Automatic fluid-flow control system

• US 4,984,314 A
• Filed: 04/21/1989
• Issued: 01/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Water-Matic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Water-Matic Corporation
• Inventors: Weigert, Hans
• Primary Examiner(s): Sholl, Linda J.
• Application Number:
  US07/341,727
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 4/623, 4/304, 4/313, 4/663, 4/664, 4/, 4/596
• US Class Current: 4/663
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors

Abstract

A system for controlling liquid flow in bathrooms and the like in response to the presence of the user, which is configuration-adjustable to permit use in preselected sanitary applications. A light emitting device cooperates with a light sensor to detect light reflected from the user. The filtered and amplified output signal from the sensor is demodulated to provide a DC output signal. A first circuit is responsive to the DC output signal acutate fluid flow for a maximum preselected period, to enable use in controlling faucet flow. A second circuit is responsive to the DC signal and includes a device for arming the circuit following the existence of the DC output signal for a first predetermined period; and a device for thereupon generating a flow control signal for a second predetermined period following extinction of the DC output signal to enable use of the system to control flushing of urinals or commodes. A third circuit is responsive to the DC output signal provide a flow control signal during the existence of said DC output signal, to enable the system to be used for control of shower flow and includes a device for initial adjustment of water temperature. Configuration selection, adjustable at installation of the system, enables the installer to configure the system to provide the DC output signal to one of the first, second or third circuits.

Claims

1. A system for controlling liquid flow in bathrooms in response to the presence of the user, which system is configuration adjustable by the installer of same to permit a plurality of preselected sanitary applications;

said system comprising;

(a) light emitting means positioned for emitting a light beam of predetermined spectrum and frequency for illuminating a zone interceptable by said user;

(b) light sensor means juxtaposed to said light emitting means for detecting reflected light beams originating from said light emitting means and reflected back from said user;

said light sensor means providing a low level output signal in response to said reflected light beams;

(c) high-Q filter means tuned to the frequency of said light beams, receptive of said low-level output signal from said light sensor means, for filtering out unwanted signals and "noise" from said output signals;

(d) variable gain amplifier means for both amplifying the filtered signal from said high-Q filter means and setting the sensitivity of said system;

(e) detector means receptive of an output signal from said amplifier means for rectifying or demodulating the same, to provide a DC output signal;

(f) first circuit means responsive to said DC output signal, for actuating fluid flow for a maximum preselected period, thereby to enable use of said system in controlling faucet flow in a sink or other receptacle in response to the presence of the user'"'"'s hands;

(g) second circuit means responsive to said DC output signal;

said second circuit means including arming means for arming the second circuit means following the existence of said DC output signal to said second circuit means for a first predetermined period; and

said second circuit means including means for thereupon generating a flow control signal for a second predetermined period following extinction of said DC output signal;

thereby enabling use of said system to control flushing of urinals and commodes;

(h) third circuit means responsive to said DC output signal for providing a flow control signal during the existence of said DC output signal, thereby enabling said system to be used for control of shower flow during the presence of said user in said shower; and

(i) configuration selection means, selectively adjustable at installation of said system, for configuring said system to select an output signal from only one of said first, second and third circuit means in accordance with the requirements of installation.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said third circuit means includes manually switchable means operable by the user between first and second positions;

said first position connecting said DC output signal to enable said fluid flow during existence of said DC output signal; and

said second position enabling fluid flow for a preselected timeout period only, to enable said user to preset water temperature before returning said manually switchable means to said first position.

3. A system for controlling water flow in bathrooms in response to the presence of the user, which system is configuration adjustable to permit a plurality of preselected sanitary applications;

said system comprising;

(a) light emitting means positioned for illuminating a zone interceptable by said user;

(b) light sensor means positioned for detecting light originating from said light emitting means and reflected back from said user;

said light sensor means providing a low level output signal in response to said reflected light beams;

(c) filter means for filtering out unwanted signals and "noise" from said output signals;

(d) amplifier means for amplifying the filtered signal from said filter means;

(e) detector means receptive of an output signal from said amplifier means for rectifying or demodulating the same, to provide a DC output signal;

(f) first circuit means responsive to said DC output signal, for actuating fluid flow for a maximum preselected period, thereby to enable use of said system in controlling faucet flow in a sink or other receptacle in response to the presence of the user'"'"'s hands;

(g) second circuit means responsive to said DC output signal;

said second circuit means including arming means for arming the second circuit means following the existence of said DC output signal to said second circuit means for a first predetermined period; and

said second circuit means including means for thereupon generating a flow control signal for a second predetermined period following extinction of said DC output signal;

thereby enabling use of said system to control flushing or urinals and commodes;

(h) third circuit means responsive to said DC output signal for providing a flow control signal during the existence of said DC output signal, thereby enabling said system to be used for control of shower flow during the presence of said user in said shower; and

(i) configuration selection means, selectively adjustable at installation of said system, for configuring said system to select an output signal from only one of said first, second and third circuit means in accordance with the requirements of installation.

4. A system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said third circuit means includes manually switchable means operable by the user between first and second positions;

said first position connecting said DC output signal to enable said fluid flow during existence of said DC output signal; and

said second position enabling fluid flow for a preselected timeout period only, to enable said user to preset water temperature before returning said manually switchable means to said first position.