IE20050307A1 - Touch sensitive controls for shower apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Shower apparatus (304) having a control element operative to vary the characteristics of discharged fluid, the control element being operatively associated with a touch-sensitive input device (305) whereby the discharge characteristics may be so varied. <Figure 2>

Description

The present invention relates to shower apparatus and particularly, although not exclusively, to control elements for shower apparatus which are operative to vary the characteristics of discharged fluid.

Background to the Invention and Summary of the Prior Art io A variety of domestic shower apparatus are known from the prior art.

Typically, these comprise a shower unit containing a heating element, with some also being provided with pumps, pressure balancers, cut-off devices and the like. Mixer showers, to which the present invention may also relate, do not have any water-heating facility, but may comprise complex fluid-mixing devices, safety is devices and the like. In the case of known prior art domestic electric showers, there is typically provided a wall-mounted box unit (often known as a shower unit) having a number of control devices such as buttons and knobs, mounted on the box. Operating a button or knob typically provides commands to regulate the flow and temperature of water through the shower apparatus, in accordance with user 2o requirements.

Fig. 1 illustrates one example of a prior art domestic electric shower unit. Fig. 1 illustrates a general prior art design, with specific prior art designs including the Triton ® T300SI, Triton ® Millennium ® and Triton ® Topaz ® T100I models. Referring to Fig. 1, a wall-mounted shower unit 100 comprises a body 101 in the form of a box-shaped unit, in this example mounted on a tiled wall 102. Body 101 typically includes water inlets and outlets (not shown). Body portion 101 further comprises one or more push buttons 103, which may regulate functions such as economy settings, high and low power settings and an on/off function. Further control devices such as knobs 104, 105 are typically included in prior art shower units. In this instance, knob 104 provides for one of four shower settings and knob 105 enables a variation in discharged water temperature. Referring to Fig. 1, pipework and associated water transfer fittings between shower body 101 IE Ο 5 03 0 7 -2and outlet head 106 are plumbed in behind wall 102. In alternative prior art arrangements a hose extends externally of the wall between shower body 101 and shower head 106.

Non-electric prior art shower apparatus units typically comprise a pump unit, commonly positioned behind a wall space (for aesthetic reasons) and a mixer tap typically mounted on the wall such that the user can regulate on/off functions and the temperature of discharged water. Such types of prior art nonelectric shower units include thermostatic and “combi-boiler” mixer showers.

One of the problems with prior art type shower units is the difficulty of io providing control devices such as the buttons 103 and knobs 104,105 which can be safely operated in a wet environment, over an acceptably long service lifetime.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided shower apparatus having a control element operative to vary the characteristics is of discharged fluid, the control element being operatively associated with a touchsensitive input device whereby the discharge characteristics may be so varied.

The input device may have a command input element, with different input regions of said element being responsive to touch so as to effect differing variations in the discharge characteristics. 0 The apparatus may comprise a shower unit, with the command input element conveniently forming part of the shower unit.

The command input element preferably forms part of an outer surface of the shower unit.

The outer surface may be continuous or substantially-continuous.

Similarly, the input regions may be continuous or substantially-continuous, so as to provide a physical barrier to fluid ingress.

The command input element may be operative to detect a change in pressure applied thereto and/or may be operative to detect a change in an electro-magnetic characteristic thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided shower apparatus having a shower unit and a control element operative to vary the characteristics of discharged fluid, the control element being operatively IE 0 5 0 3 0 7 -3associated with a touch-sensitive input device whereby the discharge characteristics may be so varied, the input device forming part of a continuous or substantially-continuous outer surface of the shower unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a touch-sensitive input device for varying the fluid discharge characteristics of a shower apparatus, the input device having different input regions, each responsive to touch so as to effect differing variations in said discharge characteristics.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a shower unit having a housing and a touch-sensitive input device, the input device forming part of the housing so as to provide a substantially-continuous outer surface which, during normal use of the unit, is substantially impermeable to water.

Each aspect of the present invention may comprise one or more of the features described in relation to the other aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings Specific and non-limiting embodiments of the invention, in its various aspects, will now be described, strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic external perspective view of a prior art wallmounted shower unit; Figure 2 is a part cut-away view of a shower unit body comprising a control element according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a part cut-away view of a control element according to a first specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wall portion of a shower unit body according to the first specific embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of a wall portion of a shower unit body according to second specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is an illustration of a control element for operating a shower unit according to the present invention, wherein the control element is mounted in a tile; and it Ο 5 Ο 3 Ο 7 -4Figure 7 is a flow diagram of the steps involved in inputting a command to a control element for shower unit operations.

Detailed Description and Best Mode of the Invention There will now be described, by way of example, the best mode 5 contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding but it will be apparent, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and structures have not been described in detail, io for reasons of clarity.

Referring to Fig. 2 herein, this illustrates a partial cut-away view of an electric shower unit having a body 301 forming a box-shaped unit which may be wall-mounted. Typically, body 301 is moulded from a plastics material. Apertures and pipework are provided for connection to water inlet 302 and water is outlet 303. Fig. 2 also illustrates a partial cutaway revealing the interior of the shower unit 304. A touch-sensitive area 305 is provided. The specific embodiments for the implementation of the touch-sensitive area 305 are described below.

The shower unit has a control element by which controlled discharge of 2o fluid can be effected. The control element is operatively associated with a fluid regulation device, and perhaps a pump and heating element to regulate the characteristics of the discharged fluid. The control element is operatively associated with the touch-sensitive input device 305, provided on the body portion 301. The touch-sensitive input device 305 is but one example of a variety of possible touch-sensitive control facilities. In this example, a plurality of commands may be input. For example, input device 305 may be configured such that touching one of areas 306 results in on/off operation of the shower unit. Pressing at any one of areas 309 may select a required operational mode - e.g. a high pressure, low pressure or economy setting. Pressing at one of the four regions 308 may input a command to operate one of four pre-set maximum temperature levels, according to personal user preference. A touch sensitive area 307 provides for the user to choose a temperature, wherein pressing on the It Ο 5 03 Ο 7 -5touch sensitive area 307 in regions towards the head of the arrow will result in an increased temperature.

Fig. 2 illustrates the design freedom which a touch-sensitive control panel provides. Due to the fact that no direct mechanical interaction between the shower unit’s internal circuitry (typically comprising a PCB, processor and chips) and the control panel is required, PCB 310 can be positioned separately from the control device 305. This is advantageous as the flexibility of the controls’ location is increased, with the trend towards smaller shower units in the commercial market thus being accommodated. Prior art controls are sometimes limited by io the size and position of the PCB. It is possible even to remove the PCB from the body 301 and to have a separate control panel which communicates electrically with a processor, embedded chips and the like on an associated PCB which can be separately located, e.g. in a wall partition.

The present construction also affords the advantage that different shower is unit models will not necessarily require different mouldings of body portions. That is, a single control panel design can be included in a standard moulding. Different models having increased or decreased numbers of functions can be accommodated by varying the printed graphics on the control panel, according to the optional extras included on a particular shower model. By making 0 corresponding changes to the processor and software-embedded chips included on the PCB, model upgrades and downgrades on a standard production line can easily be accommodated. There may also be a significant cost saving in the decreased time and effort in designing numerous different shower body covers 301 and designs.

Fig. 3 illustrates one way in which the touch-sensitive control facility may be provided. Fig. 3 illustrates a cutaway enlarged view of one portion of a shower unit control panel, having a body portion 301, interior region 304 and a control panel 305. The cutaway portion reveals a grid arrangement 401 lying adjacent to body portion 301.

Referring to Fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of a body portion wall 301 is illustrated showing a cross-section of the control facility. Body portion wall 301 forms a separation layer 503. Separation layer 503 comprises a first surface 501 *050307 -6being an external surface accessible to the user during shower operation and resistant to water and the domestic shower environment. Separation layer 503 further comprises a second surface 502 being an interior surface of the shower unit housing. Typically, separation layer 503 is manufactured from a plastics material having a width of between 3mm and 10mm.

Fixed adjacent to second surface 502 is the grid 401. The grid, in this case, is formed from a wire mesh which comprises a mesh of fine wire or conductive coatings forming a plurality of functional electrodes, in generally conventional manner. Wires 504 connect the grid 401 to appropriate circuitry. io The surface area of body portion 301 corresponding to the surface area of the grid 401 provides a command input element which is substantially continuous and uninterrupted i.e. having no apertures in the body portion 301 extending into the interior of the unit. The command input element and grid provide the key components of a touch-sensitive input device. Thus, in this embodiment, the is device comprises a command detection layer (the mesh grid 401), and a separation layer 503 comprising first and second surfaces 501 and 502. Command signals are input to the command input element at the first surface 501 in the required input region, by the user. Command signals are typically input by the user pressing a particular region with a finger, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other means could conceivably be employed, perhaps upon appropriate modifications to the detection circuitry being made.

As will be understood, the pressing of a user’s finger against a particular region in the command input element causes a fluctuation in the electromagnetic balance in the region of the separation layer 503. This electromagnetic disturbance can typically be transmitted through plastics materials for a depth of up to two or three cm of separation layer 503. Thus, in generally conventional manner, the mesh grid 401 acts as a plurality of electrodes detecting the change in electromagnetic characteristics by an induced fluctuation in current in the mesh grid 401. This fluctuation can readily be amplified and interpreted as a measurable electric signal which can then be transferred to a processor and associated chips on a circuit board, linked via circuitry and wires 504. Known techniques can be used to identify the particular region at which the command ΙΕΟ 5 03 0 7 -7signal was input and to translate that signal into an appropriate instruction to operate the fluid regulation device and thereby adjust the characteristics of discharged fluid, such as the rate of flow of water from the shower head, or the discharged water temperature.

In this first embodiment, it is of course possible to replace the plastics material forming the separation layer of the command input element by a separate membrane attached to body wall 301, but this will require a seal to be formed at the edges of the element and membrane, which could affect the unit’s water resistance. io As will be understood, the embodiment described above therefore relates to a capacitative/inductive means to sense the touch of a user at a command input region and to establish the location (i.e. co-ordinates) on the command input element at which the touch occurred, so that an appropriate change may be made to the fluid discharge characteristics. is Figs. 5A and Fig. 5B illustrate aspects of a second specific embodiment In the second specific embodiment a control panel region 305 as previously described and illustrated in Fig. 2 is incorporated.

Both Figs. 5A and Fig. 5B show a cross-sectional view through body wall 301 illustrating a cross-section of the control portion. As with the first specific embodiment, body wall 301 forms a separation layer 503 separating an external environment, contactable with first surface 501, from an internal environment contactable with second surface 502. The second provides for input of command signals at particular regions on command input element 305 which are transduced by a piezoelectric material 601.

Referring to Fig. 5A, a command detection layer comprises a continuous piezoelectric material layer 601 extending over the region of the command input element 305.

The piezoelectric material 601 comprises materials exhibiting a piezoelectric effect, such as piezoelectric crystals. Ail ferroelectric crystals are piezoelectric and certain additional non-ferro-electric crystals and ceramics also exhibit a piezoelectric effect. Examples include quartz crystal, rochelle salt and barium titanate (a ceramic). The piezoelectric effect is an effect whereby IE0 5 03 0 7 -8surfaces become oppositely electrically charged when subjected to stress such as compression. The magnitude of the piezoelectric effect depends on the direction of stress relative to the crystal axis. The maximum effect is obtained when the electrical and mechanical stresses are applied along the x axis (the electric axis) and y axis (the mechanical axis) respectively. By specifically configuring the layer of piezoelectric material 601, stress is introduced to separation layer 503 e.g. by pressing at arrow 602 to induce electric signals in the piezoelectric material 601 which can be transmitted through associated wires and circuitry 602. The piezoelectric material layer 601 thereby acts as a transducer, io converting the sensing of a mechanical signal (the user touching the command input region) to an electrical signal. By configuring the associated printed circuit board, processor and software-embedded chips, the zone to which a command is input can be detected by means of calculating the relative transduction coordinates in the piezoelectric material layer. This can be associated with an is output command corresponding to an input at a particular region, leading to appropriate regulation of a certain characteristic of the water supply.

Fig. 5B illustrates an alternative version of the second embodiment wherein command detection layer 601 is divided into a plurality of separate piezoelectric switches. In this scenario, each piezoelectric switch 601 2o corresponds to a particular region on the command input element 305, thereby simplifying the processing requirements due to the fact that input at a particular region is directly recognised through passage ofthe input stimulus to only one of a plurality of possible piezoelectric materials.

As with the first specific embodiment, it is possible to differentiate between user inputs (stimuli) at differing spatial positions on the command input element A command at a first region may result in a first command output and a command input at a second region may result in a second command output. For example, the first command output may be effective to turn the appliance on and the second command output may be effective to increase the water temperature. 3o Whilst shower units generally comprise a box unit comprising the heating element and (sometimes) a pump unit, it is also envisaged that the control facility ΙΕΟ 5 03 07 -9may be provided as part of a wall-mounted control panel and to conceal the associated circuitry and components behind a wall surface.

Fig. 6 illustrates a tiled wall with a protruding shower head 702, water passing to the head through hidden plumbing fixtures. One of the wall tiles illustrated comprises an input device of the general type described above. This tile comprises an external first surface, the tile thickness forming a separation layer and the tile underside forming a second surface adjacent to which either a piece of piezoelectric material or a mesh grid command detection layer is located. By manufacturing the tile from a suitable material (e.g. a ceramics or plastics io material) and using suitable graphics, a discrete control panel matching the general decor is provided, giving a touch-sensitive control facility operable to activate a shower unit through circuitry and associated wiring extending from behind the tile 703 to (for example) associated pumps, heating elements and plumbing fixtures. is Fig. 7 illustrates a flow diagram outlining the main steps in inputting a command to a touch-sensitive command input element 305 of a shower unit, and the resultant output commands. The first step 801 requires the user to press a touch-sensitive region on the input device. This region is selected according to a required control function. The command input by the user is detected at 802 by the command detection layer, through the separation layer. The command detection layer generates a measurable electrical signal at step 803 which is transmitted to an associated printed circuit board including micro-processor and/or embedded software chip(s) at step 804. A determination of the region at which the user’s input command was made is then performed through signal analysis and processing at step 804 and an output signal (at step 805) is then generated to regulate a fluid discharge characteristic such as the temperature and/or rate of water flow through the shower head.

It will be understood, from the foregoing, that the present invention provides for a number of technical and aesthetic design improvements, relating to safety, operational and visual considerations. From a safety viewpoint, the provision of an integral flat-panel control facility removes the requirement of separate knobs, dials and the like and thus allows for a continuous or nearIEO5 03 07 -10continuous outer surface to be presented, which evidently is far more resistant to unwanted water ingress. In terms of ease of operation, the lack of any physicallymoveable components means that showers provided with such control facilities are likely to be more accessible to the less-able bodied, to children and to the elderly. From an aesthetic viewpoint, the provision of a generally flat touchsensitive input capability means that a control panel can be located discretely, perhaps in place of (or as part of) a ceramic tile, in a shower cubicle surround.

As a final point, it should be noted that the touch-sensitive input facility is envisaged, by the applicants, as being applicable and relevant to a wide variety of io shower installations, and the specific embodiments shown herein should not be taken as any indication to the contrary. Specifically, the applicants envisage that the various inventions set out herein could be employed in relation to “standard” electric showers, pumped showers and mixer showers, which are generally operative simply to blend incoming hot and cold water streams. The use of the is various inventions in so-called “steam showers” is also contemplated, for the avoidance of doubt.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the 2o presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS:

1. Shower apparatus having a control element operative to vary the 5 characteristics of discharged fluid, the control element being operatively associated with a touch-sensitive input device whereby the discharge characteristics may be so varied.

2. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the input device has a io command input element, different input regions of said element being responsive to touch so as to effect differing variations in the discharge characteristics.

3. Shower apparatus according to claim 2 having a shower unit, the command input element forming part of the shower unit.

4. Shower apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the command input element forms part of an outer surface of the shower unit.

5. Shower apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said outer surface is 2o continuous or substantially-continuous.

6. Shower apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the input regions are continuous or substantially-continuous, so as to provide a physical barrier to fluid ingress.

7. Shower apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the command input element is operative to detect a change in pressure applied thereto. 3 0 8. Shower apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the command input element is operative to detect a change in an electro-magnetic characteristic thereof. £Π5 03 07 -129. Shower apparatus having a shower unit and a control element operative to vary the characteristics of discharged fluid, the control element being operatively associated with a touch-sensitive input device whereby the discharge 5 characteristics may be so varied, the input device forming part of a continuous or substantially-continuous outer surface of the shower unit.

8. 10. A touch-sensitive input device for varying the fluid discharge characteristics of a shower apparatus, the input device having different input io regions, each responsive to touch so as to effect differing variations in said discharge characteristics.

9. 11. A shower unit having a housing and a touch-sensitive input device, the input device forming part of the housing so as to provide a substantiallyi5 continuous outer surface which, during normal use of the unit, is substantially impermeable to water.

10. 12. Shower apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

11. 13. A touch-sensitive input device substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

12. 14. A shower unit substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in 25 the accompanying drawings.

13. 15. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.