U.S. patent application number 10/272793 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-03 for spa panel with infrared receiver.
Invention is credited to Boudreau, Michel, Brochu, Christian, Laflamme, Benoit.
Application Number | 20030121094 10/272793 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23041300 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030121094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laflamme, Benoit ; et
al. |
July 3, 2003 |
Spa panel with infrared receiver
Abstract
An spa panel for a spa. The spa panel is electrically connected
to the spa controller for the spa. The spa panel has an encasing
that covers control keys that are electrically connected to a
printed circuit board. The infrared receiver is mounted onto the
printed circuit board and is likewise covered by the encasing.
Preferably, the infrared receiver is adjacent to the edge of the
spa panel and faces inward to the spa to an area that a spa user
would normally sit. In another preferred embodiment, the plastic
encasing covers a display screen.
Inventors: |
Laflamme, Benoit; (Quebec,
CA) ; Boudreau, Michel; (Ste-Foy, CA) ;
Brochu, Christian; (Quebec, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ross Patent Law Office
P.O. Box 2138
Del Mar
CA
92014
US
|
Family ID: |
23041300 |
Appl. No.: |
10/272793 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/541.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H 33/02 20130101;
A61H 33/005 20130101; H01H 2207/048 20130101; H01H 2223/003
20130101; A61H 2033/0058 20130101; A61H 2201/5097 20130101; A61H
2033/0079 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/541.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically
connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: A. an
encasing, wherein at least a part of said encasing permits the
passage of infrared light, B. a printed circuit board connected to
said encasing, C. at least one spa control key electrically
connected to said printed circuit board, and D. an infrared
receiver mounted on said printed circuit board, wherein said
infrared receiver is electrically connected to said spa controller,
wherein said encasing covers said at least one spa control key,
said printed circuit board and said infrared receiver.
2. The spa panel as in claim 1, further comprising a display screen
mounted on said printed circuit board.
3. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said encasing is a plastic
encasing.
4. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said spa panel is a
keypad.
5. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said spa is a whirlpool
bath.
6. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said infrared receiver is a
plurality of infrared receivers.
7. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said at least one spa
control key is a plurality of spa control keys.
8. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said encasing is
waterproof.
9. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said encasing is at least
partially transparent, wherein infrared signals are transmitted
from an infrared remote control unit through said transparent
encasing to said infrared receiver.
10. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said spa panel is mounted
to the top of said spa.
11. The spa panel as in claim 1, wherein said infrared receiver
faces inward towards a user sitting in the spa.
12. A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically
connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: A. a
waterproof, transparent encasing, B. a printed circuit board
connected to said waterproof, transparent encasing, C. at least one
control key electrically connected to said printed circuit board,
and D. an infrared receiver mounted on said printed circuit board,
wherein said infrared receiver is electrically connected to said
spa controller, wherein said infrared receiver faces inward.
wherein said waterproof, transparent encasing covers said at least
one control key, said printed circuit board and said infrared
receiver, wherein infrared signals are transmitted from an infrared
remote control unit through said transparent encasing to said
infrared receiver, wherein said spa panel is mounted to the top of
said spa.
13. A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically
connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: A. a
encasing means, B. a printed circuit board means connected to said
encasing means, C. a means for controlling the spa electrically
connected to said printed circuit board means, and D. a means for
receiving infrared signals mounted on said printed circuit board
means, wherein said means for receiving infrared signals is
electrically connected to said spa controller, wherein said
encasing covers said means for controlling the spa, said printed
circuit board means and said means for receiving infrared
signals.
14. The spa panel as in claim 13, wherein said encasing means is
waterproof.
15. The spa panel as in claim 13, wherein said encasing means is at
least partially transparent, wherein infrared signals are
transmitted from an infrared remote control unit through said
transparent encasing means to said means for receiving infrared
signals.
16. The spa panel as in claim 13, wherein said spa panel is mounted
to the top of said spa.
17. The spa panel as in claim 13, wherein said means for receiving
infrared signals faces inward toward a user sitting in the spa.
18. A spa panel for a spa, wherein said spa panel is electrically
connected to a spa controller, said spa panel comprising: A. a
encasing, B. a printed circuit board connected to said encasing,
and C. an infrared receiver mounted on said printed circuit board,
wherein said infrared receiver is electrically connected to said
spa controller, wherein said encasing covers said printed circuit
board and said infrared receiver.
19. The spa panel as in claim 18, wherein said spa panel is an
illumination panel, said spa panel further comprising a light
source attached to said printed circuit board.
20. The spa panel as in claim 18, wherein said spa panel is a
keypad, said spa panel further comprising at least one control key
attached to said printed circuit board.
21. The spa panel as in claim 18, wherein said spa panel is a spa
status display panel, said spa panel further comprising a display
screen.
22. The spa panel as in claim 18, wherein said spa is a whirlpool
bath.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] A spa (also commonly known as a "hot tub") is a therapeutic
bath in which all or part of a person's body is exposed to hot
water, usually with forceful whirling currents. When located
indoors and equipped with fill and drain features like a bathtub,
the spa is typically referred to as a "whirlpool bath". Typically,
the spa's hot water is generated when water contacts a heating
element in a water circulating heating pipe system.
[0002] FIG. 1 shows prior art hot tub spa 1. Spa controller 52 is
programmed to control the spa's components, such as the spa's water
pumps 1P and 2P, air blower 3, ozonator 7, stereo 1A, and light 1L.
In normal operation, water is pumped by water pump IP through
heater 5A where it is heated by heating element 5B. The heated
water then leaves heater 5A and enters spa tub 2 through jets 11.
Water leaves spa tub 2 through drains 13 and the cycle is
repeated.
[0003] A user of the spa can control the spa's components by
pressing keys on spa panel 8. Spa panel 8 is also commonly referred
to as a keypad. Also, spa 1 includes monitor 9. When an error
occurs (such as a failure of water pump 2P), the source of the
error is displayed on monitor 9. Currently, the spa user typically
operates the spa with controls located within the spa or next to
the spa by manipulating controls on spa panel 8 or by transmitting
a remote wireless signal to spa controller 52.
Prior Art Keypad
[0004] Spa panel 8 is mounted over a small cutout in the top of spa
2 (FIG. 3). Spa panel 8 houses control keys 42, digital display
screen 43, printed circuit board (PCB) 44. A preferred spa panel 8
is manufactured by Gecko Electronique inc., model no.
TSC-8-SL-AD-NO, part no. 0200-007072. FIG. 2 shows a top view of
spa panel 8.
[0005] A user of the spa can control the spa's components by
pressing keys 42 on spa panel 8. Spa panel 8 is designed to be
waterproof to protect its electrical components from the outside
elements and water that is contained in the spa.
[0006] Transparent plastic encasing 45 is attached to the shell of
spa 2 by two `L` shaped brackets 131. Plastic encasing 45 is made
of plastic and is waterproof. It covers and protects control keys
42, digital display screen 43, printed circuit board (PCB) 44.
Graphic overlay 47 is backed with an adhesive and is glued on a top
recess of the plastic encasing 45. Silicone rubber pads 132 are
installed over control keys 42 and allow the user a flexible and
waterproof interface by which he can press control keys 42. PCB 44
is connected to spa controller 52 via wire (see also FIG. 1).
Prior Art Remote Control of Spa
[0007] FIG. 1 shows infrared (IR) receiver 20 mounted to the shell
of spa tub 2. A user of the spa can transmit control signals to spa
controller 52 by aiming a remote control IR transmitting device at
IR receiver 20. The control signal is then transmitted via wire
from IR receiver 20 to spa controller 52. The control signals
control spa components such as the spa water pumps, the air blower,
the spa stereo and spa lights.
Problems with Shell Mounted IR Receivers
[0008] There are problems associated with the current method of
mounting the IR receiver to the shell of the spa tub. To mount the
IR transceiver to the shell, an extra hole must first be drilled
into the shell so that the IR transceiver can be properly
installed. The drilling of a hole into the shell compromises the
integrity of the spa tub shell. Also, drilling into to the shell
and making the necessary wire connections can be a difficult and
time consuming job for a technician during an after-market
installation on the field. Furthermore, a manufacturer who wants to
offer the possibility of later upgrading a spa to add IR control
would need to pre-drill a hole in all of the shells he manufactures
to allow for the upgrade. This would add costs to the production of
the spa and also unnecessarily damage the integrity of the spa for
users who would not want the upgrade. Also, the IR receiver is
currently mounted in the interior of the spa for the benefit of
someone sitting inside the spa. However, for individuals outside of
the spa wishing to control the spa via remote control, range is
very limited. Moreover, the spa cannot be operated effectively
unless the individual's remote control device is facing the IR
receiver.
[0009] What is needed is a better method of spa control eliminating
prior art problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides an spa panel for a spa. The
spa panel is electrically connected to the spa controller for the
spa. The spa panel has an encasing that covers control keys that
are electrically connected to a printed circuit board. An infrared
receiver is mounted onto the printed circuit board and is likewise
covered by the encasing. Preferably, the infrared receiver is
adjacent to the edge of the spa panel and faces inward to the spa
to an area that a spa user would normally sit. In another preferred
embodiment, the plastic encasing covers a display screen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a prior art spa.
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a prior art spa panel.
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the present
invention mounted to a spa.
[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a top view of a spa prior to mounting a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the spa of FIG. 8 after a
preferred embodiment of the present invention has been mounted.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows another preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention can be seen
by reference to FIGS. 4-9. An IR receiver is mounted to a spa
panel. The spa panel is then mounted to a spa. The spa panel has a
plastic encasing that is waterproof and protects the IR receiver
from moisture that could damage it.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a side view of spa 60. Spa panel 61 is mounted
to the top of spa 60. Spa panel 61 is also commonly referred to as
a keypad. A top view and a side view of spa panel 61 is shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7, respectively. Spa panel 61 is identical to prior art
spa panel 8, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the exception that spa
panel 61 also includes infrared (IR) receiver 65 mounted on PCB 44.
As is the case with spa panel 8, spa panel 61 is waterproof.
Therefore, IR receiver 65 is protected from the outside elements
and the water that is contained in the spa. Also, as stated above,
the edge of plastic encasing 45 is transparent enabling infrared
signals to reach IR receiver 65 (FIG. 6).
Mounting Spa panel to the Spa
[0021] As shown in FIG. 8, cutout 70 is drilled through the top of
the shell of spa 60. Spa panel 61 (having IR receiver 65) is then
installed onto the top of spa 60 and clamped via "L" shaped
brackets 403 (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 7). Preferably, spa panel 61 is
mounted so that IR transceiver 65 faces inward towards the part of
the spa that a spa user sits to get optimum range for the spa user.
The spa user will then be able to aim IR remote control unit 66 at
IR receiver 65 to transmit spa control signals. FIG. 7 shows
connectivity to the spa controller.
Remote Control Unit
[0022] FIGS. 4 and 5 include range lines 80 and 81. In a preferred
embodiment, remote control unit 66 is manufactured by Gecko
Electronique Inc. with offices in Quebec, Canada, model no. IRMT-4.
As shown in FIG. 4, remote control unit 66 is capable of floating
in the spa water. A spa user sitting in the spa can pick up and
operate remote control unit 66 when he wants to send a control
signal to the spa controller.
Extended Operating Range
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in addition to coverage within
the spa the range of the IRMT-4 model extends approximately 7 feet
to the right of the rightmost edge of spa 60 and approximately 7
feet to the left of the leftmost edge of spa 60. The range is able
to extend to the left because infrared light emitted by an IR
transmitter is absorbed by the transparent edge of plastic encasing
45. For example, a user standing 7 feet to the left of spa 60 can
operate the spa's components via a remote control device even
though the user is not directly facing IR receiver 65. The IR light
generated by the remote control device is absorbed in the edge of
plastic encasing 45 and transmitted to IR receiver 65.
[0024] It is desirable to be able to remotely control the spa at
locations other than within the spa or in direct line-of-sight of
the IR transceiver. For example, a user may want to turn on the
spa's components prior to entering the spa. Or, user may want to
turn on the spa's components without ever getting in the spa or
adjacent to the spa. For example, the user may just want to turn on
the spa's lights for extra backyard lighting or he may want to turn
on the spa's stereo so that he can enjoy music while relaxing in
the backyard.
Other Embodiments
[0025] A feature of the present invention is that preferably the
infrared receiver can be effectively mounted to an spa panel that
houses other components used for spa operation. For example, the
above embodiment discussed the utilization of spa panel 61 (also
known as a keypad). Spa panel 61 includes a PCB onto which control
keys and a display screen are mounted. However, there are other spa
panels besides a keypad that can be utilized. For example, FIG. 10
shows infrared receiver 65 mounted to PCB 44 of spa status display
panel 201. Spa status display panel 201 has status display screen
202. Status display screen 202 functions primarily to display the
operating status of the spa. Preferably status display screen 202
is a digital display screen. Alternatively, digital display screen
202 can also be replaced with a plurality of light indicators to
display indicate spa status. Also, FIG. 11 shows infrared receiver
65 mounted to PCB 44 of spa illuminating panel 301. Spa
illuminating panel 301 includes a plurality of light emitting
diodes (LEDs) 302. LEDs 302 function primarily to provide
illumination for the area around the spa, inside the spa and under
the water contained in the spa.
[0026] Although the above-preferred embodiments have been described
with specificity, persons skilled in this art will recognize that
many changes to the specific embodiments disclosed above could be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For
example, although it was shown in FIG. 7 how spa panel 61 is
attached to the spa via "L" shaped brackets, spa panel 61 could
also be attached via a gasket with adhesive on both sides. Also,
although the above preferred embodiment showed only one IR receiver
65 attached to spa panel 61, it would be possible to attach a
plurality of IR receivers to spa panel 61. Also, it should be
understood a variety of various types of switching technology can
be used for control keys 42. These include a variety of
electromechanical switches, piezo transducers, membrane switches
and capacitive switches. Also, plastic encasing 45 was described as
being transparent. It is also possible to make plastic encasing 45
semitransparent or translucent so that sufficient IR light is
allowed through to reach the IR receiver. For example, plastic
encasing 45 could be made out of a colored plastic material. Or,
plastic encasing 45 could be made out of another material besides
plastic, such as a clear epoxy, polymer, glass, or any other
material that would allow the IR light to reach the IR receiver.
Therefore, the attached claims and their legal equivalents should
determine the scope of the invention.
* * * * *