U.S. patent application number 09/773390 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for single-lever faucet with manual or automatic flow control.
This patent application is currently assigned to Friedrich Grohe AG & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Durfeld, Peter, Fitting, Jurgen, Kraft, Eckhard, Philipps-Liebich, Hartwich.
Application Number | 20010011389 09/773390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7630504 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010011389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Philipps-Liebich, Hartwich ;
et al. |
August 9, 2001 |
Single-lever faucet with manual or automatic flow control
Abstract
A faucet assembly has a faucet housing having an outlet, a
conduit defining a flow path from a supply of water through the
housing to the outlet, an openable and closable servovalve in the
conduit, and an openable and closable manual valve in the conduit
and having a control element movable between a full-flow open
position, an intermediate-flow middle position, and a no-flow
closed position. A position-detecting switch subassembly mounted on
the housing engages the control element and a proximity detector
has a detection field adjacent the outlet. A controller connected
to the proximity detector, to the switch subassembly, and to the
servovalve serves in the closed position of the element for
deactivating the detector and closing the servovalve. In the middle
position of the element the controller opens the servovalve on
detection of an object in the field of the proximity detector. In
the open position of the element the controller disables the
detector and opens the servovalve.
Inventors: |
Philipps-Liebich, Hartwich;
(Hemer, DE) ; Durfeld, Peter; (Menden, DE)
; Fitting, Jurgen; (Iserlohn, DE) ; Kraft,
Eckhard; (Menden, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FIRM OF KARL F ROSS
5676 RIVERDALE AVENUE
PO BOX 900
RIVERDALE (BRONX)
NY
10471-0900
US
|
Assignee: |
Friedrich Grohe AG & Co.
KG
|
Family ID: |
7630504 |
Appl. No.: |
09/773390 |
Filed: |
February 1, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/623 ;
251/129.04; 4/678 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 31/605 20130101;
F16K 11/0782 20130101; F16K 31/02 20130101; E03C 1/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/623 ; 4/678;
251/129.04 |
International
Class: |
E03C 001/05; F16K
031/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 9, 2000 |
DE |
10005971.6 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A faucet assembly comprising: a faucet housing having an outlet;
a conduit defining a flow path from a supply of water through the
housing to the outlet; an openable and closable servovalve in the
conduit; an openable and closable manual valve in the conduit and
having a control element movable between a full-flow open position,
an intermediate-flow middle position, and a no-flow closed
position; a position-detecting switch subassembly mounted on the
housing and engageable with the control element; a proximity
detector having a detection field adjacent the outlet; and control
means connected to the proximity detector, to the switch
subassembly, and to the servovalve for in the closed position of
the element deactivating the detector and closing the servovalve,
in the middle position of the element opening the servovalve on
detection of an object in the field of the proximity detector, and
in the open position of the element disabling the detector and
opening the servovalve.
2. The faucet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the supply
includes a supply of hot water and a supply of cold water, the
manual valve being operable by movement of the element in one
degree of freedom to control a mix of hot and cold water delivered
to the conduit and in another degree of freedom to control the
volume of flow through the conduit, the position-detecting switch
subassembly being only responsive to movement in the other degree
of freedom.
3. The faucet assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising means
including a spring for releasably retaining the element in the
middle position.
4. The faucet assembly defined in claim 3 wherein in the middle
position the valve passes between 5 liter/minute and 7
liter/minute.
5. The faucet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the servovalve is
a solenoid valve.
6. The faucet assembly defined in claim 1, further comprising in
the passage upstream of the valves: a backflow preventer, and a
filter.
7. The faucet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the
position-detecting switch subassembly includes a pair of separate
switches mounted in the housing and separately engageable with the
control element.
8. The faucet assembly defined in claim 7 wherein in the closed
position only one of the switches is actuated, in the open position
only the other of the switches is actuated, and in the middle
position neither of the switches is actuated.
9. The faucet assembly defined in claim 8 wherein the control
element can only move through an arc of at most about 4.degree. on
the housing while in the middle position, the control means only
activating the detector for operating the servovalve in a
motion-detecting mode in the middle position.
10. The faucet assembly defined in claim 7 wherein the switches are
microswitches mounted adjacent each other in the housing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet. More particularly
this invention concerns a single-lever faucet with electronic
proximity-sensor control.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,170 of Humpert and
Gransow, a faucet assembly has a conduit defining a flow path
between a supply of water and an outlet, a closable manual valve in
the conduit, and a lever coupled to the manual valve for shifting
it between its open and closed positions. A proximity detector has
a detection field adjacent the outlet and is connected to a
controller connected between the proximity detector. An openable
and closable servovalve is activatable by the controller for
opening the servovalve on detection of an object in the field of
the proximity detector. A position-detecting switch associated with
the manual valve is connected to the controller for activating this
controller on shifting of the manual valve into its open position
and for deactivating the controller on shifting of the manual valve
into its closed position. The supply includes a supply of hot water
and a supply of cold water and the manual valve is operable by
movement of the lever in one degree of freedom to control a mix of
hot and cold water delivered to the conduit and in another degree
of freedom to control the volume of flow from the supply to the
conduit. The position-detecting switch is only responsive to
movement in the other degree of freedom.
[0003] Thus in such a standard faucet the controller and proximity
detector are only activated, that is they only function, when the
valve has been physically moved out of its closed position by the
user manipulating the lever. Thus the user raises the lever to the
level for the desired rate of flow and then moves it to one side or
another to set the desired hot/cold mix. Flow is initiated as in a
standard valve. When, however, the user releases the lever a timer
is normally started and if, within a predetermined interval, the
proximity detector does not sense an object in its field, the
servovalve is shut off to save water. Flow can be reinitiated by
touching the lever again or putting the hands back in the field of
the detector.
[0004] Normally with this system the controller maintains the
servovalve open for a short time after the control lever is
released, to give the user time to place his or her hands under the
faucet, whereupon the proximity detector will keep the servovalve
open so long as such presence is detected. Once, however, the
control lever is released and the user's hands are pulled from the
detecting field, the servovalve will automatically close, even if
the user leaves the valve handle in the open position.
[0005] Such a system is very effective at conserving water as it
shuts the water off when there is nothing in its detection field.
Even if there is something in the detection field, the system is
set to shut the water off after a predetermined time to prevent
waste. Furthermore this faucet is very convenient since, if left
on, all the user need do is put his or her hands under the faucet
to activate the controller and restart flow at the previously set
temperature and volume.
[0006] The disadvantage of this system is that it is necessary to
place something in the detection field to maintain flow, and even
then flow will be cut off eventually and the valve will have to be
reactuated to restart flow. Thus filling a bucket or the like is
difficult, and use of the faucet with a hose or sprayer is out of
the question.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved proximity-sensing faucet.
[0008] Another object is the provision of such an improved
proximity-sensing faucet which overcomes the above-given
disadvantages, that is which can be used to fill a bucket, but
which still has the advantages of the above-detailed
proximity-sensing faucet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A faucet assembly has according to the invention a faucet
housing having an outlet, a conduit defining a flow path from a
supply of water through the housing to the outlet, an openable and
closable servovalve in the conduit, and an openable and closable
manual valve in the conduit and having a control element movable
between a full-flow open position, an intermediate-flow middle
position, and a no-flow closed position. A position-detecting
switch subassembly mounted on the housing engages the control
element and a proximity detector has a detection field adjacent the
outlet. A controller connected to the proximity detector, to the
switch subassembly, and to the servovalve serves in the closed
position of the element for deactivating the detector and closing
the servovalve. In the middle position of the element the
controller opens the servovalve on detection of an object in the
field of the proximity detector. In the open position of the
element the controller disables the detector and opens the
servovalve.
[0010] Thus with this system when the control element, normally a
lever, is moved into the full-flow position, the motion-detecting
mode set in the middle position is overridden and the manual valve
alone controls flow. The faucet can be used to fill a bucket or can
be connected to a hose if desired without having to worry about the
faucet assembly shutting off the water. At the same time the system
has the advantages of above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,170 of
providing a motion-controlled flow in the medium-flow range while
completely disabling the motion-detecting mode in the fully closed
position to prevent accidental water discharge.
[0011] The supply according to the invention includes a supply of
hot water and a supply of cold water. The manual valve is operable
by movement of the element in one degree of freedom-- normally
pivotally about an upright axis--to control a mix of hot and cold
water delivered to the conduit and in another degree of
freedom--normally pivotally about a horizontal axis--to control the
volume of flow through the conduit. The position-detecting switch
subassembly is only responsive to movement in the other degree of
freedom.
[0012] The faucet assembly further has according to the invention a
stop device having a spring for releasably retaining the element in
the middle position. In the middle position the valve passes
between 5 liter/minute and 7 liter/minute. The servovalve is a
solenoid valve, of the tandem type with a single operating solenoid
when the manual valve is a mixing valve. Upstream of the valves the
passage is provided with a backflow preventer and a filter.
[0013] The position-detecting switch subassembly in accordance with
the invention includes a pair of separate switches mounted in the
housing and separately engageable with the control element. In the
closed position only one of the switches is actuated, in the open
position only the other of the switches is actuated, and in the
middle position neither of the switches is actuated. The control
element can only move through an arc of at most about 4.degree. on
the housing while in the middle position. The control means only
activating the detector for operating the servovalve in a
motion-detecting mode in the middle position. Thus the
motion-detecting mode is only started when the control element is
nearly in the middle position, and is stopped as soon as it is
moved out of this position. Thus any selectable moderately heavy
flow is possible in the manual-operation mode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] The above and other objects, features, and advantages will
become more readily apparent from the following description,
reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a partly diagrammatic vertical section through the
faucet system according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a larger-scale view of the faucet of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a yet larger-scale view of the upper portion of
the faucet in a closed position;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the switch
positions assumed in FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a yet larger-scale view of the upper portion of
the faucet in a partially open position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a section taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;
[0022] FIG. 6a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the switch
positions assumed in FIGS. 5 and 6;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a yet larger-scale view of the upper portion of
the faucet in a fully open position;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;
and
[0025] FIG. 8a is a diagrammatic view illustrating the switch
positions assumed in FIGS. 3 and 4.
SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION
[0026] As seen in FIG. 1 a faucet system according to the invention
has a faucet housing 1 mounted on a counter 6 and having hot- and
cold-water feed lines 11 and 12 down from the housing 1 through a
hole 60 in the counter 6. The downstream ends of these lines 11 and
12 are connected to a standard disk-type valve 2 operated by a
control element 20 having a lever or handle 10. Tipping of the
handle 10 about an axis 26 as shown by arrow 24 controls the
volume/time rate of flow from the lines 11 and 12 to a spout 16
having an outlet 15. Similarly pivoting of the handle 10 about an
upright axis 25 perpendicular to the axis 26 controls the mix of
flow from the two lines 11 and 12 to the outlet 15, that is the
temperature. An infrared detector 5 mounted below the outlet 5 is
connected via a multiconductor line 40 extending down through the
hole 60 to a controller 4. This is all substantially standard.
[0027] According to the invention the housing 1 is fitted with a
switch subassembly 21 comprising a pair of normally open SPST
microswitches 21a and 21b (FIGS. 3 through 8a) operated by the
control element 20 as it is rocked about its axis 26. In addition a
stop device 22 comprised of a spring-loaded ball 27 (FIG. 6)
mounted in the element 20 and a central ball-receiving notch 28 in
the housing 1 is provided that defines for the handle or lever 10 a
center position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6. The switches 21a and
21b are also connected via the control line 40 to the controller 4.
The water-feed lines 11 and 12 have upstream ends connected to
respective control valves 3 (only one shown in FIG. 1) in turn
mounted on respective shutoff valves 7 (only one shown) here
forming part of the standard sources of pressurized hot and cold
water. These valves 3, which can be tandem pilot valves, are
openable by one or more solenoids 30 connected via lines 41 to the
controller 4. Upstream of each valve 3 is a backflow preventer 13
and a particle filter 14.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 4a, when the lever 10 is all the
way down, that is pivoted fully clockwise as shown in FIG. 3, the
element 20 only actuates and closes the microswitch 21a and the
manual valve 2 is fully closed. The positions of the switches 21a
and 21b deactivate the controller 4 so that the sensor 5 is
disabled and, even if something moves in the field immediately in
front of the sensor 5, the valves 3 will remain closed.
[0029] Movement of the lever 10 up into the middle,
intermediate-flow position of FIGS. 5 and 6 will cause the stop 22
to hold the lever 10 and will move the control element 20 between
both of the switches 21a and 21b, allowing both of them to open as
shown in FIG. 6a. This activates the controller 4 while at the same
time partially opening the valve 2. Thus if something moves in the
field of the detector 5, the valves 3 will open and there will be
flow out the outlet 15 at a moderate rate. If the detector 5 senses
nothing, flow will be cut off, normally after a brief delay as
described in the above-discussed U.S. patent. Furthermore if
something remains in the field of the detector 5 for more than a
predetermined amount of time, the controller 4 closes the valves 3
so that the handle 10 has to be returned to the FIG. 3 closed
position and raised again to reactivate the sensor 5. In this
middle position the valve 2 is set to pass between 5 liter/minute
and 7 liter/minute, preferably 6 liter/minute, through the passage
formed by the inlet lines 11 and 12 and the housing 1.
[0030] Further pivoting of the lever 10 up into the
counterclockwise position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will open the
valve 2 to a maximum. This movement will also leave the front
switch 21a open and close the back switch 21b to make the
controller 4 deactivate the sensor 5 while maintaining valves 3
open. Thus flow will continue unimpeded from the outlet 15 whether
or not there is something in the field of the sensor 5. This
position is therefore useful for, for instance, filling a bucket.
Any setting between the intermediate-flow position of FIG. 3 and
the maximum-flow position of FIG. 5 can be used in this
manual-operation mode.
[0031] The switches 21a and 21b are positioned relative to the stop
such that the detector 2 is only actuated when the ball 27 snaps
into the seat 28. Only when the element 20 is within 2.degree. of
this central position or in it are the two switches open as shown
in FIG. 6.
[0032] In addition, although the servovalves 3 are shown to be
upstream of the manual mixing valve 2, this order could be
reversed. Thus a single servovalve 3 could be provided in a flow
passage from the mixing valve 3 and the outlet 15 as described n
above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,170.
[0033] With this faucet, therefore, for normal motion-sensor use
the handle 10 is lifted as shown by arrow 24 to the central latched
position and pivoted as shown by arrow 25 to select the desired
temperature. Then when hands, for instance, are placed under the
outlet 15 in the field of the detector 5, water at the selected
temperature will issue from the outlet 15. If the handle 10 is
pushed down into the FIG. 3 position, no water will come out even
if there is some movement in the field of the detector 5, as for
instance when loading dishes into the sink or cleaning it. In the
opposite end position, with the handle 10 all the way up as in FIG.
7, water will come unimpeded out of the outlet 15 until the faucet
is manually shut off, so that a bucket can be filled or a hose
attached to the outlet 15 can be used.
* * * * *