Electrically opening and closing faucet device

• US 4,889,315 A
• Filed: 11/28/1988
• Issued: 12/26/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eisuke Imanaga
• Original Assignee: Eisuke Imanaga
• Inventors: Imanaga, Eisuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US07/276,983
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 74/89, 74/14, 74/421 A, 74/625, 4/304, 4/305, 4/623, 137/606, 137/607, 137/801, 251/129.03, 251/129.04, 251/129.11, 251/249.5, 222/63, 250/321, 250/341, 307/117, 367/93
• US Class Current: 251/129.03
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/055 for rotating valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19684 Motor and gearing

Abstract

An electrically opening and closing faucet device arranged to be opened and closed by rotation of a spindle thereof. The electrically opening and closing faucet device comprises, a follower gear secured to the spindle, and a motor gear secured to an output shaft of a motor. The motor gear is structured to be moved in synchronization with the follower gear, and the faucet is opened and closed by the rotation of the motor.

Claims

1. An electrically opening and closing faucet device having a valve, a spindle for rotating the valve and a handle attached to the spindle, comprising:

a follower gear securely attached to the spindle;

a shaft attached to the spindle, said handle being connected to the shaft so that the spindle can be manually turned to open and close the valve by rotating the shaft;

an electric motor having a motor gear, said motor gear engaging the follower gear so that when the electric motor is rotated, the spindle is turned to open and close the valve,

a sensor electrically connected to the electric motor, said sensor being situated adjacent to the valve so that only when a hand is detected by the sensor, the electric motor is actuated to turn on the valve for releasing water from the valve, and

switch means electrically connected to the electric motor, said switch means having a first switch for operating the electric motor to open the valve and a second switch for operating the electric motor to close the valve, said electric motor being actuated by the sensor and the switch means.

2. An electrically opening and closing faucet device according to claim 1, wherein said electric motor is arranged to rotate a predetermined number once the first switch is actuated so that an amount of opening of the valve is determined by the number of the operation of the first switch, said electric motor being operated to completely close the valve once the second switch is actuated.

3. An electrically opening and closing faucet device according to claim 2, further comprising a battery for operating the electric motor.