Automatic faucet device

Abstract

To provide an automatic faucet device capable of easily realizing an automatic faucet having two water discharge modes.SOLUTION: An automatic faucet device according to an embodiment comprises: a spout body; detection means that has a detection sensor for detecting an object within a predetermined detection range; a control part that controls the discharge / stoppage of water from the spout body based on a detection result of the detection sensor; a first water discharge mode in which water is discharged in a predetermined form from the spout body; and a second water discharge mode in which the water is discharged from the spout body in a form different from the first water discharge mode, wherein the detection means has orientation determination means for determining an orientation of the detection sensor, and is provided outside the spout body and separately from the spout body so that the orientation of the detection sensor can be freely changed, and the control part selects which of the first water discharge mode and the second water discharge mode is to be executed based on a detection result of the orientation determining means when the water is discharged from the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to an automatic faucet device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, automatic faucets that stop water discharge from the spout body based on detection by a detection sensor provided inside the spout body have been widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, automatic faucets that have multiple (for example, two) water discharge modes have also been known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-186178 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-141957 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for automatic faucets that can be operated without contact by the user as a measure against infectious diseases.

[0005] However, there are many faucets installed around the world that require manual operation to stop the water discharge, and changing these to the above-mentioned automatic faucets requires replacing the faucet itself, which is difficult because it involves a large financial burden. Also, even if you want to add multiple (two) water discharge modes to an automatic faucet, the above-mentioned automatic faucet requires manual operation to change the water discharge mode, which is not desirable from the perspective of non-contact.

[0006] An object of one aspect of the embodiment is to provide an automatic water faucet device that can easily realize an automatic water faucet with two water discharge modes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An automatic water faucet device according to one aspect of the embodiment comprises a spout body capable of dispensing water, a detection means having a detection sensor that detects objects within a predetermined detection range, a control unit that controls the stopping of water dispensing from the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor, a first water dispensing mode executed by the control unit and in which water is dispensed from the spout body in a predetermined form, and a second water dispensing mode executed by the control unit and in which water is dispensed from the spout body in a form different from the first water dispensing mode, the detection means having an orientation determination means that determines the orientation of the detection sensor and is provided outside and separate from the spout body so that the orientation of the detection sensor can be changed freely, and the control unit selects whether to execute the first water dispensing mode or the second water dispensing mode based on the determination result of the orientation determination means when dispensing water from the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor.

[0008] With this configuration, two water discharge modes can be switched depending on the orientation of the detection means. For example, by retrofitting a separate detection means, an existing automatic faucet can be converted into one with two water discharge modes without changing the spout body. In this way, an automatic faucet with two water discharge modes can be easily realized.

[0009] In the above-described automatic faucet device, the orientation determining means may include an inertial sensor capable of determining the orientation of the detection sensor.

[0010] According to this configuration, the orientation determining means can be realized with a simple configuration using the inertial sensor.

[0011] In addition, the above-mentioned automatic faucet device is equipped with an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the flow path within the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor, and an opening / closing valve that opens and closes the flow path within the spout body based on an input means different from the detection sensor, and is characterized in that the detection means has a battery that supplies driving power to the detection means, and the electromagnetic valve is in an open state when the battery is dead.

[0012] With this configuration, even if the detection means' battery runs out, water discharge can be controlled using an input means other than the detection sensor, thereby preventing the detection means from becoming inoperable due to a dead battery.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automatic water faucet device, the first water discharge mode is an automatic mode in which water is discharged while the detection sensor detects an object, and the second water discharge mode is a continuous mode in which water discharge starts when the detection sensor detects an object in a stopped water state, and water discharge stops when the detection sensor detects an object in a water discharge state.

[0014] With this configuration, an automatic faucet that can switch between automatic mode and continuous mode can be realized without changing the existing spout body.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automatic faucet device, the orientation determination means is capable of determining whether the detection sensor is facing horizontally or vertically, and the control unit selects the first water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing horizontally, and selects the second water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing vertically.

[0016] With this configuration, the detection means can be oriented in a way that allows the user to easily switch between the automatic mode and the continuous mode.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned automatic faucet device, the detection means can be attached to the spout body, and the orientation determination means can determine whether the detection sensor is facing forward / backward, left / right, or up / down relative to the attachment position of the detection means, and the control unit selects the first water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing forward or downward, and selects the second water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing left, right, or upward.

[0018] With this configuration, the detection means can be attached to the spout body, which increases the flexibility of the location where the detection means is provided (the installation position of the detection means).In addition, the detection means can be positioned in an orientation that makes it easy for the user to switch between automatic mode and continuous mode.

[0019] In the automatic faucet device described above, the detection signal conditions of the detection sensor or the water discharge start conditions of the control unit are changed based on the determination result of the direction determination means.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to change the detection conditions and water discharge start conditions to appropriate conditions for each water discharge mode.

[0021] The automatic faucet device described above is characterized by further comprising a display means for changing the display state based on the determination result of the orientation determination means.

[0022] With this configuration, the user can visually know the water discharge mode when the detection sensor detects the object before water discharge begins. That is, by looking at the display means, the user can know whether the water discharge mode is the first water discharge mode or the second water discharge mode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one aspect of the embodiment, an automatic faucet with two water discharge modes can be easily realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an automatic faucet device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic water faucet device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the detection means. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement and orientation of the detection means. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the arrangement and orientation of the detection means and the water discharge mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an automatic faucet device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0026] <Configuration of automatic faucet device> First, the configuration of an automatic water faucet device 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the automatic water faucet device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0027] 1 shows a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system including a Z-axis whose positive direction is vertically upward (upward). For ease of explanation, the positive direction of the X-axis is defined as the left, the negative direction of the X-axis as the right, the positive direction of the Y-axis as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the Y-axis as the backward direction. Therefore, in the following, the X-axis direction will be referred to as the left-right direction, the Y-axis direction as the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction as the up-down direction.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, automatic faucet device 1 is used, for example, in a hand washing basin and is installed near bowl 2 that receives water discharged from faucet body 10, which will be described later. Automatic faucet device 1 automatically discharges water and stops water discharge (stops water discharge) in response to the detection of an object such as a user's hand. In this specification, "water" also includes heated hot water.

[0029] The automatic faucet device 1 comprises a faucet body 10, a detection means 20, a control unit 30 (see Figure 2), and a water supply passage 40 (see Figure 2). The faucet body 10 is, for example, a single-lever mixer faucet, and comprises a spout body 11 and a lever handle (hereinafter referred to as the handle) 12.

[0030] When manually operated by a user, the faucet body 10 allows adjustment of the temperature and flow of water by operating a single handle 12. In this embodiment, a single-lever mixer faucet is used as an example of the faucet body 10, which is a manual faucet, and such a manual faucet can be converted into an automatic faucet by retrofitting a detection means 20, which will be described later.

[0031] The detection means 20 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular box, and in the case of a rectangular box, one of its multiple faces serves as a detection surface 20a. The detection means 20 has an infrared sensor 21 (see FIG. 2) in its housing, which is a detection sensor described later, and detects an object (such as a user's hand) within a predetermined detection range by emitting infrared rays from the detection surface 20a. The detection means 20 also has an inertial sensor 22 (see FIG. 2) in its housing that constitutes an orientation determination means described later, and determines the orientation of the infrared sensor 21.

[0032] In this way, detection means 20 has orientation determination means (inertial sensor) 22 that determines the orientation of infrared sensor 21, and is provided so that the orientation of infrared sensor 21 can be freely changed. In addition, detection means 20 is provided outside spout body 11, and is provided separately from spout body 11.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of (two) detecting means 20 are installed, but only one detecting means 20 may be installed, or two or more detecting means 20 may be installed.

[0034] The control unit 30 (see FIG. 2) controls each part of the automatic faucet device 1, and also controls the stop of water discharge from the water discharge port 11a of the spout body 11 based on the detection result of the infrared sensor .

[0035] The water supply passage 40 (see FIG. 2) is a flow path that supplies water toward the faucet body 10, and has, for example, a flow path 41 (see FIG. 2) through which cold water flows and a flow path 42 (see FIG. 2) through which hot water flows. Each of the flow paths 41, 42 is provided with a temperature sensor 43, a flow rate sensor 44, and a solenoid valve 45 (all of which are shown in FIG. 2), which will be described later. The temperature sensor 43, the flow rate sensor 44, and the solenoid valve 45 constitute functional parts of the automatic faucet device 1.

[0036] The automatic water faucet device 1 also has a first water spouting mode and a second water spouting mode. The first water spouting mode is a mode in which water is spouted from the spout body 11 in a predetermined manner. The second water spouting mode is a mode in which water is spouted from the spout body 11 in a manner different from that in the first water spouting mode.

[0037] The control unit 30 executes the first water discharge mode and the second water discharge mode. Furthermore, the control unit 30 selects whether to execute the first water discharge mode or the second water discharge mode when discharging water from the spout body 11 based on the detection result of the infrared sensor 21. In this case, the control unit 30 selects whether to execute the first water discharge mode or the second water discharge mode based on the orientation of the infrared sensor 21.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first water discharge mode is an automatic mode in which water is discharged while the infrared sensor 21 detects an object such as the user's hand, and the second water discharge mode is a continuous mode in which water discharge starts when the infrared sensor 21 detects an object and stops when the infrared sensor 21 detects the object again.

[0039] In this case, in the first water discharge mode (automatic mode), the detection means 20 is positioned so that the detection surface 20a faces forward in the horizontal direction (specifically, toward the water discharge outlet 11a), and detects the user's hand held over the water discharge outlet 11a. In the second water discharge mode (continuous mode), the detection means 20 is positioned so that the detection surface 20a faces upward in the vertical direction, and detects the user's hand held over the detection surface 20a.

[0040] In this manner, in this embodiment, the control unit 30 automatically selects either the first water discharge mode or the second water discharge mode based on the arrangement and orientation of the detection means 20. The selection of the first water discharge mode or the second water discharge mode by the control unit 30 will be described later with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0041] Next, the configuration of the automatic faucet device 1 according to the embodiment will be further described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic faucet device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 2, spout body 11 further includes a single cartridge (hereinafter referred to as cartridge) 13 that mixes hot and cold water. Cartridge 13 mixes cold water supplied from flow path 41 in water supply channel 40 with hot water (hot water) supplied from flow path 42 in water supply channel 40. Cartridge 13 adjusts the temperature and flow rate of the water.

[0043] As described above, the detection means 20 has the infrared sensor 21, which is a detection sensor, and the inertial sensor 22, which can determine the orientation of the infrared sensor 21. The infrared sensor 21 is a sensor that detects an object by emitting infrared rays. Note that a radio wave sensor such as a microwave sensor may be used as the detection sensor 21. The inertial sensor 22 is a sensor that can determine the orientation of the infrared sensor 21. For example, a gyro sensor may be used as the inertial sensor 22.

[0044] The detection means 20 is connected to the control unit 30 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly. In this case, the detection means 20 is connected to the control unit 30 so as to be able to communicate wirelessly, for example, by short-range wireless communication such as Wi-fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0045] The detection means 20 further includes a battery 23 and a display means 24. The battery 23 supplies driving power to the detection means 20. The display means 24 changes its display state based on the determination result of the inertial sensor 22, which is an orientation determination means. This allows the display means 24 to display the current water discharge mode from the orientation of the infrared sensor 21. The display means 24 displays the current water discharge mode, for example, by changing the lighting state or color of an LED lamp provided on one surface of the detection means 20.

[0046] As described above, the control unit 30 controls each part of the automatic faucet device 1. The control unit 30 is realized, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a memory unit (not shown) using RAM (Random Access Memory) as a work area. The memory unit is realized, for example, by a semiconductor memory element such as RAM or flash memory.

[0047] As described above, flow paths 41 and 42 are provided with temperature sensor 43, flow rate sensor 44, and solenoid valve 45. Solenoid valve 45 opens and closes the flow paths (including flow paths 41 and 42) including the flow paths inside spout body 11 based on the detection results of infrared sensor 21. Note that solenoid valve 45 is driven and controlled by control unit 30. Furthermore, the detection results of temperature sensor 43 and flow rate sensor 44 are output to control unit 30. Control unit 30 controls the opening and closing of solenoid valve 45 based on the detection results of temperature sensor 43 and flow rate sensor 44.

[0048] Furthermore, in the automatic faucet device 1, for example, an existing spout body 11 is used to configure the automatic faucet, so the temperature sensor 43 is placed on the base end side of the spout body 11, not on the tip end side of the spout body 11. For this reason, the automatic faucet device 1 discharges water while measuring (calculating) the temperature ("Tm") of the mixed water using the following formula (1). Note that in formula (1), "T(T C ,T H ) is the temperature, Q(Q C ,QH ) is the flow rate.

[0049] (Number 1) Tm=T C *Q C +T H *Q H / Q C +Q H ···(1)

[0050] When the first water discharge mode is the automatic mode, in order to prevent the user from getting burned, if the discharge of hot water is predicted based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 43 and the flow rate sensor 44, the solenoid valve 45 is controlled to close. In this way, if the discharge of hot water is predicted, the solenoid valve 45 is closed, so that no water will come out even if the handle 12 is open.

[0051] Furthermore, in the automatic faucet device 1, the handle 12 is normally operated to open the flow paths, and in this state the solenoid valve 45 controls the opening and closing of the flow paths 41, 42. If the solenoid valve 45 were closed when the battery 23 of the detection means 20 was dead, automatic water discharge would be impossible, so it is in an open state when the battery 23 is dead. Then, water discharge can be stopped by controlling the cartridge 13, which is an on-off valve different from the solenoid valve 45, through operation from the handle 12, which is an input means different from the detection means 20. This prevents the detection means 20 from becoming inoperable due to a dead battery 23.

[0052] If the detection means 20 runs out of battery while the solenoid valve 45 is closed, the user would have to crawl under the bowl portion 2 (see Figure 1) to open the solenoid valve 45, but since the solenoid valve 45 remains open when the detection means 20 runs out of battery, it can be used as a normal manual faucet.

[0053] <Detection method> Next, the detection means 20 will be further described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the detection means 20.

[0054] 3, the detection means 20 defines horizontal directions (front-rear direction and left-right direction) and vertical directions (up-down direction) with respect to the orientation of the infrared sensor 21 relative to the detection surface 20a. More specifically, the detection means 20 defines left side X1, right side X2, front side Y1, rear side Y2, upper side Z1, and lower side Z2 with respect to the orientation of the infrared sensor 21.

[0055] The detection means 20 can use the inertial sensor 22 to determine whether the detection surface 20a (infrared sensor 21) is facing to the left X1 side, right X2 side, forward Y1 side, backward Y2 side, upward Z1 side or downward Z2 side.

[0056] <Location and orientation of detection means> Next, the arrangement and orientation of the detection means 20 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the arrangement and orientation of the detection means 20. In Figure 4, the arrangement of the detection means 20 (the installation position of the detection means 20) is indicated by P1, P2, ..., and the orientation of the detection means 20 is indicated by arrows X1, X2, .... Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the arrangement and orientation of the detection means 20 and the water discharge modes (first water discharge mode and second water discharge mode).

[0057] As described above, the first water discharge mode is, for example, an automatic mode in which water is discharged while the infrared sensor 21 (see FIG. 2) detects an object such as the user's hand, and the second water discharge mode is, for example, a continuous mode in which water discharge begins when the infrared sensor 21 detects an object in a stopped water state, and water discharge stops when the infrared sensor 21 detects an object in a water discharge state. Hereinafter, the first water discharge mode will be referred to as the automatic mode, and the second water discharge mode will be referred to as the continuous mode.

[0058] In the detection means 20, the inertial sensor 22 (see FIG. 2) determines whether the infrared sensor 21 faces in the horizontal direction (front-back or left-right direction) or in the vertical direction (up-down direction).

[0059] The control unit 30 (see FIG. 2) selects the automatic mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing horizontally, and selects the continuous mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing vertically.

[0060] Furthermore, the detection means 20 can be attached to the spout body 11. The detection means 20 determines whether the infrared sensor 21 faces in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, or up-down direction relative to the attachment position of the detection means 20. Note that in order for the inertial sensor 22 to further distinguish the front-rear direction and left-right direction from the horizontal direction, this can be achieved by, for example, arranging the inertial sensor 22 at an angle.

[0061] 4 and 5, the control unit 30 selects the automatic mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing forward Y1. In this case, the detection means 20 is disposed at position P1, for example. The control unit 30 also selects the automatic mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing downward Z2. In this case, the detection means 20 is disposed at position P2, for example.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 30 selects the continuous mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing leftward (X1). In this case, the detection means 20 is disposed at, for example, position P3. Furthermore, the control unit 30 selects the continuous mode when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing rightward (X2). In this case, the detection means 20 is disposed at, for example, position P4.

[0063] Furthermore, when the inertial sensor 22 determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing upward Z1, the control unit 30 selects the continuous mode. In this case, the detection means 20 is disposed, for example, at position P5 behind the bowl 2. In addition, in this case, the detection means 20 is disposed, for example, at position P6 on the counter 3 on which the bowl 2 is installed.

[0064] Furthermore, the control unit 30 varies the detection signal conditions of the infrared sensor 21 or the water discharge start conditions (thresholds, etc.) of the control unit 30 based on the determination results of the inertial sensor 22. That is, since appropriate signals and thresholds exist for each of the first water discharge mode (automatic mode) and the second water discharge mode (continuous mode), the signals, thresholds, etc. are set according to each water discharge mode.

[0065] As shown in Figure 5, in automatic mode, when a user holds their hand over the water outlet 11a (see Figure 1) of the spout body 11, it is predicted that high-temperature water (hot water) will be discharged from the water outlet 11a, so the high-temperature hot water discharge restriction is set to "ON" from the viewpoint of preventing burns. When the detection means 20 is facing downward Z2, the learning function is set to "ON".

[0066] As explained above, the automatic water faucet device 1 according to the embodiment is capable of switching between two water discharge modes (first water discharge mode and second water discharge mode) depending on the orientation of the detection means 20. For example, by retrofitting the detection means 20 separately, it is possible to convert an existing automatic water faucet into one with two water discharge modes without changing the spout body 11. In this way, an automatic water faucet with two water discharge modes can be easily realized.

[0067] Furthermore, since the detection means 20 has the inertial sensor 22, the orientation determination means can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0068] Furthermore, since the first water discharge mode is the automatic mode and the second water discharge mode is the continuous mode, an automatic faucet that can switch between the automatic mode and the continuous mode can be realized without changing the existing spout body 11.

[0069] In addition, the control unit 30 selects the first water discharge mode (automatic mode) when it determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing horizontally, and selects the second water discharge mode (continuous mode) when it determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing vertically, thereby allowing the detection means 20 to be positioned in an orientation that makes it easy for the user to switch between the automatic mode and the continuous mode.

[0070] Furthermore, because the detection means 20 can be attached to the spout body 11, the degree of freedom in the position at which the detection means 20 is provided (the installation position of the detection means 20) can be increased. Furthermore, the control unit 30 selects the first water discharge mode (automatic mode) when it determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing forward Y1 side or downward Z2 side, and selects the second water discharge mode (continuous mode) when it determines that the infrared sensor 21 is facing left X1 side, right X2 side or upward Z1 side, thereby enabling the detection means 20 to be positioned in an orientation that makes it easy for the user to switch between the automatic mode and the continuous mode.

[0071] In addition, by varying the detection signal conditions of the infrared sensor 21 or the water discharge start conditions of the control unit 30 based on the judgment results of the inertial sensor 22, the detection conditions and water discharge start conditions can be changed to appropriate conditions for each water discharge mode.

[0072] Furthermore, by providing display means 24 that changes the display state based on the determination result of inertial sensor 22, the user can visually know the water discharge mode when infrared sensor 21 detects an object before water discharge begins. In other words, by looking at display means 24, the user can know whether the mode is the first water discharge mode (automatic mode) or the second water discharge mode (continuous mode).

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the first water discharge mode is the automatic mode and the second water discharge mode is the continuous mode, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first water discharge mode may be a water discharge mode in which tap water is discharged, and the second water discharge mode may be a water discharge mode in which electrolyzed water is discharged. In this case, the "electrolyzed water" discharged in the second water discharge mode may be any water that has a sterilizing function and is obtained by electrolysis. A typical example of "electrolyzed water" is electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid. Generally, tap water or recycled water contains chlorine ions, and therefore free chlorine is generated by electrolysis. Free chlorine exists as hypochlorous acid (HClO) in an acidic state, and in this form, it is converted into hypochlorite ions (ClO), which exist in an alkaline state. - ) and has approximately 10 times stronger bactericidal power than chlorine-containing ...

[0074] Also, for example, the first water spouting mode may be a water spouting mode in which raw water is spouted, and the second water spouting mode may be a water spouting mode in which purified water is spouted.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display means 24 is configured to allow the user to know the current water discharge mode by changing the lighting state or lighting color of an LED lamp or the like provided in the detection means, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the detection means 20 may be formed from a translucent material, and the entire detection means 20 may be configured to glow faintly and change the light color.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display means 24 is rectangular box-shaped, and the detection surface 20a is provided on one of the multiple surfaces, but this is not limited to this, and the display means 24 may have a shape other than a rectangular box, or may have a certain area on the outer peripheral surface set as the detection surface 20a and detect the orientation of this area.

[0077] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Automatic faucet device 11 Spout body 12 Input means (handle) 13 On-off valve (cartridge) 20 Detection methods 21 Detection sensor (infrared sensor) 22 Orientation determination means (inertial sensor) 24 Battery 24 Display means 30 Control Unit 45 Solenoid valve X1 left X2 Right Y1 forward Z1 upper Z2 downward

Claims

1. A spout body capable of discharging water; a detection means having a detection sensor for detecting an object within a predetermined detection range; A control unit that controls the spout body to stop water discharge based on the detection result of the detection sensor; A first water discharge mode executed by the control unit and discharging water from the spout body in a predetermined form; a second water spouting mode executed by the control unit and in which water is spouted from the spout body in a manner different from the first water spouting mode; Equipped with The detection means has an orientation determination means for determining the orientation of the detection sensor, and is provided outside the spout body and separately from the spout body so that the orientation of the detection sensor can be freely changed. The control unit selects whether to execute the first water spouting mode or the second water spouting mode based on the determination result of the direction determination means when spouting water from the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor, The first water discharge mode is an automatic mode in which water is discharged while the detection sensor detects an object, The second water discharge mode is a continuous mode in which water discharge is started when the detection sensor detects an object in a water stop state, and water discharge is stopped when the detection sensor detects an object in a water discharge state, The control unit prohibits water discharge from the spout body when high-temperature hot water is expected in the first water discharge mode. An automatic faucet device characterized by:

2. The orientation determination means has an inertial sensor capable of determining the orientation of the detection sensor.

2. The automatic water faucet device according to claim 1.

3. An electromagnetic valve that opens and closes a flow path in the spout body based on the detection result of the detection sensor; an on-off valve that opens and closes a flow path in the spout body based on an input means different from the detection sensor; Equipped with the detecting means has a battery that supplies a driving power source to the detecting means, The solenoid valve is open when the battery is dead.

3. The automatic water faucet device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the orientation determination means is capable of determining whether the detection sensor is facing a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, The control unit selects the first water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing horizontally, and selects the second water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing vertically.

4. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply system is a water supply system.

5. The detection means can be attached to the spout body, the orientation determination means is capable of determining whether the detection sensor is facing forward / backward, left / right, or up / down with respect to the attachment position of the detection means, The control unit selects the first water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing forward or downward, and selects the second water discharge mode when the orientation determination means determines that the detection sensor is facing left, right, or upward.

4. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply system is a water supply system.

6. The detection signal condition of the detection sensor or the water discharge start condition of the control unit is changed based on the determination result of the direction determination means.

6. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply system is a water supply system.

7. a display means for changing a display state based on a result of the determination by the orientation determination means; Further equipped 7. The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply system is a water supply system.

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