Patent Publication Number: US-2020299941-A1

Title: Faucet including a wireless control module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/589,540, filed Nov. 21, 2017, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid delivery apparatus and, more particularly, to a faucet including a wireless control module facilitating voice controlled operation of an electrically operable valve. 
     Electronic faucets typically include an electrically operable valve coupled to an electronic controller for controlling fluid flow through a water outlet. Some electronic faucets include proximity sensors, such as active infrared (“IR”) proximity detectors or capacitive proximity sensors to control operation of the electrically operable valve. Such proximity sensors may be used to detect a user&#39;s hands positioned near the faucet and to automatically start fluid flow through the faucet in response to detection of the user&#39;s hands. Other electronic faucets may use touch sensors, such as capacitive touch sensors, to control the faucet. An illustrative electronic faucet is detailed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0362877 to Thomas et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     Electronic faucets that may be controlled by voice commands are known in the art. Such voice controlled faucets may include a microphone to receive audible input for controlling operation of an electrically operable valve. 
     The present disclosure relates to a modular accessory that may be added to an existing electronic faucet to allow wireless control of the faucet. The inputs for such wireless control may originate from a variety of devices including, for example, voice recognition and conversion devices, dedicated remote user interfaces, and/or smartphones. 
     The illustrative wireless control module of the present disclosure adds functionality to an existing electronic faucet, such as hands-free operation and programmatic control of water flow (a handwashing mode for example, where water flow is timed). The wireless control module may also contain sensors to measure water parameters such as water temperature and/or flow rate. Use of these sensors allows for added functionality, such as purging cold water from a hot water line (warm up), dispensing a prescribed amount of water, and/or monitoring water usage. 
     Because the illustrative wireless control module is a releasably coupled accessory and not integrated into the electronic faucet, it may be added by only those consumers who desire the added functionality without including unnecessary complexities and burdening the base cost of the electronic faucet. 
     According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic faucet includes a spout, a fluid supply conduit supported by the spout, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes an electrically operable valve positioned to control fluid flow through the fluid supply conduit. A valve controller is operative to control the electrically operable valve. A wireless control module is in communication with the valve controller. The wireless control module includes a transceiver configured to send and/or receive wireless signals from a remote transmitter and communicate with the valve controller to control operation of the electrically operable valve. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a wireless control module for an electronic faucet includes a body defining a fluid passageway extending between an inlet and an outlet, a receiver configured to receive wireless signals from a remote transmitter, and a wireless controller operably coupled to the receiver. A cable is coupled to the receiver, and is in communication with a valve controller to control operation of an electrically operable valve. A releasable coupler is configured to couple the inlet of the fluid passageway to an outlet of the electrically operable valve. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       A detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary electronic faucet of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary controller and wireless control module of the electronic faucet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a valve assembly and a wireless control module of the illustrative electronic faucet of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the valve assembly and the wireless control module of  FIG. 3 , with the valve assembly shown partially exploded; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the illustrative wireless control module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative wireless control module of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7A  is a plan view of the printed circuit board of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of internet communication with the wireless control module of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of illustrative internet protocols for use with the wireless control module of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 11  is a state diagram illustrating exemplary operation of the electronic faucet of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the claimed invention is thereby intended. The present invention includes any alterations and further modifications of the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of principles in the invention which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an electronic faucet  10  is shown according to some illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. Electronic faucet  10  includes a spout  12  supporting a passageway or waterway (e.g., a fluid conduit) for delivering fluids such as water, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the passageway of spout  12  includes fluid passages between hot and cold water sources  16 ,  18  and a water outlet  19  of spout  12 . See, for example, passages  28   a,    28   b,    28   c,    28   d,    28   e  of  FIG. 1 . Electronic faucet  10  illustratively includes an electrically operable valve, such as a solenoid valve  22 , in fluid communication with hot and cold water sources  16 ,  18 . Solenoid valve  22  is illustratively controlled electronically by a valve controller  24 . It should be noted that the controller  24  may be integral with, or separate from, the solenoid valve  22 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, valve controller  24  is configured to open and close solenoid valve  22  to turn on and off the fluid flow to outlet  19  of spout  12 . In another illustrative embodiment, valve controller  24  is further configured to proportionally control valve  22  to adjust the flow rate and/or temperature of the fluid flowing through spout  12  to outlet  19 . In an illustrative embodiment described herein, solenoid valve  22  includes a pilot operated solenoid valve, although another suitable electrically operable or actuator driven valve may be provided, such as an electronically proportional valve (EPV). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, valve controller  24  controls solenoid valve  22  based on output from at least one activation sensor, such as a proximity sensor and/or a touch sensor, for example, to turn on and off fluid flow through spout  12 . In an illustrative embodiment, the activation sensor comprises a capacitive sensor  26  in communication with valve controller  24  for providing signals to valve controller  24  indicating the detection of an object (e.g. a user&#39;s hands) on or near spout  12 . Other suitable activation sensors may be provided for detecting an object near faucet  10 . As illustrated, an electrode  25  of capacitive sensor  26  is coupled to spout  12  (or is part of spout  12 ) to detect the object contacting spout  12 . Electrode  25  may be positioned in other suitable areas of faucet  10  for detecting the presence of a user&#39;s hands. 
     In the illustrative embodiment, capacitive sensor  26  and electrode  25  are used for at least one of a touch mode and a hands-free mode of operation. In the hands free mode of operation, capacitive sensor  26  and valve controller  24  detect a user&#39;s hands or other object within a detection area or zone near spout  12 . In one embodiment, the detection area includes the water stream and the area in the sink basin immediately surrounding the water stream. The detection area may be expanded to other areas depending on the location and sensitivity of capacitive sensor  26 . In the touch mode of operation, capacitive sensor  26  and valve controller  24  detect a user&#39;s hands or other object upon contact with a surface of spout  12 . To turn on the electronic faucet  10  in either mode, solenoid valve  22  is activated by valve controller  24  upon detecting the object (e.g., user&#39;s hands) to toggle water flow on and off. 
     In some illustrative embodiments, by sensing capacitance changes with capacitive sensor  26 , valve controller  24  is configured to make logical decisions to control different modes of operation of faucet  10  such as changing between a manual mode of operation and a hands free mode of operation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,537,023; U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,395; U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,293; U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,301; and PCT International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO 2008/094651 and WO 2009/075858, the disclosures of which are all expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, manual adjustment of the water temperature and flow rate may be provided after opening the solenoid valve  22  by manipulating a manual valve handle  14 . The handle  14  may be supported by a hub  15  supporting the spout  12 . More particularly, hub  15  is illustratively positioned intermediate the spout  12  and a mounting deck  17  (e.g., a sink deck). In particular, manual valve handle  14  may be used to manipulate a manual valve assembly  20  positioned in the passageway of spout  12  to adjust the temperature and/or flow of fluid from the hot and cold water sources  16 ,  18  to solenoid valve  22 . A separate manual valve handle  14  and associated manual valve assembly  20  may be provided for each of the hot and cold water sources  16  and  18 . Alternatively, electronic faucet  10  is a fully automatic faucet without any manual controls (i.e., no manual valve assembly  20 ). An illustrative manual valve assembly  20  is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,074, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, valve controller  24  may further control valve assembly  20  electronically. In particular, valve assembly  20  may include an electronic proportioning or mixing valve that is adjusted by valve controller  24  to control the mixture of hot and cold water and thus the temperature of the water flowing through spout  12  to outlet  19 . Such an electronic mixing valve  20  may be in addition to, or replace, the solenoid valve  22 . Additionally, the mixing valve  20  may be replaced by separate hot and cold water proportional valves. 
     Exemplary electronically controlled mixing valves are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,520 and PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2007/082301, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. The amount of fluid flowing from hot water source  16  and cold water source  18  may be controlled by valve controller  24  based on one or more user inputs, such as desired fluid temperature, desired fluid flow rate, desired fluid volume, various task based inputs, various recognized presentments, and/or combinations thereof. For example, faucet  10  may include a temperature sensor (e.g., temperature sensor  54  described herein) in fluid communication with the output of the proportioning valve to provide feedback to valve controller  24  for use in controlling the water temperature. In one embodiment, valve controller  24  controls the proportional valve via the auxiliary port  56  ( FIG. 2 ) described herein. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, faucet  10  includes one or more indicators  29  controlled by valve controller  24  to provide a visual or audio indication of the operational mode (e.g., hands free and/or touch mode) and/or water temperature of the electronic faucet  10 . An exemplary indicator  29  includes a light-emitting diode (LED) or other light source or audible device positioned near faucet  10 . Other exemplary indicators  29  include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a magnetically latching mechanical indicator. In one embodiment, indicators  29  are operative to indicate operating mode and/or the temperature of the water flowing through faucet  10  based on the selective illumination of different colored LED&#39;s or a single multi-colored LED. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, valve controller  24  may be in communication with a remote device in addition to electronic faucet  10 , illustratively an auxiliary device  30 . The exemplary auxiliary device  30  may include, for example, another faucet spout  30   a  ( FIG. 2 ), a soap dispenser, a beverage dispenser, or another suitable dispensing device. The auxiliary device  30  may also comprise any of a garbage disposal, a dishwasher, an instant hot device, a remote switch (e.g., a foot switch), or other device associated with or in proximity to a plumbing device. As further detailed herein, the auxiliary device  30   b  ( FIG. 2 ) may comprise a wireless communication device (e.g., a wireless control module). Auxiliary device  30  may be positioned adjacent the same sink basin as spout  12 . Alternatively, auxiliary device  30  may be positioned to dispense into a different sink basin, such as another sink basin in a bathroom or kitchen or in another room, for example. 
     As described in detail herein, valve controller  24  illustratively includes an auxiliary port  56  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) for remotely controlling and/or powering the auxiliary device  30  via an electronic cable  55  ( FIG. 3 ). The electronic cable  55  may be of conventional design and, illustratively, comprises a serial cable including opposing first and second end connectors  57   a  and  57   b,  and providing for bidirectional communication, as further detailed herein. More than one auxiliary device  30   a,    30   b,  etc. may be coupled to different auxiliary ports  56  by multiple electronic cables  55   a,    55   b.  While the illustrative auxiliary device  30  may be fully controlled by valve controller  24 , the device  30  may also include a separate controller (e.g., microprocessor) for operating itself, while receiving power and/or communication signals from the controller  24 . 
     Referring further to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of exemplary valve controller  24  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. Valve controller  24  illustratively includes a printed circuit board  40  and multiple circuit components mounted to the printed circuit board  40 . Illustratively, a processor  42 , a flow sensor  52 , a temperature sensor  54 , auxiliary port(s)  56 , and a light connector  58  are coupled to circuit board  40 . A connection header  46  is illustratively coupled to circuit board  40  for coupling a power line from an external power source  21 . In one illustrative embodiment, power source  21  is a battery power supply or other direct current (DC) power supply connected at header  46 . Internal or external memory  44  of processor  42  may include software and/or firmware containing instructions executed by processor  42  for controlling solenoid valve  22 , other components of faucet  10 , and other devices (e.g., auxiliary devices  30 ). Processor  42  illustratively controls solenoid valve  22  based on output from capacitive sensor  26 , flow sensor  52 , and/or temperature sensor  54 . 
     Light connector  58  is configured to route electrical current to light devices  59 , such as LED&#39;s for example, to illuminate light devices  59 . In one illustrative embodiment, light devices  59  are different colors, and processor  42  selectively controls light devices  59  to illuminate different colors based on the operating mode of the faucet  10  and/or the temperature of the water flowing through faucet  10 . An exemplary light connector  58  includes an audio jack connector. In one embodiment, indicators  29  of  FIG. 1  include the light devices  59  of  FIG. 2 . In the exemplary embodiment, valve controller  24  also includes a power connector  48  for coupling valve controller  24  to a wall outlet or other building power supply to power valve controller  24 . Power connector  48  illustratively includes a rectifier to convert alternating current (AC) power to DC power levels suitable for valve controller  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , an exemplary solenoid valve assembly  50 , including solenoid valve  22 , is illustrated in fluid and electrical communication with a wireless control module  200 . Fluid enters a valve housing  70  ( FIG. 4 ) of solenoid valve assembly  50  via fluid conduit  28   c  and exits valve housing  70  via fluid conduit  28   d,  then through wireless control module  200  and to spout  12  via fluid conduit  28   e  ( FIG. 1 ). Fluid conduits  28   d  and  28   e  may include seals  31  ( FIG. 3 ) providing a sealing connection to a mating component of the fluid conduit  28   e  and the fluid conduit of spout  12 , respectively. Swing connectors or couplers  71   a  and  71   b  are illustratively pivotally supported for coupling together fluid conduit  28   c  with an inlet tube  73  from the manual valve assembly  20 , and for coupling together fluid conduit  28   d  with a main body  202  of wireless control module  200 . 
     Solenoid valve assembly  50  illustratively includes an outer housing  60  for enclosing and protecting valve controller  24  and solenoid valve  22  positioned within housing  60 . Outer housing  60  is configured to slide over the top of valve housing  70  ( FIG. 4 ) and mount to a base  61  of assembly  50 . Clips  72  on opposite ends of base  61  are configured to engage outer housing  60 , although other suitable fasteners may be used to couple outer housing  60  to base  61 . Outer housing  60  includes an opening  62  for receiving fluid conduit  28   d.  Outer housing  60  further includes an opening  64  that provides access to auxiliary port  56 , an opening  66  that provides access to DC power connector  48 , and an opening  68  that provides access to light connector  58 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , valve controller  24  is mounted to valve housing  70  of assembly  50 . A power cable  74  routes power from power source  21  to valve controller  24  for powering the electronic components of valve controller  24 . Power cable  74  includes electrical wires routed between a connector end  76  configured to couple to header  46  ( FIG. 5 ) of valve controller  24  and an opposite connector end  78  configured to couple to power source  21 . Additional cable wires  75  may be provided to route sensor signals, such as from capacitive sensor  26 , to valve controller  24 . In an illustrative capacitive sensing embodiment, a contact clip  79  may be electrically coupled to a mounting shank of spout  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a solenoid coil  80  of solenoid valve  22  includes coil wire  82  wound around a bobbin  84 . In the illustrated embodiment, solenoid coil  80  is mounted directly to circuit board  40 . A U-shaped metal bracket  90  is sized to fit over solenoid coil  80 . Metal bracket  90  serves as a component for routing magnetic flux generated with solenoid coil  80 . In particular, when solenoid coil  80  is energized by controller  24 , bracket  90  provides a flow path for the generated magnetic flux. Additional details on the solenoid valve  22  are provided in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0362877 to Thomas et al., the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring further to the  FIG. 4 , processor  42 , header  46 , temperature sensor  54 , port  56 , DC connector  48 , and light connector  58  are illustratively mounted to printed circuit board  40 . Port  56 , DC connector  48 , and light connector  58  are illustratively mounted at an edge of circuit board  40  to align with openings  64 ,  66 ,  68  of outer housing  60 . Circuit board  40  includes other suitable electronics for controlling solenoid valve  22 . Header  46  illustratively includes electrical pins configured to receive connector end  76  of power cable  74 . 
     Auxiliary port  56  is configured to receive a connector cable  55  routed to auxiliary device  30  ( FIG. 2 ) that may be in communication with and powered by valve controller  24 . Illustratively, the auxiliary device  30   a  may comprise the wireless control module  200 . Connector cable  55  includes first end connector  57   a  that is releasably coupled to auxiliary port(s)  56 . As such, a plug-and-play configuration is provided with auxiliary port(s)  56  that facilitates quick coupling and decoupling of secondary devices (e.g., auxiliary device  30 ) that are controllable with valve controller  24  of faucet  10 . In one illustrative embodiment, more than one auxiliary device  30  is coupled to auxiliary port  56  and controlled by valve controller  24 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the control and power management software/firmware and control switches of valve controller  24  are illustratively used to control the operation of auxiliary device(s)  30 . Auxiliary device  30  may include, for example, a soap dispenser, another faucet, a beverage dispenser, a filtered water dispenser, a hot water dispenser, or another suitable dispensing device. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , auxiliary dispensing device  30   a  may include a spout  38  that supports a fluid supply conduit. Dispensing device  30   a  illustratively includes electronics  32  in communication with valve controller  24  including an electrically operable valve  34 , such as a solenoid valve or electronically proportional valve (EPV), positioned in the fluid supply conduit for controlling fluid flow through spout  38 . Electronics  32  are releasably coupled to auxiliary port  56  via the quick-coupling connector cable  55   a  routed between the faucet  10  and device  30   a.  In one embodiment, fluid flow through the auxiliary device  30   a  is controlled by processor  42  based on serial communication received from auxiliary device  30  (e.g., from a sensor  36 ) via port  56 , similar to the capacitive-based controls of faucet  10 . As further detailed herein, the auxiliary device  30   a  may also include a separate controller (not shown) in communication with valve  34  and/or sensor  36  to control operation thereof. 
     Valve controller  24  illustratively routes power received from power source  21  ( FIG. 2 ) or DC connector  48  to electronics  32  of auxiliary device  30  via port  56  to power device  30 . As such, in one illustrative embodiment, both faucet  10  and the auxiliary device  30  operate off the same power source as managed by valve controller  24 . Valve controller  24  is operative to receive inputs from auxiliary device  30 , process the inputs, and output electrical signals for controlling the electronics  32  (e.g., solenoid, motor, lights, etc.) of device  30  based on the received inputs. In one embodiment, auxiliary device  30  includes at least one proximity sensor  36 , such as a capacitive sensor or infrared sensor, operative to detect a user&#39;s hands on or near device  30 , as similarly described herein with respect to capacitive sensor  26  of electronic faucet  10 . Alternatively, auxiliary device  30  may include a switch device configured to instruct valve controller  24  to activate the device  30  upon actuation of the switch device by the user. Valve controller  24  may control fluid flow (e.g., water, soap, beverage, etc.) through auxiliary device  30  based on the received signals from the proximity sensor  36  or the switch device. Valve controller  24  is also operative to power display lights, such as LED&#39;s, on auxiliary device  30  corresponding to the various operational modes or states of device  30 . 
     Accordingly, auxiliary device  30  may include a passive or dumb electrical interface with limited or no active controls wherein the electronics  32  of the interface are controlled remotely by valve controller  24  of faucet  10  via auxiliary port  56 . In one illustrative embodiment, the circuitry of auxiliary device  30  includes the necessary circuitry for connecting the device  30  to valve controller  24 , for detecting and sending an activation request to valve controller  24 , and for actuating the fluid valve based on controls from valve controller  24 . In other illustrative embodiments, the auxiliary device  30  may include a controller (e.g., a microprocessor) for operating itself, wherein the auxiliary device  30  only receives power and/or communication from the controller  24 . 
     In one illustrative example, auxiliary port  56  includes a multi-pin (e.g., 8 pin) registered jack (RJ) receptacle, although any suitable electrical connector may be used for port  56 . In one illustrative embodiment, the multiple pin connections of auxiliary port  56  include a switched power supply connected to battery voltage (e.g., power source  21 ) for powering electronics of auxiliary device  30 , a ground line, a serial data transmit line, a serial data receive line, an interrupt line, a 3.3 volt power line, and a reset line. 
     Temperature sensor  54  may be mounted (e.g., soldered) directly to circuit board  40 . As such, sensor  54  is illustratively positioned outside of valve housing  70 . In one illustrative embodiment, temperature sensor  54  includes a surface-mount type NTC thermistor soldered to circuit board  40 , although other suitable temperature sensors may be used. A heat transfer device extends from temperature sensor  54  to inside an interior region or waterway  130  ( FIG. 5 ) of valve housing  70 . Heat transfer device is operative to transfer heat from the fluid within interior region  130  of valve housing  70  to temperature sensor  54 , as described herein. 
     Illustratively, processor  42  is operative to control faucet  10  based on the water temperature measured with temperature sensor  54 . In one illustrative embodiment, processor  42  is operative to selectively control light devices  59  ( FIG. 2 ) to illuminate different colored devices  59  to indicate the water temperature to the user. For example, blue indicates cold water, red indicates hot water, and shades between red and blue indicate temperatures between hot and cold. Alternatively, processor  42  illustratively displays the water temperature numerically on a digital or analog display (e.g., an LCD display of indicator  29 ). In one illustrative embodiment, valve controller  24  is programmed to shut off water flow, i.e., close solenoid valve  22 , automatically upon the detected water temperature exceeding a threshold temperature. An exemplary threshold temperature is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although other suitable thresholds may be set. In one embodiment, controller  42  uses the temperature information from sensor  54  to control an electrically operable mixing valve (e.g., valve  20 ) in series with solenoid valve  22 . The mixing valve is controlled to mix water proportionally from hot and cold sources  16  and  18  to achieve a desired temperature. The desired temperature may be selectable by the user or may be predetermined and programmed in memory of processor  42 . As such, closed loop temperature control of the water through faucet  10  may be provided with temperature sensor  54 . Other suitable controls may be implemented based on water temperature. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6-8 , the illustrative wireless control module  200  includes a main body or waterway tube  202  including a tube  204  defining a waterway or fluid passageway  206  extending between an inlet  208  and an outlet  210 . The main body  202  may be formed from a polymer, such as a glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic material. A housing or cover  212  is coupled to the main body  202 . More particularly, an end wall  214  of the main body  202  is coupled to an open end  216  of the housing  212 . The housing  212  may be formed from a polymer, such as an acetal copolymer. An inlet portion  218  of the tube  204  extends in a first direction from the end wall  214 , and an outlet portion  220  of the tube  204  extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction, from the end wall  214 . A chamber  222  is defined within the housing  212  and receives a wireless controller  224 . The outlet portion  220  of the tube  204  extends through the chamber  222  and out of the housing  212  via an opening  226  in an end wall  228 . 
     The inlet  208  is fluidly coupled to the outlet  28   d  of the solenoid valve assembly  22 , and the outlet  210  is fluidly coupled to water outlet  19  of spout  12 . More particularly, the inlet portion  218  of the tube  204  receives the outlet tube  28   d  of the solenoid valve assembly  22 . The swing clip  71   b  illustratively secures the outlet tube  28   d  of the solenoid valve assembly  22  to the tube  204  of the wireless control module  200 . More particularly, a first end  230  of the swing clip  71   b  is pivotably coupled to pins  232  on the inlet portion  218  of the tube  204 . A second end  234  of the swing clip  71   b  includes an arcuate retainer  236  configured to engage an annular recess  238  on the outlet tube  28   d.  The outlet portion  220  of the tube  204  is illustratively received within an end of fluid conduit  28   e  coupled to the spout tube  12 . O-rings  31  may be positioned intermediate the tube  204  and the fluid conduit  28   e  to provide fluid sealing therebetween. 
     The wireless controller  224  illustratively includes a printed circuit board  240  received within the chamber  222  of the housing  212 . The printed circuit board  240  illustratively supports a conventional microprocessor  242 . An auxiliary port  244  may also be supported by the printed circuit board  240  and is in electrical communication with the wireless controller  224 . The auxiliary port  244  is accessible through an opening  246  in a side wall  248  of the housing  212 . 
     A wireless communication device, such as a wireless transceiver  250 , is illustratively supported by the printed circuit board  240  and is in electrical communication with the wireless controller  224 . The wireless transceiver  250  is configured to wirelessly communicate (e.g., receive and/or transmit wireless signals, either directly or indirectly) with a remote device  252 . Such wireless communications may be via known technologies, such as wireless communications in the 2.4 GHz frequency band including, for example Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Bluetooth. The wireless transceiver  250  illustratively comprises a wireless radio and antenna, such as a Wi-Fi module or chip, a ZigBee module, or a Bluetooth module. In one illustrative embodiment, the wireless transceiver  250  comprises a Wi-Fi chip configured to be in communication with a Wi-Fi network  254 . As detailed herein, the wireless communication device illustratively comprises transceiver  250  for both receiving and transmitting wireless signals. In other words, transceiver  250  is understood to include both a receiver and a transmitter. As such, a receiver may be defined by a transceiver and, more particularly, by transceiver  250  embedded with the printed circuit board  240 . Use of the term receiver is not limited to a device that only receives signals, and may include a device that also transmits signals (e.g., a transceiver). 
     The remote device  252  may comprise a voice recognition and conversion device in wireless communication with the transceiver  250 . Alternatively, the remote device  252  may comprise a smart phone, a tablet, a computer and/or a dedicated remote user interface (i.e., remote control). As further detailed herein, the remote device  252  may communicate over the Internet through the cloud to the wireless control module  200 . In yet other illustrative embodiments, the remote device  252  may include both a voice recognition and conversion device, and at least one of a smart phone, a tablet, a computer and/or remote control. 
     A flow sensor  256  is illustratively supported by the tube  204  of the main body  202  to detect water flow within the fluid passageway  206 , and is in electrical communication with the wireless controller  224  and/or the valve controller  24 . More particularly, the flow sensor  256  illustratively comprises a flow turbine assembly  257  including a flow turbine  258  supported for rotation by a flow turbine cage  260 . The flow turbine cage  260  may be received within the tube  204  such that water flow through the fluid passageway  206  rotates the flow turbine  258 . The flow turbine  256  may be a magnetic flow turbine including a magnet supported by rotor  262  and a sensor or detector  263  supported on the printed circuit board  240 , the detector  263  being configured to detect rotation of the rotor  262 . The number of rotations detected by the sensor is correlated to flow rate and/or flow volume by the wireless controller  224  and/or the valve controller  24 . The valve controller  24  may control the electrically operable valve  22  to dispense a predetermined amount of water based upon the input from the flow sensor  256 . Additionally, the flow sensor  256  may be used to monitor water use and provide such information to the user. More particularly, water usage information from the flow sensor  256  may be provided to the controller  224 , and transmitted from the embedded transceiver  250  to the processor  42  for displaying to the user information on water consumption of the faucet  10  over time, for example on a display screen (not shown). 
     In certain illustrative embodiments, a temperature sensor  264  may be supported by the tube  204  of the main body  202  to detect the temperature of water flowing through the fluid passageway  206 , and is in electrical communication with the wireless controller  224  and/or the valve controller  24 . Temperature sensor  264  may supplement or replace temperature sensor  54  of the valve assembly  20 . As further detailed herein, the temperature sensor  54  may be used with the wireless controller  224  and/or the valve controller  24  to provide a temperature indication to the user, provide a high temperature limit and/or provide a warm-up feature. 
     Wireless controller  224  illustratively provides a means for reading flow sensor  256 , temperature sensor  264  and wireless communication device  250 , such as Wi-Fi chip, ZigBee module, or Bluetooth module for receiving and/or transmitting data. Electronic cable  55  communicates commands (e.g., signals) between the wireless control module  200  and the electronic control valve  20  via the valve controller  24 . Illustratively, the electronic cable  55  is a serial cable including opposing first and second end connectors  57   a  and  57   b.  The first connector  57   a  is coupled to the port  56  of the valve controller  24 , while the second connector  57   b  is coupled to the port  244  of the wireless control module  200 . 
     The modular waterway design detailed herein permits the wireless control module  200  to be inserted between the outlet of the electronic control valve  20  and the waterway extending through faucet spout  12 . 
     A serial communication protocol illustratively exists between the wireless controller  224  of the wireless control module  200  and the processor  42  of the valve controller  24 . Serial communication between the wireless controller  224  and the processor  42  is configured to occur bi-directionally. In addition to transmit and receive data signals, an interrupt signal may be used to indicate to the recipient that a data transmission is about to begin. The interrupt signal allows both the wireless control module  200  and the processor  42  of the valve controller  24  to go into low-power sleep modes until one is woken-up, or activated, by the other using the interrupt signal. This scheme or protocol allows for both devices  200 ,  42  to operate for long periods of time on battery power; as they are not always fully powered-up waiting or searching for data. The serial protocol to send data may be uniquely defined and register based. For example, to set the water state an auxiliary device or smart spout can write the value of ‘1’ to register 0x02 to turn on (e.g., open) the valve  22 . As another example, an auxiliary device  30  can request the current water temperature by requesting the value currently stored in register 0x05 in the valve controller  24 . Illustratively, all serial message packets use a start byte, a stop byte, a message length byte and two byte cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to ensure data integrity. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic representation of illustrative internet communication with the wireless control module  200 . More particularly, the voice recognition and conversion device  252  and the wireless control module  200  may be part of a home network  270  that communicates wirelessly with software stored within the internet  272  (e.g., internet cloud) via a web interface  274 . The web interface  274  may be of conventional design, such as a wireless router or hub, for facilitating communication between the internet cloud  272  and the home network  270 . A web portal  276  illustratively provides communication between a voice recognition service  278  and a command parsing routine  280 , and an internet of things (IoT) hub  282 . Additionally, a dedicated remote use interface, such as a smart phone or tablet  284 , may be in communication with the web portal  276 . In another illustrative embodiment, the smart phone or tablet  284  can communicate directly with the wireless control module  200 , for example, via a Soft AP Wi-Fi configuration. 
       FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic representation of illustrative internet protocols for use with the wireless control module  200 . For example, voice recognition and conversion device  252   a  may comprise, for example, a voice or virtual assistant such as Alexa for use on devices (e.g., Echo) available from Amazon of Seattle, Wash. USA. In such an illustrative embodiment, the device  252   a  is in communication with Alexa voice recognition service  278   a  and Alexa voice adapter  280   a  (e.g., AWS Lambda computing platform). In another illustrative embodiment, voice recognition and conversion device  252   b  may comprise, for example, a voice or virtual assistant such as Google Assistant available from Google of Mountain View, Calif. USA. In such an illustrative embodiment, the device  252   b  is in communication with Google voice recognition service  278   b  and Google voice adapter  280   b  (e.g., Google cloud function). 
     With further reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , setup of the internet of things (IoT) hub  282  for communication with the controller  224  of the wireless control module  200  is illustratively provided by using only a webpage from a remote computing device, such as smart phone or tablet  284 . More particularly, communications between the wireless control module  200  and the voice recognition and conversion device  252  are illustratively provided over the Wi-Fi network  270  and the internet  272  using standard internet protocols. A setup mechanism is provided for connecting the device  200  to the internet  272  without requiring the user to download a stand-alone application from a dedicated application store (e.g., the Apple App Store or Google Play Store). 
     Illustrative steps to setup device (e.g., wireless control module  200 ) are detailed below. The advantage of this setup system is that the user can use the web browser in his or her smart phone or tablet  284  to setup the device  200  without having to download a stand-alone ‘app’ for this one-time setup. In addition to the streamlined setup of the device  200 , future configuration and control of the device  200  can occur thru a web portal, again employing the use of a built-in web browser in the user&#39;s smart phone or tablet  284 . 
     An illustrative Wi-Fi web setup procedure includes the following steps:
         1. The device  200  will host its own webserver and software access point (soft AP).   2. The user will connect to this soft AP by selecting this open Wi-Fi network on his or her smart phone or tablet  284 .   3. The user will open his or her web browser and type in the IP address or url to the locally hosted webpage.   4. In the soft AP webpage, the user will be asked to select his or her home Wi-Fi SSID and enter his or her passkey.   5. At this point, the soft AP will shut down and the device will attempt to connect to the home Wi-Fi network  270  using the credentials the user entered. While this is happening, the webpage on the user&#39;s smart phone or tablet  284  will use asynchronous JavaScript (AJAX) to delay ˜20 seconds (allowing the user&#39;s smart phone or tablet  284  to revert back to a stable internet connection on Wi-Fi or cellular) and then redirect to a globally resolvable web portal.   6. Once at the public web portal, the user will create an account to link his or her physical device (e.g. Wi-Fi voice faucet  10 ) to his or her account in the cloud.       

     Set-up finished. The user can now go back to the public web portal at any time to change settings for their device or remotely control their device (e.g., electronic faucet  10 ). 
       FIG. 11  is a state diagram showing an illustrative operation of the electronic faucet  10  of the present disclosure. Blocks  302 ,  304 ,  306  and  308  represent different operating states or modes of the illustrative electronic faucet  10 . More particularly, block  302  represents a first state or mode of operation, where both the manual valve  20  and the electrically operable valve  22  are closed such that no water flows through the outlet  19  of the spout  12 . Block  304  represents a second state or mode of operation, where the manual valve  20  is closed and the electrically operable valve  22  is open. No water flows through the outlet  19  of the spout  12  in the second mode of operation. Block  306  represents a third state or mode of operation, where both the manual valve  20  and the electrically operable valve  22  are open such that water flows through the outlet  19  of the spout  12 . Block  308  represents a fourth state or mode of operation, where the manual valve  20  is open and the electrically operable valve  22  is closed. No water flows through the outlet  19  of the spout  12  in the fourth mode of operation. 
     In  FIG. 11 , various illustrative commands for controlling operation of the electrically operable valve  22  are represented by lines associated with various combinations of numbers 1 through 12. As further detailed herein, the valve controller  24  may receive commands from different inputs, such as capacitive sensor(s)  26  and/or voice recognition and conversion device  252 . The valve controller  24  may also distinguish between a “tap” and a “grab” of different components of the electronic faucet  10  as a result of signals received from capacitive sensor(s)  26 . More particularly, the valve controller  24  may make such a distinction based on the amount of time between positive and negative slopes of the capacitive signal. A longer duration indicates a “grab”, while a shorter duration indicates a “tap”. Illustratively, a grab is a contact or touch lasting at least 300 milliseconds, while a tap is a contact or touch lasting no more than 300 milliseconds. Additional illustrative details on distinguishing between touching of a spout  12  and/or a handle  14  to define a tap and a grab, identifying different patterns of touching, and implementing different functions as a result thereof, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,776,817 to Sawaski et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,613,419 to Rodenbeck et al., U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,626 to Sawaski et al., the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     With further reference to the state diagram of  FIG. 11 , command  1  is no new input. Command  2  is spout tap, where the user touches the spout  12  of the faucet  10  for a predetermined time defining a tap. Command  3  is a hub tap, where the user touches the hub  15  of the faucet  10  for a predetermined time defining a tap. Command  4  is a spout grab, where the user touches the spout  12  for a predetermined time defining a grab. Command  5  is a hub grab, where the user touches the hub  15  for a predetermined time defining a touch. Command  6  is a voice ON command, where the user voices an audible “on” to the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . Command  7  is a voice OFF command, where the user voices an audible “off” to the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . Command  8  is a voice DISPENSE command, where the user voices an audible “dispense” to the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . Command  9  is a voice WARM-UP command, where the user voices an audible “warm up” to the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . Command  10  is a voice dispense complete command, which is initiated after the voice DISPENSE command (command  8 ), where the controller  24  moves the electrically operable valve  22  to a closed position following the dispensing of a predetermined amount of water as measured by the flow sensor  256 . Command  11  is a warm-up complete command, which is initiated after the voice WARM-UP command (command  9 ), where the controller  24  moves the electrically operable valve  22  to a closed position after the water temperature as measured by the temperature sensor  264  exceeds a predetermined value. Command  12  is a time out command, where the controller  24  moves the electrically operable valve  22  to a closed position after the electrically operable valve  22  has been opened for a predetermined time. 
     With further reference to  FIG. 11 , illustrative manual inputs to the handle  14  of the manual valve  20  are represented by lines associated with letters A and B. Manual input A is placing the handle  14  of the manual valve  20  in an OFF position, such that no water flows through the manual valve  20 . Manual input B is placing the handle  14  of the manual valve  20  in an ON position, such that water flows through the manual valve  20 . 
     Commands for controlling operation of the electrically operable valve  22  may be initiated through a variety of inputs associated with the electronic faucet  10 . Such inputs may include one or more of voice recognition, capacitive sensing, infrared (IR) sensing, proximity sensing, etc. Once a command is issued, the execution of the command illustratively occurs by using the controller  24  to keep track of elapsed time and reading of the sensors (e.g., flow sensor  52 ,  256 , temperature sensor  54 ,  264 , etc.) to control water flow. For capacitive sensing, the user may perform a touch sequence on a component of the electronic faucet  10  (e.g., a double tap on the spout  12 ), or combination touches on different components of the electronic faucet  10  (e.g., grab the spout  12  and move the manual handle  14  to hot, hold the spout  12  and double tap the manual handle  14 , etc.). 
     In the operation illustrated in the state diagram of  FIG. 11 , the electronic faucet  10  may be controlled by commands input from both capacitive sensor(s)  26  and voice recognition supplied to the wireless control module  200 . Beginning at state  302 , commands  2  (spout tap),  3  (hub tap),  5  (hub grab),  6  (voice ON),  8  (voice DISPENSE), and  9  (voice WARM-UP), will cause the controller  24  to open the electrically operable valve  22  while the manual valve  20  remains closed. As such, the electronic faucet  10  is in state  304 . The electronic faucet  10  remains in state  302  in response to commands  1  (no new input),  4  (spout grab), and  7  (voice OFF). 
     The electronic faucet  10  remains in state  304  in response to commands  1  (no new input),  4  (spout grab),  5  (hub grab),  6  (voice ON),  8  (voice DISPENSE), and  9  (voice WARM-UP). Commands  2  (spout tap),  3  (hub tap),  7  (voice OFF),  10  (voice DISPENSE),  11  (voice warm-up complete) and  12  (time out) return the electronic faucet  10  to state  302 . From state  302 , moving the manual handle  14  to the ON position (manual input B) causes the electronic faucet  10  to move to state  308 . 
     From state  304 , moving the manual handle  14  to the ON position (manual input B) causes the electronic faucet  10  to move to state  306 . By moving the manual handle  14  back to the OFF position (manual input A), the electronic faucet  10  returns to state  304 . At state  306 , commands  2  (spout tap),  3  (hub tap),  7  (voice OFF),  10  (voice dispense complete),  11  (voice warm-up complete), and  12  (time out), will cause the controller  24  to close the electrically operable valve  22  while the manual valve  20  remains open. As such, the electronic faucet  10  is in state  308 . The electronic faucet  10  remains in state  306  by commands  1  (no new input),  4  (spout grab),  5  (hub grab),  6  (voice ON),  8  (voice DISPENSE), and  9  (voice WARM-UP). Commands  2  (spout tap),  3  (hub tap),  5  (hub grab),  6  (voice ON),  8  (voice DISPENSE), and  9  (voice WARM-UP), return the electronic faucet  10  from state  308  to state  306 . 
     The electronic faucet  10  remains in state  308  by commands  1  (no new input),  4  (spout grab), and  7  (voice OFF). From state  308 , moving the manual handle  14  to the OFF position (manual input A) causes the electronic faucet  10  to move to state  302 . By moving the manual handle  14  back to the ON position (manual input B) at state  302 , the electronic faucet  10  returns to state  308 . 
     It should be appreciated that a variety of different commands may be programmed for operation by the controller  24 . For example, in response to a “wash hands” command, the controller  24  may (1) open the electrically operable valve  22  for a short, preset duration for the user to wet his hands, (2) close the electrically operable valve  22  for a short, preset duration for the user to apply soap, and (3) again open the electrically operable valve  22  for the user to rinse his hands. The controller  24  can again close the valve  22  after a short, preset duration, or only after an additional command input from the user. In this operation, the water dispensed may be set at a predetermined warm temperature (e.g., as detected by temperature sensor  54 ). 
     In response to a “brush teeth” command, the controller  24  may (1) open the electrically operable valve  22  for a short, preset duration for the user to wet his toothbrush, (2) close the electrically operable valve  22  for a short, preset duration for the user to apply toothpaste to the toothbrush, and (3) again open the electrically operable valve  22  for the user to rinse his mouth. The controller  24  can again close the valve  22  after a short, preset duration, or only after an additional command input from the user. In this operation, the water dispensed may be set at a predetermined cold temperature (e.g., as detected by temperature sensor  54 ). While the brush teeth mode is similar to the wash hands mode, the programmed times of operation and water temperatures are illustratively different. 
     In another illustrative example, a “fill object” command may cause the controller  24  to open the electrically operable valve  22  for a preset duration, or for a preset volume as measured by the flow sensor  256 , for dispensing a set amount of water sufficient to fill a container, and then close the electrically operable valve  22 . Different commands may be used to dispense different set amounts of water for filling different containers. Illustrative commands may include, for example, “fill cup”, “fill pitcher”, “fill gallon”, etc. 
     A “warm up” command may cause the controller  24  to open the electrically operably valve  22  until the temperature of water dispensed (e.g., as detected by temperature sensor  54 ) meets or exceeds a predetermined value. 
     The various commands may be initiated through a variety of different inputs on the faucet  10  including, for example, voice input, capacitive sensors, infrared sensors, etc. For capacitive sensors  26 , for example, the user may perform a touch sequence (e.g., double tap) or combination touch (e.g., hold the spout  12  and turn the handle  14  to warm, hold the spout  12 , and double tap the handle  14 ). Once a command is issued, the execution of the command may occur using microprocessor  42  to keep track of elapsed time and reading of sensors (e.g., flow, temperature, etc.) to control water flow. 
     When the electronic faucet  10  is being controlled by voice recognition, then it is advantageous to reduce background noise supplied to the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . As such, a laminar flow stream straightener may be provided in the flow path between the valve  22  and the outlet of the spout  12 . In one illustrative embodiment, the laminar flow stream straightener may be an aerator coupled to the outlet  19  of the spout  12 . More particularly, the aerated water may be forced through the holes or apertures in a dispersal disc and then forced through at least one screen which creates a laminar stream of aerated water as it exits from aerator. It may be appreciated that other types of stream straighteners may be used at a variety of locations in the flow path. 
     Data may be transmitted bi-directionally between the wireless control module  200  and the voice recognition and conversion device  252 . More particularly, the device  200  and/or the voice recognition and conversion device  252  illustratively includes a speaker to convey information verbally to the user. For example, the device  200  and/or the voice recognition and conversion device  252  may provide information on the battery life of the unit, water temperature, warm-up feature, flow usage, water quality, water pressure, volume of water dispensed, desired temperatures set, custom object naming for volume that could be dispensed (e.g., cup, pitcher, etc.), custom object naming for other functions (temperature, quality, etc.), and set timer so that it would turn on/off at specified times. 
     While the above description illustrates the valve assembly and the wireless control module for use in connection with electronic faucet  10 , such as a kitchen faucet, it should be appreciated that they may be used in connection with other devices, such as a shower valve, a bathtub valve, a toilet, etc. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.