U.S. patent application number 09/898712 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-09 for sanitary installation.
Invention is credited to Kunkel, Horst.
Application Number | 20030005514 09/898712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7647743 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030005514 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kunkel, Horst |
January 9, 2003 |
Sanitary installation
Abstract
A sanitary installation (1) has a sanitary appliance and at
least one sensor (12, 13, 14) for at least one operating-condition
parameter of the sanitary appliance. Furthermore, a regulating
apparatus (10) is provided for setting at least one operating
parameter. An indicating apparatus (3) belonging to the sanitary
installation (1) cooperates with the regulating apparatus (10). The
indicating apparatus (3) has a television screen (7) and also a
control apparatus (8, 30) cooperating with the regulating apparatus
(10). The result is a sanitary installation (1) which provides a
high degree of comfort.
Inventors: |
Kunkel, Horst; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FACTOR & PARTNERS, LLC
1327 W. WASHINGTON BLVD.
SUITE 5G/H
CHICAGO
IL
60607
US
|
Family ID: |
7647743 |
Appl. No.: |
09/898712 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/615 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/0408 20130101;
E03C 1/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/615 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 4, 2001 |
DE |
10032462.2 |
Claims
1. Sanitary installation having a sanitary appliance, at least one
sensor for at least one operating-condition parameter of the
sanitary appliance, an indicating apparatus for at least one
operating-condition parameter of the sanitary appliance and a
regulating apparatus for setting at least one operating parameter
of the sanitary appliance, which regulating apparatus cooperates
with at least one control apparatus belonging to the sanitary
appliance, characterised in that the indicating apparatus (3) has a
screen (7) which cooperates with a television set (22).
2. Sanitary installation according to claim 1, characterised in
that at least one control apparatus (8) is integrated into the
indicating apparatus (3).
3. Sanitary installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterised
in that the control apparatus (8, 9) is designed as a control
panel.
4. Sanitary installation according to claim 3, characterised in
that the control panel (8, 9) is a touch-screen.
5. Sanitary installation according to claim 3, characterised in
that the screen (7) of the indicating apparatus (3) itself is
constructed as a touch-screen.
6. Sanitary installation according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the control apparatus (8, 9, 30) comprises a
remote-control device (30).
7. Sanitary installation according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the control apparatus (8, 9, 30) cooperates
with a memory (28) for predetermined values for the
operating-condition parameters and/or setting parameters for the
television set (22).
8. Sanitary installation according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the signal connection between the sanitary
appliance and the indicating apparatus (3) comprises a cableless
signal path (21).
9. Sanitary installation according to one of the preceding claims,
in which the sanitary appliance is a shower appliance,
characterised in that it is integrated into a shower cabinet.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a sanitary installation having a
sanitary appliance, at least one sensor for at least one
operating-condition parameter of the sanitary appliance, an
indicating apparatus for at least one operating-condition parameter
of the sanitary appliance and a regulating apparatus for setting at
least one operating parameter of the sanitary appliance, which
regulating apparatus cooperates with at least one control apparatus
belonging to the sanitary appliance.
[0002] From the point of view of the market, sanitary installations
of this kind are known, for example, in the form of shower devices
in which operating-parameter values are displayed with the aid of
LED numerals. As the sensor, these known sanitary installations
have, for example, a temperature sensor for the mixed-water
temperature. A mixed-water temperature can be preselected via a
mechanical or electronic regulating system via a control element,
for example a lever. The mixed-water temperature is then indicated
using the LED numerals.
[0003] Although, as regards sheer serviceability, known sanitary
installations of this kind already offer a great deal of comfort,
the demand for extra comfort functions, which are intended to
impart a luxurious quality to the sanitary installations, is
nevertheless increasingly heard in the field of high-class sanitary
installations.
[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to further
develop a sanitary installation of the initially mentioned kind in
such a way that it meets even exacting requirements as regards
comfort.
[0005] This object is achieved, according to the invention, through
the fact that the indicating apparatus has a screen which
cooperates with a television set.
[0006] The integration, which is effected in this way, of a
television into the indicating apparatus represents a variant of
the sanitary device, in terms of comfort, which utilises the
possibilities of a screen in an elegant manner. Under these
circumstances, the control apparatus can be configured in such a
way that both the sanitary appliance and the television reception
can be controlled simultaneously. An indication of
operating-condition parameters can be screened via the television
picture, if required, during television reception, as is known
practice, for example, in the case of video recorders. At the same
time, the screen may additionally facilitate indication, for
example through the fact that, when a number of operating-condition
parameters are being indicated, the said screen is subdivided into
a number of areas for the various operating-condition
parameters.
[0007] The control apparatus is preferably integrated into the
indicating apparatus. Integration of this kind may take place, for
example, through the fact that control elements are installed in
the frame of the indicating apparatus. Integration facilitates
subsequent incorporation of the said components into an already
existing sanitary installation.
[0008] The control apparatus may be designed as a control panel. In
this connection, a "control panel" is understood to mean a group of
control elements combined to form an integral unit. A control panel
of this kind can be protected against splashes of water in a simple
manner.
[0009] The control panel may be a touch-screen. In this case, there
is no need to seal off individual control elements against splashes
of water, since it is sufficient for the touch screen as a whole to
be protected against the latter. Furthermore, a touch-screen in
conjunction with a large-area screen represents a visually
attractive variant of a control panel.
[0010] It is particularly favourable if the screen of the
indicating apparatus itself is constructed as a touch-screen.
[0011] The control apparatus preferably comprises a remote-control
device. The operating condition of the sanitary appliance can be
conveniently preset by means of a remote-control device before
actual use. Furthermore, it is possible to utilise, for example,
the television function of the screen in a more flexible manner: If
the screen is incorporated, for example, in the wall of a shower
cabinet, it can also be viewed and controlled, for example from the
bathtub, assuming the spatial configuration of the bathroom is
suitable.
[0012] The control apparatus may cooperate with a memory for
predetermined values for the operating-condition parameters and/or
setting parameters for the television set. By means of a memory of
this kind, it is possible to store, for example, the preferred
parameters for various users in such a way that they can be called
up by the particular user via the control apparatus without renewed
inputting of the individual parameters. In addition, it is possible
to store, in such a memory, predetermined values for the running of
operating programmes for the sanitary apparatus, for example, in
the case of a shower, a shower programme comprising a number of
warm-water, cold-water and massage cycles. Programmes of this kind
may be predetermined either at the factory or else by the user via
the control apparatus.
[0013] The signal connection between the sanitary appliance and the
indicating apparatus may comprise a cableless signal path. This
facilitates the incorporation of the sanitary device, since no
physical connection needs to be provided between the sanitary
appliance and the indicating apparatus.
[0014] The sanitary appliance of the sanitary installation is
preferably a shower apparatus which is integrated into a shower
cabinet. This facilitates retrofitting when renovating bathrooms,
since the indicating apparatus does not have to be incorporated in
a plumbing wall. The indicating apparatus can be integrated into
the wall of a preassembled shower cabinet in a simple manner, for
example in the form of a flat screen.
[0015] An exemplified embodiment of the invention will be explained
in greater detail below with the aid of the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a shower installation according to the
invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a block wiring diagram of the circuit
arrangement of the shower installation from FIG. 1.
[0018] A shower installation which is provided, as a whole, with
the reference symbol 1 in FIG. 1, comprises a shower appliance
which is not visible, a hand-held sprinkler 4 fastened to a
sprinkler-holder 2 and a television screen apparatus 3. The shower
appliance is an electronically regulated appliance, that is to say
is not controlled manually but by the transmission of electronic
regulating pulses, as will be further described below. The
hand-held sprinkler 4 of the shower appliance is mounted adjustably
in known manner on the wall 5 of a shower cabinet. The said wall is
part of a shower cabinet which is partially represented in FIG. 1.
In addition to the hand-held sprinkler 4 shown, other, fixedly
installed lateral spray heads may also be provided in the shower
cabinet, as is known practice in the case of high-class shower
cabinets.
[0019] The screen apparatus 3 is installed in another wall 6 of the
shower cabinet in such a way that its surface that points towards
the interior of the shower cabinet forms a flat face which is flush
with the said wall 6 of the shower cabinet. The walls 5 and 6 of
the shower cabinet may be walls of the building or parts of a
prefabricated shower cabinet which is to be installed in a bathroom
afterwards.
[0020] The screen apparatus 3 comprises a television screen 7. A
shower-control panel 8 and an additional control panel 9 are
disposed below the latter in such a way that they combine with the
said screen 7 to form the screen apparatus 3 as a structural
unit.
[0021] The shower appliance described merely represents one example
of a sanitary appliance. The screen 7 can also cooperate, in the
same way as has been described in connection with the shower
appliance, with other sanitary appliances, for example those of a
bathtub, a whirlpool or even a washstand, the said screen 7 being
incorporated into a plumbing wall at a point which is conveniently
accessible to the user.
[0022] The interaction of the shower appliance with the screen
arrangement 3 will now be described with the aid of the block
wiring diagram of the circuit arrangement in FIG. 2.
[0023] The shower installation 1 comprises a regulating apparatus
10 which sets predetermined operating parameters, for example water
temperature, quantity of water or choice of mode of operation of
the hand-held sprinkler 4 or additional sprinkler heads, by means
of corresponding regulating pulses via a regulating line 11. To
that end, the regulating line 11 connects the regulating apparatus
10 to the appliance belonging to the hand-held sprinkler 4 and, if
applicable, the other sprinkler heads.
[0024] Current operating and environmental data from the shower
installation 1 are passed on to the regulating apparatus 10 by
means of sensors 12, 13, 14 which are connected to the said
regulating apparatus 10 via signal lines 15, 16, 17. The sensor 12
is a temperature sensor which monitors the current mixed-water
temperature, which is fed to the handheld sprinkler 4. The sensor
13 is a flow sensor for the quantity of water fed to the said
hand-held sprinkler 4. The sensor 14 measures the temperature of
the air surrounding the shower installation 1.
[0025] The quantities measured by the sensors 12 and 13 enter, as
actual values, into the calculation of the regulating signals which
are passed on to the appliance belonging to the hand-held sprinkler
4 by the regulating apparatus 10. This calculation is performed in
a digital processor 18 which is integrated into the regulating
apparatus 10.
[0026] The desired values which are additionally necessary for
calculation purposes and which are to be set with the aid of the
regulating apparatus 10, are fed to the latter, via a signal line
19, by a computer 25 belonging to the screen apparatus 3. The
actual values measured by the sensors 12 to 14 are also passed on
to the computer 25 via the signal line 19.
[0027] Via a transmitting/receiving apparatus 22 at the screen, to
which apparatus it is connected via a signal line 24, the computer
25 is able to receive other input signals from a remote-control
device 30 via a cableless signal path 23. The said computer 25 is
connected, via a signal line 26, to the control panels 8, 9 and,
via a data line 27, to a rewritable digital memory 28. The computer
25 is connected to the screen 7 via a regulating line 29.
[0028] The control system for the shower installation functions in
the following manner:
[0029] The user chooses the operating parameters he desires, i.e.
water temperature, quantity of water, choice of sprinkler heads and
sprinkler nozzles, via the shower operating panel 8 or the
remote-control device 30. These predetermined values are passed on
to the computer 25 via the cableless signal path 23, the
transmitting/receiving apparatus 22 at the screen, and the signal
line 24 if inputting is effected via the remote-control device 30,
and are passed on to the said computer via the signal line 19 if
inputting is effected via the shower control panel 8. The said
computer activates the screen 7 for the purpose of indicating the
preselected operating parameters, so that the latter can be checked
by the user.
[0030] As an alternative to the inputting of individual operating
parameters, the user can also choose, via the remote control device
30 or the shower control panel 8, a predetermined shower programme
which is stored in the digital memory 28. The computer 25 calls up
this shower programme from the digital memory 28.
[0031] The computer calculates, from the operating parameters
chosen or from the shower programme, the necessary predetermined
values for the regulating apparatus 10 and initiates the passing-on
thereof to the said regulating apparatus 10 via the signal line 19.
With the aid of the predetermined values passed on, and of the
actual values transmitted by the sensors 12 to 14, the digital
processor 18 of the regulating apparatus 10 calculates the
regulating values which are transmitted to the appliance belonging
to the hand-held sprinkler 4 and any other sprinklers which may be
present, so that the said sprinklers work in the manner preselected
by the user.
[0032] In addition, the actual values measured by the sensors 12 to
14 for the operating and environmental parameters are passed on,
via the signal lines 15 to 17, the regulating apparatus 10 and the
signal line 19, to the computer 25 which then converts them into
regulating values for representation on the screen 7.
[0033] Furthermore, the television functions of the screen 7 can
also be dialled up via the remote-control device 30 or the extra
control panel 9. These functions include the selection of a
television programme, which is displayed on the screen 7. For this
purpose, the transmitting/receiving apparatus 22 at the screen is
connected to a programme-transmitter, which is not represented.
Alternatively, the screen apparatus 3 may be connected direct to an
aerial cable for television reception. Examples of additional
functions which are visually indicated via the screen 7 and can be
controlled via the remote-control device 30 or the extra control
panel 9, are videotext, telephone or the internet. To that end, the
transmitting/receiving apparatus 22 is connected to the necessary
communications networks.
[0034] The control panels 8, 9 may be areas on a television screen
which is constructed as a touch-screen, or may be separate
touch-screens, or may be designed as water-proof keyboards, for
example film keyboards. The screen 7 is, for example, a CWT
display.
[0035] The signal connection between the regulating apparatus 10
and the computer 25 may also take place in a cableless manner
instead of via a signal line 19. For this purpose, the regulating
apparatus 10 is connected, via a signal line, to a
transmitting/receiving apparatus which is connected to the
transmitting/receiving apparatus 22 at the screen via a cableless
signal path. In this way, the shower appliance and screen
arrangement may be mounted so as to be structurally separate from
one another.
[0036] The user can also store his own shower programmes in the
digital memory 28 via the remote-control device 30 or the shower
control panel 8. To that end, the computer 25 generates, on the
screen 7, a suitable menu-regulating system by means of which the
user can select the constituent parts of the shower programme that
he wants. A shower programm of this kind may, for example, look
like this: two minutes of warm showering with the hand-held
sprinkler 4, two minutes of warm massage-showering by means of
suitably set sprinkler nozzles belonging to the handheld sprinkler
4 and additional sprinkler heads, ten seconds of cold
showering.
* * * * *