ELECTRONIC TAP WITH OPERATING SYSTEM AT THE END OF THE SPOUT

ROBINET ELECTRONIQUE AYANT UN SYSTEME D'ACTIONNEMENT A L'EXTREMITE DU BEC

English Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic faucet with a head (15) that incorporates the operative system for controlling dispensiong of the water. The head is mounted at the end of the spout (4). Furthermore, the tap is equipped with a by-pass system for manual operation in an emergency when the operative system has a malfunction.

French Abstract

La présente invention concerne un robinet électronique ayant une tête (15) qui incorpore le système d'actionnement pour commander la distribution de l'eau. La tête est montée à l'extrémité du bec (4). En outre, le robinet est équipé d'un système de dérivation pour un actionnement manuel en cas d'urgence, lorsque le système d'actionnement a un dysfonctionnement.

Claims

8
CLAIMS
ELECTRONIC TAP WITH HEAD INCORPORATING THE OPERATING SYSTEM FOR
THE WATER FLOW AND THE REFERRED SYSTEM OF EMERGENCY
1) Electronic tap with the upper part of the spout incorporating
an operative system for the automatic fluid delivery and with
an emergency mechanism that operates in a manually manner when
the automatically fluid delivery system is not functioning
wherein the tap comprises:
A glass disk;
A led holder;
An emergency system;
2) Electronic tap according to claim 1, characterized in that the
upper part of the spout (15) consists of a glass disk with
natural or colored background, on which a cut (23) is made
using a laser or with a grinder;
3) Electronic tap according to claim 2, characterized in that the
cut (23) allows the sensors (21) to detect objects and
consequently activate/stop the water flow;
4) Electronic tap according to claim 1, characterized in that a
LED holder (22) is applied under the upper part of the spout
(15), in which the sensors (21), LED (14), and electronic
circuit (13) are applied;
5) Electronic tap according to claim 1, wherein the emergency
system (17) that operates when the automatically fluid
delivery system is not functioning , in the absence of battery
power, in which a half-turn of the screw (17) activates the
by-pass mechanism that replaces the magnetic coil (8), lifting
the membrane inside the solenoid valve (9), that, by lifting,
allows the water to flow out.

Description

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DESCRIPTION
ELECTRONIC TAP WITH OPERATING SYSTEM AT THE END OF THE SPOUT
The present invention relates to an electronic faucet
with head that incorporates the operative system for the
water outlet and the relative emergency system.
Electronic faucets equipped with photocells, proximity
sensors, etc. are well-known in the art and allow the
water jet to be dispensed only when the presence of a
user or means (for example, a glass) is detected.
The advantage of these faucets is that they facilitate
the water outlet when, for example, hands are dirty,
providing not only hygiene and cleanliness but water
savings.
Traditional electronic faucets as known in the art
(Patent No. US20090094740, Patent No. FR2761446) comprise
systems dispensing the water jet by employing automatic
vertical and/or frontal sensors, powered by batteries and
with manual emergency function. Nevertheless, these
faucets have highly complex components that make
installation, battery replacement and spout rotation
difficult. In fact, many components are located below the
sink deck making installation and maintenance very
complex and can only be performed by a skilled
technician.
Given the above, it is evident there is a need for a
solution that allows "electronic" faucets to comprise
suitable equipment for dispensing the water jet in an
optimum manner that overcomes the disadvantages of the
known art.
The solution provided for with this invention falls

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within this context, as it can be adapted to various
types of sinks.
Therefore, the scope of the present invention is the
construction of an electronic faucet with a head that
incorporates the operative system for the water outlet,
allowing the limits of known technology to be overcome
and obtaining an improvement in the technical results
described previously.
In addition, a further scope of the present invention is
the construction of a system requiring shorter times and
lower costs of installation as well as limited management
costs.
Yet another aim of the invention is the construction of
an electronic faucet that is substantially simple, safe
and reliable.
The present invention will now be described with
preferred, but not-limiting, embodiments, with specific
reference to the figures in the attached drawings, in
which:
- Figure 1 shows a prospective view, chosen as for purely
illustrative purposes, with no limitation to the scope of
the invention for this shape of faucet, in which the
faucet has a vertical sensor (1) and a front sensor (2);
Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the construction of the
faucet with all its components and their relative optimum
placement;
- Figures 3.1 and 3.2 illustrate two perspective views of
the upper part of the head where the batteries are
located, two sensors (frontal (2) and vertical (1)), and
the LED (14) that signals operation and low battery
power;
- Figures 4 and 5 respectively show a perspective view of
the insides of the faucet and a cross-section of the

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spout showing the by-pass (17) constructed as per this
invention;
- Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the head support
body (20) for inserting the front sensor and/or vertical
sensor, constructed according to this invention.
This is a preferable but not exhaustive example of
construction; it can be seen that the head consists of a
glass disc with natural or colored background (15), where
a cut (23) is made using a laser or grinder, that
therefore becomes transparent in the cut area. This disk
can be the same color as the spout.
A LED holder (22), for the sensors, is applied to the
head (15). The sensor (21) with the electronic control
circuit is then in turn inserted in the LED holder (22).
This entire unit is then fixed in place and kept together
by the head support body (20), which also holds the
batteries (7), facilitating replacement. The infrared
sensors (21) can therefore function perfectly through the
cut (23) obtaining the "on-off" function for the faucet.
This results in a head with an invisible optical sensor
that, above all, is not subject to problems due to
scratches and consequent malfunction as the glass is
highly resistant compared to the other traditional
=
sensors available on the market.
A very important point about the head is that it has a
very pleasant appearance, as the colored glass (15) can
be made in the exact same color tone as the water
delivery spout.
In Figure 3.1 the LED (14), for example red, can be seen
which serves to signal the detection of the hand or
object and the dispensing of the water, or to indicate
that the batteries (7) are low in power.
This LED can also be replaced with a back-lit system (see

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Figure 3.1 and 3.2, and Reference 16) which makes the
head with the front sensor even more pleasing and
attractive. In this case, the LED holder (22) in Figure 6
houses multiple LEDs (14) which, turning on. together,
create a soft, graphic, very modern effect.
The head can function with 1.5 volt alkaline batteries,
which are the most economic and common around the world.
They are incorporated inside the spout, located in the
area next to the sensors, therefore in an easy,
accessible position for replacement. ,
By placing all of the electronics inside the head and the
head inside the spout (4), the spout (4) can freely
rotate 3600 around itself, compared to known faucets to
the current state of the art. Therefore, inserting the
head that incorporates the operative system for the water
flow completely within the faucet spout represents a true
innovation, making installation, maintenance, and battery
replacement not only quick and problem-free but extremely
simple.
Therefore, inside the faucet there are no wires that can
twist and break, as occurs in certain existing faucets
that function with a classic power transformer.
The ease and simplicity of installation can be understood
from Figure 2 and is complete with the details of the
hoses (10), check valves (11) and stopcocks (12) with
filters that can be inspected for impurities in the
water.
The usefulness of this solution is immediately evident.
Further innovation in this invention is the possibility,
when the head cannot operate because the batteries are
exhausted, to discharge the water manually and for
temporary emergencies using a by-pass system. Figures 4
and 5 show the screw (17) that turns a half-turn with a

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screw driver (19) or a coin and acts as a by-pass for the
water, functioning in parallel with the solenoid valve
(9). In fact, it is sufficient to turn the spout (4) and
turn the screw (17) located behind the spout and not
5 under the sink deck, as known in the art, making the
operation very simple and accessible for everyone.
The screw (17) acts as a by-pass in place of the magnetic
coil (8) that cannot function due to the lack of energy
when the batteries are exhausted. The membrane inside the
solenoid valve (9) is lifted and at this point the water
flows out continuously.
Figure 2 illustrates an example, with no limitation of
scope, of the invention, in which all the components are
shown in their proper positions which allow for the
construction of the electronic faucet described thus far.
This invention has been described for illustrative
purposes with no limitation of scope in the preferred
shape of construction; the present invention includes any
alterations and further modifications of the illustrated
devices and described methods and further applications of
the principles of the invention which would normally
occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates, as described in the attached claims.

Representative Drawing