Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
DESCRIPTION
Title of Invention
AUTOMATIC FAUCET
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to an automatic faucet which automatically
discharges water from a water spout based on the detection of a detection
target using
an optical sensor, and specifically, to a fixing structure of a tip section of
an optical
fiber.
Background Art
[0002]
Now, an automatic faucet in a public toilet, a lavatory or the like has been
widely used which has an optical sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a
sensor)
that projects light from a light projection section provided in a tip section
of a water
spout pipe and then receives the reflected light from a detection target such
as the
hand of a user or the like by a light receiving section provided in the water
spout pipe
to detect the detection target, and thus automatically discharges water based
on the
detection using the sensor.
Generally, the sensor determines that there is a detection target when a light
receiving amount is greater than the set threshold value.
In such an automatic faucet, previously, in many cases, the light projection
section and the light receiving section have been provided in the tip section
of the
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water spout pipe.
[0003]
Meanwhile, in the automatic faucet of the related art, a light emitting
element
such as an LED emitting the light as the light projection section and the
light
receiving element such as a photodiode and a phototransistor as the light
receiving
section have been placed in the tip section of the water spout pipe, and a
sensor circuit,
which includes a light emitting drive circuit for emitting the light using the
light
emitting element and a photoelectric conversion circuit for converting the
light
received by the light receiving element into an electric signal to perform the
signal
processing has been provided in the tip section of the water spout pipe in the
state of
being connected to the light emitting element and the light receiving element.
[0004]
For example, Patent Literature I and Patent Literature 2 disclose an automatic
faucet which is formed by providing the light emitting element, the light
receiving
element, and the sensor including the sensor circuit in the tip section of the
water
spout pipe.
However, as disclosed in Patent Literature I and Patent Literature 2, in the
case of the automatic faucet provided with the light emitting element, the
light
receiving element, and the sensor including the sensor circuit in the tip
section of the
water spout pipe, the shape of the tip section of the water spout pipe has
been
inevitably increased in size, and there has been a problem in that the size of
the
overall water spout pipe is increased along with this and the design is
degraded.
[0005]
In the related art, an automatic faucet has been known in which a sensor main
body including the light emitting element and the light receiving element is
placed
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outside the water spout pipe, an optical fiber on the light projection side to
guide the
light from the light emitting element of the sensor main body and an optical
fiber on
the light receiving side to guide the reflected light from the detection
target to the
light receiving element are passed inside an inner part of the water spout
pipe up to
the tip section of the water spout pipe, so that the light projection section
is formed in
the tip of the optical fiber on the light projection side and the light
receiving section is
formed in the tip of the optical fiber on the light receiving side,
respectively.
[0006]
For example, Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4 disclose this type of
automatic faucet using optical fiber.
In this manner, in a case where the sensor main body is placed outside the
water spout pipe, the optical fibers are passed inside the water spout pipe up
to the tip
section of the water spout pipe, and the light projection section and the
light receiving
section are configured in the tips of the optical fibers, it is possible to
reduce the size
of the water spout pipe compared to a case of providing the sensor main body
in the
tip section of the water spout pipe.
[0007]
However, in a case of configuring the light projection section and the light
receiving section in the tips of the optical fibers passed into the water
spout pipe, a
fixing structure of the tip section of each of the optical fiber on the light
projection
side and the optical fiber on the light receiving side becomes a problem.
Depending on the fixing structure, the assembling work of the tip section of
the optical fiber to the water spout pipe, and a work when removing the tip
section of
the optical fiber from the water spout pipe to perform the maintenance work
become
difficult, and the tip section of the water spout pipe is increased in size
depending on
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the situation.
However, Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4 do not specifically
disclose the fixing structure of the tip section of the optical fiber.
References
Patent Literature
[0008]
[Patent Literature 1] JP-A-2009-133103
[Patent Literature 2] JP-A-2002-70096
[Patent Literature 3] JP-UM-A-3-125862
[Patent Literature 4] JP-A-5-311709
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0009]
The present invention has been made based on such background, and an object
thereof is to provide an automatic faucet which is able to easily fix and
separate each
tip section of the optical fiber on the light projection side and the optical
fiber on the
light receiving side for configuring the light projection section and the
light receiving
section, which is able to have satisfactory workability when assembling the
tip section
of the optical fiber and workability during maintenance, and which is able to
maintain
the tip section of the water spout pipe in a small size.
Solution to Problem
Advantageous Effects of Invention
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[0010]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, an automatic faucet, in
which a cylindrical water spout member forming a water spout as a tip of a
water path
in a water spout pipe is provided inside the tip section of the water spout
pipe, an
optical fiber on a light projection side for guiding light from a light
emitting element
and an optical fiber on a light receiving side for guiding a reflected light
from a
detection target to a light receiving element are passed inside the water
spout pipe up
to the tip section of the water spout pipe, the tip of the optical fiber on
the light
projection side configures a light projection section, and the tip of the
optical fiber on
the light receiving side configures a light receiving section, and in which
water is
discharged from the water spout based on the detection of the detection target
using
an optical sensor, wherein a fitting convex section is provided in one of an
outer
surface of the tip section of each of the optical fiber on the light
projection side and
the optical fiber on the light receiving side and a fiber holding section of
the outer
surface of the water spout member, and a fitting concave section corresponding
to that
is provided in the other thereof, and wherein the tip sections of the optical
fibers are
fixed in a positioned state based on the concave-convex fitting of the fitting
convex
section and the fitting concave section.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a
cover is further provided to cover a fixing section of the tip sections of the
optical
fibers to the outer surface of the water spout member.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, an automatic faucet, ,
in
which a cylindrical water spout member forming a water spout as a tip of a
water path
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in a water spout pipe is provided inside the tip section of the water spout
pipe, an
optical fiber on a light projection side for guiding light from a light
emitting element
and an optical fiber on a light receiving side for guiding a reflected light
from a
detection target to a light receiving element are passed inside the water
spout pipe up
to the tip section of the water spout pipe, the tip of the optical fiber on
the light
projection side configures a light projection section, and the tip of the
optical fiber on
the light receiving side configures a light receiving section, and in which
water is
discharged from the water spout based on the detection of the detection target
using
an optical sensor, wherein a fitting convex section is provided in one of an
outer
surface of the tip section of each of the optical fiber on the light
projection side and
the optical fiber on the light receiving side and a fiber holding section of
the cover
fixed to the water spout member in a state of covering the outer surface of
the water
spout member, a fitting concave section corresponding to that is provided on
the other
thereof, and wherein the tip sections of the optical fibers are fixed in a
positioned
state based on a concave-convex fitting of the fitting convex section and the
fitting
concave section.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an automatic faucet, in
which a cylindrical water spout member forming a water spout as a tip of a
water path
in a water spout pipe is provided inside the tip section of the water spout
pipe, an
optical fiber on a light projection side for guiding light from a light
emitting element
and an optical fiber on a light receiving side for guiding a reflected light
from a
detection target to a light receiving element are passed inside the water
spout pipe up
to the tip section of the water spout pipe, the tip of the optical fiber on
the light
projection side configures a light projection section, and the tip of the
optical fiber on
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the light receiving side configures a light receiving section, respectively,
and in which
water is discharged from the water spout based on the detection of the
detection target
using an optical sensor, wherein a groove as a fiber holding section holding
the tip
sections of the optical fibers is provided on both of the outer surface of the
water
spout- member and the inner surface of the cover that covers the outer surface
in a
state of facing each other, and the tip section of the optical fiber is fitted
into the
grooves, and wherein a fitting convex section is provided in one of the outer
surface
of the tip sections of the optical fibers and the inner surfaces of the
grooves, a fitting
concave section is provided in the other thereof, and wherein the tip sections
of the
optical fibers are fixed in a positioned state based on a concave-convex
fitting of the
fitting convex section and the fitting concave section.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first
to
fourth aspects of the present invention, the tip sections of the optical
fibers are placed
and fixed in a straight line shape so as to be parallel to a pipe axis of the
water spout
pipe.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an automatic faucet
comprises, a water spout member that is provided inside a tip section of a
water spout
pipe and forms a water spout; a light projection section having a first
optical fiber that
guides light from a light emitting element; and a light receiving section
having a
second optical fiber that guides a reflected light from a detection target to
a light
receiving element, the automatic faucet discharging water from the water spout
based
on the detection of the detection target using an optical sensor, wherein the
first
optical fiber has a first fitting convex section, and the second optical fiber
has a
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second fitting convex section, and wherein the water spout member has a first
fitting
concave section fitted to the first fitting convex section and a second
fitting concave
section fitted to the second fitting convex section.
[0016] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth
aspect of the present invention, a cover is further provided to cover the
water spout
member, the cover having a third fitting concave section which is fitted to
the first
fitting convex section of the first optical fiber provided in the water spout
member,
and a fourth fitting concave section which is fitted to the second fitting
convex
section of the second optical fiber provided in the water spout member.
[0017]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, an automatic faucet
comprising: a water spout member that is provided inside a tip section of a
water
spout pipe and forms a water spout; a light projection section having a first
optical
fiber that guides light from a light emitting element; a light receiving
section having a
second optical fiber that guides a reflected light from a detection target to
a light
receiving element; and a cover that covers the water spout member, the
automatic
faucet discharging water from the water spout based on the detection of the
detection
target using an optical sensor, wherein the first optical fiber has a first
fitting convex
section and the second optical fiber has a second fitting convex section, and
wherein
the cover has a first fitting concave section fitted to the first fitting
convex section
and a second fitting concave section fitted to the second fitting convex
section.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a water spout unit of
an automatic faucet comprising: a water spout member that is provided inside a
tip
section of a water spout pipe and forms a water spout; a light projection
section
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having a first optical fiber that guides light from a light emitting element;
a light
receiving section having a second optical fiber that guides a reflected light
from a
detection target to a light receiving element; and a cover that covers the
water spout
member, wherein the first optical fiber has a first fitting convex section,
and the
second optical fiber has a second fitting convex section, wherein the water
spout
member has a first fitting concave section fitted to the first fitting convex
section and
a second fitting concave section fitted to the second fitting convex section,
and
wherein the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are fixed by the
water spout
member and the cover.
Effects of the Invention
[0019]
As mentioned above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a
fitting convex section is provided in,one of the outer surface of the tip
section of each
of the optical fiber on the light projection side and the optical fiber on the
light
receiving side and a fiber holding section of the outer surface of the
cylindrical water
spout member forming the water spout of the tip of the water path in the water
spout
pipe, a fitting concave section corresponding to that is provided on the other
thereof,
and the tip sections of the optical fibers are fixed in a positioned state
based on the
concave-convex fitting of the fitting convex section and the fitting concave
section.
According to the present invention, it is easily possible to fix each tip
section of the
optical fiber on the light projection side and the optical fiber on the light
receiving
side to the tip section of the water spout pipe via the water spout member by
the
concave-convex fitting and also the release of the fixing is easy, and thus it
is possible
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to perform the work with good workability when assembling the tip section of
the
optical fibers to the water spout pipe, and also the fixing release thereof is
easy, so
that it is also possible to perform the work with good workability when
detaching and
maintaining the top section of the optical fibers from the water spout pipe.
[0020]
In the present invention, it is possible to directly fix the tip section of
each of
the optical fiber on the light projection side and the optical fiber on the
light receiving
side to the water spout member, so that it is possible to reduce the size of
the tip
section of the water spout pipe compared to case that the tip section of the
optical
fiber on the light projection side including the light projection section and
the tip
section of the optical fiber on the light receiving side including the light
receiving
section is assembled in advance as a unit and it is fixed in the state of the
unit to the
tip section of the water spout pipe.
[00211
In the present invention, it is possible to further include the cover that
covers
the fixing section of the tip sections of the optical fibers to the outer
surface of the
water spout member (the second aspect of the present invention).
In this way, the tip sections of the optical fibers can be interposed between
the
water spout member and the cover, and the tip sections of the optical fibers
can be
fixed more good to the water spout member.
[0022]
In the present invention, a fitting convex section is provided in one of the
outer surface of the tip section of each of the optical fiber on the light
projection side
and the optical fiber on the light receiving side and a fiber holding section
of the
cover fixed to the water spout member in a state of covering the outer surface
of the
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water spout member, a fitting concave section corresponding to that is
provided on the
other thereof, and the tip sections of the optical fibers are fixed in a
positioned state
based on the concave-convex fitting of the fitting convex section and the
fitting
concave section (the third aspect of the invenion).
In this case, -it is also possible to perform the work with good workability
when assembling the respective tip sections of the optical fibers to the tip
section of
the water spout pipe and maintaining, and the tip section of the water spout
pipe can
be reduced in size.
In this case, the fiber holding section may be provided at an inner surface of
the cover.
In this way, the tip sections of the optical fibers can be interposed between
the
cover and the water spout member, and the tip sections of the optical fibers
can be
fixed more good.
[0023]
In this case, the fiber holding section may be a groove and the tip sections
of
the respective optical fibers can be fixed to the groove in the fitted state.
In this way, the tip sections of the respective optical fibers can be more
easily
fixed to the water spout member, and thus can be fixed to the tip section of
the water
spout pipe.
In addition, binding force to the respective tip section can be increased and
the fixing strength can be increased.
[0024]
Furthermore, since the tip sections of the respective optical fibers are
fitted
into the inner section of the groove, so that the light projection section and
the light
receiving section can be protected in the groove, and thus the tip sections of
the
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respective optical fibers can be fixed into the water spout member or the
cover in the
housed state, so that the tip section of the water spout pipe can be more
effectively
reduced in size.
In this case, the groove can be provided, with respect to the water spout
member or the_eover, in ashape extending from the end of the water spout pipe
base
end side up to the end of the tip side.
[0025]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a groove a fiber
holding section are provided on both of the outer surface of the water spout
member
and the inner surface of the cover in a state of facing each other, the tip
sections of the
optical fibers are fitted into the grooves, a fitting convex section is
provided in one of
the outer surface of the tip sections of the optical fibers and the inner
surfaces of the
grooves, a fitting concave section is provided in the other thereof and are
fitted by the
concave-concave fitting, and the tip sections of the optical fibers are fixed
in a
positioned state. Thus, according to the claim 5, the tip sections of the
respective
optical fibers can be effectively bound to the inner portions of the grooves,
and it is
possible to further increase the positioning function and the fixing function
to the tip
sections of the respective optical fibers.
Furthermore, it is possible to cover the tip sections of the respective
optical
fibers including the light receiving section by the water spout member and the
cover,
and thus the protective function of the respective tip section can be
increased.
[0026]
The tip sections of the respective optical fibers can be placed and fixed in
the
straight line shape to be parallel to a pipe axis of the water spout pipe (the
fifth aspect
of the present invention).
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In this way, the thickness of the water spout member and the cover can be
reduced compared to a case of obliquely fixing of the tip sections of the
optical fibers,
and thus the tip section of the water spout pipe can be reduced in size.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0027]
FIG. 1 is an overall view of an automatic faucet in an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a water spout pipe in the
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a major part of a tip section of the water
spout pipe in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a view of a water spout unit in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a view of the water spout unit in the embodiment in a state before
being assembled to the water spout pipe.
FIG. 6 is a view of another embodiment of the present invention
Description of Embodiments
[0028]
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the
drawings.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 is an automatic faucet of the present
embodiment, and reference numeral 12 is a water spout pipe in the automatic
faucet
10. Herein, the water spout pipe 12 is made of metal.
The water spout pipe 12 is installed in the form of standing from a counter
(an
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attachment base) 14, an upper section has a goose neck shape that is inverted
U-shaped, and a tip face thereof extends forward and obliquely downward with
respect to the user.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the water spout pipe 12 is formed with a
_5 substantially elliptical opening 16 corresponding to the cross-sectional
shape of the
water spout pipe 12 at the tip thereof.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, the water spout pipe 12 integrally has a seating section
18
and an inserting pipe 20 extended downward from the seating section 18 at the
base
end side thereof.
The inserting pipe 20 is inserted into an attachment hole 22 of the counter 14
and is projected up to the underside of the counter 14, and a fixing nut 26 is
screwed
into a male screw section 24 provided on the outer circumferential surface
thereof.
The water spout pipe 12 is attached to the counter 14 by seating the seating
section 18 on the upper surface of the counter 14, in a state of interposing
the counter
14 from both sides of the upper and lower sides via packing 28 and 30 by the
seating
section 18 and the fixing nut 26.
[0030]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 32 is a main body functioning section placed
under the counter 14, reference numeral 34 is a functioning section box of the
main
body functioning section 32, and an electromagnetic valve 36 is accommodated
therein.
The electromagnetic valve 36 is a valve which opens and closes a water
supply path supplying water from a water supply source pipe to a water spout
58 (FIG.
2) described later, and a lower end of a water supply tube 38 is connected to
the
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electromagnetic valve 36 via a joint 40.
[0031]
The water supply tube 38 is a member that forms a part of the water supply
path, is extended upward from the functioning section box 34, and enters into
the
water spout -pipe 12 through an opening 42 of the base end (a lower end) of
the water
spout pipe 12, as shown in FIG. 2.
The water supply pipe 38 further extends the inner section of the water spout
pipe 12 up to the tip section thereof.
Additionally, in this example, since the water supply tube 38 is a tube which
has flexibility, here it is formed from polyurethane resin.
Incidentally, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 44 indicates a stopcock.
[0032]
In the inner section of the functioning section box 34, a control section 46
including a microcomputer as a main component, and a sensor main body 48
configuring a main component of an optical sensor (hereinafter, easily
referred to as a
sensor) are accommodated.
The control section 46 operates and controls the electromagnetic valve 36,
opens the electromagnetic valve 36 based on the detection of the detection
target
using the sensor, and closes the electromagnetic valve 36 when the sensor does
not
detect the detection target.
[0033]
The sensor main body 48 has a light emitting element such as an LED that
emits light (herein, infrared light), a light receiving element such as a
phototransistor,
and a sensor circuit which includes a light emitting driving circuit that
performs the
light emitting using the light emitting element, and a photoelectric
conversion circuit
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that converts the light received by the light receiving element into the
electric signal
and processes the signal.
An optical fiber 80 (see FIG. 4) on the light projection side is projected
from
the light emitting element of the sensor main body 48, and an optical fiber 82
on the
light receiving side is extended from the light receiving element.
[0034]
The optical fiber 80 on the light projection side and the optical fiber 82 on
the
light receiving side are bundled into one.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 indicates a fiber optical cord that is bundled
into one.
The optical fiber 80 on the light projection side and the optical fiber 82 on
the
light receiving side extended from the sensor main body 48 enter into the
water spout
pipe 12 through the opening 42 of the base end of the water spout pipe 12.
And, they
are extended up to the tip end section thereof in the water spout pipe 12.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, a water spout member 52 is housed in the inner section of
the tip section of the water spout pipe 12.
In the present example, the water spout member 52 is made of resin (herein,
POM resin (polyacetal resin)), and thus has a substantially elliptical
cylindrical shape
corresponding to the shape of the tip section of the water spout pipe 12 as a
whole.
[0036]
The water spout member 52 integrally includes an elliptical insertion section
54 in the right end side of the drawings. The insertion section 54 is pressed
into the
water supply tube 38, and then the insertion section 54 is connected and fixed
to the
water supply tube 38 by a band-shaped tightening member 56 that tightens the
water
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supply tube 38 from the outer circumferential surface.
[0037]
As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the opening of the tip of the water spout member
52 configures the water spout 58 as the tip of the water path in the spout
pipe 12, and
a discharging end member 60, which causes the water flow to pass therethrough
and
controls the discharging pattern of the water discharge from the water spout
58, is
placed in the water spout 58.
Specifically, the discharging end member 60 has a cylindrical shape in which
a cross-sectional shape is a flattened elliptical shape, the discharging end
member 60
is inserted to be the state of being fitted into the water spout member 52
forming the
cylindrical shape and is held in the water spout member 52 in a position which
is
slightly inside of the water spout 58.
[0038]
The discharging end member 60 in the present embodiment rectifies and
discharges the flow of water sent through the water supply tube 38. That is,
the
discharging pattern of the water discharge is set to the rectifying water
discharge a
bundle.
However, it is possible to discharge water sent through the water supply tube
38 as foam flow mixed with air bubbles or as a shower flow. Otherwise, the
water
discharge can be discharged by other various patterns.
[0039]
In the present embodiment, the discharging end member 60 and the water
spout member 52 are commonly fixed to the water spout pipe 12 in the fixing
hole 68,
by the fixing member 67 shown in FIG. 3.
[0040]
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The fixing member 67 is a member of a circular push button type, and
integrally has a circular outer circumferential wall member 70, a first
fitting convex
section 71 standing from the center section thereof, and a second fitting
convex
section 72 of a small diameter projected upward from the upper end of the
first fitting
convex_secti_on_ 71- The fixing member 67 is attached to the water spout pipe
12 in
the state of fitting the second fitting convex section 72 to a fitting hole 74
of the
discharging end member 60, fitting the first fitting convex section 71 to a
penetrated
fitting hole 76 of the water spout member 52, and fitting the outer
circumferential
wall section 70 to the circular fixing hole 68 of the water spout pipe 12, and
thus the
fixing member 67 is fixed in the state of positioning the discharging end
member 60
and the water spout member 52 in the water spout pipe 12.
Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the fixing member 67 has a pair of left
and right claws 78 when viewed from front and thus is stopped to the water
spout pipe
12 by engaging the claws 78 with the edge section of the fixing hole 68.
[0041]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 62 is a light projection section, and reference
numeral 64 is a light receiving section. The light projection section 62 and
the light
receiving section 64 are constituted by the optical fiber 80 on the light
projection side
and the optical fiber 82 on the light receiving side, respectively.
Furthermore, the light projection section 62 is equipped with a lens 84 for
giving directionality to the projected light.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the sensor is configured by the sensor main body
48 shown in FIG. 1, and the light projection section 62 and the light
receiving section
64 configured by the tip section of the extended optical fibers 80 and 82.
When the
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sensor detects a detection target, normally, a hand inserted by a user, the
electromagnetic valve 36 is opened under the control using the control section
46, and
water is automatically discharged from the water spout 58 of FIG. 3.
Meanwhile, when the user retracts their hand and is away from the detection
area by the sensor, the sensor does not detect the hand, the electromagnetic
valve 36 is
closed under the control of the control section 46, and the water discharge
from the
water spout 58 is stopped.
[0043]
The respective tip section of the optical fiber 80 on the light projection
side
and the optical fiber 82 on the light receiving side shown in FIG. 4 are
integrally
provided with an annular fitting convex section 86 for fixing the tip sections
of the
respective optical fibers 80 and 82 to the water spout member 52 in the
positioned
state.
On the outer surface of one water spout member 52, specifically, on the upper
surface of FIG. 4, a deep holding groove 92A as a fiber holding section of the
optical
fiber 80 on the light projection side and a deep holding groove 94A as a fiber
holding
section of the optical fiber 82 on the light receiving side are provided in a
shape
extended in the axial direction of the respective optical fibers 80 and 82 so
as to be
parallel to the pipe axis of the water spout pipe 12. Most of the respective
lower
sides of the optical fibers 80 and 82 in the drawing are fitted into the
holding grooves
92A and 94A.
[0044]
Herein, the respective holding grooves 92A and 94A are extended in a straight
line shape from the end of the right end in the drawing of the water spout
member 52,
that is, the base end side of the water spout pipe 12 to the left end in the
drawing, that
19
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
is, the end of the tip side of the water spout pipe 12.
Moreover, the front end of the left side of the holding groove 92A in the
drawing is a light projection window 100 with a U-like notch shape, and the
front end
of the left side of the holding groove 94A in the drawing is a light receiving
window
102 with a U-like notch shape.
Moreover, the light projection section 62 and the light receiving section 64
are fitted downward into the light projection window 100 and the light
receiving
window 102 in the drawing so that the tips thereof are aligned.
[0045]
The holding grooves 92A and 94A are provided with the fitting concave
section 96A and 98A corresponding to the fitting convex sections 86 of the
optical
fibers 80 and 82, respectively. The tip sections of the optical fibers 80 and
82 fitted
into the respective holding grooves 92A and 94A are axially positioned and
fixed by
the concave-convex fitting between the fitting convex section 86 and the
fitting
concave section 96A and 98A in the holding grooves 92A and 94A.
[0046]
That is, the respective tip section of the optical fibers 80 and 82 are
positioned
and fixed in the left-light direction in the drawing perpendicular to the axes
of the
respective optical fibers 80 and 82 and the axial direction, by restriction
using the
holding grooves 92A and 94A and the concave-convex fitting between the fitting
convex section 86 and the fitting concave sections 96A and 98A.
[0047]
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 90 is a cover that covers the outer surface of
the
water spout member 52, specifically, the upper surface thereof, and the cover
90 is
also made of the same resin material as the water spout member 52.
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
The cover 90 is integrally formed with a pair of curved elastic arms 104, and
the cover 90 is assembled to the water spout member 52, by elastically
engaging the
claws 106 of the tips of the pair of elastic arms 104 with the corresponding
engaging
protrusion 108 of the water spout member 52.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, on the inner surface of the cover 92, a shallow
holding groove 92B for the optical fiber 80 on the light projection side as
the fiber
holding section, and a shallow holding groove 94B for the optical fiber 82 on
the light
receiving side are provided in the state of vertically facing the holding
grooves 92A
and 94A corresponding to the water spout member 52.
The holding grooves 92B and 94B are also formed with fitting concave
section 96B and 98B, respectively, corresponding to the fitting convex section
86 of
the optical fiber 80.
However, the fitting concave section 96B and 98B of the cover 90 side have
shallow depths compared to the fitting concave section 96A and 98A of the
water
spout member 52 side.
[0049]
According to the combination of the inner sides of the holding groove 92A of
the water spout member 52 side and the holding groove 92B of the cover 90
side,
continuous groove spaces with a circular cross-sectional shape as a whole is
formed
corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber 80, as shown
in FIG.
3(B).
Similarly, According to the combination of the inner sides of the holding
groove 94A of the water spout member 52 side and the holding groove 94B of the
cover 90 side, groove spaces with a circular cross-section as a whole is
formed
21
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber 82.
[0050]
That is, in the present embodiment, both of the outer surface of the water
spout member 52 and the inner surface of the cover 90 are formed with the
holding
grooves as the fiber holding section, they cooperate with each other to hold
the tip
sections of the optical fibers 80 and 82 in the positioned state.
Further, the respective tip sections of the optical fiber 80 on the light
projection side and the optical fiber 82 on the light receiving side, in which
most of
the lower side thereof is fitted to the deep holding grooves 92A and 94A of
the water
spout member 52 and a remaining upper part (a small part) is fitted to the
holding
grooves 92B and 94B of the cover 90, are interposed between the water spout
member
52 and the cover 90 in the holding grooves 92A, 92B, 94A and 94B and are also
restricted in a up-down diretion in FIG. 3(B). The respective tip section of
the
respective fibers 80 and 82 are fixed in the positioned state in either
direction.
Therefore, the light projections section 62 and the light receiving section 64
are correctly positioned in a set position, and thus the detection target is
precisely
detected by the light projection and the light reception.
Incidentally, the holding groove may be provided only on the water spout
member 52 side, and the respective tip section of the optical fibers 80 and 82
may be
held in the positioned state only on the water spout member 52 side.
[0051]
Additionally, each of the holding groove 92A of the water spout member 52
side and the holding groove 92B of the cover 90 side is provided with concave
section
11OA and IIOB for accommodating the lens 84 of the light projections section
62,
respectively.
22
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
Further, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the water spout member 52 is assembled
inside of the tip section of the water spout pipe 12 in the fitting state
together with the
cover 90, and the water spout member 52 is fixed in the pipe axis direction of
the
water spout pipe 12 and in a direction perpendicular to the pipe axis in the
fitted state,
by the fixing member 67 mentioned above.
[0052]
Additionally, in the present embodiment, it is possible to consider that
reference numeral 52 is a main body of the water spout member, the water spout
member is vertically divided into the main body and the cover 90, and the tip
sections
of the optical fibers 80 and 82 are interposed therebetween and are embedded
into the
water spout member.
[0053]
According to the present embodiment as mentioned above, the respective tip
sections of the optical fiber 80 on the light projection side and the optical
fiber 82 on
the light receiving side can be easily fixed to the tip section of the water
spout pipe 12
via the water spout member 52 and also the release of the fixing thereof is
easy, and
thus it is possible to perform the work with good workability when assembling
the tip
sections of the optical fibers 80 and 82 to the water spout pipe 12, and also
the fixing
release thereof is easy, so that it is also possible to perform the work with
good
workability when detaching and maintaining the tip sections of the optical
fibers 80
and 82 from the water spout pipe 12.
[0054]
Additionally, in the present embodiment, the respective tip section of the
optical fiber 80 on the light projection side and the optical fiber 82 on the
light
receiving side are independently and directly fixed to the water spout member
52,
23
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
respectively, so that it is possible to reduce the size of the tip section of
the water
spout pipe 12 compared to case that the tip section of the optical fiber 80 on
the light
projection side including the light projection section 62 and the tip section
of the
optical fiber 82 on the light receiving side including the light receiving
section 64 are
assembled in advance to configure a unit and it is fixed in the state of the
unit to the
tip section of the water spout pipe 12.
[0055]
Additionally, in the present embodiment, since the tip sections of the optical
fibers 80 and 82 are fixed so as to be interposed between the water spout
member 52
and the cover 90, the tip sections of the optical fibers 80 and 82 can be
firmly fixed.
[0056]
Additionally, the tip sections of the respective optical fibers 80 and 82 can
be
protected in the inner section of the holding grooves 92A, 92B, 94A and 94B,
and the
tip sections of the respective optical fibers 80 and 82 can be fixed in the
state of being
housed in the inner section of the water spout member 52 and the cover 90, and
thus
the tip section of the water spout pipe 12 can be effectively miniaturized.
[0057]
The tip sections of the respective optical fibers 80 and 82 are placed and
fixed
to be parallel to the pipe axis of the water spout pipe 12, so that, as
compared to a case
of obliquely fixing the tip sections of the optical fibers 80 and 82, the
thickness of the
water spout member 52 and the cover 90 can be thin, and the tip section of the
water
spout pipe 12 can be miniaturized.
[0058]
The present embodiment has been described in detail, and but this shows only
an example.
24
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
For example, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, it is also possible
that the holding groove on the side of the water spout member 52 is not
provided,
deep holding grooves 92B and 94B are provided only on the inner surface of the
cover
90 fixed to the water spout member 52, and thus the respective tip section of
the
optical fiber 80 on the light projection side and the optical fiber 82 on the
light
receiving side are fitted thereto and is held only by the cover 90 side.
Additionally, it is also possible that the holding groove is provided on the
outer surface of the cover 90, and the fiber holding section is provided by a
shape
other than the groove.
[0059]
Furthermore, in the embodiment mentioned above, the fitting convex section
is provided on the side of the tip section of the optical fiber, the fitting
concave
section is provided on the side of the cover of the water spout member, and
they are
fitted to each other by the concave-convex fitting. However, on the contrary,
it is
also possible that the fitting concave section may be provided on the side of
the tip
section of the optical, and the fitting convex section is provided on the
sides of the
water spout member and the cover, and they are fitted to each other in the
concave-convex fitting.
In addition, another aspect of the present invention can be configured by
aspects added with various modifications in the scope without departing from
the gist
thereof.
[0060]
The present invention has been described in detail or with reference to
specific embodiments, but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that various
modifications and alterations can be added without departing from the gist and
the
CA 02783541 2012-06-07
scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2009-281030 filed on December 10, 2009, the contents of which
are
incorporated herein by reference.
Reference Signs List
[0061]
10: automatic faucet
12: water spout pipe
52: water spout member
58: water spout
62: light projection section
64: light receiving section
80, 82: optical fiber
86: fitting convex section
90: cover
92A, 92B, 94A, 94B: holding groove
96A, 96B, 98A, 98B: fitting concave section
26
