FAUCET CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20080099088A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kum F. Boey
• Original Assignee: Kum F. Boey
• Inventors: Boey, Kum F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,006,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/624.11
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0486 Specific valve or valve element mounting or repairing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes an adjustment knob for adjusting the first selected period of time.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the first sensor is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from the faucet spout and includes a sensing element having a sensing range;

the sensing element is positioned within the first sensor such that the sensing range of the sensing element is located below the faucet spout and first sensor; and

the first sensor activates when the hand of the user is within the sensing range.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a hot valve adapted to control fluid flow from a hot fluid source to the faucet spout; and

a second sensor that activates when the hand of the user is within a sensing range;

wherein the controller is in communication with the hot valve and the second sensor, the controller is configured to open the hot valve when the second sensor is activated, thereby allowing fluid flow from the hot fluid source to the faucet spout, and to close the hot valve after a second selected period of time after the second sensor is deactivated, thereby preventing fluid flow from the hot fluid source to the faucet spout after the second selected period of time.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein:

the second sensor is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from the faucet spout and includes a sensing element having a sensing range;

the sensing element is positioned within the second sensor such that the sensing range of the sensing element is located above the second sensor; and

the second sensor activates when the hand of the user is within the sensing range.

6. The system of claim 4 further comprising a third sensor that is motion activated by the user when the hand of the user is within a sensing range:

wherein the controller is in communication with the third sensor and is configured to open the cold valve and the hot valve when the third sensor is activated, thereby allowing fluid flow to the faucet spout from the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source, and to close the cold valve and the hot valve after a third selected period of time, thereby preventing fluid flow to the faucet spout from the cold fluid source and the hot fluid source after the third selected period of time.

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:

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.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein:

the valve apparatus includes a cold valve adapted to be connected to the cold fluid source and a hot valve adapted to be connected to the hot fluid source;

the controller controls the cold valve and the hot valve such that a first proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides an initial sensor signal;

the controller controls the cold valve and the hot valve such that a second proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides a first subsequent sensor signal after the initial sensor signal, the second proportion being different than the first proportion; and

the controller controls the cold valve and the hot valve such that a third proportion of the cold fluid to the hot fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides a second subsequent sensor signal after the first subsequent sensor signal, the third proportion being different than the first proportion and the second proportion.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein:

the cold valve opens when power is provided to the cold valve;

the hot valve opens when power is provided to the hot valve; and

the controller includes a first relay, a second relay, and a third relay;

the first relay provides power to the cold valve when the second sensor provides an initial sensor signal;

the second relay provides power to the cold valve and the hot valve when the second sensor provides a first subsequent sensor signal after the initial sensor signal; and

the third relay provides power to the hot valve when the second sensor provides a second subsequent sensor signal after the first subsequent sensor signal.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first sensor is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from the faucet spout and includes a sensing element having a sensing range, and the first sensor activates when the hand of the user is within the sensing range.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the sensing element of the first sensor is oriented such that the sensing range of the sensing element is below the faucet spout and the first sensor.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein:

the first sensor deactivates when the hand of the user is out of the sensing range; and

the controller includes a timer and controls the valve apparatus such fluid flow to the faucet spout is stopped at a selected period of time after the first sensor is deactivated.

13. The system of claim 7 wherein the second sensor is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from the faucet spout and includes a sensing element having a sensing range, and the second sensor activates when the hand of the user is within the sensing range.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the sensing element of the second sensor is oriented such that the sensing range of the sensing element is above the second sensor.

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:

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.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein mounting the first sensor includes orienting a sensing element of the first sensor such that a sensing range of the sensing element is located below the first sensor and the faucet spout.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein mounting the second sensor includes orienting a sensing element of the second sensor such that a sensing range of the sensing element is located above the second sensor.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the method includes activating one of the first sensor and second sensor without touching the first sensor to shut off flow of fluid through the faucet spout.