EP2754761B1 - Control arrangement for water fittings - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a control arrangement for the actuation of actuators of a water fitting according to the preamble of claim 1 and a water fitting according to claim 12.

The term "water fitting" is to be understood in the present case. It includes all components that are directly or indirectly related to the water outlet operation. These include all types of water outlet points, all types of electrical actuators such as water outlet valves to regulate the water outlet, mixing units to regulate the water temperature, eccentric to regulate the water drainage, atomizing units for the delivery of fragrances, mist generators o. The like .. Such a water valve includes but also All types of control components and associated control units, each equipped with at least one control element.

A water fitting in the present sense is versatile. In the foreground are the areas of application of bathroom and kitchen, which is not to be understood as limiting.

With the use of the above electrical actuators, in particular the water outlet valves and the mixing units, there are numerous opportunities for comfort increase during operation of the water fitting. Today's control arrangements provide a variety of functions, which often results in a complicated operation.

The known control arrangement ( EP 1 953 299 A1 ), from which the invention proceeds, is used to control electrical actuators of a water fitting, wherein operating parameters such as water temperature and water outflow rate for the operation of the water fitting can be manipulated by controlling the actuators.

The control arrangement is associated with an electrical control unit and a plurality of operating units, each having a control element in the form of a pushbutton. By operating the operating elements, operating parameters can be entered, such as the water temperature or the Wasserauslassstelle to be acted upon with water. An ON / OFF button is provided to start the outlet operation of the water fitting. Only after pressing this button is it possible to enter operating parameters. Despite the simple control engineering structure, this results in a complicated operation,

From the WO 2011/096961 A1 and the US 5,868,311 Further control arrangements are known, these providing a control of the water temperature and Wassennenge using sensors.

A control arrangement with an analogue control unit for adjusting the water temperature and the amount of water is from the US 2008/0271238 A1 known.

The invention is based on the problem, the known control arrangement to design and further develop that a comfort increase with simple operating means is possible.

The above problem is solved in a control arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

It is essential first of all to consider that the control unit can be brought into a standby mode, in which there is no actuation of the actuators directed to the outlet operation of the water fitting.

It is also essential to consider that the control unit, from the standby mode, starts the outlet operation of the water fitting in a wake-up operation upon input of an operating parameter by an operating element. For starting the exhaust operation so not necessarily a separate button is required. Rather, a control element which is present anyway for the input of operating parameters is used for triggering the wake-up operation.

Finally, it is important to consider that, in the wake-up operation, the outlet operation of the water fitting is started based on a standard operating parameter set stored in a memory of the control unit.

The proposed solution opens up the possibility for the operator to start the outlet operation simply by operating a control element, for example by operating a control plate aimed at adjusting the water outflow rate. It is not easier to start the exhaust operation for the operator.

The preferred embodiments according to claims 5 to 8 relate to preferred conditions for triggering the wake-up operation. In the particularly preferred embodiment according to claim 7 directed to the manipulation of Wasserausflussrate control panel also serves to trigger the wake-up. In a further preferred embodiment according to claim 8, however, the wake-up is triggered only when the adjustment of the control actuator is directed to an increase in the Wasserausflussrate. This takes into account the fact that the operator intuitively "turns up" the operator for the water outflow rate to wake up the water faucet.

According to a further teaching according to claim 13, which has independent significance, a water fitting with electrical actuators and with a proposed control arrangement for the actuation of the actuators is claimed. Reference may be made to all statements on the proposed control arrangement.

Fig. 1

eine vorschlagsgemäße Wasserarmatur, die in einem Badbereich installiert ist,

Fig. 2

die Steuerungsstruktur im Bereich A der Wasserarmatur gemäß Fig. 1 und

Fig. 3

die Bedieneinheiten der Wasserarmatur gemäß Fig. 1.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

a proposed water faucet installed in a bathing area,

Fig. 2

the control structure in area A of the water fitting according to Fig. 1 and

Fig. 3

the operating units of the water fitting according to Fig. 1 ,

The proposed control arrangement is used to control electrical actuators 1-4 of the water fitting 5. It was noted above that it can act in the electric actuators 1-4 actuators of any kind. Here and preferably, the actuators 1-3 are designed as electrical water outlet valves, while the actuator 4 is designed as an electric atomizer unit for the generation of scent. Other electric actuators in this sense are electric fog generators, electric bulbs, electric fans o. The like .. In the illustrated and so far preferred embodiment, the water outlet valves 1-3 are each with a not shown, integrated mixing unit equipped so that the inflow from the hot water line 5a can be mixed with the flow from the cold water line 5b in the valve. This makes it possible to realize a separate water temperature for each water outlet point.

The illustrated water faucet 5 is installed as part of a bathing application comprising a hand basin, a bathtub and a shower unit. The explanation of the shower unit is present in the foreground, which is not to be understood as limiting.

Here and preferably, the water outlet valves 1-3 are arranged directly at the respective Wasserauslassstellen. A synopsis of Fig. 1 and 2 shows that the water outlet valve 1 is associated with a hand shower, the water outlet valve 2 a surge shower and the water outlet valve 3 of a ceiling shower. It is also conceivable that a central water outlet valve is provided for all Wasserauslassstellen.

The operation of the water fitting 5 can be described by a number of operating parameters. These include, for example, the water temperature and the water outflow rate at the individual water outlet valves 1-3, the atomization rate of the atomizer unit 4 o. The like ..

By controlling the above electrical actuators 1-4, the operating parameters for the operation of the water fitting 5 can be manipulated. For this purpose, the control arrangement has at least one, here exactly one, electrical control unit 6 and at least two, here and preferably seven, electrical control elements 14-20 for the input of operating parameters. Fig. 2 shows that the control unit 6 with the actuators 1-4 on the one hand and with the controls 14-20 on the other hand control technology coupled. Based on the input or preset operating parameters, the control unit 6 controls the actuators 1-4.

The control technology coupling 21 between the control unit 6 and the control elements 14-20 and between the control unit 6 and the at least one actuator 1-4 is preferably a bus-based coupling. Here and preferably, the bus-based coupling is a CAN-based Coupling. The control unit 6, the actuators 1-4 and the controls 14-20 are respectively equipped with a bus interface 6a, 1a-4a, 14a-20a. With such a bus-based coupling can be achieved with little effort, a high flexibility in the installation. Basically, an Internet-based coupling, in particular a UDP coupling, conceivable.

Of particular importance is the fact that the control unit 6 can be brought into a standby mode in which no activation of the actuators 1-4 directed at the outlet operation of the water fitting 5 takes place. The control unit 6 assumes the standby mode when the water fitting 5 is not used by the operator. The simple waking up of the control unit 6 from the standby mode is present in the foreground.

However, it is first of all worth mentioning that the control unit 6 has a memory 22 for at least one standard operating parameter, which is directed to a preset outlet operation. Preferably, a single standard operating parameter set is stored in the memory 22. It is also conceivable that several standard operating parameter sets are stored in the memory 22.

The waking of the control unit 6 from the standby mode is proposed in a conceivable simple way possible. For this purpose, an operating parameter input by an operating element 14-20 is sufficient. Such operation starts in a wake-up operation the exhaust operation of the water fitting 5 based on a stored standard operating parameter set. If a plurality of standard operating parameter sets are stored in the memory 22, a decision routine for the selection of the standard operating parameter set to be used is still run in the control unit 6. This will be explained below.

In order to start the outlet operation, it is therefore only necessary for the operator to make an operating parameter input by an operating element 14-20 as if the water fitting 5 were already in the outlet mode.

The control elements 14-20 are, as indicated above, in each case assigned to an operating unit 7-13, wherein here and preferably the operating units 7-13 are each configured separately installable. In the illustrated and insofar preferred embodiment, each control unit 7-13 is associated with exactly one control element 14-20.

To distinguish between the terms "control unit" and "control element" may be noted that it is the control element exclusively to the element for receiving the operator action, while it is the control unit to the complete unit including attachment means for installation o . acts.

The control unit 6 provides at least one automatic function, in which the control unit 6 determines a manipulation or a manipulation sequence of operating parameters based on the operating parameters according to a predetermined rule and controls them accordingly in the actuators 1-4. This allows complex constellations of operating parameters to be implemented in a way that is simple for the operator.

The control unit 6 is preferably equipped with a microprocessor running an operating system such as Windows-CE® or Linux®. Thus, the behavior of the control unit 6 can be programmed in a wide range, so that the control unit 6 can provide largely arbitrary automatic functions.

In a preferred variant, the control unit 6 provides a static automatic function, in which the control unit 6 actuates the operating parameters statically in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the operating parameters. For example, it is conceivable that a control element 20 allows the selection of an operator name, whereby the control unit 6 individualizes all operating parameters to this operator name. The concordance between the operator name and the operating parameters would then be stored in the control unit 6. This setting of the operating parameters would not be changed by the control unit 6 until further notice. It is accordingly a static automatic function. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the operating element 20 is associated with such an individualization function.

Alternatively or additionally, the control unit 6 can provide dynamic automatic functions, in which the control unit 6 controls a flow of the manipulation of operating parameters according to a predetermined rule, again based on the input or preset operating parameters. For example, it is conceivable to "play back" entire choreographies of the manipulation of operating parameters with the dynamic automatic function. Such a dynamic automatic function, the controls 17 and 19 are assigned, which allow a selection of the processes S1-S4.

The control element 16 allows the selection of the respective Wasserauslassstelle. This is not an automatic function. Finally, the control element 18 serves in turn to select static automatic functions, which are also referred to here as "ambience functions". By selecting the ambience functions A1-A4, for example, a predefined control of the atomizer unit 4, or other peripheral actuators such as lighting, a fan o. The like. Possible. In principle, the ambience functions can also be realized as dynamic automatic functions.

The operating elements 14, 15 are electrical operating devices which are directed to a manipulation of the water temperature and the water outflow rate. These two controls 14, 15 are designed according to the proposal as a turntable, as will be explained.

The term "operator" is to be understood in the present case and includes any operating element that allows a continuous, user-side adjustment of an operating parameter. A continuous adjustment in this sense, for example, also takes place when an operation of "+/-" - leads to an incremental adjustment of the respective operating parameter.

In standby mode, the control unit 6 is in an idle state, which is preferably particularly low-loss. In standby mode, the control activities are restricted accordingly. Preferably, in the standby mode, the control unit 6 monitors at least one control element 14-20 for an operation, and the control unit 6 triggers the wake-up operation when detecting this operation of the control element 14-20. Serves the operator So one of the monitored controls 14-20, the exhaust operation is started based on a stored standard operating parameter set.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outlet operation immediately follows the operation of the wake-up triggering control element 14-20. Thus, starting the exhaust operation for the operator is associated with a minimum of time.

It has already been pointed out that the operating elements 14, 15 are configured in each case as operator controls, wherein the control unit 6 triggers the wake-up process when detecting an adjustment of the operator. Preferably, however, it is the case that the control unit 6 only triggers the wake-up process when the adjustment of the control actuator takes place over a minimum adjustment range. This can ensure that accidental starting of the outlet operation, for example during a cleaning process, is avoided.

It is also conceivable that the control unit 6 initiates at least a preparatory measure for the outlet operation at a first adjustment of the control actuator 14, 15. Such a preparatory measure may be, for example, the switching on of displays, which are arranged here in the operating elements 1-20. Then it is so that a further adjustment of the control unit 14, 15 triggers the wake-up. In the event that the operator is designed as an incremental operator, the first adjustment may correspond to a predetermined number of increments, preferably a single increment. Such a two-stage operating methodology can be advantageous in terms of operation, in particular if operating information is displayed to the operator via the displays even before the actual exhaust operation begins.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the control unit 6 only triggers the wake-up operation when the adjustment of the control actuator takes place in a predetermined adjustment direction. This further reduces the likelihood of an unwanted awakening process.

The start of the outlet operation is particularly intuitive if an operator control unit 15 serving to manipulate the water outflow rate initiates the wake-up operation can trigger. The operator will regularly see the start of the exhaust operation in close association with this control panel 15.

An optimal compromise between intuitive operation and low probability of error results from the fact that the control unit 6 only triggers the wake-up process when the adjustment of the control dial 15 is directed to an increase in the water outflow rate.

It may be pointed out at this point that the wake-up process can be triggered with each of the illustrated control elements 14-20, possibly in very different ways. All variants presented here can be combined with one another as desired.

In the illustrated embodiment, it is further preferably such that a wake-up operation triggering operator plate 14 is used to manipulate the water temperature. This can be advantageous if the operator wants to influence the water temperature as the first operating parameter after the wake-up process.

For the suitability of the controls 14-20 for triggering the wake-up process, it depends on the structural design hardly. It has been found to be advantageous that the configuration of the operator controls as a turntable, as a sliding plate or as a button for the above-mentioned incremental adjustment are user-friendly with regard to the continuous adjustment of an operating parameter. This is the case with the operating elements 14, 15.

In the event that a selection must be made when entering operating parameters, selection controls have proven in which an operator selection trigger a corresponding wake-up.

An advantageous variant, which is accompanied by a further increase in comfort, is characterized in that at least two standard operating parameter sets are stored in the memory 22 of the control unit 6 and that the control unit 6 decides during the wake-up process in a decision routine based on which standard operating parameter set the outlet operation is started. For example, in this sense could be a standard parameter set be stored with low water temperature and a standard operating parameter set with high water temperature. In the adjustment of the water temperature control panel 14, the standard low water temperature control parameter set would be used if the control panel 14 were operated for temperature reduction. Conversely, the standard high water temperature operating parameter set would be used if the temperature increase control 14 were operated. The latter variant leads to a particularly intuitive operating methodology.

According to another teaching, which has independent significance, a water fitting 5 is claimed as such. Such a water fitting 5 is equipped with electric actuators 1-4, in particular with water outlet valves and with a proposed control arrangement for the actuation of the actuators 1-4. Reference may be made to all statements on the proposed control arrangement.

Claims (12)

1. Control arrangement for controlling actuators (1-4) of a water fitting (5), in particular water outlet valves, wherein the operating parameters for the outlet operation of the water fitting (5) can be manipulated by controlling the actuators (1-4),
   wherein the control arrangement has at least one electrical control unit (6) and at least two electrical operator control elements (14-20) for inputting operator control parameters, wherein the control unit (6) is coupled, in terms of control, to the actuators (1-4), on the one hand, and to the operator control elements (14-20), on the other hand, and controls the actuators (1-4) on the basis of the operator control parameters, and wherein the control unit (6) has a memory (22) for at least one standard set of operator control parameters,
   wherein the control unit (6) can be changed to a standby mode in which the actuators (1-4) are not controlled in a manner aimed at the outlet operation of the water fitting (5), and the control unit (6), from the standby mode, starts the outlet operation of the water fitting (5) in a wake-up process on the basis of a stored standard set of operator control parameters in response to an operator control parameter input by means of an operator control element (14-20),
   characterized
   in that an operator control element (14, 15) is in the form of an operator control regulator, and in that the control unit (6) triggers the wake-up process if an adjustment of the operator control regulator is captured.
2. Control arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that the operator control elements (14-20) triggering the wake-up process are each assigned to an operator control unit (7-13), and in that these operator control units (7-13) can each be installed separately, preferably in that precisely one operator control element (14-20) is assigned to each of these operator control units (7-13).
3. Control arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (6) in the standby mode monitors at least one operator control element (14-20) for operator control, and in that the control unit (6) triggers the wake-up process if this operator control of the operator control element (14-20) is captured.
4. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (6) triggers the wake-up process only if the operator control regulator (14, 15) is adjusted over a minimum adjustment range.
5. Control arrangement according to Claim 4, characterized in that the control unit (6) triggers the wake-up process only if the operator control regulator (14, 15) is adjusted in a predetermined adjustment direction.
6. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operator control regulator (15) which triggers the wake-up process is used to manipulate the water outflow rate.
7. Control arrangement according to Claim 6, characterized in that the control unit (6) triggers the wake-up process only if the adjustment of the operator control regulator (15) is aimed at increasing the water outflow rate.
8. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operator control regulator (14) which triggers the wake-up process is used to manipulate the water temperature.
9. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operator control regulator (14, 15) which triggers the wake-up process is in the form of a rotary regulator, a slide regulator or a touch regulator.
10. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one operator control element (16-20) is in the form of a selection operator control element, and in that an operator selection triggers a wake-up process.
11. Control arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two standard sets of operator control parameters are stored in the memory (22) of the control unit (6), and in that the control unit (6) decides, during the wake-up process, in a decision routine, on the basis of which standard set of operator control parameters the outlet operation is started.
12. Water fitting having electrical actuators (1-4), in particular having water outlet valves, and having a control arrangement for controlling the actuators (1-4) according to one of the preceding claims.

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