Source: http://www.google.com/patents/USRE42005?dq=7143430
Timestamp: 2015-05-29 15:32:55
Document Index: 418102239

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 560880', 'Application No. 560880', 'Application No. 560880', 'Application No. 560880', 'Application No. 93101062', 'Application No. 93101062', 'Application No. 93101062', 'Application No. 93101062', 'Application No. 06734553', 'Application No. 06734553', 'Application No. 93101062', 'Application No. 93101062']

Patent USRE42005 - Automatic proximity faucet - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA hands-free faucet includes a sensing plate, a capacitor-based sensor circuit, a non-conductive valve housing, a non-conductive seating ring, and a conductive connector. Preferably, the capacitor-based sensor circuit is electrically connected to said sensing plate. Furthermore, the non-conductive valve...http://www.google.com/patents/USRE42005?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent USRE42005 - Automatic proximity faucetAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUSRE42005 E1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/368,392Publication dateDec 28, 2010Filing dateFeb 10, 2009Priority dateJan 16, 2003Fee statusPaidAlso published asCA2598906A1, CA2598906C, DE602006010517D1, EP1851389A1, EP1851389B1, US7174577, US20050199843, WO2006093636A1Publication number12368392, 368392, US RE42005 E1, US RE42005E1, US-E1-RE42005, USRE42005 E1, USRE42005E1InventorsGeorge J. Jost, Sean Bellinger, Jerry McDermottOriginal AssigneeTechnical Concepts LlcExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (21), Non-Patent Citations (31), Referenced by (3), Classifications (7), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetAutomatic proximity faucet
US RE42005 E1Abstract
a conductive sensing plate; a capacitor-based sensor circuit electrically connected to said sensing plate; a non-conductive valve housing having a valve inlet and valve outlet, wherein said valve outlet is operatively connected to said conductive spout sensing plate; a non-conductive seating ring situated between said valve inlet and said valve outlet; a conductive connector traversing said seating ring; and a grounding wire connecting said capacitor-based sensor circuit to said electrical ground. 2. The hands-free faucet of claim 1 further comprising a non-conductive diaphragm in the proximity of the diaphragm seat seating ring, wherein in a first state, said diaphragm does not contact said diaphragm seat seating ring, and in a second state, said diaphragm operatively seals said valve inlet from valve outlet.
4. The hands-free faucet of claim 3 further comprising a motor including a shaft, wherein said motor is operatively connected to said diaphragm, and switches said diaphragm from said first state to said second state when activated.
11. The hands-free faucet of claim 10 wherein said proximity sensor switches from said second mode to said first mode when said proximity sensor no longer detects a user.
12. The hands-free faucet of claim 7 wherein said motor receives an activation signal from said proximity sensor; , and further comprising: an override control coupled to the motor, said override control being configured to allow a continuous flow of fluids through said faucet when said motor is not receiving said activation signal from said proximity sensor; and an electronic detent coupled to the override control, the electronic detent being configured to unlock and allow movement said of the shaft of the motor when the activation signal is received from said override control. 13. The hands-free faucet of claim 6 further comprising a nonconductive top and bottom spacer spacers located between said spout and a surface upon which the spout is mounted.
a conductive spout; a non-conductive top and bottom spacer spacers located between said spout and said conductive surface; a capacitor-based sensor circuit electrically connected to said spout; a non-conductive valve housing having a valve inlet and valve outlet, wherein said valve outlet is operatively connected to said conductive spout; a conductive pin within said valve housing which provides a continuous electrical connection between said valve inlet and valve outlet; and a first electrically conductive conduit electrically connecting said capacitor-based sensor circuit to said electrical ground. 17. The hands-free faucet of claim 16 wherein said electrically conductive surface is electrically connected to said electrical ground.
20. The hands-free faucet of claim 16 , wherein the spout includes a stem, and the non-conductive top and bottom spacers electrically isolate the spout from the conductive surface. Description
The present patent document is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/757,839, filed Jan. 14, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,156 which claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. � 119(e) of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/441,091, filed Jan. 16, 2003. All of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of an automatic faucet. The embodiment comprises a spout 10, a valve housing 12, and a mixing housing 14. Preferably, hot and cold water enter the system through a hot water inlet line 16 and a cold water inlet line 18. The hot and cold water inlet lines 16, 18 have shut-off valves 17, 19 to allow for simplified maintenance of the system. The hot and cold water inlet lines 16, 18 are operatively connected to the mixing housing 14. In the present embodiment, the hot water inlet line and cold water inlet line 16, 18 are connected to the mixing housing 14 at the nine and three o'clock positions respectively. The hot water inlet line 16 and cold water inlet line 18 are connected to the mixing valve housing 14 by compression fittings, solder, or other means known in the art.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the valve housing 12 encloses a motor 46. Preferably, the motor 46 is mechanically coupled to a cam 48. In the embodiment, the cam 48 is a wheel with a varying radius. The cam 48 is mounted to the motor 46 through a shaft and gear train 50. Preferably, the cam 48 and a cam follower 52 translate the rotational motion of the shaft into a substantially linear movement that opens and closes a diaphragm 54 64. In this embodiment, the cam 48 has an offset pivot that produces a variable or reciprocating motion within a cutout portion of the cam follower 52. The cam follower 52 is moved by the cam 48 within an orifice, which engages a rod-like element. Preferably, the rod-like element comprises a pilot 56 that slides through an orifice 58. Movement of the pilot 56 can break the closure between the inlet port 60 and the outlet port 62 by moving the diaphragm 64.
As shown in FIGS. 3-5, when the valve mechanism is closed, the diaphragm 64 sits against a seating ring or seating surface 70. In this position, the fluid and the pilot 56 exert a positive pressure against the diaphragm 64 which assures a fluid-tight seal between the inlet port 60 from an outlet port 62. When the pilot pressure is released the fluid pressure acting on the underside of the diaphragm 64 exceeds the seating pressure of the fluid pressing against the inlet surface of the diaphragm 64. When the pressure is greater on the underside than that on the inlet side, the diaphragm 64 is forced up which opens the valve and allows for a continuous angled fluid flow. When a pilot pressure is re-exerted, a fluid backpressure builds up on the inlet surface of the diaphragm 64. Preferably, the pilot 56 and fluid backpressure force the diaphragm 64 to seat, which in turn, stops the flow. The build up of backpressure occurs after the sensor no longer senses an appendage such as a hand.
As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the diaphragm 64, which is the part of a valve mechanism that opens or closes fluid communication between the inlet port 60 and the outlet port 62, is wedge-shaped. Some diaphragms 64, however, can have a uniform thickness throughout or have many other shapes depending on the contour of the seating surface.
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the valve assembly 72 . A housing 12 encloses a pilot valve assembly 74 and a board containing the sensor circuit 76. In this embodiment, the capacitor-based sensor circuit 76 interfaces the sensing plate 24 to the motor 46. A compression of a molding 78 that outlines the lower edges of the housing cover 80 causes a fluid tight seal to form around the edges of the housing 12. Preferably, power to the sensor circuit 76 and motor 46 are passed through the sides of the housing cover 80 through orifices 82. In the present embodiment, battery packs provide the primary power. Preferably, low-voltage direct current power supplies or battery packs drive a Direct Current motor and the logic. In an alternate embodiment, the power is provided by hardwired alternating current with or without a battery backup.
The pilot valve assembly 74 of the hands-free embodiment shown in FIG. 3-5 is preferably comprised of the motor 46, its shaft, the cam 48, the cam follower 52, the gear train 50, and the pilot 56. Preferably, the O-ring 84 shown in FIG. 3 makes a fluid tight seal between the motor 46, its shaft, the cam 48, cam follower 52, the gear train 50 and a portion of the pilot 56. Preferably, the seal is located approximately three quarters down the length of the pilot valve assembly 74.
Preferably, an override knob 102 shown in FIG. 4 is coupled to an override shaft 104 projecting from the override arm 88. In this embodiment, when the override knob 86 102 is turned clockwise, the gear train 50 rotates until a projection 106 on the override arm 88 strikes the substantially linear side surface 100 of the strike plate 94. In this position, the pressure on the underside of the diaphragm 54 64 will be greater than that on the inlet side, and the valve will be open.
Preferably, an electronic detent locks the movement of the shaft 96 until the sensor detects a user or the override knob 102 is manually turned to another mode. When the sensor detects a user, the valve remains open. When the user is no longer detected, which can occur when the sensor no longer senses an appendage, the hands-free embodiment automatically returns to its automatic mode. As the hands-free embodiment transitions from the open to the automatic mode, the override knob 102 will automatically rotate from the open marking to the auto marking on the housing. In this embodiment, fixtures are the hands-free faucet is continuously flushed by an uninterrupted fluid flow that is shut off by a sensor detection after a manual selection.
As shown in FIG. 6, the operation of the open mode begins when an open selection is made at act 162. Once the open selection is made, fluid flows. Fluid flow is shut off by either an automatic or manual selection at act 164. In a manual mode, the detection of a user biases the motor 46 to rotate the gear train 50 which is already in an open position. When a user is no longer detected, the motor 46 rotates the gear train 50 and the override knob 102 to the auto position shutting off fluid flow at act 166 . In an automatic selection, the sensor initiates a fluid flow when a user is detected in a field of view at act 168. When an activation signal is received, an electronic switch electrically connected to the sensor actuates the motor 46 at act 170. Once the user is no longer detected, the motor 64 46 rotates the gear train 50, cam 48, and the cam follower 52 from an active state of continuous fluid flow to an inactive state of no fluid flow at acts 172 and 174. When in an automatic state, fluid will again flow when a user is again detected in the field of view.
Furthermore, the detent is not limited to an electronic detent that can be unlocked by an activation signal sourced by a sensor. The electronic detent can comprise a programmable timing device that sustains an uninterrupted fluid flow for an extended period of time. Moreover, the hands-free system and method also embrace mechanical detents, for example, that lock movement of the motor 64 46 or the gear train 50 and/or the shaft 96. One such embodiment can comprise a catch lever that seats within a channel of the spur gear 92 of the gear train 50. Preferably, the torque of the motor 64 46 and/or a manual pressure can unlock some of these embodiments.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the limits of travel of the pilot 56 can be defined by the contacts between the override arm 88 and the convex surfaces of the strike plate 94. At one end of this embodiment, the override arm 88 strikes a positive moderate sloping side surface 98 of the strike plate 94 and at another end the override arm 88 strikes a substantially linear side surface 100. In another alternative, pilot 56 movement causes the pilot supply air 120 shown in FIG. 5 to be vented to the atmosphere which unseats the diaphragm 64 allowing fluid to flow from the inlet port 60 to the outlet port 60 and 62. In this embodiment, the fluid which comprises a substance that moves freely but has a tendency to assume the shape of its container will flow continuously until the venting is closed. Once the vent is closed, a backpressure builds up on the diaphragm 54 64 isolates the inlet port 60 from the outlet port 62.
As illustrated in FIG. 7 above, the sensor circuit 76 controls the sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the software involves two modes of operation. The first mode 176 of operation is through the air. During this mode, the sensor provides a group of short pulses through the air. When a user approaches, the sensor detects the user at act 178, and the sensor circuit 76 sends a signal to activate the motor 46, which opens the valve at act 180, and the sensor circuit 76 switches to the second mode of operation. The second mode 182 operates through the stream of water. In this mode, the sensor monitors the presence of the user in the water stream at act 184. When the user is no longer in the water stream, the sensor detects the absence of the user, and deactivates the motor 64 at act 186 46, thereby closing the valve at act 186, and shutting off the water flow. The sensor circuit 76 then returns to the first mode of operation 176.
To ensure consistent operation of the sensor, a consistent ground reference must be maintained during transition between the two modes of operation. More specifically, a consistent ground reference must be maintained during the transition from sensing through the air 176 to sensing through the water stream 182. In the present embodiment, the non-conductive input inlet port 60 and output outlet port 62 are situated within a non-conductive valve housing 12. Prior to the detection of a user, a diaphragm 54 separates the inlet port 60 from the outlet port 62. In the preferred embodiment, the diaphragm 54 is made of rubber, and therefore, interrupts the ground potentially provided by the water in the inlet port 60 and outlet port 62. In the present embodiment, a consistent ground reference is accomplished by electrically connecting the input inlet port 60 to output outlet port 62 regardless of the position of the diaphragm 54.
As indicated in FIG. 8, a pin 184 is present to electrically connect the input inlet port 60 to the output outlet port 62 through the seating surface 70. By locating the pin 184 in the seating surface 70, the pin 184 electrically connects the input inlet port 60 to the output outlet port 62 regardless of the position of the diaphragm 54. The pin 184 prevents a large change in the ground reference when the diaphragm 54 opens; thereby providing a stable ground reference connection between the inlet port 60 and outlet port 62. The establishment of a stable ground reference ensures that the change in resistance remains in the normal range of the signal, thereby preventing premature deactivations.
As shown in FIG. 9, the presence of a direct ground further ensures a robust ground reference. In the present embodiment, the direct connection to the earth ground 136 is obtained through a first ground wire 138 connecting the sensor circuit 76 to an earth ground 136. Presently, the earth ground 136 is a metal pipe that leads to the cold water inlet valve 19. The first ground wire 138 is electrically attached to the earth ground 136 by a metallic clamp 140. In the preferred embodiment, a screw 142 serves as a junction between the first ground wire 130 138 and a ground wire 141 originating from the sensor circuit 76, which is located within the valve housing 12. In alternate embodiments, the first ground wire 130 138 can be attached directly to the earth ground 136, or by any other means that allows electricity to be conducted from the first ground wire 130 138 to the earth ground 136. By bypassing any crimps in metal braided fittings or any pipe tape or dope, the direct ground avoids any possible compromises to the ground connection. The direct ground further provides a robust ground reference that decreases the possibility of the faucet prematurely activating.
Preferably, the bottom spacer 154 is positioned below the metallic surface 28, but above the first metallic tab washer 160 146. The bottom spacer 154 in the present embodiment has a washer shape; although other embodiments may contain bottom spacers of other shapes. The bottom spacer 154 contains an aperture through which the stem 144 can be positioned. In the present embodiment, the bottom spacer has a ridge 156, which is located around the diameter of the aperture of the bottom spacer 154. In the preferred operation, the ridge 156 extends through the metallic surface 28 and enters the aperture of top spacer 154 152, thereby completely isolating the stem 144, spout 10, and sensor wire 148 from the metallic surface 28, while allowing the nut 150 to be tightened onto the stem 144 to ensure that the spout 10 is securely attached to the metallic surface 28. The tightening of the nut 150 also ensures that the sensor wire 148 has an electrical connection to the stem 144 and spout 10. To ensure proper isolation, the top spacer 152 and bottom spacer 154 should be made of an electrical insulator.
In the preferred embodiment, a second ground wire 158 grounds the metallic surface 28. In the present embodiment, the second ground wire 158 is electrically connected to the metallic surface 28 by a second metallic tab washer 154 160. The second metallic tab washer 154 160 is located between the metallic surface 28 and the bottom spacer 154. The second metallic tab washer 154 160 contains an aperture through which the ridge 156 of the bottom spacer 154 can be position positioned. The ridge 156 thereby isolates the second metallic tab washer 154 160 from the stem 144 and spout 10. In the presently preferred embodiment, the second ground wire 158 is electrically connected to the first ground wire 138 by the screw 142 that serves as a junction.
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