Touch-free automatic faucet

• US 8,827,239 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2013
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chung-Chia Chen
• Original Assignee: Chung-Chia Chen
• Inventors: Chen, Chung-Chia
• Primary Examiner(s): Keasel, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAQUETTE, IAN G
• Application Number:
  US13/862,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20130228226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 4302-305, 462/3, 700/282
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/193 sensing the temperaure in different places in thermal relationship with one or more spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0629 characterised by the type of regulator means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive

Abstract

A system and method of Touch Free Automatic faucet controlled by electronic sensors provides a Primary-Water-Flow-Mode, a Continue-Water-Flow-Mode, a Temperature-Control-Mode, a Faucet-Pause-Mode, an Adjust-Water-Flow-Mode and a Flow-Temperature-Default-Setting-Mode for users to control faucet water flow and water temperature without touching any parts of faucet body. The system comprises at least three electronic sensors, a logical processor circuit board, an electricity power supply package, a water flow control valve assembly, a temperature control valve assembly, at least one faucet body housing and at least one inlet fluid line. From the outputs of the sensors, the logical processor responds to the flow control valve assembly and to the temperature control valve assembly to control water flow and temperature to the faucet spout.

Claims

1. A faucet apparatus for providing touch-free control of water flow, the faucet apparatus comprising:

a spout configured to direct water flow into a sink;

a logic processor;

a first sensor zone comprising a first sensor, said first sensor zone facing the area in which the spout is configured to direct water to flow, such that the first sensor is configured to detect an object in the first sensor zone and respond to the detection by providing input to the logic processor;

a second sensor zone comprising a second sensor, such that the second sensor is configured to detect an object in the second sensor zone and respond to the detection by providing input to the logic processor;

a third sensor zone comprising a third sensor, such that the third sensor is configured to detect an object in the third sensor zone and respond to the detection by providing input to the logic processor;

a fourth sensor zone comprising one or more sensors configured to detect an object in the fourth sensor zone and respond to the detection by providing input to the logic processor;

a first control valve comprising a water mixing assembly, said first control valve configured to receive hot water from a hot water input, to receive cold water from a cold water input, to output mixed water through a mixed water output, to receive a temperature control signal from the logic processor, and to mechanically respond to the temperature control signal by mechanically adapting the water mixing assembly in order to adjust the temperature of the mixed water that is output through the mixed water output such that the temperature is determined by the temperature control signal; and

a second control valve comprising a water flow control assembly, said second control valve configured to receive mixed water at a first flow rate from a mixed water input, to output mixed water at a second flow rate through a controlled water output, to receive a flow control signal from the logic processor, and to mechanically respond to the flow control signal by mechanically adapting the water flow control assembly in order to adjust the flow of the mixed water from the first flow rate to the second flow rate such that the second flow rate is controlled by the water flow control signal;

wherein the logic processor is programmed to;

determine whether an electronic representation of a paused state is in either a paused-mode or a non-paused-mode;

receive input from the first sensor indicating the presence of an object within the first sensor zone and, in response thereto, cause the spout to direct water flow while the input from the first sensor indicates that an object is present in the first sensor zone, if it is determined that the electronic representation of the paused state is in the non-paused mode;

cause the spout to stop directing water flow when the input from the first sensor indicates that no object is present within the first sensor zone;

receive input from the second sensor indicating the presence of an object within the second sensor zone and, in response thereto, transmit the temperature control signal to the first control valve;

receive input from the third sensor indicating the presence of an object within the third sensor zone and, in response thereto, transmit the water flow control signal to the second control valve; and

receive input from said one or more sensors comprising said fourth sensor zone indicating the presence of an object within the fourth sensor zone and, in response thereto, change the electronic representation of the paused state to the paused-mode.

2. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fourth sensor zone comprises said second sensor zone, said second sensor, said third sensor zone, and said third sensor, and wherein said logic processor is further programmed to receive input from said second sensor and said third sensor indicating the presence of an object within the fourth sensor zone and, in response thereto, change the electronic representation of the paused state to the paused-mode.

3. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic processor is further programmed to:

receive input from said one or more sensors comprising said fourth sensor zone indicating the presence of an object within the fourth sensor zone and, in response thereto, change the electronic representation of the paused state to the paused-mode if the paused state is presently in the non-paused mode; and

receive input from said one or more sensors comprising said fourth sensor zone indicating the presence of an object within the fourth sensor zone and, in response thereto, change the electronic representation of the paused state to the non-paused-mode if the paused state is presently in the paused mode.

4. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power supply package comprising a battery and an alternating current-to-direct current transformer, wherein the electrical power supply package is electronically coupled to the logic processor and supplies direct current to the logic processor.

5. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the water flow control assembly comprises a solenoid valve and a motorized gear valve, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to toggle the valve on and off in order to start and stop water flow to the spout, and the motorized gear valve is configured to adjust the flow of the mixed water to the spout.

6. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the temperature flow control assembly comprises a motorized gear valve.

7. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a separate compartment physically distinct from the spout, wherein the second sensor and third sensor are both embedded within the separate compartment.

8. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises a planar spout face with a water outlet, and wherein the first sensor is embedded within the planar spout face.

9. The faucet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spout comprises a spout shaft that channels the mixed water output by the second control valve, and wherein the first sensor is embedded within the base of the spout shaft.

10. The faucet apparatus of claim 9, wherein the spout shaft is substantially cylindrical.

11. A method for providing touch-free control of water flow from a faucet, the method apparatus comprising:

receiving, at a digital processor, an input from a first sensor indicating the presence of an object in an area in which a spout is configured to direct water flow;

causing, in response to receiving the input from the first sensor, the spout to direct water flow while the input from the first sensor indicates that an object is present in the area in which the spout is configured to direct water, if an electronic representation of a paused state for a faucet'"'"'s water flow is in a non-paused mode,

receiving, at a digital processor, an input from a second sensor indicating the presence of an object in front of the second sensor;

causing, in response to receiving the input from the second sensor, a first control valve to mechanically adapt a water mixing assembly, wherein the first control valve receives hot water into the water mixing assembly from a hot water input, receives cold water into the water mixing assembly from a cold water input, and mechanically adapts the water mixing assembly thereby adjusting the ratio of hot water and cold water that is received into the water mixing assembly, and wherein the first control valve outputs mixed water such that the temperature of the output water is determined by the input from the second sensor;

receiving, at a digital processor, an input from a third sensor indicating the presence of an object in front of the third sensor;

causing, in response to receiving the input from the third sensor, a second control valve to mechanically adapt a water flow rate, wherein the second control valve receives mixed water from a water input, mechanically adapts the flow rate of the mixed water through the second control, and outputs the resulting flow-controlled water, such that the flow rate of the flow-controlled water is determined by the input from the third sensor;

receiving, at a digital processor, a fourth input indicating the presence of an object in front of one or more sensors; and

causing, in response to receiving the fourth input, the electronic representation of the paused state for the faucet'"'"'s water flow to toggle between a paused mode and a non-paused mode.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the fourth input comprises receiving an input from the first sensor and receiving an input from the second sensor substantially simultaneously.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the fourth input comprises receiving an input from a fourth sensor.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving a direct power current from an electrical power supply package comprising a battery, and using the direct power current to power a logic processor for processing the received inputs and sending electronic output causing the first control valve to mechanically adapt the water mixing assembly and causing the second control valve to mechanically adapt the water flow rate.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the water flow control assembly comprises a solenoid valve and a motorized gear valve, wherein the solenoid valve is configured to toggle the valve on and off in order to start and stop water flow to the spout, and the motorized gear valve is configured to adjust the flow of the mixed water to the spout.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the temperature flow control assembly comprises a motorized gear valve.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the second sensor and third sensor are both embedded within a separate compartment that is physically distinct from the spout.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the spout comprises a planar spout face with a water outlet, and wherein the first sensor is embedded within the planar spout face.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the spout comprises a spout shaft that channels the mixed water output by the second control valve, and wherein the first sensor is embedded within the base of the spout shaft.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the spout shaft is substantially cylindrical.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein each input is received by the same digital logic processor.