# US 12,215,489 B2 · Automatic faucet device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,215,489 B2
- Document ID: US12215489B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/995,959
- Filed: 2021-01-07
- Published: 2023-07-13
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-14
- Assignees: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
- Applicants: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
- Inventors: Hiroshi Murayama
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215489B2

## CPC

- E03C 1/057: {touchless, i.e. using sensors}
- B64D 11/02: Toilet fittings
- E03C 1/055: {Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like}
- E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

An automatic faucet device includes one of a first detection unit, a second detection unit, and a third detection unit selected as a detection unit and attached to a detection unit attachment portion. Selecting the first detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using a non-contact sensor, selecting the second detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using a contact sensor, or selecting the third detection unit obtains an automatic faucet device using both the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An automatic faucet device configured to be attached to a sink or a wall portion near the sink, the automatic faucet device comprising:
a faucet comprising a water discharge port;
a detection unit attachment portion provided in the faucet;
a detection unit that is detachably provided in the detection unit attachment portion and configured to detect part of a human body; and
a control unit configured to switch between discharge and stop of water from the water discharge port in accordance with a detection signal output from the detection unit;
the detection unit being either a first detection unit comprising a non-contact sensor configured to detect the part of the human body in a non-contact manner or a second detection unit comprising a contact sensor configured to detect the part of the human body when contacted by the part of the human body,
both the first detection unit and the second detection unit configured to be selectively attached to or detached from the detection unit attachment portion, and
the first detection unit and the second detection unit being interchangeable without modification of any portion of the faucet other than the first detection unit or the second detection unit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein
the detection unit is any one of the first detection unit, the second detection unit, and a third detection unit comprising both the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor, and
the third detection unit is configured to be selectively attached to or detached from the detection unit attachment portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 2, wherein
the faucet comprises
a base portion configured to be attached to the sink or the wall portion,
an extending portion extending above a hand wash bowl of the sink from the base portion, and
a water discharge portion that is provided on a tip portion of the extending portion and comprises the water discharge port, and
the detection unit attachment portion is provided on an upper surface of the water discharge portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 3, wherein
the detection unit attachment portion is formed of a recess portion opening upward on the upper surface of the water discharge portion,
the detection unit comprises a case configured to support one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor, and
the case is detachably attached to the recess portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 2, wherein
the faucet comprises
a base plate portion configured to be attached to the sink or the wall portion,
an extending portion extending above a hand wash bowl of the sink from the base plate portion, and
a water discharge portion that is provided on a tip portion of the extending portion and comprises the water discharge port, and
the detection unit attachment portion is provided in the base plate portion aligned with the extending portion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 5, wherein
the detection unit attachment portion is formed of a recess portion provided in the base plate portion,
the detection unit comprises a case configured to support one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor, and
the case is detachably attached to the recess portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 6, wherein
the recess portion comprises an attachment-portion-side connector connected to the control unit, and
the case comprises a detection-unit-side connector that is connected to one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor and configured to be coupled to the attachment-portion-side connector.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein
the faucet comprises
a base portion configured to be attached to the sink or the wall portion,
an extending portion extending above a hand wash bowl of the sink from the base portion, and
a water discharge portion that is provided on a tip portion of the extending portion and comprises the water discharge port, and
the detection unit attachment portion is provided on an upper surface of the water discharge portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 8, wherein
the detection unit attachment portion is formed of a recess portion opening upward on the upper surface of the water discharge portion,
the detection unit comprises a case configured to support one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor, and
the case is detachably attached to the recess portion.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 9, wherein
the recess portion comprises an attachment-portion-side connector connected to the control unit, and
the case comprises a detection-unit-side connector that is connected to one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor and configured to be coupled to the attachment-portion-side connector.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 1, wherein
the faucet comprises
a base plate portion configured to be attached to the sink or the wall portion,
an extending portion extending above a hand wash bowl of the sink from the base plate portion, and
a water discharge portion that is provided on a tip portion of the extending portion and comprises the water discharge port, and
the detection unit attachment portion is provided in the base plate portion aligned with the extending portion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The automatic faucet device according to claim 11, wherein
the detection unit attachment portion is formed of a recess portion provided in the base plate portion,
the detection unit comprises a case configured to support one or both of the non-contact sensor and the contact sensor, and
the case is detachably attached to the recess portion.