WO2022207288A1

WO2022207288A1 - System, comprising a water installation and a module for operation

Info

Publication number: WO2022207288A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/056482
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabian HICKERT; Thilo Richard
Original assignee: Grohe Ag
Priority date: 2021-03-30
Filing date: 2022-03-14
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: DE102021108027A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1), comprising a water installation (2), a control component (3) for triggering a function of the water installation (2), and an operating module (4) for operating the control component (3), wherein the operating module (4) has the following components: - at least one key (5) to be pressed by a user; - a radio module (6) for transmitting information regarding the pressing of the at least one key (5) to the control component (3); - a power supply (7) for supplying the radio module (6) with electrical energy; and - a settable assignment module (8), by means of which the function of the water installation (2) can be assigned to the at least one key (5).

Description

System comprising a water installation and a module for operation

A system comprising a water installation and a module for operating the water installation is to be described here.

Water installations with special functions are known in principle. A special function of a water installation, which is to be dealt with here, is the function that a given amount of water for a user can be provided very easily and at short notice. A new operating concept is to be proposed for such a function.

Such a function is conceivable, for example, in SmartHome-enabled water installations, in which someone wants to receive a predefined amount of water (e.g. 500 milliliters) at a desired temperature and possibly carbonated for sport.

Such a water installation can optionally be operated via a user's mobile devices. This makes it possible to be able to offer a user very complex selections, according to which a user can adjust many conceivable parameters with a special interface. However, such an operating concept simply makes it difficult to carry out the desired function. In principle, it is very difficult to provide such an operating concept for a user in a convenient manner.

Proceeding from this, it is the object of the present invention to disclose a system comprising a water installation, the operation of which is particularly convenient for a user. These objects are achieved with a system according to the features of claim 1 and with a method for removing water from a water installation according to the features of claim 12. Further preferred exemplary embodiments are specified in the dependently formulated claims, with the invention relating to these exemplary embodiments is not restricted.

A system is described here comprising a water installation, a control component for triggering a function of the water installation and an operating module for operating the control component, the operating module having the following components: at least one button for actuation by a user, a radio module for transmitting information regarding the actuation the at least one button to the control component, and a power supply for supplying the radio module with electrical energy, an adjustable assignment module with which the function of the water installation is assigned to the at least one button.

The water installation is any water installation that can be installed, for example, in a residential building (a house or an apartment). This water installation is preferably set up to make water available to the user from a supply connection (e.g. a house connection). For this purpose, the water installation preferably has at least one tapping point (outlets) and preferably several tapping points (outlets). Various fittings are preferably provided for this, which are connected to lines of the water installation and form the outlet/tapping point. The water installation can have tapping points or outlets in a kitchen but also in a sanitary area, with the system described here being intended in particular to provide functions for the provision of water in a kitchen. A control component is preferably arranged in the water installation, with which the functions dealt with here can be carried out. Such a control component can be a module, for example, which is arranged in a kitchen in the water pipe in the direction of flow in front of an outlet or in front of a tap and which enables water to be made available automatically at the outlet. For this purpose, such a control component can in particular contain a controllable valve for providing water and various components for treating the water. Components for treating the water can be, for example, filters, components for introducing carbon dioxide into the water, heaters and/or coolers for heating and/or cooling the water provided as required, or similar components.

The main innovation of the system discussed here is the operating module, which is suitable for triggering the function of the water installation very conveniently by pressing a button. The operating module has a radio module with which the information regarding the actuation of the at least one button can be transmitted to the control component. The operating module also has a power supply with which the operating module and in particular the radio module of the operating module can be supplied with electrical energy for the wireless transmission of information regarding the actuation of the at least one button.

The function that can be triggered by pressing the button can be complex. i.e. that various parameters may be required to perform this function in a manner desired by the user. Such parameters can preferably be stored in advance with the adjustable assignment module. The adjustable assignment module is preferably set up for this purpose. The control component is then preferably set up to read out such parameters from a data memory or from the allocation module when the information about the actuation of the button (from the control component) is received and the function of the water installation is then to be triggered. With the adjustable mapping module, a user can fine tune the function that is performed when the button is pressed. In this way it is possible to simplify a very complex operation via a mobile terminal (for example via a smartphone or a tablet or a similar device) for a user considerably. The user can, for example, use the allocation module to precisely define in advance the amount of water he wants when he presses the button. Then the user only has to press the button on the operating module so that the desired amount of water is provided.

It is preferred if the at least one key is a mechanical key.

It is particularly preferred if the operating module has fewer than four buttons, preferably fewer than two buttons and very particularly preferably exactly one button.

The use of mechanical buttons as a button on the operating module and the limitation of the number of buttons to less than four, exactly four buttons or even just two buttons or possibly just one button makes it possible for the user to operate the operating module conveniently and is easy. In particular, it should be ensured that the user is not irritated by too many different functions of the operating module. A mechanical key is characterized in particular by the fact that it springs back mechanically when it is actuated by a user. Such a button gives the user mechanical/haptic feedback, which makes operation of the operating module particularly intuitive and easy.

It is particularly preferred if the power supply has a power storage device integrated into the operating module. In addition, the power supply is preferably self-sufficient and has at least no permanent connection to an external power supply arranged outside of the operating module.

The design of the control module with a power storage device (for example a battery or an accumulator or a capacitor) and without a permanent connection to an external power supply (without a connection to a power pack or a similar component) makes it possible to run the control module wirelessly. A user can easily position the operating module exactly where he wants to operate it. It has been found that only very small amounts of energy are required for the radio module. For this reason, the operating module can be operated with a power storage unit (e.g. with a battery) over a long period of time (up to several years).

It is also preferred if the radio module is set up to initially transmit the information relating to the actuation of the button wirelessly to a network receiving device, which is then set up to forward the information to the control component via a network.

The network receiving device is a WLAN router, for example. The operating module and the radio module of the operating module are preferably set up in such a way that it can be integrated into a WLAN network and is thus able to transmit information about the operation of the button to a network (preferably to an internal network, but also if necessary to the public Internet, but then particularly preferably in encrypted form).. It is particularly preferred if the network receiving device is a receiving device operated according to the Bluetooth Low Energy standard or a receiving device working according to one of the following communication standards: Zigbee, Zwave, thread.

It is also preferred if the adjustable assignment module is part of a server and is connected to the control component via a network. Such a server can be a management component of a smart home system, in which the system described here is also integrated. Such a server can also be located centrally in a computer center and can communicate with the control module or the control component of the water installation over the Internet via encrypted channels.

It is also preferred if the allocation module can be operated with a mobile terminal device in order to enable at least one function of the water installation to be allocated to the at least one button.

A mobile terminal can be used to provide a user interface to the mapping module. In particular, if the assignment module is integrated into a management component of another smart home system, it may be possible to use the mobile device to call up an interface provided by the assignment module, on which settings can be made and on which, if necessary, the existing operating module and the possible function of the water installation can be selected and assigned to each other. If necessary, parameters can also be stored in such an interface, with which the function of the water installation is to be carried out.

In this context, it is also preferred if the assignment module is part of a mobile terminal device and the control component has a data memory in which an assignment of at least one function of the water installation to the at least one button made with the assignment module is stored. In particular, the assignment module can be part of an app that is operated on a mobile terminal device. An assignment made with such an assignment module is then preferably stored in a data memory of the control component itself. Here, in particular, the information is stored as to which function of the water installation is assigned to which button of the operating module. The operating module and the control component can then preferably also be designed in such a way that direct (preferably wireless) communication takes place between the operating module and the control component. This can be done, for example, according to a communication protocol, with the operating module being set up to send data according to this protocol and the control component being set up to receive data according to the protocol. This can be a near-field communication protocol, for example.

It is also preferred if the function of the water installation is a provision procedure for providing water.

It is also preferred if the provision procedure has at least one adjustable parameter which can be adjusted with the assignment module, the at least one adjustable parameter comprising at least one of the following values:

amount of water provided,

temperature of the provided water,

Carbon dioxide concentration in the provided water,

degree of hardness of the water provided,

mixing ratios,

addition of additives.

The provision of water with a desired amount and optionally with a ge desired temperature, possibly also containing carbonic acid and optionally also with an adjustable degree of hardness, is a function that a user can often easily access want to stand. A conceivable application scenario is, for example, a user who wants to tap a (usual) amount of carbonated water for sport at the push of a button. The system described here with the operating module allows the user to do this in a very simple form without having to select what exactly he wants from the water installation in a complex menu on a mobile device.

If the adjustable parameter is a mixing ratio, this parameter can in particular be a mixing ratio between warmer water from a first line and cooler water from a second line. By adjusting the mixing ratio, the temperature can be brought to any temperature between the temperature of the warmer water and the temperature of the colder water.

The parameter can also specify a selection as well as an amount of additive to be added. An additive can, for example, be a flavoring. In embodiment variants, substances for detoxification etc. can also be added.

Also to be described here is a method for removing water from a water installation with a described system, comprising the following steps: a) positioning a water container for the water under an outlet of the water installation; b) pressing the button on the operating module to activate a provision procedure for supplying water and transmitting information regarding the actuation of the button with the radio module to the control component; c) determining an assignment of the button to the provision procedure for providing water with the assignment module; d) activating the control component to trigger the provision procedure for providing water. The method described here is carried out in particular with the water installation described here. The special exemplary embodiments and advantages described in connection with the water installation described here can be applied and transferred to the method described.

Fig. 1: a described system set up to carry out the method described.

1 shows the system 1 described with the water installation 2. The water installation 2 is, for example, a water installation 2 in a house or an apartment in a kitchen and/or in a sanitary facility. The water installation 2 is preferably connected to a supply connection 18 which is, for example, a house connection. Schematically shown here is an outlet 17 of the water installation 2, which can be used to fill a water container 16 (for example a drinking bottle) with water. The water installation 2 has a control component 3 with which the provision of water at the outlet 17 can be controlled. The control component 3 can have various subcomponents. Shown here as an example is a controllable valve 15 for controlling the supply of water and a water treatment component 14 which, for example, has a filter for filtering the water, a module for influencing the water (e.g. decalcification, heating or cooling) or a module for adding Carbonation to the water can be. The control component 3 is also connected to a network 10 via which the control component 3 can receive control commands.

The system 1 also has an operating module 4 with which it is possible to operate the water installation 2 or in particular to operate the control component 3 in the water installation 2 . The operating module 4 has a button 5 with which a user can trigger a function of the water installation 2 . The operating module 4 also has a radio module 6 with which the information about the actuation of the button by a user can be transmitted wirelessly (via radio). The operating module 4 also has a power supply 7 with which the operating module 4 is supplied with electrical energy, with the power supply 7 in particular electrical energy being provided for the wireless transmission of the actuation of the button 5 with the radio module 6 . For this purpose, the power supply 7 has in particular a power storage device 19 (e.g. a battery or an accumulator), which enables the operating module 5 to be operated independently of a permanent power supply (via a mains connection).

The radio module 6 of the operating module 4 preferably first sends the information regarding the actuation of the button 5 to a network receiving device 9, which can be a W-LAN router or a similar component, for example. The information about the actuation of the button 5 is then distributed further via a network 10 .

The information for actuating the button 5 can reach the control component 3 directly, which preferably has a control device 20 comprising a data memory 13 in which is stored which function of the water installation 2 is to be carried out. If necessary, the data memory 13 can also contain various parameters relating to the way the function is carried out. If the function is the provision of a quantity of water, this can be, for example, information regarding the quantity of water, the temperature of the water, the addition of carbonic acid or similar information.

The assignment of functions of the water installation 2 to the button 5 of the operating module 4 follows with an assignment module 8, which is preferably also connected to the network 10 and is set up to communicate with the operating module 4 and the control component 3. In design variants it is possible that the information about the assignment of the button 5 to the function of the water installation 2 is stored in the assignment module 8 and the control component 3 does not have its own data memory 13 or the assignment is not in a data memory 13 of the control component 3 is deposited. In embodiment variants it is also possible that in the system 1 a mobile terminal device 12 (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet of a user) can be used to set an assignment of buttons 5 of the operating module 4 to functions of the water installation 2 and in to deposit the assignment module 8 and/or a data memory 13 of the control component 3 of the water installation 2 .

1 shows the individual steps of the one described here

Reference List

1 systems

2 water installation S control component

4 operating module

5 button

6 radio module

7 power supply 8 mapping module

9 network receiving device

10 network

11 servers

12 mobile terminal 13 data storage

14 water treatment component

15 controllable valve

16 water containers

17 outlet 18 supply connection

19 power storage

20 controller

Claims

Expectations

1. System (1) comprising a water installation (2), a control component (S) for triggering a function of the water installation (2), and an operating module (4) for operating the control component (3), the operating module (4) following has components:

- at least one button (5) for actuation by a user,

- A radio module (6) for transmitting information regarding the actuation of at least one button (5) to the control component (3), and

- a power supply (7) for supplying the radio module (6) with electrical energy,

- An adjustable assignment module (8) with which the function of the water installation (2) is assigned to the at least one button (5).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one button (5) is a mechanical button.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating module (4) has less than four buttons (5), preferably two buttons (5) and very particularly preferably exactly one button (5).

4. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the power supply (7) comprises a battery.

5. System (1) according to claim 4, wherein the power supply (7) is self-sufficient and has at least no permanent connection to an external power supply arranged outside of the operating module (4).

6. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radio module (6) is intended to transmit the information relating to the actuation of the button (5) initially wirelessly to a network receiving device (9), which is then set up to transmit the information to transmit via a network (10) to the control component (S).

7. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustable assignment module (8) is part of a server (11) and is connected to the control component (3) via a network (10).

8. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the assignment module (8) can be operated with a mobile terminal (12) in order to assign at least one function of the water installation (2) to the at least one button (5). enable.

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assignment module (8) is part of a mobile terminal (12) and the control component (3) has a data memory (13) in which an assignment with the assignment module (8) has been assigned is stored by at least one function of the water installation (2) for the at least one button (5).

10. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the function of the water installation (2) is a provision procedure for providing water.

11. System (1) according to claim 8, wherein the provision procedure has at least one adjustable parameter which can be set with the assignment module (8), wherein the at least one adjustable parameter comprises at least one of the following values:

- amount of water provided,

- temperature of the provided water,

- Carbon dioxide concentration in the provided water, - degree of hardness of the provided water,

- Mixing ratios, or

- Addition of additives.

12. Method for removing water from a water installation (2) with a system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: a) positioning a water container (16) for the water under an outlet (17) of the water installation ( 2); b) pressing the button (5) on the operating module (4) to activate a provision procedure for providing water and transmitting information regarding the actuation of the button (5) with the radio module (6) to the control component (3); c) determining an assignment of the button (5) to the provision procedure for providing water with the assignment module (8); d) activating the control component (3) to trigger the provision procedure for providing water.