115 results about "Automatic faucet" patented technology

A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.

A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle including a first touch control, a second touch control, and a mode indicator. The logical control has a manual mode (wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and water flow is toggled on and off by positioning the handle) and a hands-free mode (wherein water flow is toggled on and off in response to the proximity sensor). The first touch control puts the faucet in the hands-free mode when touched by a user. The second touch control toggles the logical control between the hands-free mode and the manual mode when touched by a user. The mode indicator indicates which mode the faucet is presently in. The water flow has a temperature and a flow rate that are determined by the position of the handle.

A capacitive touch-controlled automatic faucet comprises: a spout, a magnetically latching valve, a proximity sensor, a handle, a capacitive touch-control, and a logical control. The proximity sensor is sensitive to motion of objects within a detection zone of the proximity sensor. The handle determines a water flow rate and temperature. The capacitive touch-control is positioned in the spout and generates an output signal while the touch-control is in contact with a user. The logical control receives the output signal, and toggles the magnetically latching valve when the output signal begins and ends within a period of time less than a predetermined threshold, but does not toggle the magnetically latching valve when the output signal persists for a period longer than the predetermined threshold. The faucet has a manual mode, wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and a hands-free mode, wherein water flow is toggled in response to the proximity sensor.

The present invention provides an irrigation system with cheap humidity sensors and cheap automatic faucets preferably by using at the end nodes of the system low water pressure, so that much less force is needed to open and close the local waterway and then either using simple electrical valves that do not require engines, or using for example mechanical sensors based on a bi-material of two or more materials which expand differently when they become wet, thus converting the difference of the expansion into convenient movement. Another possible variation, instead of mechanical sensors and valves, is to use for example a preferably synthetic material that tends to behave like a normal root preferably at the edge of each side channel, so that the “root” counter-balances the water supply and reaches equilibrium with it when the soil becomes wet enough, based preferably on asymmetric capillary materials.

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation that can be used to control the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, enabling battery operation for many years. An electronic system for controlling fluid flow may include an electromagnetic actuator, a controller and an optical sensor. Preferred embodiments include a control circuit constructed to sample periodically the detector based on the amount of light detected; a control circuit constructed to adjust a sample period based on the detected amount of light after determining whether a facility is in use; a detector optically coupled to the input port using an optical fiber; the input port may be located in an aerator of the electronic faucet; the system includes batteries for powering the electronic faucet. These embodiments may also include a variety of other features. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers. An active optical sensor includes a light emitter and a light detector. The detected signals may be processed using novel algorithms

Automatic water faucet in accordance with the present invention comprises main body is formed with outlet and hot and cold water inlets; hot and cold water flow control valve is built in the upper part of main body and selects and controls hot and cold water flow rate; control handle for adjustment of hot and cold water flow control valve; object detector device is installed in front of main body and comprises light generator and receiver, operation indicator lamp, circuit board; electronic valve is installed and connected to the bottom of hot and cold water flow control valve automatically opens or closes outlet in accordance with the detector signal of object detector part; battery power supply supplies power to object detector part and electronic valve; and manual emergency lever is installed on the bottom of main body to be able to be rotated to enforce operation of electronic valve manually.

The present invention is directed to novel optical sensors and novel methods for sensing optical radiation. The novel optical sensors and the novel optical sensing methods are used, for example, for controlling the operation of automatic faucets and flushers. The novel sensors and flow controllers (including control electronics and valves) require only small amounts of electrical power for sensing users of bathroom facilities, and thus enable battery operation for many years. A passive optical sensor includes a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light for controlling the operation of automatic faucets or automatic bathroom flushers.

The present invention provides an irrigation system with cheap humidity sensors and cheap automatic faucets preferably by using at the end nodes of the system low water pressure, so that much less force is needed to open and close the local waterway, and then either using simple electrical valves that do not require engines, or using for example mechanical sensors based on a bi-material of two or more materials which expand differently when they become wet, thus converting the difference of the expansion into convenient movement. Another possible variation, instead of mechanical sensors and valves, is to use for example a preferably synthetic material that tends to behave like a normal root preferably at the edge of each side channel, so that the “root” counter-balances the water supply and reaches equilibrium with it when the soil becomes wet enough, based preferably on asymmetric capillary materials.

This disclosure presents an improved automatic faucet/sink. Conventional automatic faucets, such as are present in public locations outside of the home, such as restaurants and roadside rest-stops, allow the on/off control of water flow. Existing automatic faucets do not allow for control over temperature of the water flow. This invention will provide hygienic access to the water faucet for washing the hands since the user does not have to touch the faucet or sink for control over water flow or temperature. Control of water temperature will represent an improvement in automatic faucets.

The invention disclosed here provides for the control of water temperature in automatic faucets. In one implementation this is accomplished with a distance sensor in the faucet that varies the water temperature depending on the distance of the hands under the water spout from the distance sensor. In a second implementation, a microphone with voice-recognition capabilities responds to words (e.g. hotter or colder) to vary the temperature of the water.

A faucet includes a logical control, a spout, a hub, a handle, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout, the hub, and the handle.

A non-contact sensor switch assembly includes a switching transistor adapted for switching on/off the supply of a power supply to the control unit of an automatic handwash dispenser, automatic water tap or automatic door, a charge induction plate inducible by an approaching body part of a person, and a capacitive proximity sensor electrically coupled between the charge induction plate and the switching transistor for triggering the switching transistor to switch on the supply of the power supply to the control unit of the automatic handwash dispenser, automatic water tap or automatic door upon approach of a body part of a person.