Automatic proximity faucet

• US 7,174,577 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2003
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Rubbermaid Commercial Products LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: McDermott, Jerry, Jost, George J., Bellinger, Sean
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli; John
• Application Number:
  US11/067,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20050199843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 251/129.03, 251/129.11, 251/30.02, 462/3, 137/801
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A hands-free faucet includes a sensing plate, a capacitor-based sensor circuit, a non-conductive valve housing, a non-conductive seating ring, and a conductive connector. Preferably, the capacitor-based sensor circuit is electrically connected to said sensing plate. Furthermore, the non-conductive valve housing preferably further comprises a valve inlet and valve outlet. Preferably, said non-conductive seating ring is located between the valve inlet and valve outlet, and is traversed by the conductive connector. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive connector is a metal pin.

Claims

1. A hands-free faucet in the proximity of an electrical ground to provide water from at least one reservoir comprising:

a conductive sensing plate;

a capacitor-based sensor circuit electrically connected to said sensing plate;

a non-conductive valve housing having a valve inlet and valve outlet, wherein said valve outlet is operatively connected to said conductive spout;

a non-conductive seating ring situated between said valve inlet and said valve outlet;

a conductive connector traversing said seating ring; and

a grounding wire connecting said capacitor-based sensor circuit to said electrical ground.

2. The hands-free faucet of claim 1 further comprising a non-conductive diaphragm in the proximity of the diaphragm seat, wherein in a first state, said diaphragm does not contact said diaphragm seat, and in a second state, said diaphragm operatively seals said valve inlet from valve outlet.

3. The hands-free faucet of claim 2 wherein said conductive connector is a metal pin.

4. The hands-free faucet of claim 3 further comprising a motor, wherein said motor is operatively connected to said diaphragm, and switches said diaphragm from said first state to said second state when activated.

5. The hands-free faucet of claim 4 wherein said capacitor-based sensor circuit is electrically connected to said motor.

6. The hands-free faucet of claim 5 wherein said sensing plate is a spout.

7. The hands-free faucet of claim 6 wherein said sensing plate and said capacitor-based sensor circuit comprise a proximity sensor.

8. The hands-free faucet of claim 7 wherein said proximity sensor operates in a first mode that senses the presence of a user by sending a plurality of short pulses.

9. The hands-free faucet of claim 8 wherein said proximity sensor operates in a second mode that senses the presence of a user by sending a plurality of wide pulses.

10. The hands-free faucet of claim 9 wherein said proximity sensor switches from said first mode to said second mode when said proximity sensor detects a user.

11. The hands-free faucet of claim 10 wherein said proximity sensor switches from said second mode to side first mode when said proximity sensor no longer detects a user.

12. The hands-free faucet of claim 7 wherein said motor receives an activation signal from said proximity sensor;

an override control coupled to the motor, said override control being configured to allow a continuous flow of fluids through said faucet when said motor is not receiving said activation signal from said proximity sensor; and

an electronic detent coupled to the override control, the electronic detent being configured to unlock and allow movement of said the activation signal is received from said override control.

13. The hands-free faucet of claim 6 further comprising a nonconductive top and bottom spacer located between said spout and a surface upon which the spout is mounted.

14. The hands-free faucet of claim 13 further comprising a second grounding wire electrically connecting said surface to said electrical ground.

15. The hands-free faucet of claim 1 wherein said conductive sensing plate is electrically connected to said capacitor-based sensor circuit by a sensing wire.

16. A hands-free faucet for installation on an electrically conductive surface in the proximity of an electrical ground comprising:

a conductive spout;

a non-conductive top and bottom spacer located between said spout and said conductive surface;

a capacitor-based sensor circuit electrically connected to said spout;

a non-conductive valve housing having a valve inlet and valve outlet, wherein said valve outlet is operatively connected to said conductive spout;

a conductive pin within said valve housing which provides a continuous electrical connection between said valve inlet and valve outlet; and

a first electrically conductive conduit electrically connecting said capacitor-based sensor circuit to said electrical ground.

17. The hands-free faucet of claim 16 wherein said electrically conductive surface is electrically connected to said electrical ground.

18. The hands-free faucet of claim 17 further comprising a second electrically conductive conduit electrically connecting said electrically conductive surface to said electrical ground.

19. The hands-free faucet of claim 18 wherein said second electrically conductive conduit is electrically connected to said first electrically conductive conduit.