Sensor Faucet

Abstract

A sensor faucet includes: a housing; a water output unit, a water input unit, an electromagnetic valve and a controller disposed in the housing; and first and second sensors mounted to the housing. The electromagnetic valve is coupled between the water input and output units for controlling fluid communication therebetween. Each of the first and second sensors senses an object in proximity thereto, and generates a respective one of first and second sensing signals. The controller controls, based on the first sensing signal, an indication of a state indicator between active and inactive states, and controls, based on the state indicator and the first and second sensing signals, activation and deactivation of the electromagnetic valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sensor faucet comprising:
 a housing;   a water output unit disposed in said housing;   a water input unit disposed in said housing;   an electromagnetic valve disposed in said housing, coupled between said water output unit and said water input unit, permitting fluid communication between said water output unit and said water input unit when activated, and preventing fluid communication between said water output unit and said water input unit when deactivated;   a first sensor mounted to said housing, capable of sensing an object in proximity thereto, and generating a first sensing signal;   a second sensor mounted to said housing, capable of sensing an object in proximity thereto, and generating a second sensing signal; and   a controller disposed in said housing, coupled to said first and second sensors and said electromagnetic valve, and receiving the first and second sensing signals respectively from said first and second sensors, said controller controlling, based on the first sensing signal, an indication of a state indicator between an inactive state and an active state, and generating a control signal, based on the indication of the state indicator and the first and second sensing signals, to control activation and deactivation of said electromagnetic valve.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor faucet of  claim 1 , wherein said controller switches the indication of the state indicator when an object is sensed by said first sensor to be in proximity thereto for less than a first predetermined time period. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor faucet of  claim 2 , wherein the control signal generated by said controller activates said electromagnetic valve for a second predetermined time period when an object is sensed by said first sensor to be in proximity thereto for at least the first predetermined time period. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor faucet of  claim 3 , wherein the control signal generated by said controller activates said electromagnetic valve when the state indicator indicates the active state and when an object is sensed by said second sensor to be in proximity thereto. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor faucet of  claim 1 , wherein said first sensor has a sensing direction different from that of said second sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor faucet of  claim 1 , wherein said water input unit includes a mixing valve coupled to said electromagnetic valve, a cold water input conduit coupled to said mixing valve, and a hot water input conduit coupled to said mixing valve. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor faucet of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery that is disposed in said housing and that is coupled to said electromagnetic valve and said controller for supplying electricity thereto.