EP1601841B1 - Method for controlling the water supply in a sanitary installation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling the water inlet in a sanitary apparatus according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and a corresponding computer program product.

According to DE 198 15 324 Faucets are referred to as automatic valves, if the water flow of a washbasin faucet controlled by an external solenoid valve and the existing valve is only used for preselection of the mixing ratio and as a sensor.

DE 196 51 132 also discloses an automatic fitting, which is equipped as a so-called proximity fitting with a sensor and a control device. With the control device is a valve device or a valve battery connected, wherein the control means activates the valve device for water release after detecting a signal by the sensor device. In this particular case, upon detection of a signal detected by the infrared sensors from a particular side, the release of cold water or hot water is effected.

Another proximity fitting is off WO 93/10311 known. A proximity sensor detects a user's hand and releases the water supply. After the expiration of a time interval, a soap portion is dispensed and the washing process registered.

Another automatic fitting is off DE 351 64 40 known. This arrangement with a field of monitoring buttons allows the contactless control of the inlet or the mixing ratio of hot and cold water. Each monitoring button interacting hierarchically with each other is assigned a fixed temperature and / or discharge quantity value.

Another automatic fitting is off WO 02/29168 known. It is a device for controlling a medium flow with a sensor device for contactless determination of the presence and position of a hand of the user, wherein the sensor device detects an electrical charge shift.

Moreover, it is off US 5,095,945 an electronic control for a faucet, a nozzle and the like. Water inlets are all equipped with solenoid valves, which are controlled by a logical control. This controller is connected to a detector which detects the proximity of a user's hand and provides an output that causes the controller to cycle through a sequence of selected temperatures and time limits until the user reaches his or her hand to reach a desired temperature and time near the sensor. The controller then sends signals to the solenoid valves, so that these water through the inlet into the water distribution and from there to the tap, to the nozzle, etc. - accordingly the selected temperature and time - let it flow. The user is always offered the identical series of choices. This series is displayed by LED and must be run each time until the system displays the desired parameter combination. At this moment, the user has to withdraw the hand and the system releases water according to the selected parameters. Thus, the withdrawal of water is programmed without water flowing. The disclosed detection system comprises an infrared transmitter (LED) and an infrared receiver (photodiode) and is based on the detection of the IR light reflected in the sensor.

FR 2 706 504 discloses another electronic faucet controller including a presence detector, at least one electrovalve, and an electronic circuit that enables the presence detector to generate control signals that processes the response signal in accordance with the presence or absence detection and triggers the opening or closing of the solenoid valve 7. A pulsed active infrared sensor as well as comparing the detected IR light with a threshold is disclosed. Setting or changing a temperature and / or a flow value is not disclosed.

These known automatic valves or their controls are either very simple and allow only just the inflow of a predetermined water temperature or hot or cold water (eg FR 2 706 504 ). Few of the known automatic fittings also allow the adjustment of the water temperature (eg US 5,095,945 ), such fittings or their controls are usually built quite complicated and therefore expensive. The operation of the often complex controls is rather difficult or inconvenient for a first-time user. Additional dials or so-called "touch screens" for setting the water temperature and / or water flow can simplify operation, but make the fitting more expensive.

The object of the present invention is to propose an alternative method for controlling the water supply in a sanitary repair with a cold water supply and a hot water supply, which allows a high control comfort even with very simple systems.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect by a method having the features of independent claim 1. According to a second aspect, this object is achieved by a computer program product having the features of independent claim 18. Further inventive features and developments of the inventive method or computer program product result from the dependent claims.

Opposite the DE 196 51 132 Known proximity valve, the inventive method for controlling the water inlet into a sink or in a sanitary appliance on the advantage that the water temperature and / or the flow value can be changed even when the valve manifold is open.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf eine Anordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens, gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung von Signalen eines Näherungssensors nach dem erfindungsgemässen Verfahren;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine Anordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens, gemäss einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine Frontansicht einer Anordnung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens, gemäss einer dritten Ausführungsform.

With reference to schematic, exemplary drawings, the invention, without limiting the scope thereof according to the claims, explained in more detail. Showing:

Fig. 1

a plan view of an arrangement for carrying out the inventive method, according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a representation of signals of a proximity sensor according to the inventive method;

Fig. 3

a plan view of an arrangement for carrying out the inventive method, according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 4

a front view of an arrangement for carrying out the inventive method, according to a third embodiment.

1 shows a sanitary apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment, with a cold water supply line 2 and a hot water supply line 3 and with a valve connected to a power supply 4 valve battery 5 for opening or mixing the water inlet from these two water supply lines. Generally, in the context of this invention, the term "sanitary repair" should be understood as representative and synonymous for sinks, bathtubs, showers, sinks and the like. Likewise, all statements made for washbasins refer to all other sanitary appliances such as bathtubs, showers, sinks and the like. To control the water supply in this sanitary appliance or in this sink this is equipped with a sensor unit 6, which is connected to a - preferably central - power supply. This power supply can optionally be designed as AC or DC mains, a battery or an accumulator. Especially preferred is a DC bus network.

The sensor unit 6 comprises at least one proximity sensor 7 with a detection area 8. Optionally, the sensor unit 6 can be constructed on an optical, acoustic, capacitive, radar or inductive operating principle. As a particularly preferred embodiment of a capacitive principle, the operating principle referred to by the same Applicant as "DDSA principle" is mentioned, in which a sensor device comprises a first capacitor (C2), with a first and second electrically conductive surface and a dielectric layer. Furthermore, the DDSA sensor device comprises a conductive absorption surface conductively connected to the first surface of the first capacitor (C2), an AC generator (G), for coupling an AC signal (s1 (t)) to the absorption surface, and a sensor amplifier (A ) for amplifying an output signal (s2 (t)) which can be tapped on the second surface of the first capacitor (C2). In this case, the DDSA sensor device is designed so that the absorption surface on approaching an object forms an additional capacitor (C3), the effective capacitance is variable, and that the output signal (s2 (t)) through this effective capacitance undergoes a damping is detectable. The proximity sensor 7 of such a DDSA sensor device is preferably together with a faucet 14 installed in a sink 1, so that the faucet serves as an absorption surface.

In general, action signals 9, 9 ', 10, 10' are generated by penetration of the hands or other body parts into the detection area 8 or by one or more intrusions of the hands within a predetermined time grid into the detection area 8. The detection area also includes touching the proximity sensor 7 or a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6.

This action signal differs in potential and / or quality from a rest signal 12, which the proximity sensor 7 outputs without the action of a user on the detection area 8 to the controller 11 also connected to the power supply 4. To save energy, the sleep signal may be pulsed, but preferred is a permanent sleep signal 12, which emits the sensor unit 6 to the electronic controller 11.

The inventive method is characterized in that the controller 11, the valve battery 5 - by means of detecting and processing a certain number, triggered by a user action signals 9,9 ', 10,10'- in one of these number of action signals 9,9', 10, 10 'corresponding position brings, whereby cold water, hot water or mixed water of a predetermined temperature and / or with a predetermined flow value is introduced into the sink 1.

Figure 2 shows a representation of signals of a proximity sensor 7, according to the inventive method. It is a schematic diagram in which the potential (p) of the output at the proximity sensor 7 is plotted as a function of time (t) for the exemplary variants AE. All action signals are shown here as potential changes and include - each starting from a rest potential 12 each an increase and a fall in the potential. As an alternative to this illustration and not claimed, the potential change of the action signal over a longer time (t ₁ ), by leaving the hands in the detection area 8, stop, wherein the time duration of this potential change is evaluated as an action signal. In general, an action signal could also consist of a drop and a subsequent increase in potential.

It is important that the potential change of the controller 11 can be properly identified and interpreted as an action signal. The setting of appropriate threshold values and / or the use of smoothing methods for the sensor signals are known per se.

Particularly preferred is an individual time window 13, which is optionally assigned to each action signal 9,9 ', 10,10'. If a further action signal 9 ', 10' is triggered within such a time window 13, this situation is converted by the controller, which comprises a computer 25, into a command which causes the valve battery 5 to determine the temperature or the flow value of the water feed Washbasin 1 in relation to the number of further action signals 9 ', 10' to change. This change may be an increase or a decrease in water temperature and / or flow value.

In this computer 25, a corresponding computer program product for controlling the water supply loadable, which is characterized in that it enables the controller 11 to detect certain number of these action signals 9,9 ', 10,10' or their time duration, which triggers a user to process and deliver corresponding control signals to the valve battery 5, which assumes a position corresponding to these control signals, whereby cold water, hot water or mixed water of a predetermined temperature and / or with a predetermined flow value is introduced into the sink 1.

A variable time interval 21 starts immediately after the end of the last individual time window 13 with the opening 19 of the valve battery 5. After the variable time interval 21, which is determined by the action signals 10,10 'and or by a predetermined time interval t ₁ , may optionally then automatically a cold water rinse within a given Time interval done by only the cold water valve is opened. This has the significant advantage that in the riser (not shown) between the valve battery 5 and the outlet of Wasserhans 14 bacteria formation can be minimized. This is particularly advantageous for the medical as well as for the food processing sector.

When a person triggers a continuous signal from the sensor 7 exceeding a predetermined time threshold, a cleaning mode is activated (not shown in Fig. 2).

This controller 11 is specially designed for the use of sinks 1 in sports stadiums and public toilets as well as in technical and medical laboratories, medical practices and hospitals. It has been found that the present invention also in the private and public bathroom area (bathrooms, showers) and generally in the kitchen area is used. Thus, the individual time window 13 can vary from a few seconds to several minutes. Even shorter time windows of less than one second are conceivable. The water temperature may be limited to cold water or may include one to many hot water temperatures which may be gradually increased - e.g. in steps of +/- 5 ° C - can be adjusted. In any case, it is important that it is not possible to set a temperature that could cause injury to the user.

Selected operating examples are shown schematically in FIG. 2:

Case A

A user triggers a first action signal 9 by approaching or touching the faucet 14, which in FIG. 1 functions as a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6. Before and after the action signal 9, the proximity sensor 7 sends a rest signal 12 to the controller. There within the individual time window 13 no further action signal takes place, the valve battery 5 is opened.
Because this controller 11 has received only an action signal 9, the valve battery 5 is instructed to let water flow into the water basin at a first temperature and / or a first flow rate (arrow 19 in FIG. 2). This first temperature may be cold water, hot water or a certain mixed value of cold and hot water.

Because the user leaves the sink without triggering another action signal, the controller 11 automatically stops the water supply at the end 22 of the variable time interval 21 by a closing command to the valve battery. 5

Case B

A person triggers a first action signal 9 by approaching or touching the faucet 14, which in FIG. 1 functions as a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6. Before and after the action signal 9, the proximity sensor 7 sends a rest signal 12 to the controller. Within the individual time window 13 of the first action signal 9, this person triggers a further action signal 9 '. Since no further action signal takes place within the last individual time window 13, the valve battery 5 is opened (arrow 19 in FIG. 2). Because this controller 11 has received two action signals 9, 9 'in the first time interval, the valve battery 5 is instructed to let water flow into the water basin at a second temperature and / or a second flow rate. This second temperature may be higher or lower than a first temperature by a certain value (see case A).

This person triggers within the variable time interval 21 another action signal 10, whereupon the controller 11 interrupts the water supply by a closing command to the valve battery 5 (arrow 20) and the time interval 21 ends.

Case C

A person triggers a first action signal 9 by approaching or touching the faucet 14, which in FIG. 1 functions as a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6. Before and after the action signal 9, the proximity sensor 7 sends a rest signal 12 to the controller. Within the individual time window 13 of the first action signal 9, this person triggers a further action signal 9 '. Within the individual time window 13 of the second action signal 9 ', this person triggers a further action signal 9'. Since no further action signal takes place within the last individual time window 13, the valve battery 5 is opened (arrow 19 in FIG. 2).

Because this controller 11 has received three action signals 9, 9 'in the first time interval, the valve battery 5 is instructed to let water flow into the pool of water at a third temperature and / or a third flow rate. This third temperature may be higher or lower by the same value as in case B than a second temperature. The same applies to a third flow value selected in the same way.

This person triggers another action signal 10 within the variable time interval 21. Even within the individual time window 13 of this further action signal 10, this person triggers a further action signal 10 '. The controller 11 now instructs the valve battery 5 to let water flow into the water basin at a fourth temperature and / or a fourth flow rate. This fourth temperature may be higher or lower by the same value as in case B than a second temperature from the first one. The same applies to a fourth flow value selected in the same way.

Because the user leaves the sink without triggering another action signal, the controller 11 automatically stops the water supply at the end 22 of the variable time interval 21 by a closing command to the valve battery. 5

In this case, the water temperature and / or the flow value during which the valve battery 5 was open was changed by a user.

Case D

This case largely corresponds to the case C, but with the difference that the user once in the variable time interval 21 triggers another action signal 10 'within the first half of the individual time window 13 of the preceding action signal 10. The controller 11 now gives a closing command to the valve battery 5, whereupon the controller 11 interrupts the water supply by a closing command to the valve battery 5 (arrow 20) and the time interval 21 ends.

Case E , not claimed embodiment

A person triggers an action signal 9 dependent on t ₁ by approaching or touching a faucet 14 of the surface 23 which is operatively connected to the sensor unit 6 in FIG. _1, the water temperature and / or the flow rate being set by the time duration of t ₁ becomes. The duration of t ₁ may be indicated acoustically and / or visually during penetration into the detection area 8 and may be of different lengths (as indicated). The time duration t ₁ preferably corresponds to one or a multiple of the time duration of a selected time unit. Accordingly, by activating the sensor 7 during t _1, the same is preferably effected as by a correspondingly repeated triggering of action signals 9, 9 '. Decisive here is the number of complete time units which, when combined, give approximately t ₁ ; an opened time unit is not considered.

Because the user leaves the basin 1 without triggering another action signal, the controller 11 automatically interrupts the water supply at the end 22 of the variable time interval 21 by a closing command to the valve battery. 5

Figure 3 shows a washbasin 1 according to a second embodiment, which is similar to the first embodiment (corresponding parts are denoted by identical reference numerals).

The sensor unit 6 comprises at least one proximity sensor 7 with a detection area 8. The proximity sensor 7 is embodied here as a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6 and is located at, in or directly below the surface of the washbasin wall 15. The detection area just covers the effective sensor Area of the surface 23 from. Preferably, this area is marked for the user. This can be done by color marking or special relief design (e.g., for the visually impaired). To display the action signals 9, 9 ', 10, 10', this washstand 1 or sensor unit 6 comprises a display means 24. This display means may be provided with flashing color markers or beeps (e.g., for the visually impaired), each action signal being e.g. is perceived as a color change or a beeping sound.

FIG. 4 shows a washbasin or a sanitary appliance 1 according to a third embodiment which largely corresponds to the first or second embodiment (corresponding parts are denoted by identical reference numerals).

The sensor unit 6 comprises at least one proximity sensor 7 with a detection area 8. The proximity sensor 7 is embodied here as a surface 23 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6 and is located on or in the floor 17 below the wash basin 1. The detection area just covers the region of the sensor area Surface 23 off. Preferably, this area for the user, for example, a disabled person in a wheelchair, characterized.

This can be done by color marking or a special relief design. In order to display the action signals 9, 9 ', 10, 10', this washstand 1 or sensor unit 6 comprises a display means 24. This display means may be provided with flashing color markers or beeps emitting loudspeakers, each action signal being e.g. is perceived as a color change or a beeping sound.

Claims (19)

1. Method for controlling the water supply in a sanitary installation (1) with a cold water supply line (2) and a hot water supply line (3), a valve battery (5), which is connected to a power supply (4), for opening or mixing the water supply from these two water supply lines, and a sensor unit (6) which is connected to the power supply (4) and comprises at least one proximity sensor (7) having a detection region (8), the proximity sensor (7) outputting an action signal (9, 9', 10, 10') to an electronic controller (11) connected to the sensor unit (6) and the valve battery (5) when a person at least partially penetrates into the detection region (8), the action signal differing in potential and/or quality from a rest signal (12) which the proximity sensor (7) outputs to the controller, which is also connected to the power supply (4), without action of a person on the detection region (8), wherein an individual time slot (13) is assigned to every action signal (9, 9', 10, 10') and the valve battery (5) is opened, after expiration of a time slot (13) which at least follows a first action signal (9) and within which there is no further action signal (9'), for the duration of a variable time interval (21), characterised in that the controller (11), after at least one further action signal (9', 10') which is triggered within such a time slot (13) through repeated penetration of a person into the detection region (8), outputs a command which causes the valve battery (5) to change the temperature or the flow value of the water supply to the sanitary installation (1) in relation to the number of further action signals (9', 10') triggered by these multiple penetrations of the person into the detection region (8) and, after expiration of the last individual time slot (13), to release the supply of water of the selected temperature and/or the selected flow value into the sanitary installation (1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the water supply to the sanitary installation (1) is interrupted in that - at the end (22) of a variable time interval (21), which begins with the opening of the valve battery - the valve battery (5) is automatically closed by the controller (11).
3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the sanitary installation (1) is selected from a group comprising wash basins, bathtubs, showers and sinks.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (6) outputs a permanent rest signal (12) to the electronic controller (11).
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the proximity sensor (7) is positioned together with a water tap (14).
6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the proximity sensor (7) is installed in a wall (15) of the sanitary installation (1), in a wall (16) behind or next to the sanitary installation (1), or in the floor (17) below the sanitary installation (1).
7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (6) is constructed on an optical, acoustic, capacitive, radar or inductive functional principle.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sensor unit (6) is constructed on a capacitive DDSA principle and in that the water tap (14) is used as the absorption surface.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a cleaning mode is initiated by an action signal of the proximity sensor (7) of a sufficiently long time.
10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water supply to the sanitary installation (1) is interrupted by closing (20) the valve battery (5), in that a further action signal (10) is triggered.
11. Method according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterised in that the water supply to the sanitary installation (1) is interrupted and subsequently the cold water valve is turned on over a defined time interval and then turned off again.
12. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the temperature and/or the flow value of the water flowing in the sanitary installation is changed by one step per further action signal (10') with the triggering of at least one further action signal (10') of the proximity sensor (7) during the variable time interval (21) and within the particular last individual time slot (13) of an action signal (10, 10').
13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the action signals (9, 9', 10, 10') are triggered by contacting a surface (23) which is operatively linked to the sensor unit (6).
14. Method according to claim 13, characterised in that the water tap (14) is the operatively linked surface (23).
15. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the action signals (9, 9', 10, 10') are optically and/or acoustically communicated to the user via display means (24).
16. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an AC or DC network, a battery or an accumulator is used as the central power supply (4).
17. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that after the disconnection of the controller (11) from the power supply (4) and/or after the connection of the controller (11) to this power supply (4), a third time interval starts, during which another control program may be selected.
18. Computer program product for controlling the water supply in a sanitary installation (1) having a cold water supply line (2) and a hot water supply line (3), a valve battery (5), which is connected to a power supply (4), for opening or mixing the water supply from these two water supply lines, and a sensor unit (6), which is connected to the power supply (4), which comprises at least one proximity sensor (7) having a detection region (8), the proximity sensor (7) outputting an action signal (9, 9', 10, 10') to an electronic controller (11), which is connected to the sensor unit (6) and the valve battery (5), when a person at least partially penetrates into the detection region (8), this action signal differing in potential and/or quality from a rest signal (12) which the proximity sensor (7) outputs to the controller, which is also connected to the power supply (4), without action of a person on the detection region (8), the electronic controller (11), which is also connected to the power supply (4), comprising a computer (25), into which this computer program product is loadable, and wherein the valve battery (5) is opened, after expiration of a time slot (13) which at least follows a first action signal (9) and within which there is no further action signal (9'), for the duration of a variable time interval (21), characterised in that this computer program product allows the controller (11) to assign an individual time slot (13) to every action signal (9, 9', 10, 10') and, after at least one further action signal (9', 10'), which is triggered within such a time slot (13) through repeated penetration of a person into the detection region (8), to output a command which causes the valve battery (5) to change the temperature or the flow value of the water supply to the sanitary installation (1) in relation to the number of further action signals (9', 10') triggered by these multiple penetrations of the person into the detection region (8), and, after expiration of the last individual time slot (13), to release the supply of water of the selected temperature and/or the selected flow value into the sanitary installation (1).
19. Computer program according to claim 18, characterised in that it allows the controller (11) to interrupt the water supply to the sanitary installation (1), in that this controller (11) - at the end (22) of a variable time interval (21), which begins with the opening of the valve battery (5) - automatically closes the valve battery (5).

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