Sensor faucet

Abstract

A sensor faucet, comprising a faucet shell (1) provided with a water output spout (2), wherein a sensor (4) is mounted on the faucet shell (1); the faucet shell (1) is provided with a mounting cavity (11); a base (3) and a valve core are mounted in the mounting cavity (11); the valve core comprises a valve housing (6), which has a first water intake channel (6a), a second water intake channel (6b), a first water output channel (6c) and a second water output channel (6d); and a first water intake tube (3a), a second water intake tube (3b), a first water output tube (3c) and a second water output tube (3d) are connected to the base (3). The sensor faucet further comprises a control box (7), wherein a water passing tube (8) and an electric control switch (9) are arranged in the control box (7); an inlet end of the water passing tube (8) is in communication with the first water output tube (3c); a water output end of the water passing tube (8) is in communication with one inlet end of a three-way tube (10); the other inlet end of the three-way tube (10) is in communication with the second water output tube (3d); and an outlet end of the three-way tube (10) is in communication with the water output spout (2).

Description

An induction faucet Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an induction faucet, in particular to an induction faucet with switchable water dispensing modes: induction water dispensing mode and manual water dispensing mode. Background Art

[0002] There are two main methods for controlling the water flow of existing faucets. One is to manually control the water flow through the handle, and the other is to control the water flow by sending and receiving signals through the sensing component to control the electronically controlled switch, such as the solenoid valve switch. Since the induction faucet can be turned on and off without touching the faucet body, it is not only convenient to use but also helps to keep the faucet surface clean. There are two modes for induction faucets. One is the long water flow mode, which turns the faucet on after sensing once and turns it off after sensing again. For example, when a certain position of the faucet is touched, the faucet is turned on, and when a certain position of the faucet is touched again, the faucet is turned off. The other is the induction water flow mode, which sets the conditions for turning on the faucet. When the conditions are met, the faucet is turned on, and when the conditions are not met, the faucet is turned off. For example, the faucet is turned on when an object is sensed at the predetermined position, and the faucet is turned off when no object is sensed at the predetermined position; or, the faucet is turned on when the faucet handle or water outlet is detected to have left the predetermined position, and the faucet is turned off when the faucet handle or water outlet is detected to be at the predetermined position.

[0003] Some induction faucets are combined with a valve core, which is a multifunctional valve core that can adjust the water temperature and close the water path. For example, the Chinese invention patent application "A sensor faucet and its control method" with application number CN202110341610.8 (publication number CN112963608A) discloses such an induction faucet structure. Valve cores can be divided into two categories according to their function. One is a mixing valve core, which is used to control the opening and closing of the cold and hot water inlet water paths and adjust the water temperature. Some mixing valve cores can also adjust the water volume. The other is a water diversion valve core, which can control the direction of water flow and distribute the water outlet channel.

[0004] Regardless of the type of induction faucet, there are the following defects. When the solenoid valve switch is damaged, it cannot sense water or the faucet always maintains a normal water flow state and cannot be used normally. This requires replacing the faucet, increasing the cost of use.

[0005] At present, there are also faucets that can switch between automatic and manual water outlet modes. The solution adopted by this faucet is a double valve core structure, in which one valve core is directly connected to the total water outlet channel of the faucet, and the other valve core is connected to the total water outlet channel of the faucet through an inductive electric control structure. For example, the Chinese utility model patent application "A sensor faucet and its control method" with patent number CN202220312306.0 (publication number CN216843264U) discloses such a faucet with two water outlet modes. Although the faucet involved in the aforementioned patent can realize the switching of two water outlet modes, it involves many valve cores and is provided with handles on both sides for operating each valve core. The water connection is complicated, the cost is high, and the faucet is too large and not beautiful.

[0006] Utility Model Content

[0007] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an induction faucet with a more compact and reasonable structural layout and a simpler water connection in response to the above-mentioned existing technical status, and the faucet can realize switchability between induction mode and manual mode.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the first technical problem mentioned above is: an induction faucet, comprising a faucet housing provided with a water outlet nozzle, a sensor installed on the faucet housing, the faucet housing having a side convex installation cavity, a base and a valve core installed in the installation cavity, and the valve core being driven by a handle; the characteristic is that: the valve core comprises a valve housing having a first water inlet channel, a second water inlet channel, a first water outlet channel and a second water outlet channel, a movable valve disc, a fixed valve disc and a valve handle are provided in the valve housing, the valve handle is connected to the handle, the valve handle can rotate to drive the movable valve disc to rotate, and the valve handle can swing to drive the movable valve disc to move, the rotation of the movable valve disc is used to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water, and the sliding of the movable valve disc is used to switch different water outlets channel, and for closing the water inlet; the base is connected to a first water inlet pipe, a second water inlet pipe, a first water outlet pipe and a second water outlet pipe, and one end of the first water inlet pipe, the second water inlet pipe, the first water outlet pipe and the second water outlet pipe are connected to the first water inlet channel, the second water inlet channel, the first water outlet channel and the second water outlet channel respectively; it also includes a control box, the control box is provided with a water pipe and an electric control switch for controlling the on and off of the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the water pipe, the sensor is connected to the electric control switch signal, the inlet end of the water pipe is connected to the first water outlet pipe, the water outlet end of the water pipe is connected to one inlet end of the tee pipe, the other inlet end of the tee pipe is connected to the second water outlet pipe, and the outlet end of the tee pipe is connected to the water outlet nozzle.

[0009] Preferably, the electrically controlled switch is a solenoid valve switch. The solenoid valve switch has the advantages of being easy to assemble, compact and low in cost. Of course, other electrically controlled switch structures may also be used, such as a switch valve driven by a motor.

[0010] As an improvement, the water pipe comprises an upper channel, a lower channel, and a side channel. The upper channel communicates with the side channel, and the lower channel communicates with the side channel via a valve port. The electrically controlled switch is mounted on the side of the water pipe and includes a retractable piston. When the piston extends, it blocks the valve port, and when it retracts, it opens the valve port. The overall T-shaped structure of the water outlet pipe facilitates installation of the electrically controlled switch. Because the upper and lower channels are connected only via the valve port, water flow can be controlled by simply blocking the valve port, making control more convenient.

[0011] To facilitate the installation of the water pipe into the control box, the outer peripheral wall of the water pipe has an upper retaining ring and a lower retaining ring spaced apart in the upper and lower directions. The control box is composed of a first half shell and a second half shell fixed together, and the upper retaining ring and the lower retaining ring are respectively pressed on the top and bottom surfaces of the control box; to facilitate understanding with the first water outlet pipe and the three-way pipe, the inlet end of the water pipe is exposed from the control box and is provided with an upper connecting external thread for connection to the first water outlet pipe, and the water outlet end of the water pipe is exposed from the control box and is provided with a lower connecting external thread for connection to the three-way pipe.

[0012] Preferably, the outlet end of the three-way pipe is connected to a soft water pipe, which is bent upward and connected to a water outlet nozzle, and the water outlet nozzle is detachably connected to the upper end of the faucet housing so that the water outlet nozzle can be pulled out.

[0013] To facilitate the installation of the base into the installation cavity, an annular inner shoulder is provided at the inner bottom of the installation cavity. The base has an annular outer shoulder and a threaded connection section. The threaded connection section extends into the installation cavity from the faucet housing. The annular outer shoulder rests against the outside of the annular inner shoulder. A pressure ring is threadedly connected to the threaded connection section, which presses against the annular inner shoulder, thereby fixing the base to the bottom of the installation cavity. The first water inlet channel, the second water inlet channel, the first water outlet channel and the second water outlet channel all expose the bottom surface of the valve housing, and the valve housing is pressed on the base.

[0014] As preferred, it also includes an external power supply independent of the control box, which supplies power to the electric switch and the sensor. Of course, the power supply can also be located in the control box.

[0015] Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of this induction faucet are: this faucet only uses one valve core, which has a simpler structure and low cost, and also makes the structural layout inside the faucet shell more compact and reasonable. Through the external control box and the setting of the three-way pipe, it is conducive to the reasonable arrangement and corresponding connection of various pipelines; when induction control is required, the movable valve plate is moved to the position where water flows out of the first water outlet channel and the second water outlet channel is disconnected, and then the sensor gives a signal to the electric control switch, and the electric control switch controls whether water flows out of the water outlet end of the three-way pipe. Its principle is similar to that of the existing induction faucet; when the electric control switch fails or you want to manually control the water outlet, move the movable valve plate to the water outlet position of the second water outlet channel, and the water flowing out of the second water outlet channel does not pass through the water pipe, but flows out directly through the three-way pipe. The closing of the water channel is also achieved by moving the movable valve plate; the adjustment of water temperature is achieved by driving the rotation of the movable valve plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of the control box portion in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG4 is an exploded perspective view of the control box portion in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the water pipe in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the installation of the base in the embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] FIG7 is a perspective schematic diagram of the valve core in an embodiment of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, they are preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] An induction faucet includes a faucet housing 1 with a water outlet nozzle 2. A sensor 4 is mounted on the faucet housing 1. Sensor 4 can be a gesture sensor, a single-function infrared sensor, a dual-function infrared sensor, a laser sensor, a voice sensor, or the like. The faucet housing 1 has a laterally convex mounting cavity 11. A base 3 and a valve core are mounted within the mounting cavity 11. The valve core is driven by a handle 5. The inner bottom of the installation cavity 11 is provided with an annular inner shoulder 111, and the base 3 has an annular outer shoulder 31 and a threaded connection section 32. The threaded connection section 32 extends into the installation cavity 11 from the faucet housing 1, and the annular outer shoulder 31 abuts against the outside of the annular inner shoulder 111. The threaded connection section 32 is threadedly connected with a pressure ring 13 that abuts against the annular inner shoulder 111, thereby fixing the base 3 to the bottom of the installation cavity 11. The first water inlet channel 6a, the second water inlet channel 6b, the first water outlet channel 6c and the second water outlet channel 6d all expose the bottom surface of the valve housing 6, and the valve housing 6 is pressed on the base 3. A sealing ring 64 is provided between the bottom of the valve housing 6 and the base to separate each water inlet channel and water outlet channel.

[0026] The valve core includes a valve housing 6 having a first water inlet channel 6a, a second water inlet channel 6b, a first water outlet channel 6c and a second water outlet channel 6d. A movable valve disc 61, a fixed valve disc 62 and a valve handle 63 are provided in the valve housing 6. The valve handle 63 is connected to the handle 5. The valve handle 63 can rotate to drive the movable valve disc 61 to rotate, and the valve handle 63 can swing to drive the movable valve disc 61 to move. The rotation of the movable valve disc 61 is used to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water, and the sliding of the movable valve disc 61 is used to switch different water outlet channels and to close the water inlet. The specific structure of the valve core can refer to the structure disclosed in the relevant patent of the two-inlet and two-outlet valve core applied by the applicant. The base 3 is connected to a first water inlet pipe 3a, a second water inlet pipe 3b, a first water outlet pipe 3c and a second water outlet pipe 3d, and one end of the first water inlet pipe 3a, the second water inlet pipe 3b, the first water outlet pipe 3c and the second water outlet pipe 3d are respectively connected to the first water inlet channel 6a, the second water inlet channel 6b, the first water outlet channel 6c and the second water outlet channel 6d.

[0027] The faucet further includes a control box 7 and a tee pipe 10. The control box 7 houses a water pipe 8 and an electrically controlled switch 9 for controlling the opening and closing of the water inlet and outlet ends of the water pipe 8. A sensor 4 is signal-connected to the electrically controlled switch 9. The inlet end of the water pipe 8 is connected to the first outlet pipe 3c, the outlet end of the water pipe 8 is connected to one inlet end of the tee pipe 10, the other inlet end of the tee pipe 10 is connected to the second outlet pipe 3d, and the outlet end of the tee pipe 10 is connected to the water outlet nozzle 2. A soft water pipe 12 is connected to the outlet end of the tee pipe 10, which bends upward and connects to the water outlet nozzle 2. The water outlet nozzle 2 is detachably connected to the upper end of the faucet housing 1, allowing the water outlet nozzle 2 to be pulled out.

[0028] The electronically controlled switch 9 is a solenoid valve. The water pipe 8 has an upper channel 8a, a lower channel 8b, and a side channel 8c. The upper channel 8a communicates with the side channel 8c, while the lower channel 8b communicates with the side channel 8c via a valve port 8d. The electronically controlled switch 9 is mounted on the side of the water pipe 8 and includes a retractable piston 91. When piston 91 extends, it blocks the valve port 8d. When piston 91 retracts, it opens the valve port 8d.

[0029] The outer peripheral wall of the water pipe 8 has an upper retaining ring 81 and a lower retaining ring 82 spaced apart from each other. The control box 7 is composed of a first half shell 71 and a second half shell 72 fixed together. The upper retaining ring 81 and the lower retaining ring 82 are respectively pressed on the top and bottom surfaces of the control box 7. The inlet end of the water pipe 8 exposes the control box 7 and is provided with an upper connecting external thread 83 for connecting the first water outlet pipe 3c. The water outlet end of the water pipe 8 exposes the control box 7 and is provided with a lower connecting external thread 84 for connecting the tee pipe 10.

[0030] The device further includes an external power supply 14 independent of the control box 7 , which supplies power to the electric switch 9 and the sensor 4 .

[0031] This induction faucet only uses one valve core, which has a simpler structure and low cost, and also makes the structural layout inside the faucet shell 1 more compact and reasonable. Then, through the external control box 7 and the setting of the three-way pipe 10, it is conducive to the reasonable arrangement and corresponding connection of various pipelines; when induction control is required, the movable valve plate 61 is moved to the position where the first water outlet channel 6c outlets water and the second water outlet channel 6d is disconnected, and then the sensor 4 gives a signal to the electric control switch 9, and the electric control switch 9 controls whether the water outlet end of the three-way pipe 10 discharges water or not. Its principle is similar to that of the existing induction faucet; when the electric control switch fails or you want to manually control the water outlet, move the movable valve plate 61 to the water outlet position of the second water outlet channel 6d, and the water flowing out of the second water outlet channel 6d does not pass through the water pipe 8, but flows out directly through the three-way pipe 10. The closing of the water channel is also achieved by moving the movable valve plate 61; the adjustment of water temperature is achieved by driving the rotation of the movable valve plate 61. The movement of the movable valve disc 61 is caused by the handle 5 driving the valve handle 63 and ultimately driving the movable valve disc 61 to move or rotate.

[0032] It should be noted that in the description of this embodiment, the terms "front, back", "left, right", "up, down", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc. indicating directions or positional relationships are all based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention. The terms "install", "connect", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or they can be internal connections between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

Claims

1. An induction faucet, comprising a faucet housing (1) provided with a water spray head (2), a sensor (4) being mounted on the faucet housing (1), the faucet housing (1) having a side convex mounting cavity (11), a base (3) and a valve core being mounted in the mounting cavity (11), and the valve core being driven by a handle (5); characterized in that: The valve core comprises a valve housing (6) having a first water inlet channel (6a), a second water inlet channel (6b), a first water outlet channel (6c) and a second water outlet channel (6d); a movable valve plate (61), a fixed valve plate (62) and a valve handle (63) are arranged in the valve housing (6); the valve handle (63) is connected to the handle (5); the valve handle (63) can rotate to drive the movable valve plate (61) to rotate, and the valve handle (63) can swing to drive the movable valve plate (61) to move; the rotation of the movable valve plate (61) is used to adjust the mixing ratio of cold water and hot water; the sliding of the movable valve plate (61) is used to switch different water outlet channels and to close the water inlet; the base (3) is connected to a first water inlet pipe (3a), a second water inlet pipe (3b), a first water outlet pipe (3c) and a second water outlet pipe (3d); the first water inlet pipe (3 a), one end of the second water inlet pipe (3b), the first water outlet pipe (3c) and the second water outlet pipe (3d) are connected to the first water inlet channel (6a), the second water inlet channel (6b), the first water outlet channel (6c) and the second water outlet channel (6d) respectively; and further comprises a control box (7) and a three-way pipe (10); a water pipe (8) and an electric control switch (9) for controlling the on-off of the water inlet end and the water outlet end of the water pipe (8) are arranged in the control box (7); the sensor (4) is connected to the electric control switch (9) by signal; the inlet end of the water pipe (8) is connected to the first water outlet pipe (3c); the water outlet end of the water pipe (8) is connected to one inlet end of the three-way pipe (10); the other inlet end of the three-way pipe (10) is connected to the second water outlet pipe (3d); and the outlet end of the three-way pipe (10) is connected to the water outlet nozzle (2).

2. The induction faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electric control switch (9) is a solenoid valve switch.

3. The induction faucet according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water pipe (8) has an upper channel (8a), a lower channel (8b) and a side channel (8c). The upper channel (8a) is connected to the side channel (8c), and the lower channel (8b) is connected to the side channel (8c) through a valve port (8d). The electric switch (9) is installed on the side of the water pipe (8). The electric switch (9) has a retractable piston (91). The piston (91) extends outward to block the valve port (8d), and the piston (91) retracts inward to open the valve port (8d).

4. The induction faucet according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer peripheral wall of the water pipe (8) has an upper retaining ring (81) and a lower retaining ring (82) which are arranged at an interval up and down. The control box (7) is formed by a first half shell (71) and a second half shell (72) which are fixed together. The upper retaining ring (81) and the lower retaining ring (82) are pressed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the control box (7) respectively. The inlet end of the water pipe (8) is exposed from the control box (7) and is provided with an upper connecting external thread (83) for connecting with the first water outlet pipe (3c). The outlet end of the water pipe (8) is exposed from the control box (7) and is provided with a lower connecting external thread (84) for connecting with the three-way pipe (10).

5. The induction faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outlet end of the three-way pipe (10) is connected to a soft water pipe (12), which is bent upwards and connected to the water outlet nozzle (2), and the water outlet nozzle (2) is detachably connected to the upper end of the faucet housing (1), so that the water outlet nozzle (2) can be pulled out.

6. The induction faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner bottom of the installation cavity (11) is provided with an annular inner shoulder (111), and the base (3) has an annular outer shoulder (31) and a threaded connection section (32). The threaded connection section (32) extends from the faucet housing (1) into the installation cavity (11), and the annular outer shoulder (31) abuts against the outside of the annular inner shoulder (111). A pressure ring (13) abutting against the annular inner shoulder (111) is threadedly connected to the threaded connection section (32), thereby fixing the base (3) at the bottom of the installation cavity (11). The first water inlet channel (6a), the second water inlet channel (6b), the first water outlet channel (6c) and the second water outlet channel (6d) all expose the bottom surface of the valve housing (6), and the valve housing (6) is pressed onto the base (3).

7. The induction faucet according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an external power source (14) independent of the control box (7), and the external power source (14) supplies power to the electric control switch (9) and the sensor (4).

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