Capacitive touch on/off control for an automatic residential faucet
US6962168B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2004 |
| Grant date | Nov 8, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/9464
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A capacitive touch-controlled automatic faucet comprises: a spout, a magnetically latching valve, a proximity sensor, a handle, a capacitive touch-control, and a logical control. The proximity sensor is sensitive to motion of objects within a detection zone of the proximity sensor. The handle determines a water flow rate and temperature. The capacitive touch-control is positioned in the spout and generates an output signal while the touch-control is in contact with a user. The logical control receives the output signal, and toggles the magnetically latching valve when the output signal begins and ends within a period of time less than a predetermined threshold, but does not toggle the magnetically latching valve when the output signal persists for a period longer than the predetermined threshold. The faucet has a manual mode, wherein the proximity sensor is inactive, and a hands-free mode, wherein water flow is toggled in response to the proximity sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.