Patent Description:
Various types of convenience products such as electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, and hair dryers may be used in bathroom spaces in which bath sinks, bathtubs, and shower booths are disposed. Examples of bathroom furniture may include a mirror cabinet attached to the wall and a sink cabinet including a bath sink.

Bathroom furniture and convenience apparatuses used in bathrooms have been considered as separate components. Electrical appliances may be powered through power outlets provided on the bathroom walls and stored in the bathroom furniture.

As various types of home appliances used in bathrooms are provided, bathroom furniture including embedded power outlet is introduced, but multi-taps may only be embedded in and installed in the bathroom furniture.

The present disclosure provides a jog dial type operation switch that operates various types of convenience apparatuses used in bathrooms and bathroom furniture.

Water supply devices may be installed in kitchen counters, bath sinks, bathtubs, and the like, to supply water or block the water supply. Water supply devices discharge the water by controlling a flow rate, a flow velocity, and a temperature of water supplied by opening and closing a flow path using a lever and a button disposed on a body connected to a water supply pipe.

Faucets may include various types of faucets, for example, a faucet connected to one water supply pipe to supply cold water or hot water, a faucet connected to two water supply pipes to supply cold water and hot water, and a faucet in which a water discharge pipe is installed and connected to a shower.

Faucets may be classified into lever type faucets, button type faucets, or rotary type faucets according to operation methods and faucets may be made of various types of materials, for example, steel, copper alloy or stainless according to usage and installation places.

The faucets are connected to the water supply pipe buried in places in which water may be supplied, such as home or public places, and control a temperature, the flow rate, and the flow velocity of the water supplied by the operation of the lever such that the faucets discharge the water.

However, generally used faucet may not immediately discharge the water at a desired temperature because the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water pipe is not constant or the hot water in the hot water pipe cools down after a predetermined period of time during which the hot water is not discharged.

Therefore, users use the hot water by adjusting the temperature of the water by rotating a control lever directly or use the water after flowing the water down until the hot water cooled down in the hot water pipe is all discharged. The users may get burnt when the lever is suddenly operated in the case of the former and the user may flow the water down without using the cooled water in the case of the latter, which results in waste of water.

<CIT> discloses the closest prior art and relates to a stationary remote control transmitter that controls controlled devices by transmitting control data, and more specifically to controlling of the controlled devices by rotation operations of a ring-shaped operation member. The rotation operation plane of the ring-shaped operation members that operate the rotation is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

<CIT> provides a home appliance, a controller, a system for controlling the home appliance, a method of controlling the home appliance, and a readable storage medium using a computer which stores the method of controlling the home appliance. The home appliance comprises: at least one controller mounting part on which a controller is selectively mounted; and a processor configured to be connected to the controller to be communicated when the controller is mounted on the controller mounting part, and to receive a control signal generated according to manipulation of the controller.

<CIT> presents systems and methods for a graphical user interface of a controller for an energy-consuming system having spatially related discrete display elements.

The present disclosure provides a jog dial type operation switch that allows water to be discharged by natural drainage even if the water is introduced into the operation switch.

The present disclosure also provides a jog dial type operation switch that selects and operates various types of control target devices using a single operation switch.

The present disclosure further provides a sink cabinet device that may determine a use state through visual effects (e.g., changes in colors of a lamp) and having improved aesthetic qualities to change indoor atmosphere.

The present disclosure further provides a sink cabinet device including a lamp on a bath sink such that users may determine an operation state of the sink cabinet device through the visual effects obtained using the lamp.

The present disclosure further provides a sink cabinet device capable of removing moisture such as water flowing out of the bath sink.

According to the present disclosure, a jog dial type operation switch may include an upper assembly including a display device, a lower assembly including an encoder, and a wheel assembly which rotates while surrounding sides of the upper assembly and the lower assembly. According to the present disclosure, the operation switch may enable water to naturally flow even when the water permeates into a gap between the upper assembly and the wheel assembly.

According to the present disclosure, the jog dial type operation switch may be operated by pressing the display device in multiple directions and may be operated by rotating the wheel assembly to display, to the display device, a combination of a pressing operation with a rotation operation such that the user may variously set and operate.

According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device includes a bath sink including a faucet, a sink cabinet body disposed below the bath sink and that accommodates a functional module, and a lamp disposed at one side of an upper end of the cabinet body and that controls colors to be changed in association with operation of the functional module. According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device may further include a heating member disposed at an upper end of the cabinet body and that heats and dries the water flowing down from the bath sink.

According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device may include a bath sink, a functional module, and a bath sink lamp and may display the operation state of the sink cabinet device using the bath sink lamp and may be used as a mood lamp to improve beauty of the bathroom. In order to implement the bath sink lamp, the bath sink body is made of a light-transmitting material and defines a lamp installation groove to install light sources around the drain pipe.

According to the present disclosure, the water supply device of the faucet may include a cold water control valve disposed in a cold water supply pipe connected to a discharge pipe, a hot water control valve disposed in a hot water supply pipe connected to the discharge pipe, a temperature sensing sensor that senses the temperature of the water discharged through the discharge pipe, an operator that receives information on a set temperature and an amount of discharged water, each of a first lamp and a second lamp including at least two colors of light sources and that changes the colors of the emitted light, and a controller that controls an opening rate of each of the cold water control valve and the hot water control valve based on the set temperature input to the operator, controls a color of the first lamp based on the set temperature input to the operator, and controls a color of the second lamp based on the temperature of the discharged water, which is sensed by the temperature sensing sensor. In this case, the jog dial type operation switch may be used as the operator.

Each of the first lamp and the second lamp may preferably include a blue light source and a red light source, the first lamp may be disposed in the operation switch, or disposed adjacent to the operation switch, and the second lamp may be disposed around a drain valve.

In some cases where the water supply device is used for the shower booth, the second lamp may be disposed on the wall or a ceiling surface of the shower booth or may be disposed on a shower head.

According to the present disclosure, the water supply device may include a buffer tank connected to a cold water supply pipe, a hot water supply pipe, and an water discharge pipe; a cold water control valve disposed in the cold water supply pipe; a hot water control valve disposed in the hot water supply pipe; a water discharge control valve disposed in the water discharge pipe; a temperature sensing sensor that measures a temperature of water in the buffer tank; a heater that heats the water stored in the buffer tank; an operator that receives information on a set temperature and an amount of discharged water; a first lamp including at least two colors of light sources and that changes a color of the emitted light; a second lamp including at least two colors of light sources and that changes a color of the emitted light; and a controller that controls opening and closing of the cold water control valve and the hot water control valve according to the set temperature input to the operator, controls the color of the first lamp based on the set temperature, and controls the color of the second lamp based on the temperature of the discharged water, which is detected by the temperature sensing sensor.

The controller may preferably operate the heater in a state in which the water discharge control valve is closed, when a difference between the set temperature input to the operator and a measured temperature detected by the temperature sensing sensor deviates from a predetermined temperature value range.

Further, the controller may preferably correct the opening rate of the cold water control valve and the opening rate of the hot water control valve when the difference between the set temperature input to the operator and the measured temperature sensed by the temperature sensing sensor deviates from a predetermined deviation range after a predetermined period of time.

According to the present disclosure, an operation switch has an effect of selecting an operation to be operated by pressing a display device on an upper surface of the operation switch and quickly adjusting a desired degree by rotating a wheel assembly. A light may also be illuminated at a lower portion of the wheel assembly such that users may intuitively determine an operation state thereof through the lamp.

According to the present disclosure, users may easily and conveniently operate various settings and operations using a single switch, thereby improving user convenience.

According to the present disclosure, in the sink cabinet device, a color of the lamp is changed according to a use state such that the user may easily determine the use state, may determine whether operation is properly performed without checking the operation switch, and the sink cabinet device may change the indoor atmosphere, thereby improving aesthetic qualities and satisfying emotional qualities.

According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device may quickly dry the water flowing out of the bath sink when the bath sink is used, to minimize generation of contamination of surrounding environment and to prevent growth of microorganisms such as mold due to residual moisture, thereby resulting in a clean indoor environment.

According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device has an effect of allowing the user to intuitively determine the operation state of the sink cabinet device by changing the light source embedded in the bath sink to various colors or brightness according to the operation state or the use state thereof.

According to the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device includes the bath sink made of a light-transmitting material and embeds the light source around a drain hole of the bath sink, and enables the bath sink to softly diffuse the light emitted from the light source when the light source is illuminated, such that the bath sink functions as a mood lamp at a central portion of a bathroom space.

According to the present disclosure, the water supply device of the faucet may visually display a set temperature desired by the user and a temperature of the water discharged through the discharge pipe, thereby improving user convenience.

According to the present disclosure, the water supply device of the faucet may not discharge the water, if the set temperature desired by the user is significantly different from the temperature of the water discharged through the water discharge pipe, and may discharge the water after heating the water by a heater, thereby reducing waste of water.

According to the present disclosure, the water supply device of the faucet may sense the temperature of the discharged water in real time and compare it with the set temperature, and may correct the opening rate of each of the cold water control valve and the hot water control valve, thereby improving user convenience.

The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may easily implement the technical idea of the present disclosure. A detailed description of a well-known technology relating to the present disclosure may be omitted if it unnecessarily obscures the gist of the present disclosure. Preferable embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate same or similar components.

Hereinafter, when any component is arranged at "an upper portion (or a lower portion)" of the component or "on (or under") of the component, any component may be arranged in contact with an upper surface (or a lower surface) of the component, and another component may be interposed between the component and any component arranged on (or under) the component.

When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or able to be connected to the other component; however, it is also to be understood that an additional component may be "interposed" between the two components, or the two components may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" through an additional component.

A jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a jog dial type operation switch in assembly units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a jog dial type operation switch in assembly units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a jog dial type operation switch <NUM> includes an upper assembly <NUM>, a lower assembly <NUM>, and a wheel assembly <NUM>. The upper assembly <NUM>, the lower assembly <NUM>, and the wheel assembly <NUM> are coupled to one another.

The lower assembly <NUM> includes a hollow shaft <NUM> and fastening members <NUM> may be fastened to the hollow shaft <NUM> to fix the operation switch <NUM> to an upper plate of the sink cabinet. A sealing washer <NUM> and a fastening nut <NUM> may be used as examples of the fastening member <NUM>.

After defining, on the upper plate of the cabinet, a through-hole into which the hollow shaft <NUM> may be inserted, the user may fasten using the fastening nut <NUM> in a state in which the sealing washers <NUM> contact both surfaces of the upper plate of the cabinet. The sealing washer <NUM> functions to block between the hollow shaft <NUM> and the through hole.

The upper assembly <NUM> includes an upper body <NUM>, an upper substrate <NUM>, and a display device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> includes a cover glass <NUM>, a display housing <NUM>, and a panel <NUM> accommodated therebetween.

The lower assembly <NUM> includes a lower body <NUM> including a hollow shaft <NUM>, a lower substrate <NUM>, and a finishing plate <NUM>. An encoder <NUM> is disposed on the encoder <NUM> to detect a rotation operation of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

The wheel assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical wheel body <NUM> and a ring gear <NUM> fixed to a bottom of the wheel body <NUM> and engaged with the encoder <NUM>.

<FIG> is a coupling cross-sectional view of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an upper assembly of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An upper assembly <NUM> is described below in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

An upper surface of the upper assembly <NUM> is only exposed in appearance and a display device <NUM> is disposed thereon.

The display device <NUM> may display a state of an operation switch or types and states of control target devices operated by the operation switch.

The display device <NUM> includes a cover glass <NUM>, a display housing <NUM>, and a panel <NUM> including a display panel and a circuit that drives the display panel.

The panel <NUM> is blocked between the cover glass <NUM> and the display housing <NUM>. A wire <NUM> connected to the panel <NUM> is drawn out through a wire hole 164a at a center of a bottom surface of the display housing <NUM> and the wire drawn through the wire hole 164a is connected to the upper substrate <NUM>.

The upper body <NUM> has an approximately H-shaped cross-section. For example, the upper body <NUM> includes a cylindrical outer circumferential plate <NUM> and a support plate <NUM> crossing the outer circumferential plate <NUM>.

The support plate <NUM> defines a wire hole 124a into which the wire <NUM> of the display is inserted. The support plate <NUM> is also coupled to a lower body <NUM> described below.

The upper substrate <NUM> is coupled below the support plate <NUM> of the upper body. A plurality of push switches <NUM> are arranged on the upper substrate <NUM>. The push switch <NUM> is pressed by a movable protrusion 124c that protrudes from the support plate <NUM>.

An elastic sheet <NUM> may be stacked on the support plate <NUM>. The elastic sheet <NUM> has an effect of blocking the permeation of moisture to a lower portion of the support plate (e.g., a space where the upper substrate is disposed).

The elastic sheet <NUM> also has an effect of providing a restoring force of the movable protrusion 124c when a periphery of the movable protrusion 124c is cut.

An elastic jacket <NUM> may be disposed between the display device <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>. The elastic jacket <NUM> has a polygonal shape and is preferably disposed such that one side of the elastic jacket <NUM> may be uniformly pressed when one push switch <NUM> is pressed.

For example, one side of the elastic jacket <NUM> is compressed when the push switch <NUM> is pressed, such that the restoring force of the elastic jacket <NUM> acts as a restoring force of the display device <NUM>.

<FIG> respectively show a selection operation of an upper assembly of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An upper portion of a movable protrusion 124c contacts a display device <NUM> and a lower portion of the movable protrusion 124c contacts a push switch <NUM>. When the user presses the display device <NUM> in a specific direction, the display rotates and the push switch <NUM> is pressed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the push switch <NUM> has a cross shape such that the display device may be pressed in a cross direction, but a number and arrangement of the push switches <NUM> may be variously changed. In order to smoothly move the movable protrusion 124c, a periphery of the movable protrusion 124c may be partially cut into a U-shape or the like. The cut-away shape may be variously changed.

In this case, the elastic sheet <NUM> may be stacked in order to prevent moisture from permeating into the cutaway. In this case, the elastic sheet <NUM> may include an adhesive surface and may be attached to an upper surface of a lower surface of the support plate <NUM>.

The elastic sheet <NUM> functions to prevent permeation of moisture and also improves the restoring force of the movable protrusion 124c. The elastic sheet <NUM> defines a wire hole 150a at a central region thereof such that a wire W1 of the display device <NUM> I inserted thereto.

The display device <NUM> may be preferably coupled such that a central portion may be moved relative to the display housing <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>.

To this end, as shown in <FIG>, a fastening bolt <NUM> may be fastened to the display housing <NUM> at a bottom surface of the support plate <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>. In this case, the fastening bolt is preferably fastened to the display housing <NUM> and preferably penetrates the support plate <NUM>.

This configuration enables the display device <NUM> to be rotatable relative the upper body <NUM> and enables the push switch <NUM> disposed on the upper substrate <NUM> to be operated by pressing the display device <NUM>.

In this case, the upper assembly <NUM> may further include a cylindrical elastic jacket <NUM> that surrounds a periphery of the fastening bolt <NUM>. The elastic jacket <NUM> is fixed between the display housing <NUM> and the support plate <NUM> to provide the restoring force when the display housing <NUM> rotates.

The elastic jacket <NUM> also functions as a watertight cover to prevent permeation of moisture into the elastic jacket <NUM>. As shown, as the wire of the display device <NUM> passes through an inside of the elastic jacket <NUM>, the water may be further prevented from permeating into the wire of the display device <NUM> due to the elastic jacket <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a lower assembly of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A structure and operation of the lower assembly are described below in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

A lower assembly <NUM> includes a lower body <NUM>, a lower substrate <NUM>, and a finishing plate <NUM>.

The lower body <NUM> includes a hollow shaft <NUM>, a bottom plate <NUM>, and an inner circumferential plate <NUM>. The inner circumferential plate <NUM> is inserted into and coupled to the outer circumferential plate <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>. Therefore, an outer diameter of the inner circumferential plate <NUM> corresponds to an inner diameter of the outer circumferential plate <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> extends from an outside of the hollow shaft <NUM> to an outside of the inner circumferential plate <NUM>. An outer diameter of the bottom plate <NUM> corresponds to an inner diameter of the wheel body <NUM>.

A ring gear <NUM> is coupled to a lower portion of the bottom plate <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> and the ring gear <NUM> may define a stepped protrusion corresponding to each other to stably support the ring gear <NUM> on the bottom plate <NUM>.

The finishing plate <NUM> is coupled to support the bottom surface of the ring gear <NUM>. The finishing plate <NUM> is made of a light-transmitting material and a light emitted from a luminous element <NUM> provided in the lower substrate <NUM> may be guided to outside.

The finishing plate <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> having a relatively greater thickness. The central portion <NUM> also defines a receiving groove <NUM> to receive an encoder gear <NUM>.

The encoder gear <NUM> receives a rotational force of the wheel assembly <NUM>. The finishing plate <NUM> may not rotate with the wheel assembly <NUM> and remains fixed.

The luminous element <NUM> is disposed in an area of a light emitting hole <NUM> in the bottom plate <NUM>.

A plurality of luminous elements <NUM> are arranged on the lower substrate <NUM> in a circle. On-off control or brightness control of each of the luminous elements may be preferably performed.

When the luminous element <NUM> disposed in the lower substrate <NUM> illuminates the light, the light emitted from the luminous element <NUM> passes through the light transmission hole <NUM> of the lower substrate <NUM> to reach the finishing plate <NUM> and is reflected and refracted from the finishing plate <NUM> and is guided to an outside of the finishing plate <NUM>, thereby providing a ring-shaped lamp. The ring-shaped lamp may change its color or brightness to indicate an operation state according to rotation of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

For example, if the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet is adjusted based on the rotation of the wheel assembly <NUM>, the changes in the set temperature may be displayed by adjusting a lighting ratio of a red luminous element to a blue luminous element.

An encoder <NUM> is provided on the lower substrate <NUM> and an encoder gear <NUM> is connected to the encoder <NUM>. The encoder gear <NUM> functions to detect the rotation of the wheel assembly <NUM>.

A wire W2 connected to the upper substrate <NUM> and a wire W3 connected to the lower substrate <NUM> are drawn out through the hollow shaft <NUM> of the lower assembly <NUM>.

Further, the hollow shaft <NUM> may include a screw thread on the outer circumferential surface thereof to be coupled to other devices.

For example, when the operation switch according to the present disclosure is coupled to the sink cabinet, the sink cabinet defines a through hole corresponding to the outer diameter of the hollow shaft <NUM> at the upper plate of the sink cabinet, the hollow shaft <NUM> is inserted into the through hole, and a fixing nut may be fastened to the inner side of the upper plate.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing a wheel assembly of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A structure and operation of the wheel assembly are described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

A wheel assembly <NUM> includes a cylindrical wheel body <NUM> and a ring gear <NUM> coupled to a lower portion of the wheel body <NUM>. The ring gear <NUM> is engaged with the above-mentioned encoder gear <NUM> to transmit a rotational force of the wheel assembly to an encoder <NUM>.

The wheel assembly <NUM> may be coupled to surround sides of an upper assembly <NUM> and a lower assembly <NUM> and may be rotatably coupled thereto.

The wheel body <NUM> may include a flange <NUM> on an inner surface thereof and a ball bearing <NUM> may be coupled to the flange <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> also preferably protrudes inward than an upper portion of the upper body <NUM>, thereby preventing the wheel body <NUM> from being separated upward the upper body <NUM>. A finishing plate <NUM> may also be coupled to the outside of the ring gear <NUM> coupled to the lower portion of the wheel body <NUM>, thereby preventing the wheel assembly <NUM> from being separated downward.

<FIG> respectively show selection operation of an upper assembly of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, a display device <NUM> is coupled to a support plate <NUM> of an upper body <NUM> of an upper assembly <NUM> to be movable using a fastening bolt <NUM> and the elastic jacket <NUM> surrounds a periphery of the fastening bolt <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when a left side of the display device <NUM> is pressed, the elastic jacket <NUM> on the left side is compressed and a movable protrusion 124c of a support plate <NUM> is pressed by the display device <NUM> and a push switch <NUM> is pressed be to operated. When the external force applied to the display device <NUM> is released, the display device <NUM> returns back to an original position thereof based on a restoring force of the elastic force <NUM>.

When a right side of the display device <NUM> is pressed, a push switch <NUM> on the right side is operated.

The push switches may be arranged radially and the display device may display the arrangement of the push switches and functions of the push switches.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a jog dial type operation switch coupled to a flat plate according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, the operation switch may be coupled to a flat plate <NUM> using a hollow shaft <NUM>.

After the hollow shaft <NUM> is inserted into a through hole of a flat plate <NUM> in a state in which a sealing washer <NUM> is inserted into the hollow shaft <NUM>, the sealing washer <NUM> is further inserted into a bottom surface of the flat plate <NUM> and coupled using a fastening nut <NUM>. In this coupling structure, the through hole of the flat plate <NUM> is blocked by the sealing washer <NUM>, such that moisture may not permeate into the flat plate <NUM>.

Wires W2 and W3 are also protected by the hollow shaft <NUM> and are connected below the flat plate <NUM>.

In some examples, the wheel assembly <NUM> includes a ring gear <NUM> as well as the wheel body <NUM>. The inner surface of the ring gear <NUM> is engaged with an encoder gear <NUM> (see <FIG>). Further, an upper surface of the ring gear <NUM> contact and is supported by a lower surface of the lower body <NUM> and the bottom surface of the ring gear <NUM> contacts and is supported by the upper surface of the finishing plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of drainage of a jog dial type operation switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A display device <NUM> of an upper assembly <NUM> is only exposed in appearance and the upper assembly <NUM> has a gap with a wheel assembly <NUM>. The gap between an upper body <NUM> and the wheel assembly <NUM> may be required to perform the push operation of the display device and smooth rotation of the wheel assembly.

According to the present disclosure, water may not permeate into an inner panel or a switch and may be discharged even when the water is permeated through the gap.

As shown, even if moisture is introduced between the upper assembly <NUM> and the wheel assembly <NUM>, the introduced moisture may not be permeated into an outer circumferential plate <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>.

The outer circumferential plate <NUM> has a cylindrical shape and is disposed in parallel to a vertical direction of gravity and defines an inclined portion inclined downward at an upper end thereof.

Therefore, even if the water is introduced through the gap between the wheel assembly <NUM> and the display device <NUM>, the introduced water flows down along an outside of the outer circumferential plate <NUM> of the upper body <NUM>, such that the water may not be introduced into the display device <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> disposed in the outer circumferential surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a jog dial type operation switch according to another embodiment.

The present embodiment shows an upper substrate and a lower substrate configured as a single circuit substrate, in contrast to the above embodiment in which the upper substrate is provided in the upper assembly and the lower substrate is provided in the lower substrate.

As shown, a circuit substrate <NUM> is disposed between an upper body <NUM> and a lower body <NUM>. A luminous element is provided on a lower surface of the circuit substrate <NUM> and a push switch <NUM> is also disposed on an upper surface of the circuit substrate <NUM>. In this case, the push switch <NUM> is disposed below a movable protrusion124c of the upper body <NUM>.

This embodiment has the same configuration as the previous embodiment except that the upper substrate and the lower substrate are integrated into a single substrate, and thus, the redundant description is omitted.

Integrating a single circuit substrate with the upper substrate and the lower substrate may result in a reduction in cost due to a reduction in a number of components and miniaturized sizes of products.

A sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a perspective view showing an open sink cabinet body of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a sink cabinet device including an open cabinet body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device is a convenience device installed in bathrooms and includes a bath sink <NUM>, a sink cabinet body <NUM>, and functional drawer modules <NUM> and <NUM>.

The sink cabinet body <NUM> provides structural strength and defines an appearance. The sink cabinet body <NUM> has a hexahedron box shape, and the bath sink <NUM> is disposed on the sink cabinet body <NUM>.

The bath sink <NUM> includes a faucet <NUM> connected to a water supply pipe and a drain valve <NUM> connected to a drain pipe and the water supply pipe and the drain pipe are disposed in a lower space of the bath sink <NUM>. The water supply pipe and the drain pipe are embedded in the wall or a bottom surface and connected to a portion in which the sink cabinet body <NUM> is disposed.

The bath sink <NUM> includes a bath sink body <NUM> having a reservoir to contain water, a faucet <NUM> disposed at one side of the bath sink body <NUM> to supply the water, and a drain valve <NUM> disposed on a bottom surface of the bath sink body <NUM>. The faucet <NUM> of the bath sink <NUM> is connected to the water supply pipe and the drain valve <NUM> is connected to the drain pipe.

The faucet <NUM> of the bath sink <NUM> is connected to the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe may include a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe.

A heater may be connected to the faucet <NUM> at one side of the water supply pipe. The heater may heat water supplied to the faucet <NUM> through the water supply pipe. In particular, the heater may control the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet <NUM> to be constant by heating the water supplied to the faucet <NUM> at the beginning of water supply.

The faucet <NUM> may include an electronic valve. The electronic valve may be used to operate a temperature of water and an amount of water supplied through the faucet <NUM>, which may be performed by a jog dial operation switch <NUM> described above.

The jog dial type operation switch <NUM> may be connected to an integrated controller (not shown) to operate and control the sink cabinet device.

The integrated controller controls the above-mentioned drawer-type towel management unit <NUM>, a drawer-type console <NUM>, and a faucet <NUM> of a bath sink <NUM>.

Controlling the faucet <NUM> refers to controlling a basic quantity of water discharged from the faucet, the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet, sensitivity of a faucet sensor 620a that controls the discharge of the water from the faucet.

For example, in some cases where the faucet <NUM> is not mechanically operated but operates electronically in an automatic or semi-automatic manner, a specific operation environment setting of the faucet <NUM> may be operated using the jog dial type operation switch <NUM> (hereinafter; "the dial operation switch").

The above-described dial operation switch <NUM> is the jog dial type switch having a vertical shaft, is attached to the sink cabinet device, and may also be separated from the sink cabinet device, and may be disposed at a position such that the dial operation switch <NUM> is disposed in a direction vertical to the wall surface.

The dial operation switch <NUM> may select an operating object through the display device <NUM> and may adjust a desired degree (e.g., a temperature, strength, sensitivity, and a time) by rotating the dial.

In some cases where an amount of water discharged from the faucet <NUM> is adjusted, the amount of discharged water may be set to be increased by turning the wheel assembly <NUM> clockwise.

In some cases where the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet <NUM> is adjusted, the temperature may be increased by turning the wheel assembly <NUM> clockwise.

The dial operation switch <NUM> may operate operations of various types of electronic components such as heaters, blowers, and the like, as well as the faucet <NUM> and may use a method of selecting the control target object by turning the wheel assembly <NUM>.

The sink cabinet device may further include a sensor 620a capable of sensing approach of the body of the user or a position of hands of the user in the bath sink <NUM>. The sensor 620a may detect the user and information sensed by the sensor 620a may be transmitted to the controller and may be used to control an electronic valve of the faucet <NUM>.

For example, the sensor 620a may be disposed at one side of the faucet <NUM> to detect the position of the user's hand. The position of the sensor 620a is not limited by the present embodiment and the sensor 620a may be disposed in the bath sink body <NUM> to detect proximity of the user's hand.

The sink cabinet body <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> that forms a skeleton and provides strength. The sink cabinet body <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> and a panel <NUM> attached to the frame <NUM>. The panel <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> to define the appearance of the sink cabinet body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a partially cutaway, enlarged perspective view showing a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a sink cabinet body <NUM> may include a lamp <NUM> at one side of an upper end thereof. The lamp <NUM> may emit light to a bath sink <NUM>.

Preferably, the lamp <NUM> may be controlled to change colors in association with operation states of electronic components as the user operates the electronic components such as heaters and electronic valves using an operation switch <NUM>.

The lamp <NUM> may be controlled to change the colors according to the operation states of the electronic components or emit the light under predetermined conditions, and may be used as a indirect lamp that changes atmosphere or illuminates indoors.

Preferably, in the present embodiment, the lamp <NUM> may change the lamp color based on a temperature of water supplied to a faucet <NUM>. In some cases where the temperature of the water supplied to the faucet <NUM> is room temperature, the lamp <NUM> may emit a blue series light and may emit a red series light as the temperature of the water increases.

To this end, the sink cabinet device may include a sensor that senses the temperature of the water supplied to the faucet <NUM> and the sensor may transmit the temperature information to a controller that controls operation input to the operation switch <NUM>.

The controller may control the operation of the heater based on a difference between the temperature of the water input to the operation switch <NUM> and the temperature of the water measured by the sensor. The controller may also be connected to the lamp <NUM> to control the lamp <NUM> to change the colors based on the temperature of the water. In some examples, the lamp <NUM> may be used as an indirect lamp of the bathroom and may illuminate the light to the bath sink <NUM> disposed above the lamp <NUM> to illuminate surroundings.

The bath sink body <NUM> of the bath sink <NUM> may be made of a light-transmitting material. In some cases where the bath sink body <NUM> is made of the light-transmitting material, the light emitted from the lamp <NUM> is guided through the inside of the bath sink body <NUM>, such that the bath sink body <NUM> softly emits the light.

The lamp <NUM> changes the lamp color based on the temperature of the water discharged from the faucet <NUM> and may also be controlled to change the lamp color during electrical operation of electric components disposed in the sink cabinet device.

In detail, the lamp <NUM> may change the lamp color according to a time period set by the user in advance and the lamp <NUM> may also change the lamp color based on the temperature or humidity of the bathroom. In the present embodiment, the sink cabinet device may further include a sensor that detects a temperature or the humidity of the bathroom.

The sink cabinet device may further include a communicator connectable to an Internet server and may change the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> based on weather information and time information obtained by the communicator.

The lamp <NUM> may change the lamp color set according to various conditions. In the present embodiment, the conditions set for the lamp <NUM> or a technique for obtaining it may not be described in detail.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lamp <NUM> is disposed at an upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM> and a lamp seating part <NUM> may be disposed at the upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM> to accommodate the lamp <NUM>.

and (b) of <FIG> are enlarged cross-sectional views of a lamp of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A lamp seating part <NUM> may define an opening at an upper portion thereof and may mount a lamp <NUM> through the open upper space thereof.

Further, a light-transmitting lamp cover <NUM> may be disposed above the lamp seating part <NUM>. The lamp <NUM> may illuminate by transmitting the light to the bath sink <NUM> disposed above through the light-transmitting lamp cover <NUM>.

The lamp <NUM> may also be prevented from being submerged in the water flowing down from the bath sink <NUM> as the lamp seating part <NUM> is blocked from the outside by the lamp cover <NUM>.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the sink cabinet body <NUM> includes an external panel <NUM> that defines an appearance and the lamp seating part <NUM> may be disposed at an upper end of the panel <NUM>.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lamp seating part <NUM> may define a groove having a square shape at the upper end of the panel <NUM> as shown in (a) of <FIG>.

In some examples, the shapes of the lamp seating part <NUM> are not limited to this embodiment and may be changed into various shapes. For example, the lamp seating part <NUM> may have various shapes such that the lamp <NUM> mounted on the lamp seating part <NUM> transmits the light to the bath sink <NUM> disposed above.

For example, as shown in (b) of <FIG>, a lamp seating part <NUM>' may define a semicircular groove recessed downward to reflect light emitted from a lamp <NUM>' upward. In some cases where the lamp seating part <NUM>' defines the semicircular groove and a light source is disposed at a central region thereof, the light is reflected from a surface of the lamp seating part <NUM>' and may be concentrated upward.

Further, in the present embodiment, the lamp <NUM> is mounted on the lamp seating part <NUM>' and may also be mounted on the lamp cover <NUM>' to transmit the light toward the lamp seating part <NUM>', and in this case, the lamp seating part <NUM>' may preferably enable the light of the lamp <NUM>' to reflect from upward. To this end, the lamp seating part <NUM>' may be coated with light reflective material on the surface thereof.

The lamp seating part <NUM> may have various shapes such as a 'U-shape' and an 'L-shape' as well as the square groove and the semicircular groove. The lamp cover <NUM> provided to the lamp seating part <NUM> may have various shapes such that the lamp cover <NUM> blocks the lamp <NUM> mounted therein to correspond to the shape of the lamp seating part <NUM>.

The lamp cover <NUM> may have an 'l-shape', an 'L-shape', and the like. The lamp cover <NUM> may be provided as a diffusion panel and the light transmitted from the lamp <NUM> may be uniformly diffused.

The lamp <NUM> may use various types of luminous elements and a light emitting diode (LED) device may be widely used in various fields as an example of the luminous element. In some cases where the lamp <NUM> includes the LED device, heat may be generated in a process of emitting light by the LED device.

<FIG> is a partially cutaway perspective view showing water flowing out of a bath sink of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> respectively show a heating member that dries water flowing out of a bath sink of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in the sink cabinet device, water is used in a process of using the bath sink <NUM>, and some of the water may flow down along the bath sink <NUM>. The water flowing down from the bath sink <NUM> may be accumulated at an upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM>.

As shown in (a) of <FIG>, a lamp <NUM> is disposed at an upper end of the sink cabinet device and heat generated during the operation of the lamp <NUM> is used to heat and dry water (W) flowing down from the bath sink <NUM> to an upper portion of the sink cabinet body <NUM>.

The lamp <NUM> may also be mounted on one side of the lamp seating part <NUM> to heat a space in the lamp seating part <NUM>, thereby heating and drying the upper portion of the external panel <NUM>.

Preferably, the LED device used as the lamp <NUM> dissipates the heat toward a position corresponding to a direction opposite to the light emitting direction and the LED device may be mounted below the lamp cover <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the water flowing down from the bath sink <NUM> is heated and dried by the heat generated by the lamp <NUM> of the sink cabinet body <NUM>, for example, on an external panel <NUM> and the water flowing down from the bath sink <NUM> may also be heated and dried by an additional heating member <NUM> provided at one side of the upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, a heating member <NUM> is located at the upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM> as shown in (b) of <FIG>, may be disposed together with the lamp <NUM> in the aforementioned lamp seating part <NUM>, may be disposed on the lamp cover <NUM> or disposed in the lamp cover <NUM>.

Further, in this embodiment, the position of the heating member <NUM> is not limited and may be provided at various positions such that the heating member <NUM> dries the water flowing down from the bath sink <NUM>. For example, a heating member <NUM>' may be disposed at a circumference of a lower end of the bath sink <NUM>.

The heating member <NUM> may also be disposed at the upper end of the sink cabinet body <NUM> and the heating member <NUM>' may be disposed at the lower end of the bath sink <NUM>.

The heating members <NUM> and <NUM>' each may include a heating wire member and the heating wire member may be connected to the controller to control supplied power, thereby controlling heat generation.

The controller may control the operation of the heating members <NUM> and <NUM>' during a predetermined period of time or at predetermined time intervals. The controller may also control the operation of the heating members <NUM> and <NUM>' based on information measured by a humidity sensor.

The operation of the sink cabinet device described above is as follows.

The sink cabinet body <NUM> is disposed under the bath sink <NUM>. The sink cabinet body <NUM> includes an external panel <NUM> and the lamp seating part <NUM> is disposed at the upper end of the external panel <NUM> to mount the lamp <NUM>.

The bath sink <NUM> includes a faucet <NUM> and the operation thereof is controlled by the operation switch <NUM> disposed at one side thereof.

When the user operates the operation switch <NUM> to set the amount of supplied water and the temperature, an electronic valve connected to the faucet <NUM> is opened and the heater is operated to supply the water in which the water supply amount and the temperature is adjusted to the set water supply amount and temperature to the bath sink <NUM> through the faucet <NUM>.

In this case, the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> is changed based on the temperature of the water supplied from the faucet <NUM>. The lamp <NUM> emits blue series lights in the case where the temperature of the water supplied from the faucet <NUM> is low and emits red series lights as the temperature of the water increases.

The user may determine the use state such as the temperature of the water when the faucet <NUM> is used based on the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> during using of the sink cabinet device by the user.

For example, when the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> is blue, the user may determine that the water supplied from the faucet <NUM> is cold water, thereby preventing sudden contact with the water having a low temperature discharged from the faucet <NUM>.

When the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> is bright red, the user may also determine that the water supplied from the faucet <NUM> is very hot water and may not contact the water supplied from the faucet <NUM>, thereby preventing burn in advance. The user may determine that the temperature of the water supplied from the faucet <NUM> is set to be the preset temperature when the lamp color of the lamp <NUM> suitable for the preset temperature is illuminated.

According to an embodiment, the sink cabinet device may identify the temperature of the water based on changes in color of the lamp of the lamp <NUM>, may prevent the sudden contact with cold water in cold weather, thereby improving emotional qualities, and may prevent injury such as burn due to the contact with the hot water beforehand, thereby preventing safety accidents.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the user may intuitively identify the temperature of the water based on changes in color of lamp of the lamp <NUM> of the sink cabinet device even in the case of illiterate or careless people, such that the user may safely use the sink cabinet device.

Further, in the sink cabinet device, when the water flows down to the sink cabinet body <NUM>, for example, an upper portion of the external panel <NUM> from the bath sink <NUM>, the water may be remained at the upper portion of the external panel <NUM> of the cabinet body <NUM>.

The water remaining at the upper portion of the external panel <NUM> of the sink cabinet body <NUM> is heated and dried by the heat generated by emitting the light by the lamp <NUM>, such that the upper portion of the sink cabinet body <NUM> remains dried and cleaned.

<FIG> is a cutaway perspective view showing a bath sink of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sink cabinet device defines a lamp installation groove <NUM> around a connecting pipe <NUM> to which a drain pipe <NUM> is coupled at a lower portion of a bath sink body <NUM>, and a light source <NUM> is embedded in the lamp installation groove <NUM>.

The bath sink body <NUM> may be made of a light-transmitting material. The bath sink may be made of ceramic, which may not transmit the light. The bath sink body may be made of synthetic resin or natural resin, or glass and the bath sink body <NUM> may have light-transmitting properties.

The light transmittance may not refer to a light transmittance to completely pass the light, but may refer to a light transmittance configured such that light may be diffused and leaked to outside. When the light emitted from a light source is <NUM>%, if <NUM>% or more of light is emitted through the bath sink body <NUM>, it has the light-transmitting properties.

According to the present disclosure, the bath sink body <NUM> is made of the light-transmitting material and the light source <NUM> is embedded around a drain pipe <NUM> such that the bath sink body <NUM> performs as the lamp to softly diffuse the light.

The bath sink <NUM> may be frequently used in a bathroom environment. In the bath sink <NUM>, washing faces, washing hands, brushing teeth, and the like, may be performed.

The bath sink <NUM> may also be disposed at a height corresponding to a waist height of the user in consideration of a height of the user and may be disposed at a middle height in the bathroom space.

Accordingly, when the light is emitted from the bath sink <NUM>, the light is emitted from the middle portion in the bathroom space, the lamp of the bath sink <NUM> may be effectively used as a mood lamp to influence atmosphere of the bathroom indoor environment.

As the water is used in the bath sink <NUM>, damages due to water permeation may be considered to install the lamp in the bath sink.

According to the present disclosure, the bath sink <NUM> defines a lamp installation groove <NUM> at an upper portion of the connecting pipe <NUM> to which the drain pipe <NUM> is coupled, disposes the lamp in the lamp installation groove <NUM>, and covers an outside of (e.g., below) the lamp installation groove <NUM> by a lamp cover <NUM>, thereby protecting the lamp installed in the bath sink <NUM> from the water permeation and improving aesthetic balance.

The lower cover <NUM> may be coupled to the bath sink body <NUM> by inserting a fastening screw into a fastening groove <NUM> to check or repair the internal light source <NUM> by opening the lower cover <NUM>.

The bath sink body <NUM> defines a reservoir space and a drain valve <NUM> is disposed at a lowest portion of the reservoir space. The reservoir space has a planar shape, such as a circular shape, an oval shape, or a quadrangle shape and the drain valve <NUM> is disposed at a center of the surface of each of these shapes.

Accordingly, in the case where the light source is disposed in a circular shape around the drain valve <NUM>, the light source is disposed at the center of the bath sink, such that the bath sink body <NUM> uniformly diffuses the light emitted from the light source.

In order to further prevent moisture from permeating into the light source <NUM>, a bottom surface of the lower cover <NUM> may be preferably disposed at a position higher than the lower end of the connecting pipe, to prevent the leaked water from penetrating into the lower cover <NUM> even if a water leakage occurs between the drain pipe <NUM> and the connecting pipe <NUM>.

A plurality of LEDs may be used as the light source <NUM> and the plurality of LEDs may be installed in a circuit substrate <NUM> and may be disposed in the lamp installation groove <NUM>. In this case, a C-shaped flexible circuit substrate may be used as the circuit substrate <NUM>.

The lamp installation groove <NUM> may have a circular shape such that the lamp installation shape <NUM> surrounds a periphery of the connecting pipe <NUM>. When the lamp installation groove <NUM> is defined as a circular groove surrounding the periphery of the connecting pipe <NUM>, when the light source <NUM> is illuminated, the circular lamp surrounding the periphery of the drain valve <NUM> is illuminated.

The lamp has excellent aesthetic qualities and functions as an indirect lamp and as a lamp to illuminate the interior of the bath sink.

In some cases where the circuit substrate <NUM> has a circular shape, the drain pipe <NUM> may be disassembled to separate the light source <NUM> when repair or replacement is performed due to a failure of the light source <NUM>.

A light source may be coupled to the C-shaped flexible circuit substrate to avoid the inconvenience. In some cases where the light source is disposed on the C-shaped flexible circuit substrate, the light source may be assembled or disassembled to or from the lamp installation groove <NUM> without removing the drain pipe <NUM>.

In some examples, the light source <NUM> may define various colors. For example, it is desirable to dispose red LEDs, blue LEDs, and green LEDs and change their respective illumination levels such that the lamp color and brightness may be adjusted. For example, various colors of lamp may be desirably implemented with a combination of three primary colors of the light sources.

In a simpler form, a light source of two colors may be provided. Various colors of spectrum may be implemented by adjusting a mixing ratio between the two colors. In some cases where the light source includes the blue light source and the red light source, only blue light may be illuminated to display blue, only red light may be illuminated to display red, and both may be turned to display magenta, and various colors including a mixture of the blue color and the red color may be displayed by adjusting the brightness of each of the blue color and the red color.

The lamp color may be changed based on the temperature of water discharged through the faucet <NUM>. In some cases where the temperature of the water that passes through the faucet <NUM> is room temperature, the light source <NUM> may emit the blue series light and may emit the red series color as the temperature of the water increases.

To this end, the sink cabinet device may include a sensor that senses the temperature of the water that passes through the faucet <NUM> and the sensor may transmit temperature information to an integrated controller that controls operation input to an integrated operation switch <NUM>.

The integrated controller may control the operation of the heater based on a difference between the temperature of the water input to the integrated operation switch <NUM> and the temperature of the water measured by the sensor. The controller may also be connected to the light source <NUM> to control the lamp color to be changed depending on the temperature of the water.

<FIG> shows a lamp installation groove disposed in a bath sink of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> shows a lamp cover coupled to a lamp installation groove disposed in a bath sink of a sink cabinet device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, a connecting pipe <NUM> to which a drain pipe is connected extends from a bottom surface of the bath sink body. The lamp installation groove <NUM> is disposed at a position higher than a lower end of the connecting pipe <NUM>.

The lower end of the lamp installation groove <NUM> is disposed at a position higher than the lower end of the connecting pipe <NUM> to prevent the water from permeating into the lamp installation groove <NUM> in the case where water leakage occurs between the connecting pipe <NUM> and a drain pipe.

The lamp installation groove <NUM> may have a circular planar shape and may further define a wire groove 615b, at one side, through which wires may be drawn out. The wire connected to the light source disposed in the lamp installation groove <NUM> is drawn out through the wire groove 615b.

Various lamp applications of the sink cabinet device including the bath sink lamp according to the present disclosure are described below.

<FIG> shows a lower cover <NUM> divided into two portions by dotted lines. The lower cover <NUM> may be configured as a single circular component but for convenience of detachment, the lower cover <NUM> may have a C shape such that one side is cut or may be divided into a plurality of portions.

According to the present disclosure, the bath sink body of the sink cabinet device is made of a light-transmitting material and a light source is disposed around a drain pipe of the bath sink body to emit the light, which has been emitted from the light source, through the bath sink body. This is referred to as "bath sink lamp" below.

The bath sink lamp may be used to indicate the temperature of the water discharged from a faucet.

The bath sink lamp may also be used as an indicator lamp to display the operation of each of other functional modules of the sink cabinet device.

The towel management unit described above may be set to be operated for a predetermined period of time to heat and dry the towels. In this case, the operation time of the towel management unit may be displayed using the bath sink lamp.

In some cases where the towel management unit is operated for <NUM> minutes, when the towel management unit starts to operate, the bath sink lamps disposed in a circle are all illuminated and illuminated areas are reduced based on a ratio of remaining time. In some cases where <NUM>% of operation time is left, lamps corresponding to a semicircular shape are illuminated. In some cases where <NUM>% of operation time is left, lamps corresponding to a quartile circle are only illuminated.

The bath sink lamp may also be used as a welcome lamp illuminated when it detects that the user is approaching to the bathroom. To this end, the sink cabinet device may include a proximity sensor 620b (see <FIG>). The bath sink lamp is illuminated based on detection that the user is approaching by the proximity sensor 620b.

Further, a method of using the bath sink lamp is not limited to the above-described examples and may be modified in various manners.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a water supply device of a faucet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a water supply device of a faucet <NUM> includes a cold water control valve 622v, a hot water control valve 623v, a temperature sensing sensor <NUM>, an operator <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a first lamp <NUM>, and a second lamp <NUM>.

The water supply device that may adjust a temperature includes a cold water supply pipe <NUM> and a hot water supply pipe <NUM>, which are connected to a water discharge pipe <NUM>. Cold water supplied through the cold water supply pipe <NUM> and hot water supplied through the hot water supply pipe <NUM> are mixed and discharged through the water discharge pipe <NUM>.

Controlling the temperature of the discharged water is determined based on a mixing ratio of the cold water to the hot water. For example, the case in which the temperature of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply pipe <NUM> is <NUM> Celsius degrees and the temperature of the cold water supplied to the cold water supply pipe <NUM> is <NUM> Celsius degrees is described.

In some cases where only cold water is discharged, water of <NUM> Celsius degrees is discharged. In some cases where only hot water is discharged, water of <NUM> Celsius degrees is discharged. If the cold water and the hot water are mixed at a ratio of <NUM>: <NUM>, water of <NUM> Celsius degrees is discharged.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply device of the faucet <NUM> includes the cold water control valve 622v that adjusts the amount of cold water supplied to the cold water supply pipe <NUM> and the hot water control valve 623v that adjust the amount of hot water supplied to the hot water supply pipe <NUM>.

The opening rate of each of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v may be controlled by a controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the opening rate of each of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v may be adjusted based on electric signals. By adjusting the opening rates, a flow rate of the discharged water and a mixing ratio of the cold water to the hot water may be adjusted.

For example, a plurality of solenoid valves are provided and a number of open solenoid valves may be adjusted, but are not limited thereto.

An operator <NUM> functions to receive, from a user, information on an amount of water discharged and a temperature of discharged water. In the case of mechanical faucets, opening and closing of the valve is directly adjusted using the lever. In this embodiment, the operator <NUM> may be configured as an input switch.

For example, the operator <NUM> may include a water discharge amount input switch and a temperature input switch, which may be integrated into a jog dial type switch. The jog dial type operation switch <NUM> mentioned above may also be used as the operator.

When the jog dial type switch is used, the temperature or the amount of discharged water may be adjusted by rotating in a leftward or rightward direction, thereby improving user convenience in operation.

According to the present disclosure, the faucet <NUM> includes a temperature sensing sensor <NUM> that may measure the temperature of the water discharged through the water discharge pipe <NUM> in real time. Information on the temperature of the water detected by the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> is transmitted to the controller <NUM> in real time.

The controller <NUM> receives information on the water discharge amount and the set temperature through the operator <NUM> and receives information on the temperature (hereinafter, measured temperature) of the discharged water, which is measured by the temperature sensing sensor <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> receives the information on the water discharge amount, the set temperature, and the measured temperature and controls the operation of the cold water control valve 622v, the hot water control valve 623v, the first lamp <NUM>, and the second lamp <NUM>.

In more detail, the controller <NUM> stores information on the cold water temperature supplied through the cold water supply pipe <NUM> and the hot water temperature supplied through the hot water supply pipe <NUM>.

Cold water temperature is room temperature water supplied through a water pipe, so the temperature changes depending on the season, but the difference is not greater. Therefore, an average temperature of water supplied through the water pipe may be stored as cold water temperature.

Further, as the hot water is supplied through hot water pipes of boilers, water heaters, or district heating corporations, information on the temperature of the hot water discharged and supplied from the water supply pipe suitable for an installation environment may be stored.

As the controller <NUM> has the information on the cold water temperature and the hot water temperature, when the set temperature is input to the operator <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may derive the opening ratio of each of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v to discharge the water at the set temperature.

The controller <NUM> may also derive the opening ratio of the valve from the set amount of discharged water input to the operator <NUM>.

For example, the controller <NUM> derives the opening ratios of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v from the amount of discharged water and the set temperature input to the operator <NUM>, to control the opening of each of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v.

The controller <NUM> controls the lamp color of each of the first lamp <NUM> and the second lamp <NUM>. For example, the lamp color of the first lamp <NUM> may be determined and controlled based on the set temperature and the color of the second lamp <NUM> may be determined and controlled based on the measurement temperature measured by the temperature sensing sensor <NUM>.

To this end, it is preferable that each of the first lamp <NUM> and the second lamp <NUM> includes a light source having two or more colors and may adjust the brightness of each of colors of the light source. The first lamp <NUM> and the second lamp <NUM> each preferably includes a blue light source and a red light source such that the user intuitively identifies the temperature.

The blue light source is illuminated at full brightness at a lowest set temperature and the red light source is illuminated at full brightness at a highest set temperature, and mixing of the blue color with the red color may be changed based on the temperature at an intermediate level.

A blue mark is used for the cold water and a red mark is used for the hot water such that users may intuitively identify the temperature based on the ratio of the red color to the blue color of the lamps.

In some cases where the first lamp <NUM> and the second lamp <NUM> each include the blue light source and the red light source and the brightness of each of the light sources may be adjusted with <NUM> levels, the brightness of the blue light source is lowered by one level and the brightness of the red light source is increased by one level when the blue light source is only illuminated at the full brightness, such that <NUM> of colors of lamp may be combined.

Each of the colors may be displayed with <NUM> levels based on the temperatures.

Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, in the water supply device of the faucet <NUM>, the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> measures the temperature of the water discharged through the water discharge pipe <NUM> in real time and receives information on the measured value to the controller <NUM>.

Therefore, a difference between the set temperature input to the operator <NUM> and the measured temperature detected by the temperature sensing sensor may be sensed in real time.

The controller <NUM> may correct the opening ratios of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v if the difference between the set temperature and the measured temperature deviates from a preset deviation range even after a predetermined period of time elapses.

For example, even after a period of time during which the hot water may be normally supplied through the hot water supply pipe <NUM>, if the measured temperature is lower than the set temperature of the discharged water, the opening ratios may be corrected such that the opening ratio of the hot water control valve 623v is increased and the opening ratio of the cold water control valve 622v is reduced.

By contrast, if the temperature measured by the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> is higher than the set temperature input to the operator <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may correct the opening ratios such that the controller <NUM> reduces the opening ratio of the hot water control valve 623v and the opening ratio of the cold water control valve 622v.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a water supply device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a water supply device <NUM>' includes a cold water control valve 622v, a hot water control valve 623v, a temperature sensing sensor <NUM>, an operator <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, a first lamp <NUM>, and a second lamp <NUM>, similar to the above described embodiment, and further includes a buffer tank <NUM>, a heater 626a, and a water discharge control valve 621v.

In the above-described embodiment, the cold water supply pipe <NUM> and the hot water supply pipe <NUM> are directly connected to the water discharge pipe <NUM>, but in this embodiment, a cold water supply pipe <NUM> and a hot water supply pipe <NUM> are connected to a water discharge pipe <NUM> via the buffer tank <NUM>.

This configuration allows the cold water and the hot water to be mixed in the buffer tank <NUM> and to heat the water stored in the buffer tank <NUM> by an additional heater 626a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the water supply device <NUM>' further includes a water discharge control valve 621v that controls opening and closing of the water discharge pipe <NUM> and an opening degree of the water discharge control valve 621v, similar to the cold water supply pipe <NUM> or hot water supply pipe <NUM>, may be desirable to be controlled by the controller <NUM>.

In this configuration, even if the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v are opened, the water is not discharged when the water discharge control valve 621v is closed.

When the additional water discharge control valve 621v is provided, the mixing ratio of cold water to hot water determined based on the set temperature is adjusted based on the opening ratio of the cold water control valve 622v and the hot water control valve 623v, and the water discharge amount is adjusted using the water discharge control valve 621v.

Therefore, the temperature control and controlling an amount of discharged water may be performed more accurately.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> may measure the temperature of the water stored in the buffer tank <NUM> even before the water is discharged. The temperature sensing sensor <NUM> is disposed upstream than the water discharge control valve 621v as shown, the water may be filled in a portion at which the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> is disposed and the water is discharged only when the water discharge control valve 621v is opened.

Therefore, even if the controller <NUM> receives information on the amount of discharged water and the set temperature, when the measured temperature detected by the temperature sensing sensor <NUM> is equal to or less than the preset temperature value than the set temperature, the controller <NUM> may operate the heater 626a disposed in the buffer tank <NUM> to heat the water in the buffer tank <NUM>.

When the water inside the buffer tank <NUM> is heated such that the set temperature is close to the preset temperature value, the water discharge control valve 621v may be opened based on the amount of water discharged.

This configuration results in an effect of allowing the water having a temperature similar to the set temperature to be discharged from the beginning when the user sets the hot water to be discharged.

<FIG> is a perspective schematic view showing a sink cabinet device that uses a water supply device of a faucet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a bath sink includes a water discharge pipe <NUM>, a drain valve <NUM>, and an operation switch <NUM>. In this embodiment, the operator <NUM> in <FIG> is configured as the dial operation switch <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

A first lamp <NUM> indicating a temperature set by the operation switch <NUM> may be integrated with the operation switch <NUM>. For example, the luminous element <NUM> (see <FIG>) may function as the first lamp <NUM>.

A second lamp <NUM> may be disposed around a drain valve <NUM>. The second lamp <NUM> may function as the light source <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the operator <NUM> is implemented as a single jog dial operation switch <NUM>. The operator <NUM> includes two wheel switches, a first wheel switch receives information on a set temperature, and a second wheel switch may receive information on an amount of discharged water.

In some cases where the single jog dial switch is used, the first lamp may remain illuminated in accordance with the previously input set temperature and the single jog dial switch may receive the information on the amount of discharged water through rotation of the jog dial.

In order to re-enter the set temperature, the jog dial may be rotated while being pressed, or the jog dial may be rotated while the jog dial is pulled out. Further, the water discharge amount input mode or the water output temperature setting mode may be changed based on a number of touches (or presses) of the jog dial.

In this configuration, the user may identify the set temperature based on the color of the first lamp <NUM> illuminated on the dial operation switch <NUM> and may identify the temperature of the discharged water based on the color of the second lamp <NUM> disposed in the drain valve, such that the user may visually identify the temperature of the discharged water.

This structure allows the user to identify the set temperature based on the color of the first lamp <NUM> illuminated to the dial operation switch <NUM> and the temperature of the discharged water may be identified based on the color of the second lamp <NUM>, such that the user visually identify the temperature of the water.

For example, even if the users does not touch the water using their hands and does not sense the temperature of the water, the users may identify the difference between the temperature of discharged water and the set temperature.

Claim 1:
A jog dial operation switch, comprising:
an upper assembly (<NUM>) comprising a display device (<NUM>), an upper substrate (<NUM>) connected to the display device (<NUM>) and comprising a push switch (<NUM>), and an upper body (<NUM>) that fixes the display device (<NUM>) to the upper substrate (<NUM>);
a wheel assembly (<NUM>) comprising a ring gear (<NUM>) at a bottom surface thereof and surrounding a side of the upper assembly (<NUM>); and
a lower assembly (<NUM>) comprising a lower body (<NUM>) coupled to the upper body (<NUM>) and comprising a hollow shaft (<NUM>),
characterized in that the lower assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a lower substrate (<NUM>) to which an encoder (<NUM>) engaged with the ring gear (<NUM>) is connected; and
wherein the display device (<NUM>) is rotatable relative the upper body (<NUM>) and enables the push switch (<NUM>) disposed on the upper substrate (<NUM>) to be operated by pressing the display device (<NUM>).