Patent Publication Number: US-2023139384-A1

Title: Sanitary fitting for dispensing treated liquids

Description:
The invention relates to a sanitary fitting for dispensing treated liquids, comprising a first control element for setting a quantity of a liquid to be dispensed and a second control element for setting the type of liquid to be dispensed, wherein at least one of the two control elements has several defined control positions. 
     The invention further relates to a sanitary system comprising a sanitary fitting and a treatment device connected to the sanitary fitting for providing treated liquid. 
     Sanitary fittings have become known in a variety of ways. Known sanitary fittings have, for instance, a fitting body having at least one control element for setting at least one characteristic of a fluid flow routed through the sanitary fitting. The property may be, for instance, the flow rate of the fluid flow or the temperature of the fluid flow. In known sanitary fittings, for instance, the fluid flow is mixed from a separate cold-water flow and hot-water flow by means of a mixing device, and from there it is routed to an outlet. 
     To increase functionality, for instance, a sanitary fitting has become known from DE 10 2013 000 773 A1 or DE 10 2013 002 236 A1 having at least one first control element for setting the temperature and/or quantity of mixed water and having at least one second control element for setting the quantity of hot water. The second control element, which can be used to adjust the amount of hot water, is designed as a rotary selector switch. It must first be turned in a first direction to activate the hot water function. Then, this must be turned in the direction opposite to the first direction to set the desired amount of hot water. 
     From DE 10 2019 210 435 A1, a sanitary fitting for dispensing treated liquids, in particular for beverages, is known, comprising a first control element for setting the quantity of the treated liquid to be dispensed and an control element for providing the quantity of treated liquid set by means of the first control element, wherein at least one second control element is arranged for selecting a type of treatment, in particular of at least two different types of treatment, from untreated liquid, wherein the first and the at least one second control element can be actuated independently of each other. 
     The two control elements have defined control positions, wherein every control position is permanently assigned to the type and quantity of the treated liquid. 
     Only a very limited number of possible types and quantities of processed liquids can be selected. This is particularly disadvantageous due to the different customer requirements and specifications worldwide, for instance with regard to different quantities to be dispensed. In addition, this also makes the manufacture of the sanitary fitting more expensive, as it has to be adapted separately to different countries. 
     This invention therefore addresses the problem of providing a sanitary fitting and a sanitary system, which offer an increased flexibility in terms of adaptability to different quantities and types of liquid treated, while being simple to manufacture and offering a superior user experience. 
     In an embodiment, this invention solves the problems mentioned above based on a sanitary fitting for dispensing treated liquids, comprising 
     a first control element for setting a quantity of a liquid to be dispensed,
 
a second control element for setting the type of liquid to be dispensed,
 
wherein at least one of the two control elements has several defined control positions, and
 
a control device, which is connected to the control elements and which can be configured in such a way that the control device can be used to assign at least one defined actuator position to a configurable quantity of a type of liquid to be dispensed and/or a configurable type of liquid to be dispensed.
 
     In an embodiment, this invention solves the problems above based on a sanitary system comprising a sanitary fitting according to any of the claims  1 - 9 , and a treatment device connected to the sanitary fitting for providing treated liquid, in particular wherein the treatment device comprises at least one of the devices listed below:
         a filter device for providing a filtered fluid, in particular filtered water,   a carbonation device for providing a carbonated fluid, in particular carbonated water,   a warming and/or heating device for providing fluids at high temperature, in particular hot water,   a cooling device, in particular for providing a cooled fluid, in particular water,   an ionization device for ionizing a fluid, in particular water,   an enrichment device for enriching the fluid by adding at least one substance, in particular mineral substance, flavoring, coloring or the like,   an add-on device for adding concentrates, in particular fruit juice concentrates or the like, to a fluid,   a hygienic device for providing hygienically treated fluid, in particular for sterilizing a fluid, and/or   a cleaning device for providing a cleaning and/or rinsing medium instead of or to be added to a fluid.       

     One of the advantages achieved in this way is that it significantly increases flexibility for both a user and a manufacturer of the sanitary fixture. A user can then optimally set any desired quantity specifications or, for instance, adapt the settings to any existing drinking vessels. The advantage for the manufacturer is that, depending on the country in which the sanitary fitting is to be used, it can initially preconfigure the sanitary fitting with regard to the quantities to be dispensed without having to make any structural changes to the sanitary fitting as a whole. Another advantage is the superior user experience, as the user can decide for himself and program the positions of the control elements based on functions such as type of liquid or quantity. In this way, operability is also improved. 
     The term “treated liquid” shall be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, to liquids, in particular water in the form of tap water from a water supplier or the like, the properties and/or composition of which is additionally changed by a separate device. For instance, treated water may have a high temperature, so-called hot water, a different degree of carbonation, a partially different composition or the like for the water originally provided by the water supplier. The term “treated liquid” shall in particular not be understood to denote hot or cold water, which is usually provided by a water supplier to a single-family house, multiple-family house or the like, and the temperature of which may be adjusted via a heating system or the like. 
     The term “type of treatment” shall be understood in the broadest sense and refers, in particular in the claims, preferably in the description, not only to the basic type of treatment of a liquid, for instance whether the water has been carbonated or not, but also to the degree, intensity or concentration of the treatment, for instance the intensity of carbonation. Different types of treatment shall thus be understood to denote, for instance, different degrees of carbonation, such as “still”, “medium” or “classic”. Different types of treatment also comprise different temperatures of hot water, water filtered to different degrees, different concentrations of flavor additives or flavorings, 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, “nontreatment”. 
     Further features, advantages and further embodiments of the invention are described below or may be disclosed in that way. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the control elements and/or the control device has/have a wired and/or a wireless interface for configuring at least one of the control positions. In this way, a user can configure the actuator positions based on functions in a simple and direct manner, for instance using a Bluetooth connection of a smartphone and a corresponding App. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a display device is arranged for the visual and/or audible display of the configuration. The advantage thereof is that it further improves the user experience with regard to the representation and/or feedback of different states, error messages and the like. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device can be used to provide an optical sequence in the form of flashing and/or intermittent display of colors for configuring the control device and at least one defined actuator position. One of the advantages achieved in this way is, for instance, the actuator positions that can be configured in a way that is unambiguous for a user. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device is designed to store different configurations for different users of the sanitary fitting. This further enhances the user experience, as different users of the sanitary fitting can store different profiles, i.e., they can always operate the sanitary fitting in the usual way. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device comprises an interface for the selection of a desired configuration by a user. The advantage thereof is that the user can easily and quickly access and use his/her profile. For this purpose, for instance, a sensor switch that can be operated by tapping or a mechanical switch can be provided. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the configuration of at least one of the control positions is cloud-based, wherein the control device has an interface to connect to the Internet. One of the advantages thus achieved is improved user-friendliness and, at the same time, a simple central configuration option for the sanitary fitting by one manufacturer. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the display device is integrated in at least one of the control elements. This means that installation space can be saved overall. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the optical display device is at least one ring. In addition to a good visual appearance and better perceptibility by a user of the sanitary fitting, this also improves operability. 
     Further important features and advantages of the invention are described in more detail in the dependent claims, in the drawings, and in the accompanying figure description based on the drawings. 
     It should be understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of this invention. 
    
    
     
       Preferred embodiments and embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components or elements. 
       In the Figures 
         FIG.  1    shows a 3-dimensional view of a sanitary fitting according to an embodiment of this invention; 
         FIG.  2    shows a section of the sanitary fitting according to  FIG.  1   ; and 
         FIG.  3    shows a sanitary system according to an embodiment of this invention including a sanitary fitting according to  FIG.  2   . 
     
    
    
       FIG.  1    shows a 3-dimensional view a sanitary faucet according to an embodiment of this invention. 
     In detail,  FIG.  1    shows a sanitary fitting  1  for kitchens. The sanitary fitting  1  is part of a sanitary system  200  of  FIG.  3   . The sanitary fitting  1  comprises a cylindrical fitting body  2 , at which one control-element unit  3   a ,  3   b  each is arranged perpendicular to the cylinder axis, i.e., along the axis A, on different sides of the fitting body  2 . Here, the first control-element unit  3   a  is used to adjust a mixed-water temperature and a flow rate of a mixed water based on untreated hot and cold water. For this purpose, the first control-element unit  3   a  comprises a single-lever mixing device  8 . The second control-element unit  3   b , which is described in more detail in  FIG.  2    below, a quantity and a treatment type for treated water can be set and a dispensing of the treated quantity of water can be triggered. 
     A water outlet  5 , to which mixed water can be applied, is further arranged on the fitting body  2  in a swiveling manner via an outlet arm  4 . Furthermore, the water outlet  5  is connected to a retaining arm  6  via a detachable connection  56 , wherein the retaining arm  6  in turn is arranged on the fitting body  2  to be swiveled in parallel to the cylinder axis of the fitting body  2 . The detachable connection  56  can be established, for instance, by a magnetic force. A further water outlet  7  is arranged on the underside of the holding arm  6 , which can be used to dispense treated water, which can be adjusted by means of the second control-element unit  3   b.    
       FIG.  2    shows a three-dimensional section of the sanitary fitting according to  FIG.  1    and  FIG.  3    shows a sanitary system according to one embodiment of this invention having a sanitary fitting according to  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  2    shows essentially the second control-element unit  3   b  in detail. The second control-element unit  3   b  comprises a first control element  300  in the form of a ring rotatable about an axis A, which is arranged perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical valve body  2 . The first control element  300  is used to adjust the desired amount of treated water. For this purpose, the first control element  300  can have visually and haptically perceptible elevations in the form of radial projections for defining different setting positions. 
     There is an indicator  301  along axis A in  FIG.  2    to the right of the first control element  300  and, again to the right, a highlight  303  indicating the position of the first control element  300 . On the other hand, the highlight  303  may also be configured as a second indicator device adjacent to a first indicator device  301 . The first indicator  301  is arranged on the right side of the first control element  300  and on the left side of the highlight  303 , and is annular in shape. In this context, the first display device  301  comprises a total of 18 separately actuatable optical elements in the form of multicolored LEDs. The first display device  301  can be used to display different color representations on the one hand, for instance at least the colors red, white, green, yellow and/or orange or the like, and on the other hand also different colors simultaneously, for instance the colors red and white alternately in the circumferential direction. The second display device  303  can also be used to display various luminous colors, in particular the colors red and blue. Each of the two display devices  301 ,  303  can also display the color intermittently, in other words provide flashing in the respective color. The first display device  301  can thus also display temporal sequences, for instance in this way a display of a red dot. band, section or the like moving in the circumferential direction. The indicating devices  301 ,  303  may alternatively or additionally provide audible signals, such as an intermittent beeping or the like. 
     Furthermore, the second control-element unit  3   b  has a second control element  302 , which is also annular in shape and is arranged to the left of the first control element  300 . Like the first control element  300 , the second control element  302  has a corrugation on its outer circumference to provide a user with a better grip. On the one hand, the second control element  302  is designed to be rotatable with directions of rotation R 3 , R 4  about the axis A, and on the other hand, this control element is also arranged to be movable along the axis A in the axial direction R 1 , R 2 . On the surface of the second control element  302  there is a circular surface (not shown) with an actuating element  305  perpendicular to the axis A. The actuating element  305  is used to trigger the dispensing of treated water. The actuating element  305  can be designed to be actuated without contact or by means of contact. In this regard, the actuating element  305  may be in the form of an infrared sensor such that when the surface is touched, the actuating element  305  is triggered. 
     The second control element  302  can be moved to different snap positions by rotating it in the direction R 4 . Rotation in the opposite direction R 3  may be permitted, but may not be permitted; then a user would only be able to continue rotating the second control element  302  in the direction R 4 . The second control element  302  is used to select the desired type of treated water. For this purpose, the second control element  302  can have visually and haptically perceptible elevations in the form of radial projections for defining different setting positions. 
     The operation of the sanitary fitting  1  will now be explained in detail. For this purpose, the sanitary fitting  1  is initially in idle/standby mode. This may be such that when the actuating element  305  is actuated in the standby mode, mixed water, in this case unfiltered tap water, is dispensed through the water outlet  5 . No additional actuation of the second control element  302  is required. 
     While the mixed water is being dispensed, a running indication is given by means of nine LEDs—i.e., half a ring—towards the front (clockwise when looking at the surface along axis A). To this end, nine LEDs always light up simultaneously, the respective last LED is not actuated, the next LED is actuated. The speed of the sequence is chosen such that the half ring takes 2 seconds to circulate once completely. 
     If the actuating element  305  is actuated again during the dispensing of the mixed water, the dispensing of mixed water is aborted. If the actuating element  305  is not actuated again during the mixed water dispensing, the mixed water is output for 20 seconds and is then stopped. The value of 20 seconds can be set or changed via a corresponding App, for instance. 
     If the second control element  302  is actuated while the mixed water is being dispensed, no action is taken. If the first control element  300  is actuated during dispensing of mixed water, dispensing of water continues and/or stops after dispensing the set amount. After dispensing, the sanitary fitting  1  changes to the standby mode or, if necessary, to the corresponding mode specified by the second control element  302 . 
     If the first control element  300  is set to a predefined quantity, in this case “0”, i.e., to a certain predefined or predefinable quantity associated with a shutdown of the sanitary fitting  1 , the sanitary fitting  1  is turned off. The indicator  301  is disabled and the first control element  300  and second control element  302  are disabled, so that none of the water types and no mixed water is dispensed when the latter is actuated. Likewise, no errors or a cleaning program that may already be running are indicated by means of the display device. If the cleaning program was started prior to shutdown, it continues until its regular termination; however, no indication is given by means of the display device  301 . The mixing device  8  on the right side of the sanitary fitting  1  can still be used to independently tap mixed water. 
       FIG.  3    shows a sanitary system  200  comprising a sanitary fitting  1  according to  FIGS.  1  and  2    and a treatment device  201  and a control device  100  in detail. Specifically, a filter device  106  is arranged, which is connected to a cold-water line  21   b  for supplying cold water. The filter device  106  can then be used to provide filtered water via a line  20   c  connected to a processing device  103  and via a line  20  connected to the water outlet  7 . For this purpose, for controlling the processing device  103  the control device  100  is connected to the processing device  103  by wire or wirelessly. However, the processing device  103  may also be integrated into the control device  100 . 
     The processing device  103  may comprise, for instance:
         the aforementioned filter device  106 ,   a carbonation device for providing a carbonated fluid, in particular carbonated water,   a warming and/or heating device for providing fluids at high temperature, in particular hot water,   a cooling device, in particular for providing a cooled fluid, in particular water,   an ionization device for ionizing a fluid, in particular water,   an enrichment device for enriching the fluid by adding at least one substance, in particular mineral substance, flavoring, coloring or the like,   an add-on device for adding concentrates, in particular fruit juice concentrates or the like, to a fluid,   a hygienic device for providing hygienically treated fluid, in particular for sterilizing a fluid, and/or   a cleaning device for providing a cleaning and/or rinsing medium instead of or to be added to a fluid.       

     The control device  100  has an electronic control device and is connected to the two control elements  300 ,  302 , the display device  301 , and to the actuating element  305  for the corresponding control or actuation thereof via a signal line  130 . The control device  100  is further connected to a power supply  102  for its operation. Treated liquid, for instance filtered water, or if a hot-water system is provided, hot water, can be dispensed via the line  20  through the water outlet  7 . The hot-water line  21   a  and the cold-water line  21   b  are connected to a mixer cartridge and further to the first water outlet  5  via the first control-element unit  3   a , and mixed water having a corresponding temperature can be dispensed therethrough accordingly. 
     If the first control element  300  is set to “0”, the components of the treatment device  201  continue to operate, for instance the heating device. 
     The water types and quantities are assigned directly at the control device  100 , which may have a screen for this purpose, or by means of an App. To this end, the control device  100  has a display  120  and/or an interface  150  for configuring the individual control positions of the second control element  302  and the individual positions of the first control element  300  or is connected to such a display and interface. The interface  150 , which is wireless, can be used to perform the configuration, for instance via an App of a smartphone, for instance by means of WLAN or Bluetooth. The configuration can also be cloud-based. Based on a profile stored on the Internet, a user can configure corresponding positions, which are then transmitted to the control device  100  by means of an Internet connection via the interface  150 . 
     When the second control element  302  is actuated and then the actuating element  305  is actuated, the set type and amount of water is dispensed. While the water is being dispensed, a running indication is given by means of nine LEDs—i.e., half a ring—towards the front (clockwise when looking at the surface along axis A). To this end, nine LEDs always light up simultaneously, the respective last LED is not actuated, the next LED is actuated. The speed of the sequence is chosen such that the half ring takes 2 seconds to circulate once completely. 
     If the selection “boiling water” is stored at one of the specified positions, one of the display elements of the display device  301  lights up red. However, a safety device must first be overcome here by pressing and rotating the second control element  302  by a predetermined angle before the hot water can be tapped through the confirmation element  305 . If the actuating element  305  is actuated again during the dispensing of the hot water, the hot water dispensing is stopped. If the second control element  302  is actuated during the dispensing of hot water, the hot water is dispensed in the selected amount. If the first control element  300  is actuated during the dispensing of hot water, dispensing is terminated after the selected quantity has been dispensed. After dispensing, the sanitary fitting  1  changes to the standby mode, however, or, if necessary, to the corresponding mode specified by the second control element  302 . 
     In order to dispense or tap hot water, a safety barrier must be overcome, as explained above. To select boiling hot water, hot water, the second control element  302  has to be pushed in the direction of the first control element  301  along the axis A and rotated backwards by at least 80°. A haptic feedback, in particular by means of a grid, reports the correct, i.e., sufficient, angle of rotation back to a user. This hot water mode is indicated by the red color of all display elements of the display device  301 . 
     After the hot water mode has been activated, the entire display device  301  is turned off after one second and only a red illuminated display element can be seen at the position of the highlight  303 . The first control element  300  can then optionally be used to change the selected quantity by rotating it. 
     Touching the actuating element  305 , particularly in the form of an infrared sensor, generally triggers the dispensing of any kind of water. Renewed pressing stops the dispensing of water, even if the set quantity has not yet been reached. While the water is being dispensed, a running indication is given by means of nine LEDs—i.e., half a ring—towards the front (clockwise when looking at the surface along axis A). To this end, nine LEDs always light up simultaneously, the respective last LED is not actuated, the next LED is actuated. The speed of the sequence is chosen such that the half ring takes 2 seconds to circulate once completely. 
     To indicate the status of the filter device  106 , in standby mode, when the filter device  106  of the sanitary system  200  has a remaining filter time below a presettable threshold, a yellow indicator element comes on below the white indicator element. 
     The yellow display element is turned off only
         when the water type is selected, when the entire display device lights up,   when an error is active and the entire display device pulses red,   when the fitting is switched off, or   when the cleaning program is running.       

     In standby mode of the sanitary fitting  1 , if the residual filter time is below a predefinable threshold value and if the CO 2  pressure sensor detects less than a predefinable pressure value, for instance below 3 bar, a red indicator element comes on below the white indicator element. 
     The red display element is only turned off
         when the water type is selected, when the entire display device lights up,   when an error is active and the entire display device pulses red,   when the fitting is switched off, or   when the cleaning program is running.       

     If a cleaning program has been started via the display  120  of the control device  100  or via the App, nine yellow display elements show a running indication, here in the form of LEDs—i.e., half a ring—towards the front (clockwise when viewed from the direction of the surface along axis A). To this end, nine LEDs always light up simultaneously, the respective last LED is not actuated, the next LED is actuated. The speed of the sequence is chosen such that the half ring takes 2 seconds to circulate once completely. 
     If the user has to be active during the cleaning program, such as replacing a cleaning cartridge, removing a cleaning cartridge, or the like, all of the display elements of the display device pulse yellow and the action to be taken is visualized on the display  120  of the control device  100  or using the App. If the cleaning program continues to run, a running indication is given by means of nine yellow illuminated display elements, as described above. At the end of the cleaning program, the sanitary system  200  returns to standby mode. 
     If an error has occurred in the sanitary system  200  or if a control menu is activated on the display  120  of the control device  100 , the entire LED ring will pulse red; the sanitary system  200  is now in error mode. In that case, no setting can be made via the two control elements  300 ,  302 , and the control element  305  is switched off. Error mode is an interrupt to any other state and interrupts all operations; an active dispensing of water is canceled in the event of an error or of the activation of the menu on the display. An active error during the cleaning program temporarily disables the sanitary system. 
     When the second control element  302  is actuated in standby, all of the display elements of the display device  301  display the appropriate color according to the desired type of treatment, and the type of treated water can be selected. When the second control element  302  is rotated forward (clockwise as viewed from the actuating element), the water type changes the color of the indicator  301  from green, light blue to blue at each notch. There, green denotes still water, light blue medium sparkling and blue classic sparkling. When turning in the other direction, the order is reversed. After the actuating element  305  has been actuated, the complete display device  301  lights up for 1 second in the selected color. After this second, only one LED is displayed at highlight  303  in the selected color. 
     To select the “Classic sparkling” water type and dispense the same, proceed as follows: 
     After the water type “Classic sparkling” has been selected by means of the second control element  302 , the entire LED illuminated ring is turned off and only one display element in the color of the desired water type lights up at the point—in this case blue—where the selected quantity is set. The first control element  300  can then be used to optionally change the selected quantity by rotation. For instance, thirteen fixed or preset volume settings are available here (from 100 to 1000 ml). In addition, a further four freely configurable water quantities can also be provided. 
     Touching the actuating element  305  triggers the dispensing of water. As long as the desired water is dispensed, nine LEDs—i.e., half a ring—give a running indication as described above. To this end, nine LEDs always light up simultaneously, the respective last LED is not actuated, the next LED is actuated. The speed of the sequence is chosen such that the half ring takes 2 seconds to circulate once completely. 
     After tapping the desired water, the sanitary fitting  1  remains in the selected setting for 5 seconds and an indicator element of the display device  301  lights up in the corresponding color. It can now be tapped again or the settings can be changed, for instance, the quantity can be changed. After the specified time period has elapsed, in this case 5 seconds, the sanitary fitting  1  returns to standby mode. In standby mode, the one display element of the display device  301  lights up white again. 
     In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the invention has at least one of the advantages listed below:
         superior user experience.   high flexibility regarding the individual configuration of the sanitary fitting.   easy to manufacture and implement.   reliable selection of treated water and error indication.       

     Although this invention has been described with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto and can be modified in a variety of ways. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  sanitary fitting 
               2  fitting body 
               3   a  first control-element unit 
               3   b  second control-element unit 
               4  outlet arm 
               5  water outlet 
               6  retaining arm 
               7  water outlet 
               8  mixing device 
               20  line 
               20   a  line 
               20   b  line 
               20   c  line 
               21   a  hot-water line 
               21   b  cold-water line 
               56  detachable connection 
               100  control device 
               102  power supply 
               103  processing device 
               106  filter device 
               120  display 
               130  signal line 
               150  interface 
               200  sanitary system 
               201  treatment device 
               300  first control element 
               301  first display device 
               302  second control element 
               303  highlight/second display device 
               305  actuating element 
             A axis 
             R 1 , R 2  axial direction 
             R 3 , R 4  direction of rotation