Infrared retrofit faucet controller

• US 20080283786A1
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UltraClenz LLC (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UltraClenz LLC (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Snodgrass, David L.
• Application Number:
  US11/804,675
• Publication Number:
  US 20080283786A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/08 Jet regulators or jet guides, e.g. anti-splash devices

Abstract

A faucet control apparatus adapted for retrofitting in a faucet system having a faucet spout removable from a faucet base comprises a body having a water inlet adapted to be connected to the outlet side of a faucet base, and a water outlet adapted to accept the water inlet of a faucet spout, a sensor in the body for detecting the presence of a person'"'"'s hands beneath the outlet side of the faucet spout, and a water valve in the body responsive to the sensor, which valve is in a normally closed position but which opens in response to the presence of a person'"'"'s hands beneath the outlet side of the faucet spout as detected by the sensor.

Claims

1. A faucet control apparatus adapted for retrofitting in a faucet system having a faucet spout removable from a faucet base, comprising:

a body having a water inlet adapted to be connected to the outlet side of a faucet base, and a water outlet adapted to accept the water inlet of a faucet spout;

a sensor in the body for detecting the presence of a person'"'"'s hands beneath the outlet side of the faucet spout; and

a water valve in the body responsive to the sensor which valve is in a normally closed position but which opens in response to the presence of a person'"'"'s hands beneath the outlet side of the faucet spout as detected by the sensor.

2. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.

3. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit connected to the sensor and valve which continues to maintain the water valve open for a first predetermined time period after the sensor detects the presence of a person'"'"'s hands.

4. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit connected to the sensor and valve which closes the valve a second predetermined time period after the sensor detects the presence of a person'"'"'s hands.

5. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor has a detection sensitivity and range which may be adjusted.

6. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, further including an integral power source.

7. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, further including a wire connected to the sensor and valve which extends out of the body for connection to a control station.

8. The faucet control apparatus of claim 1, further including a temperature sensing device for detecting water temperature.

9. The faucet control apparatus of claim 8, further including a display on the body exterior for displaying the detected water temperature.