Patent Publication Number: US-2023151595-A1

Title: Multifunctional smart faucet

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to faucets, and more specifically to multifunctional faucet systems able to dispense a plurality of liquids. The disclosed multifunctional faucet systems may be manually switched from dispensing one liquid to another or, in some embodiments, may be instructed to switch from one liquid to another based on pre-selected programming. In some embodiments, the programming may be selected remotely. The disclosed multifunctional smart faucet systems advantageously dispense a plurality of cleaning, sanitizing, and self-care liquids and are programmable to meet a user&#39;s needs, thus offering hands free and/or time saving solutions to daily cleaning tasks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many diseases are spread from one person to another through contact, whether direct or indirect. Many contagia are spread by contact, directly or indirectly with the hands. Some contagia can be destroyed through the use of water and cleansing agents, such as soaps, antiseptic agents, and the like. Hand washing is thus central to controlling the spread of disease and maintaining good hygiene, both on a personal and at public level. 
     Household sinks often serve as the central hub for handwashing and the cleaning of other household items. These sinks, in addition to being used for hand washing, may be used to wash dishes, clothes, and other soiled items. As a result, these sinks may have around their basins several different types of soaps, sanitizer for use when the sink is occupied, and other items, including hand lotion for use after hand washing or sanitizing. These items take up space around the sink basin and each time they are accessed, they must be touched, creating a point of contact where germs can be spread from one individual to another. Moreover, in the case of certain activities, soap must be periodically dispensed onto soiled items. This lengthens the time required to complete cleaning. Moreover, if the water is left running while soap is accessed, water is wasted. 
     There thus exists a need for a multifunctional faucet that is able to disperse a plurality of fluids such that different individual fluids need not be individually stored and accessed on a sink basin. The present disclosure solves this problem by providing a multifunctional smart faucet that connects to a plurality of fluid reservoirs and is able to dispense a plurality of fluids through a single faucet head. The dispensing of a given fluid may be selected manually, or a by one or more predetermined programs. The disclosed smart faucet may have one or more stored predetermined programs in an on-board computer memory that can be selected by engaging with an interface on the faucet that caused the faucet to dispense fluids from the reservoirs in accordance with the program. In some embodiments, the faucet may be controlled by an external device in wireless communication with the faucet. The disclosed faucet may, for example, be controlled by a smart phone application. The smart phone application may have a designated set of programs from which a user can select or may allow a user to design their own programs for operation of the smart faucet. 
     SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to faucet systems, and more specifically, to multifunctional smart faucet systems. In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a multifunctional smart faucet system is provided comprising a faucet plumbed to a cold water line and a hot water line, and a plurality of fluid reservoirs. The smart faucet further includes a manual push button capable of communicating with the water lines and the reservoirs. The system may have any number of reservoirs, but most preferably has three or four reservoirs, and these reservoirs are most preferably filled with soaps, hand sanitizer, and hand lotion. 
     In some embodiments, one of the reservoirs may have a timer, and the timer facilitates the periodic dispensing of the liquid in the reservoir. For example, the timer may periodically dispense dish soap to aid in dish washing. In some embodiments, the soap may be dispensed with the flow of water. In other embodiments, the flow of water may be stopped via a valve when the soap is dispensed. The faucet may include a manual push button that can be toggled to any of the reservoirs and depressed to dispense the fluid in the corresponding reservoir. 
     In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a multifunctional smart faucet system is provided having a computer in communication with the reservoirs. The computer includes a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to execute at least one faucet operation program stored on the memory. The faucet operation programs stored on the memory cause the faucet to operate in certain manners, dispensing fluids in the reservoirs according to programming. The programs stored in the memory are selected by an interface on the faucet. 
     In some embodiments, the multifunctional smart faucet can be controlled by an application run from a wireless device. The wireless device may be a smart phone, and the smart phone application may allow a user to select and run pre-stored faucet operation programs and allow a user to create and execute new faucet operation programs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    shows a multifunctional smart faucet in accordance with aspects and embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    shows a multifunctional smart faucet in accordance with aspects and embodiments; 
         FIG.  3    shows a flow diagram of a multifunctional smart faucet program in accordance with aspects and embodiments; and 
         FIG.  4    shows an interface of multifunctional smart faucet smart phone application in accordance with aspects and embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosed multifunctional faucets advantageously disperse a plurality of fluids, enabling external sources of these fluids to be removed from sink basins and countertops. This not only saves valuable counterspace but also creates a more hygienic environment by reducing the number of surfaces that are touched when cleaning and handwashing is performed. The disclosed multifunctional faucets may further include features that automatically result in the dispensing of certain liquids at certain times. In some embodiments, the multifunctional faucets may include on-board computer systems able run, and thus automate, operation of the faucet. Still further, the disclosed multifunctional faucets may, in some embodiments, be controlled remotely by an external device, such as a smart phone or computer. The faucet of the present disclosure may be used with any type of faucet or spout, including, but not limited to a kitchen, bathroom (with, for example, additional toothpaste and mouthwash), or other sink faucet, in hair studios for washing hair (to dispense shampoo, conditioner, and other hair and/or skin product), in a shower head, bathtub spout, and the like. 
     In accordance with aspects and embodiments, a multifunctional smart faucet system  1000  is provided having faucet  100 . Faucet  100  has base  10 A and dispensing end  10 B. Faucet  100  communicates with cold water line  105  and hot water line  115 , both of which extend through the body of faucet  100  (for simplicity, these plumbing lines are not shown) to dispense water from dispensing end  100 B. Cold water line  105  and hot water line  115  are in communication with and controlled by controller  110 . The flow of water from faucet  100  and end  100 B is similarly controlled by controller  110 . Though controller  110  is shown as a single pivoting lever which opens a valve, controller  110  may be any other controller in any other form, including a hot water knob and a cold water knob which open a valve or valves. In some embodiments, the flow and temperature of water may be controlled instead by one or more motion or touch sensors incorporated into the faucet itself which open a valve. 
     Faucet system  1000  includes a plurality of reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C positioned under sink  200 . In some embodiments, reservoirs  300  may be mounted to a surface below sink  200  and above the ground/floor. In other embodiments, reservoirs  300  may rest on a flat surface, such as the ground or a cabinet floor, below sink  200 . In other embodiments and as shown in  FIG.  2   , reservoirs  300  may be positioned in a housing. 
     Reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C are connected to corresponding channels  305 A,  305 B, and  305 C, which include a pump system (not shown). Channels  305 A,  305 B, and  305 C extend from each respective reservoir and through the body of faucet  100  such that the fluid contained in each respective reservoir can be dispensed from dispending end  100 B of faucet  100 . Reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C may contain a variety of cleaning, personal hygiene, and selfcare fluids, including but not limited to hand soap, dish soap, hand sanitizer, and hand lotion. Reservoirs  300  may be removably connected to channels  305  so that reservoirs  300  can be disconnected and removed from system  1000  for easy refilling. 
     In accordance with aspects and embodiments, one or more reservoirs  300  may include a smart feature that automatically dispenses fluid. Referring to  FIG.  1   , reservoir  300 A has timer  320 . Timer  320  may receiver one or more signals from faucet  100  and be in fluid communication with cold water line  105  and hot water line  115 . For example, timer  320  may begin a countdown from a predetermined time when faucet  100  is turned on. If timer  320  reaches “00:00” before the water is turned off, timer  320  may briefly block the exit of water from faucet  101  and cause the liquid in reservoir  300 A to be dispensed. Alternatively, the liquid in reservoir  300 A may be dispensed simultaneously with the flow of water. After dispensation, the liquid in reservoir  300 A, timer  320  may reset. The liquid in reservoir  300 A may, for example, be dish soap. Thus, timer  320  may act to dispense dish soap such that dish soap is automatically pumped out of faucet  100  when the faucet has been running for a certain amount of time, and soap will continue to be dispensed periodically to facilitate cleaning. By periodically dispensing cleaning agent, the user does not need to stop the water to get cleaning agent, nor do they need to touch a bottle to obtain cleaning agent. In one embodiment, an alarm such as a flashing light or noise may indicate that soap or other fluid from one of the reservoirs will be dispensed. In some embodiments, different alarms may activate for different reservoirs, to inform a user of what is coming. 
     In some embodiments and as shown in  FIG.  1   , faucet  100  may include manual push button  310 . Manual push button  310  slides within groove  315  and, depending on its position in groove  315 , communicates with one of channels  305 A,  305 B, and  305 C. When positioned to communicate with a corresponding channel and pushed inward, depression of push button  310  causes pumping of fluid from the corresponding reservoir through the corresponding channel and out of faucet  100 . Other push button configurations will be readily selected by those of skill in the art. 
     Push button  310  also communicates with water lines  105  and  110 . Depression of push button  310 , in addition to dispensation of a fluid from one of reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, or  300 C, may be configured to cause a temporary stop in water flow (if water is flowing) by, for example, closing of a valve separate than the one or more valves operated by controller  110  that control general water flow. Depression of push button  310  may, for example, activate a valve (not shown) that blocks the flow of water out of faucet  100  at end  100 B, though water is flowing through one or both of lines  105  and  115 . In this way, dish soap can be readily dispensed during the washing of dishes independent of water flow such that it is now immediately diluted or caused to foam. Similarly, if the faucet is being used to wash dishes and a second individual seeks to clean their hands without causing significant disruption and inconvenience to the user doing the washing, button  310  can be put slid into the sanitizer position and depressed to dispense hand sanitizer from a reservoir  300 , allowing the individual to sanitize their hands with only a brief interruption of water flow equal to the duration of push button  310  depression. The valve associated with push button  310  may be deactivated when pressure is released from push button  310  immediately or deactivation may be delayed allowing a user collecting sanitizer, for example, to clear their hands from the faucet before water again begins to flow. 
     In some embodiments, groove  315  may further include a position for push button  310  where depression of the button dispenses without activation of the valve the stops waterflow. This feature provides a user with the option of having soap dispensed from a reservoir  300  mix with water flowing from lines  105  and  115  as it exits faucet  100  at  100 B, providing a soapy solution. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  2   , another embodiment of a multifunctional faucet system is shown.  FIG.  2    shows multifunctional smart faucet system  1010  having faucet  101 . Reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C sit in housing  400 . Housing  400  further includes computer system  500 . Computer system  500  communicates with reservoirs  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C, and in some embodiments, may communicate with cold water line  105  and hot water line  115 . This computer system  500  allows for electronic control of valves and dispensing controls such as one or more pumps, including for example, a pump associated with each reservoir  300 A,  300 B, and  300 C, and valves positioned at one or more locations of lines  105  and  115 . Computer system  500  may include one or more general purpose computers and may include one or more processors typically connected to one or more memory devices, which can comprise, for example, any one or more of a disk drive memory, a flash memory device, a RAM memory device, or other device for storing data. The memory is typically used for storing programs and data during operation of the disclosed closed loop system. For example, the memory may be used for storing historical data relating to the parameters over a period of time, as well as operating data. Software, including programming code that implements embodiments of the disclosure, can be stored on a computer readable and/or writeable nonvolatile recording medium, and then typically copied into memory wherein it can then be executed by one or more processors. Such programming code may be written in any of a plurality of programming languages, for example, Java, Visual Basic, C, C#, or C++, Fortran, Pascal, Eiffel, Basic, COBAL, or any of a variety of combinations thereof. 
     Components of the computer system may be coupled by one or more interconnection mechanisms, which may include one or more busses, e.g., between components that are integrated within a same device, and/or a network, e.g., between components that reside on separate discrete devices. The interconnection mechanism typically enables communications, e.g., data, instructions, to be exchanged between components of the system. 
     The computer system can also include one or more input devices, for example, a, touch screen interface, and other man-machine interface devices as well as one or more output devices, for example, a display screen. The input device touch screen may be combined with the output device display screen. In addition, the computer system may contain one or more interfaces that can connect the computer system to a communication network, in addition or as an alternative to the network that may be formed by one or more of the components of the system. 
     Housing  400  may be positioned directly below sink  200 . In some embodiments, housing  400  may be mounted to the underside or backside of sink  200 . In other embodiments, housing  400  may be fixed to back or side wall the cabinet in which sink  200  is recessed or the housing may rest on a surface below sink  200 . 
     Faucet  101  includes touch screen interface  505  and sensor  510 . Although a single sensor  510  is shown, more than one sensor  510  may be included on faucet  510 B. Sensor  510  may be a motion sensor, touch sensor, or any other sensor capable of providing feedback to computer system  500 . Touch screen  505  and sensor  510  communicate with and send signals to computer system  500 . Touch screen  505  may be used to select a program stored in the memory of computer system  500  to operate faucet  101  and reservoirs  300  in a predetermined manner. For example, a user may use touch screen  505  to select a dish washing program stored in the memory of computer  505 . The dishwashing program may instruct the reservoir associated with dish soap to dispense dish soap every time motion sensor  510  senses a hand in front of it for more than a given period of time. Alternatively, the dishwashing program may simply instruct the dishwashing reservoir to dispense dish soap in predetermined intervals, similar to in system  1000 , not requiring engagement with sensor  510 . One or more pre-determined intervals may be selectable via the touch screen interface, allowing a user to determine the frequency with which they would like dish soap dispensed. 
     Additional programs stored on the memory of computer system  500  may be “if, then” programs. For example, a user with a busy household may wish to do dishes or use the sink for an extended period of time while still allowing others in the house the ability to sanitizer their hands. The user may select a program stored in the memory of computer system  500  by engaging with interface  505 . Referring to  FIG.  3   , a user may select a dishwashing program that dispenses sanitizer and hand lotion if sensor  510  receives a given signal. The user may use interface  505  to select the dishwashing/hand sanitizing program with an added lotion option. The selected program may, as discussed above, automatically dispense dish soap on predetermined intervals. Dish soap may be dispensed every minute, every two minutes, every  30  seconds, or on any other periodic interval. If additional soap is needed for washing, the user can use push button  310 , set on the dish soap setting, to manually disperse soap in between intervals. 
     If another member of the household needs to sanitizer their hands, they can do so under the selected program without disrupting the entire dishwashing process. The second user can place their hand in front of sensor  510  such that sensor  510  sends a signal to computer system  500 . In accordance with the selected program, the processor of computer system  500  will cause water to stop flowing from faucet  101  by, for example, activation of a valve along water lines  105  and  115 , and dispense hand sanitizer from the hand sanitizer reservoir. To avoid inadvertent dispensation of sanitizer and disruption of water flow, the sensor may be required to obtain a “sufficient” signal. That is, the signal to computer system  500  must persist for more than a nominal amount of time. A sufficient signal may be a  0 . 5   s ,  1   s ,  2   s , or  3   s . A suitable time period to avoid inadvertent dispensation will be readily selected by those of skill in the art. After dispensation, water may remain off for an additional period of time to allow the user obtaining the sanitizer to clear their hands from faucet  101 , for example,  0 . 5   s ,  1   s , or  2   s . A suitable time period to allow hands to be cleared from the faucet without unduly restricting waterflow will be readily selected by those of skill in the art. After this clearing time passes, the valve is deactivated and water flow and periodic dispensation of dish soap restarts. 
     In some embodiments and as shown in  FIG.  3   , the selected program may facilitate a second dispensation of a different fluid to the second user, such as hand lotion. Still referring to  FIG.  3   , if sensor  510  receives a second sufficient signal within a predetermined time period after having dispensed hand sanitizer, the second signal may cause computer system  500  to again stop water flow and dispense hand lotion. If no second signal is received, the dishwashing program will continue to run and the hand sanitizing portion of the program will reset, ready to dispense sanitizer if a new, sufficient, signal is received by sensor  510 . 
     Computer system  500  may further include on board sensors that facilitate proper function of system  1010 . For example, computer system  500  may have sensors that communicate with computer system  500  to signal when liquids within reservoirs  300  are running low. Computer system  500  may send a visual signal to interface  505 , such as a “fluid low” display or a red light to alert a user that a given reservoir requires refilling. Similarly, computer system  500  may alert a user when a component of the system is not functioning properly. Computer system  500  may, for example, include sensors that provide feedback that enable computer system  500  to determine when a channel  305  is clogged and/or when a plumbing leak is occurring. Computer system  500  may output a signal that alerts the user that action must be taken to avoid additional malfunction. 
     In some embodiments, the disclosed multifunctional smart faucet systems may be capable of being controlled by an external, wireless device via a wireless communication. Methods of connecting faucet  100  to smart devices and/or external computers will be readily understood by those of skill in the art. For example, the disclosed faucets, and more specifically, onboard computer system  500 , may communicate with a smart phone application over a wireless network. A user may install on their smart phone or other smart device an application that allows smart faucet  100 B to operate in response to signals sent to system  1010  from the smart phone via the application. Referring to  FIG.  4   , application  600  may allow a user to select programs stored on the memory of computer system  500  or may allow a user to create their own programs that computer system  500  can be instructed to execute, which in turn cause faucet  100  to dispense fluids from reservoirs  300 . The application may further enable a user to review and/or troubleshoot components of the system. The application may provide alerts to a user when reservoir fluid levels are low, when channels are clogged, or when other parts of the system need attention. 
     Although certain representative embodiments and advantages have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the systems, processes, and methods disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only.