METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF BATHTUB

Abstract

A system for control of a bath tub in which features of the bathtub can be remotely controlled. A water controller can be connected to spigots of the bathtub. A drain controller can be connected to a drain of the bathtub. A water level sensor can be used for measuring the water level in the bathtub. A temperature sensor can be used for measuring the temperature of water within the bathtub. A heating element can be coupled or integrated into the bathtub to provide heating of water within the bathtub which can be controlled by a temperature controller. One or more of the water controller, the drain controller, the water level sensor, the temperature sensor and the temperature controller can be connected to a network and remotely controlled by a user application.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to customization and control of features of a bathtub and specifically to remote control of features of the bathtub.

2. Description of Related Art

In conventional bath tubs, the temperature of the water entering the bath tub is controlled by manually turning on and off hot and cold water to enter the bathtub.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,326 describes customization of a bathtub with heating elements. The bathtub includes heated wall portions to provide an external heated surface of the bathtub. A composite pliable heat generating envelope is integrated into a wall of the tub for heating a wall of the bathtub. The envelopes can be placed at different portions of the bathtub to heat associated portions of the body, such as the neck, back and seat portion.

It is desirable to provide system for control of a bathtub providing remote customization of features of the bathtub including, for example, adjustment of the water level and temperature control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for control of a bathtub in which features of the bathtub can be remotely controlled. In one embodiment, a water controller is connected to spigots of the bathtub. The spigots each being used for receiving hot or cold water. A drain controller can be connected to a drain of the bathtub. A water level sensor can be used for measuring the water level in the bathtub. A temperature sensor can be used for measuring the temperature of water within the bathtub. A heating element can be coupled or integrated into the bathtub to provide heating of water within the bathtub. A thermostat can be used for adjusting the heating element. A temperature controller can be connected to the thermostat. One or more of the water controller, the drain controller, the water level sensor, the temperature sensor, the thermostat and the temperature controller can be connected to a network. A device connecting to the network can include an application interface. The application interface can be used to remotely select features to be controlled with one or more of the water controller, the drain controller, the water sensor, the temperature sensor, the thermostat and the temperature controller.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for control of a bathtub in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system for control of a bathtub during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates system for control of a bathtub 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Spigots 12 and 14 are associated with bathtub 16. For example, spigot 12 can receive hot water and spigot 14 can receive cold water. Water controller 18 is coupled to spigots 12 and 14. Water controller 18 can independently turn on and off spigots 12 and 14.

Drain controller 20 is coupled to drain 22 of bathtub. Drain controller 20 can close and open drain 22. Drain 22 can be closed when filling of bathtub 16 with water from spigots 12 and 14. Drain 22 can be open to remove water within bathtub 16. Water level sensor 24 can be used for measuring the water level in bathtub 16. In one embodiment, water level sensor 24 is placed on side wall 26 at a predetermined distance D1 from bottom 28 of bathtub 16. Water level sensor 24 monitors when the water level in the bathtub 16 reaches water lever sensor 24. Alternatively, water level sensor 24 can monitor the water level along the entire length of side wall 26 of bathtub 16.

Temperature sensor 30 measures the temperature of water within bathtub 16. Heating element 32 provides heating of water within bathtub 16. Heating element 32 can be coupled or integrated into bathtub 16. In one embodiment, heating element 32 is integrated within side wall 26 and/or bottom 28. A suitable heating element 32 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,326 hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

Thermostat 34 can be coupled to heating element 32. Thermostat 34 can be coupled to temperature sensor 35 which measures the temperature of heating element 32. Thermostat 34 can be used for measuring the temperature of heating element 32 and adjusting the temperature of heating element 32. Temperature controller 36 can be used to remotely control thermostat 34 and/or heating element 32. In one embodiment, temperature controller 36 is connected to network 40.

Network 40 connects to one or more of water controller 18, drain controller 20, water level sensor 24, temperature sensor 30 and temperature controller 36. In one embodiment, thermostat 34 can directly connect remotely to network 40. Network 40 for example can be a wifi network. Water controller 18, drain controller 20, water level sensor 24, temperature sensor 30, temperature controller 36 and thermostat 34 can include a wifi connection for connecting to network 40.

Device 50 connects to network 40. For example, device 50 can be a cell phone, tablet or laptop. Device 50 runs application 60. Application 60 includes application interface 62. Application interface 62 can display various features of bathtub 16 which can be controlled. Application 60 receives data from one or more of water level sensor 24, temperature sensor 30, temperature controller 36 and thermostat 34. Application 60 transmits control data to one or more of water controller 18, drain controller 20, temperature controller 36 and thermostat 34 for remotely controlling features of bathtub 16.

During operation of system 10, a user can select using application interface 62 various features of bathtub 16 to be controlled as shown in FIG. 2. For example, the user can select with application interface 62 to start water 70 flowing into bathtub 16. Application 60 can send control data to water controller 18 to adjust the amount that spigots 12 and 14 are opened. Water 70 can continue to flow until it reaches a pre-determined height of side wall 26 as sensed by water level sensor 24. Water level sensor 24 can send data of the water level to application 60. Application 60 can send control data to water controller 18 to close spigots 12 and 14 after it was sensed that water 70 reached a predetermined height.

The user can select with application interface 62 a temperature desired for water 70 to remain at during use of bathtub 16. Temperature sensor 30 can send data of the temperature of water 70 to application 60. Application 60 can send control data to temperature controller 36 or thermostat 34 to activate heating element 32 in order to maintain the desired temperature of water 70.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A system for control of a bathtub comprising: a water controller adapted to be coupled to one or more spigots associated with the bathtub, the water controller controlling the turning on and off of the one or more spigots;a network connected to the water controller; andan application interface connected to the network,wherein the application interface interfaces with the water controller for remotely adjusting the water level within the bathtub.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a drain controller adapted to be coupled to a drain of the bathtub, the drain controller controlling the closing and opening of the drain,the drain controller being connected to the network,wherein the application interface can interface with the drain controller for remotely adjusting the water level within the bathtub.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising: a water level sensor for measuring a water level of water received in the bathtub.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the water level sensor is connected to the network.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the water level sensor is placed on a side wall of the bathtub at a predetermined distance D1 from a bottom of the bathtub, the water level sensor monitors when the water level in the bathtub reaches the water level sensor.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the water level sensor monitors the water level along a length of a side wall of the bathtub.

7. The system of claim 3 further comprising: a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of water received in the bathtub.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the temperature sensor is connected to the network.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising; one or more heating elements associated or integral with the bathtub, the heating elements for heating of water received within the bathtub.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a thermostat coupled to the one or more heating elements.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the thermostat is connected to the network, wherein the application interface can interface with thermostat for remotely adjusting the water temperature of water received within the bathtub.

12. The system of claim 10 further comprising: a temperature controller coupled to the thermostat, the temperature controller is connected to the network, wherein the application interface can interface with temperature controller for remotely adjusting the water temperature of water received within the bathtub.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the network is a wifi network.

14. A system for control of a bathtub comprising: a water controller adapted to be coupled to one or more spigots associated with the bathtub, the water controller controlling the turning on and off of the one or more spigots;a drain controller adapted to be coupled to a drain of the bathtub, the drain controller controlling the closing and opening of the drain;a water level sensor for measuring a water level of water received in the bathtub;a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of water received in the bathtub;one or more heating elements associated or integral with the bathtub, the heating elements for heating of water received within the bathtub, a thermostat coupled to the one or more heating elements, a temperature controller coupled to the thermostat;a network connected to the water controller, the drain controller, the water level sensor, the temperature sensor and the temperature controller; andan application interface connected to the network,wherein the application interface interfaces with the water controller and the drain controller for remotely adjusting the water level within the bathtub and the application interface can interface with temperature controller or thermostat for remotely adjusting the water temperature of water received in the bathtub.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising an application, the application including the application interface, the application sends control data to the water controller to adjust the amount the one or more spigots are opened and closed and the application sends control data to the temperature controller to activate the heating element in order to maintain the desired temperature of water received in the bathtub.

16. A method for remotely controlling a bathtub comprising: providing a water controller adapted to be coupled to one or more spigots associated with the bathtub, the water controller independently controlling the turning on and off of the one or more spigots;providing a drain controller adapted to be coupled to a drain of the bathtub, the drain controller controlling the closing and opening of the drain;providing a network connected to the water controller and drain controller; andinteracting with an application interface connected to the network,wherein the application interface interfaces with the water controller and the drain controller over the network for remotely adjusting the water level within the bathtub.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: providing a water level sensor for measuring a water level of water received in the bathtub, wherein the water level sensor is connected to the network.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the water level sensor is placed on a side wall of the bathtub at a predetermined distance D1 from a bottom of the bathtub, the water level sensor monitors when the water level in the bathtub reaches the water level sensor.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the water level sensor monitors the water level along a length of a side wall of the bathtub.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising: providing a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of water received in the bathtub, the temperature sensor is connected to the network; andproviding one or more heating elements associated or integral with the bathtub, the heating elements for heating of water received within the bathtub, a temperature controller coupled to the one or more heating elements, a thermostat coupled to temperature controller, the thermostat being connected to the network,wherein the application interface interfaces with the thermostat for remotely adjusting the water temperature of water received in the bathtub by controlling the temperature controller.

21. A method for remotely controlling a bathtub comprising: providing a water controller adapted to be coupled to one or more spigots associated with the bathtub, the water controller controlling the turning on and off of the one or more spigots;providing a drain controller adapted to be coupled to a drain of the bathtub, the drain controller controlling the closing and opening of the drain;providing a water level sensor for measuring a water level of water received in the bathtub;providing a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of water received in the bathtub;providing one or more heating elements associated or integral with the bathtub, the heating elements for heating of water received within the bathtub, a thermostat coupled to the one or more heating elements, a temperature controller coupled to the thermostat;providing a network connected to the water controller, the drain controller, the water level sensor, the temperature sensor and the temperature controller; andinteracting with an application interface connected to the network,wherein the application interface can interface with the water controller and the drain controller for remotely adjusting the water level within the bathtub and the application interface can interface with temperature controller or thermostat for remotely adjusting the water temperature of water received in the bathtub.