EP1662056A2 - Control device for sanitary fitting. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling the flow rate and temperature from a sanitary fitting, e.g. a mixer tap, has separate touch pad sensors (2, 3, 4) for adjusting the temperature and flow rate. A longer central pad (2) controls the flow rate with repeated pressing to increase the rate and with the shut off signal effected by a single short finger tap into the pad. The initial switch on is at a modest flow rate. The temperature of the water outlet is regulated by finger pressure on the outer pad sensors (3, 4). The sensors are piezoelectric or capacitive sensors.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for a sanitary, in particular electronic, tempering with a plurality of actuators for changing the water temperature and / or the water volume flow.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating an actuating device for a sanitary, in particular electronic, temperature control, in which at least one actuating element for changing the water temperature and / or the water volume flow is actuated.

There are actuators for electronic and mechanical sanitary temperature control valves are known with which the temperature and, where appropriate, the volume flow of the emerging from the water outlet of the sanitary fitting water is adjustable.

In known electronic. Temperature control valves are sensors in a certain manner, for example in a predetermined order to operate to change the water temperature and / or the water volume flow. In order to explain the operating steps to the user, it is customary to arrange pictograms on the temperature control fitting. However, these pictograms must first be recorded and implemented by the user. Often a large number of pictograms are arranged in a small space, which is at the expense of clarity, so that the risk of incorrect operation can not be ruled out.

In known mechanical Temperierarmaturen the actuators for the water temperature change and the water volume flow change are mounted on opposite sides of the valve. It is not always obvious to the user here that, for example, the water volume flow with actuators on the right side and the temperature with actuators on the left side of a water outlet are to be set. Moreover, in mechanical tempering the application of pictograms is often cumbersome. If pictograms are still used here, they are often difficult to understand.

Furthermore, in known tempering often relatively small sensors, switches or handles are used, which are difficult to operate in particular of children, the elderly and the disabled.

Object of the present invention is to provide an actuating device for a tempering of the type mentioned in such a way that their function is easily detectable, it is easy to operate and the risk of incorrect operation is minimized.

This object is achieved in that the actuators are a temperature increase element, a temperature reduction element and an intervening, in particular arranged on a water outlet quantity change element.

According to the invention, each actuator is therefore only assigned a function, so that no elaborate manual is required. A faulty operation the actuators, such as turning a faucet or pivoting a mixer lever in the wrong direction, as is possible in the prior art, is excluded here. In addition, so large, equipped with simple functions actuators can be used, which are easy and reliable to operate even for children, the elderly and the disabled. The required functions are clearly separated. The relationship between the water spout and the volume change element for controlling the water volume flow is easily understood by the user here. For the other two actuators simply designed, unique icons, such as a plus sign and a minus sign or a red dot and a blue dot that can be made relatively large to explain the function of the respective actuator to the user.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the actuating elements are sensors, in particular piezoelectric sensors or capacitive sensors. These have the advantage that they can be operated with almost no effort and, moreover, are maintenance-free.

The water outlet may itself be a capacitive quantity-changing element, so that it is possible to dispense with a separate sensor.

A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that at least one of the actuating elements, a display device for visualizing the function of the actuating element and the water temperature and / or the Water volume flow is assigned. In this way, the function of the corresponding actuating element is explained in a simple and clearly understandable manner and moreover the instantaneous setting of the state variable, in particular the water temperature and / or the water volume flow, is represented.

Appropriately, this provides a further advantageous embodiment, that the temperature-reducing element is a blue-emitting lamp assembly, in particular a blue-emitting light emitting diode array, and the temperature increase element a red-emitting lamp assembly, in particular a red-emitting light-emitting diode array assigned. This color mapping is common and easy to understand. In addition, an arrangement of light sources, in particular a light-emitting diode array, allows a quantitative representation of the water volume flow.

For example, the number of radiating bulbs can be proportional to the water volume flow, so that the user can quickly grasp the water volume flow without elaborate interpretation.

The water temperature can be detected quickly by the user in a further advantageous embodiment, in which the ratio of the number of red-emitting lamps to the number of blue-emitting lamps is dependent on the water temperature.

It is particularly clear when the lamps are arranged linearly.

In addition, in a further advantageous embodiment, which have an acoustic output unit, acoustic information and warning signals are output.

In the method according to the invention, a temperature increase element is used to increase the water temperature, a temperature reduction element is used to reduce the water temperature, and a quantity change element arranged therebetween, in particular at a water outlet, is actuated to change the water volume flow.

Of particular advantage here is that only a simple operation of the corresponding actuating element, for example, a touch of a capacitive sensor, is required to change the water temperature or the water volume flow. There are no complex operations, such as operating sensors in a prescribed order, or especially sophisticated movements for old people and / or the disabled, such as turning a faucet in a particular direction or accurately swinging a two-degree mixer lever, as in standing the technique required. The operation of the temperature control can be largely intuitive.

In a further embodiment of the method, an optical and / or acoustic signal is output whose magnitude is proportional to the water temperature or to the water volume flow. In this way, the user is quickly and reliably informed about the current value of the water temperature and / or the water volume flow.

In order to obtain a quick information about the water volume flow, for example, a proportional to the water volume flow number of bulbs can be activated.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, depending on the water temperature, the ratio of the number of red-emitting lamps to the number of blue-emitting lamps is specified, so that the water temperature can be detected at a glance.

It is also expedient if an optical and / or acoustic signal is generated as soon as a highest settable value or a lowest adjustable value of the water temperature and / or the water volume flow is reached. In this way, the user is advised that, for example, the corresponding valves are fully opened or closed, so that no further changes of the corresponding state variable is possible.

In order to give the user feedback as to whether the operation of the actuating element was successful, a further embodiment of the method provides that an optical and / or acoustic signal is output as soon as one of the actuating elements is actuated.

A further advantageous embodiment of the method provides that, upon actuation of an actuating element, the signal first depends on a set desired water temperature and / or a set desired water volume flow, and then depending on the currently present actual water temperature and / or the current present Actual water volume flow in particular until to achieve the target setting is output alternately. This has the great advantage that the user receives an immediate feedback of the change by visualizing the respective target setting. In addition, he is then continuously informed about the current actual setting. The output of an alternating signal informs the user that the target and actual settings do not yet match. Once setpoint and actual settings match, then a constant signal can be output.

Figur 1

schematisch ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer elektronischen Betätigungsvorrichtung für eine Sanitärarmatur;

Figur 2

schematisch ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer elektronischen Betätigungsvorrichtung für eine Sanitärarmatur mit einer Anzeigeeinrichtung für die Wassertemperatur, die hier anzeigt, dass Wasser mit nahezu der niedrigsten einstellbaren Temperatur und etwas mehr als mittlerem Volumenstrom austritt;

Figur 3

schematisch die in Figur 2 dargestellte Betätigungsvorrichtung, wobei die Anzeigeeinrichtung hier anzeigt, dass das austretende Wasser eine mittlere Temperatur aufweist und mit dem höchsten einstellbaren Volumenstrom austritt;

Figur 4

schematisch die in Figur 2 dargestellte Betätigungsvorrichtung, wobei die Anzeigeeinrichtung hier anzeigt, dass Wasser mit der höchsten einstellbaren Temperatur austritt.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing; show it

FIG. 1

schematically a first embodiment of an electronic actuator for a sanitary fitting;

FIG. 2

schematically a second embodiment of an electronic actuator for a sanitary fitting with a display device for the water temperature, which indicates that water exits at almost the lowest adjustable temperature and slightly more than average volume flow;

FIG. 3

schematically the actuator shown in Figure 2, wherein the display device indicates here that the exiting water has an average temperature and emerges with the highest adjustable volume flow;

FIG. 4

schematically the actuator shown in Figure 2, wherein the display device here indicates that water is leaking at the highest settable temperature.

1 shows a first embodiment of an overall provided with the reference numeral 1 electronic actuator for a sanitary temperature control, not shown, is shown. State variables of the water emerging from a water outlet, not shown, of the sanitary fitting, namely the water temperature and the water volume flow, can be adjusted with the tempering fitting.

The actuator 1 includes a volume change sensor 2 for changing the water volume flow, a temperature increase sensor 3, and a temperature reduction sensor 4 for changing the water temperature. The sensors 2, 3, 4 essentially have cuboid sensor plates, which are each provided with a piezoelectric element not visible in FIG.

The quantity change sensor 2 has an elongated shape. In its center a continuous opening 5 is arranged. The opening 5 is used to carry out the water outlet, not shown.

At the left in Figure 1 end face 6 of the quantity change sensor 2, the temperature increase sensor 3, at its right end face 7 of the temperature reduction sensor 4 connects.

The shapes of the temperature increase sensor 3 and the temperature decrease sensor 4 are identical. The two sensors 3, 4 are square in plan view, their side length corresponds to the width of the quantity change sensor 2. The outer contours of the three sensors 2, 3, 4 go flush into each other.

On the upper surface of the temperature increase sensor 3 in Figure 1, a plus sign 8 is attached to signal to the user that the operation of this sensor, the temperature of the escaping water is increased. The temperature reduction sensor 4 is accordingly provided with a minus sign 9.

The amount of change sensor 2, the temperature increase sensor 3 and the temperature reduction sensor 4 are each connected via signal lines, not shown, with a control unit, not shown, are controlled in a conventional manner corresponding Proportional- or temperature control valves in a hot water and a cold water supply line.

To start the water flow, one of the three sensors 2, 3, 4 is touched with one hand.

The corresponding sensor signal is transmitted via the respective signal line to the control unit, with which the valves are opened accordingly. The control unit stores the basic values for the water temperature and the water volume flow, which are set automatically when the water flow starts. In each case, an average value is predetermined both for the water temperature and for the water volume flow. The mean values are formed from the respective maximum and minimum values, which can be realized by completely opening or closing the valves.

In order to increase the water volume flow, the quantity change sensor 2 is touched several times in rapid succession. If the quantity change sensor 2 is briefly touched only once, this stops the flow of water.

If none of the sensors 2, 3, 4 is actuated within a predetermined time interval of preferably 80 seconds, the water flow is automatically shut off by the control unit for reasons of safety in order to prevent endurance running.

In order to increase the water temperature, the temperature increase sensor 3 is either operated several times in succession, or as long as touched until the desired water temperature is set. In order to reduce the water temperature, the temperature reduction sensor 4 is operated accordingly.

A second embodiment of an actuating device 101 for a sanitary temperature control, not shown, is shown in Figures 2 to 4. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that between a temperature increase sensor 103 and a quantity change sensor 102, a warm water light diode 110 and between the amount change sensor 102 and the temperature reduction sensor 104, a cold water light diode array 111 is arranged.

The light-emitting diode rows 110, 111 each extend over the entire width of the sensors 102, 103, 104. Each light-emitting diode row 110, 111 has five light-emitting diodes 112, 113. The light emitting diodes 112 of the warm water LED array 110 radiate red, the light-emitting diodes 113 of the cold-water LED array 111 radiate blue.

As long as the actuator 101 is not actuated, so no water flows, all the LEDs 112, 113 are driven to the control unit in a standby mode in which they radiate with reduced intensity, but still emit a clearly visible light to the user's operational readiness to signal the actuator 101. In this way, the user is also made aware of the task of the temperature increase sensor 103 and the temperature reduction sensor 104.

As soon as the temperature increase sensor 103 is actuated, the control unit transmits a pulse to the warm water light diode row 110, so that as a confirmation of the sensor actuation their light emitting diodes 112 briefly flash brightly. In addition, the control unit opens the valves according to the basic values and starts the water flow with a mean water temperature and a mean water volume flow. Furthermore, the lower three LEDs 112, 113 of the warm-water light-emitting diode rows 110 and the cold-water light diode rows 111 are each controlled by the control unit in such a way that they radiate brightly in an active mode in order to signal to the user that the water flow is present in accordance with the basic values ,

If the water volume flow is changed by actuating the quantity change sensor 102, then the number of the activated light-emitting diodes 112, 113 of both light-emitting diode rows 110, 111 is also changed. The number of total radiant Light emitting diodes 112, 113 is a measure of the water volume flow. The ratio of the number of radiating hot water light emitting diodes 112 to the number of radiating cold water light emitting diodes 113 remains unchanged.

At the largest adjustable water volume flow at the mean water temperature, all light emitting diodes 112, 113 (Figure 3) radiate.

If the temperature increase sensor 103 is actuated a second time, the water temperature is increased by correspondingly changing the valve settings, whereby the total volume flow of the mixed water remains constant. In addition, the light-emitting diodes 112 of the warm-water light-emitting diode rows 110 are first activated in such a way that they briefly flash. Subsequently, with the control unit, the number of the driven light-emitting diodes 113 of the cold-water light diode row 111 in FIGS. 2 to 4 is reduced from top to bottom in order to signal to the user that the amount of inflowing cold water has been increased. At the same time, the number of light emitting diodes 112 of the hot water light emitting diode 110 is correspondingly increased to indicate that the amount of incoming hot water has been increased.

As soon as the highest adjustable value for the water temperature is reached, ie the hot water supply line is fully opened and the cold water supply line is closed, the LEDs 112 of the warm water LED line 110 are briefly actuated three times with the control unit so that they flash three times to signal to the user that no further increase in temperature is possible. Even when reaching the highest adjustable Values for the water temperature, the lowermost LED 113 of the cold-water LED array 111 in FIGS. 2 to 4 is furthermore actuated in order to alert the user to the function of the temperature reduction sensor 104 (FIG. 4).

Accordingly, the procedure for reducing the water temperature. For this purpose, the temperature reduction sensor 104 is actuated. As a result, the light-emitting diodes 113 of the cold-water LED array 111 are briefly driven by the control unit, so that they flash briefly. Then, the number of the driven light-emitting diodes 112 of the warm-water light-emitting diode line 110 is correspondingly reduced by the control unit, and the number of light-emitting diodes 113 of the cold-water light emitting diode line 111 is correspondingly increased in order to signal the user to a reduction in the water temperature (FIG. 2).

If the water flow is started instead of the temperature increase sensor 103 by operating the temperature reduction sensor 104, the control unit controls the light emitting diodes 113 of the cold water light diode row 111 accordingly, so that they flash briefly. The further actuation takes place analogously to the already explained sequence after starting the water flow by actuating the temperature increase sensor 103.

Instead of operating one of the three sensors 2, 3, 4; 102, 103, 104 may also be provided that the water flow only by pressing the quantity change sensor 2; 102 can be started.

Instead of the quantity change sensor 2; 102, the water outlet itself can be used as a capacitive sensor, so that a separate quantity change sensor 2; 102 can be omitted.

Instead of the electronic safety function, with which an endurance is prevented by the water flow is switched off after about 80 seconds, a self-closing valve can be used as a tempering, which switches off the water flow after about 10 seconds.

Instead of the piezo elements having sensors 2, 3, 4; 102, 103, 104, other sensors, in particular capacitive or optical sensors, or buttons that work with or without direct contact, may be provided.

In the second exemplary embodiment, it can also be provided that in the case of the predefined basic values, in each case all the light-emitting diodes 112, 113 of the light-emitting diode rows 110, 111 are controlled by the control unit and radiate. With a temperature increase / decrease in temperature, the number of blue-emitting light-emitting diodes 112 / red-emitting light-emitting diodes 113 which are activated is then reduced.

In the second exemplary embodiment, alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that, upon actuation of one of the sensors 102, 103, 104, a number of light-emitting diodes 112, 113 representing the setpoint water temperature set by the user or initially emitting a brief beam is activated to give the user an immediate feedback on the target setting. Subsequently, the currently available Actual water temperature or the current actual water volume flow are represented by, for example, the corresponding LEDs 112, 113 are flashing until the water temperature or the water volume flow has reached their respective target setting.

Inactive, non-driven LEDs 112, 113 need not be turned off. It is sufficient merely to reduce its brightness preferably to a standby energy level, so that a homogeneous image of the actuating device 101 is achieved.

Instead of just one row of light emitting diodes 110, 111, both rows of light emitting diodes 110, 111 can be actuated three or more times by the control unit when the lowest or highest adjustable water temperature value is reached.

The optical display through the light emitting diode rows 110, 111 is supplemented in an embodiment not shown by an acoustic output unit which generates an acoustic signal upon actuation of a sensor 102, 103, 104.

Instead of the light emitting diodes 112, 113, other bulbs can be used.

The number of radiating light-emitting diodes 112, 113 can be reduced symmetrically from outside to inside given a reduction in the water volume flow. The last light-emitting diode, which still lights when the lowest value of the water volume flow is reached, is arranged in the middle of the respective light-emitting diode rows 110, 111 in this case.

Claims (16)

Actuating device for a sanitary, in particular electronic, temperature control with a plurality of actuators for changing the water temperature and / or the water volume flow,
characterized in that
the actuating elements are a temperature-raising element (3, 103), a temperature-reducing element (4, 104) and a quantity-changing element (2, 102) arranged therebetween, in particular arranged at a water outlet. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating elements (3, 4; 104, 104) are sensors, in particular piezoelectric elements or capacitive sensors. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water outlet itself is a capacitive quantity-changing element (2; 102). Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the actuating elements (103, 104) is associated with a display device (110, 111) for visualizing the function of the actuating element (103, 104) and the water temperature and / or the water volume flow. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the temperature- reducing element (104) has a blue-emitting lamp arrangement (111), in particular a blue-emitting light-emitting diode array, and the temperature increase element (103) a red-emitting lamp arrangement (110), in particular a red-emitting light-emitting diode array, assigned. Actuating device according to claim 5, characterized in that the number of radiating bulbs (112, 113) is proportional to the water volume flow. Actuating device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the ratio of the number of red emitting lamps (112) to the number of blue emitting lamps (113) is dependent on the water temperature. Actuating device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the lighting means (112, 113) are arranged linearly. Actuating device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an acoustic output unit. Method for operating an actuating device for a sanitary, in particular electronic, tempering fitting, wherein at least one actuating element is actuated for changing the water temperature and / or the water volume flow,
characterized in that
for increasing the water temperature, a temperature increasing element (3; 103), for reducing the water temperature a temperature reducing element (4; 104) and for varying the water volume flow an intermediate quantity changing element (2; 102) arranged in particular at a water outlet is actuated. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that an optical and / or acoustic signal is output, the size of which is proportional to the water temperature or to the water volume flow. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a proportional to the water volume flow number of lighting means (112, 113) is activated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, depending on the water temperature, the ratio of the number of red-emitting lamps (112) to the number of blue-emitting lamps (113) is specified. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that an optical and / or acoustic Signal is generated as soon as a maximum settable value or a minimum adjustable value of the water temperature and / or the water volume flow is reached. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that an optical and / or acoustic signal is generated as soon as one of the actuating elements (103, 104) is actuated. Method according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that upon actuation of an actuating element (103, 104), first the signal depending on a set target water temperature and / or a set desired water volume flow, and then depending on the currently available Ist -Water temperature and / or the current present actual water volume flow is issued in particular until reaching the desired setting alternately.

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