EP3173539B1 - Method for controlling a sanitary fitting and sanitary fitting with two button operation - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a sanitary fitting and a sanitary fitting, which serves in particular the tap of water. Such sanitary fittings are regularly used in conjunction with sinks, sinks, showers and / or bathtubs.

Sanitary fittings are known from the prior art, with which a cold water with a cold water temperature and a hot water with a hot water temperature to a mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature are miscible and with which the mixed water can be provided in a desired amount. In addition, sanitary fittings are known from the prior art, with which in addition to the mixed water and hot water at a temperature of up to 100 ° C (Celsius) is zapfbar. Such sanitary fittings must have an operating concept with a scalding protection, so that a safe operation of the sanitary fitting is ensured by a user. At the same time, the operation of the sanitary fitting should be simple and intuitive for the user. From the state of the art, for example, mechanical solutions are known for this purpose, which may be, for example, levers or actuators of the sanitary fitting. The adjustment of these actuators requires a high force to activate a hot water removal, so that an unintentional activation of the hot water removal is prevented. The high expenditure of force can be generated for example by a barrier or the like of the actuator, which must be overcome before activation of the hot water removal. A disadvantage of these mechanical solutions, however, is that they have a low operating comfort.

From the EP 2 672 027 A1 For example, there are known a faucet for drawing hot water and cold water as desired, and a device for preparing and drawing water. From the DE 10 2007 050519 A1 are known a water fitting with an electric heater and at least one water connection and a water outlet and a method for operating a water faucet. From the WO 2009/103596 A1 an operating device for operating sanitary objects with a water tap is known. From the GB 2 395 899 A For example, a faucet head unit is known which contains hot and cold water lines. From the US 3 222 690 A For example, a combined manual-automatic water regulator for a tub shower installation is known.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve the problems described with reference to the prior art, at least partially and in particular a method for controlling a sanitary fitting specify with which the sanitary fitting is safe and comfortable to operate. In addition, a sanitary fitting should be specified, which is safe and comfortable to operate.

These objects are achieved with a method and a sanitary fitting according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent formulated claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent formulated claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and define further embodiments of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

1. a) Drücken einer Aktivierungstaste der Sanitärarmatur zum Aktivieren einer Funktionstaste zum Starten einer Entnahme eines Heißwassers der Sanitärarmatur;
2. b) Aktivieren der Funktionstaste, wenn die Aktivierungstaste während Schritt a) mit einer ersten Bedienkraft gedrückt wird, die eine erste Mindestbedienkraft übersteigt, und wenn die Aktivierungstaste während Schritt a) länger als eine erste Mindestdauer gedrückt wird;
3. c) Drücken der Funktionstaste;
4. d) Aktivieren der Entnahme des Heißwassers aus der Sanitärarmatur, wenn die Funktionstaste in Schritt c) mit einer zweiten Bedienkraft gedrückt wird, die eine zweite Mindestbedienkraft übersteigt, und wenn die Funktionstaste in Schritt c) länger als eine zweite Mindestdauer gedrückt wird.

The method according to the invention for controlling a sanitary fitting has at least the following steps:

1. a) pressing an activation button of the sanitary fitting for activating a function key for starting a withdrawal of hot water of the sanitary fitting;
2. b) activating the function key if the activation key is pressed during step a) with a first operator force exceeding a first minimum operator force, and if the activation key is pressed during step a) for more than a first minimum duration;
3. c) pressing the function key;
4. d) activating the removal of the hot water from the sanitary fitting, if the function key is pressed in step c) with a second operating force exceeding a second minimum operating force, and if the function key is pressed in step c) longer than a second minimum duration.

The inventive method is used in particular to control a sanitary fitting, which serves the tapping of water on a sink, a sink, a shower or a bath. The sanitary fitting has in particular on a fitting housing a Activation key for activating a function key and a function key for starting a withdrawal of hot water from the sanitary fitting. The activation key and / or the function key may in particular be electronic keys, such as capacitive keys or piezo keys. Furthermore, with the sanitary fitting in particular a mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature of, for example, 0 ° C - 37 ° C available. The mixed water can be mixed for example by means of a mixing valve or a thermostatic cartridge from a cold water with a cold water temperature of for example 0 ° C - 20 ° C and a hot water with a hot water temperature of, for example, 20 ° C - 80 ° C. In any case, with the sanitary fitting (also) a hot water with a hot water temperature of 40 ° C - 100 ° C, preferably 60 ° C - 100 ° C or more preferably 80 ° C - 100 ° C zapfbar. To avoid unintentional activation of the removal of the hot water and thus endangerment of a user of the sanitary fitting for activating the removal of hot water first according to step a) pressing the activation button of the sanitary fitting is required with a function key sanitary fitting for starting the removal of hot water activated is. Without pressing the activation key, the function key is inactive, so that the hot water can not be activated by (solely) pressing the function key. According to step b), the function key is activated by pressing the activation key only if the activation key is pressed during step a) with a first operating force exceeding a first minimum operating force, and if the activation key is pressed during step a) longer than a first minimum duration , This means, in particular, that when the activation key is pressed during step a), the first operating force with which a user presses the activation key is measured or determined and compared with the first minimum operating force. For this purpose, the sanitary fitting may have a control which is designed, for example, in the manner of a microcontroller. In addition, the activation key can also be designed (mechanically) such that it only triggers a switching signal when the first operating force exceeds the first minimum operating force. In other words, the function key is not activated when the activation key is pressed with a first operating force that is lower than the first minimum operating force, or with pressed for a first duration that is shorter than the first minimum duration. The first minimum operating force can be in particular 0.5 N (Newton) - 10 N, preferably 2.5 N - 10 N or particularly preferably 5 N - 10 N. Furthermore, the activation of the function key depends on whether the activation key is pressed during step a) longer than a first minimum duration. The first minimum duration may be, for example, 1 second to 5 seconds, preferably 2 seconds to 5 seconds, or more preferably 3 seconds to 5 seconds. The activation of the function key thus takes place in step b) only if the activation key is pressed in step a) with a sufficient first operating force and longer than the first minimum duration. This prevents activating the function key by accidentally pressing the activation key.

After activating the function key, the function key for removing the hot water from the sanitary fitting according to step c) can be pressed. The removal of the hot water from the sanitary fitting is activated according to step d) when the function key is pressed in step c) with a second operating force exceeding a second minimum operating force, and if the function key is pressed in step c) longer than a second minimum duration. This means, in particular, that when the function key is pressed, the second operating force with which the user presses the function key in step c) is measured or determined and compared with the second minimum operating force. In addition, the function key can also be designed (mechanically) such that it only triggers a switching signal when the second operating force exceeds the second minimum operating force. For this purpose, the controller can also be used. In other words, the removal of the hot water by the function key is not activated when the function key is pressed with the second operating force, which is lower than the second minimum operating force, or is pressed with a second duration, which is shorter than the second minimum duration. The second minimum operating force is in particular 0.5 N-10 N, preferably 2.5 N-10 N or particularly preferably 5 N-10 N. The second minimum duration may be, for example, 1 second to 5 seconds, preferably 2 seconds to 5 seconds or particularly preferably 3 seconds to 5 seconds. This can be prevented that the removal of the hot water from the sanitary fitting is activated by accidentally touching the function key.

In addition, it is advantageous if in step b) an activation of the function key takes place when the activation key is pressed shorter than a first maximum duration, and wherein in step b) no activation of the function key occurs when the activation key is pressed longer than the first maximum duration. The first maximum duration may, for example, be (at least) 5 seconds, preferably (at least) 10 seconds or particularly preferably (at least) 15 seconds.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if after activation of the function key in step b) a light source of the sanitary fitting flashes with a first light color. The light source is in particular an LED, which can be arranged in particular on the fitting housing of the sanitary fitting. The first light color may be, for example, the color red.

It is likewise advantageous if, during the activation of the removal of the hot water in step d), a first light source with a first light color is permanently illuminated. The light source is in particular the LED. The first light color can also be the color red.

Moreover, it is advantageous if in step d) the removal of the hot water takes place until the function key is no longer pressed or until the function key is pressed longer than a second maximum duration. The second maximum duration may, for example, be (at least) 5 seconds, preferably (at least) 10 seconds or particularly preferably (at least) 15 seconds.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, by pressing the activation key again after step b), a pot filling mode of the sanitary fitting is activated, by means of which the removal of the hot water in step d) is limited to a predetermined removal quantity of the hot water. In other words, the sanitary fitting in the pot filling mode is set up such that it only emits a predetermined amount of hot water removal. This means in particular that the removal of the hot water is automatically stopped after reaching the predetermined removal amount. The predetermined withdrawal amount can be, for example, 1 l (liters) - 3 l. The pot filling mode is used in particular for automatically filling a cooking pot with the hot water.

In addition, it is advantageous if a light source of the sanitary fitting flashes with a second light color during activation of the pot filling mode. The light source is in particular the LED. The second light color may be, for example, the color orange.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, during the removal of the hot water in the pot filling mode in step d), the light source is permanently illuminated with a first color or the second color.

It is also advantageous if the activation key or the function key is a capacitive key having an air chamber, and a pressure in the air chamber is measured to determine the first operating force of the activation key or to determine the second operating force of the function key. The capacitive key is in this case designed in particular in the manner of a capacitor. The capacitive button may have two (metal) surfaces or (metal) foils, between which the air chamber is formed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a sanitary fitting is also indicated, which has an activation key, a function key and a control, wherein the control is set up and provided for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The activation key and the function key are arranged in particular on a fitting housing of the sanitary fitting. Furthermore, the activation key and the function key are in particular data-conducting connected to the controller. The sanitary fitting is used in particular the tap of water on a sink, a sink, a shower or a bath. For further details, reference is made to the description of the method according to the invention.

• Fig. 1: eine Sanitärarmatur; und
• Fig. 2: ein Flussdiagramm eines Bedienkonzepts der Sanitärarmatur:

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but this is not limited thereto. They show schematically:

• Fig. 1 : a sanitary fitting; and
• Fig. 2 : a flow chart of a control concept of the sanitary fitting:

The Fig. 1 shows a sanitary fitting 1 with a fitting housing 6 and an outlet 7. On the fitting housing 6, an activation key 2, a function key 3 and a light source 4 are arranged. Furthermore, the sanitary fitting 1 comprises a controller 5, with which a removal of hot water from the outlet 7 of the sanitary fitting 1 is controllable.

The Fig. 2 shows an operating concept in the Fig. 1 shown sanitary fitting 1 as Flussidagramm. The operating concept is particularly in the in the Fig. 1 shown controller 5 implemented as program code. The flowchart begins in the upper left corner of the Fig.2 , The in the Fig. 1 shown light source 4, which is an LED, is off first. If the activation key 2 (in the Fig. 2 as "enable button") pressed according to step a), a check is first according to step b), whether the activation key 2 is pressed with a first operating force that exceeds a first minimum operating force. This is done either by a corresponding mechanical design of the activation key 2 or a corresponding determination or measurement of the first operating force. If the first operating force falls below the first minimum force, the function key will not be activated. Despite the fact that the check of a sufficient first operating force, this is in the in the Fig. 2 shown flowchart not shown. Only the check is shown, whether the activation key according to step b) is longer than a first minimum duration (in the Fig. 2 as "MlN_PRESS_TlME") is pressed in the flow chart). If the activation key 2 has been pressed with a first operating force that is greater than the first minimum operating force and the activation key has been pressed for longer than the first minimum duration, the light source 4 starts to flash in red in the flowchart). If the activation key 2 is also shorter than a first maximum duration (in the Fig. 2 as "MAX_PRESS_TlME"), the function key 3 ((in the Fig. 2 as "function button") according to step b) activated. If now the function key 3 is pressed with a second operating force, which exceeds a second minimum operating force, and according to step d) longer than a second minimum duration (in the Fig. 2 pressed "MlN_PRESS_TlME"), the removal of the hot water from the sanitary fitting 1 is activated until either the function key 3 is no longer pressed or longer than a second maximum duration (in the Fig. 2 as "MAX_ACTlVE_TlME") is pressed. If the function key 3 is not pressed after its activation according to step b), by pressing the activation key 2 again after step b), a pot filling mode (in the Fig. 2 activated as "potfiller"). For this purpose, the activation key 2 is longer than a third Minimum duration and shorter than a third maximum duration. During activation of the pot filling mode, the Light source 4 in orange. If subsequently the function key 3 is pressed for longer than a fourth minimum duration, a predetermined removal quantity of the hot water is dispensed through the sanitary fitting 1. The invention is characterized in particular by a high ease of use with high operator safety.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

plumbing fixture

2

activation button

3

function key

4

light source

5

control

6

fitting housing

7

outlet

Claims (10)

1. Method for controlling a sanitary fitting (1) having at least the following steps:

   a) pressing of an activation button (2) of the sanitary fitting (1) to activate a function button (3) to start withdrawal of hot water from the sanitary fitting (1);

   b) activation of the function button (3) if during step a) the activation button (2) is pressed with a first operating force which exceeds a first minimum operating force, and if during step a) the activation button (2) is pressed for longer than a first minimum time period;

   c) pressing of the function button (3);

   d) activation of the withdrawal of the hot water from the sanitary fitting (1) if in step c) the function button (2) is pressed with a second operating force which exceeds a second minimum operating force, and if in step c) the function button (3) is pressed for longer than a second minimum time period.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein in step b) activation of the function button (3) takes place if the activation button (2) is pressed for shorter than a first maximum time period, and wherein in step b) there is no activation of the function button (3) if the activation button (2) is pressed for longer than the first maximum time period.
3. Method according to either one of the preceding claims, wherein after the activation of the function button (3) in step b) a light source (4) of the sanitary fitting (1) flashes with light of a first colour.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein during the activation of the withdrawal of the hot water in step d) a first light source (4) is permanently illuminated with light of a first colour.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step d) the withdrawal of the hot water takes place until the function button (3) is no longer being pressed or until the function button (3) is pressed for longer than a second maximum time period.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein by pressing the activation button (2) again after step b) a potfiller mode of the sanitary fitting (1) is activated, by means of which the withdrawal of the hot water in step d) is limited to a preset withdrawal amount of hot water.
7. Method according to claim 6, wherein during the activation of the potfiller mode a light source (4) of the sanitary fitting (1) flashes with light of a second colour.
8. Method according to either one of claims 6 and 7, wherein during the withdrawal of the hot water in potfiller mode in step d) the light source (4) is permanently illuminated with a first colour or the second colour.
9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation button (2) or the function button (3) is a capacitive button having an air chamber and wherein to determine the first operating force of the activation button (2) or to determine the second operating force of the function button (3) a pressure in the air chamber is measured.
10. Sanitary fitting (1), having an activation button (2), a function button (3) and a controller (5), wherein the controller (5) is arranged to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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