DEVICE FOR IDENTIFYING A COMMAND TRANSMITTED BY A MOVABLE ELEMENT OF AN ITEM OF FURNITURE

Abstract

A device for identifying a command able to equip an item of furniture having at least one movable element such as a drawer (32) or a door (30), the device including at least one sensor (42) on which the movable element (30, 32) can act and control elements making it possible to define a command as a function of the action of the movable element (30) on the sensor (42), characterized in that the device includes elements for measuring the force or a characteristic of the force of the movable element (30) on the sensor (42), the control elements defining a command as a function of the measurement.

Description

This invention relates to a device for identifying a command transmitted by a movable element of a piece of furniture, with said device being more particularly suitable for controlling the flow of water from a faucet.

Such a device can be placed in a cupboard supporting a sink and comprising a box with an opening toward the front defined by upper, lower, right and left panels of the box, with said opening being blocked by at least one door and/or at least one drawer.

According to the document U.S. Pat. No. 6,047,417 for controlling the flow of water from a faucet, a piece of furniture can be equipped with a box with two solenoid valves placed one at the hot water pipe and one at the cold water pipe as well as a pushbutton switch fixed to the box at the opening, more particularly at the lower surface of an upper panel or an upper crosspiece of a fixed doorframe, with said switch being fixed in such a way that its pushbutton projects relative to the front edge of the box or the frame to be able to be actuated by the door. Thus, this switch makes it possible to identify a command transmitted via the door.

The document WO-99/45212 describes the same teaching, namely a switch in the form of a pushbutton placed at the opening.

According to these embodiments, it is noted that the switch blocks the opening and because of its positioning can be damaged. According to another drawback, the command is not easy to regulate if it is desired to reduce inadvertent triggerings.

This adjustment is all the more difficult since it depends on the furniture on which the device is placed and can vary over time, taking into account in particular the wear and tear on the elements that provide for the hinging of the door relative to the box. By way of example, the force that the user is to apply to the door for triggering a command can vary over time as a function of, for example, the wear and tear on the mechanism for holding the door in a closed position.

Also, the object of this invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a reliable device for identifying a command that is transmitted using a movable element of a piece of furniture.

For this purpose, the invention has as its object a device for identifying a command that is capable of being attached to a piece of furniture that comprises at least one movable element such as a drawer or a door, with said device comprising at least one sensor on which the movable element can act and control means that make it possible to define a command as a function of the action of the movable element on the sensor, characterized in that the device comprises means for measuring the force or a characteristic of the force of the movable element on the sensor, with the control means defining a command as a function of said measurement.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge form the following description of the invention, a description that is provided only by way of example, relative to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cupboard illustrating a first variant installation of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cupboard illustrating a second variant installation of a device according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a command according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is a cutaway illustrating the device according to the invention arranged at the lower edge of a box,

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the installation of valves on a water circuit respectively upstream and downstream from a mixer,

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a box according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 7A to 7D are diagrams illustrating simplified variant embodiments respectively without a filter, with a filter treating all of the cold water, with a filter making it possible to treat cold water if only cold water is required with an automatic command for FIG. 7C and a manual command for FIG. 7D,

FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating variant embodiments that integrate a bypass that makes it possible to save cold water respectively without a filter, with a filter treating all of the cold water, with a filter that makes it possible to treat cold water if only cold water is required with an automatic command for FIG. 8C and a manual command for FIG. 8D,

FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams illustrating variant embodiments with a thermostatic-type operation respectively without a filter, with a filter treating all of the cold water, with a filter that makes it possible to treat cold water if only cold water is required with an automatic command for FIG. 9C and a manual command for FIG. 9D,

FIGS. 10A to 10D are diagrams illustrating variant embodiments of means for heating water respectively without a filter, with a filter treating all of the cold water, with a filter that makes it possible to treat cold water if only cold water is required with an automatic command for FIG. 10C and a manual command for FIG. 10D,

FIGS. 11A to 11D are diagrams illustrating variant embodiments combining thermostatic and water heating functions, respectively without a filter, with a filter treating all of the cold water, with a filter that makes it possible to treat cold water if only cold water is required with an automatic command for FIG. 11C and a manual command for FIG. 11D,

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a variant embodiment that is more particularly suitable for operating with a timer,

FIG. 13 is a diagram that shows the change in forces as a function of the time of a movable element of a piece of furniture on a sensor,

FIG. 14 is a diagram that shows the change in the variation rate of the total force of a movable element of a piece of furniture on a sensor,

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating a preferred installation of a device for identifying a command,

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating the variation rate of the forces of two adjacent movable elements on the installed device according to FIG. 15A,

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams illustrating a short support,

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams illustrating a long support,

FIGS. 18 to 21 are diagrams illustrating different methods for differentiating an inadvertent triggering of a command.

At 10, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cupboard integrating a sink 12 equipped with a water faucet 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, this faucet 14 comprises at least one water intake, preferably a cold water intake connected to a cold water pipe 16 and a hot water intake connected to a hot water pipe 18. This faucet can comprise a mixer 19 that makes it possible to mix the water that comes from the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe. By way of example, the mixer can be a mixer, a mixing valve, or a thermostatic-type mixing valve.

The invention is not limited to a type of sink or faucet but covers all of the solutions that can be envisioned for these two elements. The sink and the faucet are not described in more detail because they are known to one skilled in the art.

According to one embodiment, the cupboard 10 comprises a box with an upper panel or a work surface 20, a lower panel 22, a right panel 24, and a left panel 26 defining an opening to the front. Generally, the cupboard comprises a rear panel. The box can be raised relative to the ground using feet equipped with baseboards or resting on a base.

The cupboard generally comprises a work surface that can constitute the upper panel or be placed on the latter.

The opening of the box is defined by the edges of the panels 20 to 26 that are arranged approximately on the same surface, called an opening surface, referenced 28 in FIG. 4.

The opening can be blocked by at least one door 30 that can pivot around an axis of rotation arranged at the edge of one of the panels 20 to 26. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the cupboard comprises two pivoting doors, along axes of rotation provided at the edges of the right panel 24 and the left panel 26. The box can comprise a vertical upright between the two doors.

The opening can be blocked by the front surface 32 of a drawer that can slide relative to slides that are provided at inside surfaces of the right and left panels. According to the example that is illustrated in FIG. 2, the cupboard comprises two drawers that can slide along slides provided at the inside surfaces of the right and left panels.

The box can comprise a fixed strip above the movable elements.

In any case, the cupboard comprises at least one movable element (door 30, or front surface 32 of a drawer) that is suitable for at least partially blocking the opening comprising at least one zone that can at least partially cover at least one of the edges defining the opening of the box.

The cupboard is equipped with a system 34 for controlling the flow of water from the faucet comprising at least one valve that can occupy at least two states at at least one intake pipe, with a first passing state in which it allows water to pass into the pipe and a second, preferably closed, state in which it prevents water from passing into the pipe.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A, the system 34 comprises two valves, one valve for cold water 36 at the level of the cold water pipe 16 and one valve for hot water 38 at the level of the hot water pipe 18, arranged upstream from the mixer 19.

According to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5B, the system 34 comprises a single valve 39 arranged downstream from the mixer 19 that may or may not be incorporated in the body of the mixer or in a spout.

Different variants can be envisioned for obtaining the change in states (passing/closed) of valves 36, 38, and 39. According to one embodiment, the valves are solenoid valves, each comprising an actuator that operates electrically for producing the change in state.

As a variant, the change in state of the solenoid valves 36 and 38 can be produced by a single actuator, common to both valves.

As appropriate, the valves can be monostable, bistable or proportional. The valves 36, 38 and 39 are not described in more detail because they are known to one skilled in the art.

The system 34 also comprises control means 40 that guide the valve(s) 36, 38, 39 and their changes in state as well as at least one device for identifying a command 42 that can send information to the control means 40. These control means 40 can come in the form of an electronic card that has at least one intake connected to the device for identifying a command 42 and at least one outlet connected to a valve.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the control means 40 comprise at least one outlet for the valves 36 and 38.

According to a particular arrangement of the invention, a device for identifying a command 42 comprises a sensor that is placed at the opening surface 28 between, on the one hand, at least one edge of the box, and, on the other hand, at least one movable element 30 or 32.

Preferably, this sensor is essentially flat to be glued to the edge. As a variant, it could be integrated into a housing made at the edge.

The fact of placing the sensor at the edge makes it possible to clear the opening totally, so well that the risks of damage to the sensor are limited. According to another aspect, the sensor is inserted between two rigid elements that make it possible to obtain an open contact limiting the risks of inadvertent triggerings.

According to another aspect, thanks to this arrangement, it is possible to obtain a large command surface (the entire surface of the door or the front surface of the drawer), while limiting the size of the sensor.

The sensor 42 can make it possible to detect at least one mechanical stress that is exerted by the movable element, which corresponds to a force, an acceleration, a vibration, or a movement.

According to one embodiment, the sensor comes in the form of an element that transmits a signal to the control means as a function of the force exerted by the movable element on said sensor, with said control means 40 defining a command as a function of the measured force.

As appropriate, the signal between the device for identifying a command 42 and the control means 40 can have an electric nature and be transmitted to the control means using a conductive element such as an electrical cable.

Nevertheless, the invention is not limited to this transmission mode between the device for identifying a command and the control means. Wireless signal transfer using waves could be envisioned.

In addition, the device for identifying a command could incorporate the control means 40.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a device for identifying a command for which the sensor is concealed under protection 44 comprising a plate 44.1 that is parallel to the opening surface 28 extended by a discharge spout 44.2 placed at 90° relative to the plate 44.1 in which the electrical cable can be concealed. The plate 44.1 can be flexible to cushion the movable element and to limit the noise.

When the cupboard comprises at least two movable elements (drawers or doors), the sensor 42 is arranged at the edge of the box at the junction zone of the two elements. Thus, a single device for identifying a command 42 can be actuated equally by the two movable elements. It is also possible to envision a sensor that is equipped with two sensitive zones in such a way as for each to receive information from one of the two movable elements.

Preferably, the sensor 42 is arranged at the edge of the lower panel 22 in such a way as to be actuated by the lower portion of the door. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a door stop 46 can be inserted between the door and the edge of the box (more particularly, the edge of the upper panel 20).

This pellet-shaped door stop is made of plastic and is generally attached to the cupboards for limiting door-slamming noises.

The combination of this door stop 46 positioned at one of the edges of the upper half of the box and the sensor 42 positioned at the lower edge makes it possible to limit the inadvertent triggerings.

The fact of positioning the sensor in the lower part makes it possible to limit the inadvertent triggerings caused by a support of the basin or the legs on the handles of the door that are generally provided on the top part of the door because the forces are then transmitted directly and absorbed by the stop 46.

The sensor 42 can comprise a mechanical threshold for limiting the inadvertent triggerings. Thus, it can comprise a protective jacket or a casing that prevents any triggering below a certain value. Thus, the protective jacket or casing more or less deforms as a function of the exerted force. Below a certain value, the protective jacket or casing does not deform enough to cause a triggering.

According to another point of the invention, it is possible to process the signal that is transmitted by the command and received by the control means to limit the inadvertent triggerings.

Thus, the command of the solenoid valves takes place only when the signal that is received by the control means has an intensity and/or a duration that exceeds at least one threshold. According to this embodiment, the device for identifying a command comprises means for measuring the force of the movable element on the sensor 42, with the control means 40 defining a command as a function of the measurement and more particularly if the value of the measured force has an intensity and/or a duration that exceeds at least one threshold.

This or these thresholds can be fixed, adjustable, or changed over time depending on the use and the installation site of the system in a self-training mode.

Several types of commands can be envisioned.

It is possible to envision an intensity threshold relative to the equipped furniture. At rest, the values of the return force of the doors or drawers due to connecting elements such as hinges, slides, etc., are very variable. One method for processing the signal can consist in measuring this basic force to consider it as a so-called self-calibrating threshold value starting from which the system has an established behavior. In this way, the device self-calibrates to the furniture.

It is possible to envision a duration threshold that makes it possible to prevent inadvertent triggerings due to the slamming of a door. By way of indication, to eliminate the inadvertent triggerings due to the slamming of the door, the pulses of a length that is less than a first threshold on the order of 100 ms are not taken into account.

It is also possible to envision another threshold relative to the intensity of the knee. This support value of the knee corresponds to the value received by the sensor minus the self-calibrating value defined above. Any support that is less than this threshold will not cause a triggering of the flow. This threshold can be fixed, or adjustable manually or by self-training so as to manage the difficulty of using the system. According to one embodiment, this self-training can be done, for example, on the basis of the root mean square of the supports implemented and the preceding support. Thus, this threshold will adapt to the morphology of the user.

It is also possible to envision a duration threshold that makes possible two methods of use of the system. Solely by way of example, a support of the knee during a period that is shorter than this threshold (on the order of one second) brings about the change in state of the valves 36, 38. Thus, if the water flows, a short support is reflected by the passage in the closed state, or if the water does not flow, it is reflected by the passage in the open state. A support of the knee for a longer period than this threshold causes the change in state of the valves during the support period. Thus, if the supported knee is held, the water flows as long as the knee is supported against the door and stops flowing when the knee no longer exerts sufficient force on the door or vice versa.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the device for identifying a command comprises means for measuring a characteristic of the force and preferably its variation rate of the force of the movable element on the sensor 42, with the control means 40 defining a command as a function of the measurement.

Thus, the reference value that makes it possible to define commands is not the force but the derivative of the force that corresponds to the variation rate of the force.

This characteristic makes it possible to simplify the adjustment by making its operation independent from its environment.

It also ensures a more reliable operation by significantly reducing the inadvertent triggerings.

As indicated in FIG. 13, the total force 100 applied by the movable element on the sensor 42 corresponds to the sum of the support force 102 and a residual force 104.

This residual force 104 corresponds to the force exerted by the movable element on the sensor in the absence of action of the user on said movable element and derives from, i.a., the connection between the movable element and the piece of furniture (hinge, return force for keeping the movable element in closed position, shock absorber, etc.) and elements connected to the movable element, such as, for example, a possible trash can connected to the door or the contents of the drawers.

Over a short period of time corresponding to a support or to a series of supports, this residual force 104 is essentially constant. Over a longer period of time, this residual force 104 can vary as a function in particular of the wear and tear on certain pieces of the hinge mechanism of the movable element or as a function of changes in the environment.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the variation rate of the force 106 is independent from the environment of the movable element. It is positive up to the peak of the force and then becomes negative once this peak is passed.

According to a first embodiment, the sensor 42 is of the piezoelectric type. This type of sensor makes it possible to generate directly a signal that is close to the derivative of the total force 100 that is transmitted to the control means. According to the connection of the piezoelectric sensor, the transmitted signal can be identical to that of FIG. 14 or symmetrical relative to the axis of time (t).

According to a first advantage, a piezoelectric-type sensor does not consume energy because it transforms kinetic energy into electrical energy. According to another advantage, the piezoelectric sensor generates a signal that very precisely contains the minor characteristics of the change in the force and thus makes it possible to make fine analyses.

According to another embodiment, the sensor 42 can be a sensor that makes it possible to transmit a signal to the control means 40 as a function of the force exerted by the movable element on the sensor. Starting from this signal, the control means 40 comprise means for calculating the variation rate of the force from the signal received and for making the variation rate correspond or not to a command.

FIG. 15A illustrates a particular installation for the two movable elements, such as, for example, two drawers 32. In this case, the sensor 42 comprises two piezoelectric cells 108, 108′, one 108 for the top drawer and another 108′ for the bottom drawer. This installation makes it possible to eliminate the false triggerings due to an opening of a drawer by resting on the other drawer.

As illustrated in FIG. 15B, the cell 108 generates a signal 110, and the cell 108′ generates a signal 110′. Thus, the opening of the bottom drawer causes a release on the cell 108 that is reflected by a signal 110′ with a single opposing peak relative to the first peak of the signal 110. During this opening, the user rests on the top drawer, which produces, at the cell 108, a signal 110 with a first positive peak and a second negative peak (or conversely as a function of the connection of the sensor), which could correspond to a command. Thus, the presence of the signal 110′ with a single peak in a determined time lapse that is close to the signal 110 makes it possible for the control means 40 to understand that the signal 110 should not be converted into a command.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A and 17B show a particular mode of operation. According to this mode of operation, the control means 40 convert a short support into a specific command (triggering/stopping) or a long support into a persistent command until the support is stopped.

As illustrated in FIG. 16A, a first short voluntary support 109 generates a total force 100 that will be converted by the sensor 42 into a signal 112 that will be transmitted to the control means 40. The latter will compare this signal 112 with a first threshold 114 and a second threshold 116, preferably one of the two thresholds being positive and the other negative. The control means 40 will determine the duration Δt between the crossing point of the first threshold 114 by the signal 112 and the crossing point of the second threshold 116 by the signal 112. If this duration Δt is less than a set-point value L, then the control means 40 will translate this first short voluntary support into a first command, in particular the triggering of the flow of water.

When the user is going to exert a new support 118, the control means 40 will, starting from the same analysis, translate this new voluntary support into a second command, in particular the stopping of the flow of water.

As illustrated in FIG. 17A, the user exerts a long voluntary support 120. Starting from this support, the sensor will transmit a signal 122 to the control means 40, illustrated in FIG. 17B. In this case, the duration Δt is greater than the set-point value L, although the control means will translate this long support to another command, in particular by keeping the flow of the water in the passing state for approximately the duration of the support. Thus, the control means will trigger the flow of water when the signal 122 is going to reach the first threshold 114 and will stop the flow when the signal 122 is going to reach the second threshold 116.

However, other solutions can be envisioned, such as the use of a timer making it possible to maintain the passing state during a time lapse that is determined or adjustable after a support of the knee. Likewise, it could be envisioned to adjust the flow of water as a function of the duration, the intensity, or the position of the support.

Finally, as illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 21, the analysis of the variation rate of the force can be used to distinguish the “false triggerings.”

As illustrated in FIG. 18, a voluntary support 124 is always more spread out than a so-called parasitic signal 126 that follows, for example, the slamming of a door.

According to a first operating mode, the control means 40 will determine the slope of signals as illustrated in FIG. 19. If the slope β1 of the signal 126 exceeds a set-point value β0, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal does not correspond to a command. In contrast, if the slope β2 of the signal 124 is less than a set-point value β0, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal corresponds to a command.

According to another operating mode illustrated in FIG. 20, the control means 40 will determine the duration of the signal above a threshold 128 that can be the first threshold 114. If the duration A of the signal 126 is less than a set-point duration TO, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal 126 does not correspond to a command. In contrast, if the duration B of the signal 124 is greater than the set-point value TO, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal corresponds to a command.

According to another operating mode illustrated in FIG. 21, the control means 40 will measure the value of the signal after a certain period P. The triggering point of this period P can be the crossing of a threshold 130 that can be the first threshold 114. If the value V1 of the signal 126 is negative (or respectively positive) after the period P, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal 126 does not correspond to a command. In contrast, if the value V2 of the signal 124 is positive (or respectively negative) after the period P, then the control means 40 will deduce that this signal corresponds to a command.

Other solutions could be taken into consideration for distinguishing the false triggerings starting from the measurement of the variation rate of the force exerted on the sensor.

Although described as applied to the triggering of the flow of water, the device for identifying a command is not limited to this command and could be used for other commands, such as, for example, the management of lighting. In addition, the sensor 42 of the device for identifying the command is not necessarily placed at the edge but could be arranged in the opening.

The system for controlling the flow of water can comprise an independent power supply (cell or battery), and/or autonomous power supply (micro-turbine or hydro-generator) and/or a cord to be connected to the wall current. These different power supply variants are not described in more detail because they are known to one skilled in the art.

The system can comprise other elements, such as, for example, flow-rate sensors, temperature sensors, a filter, bypass circuits, and means for heating water.

The system can integrate timing means making it possible to control the flow or not of the water for a period.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, in this case, the system can comprise at least one flow-rate sensor, preferably a flow-rate sensor 52 at the cold water pipe, and a flow-rate sensor 54 at the hot water pipe. Thus, if the sensors do not detect a flow on the two circuits whereas the corresponding solenoid valves 36 or 38 are open, this means that the mixing valve has been closed manually by the user.

In the case of a single circuit that comprises a solenoid valve and a flow-rate sensor, if the sensor does not detect a flow whereas the solenoid valve is open, this means that the faucet was closed manually by the user.

The control means 40 can take this information into account for cancelling the timer quickly. Thus, the timer is restarted and ready to be relaunched upon a subsequent command. Thus, the next user is not forced to trigger the sensor in addition to manually controlling the mixing valve for producing the flow of water.

Advantageously, for each valve, the system comprises a bypass circuit 48 that makes it possible to short-circuit the valves 36, 38, 39 in the case of a malfunction or a supply defect of the device as illustrated in FIG. 6. According to an embodiment, each bypass circuit 48 comprises a valve that can be actuated manually in the closed state when the system is operating and put into the passing state when the device is not operating.

Other solutions could be envisioned in the event of malfunction or supply defect of the system for controlling the flow of water. For example, it could be possible to use a magnet to force the pistons of the solenoid valves to open. A reserve of energy could also be provided at the system level to ensure in a temporary manner its operation in the event of, for example, a current cut-off.

FIG. 7A shows a simplified variant of the system for controlling the flow of water comprising two valves, one valve for cold water 36 at the cold water pipe 16 and one valve for hot water 38 at the hot water pipe 18, arranged upstream from the mixer 19.

FIG. 7B shows another variant, close to the variant illustrated in FIG. 7A, comprising filtering means 50 at the cold water pipe 16. In this case, all of the cold water is filtered.

FIG. 7C shows a variant that makes possible the filtering of cold water only when the user only desires cold water. In this case, the system for controlling the flow of water comprises a flow-rate sensor 52 at the cold water pipe, a flow-rate sensor 54 at the hot water pipe, as well as a bypass circuit 56 comprising a solenoid valve 58 and a filter 50 that short-circuits the valve 36. When the flow-rate sensor 54 for hot water does not measure any flow rate whereas the flow-rate sensor 52 for cold water measures a flow rate, this means that the user only desires cold water. In this case, the system for controlling the flow of water can change the states of the solenoid valves 36 and 58, making the solenoid valve 36 non-passing and making the solenoid valve 58 passing. In this case, the water provided to the user is filtered by the filter 50. This solution makes it possible to lengthen the service life of the filter by not filtering the cold water only when the user wants only cold water.

FIG. 7D shows a variant that is close to that of the variant of FIG. 7C. In this case, the guiding of the solenoid valves 36 and 58 is not ensured by flow-rate sensors 52 and 54 but by a command 60 that is manually actuated by the user.

FIGS. 8A to 8D show variants that make it possible to limit the arrival time of the hot water respectively without a filter in FIG. 8A, with a filter 50 mounted in the manner of FIG. 7B in FIG. 8B, with a filter 50 with automatic control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7C in FIG. 8C and with a filter with manual control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7D in FIG. 8D. The flow-rate sensors 52 and 54 are replaced by flow meters 52′, 54′.

According to these variants, the system for controlling the flow of water comprises a temperature sensor 62 at the hot water pipe as well as a bypass 64 with a solenoid valve 66 that makes it possible to link the hot water pipe upstream from the solenoid valve 38 with the cold water pipe downstream from the solenoid valve 36 and upstream from flow meter 52′.

In this case, in a first step, the desired temperature of the water is evaluated using the ratio of measurements of the flow meters 52′ and 54′ respectively of cold water and hot water. Next, as long as the measured temperature of the hot water by the temperature sensor 62 is less than the evaluated temperature that is desired, the system for controlling the flow of water makes the solenoid valve 66 passing and the solenoid valve 36 of the cold water non-passing. When the measured temperature of the hot water is equal to the evaluated temperature that is desired, the system for controlling the flow of water reverses the state of the solenoid valves 36 and 66, with the solenoid valve 36 being in the passing state and the solenoid valve 66 being in the non-passing state.

FIGS. 9A to 9D show variants that make it possible to obtain thermostatic operation without a filter in FIG. 9A, with a filter 50 mounted in the manner of FIG. 7B in FIG. 9B, with a filter 50 with automatic control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7C in FIG. 9C, and with a filter with manual control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7D in FIG. 9D.

According to these different variants, the system for controlling the flow of water comprises a solenoid valve 36 on the cold water circuit, a solenoid valve 38 on the hot water circuit, and a common section 69 ensuring the mixing of the water downstream from the solenoid valves 36 and 38. This common section is then separated into two mixed water circuits that each comprises a flow meter 52′ and 54′. According to one embodiment, the hot water and cold water pipes each have a temperature sensor 62 and 68. According to another variant, a single temperature sensor is placed at the common section 69 or at the hot water pipe upstream from the common section.

Knowing the desired temperature thanks to the ratio of measurements noted by the flow meters 52′ and 54′, it is possible to adjust the passing flow in the hot water and cold water pipes using solenoid valves 36 and 38 that are guided proportionally as a function of the values of temperatures measured by the sensors 62 and 68 or by the sensor of the common section. Thus, it is possible to obtain at the faucet outlet a desired water temperature that is constant over time for the same adjustment value at the mixer 19 regardless of the temperature of the hot water or of the cold water at the inlet of the system for controlling the flow of water.

The common section 69 makes it possible to obtain the desired flow rate even if the actual hot water temperature is less than the desired temperature. The flow of mixed water then circulates in the two mixed water circuits and in the two inlet openings of the cartridge of the mixing valve, without undergoing the stress of the pressure drop due to an intermediate position of the mixing valve (no flow limitation due to the adjustment of the cartridge of the mixing valve).

FIGS. 10A to 10D show variants that make it possible to preheat the hot water without a filter in FIG. 10A with a filter 50 mounted in the manner of FIG. 7B in FIG. 10B, with a filter 50 with automatic control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7C in FIG. 10C, and with a filter with manual control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7D in FIG. 10D.

In this case, the hot water pipe comprises a temperature sensor 62 upstream from the solenoid valve 38, a flow-rate sensor 54 downstream, and means 70 for heating the water inserted between the solenoid valve 38 and the temperature sensor 62. An electric resistor can be used to heat the hot water.

In this case, when the flow-rate sensor 54 detects a flow, this means that the user wants hot or tepid water. In this case, as long as the temperature measured by the sensor 62 is less than a set-point temperature, then the means 70 for heating the water operate. When the measured temperature is greater than or equal to the set-point temperature, then the device controls the stopping of the heating means 70.

FIGS. 11A to 11D show variants that combine the thermostatic-type functions of the variants 9A to 9D and the functions for heating water of the variants 10A to 10D without a filter in FIG. 11A, with a filter 50 mounted in the manner of FIG. 7B in FIG. 11B, with a filter 50 with automatic control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7C in FIG. 11C, and with a filter with manual control mounted in the manner of FIG. 7D in FIG. 11D.

Claims

1. Device for identifying a command that is capable of being attached to a piece of furniture that comprises at least one movable element (30, 32), such as a drawer or a door, with said device comprising at least one sensor (42) on which the movable element (30, 32) can act and control means (40) that make it possible to define a command as a function of the action of the movable element (30, 32) on the sensor (42), characterized in that the device comprises means for measuring the force or a characteristic of the force of the movable element (30, 32) on the sensor (42), with the control means (40) defining a command as a function of the measurement.

2. Device for identifying a command that is capable of being attached to a piece of furniture that comprises at least one movable element (30, 32), such as a drawer or a door, with said device comprising at least one sensor (42) on which the movable element (30, 32) can act and control means (40) that make it possible to define a command as a function of the action of the movable element (30, 32) on the sensor (42), wherein the device comprises means for determining the variation rate of the force of the movable element (30, 32) on the sensor (42), with the control means (40) defining a command as a function of the variation rate of the force.

3. Device for identifying a command according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (42) is of the piezoelectric type.

4. Device for identifying a command according to claim 2, wherein the sensor (42) is a sensor that transmits a signal to the control means (40) as a function of the force and wherein the control means (40) comprise means for calculating the variation rate of the force starting from the signal that is received.

5. Device for identifying a command according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (42) transmits a signal as a function of the force that is exerted by the movable element (30, 32), with the control means measuring the signal that is transmitted and defining a command as a function of the measurement of the force.

6. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 1, wherein it consists in comparing two signals (110, 110′) of two adjacent movable elements, with each signal corresponding to the variation rate of the force exerted by each movable element, the presence of a signal with a single peak (110′) making it possible not to convert the other signal (110) into a command.

7. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 6, wherein it consists in measuring a period between the crossing point of a first threshold (114) by the signal (112) and the crossing point of a second threshold (116) by the signal (112), in comparing this period to a set-point value, and in triggering a command as a function of this comparison.

8. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 6, wherein it consists in determining the duration of the signal above a threshold and triggering a command if this duration is greater than a set-point duration TO.

9. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 6, wherein it consists in determining the slope of the signal of the variation rate of the force and in triggering a command if this slope is less than a set-point value βO.

10. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 6, wherein it consists in measuring the value of the signal of the variation rate of the force after a determined period and in triggering a command if this value is negative.

11. Device for controlling the flow from a faucet provided at a box of a cupboard comprising at the front an opening that is defined by the edges of the panels forming the box and at least one movable element (30, 32) that is suitable for at least partially blocking said opening and comprising at least one zone that can at least partially cover at least one of the edges defining the opening of the box, with said device comprising at least one solenoid valve allowing the flow or not of the water in a water pipe supplying the faucet, control means (40) guiding the solenoid valve(s) (36, 38, 39) as well as at least one device for identifying a command (42) according to claim 1, wherein the device for identifying a command (42) comprises a sensor placed on the surface of the opening (28) between, on the one hand, at least one edge of the box, and, on the other hand, at least one movable element (30, 32) in such a way as to totally clear the opening.

12. Device for controlling the flow from a faucet provided at a box of a cupboard comprising at least two movable elements according to claim 11, wherein the device for identifying a command (42) is placed at one of the edges of the box defining the opening and at the junction zone of the two movable elements (30, 32) in such a way as to be actuated equally by the two movable elements (30, 32).

13. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 2, wherein it consists in comparing two signals (110, 110′) of two adjacent movable elements, with each signal corresponding to the variation rate of the force exerted by each movable element, the presence of a signal with a single peak (110′) making it possible not to convert the other signal (110) into a command.

14. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 13, wherein it consists in measuring a period between the crossing point of a first threshold (114) by the signal (112) and the crossing point of a second threshold (116) by the signal (112), in comparing this period to a set-point value, and in triggering a command as a function of this comparison.

15. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 13, wherein it consists in determining the duration of the signal above a threshold and triggering a command if this duration is greater than a set-point duration TO.

16. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 13, wherein it consists in determining the slope of the signal of the variation rate of the force and in triggering a command if this slope is less than a set-point value βO.

17. Process for processing a signal of a device for identifying a command according to claim 13, wherein it consists in measuring the value of the signal of the variation rate of the force after a determined period and in triggering a command if this value is negative.

18. Device for controlling the flow from a faucet provided at a box of a cupboard comprising at the front an opening that is defined by the edges of the panels forming the box and at least one movable element (30, 32) that is suitable for at least partially blocking said opening and comprising at least one zone that can at least partially cover at least one of the edges defining the opening of the box, with said device comprising at least one solenoid valve allowing the flow or not of the water in a water pipe supplying the faucet, control means (40) guiding the solenoid valve(s) (36, 38, 39) as well as at least one device for identifying a command (42) according to claim 2, wherein the device for identifying a command (42) comprises a sensor placed on the surface of the opening (28) between, on the one hand, at least one edge of the box, and, on the other hand, at least one movable element (30, 32) in such a way as to totally clear the opening.

19. Device for controlling the flow from a faucet provided at a box of a cupboard comprising at least two movable elements according to claim 11, wherein the device for identifying a command (42) is placed at one of the edges of the box defining the opening and at the junction zone of the two movable elements (30, 32) in such a way as to be actuated equally by the two movable elements (30, 32).