Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Wash receptacles – With proximity operated valve
Patent
1994-12-19
1997-12-09
Recla, Henry J.
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Wash receptacles
With proximity operated valve
4559, 4597, 4676, 4678, E03C 105
Patent
active
056946538
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the water flow from a spout and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for the hands-free controlling of the on and off operation and temperature of the water flow from the spout through the use of proximity sensors that detect the proximity of a person's hand relative to the spout.
2. Description of the Background Art
Presently there exist many controllers for hands-free controlling of the on and off operation of the water flow from a spout through the use of proximity sensors that detect the proximity of a person's hand relative to the spout. More particularly, proximity controllers have commonly employed a microwave transmitter that emits a microwave radio frequency (RF) field and a microwave receiver that examines any doppler shifts in the RF field that are cause by a person's hands being in close proximity to the spout. The controller then activates a solenoid valve to turn on the water flow to the spout.
Probably the most common type of proximity controller is an optical controller that comprises a pulsed infrared emitter and detector together with processing electronics that are used to control one or two (e.g., hot and cold) solenoid valves. In these optical controllers, the reflections of an emitted pulsed infrared (IR) beam are sensed to determine whether to activate or deactivate the solenoid valves.
Pulsed optical controllers have been dominant largely due to their safety, relatively low power consumption, and low cost. Pulsed IR processing circuitry typically comprises a mixture of analog and digital components and in the case of more advanced controllers, microcomputers are employed.
Pulsed optical controllers either transmit the emitted IR beam in a substantially horizontal direction in order to detect the proximity of a person near the sink or transmit the IR beam in a downward direction in order to detect just the person's hands rather than his or her body. Pulsed optical controllers of either of these types suffer from sensitivity to color. Specifically, since the principle of IR sensing is one of reflectance, it follows that darkly reflecting surfaces are more difficult to detect than lighter surfaces. A person wearing dark, IR absorptive clothing at a sink having a horizontal beam controller may have difficulty being detected. Likewise, a person of dark skin color will have greater difficulty in being detected by a controller employing a downward IR beam. Also, both types of optical controllers require significant amounts of power to generate the required IR beam in order to be sensitive under most conditions, thereby commonly necessitating the use of line power to operate them as opposed to batteries, a factor which has in the past greatly limited their marketability.
In addition to the above drawbacks, optical controllers employing horizontal IR beams often activate the water flow whenever a person passes or idly stands by the sink. This disadvantageously results in large amounts of wasted water. Optical controllers employing downward looking IR beams often require a special spout construction with integrated optics and electronics, thereby making retrofits into existing installations cost prohibitive and raising the cost of new installations to levels which have reduced acceptance in the marketplace. Additionally, downward looking controllers usually have a fairly narrow sense field pattern, requiring the person to place his or her hands within a fairly small volume of space at the spout to be detected by the controller. Downward looking controllers are also plagued with numerous problems associated with looking into the sink; objects left in the sink, dirt accumulation, or standing water often grossly affects IR detection by changing sensitivity or by forcing prolonged durations of unwanted water flow.
In general, proximity controllers used in conjunction with sinks often suffer from one or more serious drawbacks, including the inability to allow for the s
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Eloshway Charles R.
Recla Henry J.
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