Integrated bathroom electronic system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018282984-A1
Application number	US-201815996775-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 4, 2018
Priority date	Nov 11, 2005
Publication date	Oct 4, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative faucet modules, a controller is configured to select between a manual mode of operation and a hands-free mode of operation in response to a mode signal, and is configured to control an electrically operable valve in response to a proximity signal during the hands-free mode of operation.

First claim

1 . A faucet comprising:
a spout; a first water inlet; a first manual valve positioned intermediate the first water inlet and the spout, the first manual valve configured to control the flow of water from the first water inlet to the spout during a manual mode of operation; an electrically operable valve positioned intermediate the first water inlet and the spout, the electrically operable valve being configured to control the flow of water from the first water inlet to the spout during a hands-free mode of operation, the first manual valve being configured to control the flow of water to the spout independent of the electrically operable valve; a controller in communication with the electrically operable valve; a mode sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a mode signal to the controller; a proximity sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a proximity signal to the controller; and wherein the controller is configured to select between the manual mode of operation and the hands-free mode of operation in response to the mode signal, and is configured to control the electrically operable valve in response to the proximity signal during the hands-free mode of operation.

2 . The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensor is inactive during the manual mode, and the proximity sensor is configured to provide the proximity signal to the controller during the hands-free mode of operation.

3 . The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the mode sensor comprises a capacitive touch sensor.

4 . The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the first manual valve and the electrically operable valve are positioned in parallel.

5 . The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the mode sensor comprises a flow sensor configured to detect water flowing through the first manual valve.

6 . The faucet of claim 5 , wherein the first manual valve and the electrically operable valve are positioned in parallel.

7 . The faucet of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second water inlet; and a second manual valve positioned intermediate the second water inlet and the spout, the second manual valve configured to control the flow of water from the second water inlet to the spout during a manual mode of operation.

8 . The faucet of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a temperature signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the electrically operable valve in response to the temperature signal.

9 . The faucet of claim 1 , further comprising a recirculation pump positioned upstream from the first manual valve and in communication with the controller.

10 . The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to select between the manual mode of operation and the hands-free mode of operation in response to the mode signal and operation of the electrically operable valve.

11 . A faucet comprising:
a spout; a water inlet; a manual valve positioned intermediate the water inlet and the spout; an electrically operable valve positioned intermediate the water inlet and the spout; a controller in communication with the electrically operable valve; a mode sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect when water is flowing through the spout; and a proximity sensor in communication with the controller and configured to detect the presence of an object within a detection zone, wherein the controller controls the electrically operable valve in response to input from both the mode sensor and the proximity sensor.

12 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the proximity sensor is inactive when the controller determines that water is flowing through the manual valve.

13 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the electrically operable valve is in parallel to the manual valve.

14 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the controller is configured to select between a manual mode of operation and a hands-free mode of operation in response to the mode sensor, and is configured to control the electrically operable valve in response to the proximity sensor.

15 . The faucet of claim 14 , wherein the proximity sensor is inactive during the manual mode, and the proximity sensor is configured to provide a proximity signal to the controller during the hands-free mode of operation.

16 . The faucet of claim 11 , further comprising:
a second water inlet; and a second manual valve positioned intermediate the second water inlet and the spout, the second manual valve configured to control the flow of water from the second water inlet to the spout during a manual mode of operation.

17 . The faucet of claim 16 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a temperature signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the electrically operable valve in response to the temperature signal.

18 . The faucet of claim 11 , further comprising a recirculation pump positioned upstream from the first manual valve and in communication with the controller.

19 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the mode sensor comprises a flow sensor.

20 . The faucet of claim 19 , wherein the flow sensor is a hydro-generator.

21 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the mode sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

22 . The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the mode sensor comprises a sensor configured to detect a position of the manual valve.

23 . A faucet comprising:
a spout; a hot water inlet; a cold water inlet; at least one electrically operable valve positioned intermediate the hot water and cold water inlets and the spout; a controller in communication with the at least one electrically operable valve; a proximity sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a proximity signal to the controller; and a touch sensor in communication with the controller and configured to adjust the mixture of hot and cold water flowing from the spout.

24 . The faucet of claim 23 , further comprising at least one manual valve positioned intermediate the hot water and cold water inlets and the spout.

25 . The faucet of claim 24 , further comprising:
a mode sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a mode signal to the controller; and wherein the controller is configured to select between a manual mode of operation and a hands-free mode of operation in response to the mode signal, and is configured to control the electrically operable valve in response to the proximity signal during the hands-free mode of operation.

26 . The faucet of claim 25 , wherein the mode sensor comprises at least one of a capacitive touch sensor and a flow sensor.

27 . The faucet of claim 23 , further comprising a recirculation pump positioned upstream from the at least one electrically operable valve and in communication with the controller.

28 . The faucet of claim 23 , further comprising a temperature sensor in communication with the controller and configured to provide a temperature signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the at least one electrically operable valve in response to the temperature signal.

Assignees

• Delta Faucet Co

Inventors

• Reeder Ryan A
• Stohler Spencer L
• Mendenhall Andrew B
• Zink Paul T
• Rodenbeck Robert W

Classifications

• E03C1/057 Primary

  touchless, i.e. using sensors · CPC title

• E03C1/055

  Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like · CPC title

• E03D9/04

  Special arrangement or operation of ventilating devices (ventilating rooms in general F24F) · CPC title