Fluid delivery device with an in-water capacitive sensor
First Claim
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1. A water delivery device for use by a user, the water delivery device being in fluid communication with at least one source of water positioned below a mounting deck, the water delivery device comprising:
- a base portion in fluid communication with the at least one source of water;
at least one water output supported by the base portion;
a valve interposed between the at least one water output and the at least one source of water, the valve being operable to permit communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a first configuration and to prevent communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a second configuration;
an in water sensor which detects if the user is contacting the water exiting the at least one water output, wherein the in water sensor is a capacitive sensor;
an electronic controller operably coupled to the in water sensor and operably coupled to the valve, the electronic controller causing the valve to remain in the first configuration in response to the in water sensor detecting the user being in contact with the water exiting the at least one water output; and
at least one of a proximity sensor and a touch sensor, the electronic controller causing the valve to be in the first configuration in response to a first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the touch sensor, wherein the electronic controller causes the valve to provide water at a first flow rate in response to the first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the touch sensor and to provide water at a second flow rate in response to the in water sensor detecting the user being in contact with the water exiting the at least one water output.
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Abstract
A pull-out wand is disclosed for use with a water delivery device. The pull-out wand may include one or more sensors, such as a touch sensor and/or a proximity sensor.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A water delivery device for use by a user, the water delivery device being in fluid communication with at least one source of water positioned below a mounting deck, the water delivery device comprising:
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a base portion in fluid communication with the at least one source of water; at least one water output supported by the base portion; a valve interposed between the at least one water output and the at least one source of water, the valve being operable to permit communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a first configuration and to prevent communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a second configuration; an in water sensor which detects if the user is contacting the water exiting the at least one water output, wherein the in water sensor is a capacitive sensor; an electronic controller operably coupled to the in water sensor and operably coupled to the valve, the electronic controller causing the valve to remain in the first configuration in response to the in water sensor detecting the user being in contact with the water exiting the at least one water output; and at least one of a proximity sensor and a touch sensor, the electronic controller causing the valve to be in the first configuration in response to a first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the touch sensor, wherein the electronic controller causes the valve to provide water at a first flow rate in response to the first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the touch sensor and to provide water at a second flow rate in response to the in water sensor detecting the user being in contact with the water exiting the at least one water output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A faucet in fluid communication with at least one source of water positioned below a mounting deck, the water delivery device comprising:
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a spout in fluid communication with the at least one source of water; at least one water output supported by the spout; an in water sensor which detects if the user is contacting the water exiting the at least one water output, wherein the in water sensor is a capacitive sensor; a valve interposed between the at least one water output and the at least one source of water, the valve being operable to permit communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a first configuration and to prevent communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output in a second configuration; an electronic controller operably coupled to the valve; at least one of a proximity sensor and a first touch sensor, the electronic controller causing the valve to be in the first configuration in response to a first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the first touch sensor, wherein the electronic controller causes the valve to provide water at a first flow rate in response to the first indication from the at least one of the proximity sensor and the first touch sensor; and wherein the electronic controller causes the valve to provide water at a second flow rate in response to the in water sensor detecting the user being in contact with the water exiting the at least one water output. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A water delivery device for use by a user, the water delivery device being in fluid communication with at least one source of water, the water delivery device comprising:
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a base portion in fluid communication with the at least one source of water; at least one water output supported by the base portion; a valve interposed between the at least one water output and the at least one source of water, the valve being operable to selectively permit and prevent communication of water provided by the at least one source of water to the at least one water output; a proximity sensor and an in water sensor defined by a capacitive sensor; wherein the proximity sensor detects if the user is in proximity of the base portion, and the in water sensor detects if the user is contacting the water exiting the at least one water output; an electronic controller operably coupled to the capacitive sensor and the valve; and wherein the electronic controller causes the valve to provide water at a first flow rate to the at least one water output in response to user input from the proximity sensor detecting a user in proximity to the base portion, and causes the valve to provide water at a second flow rate to the least one water output in response to user input from the in water sensor detecting a user contacting the water exiting the at least one water output. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification