ES2346213T3 - SANITARY DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary fixture (1) having a hydraulic device (10) for performing a number of hydraulic functions inside the sanitary fixture (1); a number of additional devices (11, 12, 13, 14) for performing a number of additional functions; and an interface device (15) having a number of control knobs (17, 18, 19) (23), each of which is rotated manually about an axis of rotation (A, B, C) into a number of angular positions, each corresponding to a selection command to select a respective hydraulic or additional function, or to a regulating command to regulate at least one parameter of a previously selected hydraulic or additional function. <IMAGE>

Description

Sanitary appliance

The present invention relates to an apparatus sanitary.

As is known, in recent years, they have designed highly advanced sanitary appliances, in particular shower cubicles, which include devices that, in addition to the main conventional hydraulic functions, for example shower and hydromassage, they also perform auxiliary functions, such as sauna, sound emission, chromotherapy and aromatherapy.

So that the user can activate manually each of the above functions, shower cubicles currently produced are equipped inside with a mixer to control shower function parameters, and a interface device housed inside the shower cubicle, next to the mixer, to activate and control the auxiliary functions and whirlpool

The mixer is defined by a lever ordinary to manually activate and regulate the supply flow of water and temperature, and the interface device includes a control panel or keyboard including a number of keys, each related to a specific order to activate or regulate a auxiliary function A control panel or keyboard for cabins shower that performs auxiliary therapeutic functions is described in US Patent 5,645,578 filed by Sybaritic, Inc., on 11/16/1994, and in US Pat. US-6,623,511 presented by Visibelle Derma Institute, Inc., 6.11.2000.

In detail, US-6,623,511 describes a personalized therapeutic compartment including a horizontal bed to support a person to be treated, and has a shower system with a plurality of shower nozzles arranged  on the bed so that a person can have a shower therapeutic while in bed. Shower system includes a water source that can be colored and coordinated with a light source inside the compartment. Be provides a source of aroma that indicates the color used for total therapeutic treatment. Therapeutic steam can be provided additional and dry air at will. A treatment method described includes chromatherapy using coordinated colors and aroma and, if you want, the colors requested for therapy of different portions of the User body

US 6,623,511 describes a sanitary apparatus that has the characteristics of preamble of claim 1 and claim 2.

In actual use, the shower cabin user regulates the shower function, that is, the flow and temperature of the water, using the lever, and enter commands on the keyboard control to select and regulate auxiliary functions and so "configure" the shower cubicle as required.

Unfortunately, the lever and the device interface occupy much of the available space within the shower cabin, thus causing a certain amount of discomfort to user. In addition, while the shower function lever It is easy enough to use, the control panel or keyboard It has large number of keys that make the introduction of orders to activate and regulate functions be embarrassing and little intuitive by the user.

An object of the present invention is provide a sanitary appliance including a device interface that is compact, and easy to use to control functions performed by the sanitary apparatus.

According to the present invention, a sanitary apparatus according to claim 1 and claim 2.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present The invention will be described by way of example with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a schematic view front of a sanitary appliance according to the ideas of the present invention.

Figure 2 represents a circuit diagram of blocks of a group of operating units that are part of the sanitary apparatus of figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 show a device Sanitary device interface in two operating conditions different.

Figure 5 schematically represents a first variation of an interface device used in the sanitary apparatus of figure 1.

Figure 6 schematically represents a second variation of an interface device used in the sanitary apparatus of figure 1.

The number 1 in Figure 1 together indicates a sanitary apparatus including a defined horizontal bottom wall by a shower holder 2, from which four extend upwards vertical side walls 3 preferably made of material plastic and bounded on the top by a wall substantially horizontal 4.

The sanitary apparatus 1 is provided in its interior of a manual shower 5; a shower head 6; and a number of nozzles, outlets and holes 7 arranged so default on side walls 3 to issue respective water jets under pressure given from several points and in several addresses to the sanitary apparatus 1 to perform a function of whirlpool

The sanitary apparatus 1 also includes a number of speakers 8 mounted on the side walls 3 to generate sound signals; and at least one nozzle or outlet 9 mounted on a side wall 3 to emit steam and hot air and thus produce a sauna effect on the user's body (not shown).

With reference to figure 2, the apparatus Sanitary 1 also includes a number of control devices to activate and control the various functions performed by the sanitary apparatus 1. More specifically, the devices of control include a hydraulic device 10 to regulate, to the order, temperature and water flow of manual shower 5 and / or shower head 6 and / or nozzles, outlets and holes 7.

The sanitary apparatus 1 also includes a additional device 11 to regulate time and / or temperature of steam and hot water at will.

Control devices also include a additional audio device 12, which is connected and supplies The speakers 8 audio signals to allow sound emission inside of the sanitary apparatus 1. More specifically, the audio device additional 12 preferably includes a radio unit (no represented) tunable to a radio channel to receive signals from radiofrequency; and / or a sound reproduction unit (no represented) to preferably read stored music data on a known storage device, such as a disk optical (CD, DVD) or any other similar device of data storage

Control devices also include a additional device 13 for emitting aromatic substances by a outlet 13a on a wall 3 of the sanitary apparatus 1 (figure 1); and a number of lighting devices 14, each to control one or more lighting sources 14a installed in the apparatus sanitary 1 (figure 1), for example, lamps or devices similar to emit light of a given color and intensity default

Then the functions performed by the hydraulic device 10 described above, that is, the water supply from manual shower 5 and / or shower head 6 and / or the nozzles, outlets and holes 7, will be called "hydraulic functions"; and the functions performed by additional devices 11-14, i.e. sauna, sound emission, aroma emission and lighting, will be called "Additional functions".

The 10-14 devices referred They are previously known and therefore not described in detail.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, the apparatus sanitary 1 also includes an interface device 15 that allows the user select, activate and manually control the various functions performed by the sanitary apparatus 1; and a unit control center 16 including, for example, a microprocessor, which controls each device 10-14 based on the orders selected and entered by the user through the interface device 15.

Unlike the interface panels of user of known sanitary appliances, the device interface 15 includes a number of rotary control buttons, each of which revolves around its axis at a number of angular positions, each corresponding to an order to select and activate one of the functions performed by the sanitary apparatus 1, and / or to regulate the characteristic parameters of The selected function. In other words, turning the buttons on interface device control 15, the user can select advantageously, activate and regulate the hydraulic functions and additional.

The interface device 15 also includes a display device 21 which, in use, when the user turn the control buttons, present the selected function and / or selectable and the values assigned to the parameters characteristic of the function.

In the example of figures 1 and 2, the interface device 15 includes three rotary control buttons, which are located in the central wall 3 of the sanitary apparatus 1, are aligned in a preferably vertical direction and separated a predetermined distance, and revolve around axes respective parallels A, B and C.

The display device 21 includes three display rings 21a, each of which extends, in wall 3, around a respective control button for present and / or indicate the order associated with the angular position assumed, at every moment, by the rotary control button respective.

More specifically, the interface device 15 includes a first control button 17 to select and activate each of the functions that the sanitary apparatus 1 can perform; and a second and third control button 18 and 19 to regulate the characteristic parameters of the selected function using the control button 17.

With reference to the example represented in the Figures 1 and 2, the rotation of the upper control button 17 performs the selection and on / off of one of the functions hydraulics including water supply by manual shower or the shower or hydromassage head, and additional functions including sauna, sound emission, aroma emission, and Interior lighting.

The second and third control buttons 18 and 19 allow to regulate the characteristic parameters of the functions previous. More specifically, when the control button 17 is set to select and activate the hydraulic supply function water by manual shower 5, manual rotation of the buttons control 18 and 19 to the various angular positions allows to regulate respectively the temperature and the flow of water supply by manual shower 5. Similarly, when the function is selected Hydraulic water supply by shower head 6, the Manual rotation of control buttons 18 and 19 allows adjustment respectively the temperature and the flow of water supply by the shower head 6. When the control button 17 is put on the angular position corresponding to the function selection hydromassage hydraulics, rotation of control buttons 18 and 19 allows to regulate respectively the temperature and the flow of the water supply through nozzles, outlets and holes 7.

When the additional function of sauna, the rotation of the control buttons 18 and 19 allows regulate the steam temperature parameter and the sauna time respectively. When control button 17 is puts in the angular position corresponding to the selection of the Additional sound function, control button rotation 18 and 19 allows you to select a piece of music or a music station radius and adjust the volume respectively.

When the function is selected and activated Additional aroma emission, rotation of control buttons  18 and 19 allows to select the type of aroma and regulate the intensity of aroma selected respectively. When the button of control 17 is placed in the angular position corresponding to the selection of additional lighting function, the rotation of control buttons 18 and 19 allow you to select the color and regulate the brightness of the light respectively.

In connection with the above, it should be noted that the rotation of the control button 17 to select and activate a given function preferably produces a graphical configuration corresponding default of display rings 21a that surround control buttons 18 and 19, in order to provide the  user a visualization of the values assumed by the Parameters of the selected function, when each button is turned control 18 or 19.

More specifically, with reference to the example represented in figures 3 and 4, the rotation of the control button 17 to select and activate a given active function automatically a respective graphic configuration of the hoops of display 21a of control buttons 18 and 19. More specifically, when control button 17 is set to select the function, the central control unit 16 orders a graphic variation of the display rings 21a surrounding the control buttons 18 and 19, each of whose display rings It is defined by a circular or semicircular graduated scale including a number of light marks that turn on / off sequentially, depending on the angular position of the button relative control, to indicate at all times the assigned value to the corresponding parameter. More specifically, each hoop of display 21a may include, for example, a circular screen or semicircular of liquid crystal or LED, and / or a dial or semi-dial (for example a dial or screen-printed semi-dial) resting and covering the luminous face of the screen, and that is backlit properly by the LEDs when the control button is turned.

In addition to rotating around the respective axis A, B, C to select functions and / or regulate parameters, each button control 17, 18, 19 also acts preferably, although not necessarily, as a control button to confirm the function selected and automatically set a parameter value predetermined.

More specifically, in addition to turning around of axis A to select a function, control button 17 it can also be temporarily pushed by the user along of the A axis to confirm and activate a function previously selected Likewise, in addition to rotating around the axis respective B, C to regulate the relative parameter, each button of control 18, 19 can be temporarily pushed by the user to what length of the respective axis to activate a procedure whereby a default value is automatically assigned to the parameter correspondent. For example, when the first control button 17 is set to select and activate the sauna function, the pressure temporary on the second control button 18 automatically assigned a predetermined average time to the sauna time parameter, and the temporary pressure on the third control button 19 assigns automatically a predetermined average temperature to the parameter of sauna temperature The values of the parameters that characterize each of the functions performed by the device toilet 1 can also obviously be automatically assigned in exactly the same way.

With reference to figure 2, the device interface 15 also includes an order control block 20 electrically and mechanically connected to the control buttons 17, 18, 19 in a known manner to translate the angular position of, and preferably pressure exerted on, each control button at a electrical control signal S_ {COM} that encodes the information previous. In connection with the above, it should be noted that the order control block 20 may be connected to the buttons control 17-19 by a connection system preferably "click" mechanic that allows operation by click control button 17-19 to activate the selected function or automatically assign the parameter value predetermined.

The central control unit 16 is connected to the command control block 20 to receive the control signal S_ {COM} and, depending on the information in the control signal S_ {COM}, orders the graphic configuration of the hoops of display and control devices 10-14.

In actual use, when the user presses one of the control buttons, activates the display ring 21a of the first control button 17, which displays the various functions selectable, each represented by a symbol, for example A graphic icon. For this, the interface device 15 is equipped with contact sensors (not shown) integrated in control buttons 17, 18, 19 to supply an output signal indicating that the user has touched a control button.

The function selection is carried out on user by turning the control button 17. When the power button is turned control 17, the corresponding display ring 21a indicates instant to instant, and by an increase in the brightness level, the function symbol corresponding to the angular position of the control button 17; and once the control button 17 is set for the angular position corresponding to the selected function, It is activated by the user by clicking the control button 17. In this point, the command control block 20 supplies a signal S_ {COM} to LA central control unit 16, which activates the device corresponding to the selected function, and orders the graphic configuration of the display rings 21a of the control buttons 18 and 19 according to the function parameters selected Once the device is activated, the symbol corresponding to the activated function lights up with a brightness predetermined.

At this point, the user can turn the control buttons 18 and 19 to assign desired values to the corresponding parameters, or you can click the control buttons 18 and 19 to automatically assign the parameter values. Also at this point, the order control block 20 supplies the signal S_ {COM} to the central control unit 16, which regulates the device parameters corresponding to the function selected based on the variation made by the user. After activating the first function, the user can turn from again the first control button 17 to activate other functions and regulate the relative parameters by means of the buttons control 18 and 19. When selecting multiple functions, the ring of display 21a of control button 17 indicates the symbols corresponding to the functions still active. It should be noted that a function is deactivated in exactly the same way as active, that is, by turning the control button 17 to the position angular corresponding to the function to deactivate, and clicking then the control button 17.

The sanitary apparatus 1 has several advantages. In in particular, the user interface device 15 of the apparatus Sanitary 1 is extremely compact compared to the panels of known user interface. In fact, setting Automatically the orders given by the control buttons second and third 18 and 19, and the respective display rings 21a, based on the function selected by the first button of control 17, the external user interface is simplified using only three control buttons, as opposed to a keyboard of control with an extremely large number of keys. Simplify of this way the user interface obviously has the great advantage to completely remove the control keyboard, and to allow the user select both hydraulic and additional functions simply by turning the control buttons.

It is clear that changes can be made in the sanitary apparatus 1 described and illustrated here without departing, without However, the scope of the present invention.

In particular, in an alternative embodiment, as opposed to three control buttons, the device user interface 15 includes a control button 23, whereby the user gives the sanitary apparatus 1 the same orders as the described above in relation to the three buttons 17-19; and a display ring of order 23a.

With reference to the example in Figure 5, the control button 23 is axially movable to three axial positions corresponding to three respective selection planes: a first axial position P1 corresponds to a function selection plane, and a second and a third axial position P2 and P3 correspond to a respective selection plane related to assign orders values to the characteristic parameters of the function selected

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6, the display device 21 includes a rectangular screen preferably, although not necessarily, located next to it, and for presenting the orders selected by the control buttons
17, 18, 19.

Claims (7)

1. A sanitary apparatus (1) including hydraulic means (10) for performing a number of hydraulic functions in the space within said sanitary apparatus; additional means (11, 12, 13, 14) for performing a number of additional functions including a sauna function, and / or a sound emission function, and / or a lighting function, and / or a emission function of scent; and an interface device (15) that allows the user to manually control each hydraulic and additional function indicated; said sanitary apparatus being characterized in that said interface device (15) includes a first control button (17) that can be manually rotated around an axis of rotation (A) to a number of angular positions, each corresponding to a selection order for select a respective hydraulic or additional function; and at least a second control button (18, 19) that can be manually rotated around a respective axis of rotation (B, C) to regulate at least one parameter of the hydraulic or additional function previously selected by means of said first button control (17). 2. A sanitary apparatus (1) including hydraulic means (10) for performing a number of hydraulic functions in the space within said sanitary apparatus; additional means (11, 12, 13, 14) for performing a number of additional functions including a sauna function, and / or a sound emission function, and / or a lighting function, and / or a emission function of scent; and an interface device (15) that allows the user to manually control each hydraulic and additional function indicated; said sanitary apparatus being characterized in that said interface device (15) includes at least one control button (23) that is axially movable along a relative axis of rotation (A) to at least three axial positions (P1, P2, P3) ; the control button (23) can be turned manually in an axial position (P1) around said axis of rotation (A) to a number of angular positions, each corresponding to a selection order to select a respective hydraulic or additional function; and being able to turn manually in each of the other axial positions (P2, P3) said control button (23) around said axis of rotation (A) to a number of angular positions, each corresponding to the regulation of a respective parameter of said previously selected function. 3. A sanitary appliance as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said interface device (15) includes display means (21, 23a) for presenting the selectable functions and / or the selected function, and the value assigned to the parameter of said selected function. 4. A sanitary apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said display means (21, 23a) include a first display ring (21a) associated with said first control button (17) and to present the selectable functions and / or the selected function; and at least a second display ring (21a) associated with said at least second control button (18, 19) and to present the value assigned to the parameter of said selected function. 5. A sanitary appliance according to claim 4, characterized by including processing means (16) for varying the graphic configuration of said second display ring (21a) based on the function selected by means of said first control button (17) . A sanitary appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hydraulic means (10) include a device (10) for controlling the water supply by a manual shower (5) and / or by a shower head (6) and / or by hydromassage outlets or holes (7); and because said additional means (11, 12, 13, 14) include a sauna regulation device (11) and / or a sound emission device (12) and / or a lighting regulation device (14) and / or a device to control the emission of aromatic substances (13). A sanitary apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control button means (17, 18, 19) (23) include means (20) for translating the rotation of said control button means (17, 18 , 19) (23) at each angular position to a relative electrical control signal (S_ {COM}) that encodes a selection order to select a function or regulation of a parameter of the selected function.