US20200385967A1 - Fitting for a sanitary installation - Google Patents

Fitting for a sanitary installation Download PDF

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Publication number
US20200385967A1
US20200385967A1 US16/767,417 US201816767417A US2020385967A1 US 20200385967 A1 US20200385967 A1 US 20200385967A1 US 201816767417 A US201816767417 A US 201816767417A US 2020385967 A1 US2020385967 A1 US 2020385967A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
sanitary
fitting
control unit
vibration detector
sanitary element
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/767,417
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English (en)
Inventor
Roland Obrist
Joshua Lanter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Oblamatik AG
Original Assignee
Oblamatik AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Oblamatik AG filed Critical Oblamatik AG
Assigned to OBLAMATIK AG reassignment OBLAMATIK AG ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OBRIST, ROLAND, LANTER, JOSHUA
Publication of US20200385967A1 publication Critical patent/US20200385967A1/en
Assigned to OBLAMATIK AG reassignment OBLAMATIK AG CHANGE OF ADDRESS Assignors: OBLAMATIK AG
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
    • E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
    • E03C1/02—Plumbing installations for fresh water
    • E03C1/05—Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps
    • E03C1/055—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
    • E03C1/057—Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like touchless, i.e. using sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/48—Drying by means of hot air
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/10—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
    • E03D5/105—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl touchless, e.g. using sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24—Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/36—Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means with mechanical dispensing, roll switching or cutting devices
    • A47K2010/3668—Detection of the presence of a user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste, or the like
    • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
    • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
    • A47K5/1217—Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fitting for a sanitary installation, in particular with adjustable sanitary elements.
  • capacitive sensors or temperature sensors are known from the prior art, in which the sensor signal is used to control a sanitary element, such as a tap or a toilet flush.
  • This type of sensor can only be used to a limited extent.
  • the beam path between the source and the sensor must be interrupted in order to be able to generate a corresponding signal, as a result of which the arrangement of the sensor, e.g. in the case of a tap, must be located directly at the outlet.
  • Capacitive sensors are temperature sensitive, which leads to different signals at different temperatures in the same situation. By definition, temperature sensors are temperature sensitive. In addition, these sensors can only monitor a small area, i.e. they can only be used very locally.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a fitting for a sanitary installation which is insensitive to temperature and with which larger areas can be monitored.
  • a fitting according to the invention for a sanitary installation comprises a control unit and at least one sanitary element which can be controlled by the control unit.
  • the fitting comprises at least one vibration detector for detecting ambient vibrations, the at least one vibration detector being connected to the control unit via a data channel, the settings of the at least one sanitary element being changeable on the basis of the ambient vibrations.
  • Vibration detectors are robust detectors that work reliably and have a low susceptibility to interference. Such detectors can detect sound and convert it into an electrical signal. Structure-borne sound or sound that has been transmitted through the air can be detected.
  • the at least one vibration detector is a piezoelectric detector or a strain gauge. These detectors are commercially available and are accordingly readily available and inexpensive.
  • the fitting comprises two, three or more sanitary elements. It is possible to detect several different vibrations with one detector and to evaluate them with a control unit. This allows the control of several sanitary elements. For example, a detector can detect that a user wants to change the settings of a particular sanitary element.
  • At least one supply line is connected before the at least one sanitary element and at least one discharge line after the at least one sanitary element. This allows a flexible combination of the lines with the sanitary elements.
  • several supply lines can each comprise a sanitary element and the respective discharge lines open into a common discharge line.
  • the respective sanitary elements can be controlled separately or simultaneously.
  • the fitting comprises two, three or more vibration detectors. With several detectors, more complex vibrations can be recorded and evaluated. It is possible to recognize that a user not only wants a simple on/off of a sanitary element, but that he desires a discreet or continuous change in a setting of the sanitary element. Such a change in the settings of the sanitary element can be initiated with the control unit.
  • the at least one vibration detector is arranged on the at least one line and/or on the at least one sanitary element, or the at least one vibration detector is arranged at a distance from the at least one line and/or from the at least one sanitary element. Both variants have their advantages. If the vibration detector is arranged on the line or on the sanitary element, the detector can pick up the body vibrations which are transmitted through the line or through the sanitary element. The structure-borne sound is only weakly damped during transmission. If the detector is arranged at a distance from the lines and/or the sanitary elements, less space is required in the area of the lines or sanitary elements. This is advantageous in tight spaces.
  • the sanitary element can be selected from the group comprising a valve, a pump and a fan.
  • a valve can be, for example, a valve for liquids, such as water, disinfectant liquid or soap, or one for gas, such as air.
  • Pipes for cold water, hot water, boiling water, mineral water or other drinks, each with its own valve, can be provided, each valve being able to be opened or closed by the control unit. It is also possible to further open a valve that is already slightly open or to close it a little more. It is also possible that a valve can be opened triggered by a user and the control unit automatically closes the valve automatically after a predetermined time. Different times can be stored in the control unit for different media.
  • the sanitary element is a pump
  • a liquid can be actively pumped out of a container. These can be drinks, disinfectants or soaps, for example, filled into containers.
  • the activation of the pump is initiated by a user.
  • the deactivation can also be user-specific, or it can be carried out by the control unit.
  • the sanitary element is a fan or a ventilator.
  • a gas such as air
  • the combination of several or all elements of the above group is also possible.
  • control unit and the vibration detector are designed in such a way that they can detect the presence of a user in a predetermined area of the environment and, as a result, can change the settings of a specific sanitary element. For example, the settings of a first sanitary element are changed when it is recognized that a user is in a first area and the settings of a second or third sanitary element are changed when a user is registered in a second or third area.
  • the mentioned embodiments of the fitting can be used in any combination, provided that they do not contradict each other.
  • a fitting arrangement according to the invention comprises a sanitary installation and a previously described fitting, the vibration detector being arranged at a distance from the sanitary installation.
  • the vibration detector is independent of the sanitary installation, which allows the use of different sanitary installations with the fitting.
  • the sanitary installation can be selected, for example, from the group comprising wash basin, shower, bathtub, soap dispenser, lotion dispenser, disinfectant dispenser, hand dryer, hairdryer, toilet and urinal.
  • the fitting arrangement further comprises a sound generator, which is arranged at a distance from the fitting.
  • the sound generator is a cracked frog or another device which is able to emit a predetermined characteristic acoustic signal.
  • Two, three or more sound generators can also be provided, which can emit different acoustic signals.
  • a method according to the invention for changing a setting of a sanitary element of a fitting described above comprises the steps:
  • changing the settings can be selected from the group comprising fully and partially opening and closing a valve, switching-on or -off of a pump or fan, and increasing and decreasing the volume flow of the medium delivered by the valve, the pump or the fan.
  • FIG. 1 a schematic side view of a fitting according to the invention with a vibration detector spaced from the discharge line.
  • FIG. 2 a schematic side view of the fitting of FIG. 1 with two controllable sanitary elements and a common discharge line.
  • FIG. 3 a schematic side view of the fitting of FIG. 2 with a further controllable sanitary element and a further discharge line and vibration detectors arranged on the discharge lines;
  • FIG. 4 a schematic front view of another fitting with three discharge lines.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a fitting according to the invention with a vibration detector 3 spaced from the discharge line 6 .
  • the fitting comprises a control unit 1 , a controllable sanitary element 2 , a vibration detector 3 , a data channel 4 , wherein the control unit 1 is electrically operatively connected with the sanitary element 2 and the vibration detector 3 , for example by a data channel 4 , with which electrical signals can be transmitted.
  • the data channel 4 can be implemented with a cable or wirelessly.
  • the components of the fitting can be supplied with electrical energy by a power source, not shown. For example, by a power connection or a battery.
  • the vibration detector 3 can detect ambient vibrations 5 , convert them into electrical signals and transmit them to the control unit 1 for evaluation.
  • the settings of the sanitary element 2 can be changed on the basis of the evaluated signals.
  • a fluid such as, for example, a liquid or a gas, can be supplied to the sanitary element 2 through a supply line 5 and can be removed therefrom through a discharge line 6 .
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the fitting of FIG. 1 with two controllable sanitary elements 2 and a common discharge line 6 .
  • one supply line 5 leads to one of the sanitary elements 2 .
  • the two lines are a cold water line and a hot water line.
  • the two lines adjoining the sanitary element on the discharge side are brought together in a common discharge line 6 .
  • the mixing temperature and the flow rate of the water in the drain line can be set by adjusting the two sanitary elements.
  • the control unit 1 is electrically operatively connected to each of the two sanitary elements 2 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the fitting of FIG. 2 with a further controllable sanitary element 21 and a further discharge line 60 and vibration detectors 3 , 30 arranged on the discharge lines.
  • the vibration detector 3 is arranged directly on the discharge line 6 .
  • Cold water and hot water can be supplied to the respective valve 20 through the supply lines 5 .
  • the two lines from the two valves 20 are brought together to form a discharge line 6 .
  • Soap for example, can be fed to a pump 21 via a further supply line 50 and can be discharged from it with a further discharge line 60 .
  • Another vibration detector 30 is arranged on the further discharge line 60 .
  • the further vibration detector 30 can also be arranged at a distance from the further discharge line 60 .
  • the control unit 1 is electrically operatively connected with all sanitary elements, i.e. the two valves 20 and the pump 21 .
  • the vibration detectors 3 , 30 are also electrically operatively connected to the control unit 1 through data channels 4 , 40 . If the evaluation of the signals received by the control unit 1 shows that a user is in the area of the first discharge line, the control unit changes the settings of the valves accordingly. If a user is in the area of the second or further discharge line, this can be determined by the control unit and the settings of the pump 21 can be changed accordingly. For example, the pumping of a predetermined amount of soap or disinfectant can be initiated.
  • FIG. 4 shows a schematic front view of another fitting with three discharge lines 6 , 60 , 61 .
  • the middle discharge line 6 is a water spout
  • the left discharge line 60 is a soap or disinfectant dispenser
  • the right discharge line 61 a hand dryer.
  • a vibration detector 3 is provided, which can detect in which areas A, B, C in front of the fitting there is a user or the hands of a user.
  • a plurality of detectors can be provided, which can recognize, individually or in combination, in which area a user's hand is located.
  • the detector or detectors 3 are again electrically operatively connected to the control unit 1 by means of a data channel 4 , which is electrically operatively connected to the corresponding sanitary elements (not shown).

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Domestic Plumbing Installations (AREA)
US16/767,417 2017-12-20 2018-12-20 Fitting for a sanitary installation Abandoned US20200385967A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH01572/17 2017-12-20
CH01572/17A CH714478A2 (de) 2017-12-20 2017-12-20 Armatur für eine Sanitärinstallation.
PCT/EP2018/086075 WO2019122066A1 (de) 2017-12-20 2018-12-20 Armatur für eine sanitärinstallation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20200385967A1 true US20200385967A1 (en) 2020-12-10

Family

ID=64755572

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/767,417 Abandoned US20200385967A1 (en) 2017-12-20 2018-12-20 Fitting for a sanitary installation

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20200385967A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP3692218A1 (zh)
CN (1) CN111512000A (zh)
CH (1) CH714478A2 (zh)
WO (1) WO2019122066A1 (zh)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FI99265C (fi) * 1996-03-27 1998-02-10 Oras Oy Menetelmä ja laite urinaalin huuhtelemiseksi
US6317717B1 (en) * 1999-02-25 2001-11-13 Kenneth R. Lindsey Voice activated liquid management system
JP2005007046A (ja) * 2003-06-20 2005-01-13 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 便座装置
ITTV20040134A1 (it) * 2004-11-15 2005-02-15 Check Up S R L Struttura di dispositivo di interfaccia, particolarmente per cabine doccia o vasche idromassaggio.
DE102007014425A1 (de) * 2007-03-22 2008-09-25 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Bewegliches Dosiersystem zur Abgabe von fließ- oder streufähigen Zubereitungen
US9657464B2 (en) * 2010-05-25 2017-05-23 Kerry Dunki-Jacobs Flow control system
US9341278B2 (en) * 2012-08-24 2016-05-17 Kohler Co. System and method for manually overriding a solenoid valve of a faucet
CN204080991U (zh) * 2014-05-23 2015-01-07 中磊建设有限公司 洗手间智能节水排水装置
DE102015002784A1 (de) * 2015-04-30 2016-11-03 Grohe Ag Sanitärhalterung, eine Sanitäranordnung und Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Sanitäranordnung
CN105464185A (zh) * 2015-08-06 2016-04-06 厦门优胜卫厨科技有限公司 一种智能坐便器及其状态切换的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2019122066A1 (de) 2019-06-27
CN111512000A (zh) 2020-08-07
EP3692218A1 (de) 2020-08-12
CH714478A2 (de) 2019-06-28

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