EP3692218A1

EP3692218A1 - Fitting for a sanitary installation

Info

Publication number: EP3692218A1
Application number: EP18825688.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Obrist; Joshua Lanter
Original assignee: Oblamatik AG
Current assignee: Oblamatik AG
Priority date: 2017-12-20
Filing date: 2018-12-20
Publication date: 2020-08-12
Also published as: CH714478A2; CN111512000A; US20200385967A1; WO2019122066A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fitting for a sanitary installation comprising a control unit (1) and at least one sanitary element (2) that can be controlled by the control unit (1), wherein the fitting comprises at least one vibration detector (3) for detecting ambient vibrations (S), wherein the at least one vibration detector (3) is connected to the control unit (1) by way of a data channel (4), wherein the settings of the at least one sanitary element (2) can be changed subject to the ambientl vibrations (S).

Description

ARMATURE FOR A SANI DARK INSTALLATION

TECHNICAL GEBIE T

The present invention relates to a fitting for a sanitary installation, in particular with variable

Sanitary elements.

STATE OF THE ART

Fittings with infrared sensors, capacitive sensors or temperature sensors are known from the prior art, in which the sensor signal is used to control a sanitary element, such as a faucet or a toilet flush. This kind of

Sensors are only limited use. For example, with an infrared sensor, the beam path between the source and the sensor must be interrupted in order to generate a corresponding signal, whereby the arrangement of the sensor, e.g. at a tap,

must be located immediately at the outflow. Capacitive sensors are sensitive to temperature, which in a similar situation, at different signals

different temperatures leads. Temperature sensors are by definition temperature sensitive. In addition, these sensors can only monitor a small area, ie they can only be used very locally. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a fitting for a sanitary installation, which is temperature-insensitive and with which

larger areas can be monitored.

This object is achieved by a fitting with the features of claim 1. Other embodiments of the fitting, a fitting assembly, and a method for

Changing a setting of a sanitary element of a fitting according to the invention are defined by the features of further claims.

An inventive fitting for a sanitary installation comprises a control unit and at least one controllable with the control unit sanitary element. The fitting comprises at least one vibration detector for detecting environmental vibrations, wherein the at least one

Vibration detector via a data channel with the

Control unit is in communication, due to the environmental vibrations, the settings of the at least one sanitary element are variable.

Vibration detectors are robust detectors that work reliably and have low susceptibility to interference. Such detectors can detect sound and convert it into an electrical signal. It can be detected structure-borne noise or sound, which over the air

was transferred.

In one embodiment, the at least one

Vibration detector is a piezoelectric detector or a Strain gauges. These detectors are commercially available and therefore readily available and inexpensive.

In one embodiment, the fitting comprises two, three or more sanitary elements. It is possible several

different vibrations with a detector too

capture and evaluate them with a control unit. This allows the control of several sanitary elements. For example, it can be detected with a detector that a user determined the settings one

Would like to change sanitary element.

In one embodiment, before the at least one

Sanitary element connected at least one supply line and after the at least one sanitary element at least one discharge line. This allows a flexible combination of the lines with the sanitary elements. For example, a plurality of supply lines each comprise a sanitary element and the respective discharge lines open into a common discharge line. The respective sanitary elements can be controlled separately or simultaneously.

In one embodiment, the fitting includes two, three or more vibration detectors. With several detectors, more complex vibrations can be recorded and evaluated. It is possible to recognize that a user not only wants a simple on / off of a sanitary element, but that he wants a discrete or steady change of one

Setting the sanitary element wishes. With the

Control unit can make such a change

Settings of the plumbing be prompted. In one embodiment, the at least one vibration detector is on the at least one line

and / or arranged on at least one sanitary element or the at least one vibration detector is arranged at a distance from the at least one line and / or at least one sanitary element. Both variants have theirs

Advantages. If the vibration detector is arranged on the line or on the sanitary element, the detector can absorb the body vibrations which are transmitted through the line or through the sanitary element. The

Structure-borne noise is only weakly attenuated during transmission. If the detector is arranged at a distance from the lines and / or sanitary elements, is in the range of

Lines, or the sanitary elements requires less space. In tight spaces, this is advantageous.

In one embodiment, the sanitary element is selectable from the group comprising a valve, a pump and a fan. A valve may be, for example, a valve for liquids, such as water, disinfectant liquid or soap, or one for gas, such as air. It can provide lines for cold water, hot water, boiling water, mineral water or other drinks, each with its own valve, each valve can be opened or closed by the control unit. It is also possible to open a valve which has already been opened slightly or to close a little more. It is also possible that a valve can be opened by a user and the

Control unit automatically closes the valve automatically after a predetermined time. For Different media can be deposited in the control unit different times. Is this

Sanitary element a pump, so a liquid can be actively conveyed from a container. This can

for example, in containers filled drinks,

Disinfectants or soaps. The activation of the pump is conditioned by a user. The deactivation can also be user-related or it can be done by the control unit. The same applies to the case when the sanitary element is a fan or fan. Instead of a liquid, a gas, such as air is conveyed. It is also possible to activate a heating unit simultaneously with the fan, whereby hot air can be generated. The combination of several or all elements of the above group is also possible.

In one embodiment, the control unit and the vibration detector are configured such that they

Presence of a user in a predetermined area of the environment can detect and therefore the

Settings of a specific sanitary element can change. For example, the settings of a first sanitary element are changed when it is detected that a user is in a first area and the settings of a second or third sanitary element are changed when a user is registered in a second or third area.

The mentioned embodiments of the fitting can be used in any combination, unless they contradict each other. An inventive fitting assembly comprises a sanitary installation and a previously described fitting, wherein the vibration detector spaced from the

Plumbing is arranged. With this construction, the vibration detector is independent of the

Plumbing, what the use of

different sanitary installations with the fitting allowed.

In one embodiment, the sanitary installation is, for example, from the group comprising wash basins,

Shower, bathtub, soap dispenser, lotion dispenser,

Disinfectant dispenser, hand dryer, hair dryer, toilet and urinal selectable.

In one embodiment, the fitting arrangement further comprises a sound generator, which is arranged at a distance from the fitting. For example, the sounder is a crackpot or other device that can deliver a predetermined characteristic acoustic signal. It can also be two, three or more

Be provided sounder, which are able to deliver different acoustic signals.

A method according to the invention for changing an adjustment of a sanitary element of a previously described fitting comprises the steps:

Detecting environmental vibrations with the at least one vibration detector;

Generating a vibration signal with the at least one vibration detector; Transmitting the oscillation signal to the control unit with the data channel; and

Changing the setting of the sanitary element by the control unit due to the transmitted

Vibration signal.

In one embodiment, changing the

Group settings comprising full and partial opening and closing of a valve, switching on and off of a pump or fan, and increasing and decreasing the volume flow of the fluid delivered by the valve, pump or fan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures. These are for explanation only and are not

restrictive interpreted. Show it

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a

inventive fitting with a spaced apart from the discharge line vibration detector;

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the valve of Figure 1 with two controllable sanitary elements and a common discharge line.

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the valve of Figure 2 with a further controllable sanitary element and a further discharge line and to the

Discharge lines arranged vibration detectors; and

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of another valve with three discharge lines.

DEFINED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a fitting according to the invention with a vibration detector 3 spaced apart from the discharge line 6. The fitting comprises a control unit 1, a controllable sanitary element 2, a vibration detector 3, a data channel 4, the control unit 1 having the sanitary element 2 and the sanitary element 2

Vibration detector 3 is electrically connected,

for example, by a data channel 4, with which electrical signals are transferable. The data channel 4 can be realized with a cable or wirelessly. The

Components of the valve can be supplied with electrical energy by a power source, not shown. For example, by a mains connection or a battery. The vibration detector 3 can

Capture ambient vibrations 5, convert them into electrical signals and transmit them to the control unit 1 for evaluation. Due to the evaluated signals, the settings of the sanitary element 2 can be changed. Through a supply line 5 is a fluid, such as a liquid or a gas, the

Sanitary element 2 can be supplied and discharged through a discharge line 6 of this.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of FIG

Armature of Figure 1 with two controllable sanitary elements 2 and a common discharge line 6. Each one

Supply line 5 leads to one of the sanitary elements. 2

For example, the two lines are a cold water line and a hot water line. The two to the sanitary element on the discharge side

subsequent lines are in a common

Discharge line 6 merged. Due to the settings of the two sanitary elements, the mixing temperature and the flow rate of the water in the discharge line can be adjusted. The control unit 1 is electrically operatively connected to each of the two sanitary elements 2.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of FIG

Armature of Figure 2 with another controllable Sanitary element 21 and a further discharge line 60 and arranged on the discharge lines vibration detectors 3, 30. In contrast to the fitting of Figure 2, the vibration detector 3 is arranged directly on the discharge line 6. Through the supply lines 5 cold water and hot water to the respective valve 20 can be fed. Of the two valves 20, the two lines are brought together to form a discharge line 6. About another

Feed line 50, for example, soap of a pump 21 can be fed and discharged from this with a further discharge line 60. Another vibration detector 30 is arranged on the further discharge line 60. The further

However, vibration detector 30 may also be arranged at a distance from the further discharge line 60. The

Control unit 1 is equipped with all sanitary elements, i. electrically connected to the two valves 20 and the pump 21. The vibration detectors 3, 30 are

also electrically connected by data channels 4, 40 with the control unit 1. If the evaluation of the signals received by the control unit 1 indicates that a user is in the area of the first discharge line, then the control unit changes the corresponding one

Settings of the valves. When a user is in the

Area of the second or further discharge line is located, this can be determined by the control unit and accordingly, the settings of the pump 21 can be changed. For example, pumping a predetermined amount of soap or disinfectant may be initiated. FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of a further fitting with three discharge lines 6, 60, 61.

For example, it is in the middle

Outlet line 6 to a water spout, in the left discharge line 60 to a soap or

Disinfectant dispenser and in the right

Discharge line 61 to a hand dryer. In the

1, a vibration detector 3 is provided, which can detect in which of the areas A, B, C in front of the fitting a user or the hands of a user are located. Alternatively, a plurality of detectors can be provided, which can detect individually or in combination, in which of the areas is a user's hand. The detector or detectors 3 are again by means of a data channel 4 with the

Control unit 1 electrically operatively connected, which is electrically operatively connected to the corresponding, not shown sanitary elements.

REFERENCE LIST

1 control unit 50 supply line

2 sanitary element 6 discharge line

20 valve 60 discharge line

21 Pump 61 discharge line

22 fans 7 instruction element

3 vibration detector A range

30 vibration detector B range

4 data channel C range

40 data channel S oscillation

5 supply line

Claims

1. A fitting for a sanitary installation comprising a control unit (1) and at least one with the

Control unit (1) controllable sanitary element (2), characterized in that the fitting at least one vibration detector (3) for detecting

Environmental vibrations (S), wherein the at least one vibration detector (3) via a data channel (4) with the control unit (1) is in communication, due to the environmental vibrations (S), the settings of the at least one sanitary element (2) are variable.

2. The fitting according to claim 1, wherein the at least one vibration detector (3) is a piezoelectric detector or a strain gauge.

3. The fitting according to claim 1 or 2, comprising two, three or more sanitary elements (2).

4. The fitting according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in front of the at least one sanitary element (2)

at least one supply line (5) is connected and wherein after the at least one sanitary element (2)

at least one discharge line (6) is connected.

5. The fitting according to one of the preceding claims, comprising two, three or more vibration detectors (3).

6. The fitting according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the

at least one vibration detector (3) on the at least one line (5, 6) and / or on at least one

Sanitary element (2) is arranged or wherein the at least one vibration detector (3) spaced from at least one line (5, 6) and / or at least one

Sanitary element (2) is arranged.

7. The fitting according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sanitary element (2) from the group comprising

Valve (20), pump (21) and fan (22) is selectable.

8. The fitting according to claim 7, wherein the

Sanitary element 2 is designed for use with gas or liquid.

9. The fitting according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (1) and the vibration detector (3) are configured such that they can detect the presence of a user in a predetermined area (A, B, C) of the environment and therefore the

Settings of a specific sanitary element (2) can change.

10. A fitting assembly comprising a

Sanitary installation and a fitting according to one of preceding claims, wherein the vibration detector (3) spaced from the plumbing installation is arranged.

11. The fitting assembly according to claim 10, wherein the sanitary installation from the group comprising wash basin, shower, bath, soap dispenser, lotion dispenser,

Hand dryer, hair dryer, toilet and urinal is selectable.

12. The fitting assembly according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a sound generator, which is arranged at a distance from the valve.

13. A method for changing an adjustment of a sanitary element (2) of a fitting according to one of

Claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps:

Detecting environmental vibrations (S) with the at least one vibration detector (3);

Generating a vibration signal with the at least one vibration detector (3);

Transmitting the vibration signal to the

Control unit (1) with the data channel (4); and

Changing the setting of the sanitary element (2) by the control unit due to the

transmitted vibration signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein changing the settings from the group comprising fully and partially opening and closing a valve, turning on and off a pump or a fan, and increasing and decreasing the one by the pump or the fan subsidized volume flow of the pumped medium is selectable.