AUTOMATIC FAUCET AND KITCHEN

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2024/000064, filed on Jan. 5, 2024, which claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-045949, filed Mar. 22, 2023, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an automatic faucet and a kitchen.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2017-66730 (Patent Document 1) discloses an automatic faucet that detects that a container is full of water when discharging water and stops water. In an automatic faucet in Patent Document 1, two distances are simultaneously acquired from a distance sensor, and when one distance is not changed with the elapse of time and the other distance is shortened with the elapse of time, the shortened distance is determined as a distance to a water surface and the distance that is not changed is determined as a distance to an edge of the container. The water is automatically stopped based on a difference between the two distances, and an unintended long-time water discharge is prevented.

SUMMARY

In a device described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to use a sensor capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of distances, and it is difficult to obtain accuracy by simultaneously acquiring the distance between the container and the water surface. In the device described in Patent Document 1, since a change in the liquid level is required, the water cannot be stopped in a state where the container is full of water. In the device described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the measurement cannot be accurately performed when the distance difference between the upper end of the container and the liquid level is small even when the container is not full of water.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described points, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an automatic faucet that can accurately stop the water with a simple structure when being full of water and a kitchen including the automatic faucet.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an automatic faucet including a sensor unit configured to detect a distance to a detection target, a switching unit configured to switch between a water discharge and a water stop, and a control unit configured to control the switching unit according to a detection result of the sensor unit, in which the control unit has an automatic water stop mode in which a mode is switched to the water stop when an amount of variation in a distance for a predetermined time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the automatic faucet according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an automatic water stop mode.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between an elapsed time of water discharge and a water level.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic faucet according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an automatic water stop mode according to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of an automatic faucet and a kitchen of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The following embodiments show one aspect of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can be optionally changed within the scope of a technical idea of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following drawings, in order to make each configuration easy to understand, the scale or the like of each structure is different from that of the actual structure.

First Embodiment of Automatic Faucet 1

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic faucet 1 according to a first embodiment is installed in a sink or the like of a kitchen 40. The automatic faucet 1 may be provided in a washroom, a bathroom, or the like. The automatic faucet 1 is configured to be capable of switching between a water discharge and a water stop of hot and cold water and adjusting a temperature by electric drive.

The automatic faucet 1 includes a switching lever 2, a water discharge pipe 3, an electromagnetic valve 6, a sensor unit 10, and an electromagnetic valve control unit 20. The switching lever 2 and the water discharge pipe 3 are provided at a lower end on a top surface 7A of an edge of a sink 7. The switching lever 2 can switch between the water discharge and the water stop of hot and cold water by manual operation, and switch between hot water and cold water in the water discharge, and the like.

The water discharge pipe 3 has a water discharge port 4 and a light opening unit 5 at a distal end thereof. The water discharge pipe 3 has a U-shape in which the water discharge port 4 faces downward. The water discharge pipe 3 can discharge water sent from a water supply passage 8 from the water discharge port 4. The water discharge port 4 forms an opening for discharging water supplied from the water supply passage 8. The direction of water discharge from the water discharge port 4 is set downward. The direction of water discharge from the water discharge port 4 is set obliquely downward extending in a direction away from the switching lever 2. Water is stored in a container 30 placed in a water receiving tank 7B in the sink 7 by the water supplied from the water supply passage 8 through the water discharge port 4. The container 30 is not particularly limited, and a pot, a bowl, a cup, and a basin are exemplary examples.

The water supply passage 8 is a pipe that supplies water for discharging water from the water discharge port 4. The water supply passage 8 is, for example, a pipe for supplying mixed water obtained by mixing hot water and cold water. The water supply passage 8 may be a pipe that supplies only water. In the following, the pipe will be described as a pipe for supplying water. The water supply passage 8 is provided to sequentially pass through the inside of the water discharge port 4, the water discharge pipe 3, and the sink 7. A distal end of the water supply passage 8 is located at the water discharge port 4. A terminal of the water supply passage 8 is connected to the electromagnetic valve 6.

The electromagnetic valve 6 switches the flow of water to the water supply passage 8. The flow of water to the water supply passage 8 is controlled by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 6. The water discharge and the water stop from the water discharge port 4 can be switched by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 6. The electromagnetic valve 6 corresponds to a switching unit.

The sensor unit 10 is provided at a distal end of the water discharge pipe 3. The sensor unit 10 is provided on the front side of the water discharge port 4 in the water discharge pipe 3. The front side of the water discharge port 4 is a side opposite to the switching lever 2 with respect to the water discharge port 4. The sensor unit 10 is a distance sensor that detects a distance to a detection target. For example, the detection target is a water surface 9 of water stored in the container 30, a dish, a food ingredient, a hand of a user, and the like.

For example, an optical type, an electromagnetic wave type, an ultrasonic type, or the like can be used as the sensor unit 10, and the automatic faucet 1 is equipped with a time of flight (ToF) type distance sensor that detects a distance based on a time it takes for laser light as pulsed and emitted detection light L to reflect the water surface 9 as a detection target and return, and the speed of light.

The automatic faucet 1 is provided at a position where the sensor unit 10 can sense the inside of the sink 7 below the height of the top surface 7A. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 10 includes a light emission unit 11, a light reception unit 12, a computation unit 13, and a ranging control unit 14. The light emission unit 11 emits the detection light L downward through the light opening unit 5 under the control of the ranging control unit 14. The direction in which the detection light Lis emitted is obliquely downward and extends in a direction away from the switching lever 2. The detection light L has a conical shape that expands downward. A positional relationship between a detection range of the detection light L and a water discharge range from the water discharge port 4 is set such that the detection range and the water discharge range do not overlap each other. Due to this positional relationship, since it is possible to prevent the adverse effect of the water discharge, it is possible to perform favorable detection by the sensor unit 10. Although the detection range of the detection light Lis described as being obliquely downward, in a case where the detection range of the detection light L and the water discharge range are in a positional relationship in which the two ranges do not overlap each other, the detection range of the detection light L does not necessarily need to be obliquely downward, and may be directed, for example, vertically downward. In addition, it does not necessarily need to be a positional relationship in a range where the detection range of the detection light L and the water discharge range do not overlap each other as long as the detection can be performed by the sensor unit 10, and a part of the ranges may overlap each other.

The light reception unit 12 receives the detection light L reflected by the detection target through the light opening unit 5. The computation unit 13 performs a calculation using the time when the light emission unit 11 emitted the detection light L acquired from the ranging control unit 14 and the time when the light reception unit 12 received the detection light L acquired from the light reception unit 12 to calculate the distance to the detection target. The computation unit 13 outputs the calculated distance to the detection target to the electromagnetic valve control unit 20.

The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 controls the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 6. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 switches between the water discharge and the water stop by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 6 according to the distance to the detection target detected by the sensor unit 10. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 has an automatic water stop mode that stops the water when detecting that the water stored in the container 30 is full of water when the water is discharged to the container 30, based on the distance to the detection target detected by the sensor unit 10. In the automatic water stop mode, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 switches to the water stop when the amount of variation in the distance to the detection target detected by the sensor unit 10 for the predetermined time is smaller than a predetermined first threshold value. The first threshold value corresponds to the threshold value.

The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 includes, for example, a processor and a storage unit. The processor performs the above-described processing by executing a program stored in the storage unit. The storage unit is configured to include a memory that stores necessary parameters, a program describing the above processing, and the like. The processor is configured to include a processor logically configured to include a hardware circuit such as a microcomputer, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 may execute the above-described functions in cooperation with a plurality of processors and a plurality of storage units.

The automatic water stop mode is normally in operation during water discharge. The automatic water stop mode transitions from the normal operation to the operation end by the operation of the user. As the operation by the user to end the automatic water stop mode, an instruction to end the automatic water stop mode by voice, and matching a distance detected by the sensor unit 10 by placing a hand below the light opening unit 5 with a start pattern of the automatic water stop mode set in advance are exemplary examples. In a case where the automatic water stop mode is ended by placing the hand below the light opening unit 5, the sensor unit 10 is provided on the front side of the water discharge port 4 in the water discharge pipe 3. Therefore, the distance of moving the hand below the light opening unit 5 is short, and the automatic water stop mode can be quickly ended.

In the automatic water stop mode, an operation of detecting that the water stored in the container 30 is full of water by the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 based on the distance to the detection target detected by the sensor unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the automatic water stop mode is started, in step S1, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 acquires the distance detected by the sensor unit 10.

In step S2, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines whether or not the faucet discharges water, and in a case where the faucet does not discharge water, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 stops the automatic water stop mode.

The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 acquires the distance detected by the sensor unit 10, when it is determined in step S2 that the faucet discharges water, it is determined in step S3 whether or not the distance is acquired for the predetermined time. When the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that the distance is not acquired for the predetermined time, the process returns to step S1 and the processing after the acquisition of the distance is executed. As shown in FIG. 4, the water level of the water that is discharged and stored in the container 30 rises according to the elapsed time from the start of the water discharge until the container 30 is full of water, and the distance to the water surface 9 detected by the sensor unit 10 is shortened.

In step S3, in a case where the distance is acquired for the predetermined time, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 calculates the amount of variation in the distance in step S4. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines in step S5 whether or not the calculated amount of variation in the distance is less than a first threshold value. In a case where the calculated amount of variation in the distance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, since the container 30 is not yet full of water, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 and executes the processing after the acquisition of the distance.

In a case where the calculated amount of variation in the distance is less than the first threshold value, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines whether or not the variation in the distance less than the first threshold value occurs a plurality of times in a row for the predetermined time in step S6. In a case where the variation less than the first threshold value does not occur a plurality of times in a row for the predetermined time, since the container 30 is not yet full of water, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 and executes the processing after the acquisition of the distance. The determination of whether or not the container is full of water is not limited to the determination of whether or not the variation in the distance less than the first threshold value occurs a plurality of times in a row for the predetermined time, and may be the determination of whether or not the variation in the distance occurs a single time. For the determination of whether or not the container is full of water, for example, a determination using a statistical method such as probability may be performed when a variation less than the first threshold value occurs four times out of five times.

The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 sets a predetermined time for detecting the amount of variation W in the distance to the water surface 9 in order to detect with high accuracy that the amount of variation W in the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 is smaller than the first threshold value for the predetermined time. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 sets, as the predetermined time, an elapsed time ΔT at which the amount of variation in the distance becomes smaller than the first threshold value for the predetermined elapsed time, after the amount of variation ΔH in the distance is greater than the first threshold value during the water level rises before the amount of variation in the distance becomes smaller than the first threshold value for the predetermined elapsed time in the automatic water stop mode.

After the amount of variation in the distance is smaller than the first threshold value for the predetermined time, it is preferable that the amount of variation W in the distance in a state where water overflows from the container 30 is ideally zero, but varies due to the water surface fluctuation and the measurement error. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 uses the average value of the detected n distances and uses the difference between the average values to reduce the amount of variation W. In a case where the average value is not used, the amount of variation W is increased, and the predetermined time ΔT is increased in order to distinguish the amount of variation W from ΔH described later. By using the average value, the predetermined time can be shortened. Although a case where the average value is used is described as an example, the present disclosure is not limited to the case where the average value is used, and a statistical method such as probability may be used. Even in this case, the predetermined time can be shortened as in a case where the average value is used.

The amount of variation ΔH in the distance while the water level rises before the amount of variation in the distance becomes smaller than the first threshold value for the predetermined time is ideally a linear function. For example, when a cross-sectional area of the container 30 from which water is discharged from the water discharge pipe 3 is A [cm²], the amount of water discharge is B [L/min], and an initial water level is C [cm], a water level Y [cm] after X [min] is represented by the following Equation (1). The maximum cross-sectional area A and the amount of water discharge B are set for each automatic faucet 1.

Y=(B/A)×X×1000+C  (1)

When the amount of variation w due to the water surface fluctuation and the measurement error is added to Equation (1), the following Equation (2) is obtained.

ΔH=ΔY−w  (2)

In a state where water overflows from the container 30, the amount of variation w is the same as or smaller than the amount of variation W because the water level fluctuation on the rising side due to the surface tension is added.

In a case where the calculated amount of variation in the distance is less than the first threshold value, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that the container is full of water stored in the container 30 in a case where the variation less than the first threshold value occurs a plurality of times in a row for the predetermined time in step S6. For example, when the amount of variation W for 0.5 seconds is less than 0.6 mm and occurs three times in a row, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that an overflow occurs and the container is full of water, and switches to the water stop through the electromagnetic valve 6 in step S7. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 notifies the user of the fact that the container is full of water stored in the container 30 and the water is stopped due to the overflow, for example, by voice in step S8.

In the automatic faucet 1, since the automatic faucet 1 is switched to the water stop when the amount of variation in the distance for the predetermined time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than the predetermined first threshold value, the automatic water stop can be executed without detecting the distance to the container 30 with only one detection target by the sensor unit 10. In the automatic faucet 1, even in a case where the container 30 is full of water and the distance is not shortened due to the elapsed time of water discharge, the automatic water stop can be executed by detecting that the amount of variation W in the distance is smaller than the first threshold value. In the automatic faucet 1, it is possible to accurately stop the water when the container is full of water with a simple structure, and to prevent unintentional long-time water discharge when water is discharged.

In the automatic faucet 1, after the amount of variation ΔH in the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 for the predetermined elapsed time while the water level rises is greater than the first threshold value, the elapsed time ΔT in which the amount of variation W in the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 in a state where water overflows from the container 30 in a predetermined elapsed time is smaller than a first threshold value is set as the predetermined time. Therefore, for example, even in a case where the amount of variation ΔH in the distance while the amount of water discharge is small and the water level rises is small, it is possible to detect that the container is full of water with high accuracy and switch to the water stop.

Second Embodiment of Automatic Faucet 1

A second embodiment of an automatic faucet 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements as constituent elements of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic faucet 1 includes a flowmeter 21. The flowmeter 21 is disposed between the water discharge pipe 3 and the electromagnetic valve 6. The flowmeter 21 measures the flow rate of water supplied to the water discharge pipe 3 and discharged. The flowmeter 21 outputs the measured flow rate to the electromagnetic valve control unit 20. Although an example in which the flowmeter 21 is disposed between the water discharge pipe 3 and the electromagnetic valve 6 will be described, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, the flowmeter 21 may be disposed at another position as long as the flow rate of water supplied to the water discharge pipe 3 and discharged can be measured, between the electromagnetic valve 6 and the electromagnetic valve control unit 20. Other configurations are the same as those of the automatic faucet 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 acquires the distance detected by the sensor unit 10 in step S1, then determines whether or not the faucet discharges water in step S2, and ends the automatic water stop mode in a case where the faucet does not discharge water. When the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that the faucet discharges water in step S2, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 acquires the flow rate measured by the flowmeter 21 in step S11. The acquisition of the flow rate and the acquisition of the distance may be in the reverse order.

In step S12, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines whether or not the flow rate is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, and in a case where the flow rate is less than the second threshold value, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 and continues the acquisition of the distance. By the determination in step S12, it is possible to prevent an erroneous water stop during a significantly low flow rate such as the water flow thawing.

In a case where the flow rate is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 sets the first threshold value of the amount of variation in the distance according to the flow rate in step S13. After setting the first threshold value, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines in step S3 whether or not the distance is acquired for the predetermined time. When the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that the distance is not acquired for the predetermined time, the process returns to step S1 and the processing after the acquisition of the distance is executed.

In step S3, in a case where the distance is acquired for the predetermined time, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 calculates the amount of variation in the distance in step S4. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines whether or not the amount of variation in the distance is less than the set first threshold value in step S5. In a case where the calculated amount of variation in the distance is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, since the container 30 is not yet full of water, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 and executes the processing after the acquisition of the distance. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 may set a predetermined time ΔT for taking a difference according to the flow rate in addition to the first threshold value of the amount of variation in the distance, or may set both the first threshold value and the predetermined time ΔT.

In the automatic faucet 1 of the first embodiment, by increasing the predetermined time ΔT, it is possible to cope with a low flow rate. However, when the predetermined time ΔT is set to correspond to the low flow rate, there is a problem in that the determination time is increased when the flow rate is increased. In the automatic faucet 1 of the second embodiment, an effect of changing the predetermined time ΔT according to the flow rate is exemplary example. In the automatic faucet 1 of the second embodiment, the problem in that the determination time is increased according to the low flow rate can be solved by making the predetermined time ΔT when the flow rate is high shorter than the predetermined time ΔT when the flow rate is low.

In step S6, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines whether or not the amount of variation smaller than the first threshold value of the distance for the predetermined time occurs a plurality of times in a row. In a case where the amount of variation smaller than the first threshold value of the distance for the predetermined time does not occur a plurality of times in a row, since the container 30 is not yet full of water, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 returns to step S1 and executes the processing after the acquisition of the distance.

In a case where the amount of variation smaller than the first threshold value of the distance for the predetermined time occurs a plurality of times in a row, the electromagnetic valve control unit 20 determines that the container is full of water stored in the container 30. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 switches to the water stop through the electromagnetic valve 6 in step S7. The electromagnetic valve control unit 20 notifies the user of the fact that the container is full of water stored in the container 30 and the water is stopped due to the overflow, for example, by voice in step S8.

In the automatic faucet 1, in addition to obtaining the same actions and effects as in the first embodiment, the erroneous water stop when the flow rate is low can be prevented by setting the first threshold value of the amount of variation in the distance according to the flow rate.

Although preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the examples according to the present disclosure. The shape, combination, and the like of each of the constituent members described in the above-described examples are examples, and can be variously changed based on design requirements and the like without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

For example, in the automatic faucet 1, the configuration has been described in which the time for detecting the water level fluctuation and the first threshold value of the distance for determining the overflow are set in advance, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The time for detecting the water level fluctuation and the first threshold value of the distance for determining the overflow may be configured to be reset from the external device, for example.

In the automatic faucet 1, the configuration in which the notification to the user after the water stop is by voice is exemplary example, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. The notification to the user may be performed using other notification means such as a buzzer or light emission of an LED.

The notification to the user in the automatic faucet 1 is not limited to the configuration of notifying the user through the visual and auditory senses. For example, changing a method of discharging water, such as changing the flow rate, changing the temperature, and switching between a straight water discharge and a shower water discharge, changing the purified water and the raw water, and notification to the external device may be used.

The present disclosure includes the following aspects.

• • [1] An automatic faucet includes a sensor unit configured to detect a distance to a detection target, a switching unit configured to switch between a water discharge and a water stop, and a control unit configured to control the switching unit according to a detection result of the sensor unit, in which the control unit has an automatic water stop mode in which a mode is switched to the water stop when an amount of variation in a distance for a predetermined time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.
  • [2] The automatic faucet according to [1], in which the control unit switches a mode to the water stop when the amount of variation in the distance for the predetermined time detected by the sensor unit is smaller than the threshold value a plurality of times in a row in the automatic water stop mode.
  • [3] The automatic faucet according to [1] or [2], in which the control unit sets, as the predetermined time, the elapsed time at which the amount of variation in the distance becomes greater than the threshold value before the amount of variation in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value for a predetermined elapsed time, and the amount of variation in the distance becomes smaller than the threshold value for the predetermined elapsed time in the automatic water stop mode.
  • [4] The automatic faucet according to [3], in which the control unit calculates the amount of variation in the distance before the amount of variation in the distance for the predetermined time becomes smaller than the threshold value, according to a cross-sectional area of a container to which water is discharged.
  • [5] The automatic faucet according to any one of [1] to [4], in which the control unit switches a mode to the water stop when the amount of variation in the distance for the predetermined time detected by the sensor unit in the automatic water stop mode is smaller than the threshold value set according to a cross-sectional area of a container to which water is discharged.
  • [6] The automatic faucet according to any one of [1] to [5], the automatic faucet further includes a water discharge pipe configured to include a water discharge port, in which the sensor unit is provided on a front side of the water discharge port in the water discharge pipe.
  • [7] A kitchen includes the automatic faucet according to any one of [1] to [6] and a sink, in which a lower end of the automatic faucet is provided on a top surface of an edge of the sink.
  • [8] The kitchen according to [7], in which the automatic faucet is provided at a position where the sensor unit is configured to sense an inside of the sink below a height of the top surface.