EP3922367A1 - Sanitary article - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary article arrangement (1) comprises a sanitary body (2) with a receiving space (3), in particular for receiving human excretions, the receiving space (3) being provided by a wall (4), which wall (4) has an inner surface (5) which faces the receiving space (3) and has an outer surface (6) facing away from the receiving space (3), and a cooling element (7), the cooling element (7) being arranged outside the receiving space (3), such that at least one surface area (8) of the inner surface (5) can be cooled by the cooling element (7), so that a layer of ice can be provided on the inner surface (5).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a sanitary article according to the preamble of claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

A large number of automatic cleaning devices for toilets have become known from the prior art.

For example, the DE 29 810 772 such a device, wherein a toilet brush is arranged above the toilet bowl, and is then moved from above into the toilet bowl during the cleaning process and cleans the inner walls of the toilet bowl by a rotational movement.

In the DE 29 803 216 an automatic toilet cleaning brush is shown. This brush extends arcuately over the interior of the toilet bowl and cleans it with a wiper-like movement.

the WO 03/102315 suggests cleaning the surfaces of a toilet bowl with a spray arm.

The prior art has the disadvantage that the structures of the proposed automatic toilet cleaning devices are very complicated, as a result of which the cleaning devices are prone to malfunctions and / or as a result of which the cleaning result is not always satisfactory.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art, the invention is based on an object of specifying a sanitary article arrangement which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, one object of the present invention is to specify a sanitary article arrangement with a sanitary body which can be cleaned more easily, in particular automatically.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. Accordingly, a sanitary article arrangement comprises a sanitary body with a receiving space, in particular for receiving human excretions, the receiving space being provided by a wall, which wall has an inner surface facing the receiving space and an outer one Surface facing away from the receiving space, and a cooling element, wherein the cooling element is arranged outside the receiving space, in such a way that at least a surface area of the inner surface can be cooled by the cooling element, so that a layer of ice can be provided on the inner surface.

The ice layer has the advantage that a protective layer is created on the inner surface between the inner surface and the materials falling into the receiving space. The layer of ice, which acts as a protective layer, prevents the inner surface from becoming soiled. Rather, the surface of the ice layer is contaminated. After use, the ice layer is correspondingly dissolved and washed away by a rinsing process.

The ice layer can be formed in various ways, for example by rinsing water with which the sanitary body was rinsed, or by the residual moisture in the air that is located in the receiving space.

The arrangement of the cooling element outside the receiving space has the advantage that it does not become soiled when the sanitary article is used. The cooling element causes the wall to be cooled in the area in which the cooling element is arranged.

The sanitary article arrangement is preferably a toilet arrangement, the The sanitary body is then a toilet bowl. The sanitary article arrangement can, however, also be a urinal arrangement, the sanitary body then being a urinal. In a further variant, the sanitary article arrangement can be a washstand arrangement or shower arrangement, the sanitary body then being a washbasin or a shower tray, bathtub, shower surface or shower tray.

The sanitary body can be made of sanitary ware, plastic or metal. Depending on the material and wall thickness, the performance of the cooling element should be selected higher or lower. In the case of materials with poor thermal conductivity properties, the wall thickness in the area of the cooling element must be made thinner than in the case of materials with better thermal conductivity properties. Alternatively, a cooling element with a higher output can also be used.

The sanitary article arrangement preferably further comprises at least one water outlet, which water outlet is directed towards said surface area in such a way that said surface area can be wetted by wetting water flowing out of the water outlet.

The water outlet can be provided in various ways. The water outlet can be a separate element which is attached to the sanitary body. Such an element is, for example, a spray arm, water nozzles on a toilet seat ring or on a toilet lid. However, the water outlet can also be an element integrated on the sanitary body, via which appropriate wetting water can be emitted.

The sanitary article arrangement preferably also has at least one detection element for detecting the beginning and / or the end of an act of use by a user, wherein the cooling element can be activated when the beginning of an act of use is detected and / or the cooling element can be deactivated when the end of an act of use is detected.

The detection element is, for example, a proximity sensor which detects a user when he approaches or moves away from the sanitary article. In other variants, the detection element is a pressure sensor which detects when a user has sat down on the sanitary article and rises again from the sanitary article. The detection element for detecting the end of an act of use can, however, also be linked to the flush.

The detection element is preferably connected to a controller which controls the cooling element accordingly.

In the case of use detected by the detection element, wetting water for wetting the surface area can preferably be emitted from the water outlet. This ensures that the surface area which is cooled by the cooling element is wetted with wetting water, so that the ice layer can be built up with great process reliability.

A controllable valve is preferably arranged for the discharge of wetting water, which valve is opened when the user is detected, so that wetting water can be released via the water outlet.

The cooling element is particularly preferably an electrothermal converter, in particular a Peltier element.

An electrothermal converter is very easy to use. Furthermore, an electrothermal converter has the advantage that cooling starts very quickly, that is to say within a few seconds after the electrothermal converter has been switched on.

The cooling element can be arranged in various ways on the sanitary body. In one variant, the cooling element is preferably arranged on the outer surface, in particular in direct contact with the outer surface. In another variant, the cooling element is partially or completely integrated into the wall.

Particularly preferably, the cooling element lies flat against the outer surface, so that a good introduction of heat is possible. However, it is also conceivable that a heat-conducting layer is arranged between the cooling element and the outer surface, which layer improves the heat transfer.

The wall can be designed with a smaller wall thickness in the area of the cooling element than outside the corresponding area. For example, the outer surface can be provided with an indentation that extends into the wall extends into it, such that the cooling element can be placed in the indentation.

As an alternative to the thermoelectric cooling element, the cooling element can also be provided by a cooling circuit, with line loops for the circulation of a refrigerant being arranged on or in the wall. The cooling circuit can comprise various thermal elements with which the temperature of the refrigerant can be reduced.

The at least one surface area on which the cooling element acts is preferably a sub-area of the total area of the inner surface, the cooling element acting exclusively on said sub-area of the inner surface. Accordingly, not the entire inner surface is cooled. This means that the ice layer is formed selectively in the said surface area.

The area of the sub-area is preferably optimized so that the inner surface is only cooled where a large amount of soiling is to be expected.

A first plane preferably extends centrally through the receiving space, a second plane running at right angles to the first plane. The second level divides the receiving space into a front receiving space area and a rear receiving space area. The said partial area in which the ice layer is formed lies in the rear receiving space area. In the case of toilet bowls in particular, this rear area is usually the most soiled after use.

The first level divides the recording room into two side recording room areas. When viewed in the installation position, the two planes run essentially in the vertical direction.

The sub-area preferably extends laterally to the first plane on both sides of the first plane, but the sub-area does not extend across the entire width of the receiving space when viewed transversely to the first plane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sanitary body has a siphon, wherein siphon water can be stored in the siphon up to a siphon line, the siphon having a siphon inlet and a siphon outlet at the level of the siphon line. A front surface area covers the siphon entrance on the top side, with the wall that provides the front surface area at a distance from the siphon line located. A rear surface area adjoins the siphon entrance. A passage leading to the siphon entrance is located between the front surface area and the rear surface area. The said sub-area lies in the rear surface area.

The front surface area preferably has a free edge over which rinsing water and excretions can flow onto the rear surface area or to the siphon passage. The second plane preferably extends through this edge.

The inner surface preferably has guide elements which are arranged in such a way that urine flows around the cooled surface area.

The guide elements are preferably located in the front receiving space area, in particular on the front surface area.

In an alternative to the arrangement of the cooling element in said partial area, the cooling element can also be arranged in such a way that the entire inner surface is cooled.

The sanitary article arrangement preferably has a heat circuit, with the waste heat given off by the cooling element being able to be passed on to other elements, such as a toilet seat ring or an under-shower device. The waste heat can be used, for example, to warm up a toilet seat ring or the shower water in an under-shower device.

A method for operating a sanitary article as described above is characterized in that, in a step of activating the cooling element, the cooling element is activated in such a way that the inner surface is cooled to a surface temperature below the freezing point of water. In particular, that the inner surface is cooled to a surface temperature of below 0 ° Celsius. A surface temperature between -8 ° C and -12 ° C, in particular -10 ° C, is preferred.

Particularly preferably, the cooling element is activated by the detection element upon detection of use of the sanitary article and that, after detection of use, the surface area is optionally wetted with use water. Alternatively, the cooling element is activated continuously.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf einen Sanitärartikel mit einem Sanitärkörper, hier in der Form einer Toilettenschüssel; und einem Kühlelement

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf den Sanitärartikel nach Figur 1;

Fig. 3

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der Schnittlinie II-II gemäss der Figur 2;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung der Anordnung eines Kühlelements in der Form eines thermoelektrischen Elements;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Anordnung eines Kühlelements in der Form eines thermoelektrischen Elements;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Anordnung eines Kühlelements in der Form eines thermoelektrischen Elements;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Anordnung eines Kühlelements in der Form eines thermoelektrischen Elements; und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer weiteren Anordnung eines Kühlelements in der Form eines thermoelektrischen Elements.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are only used for explanation and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective top view of a sanitary article with a sanitary body, here in the form of a toilet bowl; and a cooling element

Fig. 2

a top view of the sanitary article according to Figure 1 ;

Fig. 3

a sectional view along the section line II-II according to FIG Figure 2 ;

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of a cooling element in the form of a thermoelectric element;

Fig. 5

a schematic sectional view of a further arrangement of a cooling element in the form of a thermoelectric element;

Fig. 6

a schematic sectional view of a further arrangement of a cooling element in the form of a thermoelectric element;

Fig. 7

a schematic sectional view of a further arrangement of a cooling element in the form of a thermoelectric element; and

Fig. 8

a schematic sectional illustration of a further arrangement of a cooling element in the form of a thermoelectric element.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the Figures 1 to 3 a sanitary article arrangement 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sanitary article arrangement 1 is shown as a toilet arrangement 1 in the embodiment shown. The sanitary article arrangement 1 can, however, also be another sanitary article arrangement. For example a urinal arrangement, a vanity arrangement or a shower arrangement.

The sanitary article arrangement 1 comprises a sanitary body 2 and a cooling element 7. The sanitary body 2 comprises a receiving space 3 which is provided by a wall 4. The wall 4 has an inner surface 5 which faces the receiving space 3 is, and an outer surface 6, which faces away from the receiving space 3, on.

If the sanitary body 2 is a urinal or a toilet bowl, the receiving space 3 is used to receive human excretions. If the sanitary body 2 is a washbasin or a shower element, the sanitary body is used to hold water.

The cooling element 7 is arranged outside the receiving space 3 in such a way that at least one surface area 8 of the inner surface 5 can be cooled by the cooling element 7 such that a layer of ice ES can be provided on the inner surface 5. Due to the ice layer ES, traces of soiling remain on the upper side of the ice layer ES and do not adhere to the inner surface 5 of the sanitary body 2. The ice layer ES can be washed away in the course of a washing process together with the traces of dirt adhering to it.

The sanitary article arrangement 1 further comprises at least one water outlet 9. The water outlet 9 is shown here schematically in FIG Figure 2 shown. The water outlet 9 is directed towards said surface area 8 in such a way that said surface area 8 can be wetted by wetting water flowing out of the water outlet 9. The at least one water outlet 9 can be part of the sanitary body 2, as shown in the figures. In other embodiments, however, the water outlet 9 can also be arranged on a separate element. A separate element could for example be provided by a spray nozzle or a toilet seat ring.

Furthermore, the sanitary article arrangement 1 comprises at least one optional detection element 10 for detecting the beginning and / or the end of an act of use by a user. The detection element 10 can be designed in various ways.

According to a first variant, the detection element 10 is typically a sensor with which a user who wants to use the sanitary article arrangement 1 can be detected. In the embodiment shown, the detection element 10 is only shown schematically. The detection element 10 can, however, also be arranged on an actuating plate or other sanitary-technical elements which interact with the sanitary article arrangement 1.

When the beginning of an act of use is detected by the detection element 10, the cooling element 7 is activated. The activation is such that as soon as the detection element 10 detects a user, the cooling process is initiated by the cooling element 7. This ensures that the ice layer forms when a user is recognized accordingly. When the end of an act of use is detected, the cooling element 7 is deactivated accordingly. This switching regime ensures that no unnecessary cooling is used during any intended use.

Furthermore, in the event of use detected by the detection element 10, wetting water for wetting the surface area 8 is released from the water outlet 9. This release of wetting water further ensures that the ice layer ES can form reliably.

The cooling element 7 can be designed in various ways. In the figures, an electrothermal converter is shown as a cooling element 7. The electrothermal transducer is preferably a Peltier element. By means of such a cooling element 7, electrical energy can be converted very quickly into cold, whereby the inner surface 5 can be cooled accordingly. The cooling element 7 preferably rests on the outer surface 6. The cooling element 7 can, however, also be let into the wall 4.

In an alternative embodiment, the cooling element 7 can be provided by a cooling circuit, with corresponding line loops for the circulation of a refrigerant being arranged in the wall or on the wall. In this variant, additional refrigeration equipment, such as a compressor, is to be arranged.

In the embodiment shown, only part of the inner surface 5 is cooled. The at least one surface area 8 therefore occupies a partial area 11 of the total area of the inner surface 5. The sub-area is in the Figure 2 shown with a dashed line.

In the embodiment of the toilet bowl shown, a first plane E1 extends centrally through the receiving space 3 and a second plane E2 extends at right angles to the first plane E1. The two levels E1, E2 run in the installation position in the vertical. The second level divides the receiving space 3 into a front receiving space area 12 and a rear receiving space area 13. Said sub-area 11 lies in the rear receiving space area 13. In the case of a toilet bowl, sub-area 11 lies at the point where the greatest contamination is to be expected.

Of the Figure 3 The side view also shows that the sanitary body 2 has a siphon 15. Siphon water can be stored in siphon 15 up to a siphon line SL. The siphon 15 has a siphon inlet 16 at the level of the siphon line SL and a siphon outlet 17. A drain pipe (not shown) can be connected to the siphon outlet 17. A front surface area 18 of the inner surface 5 covers the siphon inlet 16 on the upper side. A rear surface area 19 adjoins the siphon inlet 17 accordingly and is formed here at an angle to the siphon line SL. Between the upper surface area 18 and the rear surface area 19 there is a passage 24 leading to the siphon inlet 17. Said part area 11 lies in the rear surface area 19. That is, in the embodiment shown, the rear surface area 19 is essentially cooled.

In the embodiment shown, the inner surface 5 has guide elements 14. In the embodiment shown, the guide elements 14 are arranged in the front receiving space area 12 or in the front surface area 18. The guide elements 14 are arranged in such a way that a urine jet impinging on the front receiving space area 12 is appropriately deflected so that the urine jet does not flow over the sub-area 11 that is being cooled, but rather flows past the sub-area 11 accordingly. In the embodiment shown, the urine flows laterally to the partial area 11 of the siphon entrance. This is indicated by the two arrows U in the Figure 2 shown accordingly. The guide elements 14 rise from the inner surface 5. The guide elements 14 are preferably formed in one piece on the sanitary body 2.

Furthermore, the sanitary article arrangement 1 can have an optional heat circuit, with the heat given off by the cooling element 7 being able to be passed on to other elements, such as a toilet seat ring or an under shower device.

In the Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional arrangement through the wall 4 in Area of the cooling element 7 is shown. The wall 7 has the ice layer ES on the inner surface 5. The cooling element 7, here in the form of a Peltier element, is arranged opposite on the outer surface 6. In the embodiment shown, the Peltier element 7 furthermore comprises a cooling body 20, which is arranged on the Peltier element opposite the outer surface 6. Waste heat produced can be dissipated via the cooling body 20. When the cooling element 7 is activated, the wall 4 of the sanitary body 2 is correspondingly cooled so that the ice layer ES can form.

the Figure 5 shows another variant of the Figure 5 , wherein a heat transfer layer 21 is arranged between the cooling element 7 and the cooling body 20 or the outer surface 6. This heat transfer layer 21 can be provided, for example, by a soldered connection or a heat-conducting paste.

In the Figure 6 Another variant is shown, a Peltier element also being arranged here as the cooling element 7. The sanitary body 2 is here made of a metallic material and at the same time forms the counterpart of the Peltier element. Here, too, the Peltier element has a corresponding heat sink 20.

In the Figure 7 a further embodiment is shown. In addition to those in the Figures 4 to 6 A mechanical connection 22 is arranged between the cooling body 20 and the sanitary body 2 here. The mechanical connection 22 is advantageous when the heat-transferring layer does not provide a permanent mechanical connection between the sanitary body, Peltier element and heat sink.

Then shows the Figure 8 Another embodiment in which the cooling element 7 is attached to the outer surface 6 of the sanitary body 2 with an adhesive layer 23. REFERENCE LIST 1 Sanitary ware 19th rear surface area 2 Plumbing 20th Heat sink 3 Recording room 21 Heat transfer layer 4th Wall 22nd mechanical connection 5 inner surface 23 Adhesive layer 6th outer surface 24 Passage 7th Cooling element 8th Area B. broad 9 Water outlet 10 Acquisition element E1 first floor 11th Sub-area E2 second level 12th front recording room area ES SL Ice sheet siphon line 13th rear recording room area U arrow 14th Guiding elements 15th siphon 16 Siphon entrance 17th Siphon outlet 18th front surface area

Claims (16)

Sanitary article arrangement (1) comprising
a sanitary body (2) with a receiving space (3), in particular for receiving human excretions, the receiving space (3) being provided by a wall (4), which wall (4) has an inner surface (5), which the receiving space ( 3) faces, and has an outer surface (6) facing away from the receiving space (3), and
a cooling element (7), wherein the cooling element (7) is arranged outside the receiving space (3) in such a way that at least one surface area (8) of the inner surface (5) can be cooled by the cooling element (7), so that at the inner surface (5) a layer of ice can be provided. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sanitary article arrangement (1) further comprises at least one water outlet (9), which water outlet (9) is directed towards said surface area (8) such that said surface area (8) can be wetted by the wetting water flowing out of the water outlet (9). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sanitary article arrangement (1) furthermore has at least one detection element (10) for detecting the start and / or end of an act of use by a user,
wherein the cooling element (7) can be activated when the beginning of a use action is detected; and / or wherein the cooling element (7) can be deactivated when the end of a use action is detected. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that when the use is detected by the detection element (10), wetting water for wetting the surface area (8) can be emitted from the water outlet (9). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling element (7) is an electrothermal converter, in particular a Peltier element. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the cooling element (7) is arranged on the outer surface (6), in particular in direct contact with the outer surface (6); or
that the cooling element (7) is partially or completely integrated into the wall. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cooling element (7) is provided by a cooling circuit, with line loops for the circulation of a refrigerant being arranged on or in the wall. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one surface area (8) is a sub-area (11) of the total area of the inner surface (5), the cooling element (7) exclusively on said sub-area of the inner surface (5) works. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a first plane (E1) extends centrally through the receiving space (3) and that a second plane (E2) runs at right angles to the first plane (E1), the second plane ( E2) divides the receiving space (3) into a front receiving space area (12) and a rear receiving space area (13), and said partial area (11) being in the rear receiving space area (13). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the sub-area (11) extends laterally to the first level (E1) on both sides to the first level (E1), the sub-area (11) but not extending over the entire width (B) of the receiving space (3) seen transversely to the first plane (E1). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the sanitary body has a siphon (15), wherein siphon water can be stored in the siphon (15) up to a siphon line (SL), the siphon (15) having a at the level of the siphon line (SL) lying siphon inlet (16) and a siphon outlet (17), wherein a front surface area (18) the Siphon entrance (16) covered on the upper side, a rear surface area (19) adjoining the siphon entrance (17), with a passage (24) leading to the siphon entrance (17) lying between the front surface area (18) and the rear surface area (19), and said portion (11) being in the rear surface area (19). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (5) has guide elements (14) which are arranged such that urine flows around the cooled surface area (8), the guide elements (14) preferably in the front Receiving space area (12) are arranged. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cooling element (7) cools the entire inner surface (5). Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sanitary article arrangement (1) has a heat circuit, the waste heat given off by the cooling element (7) being able to be passed on to other elements, such as a toilet seat ring or an under shower device. Method for operating a sanitary article (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a step of activating the cooling element, the cooling element is activated in such a way that the inner surface (5) is cooled to a surface temperature below the freezing point of water. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the cooling element (7) is activated by the detection element (10) upon detection of use of the sanitary article (1) and that after detection of use, the surface area (8) is optionally wetted with use water; or that the cooling element (7) is permanently activated.

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