Automatic extraction device and method for controlling automatic extraction

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9957147-B2
Application number	US-201314898011-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 28, 2013
Priority date	Jun 26, 2013
Publication date	May 1, 2018
Grant date	May 1, 2018

Abstract

An automatic extraction device may include a displacement measuring unit for measuring the distance to a container by transmitting a measurement signal and then generating the measurement value which corresponds to the distance to the container; a control unit for outputting a water extraction signal if the measurement value is included within the predetermined target distance range and if the measurement value is not changed during the predetermined reference time; and a water extraction cock for supplying fluid to the container by opening a water extraction valve if the water discharge signal is input.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An automatic extraction device comprising:
a displacement measuring unit configured to transmit a measurement signal to measure a distance to a container and generate a measurement value corresponding to a distance to the container;
a control unit configured to output a water extraction signal when the generated measurement value corresponds to a distance within a preset target distance range and is not changed for a preset reference period of time;
a user recognition unit configured to generate a recognition signal upon receiving the water extraction signal; and
a water extraction cock configured to open a water extraction valve to supply fluid to the container,
wherein the preset target distance range is set by applying a preset error range to a distance from the displacement measuring unit to the water extraction cock,
wherein, when a preset recognition period of time has lapsed after generating the recognition signal, an opening signal for opening the water extraction valve is input to the water extraction valve of the water extraction cock to start supplying fluid, and
wherein, after the water extraction signal is output, when the measurement value is increased by more than a preset variation, the control unit outputs a water extraction stop signal to stop the supply of the fluid to the container.

2. The automatic extraction device of claim 1 , wherein, after transmitting the measurement signal, the displacement measurement unit measures a time for the measurement signal to return after being reflected from a surface of the container, and generates the measurement value using a propagation rate of the measurement signal and the return time.

3. The automatic extraction device of claim 1 , wherein when the measurement value corresponds to a distance within the preset target distance range and is not changed for the preset reference period of time, the control unit outputs the water extraction signal to control the water extraction cock to extract water for a preset target water extraction period of time.

4. The automatic extraction device of claim 3 , wherein when the measurement value is outside of the preset target distance range, the control unit outputs the water extraction stop signal.

5. The automatic extraction device of claim 4 , further comprising a timer, wherein the control unit is further configured to start counting from a start of a water extraction period of time during which water is extracted from the water extraction cock, and when the water extraction stop signal is output, the control unit stops counting the water extraction period of time.

6. The automatic extraction device of claim 1 , wherein, after the water extraction stop signal is output, when the measurement value is not changed for a preset waiting period of time, the control unit outputs the water extraction signal for resuming water extraction from the water extraction cock.

7. The automatic extraction device of claim 5 , wherein, after the water extraction stop signal is output, when the measurement value is outside of a preset sensing distance, the control unit initializes the water extraction period of time, and wherein the sensing distance is a maximum distance that may be measured by the displacement measuring unit.

8. The automatic extraction device of claim 1 , wherein the user recognition unit outputs the recognition signal informing a user about fluid extraction upon receiving the water extraction signal, and wherein the recognition signal is one of a light and a sound.

9. A method for controlling automatic extraction, the method comprising:
transmitting, by a displacement measuring unit, a measurement signal by a displacement sensor to measure a distance to a container;
generating a measurement value corresponding to the distance to the container;
outputting a water extraction signal, by a control unit, when the measurement value corresponds to a distance within a preset target distance range and is not changed for a preset reference period of time; and
opening a water extraction valve to supply fluid to the container when the water extraction signal is output,
wherein the preset target distance range is set by applying a preset error range to a distance from the displacement measuring unit to the water extraction valve, and
wherein, after the water extraction signal is output, when the measurement value is increased by more than a preset variation, outputting a water extraction stop signal to stop the supply of the fluid to the container, by the control unit.

10. An automatic extraction device comprising:
a displacement measuring unit configured to transmit a measurement signal to measure a distance to a container and generate a measurement value based on the measured distance;
a valve configured to supply fluid to the container; and
a control unit configured to:
when the measurement value corresponds to a distance within a preset target distance range and when the measurement value does not change for a preset reference period of time, output a water extraction signal to control the valve to supply a fluid to the container, and
after the water extraction signal is output, when the measurement value is increased by more than a preset variation, output a water extraction stop signal to stop the supply of the fluid to the container,

wherein the preset target distance range is set by applying a preset error range to a distance from the displacement measuring unit to the valve.

Assignees

• Coway Co Ltd
• Coway Co Ltd

Inventors

• Ka Jin-Seong
• Kim Ki-Chul
• Park Su-Yong

Classifications

• B01D35/00

  Filtering devices having features not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00, or for applications not specifically covered by groups B01D24/00 - B01D33/00; Auxiliary devices for filtration; Filter housing constructions · CPC title

• B67D2210/00065

  related to the use of drinking cups or glasses · CPC title

• C02F1/003

  using household-type filters for producing potable water, e.g. pitchers, bottles, faucet mounted devices (C02F9/20 takes precedence) · CPC title

• C02F2307/10

  as part of a potable water dispenser, e.g. for use in homes or offices · CPC title

• B67D1/1236 Primary

  comprising means for detecting the size of vessels to be filled · CPC title