Ultrasonically operated water faucet
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising;
- measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet;
causing the fluid to flow when the distance is equal to or less than a first predetermined limit but equal to or greater than a second predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and
preventing the fluid from flowing when the distance is greater than the first predetermined limit or less than the second predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water faucet is disclosed that is automatically turned on and off in response to the proximity of the user'"'"'s hand or other object to the faucet. An ultrasonic transducer is located in the faucet near the water outlet and transmits bursts of ultrasonic waves. When a wave reflects off a user'"'"'s hand and creates an echo signal, the echo is detected by the ultrasonic transducer. Circuitry connected to the ultrasonic transducer determines when an object is within a predetermined distance of the faucet by measuring the time elapsed between the transmission of the burst and the reception of the echo. Once an object is within this predetermined distance, the circuitry causes a valve to open and water is supplied by the faucet. Additionally, there is an embodiment wherein the level to which the receptacle is to be filled can be selected by the user and the fill system automatically fills the receptacle to that level. Further, there is a drain control system disclosed that causes fluid to be removed from the receptacle if the user selects an empty level or a fluid level that is lower than the fluid level of the fluid currently within the receptacle. Still further, there is a receptacle having a pilot well in communication with the main portion of the receptacle. The distance measuring sensor can be placed within the pilot well so that the rim of the receptacle exposed to the user is unencumbered.
30 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising;
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measuring the distance of an object from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the distance is equal to or less than a first predetermined limit but equal to or greater than a second predetermined limit and the object is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the distance is greater than the first predetermined limit or less than the second predetermined limit or the object is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the object from the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of controlling the flow of fluid from a faucet having a fluid outlet comprising:
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measuring the distance of a surface from the faucet fluid outlet and detecting whether the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; causing the fluid to flow when the distance is equal to or less than a first predetermined limit but equal to or greater than a second predetermined limit and the surface is in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet; and preventing the fluid from flowing when the distance is greater than the first predetermined limit or less than the second predetermined limit or the surface is not in a position where the fluid will flow onto the surface from the fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification