Capacitive sensing apparatus and method for faucets
First Claim
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1. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
- a spout formed from a non-conductive material;
a fluid supply conduit formed separately from the spout, the fluid supply conduit extending through the non-conductive material of the spout to provide a fluid flow path through the spout, and the fluid supply conduit also being formed from a non-conductive material;
a capacitive sensor embedded in and enclosed within the non-conductive material of the spout, the capacitive sensor generating a capacitive sensing field; and
a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor to detect a user'"'"'s presence in the capacitive sensing field.
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Abstract
A fluid delivery apparatus includes a spout (12) located adjacent a sink basin (16). A fluid supply conduit (14) is supported by the spout (12). Capacitive sensors (29) and (41) are provided on the spout (12) and sink basin (16), respectively. A controller (26) is coupled to the capacitive sensors (29, 41) to control the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid supply conduit (14) based on outputs from the capacitive sensors (29, 41).
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
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a spout formed from a non-conductive material; a fluid supply conduit formed separately from the spout, the fluid supply conduit extending through the non-conductive material of the spout to provide a fluid flow path through the spout, and the fluid supply conduit also being formed from a non-conductive material; a capacitive sensor embedded in and enclosed within the non-conductive material of the spout, the capacitive sensor generating a capacitive sensing field; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor to detect a user'"'"'s presence in the capacitive sensing field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 33)
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15. A fluid delivery apparatus configured to deliver fluid into a sink basin, the apparatus comprising:
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a spout located adjacent the sink basin, the spout being formed from a non-conductive material; a fluid supply conduit formed separately from and supported by the spout, the fluid supply conduit extending through the non-conductive material of the spout to provide a fluid flow path through the spout, and the fluid supply conduit also being formed from a non-conductive material; a capacitive sensor system including a first sensor probe embedded in and enclosed within the non-conductive material of the spout and a second sensor probe coupled to the sink basin to define a sensing field between the first and second sensor probes, the capacitive sensor system being configured to detect changes in a dielectric constant within the sensing field; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor system and configured to control the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid supply conduit based on an output from the capacitive sensor system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
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a spout formed from a non-conductive material; a fluid supply conduit formed separately from the spout, the fluid supply conduit extending through the non-conductive material of the spout to provide a fluid flow path through the spout, and the fluid supply conduit also being formed from a non-conductive material; first, second, and third capacitive sensors embedded in and enclosed within the non-conductive material of the spout at different locations on the spout; and a controller coupled to the first, second and third capacitive sensors, the first capacitive sensor generating a capacitive sensing field to provide a proximity detector adjacent the spout, the controller providing a hands-free supply of fluid through the fluid supply conduit in response to detecting a user'"'"'s presence in the capacitive sensing field of the first capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to increase the temperature of the fluid supplied to the fluid supply conduit in response to detecting a user'"'"'s presence adjacent the second capacitive sensor, and the controller being configured to decrease the temperature of the fluid supplied to the fluid supply conduit in response to detecting a user'"'"'s presence adjacent the third capacitive sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A fluid delivery apparatus configured to deliver fluid into a sink basin, the apparatus comprising:
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a spout located adjacent the sink basin, the spout being formed in the non-conductive material; a fluid supply conduit supported by the spout; an IR sensor located adjacent the spout, the IR sensor being configured to detect the presence of a user'"'"'s hands in the sink basin; a capacitive sensor embedded in and enclosed within the non-conductive material of the spout, the capacitive sensor generating a capacitance sensing field; and a controller coupled to the IR sensor and the capacitive sensor and configured to control the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid supply conduit based on outputs from the IR sensor and the capacitive sensor, the controller being programmed to detect the presence of a user in the capacitance sensing field based on an output signal from the capacitance sensor. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34)
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35. A fluid delivery apparatus comprising:
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a spout; a capacitive proximity sensor configured to define a capacitance sensing field in an area near the spout to detect a presence of a user; a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor; and an IR sensor located adjacent the spout, the IR sensor being configured to detect the presence of a user'"'"'s hands adjacent the spout, and wherein the controller is programmed to detect the presence of a user in the capacitance sensing field based on an output signal from the capacitance sensor, the controller also being programmed to turns on power to the IR sensor upon detecting presence of the user in the capacitance sensing field, thereby reducing the amount of power used by the IR sensor. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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Specification