ELECTRONIC PLUMBING FIXTURE FITTING WITH ELECTRONIC VALVE HAVING OPERATION MODES

• US 20160208948A1
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wallerstorfer, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US15/001,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20160208948A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/38 of conical shape
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/385 contacting in the closed position, over a substantial axial length, a seat surface having the same inclination
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/22 with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/0263 multiple way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/605 for single handle mixing valves

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting with an electronic valve having operation modes, such as an electronic faucet with an electronic valve having operation modes.

Claims

1. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet being operable to deliver water;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

an activation sensor, the activation sensor being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve;

an actuation device, the actuation device being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve, the actuation device being operable to indicate a desired change to a parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet; and

a parameter sensor, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired activation and deactivation of the electronic valve by the actuation device, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired change to the parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet, the parameter sensor including an emitter and a detector;

wherein, when the activation sensor activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a sensor mode;

wherein, when the actuation device activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a manual mode;

wherein, in the sensor mode, energy is transmitted from the emitter at a first rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the detector at a first rate of detection;

wherein, in the manual mode, energy is transmitted from the emitter at a second rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the detector at a second rate of detection; and

wherein the first rate of transmission is less frequent than the second rate of transmission, and the first rate of detection is less frequent than the second rate of detection.

2. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the activation sensor includes a toggle sensor.

3. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the activation sensor includes a presence sensor.

4. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the actuation device is a handle.

5. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 4, wherein the parameter sensor is located in a portion of a hub to which the handle is mounted.

6. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the actuation device is a user interface.

7. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet being operable to deliver water;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

an activation sensor, the activation sensor being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve;

an actuation device, the actuation device being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve, the actuation device being operable to indicate a desired change to a parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet; and

a parameter sensor, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired activation and deactivation of the electronic valve by the actuation device, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired change to the parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet, the parameter sensor including a first emitter, a second emitter, a first detector, and a second detector;

wherein, when the activation sensor activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a sensor mode;

wherein, when the actuation device activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a manual mode;

wherein, in the sensor mode, energy is transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter at a first rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the first detector and the second detector at a first rate of detection;

wherein, in the manual mode, energy is transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter at a second rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the first detector and the second detector at a second rate of detection; and

wherein the first rate of transmission is less frequent than the second rate of transmission, and the first rate of detection is less frequent than the second rate of detection.

8. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein:

in the sensor mode, energy is alternately transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter, and energy is alternately detected by the first detector and the second detector; and

in the manual mode, energy is simultaneously transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter, and energy is simultaneously detected by the first detector and the second detector.

9. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the activation sensor includes a toggle sensor.

10. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the activation sensor includes a presence sensor.

11. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the actuation device is a handle.

12. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 11, wherein the parameter sensor is located in a portion of a hub to which the handle is mounted.

13. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the actuation device is a user interface.

14. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a discharge outlet, the discharge outlet being operable to deliver water;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

an activation sensor, the activation sensor being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve;

an actuation device, the actuation device being operable to activate and deactivate the electronic valve, the actuation device being operable to indicate a desired change to a parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet; and

a parameter sensor, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired activation and deactivation of the electronic valve by the actuation device, the parameter sensor being operable to detect the desired change to the parameter of water flowing through the discharge outlet, the parameter sensor including a first emitter, a second emitter, a first detector, and a second detector;

wherein, when the activation sensor activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a sensor mode;

wherein, when the actuation device activates and deactivates the electronic valve, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is in a manual mode;

wherein, in the sensor mode, energy is alternately transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter, and energy is alternately detected by the first detector and the second detector; and

wherein, in the manual mode, energy is simultaneously transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter, and energy is simultaneously detected by the first detector and the second detector.

15. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein:

in the sensor mode, energy is transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter at a first rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the first detector and the second detector at a first rate of detection;

in the manual mode, energy is transmitted from the first emitter and the second emitter at a second rate of transmission, and energy is detected by the first detector and the second detector at a second rate of detection; and

the first rate of transmission is less frequent than the second rate of transmission, and the first rate of detection is less frequent than the second rate of detection.

16. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the activation sensor includes a toggle sensor.

17. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the activation sensor includes a presence sensor.

18. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the actuation device is a handle.

19. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 18, wherein the parameter sensor is located in a portion of a hub to which the handle is mounted.

20. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the actuation device is a user interface.