Electronic faucet

• US 10,385,555 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAAX Bath Incorporated (American Bath Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: MAAX Bath Incorporated (American Bath Group LLC)
• Inventors: Braddock, Charles Kerwin, Debaugh, Thomas Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Jellett, Matthew W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ballman, Christopher D
• Application Number:
  US15/611,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20170350105A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/02 Plumbing installations for fresh water
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0412 Constructional or functional features of the faucet handle valve actuating members as such F16K31/60
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/00 Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices regulating means G05D
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04

Abstract

An automated liquid delivery system comprising: a housing defining an internal chamber, the housing comprising at least one delivery hole; a flow control valve inserted into the internal chamber and connectable to a source of liquid, the flow control valve for controlling a flow of liquid coming from the source of liquid; at least one pipe inserted into the internal chamber and connected to the flow control valve for delivering the liquid coming from the flow control valve through the delivery hole of the housing; a controller inserted into the internal chamber for controlling the flow control valve, the flow control valve and the controller being powerable by a battery insertable into the housing; and a cover securable to the housing for enclosing the flow control valve, the pipe, the controller and the battery therein.

Claims

1. An automated liquid delivery system comprising:

a housing defining an internal chamber, the housing comprising at least one delivery hole;

a flow control valve inserted into the internal chamber and connectable to a source of liquid, the flow control valve for controlling a flow of liquid coming from the source of liquid;

at least one pipe inserted into the internal chamber and connected to the flow control valve for delivering the liquid coming from the flow control valve through the delivery hole of the housing;

at least one temperature sensor for monitoring both a temperature of the liquid to be delivered by the automated liquid delivery system and a temperature of the liquid when contained in a container;

a controller inserted into the internal chamber for controlling the flow control valve and for receiving information from the at least one temperature sensor, wherein the controller receiving information from the at least one temperature sensor controls the flow control valve by adjusting the flow of hot and cold liquid flowing therethrouqh to obtain a desired temperature of the liquid contained in a container, the flow control valve and the controller being powerable by a battery insertable into the housing; and

a cover securable to the housing for enclosing the flow control valve, the pipe, the controller and the battery therein.

2. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising the battery.

3. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 2, wherein the battery comprises a rechargeable battery.

4. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 3, further comprising a solar panel for charging the rechargeable battery.

5. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 4, wherein the solar panel is secured to the cover.

6. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a communication unit inserted into the internal chamber for at least receiving activation commands.

7. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 6, wherein the communication unit comprises a wireless communication unit.

8. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising an activation key for activating the flow control valve.

9. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 8, wherein the activation key comprises one of a press button and a motion sensor.

10. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor inserted into the internal chamber for monitoring a temperature of the liquid to be delivered by the pipe.

11. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor secured to an outer surface of the pipe.

12. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 10, wherein the temperature sensor is inserted into the flow control valve.

13. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a flow meter for monitoring a flow rate of the liquid.

14. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the flow control valve comprises a mixing valve fluidly connectable to two sources of liquid.

15. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a level sensor for monitoring a level of liquid in a container in which the automated liquid delivery system is to deliver the liquid.

16. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 15, wherein the level sensor comprises an ultrasonic level sensor.

17. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a faucet housing, the automated liquid delivery system corresponding to an electronic faucet.

18. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a shower head housing, the automated liquid delivery system corresponding to an electronic shower head.

19. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one temperature sensor comprises a first temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the liquid to be delivered by the automated liquid delivery system and a second temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the liquid when contained in a container.

20. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 19, wherein the second temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the liquid when contained in a container comprises a contactless temperature sensor.

21. The automated liquid delivery system of claim 20, wherein the contactless temperature sensor comprises an infrared temperature sensor.