FAUCET CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A faucet control system for controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with at least one fluid source, the system comprising:
- a cold valve adapted to control fluid flow from a cold fluid source to the faucet spout;
a first sensor that is motion activated by a user of the system; and
a controller including a timer and in communication with the cold valve and the first sensor, the controller configured to open the cold valve when the first sensor is activated, thereby allowing fluid flow from the cold fluid source to the faucet spout, and to close the cold valve after a first selected period of time, thereby preventing fluid flow from the cold fluid source to the faucet spout after the first selected period of time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A faucet control system comprises a valve apparatus, sensors or a motion detector to be activated by a user, and a controller that controls the valve apparatus. A first sensor may start fluid flow and a second sensor may alter the proportion of fluids delivered from two fluid sources. The sensors may be activated without being touched and may include infrared and/or photodiode sensing elements. In a sink embodiment, when a user approaches the sink to wash hands, water flow is activated. Optionally, the initial water flow may be cold water, to prevent energy wastage. A second sensor may be placed elsewhere on the sink, such as on the left hand side of the faucet spout. Consequently, when the right hand, for example, is placed below the faucet spout, the water flow is activated with the first sensor. The left hand may be placed above a second sensor and, by waiving the left hand, the hand sensor will cause the hot valve to allow hot water to mix with cold water from the cold valve, should the user wish a warm temperature water flow. If the user wishes hot water, the user will then waive his or her hands over the second sensor, which will close the cold valve and open only the hot valve, thus allowing only hot water to flow from the spout.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A faucet control system for controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with at least one fluid source, the system comprising:
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a cold valve adapted to control fluid flow from a cold fluid source to the faucet spout; a first sensor that is motion activated by a user of the system; and a controller including a timer and in communication with the cold valve and the first sensor, the controller configured to open the cold valve when the first sensor is activated, thereby allowing fluid flow from the cold fluid source to the faucet spout, and to close the cold valve after a first selected period of time, thereby preventing fluid flow from the cold fluid source to the faucet spout after the first selected period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A faucet control system for controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a cold fluid and a hot fluid source delivering a hot fluid, the system comprising:
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a valve apparatus having an outlet connectable to the faucet spout, a first inlet connectable to the cold fluid source, and a second inlet connectable to the hot fluid source; a first sensor that is activated by a user of the system; a second sensor that is activated by the user and provides a sensor signal when activated; and a controller in communication with the valve apparatus, the first sensor, and the second sensor, the controller controls the valve apparatus to allow a proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the first sensor is activated, and to alter the proportion when the second sensor is activated. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a cold fluid and hot fluid source delivering a hot fluid, the method comprising:
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connecting an outlet of a valve apparatus to the faucet spout; connecting a first inlet of a valve apparatus to the cold fluid source; connecting a second inlet of the valve apparatus to the hot fluid source; mounting a first sensor at a first location spaced apart from the faucet spout; mounting a second sensor at a second location spaced apart from the faucet spout; activating the first sensor without touching the first sensor to allow a proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout; and activating the second sensor without touching the second sensor to alter the proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification