Automatic mixing faucet

• US 5,074,520 A
• Filed: 01/19/1990
• Issued: 12/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lee, Chang H., Young J. Kim
• Original Assignee: Lee, Chang H., Young J. Kim
• Inventors: Lee, Chang H., Kim, Young J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/467,738
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 4/623, 251/40, 251/129.04, 250/221
• US Class Current: 251/40
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means

Abstract

An automatic faucet is disclosed which includes a faucet body having a water discharge end and sensors mounted on the faucet for sensing the presence or absence of an object adjacent the faucet. A water supply valve is located in the faucet body which includes a diaphragm type primary valve to control discharge of water from the faucet. Operation of the prinmary valve is controlled by a motor operated in response to a signal produced by the sensor when an object, e.g., hands, are placed beneath the faucet.

Claims

1. A compact automatic water supply device comprising a hollow body defining an outer shell adapted to be located above the surface on which the device is to be mounted, said body having a water discharge outlet, sensing means mounted on said body for sensing the presence or absence of an object adjacent said device;

an water supply valve in said body between said base and said water discharge outlet responsive to said sensing means sensing of an object for discharging water from said discharge outlet, said water supply valve including a diaphragm type primary valve, means for holding said diaphragm type primary valve in an open position as long as an object is sensed by said sensing means and for closing said diaphragm type primary valve when an object is removed from the range of detection of the sensing means, and a valve piston having upper and lower ends, said primary valve having a sealing dish selectively cooperating with the upper end of the valve piston to open and close said upper end and a stem extending through said open upper end of the valve piston, and means responsive to said sensing means for selectively tilting said stem to open said valve piston;

said water supply valve further including a valve body, a valve chamber formed in said body with said valve piston being slidably mounted in said valve chamber for movement between opened and closed positions, said valve body having a water discharge port communicating with said valve chamber and being closed by said valve piston in the closed position thereof and a pair of water supply ports for supplying water to said camber, one of said ports supplying water to the interior of said valve chamber through it slower end and the other port supplying water to the chamber opposite the cylindrical wall of said valve piston.

2. The device as defined in claim 1, including separate temperature control means for adjusting the temperatures of water from the faucet.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve piston has sealing flanges at its upper and lower ends whereby water supplied to the chamber in the closed position of the valve is balanced by the pressure of water supplied to the lower end of the valve piston.

4. The device as defined in claim 3 including spring means for biasing said valve piston to its closed position.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body is a faucet.

6. An automatic water supply device comprising a body having a water discharge outlet, sensing means mounted on said body for sensing the presence or absence of an object adjacent said device, and water supply valve means responsive to said sensing means for controlling discharge of water from said body;

said sensing means including emitter means and detector means, said emitter and detector means being mounted on said body at an angle of between 0° and

70°

to the vertical and at an angle of between 0° and

20°

to each other;

means for adjusting the position of said emitter and detector means relative to the vertical and the means for adjusting the angular position of said emitter and detector means relative to each other.

7. A device as defined in claim 6 wherein said body is a faucet and said emitter and detector means are mounted on the faucet.