Patent Application
20240417961
The invention relates to a sanitary fitting which comprises an adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of a liquid to be dispensed, in particular mixed water, and for adjusting the flow rate for the liquid to be dispensed, and a dispensing device for dispensing liquid by means of a spout.
The invention further relates to a method for dispensing a liquid by means of a sanitary fitting, where the sanitary fitting has an adjusting device for adjusting the temperature of a liquid to be dispensed, in particular mixed water, and for adjusting a flow rate for the liquid to be dispensed.
Although the present invention can be applied to any sanitary fittings, it is described with reference to kitchen fittings.
Sanitary fittings have become known in the most diverse ways. Known sanitary fittings comprise, for example, a fitting body having at least one actuator for adjusting at least one property of a fluid flow conducted through the sanitary fitting. The property may be for example the flow volume of the fluid flow or the temperature of the fluid flow. In the case of known sanitary fittings, the fluid flow is, for example, mixed from a separate cold water and hot water flow by means of a mixer tap and conducted from there to a spout.
To increase functionality, a sanitary fitting has become known, for example, from DE 10 2013 000 773 A1 or DE 10 2013 002 236 A1 with at least one primary actuating element for adjusting the temperature and/or volume of mixed water and with at least one secondary actuating element for adjusting the quantity of hot water. The disadvantage of this is that several actuating elements must be actuated to dispense water. Additionally, if a pot is to be filled with water, for example, the first step is to initiate the dispensing of water, then the pot is filled and then, after the pot has been set aside, the dispensing of water is stopped again, meaning that firstly, water is wasted while the pot is not under the water dispensing point, and secondly, water flows along the side of the pot and soils it when it is being removed from under the water dispensing point with the water still being dispensed. To solve this problem, DE 10 2016 113 832 A1 also contains a fitting comprising a base, a hose spray and an arm held on the base, where the arm comprises a hose spray holder on which the hose spray is held in a rest position from which it can be detached. The fitting further comprises a sensor for detecting the presence and/or movement of an operator's hand in the sensor's detection area, with the sensor being located on the arm.
The disadvantage of this is that the functionality is limited, as it can only detect the presence of a hand. In addition, ease of use is also limited, as a hand movement is first required below the water dispensing device, then the container being filled must be placed into the dispensing device, removed from the dispensing device after filling and then another hand movement must be performed to end the water dispensing process.
Therefore, one objective of this invention is to provide a sanitary fitting and a method for dispensing a liquid by means of a sanitary fitting, which enable easier operability, a high degree of flexibility and a cost-effective implementation.
A further objective of this invention is to provide an alternative sanitary fitting and an alternative method for dispensing a liquid by means of a sanitary fitting.
This invention solves the objectives in one embodiment of a sanitary fitting comprising an adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of a liquid to be dispensed, in particular mixed water, and for adjusting the flow rate for the liquid to be dispensed, and a dispensing device for dispensing liquid by means of a spout, on which a first sensor designed to detect a user's gestures, and a second sensor designed to detect objects, are located and whereby the sensors, the adjusting device and the dispensing device can be connected to a control device in such a way that the dispensing device can be controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the liquid is dispensed by means of the dispensing device when a first gesture is detected, and that the liquid is dispensed by means of the dispensing device as long as an object is recognized by the second sensor.
This invention solves the objectives in one embodiment with a method for dispensing a liquid by means of a sanitary fitting, where the sanitary fitting comprises an adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of a liquid to be dispensed, in particular mixed water, and for adjusting the flow rate for the liquid to be dispensed, and a dispensing device for dispensing liquid by means of a spout, and a first and a second sensor, comprising the steps:
The term “sanitary” is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the description, preferably in the claims, among others, to any objects, arrangements, devices, equipment and the like in connection with bathrooms, kitchens, heating systems and the like.
The term “liquid” is to be understood in the broadest sense and also refers, in particular in the description, preferably in the claims, to liquids in which gases, such as carbon dioxide and/or solids, such as minerals and the like, are completely or partially dissolved.
The term “contactless” in relation to a sensor device or sensor is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to a sensor device or sensor which monitors a specific area, region, surface or volume and can be triggered when a change, for example the movement of a hand, occurs in the specific area, region, surface or volume without the sensor device or sensor having to be touched directly and/or any force acting directly or indirectly on the sensor device as a result of the touch. A contactless activating sensor device is, for example, a sensor device located on the back of a wooden panel or similar and is activated in particular when a change occurs on the front of the wooden panel in the area monitored by the sensor device. A change will also be detected in the area of the panel itself, provided it is in the area monitored by the sensor device. In particular, the sensor device can be activated by touching or brushing over the surface of the front side, in particular with a finger, a hand, an arm or the like, whereby the activation is independent of any force or pressure generated by the touch.
The term “gesture” is to be understood in the broadest sense and refers in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to the movement of an object, for example a pot, a hand or a finger, in particular in the detection range of the sensor device or the sensor.
The terms “recognizing an object” or “recognizing a gesture” in connection with a sensor are to be understood in the broadest sense and refer in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to the presence of an object and/or the entry into and/or exit from the sensor area or the detection area of the sensor by an object.
One of the advantages of this is that it is not necessary to touch the sanitary fitting to initiate the dispensing of liquid. Furthermore, objects such as pots, carafes, glasses and the like can be detected and detected by the second sensor. For as long as the respective object is detected by the second sensor, liquid will be dispensed. This makes it considerably more convenient for the user and improves user satisfaction. Other advantages include ease of use, a high degree of flexibility and cost-effective implementation.
Further features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are described below or are disclosed therein.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is that the first sensor and/or the second sensor is designed as a contactless sensor, in particular where the first sensor and/or the second sensor is designed as an infrared sensor or ToF sensor. One of the advantages of this is that it facilitates reliable detection of objects and the simple activation of liquid dispensing by means of a gesture.
Another preferred embodiment is that the dispensing device has a manually operable dispensing control element and/or the adjustment device has a manually operable adjustment control element. One of the advantages of this is reliable operation of the dispensing and/or adjustment device for a user. The term “manual” is to be understood in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to mean that the respective operating element is actuated by movement by a user. In particular, this does not mean that the respective device as a whole can be operated manually or only has manual components.
Another preferred embodiment is that the control device is designed to control the dispensing device independently of the position of the dispensing control element. One of the advantages of this is improved hands-free operation.
Another preferred embodiment is that the control device is designed to stop the dispensing of liquid by means of the dispensing device if the dispensing control element is moved in two different directions within a predeterminable period of time. The advantage of this is that it offers another alternative for stopping the dispensing of liquid, which increases flexibility in operation and user satisfaction.
Another preferred embodiment is that the adjustment device and the dispensing device are designed as a single lever device such that both dispensing can be initiated, and the temperature can be adjusted using the one lever. The advantage of this is especially simple operation by means of a single lever.
Another preferred embodiment is that at least one of the sensors, in particular the first sensor, is arranged on a base unit and at least the other of the sensors, in particular the second sensor, is arranged on a support device and/or on the dispensing device, in particular on the spout. The advantage of this is that it enables reliable actuation of the respective sensor.
Another preferred embodiment is that the support device comprises a support arm which is located on the base unit. One of the advantages achieved is easier handling of the sanitary fitting spout.
Another preferred embodiment is that the control device is designed to dispense cold water by means of the dispensing device as long as an object is detected by the second sensor. The advantage of this is that it simplifies the operation of the sanitary fitting. If an object is within the detection range of the second sensor, cold water is dispensed, for example to fill a pot. It is also possible to set the temperature of the water to be dispensed when objects are detected in advance, in particular separately from the water dispensed by the first sensor.
Another preferred embodiment is that a quantity preset device is provided for pre-setting a quantity of liquid to be dispensed. The advantage of this is that the user can individually set a predeterminable and adjustable amount of liquid to be dispensed.
Another preferred embodiment is that the control device is designed to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid by means of the dispensing device after a gesture has been detected by the first sensor. The advantage of this is that when a gesture is detected by the first sensor, a predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed, optionally customized for the user.
Another preferred embodiment is that the first and second sensors' detection areas are orientated in different spatial directions, in particular where the spatial directions are orientated perpendicular to each other. This increases the reliability of the recognition of gestures and objects by the sensors and essentially avoids simultaneous recognition by both sensors.
Another preferred embodiment is a display device for indicating at least one operating state of the sanitary fitting, in particular with the display device being located on the support device. The advantage of this is a simple fault, operation and status display for the sanitary fitting for the user.
Another preferred embodiment is a power supply device for supplying the sanitary fitting with electrical power. The advantage of this is reliable operation of the sanitary fitting.
Another preferred embodiment is that the power supply device has a housing by means of which the power supply device can be detachably connected, in particular without tools, to a housing of the control device. The advantage of this is a simple and quick installation, for example of a battery or rechargeable battery box on the control unit, which makes it easy to replace.
Another preferred embodiment is that the dispensing of liquid by means of the dispensing device ends when a user moves a dispensing control element of the dispensing device in two different directions within a predeterminable period of time. The advantage of this is that the dispensing of liquid can be terminated independently of any detected gesture, dispensed quantity or detected object. This further increases ease of use for the user.
Another preferred embodiment is that the dispensing device dispenses a predeterminable amount of liquid after a gesture is detected by the first sensor. The advantage of this is that when a gesture is detected by the first sensor, a predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed, optionally customized for the user.
Another preferred embodiment is that cold water is dispensed by the dispensing device for as long as an object is detected by the second sensor. The advantage of this is that it simplifies the operation of the sanitary fitting. If an object is in the detection range of the second sensor, cold water is dispensed, for example to fill a pot or a glass. It is also possible to set the temperature of the water to be dispensed when objects are detected in advance, in particular separately from the water dispensed by the first sensor.
Other important features and advantages of the invention result from the dependent claims, from the drawings and the corresponding description of the figures using the drawings.
It should be understood that the above-mentioned features, and features yet to be explained below, may be used not only in the respectively indicated combination, but rather also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Preferred designs and embodiments of the invention are presented in the drawings and explained further in the description below, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally similar components or elements.
In the drawings,
Sanitary fitting 1 is shown in
Starting from the base unit 2, a flexible, curved spray hose 4 extends above the support arm 7 and ends in a spout 5. The spout 5 can be detachably fixed to the support arm 7. A button Sa is also located on the spout 5, which allows the user to switch between different spray modes for dispensing the mixed water when the button 5a is pressed. An LED display 6 is located on the top of the support arm 7, which displays the operating, status or fault status of the sanitary fitting 1 using different colors and/or different frequencies of illumination of the LED. A Time-Of-Flight sensor 20, or ToF sensor, is located on the underside of the support arm 7, the detection range of which is essentially orientated in the direction of the water output, i.e., vertically downwards. If an object is detected in the detection area, cold water is dispensed for as long as the object is in the detection area of the sensor 20.
The sanitary fitting 1 is connected to a control box 101 which, in addition to electrical and electronic components such as a microprocessor or the like, also has control valves which output a predeterminable quantity of mixed water of a predeterminable temperature, initiated by one of the two sensors 20, 21 and/or the lever 3a of the single lever mixer 3. For this purpose, water pipes 104, 106 are connected to a central water supply, for example a hot/cold water connection, as well as to one or more electrical lines 105, which are connected to the single-lever mixer 3, the sensors 20, 21 and the button 5a. A battery box 102 and/or a power supply unit 103 can be connected to the control box 101 for the electrical power supply. The battery box 102 can be attached to the housing of the control box 101 using magnets, for example.
The process comprises the following steps:
In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the invention may have at least one of the following advantages and/or at least one of the following features:
Although the present invention was described using preferred embodiments, it is not limited to these, but rather may be modified in various ways.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2023 205 638.0 | Jun 2023 | DE | national |
