Patent Application
20230214624
The invention relates to a sanitary insert. The invention relates in particular to a sanitary insert configured as a jet regulator. The sanitary insert comprises a housing, in which at least one functional unit is arranged, and an outlet side, which is formed by an outlet structure. In particular, when the sanitary insert is in an installed state in a sanitary fitting, the outlet side may be externally visible to a user.
The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a sanitary insert, and to a method for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert, and to a computer program product, a device for data processing, and a computer-readable memory medium.
Sanitary inserts of the type mentioned in the introduction are used for example in the sanitary sector. Such sanitary inserts can become worn over time as a result of their use or become contaminated over time. This can then lead to functional limitations, in particular of the functional unit. In general, sanitary inserts have standardized sizes, such that it is not or scarcely possible to determine a particular type of a sanitary insert solely on the basis of the dimensions. It is therefore often very difficult for a user to find a suitable replacement part for a defective or used sanitary insert, which in particular has the same functional unit.
It is therefore the object to make it easier for a user to identify a particular product form of a sanitary insert.
Said object is achieved by a sanitary insert having one or more of the features disclosed herein.
In particular, according to the invention, to achieve the object, a sanitary insert of the type mentioned in the introduction is proposed, which is furthermore characterized in that the sanitary insert has at least one discernible identifier by means of which a product form of the sanitary insert, in particular at least of the functional unit of the sanitary insert, can be identified. The identifier may preferably be designed to be optically discernible.
The refinement according to the invention therefore has the advantage that a user without expert knowledge of the insert that is to be replaced can carry out an exchange for a structurally identical new insert. Conventional sanitary inserts are designed such that, on the insert in the installed situation, a user cannot identify any specific features that indicate a particular product form. By contrast, the sanitary insert according to the invention now offers the possibility of identifying the product form, preferably without the need to uninstall the sanitary insert, for example in order to have to compare a serial number that is printed onto the side of the housing. It is generally also the case that a defective sanitary insert does not lose functionality suddenly, but the user initially notices limitations in functionality. If the user were to uninstall the sanitary insert at this stage, the user would then have to temporarily operate the fitting outlet without a sanitary insert until they have procured a replacement. With the identifier according to the invention, it is thus possible to firstly identify the product form, procure a replacement, and only then perform an exchange of the defective sanitary insert.
The expression “product form” may relate for example to an exactly structurally identical type of sanitary insert and/or to a product category, for example in the case of “water-saving” or “non-water-saving” jet regulators.
Advantageous refinements of the invention will be described below, which refinements may individually, or in combination with the features of other refinements, be optionally combined with the features noted above.
In one advantageous refinement, the sanitary insert may have at least two identifier elements which are adjustable relative to one another, in particular through a rotational angle, and/or are fixable in position relative to one another. Here, a fixing may be understood in particular to mean a permanent establishment, that is to say an establishment which is unalterable for example during the intended use of the insert, of the relative position of the identifier elements that are adjustable with respect to one another.
In particular, the sanitary insert may have at least two identifier rings and/or at least one housing part and/or at least one screen and/or at least two housing parts as identifier elements. A specific identifier may be settable or set by setting a particular position of the two identifier elements with respect to one another. It is thus easily possible for a user, on the basis of the set specific identifier, to uniquely assign the product form or identify a structurally identical replacement insert. The relative fixing of the identifier elements may be achieved for example by overmolding or clipping-on or plugging-in or detent engagement or the like. A specific characteristic of the fixing may be that, when the sanitary insert is in the intended position of use, said fixing is no longer alterable, or must not be altered at least during operation (the former variant being more preferable for the sake of certainty of identification).
The at least two identifier elements may thus be adjustable relative to one another, during the production of the insert and/or subsequently, into a setting position that characterizes the insert or a particular product form thereof. Furthermore, the identifier elements may be permanently fixable (cf. above) in the setting position thus set. It can thus be achieved in particular that the setting position is unalterable, and thus allows unique identification of the insert, when the insert is an intended position of use.
So as not to adversely affect the overall impression during normal operation, it is possible in one advantageous refinement that the sanitary insert has an identifier object which can be removed or pivoted out from the housing and/or from the outlet side and which has the at least one identifier. It can be particularly advantageous here that a user can remove the identifier object or can transfer the identifier depicted on the identifier object onto a notepad or the like, in order to subsequently procure a replacement specialist retailer, the user being able to take the removed identifier object or the notepad with them independently of the insert, which remains installed.
In order to be able to avoid the need for uninstallation for the purposes of identifying and/or pivoting out or removing an object that has the identifier, it is possible in one advantageous refinement that the at least one identifier is arranged such that the at least one identifier can be detected when the sanitary insert is in the installed state in a sanitary fitting. In particular, the at least one identifier may be detectable, in particular readable, at the outlet side. The sanitary insert preferably remains functional during the detection of the at least one identifier.
In one advantageous refinement, the at least one identifier may be formed by at least one plug-in element. In particular, the at least one plug-in element may be plugged onto and/or into the output structure and/or into the housing and/or a screen. A pattern that forms the at least one identifier can preferably be formed by means of multiple plug-in elements. A multiplicity of different specific identifiers can thus be easily be formed.
In one particularly advantageous refinement, the sanitary insert may have a transponder in which the at least one identifier is stored, the at least one identifier being readable using a read unit, preferably an external read unit. In particular, the at least one identifier may be electronically and/or contactlessly readable. For example, the transponder may be configured as an RFID transponder and/or NFC chip. Particularly easy identification of the product form of the sanitary insert is thus possible, because a user does not even need a clear view of the outlet side of the sanitary insert in order to visually read an identifier. Rather, a unique identification is possible using a suitable read unit, which may for example be made available in static form in, or for loan from, a hardware store.
In a further advantageous refinement, the at least one identifier may be formed as a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional code. For example, the at least one identifier may be formed as a QR code and/or as clear text and/or as a height profile (in particular as a height relief composed of elevations protruding from the outlet side, and depressions between the elevations). It may be particularly advantageous if the height profile is formed at the edge of the outlet side. It is thus possible for the product form of the insert to be identified by identification of the two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional code.
In one particularly advantageous refinement, the at least one identifier may be arranged and/or formed on one of the following structures, or on a combination of two or more of the following structures, of the sanitary insert: outlet side, in particular as a pattern of fillings of the passage openings of the outlet structure, upstream screen, in particular fillings of the screen openings, mouth piece, seal, housing, in particular on a lateral surface of the housing.
The above-stated object is achieved according to the invention by means of the method, claimed with the coordinate claim, for producing a sanitary insert. In particular, here, a sanitary insert according to the invention as described and/or claimed herein may be produced by means of the method.
In particular, to achieve the above-stated object, provision may be made for a sanitary insert having at least one preferably optically or magnetically discernible identifier for identifying a product form of the sanitary insert to be produced, wherein, to form the identifier, at least two identifier elements which are adjustable relative to one another are adjusted, in particular through a rotational angle, and the identifier elements are fixed relative to one another in the set position. The identifier may also be optically and magnetically readable.
It is preferable here if said fixing causes a setting position that characterizes the insert or a particular product form to be permanently established. This may in particular be performed such that the insert can then be uniquely identified when the insert is in an intended position of use. The insert can thus be identified particularly easily, in particular without uninstallation from a fitting.
Here, a fixing may be understood in particular to mean a permanent establishment, that is to say an establishment which is unalterable for example during the intended use of the insert, of the relative position of the identifier elements that are adjustable with respect to one another. It is thus ensured that the insert can in all situations be reproducibly identified on the basis of the relative setting position, once it has been fixed, between the at least two identifiers. This characteristic of being permanently fixable in the setting position thus distinguishes the identifier elements according to the invention from setting rings or the like known in the prior art, which are adjusted by the user during intended use for example for the purposes of setting/varying a throughflow volume through the insert or some other variable.
In a dedicated design variant according to the invention which, in one advantageous refinement, is also combinable with the above-stated embodiment of the method, it is possible that, to form the at least one identifier, at least one plug-in element is plugged into the housing and/or an outlet structure and/or a screen, preferably that a pattern composed of multiple plug-in elements is plugged in.
In a further possible refinement of the invention, the sanitary insert may have at least one magnetically readable identifier by means of which a product form of the sanitary insert can be identified. An advantage of this is in particular that the identifier specifically does not need to be externally discernible, allowing greater freedom for the configuration of the product with regard to the design of the insert (the surface of the insert then no longer needs to form the identifier; rather, the identifier can be placed in a concealed position in the interior of the insert).
The invention furthermore relates to a method for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert, with which method the above-stated object can be achieved. Here, the insert may preferably be designed or produced as described above, or in accordance with any one of the claims that are directed to such an insert or to a method for producing such an insert.
This identification method may preferably take the form of a computer-implemented method, in particular such that all method steps are executed in computer-implemented form.
According to the invention, in the case of this method, it is possible in particular that at least one preferably optically and/or magnetically discernible identifier, assigned to the product form, on the sanitary insert is acquired, in particular detected, that the detected at least one identifier is assigned to the product form on the basis of an identifier list, preferably on the basis of an identifier list stored in a database, and that, as a result, the product form is output and/or the insert is sorted in accordance with its product form. The resulting advantages have already been discussed with regard to the sanitary insert, and apply analogously to the method described and/or claimed herein.
In one advantageous refinement, provision may be made for an identifier object which has the at least one preferably optically and/or magnetically discernible identifier to be removed or pivoted out from the housing and/or from the outlet side, and for the identifier on the identifier object to be identified.
In order to make the identification particularly easy for a user, for example by virtue of the fact that read errors can be avoided, it is possible for the at least one identifier to be machine-readable. For example, the at least one identifier may be coded on the identifier object so as to be machine-readable by feature and/or shape recognition.
In one particularly advantageous refinement, an identification method or a combination of at least two identification methods selected from optical detection (color coding), near-field communication, haptic detection, detection by positive engagement, magnetic detection and electromagnetic detection may be used for detecting the identifier.
In a further advantageous refinement, the at least one identifier may be acquired by taking a negative molding, the negative in particular being compared with an identifier list that comprises positives. A user without specific expert knowledge can thus easily identify the product form, with read errors being avoided or ruled out entirely.
Alternatively, the at least one identifier may be acquired through the use of a provided negative. For example, this negative may be included in a shipment, in particular separately from or connected detachably or severably to the insert. A detection tool is thus provided that can be used for identifying a structurally identical replacement insert. In particular, the negative may in this case be compared with an identifier list that comprises positives.
In a further possible refinement of the above identification method, said identifier, which is formed on or in the sanitary insert, may also be magnetically read (either in addition or as an alternative to optical or mechanical reading). For this purpose, corresponding magnetic field sensors may be used which detect a magnetic field of the identifier, this being possible even if the identifier is concealed in the insert so as not to be visible from the outside.
The invention furthermore relates to a computer program product, comprising commands which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the method as described and/or claimed herein.
The invention furthermore relates to a device for data processing, comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method as described and/or claimed herein.
The invention finally relates to a computer-readable memory medium, comprising commands which, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the method as described and/or claimed herein.
The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of several exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments will emerge from the combination of the features of individual or several claims with one another and/or with individual or several features of the exemplary embodiments.
In the Figures:
Each sanitary insert 1 may be configured to be inserted into a water outlet of a fitting. For example, the sanitary insert may be formed as a jet regulator. A jet regulator may be configured to homogenize a water jet that emerges from a fitting.
The sanitary insert 1 has a housing 2 on which an outlet structure 5, which forms an outlet side 4 of the sanitary insert 1, is arranged and/or formed. The outlet structure 5 may for example have a honeycomb or lattice structure such that multiple mutually separate passage openings 18 are formed by the outlet structure 5.
In order to be able to identify a product form of the sanitary insert 1, all of the design variants shown in
Using the at least one identifier 6, it is possible, without expert knowledge, to exchange a used or defective sanitary insert 1 for a new sanitary insert 1 which is structurally identical or which at least corresponds in terms of the product type. The identifier 6 specifically makes it possible to identify the sanitary insert 1 and/or at least the functional unit 3 and to find a new sanitary insert 1 with the same identifier 6 in order to replace the old one.
Functional units 3 may be regarded as units which form, define and/or aerate a water jet.
The individual design variants of the sanitary insert 1 therefore differ with regard to the nature of the identifier 6. The invention is however not limited to only the design variants shown in
This has the advantage that the setting position is unalterable, and thus allows the insert to be uniquely identified, when the insert is in a position of use. This is because the product form of the insert can be ascertained as soon as the setting position has been read. This may be performed in particular in computer-implemented fashion, for example by means of an app on a smartphone, which optically reads the setting position and, on the basis of a stored identifier list (stored in the app or in up-to-date form on the Internet), ascertains the product type/product form of the insert on the basis of the read setting position 29.
In the example of
The two identifier elements 7 that are adjustable relative to one another may for example also have recesses, in particular notches. It is however also conceivable for the identifier 6 to be formed by other identifier elements 7 situated on the identifier rings 8.
The identifier elements 7 may furthermore be formed on a side wall 23 and/or on the outlet side 4 of the housing 2. It can thus even be possible to read the identifier 6 when the sanitary insert 1 has been inserted into a fitting, without the fitting being dismantled for this purpose.
Such plug-in elements 12 can thus likewise (by being inserted or not being inserted) define a characteristic setting position 29 as described above, which on the one hand is easily optically readable (in particular in automated and/or computer-permitted fashion) and which is specifically characteristic of a particular product form/product type of the insert.
The outlet side 4 may correspond to an end side of the housing 2.
The design variant shown in
It is however also possible to provide the sanitary insert 1 as a set together with a matching detection tool 28. Only a structurally identical replacement insert 1 can then be inserted in a fitting manner into the pre-formed detection tool 28 with the matching negative. The detection tool 28 thus has a pre-formed negative that matches the positive of the insert 1. Non-matching inserts 1 therefore do not constitute suitable replacement parts.
The design variant from
The various design variants of the sanitary insert 1 shown in
In particular, it is possible in this case, too, for a passage opening 18 to be closed by a plug-in element 12 such that a filling 17 is formed. By means of a particular arrangement of the identifier elements 7 in the outlet structure 5, an identifier 6 assignable to a particular product type can thus be formed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202020103196.1 | Jun 2020 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/064305 | 5/27/2021 | WO |
