Body heat responsive control apparatus

• US 5,086,526 A
• Filed: 07/06/1990
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing CY SA Ommegangstraat
• Original Assignee: International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing CY SA
• Inventors: Van Marcke, Karel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US07/549,220
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 4/623, 4/302, 4/304, 4/305, 4/DIG. 3, 4/31.3, 251/129.04, 251/129.03, 251/129.02, 137/607
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 4/03 Electric flushing

Abstract

A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body part to energize, for settable periods of time water flow valves and ancillary equipment that may be associated with the act of washing. To minimize power demand, a programmable microchip may be employed as a control unit and have external settable parameters.

Claims

1. A passive apparatus for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said apparatus comprising in combination:

a) a sensor for detecting heat radiating from a human body part within a predetermined detection field and for producing an output signal in response to such detection;

b) means for opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough;

c) means for closing the valve;

d) a low voltage power source for energizing said apparatus;

e) means for determining the voltage of said power source;

f) means responsive to the output signal for comparing the determined voltage with at least one predetermined voltage and for generating a control signal responsive to the difference between the determined voltage and the predetermined voltage;

g) means for enabling said opening means in response to a control signal generated and reflective of a determined voltage greater than the predetermined voltage; and

h) means for providing a signal to enable said closing means.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for preempting opening of the valve for a set time period subsequent to closing of the valve.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for delaying opening of the valve for a set period of time subsequent to generation of the control signal.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for providing an alarm in response to a control signal generated and reflective of a determined voltage less than a specific predetermined voltage.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor is a bipolar element having a first element responsive to the ambient temperature and a second element responsive to heat radiated from the body part and including means for generating an output signal in response to a change in temperature between the first and second elements.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power source is a nine volt battery.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for regulating the sensitivity of said sensor.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a wash basin, a soap dispenser associated with said wash basin and means for actuating said soap dispenser in response to the control signal.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a wash basin, a dryer and means for actuating said dryer in response to the control signal.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 including a soap dispenser and means for actuating said soap dispenser in response to the control signal.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a basin, a spout for discharging fluid into said basin and means for mounting said sensor as part of said spout.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said basin includes a bowl for defining at least a part of the detection field.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for monitoring the continuing presence of heat radiating from the human body part and means for actuating said providing means to close the valve after a predetermined period of time of absence of heat radiating from the human body part.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for enabling said providing means after a predetermined time period.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said determining means, said comparing and generating means, said enabling means and said providing means are mounted upon a common microchip.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said sensor is mounted in a module common with said microchip.

17. A passive method for controlling the operation of a fluid flow control valve in response to the presence of a human body part, said method comprising the steps of:

a) detecting heat radiating from a human body part placed within a predetermined detection field and producing an output signal in response to said step of detecting;

b) opening the valve to permit fluid flow therethrough;

c) closing the valve;

d) energizing the control and operation of the valve with a low voltage power source;

e) determining the voltage of the power source;

f) comparing the voltage determined during said step of determining with at least one predetermined voltage in response to the output signal and generating a control signal responsive to the difference between the determined voltage and the predetermined voltage;

g) enabling opening of the valve in response to a control signal generated and reflective of a determined voltage greater than a specific predetermined voltage; and

h) providing a signal to enable exercise of said step of closing.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve is part of a wash basin for controlling the flow of water through a spout feeding the wash basin and wherein said steps of detecting, determining, comparing, enabling and producing are exercised at the spout.

19. The method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of setting the time period prior to exercise of said step of closing.

20. The method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of delaying exercise of said step of opening for a set time period.

21. The method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of generating a further control signal reflective of a determined voltage less than a specific predetermined voltage and the step of energizing an alarm in response to the further control signal.

22. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve is used in conjunction with a wash basin having a soap dispenser and including the step of actuating the soap dispenser.

23. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve is used in conjunction with a fluid dispensing spout located in proximity to a dryer and including the step of actuating the dryer.

24. The method as set forth in claim 17 including the step of monitoring the continuing presence of heat radiating from the human body part and exercising said step of providing upon absence from within the detection field of the human body part for a set period of time.