Electronic faucet with a capacitive sensing system and a method therefor

摘要

An electronic faucet (10) comprises a spout (12) having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway, and a single capacitive sensor (26) coupled to a portion of the faucet. The single capacitive sensor provides both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet.

主权项

1. An electronic faucet comprising:
a spout having a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout; an indicator; an electrically operable valve coupled to the passageway; a single capacitive sensor coupled to a portion of the faucet, the single capacitive sensor providing both a touch sensor and a proximity sensor for the electronic faucet; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller being configured to monitor an output signal from the capacitive sensor to detect when a portion of the faucet is touched by a user and to detect when a user's hands are located in a detection area located near the spout, the controller being configured to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in a first touch mode of operation in response to detecting either of a tap or a grab of the spout and to actuate the electrically operable valve to start fluid flow through the spout in response to detecting a user's hands in the detection area via a second hands-free mode of operation, and wherein the controller further actuates the indicator in first and second distinguishable patterns to provide an indication whether the faucet is operating in the first touch mode of operation or the second hands-free mode of operation.