection microphone without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collection microphone.SOLUTION: A faucet device has a sound collection microphone 10 installed on the faucet surface (a curved surface A1) of a faucet pipe 3 exposed to the outside from the faucet installation surface and collects user's voice. The collection microphone 10 has a main unit 12 that is provided inside the faucet and has a through-shaped main body sound collection hole A6 on a top plate part 12A facing the faucet surface, a microphone cover 11 provided exposed on the faucet surface so as to cover the top plate part 12A and has a cover sound collection hole 11A that penetrates so as to communicate the main body sound collection hole A6 with the outside, and a ventilation membrane 13 made of a porous membrane that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole A6 and allows air to pass through but not water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water faucet device, and more particularly to a water faucet device having a sound-collecting microphone that is provided on a surface of the faucet that is exposed to the outside from the installation surface of the faucet and that collects the user's voice. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water faucet device in which a sound-collecting microphone capable of collecting the user's voice is arranged on the top surface of the water discharge pipe. This water faucet device is configured to collect voice instructions issued by the user with the sound-collecting microphone and to control the water discharge so as to change the water discharge state from the water outlet based on the collected voice signal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-305587 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, if the sound collecting microphone is placed close to the water outlet, water may get into the hole of the sound collecting microphone, causing malfunction. Therefore, the present invention provides a water faucet device that can appropriately prevent water from getting into the sound collecting microphone without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collecting microphone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the faucet device of the present invention takes the following measures: That is, the first aspect of the present invention is a faucet device having a sound-collecting microphone attached to the surface of the faucet that is exposed to the outside from the surface where the faucet is installed and that collects the user's voice, the sound-collecting microphone being attached inside the faucet and comprising: a main body unit having a through-shaped main body sound collection hole in a top panel portion facing the faucet surface; a microphone cover that is attached to the surface of the faucet so as to cover the top panel portion and has a cover sound collection hole that penetrates to connect the main body sound collection hole to the outside; and an air-permeable membrane that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole and is made of a porous membrane that allows air to pass through but not water.

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, even if water seeps into the cover sound collection hole of the sound collecting microphone exposed on the surface of the faucet from the outside, the air permeable membrane covering the main body sound collection hole of the main unit inside the faucet prevents the water from entering the main body sound collection hole. This configuration makes it possible to appropriately prevent water from entering the sound collecting microphone without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collecting microphone.

[0007] The second invention of the present invention is a faucet device according to the first invention, wherein the main body sound collection hole is formed as a cylindrical hole in a protruding tubular portion that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the top plate portion, and the air-permeable membrane is placed over the tip surface of the protruding end of the protruding tubular portion.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the main body sound collection hole is formed as a cylindrical hole in the protruding cylindrical portion that protrudes from the top plate, making it difficult for water that has flowed down onto the top plate to seep into the main body sound collection hole. Furthermore, the opening of the main body sound collection hole can be positioned closer to the cover sound collection hole. Therefore, water can be more appropriately prevented from seeping into the sound collection microphone without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collection microphone.

[0009] The third invention of the present invention is a faucet device in which, in the second invention described above, the protruding tubular portion is provided on a floating island portion that protrudes from the top plate portion in the form of a floating island and is covered by the microphone cover so as to surround the periphery.

[0010] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the protruding tubular portion in which the main sound collection hole is formed is formed to protrude further from the island portion that protrudes like a floating island from the top plate portion. This makes it even more difficult for water that has flowed down onto the island portion to seep into the main sound collection hole. Furthermore, the opening of the main sound collection hole can be brought even closer to the cover sound collection hole. Furthermore, because the island portion protrudes from the top plate portion, water that has flowed down onto the island portion can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the island portion.

[0011] The fourth invention of the present invention is a faucet device in which, in any of the first to third inventions above, the sound-collecting microphone is provided on a curved surface that forms the outer edge of the curve of the water discharge pipe that curves downward toward the water outlet at the tip.

[0012] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the sound collection microphone can be positioned so that it faces the user and can more easily collect sound. The microphone cover and the top panel of the main unit face each other at an angle relative to the direction of gravity. This prevents water from seeping in through the cover's sound collection hole from getting onto the main unit's sound collection hole. Furthermore, water that seeps into the faucet can be more easily drained along the curve of the discharge pipe toward the outlet at the tip.

[0013] The fifth invention of the present invention is a faucet device in which, in the fourth invention described above, the microphone cover has a vertically elongated shape extending in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, is supported from the back side of the cover at both ends in the axial direction of the main body unit, and is assembled so as to form a side opening that opens in the width direction between the top plate portion and the microphone cover.

[0014] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the sound-collecting microphone can be installed so as to collect sound widely along the axial direction of the water discharge pipe. Also, the side opening can be formed wide in the axial direction of the pipe, so that water that has entered can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the main unit.

[0015] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the water faucet device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the side openings are provided as a pair in the width direction.

[0016] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the infiltrating water can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the main unit.

[0017] The seventh invention of the present invention is a faucet device in which, in any of the fourth to sixth inventions above, the main body unit is arranged so as to protrude like a floating island from the upper surface of a base plate which is passed through the pipe of the discharge pipe in the axial direction and fixed thereto.

[0018] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the main body unit protrudes from the base plate like a floating island, so that water that has entered through the cover sound collection hole can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the main body unit.

[0019] The eighth invention of the present invention is a water faucet device in which, in any of the fourth to seventh inventions above, the cover sound collection holes formed in the microphone cover are arranged in multiple rows in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe.

[0020] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of cover sound collection holes are arranged in a line in the pipe axis direction along the curved surface of the water discharge pipe, which makes it less likely that all of the cover sound collection holes will be blocked by water when water is splashed on the microphone cover.

[0021] The ninth invention of the present invention is a faucet device according to any one of the fourth to eighth inventions, further comprising a photoelectric hand-wave sensor provided on the curved surface that is capable of contactlessly detecting the user's hand being extended, and the sound-collecting microphone is aligned with the hand-wave sensor in the axial direction of the pipe and positioned farther from the spout than the hand-wave sensor.

[0022] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the sound collection microphone and hand wave sensor can be arranged in a vertical order that is the same as the vertical order of the user's mouth and hand. Therefore, the hand wave sensor can be arranged in a position that is easier for the user to reach, while the sound collection microphone can be arranged in a position that makes it easier for the user's voice to be collected. Furthermore, the sound collection microphone can be arranged far from the water outlet and less likely to get wet.

[0023] The tenth invention of the present invention is a faucet device according to any one of the fourth to ninth inventions above, wherein the water discharge pipe has a gooseneck-like tubular shape that extends upward from the connection port with the faucet body and then curves downward toward the water discharge port at the tip.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the sound collecting microphone can be placed close to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge pipe, whose outlet is set at a relatively high position, so that it can function properly facing the user. Also, the sound collecting microphone can be placed far from the water discharge outlet, so that it is less likely to get wet.

[0025] The 11th invention of the present invention is a faucet device in which, in any one of the first to tenth inventions above, the cover sound collection hole and the main body sound collection hole are arranged offset from each other so that they do not overlap in the pipe axis direction and / or width direction.

[0026] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, water that has entered through the cover sound collection hole can be made less likely to get on the main body sound collection hole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a water faucet device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5]This is an enlarged oblique view showing the state in which the water discharge head is pulled out from the tip of the water discharge pipe. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the sound collecting microphone is attached to a base plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view with the microphone cover removed. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view taken along arrow VIII in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] First Embodiment (General configuration of the faucet device 1) First, the configuration of a water faucet device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In the following description, directions such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right refer to the respective directions shown in each figure. The directions shown in each figure are those seen from a user standing in front of the water faucet device 1. In the following description, when no specific reference figure is shown or when no reference figure has a corresponding symbol, reference will be made to any of Figures 1 to 9 as appropriate.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, the faucet device 1 according to this embodiment is configured as a so-called pedestal-type single-lever mixer faucet that is installed on the countertop T at the back of the sink S of a kitchen counter. This faucet device 1 has the function of mixing hot and cold water supplied from the underside of the kitchen countertop T inside and discharging the water into the sink S. Here, the countertop T corresponds to the "faucet installation surface" of the present invention.

[0031] Specifically, the faucet device 1 has a temperature control function that can internally adjust the mixing ratio of hot water and cold water supplied from the underside of the top plate T. The faucet device 1 also has a water discharge / stop switching function that can switch between discharging and stopping the mixed hot and cold water. The faucet device 1 also has a water discharge volume adjustment function that can adjust the amount of hot and cold water discharged.

[0032] The hot and cold water mixing ratio and the water discharge volume can be adjusted by operating a single lever handle 5 attached to the upper front part of the faucet body 2. The lever handle 5 is connected so that its base can pivot and rotate up, down, left, and right relative to the upper front part of the faucet body 2. The user grasps the gripping part extending from the base of the lever handle 5 and moves it up, down, left, and right to operate the hot and cold water mixing cartridge C built into the faucet body 2.

[0033] Specifically, when the user moves the grip of the lever handle 5 left and right, the cartridge C is operated to change the opening of each inlet for hot and cold water taken into the faucet body 2. This adjusts the mixing ratio of hot and cold water taken into the faucet body 2 and mixed to a set temperature according to the operating position of the lever handle 5.

[0034] Furthermore, when the user moves the grip of the lever handle 5 up and down, the user operates the cartridge C and changes the opening of the outlet that discharges hot and cold water from inside the faucet body 2. This adjusts the amount of hot and cold water discharged from inside the faucet body 2 to a discharge amount that corresponds to the operating position of the lever handle 5.

[0035] Specifically, the discharge port is operated so that its opening gradually opens as the lever handle 5 is pulled up, and so that its opening gradually closes as the lever handle 5 is pushed down. The basic configuration related to the adjustment of the hot and cold water mixing ratio and the adjustment of the water discharge volume by the cartridge C is the same as the publicly known configuration disclosed in documents such as JP 2020-46067 A. Therefore, a description of the specific configuration of the cartridge C will be omitted.

[0036] The hot and cold water discharge / stop switch can be performed by either extending a hand to a hand wave sensor 8 mounted on the curved surface A1 of the water discharge pipe 3 extending from the upper back of the faucet body 2 to the front and above, or by voice instructions to a sound collection microphone 10. The hand wave sensor 8 is a reflective photoelectric sensor (infrared sensor) that can detect the user's hand being held out in front of it without contact. The sound collection microphone 10 is an omnidirectional microphone that can collect the user's voice with equal sensitivity from any direction.

[0037] The hand wave sensor 8 and the sound collecting microphone 10 are each electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) provided in the faucet device 1, and each detection signal is sent to the control unit. The control unit determines whether or not the user's hand is placed over the hand wave sensor 8 based on the detection signal of the amount of received light sent from the hand wave sensor 8. If the control unit determines that the user's hand is placed over the hand wave sensor 8, the control unit sends a control signal to a solenoid valve (not shown) installed in the water discharge path of the faucet device 1, and the solenoid valve is switched between open and closed.

[0038] Furthermore, a control unit (not shown) determines whether or not a specific voice instruction has been issued by the user based on a voice detection signal transmitted from the sound collection microphone 10. The control unit compares the voice information based on the voice detection signal with instruction patterns stored in a memory (not shown) and determines whether or not a matching instruction pattern exists. If the control unit determines that a matching instruction pattern exists, the control unit transmits a control signal corresponding to the instruction pattern to the solenoid valve (not shown), thereby switching the solenoid valve between open and closed.

[0039] Specifically, instruction patterns related to switching between hot and cold water discharge and water stop are stored in the memory of the control unit (not shown). Instruction patterns related to hot and cold water discharge include instruction patterns corresponding to voice instructions related to water discharge, such as "discharge water," "put out," and "put out." Furthermore, instruction patterns related to water stop include instruction patterns corresponding to voice instructions related to water stop, such as "stop water," "stop," and "stop."

[0040] When the control unit determines that a voice command related to water discharge has been issued, it sends a control signal to the solenoid valve to open the solenoid valve. When the control unit determines that a voice command related to water stop has been issued, it sends a control signal to the solenoid valve to close the solenoid valve.

[0041] After the control unit determines whether to discharge water and opens the solenoid valve based on the detection signal received from the hand wave sensor 8 or the sound collecting microphone 10, it keeps the solenoid valve open until it determines whether to stop the water flow based on the detection signal. Therefore, from the initial water-stop state, the hot and cold water discharge state can be switched to a continuous water discharge state by the user waving their hand over the hand wave sensor 8 or issuing a voice command related to water discharge to the sound collecting microphone 10.

[0042] "Continuous water discharge" refers to a water discharge mode in which water continues to be discharged even when the user removes their hand from the hand wave sensor 8. Note that the control unit may be configured to perform water stop control such as sending a control signal to close the solenoid valve to automatically stop the water flow if a detection signal determining that water should be stopped is not input even after a long period of time, such as 30 minutes or an hour, has passed since the water discharge mode was switched to continuous water discharge.

[0043] The control unit switches the water discharge state from a stopped state, i.e., a state in which the solenoid valve is closed, to continuous water discharge when the user holds their hand over hand wave sensor 8. Also, the control unit switches the water discharge state from a continuous state, i.e., a state in which the solenoid valve is open, to stopped water discharge when the user holds their hand over hand wave sensor 8.

[0044] Furthermore, the control unit controls the water discharge so that, regardless of the water discharge state, when a voice command related to water discharge is issued to the sound collecting microphone 10, the water discharge state is set to continuous water discharge, and when a voice command related to water stop is issued to the sound collecting microphone 10, the water discharge state is set to stopped water. Therefore, after the user's hand is held out to the hand wave sensor 8 and the water discharge state is switched to continuous water discharge, the control unit switches the water discharge state to stopped water when a voice command related to water stop is issued to the sound collecting microphone 10.

[0045] The control unit also switches the water discharge state to stopped when the user holds out their hand to hand-wave sensor 8 after switching the water discharge state to continuous discharge in response to a voice instruction related to water discharge being issued to sound-collecting microphone 10. The control unit also switches the water discharge state to stopped when the user holds out their hand to hand-wave sensor 8 again after switching the water discharge state to continuous discharge.

[0046] As described above, the control of switching the water discharge state to continuous discharge based on the detection signal from sound collecting microphone 10 and then switching to stop water discharge by extending a hand over hand sensor 8 is made possible by the control unit performing switching control using a control flag that indicates the open / closed state of the solenoid valve. Similarly, the control of switching the water discharge state to stop water discharge based on the detection signal from sound collecting microphone 10 and then switching to continuous water discharge by extending a hand over hand sensor 8 is made possible by the control unit performing switching control using a control flag.

[0047] In this way, the faucet device 1 can switch between hot and cold water discharge and stop by both extending a hand over the hand wave sensor 8 and by giving a voice command to the sound collection microphone 10. Therefore, if the user's hands are full because they are holding a pot with both hands, the switch between hot and cold water discharge can be made by voice command, and if a child is sleeping nearby and the user is unable to give a voice command, the switch between hot and cold water discharge and stop can be made by extending a hand, allowing selective operation according to the usage situation.

[0048] 1 and 2, an information detection unit U consisting of a hand wave sensor 8 and a sound collection microphone 10 that detect instruction information for switching between hot and cold water discharge and cold water stop is placed in the following convenient position on the water discharge pipe 3. That is, the water discharge pipe 3 extends upward from the connection port with the faucet body 2 and is shaped like a gooseneck pipe that curves in an inverted U shape downward toward the front of the figure and toward the water discharge outlet 4A at the tip.

[0049] For the gooseneck-shaped water discharge pipe 3, the information detection unit U is disposed on curved surface A1, which forms the outer periphery of the curved portion 3A that curves downward from the top end of the water discharge pipe 3 toward the front in the figure. Here, curved surface A1 corresponds to the "faucet surface" of the present invention. More specifically, the hand wave sensor 8 and sound collection microphone 10 that constitute the information detection unit U are disposed on curved surface A1 so as to be aligned in the pipe axis direction along the curve of the curved portion 3A.

[0050] More specifically, hand wave sensor 8 is arranged side by side at a position closer to water outlet 4A than sound collection microphone 10. As a result, both hand wave sensor 8 and sound collection microphone 10 are arranged facing the user who is standing in front of the curved end of curved portion 3A of water discharge pipe 3.

[0051] (About the configuration of each part) Below, we will explain in more detail the configuration of the water discharge pipe 3 and the hand wave sensor 8 and sound collection microphone 10 that make up the information detection unit U. The water discharge pipe 3 is connected to the faucet body 2 at its base so that it can oscillate and rotate around a pipe axis that extends in the height direction relative to the faucet body 2. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the water discharge pipe 3 can oscillate and rotate approximately 60 degrees to the left and right relative to the faucet body 2, around a position where it is pointed straight towards the front side of the faucet device 1, which is the front side of the figure.

[0052] The discharge pipe 3 is regulated in rotation by contact with an abutment structure (not shown) at each position after it has been rotated approximately 60 degrees to the left or right relative to the faucet body 2. For convenience, the following explanation will be based on the state in which the discharge pipe 3 is pointed straight towards the front side of the faucet device 1, which is the front side of the figure, as shown in each figure.

[0053] 3, the discharge pipe 3 has a shape in plan view that extends straight from the base connected to the faucet body 2 toward the water outlet 4A at the tip toward the front side of the illustration. The discharge pipe 3 has a constant pipe diameter in plan view.

[0054] However, as shown in Figure 2, the discharge pipe 3 has a tapered shape in which the pipe diameter of the curved portion 3A gradually increases from the uppermost end of the curve toward the tip on the front side of the figure when viewed from the side. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the discharge pipe 3 has a shape in which the curved portion 3A appears to taper toward the tip even when viewed obliquely from above and in front of the figure. The discharge pipe 3 has a bilaterally symmetrical pipe shape.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 to 2 and 4, a cylindrical container-shaped water spouting head 4 with a water outlet 4A on its underside is detachably attached to the tip of the water discharge pipe 3. As shown in Figure 5, the water discharge head 4 is configured so that its upper end is fitted into a recess 3B formed on the bottom end surface of the water discharge pipe 3 by being inserted from below in the figure. By this fitting, the water discharge head 4 is attached to the water discharge pipe 3 in a form that protrudes downward from the tip surface on the lower side in the figure.

[0056] The recess 3B is shaped so that it can be inserted from below in the figure only when the water spouting head 4 is facing forward. When the water spouting head 4 is attached to the tip of the water spouting pipe 3, the user can grab its outer periphery with their hand and pull it downward in the figure to release it from its engagement with the recess 3B.

[0057] The water spout head 4 has a flow path connected to the outlet of the cartridge C inside the faucet body 2 described above in Figure 1 via a flexible hose 6 connected to its upper end as shown. The flexible hose 6 is drawn from the upper end as shown of the water spout head 4 through the inside of the water spout pipe 3 and the inside of the faucet body 2 to the underside of the top plate T described above, and then bent back upward from there to connect to the outlet of the cartridge C inside the faucet body 2 described above.

[0058] With the above connection, hot and cold water discharged from the outlet of cartridge C inside faucet body 2 passes through the interior of flexible hose 6 passed through the inside of discharge pipe 3 and is discharged from outlet 4A at the tip of discharge head 4. As the discharge head 4 is removed downward in the illustration from recess 3B, flexible hose 6 is pulled out from the tip of discharge pipe 3. In addition, as the discharge head 4 is fitted into recess 3B from below in the illustration, flexible hose 6 is pulled into the discharge pipe 3.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the water spouting head 4 is equipped with a push-type switch button 7 on its front side as shown. The switch button 7 is connected to a switching valve body (not shown) that is incorporated inside the water spouting head 4. Each time a user manually presses the switch button 7 from the front side as shown in the figure to the back, the internal switching valve body is activated, and the water spouting form from the water outlet 4A on the underside of the water spouting head 4 is alternately switched between a straight water spout and a shower water spout.

[0060] The hand wave sensor 8 has a main unit (not shown) incorporated into the pipe of the curved portion 3A of the water discharge pipe 3, and a sensor cover 8A, which forms the light emitting and receiving surface on its surface, is arranged so that it is exposed to the outside from a part of the curved surface A1 and is flush with the curved surface A1. Similarly, the sound collection microphone 10 has a main unit 12 (see FIG. 6) incorporated into the pipe of the curved portion 3A, and a microphone cover 11, which forms the sound collection surface on its surface, is arranged so that it is exposed to the outside from a part of the curved surface A1 and is flush with the curved surface A1.

[0061] A plurality of cover sound collection holes 11A for collecting external sounds are formed penetrating the surface of microphone cover 11. Even if water from the outside enters each of cover sound collection holes 11A formed on the surface of microphone cover 11, the entered water can be discharged by gravity in water discharge pipe 3 to the outside of main unit 12. A specific configuration will be described later.

[0062] 1 and 4, the sensor cover 8A and the microphone cover 11 are both configured to be exposed in a rectangular shape that extends elongatedly in the tube axis direction from the center position in the width direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the curved surface A1. More specifically, the sensor cover 8A and the microphone cover 11 are both arranged in the center position in the width direction (left-right direction) of the curved surface A1 to form exposed surfaces that are symmetrical on the left and right.

[0063] 1 to 2 and 4, sensor cover 8A is disposed at a lower position on the front side of the figure, closer to water outlet 4A than microphone cover 11. As a result, when a user holds out their hand over hand wave sensor 8, the outstretched hand is less likely to come into contact with sound collection microphone 10.

[0064] The reason for this is that it is thought that users usually hold out their hands from the lower front side in the figure, which is closer to their body, to hand wave sensor 8. Therefore, it is expected that the risk of operation sounds that may be generated by the action of the hand approaching sound collection microphone 10 being erroneously detected by sound collection microphone 10 as a voice command to switch between water discharge and water stop can be appropriately reduced.

[0065] Specifically, the sensor cover 8A and the microphone cover 11 are spaced apart from each other in the tube axis direction of the curved surface A1. This makes it even less likely that when a user holds out their hand over the hand wave sensor 8, the outstretched hand will come into contact with the sound collection microphone 10. This is expected to further reduce the risk of the above-mentioned erroneous detection of operating sounds that may be generated when a hand approaches the sound collection microphone 10.

[0066] Furthermore, with the above-described arrangement, microphone cover 11 and sensor cover 8A can be arranged in the same vertical order as the vertical order of the user's mouth and hand. Therefore, hand wave sensor 8 can be arranged in a position that is easier for the user to reach, and sound collection microphone 10 can be arranged in a position where the user's voice can be more easily collected.

[0067] Furthermore, because hand wave sensor 8 is positioned lower and closer to the viewer in the illustration than sound collection microphone 10, hand wave sensor 8 can be more easily seen by a short user such as a child when using faucet device 1, compared to when sound collection microphone 10 is positioned closer to the viewer. Therefore, even when a short user such as a child uses faucet device 1, they can easily determine the position of hand wave sensor 8 and extend their hand, allowing them to easily switch between turning water on and off.

[0068] That is, for example, if the sound collection microphone 10 is located lower and closer to the viewer than the hand-wave sensor 8 in the figure, when a short user such as a child uses the faucet device 1, the sound collection microphone 10 will be seen as being closer than the hand-wave sensor 8. Alternatively, it is possible that the hand-wave sensor 8 will not be in the viewer's field of vision, and only the sound collection microphone 10 will be in the viewer's field of vision. This could lead to the user mistaking the sound collection microphone 10, which appears closer, for the hand-wave sensor 8, which could result in an erroneous operation such as extending one's hand toward the sound collection microphone 10.

[0069] However, because the hand wave sensor 8 is located lower and closer to the viewer in the figure than the sound collecting microphone 10, the above-mentioned erroneous recognition is unlikely to occur. Therefore, it is expected that the risk of erroneous operation, such as extending a hand over the sound collecting microphone 10, can be reduced.

[0070] Furthermore, because sound collection microphone 10 is positioned higher than hand wave sensor 8, even if a user holds out wet hands to hand wave sensor 8, water on the hands is unlikely to splash onto sound collection microphone 10. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately reduce the risk of water splashing onto each cover sound collection hole 11A opened in microphone cover 11 of sound collection microphone 10 and blocking each cover sound collection hole 11A.

[0071] The sensor cover 8A and the microphone cover 11 have the same shape and size when exposed to the outside. More specifically, the sensor cover 8A and the microphone cover 11 are both exposed in a rectangular shape that extends elongatedly in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe 3, and are arranged in a straight line next to each other in the axial direction. This allows the hand wave sensor 8 and the sound collection microphone 10 to have wide detection ranges, while also being arranged with a functional and aesthetic appearance that is consistent in their exposed shapes and sizes.

[0072] More specifically, sensor cover 8A is positioned at a position set back in the pipe axis direction from the tip (lower end in the figure) of curved portion 3A of water discharge pipe 3. This makes it possible to configure hand wave sensor 8 so that it is less likely to erroneously detect the user's hand when the user grasps and attaches or detaches water discharge head 4 attached to the tip of water discharge pipe 3.

[0073] The sensor cover 8A and microphone cover 11 are arranged side by side in the tube axis direction along the curvature of the curved surface A1, and therefore face diagonally upward toward the front in the illustration. More specifically, the sensor cover 8A is arranged at a lower position on the curved surface A1 closer to the front in the illustration than the microphone cover 11, and therefore the face of the sensor cover 8A faces further forward (toward the user) than the microphone cover 11. The face of the microphone cover 11 is also arranged facing upward than the face of the sensor cover 8A.

[0074] (Waterproof structure of the sound collection microphone 10) 6 and 7, the above-mentioned sound collecting microphone 10 has a microphone cover 11 as a decorative cover exposed to the outside from part of the curved surface A1 of the water discharge pipe 3, and a main body unit 12 that is covered by the microphone cover 11 and provided inside the water discharge pipe 3. The sound collecting microphone 10, together with the above-mentioned hand wave sensor 8, is mounted on a long, plate-shaped resin base plate M that is passed through and fixed into the water discharge pipe 3 in the pipe axis direction.

[0075] The microphone cover 11 is made of a molded product that is injection molded from a transparent resin such as acrylic resin (PMMA) or polycarbonate resin (PC). Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the microphone cover 11 is made of a substantially rectangular plate that extends elongatedly in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe 3.

[0076] The central portion of the microphone cover 11, leaving only the peripheral edge, is shaped to bulge outward in a stepped manner toward the surface of the faucet. The microphone cover 11 is configured so that the stepped bulging central portion is fitted from inside the faucet into a through-hole opened in the curved surface A1 of the discharge pipe 3 and is exposed to the outside from a part of the curved surface A1, flush with the curved surface A1.

[0077] At the stepped central portion of the microphone cover 11, four round cover sound collection holes 11A are formed at each of the four corners, penetrating the plate thickness direction and arranged in groups of four in the longitudinal direction (tube axis direction) of the microphone cover 11. Of the four bundles of cover sound collection holes 11A arranged in groups of four in the longitudinal direction, the two bundles on the front side and the two bundles on the back side in the figure are arranged at a greater longitudinal distance from each other than the pitch at which the cover sound collection holes 11A are arranged, and the two bundles on the right side and the two bundles on the left side in the figure are arranged at a greater widthwise distance from each other than the pitch at which the cover sound collection holes 11A are arranged.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 7, the microphone cover 11 has a peripheral edge with a flange 11B that protrudes toward the top panel 12A of the main unit 12 to which the microphone cover 11 is attached. Furthermore, a fitting protrusion 11C that bulges out in a mountain-like shape in the longitudinal direction is formed at the center of each widthwise edge (left-right direction in the figure) of the microphone cover 11. The microphone cover 11 is attached to a floating island portion A2 that protrudes from the center of the top panel 12A of the main unit 12 like a floating island, by covering the flange 11B from above in the figure with a gap between them.

[0079] By the above assembly, fitting protrusions 11C formed on both longitudinal edge portions of microphone cover 11 are fitted into the inner peripheries of fitting recesses A7 formed at corresponding positions on top panel 12A of main unit 12. As a result, microphone cover 11 is integrally assembled onto top panel 12A of main unit 12.

[0080] The fitting recesses A7 are formed in a U-shape or an inverted U-shape protruding from the top plate portion 12A so that their openings face the opposing sides. The fitting recess A7 on the front side in the figure has a U-shape with a hole cut out at the connecting portion of the U-shape.

[0081] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fitting recess A7 on the front side of the figure has a U-shape with the above-mentioned hole, so that even if water flows into the U-shape, it can be drained in the direction of gravity through the hole. The fitting protrusion 11C of the microphone cover 11 that fits into the fitting recess A7 on the front side of the figure has a shape with a protrusion that fits into the U-shaped hole of the fitting recess A7. The protrusion prevents incorrect assembly of the microphone cover 11 to the main unit 12.

[0082] 6 and 7, on both widthwise edges of microphone cover 11, grounding protrusions 11D are formed at the center in the longitudinal direction thereof, protruding toward top panel 12A of main unit 12 to which microphone cover 11 is attached. When microphone cover 11 is placed over top panel 12A of main unit 12, these grounding protrusions 11D are set in a state where they are in contact with top panel 12A of main unit 12 (see FIG. 6).

[0083] As a result, microphone cover 11 is assembled onto top plate 12A so that side openings 11E are formed in both widthwise edges of microphone cover 11, more specifically, in the front and rear portions of the illustration with each ground protrusion 11D as a fulcrum, creating a widthwise opening between microphone cover 11 and top plate 12A of main unit 12. Each side opening 11E functions as a discharge hole for discharging water that has seeped onto top plate 12A from each cover sound collection hole 11A of microphone cover 11 to the side, i.e., for discharging water from inside water discharge pipe 3 to the outside of sound collecting microphone 10.

[0084] The main unit 12 has a top panel 12A formed of a substantially rectangular plate that is slightly larger than the microphone cover 11, and an electric signal conversion unit 12B (see FIG. 9) attached to the back side of the top panel 12A. The electric signal conversion unit 12B includes a device such as a microphone element for converting sounds collected from the outside into electric signals.

[0085] 7, the top panel 12A has a floating island portion A2 that protrudes like a floating island from the center, leaving only the peripheral edge. The peripheral edge of the top panel 12A is formed in the shape of a rectangular cylindrical container, with a peripheral side wall A3 that protrudes like a flange toward the base plate M to which the main unit 12 is attached. Engagement pins A4 that protrude outward in the width direction are formed at two longitudinal positions on both side walls of the peripheral side wall A3 of the top panel 12A.

[0086] The main unit 12 is integrally assembled to the base plate M by fitting the mating pins A4 protruding from both widthwise side walls of the top plate portion 12A of the main unit 12 from above into corresponding pin mating grooves M2 formed in mounting ribs M1 rising from both widthwise edges of the base plate M. The specific configurations of the base plate M and the assembly structure for assembling the main unit 12 to the base plate M are the same as known configurations disclosed in documents such as JP 2020-111973 A. Therefore, a description of these specific configurations will be omitted.

[0087] On the floating island portion A2 of the top panel 12A, two cylindrical protruding tubular portions A5 are formed at the center of the width direction at the front and back sides in the figure. Inside the tubular protruding tubular portions A5, a main body sound collection hole A6 is formed, which penetrates in the thickness direction like a circular hole (see FIG. 9). Each main body sound collection hole A6 constitutes a tubular hole of the corresponding protruding tubular portion A5.

[0088] Additionally, an ON / OFF display unit A8 is provided in the longitudinal center of floating island portion A2 of top panel 12A, protruding in a rectangular shape upward (in the direction perpendicular to the surface) in the figure. When the water discharge state of ON / OFF display unit A8 is switched to continuous water discharge, an LED light on its surface is turned on by a control unit (not shown), and the ON / OFF display unit A8 displays a lit indication to the outside through transparent microphone cover 11. When the water discharge state of ON / OFF display unit A8 is switched to stopped water discharge, an LED light on its surface is turned off by a control unit (not shown), and the lit indication to the outside is turned off.

[0089] As shown in Figure 7, the tip end surface of each protruding tubular portion A5 is integrally covered with a breathable membrane 13 that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole A6, which is a tubular hole. Each breathable membrane 13 is made of a porous membrane made of polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) that allows air to pass through but not water. Each breathable membrane 13 is integrally attached to the tip end surface of the protruding end of each protruding tubular portion A5 via an adhesive sticker (not shown).

[0090] With the above configuration, each main body sound collection hole A6 formed in main unit 12 is appropriately prevented from infiltrating water from the outside by each breathable membrane 13, and is also appropriately communicated with the outside through each cover sound collection hole 11A formed in microphone cover 11. As a result, external sound collected at each cover sound collection hole 11A is appropriately transmitted through each main body sound collection hole A6 to electrical signal conversion unit 12B (FIG. 9) on the back side of top panel portion 12A.

[0091] 8, the two main body sound collection holes A6 are respectively arranged between the two left and right collection holes on the front side of the illustration and between the two left and right collection holes on the back side of the four clusters of four cover sound collection holes 11A arranged in groups of four in the longitudinal direction at the four corners of microphone cover 11. As a result, the two main body sound collection holes A6 are arranged so that they do not overlap in the width direction with any of the four cover sound collection holes 11A arranged in groups of four in the longitudinal direction at the four corners of microphone cover 11. As a result, when water seeps onto top panel portion 12A through each cover sound collection hole 11A, the infiltrating water is less likely to splash onto each main body sound collection hole A6.

[0092] Even if water infiltrates the inside of the sound collecting microphone 10 configured as described above through each cover sound collection hole 11A, the infiltrating water is not allowed to infiltrate into each main body sound collection hole A6, but can be properly discharged to the outside within the water discharge pipe 3. That is, as shown in Figure 9, suppose that water gets on the surface of the microphone cover 11 and water infiltrates the inside through one of the cover sound collection holes 11A.

[0093] 7, water that seeps in through any of the cover sound collection holes 11A drips down onto the floating island portion A2 of the top panel portion 12A of the main unit 12 due to the action of gravity. At that time, because there are no main body sound collection holes A6 directly below each cover sound collection hole 11A, the dripping water is unlikely to land on each main body sound collection hole A6. Because each cover sound collection hole 11A is formed in a dispersed manner, with four holes lined up in the longitudinal direction at the four corners of the microphone cover 11, when water gets on the surface of the microphone cover 11, it is unlikely that water will seep into all of them, making it less likely that the entire surface will be blocked by water.

[0094] Water dripping onto the floating island portion A2 of the top plate portion 12A flows in the direction of gravity along the curved surface A1 of the water discharge pipe 3 on the floating island portion A2, which is inclined diagonally downward toward the front of the figure, and is then spun out to both sides in the width direction by hitting the outer circumferential surfaces of the protruding tubular portions A5 and the ON / OFF display portion A8. The water then flows out from the floating island portion A2 onto the top plate portion 12A through the side openings 11E opened on both sides of the microphone cover 11 in the width direction, and further flows down from there onto the base plate M.

[0095] Water that flows down onto the base plate M flows down along the base plate M to the front and bottom side of the figure due to the action of gravity, and is discharged to the outside through a hole through which a flexible hose 6 (see FIG. 5) is passed, which is opened at the tip of the water discharge pipe 3. With this configuration, even if water enters the sound collecting microphone 10 through each cover sound collection hole 11A, the water can be properly discharged to the outside of the sound collecting microphone 10 inside the water discharge pipe 3.

[0096] To summarize the above, the water faucet device 1 according to the first embodiment has the following configuration: Note that the reference numerals in parentheses below correspond to the respective components shown in the above embodiment.

[0097] That is, the faucet device (1) is a faucet device (1) having a sound collection microphone (10) that is provided on a faucet surface (A1) that is exposed to the outside from the faucet installation surface (T) and that collects the user's voice. The sound collection microphone (10) is provided inside the faucet and has a main unit (12) that has a main sound collection hole (A6) that is shaped like a through hole in a top plate portion (12A) that faces the faucet surface (A1), a microphone cover (11) that is provided exposed on the faucet surface (A1) so as to cover the top plate portion (12A) and has a cover sound collection hole (11A) that penetrates to connect the main sound collection hole (A6) to the outside, and an air-permeable membrane (13) that covers the opening of the main sound collection hole (A6) and is made of a porous membrane that allows air to pass through but not water.

[0098] According to the above configuration, even if water from the outside infiltrates the cover sound collection hole (11A) of the sound collecting microphone (10) exposed on the faucet surface (A1), the infiltrating water is prevented from entering the main sound collection hole (A6) of the main unit (12) inside the faucet by the air permeable membrane (13) that covers the main sound collection hole (A6). This configuration makes it possible to appropriately prevent water from entering the sound collecting microphone (10) without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collecting microphone (10).

[0099] Furthermore, the main sound collection hole (A6) is formed as a cylindrical hole in the protruding tubular portion (A5) that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the top plate portion (12A), and the air-permeable membrane (13) covers the tip surface of the protruding tubular portion (A5). According to the above configuration, the main sound collection hole (A6) is formed as a cylindrical hole in the protruding tubular portion (A5) that protrudes from the top plate portion (12A), making it difficult for intrusion water that has flowed down onto the top plate portion (12A) to penetrate into the main sound collection hole (A6). Furthermore, the opening of the main sound collection hole (A6) can be positioned closer to the cover sound collection hole (11A). Therefore, water can be more appropriately prevented from entering the sound collection microphone (10) without reducing the sound collection performance of the sound collection microphone (10).

[0100] Furthermore, the protruding tubular portion (A5) is provided on the floating island portion (A2) that protrudes from the top panel portion (12A) like a floating island and is covered by the microphone cover (11) so as to surround the periphery. According to the above configuration, the protruding tubular portion (A5) on which the main sound collection hole (A6) is formed is formed to protrude further from the floating island portion (A2) that protrudes from the top panel portion (12A) like a floating island. This makes it even more difficult for water that has flowed down onto the floating island portion (A2) to infiltrate the main sound collection hole (A6). Furthermore, the opening of the main sound collection hole (A6) can be positioned even closer to the cover sound collection hole (11A). Furthermore, because the floating island portion (A2) protrudes from the top panel portion (12A), water that has flowed down onto the floating island portion (A2) can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the floating island portion (A2).

[0101] The sound collection microphone (10) is mounted on the curved surface (A1) that forms the outer periphery of the curve of the discharge pipe (3), which curves downward toward the water outlet (4A) at the tip. This configuration allows the sound collection microphone (10) to be positioned so that it can more easily collect sound from the user. The microphone cover (11) and the top plate (12A) of the main unit (12) face each other at an angle relative to the direction of gravity. This prevents water from seeping in through the cover sound collection hole (11A) from reaching the main unit sound collection hole (A6). Furthermore, water that seeps into the faucet can be easily drained along the curve of the discharge pipe (3) toward the water outlet (4A) at the tip.

[0102] The microphone cover (11) is formed in a vertically elongated shape extending in the axial direction of the discharge pipe (3), and is supported from the back side of the cover at both ends in the axial direction relative to the main unit (12), and is assembled to form a side opening (11E) that opens in the width direction between the cover and the top plate portion (12A).

[0103] According to the above configuration, the sound collecting microphone (10) can be provided so as to collect sound widely along the axial direction of the discharge pipe (3). In addition, the side opening (11E) can be formed to be wide in the axial direction of the discharge pipe (3), and water that has entered the discharge pipe (3) can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the main unit (12).

[0104] In addition, a pair of side openings (11E) are provided in the width direction. According to the above-described configuration, water that has entered the main unit (12) can be more appropriately discharged to the outside.

[0105] In addition, the main body unit (12) is provided so as to protrude like a floating island from the upper surface of the base plate (M), which is passed through and fixed to the inside of the discharge pipe (3) in the pipe axial direction. According to the above configuration, since the main body unit (12) protrudes like a floating island from the base plate (M), water that has entered through the cover sound collection hole (11A) can be more appropriately discharged to the outside of the main body unit (12).

[0106] Furthermore, the cover sound collection holes (11A) formed in the microphone cover (11) are arranged in a row in the axial direction of the discharge pipe (3). According to the above configuration, the cover sound collection holes (11A) are arranged in a row in the axial direction along the curved surface (A1) of the discharge pipe (3). Therefore, when water is splashed on the microphone cover (11), it is possible to prevent the problem of all of the cover sound collection holes (11A) being blocked by water.

[0107] The faucet device (1) further includes a photoelectric hand-wave sensor (8) that is provided on the curved surface (A1) and is capable of detecting the user's hand being held out without contact, and a sound-collecting microphone (10) is aligned with the hand-wave sensor (8) in the pipe axis direction and positioned farther from the water outlet (4A) than the hand-wave sensor (8).

[0108] According to the above configuration, the sound collection microphone (10) and the hand wave sensor (8) can be arranged in the same vertical order as the vertical order of the user's mouth and hand. Therefore, the hand wave sensor (8) can be arranged in a position that is easier for the user to reach, while the sound collection microphone (10) can be arranged in a position where the user's voice can be more easily collected. Furthermore, the sound collection microphone (10) can be arranged far from the water outlet (4A) and is less likely to get wet.

[0109] In addition, the water discharge pipe (3) has a gooseneck-like pipe shape that extends upward from the connection port with the faucet body (2) and then curves downward toward the water outlet (4A) at the tip. With this configuration, the sound collecting microphone (10) can be positioned close to the gooseneck-shaped water discharge pipe (3), whose water outlet (4A) is set at a relatively high position, so that it can function appropriately toward the user. In addition, the sound collecting microphone (10) can be positioned far from the water outlet (4A) so that it is less likely to get wet.

[0110] In addition, the cover sound collection hole (11A) and the main body sound collection hole (A6) are arranged offset from each other so as not to overlap in the width direction. According to the above configuration, water that has entered through the cover sound collection hole (11A) is less likely to splash on the main body sound collection hole (A6).

[0111] Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in various forms as described below in addition to the above embodiment.

[0112] 1. The faucet device of the present invention may be configured as an automatic faucet that does not have a lever handle for adjusting the water flow rate or temperature. The faucet device may also be configured as a mixer faucet that dispenses hot and cold water, or as a single faucet that dispenses only cold water. The faucet device may also be configured as a "wall-mounted" or "wall-mounted" type faucet, in which the faucet body is embedded in the wall (faucet installation surface) above a sink or kitchen counter, with the spout and operating handle exposed from the wall (faucet installation surface).

[0113] 2. The sound-collecting microphone may be provided on the faucet body in addition to the water discharge pipe. The sound-collecting microphone may be provided on the side or bottom of the water discharge pipe, or on the side or back of the faucet body, in a position that does not face the user standing in front of the faucet. The water discharge pipe may have a tubular shape other than a gooseneck. The sound-collecting microphone may be provided in a position closer to the water outlet than the hand wave sensor.

[0114] 3. In the above embodiment, the water discharge state is switched between continuous water discharge and stopped water discharge based on the detection signal of the information detection unit. However, the water discharge state may be switched based on the detection signal of the information detection unit to any two or more of straight water discharge, shower water discharge, foam water discharge containing air bubbles that does not splash, and purified water.

[0115] Furthermore, when the faucet device is applied to an automatic faucet, it may be one that switches the water discharge state between low flow rate and high flow rate, one that switches between cold water and hot water, or one that switches the temperature of the hot water discharged in stages.An automatic faucet is a faucet that is equipped with an automatic water discharge sensor consisting of a non-contact sensor (infrared sensor) at a location such as the tip of the water discharge pipe facing the spout, which detects whether the user has placed their hand in front of the spout and controls the water discharge to match the state of the hand (water discharges when the hand is placed in and stops when the hand is removed).

[0116] By using a sound-collecting microphone to switch the water discharge state, a wide variety of voice instructions from the user can be given, providing a high degree of freedom. Therefore, by switching the water discharge on and off using a hand-wave sensor and adjusting the temperature and flow rate of the hot and cold water discharged using a sound-collecting microphone, the faucet device can be made more user-friendly. In addition, the sound-collecting microphone may also be used to switch the water discharge on and off. The sound-collecting microphone can also be used to set up water discharge with a timer function, such as "discharge water for only 10 seconds," or a fixed amount of water to be stopped, such as "discharge 1 liter of water."

[0117] 4. The sensor cover exposed to the outside from the curved surface of the hand wave sensor and the microphone cover exposed to the outside from the curved surface of the sound collecting microphone may be arranged side by side, in contact with each other or partially overlapping, without any separation in the tube axial direction along the curvature of the curved part. The sensor cover and the microphone cover may have the same exposed area and exposed shape or may have different exposed shapes. The sensor cover and the microphone cover may each have a rectangular exposed shape, or may have a circular or oval exposed shape.

[0118] 5. The number, shape, and size of the cover sound collection holes and main body sound collection holes of the sound collecting microphone are not particularly limited, and each may be single or multiple, and may be round, rectangular, elongated, or irregularly shaped. The cover sound collection holes and main body sound collection holes may be arranged so that they overlap each other in the width direction but not in the axial direction of the tube, or so that they may or may not overlap each other in both the width direction and the axial direction. However, it is preferable that the cover sound collection holes and main body sound collection holes be arranged so that they do not overlap each other in either the width direction or the axial direction, because this makes it less likely that water that seeps in through the cover sound collection holes will get on the main body sound collection holes.

[0119] 6. The side openings formed in the microphone cover may be on both sides in the width direction or only on one side. Also, the sound collecting microphone may have no side openings in the microphone cover, and water that has entered the inside through the sound collecting hole in the cover may flow out only in the direction of gravity.

[0120] 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]

[0121] 1...faucet device, 2...faucet body, 3...discharge pipe, 3A...curved portion, A1...curved surface (faucet surface), 3B...recess, 4...discharge head, 4A...spout, 5...lever handle, 6...flexible hose, 7...switch button, 8...hand wave sensor, 8A...sensor cover, 10...sound collection microphone, 11...microphone cover, 11A...cover sound collection hole, 11B...flange, 11C...fitting convex portion, 11D...ground convex portion part, 11E...side opening, 12...main unit, 12A...top plate part, A2...floating island part, A3...surrounding side wall, A4...fitting pin, A5...protruding tube part, A6...main body sound collection hole, A7...fitting recess, A8...ON / OFF display part, 12B...electrical signal conversion part, 13...ventilation membrane, M...base plate, M1...mounting rib, M2...pin fitting groove, U...information detection part, S...sink, T...top plate (faucet installation surface), C...cartridge

Claims

1. A faucet device having a sound collection microphone provided on a surface of the faucet that is exposed to the outside from the faucet installation surface and that collects the user's voice, The sound collection microphone a main body unit provided inside the faucet and having a through-shaped main body sound collection hole in a top plate portion facing the surface of the faucet; a microphone cover that is exposed on the surface of the faucet so as to cover the top panel portion and has a cover sound collection hole that penetrates so as to connect the main body sound collection hole to the outside; an air-permeable membrane made of a porous membrane that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole and allows air to pass through but not water, The main body sound collection hole is formed as a cylindrical hole in a protruding cylindrical portion that protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the top plate portion, The faucet device has the air-permeable membrane covering the tip surface of the protruding end of the protruding tubular portion.

2. The water faucet device according to claim 1, The protruding tubular portion protrudes from the top plate portion like a floating island, and the microphone cover is placed on the floating island portion so as to surround the periphery of the floating island.

3. The water faucet device according to claim 1 or 2, The water faucet device has the sound-collecting microphone mounted on a curved surface that forms the outer periphery of the curve of the water discharge pipe that curves downward toward the water outlet at the tip.

4. A faucet device having a sound collection microphone provided on the surface of the faucet that is exposed to the outside from the faucet installation surface and that collects the user's voice, The sound collection microphone a main body unit provided inside the faucet and having a through-shaped main body sound collection hole in a top plate portion facing the surface of the faucet; a microphone cover that is exposed on the surface of the faucet so as to cover the top panel portion and has a cover sound collection hole that penetrates so as to connect the main body sound collection hole to the outside; an air-permeable membrane made of a porous membrane that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole and allows air to pass through but not water, The sound-collecting microphone is provided on a curved surface that forms the outer edge of the curve of the water discharge pipe that curves downward toward the water outlet at the tip, and the microphone cover has a vertically elongated shape that extends in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe, is supported from the back side of the cover at both ends in the axial direction relative to the main unit, and is assembled so as to form a side opening that opens in the width direction between the top plate portion and the microphone cover.

5. The water faucet device according to claim 4, A faucet device in which a pair of side openings are provided in the width direction.

6. A faucet device having a sound-collecting microphone provided on the surface of the faucet that is exposed to the outside from the faucet installation surface and that collects the user's voice, The sound collection microphone a main body unit provided inside the faucet and having a through-shaped main body sound collection hole in a top plate portion facing the surface of the faucet; a microphone cover that is exposed on the surface of the faucet so as to cover the top panel portion and has a cover sound collection hole that penetrates so as to connect the main body sound collection hole to the outside; an air-permeable membrane made of a porous membrane that covers the opening of the main body sound collection hole and allows air to pass through but not water, The sound-collecting microphone is provided on the curved surface that forms the outer edge of the curve of the water discharge pipe that curves downward toward the water outlet at the tip, and the main body unit is provided so as to protrude like a floating island from the upper surface of a base plate that is passed through and fixed into the water discharge pipe in the axial direction.

7. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, A water faucet device in which a plurality of the cover sound collection holes formed in the microphone cover are arranged in the axial direction of the water discharge pipe.

8. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, Further, a photoelectric hand-holding sensor is provided on the curved surface and is capable of detecting the user's hand being held out without contact, The sound collecting microphone is aligned with the hand wave sensor in the pipe axis direction and is positioned farther from the water outlet than the hand wave sensor.

9. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, The faucet device has a gooseneck-shaped pipe in which the water discharge pipe extends upward from a connection port with the faucet body and then curves downward toward the water discharge port at the tip.

10. The water faucet device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, A faucet device in which the cover sound collection hole and the main body sound collection hole are arranged offset from each other so that they do not overlap with each other in the pipe axis direction and / or width direction.

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