| 摘要 |
A faucet-control device which enables users to control water flow in a basin fixture (10) by leaning against the front of the fixture (10) with a lower limb. Eight embodiments (A-H) are described. A normally-closed, electrically-controlled valve (16, 44, 46, or 62) controls water flow. A thin, flat, normally-open, momentary-contact, pressure-actuated mat switch (14) controls the valve (16, 44, 46, or 62). Any user in a normal stance may activate the mat switch (14) by applying a small pressure with a lower limb. In Embodiment A, activating the mat switch (14) opens the valve(s) (16), allowing water to flow. In Embodiment B, two stacked mat switches (14 and 14A) control a two-stage valve (44). In Embodiment C, a capacitive mat (50) enables the user to select continuously variable flow rates with a lower limb. A servo-drive circuit (48) converts variable capacitance from the capacitive mat (50) to an amplified current which drives a servo valve (46). In Embodiment D, the servo-drive circuit (48 ) drives a mixing valve (62). The mixing valve (62) provides continuously variable water temperatures in response to varying pressure on the capacitive mat (50). Embodiments E-H utilize four different faucet configurations, in combination with the valves (16, 44, 46, or 62) from Embodiments A-D.
|
