Patent ID: 12215489

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

Now, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, an aircraft lavatory unit to which an automatic faucet device according to the present embodiment is applied will be described.

As illustrated inFIG.1, an aircraft lavatory unit10includes a structural frame12including a bottom wall1202, a plurality of wall plates rising from the bottom wall1202, and a ceiling1210that form a lavatory14therein.

In the present embodiment, one of the plurality of wall plates is a front wall1204, another one is a rear wall1206facing the front wall1204, and the remaining two are a pair of side walls1208connecting two sides of the rear wall1206and corresponding two sides of the front wall1204, the front wall1204includes an entrance1212that is opened and closed by a door, an inner wall1214is provided in front of the rear wall1206, and a toilet16is provided on the bottom wall1202via the inner wall1214.

FIG.1omits one side wall1208of the pair of side walls1208and the door that opens and closes the entrance.

A counter table18is provided in the middle of the other side wall1208of the pair of side walls1208in a height direction. Below the counter table18is a lower storage portion22for storing a trash can device20with a fire extinguishing function, equipment for the lavatory14, and the like. The lower storage portion22can be opened and closed by a plurality of doors2202and2204. InFIG.1, a reference sign2206indicates a trash feeding port.

Above the counter table18is an upper storage portion24for storing equipment for the lavatory14such as tissues. The upper storage portion24is opened and closed by a plurality of mirrored doors2402and2404.

A wash basin26is provided in a location on the counter table18near the front wall1204.

The wash basin26includes a hand wash bowl28, a sink30configured in a location on the counter table18around the hand wash bowl28, and an automatic faucet device32A that is provided on the sink30, the automatic faucet device32A and enables water discharge into the hand wash bowl28.

The automatic faucet device32A detects part of a human body (finger) to discharge and stop water.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and5, the automatic faucet device32A includes a faucet34, a detection unit attachment portion36, a detection unit38, and a control unit40.

The faucet34discharges water supplied from a water supply source42via a water supply channel44.

The faucet34is made of a variety of known materials, such as a metal or synthetic resin.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the faucet34includes a base portion46attached to an upper surface of the sink30or a wall portion near the sink30(in the present embodiment, for example, a wall portion2420connecting the counter table18and the upper storage portion24as), an extending portion48extending above the hand wash bowl28from the base portion46, and a water discharge portion50including a water discharge port51that is provided on a tip portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction of the extending portion48and includes the water discharge port51directed toward an inside of the hand wash bowl28.

The water discharge portion50includes an upper surface5002facing upward, a lower surface5004facing downward, that is, toward the inside of the hand wash bowl28, a front surface5006facing in front of the water discharge portion50, and a pair of left and right side surfaces5008connecting the upper surface5002, the lower surface5004, and the front surface5006, and the water discharge port is provided on the lower surface5004.

As illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B and2C, the detection unit attachment portion36is a location to which the detection unit38described below is detachably attached.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion36is provided on the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50and is formed of a recess portion37that is notched from the upper surface5002to the front surface5006and opening upward and forward and has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

The recess portion37includes a bottom surface3702facing upward, a rear surface3704rising from a back end of the bottom surface3702, and a pair of inner surfaces3706rising from two sides of the bottom surface3702.

An attachment-portion-side connector52(seeFIG.5) is provided exposed to the recess portion37.

The attachment-portion-side connector52(seeFIG.5) is for transmitting detection signals of a non-contact sensor58or a contact sensor60of the detection unit38, which will be described below. In other words, the attachment-portion-side connector52is connected to the non-contact sensor58or the contact sensor60.

Further, a case54of the detection unit38is fitted into the recess portion37, and a screw N penetrating one of the pair of side surfaces5008of the water discharge portion50is fastened into a female screw of the case54to detachably attach the detection unit38to the recess portion37.

Note that the detection unit38can be attached to the detection unit attachment portion36using various known fixing structures, such as engagement of an engaging claw with an engaging recess portion other than screw fastening.

This allows the detection unit38to be easily detached from the recess portion37and replaced with another detection unit38.

The detection unit38detects part of a human body.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit38is any one of a first detection unit38A, a second detection unit38B, and a third detection unit38C, which are selectively used.

The case54of each detection unit38is made of various known materials such as a metal or synthetic resin.

As illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B and2C, the case54has a flat rectangular plate shape and includes, when attached to the recess portion37, an upper surface5402facing upward, a lower surface5404facing downward, a front surface5406facing forward, a rear surface5408facing backward, and a pair of side surfaces5410connecting the upper surface5402, the lower surface5404, the front surface5406, and the rear surface5408.

The case54is attached to the recess portion37with the lower surface5404, the rear surface5408, and the pair of side surfaces5410of the case54respectively fitted to the bottom surface3702, the rear surface3704, and the pair of inner surfaces3706of the recess portion37.

In the present embodiment, each detection unit38is selectively attached to the recess portion37, the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50and the upper surface5402of the case54are connected on the same plane, and the front surface5006of the water discharge portion50and the front surface5406of the case54are connected on the same plane, allowing a feeling of unity to be obtained.

Note that, as illustrated inFIG.5, the case54includes a detection-unit-side connector56connected to the attachment-portion-side connector52by attaching the case54to the recess portion37.

As illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B and2CandFIG.5, the first detection unit38A includes the non-contact sensor58that detects part of a human body in a non-contact manner.

Such a non-contact sensor58can use a known sensor such as an infrared sensor that irradiates part of a human body with detection light made of infrared light and detects the part of the human body in accordance with reflected light or a capacitive non-contact sensor that detects part of a human body in a non-contact manner with a change in electrostatic capacitance due to the approach of the part of the human body.

In the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor58is an infrared sensor and is supported on the front surface5406of the case54of the first detection unit38A.

With the first detection unit38A attached to the recess portion37, the forward of the water discharge portion50is irradiated with detection light, allowing for reliably irradiating the user's fingers inserted into the hand wash bowl28.

As illustrated inFIGS.3A,3B and3CandFIG.6, the second detection unit38B includes the contact sensor60that detects part of a human body when contacted by the part of the human body.

Such a contact sensor60can use a known sensor such as a touch switch that detects finger contact or a capacitive touch sensor that detects part of a human body with a change in electrostatic capacitance due to finger contact.

In the present embodiment, the contact sensor60is a touch switch and is supported on the upper surface5402of the case54of the second detection unit38B.

With the second detection unit38B attached to the recess portion37, the contact sensor60protrudes upward from the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50, allowing the user's fingers to easily contact the contact sensor60.

As illustrated inFIGS.4A,4B and4CandFIG.7, the third detection unit38C includes both the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60and serves as both the first detection unit38A and the second detection unit38B.

In the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor58is an infrared sensor and is provided on the front surface5406of the case54of the third detection unit38C, whereas the contact sensor60is a touch switch and is supported on the upper surface5402of the case54of the third detection unit38C.

With the third detection unit38C attached to the recess portion37, the forward of the water discharge portion50is irradiated with detection light, allowing for reliably irradiating the user's fingers inserted into the hand wash bowl28.

Also, with the third detection unit38C attached to the recess portion37, the contact sensor60protrudes upward from the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50, allowing the user's fingers to easily contact the contact sensor60.

Such a third detection unit38C allows both the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60to be used, thus advantageously improving usability.

When the non-contact sensor58is compared with the contact sensor60, the non-contact sensor58is typically complex in structure, expensive, and less durable, whereas the contact sensor60is simple in structure, less expensive, and less prone to failure. Thus, the cost including both the component cost and the maintenance cost increases in the order of the second detection unit38B, the first detection unit38A, and the third detection unit38C.

The control unit40may be provided in the faucet34. In the present embodiment, the control unit40is provided in a location below the counter table18near the faucet34and connected to the attachment-portion-side connector52via a cable, which is not illustrated.

The control unit40switches between discharge and stop of water from the water discharge port51in accordance with a detection signal output from the detection unit38and supplied via the detection-unit-side connector56, the attachment-portion-side connector52, and the cable.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the present embodiment includes a solenoid valve62in the water supply channel44that supplies water to the faucet34. The control unit40, upon receiving a detection signal indicating that the detection unit38has detected part of a human body, opens the solenoid valve62for a predetermined valve opening time to discharge water from the water discharge port51, and closes the solenoid valve62upon completion of the valve opening time.

In this way, opening the valve for a certain opening time allows a predetermined amount of water to be discharged from the faucet34.

According to the present embodiment, any one of the first detection unit38A, the second detection unit38B, and the third detection unit38C can be selected as the detection unit38to be attached to the detection unit attachment portion36.

Thus, selecting the first detection unit38A obtains an automatic faucet device32A using the non-contact sensor58, selecting the second detection unit38B obtains an automatic faucet device32A using the contact sensor60, or selecting the third detection unit38C obtains an automatic faucet device32A using both the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60.

Accordingly, an automatic faucet device32A that meets specifications according to a customer's request can be obtained inexpensively and easily by just replacing the detection unit38.

For example, as illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B and2CandFIG.5, for a customer who hates to touch the automatic faucet device32A with their fingers due to hygiene concerns of the lavatory14, the automatic faucet device32A to which the first detection unit38A is attached can be provided.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS.3A,3B and3CandFIG.6, for a customer who focuses on cost reduction of the automatic faucet device32A, an automatic faucet device32A to which the second detection unit38B is attached can be provided.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS.4A,4B and4CandFIG.7, for a customer who focuses on usability, an automatic faucet device32A to which the third detection unit38C is attached can be provided.

Accordingly, there is no need to manufacture the automatic faucet device32A for each type of the detection unit38. This is advantageous in providing, at a low cost and in a short delivery time, an automatic faucet device32A that meets specifications according to a customer's request.

Even when the specifications of an automatic faucet device32A already installed are changed, replacing the detection unit38already installed with a detection unit38having different specifications is only required, and there is no need to replace the whole automatic faucet device32A. This is advantageous in reducing the cost and period required for replacement.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion36is provided on the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50, allowing the position of the detection unit38attached to the detection unit attachment portion36to be recognized at once and allowing fingers to approach the detection unit38or easily operate, for example, touching the detection unit38. This is advantageous in improving the operability of the automatic faucet device32A.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion36is formed of the recess portion37opening upward on the upper surface5002of the water discharge portion50, and the detection unit38includes the case54supporting one or both of the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60, and the case54is detachably attached to the recess portion37.

This eliminates the need to use a dedicated attachment component in attaching the detection unit38and is advantageous in reducing the size and cost of the automatic faucet device32A.

Also, according to the present embodiment, the recess portion37includes the attachment-portion-side connector52connected to the control unit40, and the case54includes the detection-unit-side connector56that is connected to one or both of the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60and configured to be coupled to the attachment-portion-side connector52.

Thus, just attaching the case54to the recess portion37can easily connect the non-contact sensor58or the contact sensor60with the control unit40, or just detaching the case54from the recess portion37can easily disconnect the non-contact sensor58or the contact sensor60from the control unit40. This eliminates the need for troublesome wiring work in attaching and detaching the detection unit38and is advantageous in improving the efficiency of work in attaching, detaching, and replacing the detection unit38.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.8to13.

Note that, in the embodiment described below, elements and members similar to those of the first embodiment have reference signs identical to those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the location of the faucet34where a detection unit attachment portion72is provided.

As illustrated inFIG.8,FIGS.9A,9B and9C, a faucet64includes a base plate portion66attached to an upper surface of a sink30or a wall portion near the sink30, an extending portion68extending above a hand wash bowl28from the base plate portion68, and a water discharge portion70that is provided on a tip portion extending in a substantially horizontal direction of the extending portion68and includes a water discharge port71directed toward an inside of the hand wash bowl28.

Note that the faucet64including the base plate portion66is made of various known materials such as a metal or synthetic resin, as in the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the base plate portion66has a flat oval plate shape having a contour larger than that of the extending portion68.

The base plate portion66includes an upper surface6602facing upward, a lower surface6604facing downward, a front surface6606facing a hand wash bowl28side, a rear surface6608facing in a direction opposite the front surface6606, and a pair of side surfaces6610that are curved and connect the upper surface6602, the lower surface6604, the front surface6606, and the rear surface6608.

The extending portion68rises from a location on the upper surface6602on one side of the base plate portion66in a longitudinal direction.

The base plate portion66and the extending portion68may be provided integrally, or the base plate portion66and the extending portion68may be provided as separate bodies, and for example, the extending portion68may be inserted into a hole provided in the base plate portion66.

In the present embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion72is provided in the base plate portion66aligned with the extending portion68.

Specifically, the detection unit attachment portion72is provided in a location on the upper surface6602on the other side of the base plate portion66in the longitudinal direction and is formed of a recess portion73that is notched from the upper surface6602to the front surface6606and opening upward and forward and has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

The recess portion73includes a bottom surface7302facing upward, a rear surface7304rising from a back end of the bottom surface7302, and a pair of inner surfaces7306rising from two sides of the bottom surface7302.

An attachment-portion-side connector52(seeFIG.5) is provided exposed to the recess portion73or protrudes into the recess portion73.

Additionally, a case74of a detection unit38is fitted into the recess portion73, and a screw N penetrating the rear surface6608of the base plate portion66is fastened into a female thread of the case74. Thus, the detection unit38is detachably attached to the detection unit attachment portion72.

Note that the detection unit38can be attached to the recess portion73using various known fixing structures, as in the first embodiment.

Thus, the second embodiment also allows the detection unit38to be easily detached from the recess portion73and replaced with another detection unit38.

As in the first embodiment, the detection unit38is any one of a first detection unit38A, a second detection unit38B, and a third detection unit38C, which are selectively used.

As illustrated inFIGS.9A,9B and9C, the case74has a flat rectangular plate shape and includes, when attached to the detection unit attachment portion72, an upper surface7402facing upward, a lower surface7404facing downward, a front surface7406directed toward the hand wash bowl28side, a rear surface7408facing in a direction opposite the front surface7406, and a pair of side surfaces7410connecting the upper surface7402, the lower surface7404, the front surface7406, and the rear surface7408.

The case74is attached to the detection unit attachment portion72with the lower surface7404, the rear surface7408, and the pair of side surfaces7410of the case74respectively fitted to the bottom surface7302, the rear surface7304, and the pair of inner surfaces7306of the recess portion73.

In the present embodiment, each detection unit38is selectively attached to the recess portion73, the upper surface6602of the base plate portion66and the upper surface7402of the case74are connected on the same plane, and the front surface6606of the base plate portion66and the front surface7406of the case74are connected on the same plane, allowing a feeling of unity to be obtained.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the case74includes a detection-unit-side connector56that is connected to the attachment-portion-side connector52by attaching the case74to the recess portion73.

As illustrated inFIG.8,FIGS.9A,9B and9C, the first detection unit38A includes a non-contact sensor58that detects part of a human body in a non-contact manner. In the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor58is an infrared sensor, and the non-contact sensor58is provided on the front surface7406of the case74of the first detection unit38A.

With the first detection unit38A attached to the recess portion73, the forward of the base plate portion66is irradiated with detection light, allowing for reliably irradiating the user's fingers inserted into the hand wash bowl28.

As illustrated inFIG.10,FIGS.11A,11B and11C, the second detection unit38B includes a contact sensor60that detects part of a human body when contacted by the part of the human body. In the present embodiment, the contact sensor60is a touch switch, and the contact sensor60is provided on the upper surface7402of the case74of the second detection unit38B.

With the second detection unit38B attached to the recess portion73, the contact sensor60protrudes upward from the upper surface6602of the base plate portion66, allowing the user's fingers to easily contact the contact sensor60.

As illustrated inFIG.12,FIGS.13A,13B and13C, the third detection unit38C includes both the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60and serves as both the first detection unit38A and the second detection unit38B.

In the present embodiment, the non-contact sensor58is an infrared sensor, and the non-contact sensor58is provided on the front surface7406of the case74of the third detection unit38C, whereas the contact sensor60is a touch switch and is provided on the upper surface7402of the case74of the third detection unit38C.

With the third detection unit38C attached to the recess portion73, the forward of the base plate portion66is irradiated with detection light, allowing for reliably irradiating the user's fingers inserted into the hand wash bowl28.

Also, with the third detection unit38C attached to the recess portion73, the contact sensor60protrudes upward from the upper surface6602of the base plate portion66, allowing the user's fingers to easily contact the contact sensor60.

Such a third detection unit38C allows both the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60to be used, thus advantageously improving usability.

The control unit40controls discharge and stop of water in accordance with a detection signal of the detection unit38, as in the first embodiment.

Such a second embodiment exhibits the same effects as the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion72is provided in the base plate portion66aligned with the extending portion68, allowing the position of the detection unit38attached to the detection unit attachment portion72to be recognized at once and allowing fingers to approach the detection unit38or easily operate, for example, touching the detection unit38. This is advantageous in improving the operability of the automatic faucet device32B.

Also, the detection unit attachment portion72is provided on the upper surface6602of the base plate portion66, and thus even when the second detection unit38B or the third detection unit38C that is attached to the detection unit attachment portion72is pressed repeatedly with a large force, the force is transmitted from the base plate portion66to the sink30, and repeated applications of an excessive force to the sink64is avoided. This is advantageous in improving the durability of the faucet64.

Further, according to the second embodiment, the detection unit attachment portion72is formed of the recess portion73provided in the base plate portion66, and the detection unit38includes the case54supporting one or both of the non-contact sensor58and the contact sensor60, with the case54detachably attached to the recess portion73.

This eliminates the need to use a dedicated attachment component in attaching the detection unit38and is advantageous in reducing the size and cost of the automatic faucet device32B.

Further, the second embodiment includes, as in the first embodiment, the attachment-portion-side connector52in the recess portion73, and the case54includes the detection-unit-side connector56configured to be coupled to the attachment-portion-side connector52. Thus, just attaching the case54to the recess portion73can easily connect the non-contact sensor58or the contact sensor60with the control unit40, or just detaching the case54from the recess portion73can easily disconnect the non-contact sensor58or the contact sensor60from the control unit40. This eliminates the need for troublesome wiring work in attaching and detaching the detection unit38and is advantageous in improving the efficiency of work in attaching, detaching, and replacing the detection unit38.