Patent Publication Number: US-2011062359-A1

Title: System of Controlling Fluid Flow

Description:
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/241,908, filed on Sep. 13, 2009, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to faucets, more particularly, to a system for controlling fluid flow. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A faucet (also known as tap, spigot and others), is a valve controlling release of fluids.  FIG. 1  of the prior art illustrates a faucet having a screw-down mechanism  100 , having a screw-down mechanism  11  and a faucet interior valve mechanism  12 , a part of whose side has been removed to show its content. 
     Screw-down mechanisms have been in use since the 19 th  century. They enable prevention of the flow of fluids, as well as regulation of quantities, and are very commonly in use, particularly in water supply systems. 
     In residential buildings, the use of faucets having a lever  101 , (will be shown in following illustrations), is more common nowadays. Some faucets even rely on regulation which occurs earlier on in the pipeline, namely are faucets having no interior valve mechanism  12 , (will be shown in following illustrations). 
     However, there are several drawbacks to use of a screw-down mechanism  11  and of lever-operated faucets, one example is the hygiene problem caused by the physical contact between users and levers in lavatories. One common solution for this problem is the use of a proximity sensor for activating and deactivating the faucet according to user presence or absence in the proximity of the faucet, instead of a lever. 
     Such a device fails to meet the demand for continuous flow without the presence of a person, such as in the case of filling water containers, when the user wishes to start the flow of water, go do something else, and come back to stop the flow. 
     Another drawback is that due to the inconvenience of turning the lever or the screw on and off, some users avoid turning off a faucet during intermittent use. This results in considerable waste of water. 
     Furthermore, some users may forget to turn off a faucet, which also results in significant waste of water. In the event a potentially dangerous liquid is involved in the faucet operation, this could end in disaster. 
     A remote controlled faucet is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629 to Millman et al., which is incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     The remote controlled valve assembly, of Millman et al., is attachable to a nozzle of the faucet. The valve assembly includes a battery-powered motor-driven valve member and a radio receiving unit for actuating the motor in response to signals received from a remote sending unit. The sending unit is operated by the action of the user&#39;s foot for providing “hands-free” control of the faucet. In an alternative embodiment, the valve assembly is used to remotely control independent hot and cold water faucet supply lines to regulate water temperature and pressure. 
       FIG. 2   a  of the prior art is a perspective view exploded illustration of a faucet having a lever  101   a , having a lever  13 , having a prior art valve assembly  200  incorporating a radio receiving unit, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
     The prior art valve assembly  200  connects to nozzle  14 , which is at the tip of the spout  15  of the faucet having a lever  101   a . The prior art valve assembly  200  enables remote control of the supply through it by reception of wireless command and control signals. Operation can be done by means of pre-adjustment of the lever  13  position, followed by determining whether or not there is any flow through the prior art valve assembly  200 . 
       FIG. 2   b  of the prior art is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a faucet, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
     The faucet having double valve mechanisms  101   b , showing and two faucets having a screw-down mechanism  100 , and two remote controlled prior art valve assemblies  200 , each incorporating receiving units and installed on respective hot and cold water faucet supply lines  16 , according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
       FIG. 2   c  of the prior art is a sectional view scale of the prior art valve assembly  200 , coupled to a discharge opening of a faucet, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
     The external shape of prior art valve assembly  200  is cubed, and when it connects to a supply line or to a faucet, it mostly protrudes from the flow line, and its corners pose a physical hazard, seeing as they could wound any person who runs into them in any way. 
       FIG. 2   d  of the prior art is an elevational view in section illustrating a prior art foot-operated sending unit  300 , according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
     The prior art foot-operated sending unit  300  is operated by foot treading upon it, and sends command and control signals to the prior art valve assembly  200 . 
     One advantage of the present invention is providing a remote controlled fluid valve which overcomes the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art. 
     Other advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is designated to solve hygienic, operational, and safety problems and to facilitate the use of faucets. It is based on the addition of a remote controlled fluid valve to the outlet of a faucet, or to the faucet&#39;s feed line. The faucet can be one of many kinds with a mechanism for controlling flow, even to the extent of complete stop. 
     The remote controlled fluid valve has two states, open and closed. In the closed state, regardless to the state of the faucet, no flow is allowed through the faucet. In the open state, the flow through the faucet is regulated according to its state, if the faucet itself is not closed. It is also possible to install the remote controlled fluid valve on a feed line, or at the outlet of a faucet without any regulation mechanism, or even at the end of a pipe or hose, without any faucet whatsoever. 
     The command for operation of the remote controlled fluid valve is receive by wireless transmission coming from a pedal unit, which can be in any practical location, such as on the floor, for operation by a push of a foot, or on a bathroom wall, for operation by the push of a hand. An additional option for the operation of the remote controlled fluid valve is by means of transmitting wireless command signals from a system including an electromagnetic beam, any disruption of which, such as with a hand passed through it, triggers the transmission of a command signal. Use of transmission encoding enables operation of several adjacent remote controlled fluid valves. 
     The internal mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve can be based on various types of mechanism, also including a mechanism that blocks flow by means of mechanical force on a flexible pipe, on a mechanism including a throttle, and on a mechanism including two valves. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a system for controlling a fluid flow including: at least one remote controlled fluid valve, the at least one remote controlled fluid valve including: a gear; an engine for setting the gear in rotational motion; a flexible tube; and an arms mechanism for pressing on the flexible tube and thus blockings the flexible tube to a fluid flow, wherein the rotational motion is transformed to linear motion by the arms mechanism. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention the system for controlling a fluid flow further includes: at least one pedal unit in active communication with the remote controlled fluid valve, the at least one pedal unit including: a pedal unit printed circuit board, having a transmitter; at least one pedal unit battery; and a tact switch operatively connected to the pedal unit printed circuit board, wherein when the tact switch is pressed by a pressing tact force, the pedal unit printed circuit board is transmitting at least one electromagnetic control signal. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one pedal unit further includes: a pressure pad disposed on the tact switch; and at least one push unit for activating a push force on the pressure pad, wherein when there is no second pressing force above a predetermined value acting on the pressure pad a tact force is removed from the tact switch. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one pedal unit includes: a code transmitter, and a pedal unit microcontroller for receiving data from the tact switch and from the code transmitter, wherein the pedal unit microcontroller is operatively connected to the code transmitter and operatively connected to the pedal unit printed circuit board. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one pedal unit includes: a code transmitter, and a pedal unit microcontroller for receiving data from the tact switch, and from the code transmitter, wherein the pedal unit microcontroller is operatively connected to the code transmitter and operatively connected to the pedal unit printed circuit board. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gear of the at least one remote controlled fluid valve further includes: a first cogwheel; a first common pivot rigidly connected to the first cogwheel; a second worm rigidly connected to the first common pivot; a second cogwheel for receiving rotational movement from the second worm; a second common pivot rigidly connected to the second cogwheel; and a wheel rigidly connected to the second common pivot, wherein the engine has an engine pivot worm ( 68   a ) for transmitting rotational movement to the first cogwheel. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the arms mechanism of the at least one remote controlled fluid valve further includes: a first pivot connected to the wheel; a first arm connected to the first pivot; a second pivot connected to the first arm; a second arm connected to the second pivot; a third arm connected to the second pivot; a fourth pivot connected to the third arm and a fourth arm connected to the fourth pivot and rigidly connected to the flexible tube, wherein the arms mechanism has a state of pressing against the flexible tube and a state of non-pressing against the flexible tube state. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one remote controlled fluid valve further includes: a base bridge for provides a base point for generating a third force; a third pivot connected to the base bridge and connected to the second arm; and a back assembly having a sensor for recognizing the end of a movement of the arms mechanism. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one remote controlled fluid valve further includes: a remote controlled fluid valve printed circuit board having a transceiver; a remote controlled fluid valve battery operatively connected to the remote controlled fluid valve printed circuit board; a remote controlled fluid valve battery microcontroller operatively connected to the remote controlled fluid valve battery and operatively connected to the remote controlled fluid valve printed circuit board; a remote controlled fluid valve battery driver operatively connected to the remote controlled fluid valve battery microcontroller and operatively connected to the engine; and a code transceiver, wherein the remote controlled fluid valve printed circuit board is adapted for receiving an electromagnetic control signal. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for controlling a fluid flow of includes: at least one ray cut operating sub-system, the at least one ray cut operating sub-system includes: a ray transmitter for a continuously transmitting a ray; and a ray receiver and communication transmitter. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for controlling a fluid flow includes: at least one ray cut operating sub-system, the at least one ray cut operating sub-system includes: a ray transmitter for a continuously transmitting a ray; and a ray receiver and communication transmitter, wherein, after a period of time without any reception, reception of the ray by the ray receiver and communication transmitter, causes the ray receiver and communication transmitter to transmit a signal, thus causing the arms mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve to alternate between the state of pressing against the flexible tube, and the state of non-pressing against the flexible tube. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one remote controlled fluid valve further includes: a wall, having a form of a cylinder, and the cylinder having a longitudinal cross-section of an ellipsoid shape with both ends cut off, including no sharp ends. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for controlling a fluid flow includes at least two remote controlled fluid valves. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling a fluid flow, including: at least one controlled fluid valve, including: a body, the body including a fluid passageway having an inlet, and an outlet; a control circuit having an antenna mounted inside the body; at least one battery mounted inside the body, the battery being operatively connected to the control circuit; an engine mounted inside the body, the engine is operatively connected to the control circuit; a central axle disposed within the passageway; a throttle mounted on the central axle inside the passageway wherein the throttle is operatively connected to the engine, wherein the throttle has an open state and a closed state; at least one ray cut operating sub-system, the at least one ray cut operating sub-system including: a ray transmitter for a continuously transmitting a ray; and a ray receiver and communication transmitter, wherein reception, after a period of time without any reception, of the ray by the ray receiver and communication transmitter causes the ray receiver and communication transmitter to transmit a signal, thus causing the throttle of the controlled fluid valve to alternate between the open state and the closed state. 
     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling a fluid flow including: at least one controlled fluid valve including: a body, the body including a passageway having a passageway inlet and a passageway outlet; a passageway opening located inside the body; a passageway valve for blocking the passageway opening, wherein the passageway valve has an open state and a closed state; a passageway opening spring in contact with the passageway valve; an inside compartment located inside the body, the inside compartment having an inside compartment space, an inside compartment inlet and an inside compartment outlet; a releasing pressure valve located inside the inside compartment; a coil located inside the inside compartment; a magnet located inside the inside compartment; a spring for releasing pressure located inside the inside compartment, wherein upon receiving a signal the releasing pressure valve moves from the inside compartment inlet, thereby allowing fluid to enter into the inside compartment, and exit through the inside compartment outlet, thus, fluid pressure on the passageway valve is reduced, thereby allowing the passageway opening spring to overcome the fluid pressure on the passageway valve thus shifting the passageway valve to open state; at least one a ray cut operating sub-system, the at least one ray cut operating sub-system including: a ray transmitter for a continuously transmitting a ray; and a ray receiver and communication transmitter, wherein reception, after a period of time without any reception, of the ray by the ray receiver and communication transmitter causes the ray receiver and communication transmitter to transmit a signal, thus causing the passageway valve of the controlled fluid valve to be in the open state. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  of the prior art illustrates a faucet having a screw-down mechanism and a faucet interior valve mechanism, a part of whose side has been removed to show its content. 
         FIG. 2   a  of the prior art is a perspective view exploded illustration of a faucet, (having a lever), having a valve assembly incorporating a radio receiving unit, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
         FIG. 2   b  of the prior art is a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a faucet, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629, showing two remote controlled valve assemblies, each incorporating receiving units and installed on respective hot and cold water faucet supply lines. 
         FIG. 2   c  of the prior art is a sectional view scale of the valve assembly, coupled to a discharge opening of the faucet, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
         FIG. 2   d  of the prior art is an elevational view in section illustrating a foot-operated sending unit, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,629. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a system for controlling a fluid flow, including three faucets, three pedals, four remote controlled fluid valves, and ray cut operating sub-system, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a faucet, and a pedal in a bathroom. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of a remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4   b  is another perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a top view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention, upon which the section planes a-a, and b-b are marked. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a schematic cross sectional side view a-a illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   c  is a schematic cross sectional side view b-b illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   d  is a schematic perspective view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an arms mechanism, wheel and a segment of the flexible tube in closed state, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5   e  is a schematic perspective view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the arms mechanism, wheel and a segment of the flexible tube in an open state, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   a  is a top view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a pedal unit, according to the present invention, upon which the section planes d-d, and e-e are marked. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a schematic cross sectional side view d-d illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   c  is a schematic cross sectional side view e-e illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   d  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of a pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   e  is another perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of the pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic cross sectional side view illustration of another exemplary, illustrative of embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic cross sectional side view illustration of yet another exemplary, illustrative embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   a  is block diagram schematically illustrating a pedal unit, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 9   b  is block diagram schematically illustrating a remote controlled fluid valve, according to some embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a tact switch, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is of a system for controlling a fluid flow. The principles and operation of the system for controlling a fluid flow according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
     The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:
           11  screw-down mechanism     12  faucet interior valve mechanism     13  lever     14  nozzle     15  spout     16  faucet supply line     31  wireless communication     32   a  PU (pedal unit) upper wall     32   b  PU lower wall     33  PU PCB (pedal unit printed circuit board)     33   a  transmitter     34  PU battery     35  tact switch     36  push unit     37  PU microcontroller     38  pressure pad     39  code transmitter     41  ray transmitter     42  ray     43  ray receiver and communication transmitter     51  wall     52  floor     53  ceiling     54  showerhead     55  shower hose     56  bathtub     60  RCFV wall     61  flexible tube     62   a  first connector     62   b  second connector     63  RCFV PCB     63   a  transceiver     64  engine     65  RCFV battery     65   a  RCFV microcontroller     65   b  driver     65   c  on/off and weak battery indication LED     65   d  code     66  gear     67  wheel     68   a  engine pivot worm     68   b  first cogwheel     68   c  second worm     68   d  second cogwheel     69   a  first common pivot     69   b  second common pivot     69   c  first pivot     69   d  second pivot     69   e  third pivot     69   f  fourth pivot     70  arms mechanism     71   a  first arm     71   b  second arm     71   c  third arm     71   d  fourth arm     72  base bridge     73  back assembly     73   a  sensor     80  ARCFV fluid passageway     81  ARCFV body     82  ARCFV exterior thread     83  ARCFV control circuit     83   a  antenna     84  ARCFV battery     85   i  ARCFV inlet     85   o  ARCFV outlet     86  ARCFV engine     87  throttle     87 ′ rotated throttle     88  central axle     90  SARCFV passageway     91  SARCFV body     92  releasing pressure valve     92   a  coil     92   b  magnet     92   c  spring for releasing pressure     93  inside compartment     93   b  inside compartment space     93   i  inside compartment inlet     93   o  inside compartment outlet     94  passageway valve     95   a  passageway opening     95   b  passageway opening spring     95   i  passageway inlet     95   o  passageway inlet     100  faucet having a screw-down mechanism     101   a  faucet having a lever     101   b  faucet having double valve mechanisms     102  faucet having no interior valve mechanism     200  prior art valve assembly     201  remote controlled fluid valve (RCFV)     201 ′ interior mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve     202  another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve (ARCFV)     203  still another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve (SARCFV)     300  prior art foot-operated sending unit     301  pedal unit (PU)     301 ′ interior mechanism of the pedal unit     401  ray cut operating sub-system     1000  system for controlling fluid flow   Fp 1  first pressing force   Fp 2  second pressing force   F 3  third force   Fs stepping force   Ft tact force   Fpu push force       

     Note: the element names, remote controlled fluid valve and RCFV, are interchangeable and will be used in the present application as convenient, as are the element names, pedal unit and PU. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a system for controlling a fluid flow  1000 , including three faucets (two faucets having a lever  101 , and one faucet having no interior valve mechanism  102 , three pedal  301  units, four remote controlled fluid valves (RCFV)  201 , and one ray cut operating sub-system  401 , according to the present invention. 
     In the present illustration, all pedal units  301  are disposed on the floor  52 , so that their upper parts can be activated by the press of a foot, and faucets having a lever  101  and faucets having no interior valve mechanism  102  are mounted upon a wall  51 . 
     The remote controlled fluid valve  201  has two end states, closed state and open state. In closed state, no flow of fluids is allowed through the remote controlled fluid valve  201 . In open state, the maximum capacity of fluid is allowed through the remote controlled fluid valve  201 , on the condition that flow is possible through the faucet and the pipeline to which it is connected. The capacity is also determined, in the case of the present illustration of a faucet having a lever  101 , by the state of the lever  13 . In the case of a faucet having no interior valve mechanism  102 , the capacity is maximal. 
     The transition from one state to another of a remote controlled fluid valve  201  occurs by one press of a specific pedal unit  301 . 
     The pedal unit  301  communicates with a remote controlled fluid valve  201  by wireless communication  31 . The pedal unit  301 , when pressed, opens or closes the remote controlled fluid valve  201 . 
     The wireless communication  31  can be an electromagnetic signal at a suitable frequency, such as RF or IR radiation etc. 
     The present illustration shows a remote controlled fluid valve  201  connected to an outlet of a faucet having no interior valve mechanism  102  and operated by one of the pedal units  301 . Another remote controlled fluid valve  201  is connected to the outlet of a faucet having a lever  101  and is operated by another pedal unit  301 . Two remote controlled fluid valves  201  are connected to two faucet supply lines  16 , with one faucet having a lever  101  per line, and both operated simultaneously by one pedal unit  301 . When it is necessary, as occurs in the site shown in the present illustration, to operate one specific remote controlled fluid valve  201  by means of pedal unit  301 , coding can be used. One example of coding is transmitting a signal from the pedal unit  301 , coded by a code transmitter  39 , (not shown in the present illustration), a component including a number of bits, such as three bits, each of which is binary so that up to eight different signals can be transmitted, as shown in Table 1. Thus, eight separate transmission units can be controlled in a single space, with each remote controlled fluid valve  201  having the appropriate coding. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Controlled 
               
               
                   
                 Bit 2 
                 Bit 1 
                 Bit 0 
                 unit 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 0 
                 0 
                 1 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 3 
               
               
                   
                 0 
                 1 
                 1 
                 4 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 0 
                 0 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 6 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                 1 
                 1 
                 1 
                 8 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     It is, in cases in which the site requires encoding for larger number of options possible to use a component including more than three bits. 
     An additional option for operation of remote controlled fluid valves  201  is by means of a ray cut operating sub-system  401 , which also includes a ray transmitter  41 , which can be mounted on a ceiling  53  a underneath a cupboard, etc., and which continuously transmits a ray  42 , with a ray receiver and communication transmitter  43  receiving this ray. When ray  42  is cut, for example by a hand disrupting its transmission, a signal is transmitted, similar to the signal transmitted from pedal unit  301 . Thus, any such movement of a hand etc. will cause the corresponding remote controlled fluid valve  201  to change its state, alternating between open and closed. 
     The remote controlled fluid valves  201  and the pedal units  301  are designed to be impenetrable to fluids, by use of suitable technologies and using sealants if necessary. 
     The remote controlled fluid valves  201  are designed to be free of fluid leakage from the flexible tubes ( 61 ) and the respective connections of the first connector ( 62   a ) and the second connector ( 62   b ) (whether it is connected to the faucet or the faucet supply line). 
     The present invention is in no way limited to the type of site described in the present illustration, and is applicable in many various combinations of the components shown in the present illustration as well as additional components. 
       FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a faucet, and a pedal in a bathroom. Here the pedal unit  301  is mounted on a wall  51  and can be operated by the press of a hand. 
     The remote controlled fluid valve  201  can be installed on the water flow line in any reasonable location, for example before the faucet having a lever  101 , or between it and the showerhead  54 , on the shower hose  55 . If the shower hose  55  is not composed of a suitable material to bear the water pressure when in closed state, the remote controlled fluid valve  201  should be installed before it. 
     The illustration also shows the bathtub  56 . 
       FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 ′, according to the present invention. 
     The function of the interior mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 ′ is based on the operation concept of a pinch valves, namely use of a flexible tube  61 , the flow through which can be regulated or even blocked completely by minimizing the area of its internal cross section, by means of pressure or pinching it with mechanical force. 
     Flexible tube  61  should be composed of a flexible material which is impermeable to the fluids that are supposed to flow through it. A good material for this purpose, if the fluid is water, is silicon. 
     A first connector  62   a  is installed at one end of the flexible tube  61 , and if necessary, a second connector  62   b  is installed at the other end. 
     The interior mechanism of a remote controlled fluid valve  201 ′ receives the command signal for its operation by means of a RCFV PCB  63 , which includes all components required in a transceiver  63   a , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 9   b ), also including an antenna. The command signals activate an engine  64 . The RCFV PCB  63  and the engine  64  are fed with electrical supply from a RCFV battery  65 . 
     Engine  64  generates rotational movement in gear  66  which is generated by means of arms to wheel  67 . Thus, the multi-cycled rotational movement of the shaft of engine  64  is transmitted into only half a cycle of wheel  67 , enabling the generation of sufficient power for the aforementioned pressure or pinching from a relatively small engine. 
     Gear  66 , shown in the present illustration, also includes engine pivot worm  68   a  which transmits rotational movement to a first cogwheel  68   b , which is rigidly connected, by means of a first common pivot  69   a , to a second worm  68   c , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 4   b ), which generates rotational movement of a second cogwheel  68   d , which is rigidly connected by means of a second common pivot  69   b , to a wheel  67 . 
     Wheel  67  is connected to one end of a first arm  71   a , by means of a first pivot  69   c.    
     The other end of first arm  71   a  is connected to the first ends of a second arm  71   b  and a third arm  71   c , by means of a second pivot  69   d . The other end of the second arm  71   b  is connected to a base bridge  72 , which provides a base point for generating third force F 3 , by means of a third pivot  69   e.    
     The other end of the third arm  71   c  is connected to a fourth arm  71   d  by means of a fourth pivot  69   f.    
     The fourth arm  71   d  is rigidly connected to flexible tube  61 , and applies the first pressing force Fp 1  (shown in  FIG. 5   d ), to it for the purpose of blocking the flow through it. The present illustration also shows the back assembly  73 , which serves as a base for a sensor  73   a , which can be an opto-electric sensor designated to recognize the end of a movement of the first arm  71   a.    
       FIG. 4   b  is another perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the interior mechanism of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 ′, according to the present invention. 
     The present illustration also shows components not shown in the previous illustration. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a top view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a remote controlled fluid valve  201 , according to the present invention, upon which the section planes a-a, and b-b are marked. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a schematic cross sectional side view a-a illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 , according to the present invention. 
     The external casing shape of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 , according to the present invention, is a user-friendly shape, with a rounded surface with no sharp corners. 
     The RCFV wall  60  is shown here in a two-dimensional section, of a cylinder, which is essentially similar to an ellipsoid shape with both ends cut off. Within the RCFV wall  60 , the illustration also shows the flexible tube  61  when it is up against the RCFV wall  60 , or alternatively up against the wall protrusion, thus preventing any movement when it is pressed forcefully, as will be demonstrated in  FIG. 5   d . The illustration also shows the engine  64 , and the gear  66 . 
       FIG. 5   c  is a schematic cross sectional side view b-b illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 , according to the present invention. 
     The present illustration also shows the engine  64 , the gear  66 , the RCFV PCB  63 , and the base bridge  72 , which serves as a base point for fourth pivot  69   f , (shown in  FIG. 5   d ). 
       FIG. 5   d  is a schematic perspective view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an arms mechanism  70 , wheel  67  and a segment of the flexible tube  61  in closed state, according to the present invention. 
     Wheel  67  is such that first pivot  69   c , to which the wheel is connected, is located such that it pulls the first arm  71   a , which in turn pulls ends of the second arm  71   b  and the third arm  71   c . Thus they are all along a single line, such that they create a first pressing force (Fp 1 ) between the base bridge  72 , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ), which serves as a base point, and the fourth arm  71   d , which presses against the flexible tube  61  and blocks any flow through it. 
     In this state, the arms mechanism  70  is mechanically locked, so that even without any force applied by engine  64 , the closed state is maintained. 
       FIG. 5   e  is a schematic perspective view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the arms mechanism  70 , wheel  67 , and a segment of the flexible tube  61  in open state, according to the present invention. 
     In this state, wheel  67  makes half a rotation relative to the state shown in the previous illustration. As a result, the mechanical lock of the arms mechanism  70  is released. The first arm  71   a  pulls out the ends of the second arm  71   b  and the third arm  71   c  from their previous alignment. As a result, the fourth arm  71   d  is pulled, and the first pressing force (Fp 1 ) applied to the flexible tube  61  is released to enable an open state. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a top view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of a pedal unit  301 , according to the present invention, upon which the section planes d-d, and e-e are marked. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a schematic cross sectional side view d-d illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the pedal unit  301 , according to the present invention. 
     Pedal unit  301  has an external casing including a PU lower wall  32   b , which can connect to the upper surface of a floor, or be slightly embedded within, and a PU upper wall  32   a , and is sufficiently flexible to enable any sufficiently forceful step on it to initiate transmission of a command signal. 
     Pressure pad  38  is disposed underneath PU upper wall  32   a , can be dome shaped, and transmits the stepping force Fs from the PU upper wall  32   a  to a tact switch  35 . 
     Push units  36  activate push forces (Fpu) on the bottom of pressure pad  38 , so that if the second pressing force (Fp 2 ) of the stepping foot is released, a tact force (Ft), is removed from the tact switch  35 . The tact switch  35  has two states, closed and open. When it is closed, its enables the PU PCB  33  to transmit control signals. 
     PU PCB  33  includes a transmitter  33   a , (not shown in the present illustration, shown in  FIG. 9   a ) and all the necessary components for generating and transmitting command signals, including a transmission antenna. 
     PU PCB  33  receives electrical power from PU battery  34 . 
       FIG. 6   c  is a schematic cross sectional side view e-e illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of the pedal unit  301 , according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6   d  is a perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of the pedal unit  301 ′, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6   e  is another perspective view schematic illustration of an exemplary, illustrative embodiment of an interior mechanism of the pedal unit  301 ′, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic cross sectional side view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative of another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve, (ARCFV)  202 , according to the present invention. 
     The another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve  202  comprises a ARCFV exterior thread  82 , through which it can be connected to a spout of a faucet, which has internal screw threading suitable for an ARCFV body  81 . 
     The another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve  202  can also be equipped with other types of connectors and be suitable for connection to a faucet supply line. 
     Water enters into the fluid passageway ARCFV  80  through inlet ARCFV  85   i , and exits the unit through ARCFV outlet  85   o . In ARCFV fluid passageway  80 , a throttle  87  is installed, which rotates around a central axle  88 . The throttle  87  is operated by electric ARCFV engine  86 , which uses the power of ARCFV batteries  84 . 
     In the illustration, throttle  87  is described in solid and dashed lines. The solid line illustrates the throttle  87  in a situation wherein the fluid ARCFV passageway  80  is blocked, namely in a closed state. The dashed line illustrates the throttle  87 ′ in a state wherein the fluid ARCFV passageway  80  is unblocked, namely in an open state. 
     The rotation between both states is around a central axle  88 . 
     An ARCFV control circuit  83  is an electronic card containing all necessary components to receive electromagnetic command signals, also including the antenna  83   a.    
       FIG. 8  is a schematic cross sectional side view illustration of an exemplary, illustrative of still another embodiment of remote controlled fluid valve, (SARCFV)  203 , according to the present invention. 
     The structure of the SARCFV  203  includes SARCFV passageway  90  which is within SARCFV body  91 . 
     Fluid enters into the fluid passageway SARCFV passageway  90  through passageway inlet  95   i , and exits the unit through passageway inlet  95   o.    
     The SARCFV body  91  also contains a releasing pressure valve  92 , a passageway valve  94 , and other components required for their activation, as well as a coil  92   a , a magnet  92   b , a spring for releasing pressure  92   c  and an inside compartment space  93   b.    
     The state shown in the present illustration is in a closed state, the SARCFV passageway  90  is blocked by the passageway valve  94 . 
     In the closed state, the fluid pressure on the passageway valve  94  overcomes the power of passageway opening spring  95   b , thereby keeping the SARCFV passageway  90  blocked. However, upon decreasing the fluid pressure on the SARCFV fluid passageway valve  94 , the passageway opening  95   a  opens, thus opening the flow of fluid through the SARCFV passageway  90 . 
     The pressure level of the fluid on the SARCFV passageway valve  94  can be reduced as follows: 
     An inside compartment  93  is installed inside the SARCFV passageway  90 . Upon receiving a signal (such as from a foot pedal unit), a releasing pressure valve  92  moves from inside compartment inlet  93   i , thereby allowing fluid to enter into compartment  93 , and exit through an inside compartment outlet  93   o . Thus, the fluid pressure on the left side of the passageway valve  94  is reduced, thereby allowing a passageway opening spring  95   b  to overcome the fluid pressure on the passageway valve  94 , thus shifting to open state. 
     Thus, compartment  93  and the components thereof are actually a fluid trigger operable to decrease/increase the fluid pressure in the SARCFV passageway  90 . When the hydraulic trigger decreases hydraulic pressure inside the SARCFV passageway  90 , the passageway valve  94  unblocks the flow and vice versa. 
     This embodiment is beneficial over the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , since the electrical power required to open the block and unblock the fluid passageway is significantly smaller thanks to the action of the fluid trigger, which after being triggered, employs the fluid pressure as a substitute for electrical power. 
     In a simplified embodiment, when a user presses the pedal, the fluid passageway opens, closes. This requires a relatively simple circuitry. 
     In a more complicated embodiment, the user may select an operational state by different signaling, such as the double click in a computer mouse. This requires more sophisticated circuitry. 
       FIG. 9   a  is block diagram schematically illustrating a pedal unit  301 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     The block diagram of the pedal unit  301  shows that the PU battery or batteries  34  electrically feed the tact switch  35  and effectively all electrical components of the pedal unit  301 . The PU microcontroller  37  receives data regarding power and latch from the tact switch  35 . 
     The PU microcontroller  37  also receives data from a code transmitter  39  which in turn passes on data to the PU PCB  33 . 
       FIG. 9   b  is block diagram schematically illustrating a remote controlled fluid valve  201 , according to some embodiments of the invention. 
     The block diagram of the remote controlled fluid valve  201  shows that the RCFV battery  65  electrically feeds the engine  64 , the RCFV microcontroller  65   a , and the RCFV PCB  63 , and actually, all electronic components of the remote controlled fluid valve  201 . 
     The RCFV PCB  63  includes a transceiver  63   a  and all the necessary components for receiving command signals, including a receiving antenna. 
     The RCFV microcontroller  65   a  also transmits data to an on/off and weak battery indication LED  65   c , and to a driver  65   b.    
     Driver  65   b  activates engine  64  which activates gear  66 , (not shown in the present illustration), which in turn activates the arms mechanism  70 , (not shown in the present illustration), thus determining the open or closed state of the flexible tube  61  (not shown in the present illustration). 
       FIG. 10  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a tact switch, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a pedal unit, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a detailed electric circuit diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a remote controlled fluid valve, according to the present invention. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.