Faucet control system and method

• US 7,766,026 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2008
• Issued: 08/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kum F. Boey
• Original Assignee: Kum F. Boey
• Inventors: Boey, Kum F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US11/970,902
• Publication Number:
  US 20080163942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 137/624.11, 137/1, 137/801, 251/129.04, 462/3
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

A faucet control system comprises a valve apparatus, sensors or a touch panel to be activated by a user, and a controller that controls the valve apparatus. A first sensor may start fluid flow and a second sensor may alter the proportion of fluids delivered from two fluid sources. Alternatively, a first sensor may initiate hot water flow, a second sensor may initiate cold water flow, and a third sensor may initiate flow of a mixture of hot and cold water to create a warm water flow. The sensors may be activated without being touched and may include infrared sensing elements. The touch panel may be activated with hand pressure and may include electrically conductive sheets. Alternatively, hot, cold and/or warm touch sensors may be provided separately. The touch panel may have a first portion for allowing fluid flow from a cold fluid source, a second portion for allowing fluid flow from the cold fluid source and a hot fluid source, and a third portion for allowing fluid flow from the hot fluid source. The controller may include an adjustable timer so that fluid flow can be stopped automatically after a selected period of time. Other systems include a one sensor system, a two sensor system, a three sensor system and a five sensor system. In the five sensor system, one sensor activates hot water flow, another sensor activates cold water flow, and three sensors activate various levels of warm water flow.

Claims

1. A faucet control system for controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and a hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the system comprising:

a valve apparatus having an outlet connectable to the faucet spout, a first inlet connectable to the cold fluid source, and a second inlet connectable to the hot fluid source;

a first sensor that is activated by a user of the system;

a second sensor that is activated by the user and provides a sensor signal when activated; and

a controller in communication with the valve apparatus, the first sensor, and the second sensor, the controller controls the valve apparatus to allow a proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout when the first sensor is activated, and to alter the proportion when the second sensor is activated;

wherein;

the valve apparatus includes a first valve adapted to be connected to the cold fluid source and a second valve adapted to be connected to the hot fluid source;

the controller controls the first valve and the second valve such that a first proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides an initial sensor signal;

the controller controls the first valve and the second valve such that a second proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides a first subsequent sensor signal after the initial sensor signal, the second proportion being different than the first proportion;

the controller controls the first valve and the second valve such that a third proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid is delivered to the faucet spout when the second sensor provides a second subsequent sensor signal after the first subsequent sensor signal, the third proportion being different than the first proportion and the second proportion;

the first valve opens when power is provided to the first valve;

the second valve opens when power is provided to the second valve; and

the controller includes a first relay, a second relay, and a third relay, the first relay provides power to the first valve when the second sensor provides an initial sensor signal, the second relay provides power to the first valve and the second valve when the second sensor provides a first subsequent sensor signal after the initial sensor signal, and the third relay provides power to the second valve when the second sensor provides a second subsequent sensor signal after the first subsequent sensor signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the second sensor is adapted to be mounted at a location spaced apart from the faucet spout and includes a sensing element having a sensing range, and the second sensor activates when the hand of the user is within the sensing range.

3. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the method comprising:

connecting the first inlet of a first valve to the cold fluid source;

connecting the first outlet of the first valve to the faucet spout;

connecting the second inlet of a second valve to the hot fluid source;

connecting the second outlet of the second valve to the faucet spout;

adhering a touch panel for activating the first valve and the second valve on a structure and at a location that is accessible to a user; and

applying hand pressure to the touch panel to open one or both of the first valve and the second valve;

wherein applying hand pressure to the touch panel comprises;

applying pressure to a first portion of the touch panel to allow a first proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout;

applying pressure to a second portion of the touch panel to allow a second proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout, the second portion being different than the first proportion; and

applying pressure to a third portion of the touch panel to allow a third proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout, the third proportion being different than the first and second proportion.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

removing hand pressure from the touch panel; and

stopping fluid flow to the faucet spout at a selected time period after hand pressure is removed from the touch panel;

altering the selected time period, including manipulating an adjustment knob on a controller in communication with the first valve, the second valve, and the touch panel.

5. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the method comprising:

connecting an outlet of a valve apparatus to the faucet spout;

connecting a first inlet of a valve apparatus to the cold fluid source;

connecting a second inlet of the valve apparatus to the hot fluid source;

mounting a first sensor at a first location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

mounting a second sensor at a second location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

activating the first sensor by touching the first sensor to allow a proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout; and

activating the second sensor by touching the second sensor to alter the proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid wherein mounting the first sensor includes mounting the first sensor in a recess in a mirror.

6. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the method comprising:

connecting an outlet of a valve apparatus to the faucet spout;

connecting a first inlet of a valve apparatus to the cold fluid source;

connecting a second inlet of the valve apparatus to the hot fluid source;

mounting a first sensor at a first location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

mounting a second sensor at a second location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

activating the first sensor by touching the first sensor to allow a proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout; and

activating the second sensor by touching the second sensor to alter the proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid;

wherein mounting the first sensor includes mounting the first sensor on a cube in a location adjacent to a spout.

7. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the method comprising:

connecting an outlet of a valve apparatus to the faucet spout;

connecting a first inlet of a valve apparatus to the cold fluid source;

connecting a second inlet of the valve apparatus to the hot fluid source;

mounting a first sensor at a first location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

mounting a second sensor at a second location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

activating the first sensor by touching the first sensor to allow a proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout; and

activating the second sensor by touching the second sensor to alter the proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid;

wherein mounting the first sensor includes mounting the first sensor on a spout.

8. A method of controlling fluid flow to a faucet spout in fluid communication with a cold fluid source delivering a first fluid and hot fluid source delivering a second fluid, the method comprising:

connecting an outlet of a valve apparatus to the faucet spout;

connecting a first inlet of a valve apparatus to the cold fluid source;

connecting a second inlet of the valve apparatus to the hot fluid source;

mounting a first sensor at a first location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

mounting a second sensor at a second location spaced apart from the faucet spout;

activating the first sensor by touching the first sensor to allow a proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid to be delivered to the faucet spout; and

activating the second sensor by touching the second sensor to alter the proportion of the first fluid to the second fluid;

wherein the method includes the step of mounting third, fourth and fifth sensors for activating various degrees of warm water flow.