System and method to detect and communicate faucet valve position

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9822902-B2
Application number	US-201514791009-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2015
Priority date	Aug 24, 2012
Publication date	Nov 21, 2017
Grant date	Nov 21, 2017

Abstract

A faucet configured for touchless actuation that includes a spout; a mechanical valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state and having a member radially movable between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state; an electronic valve configured to move between an open state and a closed state; and a system configured to detect and communicate a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A faucet configured for touchless actuation, comprising:
a faucet body;
a mechanical valve that is disposed in a portion of the faucet body and is movable between an open state and a closed state;
a member that at least partially surrounds a cylindrical outer surface of the mechanical valve and reciprocates in a radial direction relative to the outer surface of the mechanical valve between an open position and a closed position in response to operation of the mechanical valve between the open state and the closed state, wherein the radial direction is normal to a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the mechanical valve;
an electronic valve that is movable between an open state and a closed state; and
a system that detects and communicates a state of the faucet in response to the position of the member.

2. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical valve and the electronic valve are fluidly coupled in series.

3. The faucet of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a switch supported proximate the mechanical valve such that the switch is actuated in response to the member moving between the closed position and the open position.

4. The faucet of claim 3 , wherein the switch is supported by a ring disposed at least partially around the mechanical valve.

5. The faucet of claim 3 , further comprising an annunciator that indicates to a user the state of the faucet in response to actuation of the switch, wherein when the mechanical valve is in the closed state, the annunciator is in an off state, and when the mechanical valve is in the open state, the annunciator is in an on state.

6. The faucet of claim 5 , further comprising a sensor operatively coupled to the electronic valve, wherein triggering of the sensor causes the electronic valve to move between the open state and the closed state.

7. The faucet of claim 6 , further comprising a processing electronics configured to, in response to detecting the mechanical valve is in the closed state:
place the annunciator in the off state;
place the electronic valve in the closed state; and
turn off the sensor.

8. The faucet of claim 7 , wherein in response to detecting the mechanical valve is in the open state, the processing electronics is configured to:
place the annunciator in the on state;
place the electronic valve in the open state; and
turn on the sensor.

9. The faucet of claim 3 , wherein the switch is disposed between a contact surface of the mechanical valve and a contact surface of a control member, the switch is open when the switch does not contact at least one contact surface, and the switch is closed when the switch contacts both contact surfaces.

10. A faucet, comprising:
a body;
an electronic valve for pausing and resuming a flow of fluid through the body;
a mechanical valve for controlling the flow of fluid from a source to the electronic valve, the mechanical valve including a contact surface;
a control member disposed at least partially around the mechanical valve and having a contact surface; and
a switch disposed between the contact surfaces of the mechanical valve and the control member, wherein the switch is open when the switch does not contact at least one contact surface and the switch is closed when the switch contacts both contact surfaces;
wherein the control member reciprocates in a radial direction relative to the contact surface of the mechanical valve to open and close the switch, wherein the radial direction is normal to a longitudinal axis of an outer surface of the mechanical valve.

11. The faucet of claim 10 , wherein the control member reciprocates relative to the contact surface of the mechanical valve in response to the movement of a control stem of the mechanical valve.

12. The faucet of claim 11 , wherein the mechanical valve further includes a valve member disposed within the mechanical valve, and the valve member transfers motion from the control stem to the control member to translate the control member by adjusting a radial position of the control member relative to the contact surface of the mechanical valve.

13. The faucet of claim 12 , further comprising an adjustment member, wherein the valve member transfers motion from the control stem to the adjusting member, which in turn transfers motion to the control member to open and close the switch.

14. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein valve member is located directly above or below the switch along the longitudinal axis of the mechanical valve.

15. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the valve member is orientated diametrically opposite from the switch.

16. The faucet of claim 12 , wherein the mechanical valve includes a body having an opening therein, and wherein the valve member includes a portion that moves within the opening to adjust the radial position of the control member through an adjuster.

17. The faucet of claim 10 , further comprising a circuit mounted on the control member between the switch and the control member, wherein the circuit includes the contact surface of the control member.

18. The faucet of claim 17 , wherein the circuit comprises an annunciator that indicates to a user the state of the faucet in response to actuation of the switch, wherein when the mechanical valve is in the closed position, the annunciator is in an off state, and when the mechanical valve is in the open position, the annunciator is in an on state.

19. The faucet of claim 9 , wherein the control member moves relative to the contact surface of the mechanical valve to open and close the switch.

20. The faucet of claim 19 , wherein the control member surrounds the mechanical valve and moves radially in response to radial movement of the member of the mechanical valve.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Esche John C
• Cochart Chad J

Classifications

• F16K11/078

  with pivoted and linearly movable closure members · CPC title

• F16K37/0041 Primary

  for measuring valve parameters (F16K37/0033 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16K19/006

  Specially adapted for faucets · CPC title

• F16K37/00

  Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given · CPC title

• Y10T137/8242

  Electrical · CPC title