IP Library Granted Patent US 10,698,429
Granted Patent B2
US 10,698,429 · App. 15/626,745 · Granted Jun 30, 2020

Electronic user interface for electronic mixing of water for residential faucets

Inventors: Robert W. Rodenbeck (Indianapolis, IN); Patrick B. Jonte (Zionsville, IN); Paul D. Koottungal (Leander, TX); Anthony G. Spangler (Indianapolis, IN); Michael J. Veros (Carmel, IN); Garry R. Marty (Fishers, IN)
Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
G05D23/1393E03C1/057G05D23/1353Y10T137/8766Y10T137/87579Y10T137/87676Y10T137/9464
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,698,429
App. No.
15/626,745
Filed
Jun 19, 2017
Granted
Jun 30, 2020
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3753
USPC
251/129.04
Abstract

A water delivery system is disclosed. The water delivery system may have an electronic user interface. The electronic user interface may be a portable device. The electronic user interface may include inputs to select water temperature, water flow rates, water flow patterns, and/or task based presets. A mixing valve for use with either manual faucets or electronic faucets is disclosed.

Claims (39)

1. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water above a sink deck, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

a spout supported above the sink deck and in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve;

an electronic user interface supported by the spout above the sink deck;

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve;

wherein the electronic user interface includes a temperature input for setting water temperature, a flow rate input for setting water flow rate, and a metering input whereby a user selects a desired volume of water to be dispensed from an outlet of the spout, the volume of water dispensed being controlled by the controller;

a diverter valve located beneath the sink deck in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing valve, the diverter valve having a first outlet and a second outlet;

a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first outlet of the diverter valve and with a spray outlet of the spout; and

a second fluid conduit in fluid communication with the second outlet of the diverter valve and with a stream outlet of the spout.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the electronic user interface further includes a plurality of preset tasks inputs.

3. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water above a sink deck, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

a spout supported above the sink deck and in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve;

an electronic user interface supported by the spout above the sink deck;

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve;

wherein the electronic user interface includes a temperature input for setting water temperature, a flow rate input for setting water flow rate, a metering input whereby a user selects a desired volume of water to be dispensed from an outlet of the spout, the volume of water dispensed being controlled by the controller, and a plurality of preset task inputs;

the temperature input of the electronic user interface includes a first touch slider user input for setting water temperature; and

the flow rate input includes a second touch slider user input for setting flow rate.

4. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water above a sink deck, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

a spout supported above the sink deck and in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve;

an electronic user interface supported by the spout above the sink deck;

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve;

wherein the electronic user interface includes a temperature input for setting water temperature, a flow rate input for setting water flow rate, and a metering input whereby a user selects a desired volume of water to be dispensed from an outlet of the spout, the volume of water dispensed being controlled by the controller;

wherein the electronic user interface includes a curved face coupled to the spout, the curved face extending arcuately about at least two orthogonal planes; and where the electronic user interface includes vertically oriented capacitive sensors.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a connector coupled to the sink deck and to the spout, the connector having a plurality of ports each of which includes a fluid connector and an electrical connector.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the mixing valve and operably coupled to the controller.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein a fluid connector of the spout and an electrical connector of the spout are coupled to a first port of the connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least two orthogonal planes are in substantially vertical and horizontal directions.

9. An apparatus for controlling the provision of water from a source of cold water and a source of hot water above a sink deck, the apparatus comprising:

a mixing valve in fluid communication with the source of cold water and the source of hot water, the mixing valve being located beneath the sink deck;

a spout supported above the sink deck and in fluid communication with an outlet of the mixing valve;

an electronic user interface supported by the spout above the sink deck;

a controller operably coupled to the electronic user interface and to the mixing valve;

wherein the electronic user interface includes a temperature input for setting water temperature, a flow rate input for setting water flow rate, and a metering input whereby a user selects a desired volume of water to be dispensed from an outlet of the spout, the volume of water dispensed being controlled by the controller;

further comprising a connector coupled to the sink deck and to the spout, the connector having a plurality of ports each of which includes a fluid connector and an electrical connector;

wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the mixing valve and operably coupled to the controller;

wherein a fluid connector of the spout and an electrical connector of the spout are coupled to a first port of the connector; and

wherein a container filler apparatus is coupled to a second port of the connector.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 16, 2019
From: RODENBECK, ROBERT W.; JONTE, PATRICK B.; KOOTTUNGAL, PAUL D.; SPANGLER, ANTHONY G.; VEROS, MICHAEL J.; MARTY, GARRY R.
To: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
Reel/Frame 048890/0800 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 16, 2019
From: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
To: DELTA FAUCET COMPANY
Reel/Frame 048907/0192 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15069863 · Mar 14, 2016
Continuation 13453067 · Apr 23, 2012
Division 11737727 · Apr 19, 2007
Provisional Application 60794229 · Apr 20, 2006
Related Publication 20170315569A1 · Nov 2, 2017
Cited By (5)
US 12,209,398 US 12,392,525 US 12,442,166 US 12,493,355 US 12,703,968