PASSIVE SENSOR FOR AUTOMATIC FAUCETS AND FLUSHING DEVICES

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reliable optical sensor for use with automatic faucets or automatic flushing devices that can operate for a long period of time without replacing standard batteries.

SOLUTION: There is provided a passive optical sensor comprising a light detector sensitive to ambient (room) light to control the operation of an automatic faucet (10) or an automatic flush toilet. The passive optical sensor transmits a signal to a flow controller including an electronic control circuit and a flow valve. The passive optical sensor and the flow controller require only very small amount of electric power for detecting a user in a toilet facility, thus enabling battery operation for many years. The controller executes a novel algorithm to control the operation of the automatic faucets or the automatic flushing devices based on ambient light.

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