JP2024135323A - Automatic faucets and kitchen - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an automatic faucet capable of accurately stopping water when filled up, in a simple construction.SOLUTION: The automatic faucet includes a sensor part for detecting a distance from a detected object, a switching part for switching between water discharge and water stop, and a control part for controlling the switching part according to the detection result of the sensor part. The control part has an automatic water stop mode to switch into water stop when a variation of a distance in a predetermined time that the sensor part detects is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to automatic faucets and kitchens.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic faucet that detects when a container is full and stops the water flow when it is being discharged. The automatic faucet in Patent Document 1 simultaneously obtains two distances from a distance sensor, and when one distance does not change over time and the other distance becomes shorter over time, it determines that the shorter distance is the distance to the water surface and the unchanged distance is the distance to the edge of the container, and automatically stops the water based on the difference between the two distances, preventing unintended long-term water discharge.

JP 2017-66730 A

The device described in Patent Document 1 requires the use of a sensor capable of simultaneously detecting multiple distances, and it is difficult to obtain accurate measurements by simultaneously measuring the distance between the container and the water surface. The device described in Patent Document 1 requires changes in the liquid level, so it cannot stop the water when the container is full of water. The device described in Patent Document 1 may not be able to make accurate measurements if the difference in distance between the top of the container and the liquid surface is small, even if the container is not full of water.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide an automatic faucet with a simple structure that can accurately stop the water flow when the faucet is full, and a kitchen equipped with an automatic faucet.

The first aspect of the present disclosure is an automatic faucet that includes a sensor unit that detects the distance to a detection target, a switching unit that switches between water discharge and water stop, and a control unit that controls the switching unit in response to the detection results of the sensor unit, and the control unit has an automatic water stop mode that switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in distance detected by the sensor unit over a predetermined period of time is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic faucet according to the present disclosure. 13 is a flowchart of an automatic water stop mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the elapsed time of water discharge and the water level. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is a flowchart of an automatic water stop mode according to a second embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the automatic faucet and kitchen of the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The following embodiment shows one aspect of the present disclosure, does not limit the disclosure, and can be modified as desired within the scope of the technical ideas of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following drawings, the scale of each structure is different from the actual structure in order to make each configuration easier to understand.

[First embodiment of automatic faucet 1]
1 and 2, the automatic faucet 1 of the first embodiment is installed in a sink or the like of a kitchen 40. The automatic faucet 1 may also be installed in a washroom, a bathroom, etc. The automatic faucet 1 is electrically driven so that it can switch between hot and cold water discharge and adjust the temperature.

The automatic faucet 1 comprises a switching lever 2, a water outlet pipe 3, a solenoid valve 6, a sensor unit 10, and a solenoid valve control unit 20. The switching lever 2 and the water outlet pipe 3 have their lower ends provided on the upper surface 7A of the edge of the sink 7. The switching lever 2 can be manually operated to switch between hot and cold water outlet and stop, and to switch between hot and cold water outlet.

The water discharge pipe 3 has a water outlet 4 and a light opening 5 at its tip. The water discharge pipe 3 is formed in a U-shape with the water outlet 4 facing downward. The water discharge pipe 3 can discharge water sent from the water supply passage 8 from the water outlet 4. The water outlet 4 forms an opening for discharging water supplied from the water supply passage 8. The water discharge direction from the water outlet 4 is set downward. The water discharge direction from the water outlet 4 is set diagonally downward extending in a direction away from the switching lever 2. Water supplied from the water supply passage 8 through the water outlet 4 collects water in a container 30 placed on the water receiving tank 7B of the sink 7. The container 30 is not particularly limited, but examples include a pot, bowl, cup, washbasin, etc.

The water supply line 8 is a pipe that supplies water to be discharged from the water outlet 4. As an example, the water supply line 8 is a pipe that supplies mixed water, which is a mixture of hot and cold water. The water supply line 8 may be a pipe that supplies only water. In the following, the water supply line 8 is described as a pipe that supplies water. The water supply line 8 is arranged to pass through the inside of the water outlet 4, the water outlet pipe 3, and the sink 7 in that order. The tip of the water supply line 8 is located at the water outlet 4. The end of the water supply line 8 is connected to the solenoid valve 6.

The solenoid valve 6 switches the flow of water to the water supply line 8. The flow of water to the water supply line 8 is controlled by opening and closing the solenoid valve 6. The opening and closing of the solenoid valve 6 can switch between discharging water from the water outlet 4 and stopping water. The solenoid valve 6 corresponds to a switching unit.

The sensor unit 10 is provided at the tip of the water discharge pipe 3. The sensor unit 10 is provided on the water discharge pipe 3, closer to the user than the water outlet 4. The closer side to the water outlet 4 is the opposite side of the water outlet 4 from the switching lever 2. The sensor unit 10 is a distance sensor that detects the distance to a detection object. The detection object is, for example, the water surface 9 stored in the container 30, tableware, food ingredients, the user's hands, etc.

The sensor unit 10 can be, for example, optical, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic, but the automatic faucet 1 is equipped with a ToF (Time of Flight) distance sensor that detects distance based on the time it takes for pulsed emitted laser light (detection light L) to be reflected off the water surface 9, which is the detection target, and the speed of light.

The automatic faucet 1 is provided at a position where the sensor unit 10 can sense the inside of the sink 7 below the height of the upper surface 7A. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 10 has a light-emitting unit 11, a light-receiving unit 12, a calculation unit 13, and a distance measurement control unit 14. The light-emitting unit 11 emits detection light L downward through the light opening 5 under the control of the distance measurement control unit 14. The direction of emission of the detection light L is diagonally downward extending in a direction away from the switching lever 2. The detection light L is cone-shaped and expands as it approaches downward. The detection range of the detection light L and the water discharge range from the water outlet 4 are set in a positional relationship where they do not overlap. This positional relationship can suppress the adverse effects of water discharge, enabling good detection by the sensor unit 10. Although the detection range of the detection light L has been described as being diagonally downward, if the positional relationship of the detection range of the detection light L and the water discharge range is such that they do not overlap, the detection range of the detection light L does not necessarily have to be diagonally downward, and may be directed vertically downward, for example. Also, as long as it can be detected by the sensor unit 10, the detection range of the detection light L does not necessarily have to be in a positional relationship of a range in which they do not overlap, and some of the ranges may overlap.

The light receiving unit 12 receives the detection light L reflected by the detection object through the light opening 5. The calculation unit 13 performs calculations using the time when the light emitting unit 11 emits the detection light L obtained from the distance measurement control unit 14 and the time when the detection light L is received from the light receiving unit 12, to calculate the distance to the detection object. The calculation unit 13 outputs the calculated distance to the detection object to the solenoid valve control unit 20.

The solenoid valve control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 6. The solenoid valve control unit 20 switches between discharging and stopping water by controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 6 according to the distance to the detection object detected by the sensor unit 10. The solenoid valve control unit 20 has an automatic water stop mode that stops water when it detects that the water stored in the container 30 is full when discharging water into the container 30, based on the distance to the detection object detected by the sensor unit 10. In the automatic water stop mode, the solenoid valve control unit 20 switches to stopping water when the amount of change in the distance to the detection object over a predetermined time detected by the sensor unit 10 is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value. The first threshold value corresponds to the threshold value.

The solenoid valve control unit 20 has, as an example, a processor and a storage unit. The processor performs the above-mentioned processing by executing a program stored in the storage unit. The storage unit is configured with a memory that stores necessary parameters, a program describing the above-mentioned processing, and the like. The processor is configured with a processor that is logically configured in a hardware circuit such as a microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The solenoid valve control unit 20 may perform the above-mentioned functions by cooperation between multiple processors and multiple storage units.

The automatic water stop mode operates continuously while water is being discharged. The automatic water stop mode transitions from continuous operation to end operation depending on the user's action. Examples of user actions to end the automatic water stop mode include a voice command to end the automatic water stop mode, or holding a hand below the light opening 5 so that the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 matches a preset automatic water stop mode start pattern. When the automatic water stop mode is ended by holding a hand below the light opening 5, the sensor unit 10 is provided closer to the user than the water outlet 4 on the water discharge pipe 3, so the distance the hand needs to be moved below the light opening 5 is shorter, and the automatic water stop mode can be ended quickly.

In the automatic water stop mode, the operation of the solenoid valve control unit 20 to detect when the water stored in the container 30 is full based on the distance to the detection object detected by the sensor unit 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the automatic water stop mode is started, in step S1, the solenoid valve control unit 20 acquires the distance detected by the sensor unit 10.

In step S2, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines whether the faucet is discharging water, and if the faucet is not discharging water, stops the automatic water stop mode.

When the solenoid valve control unit 20, which has acquired the distance detected by the sensor unit 10, determines in step S2 that the faucet is discharging water, it determines in step S3 whether the distance has been acquired for a predetermined time. If the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines that the distance has not been acquired for the predetermined time, it returns to step S1 and executes the processes subsequent to distance acquisition. As shown in Figure 4, the water level discharged and stored in the container 30 rises according to the elapsed time from the start of discharging until the container is full, and the distance to the water surface 9 detected by the sensor unit 10 becomes shorter.

When the distance has been acquired for a predetermined time in step S3, the solenoid valve control unit 20 calculates the amount of change in the distance in step S4. The solenoid valve control unit 20 determines whether the calculated amount of change in the distance is less than a first threshold in step S5. If the calculated amount of change in the distance is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the solenoid valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 since the container 30 is not filled with water, and executes the processes subsequent to the acquisition of the distance.

If the calculated distance change is less than the first threshold, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines in step S6 whether a change in distance less than the first threshold has occurred multiple times in succession within a predetermined time. If a change less than the first threshold has not occurred multiple times in succession within a predetermined time, the solenoid valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 to execute the process after distance acquisition since the water in the container 30 has not yet reached full capacity. The determination of full capacity is not limited to determining whether a change in distance less than the first threshold has occurred multiple times in succession within a predetermined time, but may be determined when it occurs only once. The determination of full capacity may be made using a statistical method such as probability, for example, when a change less than the first threshold has occurred four times out of five times.

The solenoid valve control unit 20 sets a predetermined time for detecting the amount of change W in the distance from the water surface 9 in order to detect with high accuracy that the amount of change W in the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 has become smaller than the first threshold value for a predetermined time. The solenoid valve control unit 20 sets the predetermined time as the elapsed time ΔT at which the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the first threshold value during the predetermined elapsed time after the amount of change ΔH in the distance during the rise in the water level before the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the first threshold value during the predetermined elapsed time in the automatic water stop mode becomes larger than the first threshold value.

After the amount of change in distance has been smaller than the first threshold value for a predetermined time, the amount of change in distance W when water is overflowing from the container 30 is ideally zero, but it varies due to the swaying of the water surface and measurement errors. The solenoid valve control unit 20 uses the average value of the n detected distances and reduces the amount of change W using the difference between the average values. If the average value is not used, the amount of change W becomes large, and the predetermined time ΔT becomes long in order to distinguish it from ΔH, which will be described later. By using the average value, the predetermined time can be shortened. Note that the explanation has been given using an example in which the average value is used, but this is not limited to the use of the average value, and statistical methods such as probability may also be used. In this case, the predetermined time can be shortened in the same way as when the average value is used.

The amount of change in distance ΔH during the rise in water level before the amount of change in distance becomes smaller than the first threshold for a predetermined time is ideally a linear function. For example, if the cross-sectional area of the container 30 from which water is discharged from the discharge pipe 3 is A [ ^cm2 ], the discharge rate is B [L/min], and the initial water level is C [cm], then the water level Y [cm] after X [min] is expressed by the following formula (1). The maximum cross-sectional area A and the discharge rate B are set for each automatic faucet 1.

Y=(B/A)×X×1000+C…(1)

When the fluctuation w due to water surface sway and measurement error is added to equation (1), the following equation (2) is obtained.

ΔH=ΔY−w…(2)

When water overflows from the container 30, the amount of fluctuation w is equal to or smaller than the amount of fluctuation W because the water level fluctuates upward due to surface tension.

If the calculated amount of change in distance is less than the first threshold, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines in step S6 that the water stored in the container 30 is full if a change less than the first threshold occurs multiple times consecutively within a predetermined time. As an example, when the amount of change W in 0.5 seconds is less than 0.6 mm and occurs three times consecutively, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines that an overflow has occurred and the container 30 is full, and switches the solenoid valve 6 to stop the water flow in step S7. In step S8, the solenoid valve control unit 20 notifies the user, for example by voice, that the water stored in the container 30 is full and that the water has been stopped due to overflow.

In the automatic faucet 1, when the amount of change in distance over a specified time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than a specified first threshold value, the automatic water stop is activated, so that the sensor unit 10 only has one detection target and the automatic water stop can be performed without detecting the distance to the container 30. In the automatic faucet 1, even when the container 30 is full of water and the distance does not decrease with the elapsed time of water discharge, the automatic water stop can be performed by detecting that the amount of change in distance W is smaller than the first threshold value. In the automatic faucet 1, the simple structure can accurately stop the water when the container is full of water, and can prevent unintended long-term water discharge when water is discharged.

In the automatic faucet 1, the predetermined time is set to the elapsed time ΔT at which the amount of change in distance detected by the sensor unit 10 during a predetermined elapsed time while the water level is rising becomes greater than the first threshold value, and then the amount of change in distance W detected by the sensor unit 10 during a predetermined elapsed time while water is overflowing from the container 30 becomes smaller than the first threshold value. Therefore, even if the amount of water discharge is small and the amount of change in distance while the water level is rising is small, it is possible to accurately detect that the water is full and switch to stopping the water supply.

[Second embodiment of automatic faucet 1]
A second embodiment of the automatic faucet 1 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. In these figures, the same components as those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic faucet 1 has a flowmeter 21. The flowmeter 21 is disposed between the discharge pipe 3 and the solenoid valve 6. The flowmeter 21 measures the flow rate of water supplied to the discharge pipe 3 and discharged. The flowmeter 21 outputs the measured flow rate to the solenoid valve control unit 20. The flowmeter 21 is described using an example in which it is disposed between the discharge pipe 3 and the solenoid valve 6, but is not limited to this example, and may be disposed in other positions, such as between the solenoid valve 6 and the solenoid valve control unit 20, as long as it can measure the flow rate of water supplied to the discharge pipe 3 and discharged. The other configurations are the same as those of the automatic faucet 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the solenoid valve control unit 20 acquires the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 in step S1, and then determines in step S2 whether the faucet is discharging water, and ends the automatic water stop mode if the faucet is not discharging water. If the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines in step S2 that the faucet is discharging water, it acquires the flow rate measured by the flowmeter 21 in step S11. The order of acquiring the flow rate and the distance may be reversed.

In step S12, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines whether the flow rate is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, and if it is less than the second threshold value, returns to step S1 and continues acquiring the distance. The determination in step S12 makes it possible to prevent erroneous water stopping at extremely low flow rates, such as when thawing with running water.

If the flow rate is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the solenoid valve control unit 20 sets a first threshold value for the amount of change in distance according to the flow rate in step S13. After setting the first threshold value, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines in step S3 whether the distance has been acquired for a predetermined time. If the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines that the distance has not been acquired for a predetermined time, the process returns to step S1 and executes the processes subsequent to the acquisition of the distance.

When the distance is acquired for a predetermined time in step S3, the solenoid valve control unit 20 calculates the amount of change in the distance in step S4. The solenoid valve control unit 20 determines whether the amount of change in the distance is less than the set first threshold in step S5. If the calculated amount of change in the distance is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the solenoid valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 since the container 30 is not filled with water, and executes the processing from the acquisition of the distance onwards. In addition to the first threshold for the amount of change in the distance, the solenoid valve control unit 20 may set a predetermined time ΔT for taking the difference depending on the flow rate, or may set both the first threshold and the predetermined time ΔT.

In the automatic faucet 1 of the first embodiment, the predetermined time ΔT can be increased to accommodate low flow rates. However, if the predetermined time ΔT is made to correspond to a low flow rate, a problem occurs in that the judgment time becomes longer when the flow rate is high. In the automatic faucet 1 of the second embodiment, an advantage is that the predetermined time ΔT is changed depending on the flow rate. In the automatic faucet 1 of the second embodiment, the predetermined time ΔT when the flow rate is high is made shorter than the predetermined time ΔT when the flow rate is low, thereby solving the problem of the judgment time becoming longer in line with low flow rates.

In step S6, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines whether a change in distance for a predetermined time that is smaller than the first threshold value has occurred multiple times in succession. If a change in distance for a predetermined time that is smaller than the first threshold value has not occurred multiple times in succession, the solenoid valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 because the container 30 is not full of water, and executes the process from obtaining the distance onward.

When a fluctuation amount smaller than the first threshold value of the distance for a predetermined time occurs multiple times in succession, the solenoid valve control unit 20 determines that the water stored in the container 30 is full. In step S7, the solenoid valve control unit 20 switches the solenoid valve 6 to stop the water flow. In step S8, the solenoid valve control unit 20 notifies the user, for example by voice, that the water stored in the container 30 is full and that the water has been stopped due to overflow.

In addition to providing the same effects and advantages as the first embodiment, the automatic faucet 1 can prevent erroneous water shutoff at low flow rates by setting the first threshold value of the distance fluctuation amount according to the flow rate.

Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above examples are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

For example, in the automatic faucet 1, the first threshold value of the time to detect water level fluctuations and the distance to determine an overflow is preset, but this is not a limitation. The first threshold value of the time to detect water level fluctuations and the distance to determine an overflow may be reconfigured, for example, from an external device.

In the automatic faucet 1, the notification to the user after the water supply is stopped is given by voice, but this is not limited to the configuration. The notification to the user may be given by other notification means such as a buzzer or LED light.

Notifications to the user in the automatic faucet 1 are not limited to notifications via visual and auditory means, but may also include, for example, changes to the flow rate, temperature, switching between straight water and shower water, changes to the way water is dispensed, switching between purified water and raw water, and notifications to external devices.

This disclosure includes the following aspects:

[1] An automatic faucet comprising a sensor unit that detects the distance to a detection object, a switching unit that switches between water discharge and water stop, and a control unit that controls the switching unit in response to the detection results of the sensor unit, the control unit having an automatic water stop mode that switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in distance detected by the sensor unit over a predetermined period of time is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

[2] The automatic faucet described in [1], wherein the control unit switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in the distance over the specified time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than the threshold value multiple times in succession during the automatic water stop mode.

[3] The automatic faucet described in [1] or [2], wherein the control unit, in the automatic water stop mode, sets the predetermined time as the elapsed time at which the amount of change in the distance becomes greater than the threshold value before the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value during the predetermined elapsed time, and the elapsed time at which the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value during the predetermined elapsed time.

[4] The automatic faucet described in [3], wherein the control unit calculates the amount of change in the distance before the amount of change in the distance over the specified time period becomes smaller than the threshold value according to the cross-sectional area of the container from which the water is dispensed.

[5] The automatic faucet described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the control unit switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in distance over the specified time detected by the sensor unit in the automatic water stop mode is smaller than the threshold value set according to the cross-sectional area of the container from which the water is dispensed.

[6] An automatic faucet according to any one of [1] to [5], comprising a water discharge pipe having a water outlet, and the sensor unit is provided on the water discharge pipe in front of the water outlet.

[7] A kitchen having an automatic faucet according to any one of [1] to [6] and a sink, the lower end of the automatic faucet being provided on the upper surface of the edge of the sink.

[8] The kitchen described in [7], wherein the automatic faucet is provided in a position where the sensor unit can sense the inside of the sink below the height of the upper surface.

1...automatic faucet, 3...discharge pipe, 4...discharge port, 6...solenoid valve, 7...sink, 7A...top, 9...water surface, 10...sensor unit, 20...solenoid valve control unit, 21...flow meter, 40...kitchen

Claims (8)

A sensor unit for detecting a distance to a detection target;
A switching unit for switching between water discharge and water stop;
A control unit that controls the switching unit in response to a detection result of the sensor unit;
Equipped with
The control unit has an automatic water stop mode that switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in distance over a predetermined time period detected by the sensor unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. The control unit switches to the water stop mode when an amount of change in the distance over the predetermined time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than the threshold value multiple times in succession in the automatic water stop mode.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1. The control unit sets, in the automatic water stop mode, the amount of change in the distance becomes greater than the threshold value before the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value during a predetermined elapsed time, and sets the elapsed time at which the amount of change in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value during the predetermined elapsed time as the predetermined time.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1. The control unit calculates the amount of change in the distance before the amount of change in the distance over the predetermined time period becomes smaller than the threshold value, in accordance with a cross-sectional area of the container into which the water is discharged.
The automatic faucet according to claim 3. The control unit switches to the water stop mode when the amount of change in the distance over the predetermined time detected by the sensor unit in the automatic water stop mode is smaller than the threshold value set according to the cross-sectional area of the container into which the water is discharged.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1. A water discharge pipe having a water discharge port is provided,
The sensor unit is provided in front of the water outlet of the water discharge pipe.
The automatic faucet according to claim 1. An automatic faucet according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
Sink and
having
In a kitchen, the lower end of the automatic faucet is provided on the upper surface of the edge of the sink. The automatic faucet is provided at a position where the sensor unit can sense the inside of the sink below the height of the upper surface.
8. The kitchen of claim 7.

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