WO2006072398A1

WO2006072398A1 - Sanitary fitting comprising an assembly of light-emitting elements

Info

Publication number: WO2006072398A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/013846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Horst Kunkel; Gunter Veigel
Original assignee: Hansa Metallwerke Ag
Priority date: 2005-01-05
Filing date: 2005-12-22
Publication date: 2006-07-13
Also published as: DE102005001307A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting containing a light source for the coloured illumination of the water that flows out of or into said fitting. According to the invention, the light source (16) contains a support (22), over which at least four light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a', 241b', 242a', 242b', 243a', 243b') without housings are distributed and configured as semiconductor components. At least two first light-emitting elements generate light of a first colour and at least two second light-emitting elements generate light of a second colour. Several light-emitting elements are preferably combined to form modules (24), which are distributed in the form of a matrix on the support (20). Diffractive optical elements (27) are located directly in front of each module to focus and mix the light that is generated by the light-emitting elements.

Description

Sanitary fitting with an arrangement of light-emitting elements

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting with an arrangement of light-emitting elements for illuminating water, which enters or exits from the sanitary fitting.

Such a sanitary fitting is known from DE 203 17 375 Ul. The sanitary fitting described therein has in the region of the water outlet or water inlet bulbs, which can be used to produce light in different colors. The color is adjusted depending on the water temperature. In one embodiment explained in more detail, the lighting means comprise three LEDs, each in its own housings, which are arranged directly between outlet openings of the sanitary fitting.

A disadvantage of this known sanitary fitting that the light generated by the three LEDs mixes only relatively bad, so that no homogeneous color effect. In addition, can be produced with the known arrangement of LEDs only relatively small luminance.

The object of the invention is to develop a sanitary fitting of the type mentioned in such a way that high luminance with good color mixing can be achieved.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a sanitary fitting of the type mentioned above in that the light source includes a carrier, are distributed over the at least four housing-less and formed as semiconductor devices light-emitting elements. At least two first light-emitting elements generate light of a first color and at least two second light-emitting elements of light of a second color.

Preferably, the light-emitting elements are combined to form assemblies which are arranged in a matrix-like manner on the carrier. Within each assembly, at least two light-emitting elements produce light of different colors.

Such light sources have recently become known in the art and described in US 2004/0222433 A1. For use in sanitary fittings, these light sources are very useful because they allow much higher luminance than is the case with an arrangement of several individual LEDs housed in housings.

However, the light generated by the light-emitting elements is emitted over a very large angular range, which is more likely when used in sanitary fittings is undesirable. This is probably also the reason why the novel light sources have not been considered for use in sanitary fittings.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, therefore, a collection optics is provided which comprises a plurality of collecting optical elements acting, wherein each module is assigned to exactly one collecting optically acting optical element. These collecting optical elements are preferably diffractive optical elements, since with refractive elements - even if the refractive surfaces are aspheric - it is relatively difficult to convert a large part of the strongly divergent light beam into a largely collimated light beam. With diffractive optical elements, however, diffraction coefficients for the zeroth order of diffraction of the order of magnitude of approximately 60% to 70% can be achieved, so that the amount of light lost due to lateral radiation remains tolerable. The diffractive optical elements can be embodied, for example, as computer-generated holograms (CGH) and fastened on the carrier or accommodated in a holder which is independent of the carrier.

Alternatively, but preferably in addition thereto, a converging lens may be provided, which bundles the light generated by the light-emitting elements together. On - A -

In this way, the light beams generated by the individual assemblies can be mixed with other light bundles, whereby a very homogeneous light effect is achieved.

To further increase the mixing, a

Scattering device may be provided which scatters the light generated by the light-emitting elements. The spreader may be a surface or volume diffuser. In the former case, the irregularly shaped surface can also be applied directly to the converging lens, if present.

Since the novel light source generate a considerable heat loss due to the high number of closely spaced light emitting elements, a heat sink may be provided, to which the carrier of the light-emitting element is thermally contacted and which is in direct contact with water flowing through the sanitary fitting ,

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show:

Figure 1 shows a discharge head of a sanitary fitting in a schematic axial section; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a light source and a harvesting optics, which is integrated into the outlet head shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of an assembly of light-emitting elements which is part of the light source;

FIG. 4 shows an assembly of light-emitting elements in a representation similar to FIG. 3 according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows, in a schematic axial section, a discharge head 10 of a sanitary fitting which can be permanently installed in the sanitary area or can also be part of a handpiece. The sanitary fitting may be z. B. to act a shower fitting, a washbasin faucet or a bathroom tap. The outlet head 10 has a housing 11 and a mixing water outlet 12 contained therein, which is connected in a conventional manner with a mixing tap not shown in the figure 1. The mixer tap is in turn connected to a hot water and a cold water inlet. The mixed water outlet 12 merges into an annular channel 14, which is provided with outlet openings 15 at the end.

In the space enclosed by the annular channel 14, a light source 16 and a collecting optics 18 are accommodated. The light source 16 is on a heat sink 20 ther- misch conductively attached, the circumference provided with cooling fins 25 and is installed in the outlet head 10, that the water flowing in the mixing water outlet 12 passes directly past the cooling fins 25. Since the heat sink 20 temperatures of approx. 70 ° can be ensured at the usual water temperatures in the sanitary area that there is a temperature gradient between the heat sink 20 and the vorbeifließenden water. Due to the large heat capacity of water, a small degree of temperature already suffices to achieve a good cooling effect.

Details of the light source 16 and the collection optics 18 are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 shows the light source 16 and the collecting optics 18 in a perspective view. The light source 16 contains a regular matrix-like arrangement of hexagonal assemblies 24, which are applied to a carrier 22 and the structure of which is shown enlarged in FIG. 3 in a top view. Each assembly 24 includes four light emitting elements 241, 242, 243, 244 that produce light of different colors. In the illustrated embodiment, element 241 produces red light, element 242 green light, element 243 blue light, and element 244 yellow light. In the figure 3, the _* colors of light by the letters R (red), G (green), B (blue) respectively are. Y (yellow) indicated. at The light-emitting elements 241 to 244 are LED semiconductor components which have separate contacts and can be individually driven in a way. By adding the color yellow to the three primary colors red, green and blue can be perceived as particularly pleasant colors, eg. B. Pastel colors like mint green or soft pink. The Auslauskopf 10 is therefore particularly well suited for use in the wellness and ^• Farbtherapiebereich.

The light-emitting elements 241 to 244 are each provided with a transparent cover 26, which may also be designed lens-like. The basic structure of the light source 16 is described in the already mentioned US 2004/0222433 Al, so that further explanations are unnecessary at this point.

Directly above the covers 26 of the light source 16 is a holder 28 with diffractive optical elements 27 embedded therein. The diffractive optical elements 27 are designed as Computer Generated Eo-grams (CGH) and have the effect of aspherical converging lenses. In this case, each diffractive optical element 27 is assigned to exactly one assembly 24 of the light source 16. The axes of symmetry of the diffractive optical elements 27 are aligned along the axes of symmetry of the respective associated assemblies 24. Since the light-emitting elements 241 to 244 are arranged offset to this common axis of symmetry, are the light beams generated by the light-emitting elements 241 to 244 are tilted by the diffractive optical elements 27 towards the common axis of symmetry. As a result, there is a thorough mixing of the individual colored light beams, which are generated by the light-emitting elements 241 to 244.

In addition to this mixture, the diffractive optical elements 27 also have the task of bundling the comparatively strongly diverging light beams generated by the individual light-emitting elements 241 to 244. In this way it is prevented that a greater part of the light generated by the light source 16 exits at an oblique angle from the outlet head 10 or even of the housing parts of the same is absorbed.

In the light propagation direction, the diffractive optical elements 27 are adjoined by a plano-convex converging lens 30, which carries scattering structures 32 on its plane side. The scattering structures can on the plan side of the converging lens 30 z. B. be generated by sands, etching or grinding. The converging lens 30 further bundles the light beams generated by the assemblies 24, as indicated in FIG. 1 for a light bundle 33 indicated by dots.

FIG. 4 shows, in an alternative exemplary embodiment, an assembly 24 'in which, for the generation of light of the colors red, yellow and blue, in each case pairs of light-emitting elements 241a ¹ , 241b '(red), 242a ¹ , 242b' (yellow) and 243a ', 243b' (blue), respectively.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, a cover plate 34 terminates the collecting optics 18 on the light exit side. The cover 34, which is removably attached to the housing 11 of the outlet head 10, carries on the outside a coating 35, which makes the addition of lime difficult. The cover 34 can be easily cleaned in this way by wet wiping.

The carrier 22 of the light source 16 is connected via a power electronics 36 to a controller 38 of the outlet head 10. The controller 38 has the task of individually controlling the assemblies 24 with the light-emitting elements 241 to 244. In addition, the controller 38 acts on a built-in mixing water outlet 12 solenoid valve 40, with which the leaving mixed water quantity can be adjusted.

Further, the controller 38 is connected to a temperature sensor 42 and a flow switch 44 which generates a switching signal when mixed water from the mixed water outlet 12 flows into the annular channel 14. Via a photodetector 46, the controller 38 can determine the brightness in a room in which the outlet head 10 is located. Via an operating unit 48, the function of the outlet head 10 can be controlled and optionally also programmed. For power supply, the controller 38 with a voltage source 50 connected, in which it is z. B. can act around the domestic AC mains or an accumulator. The controller 38, in which the power electronics 36 may be integrated, the photodetector 46 and the operating unit 48 may be arranged spatially remote from the remaining parts of the outlet head 10, which is indicated by a dashed line 52. Such a spatial separation is useful, for example, when the outlet head 10 forms a shower head together with a handpiece.

The discharge head 10 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 functions as follows:

If a user sets a desired water quantity and temperature on the operating unit 48, the solenoid valve 40 releases the corresponding quantity of water provided by the mixing tap, not shown, at the desired temperature. The mixed water, which flows in the direction indicated by arrows 54 flow direction the solenoid valve 40, actuates the flow switch 44. The controller 38 receives the information that now water from the outlet openings 15 of the outlet head 10 will emerge.

In a first mode of operation, which may be set on the operating unit 48, the controller 38 controls the assemblies 24 so that the light generated by the light emitting elements 241 to 244 contained therein has a color correlated with the water temperature. The actual water temperature is transmitted to the controller 38 of the temperature sensor 42. For example, the color may be selected to produce blue light in cold water, red light in hot water, and white light in lukewarm water. The light of the desired color is thereby generated by additive mixing of the light generated by the light emitting elements 241 to 244 light emitting elements.

With the aid of the photodetector 46, the controller 38 can determine how bright the ambient light is. The brighter the ambient light, the higher the intensity of the light generated by the assemblies 24 must be. Only then is it ensured that the light generated by the light source assembly 16 is perceptible to the user.

The assemblies 24 also generate light only when the flow switch 44 registers a water flow in the water outlet 12. In this way, it is prevented that light is generated before water exits the outlet openings 15, and this leads to disturbing glare phenomena for the user.

The mixed color bundle generated by the light source arrangement 16 is surrounded cylindrically by the emerging mixed water and thus illuminates the mixed water from the inside. In a second mode of operation, which may be set on the operating unit 48, the user may set a color independent of the water temperature for the light generated by the assemblies 24. The choice of this color can be made according to different aspects. The color can be set directly on the operating unit 48 via corresponding operating elements, for example. It is further contemplated that the color is stored in a transponder card which can cooperate with a transceiver head in the control unit 48. The stored on the transponder card color z. B. be freely chosen by the user or specified by a light therapist. Additionally or alternatively, a dependence of the color of the time of day, the season or the weather comes into consideration.

Claims

1. Sanitary fitting with a light source for the colored illumination of water, which comes from the sanitary fitting or enters this,

characterized,

in that the light source (16) contains a carrier (22) via which at least four light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ¹ , 241b ¹ , 242a ', 242b ¹ , 243a ¹ , 243b', which are formed as semiconductor components ), wherein at least two first light-emitting elements generate light of a first color and at least two second light-emitting elements generate light of a second color.

2. Sanitary fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-emitting elements to assemblies (24) are combined, which are arranged in a matrix on the carrier (20), wherein within each assembly (24) at least two light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244, 241a ', 241b', 242a ', 242b', 243a ', 243b') produce light of different colors (R, G, B, Y, R, G, B).

3. Sanitärarmattur according to claim 2, characterized in that in each assembly at least two light- emissive elements (24Ia ', 241b ^• , 242a', 242b ', 243a ¹ , 243b') produce light of the same color (R, G, B).

4. sanitary fitting according to claim 3, characterized in that j ede assembly (24) at least three light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ',

241b ', 242a', 242b ', 243a', 243b '), one of which generates red light, green light and blue light.

5. Sanitary fitting according to claim 4, characterized marked that red light by wavelengths of light between 625 nm and 650 nm, green light by wavelengths of light between 500 nm and 550 nm and blue light by wavelengths of light between 455 nm and 485 nm are set.

6. Sanitary fitting according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that in each assembly (24) at least one light-emitting element (244) is arranged, which generates yellow light.

7. Sanitary fitting according to claim 6, characterized marked, that yellow light is determined by light wavelengths between 570 nm and 590 nm.

8. Sanitary fitting according to one of ^' claims 2 to 7, characterized by a collecting optics (18) comprising a plurality of collecting optically acting optical elements (27), wherein Each assembly (24) is associated with exactly one collecting optical element (27).

9. Sanitary fitting according to claim 8, characterized in that the collecting acting optical elements diffractive optical elements (27).

10. Sanitary fitting according to claim 9, characterized in that the diffractive optical elements (27)

CGH elements are.

11. Sanitary fitting according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the collecting acting optical elements (27) are accommodated together in a holder independent of the carrier (28).

12. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a convergent lens (30) corresponding to that of the light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ¹ , 241b ', 242a ¹ , 242b', 243a ', 243b ") bundles generated light together.

13. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a scattering device (32) that of the light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ', 241b', 242a ', 242b', 243a ', 243b') generated light scatters.

14. Sanitary fitting according to claim 13, characterized in that the spreading device (32) has an irregularly shaped surface ^" .

15. Sanitary fitting according to claim 14 when referring back to claim 12, characterized in that the surface on the convergent lens (30) is applied.

16. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light generated by the light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ¹ , 241b ¹ , 242a ', 242b', 243a ', 243b') light guide free in the sanitary fitting spreads.

17. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control device (38) connected to the light-emitting elements for adjusting the light color.

18. Sanitary fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a heat sink (22) on which the support (20) of the light-emitting elements (241, 242, 243, 244; 241a ¹ , 241b ', 242a', 242b ', 243a' , 243b ¹ ) is thermally contacted and in direct contact with water flowing through the sanitary fitting.