User interface for a faucet

• US 8,365,767 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Masco Corporation Of Indiana (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Davidson, Kyle Robert, Veros, Michael J., Murray, Austin Ray, Koottungal, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Assistant Examiner(s): JELLETT, MATTHEW WILLIAM
• Application Number:
  US12/255,358
• Publication Number:
  US 20090039176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 251/129.3, 251/129.05, 251/129.06, 236/12.12, 462/3, 137/559
• US Class Current: 137/559
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 31/02 Nozzles specially adapted for fire-extinguishing
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1393 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8359 Inspection means

Abstract

An electronic user interface for use with a water delivery device, such as a faucet.

Claims

1. A water delivery system, comprising:

at least one valve in fluid communication with a cold water source and a hot water source, the at least one valve including at least one actuator;

an outlet in fluid communication with the at least one valve;

a controller operably coupled to the at least one actuator; and

an electronic user interface including;

a first touch slider user input comprising a touch sensor that includes a plurality of contacts, the first touch slider user input operably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one valve such that the at least one valve delivers a desired flow rate of water to the outlet based upon the first touch slider user input;

a second touch slider user input comprising a touch sensor that includes a plurality of contacts, the second touch slider user input operably coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one valve such that the at least one valve delivers a desired temperature of water to the outlet based upon the second touch slider user input wherein the first touch slider user input is independent of the second touch slider user input, and the first touch slider user input is positioned in spaced relation to the second touch slider user input; and

an indicator comprising a single light source array with first and second light source colors, said indicator operably coupled to the controller and configured to provide a combined indication of both the desired flow rate of water controlled by the first touch slider user input and the desired temperature of water controlled by the second touch slider user input.

2. The water delivery system of claim 1, wherein the at least one valve comprises a mixing valve in fluid communication with both the cold water source and the hot water source.

3. The water delivery system of claim 2, wherein the mixing valve includes a first valve member configured to control the temperature of water delivered to the outlet, and a second valve member configured to control the flow of water delivered to the outlet, and the at least one actuator includes a first actuator configured to move the first valve member, and a second actuator configured to move the second valve member.

4. The water delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery spout supporting the outlet, wherein the electronic user interface coupled to the spout.

5. The water delivery system of claim 1, wherein the electronic user interface further includes a first task input, wherein in response to the selection of the first task input the controller controls the mixing valve to provide water having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate.

6. The water delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a diverter valve in fluid communication with the at least one valve and having a first position corresponding to a stream flow pattern and a second position corresponding to a spray flow pattern.

7. The water delivery system of claim 1, wherein each of the first touch slider and the second touch slider includes a base having a non-linear surface, and a capacitive sensing element supported on the non-linear surface.

8. The water delivery system of claim 7, further comprising a spout supporting the outlet, and a cover coupled to the spout, the first touch slider and the second touch slider.

9. The water delivery system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a light source, the magnitude of the light emitted by the light source representing the flow rate of water selected for delivery to the outlet, and the color of the light emitted by the light source representing the temperature of the water selected for delivery to the outlet.

10. The water delivery system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises a first set of light sources of first color, and a second set of light sources of a second color.

11. The water delivery system of claim 10, wherein the first set of light sources comprises a plurality of blue light emitting diodes, and the second set of light sources comprises a plurality of red light emitting diodes, the number of combined blue light emitting diodes and red light emitting diodes illuminated being indicative of flow rate, and the ratio of red light emitting diodes and blue light emitting diodes illuminated being indicative of temperature.

12. An electronic user interface for a water delivery device, the electronic user interface comprising:

a first user input to control the flow rate of water delivered to an outlet;

a second user input to control the temperature of water delivered to an outlet, wherein the second user input is independent of the first user input; and

an indicator comprising a single light source array with first and second light source colors, wherein the light source array changes the magnitude of light emitted based upon the active flow rate selected by the first user input and the light source array changes the color of light emitted depending upon the temperature selected by the second user input, wherein the light source array provides an integrated display for active flow rate selected by the first user input and temperature selected by the second user input.

13. The user interface of claim 12, wherein the light source includes a plurality of light emitting members arranged within a plane disposed intermediate the first user input and the second user input.

14. The user interface of claim 12, wherein the light source includes a plurality of first light emitting members configured to emit light of a first color, and a plurality of second light emitting members configured to emit light of a second color, the magnitude of light emitted being determined by the total number of first light emitting members and second light emitting members illuminated, and the color of light emitted being determined by the number of first light emitting members illuminated relative to the number of second light emitting members illuminated.

15. The user interface of claim 14, wherein the first color is blue and the second color is red, the number of first light emitting members illuminated relative to the number of second light emitting members illuminated increases as the temperature selected by the second user input decreases, and the number of second light emitting members illuminated relative to the number of first light emitting members illuminated increases as the temperature selected by the second user input increases.

16. The user interface of claim 12, further comprising a controller operably coupled to the first user input and the second user input, and a mixing valve in fluid communication with a cold water source and a hot water source and controlled by the controller to adjust the flow rate of water and the temperature of water delivered to the outlet.

17. The user interface of claim 16, further comprising a first task input, wherein in response to the selection of the first task input the controller controls the mixing valve to provide water having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate.

18. The user interface of claim 12, wherein:

the outlet is supported by a spout; and

the first user input, the second user input, and the indicator are supported by an end of the spout.

19. The user interface of claim 18, wherein the spout includes a diverter valve in fluid communication with an internal waterway of the spout and having a first position corresponding to a stream flow pattern and a second position corresponding to a spray flow pattern.

20. The user interface of claim 12, wherein the first user input comprises a first touch slider, the second user input comprises a second touch slider, and each of the first and second touch sliders comprises a touch sensor that includes a plurality of contacts.

21. The user interface of claim 20, wherein each of the first touch slider and the second touch slider includes a base having a non-linear surface, and a capacitive sensing element supported on the non-linear surface.

22. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water above a sink deck from a source of cold water and a source of hot water, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

an electronic user interface located above the sink deck;

a spout in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve; and

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve, wherein the electronic user interface includes a first touch slider user input for setting a desired water temperature and a second touch slider user input for setting a desired flow rate, each of the first and second touch slider user inputs comprising a touch sensor that includes a plurality of contacts, a plurality of preset task inputs corresponding to a plurality of predetermined water temperatures and active flow rates, and an indicator comprising a single light source array with first and second light source colors, said indicator configured to provide a combined indication of both the desired water temperature and the desired flow rate.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic user interface is incorporated into an end of the spout.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic user interface communicates wirelessly with the controller.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the electronic user interface includes a first task input, the first task input having a graphical icon representing the task.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein in response to a selection of the first task input the controller controls the mixing valve to provide water having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined temperature and the predetermined flow rate corresponding to the task.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the spout includes a diverter valve in fluid communication with at least one internal waterway of the spout and having a first position corresponding to a stream flow pattern and a second position corresponding to a spray flow pattern.

28. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the indicator comprises a light source, the magnitude of the light emitted by the light source representing the desired flow rate, and the color of the light emitted by the light source representing the desired water temperature.