Directional object sensor for automatic flow controller

摘要

In response to a infrared-radiation sensor assembly (12), a control circuit controls an electromechanical valve (18) in an automatic faucet (16). Reflector surfaces (44, 46) so form a sensor beam as to cause the sensor to be insensitive to the presence of a sink (24). The ratio of the resultant radiation pattern's horizontal extent to its vertical extent is greater than it would be in the absence of the reflector surfaces (44, 46). The control circuit is battery-powered, and the electromechanical valve (18) is of the latching variety so as to conserve the battery's energy.