EP2886727B1 - Sanitary fitting and method for supply of energy to such a fitting - Google Patents

Sanitary fitting and method for supply of energy to such a fitting Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2886727B1
EP2886727B1 EP14004250.8A EP14004250A EP2886727B1 EP 2886727 B1 EP2886727 B1 EP 2886727B1 EP 14004250 A EP14004250 A EP 14004250A EP 2886727 B1 EP2886727 B1 EP 2886727B1
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Prior art keywords
storage means
term storage
charge
short
energy
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EP14004250.8A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2886727A1 (en
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Heike Schönbeck
Achim Mielke
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Grohe AG
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Grohe AG
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/10—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sanitary fitting according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and a method for supplying energy according to claim 8.
  • Such fittings are used in daily use. For example, in public washrooms or in private households. Insofar as these are equipped with electrically operated sensor devices that are not supplied via a mains supply, it is necessary to ensure the power supply via another energy source.
  • batteries and capacitors are known as energy sources.
  • a flushing system for the purpose of automatic flushing of urinals and similar sanitary facilities described uses an electrical energy storage and switches when falling below a specified minimum charge, the power supply automatically to an additional existing electric battery or a rechargeable battery. As a result, the power supply is redundant and the energy removal from the electric battery or accumulator significantly reduced.
  • the autonomous operating time is extended by the energy supply from the short-term storage means is improved. This also means that less energy must be removed from the long-term storage means and thus this reaches a longer life.
  • the present invention has in fact recognized that a significantly improved charging is possible by maintaining a lower charge limit in the short-term storage means in an energy supply by means of energy generating device.
  • the electronic control device prevents the charge from falling below a predefined minimum charge limit which can also be referred to as the minimum charge or the lower charge limit.
  • Suitable energy generating devices are, for example, turbines or pelleting elements arranged in the water flow, which are arranged between hot and cold water lines.
  • the present invention has recognized that a deep-discharged short-term storage means, such as a capacitor, behaves with low electrical resistance, which causes the voltage provided by the power generation device to drop sharply during the charging process or even collapse. This means that a very large part of the energy generated is lost during the charging process.
  • Short-term storage means are to be understood as meaning those electronic storage means which can be charged very quickly several times, to power the electronic controller for a given period of time.
  • control device prevents falling below the charge limit, exactly this low-resistance state is avoided and instead reaches a high-impedance state of the short-term storage means.
  • the energy loss described in the charging process is thus significantly reduced.
  • a charge carried out in this state is much more efficient. So it is possible in practice, for example, with the invention, with a charge limit of 70% of the maximum charge capacity of the short-term storage means after a running time of the power generation device of 10 seconds to provide sensor electronics with 15 uA for about 4 hours alone with energy from the short-term storage means.
  • the energy required for this purpose can be generated.
  • the short-term storage means and the energy generating device are coordinated so that at a charging time of 10 seconds, a self-sufficient operation of about 4 hours, with a charging time of 4 to 5 minutes, an effective charge of 10% and a charging time of 10 to 20 minutes an effective charge of 100% is reached.
  • the effective charge is the amount of charge that is available between the charge limit and a maximum charge amount of the short-term storage means. For example, with a charge limit of 70%, an effective charge amount of 100% corresponds to a value of 30% of the maximum charge amount of the short-term storage means.
  • the monitoring of the charge state is interrupted by time intervals.
  • the control device is not used continuously but periodically recurring for monitoring the state of charge and switched off during the intervals.
  • the time intervals of the interruptions can be a few milliseconds, for example, 50 to 200 milliseconds, or extended to minutes and hours. In any case, it is possible to shut down the function of the control device in this time interval of the interruption and thereby save energy.
  • a charge monitoring device for monitoring a short-term storage means and possibly additionally the long-term storage means which transmits at least the state of charge to the control device.
  • the use of special monitoring devices is possible.
  • different control processes can be triggered by the control device depending on, for example, the state of the long-term storage means.
  • the runtime of the energy generating device can be extended by an after-run time during an actuation, as a result of which the energy removal from the long-term storage device can be reduced and the water consumption increases only slightly.
  • the charge monitoring device in addition to the respective charge states, the number of charge cycles or the change in the actual available charge capacities can be detected and transmitted.
  • the charge limit value or the charging voltage can be adapted as a function of such variable charge states or storage medium parameters.
  • control device obtains the required electrical energy directly from the storage means.
  • the long-term storage means is used exclusively for charging the short-term storage means.
  • the control device obtains the required electrical energy directly or indirectly from the long-term storage means as long as the charge state of the short-term storage means is in the range of the charge limit value.
  • the control device additionally or alternatively obtain energy from the long-term storage means and thus avoid a total discharge of the short-term storage means below the predetermined charge limit.
  • the energy from the long-term storage means is insufficient, a part of the required energy can be retrieved on a temporary basis and in addition from the short-term storage means. It is also conceivable to allow temporary and limited underruns of the predetermined lower charge limit, so that, for example, 10, 20 or 30% underruns are tolerated.
  • the lower charge limit is in the range of 63%, preferably between 40 and 75% and very particularly preferably between 40% and 70% of the maximum charge capacity of the short-term storage.
  • the short-term storage means which is generally designed as a high-performance capacitor, is always charged outside of the low-resistance operating state.
  • the energy supply method according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that the charge state of the short-term storage means is monitored in order to selectively supply energy from the long-term storage means or the energy production device to the short-term storage means as soon as the lower charge limit value is reached.
  • the short-term storage means is only charged beyond the lower charge limit value by means of energy from the energy generating device.
  • the energy withdrawal from the long-term storage means is reduced to the minimum.
  • the charge desired above the lower charge limit value is therefore carried out in a particularly efficient manner in this embodiment only by means of the energy generating device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a sanitary fitting 1 according to the invention in a schematic representation.
  • This sanitary fitting 1 consists of a housing 2, in which two water inlets 3, 4 are guided.
  • the water inlet 3 is a hot water inlet and the water inlet 4 is a cold water inlet.
  • Both water inlets 3, 4 lead to an energy generating device 5, which is designed for example as a turbine with a connected generator or as a pelletizing element.
  • the power generating device 5 is traversed by two water inlets 3, 4, it can also be arranged at other locations. For example, it can be arranged in the mixed water line 7, whereby only one input and one output are required at the same time always maximum flow rate of the flowing water.
  • the flow control means 6 is in the simplest case an electrically controllable solenoid valve. But there are also flow control means 6 known and usable within the scope of the invention, which can also produce certain predetermined mixing ratios, for example between hot water and cold water in addition to controlling the flow rate, in order to realize a temperature regulation in this way.
  • the water mixed in the flow control means 6 is led via a mixed water line 7 to an outlet 8, where the water then emerges from the housing 2.
  • the sanitary fitting 1 is equipped with a detection means 9, which is for example an infrared sensor, a touch sensor or a pressure switch.
  • the presently illustrated infrared sensor of the detection means 9 detects a user who acts, for example, with his hands in the detection area and generates corresponding signal.
  • a controller 10 is provided, which is in the form of electronic circuits and executes programmed instructions.
  • the control device 10 is connected via conduit means to the power generation device 5, the flow control means 6 and the detection means 9.
  • the power supply of the control device 10 is ensured by a long-term storage means 11 and a short-term storage means 12.
  • the control device 10 is designed such that, on the one hand, it can conduct energy flows, for example between the energy generation device 5 and the short-term storage means 12, and, on the other hand, receives and processes information signals.
  • the mode of operation of the control device 10 will be described below FIG. 2 described.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic charge curve of a short-term storage means 12 according to the invention over a charge curve according to the prior art.
  • the charge quantity Q of the short-term storage means 12 is shown on the y-axis and the time duration on the x-axis. It should be clarified that this is a schematic charge curve used to illustrate the present invention.
  • each short-term storage means 12 such as the high-performance capacitors already mentioned above, a progressive self-discharge occurs over time. This self-discharge is shown from the time 0 by the falling charge curve.
  • the curve indicated by the solid solid line corresponds to the present invention and the dashed line of a charge curve according to the prior art.
  • the control device 10 of the invention monitors the charge amount of the short-term storage means 12 and prevents falling below the lower charge limit, which is plotted as Q min in the diagram is. For this purpose, energy is supplied from the long-term storage means 11 to the short-term storage means 12.
  • the advantage of the present invention will now be particularly clear if charging of the short-term storage means 12 starts at time t 1 .
  • This charging can be done for example by means of the power generating device 5, when the sanitary fitting 1 is used. Since the control device 10 has kept the short-term storage means 12 by means of the supplied energy from the long-term storage means 11 on the lower charge limit Q min or above, the short-term storage means 12 behaves relatively high impedance and can be charged in a very short time by the amount of charge .DELTA.Q 1 .
  • the charge amounts can drop significantly below the lower charge limit Q min , as a result of which the short-term storage means 12 behaves in a low-resistance relative to the state according to the invention.
  • the significantly smaller amount of charge ⁇ Q 2 can be charged into the short-term storage means 12 in the same time period of the energy supply between t 1 and t 2 , since a lot of electrical power is lost due to the low-resistance state.
  • FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a charge monitor 13 separated from the controller 10 is connected to both the controller 10 and the short-term memory means 12.
  • the charge monitoring device 13 monitors, on the one hand, the charge state of the short-term storage means 12 as well as other parameters, such as the number of charge cycles and measured values of capacity changes or of maximum charge capacities.
  • the charge monitoring device 13 can additionally be used to monitor the long-term storage means 11. In any case, however, it forwards information or signals to the control device, which uses these at least for the charge control.
  • FIG. 4 shows FIG. 4 another embodiment in which the charge monitoring device 13 is arranged between the short-term storage means 12 and the long-term storage means 11.
  • the control device 10 is operated exclusively with energy from the short-term storage means 12.
  • the charge monitoring device 13 charges the short-term storage means 12 if necessary in order to avoid falling below the charge limit value Q min .
  • the energy generating device 5 generates energy, it is loaded into the short-term storage means 12 via the control device 10.
  • the power generation device 5 could also be connected to the charge monitoring device 13, which then prioritizes the energy from the power generation device 5 used to charge the short-term storage means 12.
  • the energy from the long-term storage means 11 is used exclusively to obtain the charge limit Q min in the short-term storage means 12. A charge beyond this lower charge limit value occurs exclusively by energy from the power generation device 5.
  • the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments in the form described. On the contrary, it is obvious that numerous modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the patent claims. For example, instead of the described energy flows and control links within the scope of the inventive concept, numerous other embodiments can be realized.
  • the invention can also be used in connection with sanitary fittings having only a single water supply for cold, mixed or hot water or fittings that have more than two water supplies.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Sanitärarmatur gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Patentanspruchs 1, sowie ein Verfahren zur Energiezufuhr gemäß Patentanspruch 8.The present invention relates to a sanitary fitting according to the preamble of patent claim 1, and a method for supplying energy according to claim 8.

Derartige Armaturen kommen im täglichen Gebrauch zum Einsatz. Beispielsweise in öffentlichen Waschräumen oder in Privathaushalten. Soweit diese mit elektrisch betriebenen Sensoreinrichtungen ausgestattet sind, die nicht über eine Netzversorgung gespeist werden, ist es erforderlich, die Stromversorgung über eine andere Energiequelle sicherzustellen. Hierzu sind als Energiequellen Batterien und Kondensatoren bekannt. So ist beispielsweise in der DE 10 2005 060 890 A1 ein Spülsystem zum Zweck der automatischen Spülung von Urinalen und ähnlichen sanitärtechnischen Einrichtungen beschrieben. Das beschriebene Spülsystem verwendet einen elektrischen Energiespeicher und schaltet beim Unterschreiten einer festgelegten Mindestladung die Energieversorgung automatisch auf eine zusätzlich vorhandene elektrische Batterie oder einen Akkumulator um. Hierdurch wird die Energieversorgung redundant und die Energieentnahme aus der elektrischen Batterie beziehungsweise Akkumulator deutlich reduziert. Dies führt im Ergebnis zu einer deutlichen Verlängerung der autarken Betriebsdauer, bevor ein Austausch der Batterie beziehungsweise des Akkumulators erforderlich wird. Ausgehend vom bekannten Stand der Technik ist es aber erstrebenswert, die autarke Betriebsdauer einer Sanitärarmatur und damit die Wartungsfreiheit zusätzlich zu verbessern, um dadurch für den Anwender noch längere und störungsfreie Betriebszyklen zuSuch fittings are used in daily use. For example, in public washrooms or in private households. Insofar as these are equipped with electrically operated sensor devices that are not supplied via a mains supply, it is necessary to ensure the power supply via another energy source. For this purpose, batteries and capacitors are known as energy sources. For example, in the DE 10 2005 060 890 A1 a flushing system for the purpose of automatic flushing of urinals and similar sanitary facilities described. The flushing system described uses an electrical energy storage and switches when falling below a specified minimum charge, the power supply automatically to an additional existing electric battery or a rechargeable battery. As a result, the power supply is redundant and the energy removal from the electric battery or accumulator significantly reduced. As a result, this leads to a significant extension of the autonomous operating time before replacement of the battery or of the rechargeable battery is required. Based on the known state of the art, however, it is desirable to additionally improve the autonomous operating life of a sanitary fitting and thus the freedom from maintenance, in order thereby for the user even longer and trouble-free operating cycles

In der DE 102 10 474 A1 wird ein Klosett mit einer sonsorgesteuerten Spülung offenbart, bei dem die Energieversorgung von einer Solarzelle, einem Kondesator und einem Akku bereitgestellt wird. Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, die sich aus dem Stand der Technik ergebenden Probleme zu lösen und insbesondere eine Sanitärarmatur oder ein Verfahren anzugeben, die eine zusätzliche Verlängerung der autarken Betriebsdauer ermöglichen.In the DE 102 10 474 A1 discloses a toilet with a sonsorgesteuerte conditioner, in which the power supply of a solar cell, a condenser and a battery is provided. The object of the present invention is to solve the problems arising from the prior art, and in particular to provide a sanitary fitting or a method which allow an additional extension of the self-sufficient operating time.

Diese Aufgaben werden vorliegend mit einer Sanitärarmatur gemäß den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 1 und einem Verfahren gemäß den Merkmalen des Patentanspruchs 8 gelöst. Weitere vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den abhängig formulierten Patentansprüchen angegeben. Darüber hinaus werden die in den Patentansprüchen angegebenen Merkmale in der Beschreibung näher präzisiert und erläutert, wobei weitere bevorzugte Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung dargestellt sind.These objects are achieved in the present case with a sanitary fitting according to the features of patent claim 1 and a method according to the features of patent claim 8. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent formulated claims. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

Vorliegend wird die autarke Betriebsdauer verlängert, indem die Energiezufuhr aus dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel verbessert wird. Dies führt im Weiteren dazu, dass weniger Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel entnommen werden muss und dieser somit eine längere Lebensdauer erreicht. Die vorliegende Erfindung hat nämlich erkannt, dass durch die Einhaltung eines unteren Ladungsgrenzwertes im Kurzzeitspeichermittel bei einer Energiezufuhr mittels Energieerzeugungseinrichtung eine deutlich verbesserte Aufladung möglich ist.In the present case, the autonomous operating time is extended by the energy supply from the short-term storage means is improved. This also means that less energy must be removed from the long-term storage means and thus this reaches a longer life. The present invention has in fact recognized that a significantly improved charging is possible by maintaining a lower charge limit in the short-term storage means in an energy supply by means of energy generating device.

Die elektronische Steuerungseinrichtung verhindert dazu das Absinken der Ladung unter einen vorgegebenen mindestens einzuhaltenden Ladungsgrenzwert, der auch als Mindestladung oder unterer Ladungsgrenzwert bezeichnet werden kann. Als Energieerzeugungseinrichtungen kommen dabei beispielsweise im Wasserstrom angeordnete Turbinen oder Pelletierelemente in Betracht, die zwischen Warm- und Kaltwasserleitungen angeordnet sind. Die vorliegende Erfindung hat erkannt, dass sich ein tiefentladenes Kurzzeitspeichermittel, wie beispielsweise ein Kondensator, elektrisch niederohmige verhält, was dazu führt, dass die von der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung bereitgestellte Spannung beim Aufladeprozess stark absinkt oder sogar zusammenbricht. Dies führt dazu, dass ein sehr großer Teil der erzeugten Energie beim Aufladeprozess verloren geht. Unter Kurzzeitspeichermittel sind solche elektronischen Speichermittel zu verstehen, die mehrfach sehr schnell geladen werden können, um die elektronische Steuerung über einen vorgegebenen Zeitraum mit Energie zu versorgen.For this purpose, the electronic control device prevents the charge from falling below a predefined minimum charge limit which can also be referred to as the minimum charge or the lower charge limit. Suitable energy generating devices are, for example, turbines or pelleting elements arranged in the water flow, which are arranged between hot and cold water lines. The present invention has recognized that a deep-discharged short-term storage means, such as a capacitor, behaves with low electrical resistance, which causes the voltage provided by the power generation device to drop sharply during the charging process or even collapse. This means that a very large part of the energy generated is lost during the charging process. Short-term storage means are to be understood as meaning those electronic storage means which can be charged very quickly several times, to power the electronic controller for a given period of time.

Indem die Steuerungseinrichtung das Unterschreiten des Ladungsgrenzwertes verhindert, wird genau dieser niederohmige Zustand vermieden und stattdessen ein hochohmiger Zustand des Kurzzeitspeichermittels erreicht. Der beschriebene Energieverlust beim Aufladeprozess ist damit erheblich zu reduzieren. Eine in diesem Zustand durchgeführte Aufladung erfolgt wesentlich effizienter. So ist es in der Praxis beispielsweise mit der Erfindung möglich, mit einem Ladungsgrenzwert von 70% der maximalen Ladungskapazität des Kurzzeitspeichermittels nach einer Laufzeit der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung von 10 Sekunden eine Sensorelektronik mit 15 µA für ca. 4 Stunden allein mit Energie aus dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel zu versorgen. Mittels bekannter im Wasserstrom der Sanitärarmatur angeordneter Turbinen als Energieerzeugungsvorrichtung kann die hierfür benötigte Energie erzeugt werden. Obwohl zur Einhaltung des Ladungsgrenzwertes Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel verwendet werden muss, wenn die Sanitärarmatur über längere Zeit nicht benutzt wird, führt die vorliegende Erfindung dennoch in der Gesamtbetrachtung zu einer erheblichen Verlängerung der Lebensdauer des Langzeitspeichermittels und damit zu einer Verlängerung der autarken Betriebsdauer. Bevorzugt sind das Kurzzeitspeichermittel und die Energiererzeugungseinrichtung so aufeinander abgestimmt, dass bei einer Ladezeit von 10 Sekunden ein autarker Betrieb von ca. 4 Stunden, bei einer Ladezeit von 4 bis 5 Minuten eine effektive Ladung von 10% und bei einer Ladezeit von 10 bis 20 Minuten eine effektive Ladung von 100% erreicht ist. Die effektive Ladung ist dabei die Ladungsmenge, die zwischen dem Ladungsgrenzwert und einer maximalen Ladungsmenge des Kurzzeitspeichermittels zur Verfügung steht. Bei einem Ladungsgrenzwert von 70% entspricht eine effektive Ladungsmenge von 100% beispielsweise einem Wert von 30% der maximalen Ladungsmenge des Kurzzeitspeichermittels.By the control device prevents falling below the charge limit, exactly this low-resistance state is avoided and instead reaches a high-impedance state of the short-term storage means. The energy loss described in the charging process is thus significantly reduced. A charge carried out in this state is much more efficient. So it is possible in practice, for example, with the invention, with a charge limit of 70% of the maximum charge capacity of the short-term storage means after a running time of the power generation device of 10 seconds to provide sensor electronics with 15 uA for about 4 hours alone with energy from the short-term storage means. By means of known in the water flow of the sanitary fitting arranged turbines as energy generating device, the energy required for this purpose can be generated. Although energy from the long-term storage means must be used to comply with the charge limit value, if the sanitary fitting is not used for a long time, the present invention nevertheless leads to a considerable extension of the lifetime of the long-term storage means and thus to an extension of the autonomous operating life. Preferably, the short-term storage means and the energy generating device are coordinated so that at a charging time of 10 seconds, a self-sufficient operation of about 4 hours, with a charging time of 4 to 5 minutes, an effective charge of 10% and a charging time of 10 to 20 minutes an effective charge of 100% is reached. The effective charge is the amount of charge that is available between the charge limit and a maximum charge amount of the short-term storage means. For example, with a charge limit of 70%, an effective charge amount of 100% corresponds to a value of 30% of the maximum charge amount of the short-term storage means.

Bei einer bevorzugten Weiterbildung der Erfindung, ist vorgesehen, dass die Überwachung des Ladungszustands durch zeitliche Intervalle unterbrochen ist. Hierbei wird die Steuerungseinrichtung nicht fortlaufend sondern periodisch wiederkehrend zur Überwachung des Ladungszustands genutzt und während der Intervalle abgeschaltet. Die Zeitintervalle der Unterbrechungen können dabei wenige Millisekunden, von beispielsweise 50 bis 200 Millisekunden betragen, oder auch auf Minuten und Stunden ausgedehnt werden. In jedem Fall ist es aber möglich, die Funktion der Steuerungseinrichtung in diesem zeitlichen Intervall der Unterbrechung still zu legen und dadurch Energie einzusparen.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the monitoring of the charge state is interrupted by time intervals. In this case, the control device is not used continuously but periodically recurring for monitoring the state of charge and switched off during the intervals. The time intervals of the interruptions can be a few milliseconds, for example, 50 to 200 milliseconds, or extended to minutes and hours. In any case, it is possible to shut down the function of the control device in this time interval of the interruption and thereby save energy.

Ebenfalls vorteilhaft ist es, eine Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung zur Überwachung eines Kurzzeitspeichermittels und eventuell zusätzlich des Langzeitspeichermittels vorzusehen, die wenigstens den Ladungszustand an die Steuerungseinrichtung übermittelt. Hierzu ist die Verwendung spezieller Überwachungseinrichtungen möglich. Dadurch können von der Steuerungseinrichtung in Abhängigkeit beispielsweise vom Zustand des Langzeitspeichermittels unterschiedliche Steuervorgänge ausgelöst werden. Beispielsweise kann bei einem Langzeitspeichermittel mit einem niedrigen Ladungszustand die Laufzeit der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung bei einer Betätigung um eine Nachlaufzeit verlängert werden, wodurch die Energieentnahme aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel reduziert werden kann und sich der Wasserverbrauch nur geringfügig erhöht.It is likewise advantageous to provide a charge monitoring device for monitoring a short-term storage means and possibly additionally the long-term storage means which transmits at least the state of charge to the control device. For this purpose, the use of special monitoring devices is possible. As a result, different control processes can be triggered by the control device depending on, for example, the state of the long-term storage means. For example, in the case of a long-term storage device with a low charge state, the runtime of the energy generating device can be extended by an after-run time during an actuation, as a result of which the energy removal from the long-term storage device can be reduced and the water consumption increases only slightly.

Ganz besonders vorteilhaft ist es auch, wenn neben dem Ladungszustand auch andere Informationen zu dem überwachten Speichermittel erfasst und übertragen werden. So kann mittels der Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung neben den jeweiligen Ladungszuständen auch die Anzahl der Ladungszyklen oder die Veränderung der tatsächlich verfügbaren Ladungskapazitäten erfasst und übertragen werden. Hierdurch ist eine Anpassung der Steuerungseinrichtung auf sich im Laufe der Lebensdauer verändernde Speichermittel möglich. Beispielsweise können der Ladungsgrenzwert oder die Ladespannung in Abhängigkeit von solchen veränderlichen Ladungszuständen bzw. Speichermittelparametern angepasst werden.It is also particularly advantageous if, in addition to the state of charge, other information about the monitored storage device is also detected and transmitted. Thus, by means of the charge monitoring device in addition to the respective charge states, the number of charge cycles or the change in the actual available charge capacities can be detected and transmitted. This makes it possible to adapt the control device to storage means that change over the course of its service life. For example For example, the charge limit value or the charging voltage can be adapted as a function of such variable charge states or storage medium parameters.

Bei einer ganz besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist vorgesehen, dass die Steuerungseinrichtung die benötigte elektrische Energie unmittelbar aus dem Speichermittel bezieht. Bei dieser Ausführungsform wird das Langzeitspeichermittel ausschließlich zur Ladung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels benutzt. Der Vorteil dieser Anordnung besteht darin, dass die elektronische Steuerung unabhängig von der Art des verwendeten Langzeitspeichermittels ausgelegt und betrieben werden kann.In a very particularly preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the control device obtains the required electrical energy directly from the storage means. In this embodiment, the long-term storage means is used exclusively for charging the short-term storage means. The advantage of this arrangement is that the electronic control can be designed and operated independently of the type of long-term storage means used.

Bei einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform ist vorgesehen, dass die Steuerungseinrichtung die benötigte elektrische Energie mittelbar oder unmittelbar aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel bezieht, solange der Ladungszustand des Kurzzeitspeichermittels im Bereich der Ladungsgrenzwert liegt. Bei dieser Ausführungsform kann die Steuerungseinrichtung Energie zusätzlich oder alternativ aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel beziehen und somit eine Tiefentladung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels unterhalb des vorgegebenen Ladungsgrenzwertes vermeiden. Alternativ kann in dem Fall, dass die Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel nicht ausreicht, ein Teil der benötigten Energie zeitglich und zusätzlich aus dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel abgerufen werden. Hierbei ist es auch denkbar, temporäre und begrenzte Unterschreitungen des vorgegebenen unteren Ladungsgrenzwerts zuzulassen, so dass beispielsweise 10, 20 oder 30 %ige Unterschreitungen toleriert werden.In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the control device obtains the required electrical energy directly or indirectly from the long-term storage means as long as the charge state of the short-term storage means is in the range of the charge limit value. In this embodiment, the control device additionally or alternatively obtain energy from the long-term storage means and thus avoid a total discharge of the short-term storage means below the predetermined charge limit. Alternatively, in the case that the energy from the long-term storage means is insufficient, a part of the required energy can be retrieved on a temporary basis and in addition from the short-term storage means. It is also conceivable to allow temporary and limited underruns of the predetermined lower charge limit, so that, for example, 10, 20 or 30% underruns are tolerated.

In der Praxis hat es sich besonders bewährt, wenn der untere Ladungsgrenzwert im Bereich von 63%, vorzugsweise zwischen 40 und 75 % und ganz besonders bevorzugt zwischen 40% und 70% der maximalen Ladungskapazität des Kurzzeitspeichers beträgt. Hierdurch aber ist sichergestellt, dass das Kurzzeitspeichermittel, das in der Regel als Hochleistungskondensator ausgebildet ist, stets außerhalb des niederohmigen Betriebszustands geladen wird.In practice, it has proven particularly useful if the lower charge limit is in the range of 63%, preferably between 40 and 75% and very particularly preferably between 40% and 70% of the maximum charge capacity of the short-term storage. However, this ensures that the short-term storage means, which is generally designed as a high-performance capacitor, is always charged outside of the low-resistance operating state.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Energiezufuhr zeichnet sich entsprechend dadurch aus, dass der Ladungszustand des Kurzzeitspeichermittels überwacht wird, um in Abhängigkeit davon wahlweise aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel oder der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung Energie dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel zuzuführen, sobald der untere Ladungsgrenzwert erreicht wird.The energy supply method according to the invention is accordingly characterized in that the charge state of the short-term storage means is monitored in order to selectively supply energy from the long-term storage means or the energy production device to the short-term storage means as soon as the lower charge limit value is reached.

Bei einem anderen erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsbeispiel ist vorgesehen, dass das Kurzzeitspeichermittel nur mittels Energie aus der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung über den unteren Ladungsgrenzwert hinaus geladen wird. Indem das Kurzzeitspeichermittel mit Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel nur bis zum Erreichen des unteren Ladungsgrenzwerts geladen wird, ist die Energieentnahme aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel auf das Minimum reduziert. Die darüber gewünschte Ladung über den unteren Ladungsgrenzwert hinaus wird daher bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel in besonders effizienter Weise nur mittels der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung vorgenommen.In another exemplary embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that the short-term storage means is only charged beyond the lower charge limit value by means of energy from the energy generating device. By charging the short-term storage means with energy from the long-term storage means only until reaching the lower charge limit value, the energy withdrawal from the long-term storage means is reduced to the minimum. The charge desired above the lower charge limit value is therefore carried out in a particularly efficient manner in this embodiment only by means of the energy generating device.

Weiterhin ist es vorteilhaft, das Verfahren so auszuführen, dass zum Kurzzeitspeichermittel vorrangig Energie aus der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung zugeführt wird. Im Fall einer Energiezufuhr zum Kurzzeitspeichermittel zum Zweck der Einhaltung des unteren Ladungsgrenzwerts wird erfindungsgemäß zunächst Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel entnommen. Sobald jedoch Energie aus der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung zur Verfügung steht, wird diese vorrangig genutzt, um das Langzeitspeichermittel zu entlasten.Furthermore, it is advantageous to carry out the method in such a way that primarily energy is supplied from the energy generating device to the short-term storage medium. In the case of an energy supply to the short-term storage means for the purpose of maintaining the lower charge limit, according to the invention, energy is first taken from the long-term storage means. However, as soon as energy is available from the power generation facility, it will be prioritized to relieve the long term storage resource.

Die Erfindung sowie das technische Umfeld werden nachfolgend anhand der Figuren näher erläutert. Es ist darauf hinzuweisen, dass die Figuren besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsvarianten der Erfindung zeigen, auf die sie jedoch nicht beschränkt ist. In der Zeichnung zeigt schematisch:

Figur 1
eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur;
Figur 2
einen schematischen Ladungsverlauf eines Kurzzeitspeichermittels;
Figur 3
eine zweite Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur; und
Figur 4
eine dritte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur.
The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures show, but are not limited to, particularly preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawing shows schematically:
FIG. 1
a first embodiment of a sanitary fitting according to the invention;
FIG. 2
a schematic charge history of a short-term storage means;
FIG. 3
a second embodiment of a sanitary fitting according to the invention; and
FIG. 4
a third embodiment of a sanitary fitting according to the invention.

Die Figur 1 zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Sanitärarmatur 1 in einer schematischen Darstellung. Diese Sanitärarmatur 1 besteht aus einem Gehäuse 2, in das zwei Wasserzuläufe 3, 4 hineingeführt sind. Der Wasserzulauf 3 ist ein Warmwasserzulauf und der Wasserzulauf 4 ist ein Kaltwasserzulauf. Beide Wasserzuläufe 3, 4 führen zu einer Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5, die beispielsweise als Turbine mit angeschlossenem Generator oder als Pelletierelement ausgeführt ist. Während im dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel die Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 von beiden Wasserzuläufen 3, 4 durchströmt wird, kann sie auch an anderen Stellen angeordnet sein. Beispielsweise kann sie in der Mischwasserleitung 7 angeordnet werden, wodurch nur ein Eingang und ein Ausgang bei gleichzeitig stets maximaler Durchflußmenge des durchströmenden Wassers erforderlich sind. Im Weiteren werden die Wasserzuläufe 3, 4 zu einem Durchflusssteuerungsmittel 6 geführt. Das Durchflusssteuerungsmittel 6 ist im einfachsten Fall ein elektrisch ansteuerbares Magnetventil. Es sind aber auch Durchflusssteuerungsmittel 6 bekannt und im Rahmen der Erfindung verwendbar, die neben der Steuerung der Durchflussmenge auch bestimmte vorgegebene Mischungsverhältnisse, beispielsweise zwischen Warmwasser und Kaltwasser herstellen können, um auf diese Weise eine Temperaturregulierung zu realisieren. Im weiteren Verlauf wird das im Durchflusssteuerungsmittel 6 gemischte Wasser über eine Mischwasserleitung 7 zu einem Auslass 8 geführt, wo das Wasser dann aus dem Gehäuse 2 austritt.The FIG. 1 shows a sanitary fitting 1 according to the invention in a schematic representation. This sanitary fitting 1 consists of a housing 2, in which two water inlets 3, 4 are guided. The water inlet 3 is a hot water inlet and the water inlet 4 is a cold water inlet. Both water inlets 3, 4 lead to an energy generating device 5, which is designed for example as a turbine with a connected generator or as a pelletizing element. While in the illustrated embodiment, the power generating device 5 is traversed by two water inlets 3, 4, it can also be arranged at other locations. For example, it can be arranged in the mixed water line 7, whereby only one input and one output are required at the same time always maximum flow rate of the flowing water. Furthermore, the water inlets 3, 4 are led to a flow control means 6. The flow control means 6 is in the simplest case an electrically controllable solenoid valve. But there are also flow control means 6 known and usable within the scope of the invention, which can also produce certain predetermined mixing ratios, for example between hot water and cold water in addition to controlling the flow rate, in order to realize a temperature regulation in this way. In the further course, the water mixed in the flow control means 6 is led via a mixed water line 7 to an outlet 8, where the water then emerges from the housing 2.

Zur Erkennung einer Wasseranforderung ist die Sanitärarmatur 1 mit einem Detektionsmittel 9 ausgestattet, das beispielsweise ein Infrarotsensor, ein Berührungssensor oder Druckschalter ist. Der vorliegend dargestellt Infrarotsensor des Detektionsmittels 9 erkennt einen Benutzer, der beispielsweise mit seinen Händen im Detektionsbereich agiert und erzeugt ein entsprechendes Signal. Zur Verarbeitung dieses Signals ist eine Steuerungseinrichtung 10 vorgesehen, die in Form von elektronischen Schaltkreisen ausgebildet ist und programmierte Anweisungen ausführt. Die Steuerungseinrichtung 10 ist über Leitungsmittel mit der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5, dem Durchflusssteuerungsmittel 6 und dem Detektionsmittel 9 verbunden. Die Energieversorgung der Steuerungseinrichtung 10 wird über ein Langzeitspeichermittel 11 und ein Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 gewährleistet. Die Steuerungseinrichtung 10 ist so ausgebildet, dass sie zum einen Energieströme, beispielsweise zwischen der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 und dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 leiten kann und andererseits Informationssignale empfängt und verarbeitet. Die Funktionsweise der Steuerungseinrichtung 10 wird nachfolgend anhand Figur 2 beschrieben.To detect a water requirement, the sanitary fitting 1 is equipped with a detection means 9, which is for example an infrared sensor, a touch sensor or a pressure switch. The presently illustrated infrared sensor of the detection means 9 detects a user who acts, for example, with his hands in the detection area and generates corresponding signal. To process this signal, a controller 10 is provided, which is in the form of electronic circuits and executes programmed instructions. The control device 10 is connected via conduit means to the power generation device 5, the flow control means 6 and the detection means 9. The power supply of the control device 10 is ensured by a long-term storage means 11 and a short-term storage means 12. The control device 10 is designed such that, on the one hand, it can conduct energy flows, for example between the energy generation device 5 and the short-term storage means 12, and, on the other hand, receives and processes information signals. The mode of operation of the control device 10 will be described below FIG. 2 described.

Die Figur 2 zeigt eine schematische Ladungskurve eines erfindungsgemäßen Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 gegenüber einer Ladungskurve nach dem Stand der Technik. Auf der y-Achse ist die Ladungsmenge Q des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 aufgezeigt und auf der x-Achse die Zeitdauer. Es ist klarzustellen, dass es sich hierbei um einen schematischen Ladungsverlauf handelt, der zur Verdeutlichung der vorliegenden Erfindung dient. Bei jedem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12, wie den bereits zuvor erwähnten Hochleistungskondensatoren, kommt es im zeitlichen Verlauf zu einer fortschreitenden Selbstentladung. Diese Selbstentladung ist ausgehend vom Zeitpunkt 0 durch die abfallende Ladungskurve dargestellt. Die mit der durchgezogenen Volllinie aufgezeigte Kurve entspricht dabei der vorliegenden Erfindung und die gestrichelte Linie einer Ladungskurve nach dem Stand der Technik. Ausgehend vom maximalen Ladungszustand mit der Ladungsmenge Qmax fällt so zwangsweise die Ladungsmenge mit fortschreitender Zeitdauer zunächst ab. Während nach dem Stand der Technik die Ladungsmenge mit fortschreitender Zeitdauer beliebig weit abfallen kann und sogar eine vollständige Entladung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels möglich ist, überwacht die erfindungsgemäße Steuerungseinrichtung 10 die Ladungsmenge des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 und verhindert ein Unterschreiten des unteren Ladungsgrenzwerts, die im Diagramm als Qmin eingezeichnet ist. Zu diesem Zweck wird dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel 11 zugeführt.The FIG. 2 shows a schematic charge curve of a short-term storage means 12 according to the invention over a charge curve according to the prior art. The charge quantity Q of the short-term storage means 12 is shown on the y-axis and the time duration on the x-axis. It should be clarified that this is a schematic charge curve used to illustrate the present invention. With each short-term storage means 12, such as the high-performance capacitors already mentioned above, a progressive self-discharge occurs over time. This self-discharge is shown from the time 0 by the falling charge curve. The curve indicated by the solid solid line corresponds to the present invention and the dashed line of a charge curve according to the prior art. Starting from the maximum state of charge with the amount of charge Q max , the amount of charge thus inevitably drops as the time progresses. While according to the prior art, the amount of charge as the time progresses can fall arbitrarily far and even complete discharge of the short-term storage means is possible, the control device 10 of the invention monitors the charge amount of the short-term storage means 12 and prevents falling below the lower charge limit, which is plotted as Q min in the diagram is. For this purpose, energy is supplied from the long-term storage means 11 to the short-term storage means 12.

Der Vorteil der vorliegenden Erfindung wird nun besonders deutlich, wenn zum Zeitpunkt t1 eine Aufladung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 einsetzt. Diese Aufladung kann beispielsweise mittels der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 erfolgen, wenn die Sanitärarmatur 1 benutzt wird. Da die Steuerungseinrichtung 10 das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 mittels der zugeführten Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel 11 auf dem unteren Ladungsgrenzwert Qmin oder darüber gehalten hat, verhält sich das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 relativ hochohmig und kann in einer sehr kurzen Zeit um die Ladungsmenge ΔQ1 geladen werden. Im Stand der Technik hingegen können nach längeren Stillstandszeiten die Ladungsmengen deutlich unter den unteren Ladungsgrenzwert Qmin absinken, wodurch sich das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 relativ zum erfindungsmäßen Zustand niederohmig verhält. Dies führt dazu, dass in der gleichen Zeitdauer der Energiezufuhr zwischen t1 und t2 nur die deutlich geringere Ladungsmenge ΔQ2 in das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 geladen werden kann, da aufgrund des niederohmigen Zustand viel elektrische Leistung verloren geht.The advantage of the present invention will now be particularly clear if charging of the short-term storage means 12 starts at time t 1 . This charging can be done for example by means of the power generating device 5, when the sanitary fitting 1 is used. Since the control device 10 has kept the short-term storage means 12 by means of the supplied energy from the long-term storage means 11 on the lower charge limit Q min or above, the short-term storage means 12 behaves relatively high impedance and can be charged in a very short time by the amount of charge .DELTA.Q 1 . In contrast, in the prior art, after prolonged periods of inactivity, the charge amounts can drop significantly below the lower charge limit Q min , as a result of which the short-term storage means 12 behaves in a low-resistance relative to the state according to the invention. As a result, only the significantly smaller amount of charge ΔQ 2 can be charged into the short-term storage means 12 in the same time period of the energy supply between t 1 and t 2 , since a lot of electrical power is lost due to the low-resistance state.

Figur 3 zeigt eine andere bevorzugte Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, bei der eine von der Steuerungseinrichtung 10 separierte Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 sowohl mit der Steuerungseinrichtung 10 als auch mit dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 verbunden ist. Die Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 überwacht zum einen den Ladungszustand des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 als auch weitere Parameter, wie beispielsweise Anzahl der Ladezyklen und Messwerte von Kapazitätsveränderungen oder von maximalen Ladekapazitäten. Neben der gezeigten Überwachung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 kann die Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 zusätzlich auch zur Überwachung des Langzeitspeichermittels 11 verwendet werden. In jedem Fall gibt sie aber Informationen oder Signale an die Steuerungseinrichtung weiter, die diese zumindest für die Ladungssteuerung verwendet. FIG. 3 FIG. 11 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which a charge monitor 13 separated from the controller 10 is connected to both the controller 10 and the short-term memory means 12. The charge monitoring device 13 monitors, on the one hand, the charge state of the short-term storage means 12 as well as other parameters, such as the number of charge cycles and measured values of capacity changes or of maximum charge capacities. In addition to the monitoring of the short-term storage means 12 shown, the charge monitoring device 13 can additionally be used to monitor the long-term storage means 11. In any case, however, it forwards information or signals to the control device, which uses these at least for the charge control.

Schließlich zeigt Figur 4 noch eine Ausführungsform, bei der die Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 zwischen dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 und dem Langzeitspeichermittel 11 angeordnet ist. Bei dieser Ausführungsform wird die Steuerungseinrichtung 10 ausschließlich mit Energie aus dem Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 betrieben. Die Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 lädt bei dieser Ausführungsform das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 bei Bedarf nach, um ein Unterschreiten der Ladungsgrenzwert Qmin zu vermeiden. Erzeugt die Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 Energie, so wird diese über die Steuerungseinrichtung 10 in das Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 geladen. Alternativ könnte bei dieser Ausführungsform die Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 auch mit der Ladungsüberwachungseinrichtung 13 verbunden sein, die dann priorisiert die Energie aus der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5 zur Ladung des Kurzzeitspeichermittels 12 verwendet. In jedem Fall ist allerdings bei dieser Ausführungsform vorgesehen, dass die Energie aus dem Langzeitspeichermittel 11 ausschließlich dazu verwendet wird, die Ladungsgrenzwert Qmin im Kurzzeitspeichermittel 12 zu erhalten. Eine Ladung über diesen unteren Ladungsgrenzwert hinaus erfolgt ausschließlich durch Energie aus der Energieerzeugungseinrichtung 5.Finally shows FIG. 4 another embodiment in which the charge monitoring device 13 is arranged between the short-term storage means 12 and the long-term storage means 11. In this embodiment, the control device 10 is operated exclusively with energy from the short-term storage means 12. In this embodiment, the charge monitoring device 13 charges the short-term storage means 12 if necessary in order to avoid falling below the charge limit value Q min . If the energy generating device 5 generates energy, it is loaded into the short-term storage means 12 via the control device 10. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the power generation device 5 could also be connected to the charge monitoring device 13, which then prioritizes the energy from the power generation device 5 used to charge the short-term storage means 12. In any case, however, it is provided in this embodiment that the energy from the long-term storage means 11 is used exclusively to obtain the charge limit Q min in the short-term storage means 12. A charge beyond this lower charge limit value occurs exclusively by energy from the power generation device 5.

Die vorliegende Erfindung ist in der beschriebenen Form nicht auf die dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele beschränkt. Es ist vielmehr offensichtlich, dass zahlreiche Abwandlungen der Erfindung im Rahmen der Patentansprüche möglich sind. So können beispielsweise anstelle der beschriebenen Energieflüsse und Steuerungsverknüpfungen im Rahmen des Erfindungsgedankens zahlreiche andere Ausführungsformen realisiert werden. Insbesondere kann die Erfindung auch im Zusammenhang mit Sanitärarmaturen angewendet werden, die nur einen einzigen Wasserzulauf für Kalt-, Misch- oder Heißwasser aufweisen oder Armaturen, die mehr als zwei Wasserzuläufe besitzen.The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments in the form described. On the contrary, it is obvious that numerous modifications of the invention are possible within the scope of the patent claims. For example, instead of the described energy flows and control links within the scope of the inventive concept, numerous other embodiments can be realized. In particular, the invention can also be used in connection with sanitary fittings having only a single water supply for cold, mixed or hot water or fittings that have more than two water supplies.

Bezugszeichenreference numeral

11
Sanitärarmaturplumbing fixture
22
Gehäusecasing
33
WarmwasserzuflussHot water supply
44
KaltwasserzuflussCold water supply
55
EnergieerzeugungseinrichtungEnergy generator
66
DurchflusssteuerungsmittelFlow control means
77
MischwasserleitungMixed water pipe
88th
Auslassoutlet
99
Detektionsmitteldetection means
1010
Steuerungseinrichtungcontrol device
1111
LangzeitspeichermittelLong-term storage means
1212
KurzzeitspeichermittelShort-term memory means
1313
LadungsüberwachungseinrichtungCharge monitoring device

Claims (10)

  1. Sanitary fitting (1) having at least one water inlet (3, 4) which for conducting a flow of water is fluidically connected to an outlet (7), wherein, furthermore, throughflow control means (6) and at least one energy generation device (5) are provided, through each of which a flow of water passes, as well as detection means (9) for detecting a requirement for water, wherein the energy generation device (5), the throughflow control means (6) and the detection means (9) are connected to an electronic control device (10), wherein the sanitary fitting (10) has electrical long-term storage means (11) and short-term storage means (12) for supplying energy to the control device (10), and wherein the electronic control device (10) is able to monitor a charge state of the short-term storage means (12),
    characterised in that
    in the event of a drop in the charge state, the electronic control device (10) is able to prevent the charge state from dropping below a preset charge limit value (Qmin) by selectively supplying energy from the energy generation device (5) or from the long-term storage means (11).
  2. Sanitary fitting (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it is able to interrupt the monitoring of the charge state by time intervals.
  3. Sanitary fitting (1) according to either one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a charge monitoring device (13) is provided for monitoring the short-term storage means (12) and optionally additionally the long-term storage means (11), which charge monitoring device is configured to transmit at least the charge state to the control device (10).
  4. Sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in addition to the charge state, it is also able to collect other information relating to the monitored storage means (11, 12) and to transmit that information to the control device (10).
  5. Sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (10) is able to obtain the required electrical energy directly from the short-term storage means (12).
  6. Sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (10) is able to obtain the required electrical energy indirectly or directly from the long-term storage means (11) as long as the charge state of the short-term storage means is below the charge limit value (Qmin).
  7. Sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the value of the charge limit value (Qmin) is between 40 % and 70 % of a maximum charge capacity of the short-term storage means (12).
  8. Method for supplying energy for a sanitary fitting (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, having an electrical long-term storage means (11) and an electrical short-term storage means (12), an electrical energy generation device (5) and a control device (10), comprising the following steps:
    a) monitoring a charge state of the short-term storage means (12);
    b) in the event of a drop in the charge state to a charge limit value (Qmin), selectively supplying energy to the short-term storage means (12) from the long-term storage means (11) or from the energy generation device (5) in order to retain charge.
  9. Method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the short-term storage means (12) is charged beyond the charge limit value (Qmin) only by means of energy from the energy generation device (5).
  10. Method according to either one of the preceding two claims, characterised in that the short-term storage means (12) is supplied preferentially with energy from the energy generation device (5).
EP14004250.8A 2013-12-17 2014-12-16 Sanitary fitting and method for supply of energy to such a fitting Active EP2886727B1 (en)

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DK2886727T3 (en) 2018-08-13
DE102014018590A1 (en) 2015-06-18
ES2681394T3 (en) 2018-09-12

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