ELECTRONIC USER INTERFACE FOR ELECTRONIC MIXING OF WATER FOR RESIDENTIAL FAUCETS

• US 20070246550A1
• Filed: 04/19/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Rodenbeck, Robert, Jonte, Patrick, Marty, Garry, Spangler, Anthony, Koottungal, Paul, Veros, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,162,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 236/12.110
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/02 Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1353 combined with flow controlling means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87579 Faucet attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8766 With selectively operated flow control means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87676 With flow control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water, the apparatus comprising:

an elongated curved spout having a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with a spray outlet and a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with a stream outlet;

a valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water and in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit of the spout;

the valve being positioned in at least a first position wherein the valve prevents water from entering the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit of the spout and a second position wherein the valve permits water to enter at least one of the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit of the spout;

a controller operably coupled to the valve and configured to control an operation of the valve, the controller including a receiver; and

a remote user interface including a transmitter and a plurality of user inputs, the remote user interface providing a wireless indication to the controller of a state of the plurality of user inputs.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned below a sink deck.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout includes a tap sensor and the controller monitors the tap sensor and in response to a user tap the controller moves the valve from either the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout includes an object detection sensor and the controller monitors the object detection sensor and in response to the detection of an object by the object detection sensor the controller moves the valve from either the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the remote user interface is in a fixed location.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fixed location is one of coupled to the spout, coupled to a sink, coupled to a countertop, and supported on a pedestal.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote user interface is a portable device.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote user interface includes a task input, the task input having a graphical icon representing the task.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein in response to a selection of the task input the controller controls the valve to provide water having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined temperature and the predetermined flow rate corresponding to the task.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the spout includes a diverter valve in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit and the second fluid conduit and having a first position corresponding to a stream flow pattern and a second position corresponding to a spray flow pattern.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the controller actuates the diverter valve to position the diverter valve in a predetermined position corresponding to one of the first position and the second position, the predetermined position corresponding to the task.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the task input corresponds to washing foodstuffs and the graphical icon includes a graphic of foodstuffs.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the task input corresponds to washing human hands and the graphical icon includes a graphic of at least one hand.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the task input corresponds to washing kitchenwares and the graphical icon includes a graphic of at least one kitchenware.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote user interface provides the controller with a user specified quantity of fluid to be delivered by the spout.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the remote user interface includes an amount input and a units input.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller adjusts the flow rate based on the quantity of fluid to be delivered by the spout.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout has a fixed length.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout has a first portion coupled to a sink deck and a second portion separateable from the first portion, the second portion being a pull-out wand.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller activates the delivery of water from the spout in response to a detection of the second portion of the spout being separated from the first portion of the spout.

21. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water above a sink deck, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

a diverter valve located beneath the sink deck in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve, the diverter valve having a first outlet and a second outlet;

an electronic user interface located above the sink deck;

a spout including a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first outlet of the diverter valve and with a spray outlet of the spout and a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet of the diverter valve and with a stream outlet of the spout; and

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the electronic user interface includes a metering input whereby a user selects a desired volume of water to be dispensed from one of the spray outlet of the spout and the stream outlet of the spout, the volume of water dispensed being controlled by the controller.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a flow sensor disposed between the mixing valve and one of the spray outlet of the spout and the stream outlet of the spout, the flow sensor operatively coupled to the controller.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein one of the diverter valve and the mixing valve includes an off configuration preventing the flow of water and the controller activates the one of the diverter valve and the mixing valve to provide the flow of water.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic user interface further includes a first touch slider user input for setting water temperature and a second touch slider user input for setting flow rate and a plurality of preset tasks inputs.

26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the electronic user interface is apart of the spout.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the electronic user interface includes a curved face and vertically oriented capacitive sensors.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the electronic user interface is a portable unit which communicates wirelessly with the controller.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the electronic user interface is mounted to the sink deck spaced apart from the spout.

30. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water;

a spout in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve;

an electronic user interface including an electronic joystick moveable to define a selected temperature and a selected flow rate; and

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the electronic user interface includes a metering input to define a quantity of water to be delivered.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the electronic user interface is a portable device which communicates wirelessly with the controller.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the metering input includes a units input.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a connector coupled to a sink deck and coupled to the spout, the connector having a plurality of ports each of which includes a fluid connector and an electrical connector.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the mixing valve and operably coupled to the controller.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein a fluid connector of the spout and an electrical connector of the spout are coupled to a first port of the connector.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein a container filler apparatus is coupled to a second port of the connector.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the container filler apparatus is configured to be coupled to a container.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the container filler apparatus includes a tap sensor to start the filling of a container.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the container filler apparatus supports a container.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the container filler apparatus includes a metered input.

42. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water above a sink deck from a source of cold water and a source of hot water, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

an electronic user interface located above the sink deck;

a spout in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve; and

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve, wherein the electronic user interface includes a first touch slider user input for setting water temperature and a second touch slider user input for setting flow rate and a plurality of preset tasks inputs.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the electronic user interface is incorporated into an end of the spout.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the electronic user interface is a portable device which communicates wirelessly with the controller.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the electronic user interface is coupled to a pedestal mounted to the sink deck.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the electronic user interface includes a first task input, the first task input having a graphical icon representing the task.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein in response to a selection of the first task input the controller controls the mixing valve to provide water having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined temperature and the predetermined flow rate corresponding to the task.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the spout includes a diverter valve in fluid communication with at least one internal waterway of the spout and having a first position corresponding to a stream flow pattern and a second position corresponding to a spray flow pattern.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the controller actuates the diverter valve to position the diverter valve in a predetermined position corresponding to one of the first position and the second position, the predetermined position corresponding to the first task.

50. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising an-line heater device between the source of hot water and the mixing valve, the controller configured to utilize the in-line heater device to influence an output temperature of the mixing valve.

51. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising

a first housing positioned below the sink deck which includes the mixing valve;

a diverter valve in fluid communication with the mixing valve; and

a second housing positioned below the sink deck which includes the diverter valve;

the first housing and the second housing supporting quick connect couplings to couple the diverter valve to the mixing valve.

52. A mixing valve for connection to a source of hot water, to a source of cold water, and to a water delivery device, the mixing valve comprising:

a body having a first inlet adapted to be coupled to the source of cold water, a second inlet adapted to be coupled to the source of hot water, an outlet adapted to be coupled to the water delivery device; and

a moveable valve member having a fluid conduit, the moveable valve member being positionable in a first position wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are in fluid communication with the outlet in a low flow configuration, and in a second position wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are in fluid communication with the outlet in a high flow configuration, the temperature of water provided to the outlet being adjustable in both the low flow configuration and the high flow configuration by moving the moveable valve member.

53. The mixing valve of claim 52, wherein the moveable valve member is positionable in a third position wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are not in fluid communication with the outlet.

54. The mixing valve of claim 52, wherein a flow rate of water provided to the outlet is generally constant in the low flow configuration at a first rate and is generally constant in the high flow configuration at a second rate.

55. The mixing valve of claim 52, wherein the moveable valve member is rotatable relative to the body and is a ceramic disk.

56. The mixing valve of claim 55, further comprising a static disk having a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first inlet and the fluid conduit of the moveable valve member in the low flow configuration and the high flow configuration, a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the second inlet and the fluid conduit of the moveable valve member in the low flow configuration and the high flow configuration, and a third fluid conduit in fluid communication with the outlet and the fluid conduit of the moveable valve member in the low flow configuration and the high flow configuration.

57. The mixing valve of claim 52, wherein the moveable valve member is moved by a electronic controller.

58. A mixing valve for connection to a source of hot water, to a source of cold water, and to a water delivery device, the mixing valve comprising:

a valve body having a first opening in fluid communication with the source of hot water, a second opening in fluid communication with the source of cold water, and an outlet in fluid communication with the water delivery device;

a first valve member having a first opening positionable in fluid communication with the first opening of the valve body and a second opening positionable in fluid communication with the second opening of the valve body, the first valve member being rotatable relative to the valve body;

a second valve member having a fluid conduit positionable in fluid communication with the first opening and the second opening of the first valve member, the second valve member being translatable relative to the first valve member, wherein a rotation of the first valve member relative to the second valve member controls a temperature of the water provided to the outlet and a translation of the second valve member relative to the first valve member controls a flow rate of the water provided to the outlet.

59. The mixing valve of claim 58, wherein the first valve member is coupled to a first manual input which rotates the first valve member and the second valve member is coupled to a second manual input which translates the second valve member.

60. The mixing valve of claim 58, wherein the first valve member is coupled to a first motor which rotates the first valve member and the second valve member is coupled to a second motor which translates the second valve member.

61. A mixing valve for connection to a source of hot water, to a source of cold water, and to a water delivery device, the mixing valve comprising:

a valve body having a first opening in fluid communication with the source of hot water, a second opening in fluid communication with the source of cold water, and an outlet in fluid communication with the water delivery device;

a first moveable valve member in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening, and the outlet;

a second moveable valve member in fluid communication with the first opening, the second opening, and the outlet through the first moveable valve member;

wherein the regulation of the temperature and flow rate of the water provided to the outlet is independently controlled by the movement of the first valve member and the second valve member, respectively.

62. The mixing valve of claim 61, wherein the first moveable valve member is rotatable relative to the second moveable valve member and the second moveable valve member is translatable relative to the first moveable valve member.

63. The mixing valve of claim 61, wherein the first moveable valve member is coupled to a first manual input which rotates the first moveable valve member and the second moveable valve member is coupled to a second manual input which translates the second moveable valve member.

64. The mixing valve of claim 61, wherein the first moveable valve member is coupled to a first motor which rotates the first moveable valve member and the second moveable valve member is coupled to a second motor which translates the second moveable valve member.

65. A method of configuring a valve coupled to a source of hot water, a source of cold water, and a water delivery device, the valve having a moveable valve member having a first limit position and a second limit position and an associated controller and temperature sensor positioned to measure the water provided by the valve, the method comprising the steps of:

through the controller moving the moveable valve member to the first limit position;

measuring the temperature of the water being provided by the valve, a first measured temperature;

through the controller moving the moveable valve member to the second limit position;

measuring the temperature of the water being provided by the valve, a second measured temperature; and

designating the limit position corresponding to the higher of the first measured temperature and the second measured temperature as the hot input.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the first limit position corresponds to one of full hot and full cold and the second limit position corresponds to the other of full hot and full cold.