EP1800643A1 - Whirlpool systems drive with mechanical indication of the operation conditions - Google Patents
Whirlpool systems drive with mechanical indication of the operation conditions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1800643A1 EP1800643A1 EP06425787A EP06425787A EP1800643A1 EP 1800643 A1 EP1800643 A1 EP 1800643A1 EP 06425787 A EP06425787 A EP 06425787A EP 06425787 A EP06425787 A EP 06425787A EP 1800643 A1 EP1800643 A1 EP 1800643A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- whirlpool
- switch
- driving device
- drive according
- systems drive
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005549 size reduction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012800 visualization Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/005—Electrical circuits therefor
- A61H2033/0058—Electrical circuits therefor controlled by the user
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/12—Driving means
- A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
- A61H33/0087—Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a drive for whirlpool systems with a visualization of the operation conditions, and particularly to a drive indicating the operation conditions in a mechanical manner, i.e. without the help of luminous signals, which require a suitable electronic/electric circuit.
- Drives for switching whirlpool systems on and off are generally devices installed at the bath-tub edge, which drive the motors of the hydraulic pumps of the system in order to circulate water and/or air in the bath-tub.
- the drives must be such to provide the user with a secondary interface driving the motors of the system in an indirect manner.
- the drives are generally electric and characterized by two drive circuits: a primary circuit at the mains voltage, which is connected to one or more electric motors driving the hydraulic pumps of the whirlpool system, and a secondary circuit at low voltage driving the primary one through a relay and a transformer, and provided with one or more microswitches arranged in a suitable box or keyboard mounted on the bath-tub edge or anyway in a location easily accessible by the user.
- the high voltage primary circuit is usually arranged in a transformer electric box installed in proximity to the motors and in a location being not accessible by the user for security reasons.
- the indication of the operation conditions is present at the bath-tub edge in proximity to the drive keyboard and it is usually accomplished by means of LEDs or other luminous devices requiring a suitable electric circuit, possibly arranged in the same housing of the keyboard.
- the switch of the low-voltage circuit and the luminous indicators are suitably protected from the inlet of water into the housing that is assembled at the bath-tub edge.
- Drives for whirlpool systems are also known, wherein the primary circuit at high voltage is connected to a pneumatic secondary circuit operated by a drive provided at the bath-tub edge.
- the secondary circuit works on a pneumatic switch opening or closing the primary circuit at high voltage. The user interface is thus completely free from electricity and thereby safe.
- One drawback of the known drives is their manufacturing complexity and the high cost due to the presence of secondary circuits for the drive of the primary circuit of the motors. For instance, in the case of an electrical drive, it is necessary to manufacture a transformer power box from high to low voltage, provided with transformer and relay, and to connect it to an electronic board carrying microswitches to be installed at the bath-tub edge.
- Object of the present invention is thus to provide a drive for whirlpool systems free from such drawbacks. Said object is achieved by a drive the main features of which are specified in the first claim, while other features and embodiments thereof are specified in the subsequent claims.
- the main advantage of the drive according to the present invention is that its manufacturing is remarkably easier and less expensive than that of the known drives, as it doesn't require any secondary circuit for driving the high-voltage circuit.
- the drive according to the present invention provides for one phase only of the motor or motors of the system being interrupted, and for the switch or switches being arranged in a suitable housing electrically isolated and protected from the inlet of water, which is assembled under the bath-tub edge.
- a mechanical device linked to the drive being accessible by the user at the bath-tub edge directly drives the switch or switches.
- Still another advantage of the drive according to the present invention is its ease of installation, due to the presence of a limited number of components, to their reduced encumbrance and to the easy installing operations.
- the structure is thus solid, compact and easily maneuverable.
- Fig. 1 shows the drive according to the present invention, which is comprised of a driving device 1, an electric box 2 and a frame 3 joining them.
- the driving device 1 is comprised of a cylindrical knob 4 fitted in abutment into a cylindrical collar of the frame 3, rotatably connected and axially constrained, for example, by means of snap fits.
- the knob 4 allows the user to operate the drive by rotating it into the various operation positions.
- the knob 4 has a hollow cylindrical stem 6 having a prolonged protrusion 7 with a cross-section shaped like an arc of circumference and expanding in the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical stem 6.
- the protrusion 7 exhibits a cam-shaped edge 8 at the free end.
- a circle-arch aperture 9 is formed, receiving protrusion 7 of knob 4 and restraining the rotation movement of knob 4 between two stops.
- Fig. 2 shows that, when the knob 4 is mounted in the collar 5, the shaped protrusion 7 projects from the bottom of the collar in order to operate the rod driving the motor switch, as will be described in the following with reference to Fig. 3.
- the drive according to the present invention is installed at the bath-tub edge such that only the knob of the driving device 1 is accessible from the outside.
- the cylindrical collar 5 of frame 3 may be provided with a threaded external surface for fixing the drive into a cavity at the bath-tub edge by means of suitable ring nuts.
- the electric box 2 closed by a cover 10, exhibits an inlet for an electric wire 11 at its lower portion and, at the upper portion, a hollow cylindrical guide 12 in which a rod 13 vertically slides.
- the rod 13 protrudes from the top of guide 12 contacting the cam-shaped edge 8 of protrusion 7 of the cylindrical stem 6.
- the frame 3 is comprised of a plate 14, on which electric box 2 is assembled, and of the cylindrical collar 5 housing knob 4, thus enabling the above-mentioned cam-follower coupling between the shaped edge of protrusion 7 and rod 13.
- Fig. 3 shows a side view of the drive according to the present invention, wherein the electric box 2, which has been opened by removing its cover 10, contains a switch 15 connected to the wire 11 leading one phase of the high voltage motor circuit into the electric box 2.
- the switch 15 contained in the electric box 2 exhibits a button 16 suitable for being pushed by rod 13 vertically sliding into guide 12,of the electric box 2.
- a spring 17 is present, exerting an upwardly biasing force on rod 13 such to keep the contact between the top of rod 13 and the cam-shaped edge 8 of protrusion 7 of knob 4 of driving device 1.
- the guide 12 of rod 13 is isolated from the inlet of water from the outside by means of an airtight gasket 18.
- the driving device 1 can be formed of a button to be directly pressed, a pivoting or a sliding drive or any other component suitable for driving the switch 15 of the motor phase by means of a suitable kinematic system.
- the drive according to the present invention does not need a secondary circuit for activating the primary supplying circuit of the motor, such as, for example, low-voltage secondary or pneumatic circuits.
- a secondary circuit for activating the primary supplying circuit of the motor such as, for example, low-voltage secondary or pneumatic circuits.
- the electric box has a very reduced size with respect to those belonging to the prior art, as it only contains a switch with the respective connections to the phase of the high-voltage circuit, components like transformers and relays, which are moreover expensive, being not necessary.
- the simplification and the size reduction of the drive lead to a remarkable reduction in the manufacturing costs and to an increased ease of installation.
- Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show two positions of the operation condition of the drive according to an embodiment of the present invention, ON, 19, and OFF, 20, respectively, wherein the driving device 1 is comprised of a rotatable knob 4 as in the previous drawings.
- the indication of the operation condition of the system is accomplished without resorting to luminous signals requiring a dedicated electrical circuit.
- the indicator is formed of a notch 21 on the peripherical surface of knob 4, allowing to see the on, 20 (I), and off, 19 (O), symbols placed under the knob, e.g. on a flange of the cylindrical collar 5. As illustrated in Fig.
- knob 4 when the knob is rotated into clockwise direction, it is switched from the off, 19, position to the on, 20, position, while causing the cam-shaped edge 8 of protrusion 7 of stem 6 to slide on rod 13, which is lowered thus pushing button 16 of switch 15.
- knob 4 when the knob 4 is rotated into counterclockwise direction, it is switched from the on, 20, position to the off, 19, position, by causing the cam-shaped edge 8 of protrusion 7 of stem 6 to slide on rod 13, which returns upwards as an effect of spring 17 and releases the pressure on button 16 of switch 15.
- the drive according to the present invention is comprised of a smaller number of parts with respect to the known devices.
- such parts are particularly solid, thus being suitable to stand the mechanical loads and to restrain the wear-out during the operation, as well as to stand possible other loads being imposed by the user.
- Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein driving device 1, in addition to drive switch 15 of the motor phase, also embodies the function of air flow regulator.
- the adjustment can be accomplished, for example, by opening or closing an aperture for the passage of air being present in collar 5 by means of the rotation of knob 4.
- the air flow adjustment in the opening is accomplished by means of a sealing device 22 completely closing it in the off, 19, position and progressively opening it from the ON, 20, position on.
- the air flow passes through collar 5, enters suitable ducts 23 and is mixed with the water circulating into a duct 24 of the whirlpool system.
- the degree of adjustment of the air flow is indicated by e.g.
- the driving device 1 operates more switches by means of more cams in order to provide the user with a greater number of functions of the whirlpool device.
- the cams may be operated by a single knob or by means of a plurality of knobs or components having the same function.
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
- Devices For Medical Bathing And Washing (AREA)
- Bathtub Accessories (AREA)
- Control Of Non-Positive-Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- External Artificial Organs (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a drive for whirlpool systems with a visualization of the operation conditions, and particularly to a drive indicating the operation conditions in a mechanical manner, i.e. without the help of luminous signals, which require a suitable electronic/electric circuit.
- Drives for switching whirlpool systems on and off are generally devices installed at the bath-tub edge, which drive the motors of the hydraulic pumps of the system in order to circulate water and/or air in the bath-tub. For security reasons the user should not switch the motors on and off by operating directly on their high voltage supply circuit, whereby the drives must be such to provide the user with a secondary interface driving the motors of the system in an indirect manner.
- Still for security reasons, the user must be informed about the operation conditions of the whirlpool system, whereby visual signals being easily recognizable must be provided.
- Many drives for switching whirlpool systems on and off are known, visualizing the operation conditions by means of luminous signals. The drives are generally electric and characterized by two drive circuits: a primary circuit at the mains voltage, which is connected to one or more electric motors driving the hydraulic pumps of the whirlpool system, and a secondary circuit at low voltage driving the primary one through a relay and a transformer, and provided with one or more microswitches arranged in a suitable box or keyboard mounted on the bath-tub edge or anyway in a location easily accessible by the user. The high voltage primary circuit is usually arranged in a transformer electric box installed in proximity to the motors and in a location being not accessible by the user for security reasons.
- The indication of the operation conditions is present at the bath-tub edge in proximity to the drive keyboard and it is usually accomplished by means of LEDs or other luminous devices requiring a suitable electric circuit, possibly arranged in the same housing of the keyboard. The switch of the low-voltage circuit and the luminous indicators are suitably protected from the inlet of water into the housing that is assembled at the bath-tub edge.
- Drives for whirlpool systems are also known, wherein the primary circuit at high voltage is connected to a pneumatic secondary circuit operated by a drive provided at the bath-tub edge. In this case the secondary circuit works on a pneumatic switch opening or closing the primary circuit at high voltage. The user interface is thus completely free from electricity and thereby safe.
- One drawback of the known drives is their manufacturing complexity and the high cost due to the presence of secondary circuits for the drive of the primary circuit of the motors. For instance, in the case of an electrical drive, it is necessary to manufacture a transformer power box from high to low voltage, provided with transformer and relay, and to connect it to an electronic board carrying microswitches to be installed at the bath-tub edge.
- Another drawback of the known drives is that in order to indicate the operation condition by means of luminous signals, it is necessary to provide, such as in the LEDs case, dedicated electrical circuits at low voltage, being added to the secondary circuit, thus increasing its complexity and cost. Even in the case of a simple and low cost pneumatic secondary circuit, as it is not possible to distinguish the operation condition directly from the position of the button, it is anyway necessary to bring an indication at the bath-tub edge by building a dedicated circuit, e.g. with LEDs or other solutions such as optical fibers or other means of light transportation.
- Another drawback of the known drives is their installation complexity into the whirlpool system due to the presence of several circuits to be connected to each other and to numerous components, even bulky, to be arranged and assembled into the whirlpool system.
- Object of the present invention is thus to provide a drive for whirlpool systems free from such drawbacks. Said object is achieved by a drive the main features of which are specified in the first claim, while other features and embodiments thereof are specified in the subsequent claims.
- The main advantage of the drive according to the present invention is that its manufacturing is remarkably easier and less expensive than that of the known drives, as it doesn't require any secondary circuit for driving the high-voltage circuit. In fact, the drive according to the present invention provides for one phase only of the motor or motors of the system being interrupted, and for the switch or switches being arranged in a suitable housing electrically isolated and protected from the inlet of water, which is assembled under the bath-tub edge. A mechanical device linked to the drive being accessible by the user at the bath-tub edge directly drives the switch or switches. In addition, the fact that no further low-voltage circuits are required to supply luminous devices indicating the operation condition contributes to the simplicity and the inexpensiveness of the drive according to the present invention, as said operation condition is displayed by the various positions of the mechanical drive assembled at the bath-tub edge, which positions are clearly distinguishable by the user.
- Still another advantage of the drive according to the present invention is its ease of installation, due to the presence of a limited number of components, to their reduced encumbrance and to the easy installing operations. The structure is thus solid, compact and easily maneuverable.
- Further advantages and characteristics of the drive according to the present invention will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 shows a perspective partially exploded view of the drive according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the drive of Fig. 1 completely assembled;
- Fig. 3 shows a side view of the drive according to the present invention with parts taken away;
- Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are two top plan views of an embodiment of the drive according to the present invention showing two different operation conditions of the whirlpool system; and
- Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the drive according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
- Fig. 1 shows the drive according to the present invention, which is comprised of a
driving device 1, anelectric box 2 and aframe 3 joining them. In a preferred embodiment, thedriving device 1 is comprised of acylindrical knob 4 fitted in abutment into a cylindrical collar of theframe 3, rotatably connected and axially constrained, for example, by means of snap fits. Theknob 4 allows the user to operate the drive by rotating it into the various operation positions. In its lower portion, theknob 4 has a hollowcylindrical stem 6 having aprolonged protrusion 7 with a cross-section shaped like an arc of circumference and expanding in the axial direction of the hollowcylindrical stem 6. Theprotrusion 7 exhibits a cam-shaped edge 8 at the free end. At the bottom of the cylindrical collar 5 a circle-arch aperture 9 is formed, receivingprotrusion 7 ofknob 4 and restraining the rotation movement ofknob 4 between two stops. - Fig. 2 shows that, when the
knob 4 is mounted in thecollar 5, theshaped protrusion 7 projects from the bottom of the collar in order to operate the rod driving the motor switch, as will be described in the following with reference to Fig. 3. - The drive according to the present invention is installed at the bath-tub edge such that only the knob of the
driving device 1 is accessible from the outside. As shown in the drawings, thecylindrical collar 5 offrame 3 may be provided with a threaded external surface for fixing the drive into a cavity at the bath-tub edge by means of suitable ring nuts. - In a preferred embodiment, the
electric box 2, closed by acover 10, exhibits an inlet for anelectric wire 11 at its lower portion and, at the upper portion, a hollowcylindrical guide 12 in which arod 13 vertically slides. Therod 13 protrudes from the top ofguide 12 contacting the cam-shaped edge 8 ofprotrusion 7 of thecylindrical stem 6. Theframe 3 is comprised of aplate 14, on whichelectric box 2 is assembled, and of thecylindrical collar 5housing knob 4, thus enabling the above-mentioned cam-follower coupling between the shaped edge ofprotrusion 7 androd 13. - Fig. 3 shows a side view of the drive according to the present invention, wherein the
electric box 2, which has been opened by removing itscover 10, contains aswitch 15 connected to thewire 11 leading one phase of the high voltage motor circuit into theelectric box 2. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, theswitch 15 contained in theelectric box 2 exhibits abutton 16 suitable for being pushed byrod 13 vertically sliding intoguide 12,of theelectric box 2. Inguide 12 of rod 13 aspring 17 is present, exerting an upwardly biasing force onrod 13 such to keep the contact between the top ofrod 13 and the cam-shaped edge 8 ofprotrusion 7 ofknob 4 ofdriving device 1. Further, theguide 12 ofrod 13 is isolated from the inlet of water from the outside by means of anairtight gasket 18. When theknob 4 ofdriving device 1 is rotated into the switching-on position, a movement of cam-shaped edge 8 ofprotrusion 7 ofcylindrical stem 6 corresponds to such a rotation into the direction shown by arrow A. Theshaped edge 8 pushesrod 13 downwards and the latter pushesbutton 16 ofswitch 15, thus driving the motor of the whirlpool system. When the knob ofdriving device 1 is rotated into the opposite direction,rod 13 returns upwards as an effect of the force exerted by biasingspring 17 and releases the pressure onbutton 16 ofswitch 15. Theswitch 15 opens, thus cutting off the motor. The kinematic system by means of which thedriving device 1 operates theswitch 15 of the high-voltage circuit is thus comprised ofprotrusion 7 ofcylindrical stem 6 ofknob 4,shaped edge 8,rod 13 sliding intoguide 12, and pushed ontobutton 16 of saidswitch 15. - It is immediately evident to one skilled in the art that, besides a rotating cam associated to a knob, the
driving device 1 can be formed of a button to be directly pressed, a pivoting or a sliding drive or any other component suitable for driving theswitch 15 of the motor phase by means of a suitable kinematic system. - Therefore, the drive according to the present invention does not need a secondary circuit for activating the primary supplying circuit of the motor, such as, for example, low-voltage secondary or pneumatic circuits. In fact, by using a purely mechanical device for
driving switch 15 of the high-voltage circuit, it is possible to install a switch of the above-mentioned circuit at the bath-tub edge in a manner non-accessible by the user, thus completely safely overcoming the technical prejudice refusing the presence of a power supplying circuit of the whirlpool system in proximity to the bath-tub edge. - Further, the electric box has a very reduced size with respect to those belonging to the prior art, as it only contains a switch with the respective connections to the phase of the high-voltage circuit, components like transformers and relays, which are moreover expensive, being not necessary. The simplification and the size reduction of the drive lead to a remarkable reduction in the manufacturing costs and to an increased ease of installation.
- In a further embodiment, it is possible to bring all the phases of the high-voltage circuit supplying the motor inside
electric box 2 in proximity to the bath-tub edge, as the user only interacts with a purely mechanical drive. Even in this case the drive is simplified and at low cost with respect to the known drives. - Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show two positions of the operation condition of the drive according to an embodiment of the present invention, ON, 19, and OFF, 20, respectively, wherein the
driving device 1 is comprised of arotatable knob 4 as in the previous drawings. The indication of the operation condition of the system is accomplished without resorting to luminous signals requiring a dedicated electrical circuit. In the embodiment shown, the indicator is formed of anotch 21 on the peripherical surface ofknob 4, allowing to see the on, 20 (I), and off, 19 (O), symbols placed under the knob, e.g. on a flange of thecylindrical collar 5. As illustrated in Fig. 4, when the knob is rotated into clockwise direction, it is switched from the off, 19, position to the on, 20, position, while causing the cam-shaped edge 8 ofprotrusion 7 ofstem 6 to slide onrod 13, which is lowered thus pushingbutton 16 ofswitch 15. On the contrary, as illustrated in Fig. 5, when theknob 4 is rotated into counterclockwise direction, it is switched from the on, 20, position to the off, 19, position, by causing the cam-shaped edge 8 ofprotrusion 7 ofstem 6 to slide onrod 13, which returns upwards as an effect ofspring 17 and releases the pressure onbutton 16 ofswitch 15. - As it is evident from the description, the drive according to the present invention is comprised of a smaller number of parts with respect to the known devices. In addition, such parts are particularly solid, thus being suitable to stand the mechanical loads and to restrain the wear-out during the operation, as well as to stand possible other loads being imposed by the user.
- The fact of integrating the indication of the operation condition in the mechanical device driving the whirlpool system also contributes to the simplicity and the inexpensiveness of the drive, as it eliminates the need for any secondary circuit.
- Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein driving
device 1, in addition to driveswitch 15 of the motor phase, also embodies the function of air flow regulator. The adjustment can be accomplished, for example, by opening or closing an aperture for the passage of air being present incollar 5 by means of the rotation ofknob 4. The air flow adjustment in the opening is accomplished by means of asealing device 22 completely closing it in the off, 19, position and progressively opening it from the ON, 20, position on. The air flow passes throughcollar 5, enterssuitable ducts 23 and is mixed with the water circulating into aduct 24 of the whirlpool system. The degree of adjustment of the air flow is indicated by e.g. adding further indications to the above-describedindications notch 21. The fact of having only one drive accomplishing more functions allows to further reduce the costs of the whirlpool systems drives and to contribute making its use simpler. - In a further embodiment, the driving
device 1 operates more switches by means of more cams in order to provide the user with a greater number of functions of the whirlpool device. The cams may be operated by a single knob or by means of a plurality of knobs or components having the same function.
Claims (9)
- Whirlpool systems drive comprising a driving device (1), provided with indications of the operation conditions and suitable for being installed at the bath-tub edge, and a switch (15) of the high voltage circuit supplying the motor, characterized in that the driving device (1) and the switch (15) of the high voltage circuit are assembled on a frame (3) and are linked to each other by means of a kinematic system (7, 8, 12, 13, 16, 17), and that said driving device (1) mechanically indicates the operation conditions of the whirlpool system.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch (15) is connected to one single phase of the high voltage circuit supplying the motor.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving device (1) comprises a knob (4) having a hollow cylindrical stem (6) with a prolonged protrusion (7) provided with a cam-shaped edge at the end.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving device (1) indicates the operation condition of the whirlpool system by means of symbols (19, 20) visible through a notch (21) provided in the knob (4).
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 2, characterized in that the said frame (3) comprises a collar (5) wherein a knob (4) is rotatably arranged, and a plate (14) on which an electric box (2) is mounted.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 2, characterized in that the switch (15) is contained in the electric box (2) being provided with a guide (12) inside which a rod (13) suitable for driving said phase switch (15) is arranged.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the switch (15) is connected to all the phases of the high voltage circuit supplying the motor.
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving device (1) comprises an air flow adjusting system, which includes a sealing device (22) and air ducts (23).
- Whirlpool systems drive according to claim 1, characterized in that the driving device (1) is provided with a plurality of cams, associated to a plurality of switches (15).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT002466A ITMI20052466A1 (en) | 2005-12-22 | 2005-12-22 | CONTROL FOR WHIRLPOOL SYSTEMS WITH MECHANICAL INDICATION OF THE OPERATING STATUS |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1800643A1 true EP1800643A1 (en) | 2007-06-27 |
EP1800643B1 EP1800643B1 (en) | 2011-01-12 |
EP1800643B9 EP1800643B9 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
Family
ID=38008314
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06425787A Active EP1800643B9 (en) | 2005-12-22 | 2006-11-20 | Whirlpool systems drive with mechanical indication of the operation conditions |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1800643B9 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE494877T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602006019540D1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2359729T3 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20052466A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4844333A (en) | 1988-04-08 | 1989-07-04 | Tridelta Industries, Inc. | Spa side control unit |
DE3806858C1 (en) * | 1988-03-03 | 1989-08-03 | Metronic Electronic Gmbh, 7210 Rottweil, De | |
FR2665625A1 (en) * | 1990-08-07 | 1992-02-14 | Technoplast | Installation comprising a bath tub and an integrated device for blowing air |
US6059536A (en) * | 1996-01-22 | 2000-05-09 | O.I.A. Llc | Emergency shutdown system for a water-circulating pump |
US6681414B1 (en) * | 2002-03-04 | 2004-01-27 | May Manufacturing, Inc. | Jet flow control for hydrotherapy spa |
-
2005
- 2005-12-22 IT IT002466A patent/ITMI20052466A1/en unknown
-
2006
- 2006-11-20 DE DE602006019540T patent/DE602006019540D1/en active Active
- 2006-11-20 ES ES06425787T patent/ES2359729T3/en active Active
- 2006-11-20 EP EP06425787A patent/EP1800643B9/en active Active
- 2006-11-20 AT AT06425787T patent/ATE494877T1/en active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3806858C1 (en) * | 1988-03-03 | 1989-08-03 | Metronic Electronic Gmbh, 7210 Rottweil, De | |
US4844333A (en) | 1988-04-08 | 1989-07-04 | Tridelta Industries, Inc. | Spa side control unit |
FR2665625A1 (en) * | 1990-08-07 | 1992-02-14 | Technoplast | Installation comprising a bath tub and an integrated device for blowing air |
US6059536A (en) * | 1996-01-22 | 2000-05-09 | O.I.A. Llc | Emergency shutdown system for a water-circulating pump |
US6681414B1 (en) * | 2002-03-04 | 2004-01-27 | May Manufacturing, Inc. | Jet flow control for hydrotherapy spa |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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ES2359729T3 (en) | 2011-05-26 |
ATE494877T1 (en) | 2011-01-15 |
EP1800643B1 (en) | 2011-01-12 |
EP1800643B9 (en) | 2011-06-22 |
ITMI20052466A1 (en) | 2007-06-23 |
DE602006019540D1 (en) | 2011-02-24 |
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