U.S. patent application number 11/661406 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-27 for plumbing fixture.
This patent application is currently assigned to HANSA METALLWERKE AG. Invention is credited to Horst Kunkel.
Application Number | 20080289098 11/661406 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35463969 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080289098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kunkel; Horst |
November 27, 2008 |
Plumbing Fixture
Abstract
Disclosed is a plumbing fixture including an electrically
actuated valve by means of which a water flow that penetrates the
plumbing fixture can be turned on and off. A first switch that is
embodied as a proximity switch is used for opening the valve and
thus starting the water flow. The inventive plumbing fixture
additionally comprises a mechanically actuated operator's element
which is used for regulating another function of the plumbing
fixture, such as the water temperature or the water quantity. A
second switch that is used for electrically blocking the first
switch is assigned to the mechanically actuated operator's element.
For this purpose, the second switch is disposed so as to respond
when the additional operator's element is manipulated.
Inventors: |
Kunkel; Horst; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FACTOR & LAKE, LTD
1327 W. WASHINGTON BLVD., SUITE 5G/H
CHICAGO
IL
60607
US
|
Assignee: |
HANSA METALLWERKE AG
STUTTGART
DE
|
Family ID: |
35463969 |
Appl. No.: |
11/661406 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
August 18, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP05/08931 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/623 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03C 1/0412 20130101;
E03C 1/057 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/623 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/05 20060101
E03C001/05 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 30, 2004 |
DE |
10 2004 041 786.5 |
Claims
1. A plumbing fixture with an electrically actuated valve for
regulating a water flow through the plumbing fixture, with a first
switch executed as a proximity switch for opening the valve and
with a mechanically actuatable operating element for regulating a
further function of the plumbing fixture, wherein a second switch
assigned to the mechanically actuatable operating element, which
switch is arranged such that it responds on operation of the
further operating element, and in its response blocks the first
switch electrically.
2. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the second switch is
likewise executed as a proximity switch.
3. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the first and/or the
second switch are executed as an infrared sensor or as a capacitive
sensor.
4. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, further comprising a
programmable control device, which is connected to the first and
the second switch and is programmed such that on actuation of the
first switch it emits a control signal for opening or closing the
valve and only in the event of actuation of the second switch
taking place before emission of the control signal does it prevent
the emission of the control signal for a predetermined period of
time.
5. The plumbing fixture of claim 4, wherein the control device is
programmed such that once a shut-off timer has expired it closes
the valve, and in the event of actuation of the second switch
taking place following the emission of the control signal it resets
the shut-off timer.
6. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, further comprising a mixer for
regulating the water temperature, the mechanically actuatable
operating element being a temperature adjustment lever for
operating the mixer.
7. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the further function is
an adjustment of the water quantity.
8. The plumbing fixture of claim 1, wherein the plumbing fixture
has a substantially cylindrical basic body, arranged on the head
piece of which is the first switch.
9. The plumbing fixture of claim 8, wherein arranged in the front
area of the cylindrical basic body is a tubular water outlet and in
the rear area the further operating element, at the end of which
the second switch is arranged.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a plumbing fixture with an
electrically actuated valve for controlling a water flow through
the plumbing fixture, with a first switch executed as a proximity
switch for opening the valve and with a mechanically actuatable
operating element for regulating a further function of the plumbing
fixture.
[0002] Plumbing fixtures such as e.g. taps are known, which are
turned on via a proximity switch and turn themselves off again
automatically following a predetermined period of time. In some
cases such plumbing fixtures also have a temperature adjustment
lever for manual regulation of the water temperature. Limitations
arise in this case in respect of the arrangement of the temperature
adjustment lever. The temperature adjustment lever must be arranged
so that when it is operated the proximity switch is not actuated
inadvertently, as this would irritate an operator and in the worst
case could even result in the risk of scalding with water that is
too hot.
[0003] It is an object of the invention therefore to create a
plumbing fixture of the type stated at the beginning with which the
risk of the proximity switch being actuated inadvertently on
operation of a further operating element is reduced.
[0004] The object is achieved by a plumbing fixture with the
features of claim 1. Advantageous configurations can be inferred
from the dependent claims.
[0005] The plumbing fixture has an electrically actuated valve with
which a water flow through the plumbing fixture can be turned on
and off. A first switch executed as a proximity switch serves to
open the valve and thus release the water flow. The plumbing
fixture also has a further, mechanically actuatable operating
element, which is used for regulating a further function of the
plumbing fixture. According to the invention a second switch is
provided, which is assigned to the mechanically actuatable
operating element and is used for blocking the first switch
electrically. The second switch is disposed so as to respond when
the further operating element is operated.
[0006] The first proximity switch and the mechanically actuatable
operating element can thereby be arranged at a short spatial
distance from one another without the danger existing of erroneous
activation occurring. As well as an increase in safety, a feeling
of a higher quality rating of the plumbing fixture is also
communicated to the user by reason of the invention.
[0007] The second switch is expediently likewise executed as a
proximity switch. Such a solution has an especially low
susceptibility to faults.
[0008] The switches can be executed as infrared sensors or as
capacitive sensors. These sensors are especially reliable and
practicable.
[0009] Advantageously the plumbing fixture has a programmable
control device, which is connected to the first and the second
switch and is programmed such that on actuation of the first switch
it emits a control signal for opening or closing the valve and only
on actuation of the second switch taking place prior to emission of
the control signal does it prevent the emission of the control
signal for a predetermined period of time.
[0010] Blocking therefore only takes place if no water flow has yet
been released. Once a water flow has been released, the blocking
function is reversed, i.e. if the water flow had already been
released, actuation of the first switch and thus the closing of the
solenoid valve is blocked for a predetermined period of time
following actuation of the second switch. It is thereby rendered
possible that the operator can regulate a function of the plumbing
fixture such as e.g. the water temperature according to subjective
sensation as normal with one hand in the water jet and with the
other on the temperature adjustment lever.
[0011] In an advantageous development, the control device is
programmed such that on expiration of a shut-off timer it turns off
the water flow through the valve and in the event of actuation of
the second switch taking place following emission of the control
signal it resets the shut-off timer.
[0012] It is thus ensured that the flow of water flows for
sufficiently long even following regulation by the operator, namely
for the predetermined time span of the shut-off timer.
[0013] In one embodiment the plumbing fixture has a mixer for
regulating the water temperature as a further function. The
mechanically actuatable operating element in this embodiment is a
temperature adjustment lever for operation of the mixer.
[0014] In another embodiment the further function is regulation of
the quantity of water.
[0015] In a preferred design the plumbing fixture has a
substantially cylindrical basic body, arranged on the head piece of
which is the first switch. Such a plumbing fixture can be operated
particularly easily and intuitively even by operators not familiar
with the mode of operation.
[0016] Arranged advantageously in the front area of the cylindrical
basic body facing the user when in use is a tubular water outflow
directed forwards, and in the rear area facing away from the water
outlet the further operating element formed as an adjusting lever,
at the end of which the second switch is arranged. This like-wise
facilitates particularly intuitive operation.
[0017] A practical example of the invention is explained in greater
detail below with reference to the drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a view of a plumbing fixture with proximity
switch,
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a block circuit diagram of a control device for
the plumbing fixture from FIG. 1, and
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the control program for the
control device in FIG. 2.
[0021] A schematic view of a plumbing fixture 10 is shown in FIG.
1. The plumbing fixture 10 has a cylindrical basic body 17,
arranged on the front side of which is an outlet pipe 18 directed
forwards. Accommodated in the interior of the plumbing fixture is
an electrically actuated valve (not shown), via which a water flow
can be turned on and off.
[0022] Accommodated in the rounded head piece 13 of the basic body
17 is a proximity switch 12, via which the valve is actuated.
Likewise arranged in the interior of the plumbing fixture is a
mixer (not shown), which is connected to house hot and cold water
connections and mixes incoming hot and cold water in an adjustable
ratio. To operate the mixer a temperature adjustment lever 14 is
provided, which is fitted on the rear side of the plumbing fixture
10 opposite the water outlet pipe 18. The mixing ratio in the mixer
is adjusted by lateral swinging of the temperature adjustment lever
14.
[0023] Due to actuation of the proximity switch 12 a pulse is
generated to open the valve and thus a water flow is released. A
proximity switch in the sense of this description is a switch of a
contactless nature, which detects the approach for example of a
hand, and as a reaction to an approach changes the switching state.
Various types of proximity switches are known. In the practical
example, the proximity switch is realized by a capacitance sensor.
However, infrared sensors for example are also suitable.
[0024] If the hand of an operator approaches the head piece 13 of
the plumbing fixture 10, this approach is detected by the proximity
switch 12 and a water flow is released by opening of the valve.
Since the temperature adjustment lever 14 is arranged at a small
spatial distance directly behind the proximity switch 12, there
would be a risk that the proximity switch 12 also triggers if the
operator is only reaching for the temperature adjustment lever 14
and in doing so passes his hand close to the proximity switch 12.
To prevent this, a further capacitance sensor is fitted in the end
piece of the temperature adjustment switch 14, which sensor serves
as a switch 15 for blocking the proximity switch 12. The switches
12 and 15 are connected for this purpose to a control device (not
shown in FIG. 1) likewise arranged in the basic body of the
plumbing fixture 10. The control device is realized by a
microprocessor, on which a control and monitoring program runs.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the control device 16 in a block circuit
diagram. Connected to the control device 16 are the proximity
switch 12 and the further capacitance sensor 16. An output of the
control device 16 leads to a valve driver 19, which is connected to
the electrically actuated valve 11.
[0026] The control and monitoring program running in the control
device 16 generates a signal for the valve driver 19 when the
proximity switch 12 is actuated. The valve driver 19 then applies
an operating voltage to the electrically actuated valve 11, so that
the valve 11 opens. On actuation of the switch 15, the proximity
switch 12 is blocked for a predetermined period of time, i.e.
switched to inoperable, so that no signal can be generated for the
valve driver. An unintentional release of the water flow is thereby
prevented if the actuation of both switches 12 and 15 takes place
within the set time window.
[0027] This safety function would possibly prevent regulation of
the water temperature by the operator according to feel in normal
operation. The control and monitoring program is therefore adapted
such that the mode of operation of the blocking is reversed if the
water flow had already been released when the temperature
adjustment lever was operated, i.e. closing of the valve 11 by
renewed actuation of the proximity switch 12 is suppressed for a
predetermined period of time, so that the possibility exists of the
operator being able to regulate the temperature as normal with one
hand in the water jet and the other hand on the temperature
adjustment lever 14 according to subjective sensation without the
proximity switch 12 inadvertently responding when the temperature
adjustment lever 14 is reached for and turning the water flow off
again.
[0028] A shut-off timer also runs in the control and monitoring
program, which timer closes the valve 11 again via the valve driver
19 after a predetermined time span has elapsed and thus turns the
water flow off again. This shut-off timer is reset if the second
switch 15 is actuated. Water is thereby available to the operator
for a sufficiently long period of time even after the water
temperature has been adjusted.
[0029] A work flow of the control and monitoring program is shown
in FIG. 3 in the form of a flow chart. On actuation of one of the
two switches 12, 15, an interrupt is activated in step 301 that
starts the control and monitoring program. It is then first checked
in step 302 whether switch 12 (S1) or switch 15 (S2) was actuated.
If switch S2 was actuated, then in step 303 a timer for switch S2
is set and the control and monitoring program is acknowledged in
step 312. On actuation of S1, on the other hand, it is now checked
in step 304 whether the timer for S2 has expired. If this is not
the case, the control and monitoring program is acknowledged
immediately without further steps. As long as the timer for S2 has
not expired, the control program is thus terminated on actuation of
S1 without a function being executed. The switch S1 is thus blocked
following actuation of S2 for a predetermined period of time, i.e.
until the timer for S2 expires. The timer for S2 thus serves to set
the time span during which the switch S1 is blocked.
[0030] However, if the check in step 304 reveals that the timer for
S2 had expired when S1 was actuated, i.e. the switch S1 was not
blocked, then step 305 is proceeded with in the flow chart and a
timer is set for S1. Then it is checked in step 306 whether the
timer for S1 has already expired. As long as the timer for S1 has
not yet expired, a check is now carried out in step 307 in the form
of a loop of whether S2 was actuated. If S2 is actuated before the
timer for S1 has expired, the timer for S2 is set in step 308 and
the control and monitoring program is acknowledged in step 312. The
timer for S1 thus serves to determine the time window during which
blocking of S1 takes place when both switches are actuated, in
order to prevent an unintentional release of the water flow.
[0031] If S2 is not actuated before the timer for S1 expires, then
it is checked in step 309 whether the valve is closed. If the valve
is open, it is closed in step 310, a timer is set for the "closed
period" and the control and monitoring program is acknowledged in
step 312. The valve now remains closed at least for a time span of
this "closed period" and cannot be re-opened beforehand. Unstable
situations in which the valve opens and closes at short intervals
are thereby avoided.
[0032] If the valve was closed, on the other hand, the valve is
opened in step 312, a timer for the "open period" is set and the
control and monitoring program is acknowledged in step 312. The
valve now remains open at least until the timer for the "open
period" expires before it is automatically closed again if neither
of the two switches S1 or S2 is operated again in the meantime.
[0033] As already mentioned, the two switches 12, 15 are realized
by capacitance sensors in the practical example. However, the
switch 15 can also be formed such that it operates
touch-sensitively. Instead of capacitance sensors, the plumbing
fixture 10 can also be executed using any other sensor technology,
provided that at least one of the switches 12, 15 operates
contactlessly. Instead of a capacitance sensor, the switch 15 can
also be realized alternatively by one or more microswitches, which
are arranged in the interior of the basic body of the plumbing
fixture 10 such that when the temperature adjustment lever 14 is
swung at least one of the microswitches is pressed down by the
temperature adjustment lever 14. Actuation of the temperature
adjustment lever is thereby likewise detected and can be used in
the manner explained to block the proximity switch 12.
* * * * *