Electronic faucet with a capacitive sensing system and a method therefor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic faucet comprising:
- a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout;
an indicator;
an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway;
a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet, the single capacitive sensor providing both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet; and
a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to monitor an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect when a portion of the faucet is touched by a user and to detect when a user'"'"'s hands are located in a detection area located near the spout, the controller being configured to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in a first touch mode of operation in response to detecting either of a tap or a grab of the spout and to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a user'"'"'s hands in the detection area via a second hands-free mode of operation, and wherein the controller further actuates the indicator in first and second distinguishable patterns to provide an indication whether the faucet is operating in the first touch mode of operation or the second hands-free mode of operation.
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Abstract
An electronic faucet (10) comprises a spout (12) having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor (26) coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electronic faucet comprising:
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a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout; an indicator; an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway; a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet, the single capacitive sensor providing both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to monitor an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect when a portion of the faucet is touched by a user and to detect when a user'"'"'s hands are located in a detection area located near the spout, the controller being configured to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in a first touch mode of operation in response to detecting either of a tap or a grab of the spout and to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a user'"'"'s hands in the detection area via a second hands-free mode of operation, and wherein the controller further actuates the indicator in first and second distinguishable patterns to provide an indication whether the faucet is operating in the first touch mode of operation or the second hands-free mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling fluid flow in an electronic faucet having a spout, a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, a manual valve located in series with the electrically operable valve, and a manual handle configured to control the manual valve, the method comprising:
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providing a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet; monitoring an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect when a user touches at least one of the spout and the manual valve handle and to detect when a user'"'"'s hands are located in a detection area located near the faucet; controlling the electrically operable valve is response to the step of monitoring the output signal, the controlling step including starting fluid flow through the spout in a first touch mode of operation in response to detecting either of a tap or a grab of the spout and starting fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a user'"'"'s hands in the detection area via a second hands-free mode of operation; and actuating an indicator in first and second distinguishable patterns to provide an indication whether the faucet is operating in the first touch mode of operation of operation or the second hands-free mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification