Human body sensing mechanism for an automatic faucet apparatus

• US 5,243,717 A
• Filed: 08/12/1992
• Issued: 09/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: INAX Corporation (LIXIL Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: INAX Corporation (LIXIL Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Yasuo, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Recla, Henry J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fetsuga, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US07/927,732
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 4/23, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic

Abstract

A human body sensing mechanism for an automatic faucet apparatus which is so constructed that in the vicinity of a water outlet at an automatic faucet is provided a body of human body sensor for detecting a human body, a water discharge device for controlling opening and closing of a valve provided on the way of a water passage is provided at the position apart from the water outlet, at the body of human body sensor is provided a transmitting part for out-putting a human body detection signal by a radio system, and at the water discharge control device is provided a receiving part for receiving the human detection signal transmitted by the radio system.

Claims

1. A human body sensing mechanism for an automatic faucet apparatus comprising

faucet body,

a water passage extending upwardly and outwardly from said faucet body at an angle to said faucet body and having an end portion disposed higher than said faucet body,

a water discharge part disposed at said end portion of said water passage,

human body sensor means located above and supported by said water discharge part for securing the presence of a human,

a transmitting means disposed in a portion of said human body sensor means facing toward said faucet body for transmitting a signal when the human is sensed,

a water discharge control device disposed above and supported by said faucet body for actuating a valve disposed between a water source and said water passage,

a receiving means disposed in a portion of said water discharge control device and facing toward said transmitting means for receiving the transmitted signal to actuate the valve, and

said transmitting means being disposed in a higher position than said receiving means.

2. A human body sensing mechanism for an automatic faucet apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transmitting means transmits the signal in radio waves upon the detection of the human.