EP1075815A2 - Sanitary element, particularly bath or whirlpool tub - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary element, in particular a bathtub or whirlpool tub, contains a cover layer or inner shell (2), on the rear side (6) of which a reinforcement layer (4) is provided. The sanitary element should be designed so that lighting is made possible in a simple manner. For this purpose, it is proposed that lighting elements (8) are arranged between the cover layer or inner shell (2) and the reinforcement layer (4) and that the cover layer or inner shell (2) is at least partially translucent and / or translucent. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary element, in particular a bath or Whirlpool tub according to the specified in the preamble of claim 1 Characteristics.

Such a sanitary element is from the German utility model DE 295 09 991 U1 known, which is trough-shaped and for example as a bathtub, Shower tray or the like is used. The sanitary element contains a top layer or inner shell made of sanitary acrylic, which consists of a foil or circuit board is regularly produced by deep drawing and usually has a wall thickness between 2 to 5 mm. The top layer or inner shell, which absorbs the water, is provided in the desired color. On the outside of the inner shell is a reinforcing layer or filler material, for example made of foamed polyurethane arranged, which is usually a wall thickness on the order of 10 mm. Spraying the reinforcing layer of foam-forming material, such as polyurethane in particular, has proven particularly useful recently proven because with a comparatively low manufacturing effort a stable and permanently durable composite body can be produced.

Furthermore, for illuminating sanitary elements, headlights are made, for example the German utility model DE 94 11 133 known, which in particular in the Side wall of a whirlpool tub can be installed. For this is in the tub wall a suitable opening and there are further measures for sealing and fixation of the headlight required. For a pleasant atmosphere and to achieve special color effects, a predetermined number of such Headlights built into the tub wall, making a not inconsiderable overall Manufacturing and assembly effort is required. Since the sanitary elements of the mentioned type usually used in wet rooms, is also a additional effort to isolate the electrical connections required to guarantee electrical safety on the one hand and corrosion-related on the other to avoid electrical contact problems.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is the sanitary element to train in such a way that lighting is made possible in a simple manner. The Manufacturing should be able to be carried out in a simple manner with little use of material. The Security requirements should be met permanently and difficulties due to corrosion or faulty contacts should be avoided for many years become.

This object is achieved in accordance with those specified in claim 1 Characteristics.

The sanitary element according to the invention is characterized by a simple and reliable function Construction. Between the cover layer and the reinforcement layer or The filling material is integrated with lighting elements and the top layer or inner shell of the sanitary element is at least partially translucent and / or translucent educated. Thus, for example, the interior of a bathing or The whirlpool tub can be illuminated, with no problem over large areas of the A uniform glow is achieved inside the tub. The sanitary element can be used as Bathtub or whirlpool tub can be designed as well as a shower tray or as large swimming pool, which may consist of several, in a known manner tightly connected segments is composed. The lighting elements are particularly useful as LED elements in the form of chains or Networks formed, which means that the lighting of the User visible side of the sanitary element through the translucent cover layer through is made possible. Through the permanent integration and integration of the lighting elements Maintenance-free long-term operational safety is incorporated into the product structure guaranteed. The lighting elements, especially LED elements, are suitable for damp rooms and on the reinforcement or filler layer facing away from the cover layer Side completely enclosed and thus against external influences, such as in particular Moisture, permanently protected. The partially translucent and / or transparent and / or translucent cover layer can also have a uniform color like different color structures or color patterns, whereby in combination with the Illuminated elements the desired color effects can be achieved. Can too the lighting elements, in particular LED elements, themselves have different colors own, so as to achieve the desired color effects. Because the lighting elements between the top layer consisting in particular of sanitary acrylic and the reinforcing layer embedded and thus sealed to the outside, can also with high moisture content of the surrounding air no moisture to the lighting elements arrive and cause malfunctions. The electrical connection of the Luminous elements require no special effort, since the electrical connection line or connecting lines easily passed through the reinforcement layer are and especially when spraying or foaming integrated into this and be tightly closed by this. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention also different groups of lighting elements separately on electrical lines can be connected so that by an external control circuit without difficulty Illuminated or non-illuminated certain areas of the sanitary element as desired or specified areas light up in the desired colors.

Particular refinements and developments of the invention are in the subclaims as well as the following description.

The invention is described below with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawing explained in more detail without any limitation.

Fig. 1

schematisch einen Schnitt durch das als Wanne ausgebildete Sanitärelement,

Fig. 2

perspektivisch und teilweise geschnitten die Wanne,

Fig. 3 bis 6

die Wanne in verschiedenen Schritten des Herstellverfahrens.

Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically a section through the sanitary element designed as a tub,

Fig. 2

perspective and partially cut the tub,

3 to 6

the tub in different steps of the manufacturing process.

1 shows a partial section through the sanitary element designed as a bathtub, which contains a cover layer 2 and a reinforcement layer 4. The Cover layer 2 forms the inner shell and consists of an at least partially translucent or translucent material, such as in particular sanitary acrylic or PMMA (Polymethyl acrylate). The reinforcing layer 4 or the filling material is preferably made made of a foamed material, such as polyurethane in particular. Between the back 6 of the cover layer 2 and the reinforcement layer 4 are lighting elements 8, in particular arranged in the form of LED (light emitting diodes). The lighting elements 8 are in expediently designed as LED chains or LED networks, between the individual elements 8 electrical lines not shown here available are. The lighting elements 8 and also the electrical connecting lines are thus completely on the one hand from the cover layer 2 and on the other hand from the reinforcement layer 4 enclosed and suitably embedded in the reinforcing layer 4 and overall integrated in the sanitary element. When applying electrical voltage the lighting element or the connecting lines light up the lighting elements 8 and are visible through the translucent inner shell 2, so that the inner surface 10 of the Cover layer or inner shell 2 is illuminated. No special emphasis is needed, that the bath or whirlpool tub shown here in a known manner as trough-shaped body can be filled with water on the inside and consequently the inner surface 10 and / or the water can be illuminated visibly for a user.

Fig. 2 shows the sanitary element 2 partially cut in a to use position 180 ° rotated position with the inclined side walls 12, 13 and the bottom 14. The forms inner shell 2, in particular by deep drawing from a plate or film a trough-shaped body or an acrylic product, on the back 6 the lighting elements 8 are preferably placed in the form of LED chains or LED networks. On this lighting element 8 is also the filler material or the reinforcing layer 4 applied, with an electrical connection line 16 for the power supply of Luminous elements is passed through the reinforcement layer 4.

3 shows the inner shell 2 made of sanitary acrylic in the same position as FIG. 2, which is also called the basic acrylic product. As already stated, is the inner shell 2 at least partially translucent and / or translucent. The inner shell or the acrylic base product is translucent in a particularly expedient manner trained, but within the scope of the invention, only predetermined areas the bottom 14 and / or the side walls 12 may be translucent while others Areas are not or significantly less translucent to create special lighting effects or to achieve "forms of lighting". Furthermore, the inner shell or the Basic acrylic product have the same color as well as different colors contain colored, yet translucent areas.

Fig. 4 shows the next process step, the schematic and enlarged Light elements 8 are shown, which in particular as an LED network 18 or a LED chain 20 are formed and placed on the back 6 of the inner shell 2 be, as indicated by arrow 22. The net 18 and the chain 20 included to connect the individual light elements or LED 8 connecting lines 24 and Via the connecting lines 16, 17, the connection to a power supply is made by especially 12 volts. It is understood that optionally a predetermined number of such Nets or chains or light elements on the back 6, be it the floor or the side walls 12 can be arranged, within the scope of the invention if necessary, the individual connecting lines 16, 17 can be controlled separately in order to illuminate predetermined areas of the sanitary element. Even the different Luminous elements or LEDs in different colors light up to the desired To achieve light and color effects. The lighting elements are on the back 6 arranged and in a suitable manner, for example by gluing, for the next Process step fixed.

5 shows schematically the next process step, namely the application of the Filling material layer or reinforcement layer 4 on the back of the inner shell and the lighting elements 8 arranged and / or fixed there. The reinforcing layer 4 consists preferably of a foaming material, such as polyurethane, and is applied in particular by spraying on suitable machines. The Foaming material after application causes a complete embedding and Sealing of the lighting elements 8, an intimate bond with the inner shell 2 is achieved. Instead of a spraying process, the reinforcing layer can be used within the scope of the invention 4 can also be applied in other ways, for example in the form a glass fiber reinforced plastic.

Fig. 6 shows after the complete application of the reinforcement layer 4 the ready for connection Bathtub. Through the reinforcement layer 4, the connecting line 17 is behind guided outside, while the lighting elements 8 completely in the sanitary element or Bathtub and the reinforcement layer 4 are integrated.

reference numeral

2nd

Top layer / inner shell

4th

Reinforcement layer

6

Back of 2

8th

Lighting element

10th

Inner surface

12, 13

Side wall

14

ground

16, 17

Connecting cable

18th

LED network

20th

LED chain

22

arrow

24th

Connecting line

Claims (6)

Sanitary element, in particular bathtub or whirlpool tub, containing a cover layer or inner shell (2) and a reinforcement layer (4) arranged on the rear side (6) thereof,
characterized,
that lighting elements (8) are arranged between the cover layer or inner shell (2) and the reinforcing layer (4)
and that the cover layer or inner shell (2) is at least partially translucent and / or translucent. Sanitary element according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting elements (8) are designed as LEDs or light-emitting diodes and / or that the light-emitting elements (8) are suitable for wet rooms and / or that the lighting elements (8) as LED chains or LED networks are formed, the individual lighting elements (8) with connecting lines (24) are electrically connected to one another and at least one connecting line (16, 17) through the reinforcing layer (4) to the outside. Sanitary element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Luminous elements (8) interconnected to at least two mutually independent groups are, the connecting lines (16, 17) are led separately to the outside. Sanitary element according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lighting elements (8) and their connecting lines (24) in the area of the rear (6) of the cover layer or inner shell (2) are embedded in the reinforcement layer (4) and / or sealed, in particular liquid-tight, are closed to the outside, and that the reinforcing layer (4) leads the connecting line (16, 17) to the outside especially surrounds liquid-tight. Sanitary element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lighting elements (8) light up in different colors. Sanitary element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cover layer or inner shell (2) has a uniform coloring or surface areas with different colors.

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