CN106193207A - 一种电子龙头以及控制电子龙头中流体流的方法 - Google Patents
一种电子龙头以及控制电子龙头中流体流的方法 Download PDFInfo
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Abstract
本发明涉及一种电子龙头以及控制电子龙头中流体流的方法。该电子龙头(10)包括喷口(12)，所述喷口(12)具有被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道、耦合到所述通道的电运行阀以及耦合到所述龙头的一部分的单个电容式传感器(26)。所述单个电容式传感器为所述电子龙头提供触摸传感器和接近传感器。
Description
本申请是申请号为201180019576.7、申请日为2011年04月20日、发明名称为“具有电容式传感系统的电子龙头以及用于所述电子龙头的方法”的中国专利申请的分案申请。
技术领域
本发明大体上涉及电子龙头。具体而言，本发明涉及用于运行龙头的电容式传感系统以及方法。
背景技术
电子龙头通常用于控制流体流。一些电子龙头包含接近传感器，例如，主动红外(“IR”)接近检测器或电容式接近传感器，从而控制龙头的运行。此类接近传感器用于检测靠近龙头的用户的手，并响应于对用户的手的检测而自动地开启流体流通过龙头。其他电子龙头使用触摸传感器来控制龙头。此类触摸传感器可包含电容式触摸传感器或位于龙头的喷口上或手柄上的其他类型的触摸传感器，从而控制龙头的运行。电子龙头还可包含单独的触摸和接近传感器。
发明内容
本发明使用单个电容式传感器来提供龙头的触摸和免触(hands free)运行模式。用户可选择性地启动免触运行模式，从而使得电容式传感器在靠近龙头的检测区域中感测出用户的手而无需用户触摸龙头。当免触模式启动时，单个电容式传感器在检测区域中检测出用户的手并自动开启流体流。还可选择性地停用免触模式。
用于触摸和接近传感的所述电容式传感器的使用消除了对IR检测器以及其相关联的IR检测窗口的需要。在一个图示实施例中，使用电子龙头的触摸和免触启动能提供对水流的可变控制，所述可变控制针对不同任务，例如，洗手、向水槽充水、打开热水以使冷水排出管路或类似任务。在一个图示实施例中，使用通过单根电线连接至喷口的电容式传感电路来执行触摸和免触检测。用软件对电子龙头的控制器进行编程以估算来自电容式传感器的输出信号，从而在接近传感器启动时确定是否在检测区域中检测出用户的手，并指示龙头上被触摸的部分以及持续的时间，以便按照下文所论述来运行龙头。
在本发明的一个图示实施例中，电子龙头包括喷口，所述喷口具有被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道，耦合到所述通道的电运行(electrically operable)阀，以及耦合到龙头的一部分的单个电容式传感器。单个电容式传感器为电子龙头提供触摸传感器和接近传感器。
在一个图示实施例中，电容式传感器包含耦合到喷口的电极。同样在一个图示实施例中，电子龙头进一步包括耦合到电容式传感器的控制器。所述控制器被配置用于监测来自电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测龙头的一部分被用户触摸的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近喷口的检测区域中的时间。说明性地，所述控制器被配置用于在第一运行模式或第二运行模式下运行龙头，在第一运行模式下，接近传感器是未启动的，在第二运行模式下，接近传感器是启动的。
在本发明的另一个图示实施例中，提供了用于控制电子龙头中的流体流的一种方法，所述电子龙头具有喷口、被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道、耦合到所述通道的电运行阀、与所述电运行阀串联的手动阀以及被配置用于控制所述手动阀的手动手柄。图示方法包括：提供耦合到龙头的一部分的单个电容式传感器；监测来自电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测用户触摸喷口和手动阀手柄中的至少一个的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近龙头的检测区域中的时间；以及响应于监测步骤而控制电运行阀。
在一个图示实施例中，所述方法进一步包含：提供龙头的第一运行模式，在所述第一运行模式中，接近传感器是未启动的；提供龙头的第二运行模式，在所述第二运行模式中，接近传感器是启动的；以及在第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变。在一个图示实施例中，在第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变的步骤包括：响应于检测出触摸到喷口和手动阀手柄中的至少一个的预定方式，在第一运行模式与第二运行模式之间切换龙头。在另一个图示实施例中，在第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变的步骤包括：致动模式选择器开关。
本发明的第一个实施例提供了一种电子龙头，包括：喷口，所述喷口具有被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道；电运行阀，所述电运行阀耦合到所述通道；以及单个电容式传感器，所述单个电容式传感器耦合到所述龙头的一部分，所述单个电容式传感器为所述电子龙头提供触摸传感器和接近传感器。
根据本发明的第一个实施例，其中所述电容式传感器包含耦合到所述喷口的电极。
根据本发明的第一个实施例，进一步包括：耦合到所述电容式传感器的控制器，所述控制器被配置用于监测来自所述电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测所述龙头的一部分被用户触摸的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近所述喷口的检测区域中的时间。
根据本发明的第一个实施例，其中所述控制器被配置用于在第一运行模式和第二运行模式中的一个运行模式下运行所述龙头，在所述第一运行模式下，所述接近传感器是未启动的，在所述第二运行模式下，所述接近传感器是启动的。
根据本发明的第一个实施例，其中所述控制器响应于触摸所述龙头的预定方式，在所述第一运行模式与所述第二运行模式之间切换所述龙头。
本发明的第二个实施例提供了一种控制电子龙头中的流体流的方法，所述电子龙头具有喷口、被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道、耦合到所述通道的电运行阀、与所述电运行阀串联放置的手动阀以及被配置用于控制所述手动阀的手动手柄，所述方法包括：提供耦合到所述龙头的一部分的单个电容式传感器；监测来自所述电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测用户触摸所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的至少一个的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近所述龙头的检测区域中的时间；以及响应于对所述输出信号进行监测的步骤而控制所述电运行阀。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，进一步包括：提供所述龙头的第一运行模式，在所述第一运行模式中，接近传感器是未启动的；提供所述龙头的第二运行模式，在所述第二运行模式中，所述接近传感器是启动的；以及在第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中，在所述第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变的步骤包括：响应于检测出对所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的至少一个进行触摸的预定方式，在所述第一运行模式与所述第二运行模式之间切换所述龙头。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述监测步骤包含：对用户轻敲所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个、用户抓住所述喷口以及用户抓住所述手动阀手柄进行区分。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，进一步包括：在所述监测步骤期间，响应于检测出用户触摸到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个，在打开与关闭位置之间切换电子阀。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述电容式传感器包括耦合到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个的电极。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述电极耦合到所述喷口，并且其中所述手动阀手柄至少部分地由导电材料制成，并且进一步包括位于所述喷口与所述手动阀手柄之间的绝缘体，从而使导电手动阀手柄电容耦合到所述电极。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述电极通过单根电线耦合到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，进一步包括：当所述龙头处于所述第二运行模式中时，响应于在所述检测区域中检测出用户的手，将所述电运行阀从关闭位置切换至打开位置。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，进一步包括：响应于检测出所述用户的手已从所述检测区域移开，将所述电运行阀从所述打开位置切换至所述关闭位置。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，进一步包括：在检测出所述用户的手已从所述检测区域移开之后，延迟一段预定时间，再将所述电运行阀从所述打开位置切换至所述关闭位置，并且，如果随后在所述预定时间之内在所述检测区域中检测出所述用户的手，则使阀维持在所述打开位置。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述监测步骤包含对用户轻敲所述喷口和用户抓住所述喷口进行区分，并且，其中所述控制步骤包含：经由免触运行模式，响应于检测出用户的手位于所述检测区域中而开启流体流通过所述喷口；如果在免触模式起动之后，在小于预定时间的时间段内检测出轻敲所述喷口，则通过触摸模式维持流体流；以及，如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在超出所述预定时间时检测出轻敲所述喷口，则中断流体流通过所述喷口。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述控制步骤进一步包括：如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在小于所述预定时间的时间段之内检测出抓住所述喷口，则经由所述触摸模式维持流体流通过所述喷口；以及，如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在超出所述预定时间时检测出抓住所述喷口，则经由所述免触模式维持流体流。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中监测步骤包含对用户轻敲喷口和用户抓住喷口进行区分，并且，其中所述控制步骤包含：响应于检测出轻敲或抓住所述喷口，在触摸运行模式下开启流体流通过所述喷口；响应于在所述检测区域中检测出所述用户的手，或者响应于抓住所述喷口，在触摸模式下维持流体流通过所述喷口；以及响应于检测出随后轻敲所述喷口，中断流体流通过所述喷口。
根据本发明的第二个实施例，其中所述控制步骤包含，经由免触运行模式响应于在所述检测区域中检测出用户的手而开启流体流通过所述喷口，以及在触摸运行模式下响应于检测出轻敲或抓住所述喷口而开启流体流通过所述喷口；并且，其中所述方法进一步包含，以第一可区分方式和第二可区分方式致动指示器，从而指示所述龙头是在所述免触运行模式下运行还是在所述触摸运行模式下运行。
所属领域的技术人员可通过考虑以下对说明性实施例的详细说明来清楚地了解本发明的其他特征和优点，其中所述说明性实施例举例说明目前公认的实施本发明的最佳模式。
附图说明
对附图的详细说明尤其涉及以下附图，其中：
图1是电子龙头的图示实施例的方框图；
图2和图3是对电容式传感系统的运行以及对使用单个电容式传感器以进行触摸和接近检测的方法进行说明的流程图；
图4和图5图示了示例性电容信号输出，所述示例性电容信号输出响应用户的手位于检测区域之内、用户触摸电子龙头的喷口以及用户触摸电子龙头的手柄；以及
图6是对龙头的运行进行说明的状态图，此时触摸检测和接近检测模式均启动。
具体实施方式
为了提升对本发明的原理的理解，现参考附图中图示的实施例，所述实施例在下文中描述。下文中揭示的实施例并不意图是详尽的，或者并不意图将本发明限制于以下详细描述中揭示的确切形式。相反，所述实施例经选择和描述以使得所属领域的其他技术人员可使用他们的教示。因此，并不意图限制本发明的范围。本发明包含对所说明的装置和所描述的方法的任何更改和进一步修改，并且本发明所涉及的领域的技术人员通常会想出针对本发明的原理的进一步应用。
图1是描绘本发明所说明的实施例中的电子龙头系统10的一个实施例的方框图。系统10包含用于输送水等流体的喷口12以及用于在手动模式下控制流体通过喷口12的流动的至少一个手动阀手柄14。热水源16和冷水源18耦合到阀体组装件20。在一个图示实施例中，针对热水源16和冷水源18设置了不同的手动阀手柄14。在其他实施例中，例如，厨房实施例，单个手动阀手柄14用于热水和冷水的输送。在这种厨房实施例中，手动阀手柄14和喷口12通常通过单孔安装耦合到水池。阀体组装件20的输出耦合到致动器驱动式阀(actuator driven valve)22，所述致动器驱动式阀22由接收自控制器24的输入信号通过电子方法来控制。在一个说明性实施例中，致动器驱动式阀22是电磁阀，例如，磁力闭锁先导控制电磁阀(magnetically latching pilot-controlled solenoid valve)。
在一个替代性实施例中，热水源16和冷水源18可直接连接到致动器驱动式阀22，从而得到无需任何手动控制的完全自动的龙头。在又一个实施例中，控制器24对电子比例阀(未图示)进行控制，从而将流体从热水源16和冷水源18提供至喷口12。
由于致动器驱动式阀22由控制器24通过电子方法来控制，因此可使用来自电容式传感器26的输出来控制水流。如图1中所示，当致动器驱动式阀22打开时，可用传统方式来运行龙头系统10，即，通过运行手柄14以及阀体组装件20的手动阀部件，在手动控制模式下运行龙头系统10。反之，当手动控制的阀体组装件20设置成选择水温和流速时，可使用触摸传感器来触控致动器驱动式阀22，或者，当物体(例如，用户的手)位于检测区或区域27之内时，可由接近传感器启动致动器驱动式阀22，从而将水流切换成打开和关闭。
来自电容式传感器26的输出信号可用于控制致动器驱动式阀22，从而控制从热水源16和冷水源18到达喷口12的水流。通过用电容式传感器26感测电容的改变，控制器24可做出逻辑决策，从而控制系统10的不同运行模式，例如，在手动运行模式与免触运行模式之间改变，这在第7,537,023号美国专利、第11/641,574号美国申请案、第7,150,293号美国专利、第11/325,128号美国申请案以及第PCT/US2008/01288号和第PCT/US2008/013598号PCT国际申请案中描述，这些申请案和专利的揭示内容均以引入方式明确并入本文中。
根据一个或多个用户输入确定来自热水源16和冷水源18的流体的量，所述用户输入是，例如，所需流体温度、所需流体流速、所需流体体积、基于任务的不同输入、不同的得到认可的表述和/或以上各者的组合。如上文所论述，系统10还可包含通过电子方法控制的混合阀，所述混合阀与热水源16和冷水源18流体连通。通过电子方法控制的示例性的混合阀在第7,458,520号美国专利和第PCT/US2007/060512号PCT国际申请案中描述，所述申请案和专利的揭示内容以引入的方式明确并入本文中。
控制器24耦合到可以是建筑电源(building power supply)的电源21，并且/或者耦合到电池电源。在一个图示实施例中，电容式传感器26的电极25耦合到喷口12。在一个示例性实施例中，电容式传感器26可以是可从赛普拉斯半导体公司(Cypress SemiconductorCorporation)买到的卡帕森斯电容式传感器(CapSense capacitive sensor)或其他适合的电容式传感器。来自电容式传感器26的输出耦合到控制器24。如上文所论述，电容式传感器26和电极25被用于触摸传感器和免触接近传感器。在免触运行模式下，电容式传感器26和控制器24能检测出靠近喷口12的检测区域27之内的用户的手或其他物体。
电子龙头10的运行者可使用耦合到控制器24的模式选择器开关28来选择性地启用或停用接近检测器。龙头10可包含指示器29，以便在电子龙头处于免触模式中时提供视觉或声音指示。还可使用针对喷口12和/或手柄14的一系列触摸来启用或停用免触模式。在一个图示实施例中，喷口12通过绝缘体15耦合到龙头体套节(faucet body hub)13。龙头体套节13可电耦合到手动阀手柄14。因此，喷口12电绝缘于龙头体套节13和手柄14。在这个图示实施例中，如(例如)第WO2008/088534号PCT国际公开案所说明，电极25直接耦合到喷口12并电容耦合到手柄14，这样，根据电容式传感器水平的差异，电容式传感器26和控制器24可确定用户是否触摸喷口12或手动阀手柄14，所述公开案的揭示内容以引入方式并入本文中。
在本发明的一个图示实施例中，揭示了用于提供用于电子龙头的触摸和接近检测的系统和方法，所述电子龙头具有如图2至图4所示的单个电容式传感器。按照图2和图3中所示来运行控制器24，从而控制电子龙头10。
运行从方框30处开始。如方框32中所示，控制器24选择性地启用或停用免触模式。如上文所论述，通过使用耦合到控制器24的模式选择器开关28，选择性地启用或停用了免触模式。或者，用户可通过使用触摸喷口和/或手动阀手柄14的预定方式来启用或停用免触运行模式。例如，在一个实施例中，可通过握住喷口12并快速地触摸手柄14两次来关闭免触功能。通过重复此触摸方式可重新打开免触模式。当然，还可使用其他触摸方式来打开和关闭免触运行模式。
在方框34中，控制器24确定是否启用了免触功能。如果启用了免触功能，那么，如方框36中所示，控制器对接近检测的电容信号进行监测。换句话说，控制器24监测来自电容式传感器26的输出，从而确定用户的手是否位于检测区域27之内。在方框38中，控制器24确定是否在检测区域27中检测出用户的手。如果是，那么，如方框40中所示，控制器24发送信号以打开阀22并提供流体流通过喷口12。随后，如方框42中所示，控制器24前进至方框44，同时在方框38中继续对免触检测区域进行监测。如果在方框38中没有在检测区域之内检测出用户的手，那么，如果如方框41中所示阀22是打开的，则控制器24关闭阀22，并且，如方框42中所示，控制器24前进至图3中的方框44。
如果在方框34中免触运行模式是停用的，那么，如方框42中所示，控制器直接前进至图3中的方框44。从图3中的方框44开始，如方框46中所示，控制器24监测来自电容式传感器26的针对触摸检测的电容信号。如果可以应用，那么，在方框48中，控制器24确定是否在喷口12或手柄14上检测出触摸(轻敲或抓住)。如果未检测出触摸，那么，如方框54中所示，控制器24返回到图2中的方框30，从而继续监测过程。如果在方框48中检测出了触摸，那么，在方框50中，控制器24确定触摸位置和/或触摸方式。
控制器24对从电容式传感器26接收的输出电容信号进行处理，从而根据信号特性确定喷口12或手柄14是否被触摸。然后，如方框52中所示，控制器24执行基于检测出的触摸位置和/或触摸方式的操作，所述操作参考图6进行详细描述。根据触摸(轻敲或抓住)喷口和/或手柄14的时间长度以及触摸的方式，可实施不同功能。通过用单个电容式传感器提供两种传感方法，即，触摸检测和接近检测，本发明减少了与提供传感机构相关联的组件计数和成本。辅助传感器无需提供触摸和接近传感。
用户可将电子龙头10安置在免触模式，这样用户就不必触摸喷口或手柄以启动龙头。在免触运行模式下，电容式传感器26在检测区域27中会检测出用户的手，并且控制器24会致动阀22以提供流体流直到用户的手离开检测区域27为止。对于其他任务，例如，向水槽充水、使冷水排出热水管路或其他功能，可使用不同的触摸顺序。触摸持续时间和方式可控制流速、水温、启动和停止特征，例如，免触打开和关闭，或设置其他程序特征。
在一个图示实施例中，电容式传感器26是如上文所论述的可从赛普拉斯半导体公司买到的卡帕森斯电容式传感器。在这个图示实施例中，电容式传感器26将电容转换成计数值。未处理的计数值称作原始计数。处理原始计数信号能确定喷口12是否被触摸或者用户的手是否在检测区域27中。优选地，使用至少为3:1的信噪比。
图4所示为来自电容式传感器26的示例性输出信号。如图4中所示，控制器24建立了免触阈值水平66和喷口触摸阈值水平70。当用户的手进入检测区27时，如图4中的位置60处所示，电容信号的斜率逐渐改变。电容信号的边缘部分60说明了用户的手位于检测区域27之内的影响，而电容信号在位置64处的负斜率说明了用户的手离开检测区域27。当在边缘位置60处检测出斜率的改变并且电容信号上升至超过免触阈值66时，例如，在信号的部分62期间，控制器24确定用户的手位于检测区域27之内。如果免触模式是启动或启用的，那么，随后，控制器24将向阀22提供信号以提供流体流通过喷口12。说明性地，在电容信号降低至阈值水平、位于位置64处之后，控制器24使流体流维持短暂的延迟时间(说明性地，约2秒)。这样，如果用户的手轻微移动或离开检测区域27极短的持续时间且随后返回到检测区域27中，就会减小脉动的可能性。
来自单个电容式传感器26的同一输出信号还可用于确定喷口12或手柄14是否被触摸。当电极25耦合到喷口12且喷口12被触摸时，如位置68处所示，电容信号中会产生很大的正斜率。在触摸的时间段中，电容信号计数水平超过触摸阈值70，这由电容信号的部分72展示。随后，控制器24可检测出位置74处的负斜率，所述负斜率指示触摸已结束。根据电容信号的正斜率与负斜率之间的时间量，控制器24可区分针对喷口12的“轻敲”与“抓住”。
在一个图示实施例中，接近检测的免触阈值66设置在约30-40计数。说明性地，喷口触摸检测阈值70设置在约300-400计数。换句话说，来自电容式传感器26的电容信号针对喷口触摸阈值70的幅值约为针对免触阈值66的幅值的11倍。
如果电容式传感器26和电极25还用于检测对手柄14的触摸，则针对手柄触摸提供另一个阈值水平。例如，如图4和图5中所示，手柄触摸阈值可设置在水平76处。图5图示了用户触摸手柄14时的电容信号。虽然在位置78处检测出很大的正斜率并且输出信号在信号部分80处越过手柄触摸阈值76，但是电容式传感器输出信号未达到喷口触摸阈值70。位置82处的负斜率指示对手柄14的触摸已经结束。说明性地，手柄触摸阈值76设置在约130-150计数。本文中所述的计数值仅用于说明，并且可根据应用而变化。说明性地，手柄触摸阈值76约为喷口触摸阈值70的35-45％，并且免触阈值66约为喷口触摸阈值70的5-10％。
本发明涉及电子龙头中的单个电容式传感器，所述电容式传感器在“触摸模式”或“接近模式”下运行。在触摸运行模式下，当用户触摸龙头的喷口或手柄时，龙头的运行改变。在接近或“免触”运行模式下，当人手放置在靠近龙头的一部分的检测区域中时，龙头自动开始运行。用户可选择停用接近运行模式并且仅使用触摸模式。单个电容式传感器通过单根电线连接至龙头，从而提供低成本的方式，即，在不向龙头添加又一个传感器的情况下提供触摸和接近传感。
图6是对龙头10的运行进行说明的状态图，此时触摸运行模式和接近(免触)运行模式均启动。如位置100处所示，水是关闭的，此时，如上文所论述，控制器24针对接近和触摸检测来监测单个电容式传感器26。如果控制器24在检测区域27中检测出用户的手，那么，如位置102处所示，控制器24经由免触模式打开水。如果用户的手随后从检测区域27移开，则关闭水。在位置102处，经由免触模式打开了水，此时，只要检测区域27中仍检测出用户的手，水就保持打开。
控制器24在检测区域27中检测出用户的手之后，如果在喷口上检测出轻敲并且在位置102处打开水，那么随后，如方框104中所示，控制器24确定距离开始免触模式的轻敲计时。检测出用户的手之后，免触模式打开水，如果在打开水之后0.5秒内检测出轻敲，那么，如方框106中所示，控制器24经由触摸模式使得水保持打开。换句话说，如果用户的手穿过检测区域27轻敲喷口，那么，轻敲喷口发生在完成检测区域27之内的免触检测之后0.5秒内，所述轻敲喷口指示在位置106处控制器24应经由触摸模式打开水。如果方框104中发生的轻敲的发生时间在检测出免触运行模式之后0.5秒后，那么，在方框100中，控制器24关闭水。
当在方框102中经由免触模式打开水并且控制器24检测出抓住喷口时，如方框108中所示，控制器24确定距离开始免触模式的抓住计时。如果检测出抓住的时间在免触模式起动之后0.5秒后，那么，在位置102处，经由免触模式使得水保持打开。但是，如果抓住喷口的发生时间在免触模式起动之后0.5秒内，那么，在位置106处，经由触摸模式使得水保持打开。如果需要，0.5秒计时可设置成另一个预定时间。
当在位置100处水关闭并且检测出轻敲或抓住喷口12时，在位置106处，经由触摸模式打开水。只要没有动作发生、在检测区域27中检测出用户的手或检测出抓住喷口，便经由触摸模式使得水保持打开。如果，在位置106处经由触摸模式打开水，此时轻敲喷口，则水关闭。
在本发明的一个图示实施例中，根据如上文所论述的打开水的方式，龙头10以不同方式关闭水。如果通过触摸(轻敲或抓住)龙头10的一部分来打开龙头10，那么随后，通过轻敲或通过一分钟的逾期时间(timeout)来关闭龙头10。如果在免触模式下通过在检测区域27中检测出用户的手来打开龙头10，那么，当用户的手从检测区域27移开时，龙头10关闭，所用方式为，在检测出免触模式之后0.5秒后用户轻敲龙头10，或逾期一分钟的时间。因此，如果用户意图使用免触模式打开龙头，但在检测出免触模式之后0.5秒内意外地或在无意中触摸到龙头10，那么随后，当用户的手离开检测区域27时龙头10将不会关闭。这可能使得用户认为龙头10未正确运行，未在免触模式下关闭水。
为了解决这个问题，在本发明的一个图示实施例中，指示器29是灯，例如，LED。控制器24以有区别的方式照射指示灯29，从而在龙头在免触运行模式下运行时提供视觉指示。例如，当龙头10因检测出触摸而启动时，控制器24以不间断的方式打开指示灯29。当龙头10因免触启动而打开时，控制器24以闪烁方式打开和关闭指示灯29。因此，用户可根据指示器29的灯的形式来确定龙头10的运行模式。当然，可使用其他类型的指示器29来区分免触与触摸运行模式。
尽管已将本发明描述成具有示例性设计和实施例，但是可在本发明的精神和范围之内进一步修改本发明。因此，本申请案意图涵盖使用本发明的一般原理的本发明的任何变化、用途或调适。此外，本申请案意图涵盖符合本发明所属领域中的已知或惯常做法的本发明的偏差。因此，尽管已参考特定图示实施例对本发明进行了详细描述，但是如随附权利要求书中所述和定义的本发明的精神和范围内仍存在变化和修改。
Claims (20)
1.一种电子龙头，包括：
喷口，所述喷口具有被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道；
电运行阀，所述电运行阀耦合到所述通道；以及
单个电容式传感器，所述单个电容式传感器耦合到所述龙头的一部分，所述单个电容式传感器为所述电子龙头提供触摸传感器和接近传感器。
2.根据权利要求1所述的电子龙头，其中所述电容式传感器包含耦合到所述喷口的电极。
3.根据权利要求1所述的电子龙头，进一步包括：耦合到所述电容式传感器的控制器，所述控制器被配置用于监测来自所述电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测所述龙头的一部分被用户触摸的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近所述喷口的检测区域中的时间。
4.根据权利要求3所述的电子龙头，其中所述控制器被配置用于在第一运行模式和第二运行模式中的一个运行模式下运行所述龙头，在所述第一运行模式下，所述接近传感器是未启动的，在所述第二运行模式下，所述接近传感器是启动的。
5.根据权利要求4所述的电子龙头，其中所述控制器响应于触摸所述龙头的预定方式，在所述第一运行模式与所述第二运行模式之间切换所述龙头。
6.一种控制电子龙头中的流体流的方法，所述电子龙头具有喷口、被配置用于引导流体流通过所述喷口的通道、耦合到所述通道的电运行阀、与所述电运行阀串联放置的手动阀以及被配置用于控制所述手动阀的手动手柄，所述方法包括：
提供耦合到所述龙头的一部分的单个电容式传感器；
监测来自所述电容式传感器的输出信号，从而检测用户触摸所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的至少一个的时间，并检测用户的手位于靠近所述龙头的检测区域中的时间；以及
响应于对所述输出信号进行监测的步骤而控制所述电运行阀。
7.根据权利要求6所述的方法，进一步包括：
提供所述龙头的第一运行模式，在所述第一运行模式中，接近传感器是未启动的；
提供所述龙头的第二运行模式，在所述第二运行模式中，所述接近传感器是启动的；以及
在第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变。
8.根据权利要求7所述的方法，其中，在所述第一与第二运行模式之间选择性地进行改变的步骤包括：响应于检测出对所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的至少一个进行触摸的预定方式，在所述第一运行模式与所述第二运行模式之间切换所述龙头。
9.根据权利要求6所述的方法，其中所述监测步骤包含：对用户轻敲所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个、用户抓住所述喷口以及用户抓住所述手动阀手柄进行区分。
10.根据权利要求6所述的方法，进一步包括：在所述监测步骤期间，响应于检测出用户触摸到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个，在打开与关闭位置之间切换电子阀。
11.根据权利要求6所述的方法，其中所述电容式传感器包括耦合到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个的电极。
12.根据权利要求11所述的方法，其中所述电极耦合到所述喷口，并且其中所述手动阀手柄至少部分地由导电材料制成，并且进一步包括位于所述喷口与所述手动阀手柄之间的绝缘体，从而使导电手动阀手柄电容耦合到所述电极。
13.根据权利要求11所述的方法，其中所述电极通过单根电线耦合到所述喷口和所述手动阀手柄中的一个。
14.根据权利要求7所述的方法，进一步包括：当所述龙头处于所述第二运行模式中时，响应于在所述检测区域中检测出用户的手，将所述电运行阀从关闭位置切换至打开位置。
15.根据权利要求14所述的方法，进一步包括：响应于检测出所述用户的手已从所述检测区域移开，将所述电运行阀从所述打开位置切换至所述关闭位置。
16.根据权利要求15所述的方法，进一步包括：在检测出所述用户的手已从所述检测区域移开之后，延迟一段预定时间，再将所述电运行阀从所述打开位置切换至所述关闭位置，并且，如果随后在所述预定时间之内在所述检测区域中检测出所述用户的手，则使阀维持在所述打开位置。
17.根据权利要求6所述的方法，其中所述监测步骤包含对用户轻敲所述喷口和用户抓住所述喷口进行区分，并且，其中所述控制步骤包含：经由免触运行模式，响应于检测出用户的手位于所述检测区域中而开启流体流通过所述喷口；如果在免触模式起动之后，在小于预定时间的时间段内检测出轻敲所述喷口，则通过触摸模式维持流体流；以及，如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在超出所述预定时间时检测出轻敲所述喷口，则中断流体流通过所述喷口。
18.根据权利要求17所述的方法，其中所述控制步骤进一步包括：如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在小于所述预定时间的时间段之内检测出抓住所述喷口，则经由所述触摸模式维持流体流通过所述喷口；以及，如果在起动所述免触模式之后，在超出所述预定时间时检测出抓住所述喷口，则经由所述免触模式维持流体流。
19.根据权利要求6所述的方法，其中监测步骤包含对用户轻敲喷口和用户抓住喷口进行区分，并且，其中所述控制步骤包含：响应于检测出轻敲或抓住所述喷口，在触摸运行模式下开启流体流通过所述喷口；响应于在所述检测区域中检测出所述用户的手，或者响应于抓住所述喷口，在触摸模式下维持流体流通过所述喷口；以及响应于检测出随后轻敲所述喷口，中断流体流通过所述喷口。
20.根据权利要求6所述的方法，其中所述控制步骤包含，经由免触运行模式响应于在所述检测区域中检测出用户的手而开启流体流通过所述喷口，以及在触摸运行模式下响应于检测出轻敲或抓住所述喷口而开启流体流通过所述喷口；并且，其中所述方法进一步包含，以第一可区分方式和第二可区分方式致动指示器，从而指示所述龙头是在所述免触运行模式下运行还是在所述触摸运行模式下运行。
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| CN201180019576.7A CN102844501B (zh) | 2010-04-20 | 2011-04-20 | 具有电容式传感系统的电子龙头以及用于所述电子龙头的方法 |
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN106193207B (zh) | 2020-03-13 |
| CA2788815A1 (en) | 2011-10-27 |
| CA2788815C (en) | 2016-07-26 |
| US8561626B2 (en) | 2013-10-22 |
| US20110253220A1 (en) | 2011-10-20 |
| EP2561150A1 (en) | 2013-02-27 |
| BR112012026846A2 (pt) | 2019-09-24 |
| MX2012012174A (es) | 2012-12-17 |
| CN102844501A (zh) | 2012-12-26 |
| CN102844501B (zh) | 2016-08-03 |
| WO2011133665A1 (en) | 2011-10-27 |
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