REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR FAUCET, CONTROL METHOD, AND SMART HOME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of smart homes, and in particular to a remote control device for a faucet, a control method, and a smart home management system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the advancement of intelligent control and digitalization, traditional mechanical components can hardly satisfy user demands. Moreover, requirements from consumers for public hygiene gradually increase in recent years. For instance, users prefer touchless control components for kitchens and bathrooms, such as sensor faucets.

However, existing numerical control solutions require complete replacement of existing mechanical faucets, resulting in relatively high replacement costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a remote control device and control method for a faucet, and a smart home management system, to easily upgrade an existing mechanical faucet to a sensor faucet.

In order to achieve the above objective, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a remote control device for a faucet. The remote control device includes: a control box including a water inlet and a first water outlet in communication with the faucet; and a remote control switch wirelessly connected to the control box and configured to send a first remote control instruction to the control box in response to a first set signal, to control the first water outlet to be opened or closed.

Optionally, the remote control switch includes an infrared sensor. The first set signal is a gesture signal. The remote control switch sends the first remote control instruction in a case where the infrared sensor obtains the gesture signal.

Optionally, the first remote control instruction includes a first opening instruction to open the first water outlet and a first closing instruction to close the first water outlet. The remote control switch further includes: a timer configured to return to zero and start timing each time the infrared sensor obtains the gesture signal, and stop timing and return to zero in a case where the infrared sensor does not obtain the gesture signal again within a first set time after obtaining the gesture signal; and a counter configured to count a number of times when the infrared sensor obtains the gesture signal, and return to zero in a case where the timer stops timing. The remote control switch sends the first opening instruction to the control box in a case where the infrared sensor obtains the gesture signal at an odd number of times. The remote control switch sends the first closing instruction to the control box in a case where the infrared sensor obtains the gesture signal at an even number of times or does not obtain the gesture signal again within the first set time after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times.

Optionally, the remote control switch is further wirelessly connected to a garbage disposer and configured to send a second remote control instruction to the garbage disposer in response to a second set signal, to control the garbage disposer to be turned on or off.

Optionally, the remote control switch further includes a button. The second set signal is a press signal. The remote control switch sends the second remote control instruction in a case where the button obtains the press signal.

Optionally, the button includes a touch button or a mechanical button.

Optionally, the second remote control instruction includes a second turn-on instruction to turn on the garbage disposer and a second turn-off instruction to turn off the garbage disposer. The remote control switch further sends the first remote control instruction to the control box in response to the second set signal. The remote control switch sends, in a case where the button obtains the press signal at an odd number of times, the first opening instruction to the control box and sends the second turn-on instruction after a second set time. The remote control switch sends, in a case where the button obtains the press signal at an even number of times or does not obtain the press signal again within a third set time after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box and sends the first closing instruction after a fourth set time.

Optionally, the second remote control instruction includes a second turn-on instruction to turn on the garbage disposer and a second turn-off instruction to turn off the garbage disposer. The control box further includes a second water outlet in communication with the garbage disposer. The remote control switch further sends a third remote control instruction to the control box in response to the second set signal. The third remote control instruction includes a third opening instruction to open the second water outlet and a third closing instruction to close the second water outlet. The remote control switch sends, in a case where the button obtains the press signal at an odd number of times, the third opening instruction to the control box and sends the second turn-on instruction after a second set time. The remote control switch sends, in a case where the button obtains the press signal at an even number of times or does not obtain the press signal again within a third set time after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box and sends the third closing instruction after a fourth set time.

Optionally, the control box further includes a mode switch. The mode switch is configured to switch the control box to a bypass mode or a remote control mode. In the bypass mode, the first water outlet is in a normally open state. In the remote control mode, the first water outlet is opened or closed in response to the first remote control instruction.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a smart home management system. The smart home management system includes a faucet and the above remote control device for a faucet.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a control method for a faucet. The control method includes: sending a first remote control instruction to a control box in response to a first set signal, where the control box includes a water inlet and a first water outlet in communication with the faucet, and the first remote control instruction includes a first opening instruction to open the first water outlet and a first closing instruction to close the first water outlet; sending, in a case where the first set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the first opening instruction to the control box, to control the first water outlet to be opened; and sending, in a case where the first set signal is obtained at an even number of times or the first set signal is not obtained within a first set time after a gesture signal is obtained at the odd number of times, the first closing instruction to the control box, to control the first water outlet to be closed.

Optionally, the control method further includes: sending, in response to a second set signal, the first remote control instruction to the control box and a second remote control instruction to a garbage disposer, where the second remote control instruction includes a second turn-on instruction to turn on the garbage disposer and a second turn-off instruction to turn off the garbage disposer; sending, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the first opening instruction to the control box, and sending the second turn-on instruction after a second set time, to control the first water outlet to be opened and the garbage disposer to be turned on; and sending, in a case where the button obtains the second set signal at an even number of times or does not obtain the second set signal again within a third set time after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box, and sending the first closing instruction after a fourth set time, to control the first water outlet to be closed and the garbage disposer to be turned off.

Optionally, the control box further includes a second water outlet in communication with the garbage disposer. The control method further includes: sending, in response to the second set signal, the second remote control instruction to the garbage disposer and a third remote control instruction to the control box, where the third remote control instruction includes a third opening instruction to open the second water outlet and a third closing instruction to close the second water outlet; sending, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the third opening instruction to the control box, and sending the second turn-on instruction after the second set time, to control the second water outlet to be opened and the garbage disposer to be turned on; and sending, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an even number of times or the second set signal is not obtained again within the third set time after the gesture signal is obtained at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box, and sending the third closing instruction after the fourth set time, to control the second water outlet to be closed and the garbage disposer to be turned off.

According to the technical solution, the remote control device for a faucet in the present disclosure can be applied to various scenes, and an existing mechanical faucet can be easily upgraded to a sensor faucet.

Other features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following detailed implementations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings provide further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure as a constituent part of the description and illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure with the following detailed implementations, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a remote control device for a faucet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a remote control device for a faucet according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a remote control device for a faucet according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

A faucet; B garbage disposer; 110 control box; 120 remote control switch; 111 water inlet; 112 first water outlet; 113 second water outlet; 114 mode switch; 121 infrared sensor; and 122 button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific implementations of embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below in combination with the drawings. It should be understood that the specific implementations described herein are merely used to describe and explain the embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Embodiment 1

The present disclosure firstly provides a remote control device for a faucet. As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control device may include a control box 110 and a remote control switch 120. A size of the control box 110 can be set according to actual applications, for example, may be set to be 221*110*43 mm. The control box may include a water inlet 111 and a first water outlet 112 in communication with a faucet A. For example, the water inlet 111 may include a hot water inlet and a cold water inlet. Accordingly, the first water outlet 112 may include a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet. Two solenoid valves may be arranged inside the control box 110 to control cold water and hot water respectively. The remote control switch 120 may be wirelessly connected to the control box 110, that is, the remote control switch and the control box communicate through wireless signals. Moreover, the remote control switch 120 may send a first remote control instruction to the control box 110 in response to a first set signal, to control the first water outlet 112 to be opened or closed.

In an embodiment, the control box 110 may further include a mode switch 114 for switching the control box 110 to a bypass mode or a remote control mode. In the bypass mode, the first water outlet 112 is in a normally open state. In the remote control mode, the first water outlet 112 is opened or closed in response to the first remote control instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 may include an infrared sensor 121 and an indicator light for displaying a power-on state. In this case, the first set signal may be a gesture signal, that is, the remote control switch 120 sends the first remote control instruction in a case where the gesture signal is obtained (sensed) by the infrared sensor 121. The first remote control instruction may include a first opening instruction to open the first water outlet 112 and a first closing instruction to close the first water outlet 112.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 may further include a timer and a counter. The timer may be configured to return to zero and start timing each time the infrared sensor 121 obtains the gesture signal, and stop timing and return to zero in a case where the infrared sensor 121 does not obtain the gesture signal again within a first set time after obtaining the gesture signal. The counter may be configured to count a number of times when the infrared sensor 121 obtains the gesture signal, and return to zero in a case where the timer stops timing.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 sends the first opening instruction to the control box 110 in a case where the infrared sensor 121 obtains the gesture signal at an odd number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter).

Furthermore, the remote control switch 120 sends the first closing instruction to the control box 110 in a case where the infrared sensor 121 obtains the gesture signal at an even number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter) or does not obtain the gesture signal again within the first set time (for example, monitored by the above timer) after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times.

Through the above solution, the control box 110 of the present disclosure and a mechanical faucet for daily use can be easily assembled and upgraded to a sensor faucet. Specifically, when the remote control switch 120 and the control box 110 are powered on and paired, they may work in Scenario mode 1 described below.

Scenario mode 1:

• • 1) A handle of the faucet A is put at an open position.
  • 2) A hand is waved in a sensing area of the remote control switch 120, and water flows out.
  • 3) A hand is waved again, and water stops.
  • 4) In a case where no hand wave action is sensed after the first set time (for example, 3 minutes to 5 minutes, specifically, 4 minutes), the water automatically stops 4 minutes after a last hand wave action.

Embodiment 2

In another embodiment, the remote control switch 120 may be further wirelessly connected to a garbage disposer B and sends a second remote control instruction to the garbage disposer B in response to a second set signal, to control the garbage disposer B to be turned on or off. As shown in FIG. 2, the garbage disposer B is mounted on and electrically connected to a socket (for example, a smart socket having a size of 127*60*33 mm). The remote control switch 120 is wirelessly connected to the socket and sends a second remote control instruction for power-on or power-off to the socket in response to the second set signal, to control the garbage disposer B to be turned on or off.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 may further include a button 122. The button 122 may be a touch button or a mechanical button. In this case, the second set signal may be a press signal. The remote control switch 120 sends the second remote control instruction in a case where the button 122 obtains the press signal (that is, senses being pressed). Furthermore, the button 122 may also have a pairing function. That is, pairing between the remote control switch 120, the control box 110, and the socket of the garbage disposer B may be automatically completed in a case that the button 122 is pressed for a longer time.

Specifically, the second remote control instruction may include a second turn-on instruction to turn on the garbage disposer and a second turn-off instruction to turn off the garbage disposer. Furthermore, the remote control switch 120 also sends a first remote control instruction to the control box 110 in response to the second set signal. That is, in a case where the button 122 is pressed, the remote control switch 120 simultaneously sends the first remote control instruction and the second remote control instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 sends, in a case where the button 122 obtains the press signal at an odd number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter), the first opening instruction to the control box 110 and sends the second turn-on instruction after a second set time (for example, monitored by the above timer).

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 sends, in a case where the button 122 obtains the press signal at an even number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter) or does not obtain the press signal again within a third set time (for example, monitored by the above timer) after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box 110 and sends the first closing instruction after a fourth set time (for example, monitored by the above timer).

Through the above solution, the control box 110 of the present disclosure, a mechanical faucet for daily use, and the garbage disposer may be assembled. Moreover, a program may be cooperatively set to control a linkage work function of the faucet and the garbage disposer. Specifically, when the remote control switch 120, the control box 110, and the socket of the garbage disposer B are powered on and paired, they may work in Scenario mode 2 described below.

Scenario Mode 2:

• • 1) A handle of the faucet A is put at an open position.
  • 2) The button 122 on the remote control switch 120 is pressed, water flows out, and after the second set time (for example, within 3 s to 5 s), the garbage disposer B is turned on.
  • 3) The button 122 is pressed again, the garbage disposer B stops first, and then the faucet A is closed to stop water after the fourth set time (for example, within 15 s to 20 s).
  • 4) In a case where no button press action is sensed after the third set time (which may be the same as the first set time above or not, for example, may be 2 minutes to 3 minutes, specifically, 3minutes), the garbage disposer B is automatically turned off 3 minutes after a last press action, and then the faucet A is automatically closed.

Embodiment 3

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the control box 110 may further include a second water outlet 113 in communication with the garbage disposer B, and may be in communication with the garbage disposer B through a connecting pipe. Optionally, two different types of connection pipes may be configured to implement connection between the control box 110 and the faucet A and between the control box 110 and the garbage disposer B respectively due to differences in functions and working environments. The remote control switch 120 may also send a second remote control instruction and a third remote control instruction to the control box 110 in response to a second set signal (for example, a press signal on the button 122). Specifically, the third remote control instruction may include a third opening instruction to open the second water outlet 113 and a third closing instruction to close the second water outlet 113. That is, in a case where the button 122 is pressed, the remote control switch 120 simultaneously sends the second remote control instruction and the third remote control instruction.

In an embodiment, the remote control switch 120 sends, in a case where the button 122 obtains the press signal at an odd number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter), the third opening instruction to the control box 110 and sends the second turn-on instruction after a second set time (for example, monitored by the above timer).

The remote control switch 120 sends, in a case where the button 122 obtains the press signal at an even number of times (for example, monitored by the above counter) or does not obtain the press signal again within a third set time (for example, monitored by the above timer) after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction to the control box 110 and sends the third closing instruction after a fourth set time (for example, monitored by the above timer).

Through the above solution, the control box 110 of the present disclosure and a garbage disposer for daily use may be assembled, to upgrade the garbage disposer to have an automatic water inlet function. Specifically, when the remote control switch 120, the control box 110, and the socket of the garbage disposer B are powered on and paired, they may work in Scenario mode 3 described below.

Scenario Mode 3:

• • 1) The button 122 on the remote control switch 120 is pressed, the second water outlet 113 is opened, water flows to the garbage disposer B, and after the second set time (for example, within 3 s to 5 s), the garbage disposer B is turned on.
  • 2) The button 122 is pressed again, the garbage disposer B stops first, then the second water outlet 113 is closed after the fourth set time (for example, within 15 s to 20 s), and supplying water to the garbage disposer B is stopped.
  • 3) In a case where no button press action is sensed after the third set time (for example, may be 2 minutes to 3 minutes, specifically, 3 minutes), the garbage disposer B is automatically turned off 3 minutes after a last press action, and then the second water outlet 113 is automatically closed.

Through the above technical solution, the embodiments of the present disclosure have the beneficial effects as below.

• • 1) Quick connection interface. An existing mechanical faucet and the control box of the present disclosure can be easily assembled, thus the mechanical faucet can be upgraded to a sensor faucet and can work in conjunction with an existing garbage disposer.
  • 2) Unique linkage work function. The control box of the present disclosure can control the faucet to be automatically opened before the garbage disposer starts to work, and obtains a turn-off signal for the garbage disposer to control the faucet to be automatically closed.
  • 3) The remote control switch has two functions: infrared sensing control (only for sensor faucets) and mechanical press control (for linkage with garbage disposers). The remote control switch may be mounted anywhere as customer wishes.

In summary, the remote control device for a faucet in the present disclosure can easily upgrade an existing mechanical faucet to a sensor faucet. Unlike solutions for integrating faucets or sinks by competitors, the control box of the present disclosure is independent and therefore applicable to a variety of scenarios. Furthermore, the present disclosure can upgrade the garbage disposer to an automatic water inlet function, and can link the faucet and the garbage disposer for work.

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a smart home management system. The smart home management system may include a faucet and the above remote control device for a faucet.

Reference may be made to the description of the above remote control device for a faucet for the beneficial effects of the smart home management system of the present disclosure, which is not repeated herein.

Method Embodiment

In another aspect, the present disclosure further provides a control method 200 for a faucet. The control method 200 may include:

• • S210, a first remote control instruction is sent to a control box in response to a first set signal.

The control box may include a water inlet and a first water outlet in communication with the faucet. The first remote control instruction may include a first opening instruction to open the first water outlet and a first closing instruction to close the first water outlet.

• • S220, in a case where the first set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the first opening instruction is sent to the control box, to control the first water outlet to be opened.
  • S230, in a case where the first set signal is obtained at an even number of times or the first set signal is not obtained within a first set time after a gesture signal is obtained at the odd number of times, the first closing instruction is sent to the control box, to control the first water outlet to be closed.

In another embodiment, the control method 200 may further include:

• • S240, in response to a second set signal, the first remote control instruction is sent to the control box, and a second remote control instruction is sent to a garbage disposer.

The second remote control instruction may include a second turn-on instruction to turn on the garbage disposer and a second turn-off instruction to turn off the garbage disposer.

• • S250, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the first opening instruction is sent to the control box, and the second turn-on instruction is sent after a second set time, to control the first water outlet to be opened and the garbage disposer to be turned on.
  • S260, in a case where the button obtains the second set signal at an even number of times or does not obtain the second set signal again within a third set time after obtaining the gesture signal at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction is sent to the control box, and the first closing instruction is sent after a fourth set time, to control the first water outlet to be closed and the garbage disposer to be turned off.

In another embodiment, the control box may further include a second water outlet in communication with the garbage disposer. The control method 200 may further include:

• • S270, in response to the second set signal, the second remote control instruction is sent to the garbage disposer, and a third remote control instruction is sent to the control box.

The third remote control instruction may include a third opening instruction to open the second water outlet and a third closing instruction to close the second water outlet.

• • S280, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an odd number of times, the third opening instruction is sent to the control box, and the second turn-on instruction is sent after the second set time, to control the second water outlet to be to be opened and the garbage disposer to be turned on.
  • S290, in a case where the second set signal is obtained at an even number of times or the second set signal is not obtained again within the third set time after the gesture signal is obtained at the odd number of times, the second turn-off instruction is sent to the control box, and the third closing instruction is sent after the fourth set time, to control the second water outlet to be closed and the garbage disposer to be turned off.

According to the above technical solutions, an existing mechanical faucet can be easily upgraded to a sensor faucet through the control method of the present disclosure. Unlike solutions for integrating faucets or sinks by competitors, the control method of the present disclosure can be applied to a variety of scenarios. Furthermore, the control method of the present disclosure can upgrade the garbage disposer to an automatic water inlet function, and can link the faucet and the garbage disposer for work.

It should also be noted that the terms “comprise”, “include”, or their any other variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. Accordingly, a process, method, product, or device including a series of elements further includes other elements that are not explicitly listed except for those elements, or further includes elements inherent to such a process, method, product, or device. Without more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence “comprise a.” or “include a.” do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device including the elements.

What are described above are merely the embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For those skilled in the art, the present disclosure can have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure are intended to fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure.