Modular electrically-operated faucet

• US 7,650,653 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Geberit International Ag (Geberit AG)
• Original Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
• Inventors: Martinez, Anthony Raul, Bobic, James, Marti, Silvio, Johnson, Dwight N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli; John
• Application Number:
  US11/273,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20070108400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 251/128, 251/367, 137/801, 462/3, 469/5, 467/8
• US Class Current: 4/623
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0401 Fixing a tap to the sanitary appliance or to an associated mounting surface, e.g. a countertop
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0416 using a socket for mounting of faucet

Abstract

A self-contained, modular electrically-operated faucets is disclosed which has all of its components which are likely to need replacement over the life of the device contained in removable modules which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced without necessitating the removal of the device from its installed location. The modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention is configurable to be either deck mountable or wall mountable, and to allow either a conventional faucet spout or a gooseneck spout to be mounted thereupon. Optionally, when the modules of the modular electrically-operated faucet of the present invention are accessed for removal and replacement, the flow of water through the device may be automatically deactivated by merely removing the housing of the modular electrically-operated faucet.

Claims

1. An electrically-operated faucet having modular construction for ease of maintenance, said electrically-operated faucet comprising:

a housing adapted to be secured to a support surface, said housing comprising at least one water supply inlet to which a source of water may be connected;

an electrically-operated valve module that is removably installed on said housing to control the flow of water therethrough;

an electronics module that is removably installed on said housing to operate said valve module, said electronics module comprising an optical transmitter that transmits ranging pulses and an optical receiver that detects those of said ranging pulses transmitted from said optical transmitter which are reflected by an object located in a predetermined area;

a power source that is removably installed on said housing to provide electrical power to operate said electronics module and said valve module; and

a spout housing that is installed over said housing to enclose said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source thereunder, said spout housing being removable from said housing to access said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source for service thereof;

a bracket mounted on said housing wherein said bracket is designed to receive a battery therein, said bracket having electrical contacts mounted therein, said electrical contacts being electrically connected to said electronics module, said housing having an aperture extending therethrough, and wherein said power source comprises a battery adapter for installation into said bracket, said battery adapter having electrical contacts which contact said electrical contacts mounted in said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket, said battery adapter having wires connected to said electrical contacts in said battery adapter which wires extend from said battery adapter and through said aperture in said housing; and

an AC adapter which is electrically connected to said wires to supply electrical power to said battery adapter when said AC adapter is connected to a source of AC electrical power;

wherein said battery adapter is smaller in size than a battery that would be accepted by said bracket,

wherein said bracket comprises a notch located therein which notch is spaced away from the top of said bracket;

and wherein said battery adapter comprises a ledge located adjacent the top thereof, said ledge being engaged by said notch in said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket, wherein the top of said battery adapter is spaced away from the top of said bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said bracket.

2. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising:

a removable mechanical securing element which secures said spout housing to said housing; and

a sensor located in said electronics module which detects the presence of said securing element.

3. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 2, wherein said valve module is inhibited from being operated to allow the flow of water therethrough whenever said sensor does not detect the presence of said securing element.

4. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 2, wherein said securing element comprises:

a magnet;

and wherein said sensor comprises;

a magnetic field sensor.

5. An electrically-operated faucet having modular construction for ease of maintenance, said electrically-operated faucet comprising:

a housing adapted to be secured to a support surface, said housing comprising at least one water supply inlet to which a source of water may be connected;

an electrically-operated valve module that is removably installed on said housing to control the flow of water therethrough;

an electronics module that is removably installed on said housing to operate said valve module, said electronics module comprising an optical transmitter that transmits ranging pulses and an optical receiver that detects those of said ranging pulses transmitted from said optical transmitter which are reflected by an object located in a predetermined area;

a power source that is removably installed on said housing to provide electrical power to operate said electronics module and said valve module; and

a spout housing that is installed over said housing to enclose said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source thereunder, said spout housing being removable from said housing to access said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source for service thereof;

a removable mechanical securing element which secures said spout housing to said housing; and

a magnetic field sensor located in said electronics module which detects the presence of said securing element;

wherein said securing element includes a magnet, a screw;

a flexible lead connected at one end thereof to a distal end of said screw; and

a magnet housing connected to a second end of said flexible lead, said magnet housing containing said magnet;

wherein said spout housing includes an aperture through which said magnet housing, said flexible lead, and said distal end of said screw will extend;

and wherein said housing includes a threaded aperture in said housing through which said magnet housing and said flexible lead will extend and into which said distal end of said screw will extend; and

a passageway in said housing leading from said threaded aperture to a location proximate said sensor in said electronics module.

6. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 5, wherein said housing comprises:

a water supply outlet;

and wherein said spout housing comprises;

a passageway connected at a first end thereof to said water supply outlet in said housing, said passageway terminating at a second end thereof in an outlet from which water is discharged.

7. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 5, wherein said spout housing comprises:

a base member for removable installation over said housing; and

a gooseneck faucet spout mounted on said base member.

8. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 5, additionally comprising:

a threaded mounting post extending from the bottom side of said housing;

a mounting bracket for installation onto said threaded mounting post to retain said electrically-operated faucet in said support surface; and

an extended length mounting nut for installation onto said threaded mounting post to retain said mounting bracket thereupon.

9. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 8, wherein said mounting bracket fits onto said threaded mounting post in a light interference fit.

10. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 8, wherein said extended length mounting nut is engageable with either a wrench or a screwdriver to tighten said extended length mounting nut on said threaded mounting post.

11. An electrically-operated faucet comprising:

a housing adapted to be secured to a support surface;

an electrically-operated valve module that is removably installed on said housing;

an electronics module that is removably installed on said housing to operate said valve module;

a power source that is removably installed on said housing to provide electrical power to operate said electronics module and said valve module;

a spout housing installed over said housing to enclose said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source, said spout housing being removable from said housing to access said valve module, said electronics module, and said power source for service thereof;

an interlock arrangement which inhibits said valve module from being operated to allow the flow of water therethrough when said spout housing is not located on said housing, said interlock arrangement including a removable mechanical securing element which secures said spout housing to said housing, and a magnetic field sensor located in said electronics module which detects the presence of said magnet, thereby detecting the presence of said securing element,

wherein said securing element includes a magnet, a screw;

a flexible lead connected at one end thereof to a distal end of said screw; and

a magnet housing connected to a second end of said flexible lead, said magnet housing containing said magnet;

wherein said spout housing includes an aperture through which said magnet housing, said flexible lead, and said distal end of said screw will extend;

and wherein said housing includes a threaded aperture in said housing through which said magnet housing and said flexible lead will extend and into which said distal end of said screw will extend; and

a passageway in said housing leading from said threaded aperture to a location proximate said sensor in said electronics module,

whereby said valve module is inhibited from being operated to allow the flow of water therethrough whenever said sensor does not detect the presence of said securing element.

12. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said housing is adapted to be secured to a deck or other horizontal surface.

13. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said housing is adapted to be secured to a wall or other vertical surface.

14. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 13, additionally comprising:

a side mount adapter installed on the bottom of said housing.

15. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said housing comprises:

a hot water supply inlet; and

a cold water supply inlet.

16. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 15, additionally comprising:

a mixing valve for adjusting the mix of hot and cold water supplied by said electrically-operated faucet.

17. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 16, wherein said mixing valve is externally adjustable by a user of said electrically-operated faucet.

18. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 16, wherein said mixing valve is adjustable only following the removal of said spout housing from said housing.

19. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said electrically-operated valve module comprises:

a solenoid valve which allows the flow of water when it is electrically energized and prevents the flow of water when it is not electrically energized.

20. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 19, wherein said solenoid valve may be removed by unscrewing it from said housing.

21. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said electronics module is electrically connected both to said power source and to said valve module.

22. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, wherein said electronics module comprises:

a sensor window, said optical transmitter and said optical receiver being located in said sensor window.

23. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 22, wherein said window housing member is mounted on said second portion of said housing, said electronics module being mounted behind said window housing member with said sensor window projecting through a sensor aperture located in said window housing member.

24. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 22, wherein said spout housing has a notch located therein for receiving said window housing member therein when said spout housing is installed on said housing.

25. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 11, including a power source bracket mounted on said housing for removably receiving said power source therein, said power source bracket having electrical contacts mounted therein, said electrical contacts being electrically connected to said electronics module.

26. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 25, wherein said power source comprises:

a battery removably received on said power source bracket.

27. An electrically-operated faucet as defined in claim 25, wherein said housing has an aperture extending therethrough, and wherein said power source comprises:

a battery adapter removably received in said power source bracket, said battery adapter having electrical contacts which contact said electrical contacts mounted in said power source bracket when said battery adapter is installed in said power source bracket, said battery adapter having wires connected to said electrical contacts in said battery adapter which wires extend from said battery adapter and through said aperture in said housing; and

an AC adapter which is electrically connected to said wires to supply electrical power to said battery adapter when said AC adapter is connected to a source of AC electrical power.