Sensor operated water flow control with separate filters and filter retainers

• US 4,972,070 A
• Filed: 07/24/1989
• Issued: 11/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Coyne & Delany Co.
• Original Assignee: Coyne & Delany Co.
• Inventors: Laverty, Martin J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Que Tan
• Application Number:
  US07/386,200
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/239, 250/226, 350/318, 350/1.1
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target

Abstract

A sensor activated unit, e.g., a drinking fountain or a wash basin, for preventing unwanted operation. The sensor has a power on reset circuit that makes use of a resistor capacitor network and a voltage threshold comparing device to create a time delay that will inhibit the operation of the unit for a nominal predetermined time period when current is first supplied to the sensor. The sensor does not activate until a user steps up to the unit and is within a preset range or distance from the unit. Use is made of an infrared sensor for controlling the operation of the unit. Circuitry is provided to control the time of commencement of the operation of the unit, the time period duration of operation, and down time of the unit before it is readied for operation again.

Claims

1. A sensor for use with a system for controlling the flow of water, including:

a front plate cover;

at least two separate filter retainers on said front plate cover;

a filter positioned within each said filter retainer for isolating said filters from each other; and

a circuit board and connection means associated with said filters and isolated from public access by said front plate cover for connection to a transmitter and a receiver.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein each of said filter retainers encompass the filter positioned therewithin, said filters are cemented to said front plate cover, and one of said filters includes means to receive a light emitting diode and the other of said filters includes means to receive a photodiode sensor.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said filters are press-fitted within said filter retainers, said filters being interchangeable and functionally held separately within said filter retainers.

4. The sensor of claim 1, including a casing and means to hold said front cover to said casing, potting sealing means for enclosing said circuit board and said wiring, said casing containing said potting sealing means with said circuit board and wiring sealed against contamination from water and other contaminants.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said front plate cover is formed of molded plastic.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said filters are infrared filters.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said filters are plastic filters.

8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein each said filter is formed from plastic without a focal point.

9. The sensor of claim 1, including a casing and means to hold said front cover plate to said casing to prevent entry of contaminants into said casing.

10. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is a printed circuit board.

11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said filter retainers have inner surface holding portions for frictionally holding therein said filters, whereby to permit said filters to be easily removable and replaceable.

12. The sensor of claim 1, including cement means for cementing said filters in said filter retainers.

13. The sensor of claim 3, wherein said filters are cemented to said front plate cover, and one of said filters includes means to receive a light emitting diode and the other of said filters includes means to receive a photodiode sensor.

14. The sensor for a system for controlling the flow of water through water supply means, comprising:

an outer casing and a front plate cover, two separate filter retainers on said front plate cover, and a filter positioned within each of said separate filter retainers; and

a potted circuit board in said casing containing control circuits and wiring for connection to a transmitter and a receiver associated with said filters.

15. The sensor of claim 14, wherein said filters are each separately cemented to said front plate cover, and one of said filters includes means to receive a light emitting diode and the other of said filters includes means to receive a photodiode sensor and said potted circuit board prevents contamination of said circuits and said wiring by water and other contaminants.

16. The sensor of claim 14, wherein each of said filters is individually press-fitted within one of said filter retainers on said cover, said filters being interchangeable and functionally held within said filter retainers.

17. A sensor for use with a system for controlling the flow of water, including:

an outer casing;

two separate filter retainers on said outer casing;

a separate filter for each said filter retainer positioned within said each said filter retainer; and

a circuit board and connection means associated with said filters and isolated from public access by said outer casing for connection to a transmitter and receiver; and

means sealing said filters to said outer casing to form an integral unit therewith to prevent damage to said circuit board and said connection means associated with said filter.

18. The sensor of claim 17, wherein said sealing means is a potting compound.

19. The sensor of claim 17, wherein said sealing means includes a potting compound for sealing said filters to said outer casing and sealing said transmitter and said receiver together with said circuit board and said connection means with said filters to prevent water and other contaminants from coming into contact therewith.

20. The sensor of claim 18, wherein said casing is a vacuum formed casing and said means sealing said filters includes a potting compound which is injected into said casing for enclosing and sealing said circuit board, said connection means with said filters to prevent water and other contamination thereof.