EP3922367B1 - Sanitary article - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a sanitary article according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for operating an arrangement of sanitary articles.

STATE OF THE ART

A large number of automatic cleaning devices for toilets are 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 into the toilet bowl from above 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 in an arc 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 pamphlets DE 10 2009 020155 , KR 2011 0002320 U , U.S. 3,054,116 , CN 106 677 303 and the CN 106 677 304 disclose further cleaning devices.

The disadvantage arises from the prior art that the structures of the proposed automatic toilet cleaning devices are very complicated, whereby the cleaning devices are prone to failure and/or the result of the cleaning is not always satisfactory.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Proceeding from this prior art, the invention is based on the 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 that 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 that faces away from the receiving space, and a cooling element, wherein the cooling element is arranged outside of the receiving space in such a way that at least one 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 of creating a protective layer on the inner surface between the inner surface and the materials falling into the receiving space. The layer of ice acting as a protective layer thus prevents the inner surface from becoming dirty. Rather, the surface of the ice layer becomes dirty. After use, the ice layer is dissolved and washed away by a rinsing process.

The arrangement of the cooling element outside the receiving space has the advantage that it does not get dirty when the sanitary article is used. The cooling element cools the wall in the area in which the cooling element is arranged.

The sanitary article assembly is preferably a toilet assembly, wherein the Sanitary body is then a toilet bowl. However, the sanitary article arrangement can also be a urinal arrangement, in which case the sanitary body is then a urinal. In a further variant, the sanitary article arrangement can be a washstand arrangement or shower arrangement, with the sanitary unit then being a washstand 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 can be selected to be higher or lower. In the case of materials with poor thermal conductivity, the wall thickness in the area of the cooling element should be made thinner than in the case of materials with better thermal conductivity. Alternatively, a cooling element with a higher output can also be used.

Furthermore, the sanitary article arrangement comprises at least one water outlet, which water outlet is directed onto 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 that 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 seat. However, the water outlet can also be an element integrated into the sanitary unit, via which appropriate wetting water can be dispensed.

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

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

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

Preferably, when a use is detected by the detection element, wetting water for wetting the surface area can be discharged from the water outlet. This ensures that the surface area that is cooled by the cooling element is wetted with wetting water, so that the ice layer can be built up with a high level of process reliability.

A controllable valve is preferably arranged for the dispensing of wetting water, which is opened when the user is detected, so that wetting water can be dispensed 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. An electrothermal converter also has the advantage that the cooling starts very quickly, ie within a few seconds after the electrothermal converter is switched on.

The cooling element can be arranged in various ways on the sanitary body. In a 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.

The cooling element particularly preferably lies flat against the outer surface, so that good heat input 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 extending into the wall extends in such that the cooling element can be placed in the recess.

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

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

The partial area is preferably optimized in terms of its area, so that the inner surface is only cooled where a great deal of contamination is to be expected.

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

The first level divides the reception space into two lateral reception space areas. When viewed in the installed position, the two planes essentially run vertically.

The partial area preferably extends laterally to the first plane on both sides of the first plane, but the partial area does not extend over the entire width of the receiving space transversely to the first plane.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the sanitary unit has a siphon, with siphon water being able to be stored in the siphon up to a siphon line, with 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 at the top, with the wall providing the front surface area spaced from the siphon line lies. A rear surface area joins the siphon entrance. Between the front surface area and the rear surface area is a passage leading to the siphon entrance. Said portion is in the rear surface area.

The front surface area preferably has a free edge over which flushing water and waste can flow onto the rear surface area and the siphon duct. 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 area of the receiving space, in particular on the front surface area.

As an alternative to arranging 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 waste heat given off by the cooling element through the heat circuit being able to be passed on to other elements, such as a toilet seat ring or a bidet device. The waste heat can be used, for example, to warm up a toilet seat ring or the shower water in a bidet device.

A method for operating a sanitary article according to the above description 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 below 0° Celsius. A surface temperature between -8°C and -12°C is preferred, in particular at -10°C.

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

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 for explanation only and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. In the drawings show:

1

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

2

a top view of the sanitary item figure 1 ;

3

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

4

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

figure 5

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

6

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

7

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

8

a schematic sectional representation 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. However, the sanitary article arrangement 1 can 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 facing the receiving space 3 is, and an outer surface 6, which is remote from the receiving space 3 on.

If the sanitary unit 2 is a urinal or a toilet bowl, the receiving space 3 serves to receive human excrement. 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 an ice layer ES can be provided on the inner surface 5 . Due to the layer of ice ES, traces of dirt remain on the upper side of the layer of ice ES and not on the inner surface 5 of the sanitary unit 2 . The layer of ice ES can be washed away in the course of a rinsing process together with the traces of dirt adhering to it.

Furthermore, the sanitary article arrangement 1 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 unit 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 be provided by a spray nozzle or a toilet seat ring, for example.

Furthermore, the sanitary article arrangement 1 comprises at least one optional detection element 10 for detecting the beginning and/or the end of a usage action 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 shown only schematically. However, the detection element 10 can also be arranged on an actuating plate or other sanitary-technical elements which interact with the arrangement of sanitary articles 1 .

When the start of a use action 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 a use action is detected, the cooling element 7 is deactivated accordingly. This switching regime ensures that no unnecessary cooling is used for any intended use.

Furthermore, when a use is detected by the detection element 10 , wetting water is discharged from the water outlet 9 to wet the surface area 8 . This release of wetting water further ensures that the ice layer ES can form in a process-reliable manner.

The cooling element 7 can be designed in various ways. An electrothermal converter is shown as the cooling element 7 in the figures. The electrothermal converter is preferably a Peltier element. Such a cooling element 7 allows electrical energy to be converted very quickly into cold, as a result of which the inner surface 5 can be correspondingly cooled. The cooling element 7 preferably rests on the outer surface 6 . However, the cooling element 7 can also be embedded in the wall 4 .

In an alternative embodiment, the cooling element 7 can be provided by a cooling circuit, with appropriate line loops for the circulation of a refrigerant being arranged in the wall or on the wall. In this variant, further 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 installed position in the vertical. The second level divides the accommodation space 3 into a front accommodation space area 12 and a rear accommodation space area 13 . Said partial area 11 is located in the rear receiving space area 13. In the case of a toilet bowl, partial area 11 is located at the point at which the greatest soiling 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 the siphon 15 up to a siphon line SL. The siphon 15 has a siphon inlet 16 and a siphon outlet 17 at the level of the siphon line SL. 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 follows the siphon inlet 16 accordingly and is designed 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 16. Said part area 11 lies in the rear surface area 19. That is, in the embodiment shown essentially the rear surface area 19 is cooled.

In addition, the inner surface 5 has guide elements 14 in the embodiment shown.

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 stream of urine hitting the front receiving space area 12 is deflected accordingly, so that the stream of urine does not flow off via the sub-area 11 that is cooled, but instead flows past the sub-area 11 accordingly. In the embodiment shown, the urine flows laterally to the partial area 11 to the siphon inlet. This is indicated by the two arrows U in the figure 2 shown accordingly. The guiding elements 14 rise from the inner surface 5. The guiding elements 14 are preferably integrally formed 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 a bidet device.

In the figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional arrangement through the wall 4 in Area of the cooling element 7 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 also includes a heat sink 20 which is arranged opposite the outer surface 6 on the Peltier element. Waste heat produced can be dissipated via the heat sink 20 . When the cooling element 7 is activated, the wall 4 of the sanitary unit 2 is correspondingly cooled, so that the layer of ice ES can form.

The figure 5 shows another variant of the figure 5 , A heat transfer layer 21 being 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 thermally conductive paste.

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

Then shows the figure 8 a further 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 19 posterior surface area 2 sanitary body 20 heatsink 3 recording room 21 thermal mediation layer 4 wall 22 mechanical connection 5 inner surface 23 adhesive layer 6 outer surface 24 passage 7 cooling element 8th surface area B Width 9 water outlet 10 detection element E1 first floor 11 subarea E2 second level 12 front IT layer of ice recording room area SL siphon line 13 rear u Arrow recording room area 14 guiding elements 15 siphon 16 siphon inlet 17 siphon outlet 18 front surface area

Claims (15)

1. Sanitary article arrangement (1) comprising

   a sanitary body (2) having a receiving space (3), in particular for receiving human excreta, the receiving space (3) being provided by a wall (4), which wall (4) has an inner surface (5) facing the receiving space (3) and 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) in such a way that at least a 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),

   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) is wettable by wetting water flowing out of the water outlet (9).
2. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sanitary article arrangement (1) further comprises at least one detection element (10) for detecting the beginning and/or the end of a use action by a user,
   wherein the cooling element (7) can be activated when the start 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.
3. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that wetting water for wetting the surface area (8) can be discharged from the water outlet (9) when use is detected by the detection element (10).
4. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooling element (7) is an electrothermal transducer, in particular a Peltier element.
5. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized,

   in that the cooling element (7) is arranged on the outer surface (6), in particular in direct contact with the outer surface (6); or

   in that the cooling element (7) is partially or completely integrated into the wall.
6. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cooling element (7) is provided by a cooling circuit, wherein conduit loops for circulation of a refrigerant are arranged on or in the wall.
7. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one surface area (8) is a partial area (11) of the total area of the inner surface (5), wherein the cooling element (7) acts exclusively on said partial area of the inner surface (5).
8. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that a first plane (E1) extends centrally through the receiving space (3) and in that a second plane (E2) extends at right angles to the first plane (E1), the second plane (E2) dividing the receiving space (3) into a front receiving space region (12) and a rear receiving space region (13), and said partial region (11) being located in the rear receiving space region (13).
9. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the partial region (11) extends laterally to the first plane (E1) on both sides of the first plane (E1), but wherein the partial region (11) does not extend over the entire width (B) of the receiving space (3) as seen transversely to the first plane (E1).
10. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the sanitary article body has a siphon (15), wherein siphon water can be stored in the siphon (15) up to a siphon line (SL), wherein the siphon (15) has a siphon inlet (16) located at the level of the siphon line (SL) and a siphon outlet (17), wherein a front surface region (18) covers the siphon inlet (16) at the top, wherein a rear surface region (19) adjoins the siphon inlet (16), wherein a passage (24) leading to the siphon inlet (16) lies between the front surface region (18) and the rear surface region (19), and wherein said partial region (11) lies in the rear surface region (19).
11. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to claim 8, 9 or 10, when dependent on claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the inner surface (5) comprises guiding elements (14) arranged in such a way that urine flows around the cooled surface area (8), said guiding elements (14) preferably being arranged in the front receiving space region (12).
12. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cooling element (7) cools the entire inner surface (5).
13. Sanitary article arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sanitary article arrangement (1) has a heat circuit, wherein waste heat emitted by the cooling element (7) through the heat circuit can be passed on to other elements, such as a toilet seat ring or an under-shower device.
14. Method of operating a sanitary article arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in a step of activating the cooling element, the cooling element is activated such that the inner surface (5) is cooled to a surface temperature below the freezing point of water.
15. A method of operating a sanitary article arrangement (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 13, characterized in that in a step of activating the cooling element, the cooling element is activated such that the inner surface (5) is cooled to a surface temperature below the freezing point of water, that the cooling element (7) is activated upon detection of use of the sanitary article (1) by the detection element (10), 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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