Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Wash receptacles – With proximity operated valve
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-07
2001-01-30
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Wash receptacles
With proximity operated valve
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178572
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to control systems and, more particularly, to low DC voltage detection systems responsive to radiated body heat for operating various apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Single or multi user wash basins used in industrial, commercial or public environments provide a source of water on demand for cleansing a user's hands, face and other body parts. Water flow valve actuating mechanisms are often manually or foot operated lever type devices to permit relative ease of use. The manually operated lever type devices may become soiled or otherwise damaged due to dirt and other contamination present on a user's hands prior to washing. The foot operated lever type devices are often subjected to abuse.
Dispensation of soap, whether liquid or powder, is usually achieved by manually operating a lever, a push button or a squeeze bottle; adaptations for operating such devices by foot are also known. To dry oneself, a user must manually grasp and pull individual folded paper towels from a dispenser, pull and tear off paper towels from a roll, pull down an endless cloth towel from an enclosed feed roller or push a button to actuate a hot air blower. All of these manually (and foot) operated devices accumulate a residue of dirt, bacteria and viruses at the locations of contact by the users. The constituents of this residue may contribute to the spread of disease and otherwise present a public health hazard.
To avoid the requirements for having a user physically actuate a valve in order to cause water flow at a wash basin, various sensors have been developed and incorporated with valve actuating mechanisms to sense the presence of a user at a wash basin. Actuating apparatus of this type have included devices for generating ultrasonic energy focused upon a detector; or, upon a change in the energy detected due to the presence of a user, a signal may be generated for actuating a water flow valve. In one water faucet device, the faucet is rotatable to permit automatic water flow actuation or require manual valve control as a function of the rotational position of the faucet. Various devices have been developed which include a light emitter with a corresponding detector. Upon interruption of the light path by a wash basin user, actuation of a water flow valve will occur. Audio responsive detectors for actuating water flow valves associated with water basins and the like are known. Infrared detector systems include a generator for generating a source of infrared energy and a detector responsive thereto. Upon interruption of the infrared energy by a user, circuitry is energized for actuating a water flow valve. Several devices have also been developed for sensing the radiant energy of a human body part and actuating a water flow valve upon such sensing.
A common characteristic of prior art related devices for sensing the presence of a user and actuating a water flow valve and other devices is that such systems are active systems. That is, a signal generator is provided with a corresponding receiver. A change in signal intensity sensed by the receiver related circuitry and in response to the presence of a user, is detected and serves as a triggering signal for actuating a valve. The requirement for transmission of a signal, in combination with signal detection circuitry, imposes a requirement for a relatively substantial power supply. Such power supply requirements in essence negate the use of low voltage small capacity batteries as the power supply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A low voltage battery energized passive detection system generates a control signal in response to radiated heat from a human body to actuate a solenoid operated fluid flow valve for a predetermined limited time period unless an earlier cessation of body radiated heat triggers shut off of the valve. The configuration of the sensor in combination with its placement within a wash basin or upon a water spout establishes the configuration of the effective detection field to eliminate false signals. Additional timed and time dependent functions ancillary to washing, such as soap dispensation, air dryer operation and towel availability, can be energized. To avoid the possibility of the valve remaining open due to insufficient electrical power to effect closure of the valve, a fail safe circuit can be used to close and disable the valve in the closed position when the voltage of the power supply drops below a predetermined value.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a passive detection system for detecting the presence of body heat within a defined detection field.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically operated water basin for sensing the presence of body heat within a detection field.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a low DC power detection system responsive to the presence of a human body part for controlling actuation of water flow in a wash basin along with related and ancillary functions.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a flow control system for a wash basin which automatically terminates further flow upon sensing a reduced voltage power supply.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a water flow control system for wash basins having very low electrical power drain and operable in excess of a year or more by a low voltage low power battery source.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide the capability of operating a selected number of functions ancillary to water dispensation for washing purposes on a timed sequence and for a present duration.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a miniaturized sensor and control circuit mountable within a water spout for sensing the presence of a human body part within a predetermined limited space.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a water spout mounted sensor for sensing the presence of a human body part to operate a selected one of a plurality of functions.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for operating a passive detection system responsive to the presence of a human body part within a detection field.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method responsive to the presence of body heat for controlling the flow of water in a wash basin and for controlling selected ones of a plurality of functions ancillary to the act of washing.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3522481 (1970-08-01), Terzic
patent: 3969635 (1976-07-01), Wilke
patent: 4520516 (1985-06-01), Parsons
patent: 4651777 (1987-03-01), Hardman
patent: 4839039 (1989-06-01), Parsons et al.
patent: 4916613 (1990-04-01), Lange et al.
patent: 4921211 (1990-05-01), Novak et al.
patent: 4960248 (1990-10-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5086526 (1992-02-01), Van Marcke
Cahill Sutton & Thomas P.L.C.
Fetsuga Robert M.
International Sanitary Ware Manufacturing Cy, S.A.
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