Faucet sensor mounting assembly

• US 7,627,909 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Esche, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli; John
• Application Number:
  US11/731,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20070228310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 251/263, 251/262, 137/801, 462/3, 469/5
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic faucet with a movable cam assembly for mounting the senor and sensor window inside of the faucet body. The cam has an obliquely angled surface and can be moved up against a spring to provide space for assembling the sensor inside the faucet. Once the sensor is properly positioned, the spring drives the wedge-like cam back down to apply a holding force against the sensor and the window. Back pressure against the sensor or window can be absorbed to some extend by the spring to reduce the chance of damaging the window and/or sensor from impact.

Claims

1. A sensor mounting assembly for a faucet, comprising:

a mount disposed within an interior of the faucet;

a cam movably linked to the mount and having a cam surface oblique to the mount;

a sensor for activating a control valve of the faucet; and

a biasing member biasing the cam to apply a holding force to the sensor;

wherein the cam is movable relative to the sensor; and

wherein there is a window for covering an opening in the faucet, and the cam and biasing member act to bias the window against the faucet.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor electrically coupled to an electronic control from the control valve.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount is an elongated member and the cam includes a through opening slidably receiving the mount.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the cam surface is oblique to the through opening.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam defines a track along which the sensor can slide.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the biasing member acts directly against the cam.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount is an elongated member, the biasing member is a coil spring disposed about the elongated member, and the cam includes a through opening slidably receiving the mount.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount has a top side and a bottom side associated with a respective top and bottom of the faucet, and wherein the cam surface extends obliquely so as to be closer to the mount nearer the bottom side than the top side.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cam is movable along the mount from a first position in which the cam is in contact with the sensor to a second position in which the cam is out of contact with the sensor.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further including a mounting cup disposed between the window and the sensor.

11. An automatic faucet having a sensor electrically coupled to a control valve for controlling flow of water through the faucet in response to the detection of the presence or absence of an object near the sensor, the faucet having a sensor mounting assembly, comprising:

a mount disposed within an interior of the faucet;

a cam movably linked to the mount and having a cam surface oblique to the mount; and

a biasing member biasing the cam in contact with the sensor;

wherein the cam is movable relative to the sensor; and

wherein the mount is an elongated member, the biasing member is a coil spring disposed about the elongated member, and the cam includes a through opening slidably receiving the mount.

12. The faucet of claim 11, wherein the mount has a top side and a bottom side associated with a respective top and bottom of the faucet, and wherein the cam surface extends obliquely so as to be closer to the mount nearer the bottom side than the top side.

13. The faucet of claim 11, wherein the cam is movable along the mount from a first position in which the cam is in contact with the sensor to a second position in which the cam is out of contact with the sensor.

14. The faucet of claim 11, wherein the faucet has an opening in a side of its body and wherein the assembly further includes a window covering said opening in the faucet.

15. The faucet of claim 14, wherein the cam and biasing member act to bias the window against the faucet.

16. The faucet of claim 14, further including a mounting cup disposed between the window and the sensor.