U.S. patent application number 13/346595 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for cabinet door operated faucet valve.
The applicant listed for this patent is Soheyl Derakhshan. Invention is credited to Soheyl Derakhshan.
Application Number | 20130174926 13/346595 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48743075 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174926 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Derakhshan; Soheyl |
July 11, 2013 |
Cabinet Door Operated Faucet Valve
Abstract
A manifold containing a set of hydraulically operated valves,
interposed between a water supply line and an existing faucet and
actuated by one or more pilot valves mounted on the sink cabinet
door frame or in toe kick area of a cabinet, will provide
instantaneous control of water flow from an existing sink faucet.
The controlling pilot valves are easily mounted on the cabinet door
frame or in the form of pressure sensitive valves mounted to the
toe kick area of the cabinet. Slight knee pressure on the door or a
gentle toe pressure on these controlling pilot valves opens the
valves manifold and water flow through the faucet.
Inventors: |
Derakhshan; Soheyl; (San
Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Derakhshan; Soheyl |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48743075 |
Appl. No.: |
13/346595 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/606 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/052 20130101;
E03C 1/055 20130101; Y10T 137/87684 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/606 |
International
Class: |
E03B 1/00 20060101
E03B001/00 |
Claims
1. An automatic control system for a faucet of a sink comprising: a
valve manifold adapted to be disposed beneath said sink, inside a
cabinet frame having a pair hinged doors mounted thereon, said
valve manifold having a plurality of supply inlet ports adapted to
communicate with hot and cold water supply lines, a plurality of
supply outlet ports adapted to communicate with hot and cold water
faucet connecting lines for delivering hot and cold water to the
faucet of said sink, and a pair of hydraulically actuated valves
and a dual check valve connected in parallel for controlling the
flow of water to said supply outlet ports, a first of said
hydraulically actuated valves adapted to control hot water flow and
a second of said hydraulically actuated valves adapted to control
cold water flow where each of said hydraulically actuated valves
adapted to communicate hydraulically with the inlet port of at
least one normally closed pilot valve; at least one hydraulically
actuated valve is adapted to selectively complete the communication
between said valve and the normally closed pilot valve inlet port,
whereby, upon completion of said communication, said valve manifold
simultaneously opens to allow the flow of water to the faucet; at
least one pilot valve including a latching valve that upon being
activated the first time maintains completion of the communication
between said valve and at least one hydraulically actuated valve;
and a second pilot valve in connection with said valve manifold
being a momentarily non-latching valve and being separate from said
latching valve for separate activation, wherein: each of said doors
are in communication with a respective one of said pilot valves,
whereby either of said pilot valves is activated by applying
pressure to an associated one of said doors; each of said pilot
valve output ports adapted to communicate with the inlet port of a
dual check valve adapted to allow water connection between pilot
valve output ports and at least one valve manifold faucet output
ports; and said valve manifold includes a diversionary valve
adapted to allow water in said valve manifold to bypass at least
one hydraulically actuate-able valve and flow to at least one of
the hot or cold water faucet connecting lines.
2. The automatic control system of claim 1, wherein said manifold
valve includes a manually operable diversionary valve.
3. The automatic control system of claim 1, wherein said manifold
valve includes a dual check valve in communication with at least
one valve manifold output port and a pilot valve output port.
4. The automatic control system of claim 1, wherein: said valve
manifold is adapted to be disposed beneath said sink inside a
cabinet frame having a pair of hinged doors mounted thereon; at
least one pilot valve adapted to be mounted to the cabinet frame;
at least one of said doors including an internal surface facing the
inside of the cabinet and adapted to contact at least one pilot
valve when at least one door is substantially closed; and at least
one pilot valve adapted to be activated by the internal surface of
at least one door when pressure is applied to an external surface
of at least one door.
5. The automatic control system of claim 4, wherein at least one
pilot valve includes a latching pilot valve that upon being
activated the first time maintains completion of the communication
of said fluid and said valve block until the pilot valve is
reactivated.
6. The automatic control system of claim 4, wherein at least one
pilot valve includes a momentarily non-latching valve.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to sink faucets and
more specifically to an automatic valve control system for remotely
activating a water faucet.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Remote and automatic control of a sink faucet goes back many
years. In early years the use of photo cells and foot pedal were
common and more recently the use of electronic proximity switches
has become wide spread. The introduction of numerous electronic
controlled faucets in recent years points to the need for a
functionally multipurpose remote and automatic sink faucet control
system. Besides the protection from transfer of bacteria and the
convenience of hand free operation, the water saving potential and
capability of a reliable, low maintenance, functional system will
make such a device a necessity rather than a luxury.
[0005] Unfortunately the electronic and foot pedal variation of
faucet control valves have demonstrated many limitations and
shortfalls, making the need for a more practical and user friendly
device for households even more apparent. The existing electronic
version of the faucet control valve limits its use for simple hand
washing applications. It's indiscriminate actuation by sensing an
object makes this type of valve faucet useless for any other
application that requires instantaneous on/off control of water
flow. The uncontrolled and indiscriminate actuation by a proximity
or motion sensing devices make simple tasks such as dish washing,
clothes washing, or even sink washing a self defeating act. Other
disadvantages of electronic faucets are the lack of control over
the water flow and ability to override the system. In case of power
failure, these units can only rely on limited storage capacity of
the battery cells.
[0006] Furthermore, because the components of electronic faucets
are interdependent and inseparable, they replace the existing
faucet without making any use of it. Also because of extensive
electronic circuitry and its related high cost, plus their
functional limitation, the electronic faucets are most suitable
only for newly built public hand washing facilities where high cost
any limitations are not of any major concern.
[0007] Similarly, the floor mounted foot pedal is an obtrusive
device, difficult to use and to install and requires extensive
plumbing changes. The foot pedals bulky space-taking body makes
floor cleaning difficult and becomes an obstacle to foot traffic.
Its use by the elderly and some physically impaired individuals is
also limited. Due to extensive plumbing changes and its related
high cost, foot pedal sink faucet controls are only suitable for
institutional use. The impracticality, inconvenience, difficulty of
installation, and high cost of existing devices necessitates the
need for a new device that is practical, responsive, easy to use,
easy to install, and low cost.
[0008] To work in the consumer market an automatic faucet control
system must be a retrofitted appliance sold as a kit to be
installed, which uses the existing plumbing and fixtures, and is
responsive to almost every demand that one may expect from a
faucet. To accommodate the existing plumbing and accessories such
as water filters, ice makers, and auxiliary water heaters, the
system inlet ports must be numerous and strategically placed for
all conceivable connecting situations. The low cost,
user-friendliness, and ease of installation would play a crucial
role in success of such a product. To be practical it should be
possible for the consumer to override the automation easily and
conveniently in case of failure, the consumer must be able to
bypass the system with ease.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The instant invention fulfills the above stated needs by
providing an after market retrofitted faucet control system which
is mounted under the sink, on the wall, and directly under the
existing faucet. The invention features two or more normally closed
hydraulically operated valve input ports connected by way of two
standard tubes to the water supply hot and cold valves. The valves
output ports are then connected to the existing faucet and or a
hand held sprayer. In addition to the main input and output ports,
the manifold possesses two additional in and out ports by means of
two flexible tubes connected to a pilot valve or valves mounted
behind the cabinet doorframe or toe kick area of the cabinet. To
activate the system a slight knee pressure on the cabinet doors or
slight foot pressure on the pilot valve housing in the toe kick
area of the cabinet, causes the normally closed pilot valve to
open, in turn causing the hydraulically operated valves to open
allowing water to flow freely to the valve block output ports and
through the existing faucet as its setting permits. The
instantaneous on-off control of water flow is accomplished by the
normally closed push button pilot valves connected to the right,
left, or both cabinet doorframes or in the toe kick area. The
continuous water flow is accomplished by a push button latchable
pilot valve connected to the right or left cabinet doorframe or in
the toe kick area of the cabinet. To latch the pilot valve a slight
knee pressure is applied to the left or right cabinet door. In
latched mode, the hydraulically operated valve remains open
indefinitely and the faucet works conventionally. The user can
manipulate the water flow manually and conventionally or terminate
the flow by applying a second knee pressure to the left cabinet
door or by turning the faucet manually to the off position. It
should be also recognized that the flexibility of this device also
permits the use of other pilot valve mounting configurations and
locations. To child proof the system all that is necessary is to
close the sink faucet manually. In this case if a child exerts
pressure on the cabinet door or toe kick valve, the valve block
will open but the closed sink faucet restricts water flow.
[0010] The preceding Summary is intended to serve as a brief
introduction to some embodiments of the invention. It is not meant
to be an introduction or overview of all inventive subject matter
disclosed in this document. The Detailed Description that follows
and the Drawings (or "Figures" or "FIGs.") that are referred to in
the Detailed Description will further describe the embodiments
described in the Summary as well as other embodiments. Accordingly,
to understand all the embodiments described by this document, a
full review of the Summary, Detailed Description and the Drawings
is needed. Moreover, the claimed subject matter is not to be
limited by the illustrative details in the Summary, Detailed
Description and the Drawings, but rather is to be defined by the
appended claims, because the claimed subject matter may be embodied
in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art, hand or
dishwasher sink cabinet, faucet, plumbing, and the sink shown with
the cabinet door open;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cabinet, faucet,
plumbing, and the sink shown in FIG. 1 retrofitted with an
automatic hydraulically operated faucet control system constructed
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view, partially broken away, of the
retrofitted faucet, showing the hydraulically controlled valves
interposed between the main supply line and the sink faucet;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a top view of the sink cabinet of FIG. 2
indicating the position of the controlling pilot valves;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hydraulically controlled
valve manifold for controlling the faucet showing the approximate
locations of diaphragm chamber and the check valves;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken through line 6-6 of
FIG. 5 showing a dual diaphragm chamber assembly, having a single
diaphragm chamber output port and its connection to the valve block
17;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross section view taken through line 7-7 of
FIG. 5 showing a dual check valve assembly and its connection to
the valve block 17;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross section view taken through line 8-8 of
FIG. 5 showing the passage ways, ports, and the elements of
solenoid valve block;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the retrofit sink cabinet
shown in FIG. 2 having the cabinet doors open to show the
approximate location of the pilot valves on the cabinet doorframe
and kick valve in the toe kick area of the sink cabinet;
[0020] FIG. 10 is the faucet connection diagram for a retrofitted
faucet, showing the hydraulically controlled valves interposed
between the main supply line and the sink faucet, having a single
pilot valve for controlling water flow; and
[0021] FIG. 11 is the faucet connection diagram for a retrofitted
faucet, showing the hydraulically controlled valves interposed
between the main supply line and the sink faucet, showing multiple
pilot valves for controlling water flow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, a typical sink cabinet is shown in
FIG. 1. Having bowl 1, faucet valve 2, 3 under the sink cabinet
doors 4, 5, water supply valve gland nuts 6, 7, connecting tubes 8,
9 and upper door frame 10. In FIG. 1 it can be seen that,
conventionally, the sink faucet valve 2, 3 are connected by means
of tubes 8, 9 to the supply valve gland nuts 6, 7. FIG. 1 also
shows the upper door frame 10 to which cabinet doors 4, 5 are
rested upon while closed.
[0023] To install the present invention, the gland nuts 6, 7 are
first removed as shown in FIG. 3. The valve body inlet ports 11, 12
are connected through supply tubes 15, 16 to the water supply valve
gland nuts 6, 7. The faucet connecting tubes 8, 9 are then
connected to the valve body outlet ports 13, 14 of valve manifold
17. The controlling pilot valve which take the form of latching
pilot valve 21 and a momentarily pilot valve 22 are then fastened
to the upper door frame 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
4. The pilot valves 21, 22 input ports are connected in parallel to
valve manifold 17, chamber output port 32 (see FIG. 12) by means of
tube 42. Similarly, pilot valves 21, 22 and output ports 41 are
connected in parallel to valve manifold 17 and check valve input
port 33 by means of connecting tube 43.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4 the pilot valves 21, 22 are provided at
the forward end of the cabinet, immediately adjacent to the cabinet
doors. When pilot valves 21, 22 are in their closed inactivated
position, they cause the associated cabinet doors to jut slightly
outward (FIG. 4). By applying a gentle pressure with ones knee to
the cabinet door the corresponding pilot valve will open. As shown
in FIG. 2, 11 the pilot valves 21, 22 maybe replaced or be
complemented by a toe pressure sensitive valve 52 that can be
mounted on the exterior surface of the cabinet toe kick area.
[0025] In the embodiment, the controlling pilot valves 21, 22, and
52 shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 11 are normally closed push button
valves which, the controlling valve 21 is a latching valve and the
controlling valve 22 is a momentarily pilot valve. In the
alternative embodiments of the invention, the opposite may be true,
only one of the above type of valves may be used, or, which will
become better understood below, one or more of these types of
valves and a different type of valve maybe installed on a cabinet,
giving the user more selectivity.
[0026] The controlling valves 21, 22 are preferably connected to a
central portion of the inside upper door frame 10, inside of the
cabinet. Although the controlling valves are shown near the center
of the inside upper door frame, it will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that controlling valves 21, 22 may be
positioned in other locations on the inside upper door frame 10
other then that shown and may be fastened to other elements of a
cabinet other than that shown. For example, but not by way of
limitation, the controlling valves 21, 22 may be connected to the
inside of the cabinet floor immediately behind the cabinet doors
not shown.
[0027] The valves 21, 22 should be located so that when a user
applies a gentle pressure with his or her knee to the exterior
surfaces of the cabinet doors, when the doors are substantially
closed, this pressure will cause the corresponding normally closed
valve 21, 22 to open. With reference to FIG. 2, in an alternative
embodiment of the invention, a modified version of valves 21, 22 is
shown as toe kick valve 52, that can replace or compliment valve
21, 22 on the door frame 10, to give the user more selectivity.
[0028] As it is shown in FIG. 6, 8, the water inlet port 11, 12
through passageways 27, 28 are in direct irrigational communication
with diaphragm chambers 19, 20. As it can be seen in FIG. 6, the
lower diaphragm chambers 27, 28, through the orifice 29 of
diaphragm 50, 51 are in direct communication with upper diaphragm
chamber 19, 20 and through passageways 30, 31 with diaphragm
chamber output port 32. Also so as it can be seen in FIG. 6, in
inactivated mode the fluid communication between passageways, 27,
28 and 23, 24 are blocked at points 56, 57 by the action of
diaphragm 50, 51, preventing any fluid communication between valve
block input port 11, 12 and output ports 13, 14.
[0029] In reference to FIG. 7, the dual check valve 35 input port
33, through passageway 44 is blocked by the action of spring loaded
balls 36 and is denied free irrigational communication through
passageways 45, 46 and 39, 34 and 23, 24 with the valve block 17
output port 13,14 (see FIG. 7). Similarly and inversely, any fluid
communication between valve manifold output port 13, 14 and check
valve input port 33 are blocked by the action of spring loaded
balls 36 (see FIG. 7).
[0030] As it can be seen in exemplary circuit diagram 10, the
diaphragm chamber output port 32 is connected by means tube 42 to
pilot valve 21 input port 40. Similarly the pilot valve 21 output
port 41 is connected by tube 43 to check valve 35 input port 33. In
an inactivated mode, the diaphragm chamber output port 32, is
blocked by the action of normally closed pilot valves 21, 22 FIG.
2, 10. Fluid pressure from inlet ports 11, 12 (see FIG. 6), flow
through passageways 27, 28 and diaphragm orifice 29, pressurizing
diaphragm chamber 19, 20. The pressurized fluid in the upper
chamber 19, 20 forces down diaphragm 50, 51 against solenoid output
port passageways 23, 24 at points 56, 57 denying free irrigational
communications between valve block 17 inlet ports 11,12 and output
ports 13, 14 (see FIG. 6).
[0031] To activate valve block 17 to water flow, pilot valve 21 or
22 FIG. 10 is opened to flow as it was explained previously. Once
the valve 21 or 22 is opened, the diaphragm chambers 19, 20 are
simultaneously depressurized. Greater fluid pressure in diaphragm
lower chamber 27, 28 FIG. 6 forces the diaphragm 50, 51 upward
causing simultaneous fluid communication between valve block 17
inlet ports 11, 12 and output ports 13, 14. Also, as it is shown in
FIG. 10, once the pilot valves 21, 22 or 52 are opened as described
previously the fluid discharge from diaphragm chambers 19, 20 is
channeled through pilot valve output port 41 and through tube 43 to
dual check valve input port 33 where it pushes one or both check
valve balls 36 (see FIG. 7) open, discharging the water from
diaphragm chamber 19, 20 into valve block 17 passageways 23, 24 and
ultimately to the output ports 13,14 where it is discharged through
the open faucet valves 2, 3 (see FIGS. 7,8 and 10).
[0032] Similarly, the needle valves 64, 65 and the controlling
knobs 74, 75 of FIG. 8 control the manual operation of the
invention. In the event of a malfunction or consumer
desire/preference to operate faucet manually and conventionally,
the needle valves 64, 65 through passageways 67, 68 allows free
communication between inlet ports 11,12 and the output ports 13,14
of valve block 17. The needle valves function and its passageways
between the inlet ports 11, 12 and outlet ports 13, 14 can be seen
in FIG. 8.
[0033] FIG. 8 also shows two cylindrical cavities 61 sealed by a
removable screw cap 60 each containing one piston 63 having o-ring
62 as a seal and being pushed forward against cap 60 by the action
of the calibrated springs 70. This arrangement will provide a shock
absorbing environment to minimize the hammering action and related
noises that maybe generated by the sudden closing action of
diaphragm 19, 20. The sudden shock caused by the closing action of
diaphragm 19, 20 passes through passageways 69 and causes piston 63
to move against the force of springs 70 thus absorbing the shock
and hammering effect of sudden closure.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 4 the pilot valves 21, 22 are provided at
the forward end of the cabinet, immediately adjacent the cabinet
doors. When pilot valves 21, 22 are in their closed inactivated
position, they cause the associated cabinet doors to jut slightly
outward (FIG. 4). By applying a gentle pressure with ones knee to
the cabinet door the corresponding pilot valve will open. As shown
in FIG. 2, 11 the pilot valves 21, 23 maybe replaced or be
complemented by a toe pressure sensitive valve 52 that can be
mounted on the exterior surface of the cabinet toe kick area. This
advantageous embodiment immediately makes the user aware that the
sink faucet is equipped with an automatic faucet valve system.
[0035] The illustrated embodiment is exemplary in nature and many
of the details thereof could be modified without departure from the
spirit and the scope of the present invention. For example, the
internal configuration of the valve block can be changed. The
general shape of the system could also be different. For example,
two separate blocks verses one, each containing a hydraulically
actuated valve and a diversionary valve. Style-wise, the inlet or
output ports may be configured differently. To reduce consumer cost
the shock-absorbing portion maybe simplified or eliminated. The
essential elements of the invention are a dual hydraulically
operated valve block with separate inlet-outlet ports and a
manually operable diversionary valve to be operated by two or more
pilot valves mounted on the cabinet door frame, cabinet inside
floor or toe kick area and the retrofit nature of the design in
which the valves are interposed between the existing faucet and
fresh water supply valves. The arrangement of the present invention
makes the automatic valve control system very advantageously easy
to install, even by non-plumber consumer. Its simplicity and
minimal parts make it inexpensive and its practicality and easy of
operation will encourage its use. Those of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that other changes and modifications can be
made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *