EP0468291A1 - Switching device for installation in waterproof ambient, especially in bath-tubs or whirlpools etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a switching device on installations in damp spaces, in particular on bath tubs or whirlpools. Provided on the side of a separating wall (2) facing away from the damp space are magnetically operable switching elements (7), in particular reed contacts, which are operated through the separating wall (2) from the other side by a permanent magnet (4). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a switching device on devices in damp rooms, in particular bathtubs or whirlpool tubs, etc., with an actuating field which is flat on the wet room side (outside) of a partition of the device for optionally actuating at least one switching element arranged below it.

As devices for switching and controlling electrical devices in connection with whirlpool baths, e.g. Water pumps, blower motors, underwater spotlights, solenoid valves, heating, etc., corresponding switching devices are either arranged at a suitable safety distance from such tubs, or they are designed as sensor key fields, pneumatic switches or infrared remote controls and control low-voltage circuits to ensure electrical safety. From DE-OS 35 01 472 z. B. known to attach a control panel on the wall of a bath or the like.

However, if such switching devices are arranged in the vicinity of such bathtubs or whirlpool tubs, they are frequently exposed to splashing water or, in connection with the regular cleaning of such tubs, the possibly aggressive cleaning agents or general soiling, so that the function is no longer guaranteed after a certain time . In addition, the installation of such control panels requires recesses or bores on the tub body, so that there are corresponding sealing problems.

From DE-OS 28 04 952 it is already known to form switches for the actuation of switches housed in a gas-tight housing from the outside as magnetically influenceable switches, in particular reed contacts, and to actuate these reed contacts by means of a magnet attached to the end of a threaded screw, the Threaded screw can be screwed into a blind hole in the housing wall. Depending on whether such a threaded screw is screwed in with magnets or not, the corresponding reed contact is actuated inside or not.

A computer keyboard is already known from DE-AS 21 41 190, which is equipped with a reed contact at each input position. These reed contacts are covered by a cover wall in which recesses are provided. A manually operated permanent magnet can optionally be inserted into these recesses, so that the associated reed contact is actuated in such a case.

Finally, it is also well known, see e.g. DE-OS 25 46 047 to equip input keyboards with reed contacts, a permanent magnet being attached to each key shaft, which can be brought into the effective range of the assigned reed contact by depressing the key.

All these known switching devices with reed contacts have corresponding cutouts or bores in the operating surface, so that the reed contacts arranged below can be actuated from the outside. It is therefore not possible to use this to represent a flat actuation field in the form of a switching device on devices in damp rooms, in particular bathtubs or whirlpool tubs, etc.

The present invention has for its object to propose a switching device on facilities in wet rooms, which on the one hand enables a flat actuation field and on the other hand works properly and safely in the special environmental conditions without the need for special openings or bores and thus appropriate sealing measures.

This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention in a switching device of the type mentioned in the introduction in that at least one magnetically actuatable switching element is arranged on the side of the partition facing away from the damp room and the partition made of magnetically permeable material, e.g. Plastic, there is that the actuation of the switching elements by approaching or attaching a permanent magnet to an actuating area of the switching element to be actuated on the wet room side (outside), and that the actuating areas of the individual switching elements are marked directly on the surface of the partition by corresponding actuation fields.

Such a solution has the essential advantage that the partition on which the operating field is to be formed not only does not have to be damaged or machined, but that the surface can be made completely smooth, which is of great value in damp rooms, in particular bath rooms. By using a loose permanent magnet as an actuator, a so-called key function can also be assigned to it, i.e. it can only be used if the relevant person is authorized to do so, i.e. is in possession of such a key.

The magnetically actuated switching elements are preferably reed contacts, which are arranged parallel to the partition on the inside. However, it is also possible to use other suitable electronic components that can be controlled by a magnetic field, for example Hall elements. Since the magnetically actuated switching elements only have to control low control currents, their service life is practically unlimited, so that the parts attached to the inside of the partition wall the switching device no longer need to be accessible after installation of such a partition, in particular a bath tub or whirlpool tub.

The actuation fields marked on the surface of the partition are preferably applied by screen printing or a glued-on film. This results in a practically completely smooth surface, which facilitates the cleaning of the partition of the device. The marked actuation fields and the magnetically actuated switching elements arranged underneath on the inside are spaced apart from one another to such an extent that unambiguous optional actuation is possible without mutual interference. As a result, it is also not necessary for the permanent magnet to be placed or approached precisely.

The permanent magnet for actuating the switching elements is - seen in the actuating position - polarized perpendicular to the surface of the partition. In the case of using reed contacts as switching elements, for the precise definition of the actuation area of the reed contacts, a part is covered by a shielding plate made of magnetically conductive material arranged between the reed contacts and the partition, and only the remaining actuation area is marked by a corresponding actuation field. This makes sense because the actuation range of a reed contact in connection with a perpendicularly polarized permanent magnet is approximately in the shape of an eight and when placed in the middle of the eight, the reed contact has an indifferent switching behavior. However, it is also possible to attach the actuation fields belonging to each reed contact only in the area of one half of the eight-shaped actuation area, the limit not reaching into the middle area. The shielding plate covers about half of the reed contacts in the axial direction.

The partition of the switching device is preferably formed by the wall of a bath tub or whirlpool tub, in particular by the upper flange wall of the tub. In such a case, it is easily possible to provide a storage area for storing the permanent magnet on the outside of the dividing wall outside the actuation fields and to arrange an iron sheet on the inside of the dividing wall below the storage area so that the permanent magnet can adhere to the storage area by magnetic force .

The permanent magnet is preferably hermetically encapsulated, preferably encapsulated in plastic. This ensures that the permanent magnet does not suffer in the humid ambient conditions or in the bath water and can be easily cleaned if necessary. In order to improve the ease of use, in particular with regard to operating uncertainties and to enable the actuated devices to be displayed, the partition wall is preferably made of transparent or translucent material, and below (and in the area of the actuation fields) there are lights (for example lamps or LEDs) on the inside for acknowledgment the actuation of the associated switching elements arranged. These lights are easily visible even without holes or openings.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• Fig. 1 einen senkrechten Schnitt in schematischer Darstellung durch eine Bade-oder Whirlpoolwanne mit der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltvorrichtung;
• Fig. 2 einen Ausschnitt aus dem Wannenrand der Wanne nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 eine Draufsicht auf einen zur Betätigung vorgesehenen Dauermagneten;
• Fig. 4 einen senkrechten Schnitt durch den Dauermagneten nach Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 eine schematische Ansicht der Funktion der erfindungsgemäßen Schaltvorrichtung;
• Fig. 6 eine Zeichnung zur Erläuterung des Betätigungsbereiches eines Reedkontaktes;
• Fig. 7 eine ähnliche Ansicht wie in Fig. 6, jedoch mit einem Abschirmblech zur Einschränkung des Betätigungsbereiches;
• Fig. 8 eine schematische Ansicht zur Erläuterung des eingegrenzten Betätigungsbereiches entsprechend Fig. 7; und
• Fig. 9 eine schematische Darstellung von nebeneinander angeordneten Betätigungsfeldern unter Verwendung eines gemeinsamen Bleches zum Einschränken der Betätigungsbereiche.

Show it:

• Figure 1 is a vertical section in a schematic representation through a bath or whirlpool tub with the switching device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows a detail from the tub edge of the tub according to FIG. 1;
• 3 shows a plan view of a permanent magnet provided for actuation;
• 4 shows a vertical section through the permanent magnet according to FIG. 3;
• 5 shows a schematic view of the function of the switching device according to the invention;
• 6 is a drawing to explain the actuation range of a reed contact;
• FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, but with a shield plate to restrict the operating range;
• FIG. 8 is a schematic view for explaining the limited actuation area corresponding to FIG. 7; and
• 9 shows a schematic illustration of actuation fields arranged next to one another using a common sheet metal to restrict the actuation areas.

In Fig. 1, a device for wet rooms is shown schematically, in particular a bath or whirlpool tub 1 in a vertical section. A switching device 3, which can be actuated by a permanent magnet 4, is provided below the tub rim. The wall of the tub 1 is generally referred to as a partition 2 and includes the tub rim. For a clear differentiation, the wet room side of the tub 1 is designated as the outside 2a and the side opposite on the partition 2 as the inside 2b. The switching device 3 is thus arranged on the inside 2b, while the actuation takes place from the outside 2a by means of the permanent magnet 4.

FIG. 2 shows a section of the tub rim according to FIG. 1. It can be seen that several actuation fields 6 are indicated on the surface 5, below which magnetically actuable switching elements 7 in the form of reed contacts are arranged. By placing the permanent magnet 4 on one of the actuation fields 6, the associated reed contact 7 is actuated.

In addition to the actuation fields 6, a storage area 16 is also provided in order to place the permanent magnet 4 thereon when not in use. Underneath this storage area 16, an iron sheet 12 is fastened on the inside 2b, so that the permanent magnet is held magnetically in the area of the storage area 16.

Fig. 5 shows how the permanent magnet 4 from the outside 2a through the partition 2 through the reed contact 7 arranged on the inside 2b can be magnetically influenced and thus actuated. Of course, this requires that the partition wall be made of magnetically permeable material, e.g. Plastic, especially acrylic glass. It can also be seen that the permanent magnet 4 is polarized in the direction perpendicular to the surface 5 of the partition 2.

Fig. 6 shows the actuation areas in which the reed contact 7 can be actuated by approaching or fitting the permanent magnet 4. The hatched areas form the shape of an eight, which means that no actuation is possible in the central area of the reed contact 7. It is therefore necessary that the permanent magnet 4 is placed in the area of the hatched actuation areas 8 and 8a for actuating the reed contact 7. In order not to irritate the operators of the switching device, with such an eight-shaped shape of the actuation area 8, 8a it makes sense to only use one half, e.g. 8, to be marked by actuation fields 6 on the surface 5 of the partition 2 so that the operator does not erroneously place the permanent magnet 4 in the middle area and thus does not trigger a safe switching function. 2, the actuation areas 8a not marked with actuation fields 6 are indicated by dashed lines.

A preferred solution to the problem described above, however, is that one half of the actuation areas 8, 8a is covered by a magnetically conductive shielding plate 9, see FIGS. 7 and 8. This results in an approximately circular effective actuation area 8, within which the permanent magnet 4 can be easily positioned for actuation. FIG. 8 also shows that the permanent magnet 4 can be positioned between the extended position and the dashed position without the switching reliability suffering as a result. This maximum range is indicated by the reference symbol 13 and the width and length of the actuation fields 6 (see FIGS. 2 and 9) are determined by this distance 13.

FIG. 8 also schematically indicates a lamp 10 assigned to each switching element 7, which, controlled by the switching device, supplies an acknowledgment signal for the actuation of the assigned contact 7. This light can either be an incandescent lamp or a light emitting diode.

9 shows a preferred embodiment with three reed contacts 7 and correspondingly three actuation fields 6. One half of the actuation areas is covered by a shielding plate 9 common to all switching elements, so that only half of the axis-shaped actuation areas 8, 8a (see FIGS. 6 and 7 ) is effective.

Practical testing has shown that the width of the actuation area 13 (see FIG. 8) with a material thickness of the partition wall 2 of 8 mm is approximately 20 mm, so that an uncritical actuation of the switching elements by the permanent magnet 4 is possible. The reed contacts 7 preferably control a debouncing circuit in the switching device in order not to trigger any incorrect switching operations through contact bruises. The switching device preferably operates in such a way that the switching state of the controlled electrical devices is changed with each actuation, i.e. the position triggered by the responsive switching element is stored.

3 and 4 it is shown that the permanent magnet 4 is encapsulated, which is done by extrusion coating with plastic 11. In this way it is prevented that the moist environmental conditions attack the material of the permanent magnet 4 or let it oxidize.

Claims (11)

1. switching device on devices in damp rooms, in particular baths or whirlpool tubs, etc., with an actuating field which is flat on the damp room side (outside) of a partition of the device for optionally actuating at least one switching element arranged underneath, characterized in that at least one magnetically actuatable switching element (7) is arranged on the side (inner side) (2b) of the partition (2) facing away from the damp room and the partition (2) consists of magnetically permeable material, for example plastic, that the actuation of the switching elements (7) by approaching or placing a permanent magnet (4) on an actuation area (8) of the switching element (7) to be actuated takes place on the moisture-proof side (outside), and that the actuation areas (8) of the individual switching elements (7) are marked directly on the surface (5) of the partition (2) by corresponding actuation fields (6). 2. Switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnetically actuated switching elements (7) parallel to the partition (2) are reed contacts. 3. Switching device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the permanent magnet (4), seen in the actuating position, is polarized perpendicular to the surface (5) of the partition (2). 4. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the actuation fields (6) on the surface (5) of the partition (2) are marked by screen printing or a glued-on film. 5. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the marked actuation fields (6) and the magnetically actuable switching elements (7) arranged underneath on the inside are so far apart from one another that an unambiguous optional actuation is possible without mutual interference. 6. Switching device according to claims 2 and 3,
characterized in that a part (8a) of the actuation area (8, 8a) of the reed contacts (7) is covered by a shielding plate (9) made of magnetically conductive material and arranged between the reed contacts (7) and the partition (2), and that only the remaining actuation area (8) is marked by a corresponding actuation field (6). 7. Switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that the shielding plate (9) covers approximately half of the reed contacts (7) in the axial direction. 8. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the partition (2) is formed by the wall of a bath tub or whirlpool tub (1), in particular by the upper flange edge of the tub. 9. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that on the outside (2a) of the partition (2) outside the actuation fields (6) there is a storage field (16) for storing the permanent magnet (4), and in that on the inside (2b) of the partition (2) Iron sheet (12) is arranged below this storage field (16). 10. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the permanent magnet (4) is hermetically encapsulated, preferably encapsulated by plastic (11). 11. Switching device according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the partition (2) consists of transparent or translucent material and that below and in the area of the actuation fields (6) on the inside (2b) lights (10) are arranged to acknowledge the actuation of the associated switching elements (7).

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