EP3453803A1 - Actuating device for actuating a locking device for closing an outlet opening - Google Patents

Abstract

An actuating device for actuating a closure device for closing a drain opening for a sanitary receptacle, in particular sink, sink or the like, wherein the actuating device has an electronically operated drive unit and at least one actuating element for actuating the closure device, wherein the actuating device is a sensor device with at least one non-contact triggering sensor element comprises.

Description

The invention relates to an actuating device for actuating a closure device for closing a drain opening, in particular for a sanitary receptacle such as a sink, sink or the like, wherein the actuating device has an electrically operable drive unit and at least one actuating element for actuating the closure device.

The invention further relates to a sanitary receptacle, in particular sink, sink or the like.

The invention further relates to a method for controlling a closure of a drain opening, in particular a sanitary receptacle such as a sink, sink or the like, wherein by means of a closure means a drain opening is opened or closed, and by means of an actuating device comprising an electrically operated drive unit and an actuating element , the closure device is actuated.

Although the present invention is generally applicable to actuators for actuating a shutter to close any drain holes, the present invention will be explained with respect to sink actuators and their drain holes.

Known rinses have a sink, the drain opening is provided for example with a mechanical actuator for moving a closure element for closing and opening the drain opening of the sink. For this purpose, a rotary control knob is arranged on the upper side of the sink, with which a vertical movement of the closure element from an open position to a closed position or vice versa is enabled when it is rotated by a user of the sink. Here, the rotational movement of the rotary control knob is converted, for example by means of a Bowden cable in a linear movement of the closure element.

The disadvantage here is that such a Bowden cable connection obstructs the arrangement of pipe connections of the sink. In addition, the rotary control knob on the top of the sink obstructs the cleaning of the sink and facilitates pollution, since lime, dirt and the like on or can deposit under the rotary control knob.

To solve the problem has therefore been proposed to provide completely or partially retractable push buttons for the operation instead of the rotary control buttons. The disadvantage of these, however, is that they also protrude beyond the upper edge of the sink, and so easily pollute.

Furthermore, pressure-actuated sensors have become known, which are arranged on the top of the sink. These also have, as they protrude above the sink top, the above pollution problem. In addition, an additional opening in the surface of the sink or the worktop must be provided for this, which complicates the production and thus increases the cost. Furthermore, the operation of such pressure sensors is usually not intuitive; the triggering of the actuator is thus unreliable for a user.

From the DE 10 2004 021 416 U1 In addition, a movement device for moving a closure element for closing a drain opening has become known. In this case, an actuating device for actuating a closure device for closing a drain opening is actuated by means of a piezoelectric sensor. The piezoelectric sensor is arranged on the underside of a sink in a recess so that it can be triggered from above by a user of the sink by means of contact, for example with a finger, so that the movement device opens or closes the closure element.

In order to avoid unintentional actuation signals of the sensor, the sensor can be designed as a 2-zone sensor with an inner detection area and an outer detection area. In addition, capacitive sensors for detecting the level of the sink are arranged, for example, two superimposed on one side or on different sides of the sink, which detect a level. The movement device closes or then opens according to the detected level, the closure element of the drain opening.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an actuator, a sanitary receptacle and a method for controlling a closure of a drain opening, in particular a sanitary receptacle, which are easy and reliable to operate, easy to clean and visually are appealing and have high flexibility, in particular with respect to the position of a sensor device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative actuator, an alternative sanitary receptacle, and an alternative method of controlling a closure of a drain port, particularly a sanitary receptacle.

The present invention solves the objects in an actuator for actuating a closure device for closing a drain opening for a sanitary receptacle, in particular sinks, sinks or the like, wherein the actuating device has an electronically operated drive unit and at least one actuating element for actuating the closure device in that the Actuating device comprises a sensor device with at least one non-contact triggering sensor element.

The present invention also solves the objects in a sanitary receptacle, in particular sink, sink or the like by an actuator according to one of claims 1-12.

The present invention further solves the objects in a method for controlling a closure of a drain opening, in particular a sanitary receptacle such as sink, sink or the like, wherein by means of a closure means a drain opening is opened or closed, and wherein by means of an actuating device comprising an electrically operable Drive unit and an actuator, the closure device is actuated, characterized in that the actuating device by means of a sensor device comprising at least one non-contact triggering sensor element is actuated.

One of the advantages achieved with this is that, for example, sink and worktop surfaces do not have to be provided with an opening or recess by a contactlessly triggering sensor device, which on the one hand is visually appealing, on the other hand lowers the cost of production. In addition, the sensor device can be arranged more flexibly with regard to its position, that is to say, for example, in areas which are difficult to reach with fingers from a user.

The term "contactless" with respect to a sensor element is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to a sensor element which can monitor and trigger a specific area, area, area or volume, when a change in the particular area, area, area or volume occurs without the need to directly contact the sensor element and / or a force acting directly or indirectly on the sensor element by the touch. A non-contact triggering sensor element is, for example, a sensor element which is arranged on a rear side of a wood panel or the like and is triggered in particular when a change in the area monitored by the sensor element occurs on the front side of the wood panel. A change is also detected in the region of the plate itself, provided that it lies in the area monitored by the sensor element. In particular, the sensor element is triggered by touching or sweeping the surface of the front surface, the release taking place independently of the force or pressure generated by the contact.

Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or become apparent:
According to an advantageous development, the at least one sensor element is designed as a capacitive sensor element and / or as an acoustic sensor element. One of the advantages of a capacitive sensor element, which in particular can be calibrated by itself, is its flexible nature Possible uses for essentially all non-metallic materials.

An acoustic sensor, for example in the form of one or more microphones and / or loudspeakers, makes it possible in a flexible manner to recognize speech or voice commands and thus extremely flexible and simple non-contact operation of the actuating device, for example without the aid of possibly soiled hands.

According to a further advantageous development, the sensor device is wirelessly connected to the actuating device for its actuation. As a result of the wireless connection with the actuating device, the sensor device, in particular its sensor elements, can be positioned independently of one another virtually anywhere in the corresponding range of the radio link. If the sensor device is used to actuate a closure of a sanitary drainage container, it can be positioned essentially in the entire kitchen environment in accordance with local conditions, customer wishes or the like. The radio connection can also be encrypted to prevent abuse.

According to a further advantageous development, the actuating device and / or the sensor device comprises an independent electrical energy supply unit. Such an electrical power supply unit may be, for example, a battery, a rechargeable battery, a capacitor or the like. As a result, the flexibility in positioning the sensor device is further increased. Due to the independent in electrical power supply unit, the sensor device and / or the actuator on a wired power supply, eg. Via a power outlet, instructed.

According to a further advantageous development, the sensor device comprises a plurality of non-contact triggering sensor elements, which have different triggering modes and / or different orientations of the detection surface. If the sensor device allows different types of triggering by sensor elements of different design, the reliability of the triggering can be substantially increased: For example, if one combines the detection of speech with the detection of gestures by the sensor device avoided that on the one hand during a conversation unintentionally, the actuator is actuated when in addition to a voice command and a corresponding gesture for triggering is necessary. If different orientations of the detection surfaces in the individual sensor element and / or in the case of different sensor elements are used, the reliability also increases since faulty tripping can be detected and suppressed more easily by different orientations.

According to a further advantageous development, the sensor device and / or the actuating device is designed for the material-locking fixing, in particular has a self-adhesive element or the like. This allows in a simple and reliable manner, the determination of the sensor device and / or the actuator, for example, on a back of a sink. By means of the cohesive connection, an intact surface is also essentially provided; elaborate screw connections or clip connections are thus avoided.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a confirmation device for confirming an actuation of the actuating device and / or the closure device is arranged. By means of a confirmation, a user can be shown whether the actuating device or the closure device has been operated in accordance with his wishes. The user can also receive feedback about the state of the closure device in this way.

According to a further advantageous development, the confirmation device has at least one acoustic element, in particular a loudspeaker, at least one tactile element, in particular a vibration element, and / or at least one optical element, in particular one or more light sources. This makes it possible in a particularly flexible manner to provide a feedback or a confirmation of the actuation of the actuating device and / or the closure device to a customer. The feedback can be made according to customer specifications or individually adjusted by the customer if necessary.

According to a further advantageous development, the actuating device comprises a control device which is designed to detect a gesture of a user by means of the sensor device and to actuate the actuator upon successful detection. In this way, a flexible operation can be provided, which is easily manageable and learnable by the user.

According to a further advantageous development, the actuating device and / or the confirmation device can be learned by a user. In this way, in a particularly individual manner, for example, a user himself can predefine a gesture for triggering the sensor device or for actuating the actuating device and learn it on the actuating device. For this purpose, the actuating device can be put into a learning mode, for example, so that the user makes a gesture one or more times in succession, the gesture is detected by the sensor device and the control device then calibrates a corresponding actuation of the actuating device on the basis of the detected gestures.

According to a further advantageous development, an interface, in particular a wireless interface, is arranged for configuring the actuating device. The advantage of this is that a user, for example by means of a mobile device or the like, wirelessly or alternatively or additionally wired wired to configure the actuator. Interfaces can be provided, for example, in the form of a WLAN interface, USB interface or the like.

According to a further advantageous development, the sensor device comprises at least one sensor element, which has a substantially vertically aligned detection surface. On the one hand, a high reliability in triggering is possible by means of a contactless triggering sensor device with a substantially vertically aligned detection surface. In the case of a horizontally aligned detection surface, ie with a detection or sensor region extending substantially in the vertical direction, unintentional triggering can be caused, for example, by drops in the sensor Tripping area on the surface of the sink, carried by a pot, wipe or the like, which extend in a vertically oriented detection surface is substantially in the horizontal direction Detection or sensor range is not possible. Likewise, a more flexible choice in the positioning of the sensor device is possible because it is not limited to horizontal surfaces for fixing the sensor device.

According to an advantageous development of the sanitary receptacle, the at least one sensor device is arranged on a rear side of the sanitary receptacle below its surface. The advantage of this is that the sensor device can be mounted concealed and the sanitary receptacle offers a reduced optical and thus high-quality appearance.

According to a further advantageous development of the sanitary receptacle, the sensor device is arranged on a side closest to a user of the sanitary receptacle. The advantage of this is that a user can trigger the sensor device in a particularly simple manner, since it is in its immediate vicinity when using the sanitary receptacle. In addition, this can also be easily maintained, since in general the user of the sanitary receptacle facing side is easily accessible.

According to a further advantageous development of the sanitary receptacle, the sensor device is arranged at least partially centrally on the side closest to a user. One of the advantages achieved with this is that the maintenance and operability is further improved or simplified: both left-handed and right-handed users can, for example, in a gesture control of the actuating device, simply operate these in each case.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the sanitary receptacle, the sensor device comprises a plurality of sensor elements, which are offset horizontally and / or vertically against each other, in particular on the sanitary receptacle, are arranged. Alternatively or additionally, these can also be arranged on or under a worktop in which the sanitary receptacle is partially arranged. The advantage of this is that the reliability of the release is further improved. Accidental operations, for example by splash water or the like are avoided. In addition, more complex gestures are possible, such as swiping gestures, in terms of time successively the sensor elements of the sensor device are triggered and the corresponding time-resolved detection detected by the control device as a gesture and the actuating device is then actuated accordingly. The sensor elements thus act collectively for detection together, the signals of which are then evaluated by the control device.

According to a further advantageous development of the sanitary receptacle, the sensor device, in particular at least one of the sensor elements, is firmly bonded to the sanitary receptacle, in particular by means of an adhesive connection. This allows a substantially arbitrary position of the sensor device with simultaneous reliable determination. A pretreatment of the surface for fixing is required - if at all - only to a very small extent. Elaborate specifications by means of a screw or the like omitted.

According to a further advantageous development of the sanitary receptacle, a water supply device, in particular a mixer tap, and / or a Reinigungsmittelzuführeinrichtung, in particular a soap dispenser, arranged, wherein at least one sensor element of the sensor device in the Wasserzuführeinrichtung and / or the Reinigungsmittelzuführeinrichtung is arranged. Thus, for example, a control or non-contact actuation of a mixer tap and / or the cleaning agent supply device can be additionally provided.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the sanitary receptacle, the sensor device is designed to detect the level in the sanitary receptacle, wherein the actuating device is designed to actuate the closure device when a predetermined maximum level is exceeded, so that the closure is at least partially opened and falls below a predetermined minimum level and / or a predetermined period of time to operate the closure device for closing the closure. The advantage of this is that essentially an overflow protection can be provided so that an additional open or concealed mounted overflow system can be omitted. The overflow protection can be ensured even with a lack of power supply, for example. An empty battery or a power failure in a connection to the mains, by then the actuating device is designed accordingly, so that the shutter is open or is when the actuator is de-energized, ie in the absence of power supply is. Likewise, if, for example, a power supply unit uses capacitors to supply power to the actuating device, in the event of a power failure, its voltage peaks can still be used to open the shutter.

According to an advantageous development of the method, the actuating device is actuated by means of at least one gesture of a user who detects the sensor device. In this way, a familiar control or triggering principle is made available to a user.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the actuating device is configured by a user, in particular one or more different gestures are taught for operation. This increases flexibility, as the user can learn gestures as they wish.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, a gesture is detected by means of a plurality of non-contact trained sensor elements and actuates the actuating device based on the detected gesture. This allows a particularly reliable operation of the actuator.

According to a further advantageous development of the method, when the sensor device is triggered, the actuating device switches the closure device from a first to a second state, and when actuated again, the actuating device switches the closure device from the second to the first state. This allows by means of the same or by another gesture a so-called "toggle", d. H. Opening and closing the closure device by repeatedly triggering the sensor device.

Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subclaims, from the drawings, and from associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components or elements.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Form einen sanitären Aufnahmebehälter gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung; und

Fig. 2

eine Spüle gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

It shows

Fig. 1

in schematic form a sanitary receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2

a sink according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows in schematic form a sanitary receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In detail is in Fig. 1 a sanitary receptacle in the form of a sink 100 is shown. The sink 100 has a drain opening 3, which by means of a closure device 2, comprising a vertically movable stopper 2 'for closing, has. For actuating the closure device 2 and thus the plug 2 ', an actuating device 1 is arranged, which is connected to an electric motor 8 for its control. This is in turn connected to a Bowden cable 7, which can move the plug 2 'between at least one closed position and an open position by means of a known mechanism. For the power supply of the electric motor 8, this is connected to a mains connection 9 '.

The actuator 1 is further connected to a battery 9 for the electrical power supply. The actuating device 1 further comprises a microcontroller 16 for processing information that is sent from one to the Actuator 1 connected sensor device 4 are provided. For the configuration of the actuating device 1, an interface 15 is arranged, here in the form of a USB interface. Alternatively or additionally, wireless interfaces such as WLAN, Bluetooth, etc. may be used.

As explained above, the actuating device 1 is connected to the sensor device 4, which has a plurality of sensor elements 5, 6, wherein here one of the sensor elements 5, 6 is designed as a capacitive sensor element 5 and the other as an acoustic sensor element 6. The sensor device 4 or its sensor elements 5, 6 may be connected together or each individual with a separate power supply unit, here in the form of a battery 9. As in FIG. 1 can be seen, the respective detection surfaces 5 ', 6' are oriented in the vertical direction, the detection area is thus oriented substantially horizontally or extends substantially in the horizontal direction. In the sensor element 5, a double-sided adhesive tape 10 is arranged on the detection surface 5 'for fixing the sensor element 5 on a back side of the sink 100. The sensor elements 5, 6 can also be an adhesive bond or the like with the sink 100, a worktop or be connected to the like.

The actuating device 1 is furthermore connected to a confirmation device 11, which comprises a loudspeaker 12, and a vibration element 13, for example an electrically driven motor which carries an imbalance. Furthermore, the confirmation device 11 comprises a light source 14 for optically signaling a state of the closure device 2 or an actuation of the actuation device 1. In this case, the loudspeaker 12 can again be connected to the confirmation device 11 wirelessly or by means of a cable. The same applies correspondingly to the vibrating element 13. The confirming device 11 is designed so that upon actuation of the actuating device 1, for example, via the loudspeaker 12 outputs a confirmation tone and / or triggers a vibration 13 via the vibrating element 13. In this case, the vibration element 13 can be arranged below the surface 101 of the sink 100. However, it is also conceivable to arrange this in a mixer tap, in a countertop or the like. Finally, as already stated above, the actuating device 1 and the confirmation device 11 with a light source 14, here in the form of a light emitting diode connected. Upon actuation of the actuating device 1, for example, the confirmation device 11 via the LED 14 signals a user, whether or in what form the actuator 1 has been operated. It is also conceivable that the confirmation device 11 displays the state of the closure device 2 temporarily or permanently. For this purpose, a sensor may also be arranged which monitors the closing state of the plug 2 'and transmits this information to the actuating device 1. This can be part of the sensor device 4 or also interact separately with the actuating device 1. The confirmation device 1 further comprises a microcontroller 16. This serves to process data or sensor signals of the sensor elements 5, 6 and convert them into control signals for the closure device 2 or, more precisely, the electric motor 8 and for the confirmation device 11.

The actuating device 1 can, for example, be put into a so-called "learning mode", so that a user can learn various gestures by appropriate actuations, for example triggered by means of gestures. The microcontroller 16 then calculates a corresponding recognition scheme from the data obtained from the sensor elements 5, 6 during the making of the respective gesture and stores this in a memory of the confirmation device 1. If the actuating device 1 is then returned to the normal operating state, and the microcontroller 16 receives sensor signals from the sensor elements 5, 6, it compares the obtained sensor signals with the sensor signals for the respective gesture or gestures stored for the recognition schemes. The actuating device 1 then actuates the electric motor 8 accordingly when the microcontroller 16 has detected a correspondingly stored gesture on the basis of the sensor signals of the sensor element 5, 6.

The actuating device 1 can, for example, be put into a so-called "cleaning mode", so that a user can clean the sink 100 without being triggered by corresponding gestures. The cleaning mode can be switched off and / or on and is switched off again after a predetermined period of time. The switching on and off can be taught by a specific gesture, either by a user or fixed in advance, be triggered. The actuating device 1 can switch on and / or off again due to certain gestures and / or additional specific operations of other components, in particular for the general application in relation to sanitary receptacles, the cleaning mode.

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide the actuating device 1 for actuating a water supply device, for example a mixer tap, a cleaning agent supply device, for example a soap dispenser or the like, so that a user, for example with a first gesture, can actuate the closure element 2 'by means of a second from the first different gesture the mixer tap can open and close and by means of a third gesture a hot / cold control of the mixer allows. This significantly increases the usability of the sink as a whole, as a user can control by appropriate gestures contactless the entire sink, which is particularly advantageous for dirty hands. A control is for example alternatively or additionally possible by voice commands or the like: If the actuator comprises a microphone o. Ä., Can be opened by means of voice commands, the mixer tap and closed and adjusted in temperature. At the same time, for example by means of tactile gestures, the closure element can be opened or closed by means of the closure device.

By means of the actuating device 1, for example, one or more "programs" can be triggered, either learned by a user or predetermined in advance. In particular, these programs include steps for operating various components, particularly for the general scope of sanitary containers. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, that by means of one or more learned gestures, several successively connected to the actuator 1 and actuated by these sink elements: For example, in a first step, the flow of the sink can be closed and operated in a second step, a mixer tap be filled so that either the mixer tap for a certain period of time and / or up to a certain level of the sink with water. In a third step, which is executable during the second step, by means of the actuator 1, a predetermined amount of Detergent, such. Dishwashing or the like, are added by operating a detergent supply, so that then a user of the sink can rinse objects.

It is also conceivable via a wireless interface of the confirmation device to establish a connection with a mobile device of a user and make the control of the closure device and / or a Wasserzuführeinrichtung via a corresponding program running on the mobile device. In this case, for example, the speakers, microphones, interfaces, screens and the like present in the mobile device can be used as part of an actuator 1, as sensor elements or as confirmation elements of a confirmation device 11: voice commands can be recorded on the microphone of the mobile device and transmitted to the actuator 1, which then evaluates them. Also, via the mobile device, a corresponding configuration of the actuator can be made, so they are placed in the "learning mode" or the like. A feedback about the closed state of the closure device can also be transmitted via the interface of the actuator 1 to the mobile device by means of the confirmation device 11. For example, a flashing of an LED, an output of a confirmation tone or the like on the mobile device can signal a corresponding state of the closure device. Parts of the actuating device and / or the confirmation device can be realized by appropriate hardware and / or software on the mobile device. Thus, for example, the actuating device 1, which is arranged, for example, a sink, only an interface for forwarding control signals to the electric motor, provided by the mobile device include.

In addition, the sensor device 4 may be designed to detect, for example, a fill level of water in the sink of the sink 100, so that the inlet is stopped by the water supply device and / or the closure device is opened to open the closure of the sink in a corresponding overflow of the filling level to a To avoid overfilling. In addition to capacitively designed sensor elements, other sensor types for the sensor elements are also conceivable in all embodiments For example, based on radar, ultrasound, infrared and / or on the piezoelectric effect and / or optoelectronics, which are combined individually or in combination with in the sensor device or connected to this.

Fig. 2 shows a sink according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Fig. 2 is a sink 100 shown in three-dimensional view with a view obliquely from below. The sink 100 in this case has a surface 101, below which a sensor element 5c is arranged. Further sensor elements 5a, 5b are arranged on a rear side 20, 21 of the sink on the same side 21. The side 21 of the sink 100 is the one directly adjacent to a user of the sink 100. The sensor elements 5a, 5b are arranged offset in relation to one another in the vertical as well as in the horizontal direction on the side 21 of the sink 100. The sensor element 5a is arranged to the left of the sensor element 5b and closer to the surface 101 of the sink 100.

All three sensor elements 5a, 5b, 5c are connected to the actuating device 1. The actuator 1 is still - as already in Fig. 1 shown - connected to the electric motor 8 according to FIG. 1 the closure device 2 for the drain opening 3 of the sink 100 is actuated. Here, the actuating device 1 between the in FIG. 2 shown smaller sink and the larger sink via a holding element (not shown) between the two sinks set to one or both.

Also shown is the vibrating element 13, which is arranged on an underside of the surface 101 substantially in the middle of the sink 100 and is connected to the actuating device 1. If a user now makes a gesture, for example by moving a hand inside the sink in the amount of the two sensor elements 5a, 5b parallel to the side 21 of the sink 100, the corresponding sensor signals are transmitted to the actuating device and evaluated. If the actuating device 1 recognizes a gesture by comparison with a taught-in and / or a previously defined stored gesture, the closure device 2 is actuated, for example, and a tactile feedback is sent to the user via the vibration element 13 which lies on the underside of the surface 101 of the sink 100 is provided.

• Hohe Flexibilität hinsichtlich der Position von Betätigungseinrichtung und insbesondere Sensoreinrichtung,
• hochwertiges Erscheinungsbild,
• verbesserte Reinigungssituation durch weniger Elemente auf der Oberfläche, beispielsweise einer Spüle oder dergleichen,
• Bereitstellung von Bedienungsfeedback,
• flexible Anbindung und Positionierung der Sensoreinrichtung, insbesondere deren Sensorelemente,
• werkzeuglose Festlegung, und
• berührungslose Bedienung.

In summary, the invention has the following advantages:

• High flexibility with regard to the position of actuating device and in particular sensor device,
• high-quality appearance,
• improved cleaning situation due to fewer elements on the surface, for example a sink or the like,
• Providing operator feedback,
• flexible connection and positioning of the sensor device, in particular its sensor elements,
• tool-less fixing, and
• non-contact operation.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but modifiable in a variety of ways.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

actuator

2

closure device

2 '

closure element

3

drain hole

4

sensor device

5a, 5b, 5c, 6

sensor element

5 ', 6'

detection area

7

Bowden

8th

electric motor

9

battery

9 '

Power outlet

10

Double-sided adhesive tape

11

confirmation means

12

speaker

13

vibrating element

14

led

15

interface

16

microcontroller

20

Backside sink

21

User facing page

100

kitchen sink

101

Surface sink

Claims (15)

Actuating device (1) for actuating a closure device (2) for closing a drain opening (3), in particular for a sanitary receptacle (100), such as a sink, sink or the like, wherein the actuating device (1) comprises an electrically operable drive unit (8) and at least one actuating element (7) for actuating the closure device (2), characterized in that
the actuating device (1) comprises a sensor device (4) with at least one non-contact triggering sensor element (5, 6), preferably wherein the at least one sensor element is designed as a capacitive sensor element (5) and / or as an acoustic sensor element (6). Actuating device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor device (4) is wirelessly connected to the actuating device (1) for its actuation and / or that the actuating device (1) and / or the sensor device (4) has an independent electrical energy supply unit (9). having. Actuating device according to one of claims 1-2, characterized in that the sensor device (4) comprises a plurality of non-contact triggering sensor elements (5, 6) having different triggering modes and / or different orientations of the detection surface (5 ', 6'). Actuating device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the sensor device (4) and / or the actuating device (1) is designed for cohesive fixing, in particular a self-adhesive element (10) or the like. Actuating device according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that an acknowledgment device (11) for confirming an actuation of the actuating device (1) and / or the closure device (2) is arranged, preferably wherein the confirmation device (11) comprises at least one acoustic element (11). 12), in particular a loudspeaker, at least one tactile element (13), in particular a vibration element and / or at least one optical element (14), in particular one or more light sources. Actuating device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the actuating device comprises a control device (16) which are adapted to detect a gesture of a user by means of the sensor device (4) and to actuate the actuator (1) upon successful detection / or that the actuating device (1) and / or a confirmation device (12) can be learned by a user and / or that an interface (15), in particular a wireless interface, is arranged for configuring the actuating device. Actuating device according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the sensor device comprises at least one sensor element (5, 6), which has a substantially vertically aligned detection surface (5 ', 6'). Sanitary receptacle (100), in particular sink, sink or the like, characterized by an actuating device (1) according to one of claims 1-7, preferably wherein the at least one sensor device (4) on a back (20, 21) of the sanitary receptacle (100 ) is arranged below its surface (101). Sanitary receptacle according to claim 8, characterized in that the sensor device (4) on a user of the sanitary receptacle (100) nearest side (21) is arranged and / or that the sensor device (4) at least partially centrally on the user nearest side (21) is arranged. Sanitary receiving container according to any one of claims 8-9, characterized in that the sensor device (4) comprises a plurality of sensor elements (5, 6, 5a, 5b, 5c) which horizontally and / or vertically offset from each other, in particular at the sanitary receptacle (100). , are arranged and / or that the sensor device (4), in particular at least one of the sensor elements (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6), is firmly bonded to the sanitary receptacle (100), in particular by means of an adhesive connection. Sanitary receiving container according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that the sensor device (4) is adapted to detect the level in the sanitary receptacle, wherein the actuating device (1) is formed, when exceeding a predetermined maximum level, the closure device (2 , 7, 8), so that the closure (2 ') is at least partially opened and when a predetermined minimum fill level and / or a predefined time interval are undershot, the closure device (2, 7, 8) for closing the closure (2 '). Sanitary receiving container according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that a water supply, in particular a mixer tap, and / or a Reinigungsmittelzuführeinrichtung, in particular a soap dispenser, is arranged, wherein at least one sensor element of the sensor device in the water supply and / or the Reinigungsmittelzuführeinrichtung is arranged , Method for controlling a closure (2) of a drain opening, in particular a sanitary receptacle (100) such as a sink, sink or the like, wherein the drain opening (3) is opened or closed by means of a closure device (2, 2 '), wherein by means of an actuating device (7, 8), comprising an electrically operable drive unit (8) and an actuating element (7), the closure device (2, 2 ') is actuated,
characterized in that the actuating device (1, 7, 8) by means of a sensor device (4) comprising at least one non-contact triggering sensor element is actuated, preferably wherein the actuating device (1, 7, 8) is actuated by means of at least one gesture of a user who is detected by the sensor device (4). A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuating device (1, 7, 8) is configured by a user, in particular one or more different gestures are taught for operation, preferably wherein a gesture by means of a plurality of non-contact trained Sensor elements (5, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6) is detected and the actuator is actuated based on the detected gesture. Method according to one of claims 13-14, characterized in that upon triggering of the sensor device (4), the actuating device (1, 7, 8) switches the closure device (2, 2 ') from a first to a second state, and at a again actuating the actuating device (1, 7, 8) switches the closure device (2, 2 ') from the second to the first state.

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