Patent · US Expired

Automatic proximity faucet

US7174577B2 · kind B2 · utility

99Cited by
18References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2005
Grant dateFeb 13, 2007
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 5, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86389
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A hands-free faucet includes a sensing plate, a capacitor-based sensor circuit, a non-conductive valve housing, a non-conductive seating ring, and a conductive connector. Preferably, the capacitor-based sensor circuit is electrically connected to said sensing plate. Furthermore, the non-conductive valve housing preferably further comprises a valve inlet and valve outlet. Preferably, said non-conductive seating ring is located between the valve inlet and valve outlet, and is traversed by the conductive connector. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive connector is a metal pin.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.