DE102009028759A1 - Shower device i.e. shower cubicle, for use in shower room, has switching device e.g. touch switch, for switching functioning device, and auxiliary device formed as operating device for functioning device when switching device is actuated - Google Patents

Abstract

The shower device (11) has an outlet (13) arranged at a shower tray (12), and an electric auxiliary device arranged at the outlet. A switching device e.g. touch switch and mechanical switch, switches a functioning device e.g. wall light (21) and spray functioning device (19). The auxiliary device is formed as a ring-like or cover-like operating device for the functioning device when the switching device is actuated. The switching device is arranged at an upper area of the auxiliary device under a cover (48), and the auxiliary device has an illuminant e.g. LED.

Description

The The invention relates to a shower device such as a Shower cubicle, wherein the shower facility has a drain, in particular arranged on a shower tray of the shower device or is provided. Furthermore, the shower facility has a electrical accessory on.

shower facilities with said electrical accessories are known, wherein the additional devices are for example a lighting. So For example, an operator using the shower device can use the shower device illuminate. There are also changing lighting known, so-called Light showers. After all It is still known in shower facilities as a so-called steam shower Steam generators to provide in the shower cubicle an atmosphere similar to a steam room to create.

Task and solution

Of the Invention is based on the object, an aforementioned shower device to create, which has extended functions, in particular how the said electrical auxiliary device switched on or operated can be.

Is solved This object is achieved by a shower device with the characteristics of Claim 1. Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the further claims and will become hereafter explained in more detail. Of the Wording of the claims is by express Reference made to the content of the description.

According to the invention, it is provided that another electrical accessory, possibly even the only electrical attachment arranged on the drain is. It has a switching device to a functional device the shower device to switch, this functional device is electrically switched and advantageously one of the examples aforementioned devices such as light or steam generator is. Thereby the switching device is at a well-accessible for switching Job provided. Furthermore, this can be a switching with a Foot to be made which may be Although unusual at first is. However, it has surprisingly been found in the context of the invention that when showering such as when washing hair an operator usually keeps his eyes closed and then another switch arranged in the shower only consuming to search or feel. A purposeful operation with against the foot is much easier to perform, especially because a drain advantageous also in the middle the shower device can be arranged and easier with the foot can be found. In addition, no matter in which direction an operator turned in the shower is, such a drain with switching device always the same easy to reach.

In Embodiment of the invention, the electrical accessory be designed as an operating device at the outflow and by means of Switching device to control a function of the shower device or switch, such as light, a named steam generator or an effervescent device. Furthermore, by pressing the Switching a time measuring device can be started, for example to either for for a period of time, such as a minute, an overhead shower or the like. to activate. Likewise, a light in the shower facility for some Take minutes and then shut down by the time measuring device be, so as a kind of timing for a shower process. A Such control device in ring shape or lid shape at the drain has the advantage that it is easy to reach from above to operate the Switching device. The operating device can, for example, via the Survive shower tray and so good with your foot well be felt. Furthermore, a switching device in the be provided at the top of the control device, for example under a cover in the manner of said cover. such Cover-like covers are also known from the prior art and can so easily be provided with the switching device. The operating device can in a further embodiment of the invention as a plug for the drain be formed, so movable or changeable.

When Switching device can according to a first embodiment of the invention, a touch switch be provided so by light touch or even tap. It may even be provided here be that flowing past the drain water switching triggers and thus automatically when operating a shower function unit, for example the light is on or changing or the like. As a touch switch basically any Touch switch used be advantageous, either those, the manner of a reflection photoelectric work or as a capacitive touch switch. Such a capacitive touch switch has a capacitive sensor element, which at or below the cover-like cover can be arranged. It can be a touch-sensitive area on the cover, which occupies either a partial area or the essential or entire surface.

Alternatively to a touch switch can a mechanical switch may be provided with a switching path. This can either be a normal contact switch, which is triggered by pressure against or on a possibly slightly upwardly projecting cover of the drain. Alternatively, such a switch may have a piezo element for switching, in which case the mechanical switching path is very small, as is customary with piezo elements. Such a switch with piezoelectric element has further advantages, which will be discussed in more detail below.

A designed as an operating device at the outlet additional device can be a signal connection to any other electrical accessory have the shower to control these This signal connection may be wired, but is advantageous she wirelessly. For this purpose, the operating device in an embodiment of Invention have a transmitter to transmit signals to a receiver of Shower facility to send. For this purpose, the shower facility a with the said receiver connected control to light, an effervescent device or other ancillary equipment as aforesaid to control. The operating device at the drain thus forms a Type remote control.

In a simple embodiment of the invention, this signal-transmitting Connection be designed as a radio connection. This is an energy supply necessary, either by built-in batteries or accumulators can be formed. Alternatively, a power supply may be the switching device has an aforementioned piezoelectric element and by its operation so much electrical energy is generated that a suitable transmitter a short signal to a receiver the shower device sends for switching. A shutdown can then either timed or by another short pulse.

alternative to a signal transmission by radio, a signal transmission be provided with transponder technology. For this purpose, the operating device a transponder, which can be influenced by the switching device is, in particular with regard to one of its electrical properties. At the shower facility is a transmitting station for the transponder to the Control and evaluation provided, which with a controller connected, which controls the auxiliary device to the shower. The transponder on the operating device can also by means of a capacitive touch switch be influenced, for example, by touch by an operator a capacity is changed in a resonant circuit of the transponder and he thus a has different response. This can be the sending station the shower device detect as operation and thus a switching operation trigger.

In Another embodiment of the invention can be provided that the additional device itself has lighting means. Advantageous LEDs are used as bulbs because they have a long life, low heat development and, above all, have low energy consumption. That's how her Energy supply via Batteries or a rechargeable battery used. In a Particularly simple embodiment of the invention is the operating device trained only with their switching device their own bulbs turn.

The Illuminants on the operating device can in a development be provided above the drain or about on the invention Height of Bottom of the shower tray. So can they emit light both up and to the side. Advantageous they are covered by a plate-like cover as protection and installation facing.

In Another development of the invention, the bulbs in the drain be arranged below the floor of the shower tray, so sunk. there especially when a sunk arranged control device a luminous effect can be achieved, in particular as indirect lighting.

One casing the additional device or operating device can advantageously at least partly made of transparent or translucent material. This Material can be irradiated by the aforementioned light source or the LED in order to produce an either point-like or flat luminous effect. Thus, for example, an entire cover of the operating device or of the drain light up. Alternatively or additionally, light may come from the drain be blasted out, in particular to the side under a closed cover-like cover.

As previously mentioned, can for the power supply of a transmitter and / or said bulbs Batteries or accumulators provided in the attachment be advantageous in a housing area sunk into the drain because there usually more room for Available. Several batteries can while in long training stand vertically and distributed around a central axis of the drain around be. They are arranged in a watertight battery holder. Such a battery holder may have a removable lid, advantageous with screw connection and seal. Such is a change of batteries easy and advantageous to perform.

These and other features go out the claims also from the description and the drawings, wherein the individual features each for alone or in the form of subcombinations an embodiment of the Invention and other fields be realized and advantageous also for protectable versions can represent for the protection is claimed here. The subdivision of the application into individual Sections and intermediate headings restrict the not in its generality among these statements.

Brief description of the drawings

embodiments The invention are shown schematically in the drawings and will be closer in the following explained. In the drawings show:

1 An oblique view of a shower device according to the invention with different light sources and an operating device on a drain,

2 an oblique view of the internal structure of the control device at the drain and

3 a side sectional view of the operating device 2 ,

Detailed description the embodiments

In 1 is an oblique view of a shower device according to the invention 11 presented in a bathroom. She has a shower tray 12 of the usual kind, on the left a fixed wall 14 made of glass. To the right front to the shower facility 11 a hinged door 15 also made of glass, which with swivel joints 16 attached to a wall of the bathroom. The hinged door 15 has a handle in the usual place 26 on to open and close the door 15 ,

Inside the shower facility 11 are in the usual way a control armature 18 as well as an overhead shower 19 shown. Other shower function units such as side showers or a hand shower with hose can of course be provided and are easy to realize for the expert. In the back corner is a standard steam generator 25 provided, as he is known by steam showers.

Furthermore, on the left rear wall above the shower facility 11 but belonging to it, a wall lamp 21 mounted with an associated receiver 22 , whose function is discussed in more detail. In the area of the connection of the solid wall 14 behind the wall is a light bar 24 provided over a greater length, which also has a receiver, not shown. Also on their function will be discussed in more detail below.

At the drain 13 or in the drain opening 28 is an operating device 30 used or mounted with a lid 48 , A light effect is indicated.

In 2 can be seen in the cut-open oblique representation, as the operating device 30 is trained. It consists of a basic body 52 In essence, as well as from the side sectional views in 3 and 4 can be seen, is disc-shaped with ribs 33 at its bottom. He can on the shower tray 12 or the drain opening 28 rest and at the same time allow the outflow of water.

On the main body 52 is a round, slightly curved lid 48 intended. He is opposite the main body 52 sealed with a circumferential seal, not shown, and connected thereto by means of a connection, also not shown. This can be a detachable connection such as screw or locking connection.

In the middle area, the base body 52 a flat battery holder 50 with a circumferential edge 51 on for three batteries 38 which are arranged horizontally. After the body goes 52 with a cylindrical extension 55 Next, put in a sleeve 54 is screwed. This sleeve is located under the drain opening 28 as is known in the art. By the curvature of the lid 48 an interior is created to accommodate components. This interior is then with the lid on 48 sealed.

In the interior under the lid 48 is a carrier 49 shown in the battery holder 50 sits and three LEDs 41 as a lighting means. Furthermore, the carrier has 49 a controller, not shown 43 including possibly contained, not shown, radio transmitter. The carrier 49 is with the batteries 38 connected via electrical connections, not shown.

A switching device 45 is below the link 37 provided, either as a mechanical switch with switching contacts or as a prescribed switch with piezoelectric element. This switching device 45 can the LED 41 either switch on directly or via the control after pressing and switch off again after pressing it again. In a further embodiment, timing elements are included in the controller for automatic shutdown after a certain time at For example, after 5 or 10 minutes.

In yet another embodiment may be on the batteries 38 be omitted and the switching device 45 has an aforementioned piezoelectric element, which generates sufficient electrical energy by exerting pressure on it, so that the controller along with the radio transmitter a short signal to the receiver 22 on the wall lamp 21 in the shower facility 11 or can send another recipient.

As an alternative to such mechanically operated switches, the switching device 45 be an aforementioned touch switch, in particular a capacitive touch switch or with a reflection photoelectric switch. In a capacitive touch switch is at least a portion of the lid 48 , which is electrically connected to the touch switch or the switching device, electrically conductive, for example as a metallic surface or coating on the underside of the lid 48 , This surface then forms the sensor element required for a capacitive touch switch. A touch switch with a reflection light barrier can radiate upward through a central opening and receive light reflected from, for example, a foot of an operator, and evaluate it as an operator.

So that the lighting effect of the LED 41 , as in 1 is also recognizable or effective, there are several possibilities. On the one hand, the entire lid 48 be made of translucent material. Furthermore, it can have translucent inserts as a kind of illuminated window. In a further embodiment of the invention, the lid 48 or possibly also the basic body 52 to the side of translucent material or have such areas, so that a luminous effect is less upwards, but rather generated to the side.

As has been described above, so can with the switching device 45 either the light of the LED 41 at the operating device 30 even turned on and off. In a further embodiment of the invention, for example, at the same time, one of the functional units of the shower device 11 like the wall lamp 21 or the light bar 24 to be controlled. Likewise, the steam generator 25 be switched on or off. Finally, for example, the overhead shower 19 also be switched on or off via an electronic valve including the corresponding receiver.

It is based on the 2 to 4 easy to recognize, as in the modification of training also one or two batteries 38 vertically, so standing down, could be arranged, that is substantially below the shower tray 12 , could lie and above then in any case sufficient space for LED 41 including control and radio transmitter would be. Then the operating device builds 30 with the main body 52 and the cylindrical extension 55 Although deeper, but space would be available. Indicates the switching device 45 a piezoelectric element referred to for generating the energy for the control including radio transmitter and no LED are provided, can be completely dispensed with batteries or other energy storage.

Claims (13)

Shower facility such as shower cubicle ( 11 ) with a drain ( 13 ) from the shower device, in particular on a shower tray ( 12 ) of the shower device is arranged, with at least one electrical auxiliary device ( 30 ), characterized in that an electrical auxiliary device ( 30 ) at the outflow ( 13 ) is arranged and a switching device ( 45 ) for switching a functional device ( 21 . 19 ) of the shower facility. Shower device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical auxiliary device as a ring or cover-like operating device ( 30 ) is designed for a function such as light ( 21 ), Effervescent function device ( 19 ) or time measuring device of the shower device ( 11 ) by actuation of the switching device ( 45 ), Shower device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical auxiliary device as a control device ( 30 ) over the shower tray ( 12 ) and / or the switching device ( 45 ) is arranged at the upper region of the additional device, in particular under a cover-like cover ( 48 ), Shower device according to claim 3, characterized in that the switching device is a touch switch, wherein preferably a capacitive sensor element of the capacitive operating touch switch under the cover-like cover ( 48 ) is arranged. Shower device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the switching device is a mechanical switch ( 45 ) with switching path, wherein preferably the switch has a piezoelectric element for generating energy for a transmitter of the operating device ( 30 ), Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical auxiliary device as a control device ( 30 ) a transmitter for signals to a receiver ( 22 ) of the shower facility ( 11 ), wherein the shower device one with the receiver ( 22 ) has associated control for controlling light ( 21 ) or an effervescent device ( 30 ) of the shower facility ( 11 ), Shower device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmitter for transmitting the signals to the receiver ( 22 ) of the shower facility ( 11 ) is formed by radio. Shower device according to claim 6, characterized in that the operating device ( 30 ) or whose transmission has a signal transmission with transponder technology, the control device preferably having a transponder, which is in particular connected by a switching device ( 45 ) can be influenced, wherein a transmitting station for the transponder on the shower device ( 11 ) or on a control of the light ( 21 ) or the shower function device ( 19 ) of the shower device is formed. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical auxiliary device ( 30 ) owns lighting means, preferably LED ( 41 ) are provided as lighting. Shower device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lighting means ( 41 ) above the drain or approximately at the level of the floor of the shower tray ( 12 ) are arranged, wherein preferably the bulbs with a plate-like cover ( 48 ). are covered, in particular for light emission substantially to the side. Shower device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lighting means ( 41 ) in the drain below the floor of the shower tray ( 12 ) are arranged such that the light from the drain ( 13 ) emits as indirect lighting. Shower device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a housing ( 50 . 51 . 52 ) of the electrical accessory ( 30 ) at the outflow ( 13 ) consists at least partially of transparent or translucent material for generating an illumination effect such that the lighting means ( 41 ) through the transparent or translucent material. Shower device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical auxiliary device ( 30 ) at least one battery ( 38 ) or a rechargeable accumulator, which in a battery receptacle ( 50 ) in the outflow ( 13 Preferably, a plurality of batteries are distributed around a central axis of the drain around and lie as an elongated battery, in particular upwardly a cover-like cover ( 48 ) with one on the battery holder ( 50 ) associated lid is provided.

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