Patent Application
20240026664
The invention relates to a sanitary fitting device, comprising a sanitary fitting for delivering a fluid and treatment equipment for providing at least one kind of a treated fluid, wherein the treatment equipment comprises one or more treatment components.
The invention further relates to a sanitary system having a sanitary fitting device.
The invention further relates to a method for operating a sanitary fitting device.
Although the present invention can be generally applied to any fluids, the present invention is explained in relation to water as a fluid.
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 an outlet.
To increase the functionality, a sanitary fitting device has become known, for example, from DE 10 2013 000 773 A1 or DE 10 2013 002 236 A1 having at least one first actuating element for temperature and/or quantity adjustment of mixed water and having a second actuating element for adjusting quantity of hot water. Mixed water and hot water are delivered here via a common outlet in the discharge of the fitting.
The provision of hot water is usually performed in a boiler or the like, which must be arranged in a base cabinet due to installation space. A long length from the boiler to the outlet of the sanitary fitting results from this. If, in addition to the heated water, water with another kind of treatment, for example, filtered water, is to be discharged, it is problematic that for one thing the electrical power that must be provided for the different components is high and that this may lead to an overload of the electrical line of a house installation usually secured with 16A in the interplay of different electrical consumers. Furthermore, the number of the available electrical outlets in the region of a sanitary fitting is usually extremely limited. Several electrical consumers are then usually connected via multiple sockets, which further reduces the installation space available in the base cabinet. It is also problematic that, due to a large number of consumers, corresponding devices, such as a boiler, may not be able to be operated with optimal power. This, in turn, necessitates increased installation space, since more water must be stored at a high temperature and cannot be produced instantaneously. At the same time, the water allocation to the individual components and the supply of the treated water is also costly and complicated, due to the limited installation space usually present.
From EP 0 766 048 A1, a technical installation having an electrical circuit breaker box and a unit for controlling the technical unit is shown. The disadvantage here is that such a device requires a great deal of installation space and also does not enable further water treatment types.
From US 2020/0277768 A1, a piece of sanitary furniture with integrated sink is shown, which comprises a modular design and, in addition to a water inlet connection, also provides a filter unit and an electrical connection. The disadvantage here is that the number of the electrical connections is extremely limited. Moreover, the functionality with respect to the provision of treated water is also limited, since only a filter device is present.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a sanitary fitting device and a sanitary system which enables a flexible use of several different fluid treatment components with a simultaneously efficient operation with a high degree of safety and reliability. A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternative sanitary fitting device and an alternative sanitary system.
In an embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects through a sanitary fitting device, comprising
In a further embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects through a sanitary system having a sanitary fitting device according to one of the claims 1-12, comprising a piece of sanitary furniture having an upper and a lower region, wherein an outlet and/or operating elements of the sanitary fitting are arranged in the upper region and the treatment device and in particular a mixed water device in the lower region.
In a further embodiment, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned objects through a method for operating a sanitary fitting device according to one of the claims 1-12, comprising the steps
One of the advantages achieved is that the installation space can be used better overall, since separate power plugs for the components or for the devices, which are connected to the distribution device, can be dispensed with. A further possible advantage is that the cost for wiring can be reduced in total. A further possible advantage is that a power line with which the distribution device is connected, is not overloaded, so that a reliable operation of all devices or components is enabled.
The term “treated liquid” is to be understood in the broadest sense and relates in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to liquids, preferably water in the form of tap water from a water supplier or the like, which tap water is additionally changed in its properties and/or in its composition and/or manner of treatment by a separate device. Thus, treated water can have, for example, a high temperature, so-called hot water having a temperature of more than 80 degrees Celsius, another degree of carbonization, in part another composition or the like than water originally provided by the water supplier. The term “treated liquid” is understood not to mean in particular warm or cold water or mixed water which is commonly provided by a water supplier to a single-family home or a multi-family home, and which may be adjusted in its temperature by way of a heater or the like.
The term “type of treatment” is to be understood in the broadest sense and relates in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, not only to the fundamental type of treatment of a fluid, in particular of a liquid, for example whether the water was carbonated or not, but rather also to the degree, the intensity or the concentration of the treatment, for example the intensity of the carbonization. Different types of treatment are thereby understood to mean different degrees of carbonization, for example “still water”, “medium” or “classic”. Different types of treatment are also understood to mean different temperatures of hot water, water filtered to varying degrees, different concentrations of flavoring additives or aromatizations, for example by means of granulate for coffee, tea or the like, different types of mineralization, and different concentrations of the same type of mineralization or the like. The term “type of treatment” also includes, in particular, “non-treatment”. Beyond this, the “type of treatment” also includes disinfection and/or sterilization of a fluid, so that a hygienically treated fluid is provided.
The term “fluid treatment device” or “treatment device” is to be understood in the broadest sense and relates, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, not only to the provision of a treated fluid, but rather also comprises the provision of separate fluids, such as a supply device for providing a liquid or gaseous disinfectant or the like.
The term “piece of sanitary furniture” is to be understood in the broadest sense and relates, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, not only to a self-standing piece of furniture or the like, but rather also comprises in particular base cabinets, upper cabinets or parts thereof.
The term “fluid” comprises both gaseous materials and liquid materials, as well as combinations thereof.
Further features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are described below or are disclosed therein.
According to a preferred embodiment, the distribution device is designed to measure the electrical power received from the respective treatment component of the treatment device and to regulate the individual electrical power for each treatment component in a specifiable individual power interval. An individually available power can thereby be provided optimally to the respective components, or a large number of possible components can be operated on the distribution device.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device is designed to regulate the power on demand from a demand device up to the upper limit of the power interval for a specifiable time for a device connected to the distribution device and/or for one or more of the treatment components, the individual power consumption of which can be varied at a specified power interval. A performance increase for individual components or devices can thereby be enabled, by these being able to be operated—if these are designed for a higher power—correspondingly with higher power—at least for a certain time. The formulation “on demand” is to be understood in the broadest sense and means, for example, that a user would like to tap hot water, for example by pressing a corresponding button which is present, operation of a user interface or the like. The formulation also means that the corresponding performance of a function is performed on demand if a certain state of the sanitary fitting device exists. For example, a rinsing function with hot water or the like is performed if water was previously output with flavoring or additives.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device comprises at least a communication interface which is designed for querying and/or receiving operational information, in particular comprising power information, from the treatment device, in particular individually from the respective treatment components. Operating of status information can thereby be made available in ongoing operation to the respective treatment component or the device, which for example enables the detection of a faulty operating state or the like.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device and at least the treatment device are designed for bidirectional communication with one another. A possible advantage here is that a particularly reliable operation is enabled, by for example the distribution device being able to check the operating state of the treatment device. Conversely, the component or the corresponding device may receive information, for example, via the available power from the distribution device or also request information for operation.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the communication interface is designed as a BUS interface or as an air interface. Not only a direct communication connection between a device and the distribution device may thereby be enabled, but rather also an indirect communication, by, for example, a hot water device being connected via a filter device, wherein the latter is connected with the distribution device for communication. Overall, the wiring cost is reduced or the installation of the device or the treatment component for communication with the distribution device is facilitated.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device comprises a second communication interface for connecting the sanitary fitting device to an extemal control/regulation system. One of advantages thereby possible is an increased flexibility in the control/regulation of the sanitary fitting device and an improved user experience.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device is designed to provide two different electrical voltages to the various outputs for providing electrical energy. One of advantages thereby possible is an increased flexibility in the selection of possible components or devices connecting to the distribution device.
According to a further preferred embodiment, at least one further device is arranged which is connected to the distribution device for providing electrical energy and which does not comprise a communication connection for the distribution connection. One of advantages thereby possible is an increased flexibility in the selection of possible components connecting to the distribution device.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the treatment device comprises at least one of the following devices:
The hygienic device may thereby comprise, for example, a radiation device for providing UV light or the like, A large number of possible treatment types for fluids, in particular water, can thereby be provided. These may also be stored, so that a faster delivery is enabled with repeated selection of the respective treated fluid.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the warming and/or heating device and/or cooling device and/or the hygienic device can each be operated at a specified power interval. One of the advantages thereby possible is a flexible control or energy supply as needed. If, for example, a user demands the tapping of hot water, the heating device can quickly provide increased power, in order to be able to deliver hot water in a larger quantity. The heating device of the boiler may have correspondingly smaller dimensions.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the distribution device and at least the treatment device are connected to one another by wiring or wirelessly for in particular encrypted communication. A possible advantage here is that devices to be connected in a flexible manner may be connected for communication to the distribution device. If the communication is encrypted, security with respect to possible manipulation is increased.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the sanitary system, the central distribution device is arranged in the lower region in the center and adjacent to the upper region. A possible advantage is a simple availability and a simple assembly of the further devices.
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 is 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,
The hot water device 7 comprises a safety valve 7a, which opens automatically at a correspondingly high pressure, and a direct connection to the sink 3. Damage to the hot water device 7 is thereby avoided. The hot water device 7 is also connected with the quantity control unit 6b. The quantity control unit 6b controls the delivery of treated water, so here soda, filtered water, water with flavoring or hot water, as a function of user specification, for examples through a user interface 9, and is fluidically connected with the fitting 1 via one or more lines.
Optionally,—as shown in
On the one hand, the already mentioned user interface 9 and an additional electrical consumer 8, such as an electrically operated waste bucket, an electrically operated crusher, a rinsing machine, an odor suppression device or the like, are not included in the water course diagram.
The distribution device 6 here comprises an electrical distributor 6a, which is designed for providing electrical energy. For this, the distribution device 6 comprises on the one hand a high voltage interface 6d for providing electrical energy having a voltage of 230V and on the other hand a low voltage interface 6c for providing electrical energy having a voltage of 9 and/or 12 and/or 24 volts or the like.
Furthermore, the distribution device 6 comprises one or more communication interfaces 30 for communication of the distribution device 6 with the hot water device 7, the flavoring device 5, the flow measuring device 4b, the filter device 4 and the quantity control unit 6b via connections 26, 21, 20, 27. The communication is done here based on a BUS system, so that a device may also be connected to the distribution device 6 via one or more additional devices, which device is connected to the distribution device 6. In
With the high voltage interface 6d of the distribution device 6, the hot water device 7 and the flavoring device 5, in particular the soda component 5d, are connected.
The soda component 5d in turn provides a low voltage interface (not shown) for supplying energy to the dosing unit 5c.
With the low voltage interface 6c of the distribution device 6, the additional electrical consumer 8 and the fitting 1, and via the fitting 1 the sink 3. With the low voltage interface 6c, the user interface 9 and the flow measuring device 4b of the filtering device 4 are furthermore directly connected.
The distribution device 6 according to embodiments of the invention thereby provides a central distribution of water as well as electrical energy for the connected components, devices and additional consumers. It also enables monitoring or control via corresponding communication interfaces 30. Via its own one- or two-directional communication interface 31, which is preferably designed to be wireless, a connection of the distribution device 6 to an external system, for example as part of a home automation system, is possible. Furthermore, the communication may take place via the communication interfaces 30, 31—as when designed wireless—and/or wired, respectively by means of Bluetooth, WLAN, power LAN or other protocols, standards or the like.
In other words, the distribution device 6 provides electrical energy for the devices 4, 5, 7 and for the fitting 1 together with the components and units connected thereto. The supply of electrical energy is done in such a way that the electrical total power of the entire electrical energy emitted by means of the central distribution device 6 remains below a specified maximum total power. This thereby prevents the electrical grid, for example via an outlet or a house network with which the distribution device 6 is connected, from being overloaded. The distribution device 6 ensures that the maximum power utilized—specified by the electrical system—is not exceeded. This thereby prevents the electrical circuit breaker of the respective living unit or house from being triggered. Here it is also possible to allocate a higher electrical power to individual components, so that these work with a higher performance, for example the hot water device 7, which may warm a defined quantity of water at higher power values. The respective boiler for a respective quantity of hot water drawn may be designed smaller with regard to the installation space required.
The components or devices involved communicate here with the distribution device 6, in order to guarantee disruption-free operation with a change in the electrical power available and thereby to prevent the latter from going into an undefined system state and/or simply “crashing”.
But it is possible to also include consumers, device or components which may require or provide no communication with the distribution device 6. These electrical consumers are monitored by the distribution device 6 according to the current power consumption. The communicating devices integrated in the sanitary system 100 may then effectively use the electrical power still available. The reaction time in case of a direct increase in the required power is sufficient in order to realize the intervention into the total electrical power, without activating the respective electrical circuit breaker. Short spikes in power are thereby buffered without a power interruption.
These circuit breakers provided in a house installation are generally sluggish enough that sufficient time remains for a power reduction for individual components and devices and that no circuit breaker is triggered.
In
In summary, the present invention provides at least one of the following features and/or at least one of the following advantages:
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 2020 215 446.5 | Dec 2020 | DE | national |
| 10 2021 203 934.0 | Apr 2021 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DE2021/200243 | 12/7/2021 | WO |
