Valves and valve actuation – Electrically actuated valve – Remote or follow-up control system for electrical actuator
Patent
1997-09-10
1999-10-05
Ferensic, Denise L.
Valves and valve actuation
Electrically actuated valve
Remote or follow-up control system for electrical actuator
25112905, 137801, 4623, F16K 3102
Patent
active
059610956
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a water outlet faucet having a transmitter, a receiver and an electronic circuit arrangement for non-contact actuation of a built-in shut-off valve, "Non-contact" water outlet faucets of this type are to be understood both as wash basin faucets and other washing devices and the like required in the sanitary sector. They generally operate using infrared beams, which are reflected by the hands or other body parts of the user and are picked up by the receiver.
There are already intelligent water outlet faucets which contain a highly developed, comprehensive electronic circuit arrangement (microprocessor), which is fed by a built-in battery. Such a circuit arrangement can be operated in various modes of operation, so-called functions, which differ from the basic mode of operation in which cold water flows as long as there are hands under the outlet. The selection of the mode of operation takes place with the aid of a special setting device (remote control) by transmitting infrared setting signals which are picked up by a decoding device contained in the circuit arrangement via the receiver, which is otherwise used operationally, for example as a photoresistor.
However, the device is generally not ready to pick up, its operation is to some extent complicated and it makes the purchase price of the automatic faucet more expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Another faucet of this type is described in the utility model DE-U-92 11 577. A distinction is made there between the operating modes or functions OFF, COLD, AUTOMATIC and HOT. A selection switch is provided for adjusting a specific function, the rotating element of which engages in the various stop locations. A multiple key switch is provided as alternative. However, the installation of such a relatively complicated switch on a water faucet is problematic and involved due to the space requirement as well as the necessary protection against moisture.
The invention is therefore based on the object of carrying out the selection of the function, or the changing over of the electronic circuit arrangement from one function to another, in a more expedient and simpler fashion.
Starting from a water outlet faucet of the type mentioned at the outset, this object is achieved according to the invention in that an externally accessible, hand-operated electric OFF/ON switch is arranged on the faucet which generates respective actuation setting commands in the form of switching pulse groups that differ in terms of number and/or length and/or the sequence of the individual pulses. A decoding device of the water outlet faucet is adjusted to the switching pulse groups. A switch is firmly fitted to the faucet, the switch being readily operated by hand and serving as command transmitter for the appropriately configured electronic circuit arrangement or its decoding device. Using the switch, OFF/ON signals and hence pulses of any desired duration-can be entered, which are picked up by the decoding device and converted in a desired manner. The command is, for example, a pulse group which differs from another pulse group in particular by the number and/or length and/or sequence of its individual pulses. For example, the commands for the selection of the function can be identified by a number of short pulses and the setting commands of the subfunction can be identified by longer pulses.
In the preferred and simplest case, the switch is a pushbutton, which is seated on the outer surface of the faucet and is readily accessible. However, it can also be built into the faucet and covered by a watertight skin or can be actuated by means of a pin or any other simple tool. It is further proposed to design the switch as a so-called sensor switch on a capacitive basis. Finally, if a plurality of photoresistors are provided as the receiver for normal operation or else by means of an additional "input receiver", this receiver can be used as a switch by being completely covered by the fingertip. This capability for influencing the circuit ar
REFERENCES:
patent: 3740487 (1973-06-01), Ter Veen
patent: 4839039 (1989-06-01), Parsons et al.
patent: 5095941 (1992-03-01), Betz
patent: 5145575 (1992-09-01), Burrows
patent: 5173178 (1992-12-01), Kawashima et al.
patent: 5184642 (1993-02-01), Powell
patent: 5187818 (1993-02-01), Barrett, Sr. et al.
IKZ-Haustechnik, 1991, H. 9, p. 73.
Ball John
Ferensic Denise L.
Spencer George H.
Voorhees Catherine M.
LandOfFree
Electronically controlled water faucet does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electronically controlled water faucet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronically controlled water faucet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1162127