(19)
(11) EP 0 971 079 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
12.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/02

(21) Application number: 98202282.4

(22) Date of filing: 07.07.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7E03C 1/05, E03C 1/04
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV RO SI

(71) Applicant: Solomon Technology Corporation
Taipei (TW)

(72) Inventors:
  • Tang, Shen
    Taipei (TW)
  • Chen, Ching-Lung
    Taipei (TW)

(74) Representative: Smulders, Theodorus A.H.J., Ir. et al
Vereenigde Octrooibureaux Nieuwe Parklaan 97
2587 BN 's-Gravenhage
2587 BN 's-Gravenhage (NL)

   


(54) Faucet


(57) A faucet has an arcuate tube (20) and an infrared module (10) detachable connected to the arcuate tube (20). The infrared module (10) has at least one infrared sensor (11) securely and electrically connected therewith, a nut (13) detachably mounted to a bottom face thereof and a threaded bolt (14) threadingly inserted through the nut (13) and combined the infrared module with the arcuate tube (20). Therefore, the faucet of the invention is able to be replaced or repaired by parts.




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a faucet, and more particularly to a faucet having an infrared module detachably connected thereto, such that maintenance and repairment thereto are easily and cost effectively accomplished.

[0002] It is well known in the art that a faucet having an infrared module integrally formed therewith is very popular throughout the world. Faucets of this type need no installation of a handle to control operation of the water, however, it uses the infrared module to sense objects within a predetermined range. Whenever the infrared module senses an object coming within or moving away from the predetermined range, the module will send out a signal to control the flow of the water, which is truly very convenient for all users and very conservative. However, once the infrared module malfunctions or parts of the infrared module are out of the order, users have to replace the entire module including the faucet itself. This is not economical and is also a waste of parts. Furthermore, a height and arcuation of the faucet are related to a dimension of a sink, therefore, choices of users to choose their favorite styles are also restricted by the integration of the infrared module and the faucet.

[0003] The present invention provides an improved faucet having an infrared module detachably connected thereto to obviate and/or mitigate the aforementioned problems.

[0004] The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved faucet having a infrared module detachably connected thereto. The faucet not only has the advantage of conservation in resources but also is able to be repaired, purchased or maintained by parts.

[0005] Other novel features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a faucet constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the faucet as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the faucet as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of a faucet constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the faucet as shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of the faucet as shown in Fig. 4.



[0006] Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a faucet of the invention has an arcuate tube 20 and an infrared module 10 detachably mounted with the arcuate tube 20. The infrared module 10 has at least one sensor 11 securely and electrically connected thereto, a through hole 12 defined therein, a nut 13 detachably inserted to a bottom of the arcuate tube 20 and a hollow threaded bolt 14 threadingly inserted through the through hole 12 of the infrared module 10 and connected to the nut 13 to combine the arcuate tube 20 and the infrared module 10. It is noted that when one of the parts described above is out of the order, it is very easy to have the broken part replaced or repaired.

[0007] Referring to Figs, 4, 5 and 6, another preferred embodiment of a faucet of the invention is shown. Within the embodiment, similar parts will be designated to have the same reference numeral and detailed description thereof is thus omitted. The faucet has an arcuate tube 20, a mounting sleeve 30 slidably disposed along the arcuate tube 20 and a infrared module 10 detachably connected with the arcuate tube 20. The infrared module 10 has a nipple 101 extending out therefrom. An upper portion 102 of the nipple 101 is provided with outer threads, thereby allowing the mounting sleeve 30 to be threadingly connected therewith after the arcuate tube 20 is inserted into the nipple 101. It is to be noted that the infrared module 10 also has a through hole (not shown) defined therein such that the arcuate tube 20 is able to be inserted therethrough. A nut 13 is detachably mounted to a bottom face of the infrared module 10 to be threadingly connected with a threaded bolt 14 when inserted through the through hole of the infrared module 10. The difference between the two preferred embodiments is that the arcuate tube 20 of the second embodiment is able to be changed subjected to the dimension of a sink (not shown).

[0008] It is to be noted that the present invention has the following advantages:

1. easy to repair and replace parts thereof;

2. economical efficient; and

3. adjustable to different dimensions.



[0009] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.


Claims

1. A faucet comprising:

an arcuate tube (20);

an infrared module (10) detachable connected to the arcuate tube (20).


 
2. The faucet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the infrared module (10) has at least one infrared sensor (11) securely and electrically connected therewith, a nut (13) detachably mounted to a bottom face thereof and a hollow threaded bolt (14) threadingly inserted through the nut (13) and connecting the infrared module with the arcuate tube (20).
 
3. The faucet as claimed in claim 2, wherein the infrared module (10) has a through hole defined therein for receiving the hollow threaded bolt (14) therein.
 
4. The faucet as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the arcuate tube (20) has a mounting sleeve (30) slidably connected therewith;

the infrared module (10) has a nipple (101) threadingly connected with the mounting sleeve (30).


 




Drawing






















Search report