Electronic plumbing fixture fitting with sensor mounted on electronic board

• US 10,081,931 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 09/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortune Brands Water Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Song, Inho
• Primary Examiner(s): MACKAY-SMITH, SETH WENTWORTH
• Application Number:
  US15/001,146
• Publication Number:
  US 20160208467A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/385 contacting in the closed position, over a substantial axial length, a seat surface having the same inclination
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/22 with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0263 multiple way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting with a sensor mounted on an electronic board, such as an electronic faucet with a sensor mounted on an electronic board.

Claims

1. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet being operable to deliver water, the discharge outlet being located above a mounting surface for the fitting;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

a first sensor, the first sensor being operable to send a first signal when the first sensor is triggered, the first sensor being mounted on a first electronic board, the first sensor being located above the mounting surface;

a second sensor, the second sensor being operable to send a second signal when the second sensor is triggered, the second sensor being mounted on a second electronic board, the second sensor being located above the mounting surface;

an electronic control, the electronic control being operable to receive the first signal from the first sensor when the first sensor is triggered and, in response, send a first signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronic control being operable to receive the second signal from the second sensor when the second sensor is triggered and, in response, send a second signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, at least a portion of the electronic control being located above the mounting surface;

a first cable, the first cable being operable to electrically connect the first sensor to the second sensor, the first cable being located above the mounting surface; and

a second cable, the second cable being operable to electrically connect the second sensor to the electronic control, at least a portion of the second cable being operable to electrically connect the second sensor to the portion of the electronic control located above the mounting surface;

wherein the first electronic board, the second electronic board, the first cable, and at least the portion of the second cable operable to electrically connect the second sensor to the portion of the electronic control located above the mounting surface are integrally formed; and

wherein the second electronic board is a third flexible printed circuit board, and the portion of the second cable operable to electrically connect the second sensor to the portion of the electronic control located above the mounting surface is a fourth flexible printed circuit board.

2. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the third flexible printed circuit board is attached to a stiffener, and at least a portion of the fourth flexible printed circuit board is attached to a stiffener.