Shower arrangement

Abstract: The object of the invention is a shower arrangement, the operation of which is controlled by a position-sensitive sensor (7). The sensor (7) detects objects in two different distance ranges, that is in a proximal field (8) and in a remote field (9). A control block (10) stops the water inlet upon an object in the remote field (9) leaving the remote field or upon the sensor receiving another perception from an object in the proximal field. The shower arrangement according to the invention is easy to use and decreases the waste discharge of water.

Description: The object of the invention is a shower arrangement installed in washing facilities, comprising a shower that is installed on the wall, a valve that controls the water inlet, and a sensor that perceives a person coming under the shower, the sensor adjusting the said valve through a control block. The solution according to the invention can be utilised in shower structures installed in the washing facilities of both private households and public premises. In a traditional solution, the user of the shower turns on the cold and hot water taps; the water coming from them is mixed in a water mixer and runs from the shower onto the person washing him/herself. In many solutions, the cold and hot water taps are combined, whereby the temperature adjustment is effected by using one control lever and the intensity of the water inlet by another lever. Furthermore, there are solutions in which both the temperature control and the water inlet intensity control are combined in one control lever so that one control direction of the lever adjusts the temperature and another control direction adjusts the intensity of the water inlet. Frequently, in shower arrangements installed in public premises in particular, it is desirable to provide a solution that is easy to use, deviating from the traditional solutions. The easy of use in this case implies, for example, that the water temperature or the intensity of the water inlet, or both, are preadjusted so that they are convenient for the person who uses the shower, whereby the actual washing is easier and can be done faster. One solution that is easier to use than the traditional solutions is a shower that works by a mechanical push-button, so that the person using the shower can start the shower by pushing the button once, and water will run from the shower for a predetermined period of time. The mechanical push-button can be installed to be used either by hand or foot. The mechanical push-button thus supplies water for a predetermined period of time, and the user cannot stop the water when he or she wants to. In addition, the water discharge does not stop automatically when the person leaves the shower. This results in unnecessary consumption of water. At present, there are new shower solutions that save water and are often based on photocell technology. The known technology is described in the following with reference to the appended drawing 1 that presents a shower solution utilizing photocell technology. The shower solution according to Fig. 1 comprises shower 2 installed on wall 1, photocell sensor 3, valve 6, and control block 5 that controls valve 6. In this known solution, infrared ray 4 of photocell sensor 3 perceives the person coming under shower 2, and passes a signal about this to control block 5. Control block 5 in turn opens valve 6 that controls the water inlet, and the water runs into shower 2 and, further, onto the person taking a shower. Correspondingly, when the person leaves shower 2, infrared ray 4 perceives this, and passes a signal to control block 5, which closes valve 6 that controls the water inlet, and the water inlet of shower 2 is stopped. In the shower solution described that uses photocell technology, the waste discharge of water is minimised, because valve 6 of the shower is open only when there is a person under shower 2. If shower 2 is not used often, there is frequently cold water in the pipe system; therefore, a weakness in this solution is that the first discharge of water comes directly onto user 2. Furthermore, when the user wants to stop the water inlet while he or she is applying soap, they must step out of shower 2 in order to stop the water inlet. Document EP-A-0501263 discloses a device for the remote control of a shower comprising a first sensor having a first detection region and a second sensor having a second detection region. If a user enters into the first detection region, a detection circuit, which is connected downstream of the sensor ensures, that the magnetic valve, which controls the water flow through the showerhead is opened. If the user who is standing under the shower moves his hand into the second detection region, a detection circuit, which is arranged downstream of said sensor likewise generates an output signal. The output signals of the two detection circuits are then used for switching state of the electrically operated valve. Document EP-A-0722019 discloses an automatic shower control system comprising a proximity detection and evaluation means for detecting the presence of a user, where proximity detector emits a signal with intensity varying from a first intensity upon detecting an object in the close range to a second intensity once an object is detected in the normal range and the system is switched on by the presence of an object in the close proximity range. Document GB 2 280 025 discloses a range sensor suitable for a sanitary device, where a signal circuit of the range sensor is provided with an operational amplifier for converting the current output from one of the end terminals of a position sensitive photodetector (PSD) into a voltage, and an operational amplifier for converting the current output from a common terminal into a voltage. Further, document GB 2 280 025 teaches, how to reduce errors produced by operational amplifiers themselves by reducing the number of the amplifiers, and to provide a sanitary device, which can detect a human body or the like and accurately control the electromagnetic valve or the like by lowering the light projection level of the light emitting element, when the voltage value output from the current/voltage converter exceeds a predetermined value due to the disturbing light, which enters the position sensitive photodetector so as to vary the voltage value in proportion to the received reflected light without exceeding the ground voltage. There are, however, some disadvantages in the known shower solutions, such as in systems implemented by a detection means based on the detection of the intensity of the light reflected from a surface of an object, such as disclosed in document EP-A-0722019, because the intensity of the reflected light depends on several circumstances, such as surfaces, characters of surfaces, colours of surfaces and materials of surfaces from where the ray of light reflects and thus some incorrect evaluations of the user presence in the range to be detected may easily arise. In addition shower solutions implemented by several separated detection sensors, such as disclosed in document EP-A-0501263, are complex, whereupon also detection circuits and control of the shower device become complex. The complexity often leads to malfunctions, complex solutions are difficult to maintain and also the costs of complex solutions may easily rise up. Further, the accuracy and clarity of the distance of an object from the shower is not accurate, because the detection region is very rough. Furthermore, there may occur also malfunctions with several separated detection sensor blocks, because a first (separated) sensor block having a first detection region might be easily aimed to different place than a second (separated) sensor block having a second detection region, whereupon a user may, in the worst case, enter first into the second detection region instead of the first detection range. Furthermore, when determining of a distance of an object according to a solution described in GB 2 280 025, results may be easily inaccurate, because the PSD-sensor of GB 2 280 025 consists of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, such as a strip of silicon photodiode, where the distance is determined by converting voltage/current values produced by the strip of silicon photodiode. Especially problems may arise, when voltage value output from the current/voltage converter exceeds a predetermined value due to the disturbing light, which enters the position sensitive photodetector so as to vary the voltage value in proportion to the received reflected light without exceeding the ground voltage. The user-friendliness of the shower and saving water used when taking a shower, in particular, by decreasing the waste discharge of water, have become very important and central features when developing new shower solutions. However, the known shower solutions have not been efficient enough in solving the problems described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a shower solution to be installed in washing facilities, which solves the above-mentioned problems and corrects the defects. To achieve this, the arrangement according to the invention comprises a position sensitive sensor, for example a PSD sensor, which recognises distances and for which at least two different distance fields have been defined; that is, a proximal field immediately in the vicinity of the sensor, and a remote field in the normal area of the user of the shower. The position-sensitive sensor according to the invention comprises a light-emitting diode that functions as transmitter S, and a light-sensitive line of diodes that functions as receiver R, which are advantageously placed in the same small space. The control block is adapted to control the valve, on the one hand, on the basis of the user arriving in and leaving the remote field and, on the other hand, in the proximal field, for example by the movement of the user's hand, so that the user can switch the shower on or off temporarily, during showering, without leaving the actual area of the shower. A shower arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that, which is stated in the characterizing part of the main independent claim. According to the invention, the control block intelligently controls the valve that adjusts the water inlet throughout the entire showering process. In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the appended drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows the known shower solution described above, Fig. 2 shows a shower solution implemented by technology that is based on a position-sensitive sensor, according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows the structure of a known position-sensitive sensor, Fig. 4 shows the switching diagram of a known position-sensitive sensor (PSD), Fig. 5 shows the operational flow diagram of the showering process of the shower solution according to the invention, Fig. 6 shows the operational time diagram of the showering process of the shower solution based on a position-sensitive sensor according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a shower solution implemented by a technology that is based on a position-sensitive sensor, according to the invention. It comprises shower 2 installed on wall 1, sensor 7, valve 6, and control block 10 that controls valve 6. Sensor 7 provides distance data which is delivered to proximal field 8 and remote field 9. The distance limits of the proximal and the remote fields can be defined according to each object of application of the invention. For example, in the conventional shower application, proximal field 8 is preferably at a distance of about 0 to 10 cm (d) from sensor 7 and, correspondingly, remote field 9 is preferably at a distance of about 10 to 80 cm (D) from PSD sensor 7. According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, proximal field 8 of sensor 7 is interpreted as the ON/OFF switch of valve 6 that controls the water inlet of shower 2 in control block 10 and, correspondingly, remote field 9 of sensor 7 is interpreted, by control block 10, as a conventional presence detector of a person taking a shower. Sensor 7 detects the control commands that the person gives to proximal field 8 by hand, and transmits these messages to control block 10. In this embodiment, the detections of an object such as a hand in the proximal field are interpreted by the control block as ON/OFF commands, i.e. commands to cut the water flow when the valve is open, or to open the water flow when the valve is closed, whichever the case may be. Control block 10 intelligently controls valve 6 that adjusts the water inlet throughout the whole showering process, as is described below. Solenoid valve 6, for example, can be used as the valve 6 that controls the water inlet. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, control block 10 controls the water discharge on the basis of the output signals of sensor 7. When sensor 7 detects an object within the range of the said proximal field 8, control block 10 changes the position of valve 6, whereby the user can alternately either start or stop the water inlet, for example, by swinging his or her hand in close proximity to sensor 7. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, control block 10 controls valve 6 also on the basis of objects the sensor 7 detects in remote field 9. In this embodiment, control member 10 opens valve 6 upon detecting an object in proximal field 8 only, if sensor 7 also detects an object in remote field 9. If sensor 7 detects that the object in remote field 9 leaves remote field 9, control block 10 closes valve 6, if valve 6 is in its open position. In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, control member 10 opens valve 6 upon detecting an object in proximal field 8, although there is no object in remote field 9. In this type of situation, control member 10 closes valve 6 after a certain, predetermined time, if no object enters remote field 9. In the shower arrangement according to the invention, a PSD sensor is be used as the position-sensitive sensor, for example. To illustrate the functioning of such an example of an embodiment of the invention in detail, the structure of the PSD sensor is briefly described here with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. The sensor in question is a commercially available PSD sensor (for example, Hamamatsu, type No. S5674). A light-emitting diode that functions as transmitter S, and a light-sensitive line of diodes that functions as receiver R are placed in the same small space. A ray of light leaving through lens L 1 hits object T, and the point of impact is detected by receiver R through lens L2, more specifically so that the diode or diodes of receiver R in question are defined by the distance of the object. The output signals of both the transmitting diode and the line of receiving diodes are taken to processor P via an amplifier. The output signal of the processor is taken to control block 10 or, alternatively, the processor itself operates as the control block. Fig. 5 shows the functional flow diagram of the showering process implemented by one preferred embodiment of the invention. The showering process is started 11 by opening 12 the tap of shower 2 by extending a hand in proximal field 8 of sensor 7. When the cold water has flown out of the pipe system and the water is nice and warm, the user of the shower can move 13 under the shower to remote field 9. If the user does not move to remote field 9 within a certain, predetermined time, control block 10 closes the water inlet. Sensor 7 detects the user in remote field 9 and keeps the shower open during the time he gets wet and rinses 14. When the user wants to stop the water inlet of shower 2 to apply soap 16, he closes 15 the tap of shower 2, for example, by extending a hand in proximal field 8 of sensor 7. In this way, the user can apply soap 16 without having to leave the range of remote field 9 of sensor 7. After applying soap 16, the user reopens 17 the tap of shower 2, for example, by extending a hand in proximal field 8 of sensor 7. Sensor 7 detects the user in remote field 9 and keeps the shower open during rinsing 18. When the user is ready and steps out 19 from under shower 2, remote field 9 of sensor 7 detects this, whereupon the tap of shower 2 automatically closes 20 after a short while and the showering process ends 21. Fig. 6 shows the functional time diagram of the showering process. In the diagram, the function of remote field 9 of the position-sensitive sensor 7 is illustrated by graph 22. The upper level of graph 22 shows the position of the person having a shower in the range of remote field 9 of sensor 7 and, correspondingly, the lower level illustrates the position of the person outside the range of remote field 9 of sensor 7. Correspondingly, graph 23 of the diagram illustrates the operation of proximal field 8 of sensor 7. The upper level of graph 23 illustrates the position (of the hand) of the person taking a shower within the scope of proximal field 8 of sensor 7 and, correspondingly, the lower level illustrates the position of the user outside the scope of proximal field 8 of sensor 7. Graph 24 of the diagram illustrates the operation of the tap of shower 2. The upper level of graph 24 illustrates the open state of the tap of shower 2, and the lower level illustrates the closed state of the tap of shower 2. In Fig. 6, time t is illustrated by graph 22, within which time the user has to step under the shower, i.e., to remote field 9 in order for conrol block 10 not to stop the water inlet. It should be noted that either processor P or a separate control block 10 is adjusted so that successive proximal field observations of the sensor alternately open and close the water inlet. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the shower arrangement is provided with a switch, a jumper wire, a certain control value in the memory of the control block, or some other control means that can be used to set the control block 10 to control the shower arrangement in a similar way as an ordinary ON/OFF shower arrangement provided with a photocell pick-off or other applicable sensor arrangement. In such an embodiment, a selection can be made, for example, when installing the shower system or at the beginning of the washing process, as to whether the shower functions according to the inventive mode described above or according to the known technology, so that upon the sensor detecting an object in its range of perception, the control block starts the water inlet, and upon the object leaving the sensor's range of perception, the control block stops the water inlet. The shower solution according to the invention saves water by decreasing waste discharge. It is extremely convenient to use and the shower solution can be used in shower structures installed in the washing facilities of both private households and public premises.

Claims: A shower arrangement to be installed in washing facilities, comprising a shower (2), a valve (6) for controlling the water inlet of the shower, a sensor for detecting a person coming under the shower in a proximal field (8) and in a remote field (9), where the sensor is a position-sensitive sensor (7) comprising a light-emitting diode as a transmitter (S) and a control block (10) for adjusting the valve (6) responsively to the sensor, where the control block is arranged to adjust the valve responsively to detection of an object in said proximal field and to detection of an object in said remote field characterised in that said sensor (7) comprises further a light-sensitive line of diodes as a receiver (R), and said sensor is arranged to detect objects (T) in the proximal field (8) and in the remote field (9) by help of the ray of light of the light-emitting diode (S) reflected back from the object (T) and detected by a diode of the light-sensitive line of diodes, where the diode of the light-sensitive line of diodes in question is defined by the distance of the object (T). A shower arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that said proximal field (8) is at a distance of approximately 0 to 10 cm from said position-sensitive sensor (7). A shower arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that said remote field (9) is at a distance of approximately 10 to 80 cm from said position-sensitive sensor (7). A shower arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the control block is arranged to interpret detections of an object in said proximal field as ON/OFF commands for controlling the valve (6) of the water inlet of the shower (6). A shower arrangement according to Claim 4, characterised in that the control block is arranged to open the valve (6) as a response to detection of an object in said proximal field only, if an object is detected in the remote field. A shower arrangement according to Claim 4, characterised in that the control block is arranged to open the valve (6) as a response to detection of an object in said proximal field, and to close the valve after a certain predetermined time, if no objects are detected in the remote field within said predetermined time. A shower arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the valve (6) is a solenoid valve (6). A shower arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the control block is arranged to keep the valve (6) open, when an object is detected in said proximal field or in said remote field, and closed, when no objects are detected.

Inventors: RAUTAVUORI JANNE, VATKA TAPANI, RAUTAVUORI, JANNE, VATKA, TAPANI
Applicants: ORAS OY
Application year: 1998
Main classification: E03C1
IPC codes: E03C1