Capacitive sensing system and method for operating a faucet
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F16K-031/02
F15D-001/00
출원번호
US-0763690
(2010-04-20)
등록번호
US-8561626
(2013-10-22)
발명자
/ 주소
Sawaski, Joel D
Veros, Michael J
출원인 / 주소
Masco Corporation of Indiana
대리인 / 주소
Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
17인용 특허 :
346
초록▼
An electronic faucet comprises a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a
An electronic faucet comprises a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet.
대표청구항▼
1. An electronic faucet comprising: a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout;an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway;a manual valve located in series with the electrically operable valve;a manual handle configured to control the manual valve;a s
1. An electronic faucet comprising: a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout;an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway;a manual valve located in series with the electrically operable valve;a manual handle configured to control the manual valve;a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet, the single capacitive sensor providing both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet; anda controller coupled to the single capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to monitor an output signal from the single capacitive sensor to detect when a portion of the faucet is touched by a user and to detect when a user's hands are located in a detection area located near the spout, the controller determining which one of the spout and the manual valve handle is touched by a user based upon an amplitude of the output signal from the single capacitive sensor. 2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor includes an electrode coupled to the spout. 3. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to operate the faucet in one of a first mode of operation in which the proximity sensor is inactive and a second mode of operation in which the proximity sensor is active. 4. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the controller toggles the faucet between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to a predetermined pattern of touching of the faucet. 5. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the manual valve is located in series with the electrically operable valve, and wherein the controller toggles the faucet between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to simultaneous touching of the spout and the handle. 6. The faucet of claim 3, further comprising a mode selector switch coupled to the controller to change between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. 7. The faucet of claim 3, wherein the controller is also coupled to the electrically operable valve to control the electrically operable valve is response to changes in the output signal from the capacitive sensor. 8. The faucet of claim 7, wherein the controller toggles the electrically operable valve from a closed position to an open position in response to detecting a user's hands in the detection area when the faucet is in the second mode of operation. 9. The faucet of claim 1, further comprising a faucet body hub, the manual valve handle being movably coupled to the faucet body hub to control the manual valve, the manual valve handle being electrically coupled to the faucet body hub, and wherein the spout is coupled to the faucet body hub by an insulator so that the spout is electrically isolated from the faucet body hub. 10. The faucet of claim 9, wherein the capacitive sensor includes a single electrode coupled to one of the spout and the manual valve handle. 11. A method of controlling fluid flow in an electronic faucet having a spout, a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, a manual valve located in series with the electrically operable valve, and a manual handle configured to control the manual valve, the method comprising: providing a single capacitive sensor coupled to one of the spout and the manual valve handle;monitoring an output signal from the single capacitive sensor to distinguish between a user tapping one of the spout and the manual valve handle, a user grabbing the spout, and a user grabbing the manual valve handle and to detect when a user's hands are located in a detection area located near the faucet; andcontrolling the electrically operable valve is response to monitoring the output signal. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring the output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect when a user's hands are located in a detection area located near the faucet provides a proximity sensor, and further comprising: providing a first mode of operation of the faucet in which the proximity sensor is inactive;providing a second mode of operation of the faucet in which the proximity sensor is active; andselectively changing between the first and second modes of operation. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein selectively changing between the first and second modes of operation comprises toggling the faucet between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation in response to detecting a predetermined pattern of touching at least one of the spout and the manual valve handle. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined pattern includes simultaneous touching of the spout and the manual valve handle. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein selectively changing between the first and second modes of operation comprises actuating a mode selector switch. 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the monitoring the output signal includes distinguishing between a user tapping one of the spout and the manual valve handle, a user grabbing the spout, and a user grabbing the manual valve handle. 17. The method of claim 11, further comprising toggling the electronic valve between open and closed positions in response to detecting a user tapping one of the spout and the manual valve. 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the capacitive sensor includes an electrode coupled to one of the spout and the manual valve handle. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrode is coupled to the spout, and wherein the manual valve handle is at least partially formed from a conductive material, and further comprising an insulator located between the spout and the manual valve handle to capacitively couple the conductive manual valve handle to the electrode. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrode is coupled to one of the spout and the manual valve handle by a single wire. 21. The method of claim 12, further comprising toggling the electrically operable valve from a closed position to an open position in response to detecting a user's hands in the detection area when the faucet is in the second mode of operation. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising toggling the electrically operable valve from the open position to the closed position in response to detecting that the user's hands have been removed from the detection area. 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising delaying toggling the electrically operable valve from the open position to the closed position for a predetermined time after detecting that the user's hands have been removed from the detection area, and maintaining the valve in the open position if the user's hands are subsequently detected in the detection area within the predetermined time. 24. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring the output signal includes distinguishing between a user tapping the spout and a user grabbing the spout, and wherein the controlling step includes starting fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a user's hands in the detection area via a hands-free mode of operation, maintaining fluid flow via a touch mode if a tap of the spout is detected within a time period less than a predetermined time after the hands-free mode is initiated, and shutting off fluid flow through the spout if a tap of the spout is detected at a time greater than the predetermined time after initiation of the hands-free mode. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein controlling the electrically operable valve further comprises maintaining fluid flow through the spout via the touch mode if a grab of the spout is detected within a time period less than the predetermined time after initiation of the hands-free mode, and maintaining fluid flow via the hands-free mode if a grab of the spout is detected at a time greater than the predetermined time after initiation of the hands-free mode. 26. The method of claim 11, wherein monitoring the output signal includes distinguishing between the user tapping a spout and a user grabbing a spout, and wherein controlling the electrically operable valve includes starting fluid flow through the spout in a touch mode of operation in response to detecting either of a tap or a grab of the spout, maintaining fluid flow through the spout in the touch mode in response to detecting the user's hands in the detection area or in response to a grab of the spout, and shutting off fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a subsequent tap of the spout.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (346)
Lund William J. (Stockton CA), Accelerated hot water delivery system.
Kolar Anton J. ; Paese Andrew J. ; Richter-O'Connell David J. ; Tervo Steven M. ; Thomas Carter J. ; Burnett William R. ; Shafer David C. ; Heinzmann Fred Judson, Advanced touchless plumbing systems.
Hall ; Jr. John E. (P.O. Box 1445 Ruidoso NM 88345), Apparatus for recovering and saving chilled water in hot water lines having adjustable thermostatic control.
Knoop Donald E. (Royalton Township ; Berrien County MI) Mundy David W. (St. Joseph Township ; Berrien County MI), Automatic liquid control system for a clothes washing machine.
Doyle Ronald P., Biometric identification and thermostatic control method and system for temperature-sensitive water delivery in home plumbing systems.
Eichelberger Charles W. (Schenectady NY) Wojnarowski Robert J. (Clifton Park NY), Capacitive touch entry apparatus having high degree of personal safety.
Austin ; Jr. George K. (Newberg OR) Schaefers Andrew G. (Newberg OR), Compact in-line thermostatically controlled electric water heater for use with dental instruments.
Lang,Edo; Obrist,Roland, Device for controlling and/or regulating the supply of a medium, devices of this type comprising washing or drying units and a corresponding method.
Barrett John P. (879 Harbor Island Clearwater FL 33515) Schulz Daniel R. (Crystal Beach FL) Kent David E. (Palm Harbor FL) deFasselle Robert J. (Kirtland OH) Zega Henry E. (Clearwater FL), Dispensing system.
Barrett John P. (879 Harbor Island Clearwater FL 33515) Schulz Daniel R. (P.O. Box 892 Crystal Beach FL 33523) Kent David E. (Box 5286 Palm Harbor FL 33563) deFasselle Robert J. (8603 Chardon Rd. Kir, Dispensing system.
Barrett John P. (879 Harbor Island Clearwater FL 33515) Schulz Daniel R. (P.O. Box 892 Crystal Beach FL 33523) Kent David E. (Box 5286 Palm Harbor FL 33635) de Fasselle Robert J. (8603 Chardon Rd. Ki, Dispensing system.
Gregory Stephen O. (2508 Arapahoe St. Denver CO 80205) West Michael W. (Denver CO) Wolf James L. (Lakewood CO) Sallis Daniel V. (Littleton CO), Electronic faucet with spout position sensing means.
Delabie Gerard (Saint-Blimont FRX) Normand Marcel (Arrest FRX), Faucet for a wash basin or other sanitary equipment which opens and closes automatically.
White ; Jr. James A. (90 Veys Dr. Kelso WA 98626) Gillaspie David D. (589 Rose Valley Rd. Kelso WA 98626), Flow-through tankless water heater with flow switch and heater control system.
Blanco Byron (Los Angeles CA), In line tankless water heater with upper heating compartment, lower wiring compartment, and microswitch compartment disp.
Chiang Sing (4 Fl. ; No. 19 ; Lane 60 ; Chung Hua Rd. Hsin Tien City ; Taipei Hsien TWX) Hsieh Chin H. (No. 1 ; Lane 103 ; Yung Tai St. Chung Li City ; Tao Yuan Hsien TWX), Infrared faucet.
Laverty ; Jr. Martin J. ; Capper ; Jr. Robert N. ; Davis Steve ; Hamrick Gary ; Eichblatt Timothy ; Tavares Chuck ; Walters Ryp R., Infrared sensor with remote control option.
Shepherd Philip E. (5608 Melody Lake Dr. Edina MN 55436) Johnson Gregory R. (4940 173rd Ave. NE. Ham Lake MN 55304), Liquid sensor and touch control for hydrotherapy baths.
Oudenhoven Martin S. (9436 W. Wesley Ave. Lakewood CO 80227) Ruskey Frank (3510 Lee St. Wheatridge CO 80033), Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature and flow rate of a fluid.
Sperling Jac K. (Boulder CO) Sable Arthur J. (Boulder CO) Everest ; III D. Clark (Park City UT) Ciciora John A. (Denver CO) Polson Jerry H. (Boulder CO), Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a liquid.
Shero William K. (17287 Mt. Herrmann ; Unit A Fountain Valley CA 92708), Method for forming an in-line water heater having a spirally configured heat exchanger.
Russell Robert G. (Carson CA) Kramer David (Rancho Palos Verdes CA) Graves Bill (Manhattan Beach CA), Microprocessor controlled tankless water heater system.
Dytch Anthony (3 Brompton Lawns ; Mill Lane Tettenhall ; Wolverhampton ; West Midlands GBX) Keatley Andrew (21 The Leasow Aldridge ; Walsall ; West Midlands GBX) Wright William (13 Boscobsel Road Wal, Microprocessor controlled through-flow electric water heater.
Lujan ; Jr. Albert G. (625 W. Calle Castille Tucson AZ 85706), Multi-controlled water conservation system for hot water lines with low pressure utilization disable.
Brondolino Rose M. (11 Thoresby Grove Ivanhoe ; 3079 ; Victoria AUX) Dedda Anthony (4 Benbrook Avenue Box Hill North ; 3129 ; Victoria AUX) Brondolino Charles (4 Oakdene Place East Ivanhoe ; 3079 ; V, Non-contact control.
Chiang Sing (4th Fl. ; No. 19 ; Lane 60 ; Chung Hua Rd. Taipei Hsien TWX) Hsieh Chin H. (No. 1 ; Lane 103 ; Yung Tai St. Chungli City ; Taoyuan Hsien TWX), Power-saving controller for toilet flushing.
Denen, Dennis Joseph; Myers, Gary Edwin; Groezinger, Charles W.; Knittle, John J., Proximity detection circuit and method of detecting small capacitance changes.
Corso Anthony B. (Cincinnati OH) Elliott G. Mark (Hudson OH), Real time remote sensing pressure control system using periodically sampled remote sensors.
Laing Karsten (3970 Honeycutt St. San Diego CA 92109) Laing Doerte (Hofener Weg 35 7148 Remseck 2-Aldingen DEX) Laing Birger (Hofener Weg 35 7148 Remseck 2-Aldingen DEX), Secondary circulation system.
Marcichow, Martin; Vuong, Nhon T.; Waterhouse, Paul; Zosimadis, Peter, System and method for improved installation and control of concealed plumbing flush valves.
DeMoss Charles F. (2114 E. 5th St. Anderson IN 46012) Willits Donald E. (1563 Ken Mar Wichita KS 67208), System for electronically controlling the temperature of water delivered to a bath, shower and the like.
Jeromson, Peter James; Wilkinson, Jamie Jon Aorangi; Barnes, Peter Stephen; Rutten, Giscard Hubertus Theodoor; Forrest, Harold Edgar, Touchless fluid supply interface and apparatus.
Pepper deceased Robert B. (1539 McAllister St. late of Thermal CA) Ginsburg ; executor by Jayme P. (1539 McAllister St. San Francisco CA 94115), Ultrasonically operated water faucet.
Figurski, Mark A.; Rundberg, Michelle L.; Loberger, John M.; McCallum, Terry Lee; Gallmann, Dale William; Renner, Jason M.; Jaworski, Jeffery S.; Dhein, Theodore E., Multi-purpose hand washing station.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.