초록 ▼

An add-on device (10) for converting a conventional manual faucet to an automatic faucet includes a body (12) that includes an adapter (14) by which the add-on device is mounted onto the outlet of the manual faucet. A conduit (32) provides a fluid path from the faucet outlet to a device outlet (18),

An add-on device (10) for converting a conventional manual faucet to an automatic faucet includes a body (12) that includes an adapter (14) by which the add-on device is mounted onto the outlet of the manual faucet. A conduit (32) provides a fluid path from the faucet outlet to a device outlet (18), and an electrically operable valve (30) is interposed in the conduit (32). A control circuit (26) operates an ultrasonic transducer (20) to sense objects in a target region near the device outlet 18, and it operates the valve (30) to permit water to flow out the device outlet (18) when the transducer detects a moving object in the target region.

대표청구항 ▼

For controlling the flow of fluid through a faucet, a flow-control device comprising: A. a housing having a device inlet and first and second device outlets; B. a first fluid conduit disposed in the housing for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet; C. a second fluid conduit disposed in the

For controlling the flow of fluid through a faucet, a flow-control device comprising: A. a housing having a device inlet and first and second device outlets; B. a first fluid conduit disposed in the housing for conducting fluid from the inlet to the outlet; C. a second fluid conduit disposed in the housing for conducting fluid from the inlet to the second device outlet; D. mounting means on the housing for mounting the device on the faucet with the device inlet in fluid communication with the faucet outlet; E. sealing means for sealing the device inlet to the faucet outlet when the mounting means mounts the housing on the faucet so that fluid can flow from the faucet only by flowing through the flow-control device; F. an electric valve interposed in the conduit and operable by application of control signals thereto to switch between an open state, in which the valve permits fluid flow through the first conduit, and a closed state, in which the valve prevents flow through the first conduit; G. a filter element interposed in the second conduit and presenting enough flow resistance so that fluid does not flow through the second conduit when the valve permits fluid flow in the first conduit, the filter element permitting fluid flow therethrough when the valve is closed so that filtered water flows through the second outlet; and H. a sensor circuit for sensing the presence of objects in the vicinity of the second outlet and to close the valve when it senses an object near the second outlet, the flow-control device thereby permitting flow of unfiltered water through the first-mentioned outlet when no object is sensed near the first outlet and directing fluid flow through the filter element so that filtered water issues through the second outlet when an object is near the second outlet.